New Release and Fun Quiz! Courtships of the Prophets by Mary Jane Woodger, Paulette Preston Yates

Synopsis

"One evening . . . I was standing on Thatcher's Main Street, waiting for the jitney bus, when Spencer Kimball came along. He introduced himself and . . . we sat together on the bus and discussed Shakespeare and similar highbrow subjects, each hoping to impress the other."
Camilla Kimball

It's an age-old story: boy meets girl, love blossoms, and they live happily ever after. Nowhere is this timeless tale more beautifully depicted than in the lives of the Presidents of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Courtships of the Prophets allows readers a captivating look into some of the most cherished memories of the prophets the earliest moments of romances that endured a lifetime. From the sweet recollections of first encounters to the tender love letters of youth, this volume portrays the histories of some of our latter-day prophets as never before in a heartwarming collection of reminiscences that truly evokes the magic of happy endings.

Powered by Interact

E-book sale: Only $1.99 for A Match Made in Texas by Karen Witemeyer, Mary Connealy, Regina Jennings, Carol Cox

Only $1.99 for the entire novella collection of A Match Made in Texas! (Normally it's $1.99 per story). I rated this book 5 stars and absolutely LOVED three of the stories- read my review here. Definitely a great deal you don't want to miss!

Synopsis

In the small town of Dry Gulch, Texas, a good-hearted busybody just can't keep herself from surreptitiously trying to match up women in dire straits with men of good character she hopes can help them. How is she to know she's also giving each couple a little nudge toward love?

A Cowboy Unmatched
Neill isn't sure who hired him to repair Clara's roof--he only knows Clara desperately needs his help. Can he convince this stubborn widow to let down her guard and take another chance on love?

An Unforeseen Match
Hoping to earn an honest wage on his way to the land rush, Clayton ends up on Grace's doorstep, lured by a classified ad. He may have signed on for more than he expected though--and he may have found the one woman who can keep him from moving on.

No Match for Love
Andrew can't fathom how refined Lucy ended up as the caretaker to his dotty aunt, and somehow her arrival has prompted even more bizarre occurrences around the ranch. When they join forces to unearth the truth, will the attraction between Andrew and Lucy develop into more?

Meeting Her Match
When the tables are turned and a tenderhearted meddler becomes the beneficiary of a matchmaking scheme, her world is turned upside down. As her entire life changes, will she finally be able to tell the banker's son how much she cares for him?

E-book sale: 99 cents for The Trouble with Cowboys by Denise Hunter

Download The Trouble with Cowboys by Denise Hunter for only 99 cents!

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

Synopsis

Only one pair of boots - and the cowboy wearing them - can get Annie out of the mess she's in.
Annie Wilkerson is Moose Creek's premiere horse trainer and equine columnist for Montana Living. Money is tight as she tries to put her kid-sister through college and provide for her young nephew. When Annie's column is cancelled, she's given first shot at a new lovelorn column - and she can't afford to turn it down. Only problem is...Annie's never been in love.
Always resourceful, she reluctantly strikes a deal with the town's smooth-talking ladies' man Dylan Taylor: She'll work with his ailing horse, Braveheart, if he'll help her answer the reader letters.
Working closely with Dylan is harder than Annie imagined, and she quickly realizes she may have misjudged him. But her unwavering conviction that cowboys are nothing but trouble has kept her heart safe for years. And she can't risk getting hurt now.
The more Annie tries to control things, the more they fall apart. Her feelings are spinning out of control, and her sister's antics are making life increasingly more difficult. Annie knows she needs to turn the reins over to God, but surrender has never come easily.
When Dylan reveals his feelings for her, Annie doesn't know what to trust - her head or her heart. The trouble with this cowboy is that he might just be exactly what she needs.

E-book sale: $1.99 for The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen

Download The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen for only $1.99!

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

Synopsis

Pampered Margaret Macy flees London in disguise to escape pressure to marry a dishonorable man. With no money and nowhere else to go, she takes a position as a housemaid in the home of Nathaniel Upchurch, a suitor she once rejected in hopes of winning his dashing brother. Praying no one will recognize her, Margaret fumbles through the first real work of her life. If she can last until her next birthday, she will gain an inheritance from a spinster aunt--and sweet independence. But can she remain hidden as a servant even when prying eyes visit Fairbourne Hall? 

Observing both brothers as an "invisible" servant, Margaret learns she may have misjudged Nathaniel. Is it too late to rekindle his admiration? And when one of the family is nearly killed, Margaret alone discovers who was responsible. Should she come forward, even at the risk of her reputation and perhaps her life? And can she avoid an obvious trap meant to force her from hiding?
On her journey from wellborn lady to servant to uncertain future, Margaret must learn to look past appearances and find the true meaning of "serve one another in love."

Review: The Princess Spy by Melanie Dickerson

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Margaretha has always been a romantic, and hopes her newest suitor, Lord Claybrook, is destined to be her one true love. But then an injured man is brought to Hagenheim Castle, claiming to be an English lord who was attacked by Claybrook and left for dead. And only Margaretha---one of the few who speaks his language---understands the wild story. Margaretha finds herself unable to pass Colin's message along to her father, the duke, and convinces herself 'Lord Colin' is just an addled stranger. Then Colin retrieves an heirloom she lost in a well, and asks her to spy on Claybrook as repayment. Margaretha knows she could never be a spy---not only is she unable to keep anything secret, she's sure Colin is completely wrong about her potential betrothed. Though when Margaretha overhears Claybrook one day, she discovers her romantic notions may have been clouding her judgment about not only Colin but Claybrook as well. It is up to her to save her father and Hagenheim itself from Claybrook's wicked plot.

My Review

What a great adventure! I felt like the spying was only the first part, and then the journey Margaretha goes on is where the story really picks up. For an easy-going princess who has never been challenged in her priveleged life, she is likeable with characteristics of loyalty and compassion and even her flaws are endearing- very naive with a tendency to chatter (which she receives quite a bit of grief for from various family members). I found it adorable how proud she is of herself with each obstacle she overcomes, almost as if she is surprised at herself, but not really- somehow knowing she was that courageous all along. Colin also undergoes a character arc as his trials put him through a refiner's fire, changing from overly confident and also somewhat naive to humble, realistic, and protective. He never loses his zeal for justice- each beating he receives at the hands of various villains seems to make it stronger. I loved the humor in the story and the sweet slowly-built romance. I can't wait to read the first four books in this series now!

(Thank you to Zondervan Publishing and BookLook Bloggers for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

The Fairy Tales series by Melanie Dickerson

Free e-book: 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)

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?

Review: Anna's Crossing by Suzanne Woods Fisher

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing!

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)

Review: Would-Be Wilderness Wife by Regina Scott

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

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)

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

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).
 

Entry-Form

Free e-book: Courting Morrow Little by Laura Frantz

Download Courting Morrow Little by Laura Frantz for free!

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

Synopsis

Morrow Little is haunted by the memory of the day her family was torn apart by raiding Shawnee warriors. Now that she is nearly a grown woman and her father is ailing, she must make difficult choices about the future. Several men--ranging from the undesired to the unthinkable--vie for her attentions, but she finds herself inexplicably drawn to a forbidden love that both terrifies and intrigues her. Can she betray the memory of her lost loved ones--and garner suspicion from her friends--by pursuing a life with him? Or should she seal her own misery by marrying a man she doesn't love? This sweeping tale of romance and forgiveness will envelop readers as it takes them from a Kentucky fort through the vast wilderness to the west in search of true love.