Friday, July 7, 2017

Book Tour Grand Finale: Family of His Own by Catherine Lanigan

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Book Tour Grand Finale for
Family of His Own
By Catherine Lanigan

We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops
you can see snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below...

Launch - The Faerie Tour

Welcome back to THE SHORES OF INDIAN LAKE! If you’re reading the series and following our Prism book tours, I’ll bet you weren’t expecting something as fantastical as a Faerie Tale, especially after dealing with cops, drug dealers and PTSD like we did with Cate Sullivan and Trent Davis in PROTECTING THE SINGLE MOM, now did you?


Brooke Blogs - Isabelle’s Dreams

Isabelle’s ultimate dream is to see her paintings hang in a famous Chicago or New York City gallery. She is convinced that no art critic or buyer will ever want her silly faeries. She believes she needs to move on. To what, she is unsure.

Her insecurity about her art and her future stymies her, to some extent, just as any fear does to all of us. She wants so much, but is conflicted about which direction to take.


"This is not a book where you can easily predict the ending. I honestly didn’t know how it was going to turn out. Lanigan wove a story with complicated players and some unexpected twists, while once again infusing the novel with warmth and family. While I never really warmed up to Isabelle, Scott (and Bella and Michael) makes up for this in spades. And of course the setting of Indian Lake is one I’m always happy to visit"

It's All About the Romance - Painting Faeries

It was nearly six years ago when I started creating and building many of my characters for Indian Lake. Granted, there are some new ones, such as Isabelle’s entire family. They’re all new and I’m getting to know them now and you will, too, as we move into the future. Isabelle was quite vivid to me. Right from the beginning, I knew I wanted her to paint faeries. Not the little baby looking cutie pies inside flowers and laundry baskets, but real, honest to goodness faeries. I know…you are asking…are they real? Or you are asking, “Come on.”


She had to force herself to focus. “Yes, the glasses. Uh, for the midnight toast.”

He brushed his lips against her cheek. “And I’ll find you for my kiss to ring in the New Year.”

Isabelle hadn’t realized she’d shut her eyes, immersing herself in the moment with Scott.

She felt a whoosh of air, the temperature dropped and she blinked, returning to the present. Scott had left her.


Scott Abbott is one of those truly decent guys that come along one in your lifetime, if you’re lucky. He, like Isabelle, the heroine, was introduced in the first novel in the series, LOVE SHADOWS. Scott owns The Book Shop and Java Stop as well as being a reporter for the local newspaper. He grew up in Indian Lake and in high school, he had a crush on Isabelle, but after he went off to college to earn his journalism degree, Isabelle was left behind, working hard to help her mother pay for college tuitions for her brothers and sisters.


"FAMILY OF HIS OWN, is a sweet love story about two friends finding their forever together. Filled with wonderful characters, and heart wrenching emotion, this story was impossible to put down until the end. I had to know what happened to Scott and Isabelle. Loved, loved, loved this book."


Mel's Shelves - Review

"I love spending time in Indian Lake! It's fun to catch up with some of the other couples we've met in previous books and learn what's happening in their lives. This book does stand well on its own, so if it's your first visit to Indian Lake, you won't feel lost, and will most likely want to get to know the other characters as well. I hope to meet more Indian Lake residents in the future!"


"With characters from previous books appearing, these books always provide a sense of community and feelings of coming home. I love that. Indian Shores is a place I would want to live."


"A trip back to Indian Lake brings us the story of two friends … and possibly soul mates? I had conflicted feelings about this heroine. On one side, I understood how she felt about her past and the unfairness of it all, but on the other side, I found it really hard to like her when she was acting so selfish & one dimensional. There is turmoil, growth and happily ever afters … but a long road of self-discovery to get there!"

Paulette's Papers - Scott's Real Life Magic

In the scene in which Scott first sees Bella in a dank, musty crack house bedroom, she’s watching a cheap television that is playing “The Bishop’s Wife”, the old black and white movie with Cary Grant. It’s New Year’s Eve and Scott has just left Isabelle on the dance floor at midnight at the Lodge. Scott is wearing his tuxedo while the rest of the police wear Kevlar vests and gun holsters. Bella asks Scott if he is an angel. Surprised, he asks her why. She picks up the video tape box and points to Cary Grant in a dress suit. “You look just like him.” Convinced that Scott is the angel sent to save her and her brother Bella, she trusts Scott immediately, and melts his heart.

Children have no problem with magic. They expect it. And many times, they get it.

I Am A Reader - Excerpt

Isabelle steeled herself as she approached Scott. Before he had a chance to berate or accuse her, she whispered, “I was in Chicago and Wes graciously offered to drive me home through this terrible storm.”

Scott, ever the gentleman, offered his arm, which she took.

“Then I should thank him.

Becky on Books - Faerie Research and Other Fancies

I’d always wanted to write a story that involved faeries. Though there is nothing supernatural in the story telling in this Heartwarming story, I was piqued by the prodigious world of information about fairies. Folklore and mythology from ancient Celtics to Shakespeare, to Sir Walter Scott and William Blake in the 1790’s illustrate that fairies have been a source of delight and fascination to many generations.

Sylv.net - Excerpt

The room was small and smelled musty, with only the light from an old television illuminating the faces of a little girl, about five or six years old, and the toddler in her arms.

The girl stared at them fearfully. Her lips quivered, but she remained silent. She took a step backward and hoisted the baby closer to the crook of her neck. The baby grabbed a handful of her cotton shirt and started fussing.

She made a cooing sound into the baby’s ear and whispered something Scott couldn’t make out, but it was clear she knew exactly how to react to the baby and the baby to her.

Wishful Endings - Interview

As FAMILY OF HIS OWN is your eighth book in your Shores of Indian Lake series, are you still discovering new things about the setting and/or the characters?

Discovering new characters has been the delight of doing a series like this. This is the first time I’ve created an entire town and the people in it. Just like moving to a new city and going through all the necessary introductions, finding new doctors, a new church, new schools, everything and everyone is new. I have the joy of discovering each new person and all of their extended family as well. Each time a main character goes out to buy something or interview for a job, there are all those “other” people who have backgrounds and stories. I love asking, “And who are you?” And the list of curious questions I ask when I meet someone new.

In a word, this has been a “blast!”

Heidi Reads... - Excerpt

Scott leaned toward her, gazing at her with a force of longing and desire she couldn’t remember seeing before. “Isabelle, I came here tonight...” He placed his hand on hers. “To ask you something.”

A sense of foreboding settled over her. “Scott, I don’t think...”


"This book has made me fall in love with Indian Lake and I think I am gonna have to go back and read the rest of the series. I think this may be a first of Lanigan's books for me but will not be my last!"


“Scott,” Malcolm said, “I’d like you to meet my nephew—Wes Adams.”

“Great to meet you, Wes,” Scott said, offering his hand.

Wes nodded vaguely in Scott’s direction before locking eyes with Isabelle once more.

“Isabelle and Wes have already met,” Malcolm explained.

Scott dropped his hand to his side. “I can see that.”

Don't forget to enter the giveaway below, if you haven't already...



Family of His Own
(Shores of Indian Lake #8)
Catherine Lanigan
Adult Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 pages
July 1st 2017 by Harlequin Heartwarming

He's ready to settle down…with or without her

Scott Abbott has always loved Isabelle Hawks. And he's always been her rock. Patient, dependable, strong. But lately, she's been acting like that rock is weighing her down. With her art career taking off, Isabelle has been spending less and less time in Indian Lake…and with him. Scott isn't even sure what they are to each other anymore. They might be friends with a history, but it sure doesn't feel like a future. Maybe it's time for Scott to set her free and focus on his own dreams. A real home. A family. All the things he had hoped to share with her…

GoodreadsAmazonBarnes & NobleHarlequin

Other Books in the Series


About the Author

Catherine Lanigan is the international bestselling and award-winning author of forty published titles in both fiction and non-fiction, including the novelizations of Romancing the Stone and The Jewel of the Nile, as well as over half a dozen anthologies, including “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Living your Dream”, “Chicken Soup for the Writer’s Soul”, and more. Ms. Lanigan’s novels have been translated into dozens of languages including German, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Chinese, and Japanese. Ms. Lanigan’s novels are also available in E-books on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com, Apple Store, Mobi and Kobo. Several of her titles have been chosen for The Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Clubs. Her Vietnam war-based novel, The Christmas Star, won the Gold Medal Award Top Pick from Romantic Times Magazine and has also won Book of the Year Romance Gold Award from ForeWord Magazine as well as Book of the Year Romance from Reader’s Preference.

Lanigan is the author of a trilogy of non- fiction books regarding angelic intervention in human life: Angel Watch, Divine Nudges and Angel Tales published by HCI and Cedar Fort. Skyhorse published Lanigan’s “how-to” book on writing: Writing the Great American Romance Novel. Lanigan was tasked by the NotMYkid Foundation to write a non-fiction book addressing teen addictions. Ms. Lanigan’s first Young Adult adventure novel, The Adventures of Lillie and Zane: The Golden Flute, was published by Cedar Fort.

Currently, she has published eight novels in the Shores of Indian Lake series for Harlequin Heartwarming: Love ShadowsHeart’s DesireA Fine Year for LoveKatia’s Promise, Fear of Falling, Sophie’s Path and Protecting the Single Mom. Family of His Own pubs July, 2016. She has recently contracted for one more in the series: His Baby Dilemma.

As a cancer survivor, Ms. Lanigan is a frequent speaker at literary functions and book conventions as well as inspiring audiences with her real stories of angelic intervention from her Angel Tales series of books. She is an outspoken advocate for domestic violence and abuse and was honored by The National Domestic Violence Hotline in Washington, D.C. (THE EVOLVING WOMAN). She has been a guest on numerous radio programs including “Coast to Coast” and on television interview and talk show programs as well as blogs, podcasts and online radio interview programs.

Tour Giveaway


- 1 winner will receive a $50 Amazon eGift Card (open internationally)
- 1 winner will receive a tote bag and three Shores of Indian Lake books: Katia's Promise, Fear of Falling and Sophie's Path (US only)
- Ends July 11th

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Thursday, July 6, 2017

Interview with Tammy L. Gray, author of My Unexpected Hope


Today I get to share an interview with Tammy L. Gray, an author of contemporary romance that I really enjoy reading! Isn't it fun getting to know more about authors? :) First, check out her new book My Unexpected Hope . . .

 http://amzn.to/2tKYEAb

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttp://www.bookdepository.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

After a year of grieving her divorce and living a life permanently stuck on pause, Laila Richardson is finally ready to have her own happy ending. Then a listing for a quaint cottage in another town answers her prayers for a fresh beginning—one that will bring her closer to her new boyfriend, Ben. Unfortunately, in her small town of Fairfield, Georgia, letting go of the past is virtually impossible. No one wants to see her move on, including the man who destroyed her heart to begin with.

Chad Richardson has spent years in misery but finally has his life on somewhat stable ground. When he learns his ex-wife is dating, he knows it’s time to go back and fight for the life he abandoned. Bolstered by his newfound sobriety, Chad has every intention of winning back the woman he loves, even if that means facing old demons that are waiting for him to fail.

Passions run deep as two souls searching for a second chance find the courage to let go of old patterns. Can they recognize that their dreams are still possible, even when forged from a broken past?


And now, here's Tammy!


Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I grew up in a military family and traveled around a lot when I was a kid. I went to fourteen different schools and really found my place within the library walls. Books were a great companionship no matter where I lived. I guess that’s why I’ve always loved story so much. When I got older, I put aside my story telling days and became an engineer. I spent 8 ½ years in the Air Force and then another year and a half as a civilian doing pretty much the same job, just out of uniform.

In 2008, my husband went into full time ministry and I decided it was time for me to stay home with my two kids (one on the way) and support his calling. It’s been a beautiful journey as a pastor’s wife. In 2012, I really felt God’s call to write a book about self-esteem and how God loves the imperfect, like myself. I never knew it would turn into a career, but I love how God gave me a ministry and a passion all in one.  

That’s probably more information than you wanted!

What do you do besides writing?

Since I’m a pastor’s wife and full time mommy of three very busy kids, I spend a lot of my non-writing time chauffeuring kids around to school and extra-curricular activities, participating in church events and trying to maintain a somewhat functional home. When I’m not “on duty,” I really do enjoy reading. It’s my go-to activity and often a reward after a long day.

Do you have images you can share that come close to how you picture your characters? Do you like to find visual inspiration for your characters before or during your writing process?

I typically don’t look for images on my characters. I find it stifles me a little. Sometimes after the book is written and I know their individual personalities, I might think of an actor/actress to play them if the book were a movie. But really, I like to let the readers paint their own picture; after all, it’s their world too.

What are some songs that you listened to or inspired you while writing your book?

I was writing My Hope Next Door when Hello by Adele came out. Every time I heard the lyrics, I thought of Chad and Laila, and his homecoming scene on their front porch. I was so eager, I had to force myself to finish the book I was writing before I started this one.

What message would you like readers to ultimately take away from the book?

My Unexpected Hope is a story of second chances and reconciliation. While most of your readers may not suffer from an addiction, I imagine they’ve known someone who has. Or even struggled themselves with something in their life that wasn’t positive. So often, we want to give up, or count ourselves a failure. We wrestle with why we can’t overcome this one thing in our lives, and yet return to it over and over again. It’s for those moments that I wrote this book.

There is a line in the book that says, You can try and fight, and maybe even sometimes succeed, but without faith, you cannot call it freedom. It’s simply bondage on hold.

I wanted to show there was a pathway out of bondage, but I also wanted to be authentic and real, because that journey is not easy. It takes time and work and an incredible amount of prayer.

The beautiful thing, though, is God is the God of reconciliation, so I stayed focused on His promises, and slowly the story began to evolve. And with it, I felt healing and renewal, and I hope my readers will as well.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

What can we look forward to coming from you in the future?

I’m super excited about 2018 when I will launch a brand new series set just outside of Austin, Texas. This series will be a little different from my others because the characters are professionals in their twenties trying find direction and purpose in their life.

There will be at least three books in the series and it focuses on a group of five dysfunctional friends who slowly learn the loving grace of Christ through an outsider.

The inspiration for this series comes from this verse in Matthew 13:

“He also asked, ‘What else is the Kingdom of God like? It is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.’”  Matthew 13: 20-21 NLT

More to come, but I expect the first book to launch in February!

Thank you so much Tammy! 

My Unexpected Hope is now available and the digital price is a steal at $3.99 (and FREE for Kindle Unlimited subscribers)! Don't miss it!



Link-up: Free / Bargain Books



Sharing the Love of Books
Enjoy our selection of New Releases / Free & Bargain Books this week

Authors please feel free to add your own books
Readers please free to add your own finds
(any genre except erotica welcome)

This weekly link up is hosted by Beck Valley Books & these awesome book loving blogs...
Monday
 Leels Loves Books | IrishdaisylovesRomance | Book Babble | Traci Hayden
Tuesday
Celticlady's Reviews | First Time Mommy Adventures 
Wednesday
Beck Valley Books | Jude Ouvrard
Thursday
Miki's Hope | Heidi Reads...
Friday
Ebook Addicts | I Love Romance |
Colorimetry | J.C. Clarke
Saturday
3 Partners in Shopping | I Create Purty Thangs | Wishful Endings 
Sunday

For Pre-orders post - PRE-ORDER / genre / title /author
For New Releases post - NEW / genre / title / author
For Free Books post - FREE / genre / title / author / end date 
For Bargain Books post - SALE / price / genre / title / author / end date
(Strictly no Erotica please.  Steamy romance is fine but watch those covers people, incase any underage child is viewing it!)

Here is this weeks awesome selection!

Would you like to share our linkup on your site? click here
Would you like to become a weekly host? sign up here


Come back and check out the new selection every week!







Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Book Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: Family of His Own by Catherine Lanigan


On Tour with Prism Book Tours.



Family of His Own
(Shores of Indian Lake #8)
Catherine Lanigan
Adult Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 pages
July 1st 2017 by Harlequin Heartwarming

He's ready to settle down…with or without her

Scott Abbott has always loved Isabelle Hawks. And he's always been her rock. Patient, dependable, strong. But lately, she's been acting like that rock is weighing her down. With her art career taking off, Isabelle has been spending less and less time in Indian Lake…and with him. Scott isn't even sure what they are to each other anymore. They might be friends with a history, but it sure doesn't feel like a future. Maybe it's time for Scott to set her free and focus on his own dreams. A real home. A family. All the things he had hoped to share with her…

GoodreadsAmazonBarnes & NobleHarlequin



Excerpt

     Scott leaned toward her, gazing at her with a force of longing and desire she couldn’t remember seeing before. “Isabelle, I came here tonight...” He placed his hand on hers. “To ask you something.”
     A sense of foreboding settled over her. “Scott, I don’t think...”
     “Hear me out. We’ve always been best friends. You’re the first person I think about when I wake up. We spend so much time together. We know each other inside and out. I want us to move forward with our lives.” He squeezed her hand earnestly.
    “We are moving forward,” she said reflexively.
    “I mean together. I’ve thought a lot about where my life is going, and I realize now that writing articles for the local paper is not going to make a difference in this world. I saw that tonight, in that apartment. But I can change the future for these kids. I can take something horrible and make it happy. It’s my hope that you’d do that with me.”
     All Isabelle could do was stare at him. “You just got through saying we were best friends, but you don’t know me at all. You of all people know that I just won the chance of my lifetime. A shot at a gallery show! The one thing I’ve worked for since high school.” Her voice cracked. “It might be selfish, but it’s my chance, Scott. The one I dreamed about while I was raising my siblings.” Her palms were sweating and her heart rammed against her chest like a caged animal. She shot to her feet. “You are not asking me this right now.”
    “Oh, but I am,” he replied quietly.
    “I don’t believe this,” she said, raking her hand through her hair and turning from him.
    “You don’t want to be together?”
    “I don’t want children,” she said in a rush.
   “You never told me that before.”
   “Not in so many words.” How could he have missed this obvious fact about her? She’d often confided how heavily the responsibility for her brothers and sisters had fallen on her. How she valued her independence above all.
   “Why?”
    “I’ve told you, Scott. My whole childhood was cooking, cleaning, doing my siblings’ laundry while they played on the swing set or went to football practice or piano lessons. I was sweeping and changing diapers. I walked Violet in the middle of the night when she had bronchitis, so my mother could sleep and go to work.”
     Isabelle’s voice rose and tears streamed down her cheeks. She could feel resentment in every teardrop. She hated that she felt that way, but she did. “I rarely had time to draw. I desperately wanted to be in the art club in high school. You remember. But most of the time I had to drive one of the other kids to their lessons or the library or whatever when they were supposed to meet. There was never any time for me.” Her cheeks were blazing hot.
     “I knew you resented the responsibilities...”
     “Resented?” She snorted. “All I dreamed about was drawing and painting. No one ever asked me what I wanted. What kind of lessons I wanted.”
     Her tears were coming in torrents and as she dropped her face to her hands, Scott enfolded her in his arms. “I’m so sorry, Isabelle. I didn’t realize how deep this went. There’s so much emotion in your paintings... I should have understood.”
     She sniffed and pulled back. She placed her palms on his chest and felt his thundering heart.
     She was hurting him, but she didn’t know what course to take other than escape. “Don’t you see, Scott? This is my chance to be free. My art has always meant freedom to me. I can explore the entire universe if I make this sale. With the Lodges closed for the winter, I have time to paint what Malcolm wants. I can do this. It will be my grand adventure.”
    “Your new life,” he said huskily.
     “Yes.”
     He smoothed her hair back from her face and traced the edge of her cheek with his thumb. “You go for it, Isabelle. Be the best you can be.”
   “I intend to.”
    Then he kissed her with so much longing and passion, she felt weak.
    He pulled her closer, and she melted into him, catching the faint scent of the spicy cologne he always wore.
   “Isabelle,” he whispered, as he released her. “I have to go.”
    She lowered her head. “I understand. Bye, Scott,” she said, her voice quaking.

Other Books in the Series


About the Author

Catherine Lanigan is the international bestselling and award-winning author of forty published titles in both fiction and non-fiction, including the novelizations of Romancing the Stone and The Jewel of the Nile, as well as over half a dozen anthologies, including “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Living your Dream”, “Chicken Soup for the Writer’s Soul”, and more. Ms. Lanigan’s novels have been translated into dozens of languages including German, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Chinese, and Japanese. Ms. Lanigan’s novels are also available in E-books on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com, Apple Store, Mobi and Kobo. Several of her titles have been chosen for The Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Clubs. Her Vietnam war-based novel, The Christmas Star, won the Gold Medal Award Top Pick from Romantic Times Magazine and has also won Book of the Year Romance Gold Award from ForeWord Magazine as well as Book of the Year Romance from Reader’s Preference.

Lanigan is the author of a trilogy of non- fiction books regarding angelic intervention in human life: Angel Watch, Divine Nudges and Angel Tales published by HCI and Cedar Fort. Skyhorse published Lanigan’s “how-to” book on writing: Writing the Great American Romance Novel. Lanigan was tasked by the NotMYkid Foundation to write a non-fiction book addressing teen addictions. Ms. Lanigan’s first Young Adult adventure novel, The Adventures of Lillie and Zane: The Golden Flute, was published by Cedar Fort.

Currently, she has published eight novels in the Shores of Indian Lake series for Harlequin Heartwarming: Love ShadowsHeart’s DesireA Fine Year for LoveKatia’s Promise, Fear of Falling, Sophie’s Path and Protecting the Single Mom. Family of His Own pubs July, 2016. She has recently contracted for one more in the series: His Baby Dilemma.

As a cancer survivor, Ms. Lanigan is a frequent speaker at literary functions and book conventions as well as inspiring audiences with her real stories of angelic intervention from her Angel Tales series of books. She is an outspoken advocate for domestic violence and abuse and was honored by The National Domestic Violence Hotline in Washington, D.C. (THE EVOLVING WOMAN). She has been a guest on numerous radio programs including “Coast to Coast” and on television interview and talk show programs as well as blogs, podcasts and online radio interview programs.

Tour Giveaway


- 1 winner will receive a $50 Amazon eGift Card (open internationally)
- 1 winner will receive a tote bag and three Shores of Indian Lake books: Katia's Promise, Fear of Falling and Sophie's Path (US only)
- Ends July 11th

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Grab Our Button!





Sunday, July 2, 2017

Review & Giveaway: The Captain's Daughter by Jennifer Delamere


Heidi Reads... The Captain's Daughter by Jennifer Delamere

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttp://www.bookdepository.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

When a series of circumstances beyond her control leave Rosalyn Bernay alone and penniless in London, she chances upon a job backstage at a theater which is presenting the most popular show in London. A talented musician and singer, she feels immediately at home and soon becomes enthralled with the idea of pursuing a career on the stage.

An injury during a skirmish in India has forced Nate Moran out of the army until he recovers. Filling his time at a stable of horses for hire in London, he has also spent the past two months working nights as a stagehand, filling in for his injured brother. Although he’s glad he can help his family through a tough time, he is counting the days until he can rejoin his regiment. London holds bitter memories for him that he is anxious to escape. But then he meets the beautiful woman who has found a new lease on life in the very place Nate can’t wait to leave behind.


My Review

I didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as I did! I was looking forward to reading a new-to-me author, but wasn't sure how I felt about the Victorian time period and theater setting since I haven't read much in either. I think the characters were so likeable and the conflict mostly came from exterior sources so I was really rooting for them to overcome and persevere. I appreciated the positive and compassionate attitude of Jessie especially, the singer who took Rosalyn under her wing and helped her find employment in the theater backstage. Nate is such a good guy, protective of Rosalyn, even from himself. The details of the stage performances and play from Gilbert and Sullivan were fascinating and added a whimsical charm to the working class of London. Rosalyn definitely had her eyes opened to the seedy underbelly of the city, but manages to still be naive when it comes to the men she works with. I liked Nate's family and Rosalyn's sisters, and the girls of the chorus that Rosalyn assisted. There is a great balance to the dynamics of all the characters, and they were portrayed in a way that I felt like I was able to get to know them quickly. I hope to read more in this series!

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

About the author:

Jennifer Delamere's debut Victorian romance, "An Heiress at Heart," was a 2013 RITA award finalist in the inspirational category. Her follow-up novel, "A Lady Most Lovely," received a starred review from "Publishers Weekly" and the Maggie Award for Excellence from Georgia Romance Writers. Jennifer earned a BA in English from McGill University in Montreal, where she became fluent in French and developed an abiding passion for winter sports. She's been an editor of nonfiction and educational materials for nearly two decades, and lives in North Carolina with her husband.
Find out more about Jennifer at jenniferdelamere.com.

Giveaway
Enter to win a copy of The Captain’s Daughter. Five winners will be chosen! Click the image below to enter to win. The winners will be announced July 10th on the Litfuse blog!

https://promosimple.com/ps/bc01

Saturday, July 1, 2017

Review & Giveaway: So Pure a Heart by Amber Lynn Perry


Heidi Reads... So Pure a Heart by Amber Lynn Perry

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

Since the night her dear uncle gave his life for hers, Hannah Young is determined to risk everything by spying for the Patriots in order to seek retribution against the British soldier who killed him. But when her former love, Joseph Wythe, insists on ensuring her safety, she must decide if the vengeance she seeks is worth the danger of his nearness. For the love she once felt is liable to grow deeper and more threatening to her heart than it ever was before.

Leaving his young ward to join the fight for liberty is the hardest thing Joseph Wythe has ever done. Nearly. The most difficult happened ten years past, which he tries his best forget. Seeing Hannah Young again after all this time does something frightening and wonderful to his soul. Though her determination to spy for the Patriots is honorable and brave, he will never allow her to take such a risk without him to protect her, no matter how she protests—and no matter how he knows he will ache all the more for the thing he always wanted and still could never have.


My Review

I've loved the Daughters in His Kingdom series, and this book is a perfect addition as the memorable characters become involved in the Revolutionary War and fight for liberty and independence. The tension and suspense is seriously ramped up in this book since the two main characters, Hannah and Joseph, are involved in espionage and the risks are greater than ever. I absolutely loved the setting and era, and reading this story made me want more- to find some real life accounts of Patriots to study. The language the author uses for her characters and narration reflects the era while still remaining easy to understand. I believe that plays a large part in feeling transported to the time and place of the story, and I felt an instant connection to the characters and their strong emotions during such a turbulent time. The romantic tension between Hannah and Joseph is off the hook and while their bittersweet past brings plenty of angst, there are also  moments and scenes of sweetness and happiness from their relationship. I feel like the message of patriotism and taking a stand for what we believe is more pertinent than ever in our day, and I appreciate the profound thoughts of the characters as they discover what the cause means to them and what they are willing to risk for it.

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

About the Author

A Pacific Northwest native, Amber Lynn Perry lives in Washington state with her husband and two daughters. She studied humanities at Portland State University and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree focused on art history. As a homeschooling mom, Amber spends much of her time teaching everything from Shakespeare to science.

When she isn’t crafting with her kids, making dinner or driving to dance classes, Amber is either reading or writing about her favorite time in American history. The Revolutionary era has captured her imagination from the time she was in middle school. Through her books, Amber hopes to not only give readers a glimpse into the past, but to instill in them a lasting love of liberty.



Giveaway

Happy Independence Day! Amber is generously providing a print copy of So Pure a Heart to give away to one of our commenters! Be sure to enter using the Giveaway Tools widget and increase your chances of winning by following and sharing the giveaway on social media!