Heidi Reads...

Monday, June 1, 2015

Great e-book freebie and sale! The Vow and An Uncertain Choice by Jody Hedlund

Only $1.99 for the e-book of An Uncertain Choice by Jody Hedlund! Her books are always fantastic- this is a deal not to miss!

(Be sure to check the price since e-book sales are for a limited time)

Synopsis

Due to her parents' promise at her birth, Lady Rosemarie has been prepared to become a nun on the day she turns eighteen. Then, a month before her birthday, a friend of her father's enters the kingdom and proclaims her parents' will left a second choice. If Rosemarie can marry before the eve of her eighteenth year, she will be exempt from the ancient vow.

Before long, Rosemarie is presented with the three most handsome and brave knights in the land. But when the competition for her heart seemingly results in a knight playing foul, she begins to wonder if the cloister is the best place after all. If only one of the knights the one who appears the most guilty had not already captured her heart.

Get the e-book of The Vow by Jody Hedlund for free! This is the novella prequel to An Uncertain Choice.

(Be sure to check the price since e-book sales are for a limited time)

Synopsis

In this ebook historical romance novella by Jody Hedlund, young Rosemarie finds herself drawn to Thomas, the son of the nearby baron. But just as her feelings begin to grow, a man carrying the Plague interrupts their hunting party. While in forced isolation, Rosemarie begins to contemplate her future—could it include Thomas? Could he be the perfect man to one day rule beside her and oversee her parents’ lands?

Then Rosemarie is summoned back to her castle in haste. The disease has spread, and her family is threatened. And the secret she discovers when she returns could change her future forever.

This novella also serves as a prequel to Jody Hedlund’s An Uncertain Choice.

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Review: Together With You by Victoria Bylin

Heidi Reads... Together With You by Victoria Bylin

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

When a Lost Child warning blasts over the mall's PA system, toy store manager Carly Mason finds the little girl playing with a stuffed rabbit. Something about five-year-old Penny Tremaine is different. An ex-social worker, Carly recognizes that Penny suffers fetal alcohol effects, and a piece of Carly's own past suddenly confronts her. Never again will Carly become involved with a client. The risks are far too great. But something about Penny--and Penny's handsome father--tugs at Carly's heart. Before she has time to think it through, she agrees to a much-needed job as a nanny.

Dr. Ryan Tremaine knows he messed up his life. But this summer he will redeem himself. With his ex-wife remarried and on a trip far away, his two teenage sons and Penny are living under his roof full time. Ryan is dedicated to his sink-or-swim list, a plan to reconnect with his children. The first step: recruiting Carly Mason to be Penny's nanny.

Ryan never anticipated being so drawn to Carly, an attraction Carly seems to fight as much as he does. Could Carly be the missing piece that helps his family stay afloat, or will their blossoming romance only complicate things further?

My Review

My attention was grabbed right off the bat when the background to Ryan's daughter Penny was explained. I didn't expect his character to be so flawed, but at the same time I admired his resolve and determination to be a better father and improve his family dynamics as best he could. I also didn't expect there to be such a huge focus on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. I definitely learned some new things in that regard. It was a brilliant move by the author to have a few scenes from Penny's point of view since it gave me a deeper understanding of her thought process. Carly could have come across as too happy and perfect, but instead she showed depth, compassion, intelligence, and even inner conflict. I felt like the emphasis on the relationship and interactions between the children and adults overshadowed the romance, and the foundation of friendship Ryan and Carly built was glossed over during the time lapses. That's not to say I didn't enjoy it, because I did- this book is excellently written, but I did miss that aspect of Ryan and Carly's relationship. The drama is somewhat gritty but the characters' reactions and struggles come across as realistic and true-to-life.

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

Review: In Firefly Valley by Amanda Cabot

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Marisa St. George is devastated when she is a victim of downsizing and has no choice but to return to the small Texas town where she grew up. Though it's a giant step backward, she accepts a position as business manager at the struggling Rainbow's End resort. The only silver lining is Blake Kendall, a new guest who is making her believe in love at first sight. But will her dreams of happily-ever-after be turned upside down when she discovers who he really is?

My Review

Like the previous book in the series, In Firefly Valley is slow moving, but in a relaxing way. I enjoyed all the characters in the small-town community. The personal struggles of Marisa were realistic as she deals with her issues of abandonment and anger. Blake and Marisa have great kissing scenes, and secondary romance between Drew and Lauren was nice. Strong themes of family, alcoholism, anger, secret identity, trust, grief, and forgiveness, and second chances make this more than just a light read.

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

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Review & Giveaway! The Moses Chronicles: Bondage by H.B. Moore

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing!

https://deseretbook.com/p/moses-chronicles-v1-bondage?autocomplete=true

Synopsis

A gripping, historical fiction account of the events that lead to Moses’s flight into the wilderness, The Moses Chronicles: Bondage will take you back to a rich period of history replete with scandal, strife, love, and hope as God prepares a prophet to lead His chosen people.

My Review

Amazing, epic, seriously can't wait for the next book in the series! I'm not often in the mood for Biblical fiction but I'm so, so glad I chose to read this one! Heather B. Moore never disappoints. This is the story of Miriam, Moses' sister, and her life as a Hebrew slave, daughter, and sister. She is headstrong but fiercely loyal, and attracts the interest of Caleb, who wants to protect her but doesn't understand why she continues to put herself in danger by watching the Egyptian royals (Moses and his friends). The story is also told from the perspective of Moses and his Egyptian mother which offers fascinating insights into his life in the Egyptian court, his compassion for the Hebrews, and the strength of the princess who raised him. The characters and setting are so well-written that I could easily envision the story in my mind and I couldn't put it down (words like intense and gripping apply here). There is action, drama, intrigue, romance, and while the ending of the book nicely wraps up Miriam's adventures, it's only just beginning for Moses...

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