Mailbox Fun

I've gotten quite a few awesome books in the mail this week! While I don't normally participate in any of the Mailbox memes, I'm too excited about these books not to share. :)

Here are the books I've received this week ... for review and pleasure!

 The Heiress of Winterwood by Sarah E. Ladd

Stress Test by Richard L. Mabry

Duchess by Susan May Warren

Take a Chance on Me by Susan May Warren

Love at Any Cost by Julie Lessman

A Muslim's Heart by Edward J. Hoskins

Strangers Next Door: Immigration, Migration and Mission by JD Payne

7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker

Sparkly Green Earrings: Catching the Light at Every Turn by Melanie Shankle

What about you? Have you received any great books recently? Have you read any of these?

Love All the Police Drama!

Avenged
by Janice Cantore
Pacific Coast Justice series, Book2
Christian Fiction / Contemporary / Suspense / Romance
Available April 2013
Tyndale House
400 pages

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About the Book
After solving the mayor’s murder and exposing corruption among the top brass in Las Playas, Carly Edwards is happy to be back on patrol with her partner, Joe, putting bad guys behind bars. For once, everything in life seems to be going right.

But then everything starts going wrong. Slow to recover from an injury, her ex-husband, Nick, begins pulling away just as they were starting to get close again. Meanwhile, when Joe’s wife lands in the hospital with a mysterious illness, their baby is kidnapped. As Carly chases down every lead in a desperate search to find the baby, her newfound faith is pushed to its limits.

My Thoughts
Abducted is another solid read from Janice Cantore. The suspense / mystery elements were strong. I was so curious as to how the various cases were going to pull together in the end. I was just sure they would! I think I liked Carly better in this novel than in the first one ... maybe because I felt like she'd grown quite a bit and her faith really shined through. The romance was a little "light" in this as Nick and Carly are still navigating their rocky relationship, but I thought the relationship itself was interesting. Fans of mystery / suspense / police procedurals will surely enjoy Abudcted!  [4.5 stars]

I was not asked to review this book. I offer my review freely. All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author
A retired Long Beach California police officer of 22 years (16 in uniform and 6 as a non-career officer), Janice Cantore worked a variety of assignments, patrol, administration, juvenile investigations and training. During the course of her career in uniform Janice found that faith was indispensable to every aspect of the job and published articles on faith at work, one for a quarterly newspaper called “Cop and Christ”, and another for the monthly magazine “Today’s Christian Woman”.

With retirement Janice began to write longer pieces and several novels were born. Janice is excited and honored to now be a part of the Tyndale Publishing House family. Accused, the first installment in her new suspense offering, The Pacific Coast Justice Series, was released February 1, 2012 and kicked off a brand new chapter in her writing career. Abducted followed in July 2012 and Avenged, the third installment in the series released in April 2013. In addition to suspense and action, her books feature strong female leads. Janice writes suspense novels designed to keep you engrossed and leave you inspired.

Janice has bachelor’s degrees in Biology (University of California at Irvine) and Physical Education (California State University at Long Beach).  She also completed graduate coursework in Criminal Justice (University of Southern California) and is currently a member of American Christian Fiction Writer’s and Sisters in Crime.  She attends Rim Church in Running Springs California and lives in the small town of Green Valley Lake in the mountains of Southern California. Janice is single and has three Labrador Retrievers, Jake, Maggie and Abbie. Janice’s hobbies are reading, cross-stitching, kayaking, hiking, walking the dogs and trying to stay fit.

Janice Cantore Online

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New Pinterest Board for A Noble Groom

I got an early copy of A Noble Groom by Jody Hedlund in the mail last week and I am SO excited to read it. Next week. Not sure I can wait that long, but I'm going to try. :)

Jody has created a Pinterest board for A Noble Groom, and it's definitely piqued my interest ... which I'm sure was the point! I haven't even cracked open the book, and I already feel like I'm settling into this quaint little farm.

Take a look for yourself and let me know what you think.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

"It's Monday! What Are You Reading?" is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey where we share what we're reading and our goals for the week.

What I Read Last Week ...

Wow ... I read four VERY different books last week. A fun mix!

What I'm Reading Now ...

What I Hope to Read This Week ...

I have a super busy week ahead. If I can finish the two fiction books that I've already started and begin on one of these, I'll consider it a great reading week. That may be too ambitious, though, with everything else going on. :)

That's what I'm hoping to read this week. What are you reading?

Introducing a New Series from Susan May Warren!

I'm a huge fan of Susan May Warren. In fact, I'm reading Heiress right now and have loved pretty much every one of Susie's books that I've read so far. :)

I'm excited about her new series about the Christiansen family. Here's a quick video of Susie introducing this new series. The first book, Take a Chance on Me, will be available this April ... in just a few days!

The Scent of Lilacs by Ann H. Gabhart

The Scent of Lilacs
by Ann H. Gabhart
The Heart of Hollyhill series, Book 1
Christian Fiction / Contemporary
Re-released March 2013
Revell Books
352 pages

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About the Book
After the summer of 1964, life for Jocie Brooke will never be the same.

Life-changing events rarely happen in quiet Hollyhill, Kentucky, and when they do, they are few and far between. But for young Jocie Brooke and her family, they happen all at once during the humid summer of 1964. Though on the surface things are just fine, it seems like everyone in Jocie’s life has something they’re not saying, something they’re hiding from her-and from themselves. As Jocie digs into her family’s past, she stirs up a whirlwind of discoveries. Will she find the answers everyone so desperately needs? Or will her questions lead to truths better left hidden?

Combining unforgettable characters, true-to-life struggles, and the perfect dose of humor and nostalgia, this riveting story from bestselling author Ann Gabhart explores the very essence of new life and love.

My Thoughts
After reading Words Spoken True by Ann H. Gabhart last winter, I was excited to finally get my hands on another one of her books. Unfortunately, though, The Scent of Lilacs didn't resonate with me the same way that the previous book did. It progressed very slowly, and while it did pick up about halfway through, it continued at a fairly slow pace, which made it difficult to really get into. I did, however, enjoy Jocie and her family. They are a small-town family that hits a few rough patches along the way, and like most families has their share of secrets. And like any small town, there are plenty of quirky characters that add a little humor to the story. Many of the other reviews are quite positive, so you may click with the book more than I did. And I'm still a huge fan of Gabhart and am looking forward to reading Small Town Girl, which releases this summer.  [2.5 stars]

I received a free copy of this book from Revell Books in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Available March 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

About the Author
Ann H. Gabhart is the bestselling author of several novels, including Angel Sister, Words Spoken True, The Outsider, The Believer, The Seeker, The Blessed, and The Gifted. She lives with her husband a mile from where she was born in rural Kentucky. Find out more at www.annhgabhart.com.

Ann H. Gabhart Online

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E-Short from Deeanne Gist only 99 cents!

Deeanne Gist’s E-Short gives readers a peek inside the world’s fair. Tempest in the White City is a digital short story available from online retailers for 99 cents.

Deeanne Gist fans won’t have to wait until the April 30 release of It Happened at the Fair to read her latest work! On March 19, readers will be able to purchase the e-short, Tempest in the White City, a 40-page short story prelude to It Happened at the Fair, for 99 cents from all online retailers. While the characters from the short story are not carried over into the full-length release, audiences will get a taste of the awe-inspiring backdrop of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair and will be anxious to spend more time exploring the exhibition.

In true Gist form, Tempest in the White City combines her trademark humor with romance. Hunter Scott is one of the elite. A Chicago World’s Fair guard specifically chosen for his height, physique, character and ability to serve and protect. When Hunter is overcome with debilitating abdominal pain, he stumbles to an infirmary in the Fair’s Woman’s Building only to discover the doctor is female—which he is none too happy about. But even worse, she has the nerve to diagnose him—the toughest man west of anyplace east—with constipation.

The 1893 Chicago World’s Fair overflowed with the latest innovations welcomed by a throng of people from all around the globe. This setting replete with history, intrigue and wonder caught Gist’s attention and is sure to draw readers of both releases in as well. “I’m always drawn to events in our country’s past that are strangely absent from our history classes. Why the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition has been left out, I don’t know, especially since it was such a pivotal event for us,” explains Gist. “We were able to wow the world with our scientific innovations, and it gave women their first official board position recognized and approved by an Act of Congress (all before we had the right to vote). But it was technology which claimed the day as it nipped at the heels of horses, buggies and man-powered tools.”

More about It Happened at the Fair: Young inventor Cullen McNamara gambles everything, including the family farm, in order to make his family proud—and earn his father’s entry money to the Fair Expo back—by selling his design for an automatic sprinkler system inspired by his mother’s death in a mill fire. Struggling with hearing loss from his previous life on the farm, McNamara finds it difficult to communicate with potential buyers over the din in the Fair’s Machinery Building. In an act of desperation, he hires attractive Della Wentworth, a teacher of the deaf, to tutor him in the art of lip-reading. Much like the newly invented Ferris Wheel, Cullen is caught in a whirl between his girl back home, his dreams as an inventor and his unexpected attraction to his new tutor. Can he keep his feet on the ground or will he be carried away?

A Sweet Romance from Robin Jones Gunn

Echoes
by Robin Jones Gunn
Glenbrooke series, Book 3
Christian Fiction / Contemporary / Romance
Re-released May 2004
WaterBrook Multnomah
288 pages

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About the Book
Will Lauren risk losing her heart...to a man she's never met?

Lauren Phillips tries to keep busy while recovering from a broken engagement. Then one day, through her home computer, Lauren accidentally connects on the Internet with a mysterious man she knows only as K.C.

Lauren's e-mail relationship with K.C. quickly becomes the thing she loves most in life..and the source of dreams she cannot bear to relinquish.

After a year of corresponding, the opportunity appears for them to meet. Lauren faces a tough choice: Is she willing to risk everything...including another broken heart?

My Thoughts
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Lauren in Echoes, the third book in the Glenbrooke series by Robin Jones Gunn! I think a lot of women will relate to Lauren—wanting to get married and changing who she is to be what she thinks a man wants her to be. She's so sweet and fun and I liked her even more as the book progressed. I love how faith is central to this story (and all of Robin's stories, really). Conversations about God flow naturally between the characters and it's easy to see how you could have similar conversations in your own life.

I read most of the book with a silly grin on my face because it was such a sweet romance, and I had to smile! But, it's one of the few romances where I've been this anxious to get to the end and see how the conclusion was going to come about. If I had been reading a hard copy, I'm pretty sure I would've skipped ahead to read the last page ... just to make sure!

I did chuckle a little throughout the book since it's a smidge dated (originally published in 1996) with the newness of "the Net," explanations of how to communicate via email, and talk of "chat rooms." It was easy to get past that, though, and dive into this lovely romance!

I love how Robin has connected this series with characters from the other books. You certainly don't have to read them in order, but I think it's more fun that way. :) Fans of contemporary romance will enjoy Lauren and K.C.'s story! I highly recommend!  [4.5 stars]

I received a free copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah in exchange for my fair and honest review.

About the Author
Robin Jones Gunn is the best-selling and award-winning author of more than seventy books, with over 4 million copies of her titles sold worldwide. Best known among them are the Christy Miller, Sierra Jensen, and Christy and Todd: College Years teen series. A Christy Award winner and a two-time finalist for excellence in fiction, Robin has also been a Gold Medallion finalist. She and her husband have been married for 35 years and have two grown children. They live in Hawaii.

Robin Jones Gunn Online

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Lisa T. Bergren's iPad Mini Giveaway!

Celebrate the release of Grave Consequences with Lisa T. Bergren by entering to win an iPad Mini!

One "grand" winner receive:

• A brand new iPad Mini
• Grave Consequences and Glamorous Illusions will be pre-loaded onto the Mini!

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 23rd. Winner will be announced on March 25th at Lisa's website.

Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

An Adventurous & Romantic Story from Lena Nelson Dooley

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Catherine's Pursuit
by
Lena Nelson Dooley

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Catherine's Pursuit
by Lena Nelson Dooley
McKenna's Daughters series, Book 3
Christian Fiction / Historical / Romance
Available February 2013
Charisma Media
304 pages

About the Book
When Angus McKenna was forced to give two of his daughters to families in the wagon train, he promised he'd never try to contact them. Catherine made no such pledge. But when she sets out to find her sisters, she doesn't go alone. Angus sends Collin with her. Will they discover the two women—and love?

My Thoughts
Catherine's Pursuit was the perfect conclusion to the McKenna's Daughters series! Lena Nelson Dooley does a fabulous job of introducing us to Catherine—the first-born McKenna sister—and telling her story while bringing the trilogy to an end. Catherine was such a fun character. It was exciting to see her growth throughout the book. I really loved Collin and was rooting for him from the start! I think my favorite aspect of the story, though, was the way that Dooley continued all three sisters' stories. After reading their individual stories in other books, it was fun to get "the rest of the story" on each of them. I've loved this entire series and recommend it to anyone who enjoys adventurous, romantic historicals! [4.5 stars]

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and CFBA in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Buy a copy

Read an excerpt

Find out what others think

About the Author
Award-winning author, Lena Nelson Dooley, has more than 675,000 books in print. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and president of the local chapter, DFW Ready Writers. She’s also a member of Christian Authors Network, CROWN Fiction Marketing, and Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas.

Lena loves James, her children, grandchildren, and great grandson. She loves chocolate, cherries, chocolate-covered cherries, and spending time with friends. Travel is always on her horizon. Cruising, Galveston, the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, Mexico. One day it will be Hawaii and Australia, but probably not the same year. Helping other authors become published really floats her boat, with fifteen signing their first book contract after her mentoring. Three of her books have been awarded the Carol Award silver pins from American Christian Fiction Writers and she has received the ACFW Mentor of the Year award at their national conference. The high point of her day is receiving feedback from her readers, especially people whose lives have been changed by her books. And she loves chocolate, especially dark chocolate.

Lena Nelson Dooley Online

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Spring Reading Thing 2013

Aaaaaghhhhhhhhhh! Somehow I managed to erase this entire post while trying to update it. UGH!!! This is definitely a first ... Let's try this again.

Sandra @ The Musings of a Book Addict is hosting Spring Reading Thing this year. You can find out the details here, but it's basically a laid-back challenge to encourage you to ... READ! The challenge runs from March 20 to June 20.

If you'd like to participate, you can sign up here.

My goal is to read 30 books during the next three months. I'll be pulling from this list but of course it will probably change before the end of the challenge! (Thank goodness for Goodreads ... my list for this challenge was stored there!)

1. A Noble Groom by Jody Hedlund - Finished 4/24
2. It Happened at the Fair by Deeanne Gist - DNF'd 5/12
3. Undeniably Yours by Becky Wade - Finished 5/30
4. Catch a Falling Star by Beth K. Vogt - Finished 5/9
5. Once Upon a Prince by Rachel Hauck - Finished 5/8
6. The Face of the Earth by Deborah Raney - Finished 5/13
7. Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer - Finished 6/3
8. Stress Test by Richard Mabry - Finished 4/4
9. The Guardian Duke by Jamie Carie
10. Heart of Lies by Jill Marie Landis
11. Heart of Glass by Jill Marie Landis
12. The Air We Breathe by Christa Parrish
13. To Whisper Her Name by Tamera Alexander
14. Unrivaled by Siri Mitchell - Finished 4/7
15. The Heiress of Winterwood by Sarah E. Ladd - Finished 4/6
16. Heiress by Susan May Warren - Finished 3/25
17. Duchess by Susan May Warren - Finished 4/26
18. A Wedding Date in Hot Springs, Arkansas by Annalisa Daughety
19. Echoes by Robin Jones Gunn - Finished 3/20
20. The Dance by Dan Walsh & Gary Smalley - Finished 3/28
21. A Matter of Trust by Lis Wiehl - DNF'd 4/16
22. The Color of Hope by Kim Cash Tate
23. Poison by Jordyn Redwood - Finished 4/12
24. When Love Calls by Lorna Seilstad - Finished 5/12
25. When a Secret Kills by Lynette Eason - Finished 5/3
26. Love at Any Cost by Julie Lessman - Finished 4/15
27. Widow of Gettysburg by Jocelyn Green
28. Rescue Team by Candace Calvert - Finished 4/18
29. Jennifer by Dee Henderson - Finished 4/13
30. Wildflowers from Winter by Katie Ganshert - Finished 4/10
31. Wishing on Willows by Katie Ganshert - Finished 4/21
32. That Certain Summer by Irene Hannon - Finished 5/19
33. Take a Chance on Me by Susan May Warren - Finished 3/31
34. Always the Baker, Finally the Bride by Sandra D. Bricker - Finished 5/22
35. I Still Believe by Jeremy Camp - Finished 4/23
36. Follow Me by David Platt
37. Scorned Justice by Margaret Daley - Finished 3/23
38. Scent of Lilacs by Ann H. Gabhart - Finished 3/23
39. Defending the Duchess by Rachelle McCalla - Finished 5/16
40. The Reluctant Earl by C.J. Chase - Finished 4/30
41. The Heiress's Homecoming by Regina Scott - Finished 5/21
42. Trinity by Ronie Kendig
43. Talon by Ronie Kendig
44. The Cowboy Lawman by Brenda Minton - Finished 5/14
45. The Memory Jar by Tricia Goyer
46. The Promise Box by Tricia Goyer
47. The Doctor's Devotion by Cheryl Wyatt - Finished 3/24
48. A Wedding Transpires on Mackinac Island by Cara C. Putman
49. Bon Appetit by Sandra Byrd
50. Piece de Resistance by Sandra Byrd

Additions to the List ...

1. Tempest in the White City by Deeanne Gist - Finished 4/6
2. Sunsets by Robin Jones Gunn - Finished 4/8
3. If the Shoe Fits by Sandra D. Bricker - Finished 4/28 
4. A Muslim's Heart by Edward J. Hoskins - Finished 5/17
5. Clouds by Robin Jones Gunn - Finished 5/19
6. Rapunzel Untangled by Cindy C. Bennett - Finished 5/27 
7. Barefoot Summer by Denise Hunter - Finished 5/31 
8. I Really Do Miss Your Smile by Susan May Warren - Finished 6/9
9. Hide and Seek by Lynette Eason - Finished 6/11
10. Unwritten by Charles Martin - Finished 6/15

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

"It's Monday! What Are You Reading?" is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey where we share what we're reading and our goals for the week.

What I Read Last Week ...

I'm HOOKED on all the great romantic suspense novels that have come across my path recently. Just loving them! With that said, Avenged and The Survivor were probably my favorites this week, but I really enjoyed Catherine's Pursuit as well! It's been a while since I've read John Grisham and this was very different from the previous legal thrillers I've read by him. The jury's still out on my overall thoughts. Reviews on all four to come very soon!

What I'm Reading Now ...
The Scent of Lilacs is a little slow to start. My review is due this week, though, so I plan to finish it and post a review before the end of the week. :)

What I Hope to Read This Week ...

That's what I'm hoping to read this week. What are you reading?

And the Journey Continues ...

Grave Consequences
by Lisa T. Bergren
Grand Tour series, Book 2
Christian Fiction / Historical / Suspense / Romance
Available March 2013
David C. Cook
448 pages

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About the Book
For Cora Kensington, the journey of a lifetime takes unexpected twists. And her future—her very life—depends on the decisions she’ll make at each crossroad. As her European tour with her newfound family takes her through Austria, France, and Italy, an unseen enemy trails close behind. Meanwhile, a forbidden love continues to claim her heart, putting everyone’s plans in danger.

And as Cora stays one step ahead of it all, what might need the most protection is her own heart, torn between the dramatic pursuit of a dashing Frenchman and a man who has been quietly staking claim to her affections all along. Love has dangers all its own. She must escape the bonds of the past and discover the faith to make the right choices, as each one has grave consequences.

My Thoughts
The first book in the Grand Tour series made my "best of" list for 2012, so I was really looking forward to reading Grave Consequences to see how the story continued. I was excited to pick up where Book 1 left off (so you'll definitely want/need to read them in order) and continue on their Grand Tour. One of the best parts of this book to me was the journey through France, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy. Lisa's descriptions of these incredible places have definitely given me a bit of travel fever! Now if only I could figure out how to travel back in time 100 years to see it as Cora did!

Cora really began to come into her own in this book. It felt like she was more comfortable with herself and with her new siblings and their friends. A few times, I saw that she was really struggling with what her life would be like after the Grand Tour was over and she returned home. The love triangle that she finds herself in was definitely interesting. I really liked one of the two guys (though the other one is a great guy too), but I'm not sure that she's going to choose him in the end.

Grave Consequences was full of suspense and intrigue as the traveling party is still being followed and harassed by strange men. As bad things continued to happen, I loved seeing how the different characters responded. It made for an interesting adventure!

The only drawback is that we'll have to wait until this fall to read the conclusion to this incredible series. I can't wait to find out who Cora falls in love with and how their story ends (or begins :)! [5 stars]

I received a free copy of this book from David C. Cook & Litfuse Publicity in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Buy a copy

Read an excerpt

Find out what others think 

About the Author
Lisa T. Bergren is the award-winning author of over thirty-five books, with more than 2 million copies sold. A former publishing executive, Lisa now divides her time between writing, editing, parenting three children with her husband, Tim, and dreaming of her next trip to Italy. She lives in Colorado Springs.

Lisa T. Bergren Online

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It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

"It's Monday! What Are You Reading?" is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey where we share what we're reading and our goals for the week.

What I Read Last Week ...

Well ... this week has been interesting for sure. Hubs and I were out of town for a couple of days to be with his family while his mom had surgery. Then we've been in a flurry trying to catch up on work, school (for him), and life and then went back on Saturday to have a quick visit with her again. In spite of crazy schedules, I actually read more than normal. :) The Chance was by far my favorite of the week!

What I'm Reading Now ...
I've got three very different books going right now. I'm finding that (right now at least) it's helping me to have a few things to switch between. Helps keep my attention longer.

What I Hope to Read This Week ...

Again, I've got a lofty list for this week. Hopefully, I can read at least one or two of these this week!

That's what I'm hoping to read this week. What are you reading?