Book Review: The Christmas Shoppe

About the Book:

The small town of Parrish Springs in not quite ready for Matilda Honeycutt.  A strange woman with scraggly hair and jewelry that jangles as she walks, Matlida keeps busy stocking and arranging her new shop on the town's quaint and lovely Main Street.  When rumors start to fly about what might be going on behind the papered-up windows and the locked door, the image-conscience residents start looking for a way to get this woman and her wares out of their town before Christmas.

But Matilda Honeycutt has a little something for each one of them sitting on those cluttered shelves, just waiting to be discovered.

My Thoughts:

This is a funny little book, full of small town people and a few quirky outsiders.  Every where you go you run into one or two people who don't fit the general mold and Matilda is one of those people, but you gotta love her!  Crazy as she seems she has a big heart and a happy soul.  The problem is, the town people want her OUT and they want her out now.

Matilda is one serious sales-person, people walk into her store and before they know it she has charmed them into taking something home with them, when they leave they don't quite know what has happened, it's just one of her quirks, and her quirks may be just what the town needs.

And of course, what's the Christmas season without a little romance in the air?  This book has a little bit of everything, a crazy lady, angry town people and a little love...the perfect mix for an entertaining read!

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

CFBA Book Review: Proof of Heaven

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Proof of Heaven William Morrow Paperbacks (November 1, 2011) by Mary Curran Hackett

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Mary Curran Hackett is the mother of two children, Brigid Claire and Colm Francis, and is married to Greg Hackett. She received an MA in English Literature from the University of Nebraska and a BA from the University Honors Program at Catholic University in Washington, DC. Born and raised in Danbury, CT, she has traveled extensively and lived in various places throughout the U.S., but her favorite place in the world is home with her kids, husband, and her stacks of books. Like her character Colm Magee, Mary suffers various heart and brain ailments, but thanks in part to her brother, a physician, as well as her own doctors, she now has a pacemaker and a heart that beats on its own at least most of the time. This is her first novel.

ABOUT THE BOOK

A mother’s faith, a child’s courage, a doctor’s dedication—a moving and thought-provoking tale of hope, love, and family.

He might be young, but Colm already recognizes the truth: that he’s sick and not getting better. His mother, Cathleen, fiercely believes her faith will protect her ailing son, but Colm is not so sure. With a wisdom far beyond his years, Colm has come to terms with his probable fate, but he does have one special wish. He wants to meet his father who abandoned his beloved mother before Colm was born.

But the quest to find the dying boy’s missing parent soon becomes a powerful journey of emotional discovery—a test of belief and an anxious search for proof of heaven.

A magnificent debut novel, Mary Curran Hackett’s Proof of Heaven is a beautiful and unforgettable exploration of the power of love and the monumental questions of life, death, and the afterlife.

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

MY THOUGHTS

Hands down, the best book I've read this year!  This book was amazing, started the book and read cover to cover in one day, just couldn't stop reading.  Mary Curran Hackett is a force to be reckoned with and I sincerely hope she's working on a new book.  Proof of Heaven is a touching, sad, heartbreaking and yet happy book all at the same time. 

Colm is a very grown up little boy with a very big problem and the people closest to him are all struggling as well, but when they come together they are an amazing group and are able to fill each other with love and healing.

I love this book and I think you will too, this book would be an excellent gift...along with a box of kleenex!


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

Book Review: A Lasting Impression

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tamera Alexander is the best-selling author of Rekindled, Revealed and Remembered, the critically acclaimed Fountain Creek Chronicles historical series with Bethany House Publishers. Her second historical series, Timber Ridge Reflections (From a Distance, Beyond This Moment, and Within My Heart) continue her signature style of deeply drawn characters, thought-provoking plots, and poignant prose which has earned her devoted readers—and multiple industry awards.

These awards include the 2009 and 2008 Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction, the 2010 and 2007 RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance, the 2010 and 2007 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, the 2010 HOLT Medallion, the 2007 Bookseller’s Best Award, the 2007 National Reader's Choice Award, and Library Journal’s Top Christian Fiction for 2006, among others.

Tamera's newest novel A Lasting Impression is the first of a brand new three-book Southern historical series, and the first two chapters are available for review. She's at work on her ninth novel which will release in fall 2012.

After living in Colorado for seventeen years, Tamera has returned to her Southern roots. She and her husband now make their home in Nashville, Tennessee, along with Tamera's father, Doug, and with their two adult children who live near by. And don't forget Jack, their precious--and precocious--silky terrier.

ABOUT THE BOOK

To create something that will last is Claire Laurent's most fervent desire as an artist. It's also her greatest weakness. When her fraud of a father deals her an unexpected hand, Claire is forced to flee from New Orleans to Nashville, only a year after the War Between the States has ended. Claire's path collides with that of Sutton Monroe, and she considers him a godsend for not turning her in to the authorities. But when they meet again and he refuses to come to her aid, she realizes she's sorely misjudged the man. Trading an unwanted destiny for an unknown future, Claire finds herself in the middle of Nashville's elite society and believes her dream of creating a lasting impression in the world of art may finally be within reach.

All that Sutton Monroe holds dear lies in ruin. He's determined to reclaim his heritage and to make the men who murdered his father pay. But what he discovers on his quest for vengeance reveals a truth that may cost him more than he ever imagined.

Set at Nashville's historical Belmont Mansion, a stunning antebellum manor built by Mrs. Adelicia Acklen, the richest woman in America in the 1860s, A Lasting Impression showcases the deep, poignant, unforgettable characters that set Tamera's stories apart and provides an inspiring love story that will capture readers' hearts and leave them eager for more.

My Thoughts:

As someone who has dabbled in art and oil painting, I loved reading about Claire's talent. It was sad to read about her life growing up and how she was forced into her father's business. Reading about the historical Belmont Mansion made me want to visit it and I could only imagine what it must have looked like in the day of Adelicia Acklen!

Claire has spunk, and she needs it to get through her hard times and you can feel the sizzle between Claire and Sutton, but each page makes you wonder if they'll get past the issue of trust and Claire's hidden past.

This book is filled with riches, revenge, love, high society and mystery and when all stirred up, quite a good read!

Enter to win one of Tamera's fabulous prizes and RSVP for Facebook Party on 11/15!

Kindle Fire Giveaway and Facebook Party from Tamera Alexander!

While Tamera and her book,  A Lasting Impression, are traveling across the country virtually
(with a few international stops as well!), she will be hosting a Kindle
Fire Giveaway (11/4 - 11/15) and preparing for a lavish Southern-Style Facebook Party (11/15) (dripping
with hospitality, of course). She will be giving away Southern Food
Baskets, books, and an array of other fabulous freebies! Don't miss a
minute of the fun. Swoon!


Read what the reviewers are saying here.

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Brand New Kindle Fire (shipped as soon as it releases)
• A copy of A Lasting Impression and 3 other special books Tamera wants you to have (for Kindle)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on November 15th. Winner will be announced at A Lasting Impression Facebook Party on the 15th. Tamera will be wrapping up the A Lasting Impression celebration
with an author chat and giving away Southern Food Baskets (Loveless
Cafe Food Baskets, books, Amazon & Starbucks gift certificates, and
copies of Christy Jordan's Southern Plate cookbook), six gift certificates to Starbucks and Amazon.com, and copies of A Lasting Impression! So grab your copy of A Lasting Impression (it's
okay if you don't have one yet- you might win one!) and join Tamera on
the evening of November 15th for an author chat, a trivia contest (How
much do you know about the 1860's?) and lots of Southern-inspired
giveaways (complete listing here).

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER. Hope to see you on the 15th!

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

Fall Fiction Fling: Book #1

For the next 6 weeks I will be posting information about a different book, but no review, just some teasers to get you interested!

Book of the week: Katie's Choice

KATIE'S CHOICE

A Novel

by Tracey Langford

Synopsis:
Katie's Choice is a story about a winsome young woman named Katie who finds herself pregnant, and her hard-living mother, Daria, who pressures her to get an abortion. Katie meets with a nurse in an abortion clinic and speaks to a counselor at a pregnancy resource center. She decides an abortion is her best choice. Katie attempts to move on with her life, start a career, and finds herself falling in love with a Christian man. But her past continues to haunt her.

She thought she had chosen freedom and a future; but shame and regret haunt her and keep her inner life a closed book even to the man she loves. Love, truth and grace pursue Katie, though, until her defenses finally crumble. This moving tale of redemption chronicles an emotional journey out of self-loathing and spiritual denial into hope and life-changing love.

Debut novelist Tracey Langford was strongly encouraged to "reduce" her own pregnancy. She declined, and now is the proud homeschooling mother of quadruplets. As part of her research, Tracey sat in mock interviews with counselors at pregnancy centers, role-playing the part of a troubled pregnant girl.

Would you like to read Chapter 1?

Or watch a YouTube video of the Author's Interview?

If all that got you interested in the book, here's where you can purchase it!

Trade Paperback
436 pgs
$14.97
Available at:  Amazon.com and through most stores and online retailers.

Available from the publisher at http://cladach.com/Katie's-Choice.html, where it is on sale this week for the discounted price of $12.00

I hope you enjoyed this little teaser, I am posting on behalf of Cladach and will receive a complimentary copy of this book once the 6 week Fall Fiction Fling is over!
 

CFBA Book Review: Valley of Dreams

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Valley of Dreams Bethany House (November 1, 2011) by Lauraine Snelling

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Award-winning and best selling author Lauraine Snelling began living her dream to be a writer with her first published book for young adult readers, Tragedy on the Toutle, in 1982. She has since continued writing more horse books for young girls, adding historical and contemporary fiction and nonfiction for adults and young readers to her repertoire. All told, she has up to sixty books published.

Shown in her contemporary romances and women’s fiction, a hallmark of Lauraine’s style is writing about real issues of forgiveness, loss, domestic violence, and cancer within a compelling story. Her work has been translated into Norwegian, Danish, and German, and she has won the Silver Angel Award for An Untamed Land and a Romance Writers of America Golden Heart for Song of Laughter.

As a most sought after speaker, Lauraine encourages others to find their gifts and live their lives with humor and joy. Her readers clamor for more books more often, and Lauraine would like to comply ... if only her paintbrushes and easel didn’t call quite so loudly.

Lauraine and her husband, Wayne, have two grown sons, and live in the Tehachapi Mountains with a cockatiel named Bidley, and a watchdog Basset named Winston. They love to travel, most especially in their forty-foot motor coach, which they affectionately deem “a work in progress”.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Addy Lockwood's mother died when she was little, so Addy traveled with her father's Wild West Show and became an amazingly skillful trick rider, likened by some to the famous Annie Oakley. When her father died, she continued to work with the show, having nowhere else to go.

Now Addy has discovered that "Uncle" Jason, the show's manager, has driven the show into debt, and he's absconded with what little money was left. Devastated, Addy decides to try to find the hidden valley where here father had dreamed of putting down roots. She has only one clue. She needs to find three huge stones that look like fingers raised in a giant hand. With Chief, a Sioux Indian who's been with the show for twenty years, and Micah, the head wrangler, she leaves both the show and a bundle of heartache behind and begins a wild and daring adventure.

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

MY THOUGHTS

This book had a different twist to it which was refreshing.  I felt rather sorry for Addy, traveling with two men who were limited conversationalists at best, poor girl.  As Addy travels she finds some hidden treasures in their traveling wagon which lead her to discoveries and even though I had an inkling of what was going to happen once Addy reached her valley it didn't keep me from enjoying the book.  Instead, it made me want the travelers to oil their wheels and get going!

This is an easy, lazy day, curl up with a blanket by the fire read placed in good old South Dakota which we don't read too much about!


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

Book Review: The Three Trees

 The Three Trees: A Traditional Folktale by Elena Pasquali, illustrated by Sophie Windham

Three forest trees dream of what they will one day become. One dreams of becoming a royal throne; one of being a ship that can withstand any storm; and one longs to stay in the forest and grow as tall as tall can be. When they are felled, it seems their dreams are over. But as each tree is crafted into a new item--a manger, a fishing boat, and a rugged cross--it becomes clear that through the role they play in one important life their hopes are more than fulfilled.

 

About the Author:

Elena Pasquali studied romance languages at university and has a special interest in researching folk tales. She worked for some years in children's publishing before going on to be an author in her own right.

About the Illustrator:

Sophie Windham has illustrated books for Bloomsbury and Orchard and was shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal for Unicorns! Unicorns! by Geraldine McCaughrean.

My thoughts:

I love the illustrations in this book, Sophie Windham hits it right on with her beautiful pictures.  The story is beautiful as well and quite charming...perfect for rocking a young child to sleep.  This book is reminiscent of  folk tales of the past and I love how the story talks about the trees dreaming and as the trees go from being trees to being turned into something else their dreams come true.  Kids can learn from this, that if a tree can dream so can they and if a tree's dream can come true so can theirs!  Too big for a stocking stuffer, but perfect for under the tree!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for review from Kregel Publishing.

Alexa Hop and Hours to go until Affordable Scarves giveaway ends!

Have you entered the Affordable Scarves giveaway yet? A $20 gift card is up for grabs!  Here's the link to the post!  In a week or two I'll have another fun giveaway, but for now, I'm trying something new and have joined the Alexa Hop over at Moms Online Garage Sale, you can too:

If you're here from the hop, thanks for stopping by and GOOD LUCK to everyone who entered the giveaway which ends at MIDNIGHT 11/6