Tuesday, August 25, 2015

The Perfect Cast: Book One of Love's Enduring Promise series By T.K. Chapin

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


Book Description:

“Meeting him was fate, loving him was a choice, and spending the rest of my life with him… well that was destiny.”

At the brink of adulthood Jess thought she had it all figured out, that was until her parents split and her mom whisked her away to the middle of nowhere. Her Grandpa’s farm was the last place on earth she wanted to be, and with no cell phones, internet or cable she was destined for a summer of boredom.

Man of Her Dreams
Clint Foster, the man who has everything going for him. Successful, charming and downright gorgeous; Clint’s the man she can see a future with. The only problem is her Grandpa’s farmhand Levi keeps getting in her way.

Trading in rock concerts for chicken coops and sneakers for cowboy boots; join Jess as she finds love in the unexpected places.



My Thoughts:

The Perfect Cast is the first book of T.K. Chapin and it is great!! I have never had the pleasure of reading any of  his books until now. I am very glad I had the chance to read this one. I really enjoyed T.K. Chapin's unique writing style, every chapter was from a different characters point of view and it really gave the whole picture of what was going on physically and emotionally. The transitions between characters and chapters were flawless, I never felt lost or confused.  Their parents are separated and it has caused a huge rift between Jess and her mother, Tiffany. So Roy is trying to help  all of them process through all of this especially since Jess and Henry believe their Mom left their Dad just because, when the real reason was infidelity. Roy has a helper on the farm, Levi who spends most of his time with Roy. From the start Levi and Jess explode....their interactions are hilarious.   Jess had made it clear she could not wait for the end of summer and she had no plans of enjoying herself but as she started to give things a chance, she started to make connections. All of the teenagers know each other in this area since they grew up together so any get together Jess goes to Levi is there. Then Jess meets Clint and she falls for him, she thinks he is the man of her dreams and sees him in her future.  Unfortunately people and situations are not what they seem and Jess learns that big lesson in her summer with Grandpa Roy.

I really enjoyed T.K. Chapin's unique writing style, every chapter was from a different characters point of view and it really gave the whole picture of what was going on physically and emotionally. The transitions between characters and chapters were flawless, I never felt lost or confused. As for the characters, I LOVED the characters in this book, even the not so good ones. The characters are well written and very real. I really enjoyed Roy, Jess's Grandpa. who lives the statement age is just a number. Roy is a faithful servant of the Lord and lives his life according to God's plan, or at least tries very hard to. I could not put the book down. It moved at a steady pace and definitely kept me on my toes through out the whole book. This story definitely has twists and turns. I found myself laughing in some places an crying in others.  I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Fiction with some romance, you won't be sorry. I cannot wait to read more from T.K. Chapin and read the rest of The Love's Enduring Promise series. I give this book 5 STARS.

Monday, August 24, 2015

Through Waters Deep: Waves of Freedom Book 1 By Sarah Sundin Enter to Win an Anchors Aweigh Prize Pack!!

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



Book Description:

It is 1941 and America teeters on the brink of war. Outgoing naval officer Ensign Jim Avery escorts British convoys across the North Atlantic in a brand-new destroyer, the USS Atwood. Back on shore, Boston Navy Yard secretary Mary Stirling does her work quietly and efficiently, happy to be out of the limelight. Yet, despite her reserved nature, she never could back down from a challenge. When evidence of sabotage on the Atwood is found, Jim and Mary must work together to uncover the culprit. A bewildering maze of suspects emerges, and Mary is dismayed to find that even someone close to her is under suspicion. With the increasing pressure, Jim and Mary find that many new challenges--and dangers--await them.

Sarah Sundin takes readers to the tense months before the US entered WWII. Readers will encounter German U-boats and torpedoes, along with the explosive power of true love, in this hopeful and romantic story.



My Thoughts: 

Through Waters Deep is the first book in Sarah Sundin's latest series, Waves of Freedom and it is great! As a fan of  historical fiction I really was excited to read it. Also my Dad and my husband both served in the Navy so I am always interested in reading about the Navy, so this book had both. Sarah Sundin writes with authority about the 1940's, the Navy, WWII and events leading up to it, and Boston.  Sarah Sundin writes a perfect mixture of fact and fiction that kept me engaged. I loved learning about the shipyards and the different ships that were built and used during this time. I found myself looking up names and places to get a better picture of the story.  I found myself unable to put this book down because it kept me guessing until the end. This story had a little of everything romance, mystery, history, and adventure. As I read this book I felt like I was there with Mary Stirling seeing the story unfold. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Historical Fiction, you will not be disappointed. I cannot wait to read the rest of  this series! I give this book 5 STARS.



Dive into Sarah Sundin's explosive new series, Waves of Freedom, with book one, Through Waters DeepWhen evidence of sabotage on the Atwood is found, Jim and Mary must work together to uncover the culprit. A bewildering maze of suspects emerges, and Mary is dismayed to find that even someone close to her is under suspicion. With the increasing pressure, Jim and Mary find that many new challenges–and dangers–await them in the midst of their budding romance.

Join Sarah in celebrating the release of Through Waters Deep by entering to win an Anchors Aweigh prize pack!

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One grand prize winner will receive:
  • A copy of Through Waters Deep
  • A nautical tote bag
  • A set of compass rose notecards
  • A "Hope Anchors the Soul" journal
  • A Boston Tea Party earl grey tea set
  • Through Waters Deep apron
  • A set of nautical tea towels
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Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 24th. The winner will be announced August 25th on Sarah's blog.

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Thursday, August 20, 2015

Irish Meadows: Courage to Dream Book 1 By Susan Anne Mason! A Kindle Fire Giveaway and An Author Chat

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:

Irish immigrant James O’Leary has spent his life building Irish Meadows into a thriving horse farm and is not about to let hard economic times threaten its success. He intends for his daughters to marry prosperous men–ones who will secure the family’s rightful place in society, and at the same time, guarantee the future of Irish Meadows. Both girls, however, have different visions for their futures.

Brianna and Colleen O’Leary know their father expects them to marry well. Yet despite his wishes, Brianna, the quieter sister, dreams of attending college. Vivacious Colleen, meanwhile, is happy to marry–as long as her father’s choice meets her exacting standards. When stable hand Gilbert Whelan returns from college and distant family member Rylan Montgomery stops in on his way to the seminary in Boston, the two men quickly complicate everyone’s plans. It will take every ounce of courage for both sisters to follow their hearts. And even if they do, will they inevitably find their dreams too distant to reach?


My Thoughts: 

Irish Meadows is the first book in Susan Anne Mason's Courage to Dream Series and it is amazing. This is also Susan Anne Mason's debut book!! WOW! I am a huge fan of Historical Fiction and Debut books so this was the perfect match for me! Susan Anne Mason did an amazing job on this first book of weaving fact and fiction into this wonderful book. She writes with authority about horses, running a stables, the church rules, orphanages and the people that run them,  society in 1911, and the way of life during this time. As I read this book I felt like I was right there at Irish Meadows watching the horses and the people. Susan Anne Mason's writing transported me to this time and place, inside the lives of these characters.  I really enjoyed the characters in this book. Each one of them with their unique personalities that fit together like puzzle pieces! I have to say my favorite character is Rylan Montgomery. Rylan is a great character that has a great sense of humor and is so sensitive to the others around him and has the desire to help everyone. As Rylan struggled with his own dilemmas, he never hid from them or lied, he stated them out loud and honestly.  I found this book very hard to put down. From the first page until the last I did feel transported to this other world, part of the lives of the people at Irish Meadows.  I found myself laughing in parts of this book and crying in others, as this book deals with some heavy and not so heavy subjects! I did really enjoy this book and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes Christian Historical Fiction, you will not be disappointed. I have found myself another other to read and I am excited! I cannot wait to read what Susan Anne Mason has in store for us next!  I give this book 5 STARS.

Will Brianna and Colleen have the courage to stand up to their father's schemes to save their horse farm and instead pursue true love? Don't miss Irish Meadows, the newest book by Susan Anne Mason! As the farm slips ever closer to ruin, their father grows more desperate. It will take every ounce of courage for both sisters to avoid being pawns in their father’s machinations and instead follow their hearts. And even if they do, will they inevitably find their dreams too distant to reach?

Join Susan in celebrating the release of Irish Meadows by entering to win her Kindle Fire giveaway and RSVPing to her September 1st author chat party!

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One grand prize winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire HD 6
  • One copy of Irish Meadows
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 9/1. The winner will be announced at the Irish Meadows Facebook party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Susan and other readers, as well as for a chance to win some great prizes!

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RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 1st!

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...