CFBA: When Hope Rises

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing When Hope Rises Pelican Book Group (May 2015) by Dora Heirs

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

After a successful auditing career, Dora left the corporate world to be a stay-at-home mom to her two sons. When her youngest son no longer wanted her hanging out at school with him anymore, Dora started writing Heart Racing, God-Gracing romance. She is a member of Romance Writers of America (RWA) and her local chapter, Carolina Romance Writers.

Dora and her real life hero make their home in North Carolina. When she takes a break from cranking out stories, she enjoys reading, family gatherings, and mountain cabin getaways. She despises traffic, bad coffee, technological meltdowns, and a sad ending to a book. Her books always end with a happily-ever-after!



ABOUT THE BOOK

Art teacher Shelby Coltman transforms junk into treasure and longs for a place to showcase her creations. She’s thrilled when her friend volunteers to room with her. Shelby can finally buy a storefront. Unfortunately, Kennedi’s brother can't seem to let go.

Abandoned as a teenager, guidance counselor Tate Malone has become surrogate and over-protective father to his sister. Life is great until Shelby Coltman wheedles his impressionable sister into sharing an apartment. Raised in wealth, the beautiful Shelby could never understand poverty or rejection, and Tate doesn't appreciate her uprooting his sister. When Shelby hands over her savings to a homeless student, will God obliterate Tate's fears and deliver all of Shelby’s dreams...when hope rises?

If you would like to read the first chapter of When Hope Rises, go HERE.

MY THOUGHTS
Over protective fathers.....did you have one?  I did...my daughter certainly does....sometimes it drives her crazy!  But how would you feel about your brother taking on that role?  I think it would have put me over the edge!

Shelby is one of those people that you would believe to be spoiled, yet turning over her savings shows the complete opposite.

I just love it when characters are able to surprise me....

..and Tate's fears, you just wonder while reading, will he overcome them, or will they be fears that come to truth?

A great quick, summer-time read!

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

CFBA: The Art of Losing Yourself

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Art of Losing Yourself WaterBrook Press (April 21, 2015) by Katie Ganshert

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Award-winning author, Katie Ganshert, graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Madison with a degree in education, and worked as a fifth grade teacher for several years before staying home to write full-time. She was born and raised in the Midwest, where she lives with her family. When she’s not busy penning novels or spending time with her people, she enjoys drinking coffee with friends, reading great literature, and eating copious amounts of dark chocolate.



ABOUT THE BOOK

Just like in my dream, I was drowning and nobody even noticed.

Every morning, Carmen Hart pastes on her made-for-TV smile and broadcasts the weather. She’s the Florida panhandle’s favorite meteorologist, married to everyone’s favorite high school football coach. They’re the perfect-looking couple, live in a nice house, and attend church on Sundays. From the outside, she’s a woman who has it all together. But on the inside, Carmen Hart struggles with doubt. She wonders if she made a mistake when she married her husband. She wonders if God is as powerful as she once believed. Sometimes she wonders if He exists at all. After years of secret losses and empty arms, she’s not so sure anymore.

Until Carmen’s sister—seventeen year old runaway, Gracie Fisher—steps in and changes everything. Gracie is caught squatting at a boarded-up motel that belongs to Carmen’s aunt, and their mother is off on another one of her benders, which means Carmen has no other option but to take Gracie in. Is it possible for God to use a broken teenager and an abandoned motel to bring a woman’s faith and marriage back to life? Can two half-sisters make each other whole?

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Art of Losing Yourself, go HERE.

MY THOUGHTS
Carmen Hart...a TV personality, seems to have it all....she's definitely 'put-together' while broadcasting.

But....she hurts, she's terribly sad and has a breakdown while shopping for a baby gift.  It's actually rather humorous...what she does, but still very sad.

Before she knows it, her world drastically changes, a run-away sister, a 'break' from work and her plans change and she's working on an old broken down hotel...which brings back a flood of memories.

Her husband...he's broken too, the question is whether or not everyone can heal.   Carmen, her husband, her sister, even her mom.....

A very good book, there's a lot of hope, healing, and yet a bit of lightheartedness keeps the book from being a sad sad read.




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

CFBA: The Wood's Edge

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Wood's Edge WaterBrook Press (April 21, 2015) by Lori Benton

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lori Benton spent her late teens and early twenties pursuing a career as a wildlife artist, attending the Maryland College of Art & Design before she began painting professionally. When not writing or researching, Lori can be found exploring the mountains of southern Oregon with her husband, Brian. Lori's first novel, Burning Sky was nominated as an ECPA 2014 Christian Book Award Finalist and also received double nominations for 2014 Christy Awards. The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn is her second novel.

ABOUT THE BOOK

At the wood’s edge cultures collide. Can two families survive the impact?

The 1757 New York frontier is home to the Oneida tribe and to British colonists, yet their feet rarely walk the same paths.

On the day Fort William Henry falls, Major Reginald Aubrey is beside himself with grief. His son, born that day, has died in the arms of his sleeping wife. When Reginald comes across an Oneida mother with newborn twins, one white, one brown, he makes a choice that will haunt the lives of all involved. He steals the white baby and leaves his own child behind. Reginald’s wife and foundling daughter, Anna, never suspect the truth about the boy they call William, but Reginald is wracked by regret that only intensifies with time, as his secret spreads its devastating ripples.

When the long buried truth comes to light, can an unlikely friendship forged at the wood’s edge provide a way forward? For a father tormented by fear of judgment, another by lust for vengeance. For a mother still grieving her lost child. For a brother who feels his twin’s absence, another unaware of his twin’s existence. And for Anna, who loves them both—Two Hawks, the mysterious Oneida boy she meets in secret, and William, her brother. As paths long divided collide, how will God direct the feet of those who follow Him?

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Wood's Edge, go HERE.

MY THOUGHTS
This is the first book in the Pathfinders series...and an excellent start that will leave you anxiously awaiting book 2.

The vivid description of the characters as well as the location and time period makes you connect instantly with the story line, and as far as Historical fiction goes, this one is a beauty, although a very long book....not one I was able to read as quickly as others.

Friendship, love, hatred, regret...you'll feel all of these emotions and come out smiling as relationships develop and if you love historical fiction, especially the Colonial period, this is the book for you!

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

Kindle Giveaway and Book Review: The Inn at Ocean's Edge

Someone—maybe everyone—is hiding something from Claire Dellamare, and it will cost her everything to drag the truth out into the light. Colleen Coble's new book, The Inn at Ocean's Edge, is a must-read for mystery and suspense readers. As Claire and Luke put together the pieces of a decades-old mystery, they discover that some family secrets refuse to stay buried. And some passions are worth killing for.

Celebrate the release of The Inn at Ocean's Edge by entering to win a Kindle Fire and RSVPing to her May 5th author chat party!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• A copy of A Heart's Disguise
• A copy of A Heart's Obsession
• A copy of The Inn at Ocean's Edge

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 7th. Winner will be announced May 8th on Colleen's website. Plus be sure to clear your calendar on the evening of May 5th because Colleen is hosting an author chat party on Facebook to celebrate her A Journey of the Heart series and the release of The Inn at Ocean's Edge! RSVP here!

RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on May 5th!

 ****************************************************

About the book: The Inn at Ocean's Edge (Thomas Nelson, April 2015) A vacation to Sunset Cove was her way of celebrating and thanking her parents. After all, Claire Dellamore's childhood was like a fairytale. But with the help of Luke Elwell, Claire discovers that fairytale was really an elaborate lie . . . The minute she steps inside the grand Inn at Ocean's Edge, Claire Dellamare knows something terrible happened there. She feels it in her bones. Her ensuing panic attack causes a scene, upsetting her parents. Claire attempts to quiet her nerves with a walk on the beach, to no avail. She's at too great a distance to make out details, but she believes she witnesses a murder on a nearby cliff. When local police find no evidence of foul play, they quickly write off the "nervous" woman's testimony as less than credible. But Luke Elwell, home on leave from the Coast Guard, has reason to believe Claire. Years ago when his mother went missing, Luke's father suspected she'd been murdered. He died never having convinced the police to investigate. So when an employee of the grand hotel doesn't show up for work, Luke steps in to help Claire track down the missing woman. As Claire and Luke put together the pieces of a decades-old mystery, they discover that some family secrets refuse to stay buried. And some passions are worth killing for. Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1PDMkED About the author: Colleen Coble has sold over 2 million novels worldwide. Seagrass Pier, the third installment in her acclaimed Hope Beach series, marks a new highpoint for emotion and complexity in Coble's addictive brand of romantic suspense. Find Colleen online: website, Facebook, Twitter MY THOUGHTS Loved this story line.  As I read the book there were quite a few surprises, which always adds to the likeability of a book This is a great mystery....a mystery within a mystery actually, and Claire continually finds herself in harms way as well as under the suspicion of a police officer who wants nothing more than to wrap up his case. The people involved...well, lets just say that everyone's time will come to pay the piper, so to speak. ...and you can't leave out the romance, there's a healthy dose of that as well. A great read.

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

Book Review: Wanderlust

Explore 46 new knitting patterns that celebrate bohemian style!

Let Wanderlust take you on a journey through 46 delightful knitting patterns! Discover a wide range of knitting projects, including knit cowls, scarves, shawls, hats, mittens, and sweaters. Ideal for knitted gifts, the projects range from easy garter stitch and stockinette to pretty lace patterns, chunky cables, simple colorwork, and more.

Discover bohemian designed patterns using fun techniques, including cables, lace, colorwork, plus stockinette stitch and garter stitch. You'll whip up gorgeous garments quickly, with some patterns only requiring a skein or two of yarn. Perfect for creating a plethora of gifts, you'll learn to make scarves, cowls, hats, sweaters, mittens and wristers. Plus, give your next quick-knitted gift with confidence-all the patterns in Wanderlust use gold-standard (but affordable) yarn! Enjoy Cascade Yarns Longwood, which is ideal for knitted wearables. This aran weight 100% superwash extrafine merino wool yarn comes in over 30 colors. It has the bounce and texture of traditional wool without the itch, pills, or shrinkage, and it is machine-washable! You'll be in lust with this gorgeous yet affordable yarn (and these inspiring designs) in no time!

All of the knitting designs in Wanderlust are made with 100% super wash extra fine merino wool--perfect for active modern lifestyles. With quick accessories and garments for both men and women, including seven glorious sweaters, you will find something for everyone on your knitting list, and more importantly, for yourself!

Biography

A graduate of RISD, Tanis Gray lives in Alexandria, VA with her green Mechanical Engineer husband, toddler son and lazy pug. Having worked at Martha Stewart, HBO, Focus Features, in the art department in the film and television industries, and a 4-year career as the Yarn Editor at Vogue Knitting and co-editor of Knit.1, she has been working in the creative field for many years.

Tanis has over 350 published knitting designs, and her work has been featured in many major publications and books worldwide, including 11 covers. She also edits other knitting books, manages the social media for numerous yarn companies and teaches often in and around DC.

Check out her books Knit Local: Celebrating America's Homegrown Yarns (Sixth & Spring), Capitol Knits, (self-published), Knitting Architecture (Interweave), Cozy Knits (Interweave) and 3 Skeins or Less - Fresh Knitted Accessories (Interweave).

Follow her at www.tanisknits.com.

MY THOUGHTS

I really enjoyed this book, I haven't knit anything yet, I don't seem to knit much at all during the warmer months.  But...the instructions are easy to read, the photos are great, and I love the pattern choices.  Some great items to knit up! 

There are of course a few items I would never knit up, but that happens with every pattern book, the

majority of the patterns in this book are ones that I would enjoy wearing or giving as gifts!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for review from Tommy Semosh | Publicity Manager, Craft Group

Book Review: Gathered Waters

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Gathered Waters WhiteFire Publishing (April 15, 2015) by Cara Luecht

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Word from the Author:

I never planned to be a writer. In fact, it took me a while to finish college. But I did, and here I am. And I now I can’t imagine not being a writer.

By day, I am an English Instructor for a local college, Marketing Manager for Degnan Design Builders, Inc., mother to four amazing children, and wife to an eternally patient and supportive husband.

In the evening, when I can squirrel away some quiet time, I read and write historical fiction.

I have a B.A. in English Lit. from UW Whitewater and an M.F.A in Creative Writing from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, NJ.



ABOUT THE BOOK

They want to worship as their hearts demand...but is it something they can give up everything for?

Brianna has only ever been what her life demanded. A wife, a hostess, a mother. But when a stand her husband takes ostracizes them from the Lutheran church that controls so much of life in Sweden, Brianna finds herself needing to find a strength beyond her station...a strength that will see her through prejudice and persecution and to a home she never dreamed she would find.

Based on the true story of the author s family s journey from Sweden to America, this sweeping saga paints the brilliance of new faith, the bravery of a new land...and the beauty of plunging beneath the waters and emerging a new person, capable of what one never thought one could do.


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

MY THOUGHTS
This was a very interesting book, even more so that it was based on Cara's family.  There are many things that we can and cannot do, but imagine your church controlling you.  When we go to church we tend to follow the beliefs of the church we go to, but the Lutheran Church of Sweden took it far beyond simple beliefs.  I cannot imagine what it would have been like to live in Brianna's shoes.

Imagine your church friends ostracizing you, your parents unhappy with your choices, being followed, spied on, and more....what would it lead you to do?  Brianna, her husband and family decided to come to America....not a pleasant journey, but yet, they kept up their hopes, their beliefs.

Once in America, things didn't go as expected but it didn't stop them.  This is a story of hope, and belief, a story of doing what you think is right, regardless of what those closest to you believe.

A very thought provoking read.  The only question I was left with was what religion Brianna and her family went to after leaving the Lutheran church in Sweden....I was left very curios about the new religion!

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

CFBA: Double Cross

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Double Cross Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (April 1, 2015) by Diann Mills

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; the 2015 president of the Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope, & Love chapter; a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas. DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at her website.

ABOUT THE BOOK

FBI Agent Laurel Evertson’s investigation into a scam targeting the elderly takes an unexpected twist when key evidence leads her to Morton Wilmington, a felon she arrested five years ago on her first undercover assignment. That case has haunted her since, and though she’s vowed to forget Wilmington—and what she sacrificed to put him away—he is now her best lead. Houston Police Officer Daniel Hilton fears his grandparents may be the scammer’s next targets, and he’ll do anything to protect his family—even force interagency cooperation. But he’s quickly drawn to Laurel’s empathy and zeal and agrees to follow her lead . . . even if it means teaming up with a felon. As the unlikely trio uncovers evidence suggesting the scam is more extensive and deadly than they imagined, both Laurel and Daniel find themselves in the crosshairs of a killer. Together they must decide if they can trust Wilmington’s claims of redemption, or if he’s leading them straight into a double cross.

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



MY THOUGHTS

This is a great read if you like a good thriller.  Throughout the book I found myself questioning Wilmington every bit as much as Laurel and Daniel, I kept wondering if they were doing the right thing or if one of them would be the next victim.

The scam on the elderly made me angry, and as motivated for the detectives/police to find the   culprits.  It's sad that this happens to the elderly o a daily basis, so in that aspect the book was very real to life.

I had to give Laurel my kudos, she was one great actor to pull off what she did in the story, and Daniel is one of those steady and true kind of guys.

There are some elderly people in the book that you can't help but love with their quirks and activities. 

A fun book to read if you're in the mood for some suspense!


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