31 October 2014

The Tudor Vendetta by C.W. Gortner


About the Book

Goodreads | Amazon

Winter, 1558: Elizabeth I has ascended the throne but the first days of her reign are already fraught with turmoil, the kingdom weakened by strife and her ability to rule uncertain.

Summoned from exile abroad at the new queen’s behest, Brendan Prescott arrives in London to face his shattered past. He soon finds himself pitted in deadly rivalry with his life-long foe, Robert Dudley, but when a poison attempt overshadows the queen’s coronation, Elizabeth privately dispatches Brendan on a far more dangerous assignation: to find her favored lady-in-waiting, Lady Parry, who has vanished in Yorkshire.

Upon his arrival at the crumbling sea-side manor that may hold the key to Lady Parry’s disappearance, he encounters a strange, impoverished family beset by grief, as well as mounting evidence that they hide a secret from him. The mystery surrounding Lady Parry deepens as Brendan begins to realize there is far more going on at the manor than meets the eye, but the closer he gets to the heart of the mystery, the more he becomes the quarry of an elusive stranger with a vendetta— one that could expose both his own buried identity and a long-hidden revelation that will bring about Elizabeth’s doom.

From the intrigue-laden passages of Whitehall to a foreboding Catholic manor and the prisons of the Tower, Brendan must risk everything to unravel a vendetta that strikes at the very core of his world, including his loyalty to his queen.

I seem to be saying this a lot recently, but once again, I read a book without reading the first novels in its series – but luckily, once again, for me it was completely readable and understandable despite a bit of an initial learning curve. All this to say, I really enjoyed The Tudor Vendetta by C.W. Gortner, and readers who have not read either of the Spymaster Chronicles still should not hesitate to pick it up. The historical aspect tied with plenty of intrigue and mystery first drew me to the novel and then kept me turning the pages. Gortner brings the history of sixteenth-century England to life in this addicting story with great characters and puzzling situations. It is well-written and surprising, and I think fans of historical fiction and mystery will definitely enjoy it. Now, as per usual, I’m curious to go back and read the previous novels in the series, The Tudor Secret and The Tudor Conspiracy. I can’t wait for the chance to read another story by C.W. Gortner.

Thanks to Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours, I received a copy of The Tudor Vendetta and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

About the Author
C.W. Gortner holds an MFA in Writing with an emphasis in Renaissance Studies from the New College of California, as well as an AA from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in San Francisco.

After an eleven year-long career in fashion, during which he worked as a vintage retail buyer, freelance publicist, and fashion show coordinator, C.W. devoted the next twelve years to the public health sector. In 2012, he became a full-time writer following the international success of his novels.

In his extensive travels to research his books, he has danced a galliard at Hampton Court, learned about organic gardening at Chenoceaux, and spent a chilly night in a ruined Spanish castle. His books have garnered widespread acclaim and been translated into twenty-one languages to date, with over 400,000 copies sold. A sought-after public speaker. C.W. has given keynote addresses at writer conferences in the US and abroad. He is also a dedicated advocate for animal rights, in particular companion animal rescue to reduce shelter overcrowding.

C.W. recently completed his fourth novel for Ballantine Books, about Lucrezia Borgia; the third novel in his Tudor Spymaster series for St Martin’s Press; and a new novel about the dramatic, glamorous life of Coco Chanel, scheduled for lead title publication by William Morrow, Harper Collins, in the spring of 2015.

Half-Spanish by birth and raised in southern Spain, C.W. now lives in Northern California with his partner and two very spoiled rescue cats.

For more information please visit C.W. Gortner’s website and blog. You can also connect with him on FacebookTwitterGoodreadsPinterest, and YouTube.


To win a complete set of CW Gortner’s Spymaster Chronicles Trilogy please complete the Rafflecopter giveaway form below. Giveaway is open to US residents only.

Giveaway ends at 11:59pm on November 28th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
Winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter on November 29th and notified via email.
Winner have 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.
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30 October 2014

Becoming Bea by Leslie Gould

Leslie Gould is back with the latest book, Becoming Bea, in her Shakespeare-inspired series, The Courtships of Lancaster County. Don't miss the other books in the series, Courting Cate (retelling of The Taming of the Shrew), Adoring Addie (inspired by Romeo and Juliet), and Minding Molly (inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream).

Leslie is celebrating the series with a Kindle giveaway and a Facebook party on November 11th.


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One grand prize winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire
  • One copy each of the entire The Courtships of Lancaster County series: Courting CateAdoring Addie, Minding Molly, and Becoming Bea.
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 11/11. Winner will be announced at Leslie's 11/11 Becoming Bea Facebook author chat party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Leslie and Amish fiction fans, as well as for a chance to win some great prizes!

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{NOT ON FACEBOOK? ENTER HERE.}

RSVP today and spread the word - tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK, TWITTER or PINTEREST and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 11th!

About the Book

Goodreads | Amazon
Can Bea and Ben turn rivalry into romance?

Beatrice Zook knows God wants her to learn patience toward others. When assisting a family overwhelmed by triplets proves surprisingly successful, her confidence in dealing with others, both young and old, grows.

One person she'll never be able to find peace with though is Ben Rupp. They've known each other forever, and Ben understands precisely how to antagonize her. What neither she nor Ben will admit is that beneath all their bickering, attraction awaits. When friends decide to try and bring the couple together, will the pair be able to find true love? Or will they damage their relationship beyond repair?

In looking at my recent reading trend, I realized I’m quickly becoming a reader of Amish fiction – which I never expected or planned. But, how could I resist a book based on Much Ado About Nothing, my absolute favorite Shakespearean play? I don’t think it was possible… And of course, I completely and utterly enjoyed Becoming Bea by Leslie Gould. It was such a treat to read. I had so much fun watching Bea and Ben with their tenuous relationship and great banter. The romance, developing and growing, is completely sweet and just good to read. Fans of Amish fiction will be delighted with Gould’s newest novel – I know I can’t wait to read more from Leslie Gould now. (I haven’t read the other novels in her Courtships of Lancaster County series, but Becoming Bea can easily stand alone.)

Thanks to LitFuse Publicity Group, I received a copy of Becoming Bea and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. To read other opinions, be sure to check out what other reviewers think here.

About the Author
Leslie Gould is the coauthor, with Mindy Starns Clark, of the #1 CBA bestseller The Amish Midwife, a 2012 Christy Award winner; ECPA bestseller Courting Cate, first in the Courtships of Lancaster County series; and Beyond the Blue, winner of the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice for Best Inspirational Novel, 2006. She holds an MFA in creative writing from Portland State University and has taught fiction writing at Multnomah University as an adjunct professor. She and her familyl live in Portland, Oregon.

Learn more about Leslie at her website, Facebook and Twitter.

29 October 2014

Waiting on Wednesday: The Bracelet

Hosted weekly by Breaking the Spine 
to spotlight eagerly-anticipated upcoming releases.

Goodreads | Amazon
Title: The Bracelet
Author: Dorothy Love
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Expected Publication Date: 9 December 2014

The mystery surrounding Celia's home in Savannah threatens her family reputation... and her very life.

Celia Browning is counting the days until her childhood sweetheart Sutton Mackay returns to Savannah after two years in Jamaica looking after his family's shipping interests. She's certain he will propose marriage, thus joining two of the city's most prominent families. But just as Sutton returns, an unsavory newspaper reporter arrives in town, determined to revive interest in the secret tragedies that occurred in the Browning mansion on Madison Square when Celia was a child.

A series of mysterious notes arrives at the house, followed by an anonymous gift – a bracelet imbued with a sinister message. Is it merely a coincidence, or is someone out to harm her?

As war clouds gather over Savannah and her beloved father's health worsens, Celia determines to uncover the truth about what really happened all those years ago.

Inspired by actual events in one of Savannah's most prominent 19th-century families, The Bracelet combines romance, rich historical detail, and breathtaking suspense as one young woman embarks upon a dangerous quest to free herself from her family's tragic past.

Why I'm Waiting: I love historical fiction filled with romance and mystery. Plus, I really enjoyed the last Dorothy Love novel I read, Carolina Gold.

28 October 2014

A Dream of Home by Amy Clipston


Goodreads | Amazon
When she moves to Amish country to find peace and healing, Madeleine finds a special community – and a special man – who pull her out of her solitude into a new life.

Moving to Pennsylvania wasn’t in Madeleine’s original plans. She should still be in California and should have married her pilot fiancé a year ago – but death has a way of changing everything. Now the former Air Force flight nurse is living alone in Paradise, Pennsylvania, and working as a maid at the Lancaster Grand Hotel. She isn’t exactly a widow… but she sure feels like one.

Saul Beiler isn’t exactly a widower… but his wife is long gone. His six-year-old daughter, Emma, doesn’t know that her mother fled the Amish community – and married another man – but she does know that her dat is lonely, and that a pretty young maedel just moved in next door. Madeline’s numb heart begins to thaw as she spends more time with the innocent and ever optimistic Emma. The stronger her friendship grows with the young girl, the more intrigued Madeline grows about the humble, strong, man raising her on his own.

But even as a strange attraction pulls Saul and Madeleine across a stark cultural divide, they – and everybody else – have to wonder: What could they possibly have in common besides heartache? Will love allow Madeleine to finally find the home she’s been dreaming of all along?

As can be expected of Amish fiction, Amy Clipston’s A Dream of Home offers a sweet, clean romance with endearing characters and encouraging themes of faith, family and home. Madeleine and Saul have both been left brokenhearted from previous relationships and together, their growth and healing create a fascinating, heartwarming journey, mixing Amish and Englisch, throwing in a few twists and turns for good measure. Fans of Amish fiction – don’t skip over A Dream of Home.

However, I should give a fair warning: as the third novel in the Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel, A Dream of Home has many appearances from previous main characters, as well as references to their stories – which I am sure that fans of the series will definitely enjoy. Since I have not read either of the previous novels, I was confused at times – but I just kept reading and eventually I put enough pieces together to sufficiently understand the backgrounds and the roles of these characters in the newest story. And though this certainly provided a bit of challenge in my reading, it did not detract in any way from my enjoyment of A Dream of Home. So, readers new to the series should not be afraid to pick up this third novel (though it could be a good idea to start at the beginning. I know I’m eager to go back and read A Hopeful Heart and A Mother’s Secret now.) Overall, Cliptston’s A Dream of Home is a great novel for any Amish-fiction reader and I would recommend it.

Thanks to BookLook Bloggers, I received a copy of A Dream of Home and the opportunity to honestly review it. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. (I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)

About the Author
Amy Clipston is the award-winning and best-selling author of the Kauffman Amish Bakery series. Her novels have hit multiple best-seller lists including CBD, CBA, and ECPA. Amy holds a degree in communication from Virginia Wesleyan College and works full-time for the City of Charlotte, NC. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, and four spoiled rotten cats.

27 October 2014

The Promise by Beth Wiseman

In a daring new novel, Beth Wiseman jumps way outside the box. The Promise will take readers far away from Amish country and small Texas towns to a dangerous place on the other side of the world. Inspired by actual events, this is the book Beth has been working toward for a long time.

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Curious? Click here to read the reviews, and be sure to enter Beth's Kindle HDX giveaway!

One grand prize winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire HDX
  • The Promise by Beth Wiseman
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 9th. Winner will be announced November 10th here.

promise-enterbanner

About the Book

Goodreads | Amazon
Mallory Hammond is determined not to let her boyfriend, parents, or anyone else get in the way of her #1 goal – to save a life. She had that chance when she was a teenager, and the opportunity slipped away, leaving a void she's desperate to fill. Then a new friend she met online offers her the chance she's dreamed of. But she'll have to leave behind everyone she loves to take it.

Tate Webber has loved Mallory for years. He understands that Mallory's free spirit has to fly, and when he gives her the space she needs, he hopes that when she lands, the two of them will be in the same place and can marry at last.

In a bold move – and with lots of resistance from Tate and those closest to her – Mallory decides to travel across the world to fulfill her dream. Tate begs her not to go, but Mallory embarks on the dangerous journey to Pakistan anyway, only to discover how swiftly and easily promises can be broken. Her new friend isn't who he says he is. And Mallory can only pray she'll make it out alive.


Prior to reading The Promise, I had only experienced novellas by Beth Wiseman (“A July Bride” and “When Christmas Comes Again” – both thoroughly enjoyable, by the way), so I was very interested to see what she could do in a full-length novel. And Wiseman’s The Promise definitely satisfied my curiosity and left me completely impressed. An excellently engaging story so different than the ones I usually read, it has even more to offer than the intriguing back-of-the-book blurb gives away – and is incredibly based on true events, too. Wow. I had no idea that the sort of deception and manipulation Mallory experiences actually happens, and that is utterly mind-boggling. On more than one occasion, my heart broke for Mallory, who just wants to do a good deed, and her unfortunate circumstances. Her journey is emotional, heartfelt and culturally fascinating and I couldn’t stop reading until I knew how it ends. Incredibly worth a read, The Promise is a book I would recommend. Read it.

Thanks to LitFuse Publicity Group, I received a copy of The Promise and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. To read other opinions, be sure to check out what other reviewers think here.

About the Author
Beth Wiseman is a Carol Award Winner, Inspirational Readers Choice Winner, INSPY Winner, and the best-selling author of the Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaan series. All of her books have held spots on the ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) bestseller list and the CBA (Christian Book Association) bestseller list. She grew up in Houston, Texas and now resides in a small town west of Houston with a population of around 300. She lives with her husband, two dogs, two cats, two pot-bellied pigs, two chickens and a pygmy goat. Her two grown sons also live in Texas. Beth has been writing in some capacity for most of her life. She's a former award-winning journalist with eleven honors, including 'First Place News Writing' for The Texas Press Association. However, writing love stories with a spiritual message is where her heart is. When Beth isn't writing (which is seldom these days) she enjoys traveling, cooking, fishing, reading, or just settling in for a good movie. Her best times are spent with family and friends! 

Find Beth online at her website.

25 October 2014

A Promise to Protect by Patricia Bradley

About the Book

Goodreads | Amazon
In a steamy small town riddled with broken promises, one woman's secret could change everything.

Acting Sheriff Ben Logan hasn't heard from Leigh Somerall in a very long time, but it doesn't mean he can get her – or their whirlwind romance of ten years ago – out of his head. When she calls out of the blue, it is with a strange request to protect her brother, Tony. But all too soon, Ben is charged with a different task – protecting Leigh from the people after her brother. With Leigh doing everything in her power to avoid Ben, it's no easy task. And the secret she is keeping just may change their lives forever.

Romantic suspense is one of those genres that wasn’t really on my radar until recently with Nowhere to Turn, Deceived and now Patricia Bradley’s A Promise to Protect – and I think I can safely say it’s quickly becoming one of my favorites. So much drama and suspense just pushes me to spend much more time reading than I plan – sitting on the edge of my seat, of course. It’s hard to put a book of this genre down, which was certainly the case with A Promise to Protect. What an intense story. I loved both the main characters, Leigh and Ben (though there were moments they frustrated me with a lack of communication), and as they continued to find themselves in dangerous, life-threatening situations, I couldn’t wait to see what would happen. Bradley crafts quite a ride, full of twists and turns, in this second Logan Point novel with plenty of added romance. (And don’t worry – though it’s second in the series, A Promise to Protect can easily be read as a standalone.) Fans of romantic suspense won’t want to miss this novel. It’s a good one.

Thanks to Revell Reads, I received a copy of A Promise to Protect and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

About the Author
Patricia Bradley is the winner of a 2012 Daphne du Maurier Award and a 2012 Touched by Love Award and was also a finalist for the 2012 Genesis Award. The author of Shadows of the Past, she is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. Bradley makes her home in Mississippi. Learn more at her website.

24 October 2014

Buttermilk Sky by Jan Watson


Goodreads | Amazon
Weary of the expectations imposed on her by her strict upbringing, eighteen-year-old Mazy Pelfrey prepares to leave her home in the Kentucky mountains for the genteel city of Lexington, where she'll attend secretarial school. She knows her life is about to change – and only for the better. Everything will be blue skies from now on.

But business school is harder than she thought it would be and the big city not as friendly, until she meets a charming young man from a wealthy family, Loyal Chambers. When Loyal sets his sights on her, Mazy begins to see that everything she'd ever wished to have is right before her eyes. The only hindrance to her budding romance is a former beau, Chanis Clay, the young sheriff she thought she'd left firmly behind.

Danger rumbles like thunder on a high mountain ridge when Mazy's cosseted past collides with her clouded future and forces her to come to terms with what she really wants.

Jan Watson’s Buttermilk Sky is an all-around heartwarming story. Largely a character-driven novel, its characters face realistically challenging problems and decisions and I really enjoyed seeing the process of growth and choice. I loved the slower pace of the novel, which was a nice change for me to read. And as Mazy, Chanis, Loyal and the rest of the characters interact, I was particularly intrigued by the way Watson highlights the differences between city life and rural life. A great story of romance and faith, Buttermilk Sky is well-told and entertaining. I would recommend it to readers of historical romance looking for a nice read.

Thanks to Tyndale BlogNetwork, I received a copy of Buttermilk Sky and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

23 October 2014

The Brickmaker's Bride by Judith Miller

Don't miss Judith Miller's latest novel, The Brickmaker's Bride. CBA Retailers + Resources raves, "...a wonderful story about faith and love throughout life’s trials."

Judith is celebrating with a Kindle HDX giveaway and  a "Refined by Love" Facebook author event on November 4th.

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 One winner will receive:
  • A Kindle HDX
  • The Brickmaker's Bride by Judith Miller
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 4th. Winner will be announced at the Refined by Love Facebook Author Event. Connect with Judith for a fascinating evening centered around her new Civil War-era series. She'll be hosting a book club discussion, giving away prizes, answering your questions, offering an exclusive peek at the next book in the Refined by Love series, and much more!

So grab your copy of The Brickmaker's Bride and join Judith and friends on the evening of November 4th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

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Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by signing up for a reminder. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 4th!

About the Book

Goodreads | Amazon
Yearning for a fresh start, Ewan McKay travels with his aunt and unvle from northern Scotland to West Virginia, promising to trade his skills in the clay business for financial assistance from his uncle Hugh. Hugh purchases a brickmaking operation from a Civil War widow and her daughter, but it's Ewan who gets the business up and running again. Ewan seeks help from Laura, the former owner's daughter, and he feels a connection with her, but she's being courted by another man – a lawyer with far more social clout and money than Ewan. Besides, Ewan has resolved he'll focus on making the brickmaking operation enough of a success that he can become a partner in the business and be able to afford to bring his sisters over from Scotland.

But when Hugh signs a bad business deal, all Ewan's hard work may come to naught. As his plans begin to crumble, Laura reveals something surprising. She and her mother may have a way to save the brickworks, and in turn Ewan may have another shot at winning Laura's heart.

The Brickmaker’s Bride is the first novel I have read by Judith Miller, and as a huge fan of historical romance, I really enjoyed it. Laura and Ewan are two noble, hard-working main characters, and I easily and determinedly hoped for their happy ending, especially as surrounding characters seemed to frustratingly thwart their every effort. Additionally, around these characters, Miller weaves in fascinating snippets of history from post-Civil War West Virginia and brickmaking. It held my attention from start to finish, and I think other fans of historical romance with enjoy The Brickmaker’s Bride, too. It’s a good read. Now, I look forward to seeing what Miller has planned next for her Refined by Love series.

Thanks to LitFuse Publicity Group, I received a copy of The Brickmaker’s Bride and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. To read other opinions, be sure to check out what other reviewers think here.

About the Author
Judith Miller is an award-winning author whose avid research and love for history are reflected in her bestselling novels. When time permits, Judy enjoys traveling, visiting historical settings, and scrapbooking the photographs from her travel expeditions. She makes her home in Topeka, Kansas.

Find Judith online at her websiteFacebook and Twitter.

22 October 2014

Waiting on Wednesday: The Secret of Pembrooke Park

Hosted weekly by Breaking the Spine 
to spotlight eagerly-anticipated upcoming releases.

Goodreads | Amazon
Title: The Secret of Pembrooke Park
Author: Julie Klassen
Publisher: Bethany House
Expected Publication Date: 2 December 2014

Abigail Foster fears she will end up a spinster, especially as she has little dowry to improve her charms and the one man she thought might marry her – a longtime friend – has fallen for her younger, prettier sister. 

When financial problems force her family to sell their London home, a strange solicitor arrives with an astounding offer: the use of a distant manor house abandoned for eighteen years. The Fosters journey to imposing Pembrooke Park and are startled to find it entombed as it was abruptly left: tea cups encrusted with dry tea, moth-eaten clothes in wardrobes, a doll's house left mid-play… 

The handsome local curate welcomes them, but though he and his family seem to know something about the manor's past, the only information they offer Abigail is a warning: Beware trespassers who may be drawn by rumors that Pembrooke contains a secret room filled with treasure. 

Hoping to improve her family's financial situation, Abigail surreptitiously searches for the hidden room, but the arrival of anonymous letters addressed to her, with clues about the room and the past, bring discoveries even more startling. As secrets come to light, will Abigail find the treasure and love she seeks...or very real danger?

Why I'm Waiting: I've just loved everything I've read by Julie Klassen. She has written some great stories, and this Goodreads blurb sounds like she has another great one to come.

21 October 2014

Top Ten Tuesday: New Series I Want to Start

Hosted weekly by The Broke and the Bookish.

Starbound by Amie Kaufman.
The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer.


The Grisha by Leigh Bardugo.
Anomaly by Krista McGee.


The Ballantyne Legacy by Laura Frantz.
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas.


Books of the Infinite by R.J. Larson.
The Staff and the Sword by Patrick W. Carr.


Ladies of Caldwell County by Regina Jennings.
The Darlings by Carre Armstrong Gardner.

20 October 2014

The Princess Spy by Melanie Dickerson


Goodreads | Amazon
Margaretha has always been a romantic, and she 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.

Unable to pass his message on to her father, the duke, Margaretha convinces herself “Lord Colin” is just an addled stranger. But when Colin asks her to spy on Claybrook as repayment for retrieving a lost heirloom, Margaretha discovers that she might be very wrong about both Colin and her potential betrothed.

After reading The Captive Maiden earlier this year, I eagerly waited for the chance to get my hands on Melanie Dickerson’s newest novel, The Princess Spy. I always enjoy a fairytale retelling, and Dickerson’s stories are particularly excellent. And now, after finishing The Princess Spy, I can easily say that once again, there is nothing not to love. With sweetly developing romance, heart-stopping adventure and an encouraging message of good triumphing over evil, it has a bit of everything and offers a quite entertaining narrative. The central characters – Margaretha, with her innocent, endearing chatter and fierce desire to protect her family, and Colin, the addled yet determined foreigner – are lovable, valiant, a bit reckless and easy to cheer towards a happy ending. From the start, they pulled me into their story and I couldn’t stop reading. Overall, The Princess Spy is a great read and I highly recommend it for fans of fairytale retellings.

Thanks to BookLook Bloggers, I received a copy of The Princess Spy and the opportunity to honestly review it. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. (I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)

About the Author
Melanie Dickerson is the author of The Healer’s Apprentice, a Christy Award finalist and winner of the National Reader’s Choice Award for Best First Book. Melanie earned a bachelor’s degree in special education from the University of Alabama and has been a teacher and a missionary. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Huntsville, Alabama.

18 October 2014

Stolen: The True Story of a Sex Trafficking Survivor by Katariina Rosenblatt, PhD with Cecil Murphey

About the Book

Goodreads | Amazon
There is hope, even on the darkest of days.

Katariina Rosenblatt was a lonely and abused young girl, yearning to be loved, wanting attention. That made her the perfect target. On an ordinary day, she met a confident young woman – someone Kat wished she could be like – who pretended to be a friend while slowly luring her into a child trafficking ring. A cycle of false friendships, threats, drugs, and violence kept her trapped.

As Kat shares her harrowing experiences, her ultimate escape, and her passionate efforts to now free other victims, you'll see that not only is sex trafficking happening frighteningly close to home – it’s also something that can be stopped. Stolen is a warning, a celebration of survival, and a beacon of hope that will inspire you.

Stolen by Katariina Rosenblatt, with Cecil Murphey, is the story of an abuse-filled past, including sex trafficking and domestic violence, and subsequent hope-filled escape and recovery. Rosenblatt presents her story vulnerably and bravely and as I read, I ached for the child she was and then cheered for the woman she gradually became. Her experiences speak of a very real, near-than-you-think problem, and in sharing these experiences, Rosenblatt makes great strides in increasing awareness of that problem. Stolen is eye-opening, astonishing and powerful and I highly recommend it. It is definitely worth a read.

Thanks to Revell Reads, I received a copy of Stolen and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

About the Authors
Katariina Rosenblatt, LLM, PhD, is living proof of the promise she heard long ago at a Billy Graham crusade that God would never forsake her. Katariina has a PhD in conflict analysis and resolution and an LLM graduate law degree in intercultural human rights, and she works closely with law enforcement agencies such as the FBI and Homeland Security to eliminate human slavery. She also founded Stolen Ones – There Is H.O.P.E. For Me, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to freeing other victims of human trafficking. For more information, visit www.StolenOnes.com. She lives in Florida.

Cecil Murphey has written or coauthored more than 130 books, including the bestselling 90 Minutes in Heaven with Don Piper and the autobiography of Franklin Graham, Rebel with a Cause. He was a collaborator on the bestseller Gifted Hands with Dr. Ben Carson. Cecil resides in Georgia.

17 October 2014

A Lady at Willowgrove Hall by Sarah E. Ladd

Award-winning author Sarah E. Ladd examines how to escape the clutches of a tainted past in the final installment of her Whispers on the Moor series. A Regency-era novel, A Lady at Willowgrove Hall cleverly shows that even though our pasts may be shameful or painful, God can take the darkest personal histories and turn them into the brightest futures.

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Celebrate with Sarah by entering her Kindle HDX giveaway!
One grand prize winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire HDX
  • A Lady at Willowgrove Hall by Sarah E. Ladd
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 2nd. Winner will be announced November 3rd here.

ladywillowgrove-enterbanner

About the Book

Goodreads | Amazon
Her secret cloaks her in isolation and loneliness.
His secret traps him in a life that is not his own.

Cecily Faire carries the shame of her past wherever she treads, knowing one slip of the tongue could strip away everything she holds dear. But soon after accepting the position of lady's companion at Willowgrove Hall, Cecily finds herself face-to-face with a man well-acquainted with the past she's desperately hidden for years.

Nathaniel Stanton has a secret of his own – one that has haunted him from birth and tied him to his father's position as steward of Willowgrove. To protect his family, Nathaniel dares not breathe a word of the truth. But as long as the shadow looms over him, he'll never be free to find his own way in the world. He'll never be free to fall in love.

When the secrets swirling within Willowgrove Hall come to light, Cecily and Nathaniel must confront a painful choice: Will they continue running from the past… or will they stand together and build a future without the suffocating weight of secrets long suffered?

I have not read either of the previous novels in Sarah E. Ladd’s Whispers on the Moors series, but in no way did that hinder my enjoyment of reading A Lady at Willowgrove Hall. (In fact, now I can’t wait to pick up The Heiress of Winterwood and The Headmistress of Rosemere.) I love a good Regency-era novel and this new one by Ladd is certainly a fantastic one. Within well-detailed scenery and situations, both Cecily Faire and Nathaniel Stanton come to life with genuineness and realism as each deals with the secrets of the past in order to face and embrace the future. The story is sweet, charming and heartwarming, so naturally, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I recommend A Lady at Willowgrove Hall for fans of Regency-era novels.

Thanks to LitFuse Publicity Group, I received a copy of A Lady at Willowgrove Hall and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. To read other opinions, be sure to check out what other reviewers think here.

About the Author
Sarah E. Ladd has more than ten years of marketing experience. She is a graduate of Ball State University and holds degrees in public relations and marketing. The Heiress of Winterwood was the recipient of the 2011 Genesis Award for historical romance. Sarah lives in Indiana with her amazing husband, sweet daughter, and spunky Golden Retriever.

Learn more about Sarah at her website, Facebook and Twitter.