Saturday, January 26, 2013

Katie's Choice by Amy Lillard







The second book in Amy Lillard's  Clover Ridge series, Katie's Choice was everything you expect from an Amish romance but refreshingly unique. I enjoyed getting to know the Fisher family and look forward to reading more of Ms. Lillard's work. I have not read the first book in this series but the story stood alone and I plan to purchase book number one.


Book Description:

 Katie Rose Fisher loved Samuel Beachy with an intensity that shook their Amish district. No one doubted they would one day marry, until Samuel turned his back on the church and joined the world of the English.

Alone now in Clover Ridge, Katie Rose dedicates her life to God and the school children she teaches each day. Although she secretly longs for more, Katie knows God’s hand is at work, and she is happy.
News correspondent Zane Carson never even knew Oklahoma had an Amish community until he got the chance to live among them and learn about their day-to-day activities. Their simple way of life is intriguing, but not half as much as the young teacher.
Katie Rose is flattered over the attention she receives from Zane, but she has resolved to never marry. Even if she were to entertain the idea, it surely couldn’t be with an outsider like Zane.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

The Icecutter's Daughter By Tracie Peterson


  The first in a new series by prolific author Tracie Peterson, The Icecutter's Daughter is what historical romances are all about. Romance with history sprinkled in. The reader is reminded that technology has been changing our way of life for centuries. I found it to be very interesting and thoroughly enjoyed the romance between Merrill and Rurik.


Back of the Book:

Merrill Krause longs for a family of her own, but she's bound by a promise to her dying mother to care for her father and older brothers until they no longer need her. She enjoys being part of the family business, harvesting ice during the brutal Minnesota winters. Merrill actively takes part, possessing a keen ability to work with the horses--despite the advice of her good friend, who disapproves of her unladylike behavior.

When Rurik Jorgenson arrives in their small town to join his uncle doing carpentry, he soon crosses paths with Merrill. But unlike other men, who are often frightened away by her older brothers, Rurik isn't intimidated by them or by Merrill's strength and lack of femininity. As he thrives under the mentorship of his uncle, Rurik dreams of inheriting the business and claiming Merrill as his wife. But while he is determined to start a new life, the past is determined to follow him when his former fiancee and her brother show up in town. Soon Rurik is put in the center of a major scandal that may damage his relationship with Merrill. Can they learn to trust God--and each other--and embrace the promise of love?

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Unbreakable by Nancy Mehl

 


 

 

What a timely written story!  The question of whether Christians should arm themselves or turn the other cheek is one that believers have dealt with for ages. Nancy explores both sides of the issue, weaving the pros and cons into her story without distracting from the main issue: finding the one true love God has meant for you. 

 

I could not put this book down and while rushing to reach the end dreaded the knowledge that finishing it would mean leaving Kingdom. I'm looking forward to the next installment. I've read both book one and two. I enjoyed them both but Unbreakable stands out. I felt as if I'd grown in my faith after reading this delightful story. 

From the Back Cover

Gentle and unassuming, Hope Kauffman has never been one to question the traditions of her Mennonite upbringing. She quietly helps her father run Kingdom Quilts and has agreed to the betrothal he arranged for her with the devout but shy Ebbie Miller.

Despite the attempts of Hope and other Kingdom residents to maintain the status quo, changes have already begun to stir in the small Mennonite town. The handsome and charismatic Jonathon Wiese is the leader of the move to reform, while Ebbie insists Kingdom must remain true to its foundation. When Hope's safety is threatened by a mysterious outsider, she can't help but question what she's always been taught about the Mennonite tradition of nonviolence.

As it swiftly becomes apparent the threat Hope faced is only the beginning, the town that's always stood so strong finds itself divided. With tensions high and their lives endangered by an unknown enemy, will Hope and the people of Kingdom allow fear and division to break them or will they draw on the strength of the God they serve?

Nancy Mehl is the author of thirteen books and received the 2009 ACFW Mystery Book of the Year Award. She has a background in social work and is a member of ACFW. Nancy lives with her husband, Norman, and their Puggle, Watson, in Wichita, Kansas.

Swept Away



Prolific author Mary Connealy is one of my favorite historical romance authors. Her wonderful sense of humor and wit bring life to her stories. Her newest book, Swept Away is filled with action and romance. This new series is off to a great start. I believe Swept Away is one of her best books. Fans of this writers unique voice are in for a treat.



Book Description:
Laughter, Romance, and Action Abound in This New Series from Mary Connealy

Swept away when her wagon train attempts a difficult river crossing, Ruthy MacNeil isn't all that upset at being separated from the family who raised her. All they've ever done is work her to the bone. She prayed for a chance to get away, and then came the raging flood. Alive but disoriented, she's rescued by Luke Stone...so unfortunately, there are more chances to die in her immediate future.

Luke is heading home to reclaim the ranch stolen from his family. But the men who killed his father are working hard to ensure Luke doesn't make it alive. He has no choice but to keep moving. Still, he can't just abandon Ruthy, so she'll have to come along.

His friends--a ragtag group of former Civil War soldiers--take a fast interest in the pretty gal. Luke thinks that's rather rude--he's the one who found her. And the more time he spends around the hard-working young woman who is a mighty good cook, the more he finds himself thinking beyond revenge and toward a different future. For the first time in a long time, Luke is tempted to turn from his destructive path and be swept away by love.

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Choices of The Heart by Laurie Alice Eakes











Laurie Alice Eakes's newest book is filled with realistic characters living during a time when family loyalties were strong, strong enough to fight for. This book kept me turning the page as I was transported to 1840s Appalachia. The romance and suspense is well done and from start to finish I enjoyed ever word.

Book Description:

Esther Cherrett comes from a proud line of midwives and was trained by her mother to take over the family calling. But when a scandal threatens all she holds dear, Esther takes a position as a teacher in the western mountains of Virginia instead. There she finds herself in the midst of a deadly family feud and courted by two men on opposite sides of the conflict. When it seems as though her past has followed her all the way into the mountains, all she wants is to run away again.

In this gripping story of trust, deception, and bittersweet loss, a young woman learns the true meaning of choices of the heart.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

A Blog Hop


Are you ready to be introduced to some new authors through a Blog Hop? Here’s how it works: I’m going to answer ten questions, then at the bottom, I’ll be adding links to several authors I’d like you to meet on January 9th.

What is the working title of your book?
Choices of the Heart

On the trail of outlaws, Pinkerton agent Jacob Hanley comes across a tenacious woman with a secret that puts her at odds with a small frontier town. Determined to honor a deathbed promise, Laura Prescott vows to hold her ground. Choices of the Heart takes place in the Reno Nevada area in 1883.


Where did the idea come from for the book?
Part of a dream. I saw a ranch house set in the mountains with a large orchard. The image stuck with me and I tried to image who would live there and what their life would have been like in the late 1800's. (my favorite time period to write)


What genre does your book fall under?
Inspirational Historical Romance

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

None come to mind. I'll have to give that some thought.
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?  

Laura Prescott, the unlikely guardian of two young children and a teenage boy helps a lawman running from his past fulfill his mission while trying to keep her safe.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

Requested revisions have been sent to a major publishing house in New York.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

I believe it took just over a month. I found myself struggling midway through and wondering if it would ever come together. At that time I'd won a copy of one of Julian Heart's books. In my thank you email I asked her to pray for my writing and after that the words just flew.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Marrying Miss Marshal by Lacy Williams and The Preacher's Outlaw Bride by Mildred Colvin are both books I've enjoyed and believe are comparable to Choices of the Heart.
Who or What inspired you to write this book?  

Actually an editor at Love Inspired. I won a pitch contest almost two years ago with Tina James. At that time I had not read a Love Inspired book but my story fit the submission guidelines. After I sent the manuscript I read  the first of many LI books (I'm a big fan now) and realized my story was not one that fit their line. Ms. James sent me the kindest letter encouraging me to send another story and explained what they were looking for. When I got the idea for Choices of the Heart my goal was to write something just for Love Inspired Historical.
What else about your book might pique the reader's interest? 

I love the location of the story. We went out west for a vacation a few years ago and there's something about the high dessert with all it's unique beauty and mystery that stirs my creativity. In Choices of the Heart there's a family closeness with love and humor that touches the heart.

Go to http://reginatittel.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-blog-hopcherished-stranger.html to see what
Regina Tittel's been up to.


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