A Lady in Defiance ~ Review

A Lady in Defiance
Romance in the Rockies #1
By Heather Blanton

She knew what life held for her, but in a moment everything changed including where she would call home. A tragic accident cost Naomi Miller her husband. A dream lead her to Defiance, Colorado. Now she and her sisters are determined to bring God to Defiance, there's just one problem and his name is Charles McIntyre.

Defiance is Charles McIntyre's domain - the mine, the saloons, and the women.  But he wants more - he wants to bring greatness to the town of Defiance.  But to bring in the changes he wants Defiance needs to be gentled and cleaned up.  The newly widowed Naomi Miller and her sisters are just who Charles needs.  And he's up to the challenge that Naomi represents and he's willing to challenge her beliefs too.

Evil has staked its claim and there is only one thing that break its hold.  Can Naomi, Rebecca, and Hannah bring God's love to those who most need it?

This is not a sugar coated story that ends with a happily ever after ride into the sunset, but there is the promise of hope for tomorrow and the gift of God's love and forgiveness to all who seek it out.

I was provided a copy of this book through TBCN/BookFun in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book:
Charles McIntyre owns everything and everyone in the lawless, godless mining town of Defiance. When three good, Christian sisters from his beloved South show up stranded, alone, and offering to open a "nice" hotel, he is intrigued enough to let them stay...especially since he sees feisty middle sister Naomi as a possible conquest. But Naomi, angry with God for widowing her, wants no part of Defiance or the saloon-owning, prostitute-keeping Mr. McIntyre. It would seem however, that God has gone to elaborate lengths to bring them together. The question is, "Why?" Does God really have a plan for each and every life? Written with gritty, but not gratuitous, realism uncharacteristic of historical Christian romances, A Lady in Defiance is edgy Christian fiction that gives a nod to both Pride and Prejudice and Redeeming Love. Based on true events, it is also an ensemble piece that deftly weaves together the relationships of the three sisters and the rowdy residents of Defiance.

About the Author:
I love Christian Western Romance because this is the genre that lets me write about strong, pioneer women and men who struggle to find God and then live out their faith in real ways. Romance is always a strong element in my stories because it is such a beautiful gift from God, and a perfect reflection of how he loves us: sacrificially and lavishly. My stories aren't preachy or cheesy, but I hope they are inspirational, heart-warming, realistic, illuminating, and glorifying to God. Like good old fashioned Westerns, there is always justice, a moral message, American values, lots of high adventure, unexpected plot twists, and more than a touch of suspense. I am a huge researcher, as well, and you will find hints of historical romances inspired by true stories in my novels!

I grew up in the mountains of Western North Carolina on a steady diet of Bonanza, Gunsmoke, and John Wayne Westerns. My most fond childhood memory is of sitting next to my daddy, munching on popcorn, and watching Lucas McCain unload that Winchester! I love exploring out West, especially ghost towns and museums. I've walked parts of the Oregon Trail, ridden horses through the Rockies, climbed to the top of Independence Rock, and even held an outlaw's note in my hand.

"I believe Christian fiction should be messy and gritty, because the human condition is ... and God loves us anyway." -- Heather Blanton

To Soar on Eagle's Wings ~ Review

To Soar on Eagle's Wings
Snowy Range Chronicles #1
By Renee Blare

One disaster after another could sum up this book, but you'd miss everything that comes between.

Rachel's love of the lonely mountain vistas provides the soothing her soul desires.  But her family can't see it, all they see is the danger she is placing herself in by going into these remote regions.

Meanwhile the entire Fitzgerald family is hurting from a tragedy that has driven a wedge into its very structure. As they work to move beyond the pain they are living with Rachel's first love has come back to the area and she has hopes for a future.  But Steve has reservations about where he and Rachel have a future as he wrestles with the demons of his own past.

Can they work past their differences and trust in the Lord so that they are able To Soar on Eagle's Wings?

Fans of romance novellas will enjoy this offering from Renee Blare.  Romance, danger, fears of the past, and shifting family dynamics all set in the beauty and wonder of a wooded mountain region.

I was provided a copy of this book through TBCN/BookFun in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book:

Spring’s in the air. While the sun shines in Timber Springs, snow falls on the Snowy Range, and trouble’s brewing in the meadows. The areas new game warden, Steve Mitchell launches his first wildlife investigation of the season but the trouble follows him—straight to town. Rachel Fitzgerald’s on Spring Break. Or at least she’s trying. Between paperwork, and harassing phone calls, she may as well have stayed in her classroom. So much for relaxation. A "chance" meeting with her brother’s old roommate offers her weary soul a shred of hope, but she discovers love, like life, isn’t easy. He talks with the wisdom of the Lord but rejects the future. She wants to soar with the eagles but walks alone. And trusting God proves to be more of a challenge than ever before…


About the Author: 

Raised in Louisiana and Wyoming, Renee started writing poetry in junior high school and that, as they say, was that. After having her son, a desire to attend pharmacy school sent her small family to Laramie and she's been counting pills ever since. While writing's her first love, well, after the Lord and her husband, she also likes to fish and hunt as well as pick away on her classical guitar. Nestled against the Black Hills with her husband, crazy old dog and ornery cat, she serves the community of northeastern Wyoming as a pharmacist and pens her Christian stories, keeping them interesting with action and intrigue, of course. She loves to interact with readers and invites you check out her website, blog, and social media.

Website: http://www.reneeblare.com/ 

Blog: https://reneeblare.wordpress.com/ 

Group Blog: http://diamondsinfiction.blogspot.com/

The Principle and Power of Kingdom Citizenship ~ Review

The Principle and Power of Kingdom Citizenship
By Dr. Myles Munroe

Have you ever wondered about what it means to be part of the Kingdom of God?  We have lost, over the years, what Jesus meant. We have interpreted the words of Jesus through the murky lens of our western culture.  Instead we need to throw out what we know and relearn the rights and duties of our kingdom citizenship.  The Bible is our way to knowledge about the heavenly kingdom of which we have a claim.

Humanity's failure began with the first sin.  One simple command do not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil destroyed humanities access to the only outpost (colony) of Heaven on Earth. Charged with the management of God's creation we failed, but through the sacrifice of God's Son we've been offered a second chance. A chance to reclaim our citizenship in Heaven, but we've distorted this chance.

This book offers you a guide to be sure you understand what it means to be a citizen. And you will see the importance of living every minute as an ambassador of the Kingdom.  This book offers some interesting insights that you will want to explore.

I was provided a copy of this book through TBCN/BookFun in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book:
Discover How to Live as a Citizen of God’s Unshakable Kingdom!
Are you ready to experience life on a new, supernatural level? Then it’s time to take your place as a royal citizen in God’s unshakable Kingdom.

For too long, too many followers of Christ have lived beneath their Kingdom inheritance. They are saved and set-up for eternity in Heaven, but they continue to live defeated and unfulfilling lives on Earth.

In Dr. Myles Munroe’s final book before graduating to eternity, he presents the biblical blueprint for what it looks like for you to live as an empowered Kingdom citizen.

You will learn how to:
• Identify and access your royal rights as a citizen of God’s Kingdom • Exercise your authority as an ambassador of Christ in your sphere of influence • Change atmospheres around you with the climate of Heaven

The Kingdom is not just about going to Heaven one day after you die...it is about walking in the purpose and power of Heaven today while you are still living on Earth!

About the Author:
Dr. Myles Munroe is global leader, professional consultant, leadership coach, mentor, international motivational speaker, business and corporate trainer, spiritual leader, government advisor, educator, master teacher, media host and bestselling author. He is one of the outstanding leaders of our generation. He was selected as one of the Top 20 voices of influence in the world by GT Magazine survey and he has positively impacted millions of lives around the world. Dr. Munroe is also founder and senior pastor of Bahamas Faith Ministries International and chairman of International Third World Leaders Association empowering millions to discover their personal purpose and develop their true potential. He and his wife, Ruth, have two children.

The Painter's Daughter ~ Review

The Painter's Daughter
By Julie Klassen

She thought she had found the man she would marry, until he left her behind to follow his dream. When Wesley Overtree left a brief hurried message saying he was traveling to Italy, Sophie Dupont found herself in an impossible position.

And Wesley's younger brother may be her only way to escape scandal and ruination. But can she tie her future to Captain Stephen Overtree, a man she has only just met, when her heart belongs to his brother?  And is the promise of a marriage that is "in name only" enough to bind her to this brooding man known for his black moods?

Time is short and Sophie's choices are few when a woman's reputation is everything.  A scandal, a period of isolation, or a loveless marriage ~ she has hours to decide the future she will call her own. But can she live with the decision she is about to make?

Julie Klassen's books always have this undercurrent of someone having a secret with which they have to come to terms with.  The Painter's Daughter is no different and in fact there are several characters who seem to be guarding secrets - some of which will be revealed in a most shocking turn of events.

Readers who enjoy historical fiction set in the Regency period will love delving into this book.  Fans of Jane Austen will be thrilled at the references to her work in this book.  And if you want to know which one you'll have to read the book for yourself.  An enjoyable book that will fill a long afternoon or week-end with page-turning diversion.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher through TBCN/BookFun in exchange for my honest review.


About the book:

Sophie Dupont, daughter of a portrait painter, assists her father in his studio, keeping her own artwork out of sight. She often walks the cliffside path along the north Devon coast, popular with artists and poets. It's where she met the handsome Wesley Overtree, the first man to tell her she's beautiful. 

Captain Stephen Overtree is accustomed to taking on his brother's neglected duties. Home on leave, he's sent to find Wesley. Knowing his brother rented a cottage from a fellow painter, he travels to Devonshire and meets Miss Dupont, the painter's daughter. He's startled to recognize her from a miniature portrait he carries with him--one of Wesley's discarded works. But his happiness plummets when he realizes Wesley has left her with child and sailed away to Italy in search of a new muse. 

Wanting to do something worthwhile with his life, Stephen proposes to Sophie. He does not offer love, or even a future together, but he can save her from scandal. If he dies in battle, as he believes he will, she'll be a respectable widow with the protection of his family.

Desperate for a way to escape her predicament, Sophie agrees to marry a stranger and travel to his family's estate. But at Overtree Hall, her problems are just beginning. Will she regret marrying Captain Overtree when a repentant Wesley returns? Or will she find herself torn between the father of her child and her growing affection for the husband she barely knows?

About the Author:

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane--Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. She worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. Three of her novels have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. Her book, The Silent Governess, was also a finalist in the Minnesota Book Awards, ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year Awards, and Romance Writers of America's RITA Awards. Julie is a graduate of the University of Illinois. She and her husband have two sons and live near St. Paul, Minnesota. Visit www.julieklassen.com for more information.

The Witnesses ~ Review

The Witnesses
By Robert Whitlow

Time doesn't dim the horrors of war, occasionally the memories can be pushed away and ignored but they are there waiting to be reopened.  And the time has come for Franz Haus to relive his past - which the reader is shown through alternating scenes set in both America present day and Germany of the 1920's through the 1940's.  The present day scenes alternate between Parker House and his grandfather Frank.

Parker House's future as a lawyer is on the rise.  His job may not pay as much as his friends but he finds satisfaction in what he is learning and achieving. Parker finds that he has an uncanny intuition that allows him to see things differently than others. His unique perspective is an asset in the courtroom, though he is only a background player at this early stage in his career.

With his grandfather's secret and painful past coming to light Parker finds himself caught up in something that he never expected. And the inheritance that he has come into from his grandfather may be the only thing that will save them from the danger they find themselves facing.

Those who are familiar with the writing of Robert Whitlow won't be disappointed with his newest work.  If you have never read any of Whitlow's works in the past this is an excellent book with which to start.  This is, simply put, a reading experience not to be missed.  This is a book that crosses the genre lines so that one can't pin it down, limiting it.  Law, family, romance, friendship, mystery and self-discovery this book offers all this and more without feeling forced or contrived.  Sit back and escape to North Carolina with a new friend or two.

I was provided a copy of this book through BookLook bloggers in exchange for my honest review.


About the Book:

Young lawyer Parker House is on the rise—until his grandfather’s mysterious past puts both of their lives in danger.

Parker House’s secret inheritance is either his greatest blessing . . . or his deadliest curse. The fresh-faced North Carolina attorney shares his German grandfather’s uncanny ability to see future events in his mind’s eye—a gift that has haunted 82-year-old Frank House through decades of trying to erase a murderous wartime past.

While Parker navigates the intrigue and politics of small-town courtroom law, Frank is forced to face his darkest regrets. Then, a big career break for Parker collides with a new love he longs to nurture and the nightmares his grandfather can no longer escape. Sudden peril threatens to shatter not only Parker’s legal prospects but also his life and the lives of those dearest to him.

Two witnesses, two paths, an uncertain future.

Deadly Encounter ~ Review

Deadly Encounter
FBI Task Force 1
By DiAnn Mills

It was a normal Saturday morning when Stacy Broussard came across a murder scene. A scene which demands the attention of the FBI.  Unfortunately for Stacy the lead agent is Alex LeBlanc, a somewhat brusque and suspicious person, who immediately annoys her with his line of questioning.  

Alex has reasons for his approach and he isn't about to repeat the mistakes of the past. But the facts in this case just don't seem to be adding up to what evidence they have. Is this a case of domestic terrorism interrupted or some thing far more sinister?

The clock is ticking in more ways than one and time is of the essence if they hope to stop what is coming.  Trust is a premium that they can't afford to misplace as they work their way through the various and intertwining layers that have them looking at everyone twice.

The basic overall story is excellent.  At times the lead characters Stacy and Alex can feel flat in their talking, but I'm assuming they are meant to come across this way as they both are weighing everything they say and do.  Whitt adds an additional dimension as he struggles to deal with his ever absent parents and accept the love and comfort Stacy offers him.  He is truly a person caught in the middle.  And his care of Xena, an injured dog from the crime scene, is touching.

Fans of Dee Henderson's newest books, who have never read DiAnn Mills previously, would likely enjoy this book. This is a story of broken people seeking healing, who have to face what has been broken and find hope in the tomorrow that is coming. And something about Stacy reminds me of Ann.

I was provided a copy of this book by Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.



About the Book:
Airport Ranger volunteer Stacy Broussard expected a peaceful Saturday morning ride around the perimeter of Houston’s airport. What she encounters instead is a brutal homicide and a baffling mystery. Next to the body is an injured dog, the dead man’s motorcycle, and a drone armed with a laser capable of taking down a 747.

Though FBI Special Agent Alex LeBlanc sees a clear-cut case of terrorism, his past has taught him to be suspicious of everyone, even witnesses. Even bleeding-heart veterinarians like Stacy. But when her gruesome discovery is only the first in a string of incidences that throw her life into a tailspin, Alex begins to wonder if Stacy was targeted. As a health emergency endangers Stacy’s community, and the task force pulls in leads from all directions, Alex and Stacy must work together to prevent another deadly encounter.

Take a sneak peak of Chapter 1.

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 Reader's 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 and a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, International Thriller Writers, and the Faith, Hope, and Love chapter of Romance Writers of America. She is the co-director of The Author Roadmap with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She also speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own beans. She's an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers online.

Want to connect with DiAnn Mills online?  Check-out this links:

-          Author’s Official Blog/Newsletter:     http://www.diannmills.com/articles/

-          Facebook:              https://www.facebook.com/diannmills        

-          Twitter:                   https://twitter.com/diannmills    

-          Pinterest:               http://pinterest.com/diannmills/

-          Goodreads:            http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/81639.DiAnn_Mills

-          YouTube:                http://www.youtube.com/user/diannmills

-          LinkedIn:                http://www.linkedin.com/in/diannmills/

Honor Redeemed ~ Review

Honor Redeemed
Keys of Promise #2
By Christine Johnson

Two years ago Prosperity Jones said goodbye to her fiance Lieutenant David Latham.  She had his promise of marriage upon his return.  But with her parents both dead Prosperity determines that she will join him in Key West.  She was sure of David's love and that they soon would marry and start their life together.

But David has had a dramatic change in circumstances, one which Prosperity had no idea was coming.  Can the betrayal to her heart ever be overcome?  And with limited means how can she ever hope to survive this newest loss.  Relying on the charity of strangers is something she is unwilling to do.

But a chance encounter with Elizabeth O'Malley (whom was introduced in Love's Rescue) gives Prosperity a new friend and a place to call home if only temporarily. As Prosperity deals with the loss of her hopes and dreams she finds some small comfort in working at the local hospital in the laundry and learning about local plants and their medicinal value from Doctor Goodenow.  Can Prosperity find happiness with a man of science rather than the man that has held her heart for so many years?

Honor Redeemed is the second delightful book in the Key of Promise series and is as emotionally charged as the first. The characters are identifiable and can be empathized with as one can see the story from each character's viewpoint. One can't help admiring Elizabeth even more in this book her kindness and level-headed approach offer the stability that the others need during this time of trial and turbulence.  Take a step back in time to 1852 Key West you won't regret it.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher Revell in exchange for my honest review.


About the Book:

Her future--and her heart--hang in the balance.

Two years ago, Prosperity Jones waved farewell to her beloved David as the army sent him to faraway Key West. Now with her parents gone, she has but one prospect for the future: make the dangerous journey from Nantucket to Key West to reunite with David and secure a happier life.

But when Prosperity arrives penniless in the South, she is dismayed to find David has not been eagerly awaiting their reunion. In fact, he is married to someone else. Scrambling to survive and nursing a broken heart, Prosperity gains the friendship--and the affection--of a kind doctor. Could he be the answer to her loneliness? Or will her life be upended by circumstance yet again?

With a deft hand, Christine Johnson fills the senses with the sights, sounds, and smells of Key West in this heartwarming story of honor lost, honor redeemed, and a love forged in adversity.