Heidi Reads...

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Guest Post & Giveaway: Pamela Tracy with Harlequin Heartwarming

How Can You "NOT" Love Books?

I know the book, I know the grade, and I know the place I discovered the joy of reading. I grew up in Omaha, Nebraska. We were a little family: one child, two parents. I didn’t know how lucky I was. My mom was a stay-at-home mother who would come get me from school at lunch time just to be with me. My dad was the highlight of my day and at 5:13 p.m. I would stand at our front door, looking out the screen, just waiting for his car.

I went to Walnut Hill Elementary. The library was on the second floor and it was time for Iowa Basics. My teacher (name forgotten) took the class to the library to get books. Her idea was that if any of us finished our test before time, we could quietly read until finish time.

I checked out B is for Betsy by Carolyn Haywood.

I was a good reader. Currently, I’m a schoolteacher, and I can almost imagine my 2nd grade teacher being pleased with me and thinking, “Pam will help the class average with her reading score.”

I’m pretty sure I didn’t help the class average because I started being B is for Betsy and didn’t care whit about the Iowa Basics tests. I still have a vivid memory of filling in random answers for the math part just so I could get back to what was important: reading.

That weekend I pestered my mom into taking me to the neighborhood library. As an eight year old, I was limited on how many books I could check out. Carolyn Haywood had written more than I could check out, soooo my forty-something mother got her first library card.

I read a book a night until I finished every book she’d written, and then I went looking for someone who wrote like her.

Wrote like her....

The first romance I read was in a Nancy Drew. It was minute. But, still, even at a tender age, I knew I wanted a Ned Nickerson in my life.

Then, I read Anne of Green Gables and fell in love with Gilbert Blythe.

Then, I read Mrs. Mike and fell in love with all things romance.

I could list 20 authors that I follow, maybe 30 or 40. They all have something in common. They write what I read. I love, love, love finding a new book on the shelf, taking it in my hand, feeling the smooth cover and turning the book over to read the blurb. Buying the book is taking a pan of warm brownies out of the oven. Reading the books is eating the gooey chocolate and never wanting to stop.

Now, Harlequin Heartwarmings will be in stores as well. Wow, it feels a little bit like Christmas.

Ode to Harlequin Heartwarmings

The new easy-to-find Harlequin Heartwarmings might be found where I cook

In the office hallway where I work is a girl with a Heartwarming book

The secretary is reading one she says is great

And even my cat for the next in the series can’t wait

But the best news of all says the oh-so-busy Elf

Is that come January, they will definitely be on the Walmart shelf!

— Pamela

Pamela Tracy is a USA Today award-winning author who has written contemporary, historical and suspenseful - all in the romance genre. Her 2007 suspense Pursuit of Justice was a Rita finalist. Her 2009 suspense Broken Lullaby won the American Christian Fiction Writers' Book of the year award.

Website - Goodreads - Facebook - Twitter

Katie's Rescue (Mills & Boon Heartwarming)

Small-Town Secrets (Mills & Boon Heartwarming) (Scorpion Ridge, Arizona - Book 4)

Tour Schedule

Check out these Heartwarming authors' own selfies...

January 3rd: Launch

January 4th: I Am A Reader - Amy Vastine

January 5th: Mel's Shelves - Anna J. Stewart

January 6th: deal sharing aunt - Cari Lynn Webb

January 7th: Reading Is My SuperPower - Carol Ross

January 8th: Katie's Clean Book Collection - Catherine Lanigan

January 10th: Babs Book Bistro - Leigh Riker

January 11th: Love, Laughter, Friendship - Melinda Curtis

January 12th: Heidi Reads... - Pamela Tracy

January 13th: Christian Chick's Thoughts - Rula Sinara

January 14th: Bookworm Lisa - Tara Taylor Quinn

January 15th: Grand Finale

Tour Giveaway

15 - $10 Walmart Gift Cards

- Rules: To enter, take a selfie at a local Walmart with a Heartwarming book and post publicly on social media (can be your hands, your face, etc. with a Heartwarming book). Can enter once each day with a different picture each time. Those who post the same picture multiple times will be disqualified. Those who only post privately (so that it can't be viewed publicly) will also be disqualified.

- US Only

- Ends January 20th

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, January 8, 2016

Review: A Perfect Secret by Donna Hatch

Heidi Reads... A Perfect Secret by Donna Hatch

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Desperate to protect her father from trial and death, Genevieve breaks off her engagement with Christian Amesbury and marries a blackmailer. After a year of marriage, she flees her husband's violent domination only to have fate bring her back to Christian. Just when she thinks she's started a new life of safety and solitude, her husband tracks her down, stalks her, and threatens everyone she loves.

Still brokenhearted over Genevieve's betrayal a year ago, Christian can't believe she's come back into his life--and worse, that she's done it on the anniversary of his brother's death, a death that haunts him. Though tempted to throw her back into the river where he found her, he can't leave her at the mercy of the terrifying man she married.

When her husband torments Genevieve and puts the Amesbury family in danger, Christian will do anything to protect those he loves...anything except give Genevieve another chance to break his heart.

My Review

I really felt for Christian in this book. He has always tried to do his best and live up to the expectations of his parents, but suffers from heartbreak and rejection. I can't imagine the difficulty of Genevieve's decision in throwing aside the love of her life to atone for her father's mistakes and sacrificing herself to a known abuser. The situation that throws Genevieve back into Christian's life tests his patience, heart, and moral code. I felt conflicted in rooting for the couple since she is still married to the villain and any romantic relationship that developed between them would lead to adultery, so the resolution leading to their happy ending is a bit predictable. Once again we witness the loyalty of the Amesbury brothers and family as they support each other despite some sibling rivalry. Not my favorite of the Rogue Hearts series but it was still an enthralling read.

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

Review: An Amish Christmas Gift by Amy Clipston, Ruth Reid, Kelly Irvin

Heidi Reads... An Amish Christmas Gift by Amy Clipston, Ruth Reid, Kelly Irvin

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Naomi's Gift by Amy Clipston
Twenty-four-year-old Naomi King, who has been burned twice by love, has all but given up on marriage and children. As Christmas approaches a time of family, faith, and hope for many others Naomi is more certain than ever her life will be spent as an old maid, helping with the family's quilting business and taking care of her eight siblings. Then she meets Caleb, a young widower with a 7-year-old daughter, and her world is once again turned upside-down.

An Unexpected Joy by Ruth Reid
Abigail Kemp has managed to frighten off every bu who's ever driven her home from a singing. Sure she will live to be an old maid, Abigail starts saving her money to buy a horse so she can at least have some independence.
Micah Zook is looking for a caregiver for his grandmother, and Abigail needs a new job. He never expected that Abigail would talk so much . . . or that his grandmother would keep finding ways to set the two of them up.
Despite Abigail's constant chatter, she and Micah become friends until Micah makes a decision that leaves Abigail feeling betrayed. With Christmas in their midst, can Micah find a way to reconcile with Abigail and to reveal what's on his heart?

A Christmas Visitor by Kelly Irvin
Frannie knows her parents have the best of intentions when they send her back to Bee County, Texas, to live with her aunt Abigail and her husband Mordecai. After all, she knows nothing can come of a relationship with Rocky, the handsome but Englisch farmer boy back in Missouri. It's best to put those feelings aside, no matter how hard it is. But all bets are off when Rocky follows Frannie to Texas to plead his case. Could he be the Christmas gift to end all gifts?

My Review

I'm a fan of these Amish novella collections, especially during a busy time of year like Christmas. It's so nice to sit down and be able to read a story or two at a time. Each of these is set during the holidays and the main character is feeling isolated from her family and community, but receives the gift of love.

Naomi is deemed undesirable by Caleb's busybody sister, and it was a bit frustrating to see him pursue the wrong girl once he decided that marriage was his goal. It was surprising that barely courting someone would lead to assumptions of a betrothal, before they even had a chance to get to know each other well. I enjoyed Naomi's sincerity and the antics of Caleb's young daughter.

Abigail's gift of gab prevents Micah from giving her a chance, but his grandmother takes a liking to her and he's desperate for help. I liked that as he was able to witness her redeeming qualities her quirks became endearing instead of annoying. He's kind of overbearing when they disagree, but she is anything but a doormat and sparks are always flying.

I loved the story of Rocky and Frannie and the progression of their relationship with each other. The themes of sacrifice, obedience, and spirituality were woven together as Rocky explores the Amish lifestyle with the potential of joining their faith. They had the sweetest romantic moments of the collection since they already had feelings for each other which only deepen as they are tested.

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

Thursday, January 7, 2016

My 2016 Reading Challenge Picks!

I spent my toddler's naptime today watching the rain as I wore my husband's coziest sweatshirt and deciding which books to choose for the 2016 Reading Challenge. Here are my picks... what are yours???

A book published this year

A book you can finish in a day

A book you've been meaning to read

A book recommended by your local librarian or bookseller

A book you should have read in school

A book chosen for you by a friend (thanks Megan!)

A book published before you were born

A book that was banned at some point

A book you've previously abandoned

A book you own but have never read

A book that intimidates you

A book you've already read at least once (waaaay more than once...)

Review: Fire and Ice by Mary Connealy

Heidi Reads... Fire and Ice by Mary Connealy

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Bailey Wilde is one of the best new ranchers in the West. She's been living disguised as a man for a while, but when Gage Coulter comes to drive her off her homestead, he quickly realizes he's dealing with a woman--a very tough, very intriguing woman at that.

Gage is an honest man, but he didn't make his fortune being weak. He won't break the law, but he'll push as hard as he can within it. Five thousand acres of his best range land is lost to him because Bailey's homestead is located right across the only suitable entrance to a canyon full of lush grass. Gage has to regain access to his land--and he's got to go through Bailey to do it.

Spending a winter alone has a way of making a person crave some human contact. In a moment of weakness, Bailey agrees to a wild plan Gage concocts. Can these two independent, life-toughened homesteaders loosen up enough to earn each other's respect--and maybe find love in
the process?

My Review

The author's trademark humor and action are in full play in this novel, but what stood out to me was the layers and depth of Bailey's character. I've been looking forward to her story since in the previous two books she seemed like the toughest and hardest of the three Wilde sisters. Her father encouraged her to go to war dressed as a man, and the experiences she had not only strengthened her, but gave her vulnerabilities she struggles to overcome. We see both sides of her personality as her ranch is threatened and she endures a harsh lonely winter. Gage is also a contrast of strength and vulnerability and once they let their guard down, the two connect in ways that help heal their trauma from the past. I enjoyed reading the conflict Gage's mother brings into the mix with several chuckles, and was glad that the sisters' dysfunctional relationship with their father was finally put to rest. This book reads well as a stand alone but I recommend you read the whole Wild at Heart series for full enjoyment- they are all 5 stars in my book!

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

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Books & Beverages - The Shoppe!

I'm super excited to share that fellow blogger Jamie Lapeyrolerie from Books and Beverage s has opened an online store, The Shoppe!

It features the extraordinarily useful Book Blogger's Planner which was designed specifically for book bloggers, by a book blogger! The pages are clean and easy to navigate, with 6 non-dated monthly calendars, weekly checklists and weekly notes pages, pages to record the books you’ve read, and pages just for writing down your favorite quotes.

Jamie is the biggest C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien fan I know (check out the Inklings series on her blog), and the other fun products in The Shoppe! are postcards, stickers, bookmarks, and iPad cases featuring memorable and profound quotes from the authors.

I am impressed by the quality of the design as well as the high quality materials. I highly recommend visiting The Shoppe! and finding something special for yourself or the book lover in your life :)

When you purchase items from The Shoppe, you are also helping to change the world! A portion of the profits goes to:

● World Vision’s work with refugees
● Compassion’s work with students and education
● Children’s Hunger Fund work to help kids in America and around the globe with supplies they need to go to school
● Mocha Club's Action Project

About the owner
The Shoppe! was started by Jamie Lapeyrolerie, author of Books and Beverages and She Laughs With Dignity. You can connect with Jamie on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and
Pinterest! If you enjoy a podcast, J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, please check out Jamie’s
podcast, Jack & Tollers: An Inklings Podcast!

Review & Giveaway: Three Little Words by Jennie Hansen, K.C. Grant, Aubrey Mace

Heidi Reads... Three Little Words by Jennie Hansen, K.C. Grant, Aubrey Mace

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

The road to true love never did run smooth, but a few bumps along the way make it all the more thrilling. This timeless truth is showcased in Three Little Words, a charming compilation of short stories written by a trio of popular LDS romance novelists. Readers are invited to follow the journeys of three young women as they encounter love where they least expect it.

Rescuing Bailey by Jennie Hansen
For as long as she can remember, Bailey has loved the boy next door. But despite her feelings, his schedule and his little brother keep getting in the way. Will her childhood crush finally blossom into something real, or will she discover that true love is waiting just around the corner?

Three Little Words by K.C. Grant
The bet is simple: Elizabeth, a speech therapist, has three days to teach a country bumpkin with a drawl as thick as molasses how to speak like a gentleman. But as she gets to know her charming student, it soon becomes clear that there may be more to him than meets the ear.

A Crying Shame by Aubrey Mace
Cassandra is in love with the idea of love, though after her most recent breakup, the possibility of finding Mr. Right seems hopeless. But when she meets a handsome classmate in her painting class, she may end up learning more about chemistry than about art.

My Review

A common aspect of these three delightful stories is that the main character needed to re-evaluate her perception of others. I enjoyed the unrequited love theme in Rescuing Bailey, but didn't quite connect with her character. There was a bigger focus on her day-to-day actions than showing the interactions with Gunter. She came off as an isolated person who didn't reach out to others. In Three Little Words, I was instantly a fan of the nod to My Fair Lady, with a fun twist since Elizabeth is in the role of Higgins and her project Matt didn't actually need reforming. My favorite of the three was A Crying Shame, once Cass's BFF Elle gets her out of her heartbreak hangover and challenges her to have fun for once at a evening painting class. It was a realistic portrayal of Cass slowly warming up to the idea of being herself and discovering that she and others really do like the real her. Her admirer Max is adorable with his sincere flirting and the descriptions of the class made me want to bust out a canvas and some acrylics :)

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