Showing posts with label Book Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book Review. Show all posts

Thursday, June 21, 2018

Captured Bride On Tour With Celebrate Lit!




About the Book

 Title: The Captured Bride
Author: Michelle Griep
Release Date: June 1, 2018
Genre: Historical Romance
A war-torn countryside is no place for a lady—but Mercy Lytton is a lady like none other. Raised amongst the Mohawks, she straddles two cultures, yet each are united in one cause . . . to defeat the French. Born with a rare gift of unusually keen eyesight, she is chosen as a scout to accompany a team of men on a dangerous mission. Yet it is not her life that is threatened. It is her heart.
Condemned as a traitor, Elias Dubois faces the gallows. At the last minute, he’s offered his freedom if he consents to accompany a stolen shipment of French gold to a nearby fort—but he’s the one they stole it from in the first place. It turns out that the real thief is the beguiling woman, Mercy Lytton, for she steals his every waking thought.
Can love survive divided loyalties in a backcountry wilderness?

 my thoughts....

What an interesting time in our history!  Native scout Mercy Lytton was so courageous scouting in dangerous territory.  Author Michelle Griep wrote The Capture Bride as part of the Daughters of the Mayflower series. Each book is written by a different author.  I am happy to say that each book can be read as a standalone.

Mercy's skills as a tracker rival any man.  She is an independent woman, comfortable with her skills and not willing to suffer alongside any ineptness. She is not excited, then, to be traveling with a traitor such as Elias and is keen to be rid of him at the end of the journey.  The journey, however, does not go at all as planned.  As I read this book I was surprised at the twists in the plot.

I have read several works written by Michelle Griep and appreciate her attention to detail.  Historical fiction is an important genre for our culture.  This one, set during the French & Indian War is enjoyable and adventurous, with a touch of romance.

Thank you for stopping by. I received my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  My thoughts are entirely my own.

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author




Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She is the author of historical romances: The Innkeeper’s Daughter, 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, The Captive Heart, Brentwood’s Ward, A Heart Deceived, Undercurrent and Gallimore, but also leaped the historical fence into the realm of contemporary with the zany romantic mystery Out of the Frying Pan. If you’d like to keep up with her escapades, find her at www.michellegriep.com or stalk her on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.

Guest Post from Michelle

A Visit to Fort Niagara


Whether you’re a history buff or don’t have a clue what the French and Indian War was about, there’s a destination in upstate New York that’s fun to visit for the whole family . . .
My husband and I made the trek to this living history site last summer. I had no idea what to expect, other than what was advertised as a “reenactment camp.” For those who don’t know, this is when volunteers who adore history come together to present a particular event, such as a battle. These people usually choose a real person from the era upon whom they fashion their modern day persona. They dress, speak, eat and live as that person might have. Here I am with some of my new friends:
Generally around the 4th of July, the 1759 Battle of Fort Niagara is recreated in a 3-day extravaganza of soldiers, muskets, canons and an entire market place to peruse selling period-related items.
Some of the things that surprised me about stepping back into the mid-eighteenth century were:
  • How much smoke muskets kick out

  • Once the battle begins, it’s hard to see who is your enemy or ally

  • Canons are really loud

  • Everything wasn’t as black and white as it seems in pictures—gowns and uniforms were very colorful

What makes this event so spectacular is that they take the entire 20 day siege and condense it into 3 days. If you visit every day, you’ll see and experience exactly what happened. You’ll be there to see the British, Colonial regulars and Iroquois allies sneak out of the tree line to shoot at some French soldiers who were pigeon hunting just outside the fort. You’ll hear the war whoops and barrage of angry French epithets roaring on the air. You’ll even get a chance to taste some of their food as you wander around inside the French Encampment set up inside the fort walls.
To experience a bit of the danger, sights and sounds of what Mercy and Elias lived through in The Captured Bride, Fort Niagara really is a fantastic place to visit.


Blog Stops

Vicky Sluiter, June 9

Fiction Aficionado, June 9
Blossoms and Blessings, June 9
A Baker’s Perspective, June 9
History, Mystery & Faith, June 10
Inklings and notions, June 10
Just the Write Escape, June 10
Faithfully Bookish, June 11
The Power of Words, June 11
Genesis 5020, June 11
Bakerkella, June 11
My Writer’s Life, June 12
Christian Chick’s Thoughts, June 12
Luv’N Lambert Life, June 12
Among the Reads, June 13
Book by Book, June 13
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, June 13
Moments Dipped in Ink, June 14
Splashes of Joy, June 14
Artistic Nobody, June 14 (Spotlight)
Bibliophile Reviews, June 14
Pause for Tales, June 15
All-of-a-kind Mom, June 15
Mary Hake, June 15
Bigreadersite, June 15
Connie’s History Classroom, June 16
Simple Harvest Reads, June 16 (Guest post from Mindy Houng)
Two Points of Interest, June 16
The Christian Fiction Girl, June 17
Daysong Reflections, June 17
Novels corner, June 17
Kathleen Denly, June 18
A Reader’s Brain, June 18
Remembrancy, June 18
proud to be an autism mom, June 19
Texas Book-aholic, June 19
Christian Author, J.E.Grace, June 19
Reading Is My SuperPower, June 20
Red Headed Book Lady, June 20
Margaret Kazmierczak, June 20
Mommynificent, June 20
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 21
Janices book reviews, June 21
Jeanette’s Thoughts, June 21
With a Joyful Noise, June 22
Pink Granny’s Journey, June 22
Carpe Diem, June 22

Giveaway





To celebrate her tour, Michelle is giving away a grand prize of

a signed copy of The Captured Bride and a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card!!

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Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Reviewing: The Road Home by Beverly Lewis


...notes from the back cover....

 "As the sun began to rise, Lena Rose leaned against the cool pane of the bus window and gazed out at the familiar landscape of her life. I'm leaving my family and everything I know behind. She sighed, trying to keep her composure.
Grieving the death of her Amish parents and the separation from her nine close-knit siblings, Lena Rose Schwartz consoles herself that her new life in Lancaster County won't be forever. Surely someday soon she will return to her beloved Michigan settlement, including her beau. But even as she holds on to hope for a reunion with those she loves most, she discovers that Lancaster holds charms of its own. Will she find the courage to open her heart to other possibilities?"

 ...my thoughts...

 The Road Home by celebrated author Beverly Lewis was even better than I expected.  The story was easy to get into and hard to put down.  Lena Rose Schwartz is an amazing young woman who has a special gift of giving to others without hopes of anything in return.  She spreads joy in surprising places even through the pain of losing her parents and a long distance separation from her younger brothers and sisters.  

 She was welcomed so warmly into the home of her father's second cousin Harley and his wife Mimi.  She soon felt like a member of their own family.  Her talents as a seamstress helped Mimi with her home sewing business.  People in her new community soon became attached to her as she touched their lives with unselfish kindness. It wasn't long before she caught the eye of handsome cabinet maker Arden Mast.  A relationship with him was not in her plans. She was determined to return to her family in Michigan as soon as a door opened to make that possible  Arden knew his home and family were in Pennsylvania and didn't plan to leave them.  She knew a friendship with him was safe.  

 Yet even with the happy circumstance of being reunited with her family and her responsibilities towards them she felt as though she left part of her heart in Pennsylvania.  Oh I can't say how it ends but this is a good story you may just want to read twice!  I heartily recommend this book.  

 I received my copy of The Road Home from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review but my thoughts are mine.
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Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Together Forever On Tour With Celebrate Lit Plus A Sweet Giveaway!





About the Book

 Title: Together Forever, Orphan Train Book 2
Author: Jody Hedlund
Genre: Inspirational historical romance
Release Date: May, 2018
Determined to find her lost younger sister, Marianne Neumann takes a job as a placing agent with the Children’s Aid Society in 1858 New York. She not only hopes to offer children a better life, but prays she’ll be able to discover whether Sophie ended up leaving the city on an orphan train so they can finally be reunited.
Andrew Brady, her fellow agent on her first placing-out trip, is a former schoolteacher who has an easy way with the children, firm but tender and friendly. Underneath his charm and handsome looks, though, seems to linger a grief that won’t go away–and a secret from his past that he keeps hidden.
As the two team up, placing orphans in the small railroad towns of Illinois, they find themselves growing ever closer . . . until a shocking tragedy threatens to upend all their work and change one of their lives forever.


Click here to purchase your copy!

my thoughts....

I waited for nearly a year to read this book.  When I finished reading With You Always , book 1 in this series I knew there was more to the story.  The book is captivating enough that it has stayed with me for quite some time. Together Forever is Marianne Neumann's story.  A story of her courageous search for younger sister Sophie, who was last seen boarding one of the trains.  If only she could find Sophie, she would feel like she hadn't let her family down.  Along the way, she put her heart into working with the children under her charge, helping them adjust to starting a new life.  Along the way she couldn't help but get attached to them.

In a way, she, too was starting a new life.  She had never done anything remotely similar to guiding these children on the train.  It helped that she was assigned with handsome Drew Brady, who had more experience.  They worked well together and their friendship grew.  They both found their faith tested and a resilience beyond measure as a tragic situation occurred and they learned they could rely on one another.

I loved this book for the characters who were so well developed they transported this reader onto that clickety-clackety train full of eager, excited and frightened children.  It would be wonderful if the ride on the train was an easy trip but that is not how the real world works.  It is what we do with situations we are given that make up the difference in the end.  I give this book 5 well-deserved stars.
Thank you for stopping by. I received my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  My thoughts are entirely my own.

About the Author



Jody Hedlund is the author of over a dozen novels, including Love Unexpected, Captured by Love, Unending Devotion, The Preacher’s Bride, and A Noble Groom, winner of the 2014 Carol Award for historical romance. She received a bachelor’s degree from Taylor University and a master’s from the University of Wisconsin, both in social work. She lives in Michigan with her husband and five children. She loves hearing from readers on Facebook and on her blog at www.jodyhedlund.com.


Guest Post from Jody Hedlund


30,000 Abandoned Children
By Jody Hedlund
Imagine a city where 30,000 abandoned and homeless children live on the streets.
Sounds like something from a futuristic dystopian novel, doesn’t it? Or something that might happen after a war or apocalypse or major disaster, right?
This exact thing actually happened in the 1850’s. And the city was New York City.
It’s hard to believe, but an estimated 30,000 homeless children roamed the dirty city streets and alleys of New York City.
30,000. Children. Let that sink in for a minute. That’s the size of a town.
Historians look back on that time and try to make sense what led to such horrific conditions for children. Of course, the influx of immigrants was at an all time high. Jobs and housing were scarce. Diseases were rampant. Hunger and poverty became a norm. (Orphan Train Depot)


 As more and more people became aware of the enormous problem within the crowded slums, courageous heroes rose up and attempted to do their part to make a difference.
While we may not always agree with the methods that were used to save the thousands of homeless children, we can admire the men and women who could no longer sit idly by.
The Children’s Aid Society was started by Charles Loring Brace as one such attempt to help the hordes of homeless children. His “Emigration Plan” is better known today by the term “Orphan Trains.”


 My latest series tackles various elements of the orphan train movement. Together Forever, releasing in May, highlights the placing agents, those devoted people who rode the trains with the orphans. The agents spent weeks and months on the road caring for the children, all the while trying to place them in loving homes.
(If you’d like to try out the series, start with my FREE novella, An Awakened Heart.)
Like the brave men and women who came before us, may we always strive to do our part to make a difference!


Blog Stops

By The Book, May 22
Genesis 5020, May 23
Radiant Light, May 26
Mary Hake, May 27
Carpe Diem, May 27
Simple Harvest Reads, May 28 (Guest Post from Mindy Houng)
Bigreadersite, May 30
Vicky Sluiter, June 2

Giveaway



To celebrate her tour, Jody is giving away a grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card!!
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Monday, May 21, 2018

Lessons Abound In The Amish Teacher's Gift: Celebrate Lit Bloggers Tour and Giveway






  

About the Book

Title: The Amish Teacher’s Gift, Book 1 of the Love &
Promises Series

 Author: Rachel J Good
Genre: Amish Romance
Release Date: April 24, 2018
Widower Josiah Yoder wants to be a good father. But it’s not easy with a deaf young son who doesn’t understand why his mamm isn’t coming home. At a loss, Josiah enrolls Nathan in a special-needs school and is relieved to see his son immediately comforted by his new teacher, a woman whose sweet charm and gentle smile just might be the balm they both need.

With seven siblings to care for, Ada Rupp wasn’t sure she wanted to take on teaching too. But the moment she holds Nathan in her arms, she realizes she’ll do all she can to help this lost little boy. Plus, it gives her a chance to spend more time with Josiah. Falling for a man in mourning may be against the rules, but his quiet strength is the support Ada never knew she needed. Yet with no time to court and a family secret holding her back, how can she allow herself to fall in love?

my thoughts....

Ada Rupp is much more than just a gifted teacher...she also has a special gift caring for her seven brothers and sisters, one of whom has special needs.  She runs a tight household that is organized in just such a way that the siblings work together in harmony.  Ada grew up quickly during her mother's illness and single-handedly raised her siblings when her father could no longer live in their home.  She is such a dutiful young woman, whose priority was seeing to the needs of others.

Josiah has the capacity to love his son but is at a loss as he looks on as Nathan bonds with Ada.  His heart wrenching pain pours out of the pages.  I can't imagine the loss he suffered losing a wife he loved coupled with the love and patience he had for his son. It was through this love and the knowledge of Ada's gift as a teacher that led him to discover how to reach Nathan.  His tireless strength fueled by his deep faith allowed him to give back to the school.  In the long run the lessons he learned were immeasurable. 

As I read the story I was struck by the very real the difficulties Ada and Josiah faced.  The characters Rachel J. Good created in this book are very well developed and the research was amazing.  I recommend this book for anyone who loves Amish fiction but all the more so for someone looking to go just a little deeper into situations that test our faith and unconditional love.   

 I received a complimentary copy of The Amish Teacher's Gift in exchange for an honest review.  


Click here to purchased your copy!

About the Author


Rachel J. Good grew up near Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the setting for her Amish novels. Striving to be as authentic as possible, she spends time with her Amish friends, doing chores on their farm and attending family events. Rachel loves to travel and visit many different Amish communities.
Rachel is the author of several Amish series in print or forthcoming – Sisters & Friends series, Love & Promises series, and two books in the Hearts of Amish Country series – as well as the Amish Quilts Coloring Books and the contemporary novella, Angels Unaware, part of the Hope Chapel series. In addition, she has stories in the anthologies Springs of Love and Love’s Thankful Heart.
She’d love to have you visit her website, or connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and Bookbub. Rachel also enjoys meeting readers and will be doing talks and book signings around the country this year. To find out more about Rachel and her books, you can sign up for her newsletter: http://bit.ly/1qwci4Q

Guest Post from Rachel J. Good

Heart-Tugging Research
Sometimes as an author, stories call to you and beg you to write them. This story first tugged at my heart after I spent time with an Amish friend’s special needs child. I thought about writing a book to show how the Amish treat each child as a gift from God. After meeting a hearing-impaired teen girl with Down’s syndrome and seeing how she was encouraged to live up to her potential, the idea grew stronger. This girl later became Martha in the book.
Then at an auction, I watched a young Down’s syndrome boy help the auctioneer by delivering the goods to the bidders. His straw hat tilted a little crookedly, but with a broad smile on his face, he carefully matched items with the correct bidder. He looked so proud of himself and proud to be able to do such an important job. I sat there at the auction and jotted notes for the novel.

Once I knew the topic of the novel, I began my research by visiting Amish schools for special needs, attending auctions to support them, and touring the Community Care Center, where Amish and Mennonite children and adults with special needs get amazing help. The young man in the wheelchair who showed us around was an awesome guide. We peeked into an exercise room, a therapy room, a craft room, several classrooms, a cafeteria, and my favorite—a multi-sensory environment. This room with dark walls lit only by a small row of twinkling Christmas lights had a ball pit (with the plastic balls like some fast food restaurants have in their play areas), a plush recliner, blankets, headphones, and a hammock. Autistic children at the center found this room a great calming atmosphere. I knew this room had to have a place in the book.

I visited a teacher who taught autistic children and learned a lot about programs, therapies, and teaching techniques. After learning the cutting edge techniques she used, I was surprised to realize that the Amish had adopted quite a few of them for their classrooms.  I chose a hearing-impaired boy for the hero’s son because I had a nephew with hearing problems, so I could incorporate some of the struggles he had into the story.


I wanted this series to be about the healing power of love, so each book will deal with a different type of healing. When something touches my heart like this, I always pray it will touch the readers’ hearts too.

Blog Stops

Carpe Diem, May 8



Mary Hake, May 15
Artistic Nobody, May 18 (Spotlight)
margaret kazmierczak, May 18 (Interview)
Quiet Quilter, May 19
Bigreadersite, May 20
Simple Harvest Reads, May 20 (Spotlight)
Vicky Sluiter, May 21

 Giveaway





To celebrate her tour, Rachel is giving away a grand prize package of a tote, an autographed copy of The Amish Teacher’s Gift, and an autographed copy of Hearts Reunited!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!https://promosimple.com/ps/cee3/the-amish-teacher-s-gift-celebration-tour-giveaway






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Reviewing: All Booked Up by Melody Carlson

 ...from the publisher.... Empty nester and widow Riva Owen lives in the Victorian house that's been in her family for three generations...