Book Review: Song of My Heart

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kim Vogel Sawyer is the author of fifteen novels, including several CBA and ECPA bestsellers. Her books have won the ACFW Book of the Year Award, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, and the Inspirational Readers Choice Award. Kim is active in her church, where she leads women's fellowship and participates in both voice and bell choirs. In her spare time, she enjoys drama, quilting, and calligraphy. Kim and her husband, Don, reside in central Kansas, and have three daughters and numerous grandchildren.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Sadie Wagner has always been devoted to her family. So when her stepfather is injured and can't work, she decides to leave home and accept a position as a clerk at the mercantile in Goldtree, Kansas. Goldtree also offers the opportunity to use her God-given singing talent--though the promised opera house is far different from what she imagined. With her family needing every cent she can provide, Sadie will do anything to keep her job.

Thad McKane comes to Goldtree at the request of the town council. The town has been plagued by bootlegging operations, and Thad believes he can find the culprit. After he earns enough money doing sheriff work, he wants to use it to pay for his training to become a minister.

Thad is immediately attracted to the beautiful singer who performs in Asa Baxter's unusual opera house, but when he hears her practicing bawdy tunes, he begins to wonder if she's far less innocent than she seems. And when Sadie appears to be part of the very crimes he's come to investigate, is there any hope the love blossoming between them will survive

MY THOUGHTS

I always enjoy reading a Kim Vogel Sawyer books, and once again, I was not disappointed. You have to give Sadie a lot of credit, she leaves her home to earn money for her family, she loves her injured step-father dearly, they have a wonderful relationship. She is full of spunk and drives her step-cousin crazy on a regular day, but even crazier when preacher wanna-be Sheriff Thad is around. Then you add to the mix a couple of hysterical twins who own the store where Sadie works and their Opera House owning brother and you get a story that will keep you on your toes! Not everything is as it looks though.

A very good read.


*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for review from Litfuse Publicity Group

Celebrate with Kim by entering to win a Nook Tablet and connecting with her at the Book Chat Party on 3/29!


One "songbird" winner will receive:

• A Nook Tablet
• Song of My Heart by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 3/28/12. Winner will be announced at Kim's Book Chat Facebook Party on 3/29. Kim will be hosting an evening of chat, fun trivia and more! She'll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books, and much more!

So grab your copy of Song of My Heart and join Kim and friends on the evening of March 29th for an evening of fun.

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP TODAY and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 29th!

Book Review: Love's Sacred Song

About the Book

Standing in the massive shadow of his famous father, young king Solomon wavers between fear and bravado, wisdom and folly. In the uncertain world of alliances and treachery, Solomon longs for peace and a love that is true and pure--a love that can be his cornerstone.

A shepherdess in the northern city of Shunem, Arielah remembers the first time she laid eyes on Solomon in Jerusalem when she was just seven years old. Since then she has known that it was her destiny to become his bride. When her father, a leader of their tribe, secures a promise from King Solomon to marry Arielah as a treaty bride to help unite the kingdom, it seems her dreams may come true.

But how can this simple shepherdess live as part of Solomon's harem? Can Solomon set aside his distractions to give himself completely to just one woman? Or will he let duty, deception, and the daily routine divide his heart?

Mesu Andrews expertly weaves the words of the Song of Solomon into this touching story of the power of love. Readers will be transported from the glowing fields of Shunem to the gleaming city of Jerusalem as they experience this rich and textured novel from a master storyteller.

My Thoughts

I was excited for the opportunity to read another book by Mesu Andrews, and I was not disappointed.  This book honestly depicts life in King Solomon's time, there is danger, there is suspense and there is love...every thing you'd expect from novel, but yet, it is solid in Biblical history, which is exactly was a book should be like when written about a Biblical person or event.  Once again, Mesu Andrews has left me anxiously awaiting her next book.

“Available March 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for review from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing group.

Amazing Knit Scarf

Have any of you seen this photo?  I love it, someone knitted this 50yd scarf and placed it on a Pier, it depicts all of the different Olympic events, quite incredible if you ask me!  The knitter is unknown.  To read the story go HERE.

CFBA Book Review: Before the Scarlet Dawn

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Before The Scarlet Dawn Abingdon Press (February 2012) by Rita Gerlach

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rita Gerlach lives with her husband and two sons in a historical town nestled along the Catoctin Mountains, amid Civil War battlefields and Revolutionary War outposts in central Maryland.

"Romantic historical fiction that has an inspirational bent, is one way people can escape the cares of life and be transported back to a time of raw courage and ideal love," she says. "The goal of my writing is to give readers a respite, and inspire them to live fully and gratefully."

In many of her stories, she writes about the struggles endured by early colonists, with a sprinkling of both American and English history. Currently she is writing a new historical series for Abingdon Press entitled 'Daughters of the Potomac'. See her 'Novels In Progress' page on her website to learn more.

There are other novels on her list to be published, and a proposal for another book series.

She was born in Washington D.C. and grew up in a large family in the Maryland suburbs. Her family claims that storytelling is their blood, handed down from centuries of Irish storytellers. Rita believes there just may be something to that theory.

ABOUT THE BOOK

In 1775, Hayward Morgan, a young gentleman destined to inherit his father’s estate in Derbyshire, England, captures the heart of the local vicar’s daughter,

Eliza Bloome. Her dark beauty and spirited ways are not enough to win him, due to her station in life.

Circumstances throw Eliza in Hayward’s path, and they flee to America to escape the family conflicts. But as war looms, it's a temporary reprieve. Hayward joins the revolutionary forces and what follows is a struggle for survival, a test of faith, and the quest to find lasting love in an unforgiving wilderness.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Before The Scarlet Dawn, go HERE.

Watch the book video:

My Thoughts

There is no doubt in my mind that when Eliza is described as spirited that the correct word was used!  She's a girl with some serious pluck and determination, and to tell you the truth she needs it.  I am continually amazed when I read Historical Romances by the difference in behaviors between now and in times long past.  Eliza was left without family when her father passed away, yet she refuses to accept a marriage proposal, instead she offers her own.

Desperate, not knowing what is going to happen with her future, Eliza puts in all on the line, will she end up a maid, off in some foreign country or worse?  Eliza's strength is something we can all learn from, and when she loves, she loves with her all.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be anxiously awaiting Rita Gerlach's next book!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for review from CFBA

Aboriginal Gold

Have you heard of Aboriginal Gold?  It's an amazing product, the cleansing bar is gentle on your skin and great for Impetigo, Infection, Poison Ivy/Oak, Itching and more!  The cream works great for Impetigo, Infection, Poison Ivy/Oak and Itching as well, but is also great for Athlete's Foot, Eczema, Burns, Boils, Shingles, Warts, Acne, Age Spots, Ring Worm, Scar Tissue, Rosacea and more!!!  You can also purchase an Aboriginal Gold Facial Clay Mask, and Anti-Dandruff shampoo, I have not tried the Mask or Shampoo, but am loving the cream for my dry skin.

True Story:  My mom had a fungal infection on her chin, the dr. gave her several prescriptions that did not clear it up, finally after a year she learned about Aboriginal Gold Cream, she gave it a try and within approx. a week her chin cleared up!  She was pretty excited!

About the Product
For centuries, Australian aborigines have survived in extreme environmental conditions that challenged their skin. Fortunately, they discovered Centipeda C., an extract from daisies with remarkable skin soothing and healing properties. Now, their treasure is available in Aboriginal Gold, a product series that provides natural solutions for skin, hair, and scalp.

Are you wondering where to buy this product?  From me!  It is one of many products that we sell at Unicity, Unicity Bios Life is not just for weight loss, we have skin care, supplements and more, if you'd like to give this product a try send me an email, and/or check out my website at www.drinkslim.net

CFBA Book Review: Prize of my Heart

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Prize of My Heart Bethany House Publishers (March 1, 2012) by Lisa Norato

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A life-long New Englander, Lisa Norato lives in a historic village with homes and churches dating as far back as the eighteenth century. She was born into a close-knit Italian family that hungered as much for the things of God as they did for lasagna. After church, the family spent Sunday afternoons gathered in fellowship around a never-ending feast that featured her grandmother's homemade spaghetti and pizza.

From the time she learned to read, her mother impressed her with the joy of getting lost in a good book. She passed novels along to her as early as age thirteen, but it wasn't until many years later that Lisa felt compelled to write one herself.

She first discovered a love of writing when assigned to write and illustrate a children's book at the art college she attended. She balances writing with a career as a legal assistant specializing in corporate law. When not creating stories, she enjoys domestic pursuits like precious time with her dog and family, cooking, baking and eating vegan, reading, her Bible, her favorite television shows and crocheting.

Lisa is a member of the Romance Writers of America (RWA), American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Rhode Island Romance Writers (RIRW) and American Colonial Christian Writers.

ABOUT THE BOOK

An unsolved mystery separates ex-privateersman Captain Brogan Talvis from his lost son--his only living relation, his only family. Shortly before her tragic demise, his wife abandoned their infant to strangers, refusing to reveal the child's whereabouts. Now, three years later, Brogan has discovered the boy at the home of a shipbuilder's daughter, Lorena Huntley.

Lorena guards a dark secret about her young charge. She finds herself falling for the heroic captain who has come to claim his newly built ship, unaware his motive for wooing her is to befriend the boy he plans on reclaiming as his own--until the day anothers evil deceit leaves her helplessly shipbound, heading toward England.

As the perfect opportunity to reclaim his son unfolds, Brogan is haunted by thoughts of Lorena in her dire circumstance, and he is forced to make a heartrending choice between his child and the woman who has begun to capture his heart. But only his unselfish sacrifice can win him the greatest prize of all--love.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Prize of My Heart, go HERE.

MY THOUGHTS

I fell in love with this book right from the start.  I'm not going to spill the beans, but the story has quite a funny beginning, you can't help but chuckle at the predicament that Lorena and Brogan find themselves in.  As the story unfolds you feel the love that Brogan has for his son and you are left wondering how far Brogan will go to capture his son.

This is a story of deceit, forgiveness and love.


*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for review from CFBA

Book Review: Shore Excursion

About the Book

Travel agents might be a vanishing breed, but Sidney Marsh, a New York transplant from Mississippi, is holding her ground—at least on land. She is the tour leader on a cruise from Scandinavia to Russia for a group of eccentric senior citizens who call themselves the High Steppers. Sidney expects her days to be filled with long meals, shopping expeditions and visits to museums, churches and fjords. But this cruise is anything but routine. There is a killer on board, targeting the High Steppers and quite possibly herself.

After the first suspicious death, the captain and his crew are grimly determined to carry on as usual. Frustrated and dismayed by their inaction, Sidney decides to take matters into her own hands and launch her own investigation. She enlists the halfhearted help of her friend and business partner, the flamboyant and fun-loving Jay Wilson.

Suspects abound. What about those two handsome young men who stay mysteriously aloof? One of them has his eye on Sidney. So does another passenger, far too charming and again too young to fit the “High Stepper” mold. Then there’s Captain Vargos, the arrogant ladies’ man whose plans to thwart Sidney’s investigation might include seduction. Who is that crew member shadowing Sidney? Is the theater really haunted? Even the High Steppers themselves are not as predictable or harmless as they seem.  The closer Sydney gets to the truth, the less she understands.

My Thoughts

Shore Excursion is the first book in this new mystery series....one that will keep you on edge, waiting for the next to arrive!

Do you love to travel?  You may change your mind after sleuthing on a trip with Sidney Marsh, and finding dead bodies on a cruise ship...not exactly a relaxing way to take a vacation!  Sidney will keep you on your toes and guessing as she goes about sleuthing, this is a highly entertaining and fast-paced read.  This first book of Marie Moore is sure to be a great seller and leaves you highly anticipating the next mystery!


*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for review from Tribute Books.

CFBA: The Messenger

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Messenger Bethany House Publishers (March 1, 2012) by Siri Mitchell

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Siri Mitchell graduated from the University of Washington with a business degree and worked in various levels of government. As a military spouse, she has lived all over the world, including Paris and Tokyo. Siri enjoys observing and learning from different cultures. She is fluent in French and loves sushi.

But she is also a member of a strange breed of people called novelists. When they’re listening to a speaker and taking notes, chances are, they’ve just had a great idea for a plot or a dialogue. If they nod in response to a really profound statement, they’re probably thinking, “Yes. Right. That’s exactly what my character needs to hear.” When they edit their manuscripts, they laugh at the funny parts. And cry at the sad parts. Sometimes they even talk to their characters.

Siri wrote 4 books and accumulated 153 rejections before signing with a publisher. In the process, she saw the bottoms of more pints of Ben & Jerry’s than she cares to admit. At various times she has vowed never to write another word again. Ever. She has gone on writing strikes and even stooped to threatening her manuscripts with the shredder.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Hannah Sunderland felt content in her embrace of the Quaker faith

...until her twin brother ran off and joined the army and ended up captured and in jail. Suddenly Hannah's world turns on end. She longs to bring her brother some measure of comfort in the squalid, frigid prison where he remains. But the Quakers believe they are not to take sides, not to take up arms. Can she sit by and do nothing while he suffers?

Jeremiah Jones has an enormous task before him. Responsibility for a spy ring is now his, and he desperately needs access to the men in prison, whom they are seeking to free. A possible solution is to garner a pass for Hannah. But while she is fine to the eye, she holds only disdain for him--and agreeing would mean disobeying those she loves and abandoning a bedrock of her faith.

With skill and sensitivity, Mitchell tells a story of two unlikely heroes seeking God's voice, finding the courage to act, and discovering the powerful embrace of love.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Messenger, go HERE.

MY THOUGHTS

I have read many of Siri Mitchell's book and this book was another great read!  A Historical fiction with a bit of romance, Quakers and a British jail don't seem to have a lot in common, but you'll find them all in The Messenger.  While reading this book you may ever learn more about the Revolutionary War, I know I did!

If you like Historical Fiction give this book a try, it's a very good read, the romance does not take main stage in this story but there is enough to keep the book 'spicy'!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for review from CFBA

Book Review: Sarai

 

Sarai: A Novel
By Jill Eileen Smith
Sarai, the last child of her aged father, is beautiful, spoiled, and used to getting her own way. Even as a young girl, she is aware of the way men look at her, including her half-brother Abram. When Abram finally requests Sarai's hand, she asks one thing--that he promises never to take another wife as long as she lives. Even her father thinks the demand is restrictive and agrees to the union only if Sarai makes a promise in return--to give Abram a son and heir. Certain she can easily do that, Sarai agrees.

But as the years stretch on and Sarai's womb remains empty, she becomes desperate to fulfill her end of the bargain--lest Abram decide that he will not fulfill his. To what lengths will Sarai go in her quest to bear a son?

And how long will Abram's patience last?

Jill Eileen Smith is the author of the bestselling Michal, Abigail and Bathsheba, all part of The Wives of King David series. She has more than twenty years of writing experience, and her writing has garnered acclaim in several contests. Her research into the lives of biblical women has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan.

Endorsements for Sarai
"What a marvelous retelling of an old and sacred story! Though I knew it well, I could not put Sarai down. Smith takes us into the minds of the characters as they struggle with their flaws, fears, and disappointments, armed only with an often fragile faith. Sarai is an inspiring offer of hope for all."--Linda Windsor, author of the Brides of Alba series
"Jill Eileen Smith's research shines in this gem of a novel detailing the lives of Abram and Sarai. Fans of biblical fiction will be delighted by Smith's retelling of two of the most beloved personalities from the book of Genesis."--Kacy Barnett-Gramckow, author of the Genesis Trilogy
"In Sarai, Jill Eileen Smith takes the reader back to ancient times and the nomadic life of Sarai and Abram. This is an absorbing visit to the past, filled with wonderful details and fascinating characters, including Abram's nephew Lot and his wife. Smith reveals timeless doubts and struggles, along with the triumphs of some and the ill-fated but fascinating paths of others. Remarkable research is folded into a story that builds to an unforgettable ending. Smith truly brought the era to life!"--Maureen Lang, author of Springtime of the Spirit and Whisper on the Wind

MY THOUGHTS

I have read several of Jill Eileen Smith's books and each book has been excellently written so I was thrilled to receive Sarai for review.  I love reading Biblical fiction, it brings the people from the Bible into a new light, and while it is written in the author's point of view, there really is much that can be taken from the story of Sarai.  Sarai is a very strong woman, and she has to live up to her wedding vows, but will she ever do so?  Her struggles are similar to many modern day women but in her time, the means to overcome her struggles are quite different.

This was an exceedingly wonderful read and if you have interest in the people of the Bible, I'm quite certain that you will enjoy the story of Sarai and Abram.

“Available March 2012  at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for review from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing.