About the Book Strong-willed Tirzah wants to join her people in driving the enemy from the land of Israel and undergoes training for a secret mission inside the stronghold of Shechem. But soon after she has infiltrated the ruthless Aramean commander's kitchen, she makes a reckless decision that puts her and her allies in grave danger. Fresh off the battlefield, Liyam returns home to discover his beloved daughter is dead. After his vow to hunt down her killer leads to months of fruitless pursuit, his last hope is in a family connection that comes with strings attached. Strings that force him to pose as a mercenary and rescue an infuriating woman who refuses to leave her mission uncompleted. When an opportunity to pave a path to a Hebrew victory arises, can Tirzah convince Liyam to fight alongside her in the refuge city of her birth? Or will Liyam's thirst for vengeance outweigh his duty to his people, his God, and the woman he's come to love? About the Author When she is not homeschooling her two sweet kids (with a full pot of coffee at hand), CONNILYN COSSETTE is scribbling notes on spare paper, mumbling about her imaginary friends, and reading obscure, out-of-print history books. There is nothing she likes better than digging into the rich, ancient world of the Bible and uncovering buried gems of grace that point toward Jesus. Although a Pacific Northwest native, she now lives near Dallas, Texas. Counted with the Stars is her first novel. ReviewAuthor Connilyn Cossette writes some of the very best biblical fiction and this story of Tirzah in Like Flames in the Night is no different, as it satisfyingly brings this wonderful series to an end. The story is of a strong and beautiful woman who is determined to help her people and a man, Liyam, who vows to avenge the death of his daughter and how this comes to consume his life and the journey they end up on together. Cossette brilliantly weaves together a story with characters that readers will not soon forget as it all comes to life from the pages. This is a thrilling, inspiring, and powerful story of a daring mission and the Promise Land that will touch the hearts of readers long after the last word has been read.
Series: Cities of Refuge Genre: historical, biblical Publisher: Bethany House Publication date: March 3, 2020 Number of pages: 384 Other books in the series: 1-A Light on the Hill 2-Shelter of the Most High 3-Until the Mountains Fall Disclosure statement: A complimentary review copy of this book was provided from tour groups, publishers, publicists, and authors, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, Or borrowed from Kindle Unlimited OR pre-ordered/purchased for review. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
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About the Book Wealthy Arabella Lawrence flees to British Columbia on a bride ship still wearing the scars of past mistakes. One of the few single women in the boomtown, she immediately has suitors, but she is determined not to find herself trapped again by a poor choice. Vying for her hand are two very different men. Lieutenant Richard Drummond is a gentleman in the Navy and is held in high esteem. Peter Kelly is the town's baker and has worked hard to build a thriving business. He and Drummond not only compete for Arabella's affections, but clash over their views of how the natives should be treated in the midst of a smallpox outbreak. As Arabella begins to overcome her fears, she discovers someone in dire need—a starving girl abandoned by her tribe. Intent on helping the girl, Arabella leans on Peter's advice and guidance. Will she have the wisdom to make the right decision or will seeking what's right cost both her and Peter everything? About the Author Jody Hedlund is an award-winning and bestselling author of inspirational historical romances for both youth and adults. As a busy mama-writer, she has the wonderful privilege of teaching her crew of 5 children at home. In between grading math papers and giving spelling tests, she occasionally does a load of laundry and washes dishes. When she's not busy being a mama, you can find her in front of her laptop working on another of her page-turning stories. She loves reading almost as much as she loves writing, especially when it also involves chocolate and coffee. ReviewIn her novel The Runaway Bride, author Jody Hedlund brings to life with historical accuracy the life of a woman who escapes to British Columbia on a bride ship to start a new life for herself. It’s about the struggles that come with this new life and the judgements of the society people around her. It’s about overcoming scars from the past and deciding which of the two men that are trying to woo her is the one she should give her heart to. This is a story where readers will immediately feel like they are right there in the story as the lives of the characters come to life from the pages. This is a deep, heart-felt, and inspiring story about the hardships of life and of finding true love.
Series: The Bride Ships Genre: historical, romance Publisher: Bethany House Publication date: March 3, 2020 Number of pages: 384 Other books in the series: 1-A Reluctant Bride 3-A Bride of Convenience (coming June 2020) 4-Almost a Bride (coming August 2020) Disclosure statement: A complimentary review copy of this book was provided from tour groups, publishers, publicists, and authors, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, Or borrowed from Kindle Unlimited OR pre-ordered/purchased for review. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own. About the Book After years of isolation on top of Hope Mountain, Ilsa Nordegren may finally be ready to leave. Raised to fear the world, Ilsa and her sisters never planned on coming down, but when the Warden family arrived in need, they had to help. And it may cost them everything. Having made his fortune, Mitch Warden returned home and found the family homestead abandoned. In a land grab, a ruthless cattle baron had forced his family to escape up the mountain, and when he follows, the last thing he expects is to fall smitten to a black-haired woman who dresses like Robin Hood. Warden is intent on helping his family reclaim their land, but doesn't realize the risks his past has brought. Dangerous men have tracked him, and rather than risk innocent lives, he's determined to end the danger. But that means a journey to the city--and when Ilsa insists on joining him, the mismatched pair suddenly find themselves on a venture they'll never forget. About the Author Mary Connealy writes "romantic comedies with cowboys" and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She has more than half a million books in print. She is the author of the popular series Wild at Heart, Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Lassoed in Texas, Sophie's Daughters, and many other books. Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero. ReviewThis book continues the story of the same three sisters and family that removed themselves from society to protect themselves from bad people, situations, and disease, but this story focuses on the next sister, Ilsa and another Warden brother, Mitch. This is the story of their sudden marriage and the adventures they are on together to find a murderer. The story is confusing in a few places as it randomly switches to the point of view of some of the side characters a bit too frequently, when the story should be focused on Ilsa and Mitch. But overall this is an entertaining and enjoyable Colorado western from author Mary Connealy.
Series: Brides of Hope Mountain Genre: historical, romance, western, Christian Publisher: Bethany House Publication date: March 3, 2020 Number of pages: 304 Other books in the series: 1-Aiming for Love Disclosure statement: A complimentary review copy of this book was provided from tour groups, publishers, publicists, and authors, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, Or borrowed from Kindle Unlimited OR pre-ordered/purchased for review. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own. About the Book Josephine Nordegren is one of three sisters who grew up nearly wild in southwestern Colorado. She has the archery skills of Robin Hood and the curiosity of the Little Mermaid, fascinated by but locked away from the forbidden outside world--a world she's been raised to believe killed her parents. When David Warden, a rancher, brings in a herd much too close to the girls' secret home, her older sister especially is frightened, but Jo is too interested to stay away. David's parents follow soon on his heels, escaping bandits at their ranch. David's father is wounded and needs shelter. Josephine and her sisters have the only cabin on the mountain. Do they risk stepping into the world to help those in need? Or do they remain separated but safe in the peaks of Hope Mountain? About the Author Mary Connealy writes "romantic comedies with cowboys" and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She has more than half a million books in print. She is the author of the popular series Wild at Heart, Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Lassoed in Texas, Sophie's Daughters, and many other books. Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero. ReviewMary Connealy has created an intriguing story about a God fearing family that has removed themselves from society to protect themselves from bad people and situations, as well as disease. This first story focuses on the first sister, Josephine, or Jo as she likes to be called, and rancher Dave Warden. It’s about their families learning to help one another and exist together on the same mountain by offering shelter or necessary skills when different situations are thrown at them. And through it all, eventually falling in love. This is an exciting Colorado western that readers will love.
Series: Brides of Hope Mountain Genre: historical, romance, western, Christian Publisher: Bethany House Publication date: October 1, 2019 Number of pages: 304 Other books in the series: 2-Woman of Sunlight Disclosure statement: A complimentary review copy of this book was provided from tour groups, publishers, publicists, and authors, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, Or borrowed from Kindle Unlimited OR pre-ordered/purchased for review. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own. 
About the Book
A broken man. A fiery young woman. Neither one's heart will come away unscathed.
Juliet Graham fervently counts the days until her twenty-first birthday, when she can claim the inheritance that will grant her the freedom she has always craved and the guardianship of her younger brother. Until then, she is trapped under her aunt Agnes’s domineering will. When forced to accompany the family to a house party at Shaldorn Castle, Juliet’s only objective is to keep to herself. That is, until a chance encounter with a boorish stranger stirs up an unexpected whirlwind of emotions in her. Thrown off-balance, Juliet does the unthinkable: loses her temper and insults the man—who turns out to be her unwilling host, the Duke of Halstead. Fully expecting to be sent away, Juliet is surprised when the brusque and callous duke instead takes an interest in her. Drawn to the duke in unguarded moments, Juliet finds herself more and more intrigued by the man who shuns Society’s rules as completely as she does, and over the next few weeks, their unlikely friendship deepens into a connection neither expected. But even as Juliet comes to recognize her true feelings, her scheming aunt issues an ultimatum that threatens the future she was just beginning to hope for. Juliet must choose: either break the promise she made to herself years ago, or lose the man who has captured her heart and soul. About the Author
At a young age Heidi perfected the art of hiding out so she could read instead of doing chores. One husband and four children later, not much has changed. She has an abiding love for peanut butter M&Ms, all things fall, and any book that can make her forget she is supposed to be keeping her children alive. Heidi currently lives just north of Boston, in a charming old town in southern New Hampshire.
Review
From cover to cover, Heidi Kimball’s novel Where the Stars Meet the Sea, is an absolute delight. Readers will want to set aside everything else and just read, read, read! Readers will come to know the intriguing characters in the charming house party setting. This story is about a woman whose cousin has fallen in love with her and the pressure put on her to marry him even though she only thinks of him as a friend. And then to add to the confusion and love triangle, there is the brooding master of the house that she is drawn to. This story is one that readers will absolutely love and will not be able to stop thinking about long after the last page is turned. It will quickly become a fan favorite for readers that enjoy Kimball’s work.
Genre: historical, regency, romance Publisher: Covenant Communications Publication date: March 2, 2020 Number of pages: 256 Disclosure statement: A complimentary review copy of this book was provided from tour groups, publishers, publicists, and authors, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, Or borrowed from Kindle Unlimited OR pre-ordered/purchased for review. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own. Giveaway
About the Book
Within a fairy-tale palace overlooking the azure waters of the Mediterranean, Princess Cassandra of Sereno leads a charmed life—until that life is nearly cut short in an assassination attempt. Desperate to protect his daughter, the king sends the princess to safety in the one place he trusts: the neighboring country of Meridia. There, Cassie’s life is placed in the hands of a man who possesses the skills to protect her. CIA agent Levi Marin has years of experience pretending to be someone he’s not, but posing as the boyfriend of a real-life princess is new, even to him.
With the CIA and Interpol hot on the trail of the assassin, Levi and Cassie do their best to blend in in Meridia and to remain professional amid their charade. Yet despite their best efforts, the charade begins to feel all too real. Their chemistry is undeniable, but forgetting the dangerous reality of their situation could prove a deadly mistake. Cassie’s would-be killer is still at large, and her search for answers is leading her ever closer to a shocking revelation that will rock the monarchy of Sereno to its core. About the Author
Traci Hunter Abramson was born in Arizona, where she lived until moving to Venezuela for a study-abroad program. After graduating from Brigham Young University, she worked for the Central Intelligence Agency for several years, eventually resigning in order to raise her family. She credits the CIA with giving her a wealth of ideas as well as the skills needed to survive her children's teenage years. She is a five-time Whitney Award winner and has written more than twenty-five bestselling novels.
ReviewRoyal Heir is a fantastic kick off to a new series for author Traci Hunter Abramson. The story is set in the beautiful Mediterranean and has royals, suspense, and romance. In this story, Abramson has an excellent plot with characters that readers will love. And the story builds upon itself with the turn of each page. Readers will love the chills that this book gives them, whether from the spine tingling excitement of stolen gems to the thrilling romance. This story will immediately grab the attention of readers, keeping them turning pages and wanting more. An excellent and fast-paced novel, readers will not want to set this one down. Genre: contemporary, romance, suspense Publisher: Covenant Communications Publication date: March 2, 2020 Number of pages: 304 Disclosure statement: A complimentary review copy of this book was provided from tour groups, publishers, publicists, and authors, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, Or borrowed from Kindle Unlimited OR pre-ordered/purchased for review. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own. GiveawayFirst Line Fridays -- Always You
3/12/2020
 via Hoarding Books Happy Friday and welcome to First Line Fridays! Today I'm posting a line from Always You by Jennifer Rodewald.  First Line: Chapter 1 (in which Laurel meets a man at the airport) She was gonna throw up. What are you reading? What is your first line?
Open the book nearest you and post the first line in the comments below... Then head on over to Hoarding Books and link up! And then hop around the linky to visit other blog stops.  About the Book Cassie Peterson lives in an invisible prison of fear, chained by self-doubt and guarded by a relentless warden—her husband. Derrick’s verbal and physical abuse as well as his alcoholism have left Cassie alienated from her family, without friends, and certain she can’t survive on her own. After an unexpected police visit, Cassie realizes the survival of her four-year-old daughter, Renee, depends on Cassie’s courage to leave. What she doesn’t plan on is Derrick’s vengeful custody fight. While walking through the treacherous world of divorce, Cassie is encouraged by her spunky new friend, Missy Langdon, to pursue her love of waterfalls. Cassie finds solace in the waterfalls on the agonizing weekends she’s forced to hand Renee over to Derrick. Meanwhile, unexpected help comes in the form of Brian Sutton, an attorney at the firm where Cassie works—but what price will she ultimately pay for his assistance? As Derrick’s threatening behavior escalates, Cassie questions her choices. How long will her daughter suffer before the custody case is resolved? Why is she drawn to waterfalls during this chaotic time? And who will stand with her when everything comes crashing down? About the Author Melanie Campbell is a member of Oregon Christian Writers and ACFW. She wrote her first story when she was eight-years-old and has been in love with the power of storytelling ever since. She is also passionate about social issues and holds a degree in Sociology from the University of Oregon, which she obtained during her stint as a single-mom. She's now married and lives in Oregon's beautiful Willamette Valley with her husband, their three children, and several spoiled pets. When not writing, she does the bookkeeping and other office work for her husband's painting business, obsesses over the well-being of their three daughters, and cooks healthy meals. In the spring, you may find her hitting the trails to one of Oregon's magnificent waterfall. ReviewWow!! This book covers some tough topics that will really hit readers hard. There is abuse of several sorts an alcoholic husband, and being taken advantage of by a co-worker, and on top of that dealing with a mother and grandmother with different ailments. This woman has it rough. And somehow she hangs on and pulls through. Loving and protecting her daughter along the way. This is a powerful story that may be hard to hear, but brings to life realities that some people could not even possibly imagine. Readers will be sucked into this heart wrenching and family focused beautiful and inspiring story.
Series: Whispers of Grace Genre: contemporary, inspirational, women’s fiction Publisher: Mountain Brook Inc. Publication date: August 1, 2019 Number of pages: 344 Disclosure statement: A complimentary review copy of this book was provided from tour groups, publishers, publicists, and authors, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, Or borrowed from Kindle Unlimited OR pre-ordered/purchased for review. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own. 
About the Book
Andalin is accustomed to her father’s frequent travels—and to being left behind. So when he returns home and instructs her to pack her belongings, she is bewildered—but there is no time for questions as she is whisked away on a mysterious journey under the cover of night. When their tense flight leads them into the forbidding Black Forest, the pair quickly finds themselves in great peril. With little hope of escape, father and daughter are spared when rescue appears in the form of the mysterious Dark Rider, a notorious deadly highwayman feared by all he meets. But his assistance does not come without a price: he is taking Andalin with him. Now her fate rests in the hands of the enigmatic masked man whose secrets are inescapably tied to the beautiful young woman now in his charge.
About the Author
Anneka Walker was raised by a librarian and an English teacher turned judge. After being fed a steady diet of books, she decided to learn about writing. The result was a bachelor's degree in English and History. When she isn't dreaming up a happy ending for a story, she's busy living her own together with her husband and adorable children.
Review
Anneka R. Walker has written a charming and sweet Beauty and the Beast meets masked highway man story that readers will delight in. It’s filled with a fun twist on the Beauty and the Beast fairytale woven through the story, along a bit of mystery and danger, making the story engaging and enticing. Throughout the story, readers will enjoy watching the ebb and flow as the relationship between Ellis and Andalin blooms. Although Andalin is a bit whiny in the first part of the story, she does get better as it goes along. Especially as she comes to better understand Ellis. The story could have used more development, but overall was a cute and memorable read. Readers will be watching for more from this enjoyable author.
Genre: historical, romance, fairytale, mystery Publisher: Covenant Communications Publication date: March 2, 2020 Number of pages: 240 Disclosure statement: A complimentary review copy of this book was provided from tour groups, publishers, publicists, and authors, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, Or borrowed from Kindle Unlimited OR pre-ordered/purchased for review. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own. Giveaway |