First Line Fridays -- 01.13.17
1/13/2017
 Grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line! Today I am going to post a line from Color of Love by Anita Stansfield This is a great historical fiction novel about the an Indian woman raised by an English family and the unposibility or unlikely posibility of love and romance. This is a great read that you will not want to miss. Check out my review HERE.  Wiltshire, England--1867 Amala sat on a particularly uncomfortable chair at the edge of the crowded and stuffy ballroom. What are you reading? What is your first line? Open the book nearest you and post the first line in the comments below... Now head on over and join these lovely ladies in First Line Fridays on their blogs too:
Carrie from Reading is My SuperPower Rachel from Bookworm Mama Beth from Faithfully Bookish Andi from Radiant Light Heather from Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen Sarah from All the Book Blog Names are Taken Robin from Robin's Nest Katie from Fiction Aficionado If you would like to join us, send Carrie a meassage and let her know! About the Book A miracle once saved her life ~ will another give her a future? Cyprus was little more than a child when a fall left her paralyzed…and when the boy known as the wonder-worker healed her. Ever since, she has wondered why the Lord spared her, what he has in store for her. But her pagan father thinks she was spared solely so she could be introduced to the wealthy wonder-worker, Nikolaos. Nikolaos has never questioned that his call in life is to dedicate himself to the church and to God. Never, that is, until he and his cousin Petros meet the compelling Cyprus Visibullis. For years he struggles with the feelings she inspires…and with the sure knowledge that Petros loves her too. Petros knows he will never be good enough for Cyprus’s father to consider him as a match for his favorite daughter–not as long as Nikolaos is there. But when tragedy strikes the Visibullis family, he will do anything to save his beloved. Unfortunately, his beloved is determined to do anything to save her sisters–even at the cost of herself. As the festival of lights bathes their Greek city in beauty, Cyprus, Petros, and Nikolaos celebrate the miracle of their Savior’s birth together one last time. And in remembrance of their Lord’s greatest gift, one of them will make the ultimate sacrifice for the others…and a centuries-long tradition will be born. About the Author Roseanna M. White pens her novels beneath her Betsy Ross flag, with her Jane Austen action figure watching over her. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two children, editing and designing, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna’s novels range from biblical fiction to American-set romances to her new British series. She lives with her family in West Virginia. Review Unlike her other novels, Roseanna M. White has written a beautiful and fascinating story in her Giver of Wonders. This story is about miracles, friendship, and love. White does a fantastic job of bringing the numerous characters to life in this delightful and inspiring story. Not only is it a tale of St. Nikolaos, but includes a story of her own ancestors. This story is not quite what I expected in terms of the story line, but White caught my attention and had me wanting to keep reading the story to find out what would happen next. I would recommend this novel to readers that enjoy historical romance and Christian holiday stories. Genre: historical, romance, holiday, Christmas, Christian Publisher: WhiteFire Publishing Publication date: November 1, 2016 Number of pages: 322 Content Rating: PG Book Rating: 4 stars  A review copy of this book was provided by the author via the Giver of Wonders Launch Team. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.  
About the Book
England, 1857
The British aristocracy is an inflexible judge. And for Amala, a lovely young Indian woman, that judgment is most keenly felt. Raised from a child by the wealthy Hepworth family following the murder of her parents, Amala grew up alongside the Hepworth's own daughter, Katarina, and was loved as both sister and daughter. The family is part of the charmed circle of the upper class, but Amala's place in society is tenuous. As an Indian woman, her life is marked by a sense of otherness and voices of prejudice. So when she embarks upon a sweet acquaintance with Henry Breckenridge, a white Englishman, Amala is both elated and terrified. She knows first-hand the opposition that an interracial couple would face, and courtship with Henry could destroy his standing in society. Determined to spare the reputations of both Henry and her sister Katarina, Amala flees England with the hope that an extended trip will allow her time to heal her broken heart. But she never imagined the repercussions of that decision, and the heartbreak awaiting her. For when she returns to England, she finds those she holds dear facing unparalleled devastation. And now it is her love that holds the key to healing a broken family . About the Author
Anita Stansfield has more than fifty published books and is the recipient of many awards, including two lifetime achievement awards. Her books go far beyond bein an enjoyable, memorable story. Anita resonates particularly well with a broad range of devoted readers because of her sensitive and insightful examination of contemporary issues that are faced by many of those readers, even when her venue is a historical romance, readers come away from her compelling stories equipped with new ideas about how to enrich their own lives, regardless of their circumstances.
Anita was born and raised in Provo, Utah. She is the mother of five and has a growing number of grandchildren. She also writes for the general trade market under the name Elizabeth D. Michaels. Review
I have always been fascinated with stories that take place in India or have characters that visit or are from India. I also am a huge fan of Anita Stansfield novels. So when given the chance to read and review Color of Love, I took the opportunity. Stansfield has written a delightfully engaging historical romance. Her characters come to life as she tells the story of an Indian young woman, Amala, raised by an English family after her own family is killed when she is a child. But although she is loved by her own family, at social gatherings she is always on the outskirts, not being completely accepted because of the color of her skin. And so Amala decides there is no hope for love and romance. But is there? And will Amala take a chance or run so there will be no devastating disaster? I would recommend this novel to readers that enjoy the work of Anita Stansfield, as well as historical romance.
Genre: historical, romance Publisher: Covenant Communications Publication date: January 3, 2017 Number of pages: 288 Content Rating: PG Book Rating: 5 stars 
A review copy of this book was provided by Covenant Communications. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
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 The Rise of Miss Notley by Rachael Anderson To escape an undesirable match, Miss Notley must give up her riches for rags. When Miss Coralynn Notley’s father barters her off to the first titled gentleman to come along, she realizes she must flee her home or be forced to wed a despicable man. Driven by desperation, she applies for the position of housekeeper at Tanglewood Manor, the home of the handsome Mr. Jonathan Ludlow. The moment Jonathan sees Miss Notley, he is intrigued. She is far too young and inexperienced for the position, yet there is something about her that that inspires a certain hope within him. Does he dare offer her the position of housekeeper or will doing so result in catastrophe? The Rise of Miss Notley is the delightful tale of a mysterious gentleman and a determined young woman, caught together in a web so tangled it begs the question: Will they ever get out?
Coming February 2017   Author Rachael Anderson A USA Today bestselling author, Rachael Anderson is the mother of four and is pretty good at breaking up fights, or at least sending guilty parties to their rooms. She can't sing, doesn't dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.
 $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway Ends 1/25/17 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway
About the Book Professional organizer Sarah Montgomery is hired to organize her elderly neighbor’s cluttered apartment by Justin Latimer, her neighbor’s grandson. Sarah believes free-spirited Justin is a lazy, unemployed poet who is taking advantage of his grandmother’s generosity. Though attracted to him, she guards her heart against her growing feelings. As Sarah and Justin work together to help his grandmother and enjoy Christmas events in NYC, romantic sparks fly. When Sarah discovers who Justin really is, she must decide if she will continue to hide behind her protective wall or open her heart and embrace love. Moonlight Over Manhattan (formerly titled Moonlight and Mistletoe) was originally published in ]b:A Big Apple Christmas|1532236]. It has been updated for new readers to enjoy. About the Author Carrie Turansky is the award-winning author of more than a dozen inspirational romance novels and novellas. She has won the ACFW Carol Award, the International Digital Award, and the Crystal Globe Award. Her most recent releases are A Refuge at Highland Hall, Moonlight Over Manhattan, and Mountain Christmas Brides. Shine Like the Dawn releases 2/20/17. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, Scott, who is a pastor, author, speaker and counselor. They have five adult children and four grandchildren. Carrie leads women’s ministry at her church, and when she is not writing she enjoys gardening, flower arranging, and cooking healthy meals for friends and Family. ReviewCarrie Turansky has crafted a fun, sweet, and enjoyable holiday novella that readers will thoroughly enjoy. This novella shares the spirit of the season as Sarah and Justin quickly become friends and fall in love. But love is not always so simple and they will both have to fight to overcome misunderstandings in order to be together. I would recommend this novella to readers that are ready to get in the holiday spirit, both Thanksgiving and Christmas. Genre: contemporary, holiday, Christmas, novella Publisher: Flowing Stream Books Publication date: October 10, 2016 Number of pages: 71 Content Rating: PG Book Rating: 5 stars  A review copy of this book was provided by the author. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.   There are plenty more of where these came from, but... here are 10 books that released in 2016 that I meant to get to but never did. (Add these books to your TBR pile by clicking the images below.) Adult
Young Adult
What 2016 releases did you mean to read and didn't get to? First Line Fridays -- 01.06.17
1/6/2017
 It's Friday so come chat books with us!!! Grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line! Today I am going to post a line from For the Record by Regina Jennings This is book three in the Ozark Romance Series. You can check out book one, A Most Inconvenient Marraige, and book two, At Love's Bidding, as well. This is a fun series that readers will not want to miss!  Now head on over for some more book fun with these lovely ladies: Carrie from Reading is My SuperPower Rachel from Bookworm Mama Beth from Faithfully Bookish Andi from Radiant Light Heather from Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen Sarah from All the Book Blog Names are Taken Robin from Robin's Nest Katie from Fiction Aficionado (If you would like to join us, send Carrie a meassage and let her know!) October 1885 Pine Gap, Missouri Only a limited patch of Earth could claim the privilege of belonging to Texas. What are you reading? What is your first line? Open the book nearest you and post the first line in the comments below... |
