CFBA: Until I Found You

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Until I Found You Bethany House Publishers (May 6, 2014) by Victoria Bylin

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: A word from the Author:

This may sound crazy, but I was driven to write romance by giant bugs and killer rabbits. I just couldn't take it anymore. My husband and two sons would be camped in front of the television watching a movie about spiders the size of bowling balls, and I'd be wondering when the handsome scientist would get around to kissing the spunky woman with the bug spray. When it didn't happen, I decided to write my own happy endings--without the giant bugs...

Known for her realistic, likable characters and vivid writing, Victoria Bylin writes both western and contemporary inspirational romance. Her books have finaled in the ACFW Carol Awards, the Rita Awards and RT Magazine’s Reviewers’ Choice Awards. She and her husband currently live in Lexington, Kentucky and have two grown sons.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Finding each other was only the beginning . . .

When Kate Darby swerves off a mountain road to avoid hitting a California condor, she ends up trapped in her car, teetering on the edge of a cliff. Terrified, she breathes a prayer that changes her life.

It's Nick Sheridan who comes to Kate's rescue. Nick is handsome and confident, and he seems to develop a habit of rescuing her, but Kate is in town only until her grandmother recuperates from a stroke. She's not planning to get involved with one of the locals.

Nick is a reformed veteran of life in the fast lane, a new Christian, and a travel writer. When he sees a car dangling on the edge of a cliff, the daredevil in him jumps into action. He doesn't expect to be swept off his feet by the car's occupant. He's made a vow--no dating for a year--but keeping that vow is going to be a lot more difficult now that he's met Kate Darby. . . .

If you'd like to read the first chapter of Until I Found You, go HERE.

MY THOUGHTS
There are several heart stopping moments in this book....beware...there are times you will feel as though your life is teetering on the edge of survival!!!

There are a couple of rescue angels in this read, Nick and Kate....Kate wonders how Nick knows her name, she's soon to find out the connection, and how do they connect?  In more ways than one!

Plenty of adventure, plenty of love and some serious decisions to be made....this book is packed with enjoyment from beginning to end.

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

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CFBA: A Stitch and A Prayer

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Stitch and A Prayer Abingdon Press (May 20, 2014) by Eva Gibson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

(No image available) Eva Gibson is the author of twenty books, including A Stitch and a Prayer, the latest release in the Quilts of Love series from Abingdon Fiction. She currently teaches Writing Your Life Story classes for Portland Community College and is an active member of Oregon Christian Writers. She has lived most of her life on the family farm in Wilsonville, Oregon, which is the setting for her novel.

ABOUT THE BOOK

After her fiancé returns from the Klondike gold rush in 1897, Florence Harms sets about building a new life in her new marriage—even though the lingering effects of illness have left her weak and vulnerable. She and her young husband, Will, work tirelessly to clear the land around their Northwest cabin, content with their modest life. But then a stranger comes knocking and Florence suddenly senses a restlessness in Will’s spirit that she had never seen before. When he leaves her with only a note that tells her he will return before their baby’s birth, she is devastated, and the illness that stiffened her joints returns. Counting the days until Will walks back through her door, Florence busies herself with a Tree of Life quilt displaying a map of the farm they call home. Doubts claw at her heart as Florence struggles to believe Will’s promise to return to her. Will her labor of love—and faith in God—sustain her as she waits to see her beloved once again?

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Stitch and A Prayer, go HERE.

MY THOUGHTS
Another enjoyable Quilts of Love book!  This time you're taken back in time to a little cabin in the woods, in a tiny settlement.  When there are only a few families living in an area it's amazing how much they lend a hand to help, how much they count on each other.  In this case Florence has relatives close by, that are close to her heart as well.

I thought the marriages in the story were quite charming, and I was amazed at how well the women in the story were able to cope with living alone, especially Florence, newly married, expecting a child and ill.  

This story kept me interested throughout, an wonderful turn back in time read.

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

 

CFBA: Gathering Shadows

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Gathering Shadows Bethany House Publishers (May 6, 2014) by Nancy Mehl

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nancy Mehl lives in Wichita, Kansas with her husband Norman and their dog, Watson. She’s authored thirteen books and is currently at work on her newest series for Bethany House Publishing.

All of Nancy’s novels have an added touch – something for your spirit as well as your soul. “I welcome the opportunity to share my faith through my writing,” Nancy says. “It’s a part of me and of everything I think or do. God is number one in my life. I wouldn’t be writing at all if I didn’t believe that this is what He’s called me to do. I hope everyone who reads my books will walk away with the most important message I can give them: God is good, and He loves you more than you can imagine. He has a good plan especially for your life, and there is nothing you can’t overcome with His help.”

She and her husband attend Believer’s Tabernacle in Wichita.



ABOUT THE BOOK

Wynter Evans is a promising young reporter for a television station in St. Louis, but even a bright future doesn't take away her pain over the disappearance of her brother nine years ago. So when she stumbles across a photograph of a boy with an eerie resemblance to him, she can't pass up the chance to track him down. With research for work as her cover, she sets out with one of the station's photogs for the place where the picture was taken: the town of Sanctuary. Almost as soon as she arrives, she meets the town's handsome young mayor, Rueben King, and together they begin to uncover long held secrets that could tear the small town apart and change everything Wynter thought she knew about her life. As the truth of her family's past hides in the shadows, it's clear someone will stop at nothing to keep the answers she's searching for hidden forever--even if the cost is Wynter's very life. If you'd like to read the first chapter of Gathering Shadows, go HERE.
 

MY THOUGHTS
Leave it to Nancy Mehl to keep me up all night reading...I just couldn't stop!  With each book of Nancys' that I read I fall more in love with her writing.  I am never, ever disappointed.

This book was an unexpected surprise, and as the book goes on I was surprised over and over...a lot of wonderful twists and turns.  A small town can have secrets, many secrets, and some people want to keep those secrets hidden, and the villian....I never did figure out who it was, not until I was told!

If you love mystery, love, and small town America filled with Mennonite's and people who like to keep to themselves, you'll love this book!

...and this is the 1st book in the Finding Sanctuary series... so there is sure to be more excitement to come!

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

Book Review: Thankful ....and a Litfuse Giveaway!

Thankful, Book Two in the Return to Sugarcreek series

New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray captures the beauty, devotion, and warmth of Amish life in this engaging tale of family, commitment, trust, and love set in the beloved community of Sugarcreek.

Christina Kempf has always known that God chose Aden Reese to be her husband. As children, he was there to save her when she fell through the ice, and he’s been by her side ever since. After his parents died in a car accident ten years ago, the Kempfs raised Aden as one of their own, and everyone sees Aden and Christina as brother and sister. But Christina has never given up hope that Aden will one day ask her to be his wife.

Aden always planned to court Christina. But losing his mother and father changed everything—except his love for her. Her parents generously welcomed him into their home and treated him like a son. He can’t betray their kindness by admitting his feelings for the girl who is like a sister . . . yet so much more.

Pressured by her parents to court, Christina begins to accept the attentions of Sugarcreek’s young men, and now, Aden must make a choice. Will he stand by and watch the love of his life slip away? Or will he risk losing the love and trust of the family he holds dear to tell Christina how he truly feels?

Thankful includes a P.S. section with additional insights from the author, background material, suggestions for further reading, and more.

Learn more and purchase a copy here.

MY THOUGHTS

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the second in the Return To Sugarcreek series.  This is a stand alone book.

Aden and Christina are two truly lovable characters and you just can't help but want them to find each other, not as friends, but as a couple.  Growing up together, makes it difficult, they each know their feelings towards the other, but are afraid.  

This truly is a book of love, love of a family who raised another child (Aden) as their own, love of children who made Aden their own, and a deeper love between two friends.

The Amish hold such deep respect for one another, and this is what holds Aden back, what will he do?  Where will Christina's courting lead?

....an excellent book! 

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

In Thankful, New York Times bestselling author, Shelley Shepard Gray captures the beauty, devotion, and warmth of Amish life in this engaging tale of family, commitment, trust, and love set in the beloved community of Sugarcreek.

Enter to win the first two books in Shelley's Return to Sugarcreek series, Hopeful & Thankful.
 a Rafflecopter giveaway


 

CFBA: Rise and Shine

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Rise and Shine River North; New Edition edition (May 1, 2014) by Sandra D. Bricker

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

For more than a decade, Sandra D. Bricker lived in Los Angeles. While honing her chosen craft of screenwriting in every spare moment, she worked as a personal assistant and publicist to some of daytime television's hottest stars. When her mother became ill in Florida, she walked away from that segment of her life and moved across the country to take on a new role: Caregiver.

The author says that it was her 8th novel that opened the door to finding her way as a writer. "I'm a Christian woman, first and foremost," she says. "So it was a bit of a dream-come-true when Summerside Press chose me as one of two authors to launch the Love Finds You line."

Sandie's real-life role as cancer survivor has parlayed into her steadfast commitment to raising awareness and funds for ovarian cancer research. Spearheading a series of devotionals for Summerside Press (such as the popular His Grace is Sufficient...Decaf is Not), the author has stipulated that a portion of each contributor's proceeds will go to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.

"Being allowed to combine my faith and my humor with raising funds for my pet projects ... and still pursue my writing dream," says Bricker, "well, that's the best of all worlds, as far as I'm concerned!"

And one of the author's pet projects is animal rescue, evidenced by the special bond she has created with one particular formerly-abandoned puppy -- a red-haired collie with "killer brown eyes and the heart of the class clown."

ABOUT THE BOOK

Shannon Malone thought she'd found her happy ending when she married Edmund Ridgeway, but a diving accident on their honeymoon left her in a coma. Waking up to the news that she's thirty years old would have been daunting enough . . . but she also learns that Edmund has lost his interim battle with cancer and the world has marched on without her. Her gorgeous doctor, Daniel Petros, seems to know everything about her and becomes Shannon's tour guide into a whole new world of madness where reality television has taken over the planet and everyone's life appears to revolve around a tiny screen on their cell phones! As Shannon struggles to navigate through the changes-both in the world and in her-she also must discern real memories from imagined ones. Did she really ever wear capris pants and entertain in her living room, or was that Laura Petrie from her favorite classic TV show? And where is her beloved dog, Freeway? Oh, wait! That was Jonathan and Jennifer Hart's dog, not hers. Shannon's three elderly aunts flit through her life in true Sleeping Beauty style with her well-being always a priority. And Edmund's sister Millicent descends like the Evil Queen she is, trying to extract Shannon from any claim on the Ridgeway family fortune. When a tornado moves through town and Shannon is knocked unconscious, will Daniel's kiss awaken her once and for all?

MY THOUGHTS
This is one of those books that kept me up until wee hours of the morning because once I started I couldn't stop!

When you have a death and a 10yr coma in a book you would think it would be a deeply sad book to read, but that is definitely not the case.  This book is full of wit and humor, I caught myself laughing out loud several times.  It's not that the circumstances are taken lightly, it's more that Shannon is just one of those people who sees things through a cheerier lense than some!  Add to that, a World that has changed quite a bit since she fell into her coma.....

A great read, packed with fun.

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

 

CFBA: Paige Turned

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Paige Turned TH1NK (April 1, 2014) by Erynn Mangum

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A few things about her:

So, if we were having this conversation in person, we would probably be hanging out at Starbucks or one of the cute coffeehouses in town. I’m nuts about all things coffee, I’m crazy about all things pink and girly, and I love, love, love the Food Network! I’m married to my best friend and the most amazing guy ever, Jon. He is amiable toward coffee, does not like anything pink or girly and tolerates the Food Network. So, we make a good match! In July 2010, we became parents to one of the funniest, cutest, sweetest little guys in the whole world (and nope, we aren’t biased at all!), our Nater-Tot, who is legally known as Nathan. Most days, I’m cleaning up messes, making goofy faces, trying to fit some writing in, and just LOVING the life that God has given me!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Despite her valiant efforts, Paige Alder seems stuck in chaos. Her new job as youth intern keeps her hopping from coffee shop to coffee shop all summer long, but at least she’s loving the one-on-one time she gets to spend with the girls. The unfortunate side-effect is that now, four weeks of laundry fills her apartment. Plus, she barely has time to help her sister and best friend with their weddings! And even worse? Something is definitely wrong between her and Tyler. She apologized for what he thought he saw happen with Luke. Can’t they move past it? Or could there be something he’s not telling her—something that could change everything?

If you'd like to read the first chapter of Paige Turned, go HERE.

MY THOUGHTS

LOVE. THIS. SERIES.

This is the 3rd book in the series.  Paige is still a whirlwind, but what do you expect when you can't say no?!

Paige might be a girl who just does too much, but she is loving, kind, and a character who wraps her way into your heart, you just gotta love her!  I've loved following her antics through the series, you don't need to read the entire series, just reading Paige Turned is fine, you won't be lost or confused, but why miss all the fun, read them all.....I'm not sure if this is the last in the series or not, I'm hoping not!

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