‘Beyond the Silence’ by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse (Plus a Giveaway and Facebook Party)

Lillian Porter takes a chance on a new job and a new future . . . but rumors surrounding her job make Lillian begin to wonder if she made the right choice in Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse's Beyond the Silence. There are rumors in town that her new employer, Woodward Colton, caused the death of his wife. This accusation doesn't match the man Lillian comes to know . . . but soon the Colton olive farm is no longer a safe place. Lillian encounters suspicious characters on their land and mysterious damage done to the farm. Will Mrs. Goodman and Jimmy be able to speak what they know in time to save Lillian from tragedy?

Tracie and Kimberley are celebrating the launch of Beyond the Silence with a Loaded Fire Prize Pack giveaway (details below) and an author chat party on February 11!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• One copy of Beyond the Silence
• A Kindle Fire 7
• A $50 Amazon gift card to load your Fire with books

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 2/11. The winner will be announced at the Beyond the Silence Facebook party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Tracie, Kimberley, and other readers, as well as for a chance to win other prizes!

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 11th!

Book info

About the book: Beyond the Silence (Bethany House, January 2016) The shadows over this olive grove hide more than just the truth. Lillian Porter has always wanted to fulfill her mother's dream of going west, so when she hears about a nanny position in Angels Camp, California, she defies her grandfather and takes a chance on a new future. But she quickly wonders if she made the right choice. Murky rumors swirl around Woodward Colton, her new employer, but the gossip doesn't match the man Lillian comes to know. Still, something dark did happen in the family's past. Lillian's seven-year-old charge hasn't spoken in over a year. Gently, Lillian tries to coax him out of his shell, hoping he'll one day feel safe enough to share what scared him. But the Colton olive farm is no longer a safe place. Lillian encounters suspicious characters on their land and mysterious damage done to the farm. When the housekeeper is brutally attacked, the town once again suspects the worst. Will discovering the truth help Lillian clear the name of the man she has come to love---or will it endanger her even more? Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1PtlZWv   About the authors:   Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 100 novels. Tracie also teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. She and her family live in Montana. Connect with Tracie: website, Facebook Kimberley Woodhouse is a multipublished author of fiction and nonfiction. A popular speaker/teacher, she's shared her theme of Joy Through Trials with over 150,000 people at more than a thousand venues across the country. She lives, writes, and homeschools with her husband of twenty-plus years and their two awesome teens live in Colorado. Connect with Kimberley: website, Twitter, Facebook My Review: "Beyond the Silence" is a touching read that is filled with romance, mystery and moving on.  Lillian makes a drastic change and finds herself in the midst of rumors and suspicions, but most importantly in a position of caring and helping a young boy and his father.  I loved Lillian's character, she is the perfect mix of spunk and not caring what others things and kindness and all heart to share with those around her.  The town is such an eclectic mix of individuals and I enjoyed their interactions and seeing what role each of them was playing in the story.  This book is well-written and a nice mix of both author's "typical" style giving the reader the best of both worlds - historical romance and suspense.  *Thanks to the Litfuse Publicity Group for including me on this blog tour and for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

Book Review - "Merchant of Alyss"

Beneath the hills of a primeval city, a vanquished enemy is gathering power. As this new threat arises, can Hyam summon his true heritage and overcome the forces of evil?
When Hyam reluctantly returned to the Long Hall, he never imagined how his life would change. Latent powers were honed, chance encounters brought new wisdom, and even love found a way into his heart. With his wife, Joelle, he now makes a home in Falmouth Port.

Hyam is slowly recovering from his battles when a mysterious shipment of Milantian scrolls arrives. Soon he is haunted by dreams of mythic beasts and coming conflicts. When Joelle falls under a sorcerer's spell, he must venture through the desolate lands to save her--and his community.

One particular scroll seems to hold the promise of new powers, but it also carries a hidden warning about an unfathomable threat. As Hyam sets out on another journey, he is keenly aware that he must rely on all his abilities--and his forbidden past--to succeed. His quest could bring deliverance . . . or devastation.


My Review:
This fantasy book was a nice change of pace from the typical books I read and a nice return to the series as I really enjoyed "Emissary."  "The Merchant of Alyss" draws the reader back into Hyam's world and into the struggles and adventure that he faces.  This is very well written and full of drama, excitement, tension and hope.  I love Hyam and Joelle, their characters and their relationship really make the story, but I also loved the new characters who you meet and I cannot wait to read book #3 and see where the story leads to and revisit these characters. 


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

"Hannah's Choice"

"Hannah's Choice," by Jan Drexler, is book one in her Journey to Pleasant Prairie series.  I found this to be a very intriguing read as I have read many Amish stories, but none quite like this with the time period and setting.  Hannah is a character whom I empathized with right from the start, she is in the role of essentially being the caretaker and unifying of her family. She had such a big and tender heart that she doesn't want to disrupt or disappoint anyone; however this can get in the way of finding her own true happiness and what is best for her own life.  Hannah's relationships with her family members and with the two men whom propose marriage to her are all intertwined with the other characters and their relationships making this is a completely engrossing read that kept me guessing throughout it as far as what was going to happen and has left me still thinking about the characters as if they were real individuals.  I highly recommend this book for those whom enjoy Amish fiction and also historical fiction. 


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

New from Terri Blackstock: ‘If I Run’ and a Fitbit Giveaway

Terri shares about her book

Casey Cox doesn’t fit the profile of a killer . . . but her DNA is all over the crime scene, and she's now a fugitive. Don't miss Terri Blackstock's next page-turner, If I Run. Unraveling her past and the evidence that condemns her will take more time than Dylan has, the war-weary veteran hired to find Casey. But as Dylan’s damaged soul intersects with hers, he is faced with two choices. The girl who occupies his every thought is a psychopathic killer . . . or a selfless hero. And the truth could be the most deadly weapon yet.


Join Terri in celebrating her new book with a Fitbit giveaway and a special $4.99 digital pre-order deal!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of If I Run
• A Fitbit One™ or a Fitbit Flex (winner's choice)

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry! The giveaway ends on February 16th. The winner will be announced February 17th on the Litfuse blog.

Plus don't miss out on the special $4.99 digital pre-order pricing, now through February 15. Pre-order the book through your favorite e-book retailer; details here.

Book info

About the book: If I Run (Zondervan, February 2016) Casey knows the truth. But it won't set her free. Casey Cox's DNA is all over the crime scene. There's no use talking to police; they have failed her abysmally before. She has to flee before she's arrested . . . or worse. The truth doesn't matter anymore. But what is the truth? That's the question haunting Dylan Roberts, the war-weary veteran hired to find Casey. PTSD has marked him damaged goods, but bringing Casey back can redeem him. Though the crime scene seems to tell the whole story, details of the murder aren't adding up. Casey Cox doesn't fit the profile of a killer. But are Dylan's skewed perceptions keeping him from being objective? If she isn't guilty, why did she run? Unraveling her past and the evidence that condemns her will take more time than he has, but as Dylan's damaged soul intersects with hers, he is faced with two choices. The girl who occupies his every thought is a psychopathic killer . . . or a selfless hero. And the truth could be the most deadly weapon yet. Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1ZEF914   About the author: Terri Blackstock has sold over seven 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, and the Restoration Series. Connect with Terri: website, Twitter, Facebook My Review: Terri's latest book is a must-read for suspense fans!  Seriously, I did not want to stop reading once I started!  Casey is on the run and fleeing from a crime scene, one that she stumbled upon, but is being accused of and by running she is making herself look even more guilty.  Dylan is weary from life in the military and is struggling with the aftermaths, specifically PTSD; however he does not let that stop him from trying to help his buddy's family.  As these two individuals' lives intersect, and their backgrounds, pieces begin to fall into place.  Terri does an excellent job with setting the scene and diving right into the storyline immediately hooking the reader in the process.  The characters are so well developed as well and I could not read fast enough to learn more about each of the characters and find out what was going to happen this.  I highly recommend this book for fans of Terri's work and those whom enjoy gripping, fast-moving suspenseful reads. To read other reviews included on this blog tour, go here! *Thanks to LItfuse Publicity Group for including me on this blog tour.*

"Where She Belongs"

Johnnie Alexander is a new author to me and I am so glad I read her book!  "Where She Belongs" is the first book is Johnnie's Misty Willow series and I am in love with the setting, the characters and the various storylines. 
Shelby is trying to make changes in her life and create a childhood for her two young daughters filled with the sweet memories that she has from spending time with her grandparents at their family home.  However, the Sullivan family stole Misty Willow from Shelby's grandparents and now seems to be her chance to get the family home back.  As Shelby works on the home and moves back, she reconnects with former friends and meets some individuals whom she thinks she knows, but they are not who they are seeming to be and who she believes them to be.  AJ Sullivan is living his life how he wants to, not how his grandfather had planned for him years ago.  By returning Misty Willow to Shelby is a relief to him, but he is met with resistance from his cousins who take matters into their own hands. 
I loved this book!  I started reading this one night and before I knew it I was over 3/4 of the way through!  There is so much to this story, two families whom have been interwoven throughout generations, bits and pieces coming out through Shelby and AJ interacting, a home rich with history and I cannot wait to see how this piece all turns out and characters whom each have their own individual stories being shared and I am looking forward to reading more about all of the characters in the next book (fall feels so far away!). 


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

"The Lifegiving Home"

"The Life Giving Home: creating a place of belonging & becoming," is an excellent read and one I am going to dive right back into and slowly read through it again to really apply each chapter.  The first few chapters focus on home in general, the feelings of home and what home is.  Then the rest of the book is divided into 12 chapters, with a chapter for each month and a focus for that month.  January focuses on creating a framework for the home, meaning developing a routine and overall rhythm for the home.  This focus fits in perfectly with January and the whole brand-new, fresh start mindset that goes along with the beginning of a new year.  Each chapter has ideas, suggestions, and shared thoughts to help each of us create our homes, our safe special space for ourselves and our families.  I love the variety of ideas as there are suggestions for creating game nights, enjoying impromptu "adventures," creating rituals, including children in things that you may not necessarily think to; so many ideas.  Each person has a different picture and view of home, of beauty, of what makes a beautiful home and what makes a home her home.  This is a wonderful book to help each of us create our beautiful home, our sacred space. 



*Thanks to the Tyndale Blog Network for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

Celebrate Colleen Coble’s ‘Mermaid Moon’ with a Mystery e-Reader Prize Pack

To move forward past a life of shame and confusion, Mallory Davis must go back to Mermaid Point to find out who murdered her father in Colleen Coble's new book, Mermaid Moon. As answers begin to fall into place, Mallory realizes her search is about more than finding her father’s killer—it is also about finding herself again . . . and possibly about healing what was broken so long ago with Kevin. She just has to stay alive long enough to put all the pieces together.

Celebrate the release of Mermaid Moon with Colleen and a mystery e-reader prize pack giveaway!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Mermaid Moon
• A Kindle Fire
• A mermaid necklace
• A pair of mermaid earrings

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry! The giveaway ends on February 1st. The winner will be announced February 2nd on the Litfuse blog.

Book info

About the book: Mermaid Moon (Thomas Nelson, January 2016) Mallory's mother died fifteen years ago. But her father's last words on the phone were unmistakable: "Find . . . mother." Shame and confusion have kept Mallory Davis from her home for the last fifteen years, but when her dad mysteriously dies on his mail boat route, she doesn't have any choice but to go back to Mermaid Point. Mallory believes her father was murdered and childhood sweetheart Kevin O'Connor, game warden in Downeast Maine, confirms her suspicions. But Kevin is wary of helping Mallory in her search. She broke his heart---and left---without a word, years ago. When Mallory begins receiving threats on her own life---and her beloved teenage daughter, Haylie---their search intensifies. There's a tangled web within the supposed murder, and it involves much more than what meets the eye. As answers begin to fall into place, Mallory realizes her search is about more than finding her father's killer---it is also about finding herself again . . . and possibly about healing what was broken so long ago with Kevin. She just has to stay alive long enough to put all the pieces together. Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1J0PXVl   About the author: USA Today bestselling author Colleen Coble has written several romantic suspense novels including Tidewater Inn, Rosemary Cottage, and the Mercy Falls, Lonestar, and Rock Harbor series. Her books have sold more than 3 million copies. Connect with Coble: website, Twitter, Facebook My Review: I absolutely loved "Mermaid Moon," Colleen Coble's latest novel.  This book is full or suspense and romance just like the previous novel in this series.  Mallory returns home to the place that she has avoided for several years after the death of her father.  This is just the very surface of the story and the journey home.  The twisted web throughout this story held my attention and I did not want to stop reading once I had started.  I enjoyed the characters and their relationships, including Mallory and her daughter and Mallory and Kevin.  This is an excellent read that I would highly recommend to romantic suspense fans.  To read more reviews included on this blog tour, go here! *Thanks to the Litfuse Publicity Group for including me on this blog tour and for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

"Thin Ice"

"Thin Ice" is book #2 in Irene Hannon's Men of Valor series which is following the lives of the three McGregor brothers, while focusing on Lance. 
Lance is beginning his new job with the FBI and is given a startling case to begin with which is seemingly a kidnapping, but the reason and target is so unclear.  Christy has suffered through so much loss in the past 6 months and it has been 2 months since she had to deal with the loss of her sister to only know receive a letter addressed to her in her sister's writing and containing a note from a kidnapper.  As Christy racks her brain to try to figure out who would want to harm her or her sister Ginny, Lance finds himself falling for Christy and in a race against time to find out who is behind this scheme. 
I love Irene's novels; they are full of twists and turns and also a sweet love story as well.  I was really looking forward to this book as I loved book #1 of this series, "Buried Secrets," and I cannot wait for book #3, Finn's story.  These characters all become so real and as if they actually exist and I have to tell you I would love to have the McGregor brothers around in time of crisis. 


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

"An Amish Year"

I love Beth Wiseman's Amish novels, they are so well-written and fresh, sweet stories.  I was excited to receive "An Amish Year" which is a novella collection written by Beth.  My problem is that sometimes I want to read a little bit before bed and I get so wrapped up in the story that I read much longer than I was planning to just because I cannot stop reading and with this book I can easily read one of the novellas in one sitting. 

Book Description from the publisher:

Spend a year in Amish country with four sweet romances.
Rooted in Love (previously published in An Amish Garden)
Rosemary Lantz is doing her best to run her family’s household. She excels at all her tasks except one: gardening. Saul Petersheim has pursued Rosemary for years, but Rosemary keeps turning him down. What Saul doesn’t know is that she has good reason—something no one can know—especially not him.
A Love for Irma Rose
The year is 1957, and young Irma Rose has a choice to make. Date the man who is “right” for her? Or give Jonas a chance, the wild and reckless suitor who refuses to take no for an answer? Irma Rose steps onto the path she believes God has planned for her, but when she loses her footing, she is forced to rethink her choice.
Patchwork Perfect
Eli Byler has been a widower for two years when he chooses to make a fresh start in Paradise, Pennsylvania. As Eli juggles the admiration of two women, he meets Miriam Fisher—the most unconventional Amish woman he’s ever met. She doesn’t fit the mold for what Eli is looking for, but it isn’t long before Eli realizes that Miriam is everything he wants. But Miriam has no plans to get married—ever. Will Eli be able to change her mind?
When Christmas Comes Again (previously published in An Amish Second Christmas)
Katherine knows the first Christmas without Elias will be hard for her and the children. But when a mysterious Englischer appears with photographs of her late husband, Katherine begins to wonder what other blessings Christmas could have in store.
About the Author
Award-winning, bestselling author Beth Wiseman is best known for her Amish novels, but she has also written several successful contemporary novels, set primarily in her beloved Texas, including Need You Now and The House that Love Built. Both have received glowing reviews. Beth's The Promise is inspired by a true story.


This is such a nice mix of stories and characters and time periods.  Each of the novellas was a sweet story with characters whom came alive.  If I had to choose a favorite novella "A Love for Irma Rose" would be it.  It was fun being set in a different time period as I have not read many stories set during this decade.  Irma Rose is a great character and I felt a connection with her and rooting for her as she tries to find the right path for her. I highly recommend this for fans of Amish fiction. 


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

Looking for a new plan for the new year?

Join sisters, Pearl and Serene, as they share one of the latest popular healthy eating and living movement.  "Trim Healthy Mama Plan: the easy-does-it approach to vibrant health & a slim waistline," is a great comprehensive book for those interested in following a healthy lifestyle approach.  This book is divided into 4 sections, each one dealing with an important piece of the plan, making it important to go through each section to thoroughly understand the plan and be able to be successful. 
I love how this book really takes a complete approach to this, meaning it discusses how to eat healthy at restaurant, even a fast-food drive-thru and how to snack wisely throughout the day. 
Also, I love the sample menus included in this book as well.  Many of the foods included on this menu are included in the Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook, but if you do not have that book, a similar recipe could be found.  Although I am very intrigued now as to this cookbook and am most definitely going to check it out!


For more information on this book, go here!


To learn more about the authors, go here!


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