Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Top Reads of 2014

Top reads of 2014

Wordle: Untitled


The Princess Spy by Melanie Dickerson
To Laugh Once More by Sherri Wilson Johnson
Pitchin’ a Fit by Brandilyn Collins
Lizzy and Jane by Katherine Reay
Surprised by Love by Julie Lessman
The Promise by Beth Wiseman
Love’s Fortune by Laura Frantz
The Legend of Sheba: The Rise of a Queen by Tosca Lee
Test of Faith by Christa Allan
Ismeni by Tosca Lee
The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron
A Woman of Fortune by Kellie Gilbert
How Sweet the Sound by Amy Sorrell
The Shadow of Jezebel by Mesu Andrews
Dare to Love Again by Julie Lessman
Kept by Sally Bradley
Princess Ever After by Rachel Hauck
Shadowed by Grace by Cara Putman
The Family of Jesus by Karen Kingsbury



Wordle: Untitled




Tuesday, December 30, 2014

My Reflection



Looking back on 2014 I can't say it was a bad or good year. I know we had changes some for the good and some that weren't so good. And honestly having a "good" year really isn't what my focus is on, instead of asking myself was 2014 a good year, I'm asking myself did I draw closer to God, did my actions reflect what I say I believe, and did I love others as Christ would? My prayer is that I have drawn closer to God, that I my actions and my beliefs lined up, and that I have loved as Christ commands.
Each year my New Year's "Resolution" is to draw closer to God, spend more time in His word, be Jesus with skin on to those who are hurting and need encouragement. These are the things that matter. Losing the twenty pounds that just won't go away, exercise more, eat healthier, watch less t.v., are all great goals, however, for me those aren't things that will change someone's life for eternity, and I want to be an instrument for God to use to bring people into the kingdom.

Your turn . . . What is your reflection of 2014? What are your goals, desires for 2015?


Saturday, December 20, 2014

Revell's 2015 Summer Lineup

Coming to a bookstore near you this Summer from Revell




No Place to Hide (Hidden Identity, #3)When her first love is linked to a terrorist plot, Jackie Sellers knows it can't be true. On the run together, they must clear his name and outwit the killers before it's too late and innocent lives are lost.

As Love Blooms (The Gregory Sisters, #3) 
Tessa Gregory is nothing if not tenacious. Denied a position as a horticulturalist at prestigious Como Park in Saint Paul, she is not above a little benevolent deception in order to get the park superintendent to change his mind and hire her. She plans to infiltrate the world of wealthy and influential people in hopes of drumming up financial support for a world-class conservatory. But before she can put those plans into action, she meets Reese King, a handsome gardener at Como Park--and a major distraction. Still, Reese might be the key to achieving her dream. But is his goal to help her . . . or to capture her heart?

In Firefly Valley (Texas Crossroads, #2) 
Marisa St. George is devastated when she is a victim of downsizing and has no choice but to return to the small Texas town where she grew up. Though it's a giant step backward, she accepts a position as business manager at the struggling Rainbow's End resort. The only silver lining is Blake Kendall, a new guest who is making her believe in love at first sight. But will her dreams of happily-ever-after be turned upside down when she discovers who he really is? 

Love's Rescue (Keys of Promise, #1) 
A tomboy tries to transform herself into a Southern belle to gain her father's approval, but guilt, family secrets, and her love for a daring sea captain threaten to rip her world apart.

Once Upon a Summertime: A New York City Romance (Follow Your Heart, #1) 
Managing the Value Lodge in her hometown was not what Anna Gordon had in mind when she set out in the hospitality industry. But it's a safe choice for a woman whose childhood was anything but stable. Out of the blue, she gets a once-in-a-lifetime chance to reinvent herself by moving to New York City, where she hopes for a management position at a stylish new boutique hotel. The big city is full of surprises--not the least of which is Sean O'Neil. Her childhood crush has applied for the very same position!

Desperate Measures (Port Aster Secrets, #3) 
Researcher Kate Adams has finally pinpointed the medicinal plant responsible for tearing her family apart. She's certain that discovering its secrets is her only hope of solving the mystery surrounding the disappearance of her father. Kate will risk anything to find the truth--even her budding relationship with Detective Tom Parker. But more people than she can fathom are after the plants and going it alone just might prove to be a fatal mistake. 

To Capture Her Heart (The Southold Chronicles, #2) 
It is 1653 and Heather Flower, a princess of the Montauk tribe, is enjoying her wedding feast when her groom is killed and she is kidnapped by a rival tribe and held for ransom. Though her ransom is paid by an Englishman, she is nonetheless left to die in a Connecticut forest--until she finds herself rescued by handsome Dutch Lieutenant Dirk Van Buren. Torn between her affection for Dirk and her long friendship with family friend Benjamin Horton, Heather Flower must make a difficult choice--stay true to her friend or follow her heart.   

Friday, December 19, 2014

Spring 2015 from Revell Books

Check out these beauties from Revell Books coming to a store near you in 2015

Hyam is a likeable lad who will make a fine farmer someday. But he carries a burden few can fathom. As his mother slips toward death, she implores him to return to Long Hall, where he spent five years as an apprentice. It was there that Hyam's extraordinary capacity for mastering languages came to light--and soon cast him into the shadows of suspicion. How could any human learn the forbidden tongues with such ease? When Hyam dares to seek out the Mistress of the Sorceries, her revelation tears his world asunder.

He has no choice but to set out on the foreboding path--which beckons him to either his destiny or his doom. An encounter with an enchanting stranger reminds him that he is part hero and part captive. As Hyam struggles to interpret the omens and symbols, he is swept up by a great current of possibilities--and dangers.




 The girls of the DG have found that through the club, both their friendships and their dating savvy have grown. But all that is about to be put to the test. Despite their promises of secrecy, word has somehow gotten out, and new girls want to join the club. The reaction in the DG is mixed, but with the Christmas Ball coming up, they need to pull together to organize their double dates. The trouble is, how can they get guys interested in a dance that's become increasingly unpopular?









 Following in her estranged father's footsteps, Dr. Juliet Ryan has devoted her scientific acumen to corporate America, providing safe drinking water for millions--and affording her plenty of perks along the way. Then, without warning, a fast-moving disaster sweeps Juliet into a whirlpool of corporate scandal and puts lives at risk. As she scrambles to find answers, Juliet must face her deepest wounds and join forces with her father to expose a far-reaching conspiracy. Underneath it all, she struggles to forgive those who betrayed her trust--not least of all her own father.








 Wife to a gambler who took one too many risks, Rahab finds herself sold as a slave to cover her husband's debt. Forced into prostitution by Dabir, counselor to the Syrian king, Rahab despairs of ever regaining her freedom and her self-respect. But when Israelite spies enter Jericho and come to lodge at her house, Rahab sees a glimmer of hope and the opportunity of a lifetime. In one risky moment, she takes a leap of faith, puts her trust in a God she does not know, and vows to protect the spies from the authorities. When the armies of Israel arrive weeks later, Rahab hopes they will keep their promise, but she has no idea what kind of challenges await her outside Jericho's walls--or if she will ever know the meaning of love.





 Patience Cavanaugh has lost hope in romance. The man she yearned to marry is dead and her dreams are gone with him. Now she is consumed with the restoration of a dilapidated boarding house in order to support herself. Despite her desire for solitude, Jedediah Jones, the local sheriff with a reputation for hanging criminals, becomes an ever-looming part of her life. It seems like such a simple arrangement: Patience needs someone with a strong back to help her fix up the boardinghouse, and Jedediah needs a dependable source of food for himself and his prisoners. But Patience gets more than she bargained for as she explores the depths of the "hanging lawman"--and finds both betrayal and love.






 After seven years as a Chicago homicide detective, Lisa Grant has hit a wall. Ready for a kinder, gentler life, she takes a job as a small-town police chief. But the discovery of a human skeleton by a construction crew at the edge of town taxes the resources of her department. A call for assistance brings detective Mac McGregor, an ex-Navy SEAL, to her doorstep. As they work to solve the mystery behind the unmarked grave, danger begins to shadow them. Someone doesn't want this dead person telling any tales--and will stop at nothing to make certain a life-shattering secret stays buried.
Master storyteller Irene Hannon is back with an exciting new series featuring former special forces operatives now in the thick of the action in civilian life. Hannon is at the top of her game in this can't-put-it-down thriller that will have readers up until the wee hours devouring every page.




 When Anna Konig first meets Bairn, the Scottish ship carpenter of the "Charming Nancy," their encounter is anything but pleasant. Anna is on the ship only to ensure the safe arrival of her loved ones to the New World. Hardened by years of living at sea, Bairn resents toting these naive farmers--dubbed "Peculiars" by deckhands--across the ocean. As delays, storms, illness, and diminishing provisions afflict crew and passengers alike, Bairn finds himself drawn to Anna's serene nature. For her part, Anna can't seem to stay below deck and far away from the aloof ship's carpenter, despite warnings.
When an act of sacrifice leaves Anna in a perilous situation, Bairn discovers he may not have left his faith as firmly in the past as he thought. But has the revelation come too late?
Amish fiction favorite Suzanne Woods Fisher brings her fans back to the beginning of Amish life in America with this fascinating glimpse into the first ocean crossing as seen through the eyes of a devout young woman and an irreverent man. Blending the worlds of Amish and historical fiction, Fisher is sure to delight her longtime fans even as she attracts new ones with her superb and always surprise-filled writing.


The Creole Princess (Gulf Coast Chronicles, #2) All along the eastern seaboard, the American struggle for independence rages. In the British-held southern port of Mobile, Alabama, the conflict brewing is quieter--though no less deadly. The lovely Frenchwoman Lyse Lanier is best friends with the daughter of the British commander. Rafael Gonzalez is a charming young Spanish merchant with a secret mission and a shipment of gold to support General Washington. As their paths cross and their destinies become increasingly tangled, Lyse and Rafael must decide where their true loyalties lie--and somehow keep Lyse's family from being executed as traitors to the British Crown.

With spectacular detail that brings the Colonial South alive, Beth White invites readers into a world of intrigue and espionage from a little-known side of the American Revolutionary War. Her richly textured settings and characters delight while fast pacing and closely held secrets will keep readers turning the pages


 Every Bride Needs a GroomSmall-town girl Katie Fisher is planning her wedding. Sure, her boyfriend hasn't managed to pop the question just yet, but that doesn't mean she shouldn't enter a contest in "Texas Bride" magazine to win the dress of her dreams, right? But when her boyfriend breaks up with her and takes a job in another town--the very same day Katie wins her dream dress--her world is turned upside down. Should she claim her prize? And will the hunky former pro-basketball player who runs the swanky Dallas bridal shop--yeah, you read that right--catch on to her humiliation if she does?
Janice Thompson designs a romance sure to delight, with plenty of fish-out-of-water moments, a hilarious supporting cast, and more of the wedding biz world her readers adore.


The Legacy (The Restoration Series, #4)Doug Anderson has been drifting slowly but steadily away from both his family and his faith. His parents, along with Christina, a young woman taken into the family during a crisis pregnancy, have been trying to reach him before he falls too far. But sometimes you have to hit bottom before you're ready to grow up and give your life over to God. Christina's feelings for Doug have been growing, even though he writes her off as not worth his time. Will Doug's own crisis finally clear his vision and help him focus on what he has right in front of him?
Readers who have been on this emotional and romantic journey with the Anderson family will fall in love with this satisfying conclusion to the popular series.


Enjoy this sneak peek  into a few of the books coming your way in 2015

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

The Princess Spy by Melanie Dickerson

Margaretha has always been a romantic, and hopes her newest suitor, Lord Claybrook, is destined to be her one true love. But then an injured man is brought to Hagenheim Castle, claiming to be an English lord who was attacked by Claybrook and left for dead. And only Margaretha---one of the few who speaks his language---understands the wild story. Margaretha finds herself unable to pass Colin's message along to her father, the duke, and convinces herself 'Lord Colin' is just an addled stranger. Then Colin retrieves an heirloom she lost in a well, and asks her to spy on Claybrook as repayment. Margaretha knows she could never be a spy---not only is she unable to keep anything secret, she's sure Colin is completely wrong about her potential betrothed. Though when Margaretha overhears Claybrook one day, she discovers her romantic notions may have been clouding her judgment about not only Colin but Claybrook as well. It is up to her to save her father and Hagenheim itself from Claybrook's wicked plot.



 Melanie Dickerson is a two-time Christy Award finalist and her book, The Healer's Apprentice, won the National Readers Choice Award for Best First Book. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA). . Melanie earned a bachelors degree in special education of the hearing impaired from The University of Alabama and has worked as a teacher and a missionary. She lives with her husband and two children in Huntsville, Alabama.






My thoughts:

Melanie, thank you for another captivating read. I have stayed up late every night reading this book.Colin is a hero to cheer for, and Margaretha is a fabulous heroine!Margaretha is a chatter box and she kind of gets on Lord Claybrook's nerves, but he begins to over look it, Margaretha wanting to please her family, she also wants to be in love, like any girl. Her constant chattering annoys Colin as well, her chattering comes in handy when a threat against Margaretha and her family.
The action keeps you on the edge of your seat, or in my case pillow.
I felt as though I was right there with Colin and Margaretha.This is a great book, both as an action story and love story.

I highly recommend it! It would make a great stocking stuffer for the reader in your life!



 

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Pitchin' A Fit by Brandilyn Collins

The wedding for Ben Dearing and Christina Day is planned to be picture perfect, and the boisterous family has gathered for the big event. What could possibly go wrong?

Christina’s estranged mother, that’s what. The alcoholic, abusive mother who wasn’t invited.

Two days before the ceremony Edna Day crashes the bridal shower and insists she’s staying in town for the ceremony. What’s Christina to do? After her abusive childhood, standing up to her parent calls for strength she’s not sure she possesses. Besides, if she tells her mother to leave, the woman could get madder than she already is—not to mention drunk—and shame the Dearing family in front of the whole town.

Edna wastes no time making enemies. Highly opinionated Jess Dearing is set on running her out of Justus. Ben wants her gone, too. Even Lady Penelope, the Dearings’ uppity Yorkie, will have nothing to do with her. Meanwhile Mama Ruth is trying to keep the peace. And feed everybody.

Blending pathos and humor, Pitchin’ a Fit portrays the constantly shifting emotions between an abusive parent and grown child. How does a Christian forgive someone who doesn’t seem repentant? What is the balance between forgiveness and maintaining healthy emotional boundaries?

God is there to guide everyone through this mess of a weekend. But certain people may have plans of their own.



About this author

Brandilyn Collins is a best-selling novelist known for her trademark Seatbelt Suspense®--fast-paced, character-driven suspense with myriad twists and an interwoven thread of faith.

Brandilyn is also known for her distinctive book on fiction-writing techniques, Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors (John Wiley & Sons). She is a sought-after teacher and speaker at writers' conferences.







My Thoughts:

This book is laugh out loud funny! 
All Christina and Ben want is to have a beautiful wedding weekend. Those plans get sidetracked when Christina's mother shows up determined to be apart of the wedding festivities, in doing so she manages to alienate most of Ben's family, and embarrass Christina to tears. Ben's family is full of characters, his nephew Pogey brings laughter to the wedding with his dance.
This book brought enlightenment to me, I have step-kids who have experienced abuse at the hands of their mother. In reading this book, I understood how hard it can be for them to trust and feel completely safe because that isn't something they are familiar with.
Learning to forgive and start over is the thread that weaves it's way throughout the book.

Highly recommended!




 

Friday, December 12, 2014

Jesus Daily by Aaron Tabor, MD

This devotional goes beyond the Facebook page and creates a deeper experience for multi-million fans of the popular group Jesus Daily by using the author's posts, fans' comments and questions, and responses. The author will explore recurring themes found on the page such as:

Jesus is our #1 friend
Jesus is my relationship, not my religion
Jesus is my hero
Prayer is always the answer
Jesus is coming back for me
I'm proud to be a Christian
With Jesus all things are possible
Creative design elements and interactive activities will make this devotional truly one-of-a-kind. 








My thoughts:

I really like the way this devotional is put together. The devotions are short, and give you the opportunity to share the devotion with others through social media. Today's devotion talks about the different names of God and at the end it asks you to choose a name of God, read a commentary on it and share what you find online.

I recommend this devotional and Hachette is giving one away free to one of my readers.

To enter you must be a follower of my blog. Leave a comment with your email address and a name of God and what it means to you. This giveaway will start today, 12/12/14 and I will pick a winner on Saturday, 12/20/14.





Sunday, December 7, 2014

To Laugh Once More by Sherri Wilson Johnson

To Laugh Once More is a Victorian Inspirational Romance set in Florida and Georgia in 1895. The War may be over, but the battles still rage. A dissatisfied wife. A misunderstood husband. Three tragedies will alter their path forever. Will their choices tear them apart, or will they allow them To Laugh Once More? Three years after her marriage to Hamilton, former debutante Lydia Barrington Scarbrough is dissatisfied with life. She has yet to have children, and she spends most of her days sitting in a circle of women chatting about homemaking. She thought life would be more than what it's turned out to be. Hamilton travels on business and never takes her with him. What's a lonely wife to do when she has no children to raise? She longs for adventure and romance, and really, she longs for the fulfillment of her purpose in life. A purpose beyond being a wife and raising children. Lydia faces a series of hardships that stretch her faith beyond capacity. Leaving her childhood home in Florida for Georgia proves to be more difficult than she ever imagined, and her marriage may not survive the trials. Lydia's own personal battles drive a wedge between them. What will it take to make Hamilton attempt to save their marriage and draw Lydia back to him? As Lydia strives to etch out a place for herself in a new world full of unfamiliar prejudice and attempts to overcome her private battles, she must help Hamilton understand her deepest longings and learn the true meaning of joy. Will she surrender her will in order to find her purpose? Will her future hold a happier marriage, motherhood, and a calling greater than she could ever have imagined?



About this author

:
I am Sherri Wilson Johnson. I live in Georgia with my husband, children and dogs. Writing is my favorite pastime and, fortunately, I have been able to see my dream of publication come true. I write fiction, non-fiction and homeschool resources, but fiction is my true love.

My debut novel, To Dance Once More (OakTara), was released in September 2011. My second novel, Song of the Meadowlark (OakTara), released in September 2012. To Laugh Once More released September 8, 2014.


 
 
My Thoughts:
 
Sherri writes character driven stories and this one is no different. Lydia and Hamilton lead the story, Lydia a little more than Hamilton. Lydia is use to living as a debutant all of that changes when a freeze hits and kills the crops, and then a fire burns down her childhood home killing her mother and best friend, Izzy. The family moves to Georgia where they learn very quickly that the people of Georgia are still very much segregated and for Lydia who just sees a person not color, or standing in the community struggles. She longs to find something to do besides taking care of Hamilton and their home.
Lydia and Hamilton are a lot like Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler in their demeanor. I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. I was up late each night reading. Sherri shows that good comes to those who wait and that following the lead of your husband reaps rewards beyond your imagination.
 
I highly recommend it!

 
 

Monday, December 1, 2014

The Brothers’ Keepers by NLB Horton

About the book:

The Brothers' Keepers | RidgeRoute Press (November 2015)

A friend's deception. A family's dilemma.

While cataloging looted antiquities in Brussels, archaeologist Grace Madison learns that her daughter has disappeared in France, and daughter-in-law has been attacked in Switzerland. But before the Madisons can save themselves, they must rescue an old friend---if he'll let them. Navigating a deadly, four-thousand-year-old artifact trail that crosses three continents, they jeopardize hearts and lives against a foe as old as time---as time runs out.

Because choosing what's right is all that's left.


Purchase a copy:  http://ow.ly/EfxWh  




About the author: After an award-winning detour through journalism and marketing and a graduate degree from Dallas Theological Seminary, NLB Horton returned to writing fiction. She has surveyed Israeli and Jordanian archaeological digs accompanied (twice!) by heavy artillery rounds from Syria and machine gun fire from Lebanon. Calmly tossed a tarantula from her skiff into the Amazon after training with an Incan shaman. Driven uneventfully through Rome. And consumed gallons of afternoon tea across five continents. Her first novel, When Camels Fly, was released in May, 2014.The Brothers' Keepers her second in the Parched series, will be released November 17, 2014. The third in the series will release in the fall of 2015.

Find NLB online: website, Facebook
 
 
 
 
Don't miss NLB Horton's The Brothers' Keepersinternational suspense at its best. While cataloguing looted antiquities in Brussels, archaeologist Grace Madison discovers her daughter has vanished in France, and her son's bride has been attacked in Switzerland. After the Madison family unearths a relic whose taproot pierces the Ancient Near East, they realize before they can save themselves, they must rescue an old friend . . . if he'll let them.



Learn more about book one in the series, When Camels Fly, and enter to win a Kindle Fire.


brotherskeepers-400



One grand prize winner will receive:



  • A Kindle Fire

  • When Camels Fly and The Brothers' Keepers by NLB Horton


Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 7th. Winner will be announced December 8th on NLB's blog.






brotherskeepers-enterbanner


{NOT ON FACEBOOK? ENTER HERE.}


My Thoughts:

An edge of your seat read, while hopping from country to country, is sure to keep you on your toes. It reminded me a little of the Cooper Kids series by Frank Peretti. It was a good read, one that I enjoyed and would recommend. I wish I would have known it was the second book in the series. Still a good read and it can be a stand alone.



 

First Line Friday Featuring Riot (A Breed Apart: Legacy #3) by Ronie Kendig and JJ Samie Myles

  Happy Friday!! Welcome to the weekend!!! Today I am featuring one of my favorite authors, Ronie Kendig. I loved A Breed Apart series and I...