Sunday, March 8, 2015

Free e-book: The Sentinels of Andersonville by Tracy Groot


The Sentinels of Andersonville by Tracy Groot

Download The Sentinels of Andersonville by Tracy Groot for free!
(Be sure to check the price since e-book sales are for a limited time)

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Synopsis

Near the end of the Civil War, inhumane conditions at Andersonville Prison caused the deaths of 13,000 Union soldiers in only one year. In this gripping and affecting novel, three young Confederates and an entire town come face-to-face with the prison’s atrocities and will learn the cost of compassion, when withheld and when given.

Sentry Dance Pickett has watched, helpless, for months as conditions in the camp worsen by the day. He knows any mercy will be seen as treason. Southern belle Violet Stiles cannot believe the good folk of Americus would knowingly condone such barbarism, despite the losses they’ve suffered. When her goodwill campaign stirs up accusations of Union sympathies and endangers her family, however, she realizes she must tread carefully. Confederate corporal Emery Jones didn’t expect to find camaraderie with the Union prisoner he escorted to Andersonville. But the soldier’s wit and integrity strike a chord in Emery. How could this man be an enemy? Emery vows that their unlikely friendship will survive the war—little knowing what that promise will cost him.

As these three young Rebels cross paths, Emery leads Dance and Violet to a daring act that could hang them for treason. Wrestling with God’s harsh truth, they must decide, once and for all, Who is my neighbor?

Saturday, March 7, 2015

Review: Anna's Crossing by Suzanne Woods Fisher


Anna's Crossing by Suzanne Woods Fisher

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing!

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Synopsis

When Anna Konig first meets Bairn, the Scottish ship carpenter of the "Charming Nancy," their encounter is anything but pleasant. Anna is on the ship only to ensure the safe arrival of her loved ones to the New World. Hardened by years of living at sea, Bairn resents toting these naive farmers--dubbed "Peculiars" by deckhands--across the ocean. As delays, storms, illness, and diminishing provisions afflict crew and passengers alike, Bairn finds himself drawn to Anna's serene nature. For her part, Anna can't seem to stay below deck and far away from the aloof ship's carpenter, despite warnings.
When an act of sacrifice leaves Anna in a perilous situation, Bairn discovers he may not have left his faith as firmly in the past as he thought. But has the revelation come too late?
Amish fiction favorite Suzanne Woods Fisher brings her fans back to the beginning of Amish life in America with this fascinating glimpse into the first ocean crossing as seen through the eyes of a devout young woman and an irreverent man. Blending the worlds of Amish and historical fiction, Fisher is sure to delight her longtime fans even as she attracts new ones with her superb and always surprise-filled writing.


My Review

Love, love, love this book! It's one of those ones you start without much expectation and by the end you are blown away. The setting is vividly depicted without overdrawn descriptions, the characters are just as vivid. There is a feeling of anticipation throughout the novel being on such a harrowing journey with a people used to being discriminated against. Anna is a heroine to admire for sure, humble and yet with an assertive personality. Her compassion for others, even those who persecute her, is something that especially catches Bairn's notice as they begin to interact with each other. Bairn is strong and intelligent, but the misfortune of his past torments him in the quiet hours. His secrets are slowly revealed to the readers as events and circumstances on the ship draw him closer to the God he believes abandoned him. The stories of the characters weave together and the end is so satisfying that I spent the next few days pondering all that I had read. Highly recommend, especially to fans of Amish fiction.

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

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Review: Would-Be Wilderness Wife by Regina Scott


Would-Be Wilderness Wife by Regina Scott

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

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Synopsis

Drew Wallin's youngest brother is determined to see him married--so he kidnaps Drew a prospective bride. Not only is Catherine Stanway beautiful, but she's a nurse who can help their ailing mother. Drew doesn't have time for distractions--he's too busy watching over his fatherless siblings. Yet he's drawn to this woman who carries loss and pain equal to his own.

Catherine has traveled West to use her nursing skills to save lives, not to find a husband. She knows if she gives in to Drew's matchmaking family, she'll be risking her already bruised heart. But maybe it's time she takes the ultimate risk to win the groom she didn't know she wanted!


My Review

The first part of the book wasn't too romantic since the main characters were both adamantly against starting a relationship with anyone, each for their own reasons. There is a bit of a mystery Catherine solves about what made Drew's mom so ill, which deepens into a bigger community conflict. Catherine seems pretty stuffy at first, but her true nature is revealed when her heart softens towards Drew's mother and siblings as they welcome her as one of the family. The matchmaking attempts of his brothers are hilarious- reminding me of the old movie Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Once Drew and Catherine admit their attraction and realize that a different future than the one they had planned would make them happier, the story was much more romantic. The author did a great job of giving her characters multi-layered personalities, and I especially enjoyed Drew's sister who was sweet and enthusiastic. A romance was hinted at with her and the town sheriff, so hopefully we can see them featured in their own book :)

(Thank you to Harlequin and Love Inspired Books for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Monday, March 2, 2015

Review, Interview & Giveaway! So True a Love by Amber Lynn Perry


Be sure to enter the giveaway at the bottom of this post!


My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

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Synopsis

Kitty Campbell knows that leaving the dangers of Boston behind for a more tranquil life in Sandwich is God's will for her. But not even twenty-four hours after arriving in the small sea-side town, she witnesses a terrible crime and is forced to stay silent or her family will be made to suffer. And yet, as the consequences for remaining quiet threaten more than just her family, Kitty is desperate to unload her burden. When handsome doctor Nathaniel Smith comes to her rescue more than once, she is tempted to risk everything by revealing what she knows, as her hidden attraction to the courageous patriot builds into much more than childish infatuation. When Doctor Nathaniel Smith discovers the town's ammunition stores have been raided, he knows immediately who to blame—the hated Tories. Desperate to keep the remaining powder out of enemy hands, he vows to find the men responsible. Then when Kitty Campbell is brutally assaulted and refuses to name her attacker, he suspects she might know something and keeps a closer watch for her safety, only to discover a fleeting attraction he harbored long ago threatens to grow into something akin to love. Yet, he knows a Tory and a Patriot would make a terrible match.

My Review

I absolutely loved the first book in this series (So Fair a Lady) and have been anxious to read Kitty and Nathaniel's story! She remained as stubborn as ever in her loyalties to the king, but it was enlightening to see things from her perspective. She finds herself caught in some dangerous predicaments as well as experiencing turmoil over her romantic feelings for Nathaniel, a staunch and very vocal patriot. He is such a charming and likeable character, and he has his own inner conflict over falling for Kitty. My favorite parts are when Nathaniel and Kitty were able to put aside their differences and just enjoy each other. Something I noticed is that in the first book, the patriots were a definite minority and quite unpopular, but in the second book things have reversed. It really shows how turbulent the times were approaching the Revolution. I'm looking forward to seeing how the political climate has progressed in the next book, which will feature Henry Donaldson, a British soldier and friend to Kitty and her sister, as the main character.

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

About the Author

Amber Lynn Perry is a historical romance novelist, focusing on her favorite time in American history--the Revolutionary era. She received a Bachelor's degree from Portland State University and currently lives in Washington state with her husband and two daughters. She loves to hear from readers and you can contact her through her website, www.amberlynnperry.com or through her Facebook page, www.facebook.com/authoramberlynnperry 




 
Interview with Amber Lynn Perry

What was something new you learned from publishing your second book?

I learned a lot! Historical facts, self-publishing tips and tricks, etc. But I think one of the most important lessons I learned is that haste makes waste! :) For me, writing is a slower process--and I really enjoy that. When I try to push it  and move too quickly, it loses its pleasure and the result is lower-quality writing.

Where do you draw inspiration for your characters' personalities?

Oh, from various people in my own life and from studying different personality types, actually--which I find incredibly fascinating!! But as a personal example--my husband teases me mercilessly--much like Nathaniel teases Kitty. ;) So sometimes I take things from personal experience and that makes it lots of fun. :)

Who is a historical female you admire?

Wow! This is a great question. There are many women in history that I find incredibly amazing and admirable. If we are talking strictly Revolutionary War era, I'm not sure if I could even pick only one, but I think in this moment I would choose Emily Geiger. She was only 16 when she volunteered to take a message to a Revolutionary leader. She was soon captured but memorized and ate the message before it could be discovered. Not long after, she was released, made her way to her destination and relayed the message perfectly. I find that wonderfully brave! Kitty's experience is similar to Emily's--I just couldn't pass up such an amazing piece of history. :)

I understand you've been to the setting of So True a Love, the Cape Cod town of Sandwich, MA. What is memorable about it for you?

Oh dear, that's difficult to put into words. For me, it's more of a feeling than a place or setting or monument. The town is so quaint and so lovely--so rich in history that is seems to surround me with its songs of the past. When I think of Sandwich and the precious little time I have spent there, I think of pink petals floating on the breeze, rays of sun breaking through the clouds, birds singing and the loamy scent of the ocean air. *sigh* I can't wait to go back. :)

I learned in my last interview with you that you are a huge lover of music. Are there songs that you associate with each of your novels?

Fun question!! I LOVED Let Her Go, by Passenger for So Fair a Lady. It really captured what I thought Thomas must have been feeling for Eliza. *sigh* As for So True a Love--I look really hard for a song that I thought would fit and I finally found Unconditionally, by Katy Perry. Both Kitty and Nathaniel are dealing with very deep, very personal things--needing to know they will be accepted by the other--and I was so excited to find that song. Such a fun question, Heidi. :)

Thank you Amber for the interview! It's always a pleasure :)

Amber is generously giving away one print copy and one e-book of So True a Love! Enter below for a chance to win her wonderful book! 

If you haven't read her first book, So Fair a Lady, I highly recommend it, and it's only $2.99 for the e-book, a fabulous deal! (Print copies available to order as well).