REVIEW: Head in the Clouds by Karen Witemeyer

REVIEW: Head in the Clouds by Karen Witemeyer

{About the Book}

Adelaide Proctor is a young woman with her head in the clouds, longing for a real-life storybook hero to claim as her own. But when a husband-hunting debacle leaves her humiliated, she interviews for a staid governess position on a central Texas sheep ranch and vows to leave her romantic yearnings behind. 
When Gideon Westcott left his privileged life in England to make a name for himself in America's wool industry, he never expected to become a father overnight. And five-year-old Isabella hasn't uttered a word since she lost her mother. The unconventionality of the new governess concerns Gideon--and intrigues him at the same time. But he can't afford distractions. He has a ranch to run, a shearing to oversee, and a suspicious fence-cutting to investigate. 
When Isabella's uncle comes to claim the child--and her inheritance--Gideon and Adelaide must work together to protect Isabella from the man's evil schemes. And soon neither can deny their growing attraction. But after so many heartbreaks, will Adelaide be willing to get her head out of the clouds and put her heart on the line?

{My Review}

After finishing "Head in the Clouds" I only have one more Karen Witemeyer book to read and then I will have read all her books. I found this ebook on my Kindle Fire last night and I had no clue I owned it, so I decided to read it last night. I started on the first page and didn't stop until I reached the last page at around two o'clock in the morning.

"Head in the Clouds" tells Gideon and Adelaide's love story. The story begins as Adelaide is hoping this guy Henry is going to propose to her but he in fact has to tell her he has a promotion and will no longer be riding the rails back to her town and therefore will not see her again. But a month later Adelaide decides to go to the town Henry is in to find him and she does. But she finds out something that Henry neglected to tell her. She then discovers a job ad in the newspaper looking for a governess. She answers the ad and gets the opportunity for an interview. She's chosen for the job and then ensues the adventure. She a governess for a mute child, she's falling in love with Gideon, the child's father, and she goes through a horrific ordeal.

I absolutely loved this story!It was cute, witty, and romantic. And anybody who knows me knows my thing for cowboys, but this time we have a *gasp* BRITISH COWBOY!!! Ya'll this was amazing! I love cowboys, but then add in a British accent it gets even better. Buy this book!

REVIEW: Undeniably Yours by Becky Wade

REVIEW: Undeniably Yours by Becky Wade

{About the Book}

When Meg Cole’s father dies unexpectedly, she becomes the majority shareholder of his oil company and the single inheritor of his fortune. Though Meg is soft-spoken and tenderhearted–more interested in art than in oil–she’s forced to return home to Texas and to Whispering Creek Ranch to take up the reins of her father’s empire.

The last thing she has the patience or the sanity to deal with? Her father’s thoroughbred racehorse farm. She gives its manager, Bo Porter, six months to close the place down.

Bo’s determined to resent the woman who’s decided to rob him of his dream. But instead of anger, Meg evokes within him a profound desire to protect. The more time he spends with her, the more he longs to overcome every obstacle that separates them–her wealth, his unworthiness, her family’s outrage–and earn the right to love her.

But just when Meg begins to realize that Bo might be the one thing on the ranch worth keeping, their fragile bond is viciously broken by a force from Meg’s past. Can their love–and their belief that God can work through every circumstance–survive?

{My Review}

Undeniably Yours is my first Becky Wade novel and most certaintly will not be my last. In fact, by the time you read this review I'll probably have already read Meant to Be Mine, book #2 in the Porter Family series. Undeniably Yours is Meg Cole and Bo Porter's love story and what a story it was. I started the story around eleven at night and I could not put it down. I believe I finished at almost two thirty in the morning. 

The story begins with Meg Cole taking over her father's share of an oil business, which she really has no interest in being in the first place. She has already fired some employees, but she is about or supposed to fire Mr. Bo Porter, who works on her father's horse farm. The thing is she doesn't fire him, he some how convinces her to keep the farm open long enough to try to break even. However, he only has six months to do so and either way she plans to shut down the farm. And being that this is a romance novel of course you can expect to see some romantic times and they are good times. Meg's character kind of got on my nerves a few times, but mostly due to her bad decision making. And Bo, oh Bo is my favourite character in this book. The way he protected Meg when they went country western dancing, just the way he treated her was so heart warming and oh so swoon worthy. Anybody who knows me knows I have a thing for hot cowboys and Bo fit the bill.

Pick up this book you won't regret it...trust me.

REVIEW: The Wood's Edge by Lori Benton

REVIEW: The Wood's Edge by Lori Benton

At the wood's edge cultures collide. Can two families survive the impact?

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?

This book was phenomenal!! Lori Benton really knows hot to write any amazingly romantic and conflict-filled story. First off, thank you Lori for including Native American characters in your stories. Being part Choctaw myself I love finding these people in the stories I read. Thank you Lori! This novel is filled with romance, tension, conflict, and pure love. 

Book Titles, Jazz, and the Circus!

Book Titles, Jazz, and the Circus!

So, Christian fiction fans got some very exciting news yesterday. One of my favourite authors, Kristy Cambron, revealed the title of her next book along with the inspiration board from Pinterest. The title is- "The Ringmaster's Wife". The moment I read the title I was immediately intrigued and became uber excited for it's release, which is June 2016!! The story is set in the Jazz Age and in honour of the title release I want to share some of my favourite things from the Jazz Era.

{Music}

First of all, Jazz is one of my favourite musical genres and below are a few of favourite songs and artists from that period.

The Boswell Sisters were a very well known singing group in the 1920's and 1930's. The song is one of my favourites, "It Don't Mean A Thing".

This song, "Basin Street Blues" is a duet by Connie Boswell, who was a former member of the above group "The Boswell Sisters", and the ever wonderful Bing Crosby. FUN FACT: Bing Crosby loved working with Connie because she was such a sweet and lovely girl.










Another favourite tune is "Lullaby of the Leaves" also by Connie Boswell. Can you tell I'm a fan of Connie Boswell?!

{Fashion}

Who doesn't love the fashion from the Jazz Age!? Personally, I am quite biased towards these dresses, but I do love the outfit in the last photo. The top and pants combo is really cute!

{Kristy Cambron}

Kristy Cambron fancies life as a vintage-inspired storyteller. Her debut historical novel, THE BUTTERFLY AND THE VIOLIN (HarperCollins Christian Publishing, 2014), was named toLibrary Journal Reviews’ Best Books of 2014, Family Fiction’s Top Ten Novels of 2014, and received a nomination for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards Best Inspirational Novel of 2014 and a nomination for the 2015 INSPY Awards for Best Debut Novel. Her second novel, A SPARROW IN TEREZIN (HarperCollins Christian Publishing, April 2015), was named Library Journal Reviews‘ Pick of the Month (Christian Fiction) for February 2015 and a Top Pick!from RT Book Reviews for April 2015.

Kristy is an Art/Design Manager and co-founder of TheGROVEstory.com storytelling ministry. She holds a degree in Art History from Indiana University, and has nearly 15 years of experience in instructional/graphic design and corporate communications for a Fortune-100 Company. She lives in Indiana with her husband and three football-loving sons, where she can probably be bribed with a coconut mocha latte and a good Christian fiction read.

Well, this is all I have for you guys today. I really enjoyed creating this post and quite possibly making this a series here on my blog. What do you guys think? Should I continue this as a series? Let me know in the comments below.

COVER REVEAL: Half-Blood by Jaye L. Knight

COVER REVEAL: Half-Blood by Jaye L. Knight

About the Book

The gasps and murmuring grew. Though some were hardly more than whispers, clear words reached Jace’s ears—dangerous, monster, animal, soulless. He tried to back away from their accusing eyes, but the collar pulled hard against his throat and held him in place.

For all his years as a slave, Jace has known nothing but the hatred people hold for his mixed blood—one half human, the other half the blood of a race considered monsters. Always, he is the outsider and quickly learns it is better to keep to himself. But, when his volatile ryrik blood leads him to do the unthinkable, he is thrown into a world of violence and bloodshed. 

Forced to become a gladiator, Jace finds more and more of his heart dying as his master works to break down his will not to become the monster everyone believes he is. When a stranger interferes with his master’s harsh punishment, Jace’s world is upended yet again. But with it comes the possibility of hope that has long since died. Could the man possibly hold the key to escaping the hopeless darkness that is Jace’s life? Is there such a thing as life beyond the cruelty of slavery?

See where Jace’s story all began . . .

Coming This Summer

About the Author

Jaye L. Knight is an award-winning author, homeschool graduate, and shameless tea addict with a passion for Christian fantasy. Armed with an active imagination and love for adventure, Jaye weaves stories of truth, faith, and courage with the message that even in the deepest darkness, God’s love shines as a light to offer hope. She has been penning stories since the age of eight and resides in the Northwoods of Wisconsin.

You can connect with Jaye on her website, blog, Facebook, Google+, and Twitter.

Giveaway

As part of a month long celebration for the one year publication anniversary of Resistance (Ilyon Chronicles - Book 1), Jaye is giving away several fun prizes! Enter for a chance to win using the form below! U.S. entries only please.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

AND HERE'S THE COVER FOR HALF-BLOOD......

REVIEW: When Mockingbirds Sing by Billy Coffey

REVIEW: When Mockingbirds Sing by Billy Coffey

About the Book

What marks the boundary between a miracle of God and the imagination of a child?
Nine-year-old Leah’s invisible friend seems harmless enough until he aids her in upsetting the tranquility of her new town, a place where her parents desperately hoped she’d finally be able to make friends and fit in. Hidden within a picture she paints for a failed toymaker are numbers that win the toymaker millions. Suddenly, townspeople are divided between those who see Leah as a prophet and those who are afraid of the danger she represents. Caught in the middle is Leah’s agnostic father, who clashes with a powerful town pastor over Leah’s prophecies and what to do about them.
When the imaginary friend’s predictions take an ominous turn and Leah announces that a grave danger looms, doubts arise over the truthfulness of her claims. As a violent storm emerges on the day of the annual carnival, Leah’s family and the town of Mattingly must make a final choice to cling to all they know or embrace the things she believes in that cannot be seen.

My Review

This was yet another very enjoyable read from Billy Coffey. The only other book by Billy I have read was The Devil Walks in Mattingly and it was really good. Billy has such a talent for writing stories that inspire you, haunt you, and kind of creep you out all at the same time. And that is hard to do and Billy pulls if off beautifully. Billy's book will forever has a place in my bookcase.

REVIEW: Every Bride Needs a Groom

REVIEW: Every Bride Needs a Groom

{About the Book}

Small-town girl Katie Fisher is planning her wedding. Sure, her boyfriend hasn't managed to pop the question just yet, but that doesn't mean she shouldn't enter a contest in "Texas Bride" magazine to win the dress of her dreams, right? But when her boyfriend breaks up with her and takes a job in another town--the very same day Katie wins her dream dress--her world is turned upside down. Should she claim her prize? And will the hunky former pro-basketball player who runs the swanky Dallas bridal shop--yeah, you read that right--catch on to her humiliation if she does? 
Janice Thompson designs a romance sure to delight, with plenty of fish-out-of-water moments, a hilarious supporting cast, and more of the wedding biz world her readers adore.

Every Bride Needs a Groom

Janice Thompson

Released April 21, 2015

Revell Publishers

Contemporary Romance

{Review}

Every Bride Needs a Groom is the first book in Janice Thompson's new series, "Brides with Style". Janice Thompson is a kind of hit or miss author. I've enjoyed a few of her books and there are a few I just didn't care for. But this this one I really enjoyed. The writing and prose was lovely and it flowed so well. All the characters had depth, a few books I've read recently had at least one flat characters. No flat characters here, they all had a purpose being in this story. The romance was sweet and had my heart pitter-pattering. The romance was just really good and satisfying. 

REVIEW: To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer

REVIEW: To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer

{About the Book}


Do They Have a Fighting Chance at Love?

After completing his sentence for the unintentional crime that derailed his youthful plans for fame and fortune, Levi Grant looks to start over in the town of Spencer, Texas. Spencer needs a blacksmith, a trade he learned at his father's knee, and he needs a place where no one knows his past.

Eden Spencer has sworn off men, choosing instead to devote her time to the lending library she runs in the town her father founded. When a mountain-sized stranger walks through her door and asks to borrow a book, she's reluctant to trust him. Yet as the mysteries of the town's new blacksmith unfold, Eden discovers hidden depths in him that tempt her heart.

Eden believes she's finally found a man of honor and integrity. But when the truth about Levi's prodigal past comes to light, can this tarnished hero find a way to win back the librarian's affections?

{My Review}


This was my fourth Karen Witemeyer book and I have yet to be disappointed. Karen Witemeyer is an author who no matter what she writes and releases I will buy it. To Win Her Heart is Levi and Eden's story and oh boy was it good. It was so good I was up until 2 am to finish it because I had to know what happened. In no way could leave myself hanging until the morning. 

To Win Her Heart is set in Spencer, Texas in the late 1800's. Levi is new to town, he has just been released from prison,and has been offered the Blacksmith position in town. But not until a Miss Eden Spencer interviews him to make sure he's right for the job. Levi begins to settle in, but doesn't communicate with his words much, as he is ashamed of his stutter and tries his best to hide it. Soon enough he finds himself spending every afternoon in the lending library that Eden runs. They begin exchanging letters and Eden finds herself falling in love with the "mountain-sized" Levi. The only thing is that Levi has been hiding his past from her and he's afraid if he tells her what her reaction would be. 

Oh boy, this book was so amazing and exactly what I was in the mood for. If your looking for Historical Romance with swoon worthy heroes, then you must read Karen's books!

TOP TEN TUESDAY: Authors You Want to Meet

Today's Top Ten Tuesday topic is: Authors you really want to meet. Unfortuantely, where I live authors I love don't really come out here. So the authors I've met, which is only two, are someone I've known my whole life and a friend of hers who I met when I went to her book signing. So there are many authors I would absolutely love to meet.

1. Mary Weber, author of the Storm Siren Trilogy.

2. Kristy Cambron, author of the Hidden Masterpiece duology.

3. Melissa Tagg, author of the Where Love Begins duology and the Walker Family Series.

4. Hillary Manton Lodge, author of the Two Blue Doors series.

5. Francine Rivers, author of the bestseller Redeeming Love and many others.

6. Jenny B. Jones, author of There You'll Find Me, Save the Date, and many others.

7. Karen Witemeyer, author of Stealing the Preacher, Short Straw Bride, and many more.

8. Krista McGee, author of the Anomaly Trilogy.

9. Jennifer Erin Valent, author of the Jessilyn Lassiter Trilogy.

10. Jody Hedlund, author of the Michigan Brides series, the Beacons of Hope series, and others.

REVIEW: Unplanned by Alana Terry

REVIEW: Unplanned by Alana Terry

{About the Book}

When Kennedy Stern’s childhood pastor asks her to volunteer at his new pregnancy center, she carves time out of her rigorous college schedule to promote the cause of the unborn. 

After receiving a disturbing call from someone far too young to carry a child in the first place, Kennedy can no longer blindly hide behind the pro-life platitudes she grew up believing. She resolves to locate the unknown girl but winds up entrenched in a mystery that grows more convoluted as it unfolds. 

Soon, Kennedy finds herself a pawn in a deadly game of intrigue, at the mercy of those who consider a few innocent lives a small ransom to pay in exchange for personal and political victory. 

Alana Terry has won awards from Women of Faith, the Book Club Network, Grace Awards, Readers' Favorite, and more. Unplanned was a finalist in the Deep River Books writing contest. The ebook version contains discussion questions for personal reflection or group study.

Unplanned by Alana Terry

Potter Works Publishing

Expected Publication: May 31, 2015

284 Pages

{My Review}

Unplanned is the fourth Alana Terry novel I have read. I have previously read Beloved Daughter, Slave Again, and Torn Asunder. All were five star books and ones that I highly recommend. Unplanned deals with the issue of abortion, pro-choice versus pro-life.

A young woman calls into the pregnancy hotline and Kennedy Stern is pulled into a world of thing s she had never planned to be a part of. Kennedy grew up in Korea where her parents were missionaries teaching at the local Seminary. She knew growing the severity of persecution and now she has been pulled right into it. We see Kennedy grow in what she believes, we see her struggle with it. What Christian doesn't struggle at one point or another in their lifetime. This book was phenomenal as per usual. And it is a bit edgy in it's content, with abductions and forced abortions. So i would recommend this book for ages 16+.

Note:::I recieved this book for free from the author in return that I write a review.

REVIEW: Trial by Twelve by Heather Day Gilbert

REVIEW: Trial by Twelve by Heather Day Gilbert

{About the Book}

Tess Spencer loves her low-key job at the Crystal Mountain Spa, which allows her plenty of down-time with her one-year old daughter and lawyer husband, Thomas. But when a pool installation turns up eight skeletons in the spa's back yard, Tess becomes entangled in a sleuthing job destined to go awry.

As the investigation gets underway, someone dumps a fresh body near the excavated burial site, confirming unspeakable fears. A serial killer has returned to Buckneck, West Virginia...a skilled hunter with a unique taste in prey.

When Tess agrees to help the cunning Detective Tucker gather clues from the inside, she discovers the posh spa hides more than dead bodies. Even as she sifts through layers of deceit, Tess realizes too late that the killer's sights have zeroed in on her. 

Unpredictable psychological mystery replete with memorable characters, Trial by Twelve is Book Two in A Murder in the Mountains series.

Trial by Twelve by Heather Day Gilbert

Releases May 2015

Published by Woodhaven Press

Contemporary Mystery

Rating: 5 stars!

{My Review}

Trial by Twelve is the second book in Heather's Murder in the Mountain's series. The first book Miranda Warning was a favourite last year. So I couldn't wait to read and review Trial by Twelve. Trial by Twelve was one heck of a crazy ride and if your a fan of mysteries then you need to read this series. Tess Spencer is back for another mystery, a serial killer who keeps dropping bodies and she thinks he is after her next.

Tess Spencer is still living in West Virginia with her husband and loving her job at the Crystal Mountain Spa. The job allows her to be with her daughter and help her husband pay of those darn student loans that so many people are plagued with these days. One day while at work the contruction team was digging to install a pool and during the dig human remains are discovered. The police are called and Detective Tucker along with Tess Spencer is on the case.

Trial by Twelve is an on-the-edge-of-your-seat mystery that you will not want to put down. 

{About the Author}

HEATHER DAY GILBERT enjoys writing stories about authentic, believable marriages. Born and raised in the West Virginia mountains, she believes that bittersweet, generational stories are in her blood. A graduate of Bob Jones University, Heather has been married for eighteen years and has three children.

Heather's Viking historical novel, God's Daughter, was an Amazon Norse Bestseller for an entire year. She is also the author of A Murder in the Mountains mystery series, and the Indie Publishing Handbook: Four Key Elements for the Self-Publisher.

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TOP TEN TUESDAY

So, I am going to start doing Top Ten Tuesdays. More like trying to remember to do them. lol Top Ten Tuesday was created by the ladies at The Broke and the Bookish. This weeks topic is: Books You Will Never Read. I'm not trying to be a meanie, but there are just some books that are not for me.

1. Fifty Shades of Grey- Yeah. This will never happen. No way. No how. No. No. No.

2. Anna Karenina- Don't get me wrong. I am one who loves the classics, some of my favourite books are classics (Persuasion, Jane Eyre.), but this one just isn't for me.

3. The Ghost and Mrs. Muir- I will never get to this book. I've seen the movie and I love the movie, so there's really no need to actually pick up this book.

4. Pretty much any book by Alexandre Dumas- Again, just not my thing. The plots don't really sound that interesting or appealing to me.

5. The Harry Potter Series- Go ahead and start sending the hate mail. Nope. Never. Not gonna happen.

6. Any more books by Mary Higgins Clark- I'm just not into her books anymore. I'm not really big on mysteries anymore either. (Except for Heather Day Gilbert's A Murder in the Mountains series).

7. Ted Dekker Books- I have yet to find a Ted Dekker book I like, so I think I'm pretty much done with his books. I'm more of a Frank Peretti fan anyhow.

8. Once Upon a Time: Out of the Past- I am a HUGE fan of the Once Upon a Time TV show on ABC, but graphic novels ain't my thing at all.

9. The rest of The Giver Quartet- I've read the first book, The Giver, but I really have no interest in reading the rest of the books.

10. Austenland by Shannon Hale- I've seen the movie, which for me was so bad and cheesy. The whole story line did not keep my interest whatsoever. Really, the only good thing about the film was J.J. Feild.