Daughters of Jared by H.B. Moore

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

From the Book of Ether comes a haunting story of two royal sisters. The elder sister, Ash, will do anything to bring her father, King Jared II, back to the throne. The younger sister, Naiva, only wants to save her family from destruction. The bond of sisterhood becomes precariously fragile when one man . . . named Akish . . . falls in love with the younger sister, Naiva. Yet he chooses to marry the elder sister.

The sisters’ hearts are divided. And when Ash becomes queen, seduced by the promise of power and wealth, Naiva watches her world crumble away. She sees only one way out. But it will require forsaking all that she holds dear.

My Review

Wow. Just wow. Heather B.Moore is an author who is extremely skilled at bringing the scriptures to life. This story is based on the 10th century B.C. Meso-American scriptural account from the Book of Ether in The Book of Mormon. (I believe this ancient story can be appreciated by readers of all faiths). It was a time of much corruption and struggle for power within the ruling family. I recognized the structure of the tale and the real-life characters from my own scripture study, but this novel is written in first person perspective from second daughter Naiva's point of view. She is an innately good person, loyal to her sister even at great sacrifice to herself. I was frustrated that she recognized the manipulation by her family but continued to serve them out of love. As she learns about and turns to the Lord instead of the idols and gods she was raised with, He strengthens her in her trials and guides her path. There are some seriously humbling and heart-breaking experiences for herself and her family, but the support she is lacking from her sister she finds with a few devout servants of the royal household and Levi, Akish's righteous brother. Naiva's sweet romance with Levi was thwarted at every turn, and I wondered if she would ever have her own happy future. Even though I knew the general story from the scriptures, I was riveted with Naiva's journey and the rich details the author used to make it easy for the reader to envision the ancient time period. Highly recommend, especially to fans of Biblical fiction.

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

Review: The Forgotten Recipe by Amy Clipston

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Veronica Fisher knows how lucky she is to be marrying her best friend. Seth Lapp is kind, hardworking, and handsome—but most importantly, he loves Veronica.

When an accident on the job steals Seth away from her, a heartbroken Veronica is certain she will never love—or be loved—again. Yet when she discovers a batch of forgotten recipes and opens a bake stand to sell her Mammi’s raspberry pies, Veronica picks up a regular customer  who gives her heart pause.

Jason Huyard was with Seth when he lost his life—a memory that haunts him still. So when he seeks out the grieving fiancée to convey his condolences, the last thing he expects—or wants—is to fall in love. Nonetheless, Jason soon finds himself visiting Veronica’s bake stand every week . . . and it’s for more than the raspberry pies.

Now, as Veronica’s heart thaws, Jason can’t bring himself to tell her he was there when Seth died. Can he ever reveal where he was on the day her life derailed? Or will his secret rob them of the second chance at love they both want?

My Review

I recently had an unexpected opportunity to visit Lancaster county in Pennsylvania and knew that I had to read this book while the vibe of the Amish community was still fresh in my mind. It completely enhanced my reading experience being able to acutely picture the setting. What really made the book stand out to me though was the high level of emotion in the characters and the author's skillful way of enabling me to connect with their feelings during the story. Victoria's grief was palpable and her realistic process of dealing with it. I loved the support of her parents and sisters, it gave the book a heartwarming foundation even though there is plenty of angst as Victoria and Jason navigate their way through the highs and lows of new love. The recipe for raspberry pie that Victoria unearths from a forgotten hope chest brings purpose to her days and happiness as she reconnects with the community. The wisdom she finds in an old letter her grandmother had written helps her find peace and understanding in a time of confusion. It was interesting to see Jason reach out to various family and friends in his trials, it showed how truly humble he was to seek the advice of those who could help. There is definitely a strong sense of family and community in this series.

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

Review: Spring Thaw by Tammy Fish

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

When an unforeseen accident tramples her dreams, Selena trudges through a desert of loneliness caring for an invalid husband. Finding herself a widow at twenty-eight, she grasps at the chance to experience a new life. Answering an advertisement for a marriage of convenience, she agrees to the platonic arrangement in order to care for the man’s young son. Leaving her home in Illinois, she travels by train to Oregon to discover a very different world from the one she left behind. Mesmerized by the beauty of this new land, she finds faith and fulfillment, but she never expects to find love.

Dirk lost his wife long before his son’s birth. Bitterness and pain solidified his emotions like the snowpack on Mt. Hood. He needs a mother for his son, but nothing more, so he places his request: No pictures necessary, references only. Selena agrees to the arrangement, but her heart interferes. Will Selena’s patient endurance be enough to melt her husband’s frozen heart?

My Review

I'm always a sucker for a good mail-order bride story! I felt like this one really touched on the difficulties of life and the situations that would lead people to make the choice of both requesting a bride through mail and becoming one. Selena is desperate for some hope in her life for a change as well as a new purpose, and is blessed not only by Dirk's protection, but most especially by her new relationship with his young son. The joy of motherhood is sweet and treasured by Selena since she lost hope of it long ago. The friendship and partnership between she and Dirk develops naturally over time. While Selena welcomes love, Dirk is conflicted over feeling more for Selena than he is prepared to and his stubbornness in avoiding a deeper relationship was frustrating. It takes as long as the spring thaw for Dirk's frozen heart to melt and reward Selena's patience. The author wonderfully describes the landscape of the Pacific Northwest, and I was fortunate to be on a road trip through the area as I read the book so it was easy to visualize the setting. The secondary cast of friends and neighbors are delightful and make the story well-rounded. I look forward to reading more by the author in the future.

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

Review: Chemistry Lessons by Rebecca H. Jamison

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

 Synopsis

Everyone in Lone Spur knows Rosie will accept even the most unlovable animal into her life. Men, though, are a different story.
Take Destry, the guy who bought the ranch next door. Sure, he’s handsome and wealthy, but he wears flip-flops to work his fields. Not that Rosie should worry about him getting hurt.
Her biggest concern is that she needs to buy her grandfather’s ranch before her uncle sells it out from under her. The problem is that on her teacher’s salary, she doesn’t qualify for a loan. Her long-time boyfriend, Tanner, proposes a solution—they can get married and qualify for a loan together, only Rosie isn’t sure if her heart is with her faithful fiancé, her ranch, or her swoon-worthy neighbor.

My Review

I enjoyed this book for the most part. The characters are strong and are doing their best to succeed in the midst of their trials. I was impressed by Rosie's tough work ethic and her determination to save her grandfather's ranch. Destry is a nice counterpoint to her often uptight demeanor with his more laid-back and charming personality. He is also a hard worker but takes things in stride. The story was interesting and engaging, but I had a hard time that even though there is attraction from the beginning, Rosie and Destry spend practically the whole book in other relationships, for reasons of convenience. There is fear on Rosie's part to put her trust in someone new, and Destry puts his heart on the line but rather quickly turns to another woman. Most of the angst is from the characters' own flaws, yet they handle their real world problems much better than their relationships. The ending wraps up the happily ever after nicely, but I would have liked to spend more time with Destry and Rosie while they were in a relationship together.

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

Review: Four Chambers by Julie Wright

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

From the Power of the Matchmaker series:
Every time Andra Stone crosses paths with Everett Covington, trouble follows. First she loses her scholarship. Then she loses the apartment she’d wanted more than anything. But tragedy hits hardest when she loses her grandmother—the best friend Andra has ever known. She determines that Everett is a talisman of ill fortune. When Everett comes to work in her hospital and is applying for the same position she’d been working toward since residency, Andra believes him to be her personal poltergeist.

The human heart has four chambers—four chances to get it right. Andra has only one chance left.

My Review

Poor Andra and Everett! They are so good together and good for each other, but fears and time consistently interfere in their budding relationship. I loved their college years together and that thrill of new love. Several years span the time between each reunion, and those later attempts are rife with angst. I appreciated that their confidence grew as they progressed in their respective medical careers, yet uncertainty in their personal lives keeps the tension building. Andra is so driven in her desire to be a top surgeon- I didn't relate to her priorities at all but it made her a fascinating character to read about! Everett is more balanced, but no less driven. The long time frame of their story slowed the pace for me overall but I was still invested in their romance and wishing for the happy ending they deserved.

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

Spotlight, Excerpt & Giveaway: Beyond the Rising Tide by Sarah Beard

I absolutely loved this book, one of the better YA ones I've read. I rated it 5 stars and you can read my full review here. Highly recommended for teens and adults alike!

Beyond the Rising Tide by Sarah Beard

Kai met Avery only once--in the moment he died saving her life. Now when he's not using his new healing powers to help people, he watches helplessly as Avery's life is unraveled by his death. To help her, he risks everything by breaking the rules, dangerously blurring the barriers between life and death.  

Praise for the Book 

“Vividly imagined, this novel is the perfect mix of modern love story and literary fiction. One brimming with genuine emotion that had me re-reading passages simply because they were too beautifully written to experience just once.” --Julie N. Ford, author of With No Regrets

“This book is not only an engaging and satisfying supernatural romance, but also a beautiful story about life, death, and the gray places in between.” --E.B. Wheeler, author of The Haunting of Springett Hall

"This is one of those stories that stays with you long after the closing scene. It was beautifully imagined and vividly written and I absolutely loved it!” --Teresa Richards, author of Emerald Bound

Excerpt 

My chest feels heavy when I come out of the cottage in the morning, though I can’t pinpoint exactly why. Maybe it’s the mounting guilt of breaking rules and of taking something that doesn’t belong to me. Maybe it’s my looming departure from the living world, the knowledge that the sounds of the tide and the scents of the earth will soon be barred to me again. But I think it has more to do with Avery, because it’s her that I can’t get out of my mind. It’s her face I saw before I fell asleep last night. It was she who inhabited my dreams. And it was the desire to see her again that woke me up with the sun. My time with her will be over soon, and the weight of her coming absence is already threatening to crush me. I’m dead, so I should be the one haunting. Instead, Avery haunts me. I smell her scent even when she’s not beside me. I hear her voice echoing inside my head long after she’s gone. And when I’m not looking, she moves things around inside the chambers of my still heart.
 
 
About the Author

Sarah Beard is the author of YA novels Porcelain Keys and Beyond the Rising Tide. She earned a degree in communications from the University of Utah and is currently pursuing an MFA in writing from VCFA. When she's not writing, she referees wrestling matches between her three boys and listens to audiobooks while folding self-replicating piles of laundry. She is a breast cancer survivor, a baker of sweets, a seeker of good love stories, a composer of melancholy music, and a traveler who wishes her travel budget was much bigger. She lives with her husband and children in the shadow of the beautiful Wasatch Mountains.

Website * Twitter * Facebook

Blog Tour Giveaway 

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 8/1/16 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.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review & Sale: A Heart Full of Christmas: Contemporary Inspirational Holiday Romance Collection by Debby Giusti, Ruth Logan Herne, Sandra Leesmith, Tina Radcliffe, Missy Tippens

A Heart Full of Christmas is on sale for only 99 cents through the end of July!

(Be sure to check the price before ordering)

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

There's no time like the holidays to fall into romance with some of the best-known inspirational romance authors around! No matter what part of the country (or world!) you're from, these tender, holiday themed romances make you feel the joy of a faith-filled Christmas and the tender spirit of angels with every page you turn! Join these authors as they transport you to a "Joy-to-the-World" type happy-ever-after, the kind of joy every couple deserves!

"A Miracle for Christmas" by Debby Giusti
Nurse Brigid O’Grady refuses to open her heart to NYPD Detective Tony Calabrese, knowing she could lose him to the gang violence that killed her dad. But, while working to save a patient on Christmas Eve night, Brigid is confronted by the very danger she most fears. Can Tony save Brigid… or do they both need a miracle to make the darkness turn merry and bright?

“Home to His Heart” by Ruth Logan Herne
Being in Ashton, Pennsylvania at Christmas time holds nothing but bad memories for Dr. Tess Cosgrove. Widower Jake Karralis is at a rough professional crossroads. When Tess meets her high school nemesis living across the street with his twin sons, the stakes suddenly change. Can the timing of a young angel and the glory of a newborn king bring peace and happiness to two troubled souls? It can, with a little help from baklava and hand-rolled cannolis!

“Under the Mistletoe” by Tina Radcliffe
Wrap your heart around a cozy little romance that starts with a red wool scarf, an angel or two, and ends with Ben Logan and Lucy Fielding under the mistletoe.

“One Snowy Kiss” by Missy Tippens
Unlucky in love, police deputy Hardy Greenway has spent his life in the friend zone. But now he’s fallen hard for the girlfriend of his nemesis. Dori Blanchette has been waiting for a proposal. But how could she say yes when she has feelings for Hardy? With Christmas tree ornaments playing spontaneously and secrets being revealed, there’s no telling who will end up together at Christmas!

“Holiday Homecoming” by Sandra Leesmith
Debbie fell in love with surfer David Martin. Against her parent’s wishes, she married her first love. Would the help of an angel and the influence of the Christmas season bring forgiveness and redemption?

My Review

A heartwarming collection of stories centered around Christmas miracles and the heavenly help that nudges the characters toward a happy ending. A variety of themes are covered, from suspense and action to unrequited love and second chances. I enjoyed some stories more than others, but it is a decent anthology overall and I would recommend it to readers who love novellas and holiday stories.

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

Spotlight, Excerpt & Giveaway for Rachel Laine by Jennifer Peel!

     

Rachel Laine (The Women of Merryton #3) by Jennifer Peel

Rachel Whitney’s life changed forever when Drew, the son of her twin sister, Sydney, was placed in her arms—and there he stayed. At twenty-two, she had no idea what she was doing, but in that moment, she knew that raising Drew was what she was meant to do with her life. ​ Fiercely independent, Rachel makes her own way managing her family's insurance agency. Decidedly against introducing any men into her life, or Drew’s, she protects her heart against all romantic entanglements. But what she didn’t count on was a letter from her sister that leads a famous secret to her door eight years after her sister’s death. A secret with the same eyes as her son’s. ​ Desperate not to get the courts involved, Rachel allows Drew’s previously unknown father, Andrew Turner, into their lives, and to her surprise, little by little into her heart. But for Rachel, taking that step could open her family to a firestorm of media attention that not even Merryton can protect them from. Is love worth the risk? Or will Andrew's fame and ambition ruin their chances?

Excerpt

Thank you for the flowers. They’re lovely, but unnecessary, I texted. Maybe that wasn’t the politest, but really, he didn’t need to keep giving me flowers. Besides, no amount of flowers or compliments were going to make this okay for me. I set my phone down and took a deep breath. I went back to the unpleasant task of dealing with overdue accounts. It was the least favorite part of my job, and my head was already pounding. Thirty minutes later my cell phone rang. I answered it in resignation, but not before I lay my head down on my desk and put him on speaker. “Yes?” I grumbled. “If I didn’t know better, I would say you’re not happy to hear from me.” “So, maybe you’re smarter than I thought.” “Hey, I sent you flowers.” “I said thank you.” “But you didn’t call and thank me for them personally.” “Is that required?” “Maybe not required, but definitely warranted. I don’t think anyone has ever texted me a thank you when I’ve sent flowers, or told me they were unnecessary.” “Do you regularly send women flowers?” “Define regularly.” I could hear the laughter in his voice. “You know what? I don’t even want to know.” “That’s probably for the best.” “Great, now that we agree on something, thank you again. I should probably get back to work.” “I know you don’t have to go so soon. Tell me how your day is going.” If anyone could see me with my head on my desk, they wouldn’t have had to ask. “Well, let’s see. For starters, I’m living off caffeine since someone kept me up way too late. And to top it off, I have the unpleasant task of contacting people to let them know I will be canceling their policies unless they pay.” “Sounds like maybe I should come up there.” I popped up. “Why in the world would you think that?” “Well, that way I can make dinner and take care of Drew for you.” “Andrew, believe it or not, we’ve functioned just fine without you for a very long time. I’ve even spent my fair share of sleepless nights taking care of Drew, only to have to be up the whole next day, too.” “That’s why you’re amazing, but you don’t have to do it all alone now.” But what if I wanted to?

 
Praise for the Book 

"You nailed it!!! These books keep getting better and better each time! I looovvved it!"

"How is it possible that you just keep getting better? I swear this one is my favorite."

"I literally got lost in Merryton again. It is one of my favorite places to visit."

About the Author

Jennifer Peel is the mother of three amazing kiddos. Wife to her one and only for the past twenty-one years. Lover of late night talks, beach vacations, the mountains, pink bubble gum ice cream, tours of model homes, and southern living. She can frequently be found with her laptop on, fingers typing away, indulging in chocolate milk, and writing out the stories that are constantly swirling through her head.

Website * Twitter * Facebook

 

 

 

Blast Giveaway

$100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 7/28/16 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.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Summer House Party (Timeless Regency Collection) by Regina Scott, Donna Hatch, Sarah M. Eden

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Join three bestselling Regency Romance authors, Regina Scott, Donna Hatch, and Sarah M. Eden, for three new novellas in SUMMER HOUSE PARTY.

AN ENGAGEMENT OF CONVENIENCE by Regina Scott
Kitty Chapworth is nearly a spinster, and an orphan living on the charity of her uncle, with nothing to recommend her for the marriage mart. Her primary purpose is relegated to acting chaperone for her cousins until she can see them successfully married. Kitty remains focused on her duty even though she knows her future is bleak. When Quentin Adair returns from a long ten years working in Jamaica and proposes a wild charade to Kitty, she agrees, although the plan might reawaken her old feelings for Quentin. Can a reformed rake convince the perfect chaperone to overlook propriety for love?

A PERFECT MATCH by Donna Hatch
Genevieve attends a summer house party hosted by her best friend who can't wait to introduce her to a gentleman she wants to marry, Christian Amesbury. After meeting him, Genevieve determines Christian is perfect . . . for her. Torn between loyalty to her best friend and the yearnings of her heart, Genevieve must first escape the attention of a powerful lord who's obsessed with her and who tries to rob her of any hope for a happily ever after.

THE PAUPERS’ HOUSE PARTY by Sarah M. Eden
It’s a rare event that Edward Downy and his brother are invited to a house party by a member of the ton. But when they arrive, Edward quickly realizes this house party is different than any other. All invited guests are quite destitute, fallen members of Society barely hanging onto their homes. The hosts of the house party, the Warricks, then make a stunning announcement—they intend to gift all their properties to one fortunate guest. As the guests race to impress the Warricks, Edward finds a fast friend in Agatha Holmwood, who shares his same aversion to the horrible expectations. But their growing fondness for each other only makes the game more painful.

My Review

Sigh! A wonderful Regency escape awaits you with these three novellas with a similar setting but wide variety of plots.

An Engagement of Convenience was a story of reunited unrequited love... but this time Quentin falls for the young lady on her way to spinsterhood. I loved that Kitty kept her head on her shoulders and didn't naively take the easy way out. She genuinely cares for Quentin and his welfare, but is more hesitant in giving her heart a second time when he didn't value it the first time he held it.

A Perfect Match is a prequel to Donna Hatch's full length novel A Perfect Secret. Because I knew what trauma Genvieve's future holds, I read this story with more trepidation, which I think robbed me of some enjoyment. She and Christian continuously held themselves back from each other for various reasons, but in the end they recognize and accept that they are meant for each other.

The Pauper's House Party was my favorite of the group for the unique plot and vibrant characters. It's difficult for Edward and Agatha to be in desperate circumstances and have this golden carrot dangled in front of them at the cost of their dignity, but for the sake of their families' future. Their solidarity quickly turns to attraction and hope, even when the future doesn't seem to allow for them to be together. They both have hard choices to make, but their honor and compassion take priority, even when it leads to happily ever after for someone else...

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

Review: I Love You Just Because by Donna Keith, illustrated by Allison Edgson

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

The third book in this adorable series, I Love You Just Because is the perfect way to show kids that their parents love them just because.

With sales of nearly 75,000 copies for the first two I Love You . . . books, this third addition uses sweet, playful art to depict family dynamics that are grounded in unconditional love.

Through adorable, cuddly art and fun rhyming text, I Love You Just Because will help little ones understand their parents' love for them and that it doesn't have to be earned. With playful artwork and the same friendly bear family you already know and love from Donna Keith's first two books—I Love You All the Same and I Love You Even When—the sweet story of this book will touch you and your family and will remind you that family members love each other...just because.
Parents will gravitate toward the felt need and fun messaging of this book as it seeks to help them explain to their little ones that they are truly loved just because.

My Review

I absolutely love this book series! The illustrations are whimsical, with a subtle painterly quality. The different bears are just too cute!!! Even better, the messages they portray are wonderful for children of all ages as well as parents. As a family who has adopted our children, I'm always on the lookout for books that are enriching and supportive of the adoption experience. These particular books are especially meaningful for families with children that have differences from each other- physical or personality-oriented, so they work for both adoptive and traditional families.

I Love You Just Because reassures children that they are unconditionally loved and valued for who they are as a person. The addition of Biblical scripture references reinforce God's love as well, and make the book an easy resource for including young children in scripture study. There are several examples of how the young bears feel different from his/her siblings, but is always accepted by each other and the grown bears- both parents and grandparents (who are so fun!). The sturdy cardboard pages are perfect for toddlers and the 8" x 8" size is large enough to enjoy the pictures without being overly big. I highly recommend this book and its predecessors for all families with young ones!

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