The Promise of Palm Grove

Leona must decide: Does she follow the path set out before her? Or take a chance with only the promise of what could be to guide her?

A young Amish woman finds herself torn between the man she’s pledged to wed and the man her heart desires in this heartwarming story of chance, duty, and choice in the face of love—the first volume in the beloved New York Times bestselling author’s new Amish Brides of Pinecraft series.

Amish bride-to-be Leona is thrilled to be in Florida, on a mini-vacation in the pretty town of Pinecraft. Her girlfriends think she’s happy because she’s away from the stress of wedding planning. They have no idea that Leona’s real joy is in being away from her fiancé.

Edmund is a good man, and will make a decent husband . . . just not for Leona. The more time she spends with him and his overbearing ways, the less she wants to be his wife. Her cousins are sure Edmund is the right man for her-and their certainty makes Leona begin to doubt herself. But when a chance encounter with a wayward cat brings her face-to-face with a handsome, fun-loving Amish man named Zachary Kauffman, Leona’s faced with two vastly different futures.

Learn more and purchase a copy at Shelley’s website.

MY THOUGHTS
I have to admit.....I have a weakness for Amish stories....and the stories set in Pinecraft....well, they just make me feel like I'm on vacation!

Leona is quite the girl, she has gumption.....I was really quite proud of her actions....for standing up for herself and not just doing what was expected.  Despite the people she knew she would upset, she carried on with what she felt in her heart.

This was a great read....one I was able to curl up with...a good old romance with a bit of commotion....a nice relaxing read!  Shelley Shepard Gray never disappoints!

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

CFBA: The Tomb

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Tomb Howard Books (March 17, 2015) by Stephanie Landsem

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A word from the author:
I write historical fiction because I love adventure in far-off times and places. I’ve traveled since I was a teenager—backpacking through Germany and Eastern Europe, studying German in Salzburg, eating gelato in Italy, and riding camels in Morocco were some of the highlights. Travel kindles my imagination, fuels my love of history, and introduces me to one-of-a-kind characters. It’s the best kind of research.

When I can’t travel, I read. I love fiction, of course, but I’m often found behind a stack of history books or searching the web for historical tidbits. How people lived together, worked, and what they ate (I love food!) is usually what catches my imagination. No matter where or when we live, people are more alike than they are different. I love to find the similarities between our lives and those of the men and women of the ancient world.

I make my home in Minnesota with my husband of 22 years, four children, three fat cats, and a tortoise named Moe. When I’m not writing Biblical fiction, I’m feeding the ravenous horde of kids and their friends, volunteering at church and school, battling dandelions, and dreaming about my next adventure – whether it be in person or on the page.

ABOUT THE BOOK

In this captivating retelling of a classic biblical story, Jesus shocks the town of Bethany with Lazarus’s resurrection from the dead, leading Martha—a seemingly perfect woman trapped by the secrets of her past—to hope and a new life.

Everyone in Bethany admires Martha—the perfect Jewish woman. She feeds and clothes her loved ones, looks after the family farm, and meticulously follows every precept of the Pharisees’ strict laws. But Martha is hiding a secret. At her sister’s marriage feast, she gave her heart and her innocence to a young musician who promised to return and marry her, but instead betrayed her love and abandoned her.

Seven years later, only two people in Bethany know of Martha’s secret sin: her brother, Lazarus, and Simon, the righteous Pharisee to whom Martha is betrothed. When Lazarus falls ill, Martha is faced with a choice: send for Jesus to save her dying brother—risking the wrath of Simon who threatens to betray her—or deny Jesus’ healing power and remain trapped in her tomb of secrecy and lies.

Meanwhile, on the shores of Galilee, Isa roams the wilderness, tortured by demons and knowing only that someone is waiting for him. When he is healed by Jesus, he finds that seven years have passed since his descent into madness. Isa journeys home to Bethany only to find he is too late to win back Martha’s love.

When Martha risks all to heal Lazarus, will Jesus arrive in time, or will he—like Isa—come too late?

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

MY THOUGHTS
I have never really known a lot about Mary, this book was definitely an eye opener.  As I read, I almost felt as though I had traveled back in time and was living beside her.

This story truly drew me in and it was difficult to stop reading for the mundane things in life, such as eating, sleeping, etc!

I cannot imagine living in these times, the fear that Mary must have felt holding her secret, the prospect of marrying someone she does not love and wondering if Jesus was indeed the messiah.

This book has a lot of 'meat' to it, one I am sure I will read again and again.

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

CFBA: Dauntless

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Dauntless Bethany House Publishers (March 3, 2015) by Dina L. Sleiman

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A word from the author:

Since selling my first book, I have also become an acquisitions editor for the company. I am a member of the Inkwell Inspirations blog, HEWN Marketing, ACFW, and a contributor to Christian Review of Books. I hold publishing credits in poetry and songwriting, and I was the writer and featured teacher in a nationally distributed instructional dance video for children. I have written several songs about the plight of the Islamic people, which have been produced in association with the Christian Broadcast Network. In addition, I have taught college and high school classes in writing and literature, as well as homeschool classes in the fine arts, and now enjoy teaching at writers conferences throughout the nation.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Where Legend and History Collide,
One Young Woman Will Fight for the Innocent

Born a baron's daughter, Lady Merry Ellison is now an enemy of the throne after her father's failed assassination attempt upon the king. Bold and uniquely skilled, she is willing to go to any lengths to protect the orphaned children of her former village--a group that becomes known as "The Ghosts of Farthingale Forest." Merry finds her charge more difficult as their growing notoriety brings increasing trouble their way.

Timothy Grey, ninth child of the Baron of Greyham, longs to perform some feat so legendary that he will rise from obscurity and earn a title of his own. When the Ghosts of Farthingale Forest are spotted in Wyndeshire, where he serves as assistant to the local earl, he might have found his chance. But when he comes face-to-face with the leader of the thieves, he's forced to reexamine everything he's known.

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

MY THOUGHTS
I don't usually read this type of a book, but I am glad I did.  Lady Merry is tough, brave, loyal to those she cares for, will fight to her death, and yet is ladylike.

The circumstances behind this story are really quite awful, and it's no wonder Lady Merry lives as she does, I was thoroughly entertained throughout the entire story, and loved how it ended!

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

CFBA: Spy of Richmond

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Spy of Richmond River North (March 1, 2015) by Jocelyn Green

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jocelyn Green is a child of God, wife and mom living in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She is also an award-winning journalist, author, editor and blogger. Though she has written nonfiction on a variety of topics, her name is most widely recognized for her ministry to military wives: Faith Deployed. Her passion for the military family was fueled by her own experience as a military wife, and by the dozens of interviews she has conducted with members of the military for her articles and books, Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives and its sequel, Faith Deployed...Again: More Daily Encouragement for Military Wives. She is also co-author of both Stories of Faith and Courage from the War in Iraq & Afghanistan and Stories of Faith and Courage from the Home Front (forthcoming, May 2012). Her Faith Deployed Web site and Facebook page continue to provide ongoing support, encouragement and resources for military wives worldwide.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Trust none. Risk all. Richmond, Virginia, 1863. Compelled to atone for the sins of her slaveholding father, Union loyalist Sophie Kent risks everything to help end the war from within the Confederate capital and abolish slavery forever. But she can't do it alone. Former slave Bella Jamison sacrifices her freedom to come to Richmond, where her Union soldier husband is imprisoned, and her twin sister still lives in bondage in Sophie's home. Though it may cost them their lives, they work with Sophie to betray Rebel authorities. Harrison Caldwell, a Northern freelance journalist who escorts Bella to Richmond, infiltrates the War Department as a clerk-but is conscripted to defend the city's fortifications.

As Sophie's spy network grows, she walks a tightrope of deception, using her father's position as newspaper editor and a suitor's position in the ordnance bureau for the advantage of the Union. One misstep could land her in prison, or worse. Suspicion hounds her until she barely even trusts herself. When her espionage endangers the people she loves, she makes a life-and-death gamble.

Will she follow her convictions even though it costs her everything-and everyone-she holds dear?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Spy of Richmond, go HERE.

MY THOUGHTS
This story takes you back in history, and you will vividly live the story along with the characters..feel the fear, the pain...even the hate.

Sophie walks a narrow line....she'll make you hold your breath more than once.

Deep in the south Sophie's father is held a prisoner of war, her mom has passed, she's left alone with her servants and doesn't believe in slavery...yet can't free her own.  As a spy she becomes strong, a different woman than the one her father left, she does some extremely dangerous and brave things for the sake of the war, only for the wrong side.

This story held me as captive as the prisoners, at times I was afraid to turn the page, but yet had to....a very good read.

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

Book Review: Betting on Hope

Betting on Hope (Thomas Nelson, February 2015)

A bet gone wrong. A small town’s meddling. And a cowboy intent on saving his ranch.
 
Maggie Hope is an advice columnist whose background leaves her with little advice to give . . . and it’s beginning to show. When Maggie fills in at an interview with champion horse trainer Tru Monahan, the on-camera chemistry between them is undeniable. Maggie’s bosses know this is the opportunity she’s been looking for to launch her career—and their bank accounts. In order to save her column, Maggie takes Tru up on the bet that he can teach her to ride a quick-stepping cutting horse like any cowgirl, despite the fact that she has never been on a horse. And in the meantime, she can get the scoop on the man under the cowboy hat.

Tru has been on the competition circuit for longer than he’d like, but he knows it’s the only way he can afford to keep the Four of Hearts Ranch that means so much to his ailing grandfather. So when his sponsors see the opportunity for Tru’s fans to get to know the star on a more intimate level, he knows he must oblige. To his dismay, Maggie not only invades his small town of Wishing Springs, but she also invades his heart, and that is something he cannot let any woman do—for her own good.

In Wishing Springs, Maggie finds what she has always been looking for: a community and a home. But when her past catches up to her, it threatens everything, even the tender hope that this town holds all of her heart’s desires.

Learn more and purchase a copy at Debra’s website.

MY THOUGHTS
This book was a fun change from the 'norm'.  Tru, a rough and tough cowboy meets up with soft, unsure Maggie and both of their worlds get turned upside down.  Problem is, neither one of them appreciate it, but they have to agree to it.  That of course leads to quite the chain of events.

Tru, being someone who has been in the papers a lot...tends to have a great distrust for reporters.

Maggie might be clumsy, but she's tough...and it's a good thing.

These two 'characters' will take you on a ride, a real ride on horseback, as well as an emotional one as they not only figure themselves out, but each other as well!

Fun, easy read!

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

CFBA: Then Sings My Soul

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Then Sings My Soul David C. Cook (March 1, 2015) by Amy Sorrells

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

An Indianapolis native and graduate of DePauw University, Amy lives with her husband, three boys and a gaggle of golden retrievers in central Indiana. After writing and editing for her college newspaper, she combined a nursing degree with journalism and creative writing, which led to publishing and editing a wide array of medical and nursing writing and multimedia projects over the past 21 years, a position as director of communications of her church’s children’s ministry, as well as a weekly column for a local newspaper which ran from 2009-2012. She has been a two-time semi-finalist for the ACFW Genesis awards, and was the winner of the 2011 Women of Faith writing contest.

When she’s not reading or writing, Amy loves spending time with her three sons; spicy lunches and art gallery walks with her husband; digging in her garden sans gloves; walking her dogs; up-cycling old furniture and junk; photography; and friends.


ABOUT THE BOOK

When Nel Stewart returns home due to the sudden death of her mother, she realizes her beloved father, Jakob, is struggling with dementia. With the reappearance of a high-school sweetheart, deliveries from Ukraine addressed to her, and the discovery of a mysterious, vintage aquamarine gemstone, Nel senses God is pulling her into the past to restore their faith and their futures. Told partially through Jakob's flashbacks of fleeing genocide-ridden eastern Europe at the turn of the twentieth century, the novel combines elements of mystery, history, faith and romance to reveal how God redeems the broken years ... and our future.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Then Sings My Soul, go HERE.

MY THOUGHTS

This book was AMAZING....the best book I've read in some time.

As you read the book goes from Nel's voice to her father's which takes you back to the twentieth century Europe.  I did not find the switching of time periods confusing, it all flowed extremely well.

I felt horror, overwhelming sadness, and glimmers of hope while reading.  Sad for Jakob's haunting past, the past that has kept him trapped his entire life.  Sad for Nel as she struggles with losing her mom and finding her dad to be terribly frail and at the end of his life as well.  Even so, Nel finishes what her mom has started and helps her dad heal.  Nel also finds a way to heal from her past as well.

This book will make you think and you will go through all sorts of feelings, despite the sadness I'd call this book a 'must read' and I will most certainly read previous stories as well as future stories by Amy Sorrellus, I just wonder why it has taken me so long to discover her.

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