The Daughter of Highland Hall ~ Review

The Daughter of Highland Hall
Edwardian Brides 2
By Carrie Turansky

Katherine Ramsey is to have her season in London and it is imperative that she make a good match in this her first season.  Her aunt Lady Louisa Gatewood is her sponsor and she is anything but encouraging to her young niece.  Aunt Louisa is a demeaning and harsh critic and it is as if she is trying to crush Kate's spirit and independence.

But there is one bright spot in all the hectic demands of trying to have a successful season - Jonathan Foster.  But Jon isn't an acceptable match.  He's training as a doctor.  He's the son of missionaries. And he is the brother to Julia Foster the Governess of Highland Hall.  But there is something about her friendship with Jon that touches her heart and makes her more open to God.

Despite a few missteps Kate manages to capture the attention of one of the seasons most eligible men.  Edward is in line for all Kate and Aunt Louisa could hope for a title, an estate, and wealth. And he seems to appreciate Kate's wit and honesty.  But there are secrets about the Ramsey family that are not common knowledge and when a scandal involving the family makes the front page of all of London's papers Kate's season may come to a sudden and abrupt end.

But what may be counted a devastating setback may provide Kate with the chance she needs to determine who she truly is and what she heart truly desires.  But can she find peace with Aunt Louisa finding fault with every decision she makes?

The Daughter of Highland Hall is a delightful sequel to The Governess of Highland Hall and it picks up shortly after the first book concludes.  I like how this book while following the characters from the first book features some of the other characters who were not in the forefront of book one.  I personally can't wait for the third book in the series.  Carrie Turansky has a way with words and can draw one into the story in such a way one is oblivious to what is going on around you.

I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

More Info

Author Bio

What if the title, the estate, the life of security and splendor… what if it isn’t enough?

Strong-willed and beautiful, debutante Katherine Ramsey feels ready to take the London social season by storm, and she must. Her family estate, Highland Hall, has been passed to older male cousin Sir William Ramsey, and her only means of securing her future is to make a strong debut and find a proper husband. With her all-knowing and meddling aunt as a guide, Katherine is certain to attract suitors at the lavish gatherings, sparkling with Great Britain’s elite.

When a shocking family scandal sidelines Katherine, forcing her out of the social spotlight, she keeps a low profile, volunteering with the poor in London’s East End. Here Katherine feels free from her predictable future, and even more so as a friendship with medical student Jonathan Foster deepens and her faith in God grows. But when Katherine is courted anew by a man of wealth and position, dreams of the life she always thought she wanted surface again. Torn between tradition and the stirrings in her heart for a different path, she must decide whom she can trust and love—and if she will choose a life serving others over one where she is served.

CSFF December Blog Tour ~ Day 3 The Fatal Tree

Welcome to the final CSFF blog tour of 2014

This month we are reviewing and discussing The Fatal Tree

the final book in Stephen Lawhead's Bright Empires series.

The Fatal Tree

Bright Empire #5

By Stephen Lawhead

I received a copy of The Fatal Tree from Thomas Nelson in conjunction with this CSFF Blog Tour in exchange for tour participation and my honest review.

All 5 books are available for purchase at the following:

The Skin Map   The Bone House   The Spirit Well 

 The Shadow Lamp   The FatalTree

or as a preorder Kindle 5-in-1 bundle 

available 1.6.15

Visit Stephen Lawhead online or on Facebook 

Thanks for joining us and it's not too late to check out all the tour stops!

Julie Bihn  Thomas Clayton Booher  Beckie Burnham  Jeff Chapman 

Karri Compton  April Erwin  Victor Gentile  Jason Joyner  

Janeen Ippolito  Carol Keen  Emileigh Latham  Rebekah Loper 

Shannon McDermott  Meagan @ Blooming with Books  Rebecca LuElla Miller 

Nissa  Jalynn Patterson  Writer Rani  Nathan Reimer  Audrey Sauble 

Jojo Sutis  Rachel Starr Thomson  Robert Treskillard  Steve Trower 

Shane Werlinger  Phyllis Wheeler

CSFF December Tour ~ The Fatal Tree Day 2

Welcome to the final CSFF blog tour of 2014

This month we are reviewing and discussing The Fatal Tree

the final book in Stephen Lawhead's Bright Empires series.

The Fatal Tree

Bright Empire #5

By Stephen Lawhead

It starts with odd little wrinkles in reality and when the anomalies accumulate to a level that a dimension can no longer sustain - that dimension along with all those living in it will be extinguished as if they had never existed...

THE END OF EVERYTHING

is here and we are about to slip over a cosmic cliff.

Our questors have been separated by both time and space.  The ley lines have become unreliable as the anomalies increase.  And the physical side effects are increasing with each jump making each trip increasingly dangerous.  But the Spirit Well must be reached and they have to discover a way around the Fatal Tree which now guards that which they seek.

One man may have the knowledge they seek, but can they trust the man who has sought to destroy them?  And what ulterior motives could Archelaeus Burleigh be hiding?  Kit knows that the man responsible for his great grandfather's death can't be trusted but Mina, Cass, and Gianni feel that the preservation of the Omniverse is worth the risk.

In this the final book we revisit scenes from the previous books but from the viewpoint of other characters who were part of the original scene.  A true merging of past, present and future. 

Get ready to go on an adventure that will test your ability to adapt and prepare to grow your mind! Paradoxes, Time loops, and Quantum mechanics, oh my!  The unknown is greater than you ever imagined and one misstep or decision can destroy it all!  Join me tomorrow for Day 3 and more about The Fatal Tree.

I received a copy of The Fatal Tree from Thomas Nelson in conjunction with this CSFF Blog Tour in exchange for tour participation and my honest review.

 

All 5 books are available for purchase at the following:

The Skin Map   The Bone House   The Spirit Well 

 The Shadow Lamp   The FatalTree

or as a preorder Kindle 5-in-1 bundle 

available 1.6.15

Visit Stephen Lawhead online or on Facebook 

Be sure to check out all the tour stops during the 3 day tour December 15 - 17, 2014

Julie Bihn  Thomas Clayton Booher  Beckie Burnham  Jeff Chapman 

Karri Compton  April Erwin  Victor Gentile  Jason Joyner  

Janeen Ippolito  Carol Keen  Emileigh Latham  Rebekah Loper 

Shannon McDermott  Meagan @ Blooming with Books  Rebecca LuElla Miller 

Nissa  Jalynn Patterson  Writer Rani  Nathan Reimer  Audrey Sauble 

Jojo Sutis  Rachel Starr Thomson  Robert Treskillard  Steve Trower 

Shane Werlinger  Phyllis Wheeler

Exile ~ Review

Exile
A Novel of the Bloodforge 1
By Tom Stacey

Deep within the Widowpeak an ancient race is waiting to be awakened.  And two young boys are about to pay the price that the awakening will cost.  And the Verian Empire will soon teeter on the edge as it is falls to this hidden enemy - an enemy that take the appearance of those they hate.

There are those who have an awareness that something is not right.  But can they discover what is wrong before it is too late?  Heroes are few.  The army is far away.  Hope lies with a long forgotten warrior, a soldier who has lost his memory, a young woman who wants to forget her past, and a young man riddled by guilt.  The coming war is not for the faint of heart, if you hesitate you will die.

Exile will appeal to fans of epic fantasy.  This is a world who's very survival is in question as it fights a war it never saw coming.  Battles will be lost and won, but the war is just beginning.

Some secrets should never be discovered...
   Barde jerked a thumb at the portal into the
   To Loster it looked like the maw of some fell beast waiting to swallow the 
   two small boys. “We don’t know what’s in there...”
   “Afraid are we? That makes sense at your age.” Loster scowled. The 
   challenging voice in his head was strangely silent on this matter. Instead it 
   seemed that his older brother had taken its place.
   “I’m not afraid, I just...” he paused. “It’s that.” He pointed at the mosaic. 
   “We don’t know what it means.”
   “So let’s find out,” said Barde.
   They stepped through the doorway into the Widowpeak, though both took 
   care to walk around the dark figure on the floor.
We know not what we are about to unleash with a single decision.

I was provided a copy of this book through PUYB in exchange for my honest review and my tour participation.

About the Author:
Tom Stacey is an English author of the fantasy novel, Exile. Tom was born in
Essex, England, and has lived there his whole life. He began writing at school,
often taking responsibility for penning the class plays, or writing sketches with his friends. While attending university to read history, Tom developed his writing by creating several short stories, some of which would later become to basis for his debut novel, Exile.

Tom self-published Exile in summer 2014 and is currently working on the sequel as well as another unrelated novel. He earns a living as a video producer in London in the day and writes at night, a bit like a really underwhelming superhero.

For More Information:

• Visit Tom Stacey’s website.
• Connect with Tom on Facebook and Twitter.
• Find out more about Tom at Goodreads.
• Visit Tom’s blog.
• More books by Tom Stacey.
• Contact Tom.

About the Book:

On the fringes of the Verian Empire, two small boys stumble upon a strange
altar, buried in the heart of a mountain. There they awaken a horror unseen
for generations, that will descend upon the realm of men while it is at its
weakest. For Veria is a nation at war with itself, only recently recovered from
a bloody rebellion, and the time of heroes has passed. The empire is in a state
of chaos, and while its ruler, the Empron Illis, rids the land of his remaining
enemies, unseen forces are gathering at the borders. However all eyes are
turned inwards. The Empron is not a well man, and there are whispers among
the common folk that his advisors are spies; demons that only wear the flesh of
men.

Yet there is hope...

In the distant mountains, a forester who has buried his past learns that he has
not been forgotten, and that his crimes have sought him out at last. But he is
no simple woodsman. He is Beccorban the Helhammer, Scourge, Burner and the
Death of Nations, and his fury is a terrible thing.

For when all the heroes are gone, Veria will turn to those it has forgotten,
before all is lost.

Title: Exile
Author: Tom Stacey
Publisher: Tom Stacey
Pages: 389
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Format: Kindle

For More Information: 
• Exile is available at Amazon.
• Pick up your copy at Barnes and Noble.
• Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.

Somehow Christmas Will Come ~ Review

Somehow Christmas Will Come
By Peggy Blann Phifer

Molly Dugan is worried about her brother Patrick.  He just hasn't sounded right since the death of his wife.  And then there is Bethany her 6 year old niece.  When she puts her life in Minnesota on hold to spend time with them in their home in Las Vegas the situation is worse than she imagined and it is about to get worse.

With the help of Bethany's grandmother Jessie and Pat's best friend Trace, Molly plans her new life with Bethany as very important part of it.  

And in the midst of their grief and upheaval this broken family comes together for healing as a new loving family.  And as Molly promises Bethany Christmas will come.  This is book is both lovely and heartbreaking at the same time.  The promise of Christmas shared is fulfilled and you will delight in it too.

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



ABOUT BOOK: When Molly Dugan’s best friend gets married and leaves St. Paul, Minnesota, to live in Georgia, Molly feels alone and plans a visit to her brother, Patrick, in Las Vegas. Molly had been worried about him ever since his wife died in a tragic boating accident. Grieving she could understand, but she sensed something deeper going on. And she was concerned about Patrick’s six-year-old daughter, Bethany. So she sets aside her life in St. Paul to spend an indeterminate time in Vegas. When Molly gets there, she finds more than she bargained on. And in the lead-up to Christmas, the situation only gets worse…. 6 year-old Bethany loses her last anchor. How does Molly convince her that somehow, Christmas will come.

ABOUT AUTHOR: Peggy Blann Phifer is an author and columnist, book reviewer and author interviewer, whose work has appeared on various Web sites and writer periodicals both in print and online. She is also an avid reader who loves to escape by diving between the covers of a good book. Peg enjoys handcrafts of all kinds and her home shows off some of her work, though most end up as gifts for friends and family. A retired executive assistant, Peg now makes her home in southern Nevada with husband of 25 years, Jim.

Demon's Heart ~ Review

Demon's Heart
By Emily H. Bates

All his life Rustav has been the victim of his uncle's abuse, but no more.  Rustav is determined to leave the abuse, the hate, and the beatings behind forever.  He's running and he is willing to enter the Forest and face the demons that live within to escape.

But his escape is halted at the very edge of the forest when he succumbs to the injuries his uncle inflicted.  But there is something about the mountain village of Gebir that holds him, so that he delays his plans to escape while his injuries heal. As he heals he makes friends with Dantzel and her mother Anna, young Cabel, and Anton.  And yet the forest calls to him - he hears the whispers - and the call is strong.

When Rustav's past finds him in Gebir, he must again flee the Guard who have tracked him.  As he makes his escape, he takes the time to warn those who have come to mean the most to him.  And to his surprise Dantzel escapes with him into the forest.

But the forest hides a powerful secret, a secret that could cost Rustav and Dantzel their present, as well as, their pasts and their futures.  Can they escape the forest before it is too late and Courei falls to the demons and those who would see the nation fall?  And will Rustav discover the truth of who he truly is?

Demon's Heart is a thoroughly engaging book that you won't want to put down.  The only draw back is that book two has not yet come out.  This is one book that you'll want to read multiple times, looking for hints and clues you might have missed the first time through.  And there are various factions at work and one is left wondering (like Rustav) who can be trusted in this fight for control of Courei and her people!

Debut author Emily H. Bates has created a world you'll want to revisit which in my opinion is the highest praise one can give.

I was provided an advanced review copy of this book by Cedar Fort in exchange for my honest review and tour participation.

About the book:

Young ruffian Rustav is determined to escape his abusive uncle and hated homeland, even if it means braving the demon-infested forest. His escape is halted, however, when a race of legendary beings reveal him to be the country’s fabled heir. As the people rally around him, Rustav teeters precariously between raising his people from the dust—or destroying them from the inside.

About the author:

Emily H. Bates grew up in Northern California, where she spent much of her young life happily closeted away with a book. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in German Linguistics, married a dashing young man from her study abroad in Germany, and now writes novels in English. She currently resides in Washington with her husband and her very busy daughter.

Until I Found You ~ Review

Until I Found You
By Victoria Bylin

Kate Darby and Nick Sheridan are total opposites.  She career driven.  He's been there and it's lost its appeal.  Kate doesn't like to take chances or risks. While Nick loves the adrenaline rush he gets from pushing the limits in various activities - including his Harley.  The one thing Nick and Kate both seem to agree on is there is no time for romance in their lives.

But when a near accident with one of California's rare condors leaves Kate in a dangerous situation, she and Nick are about to find out that our plans are not necessarily God's plans.  But the big question is can they see what God has in store for them?  Or will they let their own plans and the plans of those around them take precedent in their lives?  

This is a book you won't mind sharing with your friends over a cup of coffee or tea.  You'll be left guessing until the very end how it will all end, so it just may keep you up all night.

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

About the book: 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: “God, if you’re real, I want to know you.”

It’s Nick Sheridan who comes to Kate’s rescue. Nick is handsome, confident, and 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 fall in love with one of the locals.

Nick Sheridan 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. And it’s a vow he intends to keep in spite of his attraction to Kate Darby . . .



About 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.

I made that decision in January 1999 after a cross-country move from southern California to northern Virginia. A job change for my husband made the relocation a necessity, but it wasn't easy. I grew up in Los Angeles, attended both UCLA and UC Berkeley, and lived for eight years in a mountain community just south of Bakersfield. I'm happiest at the beach and have ridden out earthquakes. I know Interstate 5 like the back of my hand. I'm addicted to sunshine and can tolerate smog.

Packing up and moving to the east coast was like yanking a palm tree out of the sand by its roots. Our new adventure started with a cross-country drive, and I'll never forget cruising down I-40 with my husband and sons in our old Dodge Ramcharger. A thunderstorm struck fast and hard. When it cleared, we saw a double-rainbow arching over the highway. Like Noah in the days of old, I took at as a sign of a promising future and new opportunities.

For me, that meant writing a novel. As soon as we settled into our new routine in Virginia, I sat in front of the computer, named the heroine Susan because it was the first name that popped into my head, and promised myself that I wouldn't edit a word until I'd written "The End." I had no idea who Susan was or how the story would unfold. I just stuck her in a barn with a dead body and a grief-stricken rancher.

The writing wasn't very good, but something wonderful happened. Ideas came. My characters developed quirks, and I wanted to know what would happen next. That effort is under the bed gathering dust, but my second manuscript turned into Of Men and Angels, my first sale to Harlequin Historical.

Writing is a challenge and a joy, but the things in life that matter most are faith, friends and family. I'm bone-deep grateful for a wonderful husband and two terrific sons who are married and on their own. I have wonderful in-laws, a brother and sister-in-law, and writing friends spread across the nation. The promise of that double-rainbow in Arizona has been more than fulfilled. Life is good, and best of all, there's more to come.

Love at Mistletoe Inn ~ Review

Love at Mistletoe Inn
December ~ A Year of Weddings Novella
By Cindy Kirk

Hope Prentiss is in for the surprise of her life - she thought her high school marriage to John Burke wasn't real. But the vows and paperwork they had signed made everything legal, even is she got post wedding cold feet mere minutes after say, "I do."

Hope wants to get out of this situation she unexpectedly finds herself in.  After all it was a foolish mistake made by a teenager.  But John has other ideas, he meant what he said to Hope 10 years ago when he said "I do" and he meant it with all his heart.  But how can he convince Hope that he is the right man for her.

When Hope and John are talked into helping Hope's Aunt Verna plan a Christmas wedding at Mistletoe Inn they find themselves planning the wedding they should have had.  But is it too late for a second chance at love?

Love at Mistletoe Inn is a cute story that will thrill any fan of clean romance.  And this story is short enough to fit into your busy schedule.  Take a break from the hectic holiday race and enjoy a sweet Christmas story that will give you a couple hours of reading bliss.  I have to say the cover made me want to read this book - the dress is so gorgeous.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher through the BookLook blogger program in exchange for my honest review.

Destiny ~ Review

Destiny
By Don Brown

Destiny opens in 1938 on a night when the world once again found itself on the brink of an all encompassing war.  We are then taken back to 1931 - Walter Brewer is returning home with his new wife. World War II has yet to make rumblings of its coming threat to America or Jamesville, North Carolina.

Destiny follows the lives of 3 different men and the paths that their lives follow as war slowly engulfs the world in its fever.  Walter Brewer is a simple country postal worker who is about to experience war and its costs.  Meanwhile in England, young Darwin McCloud is faced with his desire to make a difference and earn his father's respect while dealing with his pacifist ideals. And then there is Heinrick Schultz a German who is among the early members of the Nazi party.

Destiny covers a period of nearly 15 years - years in which war links 3 lives in ways no one would expect.  And these links would have a profound and lasting effect that would span national boundaries and touch many lives beyond.

This book is a prequel to Don Brown's Navy Justice series and introduces us to Zack Brewer's grandfather - a man of honor and integrity who finds truths and strengths within himself that he never expected to need.

Fans of World War II historical fiction will love this book and fans of Don Brown's previous work will not be disappointed in this step into the past.  This is a moving story that will leave you with a greater appreciation for what those who served during this time of uncertainty gave.

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


About the Book: 

Three men. Three armies. One letter. One destiny.
When World War II hits Walter Brewer's family in the worst possible way, he is torn between his love for two women, his family, and his country. A rural postal carrier in his hometown of Jamesville, North Carolina, Walter has no idea his life is about to become entwined with a Nazi officer and a Royal Naval commando. Will he survive his mission over France as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne, or is the ultimate sacrifice Walter's destiny?

This much-anticipated prequel to Don Brown's acclaimed Navy Justice series is packed with the ravages of love and war, romance and family, and ultimately the power of faith.


About the Author Don Brown: 

A former U.S. Navy JAG officer, Don is the author of the Navy Justice series and the Pacific Rim series. Paying no homage to political correctness, Don’s writing style is described as “gripping,” casting an entertaining and educational spin on a wide range of current issues, from radical Islamic infiltration of the military, to the explosive issue of gays in the military, to the modern day issues of presidential politics in the early twenty first century.
Don graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1982, and after finishing law school, continued his post-graduate studies through the Naval War College, earning the Navy’s nonresident certificate in International Law. During his five years on active duty in the Navy, Don served in the Pentagon, was published in the Naval Law Review, and was also a recipient of the Navy Achievement Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.

The Christmas Cake ~ Review

The Christmas Cake 
The Holiday Collection Book 2
by Joyce Swann 

The Christmas Cake is a moving story.  And there is a lot of story in the 43 pages.  Michelle has been making a special cake for Christmas for the past 10 years.  But this is an unremarkable looking cake.  It's not the kind that win awards, at least not until you take a bite of it.

This year the Christmas Cake allows Michelle and her mother to connect in a meaningful way.  And for some reason Michelle feels the need to share an important truth about this cake with her mother.  Because of the Christmas Cake Michelle finds peace, peace that she has sought for years.

And as an added treat the recipe for Christmas Cake is included at the end of this book!

And you can get it free through Amazon (Kindle) until December 1, 2014.

Golden Daughter ~ Review

Golden Daughter
Tales of Goldstone Wood 7
By Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Sairu has been raised to protect her master.  But her master is unlike any that has been protected by a Golden Daughter before. Her master is a Dream Walker - a Dream Walker who has walked farther into the Dream than walkers have walked for generations. And she has walked where she should not have walked.

Lady Hariawan's journey into the Dream has put her in danger. But how can one protect against the unknown dangers of the Dream? This is the task that Sairu has been given as her lifelong task.

But the dangers that Sairu must face are unlike any she has trained for.  And then there is the golden devil cat who seems to be forever present.  Is this beast friend or foe?  Only time will tell...

Golden Daughter is from a time before Heartless, Veiled Rose, Moonblood, Dragonwitch, and Goddess Tithe.  But one can find threads throughout that are the foundations for these tales yet to be.  Characters one has come to know and love can be found within these pages (some are unexpected and some like Eanrin just make the story complete).  This is a story of heartbreak, suffering, discovery, and love.

There is a Gift of the Heart, Dara, and Dragons.  What lies within the Dream is about to be known...

Prepare for another journey into the Wood and to travel paths unseen in this most amazing addition to the Tales of Goldstone Wood saga.  An epic journey you won't want to miss!

I was provided an Advance Reader Copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

BEYOND THE REALM OF DREAMS

IS A WORLD SHE NEVER IMAGINED

Masayi Sairu was raised to be dainty, delicate, demure . . . and deadly. She is one of the emperor’s Golden Daughters, as much a legend as she is a commodity. One day, Sairu will be contracted in marriage to a patron, whom she will secretly guard for the rest of her life.

But when she learns that a sacred Dream Walker of the temple seeks the protection of a Golden Daughter, Sairu forgoes marriage in favor of this role. Her skills are stretched to the limit, for assassins hunt in the shadows, and phantoms haunt in dreams. With only a mysterious Faerie cat and a handsome slave—possessed of his own strange abilities—to help her, can Sairu shield her new mistress from evils she can neither see nor touch?

For the Dragon is building an army of fire. And soon the heavens will burn.

Becoming Beauty ~ Review

Welcome to Becoming Beauty's Blog Tour! Learn all about Sarah E. Boucher and her exciting new Young Adult novel based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and The Beast.

Becoming Beauty

Self-centered Bella focuses her attention on beautiful dresses and fabulous balls rather than helping her family earn a living.  And her siblings have had enough! To pay off their father’s debt, they send Bella to a far-off manor where the owner is more like a beast than a man.

As their personalities clash, Bella comes to realize there’s more to the Beast than she could ever have dreamed—if only she can look beneath the surface. And then there’s Jack, the kind servant who helps Bella adjust to her new life, someone Bella could easily fall in love with. But pursuing love may cost Bella her dreams of wealth and beauty. And that’s a price she’s not willing to pay.

Becoming Beauty is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and books and things.


Review
Becoming Beauty
By Sarah Boucher

Bella is determined to marry a nobleman and to do this she must look the part she intends to hold. But she is the daughter of a humble carpenter.  But Bella can talk her father into getting her whatever she wants.  But when her selfish, self-centered attitude becomes too much her brother and sister decide it's time for Bella to learn the true cost of her manipulations.

To pay the debt her father has incurred, Bella is sent to serve in the home of a man who is more beast-like than human.  This dark and foreboding home in the middle of nowhere is shrouded in mystery and sorrow.   Who is Jack and why would he willingly serve this Beast?  And even more perplexing is the absent Rose who haunts Bella's dreams.  Where is this young woman and why did she disappear?  The truth about Rose is the key to Bella's future.

In this retelling of Beauty and the Beast we have a beauty whose personality is anything but beautiful.  And we have a beast who needs someone to help him heal.  And then there is Jack the patient faithful servant who tries to keep the peace while hiding his own secrets.  Becoming Beauty is the story of three people who are damaged and in need of healing.

This is a beautiful and lovely story that will lave you wishing for just one more chapter, though it is not necessary.  Prepare to be enchanted in a timeless story that needs no magic to cast its spell!

I was provided a copy of this book by Cedar Fort in exchange for my honest review and for my participation in this blog tour.

Author Spotlight

Sarah E. Boucher spends her days instilling young children with the same love of literature she has known since childhood. After hours, she pens her own stories and nurses an unhealthy obsession for handbags, high heels, baking, and British television. Sarah is a graduate of Brigham Young University, who currently lives and teaches in Ogden, Utah. Becoming Beauty is her first novel.

Visit Sarah at blog/website (SarahEBoucher.com) 

Or connect with Sarah by clicking through to the following social media sites: 

• Twitter
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Pinterest
• Goodreads

And don't forget to click below and enter the giveaway for a chance to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Trading Secrets ~ Review

Trading Secrets
By Melody Carlson

Micah Knight has been keeping a secret for six years.  And the time for the truth has now come.  Her Amish pen-pal thinks she is a boy.  But it wasn't her fault that Zach Miller came to that conclusion. She just never cleared up his misunderstanding.

But when an opportunity to meet face-to-face presents itself Micah has to make a decision.  But does she admit the truth to the person who could very well be her best friend?  Or does she hide the truth yet again and avoid revealing her secret?

Micah's decision could make for one interesting spring break!

This is a book that is sweet and profound.  During life we have choices to make and those choices have an impact on not only our own future but on the futures of those around us.

So many books geared for teens are angst-filled gloom and doom tales of woe.  Trading Secrets won't leave you feeling depressed when you put it down.  This is a meeting of two worlds that create a deeper understanding and appreciation of what we have.  The majority of this book takes place over one week and it is a week which Micah won't soon forget.

If you've read Melody's previous English-meets-Amish books for teens (A Simple Song, My Amish Boyfriend, or Double Take) you know what to expect.  But if you haven't don't worry because these books can stand alone.  You'll take a glimpse into the Amish lifestyle from the view of someone who, like you, is not Amish.

I was provided a copy of this book by Revell through their blogger program in exchange for my honest review.


The truth may set you free--but it might also land you in some uncomfortably hot water.

Over the years, Micah Knight has exchanged many letters--and many secrets--with her longtime Amish pen pal, Zach. But Micah's kept quiet on the biggest secret of all--the fact that despite her name, she's a girl.

Now Micah finally has the chance to meet her pen pal face-to-face. She wants nothing more than to experience life on Zach's Amish farm, but she's more than a little anxious. Will he be angry at her for deceiving him all these years? And will she risk losing his friendship to find something more?


Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of more than two hundred books, including the Dating Games series, the Life at Kingston High series, Double Take, A Simple Song, and My Amish Boyfriend. She has received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for her many books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series and Finding Alice. Melody and her husband live in Oregon. Learn more at www.melodycarlson.com.

Let There Be Light ~ Review

Let There Be Light
By Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Illustrated by Nancy Tillman

Share with your little one how God created the world around them out of His love.  Let There Be Light is a retelling of Creation that will engage and share the wonder with young readers (or listeners).  

Each day is beautifully illustrated so that each layer of Creation is visually expressed adding meaning to the actions that are portrayed by word.   

The beauty, perfection, and peaceful harmony of God's Creation is observed on the sixth day when animals and humans were spoken into existence. 

I love the joy that is expressed in God's reaction to His Creation and enjoyment He took in enjoying it on the seventh day.  This is sure to become a favorite book with the little one's in your life.  This would also be a welcome addition to a Children's Church/Nursery program.

With Christmas just around the corner this would be a lovely gift even for a little one who is soon to be expected or a special little someone who likes to cuddle up on your lap for a story before bed.  The illustrations are lovely and just add to the whole delightfully experience.

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

Book Description

A boardbook edition of the popular Let There Be Light, the story of Creation from Nobel Peace Prize winner, bestselling author, and cultural icon Archbishop Desmond Tutu paired with Nancy Tillman, the phenomenally successful New York Times bestselling children’s author/illustrator of On the Night You Were Born.

Now available as a board book, Let There Be Light combines the love and warmth of Nobel Peace Prize Winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu with the extraordinary talents of bestselling illustrator Nancy Tillman. This retelling of the biblical story of creation vividly portrays the wonder and beauty of God’s creation on each of the seven days. Using Archbishop Tutu’s lyrical text from the* Children of God Storybook Bible* and Tillman’s remarkable illustrations, this popular book brings the story of creation to life for readers young and old.

About the Authors

Archbishop Desmond Tutu was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his lifelong struggle to bring equality, justice, and peace to his native country of South Africa. He is the author of numerous books including the Children of God Storybook Bible, God’s Dream, and Desmond and the Very Mean Word. From 2007 to 2013, Tutu was the founding Chair of the Elders, a group of global leaders who are working to promote the shared interests of humanity. In 2013, he received the Templeton Prize for advancing spiritual progress in the world. He lives in South Africa with his wife, Leah. They have four children and seven grandchildren.

Nancy Tillman is the author and illustrator of the bestselling picture book On the Night You Were Born; its companion journal, The Wonder of You; The Spirit of Christmas; and the New York Times bestsellers Wherever You Are, My Love Will Find You and The Crown on Your Head. She also created the mischievous cat Tumford fromTumford the Terrible and Tumford’s Rude Noises, and illustrated It’s Time to Sleep, My Love, by Eric Metaxas.

The Christmas Cat ~ Review

The Christmas Cat
By Melody Carlson

When Garrison Brown's grandmother died, he had to find her beloved cats homes.  But finding homes for six cats is more difficult than one would think it would be.  Especially with the requirements his grandmother wanted followed.

But Garrison is determined to follow her instructions and hopefully have all the cats placed within a couple of weeks.  And with his severe allergies to cats the task is twice as daunting.  But a good home is a must.

The Christmas Cat is delightful story that will warm your heart as Garrison seeks to honor his grandmother and fulfill her last wishes.  Garrison also learns that some decisions can't be rushed.

Garrison is at a crossroads in his life, trying to discover where he belongs after years abroad.  And a young woman, a troubled young man, a grandmotherly neighbor and a household of cats are about to help him discover just who he really is.

If you love Christmas stories The Christmas Cat is one you want to read.  And what Christmas story would be complete without a heart-touching revelation that evokes a change for the better?  This is a feel-good book that will leave you with a smile and a warmth in your heart.

Do you someone in your life who loves kitties?  Or all animals for that matter?  Well, this is the perfect Christmas book to give them this Christmas season.

I was provided a copy of this book through Revell's blogger program in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book:

He felt his face flushing as Cara opened the door. Wearing a garnet-colored knit dress and with her dark hair pinned up, she looked even prettier than he remembered. Suddenly he wished he'd thought to bring a hostess gift. Like a cat.

After years abroad, Garrison Brown finds himself at the home of his beloved grandmother who has just passed away. He must sort out her belongings, including six cats who need new homes. While he hopes to dispense with the task quickly--especially since he is severely allergic to cats--his grandmother's instructions don't allow for speed. She has left some challenging requirements for the future homes of her furry friends.

Can he match the cats with the perfect new owners? And is it possible that he might meet his own match along the way?

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books with sales of more than six million. She is the author of several Christmas books, including the bestselling The Christmas Bus, The Christmas Dog, andChristmas at Harrington's, as well as The Christmas Pony and A Simple Christmas Wish. She received aRomantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her many books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series and Finding Alice. She and her husband live in central Oregon. Learn more atwww.melodycarlson.com.

Safe Haven ~ Review

Safe Haven
The Peacemakers 3
By Anna Schmidt

Suzanne Randolph made a mistake and her career is the causality.  But she has a chance to resurrect both her career and her dream.  Just under 1000 displaced refugees are being brought to America as guests of the President.  But these guests are confined to a camp in Oswego, New York, and they will be sent back to wherever they came from when the war ends.

Suzanne needs to find the story.  The story that will make the difference in the lives of these people who have lost everything.  The story that will erase her mistake.  The story that will make her career. And meeting Theo Bridgewater just might be the story she's looking for - his aunt, uncle, and young cousin are three of these displaced people who have no future until the war's end.

But there is more to Oswego than Suzanne expected and she just might rediscover the Light that was once the focus and center of her life.  And maybe she'll find the peace she once had.

Safe Haven is the perfect conclusion to the Peacemakers series.  Unlike the first two books, this book is set entirely in America and not Europe.  The war in Europe is drawing to a close and we are able to discover the fate of Joseph and Beth; Ilse, Franz, and Liesl; and Detlef Buch.

Taking place over a little more than a year we discover little known facts about life in America for both the few displaced persons who managed to be allowed entry into the country and even the fate of POWs who were brought here.  This is Historical fiction that will touch you and leave with a thirst to discover more about this troubled and turbulent time that left a mark on the world.

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

About the Book:

When journalist Suzanne Randolph hears about FDR’s plan to bring a boatload of displaced WWII refugees to America, she knows it may be her last chance to redeem her flagging career. Suzanne follows the story to Oswego, New York, where she meets Theo Bridgewater, a Quaker dairy farmer from Wisconsin who has come to reunite with his uncle and aunt and cousin. Theo’s fight to spare his relatives the return to Germany becomes Suzanne’s fight as she does everything that the “power of the pen” can muster to help win public sympathy for the cause.


About the Author:

Anna Schmidt is a three-time finalist for the coveted RITA award presented annually by Romance Writers of America. Her novel A SISTER’S FORGIVENESS gives Anna her fourth finalist honor for the Reviewers’ Choice Awards from Romantic Times magazine. She has won that award twice before.

Anna is the author of over twenty-five works of historical and contemporary fiction including her most recent series—THE PEACEMAKERS – set in World War II.   All God’s Children was released last fall and tells the story of Beth—an American Quaker trapped in Nazi Germany where she finds herself fall in love with Josef—a young German medical student who is determined to save his beloved homeland from Hitler’s oppressive regime. Publisher’s Weekly had high praise for the novel noting that "The activities of the White Rose resistance group, as well as the prisoner uprising at the Sobibor concentration camp, are more than simple historical context. Schmidt seamlessly integrates these actual events, and the courageous real-life individuals who fought against Hitler’s regime, with her fictional characters and their story, to produce a strong tale of hope and love in the face of insurmountable obstacles."

In Book 2 Simple Faith, Anja--a young Danish woman and friend of Beth’s continues the fight against tyranny as she helps Peter, an American airman shot down over occupied Belgium, return to his base in England. The final book in the series—Safe Haven—was published in September, 2014 and is set in America—in the small upstate New York town of Oswego where a disgraced journalist tries to revive her career telling the story of the refugees from Europe who spent eighteen long months held in a fort there waiting for the war to end.

Radically Normal ~ Review

Radically Normal
By Josh Kelley

You don't have to live crazy to follow Jesus...

Do you ever feel that you're just not good enough to call yourself a Christian?  Do you feel guilty when you attend church services because you aren't out on the mission field taking the Gospel to other countries?  Did you grow-up with the understanding that only those who were out actively preaching and pointing out the sins of others the only true believers?

Well, this isn't the message Jesus taught.  Jesus reached out to the sinner, but He didn't do it from a position of power.  He didn't try to draw attention to Himself - He even asked those He healed to speak not of this.

Living life with a 9 - 5 job is not a sin in God's eyes.  You can find joy in this life living the life God gave you.  How you live a normal life can be a witness to those around you.  You can get rid of the guilt and live with a hope to your future new life.

I really enjoyed reading chapter 17 This Life Matters we are the temple of the Holy Spirit (God) and how we treat our bodies can be a sign of how we honor God.  And our care for others, Christians or non-Christians, is an outward reflection of God's care for the least of these and our love for Him.

Normal is good and not something to be ashamed of, so be Radical by being you!

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

About the Book:

What if being a radical Christian didn’t have to mean selling everything and becoming a missionary to India? What if it could mean settling down and enjoying your normal, God-given life in extraordinary ways? It’s time to reexamine the Bible, put an end to the guilt, and get on with living the abundant life Jesus promised. Radically Normal: You Don't Have to Live Crazy to Follow Jesus is an invitation to do just that. Along the way it takes a new look at several old challenges:

How to be a good Christian (and witness) with out being weird

How to find greatness in your everyday life

Why spiritual stuff isn’t innately better or holier than earthly stuff.

How holiness leads to happiness and obedience is meant to increase joy.

Why selling all your possessions is not necessarily holier than keeping them.

How enjoying this life is meant to increase your desire for the next.

Read an excerpt.

About the Author:

Hi, my name is Josh. I grew up in western Washington in a loving Christian home. In 1999, I graduated from LIFE Pacific College in San Dimas, CA, with a BA in Biblical Studies and a minor in Biblical Languages. Later I did graduate work in Biblical Studies at Trinity Western University in Langley, Canada and was also an adjunct professor at Pacific Life Bible College in Surrey, Canada for one year. Marilyn and I met at college and got married in 1999. We have two daughters who are the joy of our life. Aside from my family and my God, my two greatest joys are reading a good book and enjoying the all the glories of this world God has made - from sunsets to good food and drink with friends.

Since 2007, I've been the the pastor of The Gathering Christian Church. Prior to that, I was an assistant pastor at His Place Community Church and continue to serve as their “Bible expert.” I'm also on the President of the Board of Directors for our local homeless shelter, The Friendship House.