Sunday, February 14, 2016

Book Tour Grand Finale: The Express Rider's Lady by Stacy Henrie



On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Book Tour Grand Finale for
The Express Rider's Lady
By Stacy Henrie

We hope you enjoyed experiencing a little of the historic Pony Express trail as one of its riders helps a lady to get to California! If you missed any of the stops, go back and check them out now...

Launch - Interview with the Author

What do you hope readers take with them after they’ve read it?

I hope readers take away that we can each do hard things; that we don’t have to let others’ imposed stereotypes have sway in our lives or our hearts. Also, no matter where we are, the Lord is aware of us.

Heidi Reads... - Review

"So, this is now my favorite book in the Love Inspired line. . . . Lots of action and adventure kept the pace moving and I couldn't put the book down. Highly recommend!"


Sparrow Hawk
"With its epic scope and beautiful writing, The Express Rider's Lady ranks among the best of Love Inspired books that I've ever read. I’m glad to have discovered the writing of Stacy Henrie."


"I enjoyed the descriptions and characters in this sweet historical story. I've always been a bit fascinated with the Pony Express and how their system worked. Imagining the speed, danger, and dedication these riders experienced is exciting and I loved getting a taste of that."


"This book is pretty much close to perfect. . . . Stacy does an amazing job in writing this era. The setting itself is a character. I really enjoyed this book."

"A great read and page turner. I did not want to put the book down. I had to see of the Pony Express could pull this off. The characters work well together and a nice sweet story."


"As the characters encounter situations both perilous and mundane, they must learn to work together. . . . I enjoyed the banter between the characters, too. The story has a strong faith element, hidden behind the scenes."


"I loved this book. The story was great, and moved along at a good clip. . . . I would definitely read this again, and highly recommend it to anyone who loves historical romance. Hopefully you will love Delsie's grit, and Myles character just like I did."

Wishful Endings - Character Descriptions
James Marsden. Photo by JOHN P JOHNSON - © 2015 HBO via Westworld Facebook here..
Myles Patton is a rider for the newly created Pony Express, riding the trail from St. Joseph, Missouri to Guittard’s home station in Kansas and back. And while he has a way with horses, his people skills are a bit lacking. . . . the more Delsie learns to handle herself in the saddle and on the trail, her confidence begins to grow. She’s stronger than she ever thought she was—and her feelings for Myles are growing stronger too.
Lily Collins. Glamour Spain (November 2012). Image obtained via Lily Collins Daily.

"The Express Rider’s Lady by Stacy Henrie is such an endearing, heart-warming romance with adventure and the lure of the wild west! . . . Overall I really enjoyed this book. It was easy for me to get lost in their adventure. I honestly didn’t want to stop reading! If you enjoy inspirational romance, than I highly recommend you get a copy of this book.

Backing Books - Review

"The premise was not one I had heard of before and, while it did seem a little far fetched, it was fun and interesting. I liked Delsie's determination to make things right with her sister and her willingness to do most anything to make it happen."


"This has to be one of the best Love Inspired books I've read to date. The Express Rider's Lady is just my type of story: a Western journey with a delightful mixture of humor, peril, and tender romance. I truly enjoyed the adventure!"

I Am A Reader - Five Reasons to Date a Pony Express Rider
Adventurous Spirit

Express riders had to be adventurers at heart. To face what they did daily, in order to deliver the mail, they must have thrilled at the prospect of conquering danger over and over again. They didn’t observe life from the safety of the sidelines—they threw themselves into the fray and made a name for themselves that has endured.


"Fun characters and a wonderful plot, readers will not want to put this novel down. I would recommend this novel to readers of historical romance."


"Like all good romance stories, this one is full of sweet moments and crazy moments too. The trip has a lot of action and the characters are ones you will fall in love with while you are reading. I love the ending of the story! If you’re a fan of clean, Christian romance, you will definitely love The Express Rider’s Lady."

Mel's Shelves - Five Reasons Why Being a Pony Express Rider Was the Ultimate in Adventure Professions
With only a trusty steed and a pistol or two for companions, Express riding was not for the lonely or afraid. Riders would spend hours in the saddle, only encountering people at stops every twelve to twenty miles, and then for just a few brief minutes as the mail saddle was thrown onto the back of a fresh mount. A number of riders were also orphans with little or no family waiting for them back at their home base.


"Stacy Henrie did a fantastic job of giving her characters depth and humanity. Their stories unfold gently and I felt like I was right there getting to know them. . . . I really loved this book. It was a great western historical fiction."

Tell Tale Book Reviews - Mapping out The Express Rider's Lady & Review
"Pony Express Map William Henry Jackson" by William Henry Jackson - Illustration: William Henry Jackson, American artist. Text: Howard Roscoe Driggs. Scan: US Library of CongressPhoto image obtained/rendered by Gwillhickers. Restoration by Crisco 1492. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons.
I used a hard copy map, one which included the entire Pony Express trail on it, to mark where Delsie and Myles would be stopping each night. Not only did this help me know which home stations they would be lodging in, but I was also able to see which prominent settlements or landmarks they would pass by on a given day. All the stations mentioned in the book were actually used by the Pony Express.

"A truly sweet historical with some surprising twists and turns. . . . If you are looking for an exciting and romantic reading escape into the Old West days gone by, you should definitely check out Stacy Henrie's appealing story The Express Rider's Lady."

Dixie n Dottie - Review

"This was a beautifully written story that involves a lot of adventure, trust, love and experiencing the unknown. . . . Anyone who enjoys reading historical fiction with adventure and romance should read this book. You will love it! "

"The Express Rider’s Lady by Stacy Henrie not only provides a sweet romance but also gives readers a compelling glimpse into the perilous conditions once common to cross terrain we now take for granted. Smooth writing, vivid settings, and heartstopping action bring the characters and the history to life. A quick read, as typical to the Love Inspired line, but very entertaining!"

Zerina Blossom's Books - Reaching California in Time
"Pony-express-joseph". Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5 via Commons.
Delsie Radford, the heroine of THE EXPRESS RIDER’S LADY, must travel from Missouri to California in just eighteen days if she wants to be to her sister’s wedding. But would such a feat have been possible?


"This is a slightly predictable, but heart-wrenching, story with enough twists and adventure to keep the reader's attention. It also teaches a few good lessons on misconceptions most experienced in life."

The Express Rider's LadyThe Express Rider's Lady
by Stacy Henrie
Adult Christian Historical Romance
Paperback & ebook, 288 pages
February 9th 2016 by Love Inspired

Westward Wedding Journey

Delsie Radford is going to make it to California, no matter the danger or difficulty. Her father may have kept her and her sister apart, but Delsie refuses to miss her sister's wedding—even with only eighteen days to get there. And she's found the perfect escort in Pony Express rider Myles Patton.

Myles can't believe it when a pretty socialite hires him to take her cross-country through rough terrain and dangerous territory. Surely she'll quit before they reach their destination—he's known girls like her before. But the longer they ride together, the more Myles notices Delsie's toughness and kindness beneath her polished exterior. And though they may be worlds apart…they might just be perfect for each other.



Stacy Henrie has always had a love for history, fiction, and chocolate. She earned her B.A. in public relations before turning her attentions to raising a family and writing inspirational historical romances. Wife of an entrepreneur husband and a mother to three, Stacy loves to live out history through her fictional characters. In addition to author, she is also a reader, a road trip enthusiast, and a novice interior decorator.

Website - Goodreads - Facebook - Twitter - Pinterest



Tour Giveaway

$50 Amazon eGift Card (open internationally)
Print copy of The Express Rider's Lady (US only)
ebook of The Express Rider's Lady (open internationally)
Ends February 19th

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Friday, February 12, 2016

Review: Pimpernel by Sheralyn Pratt


Heidi Reads... Pimpernel by Sheralyn Pratt

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

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Synopsis

For centuries, the elite of the world have sought the Pimpernel everywhere. Some want to kill him, others want to hire him, but Jack Cavanaugh knows that the love/hate relationship comes with the job title.

At present, Jack is trying to dismantle an investment scheme centered in Las Vegas, but "trying" is the operative word. It's been a month since he put the face of the scheme behind bars, yet the scam is still going strong. As Jack tries to uncover who has stepped in as the new head, what miniscule evidence there is all seems to point him back to Claire Ramsey, an introverted PhD student studying at UNLV.

If ever there as an unlikely head of an investment scheme, Claire's it. She has a genius IQ, but from all Jack has seen, Claire’s intelligence is as much a blessing as a curse when paired up with her acute OCD. Claire can barely make conversation with the cute guy down the hall, which makes it hard to believe she could be the charismatic salesperson who is getting international businessmen to invest $5—50 million a pop.

So what is Jack missing? What is the real story behind Claire Ramsey? And once Jack learns it, will he be able to walk away?


My Review

This isn't a genre I read often, but when I saw the author was Sheralyn Pratt there was no question about it. And sure enough, I could not put it down! Pimpernel is full of distinctive characters that have depth and layers. Claire is a fascinating person with the way her OCD and intelligence interact. She is compassionate, vulnerable, and loyal. It seems that Jack can do the impossible with his team and resources, and the more we get to know him we see just how amazing his personal set of skills are as well. His small team of elite each have their own area of expertise, but the real fun is in their interpersonal relationships and banter. There is action, humor, suspense, and moments of toe-curling romance. As the plot unfolded there were several twists that took me by surprise, and some that I guessed only just before they were revealed. I don't want to give anything away because I think the book is most enjoyed without knowing too much of what's going to happen, just go along for the ride! There are several potential stories with the secondary characters, so I really hope we see more of the Pimpernel's team in the future. Highly recommend!

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

Review: Kissed by a Cowboy by Debra Clopton


Heidi Reads... Kissed by a Cowboy by Debra Clopton

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

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Synopsis

Cassidy was looking for a home and a place to belong . . . not for a cowboy to steal her heart.

Having lived through her parents’ endless string of “matrimonial bliss gone wrong,” Cassidy Starr knows when the odds are not in her favor. Divorced and humiliated, her faith on rocky ground, Cassidy is through with love. She’s been bucked off that horse far too many times. Instead, she returns to Wishing Springs, Texas, and the rundown farm she’s inherited from her great aunt Roxie. She’ll reopen the strawberry farm and a bed & breakfast and follow in her aunt’s footsteps, remaining forever-independent, happy . . . and single.


Rancher Jarrod Monahan’s hands are full running the ranch, looking after his ailing grandfather, and chasing down a group of rustlers on the loose. He’s pushed his longing for a family to the bottom of his list of priorities. Besides, he was in love once but ran scared and lost his shot at happiness. But suddenly, the biggest regret of his life has moved in next door with a wounded heart, determined to become a spinster . . . and that’s a challenge that Jarrod can’t pass up.

Jarrod sets his mind to breaking down the walls around Cassidy’s stubborn heart. How can he show her that a cowboy’s kiss lasts forever? For the good folks of Wishing Springs, falling in love has never been so much fun to witness.


My Review

The ranch setting with wide open spaces and small town Texas community is so well-depicted it made me want to go live there! I liked Cassidy's plan of recovering from her divorce and taking back her life by returning to the place where she was happy as a child and teen and get lost in the hard work of starting a new business and farm. You could tell how severe her emotional issues were with the interactions she had with Jarrod. She kept their relationship rocky as she ran hot and cold- mostly cold- as Jarrod tried his best to help her and she resisted any assistance which she viewed as a threat to her independence. Their experiences from the past made Jarrod refuse to give up on her though, and the story focuses on the progression of her feelings as she slowly lets him in. The subplots of the rustlers and a rekindled romance among an older couple in the town added variety to the narrative. I adored how Jarrod treated her with respect but also gave her a little push when she needed it, especially when he was desperate to get closer to her. A great addition to the Four of Hearts Ranch series!

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

Debra Clopton is a multi-award winning novelist and has written more than 22 novels. Along with writing, Debra helps her husband teach the youth at their local Cowboy Church. Debra's goal is to shine a light toward God while she entertains readers with her words.

Connect with Debra: Website, Twitter, Facebook

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Review: With This Ring? by Karen Witemeyer, Mary Connealy, Regina Jennings, Melissa Jagears


Heidi Reads... With This Ring? by Karen Witemeyer, Mary Connealy, Regina Jennings, Melissa Jagears

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

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Synopsis

Four top historical romance novelists team up in this new collection to offer stories of love and romance with a twist of humor. In Karen Witemeyer's "The Husband Maneuver," Marietta Hawkins decides to grab the reins when the ranch foreman she loves seems to be leaving forever. Regina Jennings offers "Her Dearly Unintended," where friends stranded by a rising river pretend to be newlyweds when a dangerous stranger arrives.

Mary Connealy's "Runaway Bride" finds a Texas ranger getting more than he expected when he rescues a young woman fleeing a dangerous arranged marriage. And Melissa Jagears' "Engaging the Competition" finds a young woman forced to assist the man she's often sparred with after an accident leaves him helpless. Each tale is a fun blend of history and romance that will delight readers.


My Review

I absolutely loved all these stories! They were each so interesting and unique with the angle of the plot, and all the stories have vibrant characters and settings. We get to revisit great characters from other books by Karen Witemeyer and Mary Connealy, but they are perfect as stand alone stories too. There is a fantastic element of humor throughout which kept me smiling as I read the predicaments the couples found themselves in. And the romance? So wonderful! I enjoyed all the novellas equally and highly recommend this collection!

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