Tuesday, March 28, 2017
THE MEMORY OF YOU by CATHERINE WEST
The authors writing reminds me of a classical music piece. The words flow at a nice pace and makes you feel good as you get attached to the characters. It feels like a well done crescendo , gradually building itself into a masterpiece filled with intrigue, memories tears and love.
Natalie is a very interesting character and I instantly liked her. She has come to the family's winery to hopefully save it. Her grandfather has fallen ill and Natalie wants to make sure he is ok. As she sees the winery , memories rush back to her. There was a great loss in the family years ago and Natalie is still haunted by it. Can she face her nightmares and find peace and pick up the pieces of her shattered life? She has her hands full trying to keep on top of all the daily chores of running the winery. Her grandfather is thankful to see Natalie and hopefully with her help, the family business can be profitable again.
Tanner has been running the winery and when he discovers that Natalie is there, he is not sure if he should be happy to see her or start looking for another job. I loved how the author described how wine is made and how detailed she was . I could smell the wine as it was being processed and envisioned the delicate taste as the wine poured slowly into a glass. It is not easy running the place, but Tanner is hopeful that Natalie has an open mind. Tanner has some personal issues he needs to face and it is getting harder for him to ignore it.
When Natalie has a problem while driving one evening, she turns to Tanner to help her. It is hard for Natalie to explain why she had to pull over on the road. When she tells Tanner that she has PTSD, I felt his heart soften a bit. She is not the same person he use to know and wants to help her get past her bad memories. Is Natalie ready to face the past ?
I loved the relationship between Natalie and her grandfather. She came to take care of him, but he wants to help her with her past. His sincere compassion for her is heartwarming and I have to say I had tears in my eyes. The love he has for his granddaughter is beautiful and makes me miss my own grandfather. Natalie and Tanner are both struggling with their faith. They each must find a way back to God, learn to forgive and let go of the past. Will they be able to do it? Will Natalie close the family business? As I turned each page, I could feel the turmoil and pain the characters were going through. This book is one I will never forget. It showed me how to let go of my past, trust again, forgive myself and soak in His presence .
'And forgiveness fell like sweet rain upon the thirsty ground of her soul."
I received a copy of this book from the author. The review is my own opinion.
Natalie is a very interesting character and I instantly liked her. She has come to the family's winery to hopefully save it. Her grandfather has fallen ill and Natalie wants to make sure he is ok. As she sees the winery , memories rush back to her. There was a great loss in the family years ago and Natalie is still haunted by it. Can she face her nightmares and find peace and pick up the pieces of her shattered life? She has her hands full trying to keep on top of all the daily chores of running the winery. Her grandfather is thankful to see Natalie and hopefully with her help, the family business can be profitable again.
Tanner has been running the winery and when he discovers that Natalie is there, he is not sure if he should be happy to see her or start looking for another job. I loved how the author described how wine is made and how detailed she was . I could smell the wine as it was being processed and envisioned the delicate taste as the wine poured slowly into a glass. It is not easy running the place, but Tanner is hopeful that Natalie has an open mind. Tanner has some personal issues he needs to face and it is getting harder for him to ignore it.
When Natalie has a problem while driving one evening, she turns to Tanner to help her. It is hard for Natalie to explain why she had to pull over on the road. When she tells Tanner that she has PTSD, I felt his heart soften a bit. She is not the same person he use to know and wants to help her get past her bad memories. Is Natalie ready to face the past ?
I loved the relationship between Natalie and her grandfather. She came to take care of him, but he wants to help her with her past. His sincere compassion for her is heartwarming and I have to say I had tears in my eyes. The love he has for his granddaughter is beautiful and makes me miss my own grandfather. Natalie and Tanner are both struggling with their faith. They each must find a way back to God, learn to forgive and let go of the past. Will they be able to do it? Will Natalie close the family business? As I turned each page, I could feel the turmoil and pain the characters were going through. This book is one I will never forget. It showed me how to let go of my past, trust again, forgive myself and soak in His presence .
'And forgiveness fell like sweet rain upon the thirsty ground of her soul."
I received a copy of this book from the author. The review is my own opinion.
Sunday, March 26, 2017
RETREAT TO SHELTER CREEK by LEE CARVER
Oh how I love the way this author writes. She blends wonderful characters into a story that has intrigue , family values and the importance of helping others. The author is very gifted and keeps readers interested with realistic problems and solutions found through faith.
Ashley has come to take care of her grandmother that is quite ill. I loved the care Ashley showed and the unconditional love she has for her grandmother. Mama Lou is one tough lady and doesn't slow down even though she is going through a hard illness. I loved her giving heart and how much she loved the pig Beulah. Beulah is a special pig and I loved how special she was to Ashley and Mama Lou. Ashley has more than she can handle when her husband leaves her, drains all the accounts and springs a shocking surprise on her. I was very impressed with how strong Ashley was and handled her problems with faith . She has a special relationship with her grandmother that I adored.
Austin is a wonderful character who has a lot on his shoulders. He is trying to keep the ranch going, raising his son and running a roofing business. When Austin comes to redo Mama Lou's roof subtle sparks start flying between him and Ashley. I loved how the author brought them together and slowly developed their relationship. Things start looking up for Ashley and her grandmother until a tragedy strikes. I loved how unexpected the story turned and brought intense drama and intrigue. I didn't see it coming but it sure was an exciting ride.
Will Ashley be able to trust her soon to be ex-husband? He seems desperate for her to sign papers. I wonder what devious scheme he has? Can Austin protect Ashley when her life is in danger? I loved how the community came together to help Ashley and Mama Lou. It was refreshing to see how much people care for one another and are willing to help at a moments notice. You don't want to miss this heart pounding story as danger draws close and faith holds people together.
I received a copy of this book from the author and The BookClub Network. The review is my own opinion.
Ashley has come to take care of her grandmother that is quite ill. I loved the care Ashley showed and the unconditional love she has for her grandmother. Mama Lou is one tough lady and doesn't slow down even though she is going through a hard illness. I loved her giving heart and how much she loved the pig Beulah. Beulah is a special pig and I loved how special she was to Ashley and Mama Lou. Ashley has more than she can handle when her husband leaves her, drains all the accounts and springs a shocking surprise on her. I was very impressed with how strong Ashley was and handled her problems with faith . She has a special relationship with her grandmother that I adored.
Austin is a wonderful character who has a lot on his shoulders. He is trying to keep the ranch going, raising his son and running a roofing business. When Austin comes to redo Mama Lou's roof subtle sparks start flying between him and Ashley. I loved how the author brought them together and slowly developed their relationship. Things start looking up for Ashley and her grandmother until a tragedy strikes. I loved how unexpected the story turned and brought intense drama and intrigue. I didn't see it coming but it sure was an exciting ride.
Will Ashley be able to trust her soon to be ex-husband? He seems desperate for her to sign papers. I wonder what devious scheme he has? Can Austin protect Ashley when her life is in danger? I loved how the community came together to help Ashley and Mama Lou. It was refreshing to see how much people care for one another and are willing to help at a moments notice. You don't want to miss this heart pounding story as danger draws close and faith holds people together.
I received a copy of this book from the author and The BookClub Network. The review is my own opinion.
Saturday, March 25, 2017
MARRYING JONAH by AMY LILLARD
What a beautiful and emotional story the author has written. I love everything about her writing. She makes the characters so real you feel a part of the story. The author delivers a powerful story about a young couple filled with turmoil , pride and forgiveness. I enjoyed the depth of emotions that the author explored with the characters. Some may think that the Amish have a simple life with no problems but through the authors eyes she shows us real problems that couples face even among the Amish.
Sarah has loved Jonah forever it seems. She has always dreamed of being with him, but his heart has always belonged to Lorie. It is hard for Sarah to see them together but she must face the harsh truth that Jonah is in love with Lorie. I loved Sarah and thought she was a great character. I felt sad for her as she yearned for Jonah. Have you ever loved someone and they didn't feel the same way?
Jonah thought everything was great between him and Lorie. It must have been a shock to find out that the love of his life has run off with someone else. His heart is broken and knows he has to try to get over Lorie. One evening he runs into Sarah and their lives are changed forever. Have you ever done something you wish you could go back and undo? For Sarah and Jonah they have no choice but to marry. Sarah should be happy that she is marrying Jonah, but she feels little happiness on her wedding day.
As they adjust to married life tragedy strikes. It is a very emotional time for the couple and Sarah especially is having a difficult time. I was surprised how Sarah became so distant from Jonah and seemed to decide that he didn't love her. The author really does a great job of letting Sarah experience different emotions . I must say I was a bit sad as I read how this couple struggled with their feelings. Sarah seemed especially hard on Jonah and I wanted to tell her to stop being so stubborn. One of the things Sarah and Jonah lacked was communication and I loved how the author made that a focal point in the story.
It is a very touching and at times heartbreaking story. Will Sarah and Jonah stay together? Can they get past their pride and share their feelings with each other? You don't want to miss this story that shows how a couple struggles with their marriage and through prayer and guidance will try to find their way to forgiveness and reconciliation.
I received a copy of this book from the author. The review is my own opinion.
Sarah has loved Jonah forever it seems. She has always dreamed of being with him, but his heart has always belonged to Lorie. It is hard for Sarah to see them together but she must face the harsh truth that Jonah is in love with Lorie. I loved Sarah and thought she was a great character. I felt sad for her as she yearned for Jonah. Have you ever loved someone and they didn't feel the same way?
Jonah thought everything was great between him and Lorie. It must have been a shock to find out that the love of his life has run off with someone else. His heart is broken and knows he has to try to get over Lorie. One evening he runs into Sarah and their lives are changed forever. Have you ever done something you wish you could go back and undo? For Sarah and Jonah they have no choice but to marry. Sarah should be happy that she is marrying Jonah, but she feels little happiness on her wedding day.
As they adjust to married life tragedy strikes. It is a very emotional time for the couple and Sarah especially is having a difficult time. I was surprised how Sarah became so distant from Jonah and seemed to decide that he didn't love her. The author really does a great job of letting Sarah experience different emotions . I must say I was a bit sad as I read how this couple struggled with their feelings. Sarah seemed especially hard on Jonah and I wanted to tell her to stop being so stubborn. One of the things Sarah and Jonah lacked was communication and I loved how the author made that a focal point in the story.
It is a very touching and at times heartbreaking story. Will Sarah and Jonah stay together? Can they get past their pride and share their feelings with each other? You don't want to miss this story that shows how a couple struggles with their marriage and through prayer and guidance will try to find their way to forgiveness and reconciliation.
I received a copy of this book from the author. The review is my own opinion.
Friday, March 24, 2017
BLOG TOUR AND 5-BOOK GIVEAWAY
The next book to keep you up way past your bedtime? Shelley Shepard Gray’s Her Secret, a suspenseful tale of a young Amish woman who is forced to move to a new town to escape a threatening stalker. Just as Hannah is finally settling into her new life, and perhaps finding a new love with Isaac (the friendly Amish man who lives next door), more secrets are revealed and tragedy strikes. Hannah must decide if she should run again or dare to fight for the future she has found in Hart County.
Enter to win a copy of Her Secret. Five winners will be chosen! Click the image below to enter to win. The winners will be announced April 3rd on the Litfuse blog!
 About the book:
A suspenseful tale of a young Amish woman who is forced to move to a new town to escape a threatening stalker
After a stalker went too far, Hannah Hilty and her family had no choice but to leave the bustling Amish community where she grew up. Now she's getting a fresh start in Hart County, Kentucky...if only she wasn't too scared to take it. Hannah has become afraid to trust anyone-even Isaac, the friendly Amish man who lives next door. She wonders if she'll ever return to the trusting, easy-going woman she once was.
For Isaac Troyer, the beautiful girl he teasingly called "The Recluse" confuses him like no other. When he learns of her past, he knows he's misjudged her. However, he also understands the importance of being grateful for God's gifts, and wonders if they will ever have anything in common. But as Hannah and Isaac slowly grow closer, they realize that there's always more to someone than meets the eye.
Just as Hannah is finally settling into her new life, and perhaps finding a new love, more secrets are revealed and tragedy strikes. Now Hannah must decide if she should run again or dare to fight for the future she has found in Hart County.
About the author:
Shelley Shepard Gray is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time HOLT Medallion winner. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town's bike trail.
Wow! Wow! Wow! That is my first thought after reading this intriguing book from a master of storytelling. The author is well versed in anything Amish and it shows in the details of her characters. I love how she makes them come to life with vivid details. The author not only gives us a glimpse into the Amish life , but writes a story that is emotional and heartpounding. We sometimes think the Amish live a peaceful life where they hardly face tragedy. What happens when an Englisher becomes obsessed with an Amish girl? Get ready for one powerful story that at times will leave you shaking as you scream at the character to run for safety.
Hannah and her family live on a working farm with a big house that is surrounded by a beautiful porch that invites people to sit and relax. The family is content until one day they must do something to protect Hannah from a stalker. I can't imagine the terror that Hannah felt as she knew she was being watched. Letters would be sent to her house along with pictures that would give her panic attacks. The only solution her parents think to do is sell their farm and move far away. Did they make the right decision?
I loved the typical reaction from her brother and sister when they were uprooted from their home. Jenny and Ben are not happy in their new home. It is quite a bit smaller and they blame Hannah for being uprooted. They left their friends and now must start over in a place that isn't as pleasant as their farm. Jenny is a great character and I loved how she and Hannah tried to work things out as sisters. Is it fair to blame Hannah for the move?
When Hannah meets Isaac she is not pleased to see him. She is very guarded and takes everything he says the wrong way. I loved how the author slowly developed their relationship and loved how protective Isaac was of Hannah. Throughout the book several characters pray and ask God for wisdom and protection. I think sometimes we forget to do that when we are in the middle of a crisis.
What I really loved about the book was how the author showed how keeping secrets can hurt others, and make it hard to trust anyone. I loved the multi layered story of the stalker and secrets within Hannah's family that intertwine and keeps readers on the edge of their seats. What secrets will be exposed? Will Hannah's stalker find her ? This book is high on my list for best New Christian Fiction/ Amish/ Intrigue of 2017.
I received a copy of this book from LitFuse Publicity. The review is my own opinion.
Blog Tour Schedule:
3/14
Billy | Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer
Cheryl | cherylbbookblog
Debra | 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too !
Gayle | BOOKS REVIEWS ETC
Jalynn | A Simple Life, really?!
Margaret | Frugal Shopping and More
Nancy | sunny island breezes
Stacey | Books,Dreams,Life
Zac | Buy, Borrow, Skip
3/15
Britney | Buzzing About Books
Colleen | ColleenRichman.com
Connie | Greenford Christian Church Library
Elisha | Rainy Day Reviews
Jennifer | Mother of Three
Kelly | God's Writer Girl
Laura | Lighthouse Academy
Leah | As We Walk Along the Road
Margaret | The World As I See It
Mary | The Mary Book Reader
Megan | Pursuing Intentional Living
3/16
Annie | Just Commonly
Hallie | Book by Book
Karen | Ting's Mom Books
Kav | Best Reads (2010-2014)
Julia | Christian Bookaholic
3/17
Dianna | Savings in Seconds
JoJo | JoJo's Corner
Lena Nelson Dooley | A Christian Writer's World
Patty | tammycookblogsbooks
3/18
Nicki | Confessions of a Teenage Bookworm
Pam | Southern Gal Loves to Read
3/19
Carla | Working Mommy Journal
3/20
Amy | A Nest in the Rocks
Denise | Ramblings of a California Couponer
Joy | Splashes of Joy
Kelly | Leafy Not Beefy
3/21
Angela | A Busy Mom of Two
Athena | The Loose Screw
Brandi | She Revelation Blog & Trendy But True Reviews
Rachel | EmpowerMoms
3/22
Brittany | Britt Reads Fiction
Keri | My Table of Three
Maureen | Maureen's Musings
3/23
Amanda | Inklings and Notions
Carrie | Reading Is My SuperPower
Kristie | Moments
3/24
Alison | Nova frugal family
Carol | Buttercup Counts Her Blessings
Deana | Texas Book-aholic
Donna | Donna's BookShelf
Heather | Misadventures of the Dynamic Uno
Kathleen | Reviews From The Heart
Kim | Window To My World
Stephanie | Have A Wonderful Day
3/25
Julie | More Of Him
Lizzie | A Dusty Frame
Renn | Heart to Heart Books
Jennifer | Jen Around the World
3/26
Mitzi | A Niche to Find
3/27
Andrea | The Young Who Loved Books
Barbara | I'm Hooked on Gooks
Debi | 2014 and Beyond!
Kelly | Simply Kelina
LeAnne | Rockin' My Mom Jeans
Lisa | Seeking with all yur heart
Renee | Little Homeschool on the Prairie
Shonda | The Knowlton Nest
3/28
Andrea | Two points of interest
Cathy | Two Girls and a Book
Sherry | My Journey Back
Kemi | Homemaking Organized
3/29
Marianne | Reviewing Novels Online
Mindy | A Room Without Books is Empty
Meagan | Meagan Davenport
3/30
Heidi | Heidi Reads...
Vicky | 1961
Wendy | Wall-to-wall books
3/31
Amy | Pause for Tales
Becky | Living Outside the Lines
Bethany | The Perfect beginnings
Brittanie | A book lover
Jeremy | Christian Fiction Addiction
Kristin | A Simply Enchanted Life
Leslie | Did you hear about the Morgans?
Melina | Melina's Book Blog
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