Monday, February 13, 2017

Romance is in the Air Giveaway Hop!



Another fun giveaway hop this month! Check out the romantic reads and enter to hopefully win some new books! I'll be giving away my extra copy of The Loyal Heart by Shelley Shepard Gray, one of my favorite historical fiction authors.

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Synopsis

Robert came to Galveston to fulfill his promise to a dying man and look after his widow. He didn’t expect to find love in the unlikeliest of places.

Robert Truax, former Second Lieutenant and Confederate officer in the Civil War, made a promise to his comrade Phillip Markham. If anything happened to Phillip, Robert would look after his beloved wife, Miranda. She was his life, his world, his everything.

After the war, Robert is left to pick up the pieces and fulfill his pact. When he arrives at Miranda's home in Galveston, Texas, things are worse than he imagined. Phillip's name has been dragged through the mud, everyone in town believes him to be a traitor, and his widow is treated as an outcast. Even more disturbing is her emotional well-being. Miranda seems hopeless, lost, and so very alone.

Robert had thought his duty would be simple. He would help Miranda as quickly as possible in order to honor a promise. But the moment Robert laid eyes on her, his plans changed. He's mesmerized by her beauty and yearns to help her in any way he can.

He makes it his duty to protect Miranda, turn her reputation around, and to find some way to help her smile again. But it doesn't prove to be an easy task—Robert knows something about Phillip that could shake Miranda to the core and alter her view of the man she thought she knew so well.






Review & Giveaway: The Outlaw's Secret by Stacy Henrie


On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

The Outlaw's Secret
by Stacy Henrie
Christian Historical Romance
Paperback & ebook, 288 pages
February 7th 2017 by Love Inspired Historical

Lawman in Disguise

Getting taken hostage by a gang of train robbers wasn't in dime novelist Essie Vanderfair's plans, but interviewing these men could make her career soar. Especially since the gang includes legendary outlaw Tex Beckett, better known as the Texas Titan. Tex is famed for his protection of women and children, so she'll be fine…right?

Keeping the gang in line was hard enough before a stubborn, beautiful writer interfered. Now Tex is scrambling to keep Essie safe, to gather evidence against the gang and most of all to hide his dangerous secrets. First, that he's a detective working undercover. And second, that he's not the Texas Titan at all, but Tex's twin brother, Tate Beckett.


My Review

I loved the premise of this fast-paced story on the Western frontier! Tate is in dangerous and desperate circumstances, being undercover, alone, in a band of outlaws, impersonating his brother- who is still out there somewhere. Tate is not the hardened detective I expected, but is compassionate and turns to his faith for strength. Essie seems a bit naive when she assumes she will be safe with a group of lawless men, but uses her skills from being raised on a ranch and the research from her previous books to help the gang when they come up against obstacles. She has a sympathetic heart and learning the sad history of each outlaw makes her see them as individuals rather than criminals. I liked that she and Tate develop a close bond as they are drawn to each other and help each other on the trail. There is plenty of action as the group moves from one location to another, and one scrape to another. I was glued to the pages to find out when Essie would discover Tate's secret, when they would give in to the chemistry building between them, and if the real Tex would make an appearance. Another great western from Stacy Henrie with suspense, action, and romance!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)




About the Author



USA Today bestselling author Stacy Henrie is the author of western romances and the Of Love and War series, which includes Hope at Dawn, a 2015 RITA Award finalist for excellence in romance. She was born and raised in the West, where she currently resides with her family. She enjoys reading, road trips, interior decorating, chocolate, and most of all, laughing with her husband and kids. You can learn more about Stacy and her books by visiting her website at stacyhenrie.com.

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Tour Giveaway

- 1 winner will receive print copies of LADY OUTLAW and THE EXPRESS RIDER'S LADY + $10 Amazon Gift Card (US only)
- 1 winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card (open internationally)
- Ends February 18th

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Sunday, February 12, 2017

Review: The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill by Julie Klassen


Heidi Reads... The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill by Julie Klassen

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

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Synopsis

On a rise overlooking the Wiltshire countryside stands the village of Ivy Hill. Its coaching inn, The Bell, is its lifeblood--along with the coach lines that stop there daily, bringing news, mail, travelers, and much-needed trade.

Jane Bell lives on the edge of the inn property. She had been a genteel lady until she married the charming innkeeper who promised she would never have to work in his family's inn. But when he dies under mysterious circumstances, Jane finds herself The Bell's owner, and worse, she has three months to pay a large loan or lose the place.

Feeling reluctant and ill-equipped, Jane is tempted to abandon her husband's legacy and return to her former life of ease. However, she soon realizes there is more at stake than her comfort. But who can she trust to help her? Her resentful mother-in-law? Her husband's brother, who wanted the inn for himself? Or the handsome newcomer with secret plans of his own . . . ?

With pressure mounting from the bank, Jane struggles to win over naysayers and turn the place around. Can Jane bring new life to the inn, and to her heart as well?


My Review

The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill is a cozy book to sink into and enjoy at an unrushed pace. Before reading it I had heard that it was different from Klassen's other books, and I agree- but definitely not in a bad way. There is less suspense, but still a good amount of intrigue. The story is told from the perspective of three main characters: Jane, the innkeeper; Thora, her mother-in-law; and Rachel, Jane's estranged childhood friend. There is a wide cast of community members that interact with the ladies, but not too many to keep track of, especially since they are introduced gradually and each is so individual. I loved the steady weaving in and out of the story and relationships and how each flawed character grew and progressed through the challenges they faced. The workings of the countryside inn reminded me of other favorite books with a similar setting (Doing No Harm by Carla Kelly and Jackaroo by Cynthia Voigt) and it was so skillfully represented that I was fascinated by the historical details without being overwhelmed by them. The romance and potential for romance is subtle but definitely an undercurrent. I am so glad I gave this book a chance and am looking forward to continuing the series! Highly recommend!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)


Saturday, February 11, 2017

Double Review: Falling for Sydney and Falling for Maria by Heather B. Moore



Heidi Reads... Falling for Sydney by Heather B. Moore

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

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Synopsis

Sydney has been the perfect friend, the perfect daughter, and Rian checks off on her perfect fiancĂ© list. But when Sydney notices a strange truck parked in her fiancĂ©’s parking spot, she’s in for the surprise of her life. Not only is Rian not who she thought he was, but his brother Jake is about to turn her life upside down.

My Review

While things moved quickly for Sydney and Jake, the circumstances were a bit out of the ordinary and the romance was spot-on. I loved the tension and chemistry, which was off the hook! A fun novella with a little drama and a lot of love at first sight ;) Sydney's friends Maria and June were very supportive and it made me look forward to reading their stories next.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Heidi Reads... Falling for Maria by Heather B. Moore

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

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Synopsis

At twenty-six, Maria is holding out for the perfect man to share the rest of her life with. Josh seems to be that man, but after months of dating, their relationship is at a stand-still. Maria plans to nudge Josh forward, but when the company she works for is bought out, her new boss Walker seems determined to change Maria’s idea of the perfect man.

My Review

Maria has quite the flamboyant personality with her colorful fashion and brazen confidence. I would definitely be out of my element in the corporate setting but Maria fit right in, challenging the changes Walker was in charge of implementing. In spite of the new company policy Walker pursues her and makes it easy to get over Josh. I admired that she stayed strong and proactive in the midst of uncertainty and transition.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Don't miss Falling for June, the next book in the Falling series, available Summer 2017!


http://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

Once a year, June Dawson goes on vacation with her best friends from high school. When she arrives in Maui, she realizes she's the odd-woman out. With Sydney engaged, and Maria nearly so, June wonders if anyone will ever fall for her. Then June meets Lance, their gorgeous next door bungalow neighbor at the Maui resort, and she's definitely charmed. But after her recent breakup, June refuses to fall for gorgeous, or charming, again.