LITFUSE BOOK TOUR

Her personal safety isn't the only thing in jeopardy-so is her heart. In Hope Toler Dougherty's new novel, Rescued Hearts, children's clothing designer Mary Wade Kimball's soft spot for animals leads to a hostage situation when she spots a briar-entangled kitten in front of an abandoned house. Discovering the kidnapped woman ratchets the complications for undercover agent Brett Davis. Brett forsakes his three-month mission and helps her escape, the bent-on-revenge brutes following behind . . . and then Mary Wade's safety is threatened once more.

Cozy up this fall with Hope's new book and enter to win a Kindle Fire!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Rescued Hearts
• A Kindle Fire 7

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on November 13. The winner will be announced November 14 on the Litfuse blog.

 

Children's clothing designer Mary Wade Kimball's soft spot for animals leads to a hostage situation when she spots a briar- entangled kitten in front of an abandoned house. Beaten, bound, and gagged by the two thugs inside, Mary Wade loses hope for escape when a third villain returns with supplies. Discovering the kidnapped woman ratchets the complications for undercover agent Brett Davis. Weighing the difference of ruining his three months' investigation against the woman's safety, Brett forsakes his mission and helps her escape, the bent-on-revenge brutes following behind. When Mary Wade's safety is threatened once more, Brett rescues her again. This time, her personal safety isn't the only thing in jeopardy. Her heart is endangered as well. Learn more and purchase a copy.




OUR REVIEW

Wow! This is a non stop read, from the unexpected beginning all the way through to the end. How does Mary Wade find the strength to get in and out of the perilous situations that keep tangling her personal safety along with the emotional drama that even surprises herself! You think things will smooth out, but her relationships with the other characters take detours and twist your gut with the "oh no" this can't be happening! It was a fast read for me, as I liked the unusual story line for a change of pace. Characters were written in a believable way, and the settings to right on. If you love romance AND mystery, this one is for you!

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. All opinions are my own.


                              Amazon Review

About the author:

 

 

 

Hope Toler Dougherty holds a Master's degree in English and taught at East Carolina University as well as York Technical College. A member of ACFW, RWA and SinC, she writes for Almost an Author. Before writing novels, she published non-fiction articles on topics ranging from gardening with children to writing apprehension. She cheers for the Pittsburgh Steelers, ACC basketball, and Army West Point Football. Hope and her husband, Kevin, live in North Carolina and chat with their two daughters and twin sons through ooVoo.

Find out more about Hope Toler at http://hopetolerdougherty.com.

NEW BOOK REVIEW

                                                 Evidence Not Seen ... By Carlene Haven




Although attorney Jeff Galloway’s career is in high gear, his personal life is a mess. Just before his father returns home from a 27-year stretch in prison, his girlfriend dumps him. When a chance encounter begins to blossom into new romance, soft-hearted Melanie Clark encourages Jeff to find a way to forgive his father’s long absence.






OUR REVIEW

"...love keeps no record of wrongs...: 1 Corinthians: 13:5 is the perfect introduction to this engaging mystery, love story. Evidence Not Seen by Carlene Haven takes us back to December 1979 when successful attorney Jeffrey Galloway helps his mom await the arrival of his father's release from prison.

Linda      

Mixed emotions are battling in his heart as he questions just what really happened long ago, and can forgiveness be obtainable? Enter Melanie Clark, someone well beneath Jeffrey's social standing but smart as a whip and full of enthusiasm for life.

I found this story amazingly refreshing, as I love not having to get bogged down with excessive characters, overload of unnecessary backstories, and still keep me thinking the whole way through with ... what if's? A fast and easy read that will leave you wanting to read the next story in this collection of books!


                                       Amazon Review

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                                     Whiter Shall I Go? ... Gina Holder





In 1911, Eleanor Williams struggles to see God’s hand in her life, when she loses both parents and is sent to live with her wealthy, estranged aunt, who transforms her from awkward country bumpkin to socialite heiress. 6 years later, she meets a young preacher and finds hope as they serve the Lord together.


Ellie’s journey takes her from her home in Cades Cove, Tennessee to the concrete jungle of New York City and finally to the harsh unforgiving world of the Amazon River Basin, where she meets Paul, a doctor who’s lost his way and Jack, a soldier with amnesia. Encountering anacondas, jaguars, and an antagonistic Shaman, will Ellie give in to the fears that threaten to overwhelm her?
Or can she depend on God’s grace to bring about His will for her life?


OUR REVIEW


July 1910, Manaus, Brazil ... "Where's our son?" will peek your interest from page one! Gina Holder author of Whither Shall I Go? introduces us in following chapters to several families that will tug at your emotions, while interweaving their direction of this romantic story.

Linda   

Eleanor Grace Williams (aka Ellie) faces a devastating loss as a young girl, which leads her into a new and challenging life. While developing her faith in God she intersects with a bold young preacher that puts questions in her mind about her future. From this point on, family and questionable events happen that disrupt a growing bond between the two, as once again a blow to Ellie's new life has struck her heart and laid out plans.

Holder has cleverly woven the characters for us to wonder who can be trusted as the story moves from the easy life of civilization to the harsh depths of Brazil. Missionary work is not meant for everyone, and just who will survive this outcome after surprising secrets are revealed?





                                     Amazon Review

NEW BOOK REVIEW

                                                Sparrow on a House ... By Billie Houston


In 1943 Sara Carson leaves her farm home and goes to Orange, Texas to work in the ship yards. There she meets and falls in love with soldier Kent Holden. Three days later they are married. Less than a week after that he ships out to North Africa. Sara moves back to the farm to help her mother with her ailing grandmother and her father who is losing his hold on reality.

Now it is 1945. Germany has surrendered and Kent is coming home. Sara comes to grips with the realization that she has married a stranger. She loves her husband, but she doesn't know him. She has married in haste. Is she condemned to repent at leisure?



OUR REIVEW

Sparrow on a Housetop by Billie Houston took me by complete surprise! Houston depicted the time period accurately without dragging out any unnecessary details to bog the story down, following through with character growth and development. I must say I enjoyed the references to a few books that I recognized!

The horrendous harshness of battles that the soldiers faced, effected the outcome of their homecoming and the start of new lives. Sara faced the unknown of what life would be with a husband that she only knew a few days before going off to war. To the surprise and shock of her family, Kent is somewhat welcomed into an eclectic array of family members...on both sides of the family.

Linda     

I have to say, my feelings for Kent were not favorable at first, as Houston used her skill of writing to make my emotions doubt his sincerity about his love for Sara and then building suspicion of what his character was really about.

Throughout the story, faith may or may not touch and heal lives as we can easily recognize the life altering events that happen... possible the same occurrences that  have touched our own lives. 

Yes, of course I cried at the end a little bit, but remembering that we don't always understand the ways of God, He is always in control!
       


Amazon Review

NEW BOOK REVIEW

                                                                       A Life to Live ... By Toni Shiloh




Mia is headed to the famed Nottingham for a month long vacation. She never imagined she’d run into her high-school sweetheart thousands of miles away from her home town. Why would God throw them back together?
Caleb always regretted the way things ended with his high-school girlfriend, Mia. After a chance encounter in the streets of Nottingham, Caleb feels God is giving him a second chance to right the wrongs he committed. Unbeknownst to him, Mia has secrets that may require his forgiveness. Will her past overshadow his wrongs?
As Mia and Caleb work through old hurts and broken hearts will they let the blessing of forgiveness redeem their relationship?


OUR REVIEW

I have to say this book cover actually called out to me. The tone of the blue background infused with rain made me wonder if this couple really had a once in a lifetime chance. A Life To Live by Toni Shiloh had already set the feeling of this romantic fiction.


Shiloh's prologue details the reason behind the title, and explains why Mia is taking a wonderfully planned out vacation, but does it really turn out how it was planned? Placing her trust in God and depending on His help in important decisions, Mia's life takes on amazing twists including secrets that have been hidden for years.

Linda      

I enjoyed the easy flow of this story having enough detail to picture the lovely Mia, her passion for purple and the lush setting of the country side of Britain. A wonderful story encompassing God's grace and forgiveness.



                                                Amazon Review

NEW BOOK REVIEW

In His Eyes: A Civil War Romance ... by Stephenia H. McGee


Her heart sought shelter. Her soul found home.

Ella Whitaker rescues a newborn from the dying arms of a woman of ill repute and at long last she has someone to love. In need of a wet nurse, she arrives at Belmont Plantation just as Federal soldiers demand to speak to the owner. Thinking quickly, Ella masquerades as a Yankee officer's widow in order to have a roof over her head and a home for the child.

Major Westley Remington has dedicated his life to serving his country. The Civil War has divided his family, torn his thoughts of glory, and left him with a wound that may never heal. Westley returns home on medical furlough to settle his father’s estate at Belmont Plantation, only to find his home is being run by a fiery and independent woman—one many believe to be his wife. Now he is faced with a conflict he’s never been trained to fight, and one she has yet to conquer.


OUR REVIEW

"My little dragon. Will we ever tame the fire on your tongue?" What an amazing romantic fire Stephenia H. McGee author of In His Eyes unravels before us. Ella Whitaker takes desperate and daring measures to insure a safe and secure life for herself and the newborn that she has saved from a life without love, but at what cost?

Linda       

McGee has uniquely  blended two lives, two stories in a very unusual and charming way. The style of writing had a wonderful crossover from character to character, building emotional bonds that continued to reveal the depth and the strength that each one possessed.

The story also presented the possibility of something a bit mysterious going on in the background with freedmen Sibby and Basil, as McGee quietly weaves events around this intense and passionate love story.

I must say, the way that God is portrayed in the Ella's life is quite fascinating, and written in an extraordinary fashion.


                         Amazon Review

NEW BOOK REVIEW

Only Children Chase Sawdust ... By Willowy Whisper

Their whole life turned to sawdust and blew away . . .

Please don't leave me, Jacob. I need you. I know you're grieving. Maybe we all are. But you're chasing something you'll never catch . . . and we both know you won't come back alive.


OUR REVIEW

Who could pass up this intriguing title, with such a lovely author name! Only Children Chase Sawdust by Willowy Whisper opens with a lovely prologue that explains the title and setting of the story.

Two children grow up together in a small settlement, where lives depend on the community help that they give each other. Everyone knows, loves and respects each other, love blossoms and life is going well. But a surprisingly suspicious Indian attack destroys the foundation of this settlement, and heartache soon follows.

The decisions that were made from that time forward, is the meat of

Linda    

the story. Plots and lies unfold before our eyes, and the faith of the people left are held in God's hands. Will faith and loyalty be enough to see the survivors through this twisting tale?

I thought the premise of the story was good, faith in God versus love in one another. I understood why Jacob felt he had to do what was in his heart even though it hurt those around him. I would have to say the chapters were a bit choppy going back and forth and didn't need the swirly icons to separate the paragraphs as the author moved the story forward. Some of the Indian dialog didn't seem exactly right on, but the strength that was developed in the characters did grow and develop.

The closing lines in the Epilogue cannot be missed! 
                                                                    


                                            Amazon Reivew

NEW BOOK REVIEW

                                                
                                                  Icing ... by Debra Sue Brice


Some people can only dream of living out their fantasies. Cupcake shop owner Denie Shaw is the exception to the rule. This young, witty and charming woman seems to have a perfectly balanced life. Years of making bad relationship decisions had given Denie, owner of Icing, the opportunity not only to become a strong, successful business woman, but also managed to involve her three best friends in her crazy cupcake adventures. Denie’s sweet life gets turned upside down when she meets her crush, Tom Billingsly, right wing for the Cleveland Monsters hockey team. Together, Denie and Tom strike up a relationship that seems to have all the right ingredients. Will Denie allow the fear of heartache to guide her choice, or will she take the leap of faith and trust God to provide a solid recipe for her life?

OUR REVIEW

Icing by Debra Sue Brice is a lovely, deliciously sweet romance of a young, strong business woman who has found success in the world of baking and owning a cupcake shop called Icing.  Denie keeps her social life busy with her twin sister and best friends, hanging out and enjoying the Cleveland Monsters hockey games. Besides the hot dogs and bottomless popcorn, she develops a crush on Hockey super star Tom Billingsly. Never thinking that anything would develop since first, her past relationships have failed since the guys she dated couldn't understand her moral convictions and secondly, how would they ever meet?
But after one of the games Denie and the girls have an amazing surprise in store for them and the fun takes off.  Denie's new feelings for Tom come to life and are stronger then she ever felt before, but will Tom understand, accept and share the faith of Denie's Christian convictions or will this relationship fail like all the others

from the past. Will Denie ignore the pitfall of past heartaches or will she take the leap of faith and trust God to guide her in the right direction?
Along with the mouth-watering descriptions of cupcakes, there are lots of local land marks mentioned, adding even more "flavor" to this story.







                                              A Deliciously Sweet Romance

Available on Amazon.com

  

 

NEW BOOK REVIEW

                                                           Christian Romance Novel


Wedding a Warrior ... by Hannah Conway

 Whitleigh Haynes wrestles with the boundaries of her limited faith after an unexpected marriage proposal leaves her wondering what to say to longtime boyfriend, Collier Cromwell, now Army soldier, who’s asking her to leave everything she’s ever known, loved, and planned. 


OUR REVIEW      

Wedding a Warrior is about a young college couple in love and contemplating marriage but also struggling to find what God wants for their lives. With Collier going off to join the military after 9/11, Whitleigh isn't sure this is the lifestyle she wants. She has her own dreams and ambitions of becoming a teacher.  Traveling around the world as an army wife doesn't quite fit her plan. Could she even marry Collier knowing this wasn't what she wanted?

This story is one many young couples face today. We have our own

Debra Sue         

plans and don't always put our faith and trust in God that He is the One we need to depend on for answers and guidance. Waiting on the Lord may try our patience, but in the long run His plan will always find us where we need to be.

 

 

NEW BOOK REVIEW

                     A new Christian MYSTERY ROMANCE fiction




Submerged (Alaskan Courage Book #1) ...by Dani Pettrey

A sabotaged plane. Two dead deep-water divers.Yancey, Alaska was a quiet town...until the truth of what was hidden in the depths off the coast began to appear.

Bailey Craig vowed never to set foot in Yancey again. She has a past, and a reputation--and Yancey's a small town. She's returned to bury a loved one killed in the plane crash and is determined not to stay even an hour more than necessary. But then dark evidence emerges and Bailey's own expertise becomes invaluable for the case.

Cole McKenna can handle the deep-sea dives and helping the police recover evidence. He can even handle the fact that a murderer has settled in his town and doesn't appear to be moving on. But dealing with the reality of Bailey's reappearance is a tougher challenge. She broke his heart, but she is not the same girl who left Yancey. He let her down, but he's not the same guy she left behind. Can they move beyond the hurts of their pasts and find a future together?

OUR REVIEW

Debra Sue        

Submerged brings the Alaskan terrain to life in such detail you feel like you were there in person, admiring the wonders and history as they unfold. The McKenna family, although not perfect, is a strong family unit that welcomes anyone into their hearts and home, even Bailey Craig, the girl with the scarred reputation. Their faith in each other and their unfailing devotion to serving God is a refreshing read and an inspiration to those who fall in love with this clan.

Pettrey's characters allow the reader to dive right into their world of adventure, suspense and romance. I look forward to reading all the books in this series!

                                      Amazon Review

NEW BOOK REVIEW

Refining Fire (Brides of Seattle Book #2) ... by Tracie Peterson 




Twenty-two-year-old Militine Scott is in training at the Madison Bridal School in Seattle, yet she has no intention of pursuing marriage. What respectable man would have her? But she has found the school provides the perfect opportunity to keep her unsavory past hidden.

Thane Patton, though fun-loving and fiercely loyal to his friends, hides a dark secret, as well. He finds himself drawn to Militine, sensing that she harbors a haunting pain similar to his own.

Will they allow God to make something new and beautiful from the debris of their past?

OUR REVIEW

When I first started Refining Fire by Tracie Peterson, I thought oh dear,  just when are we going to find out what was the main idea for this book?  A lot of Christian daily life was happening, and that was ok, as I always love a clean and wholesome read. I feel that starting off with book two of the series was ok, since the author did catch the reader up on who was who, and placed the setting in Seattle, Washington Territory...January 1889.


The story takes place at the Madison Bridal School in Seattle, where young girls live and train to be sophisticated, loving knowledgeable brides. Abrianna takes the main attention of the story, as a fiery red headed strong willed young woman,

along with her best friend Militine who hides a deep secret from her past.  A lot of restrictions are put on young women of those times, but Abrianna pushes the limits in her own endearing ways.

Love finds its way to the girls, each in a different manor and surprisingly in unexpected ways. The end result leaves you having to actually read book three to find a satisfying ending.

I feel the author researched the time period accurately, as the book had an authentic feel to it and tied the cover of the book into the last chapters of the story.


A wonderful, wholesome read but just a bit of extra "fillers" to drag the story down to a slow pace.





    


  

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                                          Undeniably Yours ... by Becky Wade