litfuse – Page 2 – Simple Harvest Reads

Fatal Trauma Review

Fatal Trauma by Richard Mabry, M.D. is a 304 page novel in the Medical Fiction genre. It was published by Abingdon Press and was released on May 19, 2015. To purchase your copy, click here.

Overview

A gunman who has nothing to lose faces a doctor who could lose it all to prove his innocence.

When Dr. Mark Baker and Nurse Kelly Atkinson are held at the mercy of a dangerous gunman, the lives of every emergency room patient are at stake. At the end of the evening three men are dead. One of them is a police officer who couldn’t be saved despite Mark’s best efforts. The other two are members of the feared Zeta drug cartel.

Though the standoff is over, the killing is not, because when the drug cartel loses its members, revenge is not far behind. Facing an adversary whose desires are dark and efforts are ruthless, Mark finds himself under suspicion as a killer, yet still a potential victim. When he turns to his high school sweetheart, attorney Gwen Woodruff, for help, Kelly helplessly looks on, as she hides her own feelings for the good doctor.

At the height of the conflict, three questions remain: Who is the shooter? Who will the next victim be? And can Mark prove his innocence before the gun turns on him?

My Two Cents

Fatal Trauma is a faced paced, edge of your seat page turner. It is obvious that the Richard has done research and knows his way around the ER. The Christian theme is obvious and very forthright throughout the novel.

Richard knows how to write suspense and how to keep you guessing! There was a surprise at every turn and this made me want to keep reading. There were parts that made me sit forward in my seat, anxiously waiting for what would happen next!

I enjoyed this novel. However it took me a while to invest in Mark and Kelly because the novel starts after their relationship was in progress. This made certain parts of the novel a little far-fetched, like when Mark’s high school sweetheart comes into the picture.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. If you are looking for a heart-racing romance suspense novel, you will love Fatal Trauma!

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

A retired physician, Dr. Richard Mabry is the author of seven critically acclaimed novels of medical suspense. His previous works have been finalists for the Carol Award and Romantic Times Reader’s Choice Award, and have won the Selah Award. He is a past Vice-President of American Christian Fiction Writers and a member of the International Thriller Writers. He and his wife live in North Texas.

Find Richard online: website, Twitter, Facebook

Giveaway

To enter the Simple Harvest Reads giveaway, click “Entry-Form” below:

Entry -Form

This giveaway ends on June 10 at 11:59 PDT.
Richard is celebrating the release of Fatal Trauma by giving away The Perfect Prescription Prize Pack!

One grand prize winner will receive:

A $25 cash card
A copy of Fatal Trauma
A bag of coffee (because caffeine can cure a lot)
A medical-inspired coffee mug
Syringe pens
A box of medical-inspired cookies (because sugar can cure what caffeine doesn’t)

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 20th. The winner will be announced June 22nd on Richard’s blog.

Hutterite Diaries

The Hutterite Diaries by Linda Maendel is a 150 page memoir about the Hutterite people. It is published by MennoMedia and was released on May 18, 2015. To purchase your own copy, click here.

Overview

What would it be like to share all your possessions and live in Christian community?

In Hutterite Diaries, Linda Maendel offers a rare glimpse into the daily routines and communal faith of her people, the Hutterian Brethren. From stories of working together to bring in the fall potato harvest to laugh-out-loud tales of sisterly love laced with revenge, Maendel invites readers into her Bruderhof, or colony, nestled on the prairie of western Canada. Here children and adults work, play, eat, and worship together, crafting a community of goods and living out an alternative to the individualism and consumerism of mainstream society.

Few outsiders know anything about the Hutterites, a Plain Christian group related to the Amish and Mennonites. Maendel’s story invites readers into deeper understanding of this community of faith, calling us to take seriously the example of Jesus and the early church in our daily living.

My Two Cents

The Hutterite Diaries is a delightful and interesting read. The book is written like you are sitting and talking to your friend over a cup of coffee. Hutterite Diaries flowed easily and it only took a couple of hours to read. What was different about this memoir compared to others I have read is that it is divided into sections. Each chapter has an applicable quote at the beginning which gives the reader a preview of what is to come.

Linda shares a lot of her culture and herself. Her love of her people shines deeply though her words. She is honest and caring. The humor and stories she adds to the book make the book fun and joyful. The way Linda uses description makes you draw mental pictures in your mind; it is as if you are right there with her in her community.

Linda includes some of the history of the Hutterite people. This really gives the reader a bird’s eye view of what their people have gone through, yet survived. Linda also discusses some threats to her culture. Her honesty is refreshing.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

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

About the Author

Linda Maendel is a Hutterite author, blogger, and educator who lives in Elm River Colony outside of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Find Linda online: website, Twitter

Giveaway

To enter to win a copy of Linda’s book, click “Entry-Form” below:

Entry -Form

This giveaway ends on June 4, 2015 at 11:59 PDT.

The Proposal at Siesta Key

The Proposal at Siesta Key by Shelley Shepard Grey is a 288 page novel in the Amish fiction genre. It is the second book in The Pinecraft Brides series but can be read as a stand alone. The Proposal at Siesta Key is published by Avon Inspire and was released on May 15, 2015. To purchase your copy, click here.

Overview

A young Amish woman, yearning for freedom, crosses paths with a handsome Mennonite celebrity in a deeply moving tale of friendship and self-discovery—the second installment in the unforgettable New York Times bestselling author’s new Amish Brides of Pinecraft series.

Penny Troyer rarely disobeys her parents. In the years since her sister’s tragic death, they’ve wanted nothing more than to keep her safe…even if it means never leaving the house.

But tonight, she’s bending the rules because Michael Knoxx, the most famous member of The Knoxx Family Singers, a traveling Mennonite Evangelical family —is scheduled to speak. Penny has heard of Michael—how he lost part of his leg in a terrible accident and uses the experience to inspire others—and knows she must meet him. So, for the first time ever, Penny stands up to her parents and goes out on her own.

Though he speaks about living life to the fullest, Michael knows he needs to take his own advice. Life on the road is grueling and Michael wants to slow down, to rest…to perhaps meet someone who sees him as a man, not just a celebrity. So when a twist of fate allows him the chance to stay a little longer in Pinecraft, Michael knows God is showing him a new path, especially when he discovers how much he and Penny Troyer have in common.

But new friendships can’t stop time. Soon, Michael’s time in Pinecraft will be over and he’ll be back on the road. Her time with Michael has brought her happiness, but will she be able to follow her heart? Or will she be faced with the one thing she’s sure she’ll never have the courage to do?

My Two Cents

The Proposal at Siesta Key is a sweet, easy story that I could read over and over again. Shelley drew me in right from the start and I wanted to keep flipping page after page to see how the story unfolds. I can not wait for the next installment of the series.

The relationships built throughout this book really draw you in. As a parent, I can relate to Penny Troyer’s parents who want to keep her safe and close. Yet, you can understand Penny’s desire to be free and make relationships of her own. I can also relate to Michael and his disability. He struggles with the desire to please his family, who have been through so much, and his desire to be free. Michael wants to please God as well and it is sometimes difficult to know what plan God has for you. Shelley does a wonderful job creating depth in these characters and the tension she adds makes you want to keep reading.

The Proposal at Siesta Key is very encouraging and full of wisdom. Shelley has a phenomenal way of interweaving the truth of “life is not easy” while also reminding us to cherish each moment we have because we can never get that moment back.

I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars. Grab your coffee and banana nut muffin and join me in Florida at the Orange Blossom Inn! This is one book you will want to read again!

Thank you to Litfuse Chicks for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

About the Author

Shelley Shepard Gray is a two-time New York Times bestseller, a two-time USA Today bestseller, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time Holt Medallion winner. She lives in Southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.

Find Shelley online: website, Twitter, Facebook

Two Giveaways

Simple Harvest Reads Giveaway

There are two giveaways you can enter to receive a copy of Shelley’s new book, The Proposal at Siesta Key. To enter my giveaway, Click “Entry-Form” below:

Entry -Form

This giveaway ends on June 3, 2015 at 11:59 PDT.

Small print: This giveaway is sponsored by Simple Harvest Reads. The winner will be contacted via e-mail and will have 30 days to claim their prize. Simple Harvest Reads is not responsible for prizes lost or damaged by the post office.

To enter Shelley’s giveaway, click below:

CALLED TO BE AMISH REVIEW

Called to Be Amish by Marlene Miller is a 256 page novel Amish Memoir. It was published by MennoMedia and released on February 9, 2015. To purchase your own copy from Amazon, click here or from Barnes & Noble, click here.

Overview

Fewer than one hundred outsiders have joined the Old-Order Amish—and stayed—since 1950. Marlene C. Miller is one of them.

In this rare memoir, Marlene recounts her unhappy and abusive childhood, how she throws herself into cheerleading and marching band, and how she falls in love with Johnny, the gentle young Amish man who helps her lace her ice skates.

Against the wishes of both sets of parents, Marlene and Johnny get married and begin a family. Follow the author on this unusual journey to find out how God’s love called her out of bitterness and depression and into the warm embrace of her new Amish community.

Accompany her as she dons an Amish dress and prayer covering and gets baptized. Learn how she endures the strain of ten children, a hundred-acre farm, and accidents and tragedy, and find out how she comes close to walking away from it all. Turning Amish has proven to be anything but plain and simple for this former majorette. But nearly fifty years later, Marlene is still living out God’s call as an Old Order Amish woman.

My Two Cents

Called to Be Amish gives a rare glimpse into the life of the Old-Order Amish. Reading this memoir was like sitting down with a cup of coffee and talking to an old friend who you are eager to catch up with. Marlene opens up and deeply shares about her life: The good, the bad, and sometimes the ugly. The questions to the author at the end are a must read – very interesting and informative. There are yummy, must try recipes included as well.

Marlene shares and explains many of the Amish traditions in Called to Be Amish. Her writing is not polished like other authors, however, this gives the memoir authenticity. The reader feels as if they are right in the midst of Marlene’s life watching the events as the unfold. She shares her beliefs as if she was having a conversation with you; she is not preachy or trying to convert you to her way of thinking. Marlene is just sharing her story with you. It felt like a privilege to get to read her story.

What shines through in Called to Be Amish is the love of Christ shown by Marlene, her husband, and most of her husband’s family. The sacrifices Marlene made to show her love for Christ and how her life changed after her conversion really makes is inspiring and very encouraging. This book inspired me to take a hard look at my life; at what is important and what I am willing to sacrifice for Christ.

I give Called to Be Amish 5 out of 5 stars. With so many television shows and authors who are neither true to the Amish nor their culture, it was refreshing to read a book that accomplished both. You will walk away from this book knowing your life has been enriched by reading it.

Thank you to the Litfuse Chicks for a free copy of Called to Be Amish in return for my honest review. No monetary compensation was received and all opinions stated are my own.

About the Author

Marlene C. Miller joined the Amish as an adult and has been a member of the Old Order Amish for almost 50 years. She and her husband of 48 years live on a farm in Ohio surrounded by their nine children, more than 40 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

Giveaway

To enter to win your own copy of Called to Be Amish, click on “Entry-Form” below:

Entry -Form

This contest ends Sunday, May 24, 11:59 PST.

When Grace Sings Review

When Grace Sings is a 352 page novel in the Amish/Mennonite fiction genre. It is published by WaterBrook Press and released on March 17, 2015. To purchase your copy through Amazon, click here or through Barnes & Noble, click here.

Overview

Alexa Zimmerman wonders if the Old Order Mennonite community in Arborville, Kansas will ever fully accept her. Her family roots here aren’t what anyone thought when she first arrived, but she is hopeful that her culinary and hospitality skills will win the skeptics over. The bed-and-breakfast she’s operating needs to succeed so Alexa agrees to allow Briley Forrester, the hotshot reporter from Chicago, to stay as a long-term boarder not knowing his real motives for being amongst the Plain folk.

But when Alexa agrees to host her cousin Anna-Grace Braun, the presence of extended family brings out Alexa’s insecurities and sets Briley on the trail to uncovering a web of hidden truths.

Plans for a secure future and the sweetness of young romance hang in the balance when Alexa and Anna-Grace have to face that their secrets are interconnected, binding the two in ways they could not have imagined. They must trust in a loving, heavenly Father and His plan for their futures.

My Two Cents

When Grace Sings is a fast paced novel that gives interesting insight into the lives of the Mennonite peoples. It is the second book in The Zimmerman Restoration Trilogy, but can be read as a stand alone. While I did not read the first book, I was able to easily follow the storyline of this book.

This story drew me in right from the beginning. There was romance; there were secrets; there were surprises! It is amazing when an author writes a great story, but to do so with two story lines running simultaneously is phenomenal. I was not able to put it down and read it in one sitting.

The characters were very well developed, interesting and real. You can relate to the struggles they are facing and want to see them succeed. The soul-searching of the characters makes you want to reflect on your own life. One question that really comes to mind while reading is, “Is success worth destroying the lives of others?”

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. My only complaint is the cliffhanger! I want to know what happens and can’t wait for the next book.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity and Blogging for Books for a free copy of When Grace Sings in exchange for my honest review. No monetary compensation has been received for this review and all opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

In 1966, Kim Vogel Sawyer told her kindergarten teacher that someday people would check out her book in libraries. That little-girl dream came true in 2006 with the release of Waiting for Summer’s Return. Since then, Kim has watched God expand her dream beyond her childhood imaginings. With over 30 titles on library shelves and more than a 1.5 copies of her books in print, she enjoys a full-time writing and speaking ministry. Empty-nesters, Kim and her retired military husband, Don, enjoy a quiet existence in small-town Kansas, the setting for many of her novels. When she isn’t writing, Kim stays active serving in her church’s women’s and music ministries, traveling with “The Hubs,” and spoiling her quiver full of grand-darlings.

Find Kim online: website, Facebook, Twitter

Giveaway

I am very excited to give away a copy of Kim’s wonderful book, When Grace Sings. To enter click on “Entry-Form” below:

Entry -Form

This giveaway ends May 21st at 11:59 EST.

A Love Like Ours Review

A Love Like Ours by Becky Wade is a 368 page novel in the Christian Contemporary Romance genre. Although it is the third book in the series, it can be read as a stand-alone. It is published by Bethany House Publishers and released on May 5, 2015. To purchase your copy from Amazon, click here or from Barnes and Noble, click here.

Overview

Former Marine Jake Porter has far deeper scars than the one that marks his face. He struggles with symptoms of PTSD, lives a solitary life, and avoids relationships.

When Lyndie James, Jake’s childhood best friend, lands back in Holley, Texas, Jake cautiously hires her to exercise his Thoroughbreds. Lyndie is tender-hearted, fiercely determined, and afraid of nothing, just like she was as a child. Jake pairs her with Silver Leaf, a horse full of promise but lacking in results, hoping she can solve the mystery of the stallion’s reluctance to run.

Though Jake and Lyndie have grown into very different adults, the bond that existed during their childhood still ties them together. Against Jake’s will, Lyndie’s sparkling, optimistic personality begins to tear down the walls he’s built around his heart. A glimmer of the hope he’d thought he’d lost returns, but fears and regrets still plague him. Will Jake ever be able to love Lyndie like she deserves, or is his heart too shattered to mend?

My Two Cents

A Love Like Ours is a sweet romantic novel full of wonderful characters and imagery. Where most romances focus on two main characters, A Love Like Ours includes many characters which adds richness and balance to the story. The inspiration and hope portrayed throughout this novel is an encouragement to anyone but especially those trying to overcome the struggles in their life.

I love the relationships that are revealed and created throughout A Love Like Ours. Lyndie, one of the main protagonists, has a sister who is disabled. Wade weaves both the difficulty of having a disabled family member and the joy a disabled family member can bring into the story beautifully. She also gives an eye opening account of what servicemen suffer when coming home and trying to adapt to everyday life.

The plotline of A Love Like Ours centers around horse racing, something I have never had much exposure too. Wade does a magnificent job of making it easy for the reader to follow this plotline by including pertinent information regarding horse racing in an interesting way. The storyline does drag a little in the middle, however, the horse racing plotline helps to move the story along.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. It is an encouraging read.

Thank you to the Litfuse Chicks and Bethany House Publishers for a free copy of A Love Like Ours in exchange for my honest review. No monetary compensation was received and all opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

Becky Wade is a native of California who attended Baylor University, met and married a Texan, and moved to Dallas. She published historical romances for the general market, took time off to raise her children, then felt God nudging her to pursue contemporary Christian fiction. Becky’s work has been a finalist for both a RITA and an INSPY Award.

Giveaway

To enter to win a copy of Becky Wade’s new book A Love Like Ours, click “Entry-Form” below.

Entry -Form

This giveaway ends on May 8 at 11:59 PST.

Becky Wade’s Giveaway

To celebrate the release of her new book, Becky is giving away a $100 cash card and a book-inspired prize pack!

One grand prize winner will receive:

A $100 cash card
A copy of A Love Like Ours
A copy of the Secretariat DVD
A scarf
A dog-tag/cross keychain
A pair of earrings
A Scarf
A Texas-shaped cutting board
A Jake Porter mug

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 26th. Winner will be announced May 27th on Becky’s site.

Side by Side Review

Congratulations to Kathryn, the winner of a copy of Side by Side. Enjoy!

Side by Side by Jana Kelley is a 221 page novel in the Contemporary Missionary Fiction genre. It is published by New Hope Publishers and was released on November 17, 2014. To purchase your copy through Amazon, please click here or through Barnes and Noble, click here.

Overview

In the dusty, Islamic country of Sudan, Mia’s life collides with that of another young woman.

A young Christian American mother, Mia finds more than one dark secret on the streets of Khartoum. She finds Halimah, a young, upper-class Arab student with a bright future in her family’s business whose risky and secretive decision has put her life in danger. What happens when the path of young mother intersects with that of a spunky Sudanese student? God transforms them both . . . forever.

Part of New Hope® Publishers’ contemporary missional fiction line, Side by Side opens the reader’s eyes to the life of Muslims in Sudan as well as some of the struggles that Christians face when living under Islamic law. The reader will be inspired to pray for those who are persecuted for their faith as well as pray for the salvation of those who persecute.

My Two Cents

Side by Side is a powerful and life-changing novel. Jana draws from her experiences as a missionary to weave real-life events to cast a story that will leave the reader changed forever.

Each day we go about our lives without a second thought to the blessings we have: food, housing, opportunities, choices, and most of all freedoms. Freedom to speak our minds, have choices over our bodies, and to share our love of Christ. Side by Side pulls us into a different world where Christians risk their lives everyday to stand up for Jesus. It also conveys the sacrifices missionaries and their families make on a daily basis to share the Gospel and minister to others. Side by Side gives the reader an appreciation for the blessings they have and will compel the reader to evaluate what they are willing to sacrifice for Christ.

Jana’s characters are open and honest in her novel. The reader can see the struggles of selfishness, pride, and frustration. I liked that those feelings are included and not glossed over. This makes her characters real and believable; it also encourages us to empathize with the characters. Jana additionally shows the plight of women in Muslim countries by including difficult topics such as female circumcision with tact. Her knowledge of the culture and her love of the Muslim people shine through in her characters.

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. This book will change your worldview, give you first hand knowledge of the dangers of missionary work and give you information on how to pray for missionaries. Side by Side is a must read for all Christians who would like to know how better to minister to Muslims.

Thank you to the Litfuse Chicks and New Hope Publishers for a free copy of Side by Side in exchange for my honest review. No monetary compensation was received and all opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

Jana Kelley is a Texan who hardly ever lives in Texas. Raised in Southeast Asia, Jana developed a love for cross-cultural living early in life. Her love for writing came soon after. Jana returned to Texas to attend college. She and her husband married a month after she graduated and by their second anniversary, they were living in a remote African town. Together with her husband and three boys, Jana enjoys travel and overseas living. After thirteen years in Africa and the Middle East, Jana and her family moved to Southeast Asia where they currently live.

Find Jana online: website, Facebook, Twitter

Giveaway

Enter to win a copy of Jana Kelley’s Side by Side by clicking “Entry-Form” below.

Entry -Form

The last date to enter is May 7th, 2015

The Inn at Ocean’s Edge Review

The Inn at Ocean’s Edge by Colleen Coble is a 336 page novel in the Christian suspense genre. It is published by Thomas Nelson and was released on April 14, 2015. To purchase your copy from Amazon, click here or from Barnes and Noble, click here.

Overview

Claire’s visit to a luxury hotel in Maine awakens repressed memories, threatening all she holds dear.

In 1989, Claire Dellamare disappeared from her own fourth birthday party at the Hotel Tourmaline on the island of Folly Shoals, Maine. She showed up a year later at the same hotel, with a note pinned to her dress but no explanation. Nobody knows where Claire spent that year—and until now, Claire didn’t even know she had ever been missing.

But when Claire returns to the Hotel Tourmaline for a business meeting with her CEO father, disturbing memories begin to surface . . . despite her parents’ best efforts to keep them forgotten.

Luke Rocco lost his mother under equally mysterious circumstances—at the same time Claire disappeared. After a chance encounter reveals the unlikely link between them, Claire and Luke set out together to uncover the truth about what happened that fateful year.

With flashbacks swimming just beneath her consciousness and a murderer threatening her safety, Claire’s very life depends on unscrambling her past . . . even if her family refuses to acknowledge it. Someone-maybe everyone-is hiding something from Claire Dellamare, and it will cost her everything to drag the truth out into the light.

My Two Cents

The Inn at Ocean’s Edge is an edge of your seat thriller that keeps you guessing until the author wants you to know. The plot is edgy and full of twists and turns that keeps this novel moving at a fast pace. From the very first chapter, the reader understands that something is amiss and with each chapter, a new layer is added that makes the reader want to keep reading until the end.

Coble’s characters are varied and interesting. She uses them to make you rethink what constitutes a family. Coble also creates tension between the characters to make the plotline interesting and suspenseful. The only drawback to this novel is keeping track of the different settings and where they are in relation to each other. I found myself wishing I had a map of the area to look at as I followed the plotline.

If you like suspenseful thrillers, you will love The Inn at Ocean’s Edge. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

About the Author

USA Today bestselling author Colleen Coble has written several romantic suspense novels including Tidewater Inn, Rosemary Cottage, and the Mercy Falls, Lonestar, and Rock Harbor series. Visit her website at www.colleencoble.com Twitter: @colleencoble Facebook: colleencoblebooks.

Thank you to Netgalley and Litfuse Publicity Group for the complimentary copy of The Inn at Ocean’s Edge in exchange for my honest review. All opinions in this review are my own and no monetary compensation was given for them.

Celebrate the release of The Inn at Ocean’s Edge by entering to win a Kindle Fire and RSVPing to her May 5th author chat party!

One grand prize winner will receive:

A Kindle Fire
A copy of A Heart’s Disguise
A copy of A Heart’s Obsession
A copy of The Inn at Ocean’s Edge

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 7th. Winner will be announced May 8th on Colleen’s website. Plus be sure to clear your calendar on the evening of May 5th because Colleen is hosting an author chat party on Facebook to celebrate her A Journey of the Heart series and the release of The Inn at Ocean’s Edge! RSVP here!

RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on May 5th!

A Sparrow in Terezin Review

A Sparrow in Terezin is a 353 page Christian historical fiction novel. It is published by Thomas Nelson Publishers and was released on April 7, 2015. To purchase your copy through Amazon, click here or through Barnes and Nobles, click here.

Overview

Bound together across time, two women will discover a powerful connection through one survivor’s story of hope in the darkest days of a war-torn world.

Present Day–With the grand opening of her new art gallery and a fairy tale wedding just around the corner, Sera James feels she’s stumbled into a charmed life–until a brutal legal battle against fiancé William Hanover threatens to destroy the perfectly planned future she’s planned before it even begins. Now, after an eleventh-hour wedding ceremony and a callous arrest, William faces a decade in prison for a crime he never committed, and Sera must battle the scathing accusations that threaten her family and any hope for a future.

1942–Kája Makovsky narrowly escaped occupied Prague in 1939, and was forced to leave her half-Jewish family behind. Now a reporter for the Daily Telegraph in England, Kája discovers the terror has followed her across the Channel in the shadowy form of the London Blitz. When she learns Jews are being exterminated by the thousands on the continent, Kája has no choice but to return to her mother city, risking her life to smuggle her family to freedom and peace.

Connecting across a century through one little girl, a Holocaust survivor with a foot in each world, these two women will discover a kinship that springs even in the darkest of times. In this tale of hope and survival, Sera and Kája must cling to the faith that sustains and fight to protect all they hold dear–even if it means placing their own futures on the line.

My Two Cents

A Sparrow in Terezin is the second book in the A Hidden Masterpiece collection. This was the first book I have read by Cambron and I was able to follow the storyline easily. Cambron is skilled at interweaving two stories across decades without losing the reader but drawing them into a wonderful and moving story.

The research Cambron has invested is apparent in this novel. She entwines the history into the story where it unfolds through the characters. What makes A Sparrow in Terezin so exceptional is how Cambron shows the reader the history which draws you in instead of telling you which typically makes a story dry to the reader. A Sparrow in Terezin takes you back in time to a piece of history that we should never forget. The sweet story spiced with a bit of mystery makes the reader want to keep reading to the end.

The characters in A Sparrow in Terezin are well developed and authentic. The American characters are believable and when we cross the ocean to England, Cambron adds characteristics that makes these characters believable as well. The reader feels the emotions of these characters: Their success, their heartbreak, their love. Add in the imagery Cambron uses and it makes this one of the best historical novels I have read in a long time.

This book deserves every star in a five star rating. If you read historical fiction, than A Sparrow in Terezin is a must read book!

About the Author

Kristy Cambron has been fascinated with the WWII era since hearing her grandfather’s stories of the war. She holds an art history degree from Indiana University and received the Outstanding Art History Student Award. Kristy writes WWII and Regency era fiction and has placed first in the 2013 NTRWA Great Expectations and 2012 FCRW Beacon contests, and is a 2013 Laurie finalist. Kristy makes her home in Indiana with her husband and three football-loving sons.

Find Kristy online: website, Facebook, Twitter

Thank you to Netgalley and Litfuse Publicity Group for the complimentary copy of A Sparrow in Terezin in exchange for my honest review. All opinions in this review are my own and no monetary compensation was given for them.

Kristy is celebrating by giving away a basket filled with goodies inspired by her new book!

One grand prize winner will receive:

A set of poppy notecards
A poppy pin
A copy of I Never Saw Another Butterfly
A copy of the Mrs. Miniver DVD
Literary tea bags
Tumbler
A copy of A Sparrow in Terezin

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 28th. Winner will be announced April 29th on Kristy’s blog.

{NOT ON FACEBOOK? ENTER HERE.}

To Win Her Favor Review

To Win Her Favor is a 384 page novel in the Christian historical fiction genre. It was published by Zondervan and will be released on May 12, 2015. To pre-order your copy, click here.

Overview

A gifted rider in a world where ladies never race, Maggie Linden is determined that her horse will become a champion. But the one man who could help her has vowed to stay away from thoroughbred racing forever.

An Irishman far from home, Cullen McGrath left a once prosperous life in England because of a horse racing scandal that nearly ruined him. He’s come to Nashville for a fresh start, hoping to buy land and begin farming, all while determined to stay as far away from thoroughbred racing as possible. But starting over proves harder than he’d wagered, especially when Maggie Linden’s father makes him an offer he shouldn’t accept yet cannot possibly refuse.

Maggie is certain that her mare, Bourbon Belle, can take the top purse in the inaugural Peyton Stakes, the richest race ever run in America. Maggie only needs the chance to prove it. To give her that chance—and to save Linden Downs from being sold to the highest bidder—Maggie’s father, aging, yet wily as ever, makes a barter. His agreement includes one tiny, troublesome detail—Maggie must marry a man she’s never met. A man she never would have chosen for herself.

My Two Cents

To Win Her Favor is a lovely fast paced novel that has its setting right after the Civil War. The plotline pulled me in right away and Alexander kept me engaged with suspense, romance, and a bit mystery. The research completed for this book is thorough, accurate, and gives the story authenticity. The novel includes difficult historical topics both truthfully and respectfully. The reader can gain an understanding of how life could be during this time.

The characters of To Win Her Favor have personality, grit and a realness that makes you empathize with them even though we do not live in the same time period. For example, Maggie has worked hard for her dream and it would break her heart to lose it all so she makes a desperate decision. I think many of us can relate to how Maggie feels. Alexander does an incredible job of making a story authentic to the time period, yet relatable to today.

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. This amazing romance will sweep you back in time and leave you wanting more when you are finished.

About the Author

Tamera Alexander is a best-selling novelist whose deeply drawn characters, thought-provoking plots, and poignant prose resonate with readers. Having lived in Colorado for seventeen years, she and her husband now make their home in Nashville, Tennessee, along with their two adult children who live near by. And don’t forget Jack, their precious—and precocious—silky terrier.

Find Tamera online: website, Facebook, Twitter

A big thank you to Litfuse chicks and Zondervan for a free copy of To Win Her Favor in exchange for my honest review. No monetary compensation has been received and all opinions expressed are my own.

Celebrate the release of To Win Her Favor with a Kindle Fire and book giveaway!

One grand prize winner will receive:

A Kindle Fire HD 6
A copy of To Win Her Favor

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 10th. Winner will be announced May 11th on Tamera’s blog. Plus stay tuned for more opportunities to win after May 11 with a special Pinterest contest—more details coming soon!

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