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.

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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!

Halo Found Hope

Halo Found Hope by Helo Matzelle is a 228 page memoir.  It was published by Dog Ear Publishing and released on Oct 10, 2014.  To purchase your copy, click here.

BOOK INFORMATION

halo found hope award cover“Machines beeping, the blur of medical staff running, a crash cart whizzing into an ICU room, was there any hope?
A young woman lay, packed in ice, as doctors attempted to somehow stop the swelling in her brain that threatened to take her life… and her family waited.

Six days turned into eight weeks. She awoke to discover that she was not the same. She saw two of everything, couldn’t feel half of her face, couldn’t hear from one ear, and could not speak. She couldn’t even tellIMG_0502 anyone that she felt hopeless… or could she?

Halo Found Hope is the story of a beautiful, busy wife, and mother of three whose life changes instantly with the diagnosis of a rare brain tumor. An exceptional ENT, a brilliant neurosurgeon and a dedicated medical team tackle the tumor, setting off a series of unbelievable miracles.

Helo’s story is not one of survival, or of salvaging a life through a broken body. It is not about endurance through pain, but victory because of it. While the family heard her silence, God heard her prayer. Helo’s story is simply this: Wherever you are and whatever you are going through, God is right there. He doesn’t need to be recognized by you, to be there for you. He can replace fear with courage and discouragement with determination, if you let Him. Helo did, and that is how she found hope.”2014-HeloMatzelle-024--2 copy

“Christian readers will find in these pages a powerful testament to the power of faith in dark times, and even agnostics will be uplifted by the joie de vivre of this remarkable woman.” — Kirkus Reviews

MY TWO CENTS

Halo Found Hope is a moving story about a woman who encountered a life threatening, life changing illness and trusted God.  Let me warn you, bring your box of tissues for this book! I cried sad, heartbreaking tears, I cried happy tears, and I cried tears of relief.  I. Cried. A. Lot. However, it was worth every tear to read this encouraging story.

There were so many things I loved about this book.  Helo wrote the book as if you were sitting in her living room having a chat with her.  She was so honest – sharing things that made her vulnerable, things that were wonderful and her disappointments, trials and struggles.

So many of us complain about our lives forgetting the blessings that God has given each of us.  Helo story will make you thankful for God’s grace and mercy; his watch care and sufficiency.  After I finished reading this life changing book, I wanted to do for people just like Helo does.

I give Helo Found Hope 5 out of 5 stars.  This is a book that will change your life, leave you thankful for God’s blessings, and appreciate that you have the ability to get up each morning….and do for others.

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION

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Enter below to win a hardback copy of Halo Found Hope, a $25 gift card and a poem beautifully written and framed by Halo. This giveaway ends on Nov 30 at 11:59 pm PDT.
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Counting on a Cowboy

Counting on a Cowboy by Debra Clopton is a 320 page novel in the Christian Contemporary Romance genre. It is book two in the A Four of Heart Ranch Romance Series but can be red as a standalone. Counting on a Cowboy is published by Thomas Nelson and was released on August 11, 2015. To order your own copy, click here.

Counting on a Cowboy

Overview

After losing everything she held dear, Abby never wants to love again. But a certain cowboy may just spur her to wonder if love might be worth the risk.

Running from a past that haunts her, Abby Knightly is drawn to the cozy town of Wishing Springs, Texas. Maybe this small town could offer hope and healing and a future for Abby . . . if she’s brave enough to reach out and take it by the reins.

Bo Monahan isn’t interested in the new romantic destination his little town has become—or the women who might be looking at him like he’s their next Mr. Right. Between taking care of his Pops and his growing stirrup business, he isn’t looking for serious romantic commitments. But when the infant son he never knew about shows up at his doorstep, his world is turned upside down.

This confirmed bachelor might not think he needs a wife, but he sure needs help. Even Abby can see that, and despite her best efforts to keep her distance, she can’t help but be drawn to this new father-son duo. As Abby throws herself into helping Bo navigate fatherhood, hope sparks between them, revealing that maybe, just maybe, they can navigate their dark pasts and emerge together into a future as bright as the Texas sun itself.

My Two Cents

Counting on a Cowboy is an easy read and a very sweet story.  Abby comes to Wishing Springs reeling from pain and tragedy; hoping to start over and make a new life for herself. I loved how Clopton revealed Abby’s story piece by piece throughout the novel.  It made the story interesting and I wanted to keep reading.

I enjoyed watching Abby grow throughout this book.  Clopton has a way of drawing you into what her characters are feeling. She writes their raw emotions.  Clopton did not gloss over issues that she brought to light in her book which was very refreshing. There were issues of side characters that exposed. Sometimes when there are side stories it distracts from the main storyline.  In Counting on a Cowboy the side issues added to story by providing tension and made it more engaging.

My only disappointment with this book was that it seemed a bit unrealistic.  Bo seemed to not want to have anything to do with the women who were drawn to the town through his sister-in-law’s articles.  Yet, he seems to fall in love with Abby right away.  I think there was an opportunity for some tension to be provided and this would have added to the story.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and am glad I read it.  I give this book 3 out of 5 stars.

I received 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

Debra Clopton is a multi-award winning novelist who was first published in 2005 and has more than 22 novels to her credit. Along with her writing, Debra helps her husband teach the youth at their local Cowboy Church. Debra is the author of the acclaimed Mule Hollow Matchmaker Series, the place readers tell her they wish was real. Her goal is to shine a light toward God while she entertains readers with her words. Visit her website at www.debraclopton.com

Giveaway

One lucky winner will win a copy of Counting on a Cowboy by Debra Clopton.  To enter, click on the word “Form” below.  This contest ends on Sept. 5 at 11:59 pm PDT.

Irish Meadows

Irish Meadows by Susan Anne Mason is a 384 page novel in the Christian historical fiction novel.  It is the first book in the Courage to Dream series.  Irish Meadows is published by Bethany House and was released on July 7, 2015

irish meadows

Overview

Faced with an uncertain future, sometimes all you have left is the courage to dream.

Brianna and Colleen O’Leary know their Irish immigrant father expects them to marry well. Recently he’s put even more pressure on them, insinuating that the very future of their Long Island horse farm, Irish Meadows, rests in their ability to land prosperous husbands. Both girls, however, have different visions for their futures.

Brianna, a quiet girl with a quick mind, dreams of attending college. Vivacious Colleen, meanwhile, is happy to marry—as long as her father’s choice meets her exacting standards of the ideal groom. When former stable hand Gilbert Whelan returns from business school and distant relative Rylan Montgomery visits Long Island during his seminary training, the two men quickly complicate everyone’s plans.

As the farm slips ever closer to ruin, James O’Leary grows more desperate. It will take every ounce of courage for both sisters to avoid being pawns in their father’s machinations and instead follow their hearts. And even if they do, will they inevitably find their dreams too distant to reach?

My Two Cents

Have you ever had someone plan your life thinking they know what is best for you? Or had your life all planned out to find that God has a different plan for you? This is exactly what the characters of Irish Meadows experience.  This book captures you from the beginning and I did not want it to end.

The historical accuracy in Irish Meadows is flawless.  I learned a great deal about history surrounding 1911; especially in regards to women’s rights.  At times this history was a little overwhelming and it could distract from the storyline.  However, it is plain to the reader the author conducted a significant amount of research and wanted to present the history as accurately as possible.

My favorite part of this story were the characters.  It was a joy to see how they grew in their maturity and their faith.  There were times I was so frustrated I wanted to throw the book, however, this makes for a good story! The characters had depth to them and although there were several characters, I could follow the story easily.  Sometimes when a story has many characters the story can get muddled.  That is not the case with Irish Meadows. Each character is well written.

I give this novel 4 out of 5 stars.  If you are a fan of historical fiction, you won’t want to miss this book!

About the Author

Susan Anne Mason’s debut historical novel, Irish Meadows, won the Fiction from the Heartland contest from the Mid-American Romance Authors Chapter of RWA. A member of ACFW, as well, she lives outside of Toronto, Ontario, with her husband and two children. She can be found online at www.susanannemason.com.

Giveaway

One lucky winner will receive a copy of Mason’s Irish Meadows. To enter, click on the word “form” in the link below. This contest ends Friday, September 4, 2015 at 11:59 pm PDT.

Thriving in Babylon Guest Review by Jim Barela

Thriving in Babylon by Larry Osborne is a 199 page book in the Non-fiction Religious genre. It is published by David C. Cook and was released on June 1.  To order your copy of Thriving in Babylon, click here.

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Overview

Meet a man forced to live in a fast changing and godless society. He faced fears about the future, concern for his safety, and the discouragement of world that seemed to be falling apart at warp speed.

Sound familiar? His name was Daniel, and with the power of hope, humility, and wisdom, he not only thrived, he changed an empire while he was at it. Though he lived thousands of years ago, he has a much to teach us today.

Even in Babylon, God is in control.

In Thriving in Babylon, Larry Osborne explores the “adult” story of Daniel to help us not only survive – but actually thrive in an increasingly godless culture. Here Pastor Osborne looks at:

-Why panic and despair are never from God

-What true optimism looks like

-How humility disarms even our greatest of enemies

-Why respect causes even those who will have nothing to do with God to listen

-How wisdom can snatch victory out of the jaws of defeat

For those who know Jesus and understand the full implications of the cross, the resurrection, and the promises of Jesus, everything changes—not only in us, but also in our world.

My Two Cents

Osborne’s book, Thriving in Babylon, is a book that is easy to follow and a fairly quick read. The language and illustrations used allow the reader to follow the author’s train of thought without much distraction from the message he delivers. As a reader I did find it helpful that the author chose to provide scripture references where he thought it would be helpful.

There were a few distractions I encountered as I read through the book. I will make every effort to be brief as I share just a few concerns.

– The book of Daniel is one book of the major prophets detailing what was to come and detailing the sovereignty of God in the affairs of man not to offer “us a model for not only surviving but actually thriving in the midst of a godless culture.”

– Though the author acknowledges the sovereignty of God, he then uses the phrase “then God showed up” in several places, as if God’s plan was not working out so well and He had to show up to fix things – the book of Daniel clearly shows that God ordained all that would take place according to His will.

– The book is supposed to be about how to thrive in Babylon but the author draws principles from biblical characters not related to the Babylonian captivity making it seem as though he had these principles in mind before deciding to use Daniel as the basis for his book.

– Living in light of the gospel is how the believer survives and thrives today. But, the gospel is mentioned and discussed only sparingly.

Readers should know that there are some important challenges to our modern thinking that are important for us to read contained in Osborne’s book. One challenge as well as reminder is the timeless truth that faithfulness does not guarantee an easy life. Many faithful Christians will endure suffering and hardships in their life as they encounter difficulties common to believers around the world. I recommend reading the book of Daniel at least twice before reading this book so that you have a firm foundation to build upon.

I give this book 3 out of 5 stars.

Many thanks to the Litfuse Chicks for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  No monetary compensation was received and all views expressed are my own.

About the Author

Dr. Larry Osborne has served as a senior pastor and teaching pastor at North Coast Church—one of the ten most influential churches in the country—since 1980. Dr. Osborne is the author of numerous books, including Accidental Pharisees. He and his wife live in Oceanside, California. They have three grown children.

Find Larry online: website, Facebook, Twitter

Giveaway

Enter to win a copy of Thriving in Babylon by clicking on the words “Entry-Form” below. This contest ends on Monday, July 27 at 11:59 pm PDT.

A Bride at Last

A Bride at Last by Melissa Jagears is a 368 page novel in the Christian historical romance genre.  It is the third book in the Unexpected Brides series but can be read as a stand alone.  A Bride at Last is published by Bethany House and was released on July 7, 2015. To purchase your own copy, click here.

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Overview

Abandoned by his mail-order bride, Silas Jonesey has fought an uphill battle to recover from a pattern of poor choices. Now his prayers for reconciliation have finally come true and his estranged wife has contacted him with her whereabouts.

Kate Dawson was supposed to be a mail-order bride, but upon realizing she’d been deceived about her intended groom, she’s now settled into life as a schoolteacher. When the mother of a student passes away, Kate assumes she’ll take on care of nine-year-old Anthony-until two men suddenly show up in town, claiming to be the boy’s father.

Silas can see Anthony loves Kate, so he enlists her help in reaching out to the boy and attempting to prove his paternity to the court. When a common interest in Anthony leads to an interest in each other and Silas and Kate begin to think they can overcome their rocky start, neither is prepared for the secrets and past hurts that have yet to come to light. Can Silas, Kate, and Anthony’s wounded souls bind them together or will all that stands between them leave them lonely forever?

To learn more about A Bride at Last, click here.

My Two Cents

A Bride at Last is a faced-paced love story that makes you sad to see the story end because you want to read more.  It is well-written with developed characters and storyline. I loved how the book does not end where you expect it to and shows how God can heal the lives of people.

A Bride at Last deals with addiction; how those vices effect the ones around us and have consequences for years to come.  However, it also displays how love, hope, faith, and forgiveness can help us to overcome our addictions. I was encouraged by the blessings the characters received by following God and having faith in Him even when it is hard and sacrifices are made to do so.

The hard choices that women had to make in the late 1800’s were well written into A Bride at Last. Abandonment and its lasting consequences on both children and adults were woven into this story as well.  One of my favorite aspects of this story is how it shows that family is not always made up of flesh and blood. Love makes a family a family.

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.  It is a book a really enjoyed and will be reading again!

Thank you to the LitFuse Chicks 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

Melissa Jagears, an ESL teacher by trade and the author of ABride for Keeps and A Bride in Store, is a stay-at-home mother on a tiny Kansas farm with a fixer-upper house. She’s a member of ACFW and CROWN fiction marketing, and her passion is to help Christian believers mature in their faith and judge rightly.

Find Melissa online: website, Facebook

Two Giveaways

Simple Harvest Reads Giveaway

To enter my giveaway, click on the words “Entry-Form” below.  This giveaway ends on July 19, 2015 at 11:59pm PDT.

Melissa Jagears A Bride at Last and a $100 memory making giveaway:

Can Silas and Kate overcome their rocky start and experience healing—and possibly love? Discover the answer in Melissa Jagears’ new book, A Bride at LastNeither Kate nor Silas is prepared for the secrets and past hurts that have yet to come to light as they attempt to prove nine-year-old Anthony’s paternity to the court. Can their wounded souls bind them together or will all that stands between them leave them lonely forever?

Celebrate the release of A Bride at Last by entering to win a $100 Memory-Making giveaway and RSVPing to Melissa’s August 4th author chat party!

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One grand prize winner will receive:

  • A $100 gift card to Netflix (for a family movie night), Shutterfly (to create a family memory book), or TablePlayGames (for a family game night)
  • One copy of A Bride at Last

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 8/4. The winner will be announced at Melissa’s 8/4 A Bride at Last Facebook author chat party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Melissa and fiction fans, as well as for a chance to win some great prizes!

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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 4th!

Picture Perfect Love

Picture Perfect Love by Melissa McClone is a novel in the Christian contemporary romance genre.  It is published by Zondervan Publisher and was released in May, 2015.  It is the seventh book in the A Year of Weddings series but can be read as a stand alone. To purchase your copy, click here.

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Overview

When image becomes everything, it’s up to love to refocus the heart.

Photographer Jenna Harrison wants every bride and groom to look picture perfect on their special day, putting her heart into every wedding to give the couple memorable images of their love. But her own heart is still broken, the unworn wedding dress hanging in her closet a reminder that relationships aren’t always as perfect as they look through her camera lens. But Jenna has faith that she will find true love. Until then, she must be patient and trust in God’s plan and His perfect timing.

Attorney Ashton Vance is the one that got away. When an embarrassing Photoshopped picture of put an end to his political aspirations, he blamed Jenna. So what if the photo led to his being offered a dream job and changing his life for the better? Jenna betrayed his trust, and two years later, Ashton’s heart still hasn’t recovered.

It was me. His younger sister’s three words turn Ashton’s world upside down. He must ask Jenna’s forgiveness, but can he risk his heart a second time? Even if Jenna can forgive him, dare he hope for a second chance at her love?

For more information on Picture Perfect Love, click here.

My Two Cents

Picture Perfect Love is an easy read about healing, love, and forgiveness.  The story flows well and is the perfect read for a summer day of reading.  The cute ideas for the main characters photography business displays the research the author has done for this novel and some of the antics her customers displayed are both humorous and well-fitting in this story.

The characters in this story have their share of difficulties, mostly brought about by themselves. Ashton must deal with his father’s manipulation and his sister’s antics. For Jenna, she must contemplate if she has truly forgiven Ashton. Even though we have healed, sometimes when our past comes back to us, it is difficult to trust again.

Picture Perfect Love makes the reader reflect on forgiveness and restoration.  Jenna’s faith in God and her changed life is evident through her relationship with Ashton, his family, and her friends. The help she has received from her church wonderfully displays the body Christ.

I enjoyed reading this Picture Perfect Love, however, I wish more time would have been taken with the end of the story. The end felt very rushed. Also, I thought certain parts of the book were predictable.

I give this book 3 out of 5 stars.  It is a fun read and there is definitely a lesson to be learned from this story.

Thank you to the Litfuse Chicks for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  All views expressed are my own and no monetary compensation has been received.

About the Author

Melissa McClone has published more than thirty novels with Harlequin and Tule Publishing Group. She has also been nominated for Romance Writers of America’s RITA® award. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, three school-aged children, two spoiled Norwegian Elkhounds and cats who think they rule the house.

Find Melissa online: website, Twitter, Facebook

Giveaway

To enter to win an e-book copy of Picture Perfect Love, click on the words “Entry-Form” below.  This giveaway ends July 18, 2015 at 11:59pm PDT.

The Innocent

The Innocent by Ann Gabhart is a 384 page novel in the Christian mystery romance genre.  It is published by Revell and was released on July 7, 2015.  To purchase your copy, click here.

the-innocent

Overview

Carlyn Kearney has spent two lonely years not knowing whether to mourn or to hope after she receives word from the Union Army that her husband is missing. The war ends without further word. Now penniless, in debt, and forced from her home, Carlyn seeks refuge at the Shaker village of Harmony Hill, only to discover that they will not allow her to keep her beloved dog, an animal that has been her faithful companion since her husband went off to war. Sheriff Mitchell Brodie has pity on the lovely young woman and agrees to take the dog. Carlyn is just settling into life as a sister in the Shaker village when she receives a devastating letter confirming her worst fears. As she wrestles with whether to commit herself fully to the Shaker life, mysterious deaths begin to occur, and Carlyn comes under suspicion. Can Sheriff Mitchell help her expose the true culprit?

My Two Cents

The Innocent is a well-written novel that keeps the reader interested from the beginning.  The story line displays well the dangers that can come when people abuse religion and power. I enjoyed the mystery that was added to the story line making this novel not your typical love story.

It is apparent that Gabhart has done her research both about the culture of the post-Civil War era and about the Shakers. The Innocent shows a side to the Civil War that is not often shown; the soldiers who were missing and the effect it had on their loved ones.  Wives found themselves destitute with no way to collect on the pensions offered from the government. They had limited resources and limited options.  This created an environment where women were not safe and could easily be taken advantage of.

There were many characters in this story and it added to the depth of the novel.  A couple of the characters added tension to the novel which made the book hard to put down.  I really enjoyed the relationship Carlyn had with her dog who was a wonderful companion to her.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.  It is a sweet story although a bit predictable.

Thank you to Revell Publishers 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

Ann H. Gabhart is the bestselling author of several Shaker novels–The Outsider, The Believer, The Seeker, The Blessed, and The Gifted–as well as Angel Sister, Small Town Girl, Love Comes Home, Words Spoken True, and The Heart of Hollyhill series. She lives with her husband a mile from where she was born in rural Kentucky. Learn more at www.annhgabhart.com.

Giveaway

To enter to win The Innocent by Ann Gabhart, click on the words “Entry-Form” below.  This giveaway ends Friday, July 17 at 11:59pm PDT.

Love Arrives in Pieces Review

Love Arrives in Pieces by Betsy St. Amant is a 336 page novel in the Christian Contemporary Romance genre. It is published by Zondervan and was released on June 9.  To order your copy of Love Arrives in Pieces, click here.

love arrives in pieces

Overview

For so long, Stella was known for her beauty. Now, with her heart stripped bare, she must discover who she really is.

Former pageant queen Stella Varland doesn’t trust beauty anymore after her divorce. Her appearance betrayed her and led to brokenness, so instead of being beautiful, now she tries to make beautiful things, but she always falls short. So she keeps her passion for art to herself and focuses on her interior design work. But if she doesn’t get another job soon, she’ll be stuck living with her parents.

Contractor Chase Taylor is determined to live a life of no regrets after losing his fiancée. Now he lives life at full speed, striving to see how much he can accomplish. He knows if he slows down, he’ll fall apart. So he returns home to Bayou Bend to renovate the town’s old theater and is shocked to discover that the designer for the project is his old flame, Stella.

Forced to work together, Chase and Stella battle their chemistry and past as they struggle to compromise and work together on a vision for the theater. Their wills clash as they attempt to hide their brokenness—and their unresolved feelings for each other-until Chase discovers the hidden parts of Stella, while losing her trust in the process.

A near catastrophe, a fire, and a small-town gossip mill finally force Stella and Chase to realize that they have a choice—to hold on to the shards of their pasts, or surrender their fragmented pieces to the One who makes a beautiful masterpiece from their brokenness.

My Two Cents

I love the name of this book Love Arrives in Pieces. It’s story is a reminder that wounds can be healed and brokenness can be mended.  With a style of writing that is unique to Betsy, she weaves a story of encouragement and hope for those who have been shattered by life.  This imagery is amazing; the beauty of what God can do shines through.

The characters in this book have much depth.  The wisdom shared through the character of Dixie is something that the reader can apply to their own life. Dixie is homeless yet adds so much to people’s lives. Many times people walk by a homeless person and think they have nothing to give. I loved the reminder that we are all loved by God and we should take no one for granted.

Love Arrives in Pieces is raw and deals with issues so many of us deal with in our everyday lives. The reader can take so much away from this book to apply to their own lives.  Encouragement, hope and love will work their way into your heart with this excellently written novel.

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.  A definite must to add to your TBR pile.

Many thanks to the Litfuse Chicks for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  No monetary compensation was received and all views expressed are my own.

About the Author

Betsy St. Amant lives in Louisiana with her young daughter and has a heart for sharing the amazing news of God’s grace through her novels. A freelance journalist, Betsy is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. When she’s not reading, writing, or singing along to a Disney soundtrack with her daughter, Betsy enjoys inspirational speaking and teaching on the craft of writing.

Find Betsy online: website, Facebook

Giveaway

One lucky winner will receive a copy of Betsy’s newest book, Love Arrives In Pieces. To enter, click the words “Entry-Form” below. This contest ends Friday, July 3 at 11:59pm PDT.