Sunday, March 16, 2014

IT HAD TO BE YOU $100 Visa Giveaway from @SusanMayWarren!

I received this book from Litfuse Publicity through Susan May Warren for no charge in exchange for my honest review of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own.



Book Description:  

 Eden Christiansen never imagined her role as her younger brother Owen’s cheerleader would keep her on the sidelines of her own life. Sure, it feels good to be needed, but looking after the reckless NHL rookie leaves little time for Eden to focus on her own career. She dreamed of making a name for herself as a reporter, but is stuck writing obits—and starting to fear she doesn’t have the chops to land a major story. If only someone would step up to mentor Owen . . . but she knows better than to expect help from team veteran and bad-boy enforcer Jace Jacobsen.

Jace has built his career on the infamous reputation of his aggressive behavior—on and off the ice. Now at a crossroads about his future in hockey, that reputation has him trapped. And the guilt-trip he’s getting from Eden Christiansen isn’t making things any easier. But when Owen’s carelessness leads to a career-threatening injury and Eden stumbles upon a story that could be her big break, she and Jace are thrown together . . . and begin to wonder if they belong on the same team after all.



My Thoughts:  

It Had To Be You is the second book in Susan May Warren's series The Christiansen Family. This time the focus is on Eden Christiansen and also Owen Christiansen. Owen is a NHL rookie for The Blue Ox's and Eden is his biggest fan. She is there for every game cheering him on. She is like a surrogate mother. Eden has always wanted to be a reporter but with taking care of Owen she hasn't gotten where she wants to yet. She is writing obituaries and feels that it's not real reporting and worries she won't make it as a real reporter. One night Owen has a fight and Eden has to come get him, there she runs into veteran NHL player Jace Jacobsen. Jace is team captain and well known bad boy and Eden takes him to task about talking to Owen and getting him off the track he is headed.  Not long after this Owen gets hurt, a career-threatening injury to his eye and everything turn upside down. While at the the hospital Eden happens upon a boy in a coma, a John Doe that gets her investigative juices flowing. Eden finds herself paired up with Jace Jacobsen to find out what they can about this boy before time runs out for him.

It Had To Be You is another fantastic book by Susan May Warren.  This book takes place in both Minneapolis and Deep Haven, Minnesota.  Susan May Warren writes with authority on Minnesota, hockey, professional sports players, writing, transplants, and all things medical. Again I love having the ability to get to know new characters and seeing where life is taking old friends from past novels. As I said in my review of Take A Chance On Me, I love the Christiansen family, they are a fantastic family who support one another. Their lives are not simple but they have one another and their faith. I loved all the characters in this story but I think Jace Jacobsen was my favorite. He is not who he seems and as the story progresses you see who he is and who he wants to be. I could not put this book down, I found myself completely taken in with this book. I found myself laughing in parts and crying in others as events unfolded. I really felt like I was there watching it all unfold. As with the first book in this series, It Had To Be You started with a letter to Eden from Ingrid about what she sees in Eden and hope for her future. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Fiction, you will not be disappointed. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series. I give this book 5 STARS.

Susan May Warren is celebrating the release of her newest Christiansen Family novel, It Had To Be You, with a $100 Visa cash card giveaway and offering readers a free book club kit.
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  One winner will receive:
  • $100 Visa cash card
  • Take a Chance on Me and It Had to Be You by Susan May Warren
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 29th. Winner will be announced April 1st on Susan's blog. Also, visit her website to learn more about the It Had To Be You backstory and Susan's free book club kit.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Susan's blog on April 1st to see if you won.

Take a Chance on Me: Christiansen Family Series Book 1 By Susan May Warren

I received this book from the author, Susan May Warren, as part of her Launch Team for no charge in exchange for my honest review of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own.


Book Description:   

Darek Christiansen is almost a dream bachelor—oldest son in the large Christiansen clan, heir to their historic Evergreen Lake Resort, and doting father. But he’s also wounded and angry since the tragic death of his wife, Felicity. No woman in Deep Haven dares come near.

New assistant county attorney Ivy Madison simply doesn’t know any better when she bids on Darek at the charity auction. Nor does she know that when she crafted a plea bargain three years ago to keep Jensen Atwood out of jail and in Deep Haven fulfilling community service, she was releasing the man responsible for Felicity’s death. All Ivy knows is that the Christiansens feel like the family she’s always longed for. And once she gets past Darek’s tough exterior, she finds a man she could spend the rest of her life with. Which scares her almost as much as Darek learning of her involvement in his wife’s case.

Caught between new love and old grudges, Darek must decide if he can set aside the past for a future with Ivy—a future more and more at risk as an approaching wildfire threatens to wipe out the Christiansen resort and Deep Haven itself.




My Thoughts:  


Take a Chance On Me is the first book in Susan May Warren's latest series, The Christiansen Family and I fell in love!  Darek Christiansen has a little boy, Tiger, who is raising on his own since his wife's accident and death three years prior.  Darek's ex best friend, Jensen Atwood, was involved in the accident so Darek blames Jensen for everything having to do with Felicity's death. Darek is the oldest of the Christiansen children and he helps run their historic Evergreen Lake Resort which he will eventually inherit and run himself.  Darek has to stand in on the charity auction for his younger brother Owen, the hockey player. Ivy Madison, the new county attorney, decides that Darek is the one for her to bid on and she won.   Ivy likes Darek, his temper takes her aback but she really likes everything else especially his family. Tiger is taken with Ivy and she with him.  As Ivy learns the details of Felicity's accident and Jensen Atwoods part she begins to have flashbacks, she realizes that she drafted the plea bargain three years prior.  Ivy must tell him but doesn't know how. Darek is gearing up for a potential custody battle with Felicity's family.  As Darek learns the truth he has to come to terms with the situation and make the best decisions he can for himself and Tiger.

Take a Chance on Me is the first book in the Christiansen Family Series and its fantastic. It takes place in my favorite place,  Deep Haven, MN.  I love having the opportunities to continue to visit Deep Haven in Susan May Warren's books, have to check up on my old friends from other books. I love finding out how they are doing, how their lives are growing. I love the Christiansen family. They are just a regular family who are there for one another and their faith keeps them strong. Their lives are not perfect but they find their way through problems with each other and God.  Susan May Warren writes with authority on Minnesota, wild fires, resorts, and the law.  I found myself completely submersed in this book, could not put it down and when I was done it really stayed with me. It took me a few days to be able to process all of it. I loved all the characters in this book. They are fantastic.In the beginning of the book there is a letter that Ingrid(Mom) writes to Darek about his life and her hopes for him. Helps to really set the tone for the book.  I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Fiction, you WILL not be disappointed. I cannot wait to read the rest of the books in this series! I give this book 5STARS.

Saturday, March 15, 2014

The Beloved Daughter By Alana Terry

 I received this book from the author, Alana Terry, for no charge in exchange for my honest review of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own.


Book Description: 

In a small North Korean village, a young girl struggles to survive. It is her father's faith, not the famine of North Hamyong Province, that most threatens Chung-Cha's well-being.
    
"The Beloved Daughter" follows Chung-Cha into one of the most notorious prison camps the contemporary free world has known. Her crime? Being the daughter of a Christian.

"The Beloved Daughter" is Alana Terry's debut Christian novel and has won multiple awards, including the Women of Faith writing contest and the Book of the Month award from The Book Club Network





My Thoughts: 

The Beloved Daughter is Alana Terry's debut novel and its amazing.  Chung-Cha's family are Christians in North Korea, one night her family is taken to prison camp and expected to renounce their faith. Chung-Cha endures unthinkable abuse and cruelty at the hands of the soldiers in the camp.  Eventually she finds herself in a cell with an old woman who the guards are afraid of. She is a Christian woman who has demonstrated her faith publicly.  Chung-Cha finds herself safe and loved with the old woman. She teaches Chung-Cha much in the time they are together. One night a soldier comes asking for prayers of healing for his daughter.  As events unfold Chung Cha finds herself escaping from the prison camp with an unlikely helper. She crossed borders and finds herself in a safe house. Now she has to figure out what life will be.

The Beloved Daughter is written in a diary like format by a mother(Chung Cha) to her beloved daughter(Ae Cha) that shares her life and family history.  This book is very well written and very well researched.  Alana Terry writes with authority about North/Sought Korea and China, the politics of these places, the history, the prison camps, religions of the region, and life after prison camp.  I learned a lot about these things while reading this book.  The story is heart wrenching, the abuse and cruelty that the people endured in this prison camp was just horrible.  This is a deep story that really touches your heart about Religious persecution that has happened and still does in places. I really enjoyed most of the characters in this book but my favorite was The Old Woman, Grandmother who took care of Chung Cha during part of her time at the prison camp. She was a strong, steadfast woman who loved God and didn't hide that. She did what she could to help Chung Cha see things and gave her love, something she desperately needed.  I had a hard time putting this book down once I picked it up.  As I read this story, I felt like I was there watching the events unfold from the descriptions and details. I definitely found myself crying in parts of this book.  Very emotional read. I enjoyed the book tremendously and highly recommend it to anyone who reads Christian Fiction. You will not be disappointed.  I look forward to reading more from Alana Terry! She is a must read author on my list.  I give this book 5 STARS. 



 Please check the rest of this post for more information and contest details!



 












The Beloved Daughter, an inspirational suspense novel by award-winning author Alana Terry, is a story of persecution and triumph set in the oppressive North Korean regime.

The Beloved Daughter

Synopsis: In a small North Korean village, a young girl struggles to survive. It is her father's faith, not the famine of North Hamyong Province, that most threatens Chung-Cha's well-being. The Beloved Daughter follows Chung-Cha into one of the most notorious prison camps the contemporary free world has known. Her crime? Being the daughter of a Christian.

The Beloved Daughter has won awards from Women of Faith and the Book Club Network. It was also a #1 amazon bestseller in Christian suspense and is the top-rated ebook in several different kindle categories. The Beloved Daughter is available in kindle or paperback. You can also get the audiobook narrated by four-time Audie award-winner Kathy Garver.

My Thoughts: 
 
    


Order your own copy of The Beloved Daughter.


Alana Terry is getting ready to release her next novel, Slave Again, about a North Korean refugee who escapes prison camp only to get trafficked across the border.

Alana is giving away free copies of her next release to anyone who makes a donation to Liberty in North Korea, an organization dedicated to rescuing refugees who escape North Korea. She's also giving away a mini kobo e-reader and several copies of Slave Again, so be sure to enter the giveaway below!



a Rafflecopter giveaway











She escaped a North Korean prison camp only to find herself enslaved again.

Slave Again, by inspirational suspense novelist Alana Terry.

Trailer Reveal: Mee-Kyong endured a childhood fending for herself in a North Korean prison camp. When she finally flees across the border into China, Mee-Kyong must draw upon all her survival skills. Does Mee-Kyong have the cunning she needs to escape the world of abuse and shame into which she's been sold? Can she manage to save both herself and the innocent child under her protection?
 

About the Author:  Alana Terry is a homeschool mom, pastor's wife, and Christian author. Her debut novel, The Beloved Daughter, has won awards from Women of Faith and the Book Club Network. The Beloved Daughter was a number one bestseller in Christian suspense on amazon. Her next novel, Slave Again, is due out this summer.

Giveaway Time! Alana is giving away free copies of her next release to anyone who makes a donation to Liberty in North Korea, an organization dedicated to rescuing refugees who escape North Korea. She's also giving away a mini kobo e-reader and several copies of Slave Again, so be sure to enter the giveaway below!



a Rafflecopter giveaway



She escaped a North Korean prison camp only to find herself enslaved again.

Slave Again, by inspirational suspense novelist Alana Terry.

Synopsis: Mee-Kyong endured a childhood fending for herself in a North Korean prison camp. When she finally flees across the border into China, Mee-Kyong must draw upon all her survival skills. Does Mee-Kyong have the cunning she needs to escape the world of abuse and shame into which she's been sold? Can she manage to save both herself and the innocent child under her protection?
 
About the Author:  Alana Terry is a homeschool mom, pastor's wife, and Christian author. Her debut novel, The Beloved Daughter, has won awards from Women of Faith and the Book Club Network. The Beloved Daughter was a number one bestseller in Christian suspense on amazon. Her next novel, Slave Again, is due out this summer.

First Chapter Reveal: Want to read the first chapter from Slave Again? Scroll down below the giveaway to get your own sneak preview.

Giveaway Time! Alana is giving away free copies of her next release to anyone who makes a donation to Liberty in North Korea, an organization dedicated to rescuing refugees who escape North Korea. She's also giving away a mini kobo e-reader and several copies of Slave Again, so be sure to enter the giveaway below!



a Rafflecopter giveaway


READ THE FIRST CHAPTER OF SLAVE AGAIN (if the widget below isn't working, click here).
  


She escaped a North Korean prison camp only to find herself enslaved again.

Slave Again, by inspirational suspense novelist Alana Terry.

Cover Reveal: Mee-Kyong endured a childhood fending for herself in a North Korean prison camp. When she finally flees across the border into China, Mee-Kyong must draw upon all her survival skills. Does Mee-Kyong have the cunning she needs to escape the world of abuse and shame into which she's been sold? Can she manage to save both herself and the innocent child under her protection?
 
About the Author:  Alana Terry is a homeschool mom, pastor's wife, and Christian author. Her debut novel, The Beloved Daughter, has won awards from Women of Faith and the Book Club Network. The Beloved Daughter was a number one bestseller in Christian suspense on amazon. Her next novel, Slave Again, is due out this summer.


Giveaway Time! Alana is giving away free copies of her next release to anyone who makes a donation to Liberty in North Korea, an organization dedicated to rescuing refugees who escape North Korea. She's also giving away a mini kobo e-reader and several copies of Slave Again, so be sure to enter the giveaway below!



a Rafflecopter giveaway





Thursday, March 13, 2014

Nightingale By T.M. Lazar Cover Reveal









Nightingale By T.M. Lazar Cover Reveal
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Expected Release Date: April 11, 2014





Synopsis:

Lincoln Hawke has had a tortured past and he's convinced, a tortured soul. His only constant in life, aside from his brother and sister-in-law, is the plethora of women that he won't commit to. Demons guard his heart and capture his life, allowing no room for trust or commitments.

Ridley Nightingale is ready to embark on a new future when she transfers schools and relocates to Florida to be with her friends. Nothing can distract her from finishing her degree. That is until Lincoln and Ridley are paired up for a class project and their boundaries are pushed. But things aren't always what they seem and nothing easy is worth having.


Will Ridley be able to break down Lincoln's walls and see past his playboy shell? Or will Lincoln's past cause him to lose the one person who might help him overcome it all?


Teaser



Author Bio
T.M. Lazar resides in upstate NY. She started writing at the age of 16, and now at the age of 19, she's making her dreams a reality. Along with writing, she's an avid reader, loves to spend time with her family and friends, drawing, dancing and just hanging out. In 2014 she will be attending college, and majoring in Liberal Arts and Literature while she pursues her career in writing. 


SOCIAL LINKS

Sunday, March 9, 2014

PRINCESS EVER AFTER: Book Two of Royal Wedding Series Win $200 “Princess” Giveaway and Facebook Party with @RachelHauck!

I received this book from Litfuse Publicity for no charge in exchange for my honest review of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own. 


Book Description:  

Regina Beswick was born to be a princess.
But she’s content to be a small-town girl, running a classic auto restoration shop, unaware a secret destiny awaits her. One that will leap from the pages of her grandmother’s hand-painted book of fairy tales.Tanner Burkhardt is the stoic Minister of Culture for the Grand Duchy of Hessenberg. When he is tasked to retrieve the long-lost princess, he must overcome his fear of failure in order to secure his nation’s future—and his own. Yet lurking in the political shadows is a fierce opponent with sinister plans to abolish the throne forever. Overwhelmed with opposition, Regina must decide if she’s destined to restore old cars or an ancient nation. Together—with a little divine intervention—Regina and Tanner discover the truth of her heritage and the healing power of true love.


My Thoughts:  

Princess Ever After is the second book in Rachel Hauck's Royal Wedding Series and it is wonderful! Regina Beswick's passion is to fix and restore classic cars with her family friend Al. She quit her job as a CPA to open up a shop with Al.  Tanner Burkhardt lives in Hessenberg and has been tasked with traveling to the US to find Regina, the rightful heir to Hessenberg's throne, and bring her back to rule their country once the entail ends.  Tanner's declaration to Regina that she is a princess as her mother, grandma, and great Grandma before, throws Regina into a tailspin. Next her Dad gives her a box that had been her Great Grandma's that contained many royal items and the storybook her Great Grandma wrote for her about Hessenberg and the Princess. Regina finds herself torn between doing what she loves or going to Hessenberg to take her place and rule the people. 

Princess Ever After is a wonderful story. I am so glad I read Once Upon A Prince, because it definitely helped to understand the whole story.  I could NOT put this book down, it grabbed me from the start and kept hold until the end. I love the story of a regular girl becoming the Princess she pretended to be many,many years ago as a child.  Rachel Hauck writes with authority about royalty, monarchies, England, and car restoration.  The characters in this book are great, I really enjoyed the new characters and of course getting to know about other characters from the first book. I loved the characters especially Regina. I loved her personality, her courage, strength, and her faith. Even when she seemed unsure, she was confident in her decisions and didn't waiver.  I found myself laughing out loud in parts especially the interactions with Regina and Tanner, but also cried in a few place where the situation tugged at my heart.  Rachel Hauck paints such a picture in this book that I felt like I was there watching everything unfold. The descriptions of the land, the buildings, and the people gave such vivid pictures in my mind. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Romance Fiction, you won't be disappointed. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series!  I give this book 4.5 STARS.

Rachel Hauck is celebrating the release of her latest "swoon"-worthy romance,  Princess Ever After, with a fun $200 "Princess" prize package giveaway and a Facebook "Princess" party on March 6th. Grab your tiaras and RSVP today!

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  One winner will receive:
  • A $200 Visa cash card (buy your very own "princess ever after" gown or tanks of gas for your "royal" ride)
  • Princess Ever After, Once Upon a Prince, and The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 6th. Winner will be announced at Rachel's "Princess" Facebook Party on March 6th. Connect with Rachel for an evening of "royal" book chat, princess-themed trivia, laughter, prizes, and an exclusive look at the next book in the Royal Wedding series!

So grab your copy of Princess Ever After and join Rachel and friends on the evening of March 6th 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 todayTell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 6th!

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Once Upon A Prince: Royal Wedding Series Book 1 By Rachel Hauck

I received this book from Zondervan Publishers through NetGalley for no charge in exchange for my honest opinion of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own.



Book Description:   

Once Upon a Prince, the first novel in the Royal Wedding series by best-selling author Rachel Hauck, treats you to a modern-day fairy tale. Susanna Truitt never dreamed of a great romance or being treated like a princess---just to marry the man she has loved for twelve years. But life isn't going according to plan. When her high-school-sweetheart-turned-Marine-officer breaks up instead of proposing, Susanna scrambles to rebuild her life. The last thing Prince Nathaniel expects to find on his American holiday to St. Simons Island is the queen of his heart. A prince has duties, and his family's tense political situation has chosen his bride for him. When Prince Nathaniel comes to Susanna's aid under the fabled Lover's Oak, he is blindsided by love. Their lives are worlds apart. He's a royal prince. She's an ordinary girl. But everything changes when Susanna receives an invitation to Nathaniel's coronation. It's the ultimate choice: His kingdom or her heart? God's will or their own?



My Thoughts:  

Once Upon A Prince is the first book in Rachel Hauck's latest series, The Royal Wedding Series. This is also the first book by Rachel Hauck I have had the pleasure of reading.   Susanna Truitt has been with her high school sweetheart for twelve years. She stayed with him through his tours in the Marines. When he returns home instead of proposing he breaks up with her.  Susanna's plans are now gone. Susanna has a flat tire under St Simons Island "Lovers Oak".  Prince Nathaniel comes to her rescue and helps her change her tire. Instead of Prince Nathaniel he introduces himself as Nate. Nate and Susanna find themselves put together in many different ways no matter how much they try to stay away. Their feelings are a mess and eventually Susanna finds out he is Prince Nathaniel.  Nathaniel has to cut his vacation early due to a family tragedy and he swears he will not see Susanna again but when Susanna is at his coronation, he has choices to make.

Once Upon A Prince is the first book by Rachel Hauck I have had a chance to read and it is a great book.  I do not typically read romance type books, but this one peaked my interest so I decided to go for it.  Rachel Hauck writes with authority on royalty, monarchies, Brighton England, St Simons Island, landscape architecture, and restaurant management.  I really loved the characters in this book especially Susanna and her family. They are down to earth family who are there for each other and support one another.  They are a funny family who seem to laugh a lot, say how it is, and above all are open about their faith in Jesus. The Truitt family is open about their mistakes and how they overcame because of their faith.  I found myself instantly taken in by this book.  From the start I had a very hard time putting it down.  This book had me laughing out loud in many spots and crying in a few spots.  All in All I truly enjoyed this book.  I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Romance Fiction, you will not be disappointed. I give this book 4.5 STARS.

The Egyptian Princess: A Story of Hagar By KD Homberg

I received this audiobook for no charge from the author and Celebrate Lit Blogger Program in exchange for my honest review of this audiobook...