Blog tour stop for Delia Latham's novel Destiny's Dream, with bonus review!

About the book:

Is a little respect too much to ask at a funeral? Apparently it is for Destiny May. Clay Gallagher is built like a small mountain and far more vocal than is fitting when he shows up late to her mother's "going away party." When it turns out he's not even at the right funeral, Destiny demands retribution in the form of an escape from the day's dreary proceedings. Spending time with a handsome stranger who makes her laugh is more therapeutic than fighting with her overbearing family. Clay finds Destiny beautiful, charming...and intelligent. So why is she stubbornly determined to open a Christian dating service? Clay has little respect for such a frivolous profession, and doesn't think the small, conservative town of Castle Creek will welcome such a progressive business. But when Destiny is threatened by an anonymous caller who deeply resents her and what she does for a living, Clay makes it his business to keep the saucy redhead out of harm's way. Trouble is, spending time in her company weakens his defenses, and Destiny may be the one thing Clay can't escape... if he even wants to.

My review:

There are some things I loved about this book. For one, the cover is gorgeous. The opening scene was also very touching and made me cry. So don't start this book when in a public place. It could get embarrassing. I loved the way the hero and heroine met and the romantic tension that followed. I found their relationship endearing and her desire to start her own business admirable. The added tension with the brother and the funding of the business was a nice touch. The dialog between the hero and heroine was charming and fun to read. The romantic elements were tender and the most addictive reading for me. This part of the novel was all well-written and very believable, reminding me a lot of Janice Thompson's writing.

But then a subplot was introduced into the story regarding a dangerous client and that sort of wrecked the overall feel of the book for me. It was cruising along with the perfect romantic pace and then it was like a bomb dropped in the center of the book. That didn't work for me. I was enjoying the story just fine up to that point. I don't think the subplot was needed, and in fact was distracting to me. There were parts of the story through the end that reminded me of the beginning and I enjoyed them very much. I wasn't really fond of the scene mentioning the "bodyguard" either, as it just seemed out of place. Regardless, for people who love tender romances, this author knows how to drum them up and does a great job writing those scenes. As for angst and drama and suspenseful type scenarios? Not so much. I would have preferred the story much more without that element. Nevertheless, I did enjoy the majority of the story even though at times it felt like it was over the top in regards to Christian themes and scriptures. Recommended.



Destiny's Dream was published by White Rose and released in Dec. 2010.

New giveaway! I'm giving away an Amish fiction title! Enter to win Secrets of Harmony Grove by Mindy Starns Clark!

Attention all Amish romance and mystery lovers! Here is a story that includes both. To enter for a chance to win you need to comment on this post and leave me a way to contact you. Here is the question... As the number of Amish fiction titles continues to grow, should Amish fiction now have a subgenre so you know what else the novel is about? Example, Amish Romance, Amish Mystery, Amish Suspense? Or should it stay simply Amish fiction? What are your thoughts on this? One last thing... if you tweet (or retweet) about this contest with a link to this blog, I'll enter your name twice. Have a great week!



My thoughts:

I don't have this book but I loved the first one in this series. Mindy has created a unique product with her Amish romance and suspense all packed in one novel that keeps you reading. At least that is what she did with Shadows of Lancaster County.

My review for How I Forgave My Molester by Melinda Todd.

About the book:

Have you ever struggled to forgive someone? Would you be able to forgive someone from one of the most horrific crimes committed against a child? "How I Forgave My Molester" is a powerful book by author Melinda Todd. She tells her story of childhood heartbreak and destruction by someone close to her. She also shares her journey on healing and forgiveness.

This e-book provides a step-by-step guide to claiming victory over the bondage of sexual abuse. These steps can also be applied in any situation where forgiveness is needed. Also included are printable scripture memory verses.

You too can have healing and peace. Jesus said we are set free. Are you ready to claim your freedom?

My review:

I enjoyed this book because it was concise and to the point without being overly graphic or detailed. It also had a positive and uplifting message with sound advice to follow. I loved the scriptures included and the author's perspective. She also made mention of something that as a social worker in child welfare situations I've come across often when children are molested. The way the "safe" adults respond to the information given by the child can help them heal, or hurt them emotionally even worse than the abuse itself.

The author shows clearly in her booklet that being believed and helped matters. When the truth is ignored and there is no consequence to the perpetrator, the victim is further damaged by thinking they were somehow wrong themselves or that they weren't loved enough to be believed and protected. Why had nothing happened to the person who was the one doing the hurting? In everyone's mind that is a VERY good question. In a child's mind, it just makes them question their own sanity. If it happened, then why had nothing changed? Did they just imagine it? But then it's confirmed by others, confirming their belief that it really did happen, and the pain rises to the surface all over again.

Someone close to me had this exact same experience. When we were in our twenties she asked me, "Do you remember me telling you that someone hurt me when I was eight?" I said yes, I did. But I was only 11 at the time and didn't know what to do with that info myself, but I remembered telling her to tell an adult, which she did, and it was ignored because the adult didn't know what to do. She sighed and said, "Good because for a while there I thought I was going crazy and that it never happened because nothing was done about it." So I saw first hand how troubling that can be and how much it hurts the victim, and not just through my job, but in real life as well.

I highly recommend this resource for women who have been hurt by molesters and also to young women who are trying to deal with the ramifications of the abuse. This booklet will lead toward the kind of healing that comes from God. Everything in this booklet is sound advice and well-thought-out, which tells me the author has definitely experienced healing or she wouldn't be able to describe it so well.


How I Forgave My Molester was published by the author using Amazon Digital Services and was released in 2011.

My review of Stars Collide by Janice Thompson.

About the book:

Kat Jennings and Scott Murphy don't just play two people who are secretly in love on a television sitcom--they are also head over heels for each other in real life. When the lines between reality and TV land blur, they hope they can keep their relationship under wraps. But when Kat's grandmother, an aging Hollywood starlet with a penchant for wearing elaborate evening gowns from Golden Age movies, mistakes their on-screen wedding proposal for the real deal, things begin to spiral out of their control. Will their secret be front-page news in the tabloids tomorrow? And can their budding romance survive the onslaught of paparazzi, wedding preparations, and misinformed in-laws?
From the sound stage to a Beverly Hills mansion to the gleaming Pacific Ocean, Stars Collide takes readers on a roller-coaster tour of Tinseltown, packing both comedic punch and tender emotion.


My review:

More like 4.5 stars...

This story was a delight to read, as are all of Janice's books. It was mild in the sense of reflecting the author's tender romantic style, but it was also a fun read, too. I loved the grandma. The author made a sad situation funny by putting a spin on it that makes the reader smile at the eccentricities and put them into perspective. The quotes from movies were fun and an entertaining aspect of the story as well.

As is typical for Ms. Thompson, she interjects a powerful human need into every story. In this novel it was Kat's longing for a relationship with her father. While the emotional damage caused by his abandonment when she was only seven was heartbreaking to process with her, it was realistically portrayed. So was her adjusting to the idea that her grandmother's mind was slipping away. Stars Collide was a well rounded story in all aspects and I never got bored with the story or started skimming through the pages.

Last, I felt like I was on a television show backstage with the characters. While Christian actors are probably infrequent at best in Hollywood, it was still fun to read a fictional story about what that might look like. It was tender and sweet, of course. Scott was heroic and a great guy, too. I liked him a lot. His family issues were realistically done. Nothing about the story felt sappy or forced. Everything felt natural in a toned-down, tender manner. I applaud the author for keeping a story so tame and still so very interesting. It wasn't as zany as the author's Weddings by Bella series, but it was still worth my time. I wonder if Brock Benson (a-hem) will show up in the next novel. If he does, I can't wait to see what happens next.

Stars Collide was published by Revell and released in January 2011.

Blog tour stop for Never Been Kissed by Melody Carlson on Revell's YA blog tour!

Bestselling Author Explores Teen Trend of “Sexting”

Melody Carlson helps teens understand the harsh realities of “sexting”

in her latest touching and thought-provoking YA-fiction novel.
Readers will be encouraged to value purity regarding their bodies.

About the book:  All Elise wants is to have her first kiss before she turns sixteen. Is that so bad? But when a friend's poor advice and the powers of electronic technology combine, Elise heads down a dangerous road. She is accused of "sexting" and gets kicked out of school. But is she really the one to blame?

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus. She also writes many teen books, including Just Another Girl, Anything but Normal, the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series. Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon. 

 
Visit Melody's website at www.melodycarlson.com.

Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, offers practical books that bring the Christian faith to everyday life.  They publish resources from a variety of well-known brands and authors, including their partnership with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and Hungry Planet.

For more information, visit www.RevellBooks.com.

My review:

Never Been Kissed by Melody Carlson will be the first book to make my best fiction of 2011 list. It was a fabulous novel, very well-written, and if I could give it ten stars I honestly would. Not just because it deals with relevant and important topics for young people today, but because it exposes the danger that can come from seemingly small lies. And the pain caused from being harassed by peers.

I loved that the author brought everything full circulate and wrapped up the story with a very satisfying ending. Of course, I can't tell you what happened or it would be a spoiler. I can say that I'd love to see another story about Elise that explores her senior year in high school, since for her the eleventh grade started out as a train wreck.

I loved how the spiritual thread was neatly woven into the story, and it was not overpowering, contrived, or sappy sounding. I loved how realistic the main character's thought were, especially the ones rationalizing her behavior and contemplating ways to get away from the painful situation. The secondary characters were awesome as well. They were very well developed for such a short book.

This is one of the best YA books I've ever read. It seems like the last three YA novels written by Melody Carlson and published by Revell have been fabulous. The other titles were Anything But Normal and Just Another Girl. The author nailed teen thoughts and emotions very well in all three books. While I have to say that I truly adored the other two stories, this one is probably my favorite.

The bottom line for me - Elise was more realistically portrayed than most YA fiction. I loved that the point of view for this story was written in the first person present tense. I empathized with her as a young person and understood her feelings better as a result. Her mother's reaction was harsh, but totally believable. I could see it happening just the way it played out. Honestly, I didn't want to do anything except read this book, which for me isn't good right now due to my own deadlines. But I kept reading. It was that enthralling. I can't wait to see what Melody comes up with for Revell next. I am totally hooked.

A copy of this book was provided to me for review by Revell, the publisher. I was not compensated for my review and the opinions expressed above are completely my own. 

New Giveaway! Now I'm giving away The Reluctant Prophet by Nancy Rue!

For a chance to enter the drawing for this book simply post a comment about any missions type work you have done or have wanted to do. Have you fed the homeless, worked in a shelter, gone to another country on a missions trip? If not, do you want to? Where would you go, or what would you do? I will use the Randomizer program to select a winner next Sunday. Please answer the question when you comment.

 

About the book:

The first in a new trilogy from seasoned writing team Nancy Rue and Stephen Arterburn, The Reluctant Prophet shows how one person's response to God's call can change a community forever. Forty-something Allison Chamberlain is still halfheartedly trying to figure out what to be when she grows up. It's a surprise to everyone when she feels a divine nudge to buy a Harley motorcycle and go wherever it takes her. Soon Allison finds herself in the darkest corners of society, bringing home drug-addicted prostitutes and pointing out the narrow fears of her church group. Along the way, she learns the heartache of the very poor—and how healing can come through the voice of God and those who follow it.

My thoughts:

This book has gotten excellent reviews. I haven't read it yet, but it's on my to read list. Looking forward to it!

Announcing the Grace Awards! Nominate a book, volunteer to judge, etc.

We need you!  (Our goal is to be inclusive and not exclusive when it comes to entries.)

Announcing the launching of the Grace Awards for the Best of 2010 in Christian/Inspirational fiction, where readers pick the finalists in all categories. This contest is open to Ebook published works, small press, as well as traditional publishers of Christian, inspirational, redemptive themed, Messianic, Christian world view inspired, marriage and family friendly novels.

Check out the website for more information: Grace Awards site link

Oh, and if you want to nominate any of my 2010 books, I'll remind you of the titles. But remember, you must have read the book and say why you loved it to nominate one of them. Don't worry, the site has instructions for readers so you will have a guide to follow when writing your brief nomination. Thank you!

 

Here is the schedule for judging applications to be submitted and for entering the contest...

PROPOSED TIME TABLE:

January 21^th - Mar 15^th: Judge applications accepted

January 21^st - Mar 15^th: Nomination of novels accepted

January 21^st - Mar 30^th: The Board reviews all nominations and selects finalists

Mar 30^th - Apr 30^th: Judges read the three final books in their category and vote

May 5^th: The Board announces winners in all categories

 CRITERIA FOR JUDGES:

Prospective judges may apply by email to: graceawards@aol.com Please submit a brief synopsis or resume of your writing/publishing/editing career or credits. Email us and tell us what you're doing in the faith-based literary field. It will be your responsibility to obtain the three finalist books in your category. The Board can assist you by asking all finaling authors/publishing houses to send a free copy of their book or ebook to our judges. However, by agreeing to judge, it is ultimately your responsibility to get and read the books by the voting dead line.  

PROJECTED BOOK CATEGORIES:

·         Women's Fiction

·         Contemporary Romance/Historical Romance

·         Suspense/Thriller/Mystery/Romantic Suspense/ Detective Series 

·         Speculative (SciFi/fantasy/horror, etc.)

·         Action Adventure/Western/Historic Epic Fiction

·         Young Adult

My review of Kaydie by Penny Zeller!

 

About the book:

For the first time in years, Kaydie Worthington Kraemer can breathe easily. Although she is still haunted by memories of her abusive husband, Darius, she takes comfort in knowing the man is dead. Staying with her sister McKenzie and brother–in–law, Zach Sawyer, at their ranch, Kaydie is still wary of men, especially now that she has another life inside of her to protect. As she looks forward to her baby's birth, she builds a protective wall around herself that won't be easy to tear down.

Ranch hand Jonah Dickenson views his boss, Zach, like a brother. He does not, however, envy Zach's new role as a husband. Deserted by his mother at a young age and forever despised and rejected by his own father, Jonah has few close relationships. But there's something about Kaydie that draws him to her and makes him question his decision to remain a bachelor.

When Cedric Van Aulst, an old friend of Kaydie's, comes to town, an unforeseen prospect of marriage arises. Cedric is someone Kaydie trusts. Will she settle for a safe union with him, or can she trust God to guard her heart and her life in the arms of Jonah?

My review:

Kaydie is a heartwarming romance set on the Montana prairie in the late 1800s. The main character, Kaydie, had escaped a painful marriage to an abusive man when she became a widow. However, the resulting trauma from his abuse caused her to fear men long after her husband ceased to be a threat. One man in particular, Jonah, manages to break through the protective barrier surrounding her heart when he befriends Kaydie. I loved that he had no ulterior motives and was just a nice guy. As a result of their newly developing friendship she starts to believe she may be able to trust a man again, but is that enough for her to take the plunge and get married?

This story is one that pulls you along because of the tender romance between characters. As their bond strengthened my heart tugged in response to Jonah's gentleness. I loved the theme about learning to trust and how to identify who is truly trustworthy. Bethany Ethel was the result of Kaydie's horrific marriage, but she was such a sweet child and really added a lot to the storyline. The author showed how God took a miserable situation and still made something good come from it... an innocent little girl who stole her mother's heart before she was even born. I loved how Jonah got to know Bethany and how tender he was with her. That made him seem all the more heroic.

Jonah was hard not to fall in love with as a reader, but at the same time given his history, it made sense why he'd be reluctant to tie the knot and why Kaydie would be reluctant to take a chance on a man she was still getting to know. Kaydie was a sweet read with a lot of tender moments. The author did a great job of using a horrible situation, past abuse, and showing the healing process without getting too graphic. The romantic tension kept building and the conflict between them made sense. Even the other guy wasn't so bad in the end. I liked the scenario that was set up between the characters and really enjoyed getting to know them.

Kaydie was published by Whitaker House and releases in April 2011. If you love prairie romances that are tender and heart-warming, you'll want to pre-order this book!

Hey, I made the Sankofa Literary Society best books award list for 2010!

Never Without Hope was featured in Black Pearls Magazine 

for Best Books Award 2010 in the Christian Fiction category! 

(See below)

 

Best Books 2010 Christian Fiction/ Faith-based /Our Experiences

2010 Best Books by the Sankofa Literary Society

Black Pearl Soul—Christian Fiction/ Faith-based /Inspiring Experiences

Here is a link if you want to check it out. I'm #21 (wish that was my age...lol!)

Best books for 2010 - Christian fiction category

Announcing the new Inside Pages blog from Moody Fiction!

It's a new year and we're turning the page with Moody Publishers' new blog, Inside Pages! To celebrate, we're hosting a launch party at www.InsidePages.net from January 17th-29th! For these two weeks, we will be having daily giveaways, for prizes including a Kindle, iPod Touch, books, Bibles, and more!

Inside Pages will serve as Moody Publisher’s online forum on faith, publishing, and literary culture, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at publishing and creating a digital community for dialogue about the book industry. Inside Pages will regularly feature new book releases, author interviews and articles, reading/writing resources, and employee commentaries on the publishing process and the changing literary landscape. And of course, you can still find us here at the Moody Fiction blog!

We hope to see you there!

P.S. Did we mention giveaways?

My review of The Gift by Bryan Litfin!

I just finished reading a galley of The Gift by Bryan Litfin and it was an incredible journey I won't soon forget. I am not even a fantasy lover, but the medieval elements in the book make it seem more like knights in shining armor than Star Wars, so it works well for me because I adore historical fiction. Plus the fighting is intense (if not gruesome at times, but not overly-so) and the romance is breathtakingly sweet and intense at the same time. If you have read The Sword by Bryan Litfin, you won't want to miss The Gift! Pre-order it now. If you haven't read The Sword you should get a copy while you are waiting for The Gift to release. Both are incredible stories and I loved them so much they BOTH made my favorites lists. The Sword in 2010 and now The Gift in 2011. Few authors touch my heart so deeply that all of their books make my favorites list, but Bryan Litfin has done it with this series. I am hooked for life now.



About the book:

This second book in the Chiveis Trilogy continues the search for the New Testament in a world where the Bible has been lost.

The Chiveis Trilogy takes readers hundreds of years into the future. War and disease have destroyed civilization as we know it. Much technology has been discarded and history is largely forgotten. Slowly, the few survivors have begun to build new communities, and kingdoms now prosper in a kind of feudal order. But the Word of God has been lost for centuries.

After the finding of an Old Testament in book one of the trilogy, The Gift picks up the story of Teo and Ana. Exiled from their homeland and trying to survive in unknown and dangerous lands, they search for any record of the missing Testament. Their journeys lead them into the region we know as Italy. An elite society welcomes Ana, who finds she must choose between her new life and her dream of returning to Chiveis. Will Teo and Ana’s relationship withstand the circumstances and new enemies pulling them apart? And can Teo keep ahead of a powerful and mysterious force opposing his search for the New Testament?

Litfin’s imagination and fast-paced narrative style will capture the hearts and minds of all fiction readers.


My review:

The Gift is a powerfully written story about forgiveness and a desire to know the truth, no matter the cost. The author has a gift for making situations impossible and seemingly hopeless, then finding hope in every situation. I lost track of the number of times I held my breath expecting the worst, which often happened. As the story progressed I saw how even the worst circumstances were used by God for a greater purpose. There were so many spiritual truths and lessons in this novel. I couldn't imagine living in a world knowing most of the truth, but then missing the greatest portion of that truth, the person of Jesus Christ, who ties the Old Testament to the New. This story moved me to tears on numerous occasions and gave me an even greater appreciation for the scriptures. It also contained a powerful romance that was compelling because it showed the power of true love and the beauty of committing to loving one person for life, the person God intended for you. Teo and Ana exemplified sacrificial love, which always draws the unsaved to faith in Jesus Christ, Who is the model for us all. It's impossible to read The Gift and not be moved in some way. I cannot wait to read the next book in this incredible series.

The Gift is published by Crossway books and will release in April 2011!

New giveaway! Now I'm giving away One Lane Bridge by Don Reid.

To enter for a chance to win this book simply answer the following question... what do you think about Time Travel stories (as a genre) and Christian fiction? Can they coexist? What do you think about them? I will pick a winner next Sunday using the Randomizer program. Please leave me a way to contact you and do answer the question. It increases your chances of winning because then I know you actually read the post.



About the book:

PJ. D. Wickman has a thief stealing from his restaurant, a daughter struggling at college, a demanding mother in a nursing home; and he may be losing his sanity too. What J. D. needs is a little peace and quiet. One tranquil evening, he takes off on a ride in the country; and promptly has car trouble. He asks for help at an old farmhouse and finds a family living in abject poverty, and vows to help. When he returns with groceries, he can't find them or the house; although he's not lost. While J. D. struggles to make sense of this riddle, his behavior creates doubt in his marriage, and his best friend thinks he's crazy. This charming tale reminds readers "God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform."

My thoughts:

I've been tied up with endorsements, but am looking forward to reviewing this book in the next month or so. It sounds awesome and I usually love the books the David C. Cook publishes. They have good taste in fiction.

My review for Never Been Kissed by Melody Carlson!

Product Description

All Elise wants is to have her first kiss before she turns sixteen. Is that so bad? But when a friend's poor advice and the powers of electronic technology combine, Elise heads down a dangerous road. She is accused of "sexting" and gets kicked out of school. But is she really the one to blame? This powerful and realistic story from beloved author Melody Carlson shows teen girls the impact of their choices when it comes to respecting themselves and their integrity. Honest and relevant, Never Been Kissed will make girls laugh, cry . . . and think.

 

From the Back Cover

New School = New Chance for That First Kiss
 
Summer is ending, and for once that doesn't seem like such a bad thing to Elise. She's hoping that starting fresh at a new high school will turn her first-kiss prospects around. New guys, new friends, and a new lease on life.

What she wasn't counting on was all the new pressure--to hang with the right crowd, wear the right clothes, and date the right guy. Just when it seems she's on top of the world, everything comes crashing down. Could one bad choice derail her future?

My review:

Never Been Kissed by Melody Carlson will be the first book to make my best fiction of 2011 list. It was a fabulous novel, very well-written, and if I could give it ten stars I honestly would. Not just because it deals with relevant and important topics for young people today, but because it exposes the danger that can come from seemingly small lies. And the pain caused from being harassed by peers.

I loved that the author brought everything full circulate and wrapped up the story with a very satisfying ending. Of course, I can't tell you what happened or it would be a spoiler. I can say that I'd love to see another story about Elise that explores her senior year in high school, since for her the eleventh grade started out as a train wreck.

I loved how the spiritual thread was neatly woven into the story, and it was not overpowering, contrived, or sappy sounding. I loved how realistic the main character's thought were, especially the ones rationalizing her behavior and contemplating ways to get away from the painful situation. The secondary characters were awesome as well. They were very well developed for such a short book.

This is one of the best YA books I've ever read. It seems like the last three YA novels written by Melody Carlson and published by Revell have been fabulous. The other titles were Anything But Normal and Just Another Girl. The author nailed teen thoughts and emotions very well in all three books. While I have to say that I truly adored the other two stories, this one is probably my favorite.

The bottom line for me - Elise was more realistically portrayed than most YA fiction. I loved that the point of view for this story was written in the first person present tense. I empathized with her as a young person and understood her feelings better as a result. Her mother's reaction was harsh, but totally believable. I could see it happening just the way it played out. Honestly, I didn't want to do anything except read this book, which for me isn't good right now due to my own deadlines. But I kept reading. It was that enthralling. I can't wait to see what Melody comes up with for Revell next. I am totally hooked.

Never Been Kissed was published by Revell and released in January 2011.

New giveaway! Enter for a chance to win Facelift: A Novel by Leanna Ellis.

To enter for a chance to win a copy of this book simply read the book description below and answer the following question. Don't forget to leave me a way to contact you if you win. I will select a winner next Sunday using the Randomizer program. Here is the question... What do you think about cosmetic surgery? Would you ever get surgery and if yes, what for? I'd say yes to get my bottom reduced in size, but I've seen people get tummy tucks and then a few years later you can't even tell they did it. But honestly, I don't like pain so I'll just keep my big bottom. Anyone else?



About the book:

Kaye Redmond stages houses for resale, so masking trouble spots with strategic decor comes naturally. She does it in her personal life as well-her can-do attitude and ready smile disguising the emotional wear-and-tear of a failed marriage and raising a teenage daughter alone. But when her former mother-in-law comes back around, desperate for a place to stay while recovering from a botched facelift, Kaye begins to realize there's a much more authentic way to brighten one's countenance: look to God and His plan for her life.

My thoughts:

Don't have this novel and haven't read it either so I have no opinion.

My review of Orphaned Hearts by Shawna K. Williams!

About the book:

Pastor David Langley understands six-year old Caleb Holsheyer -- what it feels like to be damaged and alone. His family killed in a fire, and his body severely burned, David grew up in an orphanage, ridiculed and shunned. He couldn’t let that be Caleb’s fate.

When adoption plans fall through, David is desperate to find Caleb a new home. But in the midst of the Great Depression, most families are barely getting by. No one seems willing to take on the responsibility of an extra mouth, especially one belonging to a crippled child.

Except for Sadie Miller, the town spinster. In Sadie, David sees the answer to Caleb's needs. But Child Welfare doesn't agree, and demands other arrangements be found, or the boy be returned to the orphanage.

David and Sadie team up, determined to find a home for an orphaned child, but while searching, might they find a family instead.

My review:

Another great novel by Shawna K. Williams. This one is a bit "sweeter" in overall style, but is just as powerful in regards to the heartfelt message it contains...just like her prior books. It's hard for me to pick a favorite because all three were so good. What I loved about this story was it had to do with a theme of loving others and seeing them for who they are inside, not what is supposedly "wrong" with them that people see on the outside.

I loved watching the characters grow to love each other and how both Sadie and David wanted what was best for the other person. The ever-growing trust and love slowly developing between Caleb and the adults in his life was beautiful to behold. I wanted David to overcome some of his self-image worries. I was cheering for Sadie all the way. I really identified with Sadie and her desire for a family of her own, but not being able to imagine it happening. When everything started coming together it was inspiring and heart-warming. There wasn't any contrived tension or overly dramatic scenes to distract from the power of the story. Everything felt natural in it's presentation.

I have a soft spot for orphan stories, so that made this one all the sweeter to me. I loved how the author showed that it was hard for David to even know for sure if his feelings were what love actually felt like, since he'd been orphaned at such a young age. It's so true that people who haven't felt security and love in their homes growing up struggle with understanding love, not to mention learning how to give and receive love in regards to others. This was very well done. Orphaned Hearts was sweet and tender, but it was also a story containing substance and powerful truths. I really enjoyed it.

Orphaned Hearts was published by Desert Breeze Publishing and was released in Dec. 2010.

My review of Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico by Lena Nelson Dooley.

5 of 5 stars for craft and 4 of 4 stars for spiritual content and healing hearts potential.



About the book:

All that glitters is not gold. It's 1890, and Golden, New Mexico, is a booming mining town where men far outnumber women. So when an old wealthy miner named Philip Smith finds himself in need of a nursemaid, he places an ad for a mail-order bride—despite the protests of his friend Jeremiah. Hoping to escape a perilous situation back East, young Madeleine Mercer answers the ad and arrives in town under a cloud of suspicion. But just as she begins to win over Philip—and Jeremiah himself—the secrets she left behind threaten to follow her to Golden...and tarnish her character beyond redemption.

My review:

I thoroughly enjoyed this historical novel by Lena Nelson Dooley. It's now one of my favorite Love Finds You titles. The story structure reminded me of Tracie Peterson's style, but this author added her own personal touch to make it uniquely hers.

The writing style was smooth and intelligently put together. It was easy to read without feeling choppy. I got a bit misty-eyed a few times as well, which is not a frequent occurrence for me. That only happens when my heart is engaged, and in this case the author did a great job of making me care. The baby in the story was a big part of that bonding process. The author used that character well in connecting various situations and thus making my eyes water.

The theme of forgiveness was strong and beautifully written. I didn't see any flaws or downsides to this novel. The spiritual thread was strong and flowed naturally, which is not often the case with historical fiction. The church setting enhanced the novel and I adored the elderly man, Phillip.

The hero, Jeremiah, was dreamy. Though he had his weaknesses, they didn't feel contrived and just made him more intriguing and heroic to me. The heroine was strong in her own way, while remaining somewhat dependent like women tended to be in those days, especially women who had limited financial resources. Sometimes when I read a historical novel I get annoyed when the women seem atypically strong for that time period. This heroine was perfectly constructed in this case. I enjoyed spending time getting to know these characters. I highly recommend this book.

Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico was published by Summerside Press and released in June 2010.

New Giveaway! Enter for a chance to win The Mayan Apocalypse by Mark Hitchcock and Alton Gansky!

For a chance to win this end-times novel simply read the book description and comment on what you think about the end of the world happening in 2012. Did you see the movie 2012 in the theater? Does this subject fascinate you? Go ahead and post a comment. I'll pick a winner using the Randomizer program next Sunday.



About the book:

On the heels of Mark Hitchcock’s prophecy bestseller 2012, the Bible, and the End of the World comes a suspenseful novel (coauthored with bestselling novelist Alton Gansky) about the supposed expiration date of planet earth—December 21, 2012.

Andrew Morgan is a wealthy oil executive in search of the meaning of life. In his quest for answers he encounters the ancient Mayan predictions that the world will end in 2012. That the claims seem supported by math and astronomy drives him to check on them. Then he meets Lisa Campbell, an attractive Christian journalist also researching the Mayan calendar. When he learns that she is a Christian, he quickly dismisses what she has to say.

As the time draws closer to December 21, 2012, a meteorite impact in Arizona, a volcanic eruption, and the threat of an asteroid on a collision-course with earth escalate fears. Are these indicators of a global apocalypse? Will anyone survive? Does Lisa’s Christian faith have the answers after all? Or has fate destined everyone to a holocaust from which there is no escape?

My thoughts: I wish I could review this book but I never had a copy of it sent to me. Sorry!