New from Debra Clopton | ‘Betting on Hope’ Kindle Giveaway

Saddle up for a new romance from novelist Debra Clopton, Betting on Hope! In Wishing Springs, Maggie finds what she has always been looking for: a community and a home. But when her past catches up to her, it threatens everything, even the tender hope that this town holds all of her heart’s desires.

Enter to win a Kindle Fire HD 6 to celebrate the release of Betting on Hope! 

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• A copy of Betting on Hope

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 8th. Winner will be announced March 9th on Debra's blog.

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Betting on Hope

by Debra Clopton       Contemporary Romance Thomas Nelson  One sophisticated advice columnist. One rough-around-the-edges cowboy. And an entire small town rooting for love. The first book in Debra Clopton's Four of Hearts Ranch Romance series, Betting on Hope, will win your heart! Advice columnist Maggie Hope never dreamed she'd be shaking hands with champion horse trainer Tru Monahan over a high-stakes bet, especially one that involves horses. And saddles. And everything else a city girl like Maggie feels uncomfortable around. But after filling in for a coworker and interviewing the handsome cowboy, she finds herself doing just that. Anything to save her advice column. Despite Maggie's two left feet, Tru is bound and determined to bring out her inner cowgirl by teaching her to ride a cutting horse --- in Maggie's eyes, a wild beast trained to separate cattle from the rest of the herd. While her riding improves, the two grow closer, but Tru knows he can never let her into his heart --- for her own good. In Wishing Springs, a community full of meddling --- yet well-meaning --- townsfolk, Maggie discovers a home far from what she's ever had and exactly what she's always longed for. But she's holding something back---a secret with the power to destroy her reputation and any future she's ever hoped for with the cowboy she's come to love. Advance Praise "Filled with humor, romance and a great sense of reality . . . the writing is moving and masterful . . . each character comes alive through her words . . ." ~RT Magazine  Meet the Author Debra Clopton is a multi-award winning novelist first published in 2005 and has written more than 22 novels. Along with writing, Debra helps her husband teach the youth at their local Cowboy Church. Debra is the author of the acclaimed Mule Hollow Matchmaker Series, and her goal is to shine a light toward God while she entertains readers with her words. Find Debra online: website, Facebook, Twitter My Review: I loved loved loved this book!  Debra has created such fun characters whom I loved spending time with and could relate to throughout the book.  Also, the storyline is great as well  - a newspaper columnist forced to fill in for a reporter on tv and getting suckered into a bet with an incredibly handsome cowboy, what isn't to love!?  Wishing Springs sounds like an amazing place to be as well; so homey, filled with loving, yet meddling people and described so beautifully.  Maggie and Tru are great characters and I highly recommend you picking up this book and spending time with them as well! *Thanks to Litfuse Publicity Group for including me on this blog tour and for the complimentary copy of this book.*

Book Review - "The Trouble With Patience"

"Maggie Brendan deftly captures the flavor of the Old West in a sweet love story filled with suspense and well-developed, interesting characters that will surely capture the hearts of readers."--Kathleen Morgan, author of the Brides of Culdee Creek series

Patience Cavanaugh has lost hope in romance. The man she yearned to marry is dead and her dreams are gone with him. Now she is consumed with restoring a dilapidated boardinghouse in order to support herself.

Despite Patience's desire for solitude, Jedediah Jones, the local marshal with a reputation for hanging criminals, becomes an ever-looming part of her life. It seems like such a simple arrangement: She needs someone with a strong back to help her fix up the boardinghouse. He needs a dependable source of food for himself and his prisoners. But as she gets to know this "hanging lawman," Patience finds there is far more to him than meets the eye--and it could destroy their tenuous relationship forever.

With a keen eye for historical detail and a deft hand at romantic tension, Maggie Brendan invites you to a Montana gold rush boomtown, where vices and virtues are on full display and love is lying in wait.


"Maggie Brendan has created a wealth of memorable characters in this heartwarming story. Romance, mystery, and an intriguing plot all add up to a winning combination that's sure to delight readers."--Margaret Brownley, bestselling author of Gunpowder Tea and Petticoat Detective

"Brendan is a master at tender love stories that tug at your heart while touching the soul, providing rich historical detail and tension that races the pulse."--Julie Lessman, award-winning author of The Daughters of Boston series

Maggie Brendan is the bestselling author of the Heart of the West and The Blue Willow Brides series. Winner of the 2014 Book Buyers Best Award (OCC/RWA) for inspirational fiction and the 2013 Laurel Wreath Award, she was a finalist for the 2013 Published Maggie Award of Excellence and the 2013 Heart of Excellence Readers' Choice Award. To learn more, visit www.MaggieBrendan.com.


My Review:
I have been so looking forward to this new series from Maggie as I love her other books!  Maggie does an excellent job with creating the time period in her novels as well as the characters that they become so alive and real.  Patience is trying to move on with her life and is trying to revitalize her grandmother's boardinghouse in a mining town.  I loved her from the very beginning as she is a lively, and stubborn woman, but also passionate for her beliefs and tenderhearted.  Jedidiah's and Patience's interactions from the very beginning are entertaining and full of fire.  This town really grows on me quickly as Patience connects with various people and builds relationships as well as her business.  I really enjoyed this story with the historical details, loveable characters and the sweet romance. 


*Thanks to the Revell Reads Program for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

Book Review - "The Crimson Cord"

"Rahab's story is one of the most moving redemption accounts in Scripture. The Crimson Cord perfectly captures all the drama of the original, fleshing out the characters with care and thought. Jill's storytelling skills kept me reading late into the night. A beautiful tale, beautifully told!"--Liz Curtis Higgs, New York Times bestselling author of Mine Is the Night


 Wife to a gambler who took one too many risks, Rahab finds herself sold as a slave to cover her husband's debt. Forced into prostitution, she despairs of ever regaining her freedom and her self-respect. But when Israelite spies enter Jericho and come to lodge at her house, Rahab sees a glimmer of hope and the opportunity of a lifetime.

In one risky moment, she takes a leap of faith, puts her trust in a God she does not know, and vows to protect the spies from the authorities. When the armies of Israel arrive weeks later, Rahab hopes they will keep their promise, but she has no idea what kind of challenges await her outside Jericho's walls--or if she will ever know the meaning of love.

Under Jill Eileen Smith's talented hand, the familiar story of Rahab bursts forth in high definition. Immerse yourself in a world of dark and dusty streets, clandestine meetings, and daring escapes as a mysterious biblical figure claims her full humanity--and a permanent place in your heart.


Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling author of the Wives of King David series, the Wives of the Patriarchs series, and The Desert Princess, first in the Loves of King Solomon series. Her research into the lives of biblical women has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan. Learn more at www.jilleileensmith.com.




My Review:
I have enjoyed every single one of Jill's historical/Biblical fiction novels and "The Crimson Cord" may be my very favorite!  This is Rahab's story whom is a character whom has always been a fascinating one to me and I have always enjoyed hearing her story when she has been a part of a sermon or a study.  Jill does such an amazing job with adding details to the story that brings the characters, the time period and setting to life, that I feel as if I am a part of the story.  It is obvious that Jill puts her heart into her research and into recreating these stories for the readers and I love how they really make me think more about the Biblical account, the characters' lives and the many lessons that can be learned through them.  As "The Crimson Cord" is book one in Jill's latest series, Daughters of the Promised Land, I am eager to hear news of the release of book 2!


*Thanks to the Revell Reads Program for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

New from Terri Blackstock | ‘Twisted Innocence’ Nook Giveaway

In Terri Blackstock’s third and final book in her Moonlighters series, Twisted Innocence, readers are in for a story of suspense and redemption. Dangers old and new threaten Holly and her baby, and lives are demanded as sacrifices for love. Through a complex web of mistakes and regret, redemption is the one hope Holly has left to hold on to.

Celebrate the series' final release by entering Terri's Nook giveaway!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Nook GlowLight
• The entire Moonlighters series

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 8th. Winner will be announced March 9th on the Litfuse blog.

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Book info

About the book: Twisted Innocence (Zondervan, February 2015) Holly Cramer's past choices have finally caught up to her, but she never expected them to endanger her baby. Though Holly's stumbled through most of her adult life as a party girl, she longs to live a more stable life for her daughter. Then police show up to question her about the whereabouts of Creed Kershaw, Lily's father. She has kept his identity a secret from friends and family---she never even told him about the pregnancy. Now he's a person of interest in a drug-related murder case. Determined to keep him out of their lives and turn him over to police, Holly uses her private investigating skills to search for him. But her bravado backfires when he turns the tables and takes her and the baby hostage. As desperate hours tick by, Holly realizes his connection to Leonard Miller-the man who has gunned down several members of her family. Creed claims he's innocent and that Miller is after him too. His gentleness with Lily moves her, but she can't trust a man who has held her at gunpoint . . . even if he reminds her so much of herself. Dangers old and new threaten Holly and her baby, and lives are demanded as sacrifices for love. Through a complex web of mistakes and regret, redemption is the one hope Holly has left to hold on to. Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1hDkeXy    About the author: Terri Blackstock has sold over six million books worldwide and is a New York Times bestselling author. She is the award-winning author of "Intervention," "Vicious Cycle," and "Downfall," as well as such series as Cape Refuge, Newpointe 911, the SunCoast Chronicles, Restoration, and Moonlighters. Find Terri online: website, Facebook, Twitter My Review: "Twisted Innocence" by Terri Blackstock is an exciting conclusion to her Moonlighters series and one I could not put down once I started to read!  Holly is the sister of focus in this book and she is a new mom and trying to be a good mother and turn her life around; however this is not easy being a single mom and trying to support herself and her daughter.  Holly's story starts out with a crime and I was immediately hooked on the story and rooting for Holly to make good choices and get her life on track.  I have really enjoyed this series as the characters are so real and the main characters (Holly's sisters) in the previous two books are part of the story still; I love when authors focus on a family for their series because then you can "revisit" characters.  My heart went out to Holly as she was trying to do the right thing and I will miss these girls now that the series is done.  This book is full of secrets, danger, second chances and redemption; Terri is a must-read suspense author on my list!  To read other reviews included on this blog tour, go here! *Thanks to Litfuse Publicity Group for including me on this blog tour and for the complimentary copy of this book.*

"Lighten up, y'all"

"Lighten up, y'all" by Virginia Willis is the latest cookbook to find a home in my kitchen!  This is a cookbook with a huge variety of recipes that are comfort foods, but are healthier than others may be.
Virginia shares her story of how she has always enjoyed cooking and she was raised in the South and she has stuck to her roots with her cooking, true Southern dishes - wholesome, made with fresh produce and homey.  
I love the variety of dishes included in here, Virginia truly covers every course and there is such a wide variety in each category as well.  I love fresh produce and that was what originally drew me to this book; and I was not expecting so many unique recipes in here.  Don't get me wrong, there are so many classic recipes as well! 
The photographs throughout this cookbook are gorgeous as well and make you want to make and eat everything that is pictured! 
I am looking forward to trying so many of these recipes, including Sinless Seven-Layer Dip, Summer Squash "Lasagna," Basil-Peach Chicken Breasts, and Chocolate "Brookies." 


If you want more information about this book before getting it for yourself (don't wait too long!), you can go here!


To learn more about the author, go here!


"I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."

Book Review - "Lethal Beauty"

Book Description from the publisher:

Mia Quinn discovers that a series of seemingly unrelated murders are linked. How far up are the strings being pulled-and what happens when one of her own is at risk?


The murder Mia is prosecuting seems like an open and shut case-until the accused claims he was the real victim and that the dead girl attacked him first. The tabloids dub her a "lethal beauty." Still, a conviction seems imminent. Then a key witness goes missing. Just when it looks like the killer could walk free, the dead woman's mother takes matters into her own hands.


Meanwhile, Charlie Carlson, a Seattle homicide detective, is investigating the murder of a man whose body washed up on the beach of Puget Sound, but he's got little to go on. He has no dental work, fingerprints aren't on file, and he doesn't match any missing person reports. Then a church pianist is senselessly gunned down before horrified parishioners.


All three cases seem unrelated-but are they? Together, Mia and Charlie race to find the answer before another crime hits too close to home.


About the Author


Lis Wiehl is a New York Times best-selling author, Harvard Law School graduate, and former federal prosecutor. A popular legal analyst and commentator for the Fox News Channel, Wiehl appears weekly on The O'Reilly Factor, Lou Dobbs Tonight, Imus in the Morning, Kelly's Court, and more. Visit her website at www.liswiehlbooks.com Twitter: @LisWiehl Facebook: LisWiehl


My Review:
I have been a huge fan of Lis Wiehl's books from her very first one I read and each one just continues to be an excellent suspenseful read!  "Lethal Beauty" continues the Mia Quinn Mystery saga and I highly recommend that you read the first 2 books in these series before starting this one as it continues on from the previous novel.  Mia is dealing with issues in her own life with the death of her husband and adjusting to life without him, and now she has the interest of two men in her life and her workload continues to build and get more intense.  Mia and Charlie find themselves fighting for justice and trying to find answers before someone else is killed.  This is an exciting read from the very beginning to the very end; I was kept guessing the entire way through.  This is very suspenseful and so real that I was drawn right into the story and held captive until the very end.  I highly recommend this book and series for those whom enjoy suspense!


*Thanks to the BookLook Bloggers Program for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

Book Review - "The Beauty of Grace"

"The Beauty of Grace" is a compilation of stories from various writers and includes photographs from the editor Dawn Camp.  This is an excellent book for today as it is has stories and reminders that we all need to hear and remind ourselves of as daily life is and can be a struggle with the general busyness, comparing ourselves to others via social media and living a life that is pleasing to God.  This is the perfect book when you need a "pick me up" as the stories/chapters are very short, sweet and to the point and have a verse to think on long after reading.  I loved that one of my favorite inspirational authors, Holley Gerth, was included in here as well as writing the forward, so of course I jumped right to her chapter, but that's what is nice about this book, you can pick it up and read a chapter, jump ahead to another, whatever you need at the moment. 


*Thanks to the Revell Reads Blogger Program for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*