Summer of Promise

"Summer of Promise is a riveting romance filled with mystery and a sweet love story. The setting of Amanda Cabot’s newest novel takes us back to Wyoming Territory in 1885. When Abigail Harding travels to Fort Laramie to see her sister she finds more adventure than she expected. I found life on an army post out on the frontier to be fascinating and the love story one of the best I’ve read this year.

From the back of the book:

Though she had planned to spend the summer in Vermont, Abigail Harding cannot dismiss her concerns over her older sister. Charlotte's letters have been uncharacteristically melancholy, and her claims that nothing is wrong ring false, so Abigail heads west to Fort Laramie, Wyoming. When her stagecoach is attacked, Wyoming promises to be anything but boring. Luckily, the heroics of another passenger, Lieutenant Ethan Bowles, save the day.

Abigail plans to marry when she returns to Vermont, just as soon as she attends to her sister. As the summer passes, she finds herself drawn to this rugged land and to a certain soldier determined to persuade her to stay. When summer ends, will she go back East, or will she find her heart's true home?

Smitten

When the small town of Smitten's mill closes the town may have no choice but to shut down. Four friends come up with a plan to save the town. Using the towns name, Smitten, they convince the residence to change it to a romantic retreat. Each of the four girls has their own romance written by a different author. Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter do an incredible job of working together to produce an excellent romance. I'm already looking forward to book two.

Book Description

Four friends devise a plan to turn Smitten, Vermont, into the country's premier romantic getaway-and each finds her own true love along the way.

With Smitten Lumber closing, residents wonder if their town can stay afloat. Then four friends and local business owners-Natalie, Julia, Shelby, and Reese--decide the town is worth saving. How will they do it? They'll turn Smitten into a honeymoon destination!

As Natalie, Julia, Shelby, and Reese work to save the town, each discovers romance in her own life. Meanwhile, the faith of a little child reminds the whole town what it means to have real faith in the God who is the always and forever Love.

Discover a novel written by four of Christian fiction's most popular romance novelists- friends in real life who've drawn an amazing story of four friends! Includes a Reading Group Guide as well as "Conversation over Coffee with the Authors".

The Christmas Witness

Susan Sleeman's The Christmas Witness is a suspense filled book that will bring you to the edge of your seat. When Megan Cash is threatened by the man she helped put behind bars, her only help comes from former FBI agent, Reid Morgan. Book three of the Morgan brother's series, the twist and turns kept me turning the page. Definitely a five star book you don't want to put down. It was like watching a movie at the theater (only the book is always better). Next time I open a Susan Sleeman book I'm going to make sure to have the popcorn ready.

From the back cover:

DON’T SAY A WORD!

When a criminal threatened to kill Megan Cash if she testified against him, she didn’t back down. Years later, he’s out of jail and ready for revenge against Megan and her daughter. The only one who can protect them is the former FBI agent who broke Megan’s heart.

But Reid Morgan isn’t the same man—he’s now a widowed father with a harrowing past. . .and a heart more guarded than ever. Still, he’s the only one who believes Megan when she says she’s in danger. Because someone wants to make this a Christmas she won’t live long enough to forget.

Love Finds You In Annapolis Maryland

Roseanna M. White's Love Finds You book is set in colonial times. The setting is well written, taking the reader back to a time in our history when life was very different. I enjoyed the authentic characters she created and the informational facts dealing with that time and the experiences our ancestors experienced shortly after the American Revolution.

The love story was unique and compelling. I love a story where you see the hero and heroine both grow to understand themselves and each others motives better. Roseanne White is a talented writer and I look forward to reading more of her historical romances in the future.

From the back of the book:
In 1783 peace has been declared, but
war still rages in the heart of Lark
Benton.
Never did Lark think she’d want to escape Emerson
Fielding, the man she’s loved all her life, but then
he betrays her with her cousin. She flees to
Annapolis, Maryland, the country’s capital, and
throws herself into a new circle of friends who force
her to examine all she believes.
Emerson follows, determined to reclaim his bride.
Surprised when she refuses to return with him, he
realizes that in this new country he has come to call
his own, duty is no longer enough. He must learn to
open his heart and soul to something greater…
before he loses all he should have been fighting to
hold

An Amish Wedding

Three Amish Novellas come together in An Amish Wedding. Like many American's I have a strange fascination about the world of Plain People. I enjoy reading books that give us a glimpse into the unique lifestyle of the Amish.

Three well-known authors, Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller and Kelly Long have banded together to create this exceptional novel about three Amish girls that fall in love and prepare to marry. As I read the book it just kept getting better and better. If you're a fan of Amish stories this book will give you three stories to enjoy.

Overview posted on B&N:

Three Amish women yearn for the perfect wedding.

"A Perfect Plan" by Beth Wiseman

Priscilla King has been planning to marry Chester Lapp since she was sixteen years old, and when Chester proposes on Priscilla's nineteenth birthday, wedding plans begin immediately. What wasn't planned was all the problems the couple encounters as their big day approaches. A house disaster, a ruined wedding dress, and a sick attendant all make the couple wonder if God's sending them signs to call things off.

"The Perfect Match" by Kathleen Fuller

Naomi Fisher has had great success at matchmaking her family members and friends. Now with her sister's wedding right around the corner, Naomi wonders why she's able to find husbands for her friends and family, but not one for herself.

"The Perfect Secret" by Kelly Long

Rose Bender has recently become engaged to handsome but somber Luke Raber. She agrees out of a sense of duty and a willingness to settle for solid friendship as a basis for the engagement. But as she watches her friend's excitement over her soon-to-be wedding, Rose wonders if there shouldn't be more to her relationship with Luke. She begins to examine Luke and his life more closely and is amazed when she stumbles upon an exciting, secret side of him that engages her mind and heart.

As a bonus (like three stories isn't enough!) they've included Old Order Amish recipes in the back.

Marrying Miss Marshall

Lacy Williams debut novel, Marrying Miss Marshal, is a five star historical romance with believable characters the reader can identify with. Filled with action and a heroine like none other, Marrying Miss Marshal is fast paced and well written.

Lacy’s descriptive writing paints a realistic picture of the old west. A unique plot with unexpected twist and turns keeps you wanting to read more. Without giving anything away I will say that my favorite part (well one of many favorite parts) had me cheering … out loud... in a public place.

From the back of the book:

Filling the shoes of her late husband as town marshal hasn't been easy for Danna Carpenter. She's not only fighting criminals, she's also fighting to earn the respect of the townspeople. So crossing paths with tenderfoot detective Chas O'Grady is the last thing she needs. He's hunting a band of cattle rustlers and isn't used to the rugged Wyoming landscape. Teaming up is their only option, but when circumstances place them in a compromising situation, the town forces a more permanent partnership—marriage. If they can let down their guards with each other they might find that love is the greatest catch of all.

I’m happy to share that Lacy Williams next book, THE HOMESTEADER'S SWEETHEART will be out in May 2012 as well as another book (untitled for now) in December 2012. I know I’m looking forward to reading both of them. Available right now she has an ebook novella HEART OF GOLD out and its free on Amazon and Barns and Nobel!

I loved reading Marrying Miss Marshal so much I ended up with an extra copy. It can be yours! Just leave a message to be entered into the drawing. If you have read her book and would like to leave a comment for Lacy she will be stopping by or you can visit her at http://www.lacyjwilliams.com/ .

A Bride's Portrait by Erica Vetsch

When I started reading A Bride’s Portrait by Erica Vetsch I first noticed her excellent crafting skills. From page one I was drawn by her choice of words and the pictures they created. If the authority were mine I would crown Erica “Queen of show don’t tell”

A Bride’s Portrait takes place in Dodge City, back when the west was young. Description from the back of the book: Adeline Reid, once the sweetheart of a notorious train robber, is determined to keep her shady past a secret and her heart protected. Her newfound focus on her work has gained her two things - a successful portrait studio in Dodge City, Kansas, and a life free of romance. Unfortunately, Addie's inquisitiveness brings trouble back into her life when she unwittingly holds a clue that can expose a killer's identity. Will she find herself looking down the end of a gun barrel, or will a handsome deputy nab the murderer before the shooting starts?

This book calls to mind one of my favorite quotes by Paul Sweeny: “You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend.”

Still today there’s a scene I’m not ready to let go because of the emotions it created. I can’t say any more than that without giving too much of the story away. I defiantly do not want to ruin it for you, but trust me it will touch your heart.

I read a lot of books. Some I’ve been gifted, others I’ve won on blogs but most I’ve been asked to review. The majority have been well written books that I enjoyed. One or two I’ve plowed my way through, anxious to get to the end. I know it takes a lot of work to write a book and the author deserves to have it read to the end. Then there are a handful of books that carried my imagination away to a place I did not want to leave. A Bride’s Portrait is one of the handful that’s more than just a good story.

His Steadfast Love

His Steadfast Love, written by Golden Keys Parsons takes place in Texas during the civil war. This powerful love story takes during a time in our country's history when strong beliefs clashed. The reader is taken back to a time when our country was young and conflicting points of view tore us apart. Families and friendships were tested by loyalty and convictions. This book is well written and the historical information flows with details that opens the readers eyes to the human side of a war we recall only from our history books. I found it very hard to put the book down!

Product description from Amazon:

It isn't until the Civil War comes to her doorstep that Amanda Bell must choose between love and family.

It's the spring of 1861 on the Gulf Coast of Texas. Amanda never thought she would marry because of a promise she made to her dying mother, but her attraction to Captain Kent Littlefield is undeniable.

When Texas secedes from the Union, her brother Daniel aligns with the Confederate States, while Kent remains with the Union troops.

Her heart is torn between the two men she is closest to and the two sides of the conflict. Amanda prays to God for direction and support, but hears only silence. Where is God in the atrocities of war-and whose side is He on?

Amanda senses her life is at a turning point. She must trust God to deliver her family through the chaos of war with her heart and her faith intact.

Once Upon a Cowboy by Pamela Tracy

I really enjoyed this Love Inspired book. Pamela Tracy has a real talent for characterization. I felt connected to Joel and Beth through out the story. The small town with the typical 'everyone knows your business' atmosphere was spot on. Living in a small town myself, I know it has its pros and cons. The author did a wonderful job of showing us the growth of her characters relationship with God, the community and each other. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys romance with suspense and mystery.

From the back of the book:

A bull-riding injury has sent Joel McCreedy crashing—literally—into his tiny Iowa hometown. But the last thing the prodigal son wants is to stay. On top of a bruised head and ego, he has relationships to mend and a reputation to clear. And then there's lovely Beth Armstrong, his nephews' teacher, who's willing to give them all lessons in family and forgiveness. But Joel isn't the dutiful "family first" man Beth deserves. Or is he? Suddenly, instead of wrangling bulls he's helping with homework. And instead of craving his next win, he's determined to be Beth's once-in-a-lifetime love

The Wonder of Your Love

Just finished reading best selling author, Beth Wiseman's newest book The Wonder of Your Love. I enjoy reading books about the Amish community. Something about their simple, uncomplicated lifestyle is so appealing.

The Wonder of Your Love is a sweet love story about forgiveness and moving on. It is not your usual Amish fiction story. The secondary characters aren't what one expects to find when delving into a book about present day people living as though they were the 1800's. This twist added to the stories intrigue.

I enjoyed the book and am glad I had the opportunity to read it. I would recommend it to anyone that is a fan of Amish fiction.

Publishers description:

Katie Ann lost the love of her life. Then God offers her a new beginning in Colorado.

Katie Ann Stolzfus lives in the small Amish community of Canaan, Colorado. At forty she is widowed and raising her first child. But baby Jonas will never know his father, and Katie Ann wonders if her Heavenly Father hasn't forgotten about her as well. Is it really God's plan for her to be a single parent?

Eli Detweiler has come to Canaan for a wedding and a long vacation. Having raised six children following the death of his young wife, Eli is finally an empty-nester. He's enjoying the slower pace of having no one to care for but himself.

When Katie Ann and Eli meet, there is an instant connection. Yet as strong as the attraction is, they both acknowledge that a romance would never work. He is done parenting, while she has just begun.

But as their friendship slowly blossoms into feelings that are as frightening as they are intoxicating, Katie Ann and Eli question if the plans they made for themselves are in line with God's plans.

Can Katie Ann entrust her heart to another man, and rediscover the wonder of God's love?

Buried Truth by Dana Mentink

Just finished reading Buried Truth by Dana Mentink. Considering the fact I am a fan of historical romance this Love Inspired Suspense was a bit outside the box for me. I loved it. Dana Mentink is an incredible writer. From page one I was transported from my quite couch at home in the Ozarks to the hills of South Dakota. Her three dimensional characters were so real I was drawn to them from the start. The twist and turns of their journey were unpredictable (good, good thing when you’re talking fiction romance) leading them to save the day as well as learn to forgive and heal.

As a pre-published author I’m learning more and more about ‘rules’ and ‘how it’s done’. As a reader and a student of the art I knew right away I was reading the work of a professional. Buried Truth was the first book of Dana’s I’ve read but not the last. Readers are in good hands with this multi-published writer. The edge of your seat excitement came to a satisfactory conclusion that left me wishing there were more pages to turn.

From the back of the book:

“COMING FOR YOU”

A note, impaled by a knife on Bill Cloudman’s door, tells the former tribal agent a murderer has escaped. The vicious madman who murdered Bill’s partner – and cost Bill the community’s trust and his job – is on the loose in the South Dakota badlands again. Bill vows to put him behind bars once and for all. But when the woman he loved and lost returns to Eagle Rock reservation as a newspaper reporter determined to restore her own reputation with the story, Bill has to protect her…and his guarded heart.

Dana Mentink has graciously offered to give away a signed copy to one lucky winner. Just leave a message with your email address to be entered.

Message from Dana:

Jamie, thank you for the kind review! I do hope your readers will enjoy the book. Good job on your blog! Dana Mentink

You can find out more about Dana at http://www.danamentink.com/