Blog Tour Review: A Timeless Romance Anthology: Annette Lyon Collection

A Timeless Romance Anthology: Annette Lyon Collection by Annette Lyon

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The ANNETTE LYON COLLECTION contains brand new contemporary romance novella OUR SONG, as well as five hand-picked readers’ and reviewers’ favorites of Annette’s popular Timeless Romance Anthology novellas. Readers will love this selection of three contemporary and three historical romance novellas.

OUR SONG -  Cassie and Matt have been dating for two years and things are, well, average.  When Cassie meets up with two college friends who are visiting, their love lives sound like fairy tales.  Cassie goes home feeling like she's missing out.  Maybe it's time to move on.  But then she discovers that her friends relationships aren't as rosy as she thought.  Now she can only hope it isn’t too late to show Matt how much she really cares.  A very sweet charming romance novella!

GOLDEN SUNRISE - Natalie flies to Vegas for her best friend's wedding.  Sierra and Jason, high-school sweethearts, are finally getting married.  Fortunately for Natalie, her old high-school flame, Adam, has a work commitment and can't be there as best man.  But when she arrives at the wedding rehearsal - late and ragged - Adam is there.  Will these two high-school sweethearts find a second chance at love or is the hurt of the past too much?  A sweet novella about second chance love!

FIRSTS AND LASTS, an enchanting novella, begins with Dani’s last week in New York. She’s failed in her dreams to catch a break as an actress and is now ready to return home and dust herself off. As she visits the places on her final to-see list, she meets Mark, another New York City transplant with big dreams. Except Mark hasn’t given up on his. As they spend the day together, Dani realizes that even though she hasn’t hit the “big time” she might be living her dream after all. Only problem: she has a one-way ticket back home.  I loved this novella about a chance meeting that turns into a dream romance!

WAR OF HEARTS - Anna, a journalist, is heartbroken and still in love with her now-former boyfriend Pete.  She is desperate to escape the magazine where he also works.  When Anna snags an assignment to cover the Winter War in Finland, she's grateful for the chance to get away.  She arrives at a snowy Finnish battlefront only to discover that Pete is already there - as her photographer.  She's determined to be professional about the situation until a battle breaks out in camp, putting her and Pete in harm's way and putting their love to the test.  A touching historical romance that will melt your heart!

BETWEEN THE LINES - Jane Martin is intelligent but extremely shy, especially around men.  When the Aid and Cultural Society proposes a letter-writing program, Jane signs up, hoping she can find true friendship.  When Thomas Allred is alerted to the fact that the letter-writing program is not going as smoothly as expected and that Jane will be the one, once again, that will be hurt by this, he takes Jane's name for the exchange.  Not expecting anything other than friendship, Thomas creates a secret persona for the letter writing.  Thomas has always known shy and quiet Jane, but reading her letters opens his eyes to what an amazing woman she is.  The only trouble is, Jane doesn't know that the man who she is falling in love with through letters is also Thomas, the man who is falling in love with her in person.  A charming and captivating novella that I really enjoyed!

A TASTE OF HOME - In this charming novella, we meet Clair Jennings, who's on her way to spend Christmas with her family.  As she rides the train with William Rhodes, who grew up across the street, memories of Christmas past flood her mind.  He may be twenty-one now, but she can't forget his torturous teasing from their school years.  At the rail station, Clair discovers that her home is under quarantine because her little brother has measles.  She's stuck in town. away from her family, on her favorite holiday.  William stays behind with her, and as Christmas Day approaches and her homesickness deepens, she discovers that perhaps he has changed in more ways than one.  I liked this sweet story about a boy who has to prove he's now a grown man willing to do anything to show his love.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes.  I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are my own.*

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About the author:

Annette Lyon is a Whitney Award winner, the recipient of Utah’s Best in State medal for fiction and the author of ten novels, a cookbook, and a grammar guide as well as over a hundred magazine articles. She’s part of the Timeless Romance Anthologies line of sweet romance stories, a senior editor at Precision Editing Group, and a cum laude graduate from BYU with a degree in English. When she’s not writing, editing, knitting, or eating chocolate, she can be found mothering and avoiding the spots on the kitchen floor.

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook 

Amazon Link: Annette Lyon Collection 

Goodreads: Annette Lyon Collection 

Annette's Author Goodreads page: Author Annette Lyon

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Follow the tour!

July 27th

Katie’s Clean Book Collection http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/

Bookworm Lisa http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/

I Love to Read and Review Books http://ilovetoreadandreviewbooks.blogspot.com/

July 28th 

Lindzee Armstrong http://www.lindzeearmstrong.com/

Literary Time Out http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/

Rachel DeVaughn http://empowermoms.net/

July 29th

My Book a Day http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/

Mel’s Shelves http://www.melsshelves.blogspot.com/

July 30th

Wishful Endings http://www.wishfulendings.com/

Singing Librarian Books http://singinglibrarianbooks.weebly.com/

Bubble Bath Books http://www.bubblebath-books.com/

July 31st

Min Reads and Reviews http://www.minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/

LDS Women's Book Review http://www.ldswomensbookreview.com/wordpress/

Fire and Ice http://fireandicereads.com/

Why Not? Because I Said So http://www.whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/

Smiling Book Reviews http://www.smilingbookreviews.blogspot.com/

Review: Stick in the Mud Meets Spontaneity

Stick in the Mud Meets Spontaneity by Rachael Anderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was so excited when I saw this book was available for review! In my opinion, Rachael Anderson is the queen of clean mainstream romances!

I loved this 3rd book in the Meet Your Match series. It's so much fun to find out what happens to the teenager, Sam, that we met in the first book, Prejudice Meets Pride.  It can be read as a stand-alone.

Sam has grown up, gone to college and is now on her way to a coveted internship in NYC. She has the summer off and plans to spend it as she has previous summers - as a nanny to her practically family, favorite little neighbor girls. When she realizes that her charges have done some growing of their own and have a fully planned summer, she is relegated to playing chauffeur more than playmate. Instead of staying in the dumps about it, she writes out a bucket list. This leads to some laugh out loud moments, let me tell you...LOL! :D

Colten McCoy is genuine, hard-working cowboy who is as set in his ways as he is handsome. When he meets spontaneous Samantha Kinsey, he's immediately drawn to her sunny nature and lively spirit. They connect pretty quickly and slowly develop a relationship throughout the summer. Although he claims he doesn't need any spontaneity in his life, Sam's determined to help him find it.

I liked Colten & Sam's relationship. There was a mutual attraction and it progressed naturally with a surprise ending (good though) different from what I thought would happen. And I loved getting to know more about the other characters from the other books. This author handles the progression through the series very well.

Another winner from Rachael Anderson! A really good clean sweet cowboy romance!

*Thanks to eBooksForReview for a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are my own.*

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SALE! The River of Time Series by Lisa T. Bergren

The River of Time Series

by Lisa T. Bergren

Amazon Kindle E-book links:

Waterfall: A Novel (River of Time Book 1)

Cascade: A Novel (River of Time Book 2)

Torrent: A Novel (River of Time Book 3

Bourne & Tributary (River of Time Book 4)

Deluge: A Novel (River of Time Book 5)

This series is one of my all time favorites. Apparently a lot of other people felt the same way because after the first three books, she wrote the two novellas and then another final with Deluge. I posted this today because right now the first three books are on sale on Amazon for .99c each, Bourne & Tributary is $2.99 and Deluge is $3.99. So for about $10 you can get the entire series on e-book. Awesome deal! (Always double check the price before you click to buy. I don't know how long this sale will last.)

Lisa T. Bergren writes with such depth of feeling that you can't help but get lost in the story and feel everything they go through. I've been reading her books since I was in my teens but this series is my favorite. It's got it all - time travel, medieval/historical romance, suspense and adventure. Don't miss this deal! You'll love these books!

Waterfall
Most American teenagers want a vacation in Italy, but the Bentarrini sisters have spent every summer of their lives with their parents, famed Etruscan scholars, among the romantic hills. In Book One of the River of Time series, Gabi and Lia are stuck among the rubble of medieval castles in rural Tuscany on yet another hot, boring, and dusty archeological site … until Gabi places her hand atop a handprint in an ancient tomb and finds herself in fourteenth-century Italy. And worse yet, in the middle of a fierce battle between knights of two opposing forces.

And thus she comes to be rescued by the knight-prince Marcello Falassi, who takes her back to his father’s castle—a castle Gabi has seen in ruins in another life. Suddenly Gabi’s summer in Italy is much, much more interesting. But what do you do when your knight in shining armor lives, literally, in a different world?

Cascade
Mom touched my underdress—a gown made six hundred years before—and her eyes widened as she rubbed the raw silk between thumb and forefinger. She turned and touched Lia’s gown. “Where did you get these clothes?”

In Cascade, the second book in the River of Time Series, Gabi knows she’s left her heart in the fourteenth century and she persuades Lia to help her to return, even though they know doing so will risk their very lives. When they arrive, weeks have passed and all of Siena longs to celebrate the heroines who turned the tide in the battle against Florence—while the Florentines will go to great lengths to see them dead.

But Marcello patiently awaits, and Gabi must decide if she’s willing to leave her family behind for good in order to give her heart to him forever.

Torrent
When Gabi and Lia finally learn to surf the river of time, they realize they must make hard choices about life and love in Torrent, the third and final book in the River of Time series.

Gabi and Lia Betarrini have learned to control their time travel, and they return from medieval Italy to save their father from his tragic death in modern times.

But love calls across the centuries, and the girls are determined to return forever—even though they know the Black Plague is advancing across Europe, claiming the lives of one-third of the population. In the suspenseful conclusion of the River of Time series, every decision is about life … and death.

Bourne & Tributary
BOURNE, a novella, picks up right where TORRENT left off...Find out what has happened to men returning from the battle, gravely wounded, to the Betarrinis, fighting for the men they love, and just who is hunting them next...

TRIBUTARY, a novella, picks up a year after BOURNE... Lia struggles to overcome the fear that constant battle has heaped upon her; Gabi and Marcello face an unexpected crisis; and Lord Greco just may be ready to leave the grief and loss of his past behind him, so that he might grab hold of the future...

Deluge
IT'S ONE THING TO BATTLE FOR LIFE...BUT WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN DEATH ITSELF COMES HUNTING?

The Bettarinis and Forellis have found rich fulfillment together in medieval Italia. But after fighting off countless enemies, they now must face the worst foe of all. As the Black Death closes in upon them, threatening everything and everyone they hold dear, Lia and Gabi–and the knights they love–must dig deep within to decide how they might remain safe…and if they need to risk it all in order to truly live as they’re called.

Lisa Tawn Bergren is the best-selling, award-winning author of over 40 books, with more than 2.5 million copies sold. Her most recent works includes a YA series called River of Time (Waterfall, Cascade, Torrent, Bourne & Tributary), God Gave Us Easter, a devotional called Upside-Down Prayers for Parents and the Grand Tour Series (Glamorous Illusions, Grave Consequences, and Glittering Promises). She’s currently at work on a new YA series called Remnants, coming out in 2014.
Lisa’s time is split between managing home base, writing, and working on ducks with her husband, Tim (RMrustic.com). Tim’s a worship leader, graphic designer and duck-sculptor. They have three kids–Olivia, Emma and Jack. The Bergrens make their home in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

WEBSITE: www.lisatawnbergren.com
TWITTER: @LisaTBergren
FACEBOOK: Lisa T. Bergren (just me) and Lisa Tawn Bergren (me, pretending to be a Famous Author; insider scoop on books, contests, etc). For fans of specific series, check out the Remnants Series and the River of Time Series pages.

Review: In Good Company

In Good Company by Jen Turano

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


After growing up as an orphan, Millie Longfellow is determined to become the best nanny the East Coast has ever seen. Unfortunately, her playfulness and enthusiasm aren't always well received and she finds herself dismissed from yet another position.

Everett Mulberry has quite unexpectedly become guardian to three children that scare off every nanny he hires. About to depart for Newport, Rhode Island, for the summer, he’s desperate for competent childcare.

At wit’s end with both Millie and Everett, the employment agency gives them one last chance–with each other. As Millie falls in love with her mischievous charges, Everett focuses on achieving the coveted societal status of the upper echelons. But as he investigates the suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of the children’s parents, will it take the loss of those he loves to learn whose company he truly wants for the rest of his life?

This is the second book in the series A Class of Their Own by Jen Turano and I'm loving following the stories of these three friends whose lives are being changed by love! :)

Millie appears somewhat ditzy but she's knows what she's talking about when it comes to her natural gift with children. The only problem is that she's unconventional with her methods and that causes her to lose more than one position. When Everett gets desperate enough to hire her and then desperate enough to keep her on even after the first fiasco ...well things just go downhill and uphill at the same time! LOL

I didn't immediately fall in love with these two just because Millie's character was a little different and Everett was so set on his social status. But that's not a bad thing because as I read the book I was able to see how they grew and changed. And in the end I loved them as a couple as much as I did Oliver & Harriet from the first book, After A Fashion.

This book wasn't as funny as the first book was but there were several times when I had to laugh at some of the stuff that happens with the three kids. And the secondary characters were great! I love Abigail and Rev. Gilmore! Abigail has taken on the three friends as her wards and uses all her resources to "interfere" and push them into finding true love. Rev. Gilmore prays urgently for each girl and then becomes Abigail's accomplice.

As always, another great book from Jen Turano! I can't wait for the third one! :)

*Thanks to Bethany House for the complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions stated are my own.*

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Jen Turano is a graduate of the University of Akron with a degree in Clothing and Textiles. She pursued a career in management for nine years before switching to full-time motherhood after the birth of her son. When she's not writing, Jen can be found watching her teenage son participate in various activities, taking long walks with her husband and dog, socializing with friends, or delving into a good book. She lives in suburban Denver, Colorado. Learn more at www.jenturano.com

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Review: Love Arrives In Pieces by Betsy St. Amant

Love Arrives in Pieces by Betsy St. Amant

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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Summary

Former pageant queen Stella Varland doesn't trust beauty anymore.   With her heart stripped bare after her divorce, Stella is a much subdued version of her old self and is trying to discover who she really is.  She keeps her passion for her secret art to herself and focuses on her interior design work.  But if she doesn't get another job soon, she'll be stuck living with her parents.

Contractor Chase Taylor is determined to live a life of no regrets after losing his fiancee in a car crash.  Now he lives life at full speed, striving to see how much he can accomplish.  When he returns home to Bayou Bend to renovate the town's old theater, he is shocked to learn former flame Stella is the designer for the project.

Forced to work together, Chase and Stella battle their chemistry and their pasts as they struggle to compromise and come together on a vision for the theater.  Their wills clash as they attempt to hide their brokenness and their unresolved feelings for each other.  A near catastrophe, a fire, and a small-town gossip mill finally force both Stella and Chase to realize they have a choice - to hold on to the shards of their pasts, or surrender their fragmented pieces to the One who makes a beautiful masterpiece from the broken.

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Review

This was a wonderful story about two people who feel broken from choices and actions from their past and have to learn to let God take their brokenness and make a beautiful life masterpiece.

I liked how Chase and Stella reconnected over a project that they both had an invested interest in which forced them to work together.  I think it helped them to connect in ways they wouldn't have otherwise.  And I liked how Chase pushed and nudged Stella out of her self-imposed shell.

I felt for Stella as she struggles with anxiety and trying to put her life back together after her divorce.  She's trying to find out who she is other than the beauty queen she'd been for most of her life.   I like how, with Chase and her family's help, she grows more confident and secure.

The supporting characters in this book were great.   Chase and Stella both had families that helped them out.  Then there was  Dixie - loved her!  I also loved the analogy of the upside down umbrella and stomping in the rain puddles.  You'll understand once you read it.  :)

*Thanks to Zondervan and BookLook Bloggers for the complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are my own.*


http://booklookbloggers.com/blogger/resources/9780310338475

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About the Author

Betsy St. Amant lives in Louisiana with her young daughter and has a heart for sharing the amazing news of God's grace through her novels. A freelance journalist, Betsy is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. When she’s not reading, writing, or singing along to a Disney soundtrack with her daughter, Betsy enjoys inspirational speaking and teaching on the craft of writing. Visit her website at www.betsystamant.com Facebook: Betsy St.Amant Twitter: @betsystamant



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Review: The Turning

The Turning by Davis Bunn

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The message was unexpected but instantly recognizable.

A voice resonated from a distance and somehow from within. Against all earthly logic, it carried a divine command. And five very different people knew they were summoned to obey. Their actions were demanding, but not particularly grand. Only later would they see a pattern emerge - one that links their tasks together and comes to challenge the cultural direction of the nation. They realize that one small personal response unveiled a new realm of moral responsibility. And this affirmation of everyday hope captures the attention of millions. But power and money are at stake. Malicious elements soon align themselves. To succeed they must also undermine its source. Can we really believe that God speaks to people today? Surely this must be dismissed as superstition or delusion. The public debate and media frenzy place an unprecedented spotlight on knowing and doing God's will. The five encounter threats, but try to remain steadfast in their faith. Had God indeed imparted wisdom on selected individuals? Is this sweep of events part of his divine purpose?

The movement may herald a profound renewal - one that some are calling The Turning...

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This book really grabbed my attention. The relevancy of a media mogul sending a message of doom through multiple forms of media was incredible. And the way ordinary people were drawn together to battle this message with one of hope was amazing and miraculous.

I loved the backstory on each of these ordinary everyday people. They are each powerfully nudged by God to make peace with things in their pasts and take the first step to repair broken relationships. Then they are divinely drawn together to battle the forces of evil working to void the world of hope.

The ending was somewhat anti-climatic but was still good. You will want to read this book that challenges you to think twice about what you see and hear in our world's media and how you support it. It will challenge your comfort zone!

*Thanks to the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions stated are my own.*



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Review: A Timeless Romance Anthology: California Dreamin' Collection

A Timeless Romance Anthology: California Dreamin' Collection by Heather B. Moore

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Loved it! I always jump at a chance to get a book from these series. They are always clean and sweet.

TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE by Heather B. Moore
I enjoyed this sweet novella about a wedding photographer and a business tycoon who meet on the beach and, despite their different backgrounds and some family opposition, start to fall in love. Is he too good to be true and can she get over her broken heart?

GONE FISHING by Kaylee Baldwin
I really liked this charming novella about Claire, a website designer, and Miguel, her father's partner on his deep-sea fishing tourist business. There are definitely some chuckles as this rough around the edges man with a past tangles with the city girl with a barracuda mother. =)

THE PIER CHANGES EVERYTHING by Annette Lyon
I loved this enchanting novella about Alexandria and Michael. They meet on the beach where she is performing one last task for her deceased husband, who died much too young, and he is trying to finally put a past relationship to rest. As they grab lunch and then proceed to spend the rest of the day together, they began to believe they just might be able to find love again.

HERO'S SONG by Jennifer Moore
When AnneMarie, a romance novelist, admits on a late night talk show that she was in love once with a guitar player, she has no clue that that very man, Lance Holden, is booked on the same show to perform his newest song. AnneMarie hasn't seen Lance since he broke her heart ten years ago. As Lance tries to reconcile with AnneMarie, she finds herself taking a second chance. I didn't like this novella as much. I think because this one has more anger and angst in it than the others which are sweeter and fun.

STAY WITH ME by Shannon Guymon
I really liked this endearing novella about Jolie, an art major who moves to L.A. to take on a nanny position just for the summer, and Fitz, the family's chauffeur. With a model-gorgeous chauffeur and two adorable and needy charges, Jolie might just be persuaded to stay in L.A.

A PLACE TO CALL HOME by Sarah M. Eden
It's pretty much a given that I'm going to like a Sarah M. Eden story! I loved this captivating novella about Ada, the best realtor around, and Craig, an accountant. He's looking for the perfect condo to buy for him and his son. What they weren't prepared for was their unforeseen attraction to each other and the immediate attachment between Ada and Craig's adorable son. Will they listen to their hearts telling them it's okay to take another chance on love?

Another winner from the Timeless Romance Anthology series!

*Thanks to eBooksForReview for providing me with a free e-book copy in exchange for my honest opinion & review. All opinions stated are my own.*



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Review: Empire's End

Empire's End by Jerry B. Jenkins

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Jerry B. Jenkin's new novel is filled with adventure, drama, historic people and places, and even romance. Only a few snapshots of Paul's life are revealed in the Bible. In this fictional account, Jenkins tells of a devout Jewish scholar, who after only three years in the Arabian wilderness, emerges as the greatest Christian theologian in history. This novel explains how, after supervising the death of Jesus's disciples, Paul would be moved to effectively conquer the Roman Empire with a message about a Jewish man named Jesus. Empire's End will cause you to rethink whether Paul ever experienced the love of a woman or the embrace of a child.

From a fictional standpoint, this was an interesting book. It was neat to read about Paul behind the scenes so to speak. As stated in the synopsis, very little about Paul's life is told in the Bible. So what did happen between the stories shared? I liked reading and imagining what his life might have been like. I loved the miraculous ride on the horse! :) And I know other reviewers don't, but I liked the story of Paul and Stephanos widow. So much forgiveness and redemption there!

Of course there were a few things I didn't care for. The excessive use of entire passages of quoted scripture (only excessive because I was reading a book not the Bible). The way the camp ended that Paul spent three years in was unexpected and sad and didn't make sense. And I must point out that most of Paul's years of ministry were not covered and it did not cover the "Empire's End".

*Thanks to First Look and Worthy Publishers for the complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions stated are my own.*



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Review: The Wood's Edge

The Wood's Edge by Lori Benton

Read an excerpt: The Woods Edge

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

The 1757 New York frontier is home to the Oneida tribe and to British colonists, yet their feet rarely walk the same paths.

On the day Fort William Henry falls, Major Reginald Aubrey is beside himself with grief. His son, born that day, has died in the arms of his sleeping wife. When Reginald comes across an Oneida mother with newborn twins, one white, one brown, he makes a choice that will haunt the lives of all involved. He steals the white baby and leaves his own child behind. Reginald’s wife and foundling daughter, Anna, never suspect the truth about the boy they call William, but Reginald is wracked by regret that only intensifies with time, as his secret spreads its devastating ripples.When the long buried truth comes to light, can an unlikely friendship forged at the wood’s edge provide a way forward? For a father tormented by fear of judgment, another by lust for vengeance. For a mother still grieving her lost child. For a brother who feels his twin’s absence, another unaware of his twin’s existence. And for Anna, who loves them both—Two Hawks, the mysterious Oneida boy she meets in secret, and William, her brother. As paths long divided collide, how will God direct the feet of those who follow Him?

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MY REVIEW:

It took me several tries to persuade myself to start reading this book just because it looked long and I wasn't sure if it would hold my interest with the expanse of years it covers.   Was I ever wrong!  It was an awesome read!

This story follows the lives of those impacted by one terrible action and choice made by Major Reginald Aubrey.  The consequences of that one choice will ripple through many lives for years to come.  Set in Colonial America before the War of Independence, the author does a masterful job of weaving the story lines of the two families together.

Fleeing after the fall of the Fort with his wife and the child he stole, Reginald also rescues Anna, whose family has been killed in the massacre.  Anna grows up believing that her "brother", William, is the son of Reginald and his wife.  She has no reason to believe otherwise.  When she learns the truth can she find the strength to forgive her beloved Papa?  And how will it affect her relationship with Two Hawks, the mysterious Oneida boy she has been meeting in secret for years?  

The Oneida family whose baby was stolen has never given up hope that they will be reunited with their son.  The father has been plagued with a lust for vengeance that has played havoc with the lives of the rest of his family.  When a missionary joins their village, will this family finally find peace?

I have no doubt you will be glued to this book as you get to know each character and follow along as they grow, make life choices, and strive to become the best they can be.  This book takes you on a deep journey of the consequence of sin and the redemption and reconciliation found in repentance and forgiveness.   I can't say enough good about it and I'm anxiously waiting for book two!

*Thanks to Blogging For Books for the complimentary copy of this book for review purposes.  All opinions stated are my own.*

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Review: A Worthy Pursuit

A Worthy Pursuit by Karen Witemeyer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Charlotte Atherton , headmistress of Sullivan’s Academy for Exceptional Youths, is very upset when the director of the Academy tells her he is shutting it down. She knows that the Academy is what has kept her charge, Lily, safe. If the Academy closes, Lily’s grandfather will insist on Lily returning to him. Charlotte promised Lily’s mother she’d keep the girl away from her unscrupulous grandfather, and nothing will stop Charlotte from fulfilling that pledge. Not even the handsome bounty hunter with surprisingly honest eyes who comes looking for them.

Stone Hammond is the best tracker in Texas. He never comes home empty-handed. So when a wealthy railroad investor hires him to find his abducted granddaughter, Stone eagerly accepts.

When the teacher he’s after produces documentation that shows she’s the little girl’s legal guardian, Stone must reevaluate everything he’s been led to believe. Is Miss Atherton villain or victim? She acts more like a loving mother than an abductress, and the children in her care clearly adore her. Should Stone break his perfect record? Or will he start a new pursuit: winning Charlotte’s heart?

I loved this book! Charlotte and Stone are great characters. Charlotte is strong and determined to keep her charges safe. She's also really loving and great with the three children. She encourages their individuality and helps them channel their talents. Because of past abandonment and betrayals, she has a hard time opening up and trusting Stone. But Stone proves himself trustworthy and pursues her with gentle determination.

Stone is a big, burly, rough around the edges man who has lived on the road for years and is the best at what he does. But he's also honorable, trustworthy and willing to put his life on the line for you. He proves this more than once to Charlotte and in the process breaks down her defenses and endears himself to the children.

Action, adventure, and sweet romance will keep you entertained and turning pages in this newest romance from Karen Witemeyer!

*Thanks to Karen Witemeyer and Bethany House for the complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions stated are my own.*




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