Anita Higman’s “Winter in Full Bloom” Kindle Fire Giveaway and Facebook Party! {8/29}

Winter in Full Bloom
by Anita Higman
ISBN: 978-0802405807
$8.99 (paperback)
$2.99 (kindle)

About the book:
Lily Winter's wings are folded so tightly around her daughter that when empty nest arrives, she feels she can no longer fly. But Lily's lonely, widowed life changes in a heartbeat when she goes to visit a woman who is almost a stranger to her---a woman who also happens to be her mother. During their fiery reunion, her mother reveals a dark family secret that she'd been hiding for decades---Lily has an identical twin sister who was put up for adoption when they were just babies. Without looking back, Lily---with her fear of flying---boards a jumbo jet and embarks on a quest to find her sister which leads half way around the world to Melbourne, Australia. Befriended by imprudent Ausie, he might prove to be the key to finding her sister. But her journey becomes a circle that leads her back home to attempt a family reunion and to find the one dream she no longer imagined possible-the chance to fall in love again.

My thoughts:
This humorous book is a fun book to read. Oh, it's a look at a heartbreak (a romance has to have a few of those) and it's easy to sympathize with our heroine and our hero each of whom have their issues. One is dealing with the death of her spouse and his infidelity toward their marriage and the other is dealing with survivor's guilt somewhat after he falls asleep behind the wheel and accidentally kills his sister. Worse yet, his parents have cut off contact with him and he ends up packing his bags and leaving the country to heal on his own. At this point our 2 main characters end up meeting and the story takes off from there.

If you know someone that loves to curl up with a good romance that funny and enjoyable to read Winter In Full Bloom should be right up their alley. I found myself laughing out loud as I read and it's unusual for me to do that right at the beginning of the book. This book is an enjoyable read from open to close and as usual Anita Higman has a winner. (BTW, I love the cover of this book too!)

You can purchase the book in paperback or Kindle and if you'd like to learn more about the author check out her Blog, Facebook and Twitter pages....

Anita Higman's latest novel, Winter in Full Bloom, has just released. She's teamed up with her publisher, River North Fiction, for a fun giveaway and a Facebook Author Chat Party on August 29th.

 
  One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HD
• Winter in Full Bloom by Anita Higman

*** This Giveaway Has Ended ***

So grab your copy of Winter in Full Bloom and join Anita on the evening of August 29th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book, don’t let that stop you from coming!)

DON’T MISS A MOMENT OF THE FUN; RSVP TODAY. HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THE 29th!

Disclaimer: I was given a copy of the book to read and review on GivingNSharing. I was not required to have a positive review and no $$ exchanged hands. Please note: changes in price of a title may change at anytime. Be sure to verify price before ordering. Thanks for reading!

Rosemary Cottage

Rosemary Cottage

by Colleen Coble

ISBN: 978-1595547828

$10.37 (paperback)

$ 4.99 (kindle)

About the book:

Amy came to Rosemary Cottage to grieve, to heal, maybe even find love. But there's a deadly undertow of secrets around Hope Island. . .   The charming Rosemary Cottage on the beach offers Amy Lange respite she needs to mourn her brother, Ben. She's even thinking of moving her midwife practice to the Outer Banks community. It's always been a refuge for her and her family. She also wants to investigate Ben's disappearance at sea. Everyone blames a surfing accident, but Amy has reason to wonder.

Coast Guard officer Curtis Ireland has lost a sibling too. His sister, Gina, was run down by a boat, leaving him to raise her infant daughter. If anyone knew who little Raine's father was, Curtis could lose his beloved niece. Yet he can't help being drawn to Hope Beach's new midwife, Amy. He even agrees to help her investigate what happened to both Ben and Gina.

Can two grieving people with secrets find healing on beautiful Hope Island? Or will their quest for truth set them at odds with each other . . . and with those who will go to any length to keep hidden things hidden?

My thoughts:
Opening with the murder of Gina as she is surfing out in the rough water of the Atlantic Ocean while her brother and 4 month old daughter are waiting on shore Rosemary Cottage takes us into a story that held me captive while reading it. There is a serial murderer of sorts on the little island of Hope Beach. I found the story enjoyable, the romance was interesting but the mystery behind the murder wasn't quite as believable. At least not at first....

There are other little stories woven into Rosemary Cottage. Amy and Curtis are both from very wealthy families altho their families are very different. Amy moves there believing that her brother was murdered but her family isn't supportive in her search. There is history between her brother and Curtis's sister Gina and a lot of action while Curtis and Amy conduct their "investigation". It's not a "fast" moving story but very interesting and it will keep you wondering till the end.

I will say that the last few chapters of the book really pushes the intrigue and mystery up a few notches. The ending totally surprised me and I loved how the romance ended. If you need a rainy day or book to read in front of the fire in the winter this little book will keep you busy for a few hours. Add it to your kindle to read when you have a spare moment or two to read.

About the author:

Best-selling author Colleen Coble's novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, ACFW Book of the Year, RWA's RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers' Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has nearly 2 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers and is a member of Romance Writers of America. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana.

Find out more about Colleen at http://www.colleencoble.com/.   Disclaimer: I was offered a copy of Rosemary Cottage in exchange for a book review on GivingNSharing. I was not required to have a positive review and no money exchanged hands. Thanks for reading GivingNSharing!

Jennifer ~ the O'Malley series

Jennifer
by Dee Henderson
ISBN:
$11.16 (hardback)
$ 8.99 (kindle)

About the book:
Life is good for Dr. Jennifer O’Malley. She has a wonderful family, a rewarding career, and she’s falling in love with surgeon Tom Peterson. She’s also falling in love with Jesus. But her young faith is about to be severely tested—and the results will change her family forever.

My thoughts:
The O'Malley books have long been a favorite series of mine and when Jennifer was released and offered for review I jumped right up on the bandwagon! Jennifer is the first of her family to become a Christian, get married and is the catalyst for all the other stories that are part of the O'Malley series. Her story is the backbone for everything that happens to each member and the one that brings the message of Christ to her family.

I found the writing in Jennifer to be much easier to read and loved that we didn't have the "explanation" offered in all the other O'Malley books to explain how this family became a family. It's much smoother. Jennifer is someone I would of loved to  have known in "real life" and her relationship with Tom is another bond that you see bits n pieces of in the other books. It's strong and secure - exactly what all the other members of the family want. Tom's faith is beautifully written and the salvation message is presented in a way that would make a nonbeliever want to know more.

I would of loved a longer book, the last couple of chapters are a bit rushed and I would of loved to know more about what happens after a major event that occurs at the end of the book. The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger but it's a wonderful introduction to the whole series - it would make a nice book to give to a friend or just to add to complete your series.

Disclaimer:
I was given a copy of Jennifer to read and review on GivingNSharing. I was not required to have a positive review and no money exchanged hands. Thanks for reading GivingNSharing!

Love Finds You in Glacier Bay Alaska

 
Love Finds You in Glacier Bay Alaska
by Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss
ISBN: 978-1609365691
$7.85 (paperback)


About the book:
Singer Ginny Marshall is one signature away from the recording contract of her dreams—a deal that would guarantee success for the former foster child, who still struggles to bury the memories of her painful childhood. But Ginny needs advice from the one person who will look out for her best interests—her former fiancé, Brett Miller. She travels to the remote town of Glacier Bay, Alaska, where the town’s colorful characters and stunning scenery provide respite from LA’s pressures. In Glacier Bay, Ginny discovers a box of old letters and is swept up in the love story between Clay, an early missionary to Alaska Territory, and Ellie, the woman who traveled there to be his children’s governess. When Ginny is reunited with Brett in Glacier Bay, will she discover—as Ellie did—that healing and love are sometimes found in the most unexpected places?

My thoughts:
Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska is about making choices, forgiving the past and taking that step into the future without knowing what that future holds. Ginny grew up in the foster care system learning how to NOT rely on others and NOT allow others close enough to see her pain at not belonging to anyone or anywhere. Yes, that's hard but Ginny has taken it one step further and RUNS whenever someone tries to get close to her whether it's family, friends or marriage.

What I really liked about this book was the letters. It almost felt like there were 2 completely different stories here (which there was) and I found myself connecting with Ellie w/ her historical drama more so then the contemporary drama of Ellie's life. I'm not really sure why - maybe the adventure of setting out, not knowing the outcome and the stronger faith of the characters in the early 1900's. The situations of both girls (Ellie in the early 1900's and Ginny in the early 2000's) was very different Ellie's outcome was not at all what I expected - maybe that's why I liked it and the fact that it kept me guessing. Yep, that was it! 

(Btw, Would you like a chance to WIN this wonderful book & a box of chocolates? click the picture right above this sentence)

A Collage of Memories (make sure the music is on - it really adds to the atmosphere & tension as you watch - link is along the bottom 3rd icon in from the left)

Love Finds You in Glacier Bay - flash slideshow maker

Click Here to Order

About the writing & authors:
This book is coauthored by 2 very successful authors ~ Tricia Goyer (The Memory Jar, Beside Still Waters, Remembering You, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough, etc) and Ocieanna Fleiss (Lonesome Prairie Montana and Victory Heights) who is also an editor. Tricia and Ocieanna have cowritten 3 books so far and this is how that came to be:

"About twelve years ago, I met Tricia at the Mt. Hermon Christian Writers Conference. On the way home, in the airport, she handed me her manuscript--like authors do at conferences. I did a little editing there in the terminal. She liked it so we exchanged e-mail addresses. That manuscript was for her first published book, From Dust and Ashes. Once she got the contract, she continued sending me chapters and our friendship began! I edited about eight of her books and then we decided to write one together. We had such fun, we wrote two more." 

About Tricia Goyer:
Tricia Goyer is a busy mom of four, grandmother of one, and wife to John. Somewhere around the hustle and bustle of family life, she manages to find the time to write fictional tales delighting and entertaining readers and non-fiction titles offering encouragement and hope. A bestselling author, Tricia has published thirty-three books to date and has written more than 500 articles. She is a two time Carol Award winner, as well as a Christy and ECPA Award Nominee. In 2010, she was selected as one of the Top 20 Moms to Follow on Twitter by SheKnows.com. Tricia is also on the blogging team at MomLifeToday.com, TheBetterMom.com and other homeschooling and Christian sites. Find Tricia @ www.triciagoyer.com, @triciagoyer and on Facebook

About Ocieanna Fleiss:
Ocieanna is a wife and mom of four. Discover ongoing insights from her mom adventures on her Mommy-Oblog as well as at MOPS.org. As for writing, fiction is her first love. She is blessed to express this passion in two novels co-authored with Tricia Goyer, Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie, Montana, and Love Finds You in Victory Heights, Washington. She enjoys nonfiction as well. Her work in progress at the moment is a book about her cardiac arrest called, Loving Your Kids Like There's No Tomorrow. She also has edited both fiction and nonfiction for WinePress Publishers for over eight years. Follow here @ocieanna, on Facebook, and on her website @ www.ocieanna.com

Check out what other readers thought about this very interesting new book! Disclaimer: I received Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska as part of the Tricia Goyer Fiction Launch Team. I was not required to write a positive review and no money exchanged hands.

 

Adult Review: Fairer Than Morning (Book Tour)

Enter 9/1-9/20!

Fairer Than Morning by Rosslyn Elliott
Series: The Saddler Legacy (Bk 1)
ISBN: 978-1595547859
Thomas Nelson Publishing
Order on Amazon for $10.76

About the book:
Ann dreams of a marriage proposal from her poetic suitor, Eli-until Will Hanby shows her that nobility is more than fine words.

On a small farm in 19th-century Ohio, young Ann Miller is pursued by the gallant Eli Bowen, son of a prominent family. Eli is the suitor of Ann's dreams. Like her, he enjoys poetry and beautiful things and soon, he will move to the city to become a doctor.

Ann travels to Pittsburgh, accompanying her father on business. There she meets Will Hanby, a saddle-maker's apprentice. Will has spent years eking out an existence under a cruel master and his spirit is nearly broken. But Ann's compassion lights a long-dark part of his soul. Through his encounters with Ann's father, a master saddler, Will discovers new hope and courage in the midst of tremendous adversity.

When the Millers must return to Ohio and their ministry there, Will resolves to find them, at any cost. If Will can make it back to Ann, will she be waiting?

My thoughts: 
Both heroes in Fairer Than Morning are strong individuals. Both have a will to survive and know what they believe although it's not apparent necessarily at the beginning. I truly enjoyed the strength of Will, an 18 year old indentured servant learning the trade of saddlery. The book takes place in the 1820's, Will has a cruel "master" who enjoys beating on his apprentices and "lording" his power and right to hurt them and take his frustration out on them. It was really nice to see him retain his faith during the years he is indentured to this man and to see his prayers asking God to help him get through it.

Ann is the heroine of the book. Her father is a circut minister and saddler who travels frequently and Ann is left to care for her 2 younger sisters that she is more or less raising on her own. Her life revolves around her family and the various suitors who ride up to her house and take her riding or to dances. Ann's character is very strong and it was nice to see that in a historical novel.

I didn't notice Ann's faith as much as Will's who has obviously leaned heavily on God and his knowledge of scripture which his father instilled in him before he died when Will was 10. I found it kind of surprising that Ann's didn't seem as strong (visibly) as her father is a minister but there doesn't seem to be any scenes of her getting into the word much/nor praying as much as Will did (granted his was praying for strength just to get through his day).

An outstanding book with strong characters. There were several plots through out the book, all are very well thought out and completed with no loose threads by the end. I personally don't recommend this book for kids under 16 probably. In fact if you want to make it available to them you may want to read it first. The subjects covered throughout include slavery, premarital sex, branding, disfigurement and there are also a few graphically described scenes (that are tastefully done if that's possible). There are discussion questions and it's a good opportunity to see life from another's eyes and to see how God helps those who call on him.

Be sure to watch for Book 2, Sweeter Than Birdsong, coming February 2012. I really looking forward to reading it!

About the author:
As the child of a career military man, Rosslyn Elliott lived in four states and two foreign countries before she graduated from high school. She attended Yale University, where she earned her BA in English and Theater Studies. After five years working first in corporate New York City, then as a schoolteacher, she entered the Ph.D. program in English at Emory University and finished her dissertation in 2006.

Her study of American literature spurred her to pursue her lifelong dream of writing fiction. Rosslyn lives with her husband and daughter in the southwestern United States.

Much thanks goes to Thomas Nelson and Litfuse for sharing a copy of Fairer Than Morning with me to review. I have found a new favorite author and I look forward to reading more of her works. No money exchanged hands and I was not required to write a positive review.

FaceBook Party Announcement!

To enter just click one of the icons to the left. But, hurry, giveaway ends on 9/19. Winner will be announced on 9/20 at Rosslyn's Book Club Facebook Party. Details and official rules can be found when entering the contest.

During the party Rosslyn will be chatting with guests, hosting a book chat about Fairer Than Morning & historical fiction, testing your trivia skills, and giving away books and gift certificates (Amazon, iTunes, Starbucks). She'll also be giving away a $200 gift certificate toward a FABULOUS custom-made period dress from Recollections! 

                                              Don't forget: Sept 1-20!