Review & 5-Book Giveaway: Beyond the Ashes by Karen Barnett

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Where better to rebuild and face one's fears than in 1906 San Francisco, a city rising from the ashes? Ruby Marshall, a young widow, is certain she'll discover new purpose assisting her brother Robert with his cancer research, but she doesn't anticipate finding new love. Dr. Gerald Larkspur dreams of filling his empty home with family, but he'd always hoped it would be a wife and children. In the aftermath of the great earthquake, the rooms are overflowing with extended family and friends left homeless by the disaster. When Robert's widowed sister arrives, the close quarters seem close indeed. Ruby and Gerald's fledgling romance is put at risk when Gerald develops symptoms of the very disease they're striving to cure. Together they must ask is it worth a second chance at love when time might be short?

My Review

This is a fascinating time period and setting. The descriptions of the early use of x-ray technology to treat cancer patients makes me so grateful for the advances in technology and the sacrifices of the pioneers in the medical field to push the research forward. Ruby and Gerald were both a little difficult to like in the beginning- he was overworked and overwhelmed, she was uptight and grieving. But as a doctor and a nurse, they both have hearts to serve, and their compassionate care for the earthquake victims and patients in the hospital create a bond and show their strength of character. The principle of trusting in the Lord, no matter what life brings, is one that Ruby struggles with, and one that Gerald relies on as his health declines. Even though they are faced with serious trials ahead, the book ends on a note of hope and peace.

(Thank you to Litfuse Publicity and Abingdon Press for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Review & $50 Giveaway! Stick in the Mud Meets Spontaneity by Rachael Anderson

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Home for the summer, Samantha Kinsey is ready to step into her role as pseudo-nanny for her two favorite charges. But when she realizes she'll be playing chauffeur more than playmate, her summer outlook quickly turns from fun to bleak. That is, until she meets Colton McCoy—a genuine, hard-working cowboy, who's as set in his ways as he is handsome. Although he claims he doesn't need any spontaneity in his life, Sam’s determined to help him find it. But she'll soon discover that cowboys are about as easy to change as wild mustangs.

Stick in the Mud Meets Spontaneity is about an adaptable girl and a not so adaptable guy. It’s about learning to accept people for who they are and realizing that sometimes who they are is exactly who they should be.

My Review

Loved. It. Rachael Anderson is my new favorite contemporary clean romance author and I must read everything by her! I've read and reviewed all three books in the Meet Your Match series now and each is fresh, unique, with fabulous romantic chemistry.

The characters of Samantha and Colton are so realistic and easy to relate to. It was a pleasure to read their growing friendship, light flirting and banter, and deepening feelings. The setting of the ranch with the subplot of training a wild mustang with Kajsa added a nice dimension. Sam has some funny moments interacting with the horses and brings out the playful side of Colton- he doesn't seem to me like a stick in the mud as the title labels him. Although Colton is confident and knows what he wants out of life, it was refreshing to see him turn to his father for wisdom more than once. The ending was absolutely perfect after Sam and Colton navigate the diffulties of beginning a relationship during a time of transition. Highly recommend! For full enjoyment, read the series in order, although it's not necessary.

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

USA Today bestselling author, Rachael Anderson is the mother of four and is pretty good at breaking up fights, or at least sending guilty parties to their rooms. She can't sing, doesn't dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.

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Enter to win an Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 7/31/15 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
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Review: Now & Forever by Mary Connealy

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Matthew Tucker survives a grizzly attack by jumping over a cliff into a rushing river. Unexpectedly, Shannon Wilde takes the plunge with him. Going through a series of waterfalls and rapids turns into a bonding experience.

By the time they battle their way back to civilization, Shannon has been thoroughly compromised, and only a wedding will do. A mountain man who loves to wander in the wilderness far from other people finds himself hitched to a young woman with a passel of relatives, a homestead, and a flock of sheep to care for.

As they learn to live with each other, strange things begin to happen on Shannon’s land. Someone evil clearly wants to drive them off, but whoever it is apparently didn’t count on Tucker. Trying to scare Matthew Tucker just makes him mad–and trying to hurt the woman he’s falling in love with sets off something even Matthew never expected.

My Review

Adventure, humor, and romance. The Mary Connealy triple threat delivers again! Shannon is devoted to her sheep, and Tucker becomes quickly devoted to Shannon, sheep and all. It's adorable how fast and hard he falls for her. He is a fascinating character as a mountain man who shuns society yet still treats Shannon with gentleness and respect. Since she never received that from her own father and was believed to be a man while serving as a medical assistant on the front lines of the Civil War, it's no wonder she falls in love with Tucker just as deeply. There are plenty of humorous and heartwrenching moments as they struggle to communicate, disagree and compromise, and fight for the safety of their farm and family. I can't wait to read the story of the third sister Bailey next!

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

E-book sale: $2.99 for So Fair a Lady by Amber Perry

Celebrate Independence Day by reading So Fair a Lady by Amber Lynn Perry! It's only $2.99 for the e-book, a fabulous deal! I rated it 5 stars, you can read my review here.

Synopsis


Boston, MA 1773: Shards of Eliza Campbell's life crash to the ground when she discovers a devastating secret: her father was a spy for the Sons of Liberty. Determined to uncover the truth--at any cost--not even a marriage proposal from the dashing British Officer Samuel Martin can dissuade her. When rescued from British capture by handsome patriot Thomas Watson, Eliza discovers what her father risked his life for and yearns to know more. But will her budding attraction to this courageous patriot damage her already wounded heart?

After years of being blackmailed by Officer Martin, Thomas plans to start a new life in the small town of Sandwich. However, when his actions place Eliza and her sister in danger, he must act quickly to protect them from falling into enemy hands. If the three of them are discovered, their lives will never be the same. Now, not only must he protect Eliza, he must protect his heart from a love that is sure to wound him far greater than any British soldier ever could.

Freedom to Read Giveaway Hop! Enter to win Betting on Hope by Debra Clopton

It's past time for another giveaway here at Heidi Reads... celebrate Independence Day by entering to win a print copy of Betting on Hope by Debra Clopton! Then follow the giveaway hop for more chances to win books and other prizes...

Synopsis

A bet gone wrong. A small town's meddling. And a cowboy intent on saving his ranch.

Maggie Hope is an advice columnist whose background leaves her with little advice to give . . . and it's beginning to show. When Maggie fills in at an interview with champion horse trainer Tru Monahan, the on-camera chemistry between them is undeniable. Maggie's bosses know this is the opportunity she's been looking for to launch her career--and their bank accounts. In order to save her column, Maggie takes Tru up on the bet that he can teach her to ride a quick-stepping cutting horse like any cowgirl, despite the fact that she has never been on a horse. And in the meantime, she can get the scoop on the man under the cowboy hat.

Tru has been on the competition circuit for longer than he'd like, but he knows it's the only way he can afford to keep the Four of Hearts Ranch that means so much to his ailing grandfather. So when his sponsors see the opportunity for Tru's fans to get to know the star on a more intimate level, he knows he must oblige. To his dismay, Maggie not only invades his small town of Wishing Springs, but she also invades his heart, and that is something he cannot let any woman do--for her own good.

In Wishing Springs, Maggie finds what she has always been looking for: a community and a home. But when her past catches up to her, it threatens everything, even the tender hope that this town holds all of her heart's desires.
 

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Review: Love Arrives in Pieces by Betsy St. Amant

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

For so long, Stella was known for her beauty. Now, with her heart stripped bare, she must discover who she really is.

Former pageant queen Stella Varland doesn't trust beauty anymore after her divorce. Her appearance betrayed her and led to her brokenness so instead of being beautiful, now she tries to make beautiful things, but always falls short. So she keeps her passion for her secret art to herself and focuses on her interior design work. But if she doesn't get another job soon, she ll be stuck living with her parents.

Contractor Chase Taylor is determined to live a life of no regrets after losing his fiancee in a car crash. Now he lives life at full speed, striving to see how much he can accomplish. He knows if he slows down, he ll fall apart. So he returns home to Bayou Bend to renovate the town s old theater, and is shocked to learn former flame Stella is the designer for the project.

Forced to work together, Chase and Stella battle their chemistry and their pasts as they struggle to compromise and come together on a vision for the theater. Chase doesn't understand why Stella is such a subdued version of herself, while Stella doesn't get Chase's constant need for productivity and speed. Their wills clash as they attempt to hide their brokenness and their unresolved feelings for each other until Chase breaks through Stella's walls and convinces her to enter her mosaic tile art in a contest.

A near catastrophe, a fire, and a small-town gossip mill finally force both Stella and Chase to realize that they have a choice to hold on to the shards of their pasts, or surrender their fragmented pieces to the One who makes a beautiful masterpiece from the broken.

My Review

I had mixed feelings about this book. It's definitely well-written, but it was hard for me to relate to and feel the chemistry between the main characters. In the beginning the history between Stella and Chase was alluded to as scandalous, but details were not shared which kept me guessing... and then later in the book it was only ever referred to vaguely, leaving me unsatisfied. Stella is recovering from anxiety and still experiencing some symptoms which she attributes to her dysfunctional marriage and divorce, but again, the details of her history are vague and it made it more difficult for me to fully connect with her. Perhaps it would have slowed the pacing down to include too much, but for me it was not enough.

My favorite thing about the book is Stella's secret talent as an artist and how she relates her emotions to this outlet. When she isn't a falling apart mess she and Chase do have some fun banter and friendship, but both allow the past and the animosity of Stella's family to prevent a romance from developing again. The project of renovating the movie theater was a great setting- it provided a unique backdrop and challenges for the characters to deal with. I loved the insights of Dixie, a local homeless woman in tune with some spiritual realm, who shares little nuggets of wisdom with Stella.

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

E-book sale: $2.99 each for All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes, The House That Love Built, Betting on Hope, and Seaside Letters

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

$2.99 for the e-book of All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes by Betsy St. Amant

Synopsis

At twenty-six years old, Kat is still living in the shadows of her family in Bayou Bend, Louisiana. Still working shifts at her Aunt Maggie s bakery. Still wondering what to do with her passion for baking and her business degree. And still single.

But when Lucas Brannen, Kat s best friend, signs her up for a reality TV bake-off on Cupcake Combat, everything Kat ever wanted is suddenly dangled in front of her: creative license as a baker, recognition as a visionary . . . and a job at a famous bakery in New York.

As the competition heats up, Lucas realizes he might have made a huge mistake. As much as he wants the best for Kat, the only thing he wants for himself her is suddenly in danger of slipping away.

The bright lights of reality cooking wars and the chance at a successful career dazzle Kat s senses and Lucas is faced with a difficult choice: help his friend achieve her dreams . . . or sabotage her chances to keep her in Louisiana.

 

$2.99 for the e-book of The House That Love Built by Beth Wiseman

Synopsis

In the small town of Smithville, Texas, Brooke Holloway is raising six-year-old Meghan and ten-year-old Spencer on her own two years after her husband's death. Being a single-mom and running the family's local hardware store keep her busy.

While Meghan longs for a daddy, Spencer has threatened to run away if Brooke even goes out on a date. But the last thing on Brooke's mind is falling in love. When a stranger moves to town and buys a house with a mysterious past, Brooke can't contain her curiosity. As she spends time with the new owner, she wonders if maybe God is giving her another chance at happiness.

Owen Saunders fled the big city to start over in a small, rural town famous for baking the world's largest gingerbread man. Then he bought an old house to restore-for all the wrong reasons. If anything needs restoration, it is Owen's heart in the aftermath of his failed marriage. With little hope and lost faith, Owen is tempted by happiness when he meets Brooke, but his heart remains sealed shut.
As they learn more about Owen's house, one thing becomes obvious to both of them: God has put them together for a reason.

 

$2.99 for the e-book of Betting on Hope by Debra Clopton

Synopsis

Maggie Hope is an advice columnist whose background leaves her with little advice to give . . . and it's beginning to show. When Maggie fills in at an interview with champion horse trainer Tru Monahan, the on-camera chemistry between them is undeniable. Maggie's bosses know this is the opportunity she's been looking for to launch her career--and their bank accounts. In order to save her column, Maggie takes Tru up on the bet that he can teach her to ride a quick-stepping cutting horse like any cowgirl, despite the fact that she has never been on a horse. And in the meantime, she can get the scoop on the man under the cowboy hat.

Tru has been on the competition circuit for longer than he'd like, but he knows it's the only way he can afford to keep the Four of Hearts Ranch that means so much to his ailing grandfather. So when his sponsors see the opportunity for Tru's fans to get to know the star on a more intimate level, he knows he must oblige. To his dismay, Maggie not only invades his small town of Wishing Springs, but she also invades his heart, and that is something he cannot let any woman do--for her own good.

In Wishing Springs, Maggie finds what she has always been looking for: a community and a home. But when her past catches up to her, it threatens everything, even the tender hope that this town holds all of her heart's desires.

 

$2.99 for the e-book of Seaside Letters by Denise Hunter

Synopsis

Sabrina never intended to fall in love with Tucker McCabe, the man she serves coffee to every morning at a Nantucket cafe--especially since he's unwittingly tied to a past she deeply regrets. But she's fallen hard, though she's kept her feelings a secret.

When Tucker learns Sabrina is the research assistant for a local mystery writer, he asks Sabrina to help him with a little sleuthing of his own...locating an elusive woman he's fallen for online.
 
If Sabrina accepts the job, she'll spend her evenings in close proximity to a man who can never be hers. If she turns him down, he'll hire someone else--and that would be a disaster. Because if someone else sifts through all those letters and finds out the truth, Tucker will discover her secret...
That the person he's trying to find is her. 

E-book sale: 99 cents each for Five Days in Skye and An Honest Heart

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

99 cents for the e-book of Five Days in Skye by Carla Laureano

Synopsis

Hospitality consultant Andrea Sullivan has one last chance to snag a high-profile client or she'll have to kiss her dreams of promotion good-bye. When she's sent to meet Scottish celebrity chef James MacDonald on the Isle of Skye, she just wants to finish her work as efficiently as possible. Yet her client is not the opportunistic womanizer he portrays himself to be, and her attraction to him soon dredges up memories she'd rather leave buried. For James, renovating the family hotel is a fulfillment of his late father's dreams. When his hired consultant turns out to be beautiful, intelligent, and completely unimpressed by his public persona, he makes it his mission to win her over. He just never expects to fall under her spell.

Soon, both Andrea and James must face the reality that God may have a far different purpose for their lives—and that five days in Skye will forever change their outlook on life and love.

99 cents for the e-book of An Honest Heart by Kaye Dacus

Synopsis

Dr. Neal Stradbroke has a secret past that could destroy everything he’s worked since childhood to build. But when he falls in love with the daughter of one of his patients, he must choose between revealing his past and risk losing everything or keeping his secret and watching her marry another man.

Cadence “Caddy” Bainbridge has worked hard as a seamstress since her vicar father died, and for a while, things went well. But then her mother fell ill. Now, most of Caddy’s earnings go for doctors, medicines, and trips to the seaside trying to get her mother better. The last thing she needs is a romantic entanglement—but she finds herself torn between two men: Oliver Carmichael, whose wealth could give Caddy’s mother the life of ease she deserves; and Neal Stradbroke, for whom her heart yearns.

Oliver Carmichael has always drawn the eye of all the girls with no exertion on his part—all the girls, that is, except seamstress Caddy Bainbridge. So, even though he has plans to marry Edith Buchanan, he places a bet with his friends that he can make Caddy fall in love with him before the opening day of the Great Exhibition. Edith Buchanan has been disappointed in marriage prospects already, so she is not about to lose another suitor to a woman of lower social status—especially not her own dressmaker!—so she spreads rumors about Caddy that could not only ruin Caddy’s business but cause Caddy’s mother to have a fatal relapse.
 

Free e-book! With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin

Download the e-book of With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin for free!

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

Synopsis

Lt. Mellie Blake is looking forward to beginning her training as a flight nurse. She is not looking forward to writing a letter to a man she's never met--even if it is anonymous and part of a morale-building program. Lt. Tom MacGilliver, an officer stationed in North Africa, welcomes the idea of an anonymous correspondence--he's been trying to escape his infamous name for years.

As their letters crisscross the Atlantic, Tom and Mellie develop a unique friendship despite not knowing the other's true identity. When both are transferred to Algeria, the two are poised to meet face-to-face for the first time. Will they overcome their fears and reveal who they are, or will their future be held hostage by their pasts?

Combining a flair for romance with excellent research and attention to detail, Sarah Sundin vividly brings to life the perilous challenges of WWII aviation, nursing--and true love.

E-book sale: 99 cents for Eve: In the Beginning by H.B. Moore

Get the e-book of Eve: In the Beginning by H.B. Moore for only 99 cents! 

This is a fascinating perspective and I gave it 5 stars. 

You can read my review here.

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

Synopsis

The first love story on earth... Haunting... Lyrical... Unforgettable...

In a world where everything is perfect, yet the same day after day, Eve must decide if she wants to live forever in the garden with Adam and never know what lies beyond the walls. When she makes a choice with terrible consequences, the pain of mortality is swift. As she and Adam explore their new world, and her body changes, Eve discovers the sweetness of first love with the man who has always been at her side.