Review & Giveaway: The Governess by Kristen McKendry

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

For Kate Porter in 1880s Canada, working as a governess is simply a means to an end, and she aspires to a high-society future that will lift her out of her middle-class existence. When she accepts a new position as tutor to Alonzo Colaco's children, she sees it as a step in the direction of her dreams. She eagerly envisions a grand house awaiting her...but when her new employer meets her at the train station driving a gaily painted gypsy wagon, Kate suspects her new job will not be all she anticipated.

Kate finds herself living in the woods in a refitted train car as she teaches the charming children of Alonzo, a tinker by trade. After trying in vain to secure another job, Kate is left with little choice. She must simply bide her time until a better position comes along. Soon, however, she abandons her preconceptions along with her bustle in favor of the joys of a simple life---and the possibility of true love. But when opportunity knocks, will Kate really be ready to walk away from all she has come to care about to pursue her high-society dreams?

My Review

What a marvelous book! There was something different about The Governess that made it stand out from other historical novels I've read- the most noticeable being that I was so easily submerged into the setting that I felt transported. I could vividly see everything, but the descriptions were so subtle that I didn't feel like it was being told to me, rather, I just experienced it. Kate's experience of living in a train car in the woods was completely unique, and her isolation from society gave her a new perspective on her values and priorities. I loved seeing her strength and determination, as well as enjoyment in her circumstances. Her personality didn't change so much as to feel unrealistic however, as she still had fears, doubts, and prejudices to struggle with. Alonzo was just so endearing, in his devotion to his children, his unconditional compassion for others, and the friendship he offers Kate. Their growing feelings progress naturally which provides a stable foundation for their relationship and makes their sweet romantic moments some of my favorites scenes. I knew that this book had rave reviews, but I was unprepared for just how much it would touch me. It's definitely one of my top favorites this year! Highly recommend!!!

(Thank you to Covenant Communications for a copy of the book; this is my honest review)

Blog Tour Schedule: 

Oct. 10th
Books Are Sanity
My Book a Day
Literary Time Out
Rockin' Book Reviews

Oct. 11th
Wishful Endings
A Transparent Mom
LDS Writer Mom
I Love to Read and Review Books

Oct. 12th
Bookworm Lisa
Just Commonly
Singing Librarian Books
The Things I Love Most

Oct. 13th
Getting Your Read On
Katie's Clean Book Collection
LDS and Lovin' It
Sweetly Made Just for You

Oct. 14th
Heidi Reads...
Bonnie Gets a Say
Kindle and Me

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Review: For This We Are Soldiers: Tales of the Frontier Army by Carla Kelly

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

From master storyteller Carla Kelly comes this collection of frontier tales that take you behind typical army lines and into the hearts of ordinary men and women who perform extraordinary acts of bravery. From handsome hospital stewards and dashing soldiers to courageous children and wives who will pull at your heartstrings, there’s something for everyone’s fancy.

My Review

I'm a huge fan of Carla Kelly's writing style. She has a way of including the gritty and sometimes grim facts of life from the historical eras her stories are set in that only adds to the intensity and realism of the plot and romance while allowing the subtle humor of her characters to bring a lighter and hopeful tone. I love that her characters are regular, everyday working people. She is a great researcher and I can trust that her stories are historically accurate. This collection of stories is a nod to the women who sacrificed a great deal during their lives serving with the army in the wilderness of the western frontier. Some are short stories that provide a vignette, while others are longer novellas with a fuller story arc. My favorite was "Take a Memo" with the shy Corporal Ted Sheppard and his opportunity to get closer to sweet Millie while  following orders to get to the bottom of who is responsible for wandering cows and missing milk. This is a collection not to miss for fans of western historical fiction and sweet romance.

(Thank you to Cedar Fort Publishing for a copy of the book; this is my honest review)

About the Author

Carla Kelly is a veteran of the New York and international publishing world. The author of more than thirty novels and novellas for Donald I. Fine Co., Signet, and Harlequin, Carla is the recipient of two Rita Awards (think Oscars for romance writing) from Romance Writers of America and two Spur Awards (think Oscars for western fiction) from Western Writers of America. She is also a recipient of a Whitney Award for “Borrowed Light,” “My Loving Vigil Keeping,” and “Softly Falling.”

 Follow the blog tour:

October 11: Writing Worm
October 12: Heidi Reads...
October 13: Live to Read
October 14: Singing Librarian Books | Literary Time Out
October 15: I Am a Reader
October 16: I Love to Read and Review Books
October 17: Bookworm Nation
October 18: Emmy Mom
October 19: Robyn Echols Books
October 20: Getting Your Read On | Wishful Endings
October 21: LDS and Lovin’ It
October 22: Bookworm Lisa
October 23: Books and Benches
October 24: Blooming with Books | Julie Coulter Bellon
October 25: Bookworm2Bookworm
October 26: Katie’s Clean Book Collection
October 27: My Book a Day | Rockin’ Book Reviews
October 28: Fire and Ice

Blog Tour Spotlight & Giveaway: Beyond the Rising Tide by Sarah Beard on Audiobook!

Author Sarah Beard had just released the Audiobook of Beyond the Rising Tide!

You can listen to a sample of the book HERE.

   
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

Author Sarah Beard 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 10/31/16 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.
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Review: The Fall of Lord Drayson by Rachael Anderson

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Who is he really? A high and mighty lord or a lowly servant?

When Colin Cavendish, the new earl of Drayson, informs Lucy Beresford that she and her mother need to vacate the house they've called home for the past two years, Lucy is fit to be tied. They have no money, no relations they can turn to for help, and nowhere to go. How dare the earl break the promise his father had made to the Beresfords without so much as a twinge of conscience?

Fate plays her hand when Lucy discovers the earl unconscious and injured in the middle of the road. When he awakens with no recollection of who he is, Lucy seizes the opportunity to teach the earl a much-needed lesson in humility and tells him that he is nothing more than a mere servant. Her servant, in fact.

And thus begins the charming tale of a pompous lord and an impetuous young woman, caught together in a web so tangled that it begs the question: Will they ever get out?

My Review

Utterly charming. Totally hilarious. I loved how self-aware Lucy is. She is very observant of how her conflict over her deception grows as she comes to know "Collins"... and she is the one who learns a lesson as well as he. She is a bit of an odd duck, not conforming to society's standards and perfectly willing to live her life as a spinster because of it. The root of her rebelliousness however is her thoughtful and accepting nature, which makes her easier to sympathize with. Colin does make a rather bad impression on her, but he surprises her with his work ethic and hidden compassion. Their developing friendship and attraction is sweet and the sassy banter between them feels natural to their characters. Lucy's maid, mother, and various neighbors make up a well-rounded cast that enhances the story. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this book! Highly recommend to fans of Regency and sweet romance.

(Thank you to Ebooks for Review for a copy of the book; this is my honest review)

Review & Giveaway: Life Creative: Inspiration for Today's Renaissance Mom by Wendy Speake, Kelli Stuart

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

A celebration of motherhood, creativity, and the faith that binds them 

In our Pinterest age of handcrafted children's parties, artistic Instagram photos, tutorials for renovating old furniture into new treasures, and blogs filled with poetry, prose, and other creative expression, it is clear that a brand-new generation of creative women is rising up. It is a renaissance born not in Italian cathedrals or Harlem jazz clubs but in kitchens and nurseries and living rooms around the world. But when Christian women become mothers, they often feel expected to lay down their creative pursuits in order to properly parent.

Wendy Speake and Kelli Stuart know that struggle. While they acknowledge that some seasons of mothering require setting artistic pursuits aside, they also argue that these seasons don't have to last until empty nest time. Instead, mothers with creative gifts are called to actively use them in order to bless their families, their communities, and everyone they encounter.

Inspiring and encouraging, Life Creative celebrates the ways mothers can live their art in the midst of their mothering. They tell the stories of women such as author and speaker Angie Smith, recording artist Ellie Holcomb, and jewelry designer Lisa Leonard who do just that. By following God's leading to embrace His gifts, renaissance moms can model the joy of obedience for their families.

My Review

I loved the encouragement in this inspiring book! I've been feeling like I've neglected many of my creative talents, and regretting it. The authors helped put things in perspective- the never ending balance of motherhood, work, and homemaking. They helped me see that my creative gifts are God-given and can be incorporated into my life as it is now, even if it's in small ways or through ministering to my children. They focus on the importance of using our creativity to inspire our faith, but I never felt a guilt-trip, rather immense understanding for the difficulties mothers face, especially those with young children. The topic is approached from various angles, and I especially appreciated the thought that women help lift each other since I feel a great connection to the friends in my life who are in similar circumstances. I am excited to embrace my new identity of Renaissance mom and sanctify some of my time to tap into the part of my soul that yearns to create. I highly recommend this book for all moms, especially those who are feeling the urge to become more creative!

(Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book; this is my honest review)

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Is there room for creativity and children in a mother's life? Learn how to balance home, art, and family in Wendy Speake and Kelli Stuart's new book, Life Creative. In this Pinterest age of handcrafted children’s parties, Instagram photos of beautifully decorated homes, and blogs filled with poetry and prose, it is clear that we are in the midst of a brand new artistic renaissance. Life Creative paints the stories of moms, just like you, who are fitting their inspired lives into the everyday, ordinary places of motherhood.

Join Wendy, Kelli, and other moms in celebrating the beauty of being a creative mom by entering to win the Called to Be Creative Giveaway (details below) and by attending their author chat party on October 27!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• One copy of Life Creative
• The Gracelaced Personalizable Mom's Wreath
• A handmade leather journal
• A Starbucks gift card

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 10/27. The winner will be announced at the Life Creative Facebook party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Wendy, Kelli, and other creative moms, as well as for a chance to win other prizes!

RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via social media and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 27th!

Review, Giveaway & Extras: A Chaotic Courtship by Bethany Swafford

We are so excited to have Bethany Swafford back for a tour for her amazing book. We had such a great response to her blitz and every so many reviews coming this week from people excited to read her wonderful book. Come join us on the journey!

For as long as she can remember, Bethany Swafford has loved reading books. That love of words extended to writing as she grew older and when it became more difficult to find a ‘clean’ book, she determined to write her own. Among her favorite authors is Jane Austen, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Georgette Heyer.

When she doesn’t have pen to paper (or fingertips to laptop keyboard), she can generally be found with a book in hand. In her spare time, Bethany reviews books for a book site called More Than A Review.

Connect with the Author here: 

~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Instagram ~

Twenty year old Diana Forester, a country bred young woman fears that her inexperience and uncertainties has driven Mr. John Richfield away. On arriving back home from London, she learns that he is already there, ready to continue their acquaintance. If Diana thought that it was difficult in London, courting takes on a whole new aspect when Diana's younger siblings become involved. She finds herself dealing with her own feelings, her sister, her younger brother, jealous members of a house party, a jilted suitor, and a highwayman as she falls in love with the charming Mr. Richfield.

Find the book on:
~ Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ Amazon UK ~ 
~ Amazon CA ~ Amazon AU ~

My Review
3 stars / I liked it

There is much fun in this Regency romp, but most of it is between Diana and her siblings! She bickers and squabbles quite a bit with her sister Sarah, but I was impressed that the author was still able to convey that the sisters did love each other in spite of the fact that they drove each other crazy- most of the time on purpose. There is a strong sense of family loyalty as the siblings protect each other from back-biting debutantes and a mysterious highwayman. Diana's mother is wise and a calming influence on the family, and her father is a noble and caring patriarch. Diana and Mr. Richfield are taking the time to get to know each other before jumping into marriage, but I didn't feel like there was much focus on that, especially since Diana remarked that she didn't even know the name of the estate he owned after they got engaged. He is charming and sweet, and appreciates Diana's differences from the other ladies of society. The plot kind of meanders along and the discovery of the highwayman's identity brings it to a conclusion.

(Thank you to the publisher for a copy of the book; this is my honest review)

Character Casting

A Chaotic Courtship

Author’s Dream Cast

Diana Forester: Felicity Jones

John Richfield: Tom Hiddleston

Sarah Forester:  Jenna Coleman

Will Forester: Thomas Brodie-Sangster

Phillip Knighton: Xavier Samuel

Miss Reynolds: Hayley Atwell

Lady Anna Carlyle:  Anne Hathaway

John Ward: James Norton

To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page 

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Stuck in a Good Book Giveaway Hop!

Don't you just love being stuck in a good book? One that I read recently is A Heart Most Certain by Melissa Jagears! It has a great sense of the historical time period and strong characters. Enter in the Giveaway Tools widget below for a chance to win a copy of the book...

Synopsis

Lydia King knows what it's like to be in need, so when she joins the Teaville Moral Society, she genuinely hopes to help the town's poor. But with her father's debts increasing by the day and her mother growing sicker by the week, she wonders how long it will be until she ends up in the poor house herself. Her best chance at a financially secure future is to impress the politician courting her, and it certainly doesn't hurt that the moral society's president is her suitor's mother. Her first task as a moral society member—to obtain a donation from Nicholas Lowe, the wealthiest man in town—should be easy . . . except he flat-out refuses.
Despite appearances, Nicholas wants to help others but prefers to do it his own way, keeping his charity private. When Lydia proves persistent, they agree to a bargain, though Nicholas has a few surprises up his sleeve. Neither foresee the harrowing complications that will arise from working together. When town secrets are brought to light, this unlikely pair must decide where their beliefs—and hearts—truly align.

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