Neat Book related site I just had to share!

First off I need to thank Kent Barnard of the Patterson Memorial Library in Wild Rose, Wisconsin for sharing this neat website.  No, I've never been to Wild Rose.  But with a name like that I'd sure like to visit.  I picture roses everywhere.  Hmmm, I wonder if there are???

The website that Kent shared on the Wisconsin Library ListServe today was for Literature-Map.  If you have a chance check this out.

This is a link to a search I did using Literature Map, just click on a name a see where it will lead you!!!

Madeline's Protector ~ Review

Madeline's Protector
By Vanessa Riley

Madeline St. James and Justain Delveaux, Lord Devonshire are brought together through a misunderstanding/mistaken identity and an attempt on one of their lives.  But when Madeline takes a bullet that could cost her her life, Justain does what is necessary to save for life.

But Justain's act of heroism could cost Maddie her reputation.  When Justain agrees to marry Maddie can this marriage that is in name only ever be anything more than a source of heartbreak for Maddie?

But Maddie is determined to be a true helpmate for her husband and to win his heart for Christ.  But the man who almost ended their lives before will stop at nothing to end them.  But Justain has sworn to be Madeline's protector as he is the reason that she has come to the attention of his greatest enemy.

But when the pair go to Avington - the estate of the St. James, Madeline's father and stepmother could destroy the fragile beginnings of a true relationship that are just beginning between the two.

Madeline's Protector is an exciting foray into the Regency period, with change and unrest coming to England.  Justain is a quandary, a man who is searching for fulfillment in his life.  Caring for the downtrodden and yet determined to have his word obeyed without question.  A man of honor who at time feels as if he has nothing of worth in himself.  Madeline has a great faith and she relies on this to help her in this marriage and in helping her new husband discover his true worth in the sight of God.  But is her faith enough to sustain her in the unexpected position she now finds herself in?

If you're a fan of Regency, Historical English Fiction, and Romance you're in for a treat as this delightful book wraps all three up between two covers.  Hopefully Vanessa will revisit Madeline and Justain sometime in the future with a sequel!

I was provided a copy of this book by the author Vanessa Riley and BookFun.org in exchange for my honest review of Madeline's Protector.

About Madeline's Protector :

If all the young men of England leapt off a cliff, Madeline St. James wouldn't care. Then she'd have peace. Her nightmares of courtship would end,and she'd cozy up with a Psalm in her aunt's quiet sculpture garden. Yet, a chance meeting and a bullet wound change everything, and Madeline must trust the Good Shepherd has led her to the altar to marry a dashing stranger, Lord Devonshire.

Death and pain are no strangers to Justain Delveaux, Lord Devonshire, and he vows his dutiful bride will be kept safe and in her place. Though this compromised marriage is in-name-only, his wife and her unwavering faith both intrigue and allure him. Perchance when he thwarts his brother's killer, Justain will tempt the unpredictable Madeline with the comfort of his arms.

But can Madeline and the stubborn earl forge a true bond before the next disaster strikes?

About Vanessa Riley

Writer of Christian Regency Fiction

The Regency and Victorian eras have always been a magnetizing draw for Vanessa Riley.  Even as she worked to complete her doctorate in Mechanical Engineering , she made time for renaissance fairs and any novel or cinematographic work depicting these genteel societies of old.  Perhaps, the attraction arises from the kinship she feels with the period being brought up in the restrictive Southern Bible Belt with its stringent definitions of decent behavior and life expectations. 

Perhaps the common denominator to this appeal is her own thirty day Christian courtship or even the arranged marriages of her uncles; each is emblematic of the nuptials of those earlier times.

A technology muse like Dr. Vanessa Riley is probably not the immediate choice to write about haute ton English society set in the 1800's.  With her most recent published work being “Reducing Deformation by Phase Manipulation,” the common visceral reaction is that Providence has given another mule a voice to tell His story.  Nevertheless, this mule uses her determined spirit and dogmatic tenacity to discover the hidden nuances of a character making him believable, her human and both ready to be used of God.

The Runaway King ~ Review

The Runaway King

By Jennifer A. Neilsen

Sage now Jaron has been recognized as the true heir to the throne.  But the threats against his life have been renewed when he attacked in the garden on the night of his family’s funeral.  The Avenian pirates have threatened to go to war with Carthya unless Jaron turns himself over to the Roden and the pirates in 10 days in Isel and he releases Bevin Conner.  King Vargan has threatened to go to war with Carthya unless Jaron turn over Carthyan land.

 

With his regents determined to put a steward on the throne in his stead, Jaron is left with few options to protect Carthya.  With his regents threatening to 1) place a steward on the throne until he comes of age and 2) send him into hiding Jaron is faced with a decision that will decide the fate of his rule and that of Carthya   When Jaron is left with the feeling that he is missing something  when he confronts Connor in the dungeon he sets out to find the pirates and stop them and Devlin before it is too late.  But time is short as the pirates have given him 10 days and the regents will act within 9.  Is there enough time to secure his position and to save those he holds dear?

 

Who can Jaron trust with the truth of what he has planned?  Mott?  Tobias?  Princess Amarinda?  Kerwyn the high chamberlain?  Gregor captain of the guard?  Can one of these people who are within his inner circle truly be trusted with information that could cost Jaron his life and how is he to know?

 

The Runaway King takes up where The False Prince left us and this is one sequel that won’t disappoint!  Action, sacrifice, betrayals and Jaron being yet again a fool – The Runaway King has it all.

 

The ending will leave you wanting more and is an excellent set up for the third book in the Ascendance Trilogy. 

Rescue Team ~ Review

Rescue Team

Grace Medical #2

By Candace Calvert

Anyone can make a mistake, but some mistakes have a way of latching on to us and never letting go.  At least that is what Kate Callison has come to discover.  No matter how far away she goes, something brings back the guilt over what she has done.  And volunteer rescuer Wes Tanner is bad news as far as Kate is concerned especially when he is part of the stress group that the hospital has set up and expects her to attend as well.

When Kate stepped up to the challenge of filling Sunni Sprague‘s shoes she had no idea the hospital would become the target of  an anonymous concerned citizen who is crushing staff morale with attacks on the level of care being offered.  When a Baby Doe is found on the floor of the restroom everything takes a downward path.  Threats of a lawsuit, a grief and guilt stricken staff, a manipulative lawyer, and finger pointing are about to end Kate’s temporary position before she even has a chance to make it permanent.

But Kate has always moved from place to place avoiding close relationships, especially those with men.  But Wes could be different, he isn't like the other men who have disappointed her throughout her life.  But Wes can't forgive a certain sin nor can he extend grace to those who commit it, so how can he and Kate ever be anything other than acquaintances especially if the truth about her past comes out. 

Rescue Team is a set in a hospital environment but the true healing in this book is of the heart rather than of the body.  What one sees as an unpardonable sin another sees as a way to safety.  Who is right, who is wrong?  Who should decide?  As each of these characters reaches a crossroad in their life they must decide whether they are going to do it their way holding onto their individual hurts and pains or whether they will turn it over to God and accept true mercy and grace, the kind that only God can provide.   

Small Town Girl ~ Review

Small Town Girl
By Ann H. Gabhart

Summer 1941 is a time of transition for Kate Merritt.  Her sister is marrying the man she has loved since she was a teenager.  There are rumblings of war on the horizon, but nothing that would affect Rosey Corner.  Or would it?

When Kate meets Jay Tanner at her sister's wedding she's about to meet the man that will change her life.  But though Kate and Jay have something special a misunderstanding could end it all before it has a chance to become a happily ever after.

Small Town Girl is a sweet story that deals with the pains of life and disappointment.  What is often times a disappointment can in fact be the hand of God making a way for something better.   Evie's marriage to Mike brings Jay Tanner into Kate's life.  And when the attack on Pearl Harbor brings America into the war on the Pacific front this new man in Kate's life is about to be in harm's way.

I really enjoyed getting to know the folks who lived in Rosey Corner (some more than others), it actually reminds me of the town where I live.  Everyone knows everything about everyone, or they think they do anyways.  Small Town Girl offers up some big lessons for everyone.

This is one small town I plan to visit again.  Why don't you join me in Rosey Corner, you're sure to enjoy the break from the rush of your day-to-day responsibilities!

 I received this book free from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Available July 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

About Small Town Girl

How long can two people stand on the brink of love without plunging in headfirst?

In the autumn of 1941, rumors of war whisper through Rosey Corner. The town practically vibrates with apprehension, as if it is holding its breath. But for Kate Merritt, it seems life is letting out a prolonged sigh. As Kate watches her sister marry the man Kate has loved since she was fifteen, her heart is silently breaking. And even the attentions of Jay Tanner, the handsome best man, can't draw her interest.

Then suddenly, Pearl Harbor changes everything and Kate finds herself drawn to Jay in surprising ways. Could she truly be in love with him? And if he enlists, will she ever see him again?

In her gentle and textured style, Ann H. Gabhart tells a timeless story of love, sacrifice, and longing that will grip your heart and stir your spirit. Fans of Gabhart's Angel Sister will love seeing Kate Merritt all grown-up, as well as other characters they have come to love.

Dandelions on the Wind ~ Review

Dandelions on the Wind
The Quilted Heart - Novella One
By Mona Hodgson

Saint Charles, Missouri in 1865 is trying to recover from the loses it experienced in the War Between the States.  It is in this town that Maren Jensen finds herself after the man that she thought she would marry deserts her.  What follows is a story of hope and healing as Maren, Mrs. Bratenberg, and Gabi (Mrs. Bratenberg's four year old granddaughter) adjust to the return of Rutherford "Wooly" Wainwright (Gabi's long absent father).

Gabi is overjoyed at meeting her father.  Mrs. Bratenberg is understandably wary of the man who deserted them at the death of his wife.  Maren views Wooly's return as an answer from God, allowing her to seek work so that she might save for her return to Denmark.

But as the four work together to bring in the harvest they are all drawn closer and Maren and Wooly may have a chance to heal their broken hearts.

Dandelions in the Wind is a sweet story that will take you on a short trip into America's past.  Perfect for a summer afternoon read or as a early evening wind down.  Mona Hodgson has created yet another world you'll want to revisit in (hopefully) successive novellas!  At right at 100 pages this is an easy read with enjoyably likeable characters!

I was provided a copy of this book in digital format from the publisher WaterBrook Multnomah/Blogging for Books in exchange for my review.

A Voice in the Night ~ Review and Excerpt

A Voice in the Night
By Ernestine Dail

With a name like A Voice in the Night you just know you're about to read something good like an old scary movie.  And when the first line reads Dark, rainy and ominous was the night you know your inclination was right on.

When the quiet of the night is broken by someone outside their cabin screaming, "Open the door." Brian, Thomas, and Josh are in for quite a scare and a shock.  
Who is this stranger wanting in their cabin with them in the middle of the night?  And even more concerning what does he want?

A Voice in the Night takes you through a series of  seemingly unconnected events that take the reader back to the opening scene.  A rap contest, a stranger in black, a diamond theft, three best friends, and a lot of time is packed into a short story.   

False accusations, an unexpected reunion, and second chances are found in Shallow Springs.  Perfect to share around the campfire if you want to have a scary story with a not so scary ending.  Should hold the interest of young readers (3 -6 grade). 

I was provided a digital copy of this title in conjunction with the Pump Up Your Book blog tour in exchange for my review.



ABOUT A VOICE IN THE NIGHT

Brian, Josh, and Thomas arrived at Blackstone Cabin with great expectations of fishing and having fun. Now in the midst of a raging storm, and a hooded stranger frantically knocking at their door, the boys desperately wished for Josh’s father, Mr.Joplin, to return to the cabin. Will he return in time to save the boys from danger, or will the boys open the door to the frantic knocking of the hooded stranger outside.

 Get your copy from  AMAZON | BARNES and NOBLE

ABOUT ERNESTINE DAIL

Ernestine DaiI is a high school teacher and lives in Maryland. She has taught school for several years and enjoys the wonders and amazements she finds in being around children. The inspiration for writing her book comes from being surrounded with children and knowing their joys, likes, and dislikes. She is the author of two books—Dimples DoGood, and her latest, A Voice in the Night. She likes to read, write, travel and do crossword puzzles.

You can visit Ernestine Dail’s website at http://bookstop.wix.com/children-books.

Book Excerpt:

Dark, rainy and ominous was the night. The mountain wind whistled ferociously through the trees and around the cabin shaking its rugged doors. Lightning cracked the sky and thunder rolled over the mountain peaks resounding in an echo of authority. Brian, sleeping on the sofa, suddenly sat up gasping as the torrential rain splashed and pounded against the cabin windows. Shaking and trembling, he sprang from the sofa, ran to check the windows and the doors to make sure they were locked. Gingerly moving about the room, he noticed that the fire in the fireplace smoldered as the cold, dark stillness in the room beckoned him to put more logs on the fire. Carefully, he moved about in the dark, thinking about his friends, Josh and Thomas, sleeping upstairs in the loft. He wished that they were awake so that he wouldn't be up alone, but the eerie, foreboding silence upstairs reminded him that they were still asleep, unaware of the storm. Slowly, he found his way to the wood bin in the corner of the room and placed a few logs on the fire, hoping that they would last until morning.

Standing by the fireplace, he remembered when he first met Thomas Templeton in school. He was tall and muscular, with cropped black hair and forlorn, hazel eyes. Being six feet tall, he hovered above others in the class. His appearance was always meticulous even though he didn't wear the latest fashion. He rarely smiled and sometimes appeared to be very irate, but never mentioned what bothered him. Frequently, he turned his homework in late, if at all. While in class, he consistently made comments that were not relevant to the lesson. Quite often, he bullied his classmates, took lunch money from the younger children, and never had anything positive to say about anyone.

A Voice in the Night Tour Page