White Review + Giveaway

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Purchase your copy in paperback here or in ebook here

Guest Post from Denise Weimer

When I speak to book clubs or people ask me why I started writing historical fiction, I tell them that as I grew up, my parents took me to numerous historical sites. I wondered who lived in an old house or town and what their lives were like. What treasures, what secrets, might I find if I could dig down to the bones of an old mansion? My active imagination kicked in, and I started scribbling stories in spiral bound notebooks. I knew from age eleven I wanted to be a writer, though for a time I considered historical preservation as a career. I found the perfect marriage of those desires in The Restoration Trilogy, my new series with Canterbury House Publishing.
The restoration my parents did on their own historic house and apothecary shop inspired White, Widow and Witch. While looking for a residence in a country community, Mom and Dad purchased a property they later learned belonged to a line of regionally famous doctors tracing back to Revolutionary War days. Watching them piece together stories from the past with the help of local historians nudged me to depart from the historical settings of my past novels (Redeeming Grace and The Georgia Gold Series) in favor of modern romantic suspense. Readers follow Jennifer Rushmore, a recent historic preservation graduate, and Michael Johnson, a brooding bachelor who has inherited property from ancestors he knows little about, as they restore a doctor’s house, apothecary shop and log cabin. During the restoration of each, they uncover a story from a different century (1920, 1870 and 1790) containing a lesson of “heart healing” they need to apply in the present.

Most of us have been through hardships in our lives that God would use to refine our characters or expose and heal pain from our pasts. Sometimes we’re tempted to just slap another coat of paint over a crack or build a cheap façade over a weakness. God knows that full restoration takes effort, time and expense, so He never goes to work without our permission. However, He is the only one who can bring us to wholeness.

Jennifer accepts the assignment in the eclectic community of Hermon while waiting for her dream job in Savannah, never imagining God might have other plans. Country neighbors determined to become friends, a handsome but secretive employer with conflicting ideas about how to conduct the restoration, and strange accidents hinting that someone doesn’t want them working on the property strip away Jennifer’s personal defenses. She comes to learn that when a person is open to the work of the Master Renovator, one can find blessings in the unlikeliest of places.

About the Book

COVER-WHITE_RGB72webWhen Jennifer Rushmore accepts a brooding bachelor’s job offer to act as coordinator for the restoration of his family’s historic doctor’s house (White), apothecary (Widow) and log cabin (Witch) in a rural Georgia community, little does she know it’s her own heart that will undergo the greatest renovation. Three stories. Three centuries. Three lessons on the healing of the heart. And one buried mystery that threatens their redemption.

White: As historic preservationist Jennifer and brooding bachelor Michael restore his ancestors’ historic doctor’s residence in a rural Georgia community, they uncover the 1920s-era prejudice and secrets that caused Michael’s branch to fall off the family tree. Recent graduate Jennifer is determined to fulfill her first professional position with integrity even if her employer lacks a proper appreciation of history. Far more challenging—and sinister—than the social landscape of Hermon are the strange accidents hinting that someone doesn’t want them on the Dunham property. Yet Michael’s and Jennifer’s own pasts pose the biggest obstacles to laying a fresh foundation of family and community.

My Two Cents

I was drawn into this book right away.  Denise does a wonderful job of foreshadowing what will happen throughout out the book.  Sometimes when you have a book that flashes back, it can get really confusing.  Not so with White. It was very clear what is current and what was passed.

The characters in White were very well written and I felt like I was right there watching the story.  There was tension and the mystery kept me on the edge of my seat.  I wanted to know why the accidents were happening  and why someone didn’t want them on the property.

It was obvious that the author did her research – both historically and on what a historic preservationist does.  The descriptions in the book are amazing and you can picture just what the author is describing.  For example, “Jennifer walked a straight line over slippery magnolia leaves to the red front door framed by the antebellum sidelight windows.” Denise’s description gives a wonderful visual picture in my mind.

White is definitely a book you will want to read.  It will keep you engaged from the time you pick it up.  I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

I was giving the book in exchange for my honest review.  No monetary compensation was received and all views expressed were my own.

About the Author

head shotIn addition to The Restoration Trilogy, native Georgian Denise Weimer is the author of numerous magazine articles about her home state, romantic novella Redeeming Grace, The Georgia Gold Series (Sautee Shadows, The Gray Divide, The Crimson Bloom, and Bright as Gold). Bright as Gold won the 2015 John Esten Cooke Award for authentic Southern literature. She holds a journalism degree with a minor in history from Asbury University, is a wife and swim mom of two daughters, and always pauses for coffee, chocolate and old houses.

Giveway

In honor of the White Celebration Tour, Denise is giving away a print copy of WHITE: Book One of The Restoration Trilogy, a $15 Starbucks card to representing the coffee-loving modern heroine, and a vintage hat to represent the historical heroine. Click to enter:

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Blog Stops

April 19: Simple Harvest Reads

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April 21: Christian Bookaholic

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April 23: Book Bites, Bee Stings, and Butterfly Kisses

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May 1: A Greater Yes

May 2: Reader’s Cozy Corner

Charity’s Cross Review + KINDLE FIRE Givaway

Charity’s Cross by MaryLu Tyndall is a 328 page novel in the Christian historical fiction genre.  It was published by Ransom Press and released on January 16, 2016.  To purchase your own copy, click here.

About the book

charity's cross amazon.Suspected of killing her husband, Charity Westcott flees on the first ship out of Portsmouth, England heading for the colonies. Loathing all men after her abusive marriage, she hopes to reunite with her family in Charles Towne, but the ship ends up in Nassau. When she spots her husband’s brother, who is intent on seeing her hang, boarding her ship, she jumps overboard.

Elias Dutton, preacher and son of the famous pirate, Rowan Dutton, must get to Barbados as soon as possible. His sister is in danger, and his parents have charged him with her safety. He cannot let them down—again.  But after rescuing a madcap woman from the bay, he now finds himself tricked into masquerading as her husband so they both can procure passage to Barbados.

Pirates, storms, shipwreck and betrayal threaten to delay the couple in their journey even as sparks fly between them. With her brother-in-law in fast pursuit, the last thing Charity wants is help from a man, especially a religious one, but she has no choice. After Elias’ heart was broken by a sordid woman who nearly ruined his life, he seeks a godly woman pure as the virgin sands of the Caribbean. He believes he has found such a woman in Charity. Until he discovers she is a murderer and is now faced with two choices: letting her go or turning her in to the authorities.

About the Author

MLtyndall-HeadshotAward-winning author MaryLu Tyndall dreamt of pirates and sea-faring adventures during her childhood days on Florida’s Coast. With more than seventeen books published, she makes no excuses for the spiritual themes embedded within her romantic adventures. Her hope is that readers will not only be entertained but will be brought closer to the Creator who loves them beyond measure. In a culture that accepts the occult, wizards, zombies, and vampires without batting an eye, MaryLu hopes to show the awesome present and powerful acts of God in a dying world. A Christy award nominee and Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award winner, MaryLu makes her home with her husband, six children, two grandchildren and several stray cats on the California coast.

My Two Cents

I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK. I can not emphasize those words enough! In fact, I loved this book so much, I am going to add a giveaway for you to win the ebook version. You have to read it! I picked up the book and could not put it down – I was captivated from the start.  Literally.  Pirates, escape, betrayal. I was on the edge of my seat.

This is my first time reading MaryLu but it will not be my last.  I loved her writing. Although this is book four in the series, it can be read as a stand alone.  This is the first book I read but I have since bought books 1 – 3 because I enjoyed this one so much.

Charity’s Cross was fast-paced and well researched.The plot line was expertly written and easy to follow.  The characters had depth and breadth.  I loved that there were time that I wanted to reach in and shake a character. Those make the best books!

MaryLu weaves themes of Christianity throughout the book.  When I finished reading Charity’s Cross, I was reminded and encourage by one theme in particular: GOD IS FAITHFUL. Sometimes we question if God hears us. Sometimes we question if God cares.  He does and Charity’s Cross shows that powerfully.

I give this book an absolute five out of five stars! An encouraging read.  A must read! At $4.99 for the ebook…this is a steal!

Want a chance to win the ebook version of this book? Answer this question below: What aspect of the book interests you? Comment below and be sure to add your email in a safe format (For example, simpleharvestreads(at)gmail(dot)com). If I get a minimum of ten comments, one lucky person will win! This contest will end on March 9. Be sure to share with your friends for them to have a chance to win!

Giveaway

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Enter the Charity’s Cross giveaway here.

Blog Stops

March 2: D’S QUILTS & BOOKS

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March 3: Reading Is My SuperPower

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March 4: Heidi Reads…

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March 8: Splashes of Joy

March 9: The Editor’s Note

March 9: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations

March 10: Bigreadersite

March 10: Bukwurmzzz

March 11: A Greater Yes

March 11: Texas Book-aholic

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March 14: Seasons of Opportunities

Shattered Memories + Huge Giveaway!

 

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Be sure to come to the Facebook party to celebrate the release of Shattered Memories on Feb 29.  RSVP here.

Shattered Memories is a 265 page novel in the Christian Historical genre and was released on February 14, 2016. You can purchase the book here.

About the Book

Shattered Memories smallest fileThe Charleston earthquake has left destruction like nothing Doctor Andrew Warwick has ever seen. On a desperate mission to find the lady who owns his heart, he frantically searches through the rubble. He finds her injured and lifeless. After she regains consciousness, the doctor’s hopes are quickly dashed as he realizes she doesn’t remember him. Things only get worse when he discovers she believes she’s still engaged to the abusive scoundrel, Lloyd Pratt. Now Drew is on a race with the wedding clock to either help her remember or win her heart again before she marries the wrong man.

Waking in a makeshift hospital, Olivia Macqueen finds herself recovering from a head injury. With amnesia stealing a year of her memories, she has trouble discerning between lies and truth. When her memories start returning in bits and pieces, she must keep up the charade of amnesia until she can find out the truth behind the embezzlement of her family’s business while evading the danger lurking around her.

My Two Cents

One of the best books I have read. Ever. Intrigue, love, faith. This book has it all. It drew me in from the beginning.  I began reading and read for two hours straight because I could not put the book down.  I craved to see what happened!

The writing made me feel I was right there with the characters watching what happened.  This was the first time I read anything by Costello, but it will not be my last.  I love her writing and I rank her up there with my favorite authors.

This book takes place around the great Charleston earthquake. It was very obvious that Costello did her research while writing this book.  Shattered Memories brought to light what the people of Charleston suffered as well as the courage of the doctors who treated the patients.  The characters were well developed having breadth and depth.  The plot line was fast paced and unfolded well.

Shattered Memories was a joy to read. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.  This book is only $3.99; A steal  for such a great book.  Pick this book up. You will not be disappointed!

Thank you to Celebrate Lit and Debbie Lynne Costello for giving me this book in exchange for a review.  No monetary compensation was received and all views are my own.

About the Author

debbielynneDebbie Lynne Costello is the author of the #1 Amazon bestseller Sword of Forgiveness, a medieval romance. She has enjoyed writing stories since she was eight years old. She raised her family and then embarked on her own career of writing the stories that had been begging to be told. She and her husband have four children and live in upstate South Carolina where she has worked in many capacities in her church and is currently the Children’s Director. When not spending time with her husband, four children and grandchildren she hangs out with her Arabian and Tennessee Walking horses.

Giveaway

I am excited to announce that there are TWO different giveaways for Shattered Memories!

  1. Enter the HUGE giveaway going on with Celebrate Lit that includes a KINDLE FIRE and a GIFT BASKET worth over $100 plus other great prizes! Enter here.shatteredmemoriesprizes
  2. If I receive 10 comments on this post, one lucky commenter will receive a copy of any DebbieLynne Costello books. Be sure to share with your friends!

 

Blog Tour Stops

Feb 15: Quiet Quilter

Feb 16: Daysong Reflections

Feb 17: Book Reviews From an Avid Reader

Feb 18: D’S QUILTS & BOOKS

Feb 18: Simpleharvestreads

Feb 19: Rhonda’s Doings

Feb 19: Buwurmzzz

Feb 20: A Greater Yes

Feb 21: 100 Page Per Hour

Feb 22: The Editor’s Note

Feb 22: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations

Feb 23: The Christian Bookaholic

Feb 24: Blossoms and Blessings

Feb 24: Cassandra M’s Place

Feb 25: Bigreadersite

Feb 26: Singing Librarian Books

Feb 27: cherylbbookblog

Feb 28: Texas Book-aholic

Feb 28: Mary Hake

Feb 29: Raining Butterfly Kisses

The King’s Highway

The King’s Highway by Caryl McAdoo is a 218 page novel in the dystopian genre. It is indie published and was released on Sept 26, 2015.  To purchase your copy, click here.

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Book Information

A mysterious dead man directs the small band on their journey to a much safer corridor he dubs The King’s Highway.

Airplanes are falling out of the sky, and all things electric rendered useless after a mysterious flash. It tests the grit of fifteen-year-old Jackson Allison when the care and safety of his younger siblings fall solely to him. No one knows for sure what’s happened, but danger lurks if they stay. With a fierce determination to keep his thirteen-year-old sister McKenzie and nine-year-old brother Cooper safe, the high school freshman is compelled to leave their Irving home in the shadow of the DFW Airport for their grandparents’ farm a hundred-plus miles northeast.

Thrust into a lawless, chaotic world, he’s guided by an ever-changing cryptic note that leads his growing troupe along the King’s Highway. Bullies, Russians, wild animals, gang-bangers, and kidnappers thwart their progress while a lack of drinkable water and food is a constant concern. Will he ever get his people to safety in the Red River Valley in far Northeast Texas?

Author Information

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Award winning author brings her new Christian mid-grade release, book one in the  Days of Dread Trilogy THE KING’S HIGHWAY. The prolific, bestselling novelist loves singing new songs the Lord gives her and painting. In 2008, her high school sweetheart-husband Ron moved her to the woods of Red River County. Caryl counts four children and sixteen grandsugars life’s biggest blessings believing all good things come from God. Praying her story gives God glory, she hopes each one ministers His love, mercy, and grace to its readers. She and Ron live in Clarksville, Texas with two grandsons, Christian and Benjamen.

My Two Cents

This book was intended to be towards the YA audience, however, I think people of any age can enjoy this book. I loved Boggs the dog. He was such an addition to the book.  Caryl wrote from his POV at times and I enjoyed reading his thoughts.  McKenzie is another character I liked.  She stuck to her guns and would not wobble in her beliefs. We can learn a lot for her.

The story was full of events that kept it moving.  I wanted to know what happens to the group. It was hard to put down.  

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.  If you like dystopian fiction, you will love The King’s Highway!

Daughters of the Heart

Daughters of the Heart by Caryl McAdoo is a 310 page novel in the Christian historical fiction genre. It is the fifth book in the Texas Romance series but can be read as a standalone.  Daughters of the Heart is an indie publication and was released on August 28, 2015.  To purchase your copy, click here.

Daughters of the Heart

Overview

God’s perfect plan is oft so hard to determine. In his life, Henry Buckmeyer has never been so beside himself. His little girls are so young, just babies, too young. He hates the whole idea of men coming to take them away and is inclined to shoot every one of them, but praise God for a level-headed, loving wife and step-mother! She helps keep him sane amidst the female chaos. Packed with fun, romance, deception, action, heartbreak and tears, this delightful Christian novel keeps the twists and turns coming. Gwendolyn, Cecelia, and the youngest, Bonnie, make a pact never to break their father’s heart like their big sister did. Then their determination is sorely tried when suitors show up, and he gets so pigheaded with his rules. Will Henry survive his daughters coming of age? Will they endure and keep their promises to each other? From one man asking to court her—who Daddy sends packing—Gwen goes to three! How can she ever decide? Cecelia knows exactly who she wants, but she’s still a year away from Daddy’s acceptable courting age. What if her beau doesn’t know or won’t wait? And Bonnie hates being the baby and wants to be grown-up more than just about anything…except her man. She is for sure and for certain in love. Will the Buckmeyer home ever be settled and peaceful again? Will any of his daughters find true love…a man he’ll approve and to whom he can give his blessing?

My Two Cents

I thoroughly enjoyed Daughters of the Heart by Caryl McAdoo.  She has a way of writing that feels authentic and reflects her love of the Lord.  I loved the quirky sayings she included and the added humor made the book light-hearted and fun.

There were several characters in Daughters of the Heart, but the storyline was easy to follow.  The characters are well written and had depth.  There was tension, love, heartache, and the conflict of honoring your parents while staying true to yourself.  

I loved following the drama of the Buckmeyer sisters. It kept my attention throughout because I wanted to see what the girls did and if their father finally approved of a suitor. Having teenagers myself, I could relate to the Buckmeyer parents. However, at times I also felt bad for the girls.  Loving and being frustrated with characters make for a good story! Caryl did not disappoint!  

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. If you love historical romance that is God centered, you won’t want to miss this book!

Thank you to Celebrate Lit (celebratelit.com) and Caryl McAdoo for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  No monetary compensation was received and all opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

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Award winning, bestselling author Caryl McAdoo currently writes four series: the historical Christian ‘Texas Romance’; a contemporary ‘Red River Romance’; The Generations, her Biblical fiction and a mid-grade The King’s Highway. The prolific novelist loves singing new songs the Lord gives her and painting. In 2008, she and her high school sweetheart-husband Ron moved from the DFW area—home for fifty+ years—to the woods of Red River County. Caryl counts four children and sixteen grandsugars life’s biggest blessings believing all good things come from God. Praying her story gives God glory, she hopes each one will also minister His love, mercy, and grace to its readers. Caryl and Ron live in Clarksville, the county seat, in the far northeast corner of the Lone Star State with two grandsons, Christian and Benjamen.

Giveaway

Caryl is giving away some great prizes:

  • Grand Prize: Set of Texas Romance books #1 thru 5 (Vow Unbroken, Hearts Stolen, Hope Reborn, Sins of the Mother, and Daughters of the Heart)
  • First Prize:  Set of The Generations Biblical fiction series (A Little Lower Than the Angels, Then the Deluge Comes, and Replenish the Earth)
  • Second Prize:  Your choice of the Texas Romances
  • Third Prize:  A Texas Surprise!

Click the word “Form” below to enter the giveaway. This giveaway ends on Sept 30 at 11:50 pm PDT.