Review: Love's Sure Dawn by Naomi Rawlings

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

No matter how hard she tries to help, Rebekah Cummings always ends up causing more problems than she solves. This time, though, things will be different. She'll find a way to pay her family's debts, even if doing so requires leaving Eagle Harbor. Maybe then they'll start treating her as a capable woman who makes her own choices.

Gilbert Sinclair is going to marry an heiress. With his latest business venture sunk at the bottom of Lake Superior, he needs money to replace the steamship he lost, so he heads to Chicago where his father's business connections should land him a suitable wife. Like most things in his meticulously planned life, everything goes as expected—until he discovers Rebekah Cummings working as the new cook on his ship.

Rebekah well remembers the pain she endured the last time she tried trusting Gilbert, and Gilbert can't afford to pursue the love of a working class woman. But they can't stop the forgotten feelings swirling between them—or ignore the sacrifices they'd both have to make for a future together. 

My Review

We get to know Rebekah and Gilbert in the previous books in the Eagle Harbor series, and they are both difficult characters. I couldn't wait to see how their story would be told. After some humbling experiences in the previous book, Gilbert is forced to reevaluate his strategy on accomplishing his goal of building the crane he engineered. From an outside perspective, he seems selfishly bent on making this business venture successful at all costs, but as we learn about his real motivations his true character is revealed.

Rebekah is a strong young woman, stubborn and desperate to prove to her family that she can contribute beyond what the norm is for women of the time. Even though she acts hardened and tough, she is still naive about many things. Her eyes are opened to more harshness and cruelty on her journey, yet her compassion makes a difference in the lives of those she reaches out to.

The overall mood of the book is anxious since there is so much injustice in the lives of the characters, but the fighting spirits of Gilbert and Rebekah propel the story forward. The attraction between them is something they also fight against, but as they learn to turn to the Lord to direct their paths, they find that they are being led toward each other instead of apart. I was happy to see how things came together in the end, and already can't wait to read the next book!

This is the third book in the Eagle Harbor Series, but it can be read as a stand-alone. However, we get to know the main characters and families in the previous books so I think they are best enjoyed being read in order.

My reviews of Love's Unfading Light (book 1) and Love's Every Whisper (book 2)

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

Vote for Heather B. Moore's YA book Solstice to enter her $100 Amazon giveaway!

From Heather B. Moore's blog:

 

Enter to win 2 $100 Amazon Gift Cards!

That’s right, you have TWO chances to win $100 gift cards. Read on for details…

I'm hoping to win a publishing contract for my YA end-of-the-world book SOLSTICE. I wrote the book under the pen name Jane Redd because it’s a different genre than my usual historicals, thrillers, and romances. I entered SOLSTICE into Kindle Scout, which is Amazon’s publishing contest: think “American Idol” for books. Readers vote for/nominate a book, and the books that receive the most nominations will be considered for publication with Amazon. 

Check out the gorgeous cover art by Claudia McKinney!

Summary:

Four ways to get Banished from the last surviving city on earth are: 1. Cut out your emotion tracker, 2. Join a religious cult, 3. Create a rebellion against the Legislature, 4. Fall in love. 

Jezebel James does all four.

Jez is on the fast-track to becoming a brilliant scientist, with one goal—to save her city from total extinction. But the more Jez learns about the price of a fresh beginning, the more she realizes that carrying out the plan will lead to few survivors, and among the dead will be those she cares about the most.

Okay, so maybe this is a bit of a thriller too, and there’s romance! Maybe I'm not really swapping genres . . .

How To Enter: In order to help me gain nominations, I'm running a contest where anyone who votes for the book can enter a drawing to win a $100 Amazon gift card.

Here's what you do:  Go to this link https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/19YG70FO7KJU7 and nominate SOLSTICE. (You’ll need to sign in with your Amazon account info.) You can also read an excerpt of the first couple of chapters if you want, or you can just vote. Then, email me: heather (at) hbmoore (dot) com and I’ll enter you into the drawing for a chance to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card. 

And . . . for those of you who help pass the word along and get others to nominate the book as well, I'm offering a second $100 Amazon Gift Card giveaway.

How it works: Tell all your Facebook and Instagram/Twitter friend about it, and tell them to include your name in their email entry to me. Use in your post: Vote for Heather B. Moore’s new book SOLSTICE written under pen name Jane Redd on Kindle Scout, then enter the Two $100 Amazon Gift Card contests by emailing heather (at) hbmoore (dot) com and telling her that you voted and that I referred you. You’ll be entered into her 1st giveaway, and I’ll be entered into her 2^nd giveaway. Win Win! You can then refer others to get yourself entered into the 2^nd giveaway too.

For every person who nominates the book and lists you as their referrer, you’ll earn an entry into a 2^nd sweepstakes for ANOTHER $100 Amazon gift card. The more people you tell, the more they list you as their reference, the more chances you will have to win!

Also, if Amazon selects SOLSTICE to publish, everyone who has nominated the book will get a FREE copy from Amazon!

Guest Post by Liz Flaherty, Free E-books, Discount & Giveaways!

Guest Post by Liz Flaherty:

I don’t remember where I first heard about the Harlequin Heartwarming imprint or whose book was the first one I read—I just knew the stories filled a spot in this reader that had been empty too long. I recall being thrilled to see familiar names: Muriel Jensen, Roz Denny Fox, Cheryl St. John, and Marisa Carroll to name but a few. There was a point at the end of a book when I set it down and thought I wonder if I could do this. I emailed my editor saying “whaddaya think?” and he said “go for it.” (We may have used slightly more professional terms.)

So I went for it. I sat at the kitchen counter in the condo we rented that winter and let the story take me to an Irish pub in Vermont. I was in Northwest Florida avoiding a terrible winter in the Midwest, but my heart was in the Northeast Kingdom. I made a discovery then, that not only were these books heartwarming to read, they were heartwarming to write, too.

My first Heartwarming, Back to McGuffey’s, was released in October of 2014. I still gush over its cover. (Actually I gush over most of our covers—they are beautiful!) My next release will be Every Time We Say Goodbye in April of 2016.

And I hope I get to write many more of them.

All Heartwarming print titles are 30% OFF during November from Harlequin! Use code HEART1115

On tour with Prism Book Tours.

TODAY'S FREE SHORT STORY:

Wedding at Turkey Run by Liz Flaherty

Jenny and Zeke are united by their suspicions when her grandmother and his grandfather decide to get married at Turkey Run State Park over the Thanksgiving weekend. Before the weekend and the wedding are over, they are united by much more.

Read it HERE!

Liz Flaherty was a little nervous about retiring from her day job, but making quilts, more family time, traveling at the mere mention of “why don’t we go...” and becoming a Harlequin Heartwarming author have made the past years more fun and exciting than she could ever have imagined.

Website - Goodreads - Facebook - Twitter - Pinterest

Other Heartwarming Titles by this Author

Back to McGuffey's

The one that got away

Could Kate Rafael's day get any worse? First she lost her job, then her house burned down and now her ex is back in town. Apparently, Ben McGuffey's taking a break from being a big-city doctor to help at his family's tavern and reassess the choices he's made for his career.

Ben ends up giving Kate a hand...then giving her kisses...and finally, a second chance. But when a local teenager shows them both a glimpse of what it means to be a family, Ben wonders if having kids in small-town Vermont would clash with his ambitions. Or can he truly come home again...to Kate?

Goodreads - Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Harlequin

TOUR SCHEDULE

We'll be highlighting 13 FREE short stories by beloved Harlequin Heartwarming authors that will be available from Harlequin during November via their site.

Don't miss any of these FREE novellas! Stop by each of the tour stops each day:

11/2: Snow Day Baby by Amy Vastine
Singing Librarian Books, The Power of Words, & Katie's Clean Book Collection

11/4: Wedding at Turkey Run by Liz Flaherty
My Love for Reading Keeps Growing, Babs Book Bistro, & Heidi Reads...

11/6: Her Thanksgiving Soldier by Leigh Riker
Letters from Annie (Douglass) Lima, Mel's Shelves, & Brooke Blogs

11/9: Mr. Right All Along by Jen Snow
Katie's Clean Book Collection, Min Reads and Reviews, & Love thy Shelf

11/11: Falling for the Cowboy by Sophia Sasson
Kindle and Me, The Power of Words, & Colorimetry

11/13: The Marriage Gift by Tara Taylor Quinn
deal sharing aunt, Babs Book Bistro, & Brooke Blogs

11/16: Heart of a Hero by Pamela Tracy
Writing Pearls, Wishful Endings, & Waiting For Wentworth

11/18: Thankful for You by Karen Rock
Christian Chick's Thoughts, Getting Your Read On, & Love, Laughter, Friendship

11/20: Autumn at Jasper Lake by Carol Ross
Reading Is My SuperPower, I Am A Reader, & Colorimetry

11/23: The Firefighter’s Promise by Kate James
Canadian Book Addict, Mel's Shelves, & Beck Valley Books

11/24: Wedding of His Dreams by Cari Lynn Webb
Bookworm Lisa, Kindle and Me, & Zerina Blossom's Books

11/25: The Sweetheart Tree by Rula Sinara
The Written Adventure, Reading Is My SuperPower, & Writing Pearl

11/26: Married by Thanksgiving by Melinda Curtis
Heidi Reads..., Love, Laughter, Friendship, & Singing Librarian Books 

11/29: Grand Finale
11/30: Facebook Party

GIVEAWAYS

Goodreads Giveaway

13 Harlequin Heartwarming Books
Enter on Goodreads HERE.

Pinterest Giveaway

 

Pin one or both of these images to spread the word and enter to win this adorably festive Thanksgiving Table Set:

Pinterest Prize includes: four reversible, quilted placemats, four matching napkins, hand-painted matching napkin rings, matching table runner, matching quilted hot pad/trivet, floral centerpiece in pot, and hand-crafted pilgrim pair.

- Enter via the Rafflecopter below

- Open to US only

- Ends December 4th

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Tour Giveaway

Grand Prize: Harlequin Heartwarming Year Subscription (Provided by Harlequin and to US/CAN only)
$40 VISA card (US only)
13-Book Heartwarming Prize Pack: The Best Laid Plans, Back to McGuffy's, If I Loved You, Love, Lies & Mistletoe, First Comes Marriage, Once Upon A Marriage, Small Town Secrets, Winter Wedding Bells, If Not For A Bee, When The Right One Comes Along, Wedding of His Dreams, After The Silence, and A Memory Away (print copies if US, ebooks if international)
8-Book Prize Pack: The Best Laid Plans, If I Loved You, Love, Lies & Mistletoe, First Comes Marriage, Once Upon A Marriage, Winter Wedding Bells, If Not For A Bee, and After The Silence (print copies if US, ebooks if international)

Ends December 4th

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Review: A Sugar Creek Christmas by Jenny B. Jones

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Sometimes all love needs is a second chance.


Morning television show darling Emma Sutton has just been fired. The only way to get her job back is to find a holiday story to warm the coldest heart. So when her hometown of Sugar Creek, Arkansas, needs a Christmas event planner, Emma moves back, sure her story lies in the town’s desire to become a tourist’s holiday wonderland. The plan is perfect—until Emma meets her new boss.

Charming, handsome Noah Kincaid isn’t just Sugar Creek’s newest mayor. He’s also Emma’s ex-fiancé. Ten years ago Emma left Noah her ring and a goodbye note, but it’s haunted her ever since. The last thing Noah wants to do is work with the woman who broke his heart, but Emma’s desperate to prove to him that her bah-humbug ways won’t interfere with her work.

Emma finds it’s more than the mistletoe drawing her back to Noah. Whatever they had is clearly not over, but Noah’s kisses can’t protect Emma from a past that won’t leave her alone. As the snow falls and the trees glisten, love will come to Sugar Creek. But will it come in time to make all of Emma’s Christmas dreams come true?

My Review

I really liked the different aspects of this story- the tension between Noah and Emma, Emma's quest to overcome her aversion to Christmas, the geriatric CIA retirees, and the community that brings it all together. The awkwardness of her situation is portrayed realistically- she's not welcomed by everyone with open arms and she feels like she has to prove herself to Noah and the community. Her grandmother has complete faith in her however, and uses her vast array of CIA skills to orchestrate scenarios to guide Noah and Emma back together. They had such great chemistry, especially once Noah warms up to Emma and forgives her. The thing that I didn't understand was why Emma tried to rekindle a romance with Noah when she planned all along to leave him and go back to the city and her journalism career. I didn't like how she led him on and I can understand why he struggled with reconnecting with her. She is so used to being on the fast track and focusing 100% on her job that it's quite a transition to change her priorities and realize what's truly important to her and will bring joy to her life. A great read for the Christmas season!

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