An Amish Christmas

Enjoy this Amish Christmas bestseller with an additional new novella from romance author Kelly Long.
"Christmas Cradles" by Kelly Long -- When Anna Stolis takes over for her aunt, the local Amish midwife in Paradise, Christmas night heats up with multiple deliveries, three strangers' quilts, and the help from resourceful and strong Asa Lapp, whose job it is to get Anna through a dangerous blizzard to complete her midwifery rounds.
“A Miracle for Miriam” by Kathleen Fuller: This Christmas, Miriam must decide whether to guard herself or accept the love of a man who once broke her heart.
“A Choice to Forgive” by Beth Wiseman: Lydia, a widow who has given up on love, is shocked when Daniel-- a past love-- returns to the Order, and her life.
“One Child” by Barbara Cameron: This snowy Lancaster Christmas Eve will see two couples’ lives changed by the birth of one child.
Contributer Barbara Cameron is the author of fifteen novels and three nationally televised movies (HBO), as well as a recipient of the first Romance Writers of America Golden Heart.



I fell head-over-heels in love with “An Amish Christmas: December in Lancaster County”. This is the perfect book to give or get this Christmas. The four novellas (one is actually a bonus novella) reminds the reader of the true meaning of Christmas, with their heartfelt story’s of love, redemption, and God’s grace. This is my third encounter with Kathleen Fuller’s work, and I have to say that I have and still am enjoying her work. This book should be a must read.

Hearts Awakening by Delia Parr

Title: Hearts Awakening
Author: Delia Parr
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0670-2
Publisher: Bethany House
Format: Trade Paperback $14.99
Genre: Historical Fiction: Inspirational Romance
How I Read it: Trade Paperback provided by Bethany House
Rating: 5 out of 5


TWO PEOPLE IN DESPERATE CIRCUMSTANCES ONE UNLIKELY PROPOSAL…..

Life has left few choices for Elvira Kilmer. Her hopes for marriage and a family of her own have long since passed her by, and her arrival on Dillon’s Island, nestled in the Susquehanna River, is not of her choosing, either. She needs work, and Jackson Smith needs a housekeeper.

YET ELLIE NEVER IMAGINES THE WIDOWER WOULD BE SO YOUNG…..SO HANDSOME…..

Jackson, on the other hand, has never met anyone quite so…plain. But he quickly comes to realizes that Ellie’s presence may solve his own problems- both the rearing of his young boys and the scandal that surrounds his first marriage.

When Jackson offers her something quite out of the ordinary, will Ellie look beyond mere necessity and risk opening her heart?

My Review:

Elvira Kilmer- or Ellie as she is known- fears that she is firmly on the shelf. Gone are the chances that she will ever be wife or mother, and after the death of her parents she is forced to rely on the kindness (if you can call it that) of her cousin and his wife, who are not too thrilled to receive her. As a form of punishment she is sent to the widower, Jackson Smith to care for his house, although once she arrives, Ellie finds more than just a few dirty floors to occupy her time.

Jackson Smith, a widower who runs the local orchard, needs more than just a housekeeper, he needs a wife who will care for his two young sons. Although thanks to the scandal surrounding his first wife as well as that of her death, that task may prove to be a bit more difficult than he expected. Yet when a rather plain housekeeper arrives on his doorstep, he realizes that he may need Ellie for more than just tiding up.

When the two enter into a marriage of convenience they soon discover that they have quite a few obstacles to overcome, and Ellie is unprepared when she finds out that the woman who owns Jackson’s heart is very much alive. Will Jackson set Ellie aside or will he allow her to play the part of wife and mother.

My Thoughts:

This is one of my favorite books that I have read this year. There was so much emotion surging through this book that you could not help but to fall in love with the characters. I could not help to feel sorry for Jackson, he was carrying around so much hurt and anger from his past that he was too bogged down to see his future. He was also too intent on reclaiming what he though to be his grand love that he failed to see what was right in front of him. Ellie was the solace of both his spirit as well as his broken home, and I enjoyed watching as the Lord’s plan unfolded. I also have to say that the two little boys tugged at my heartstrings, as they were trying to come to grips with the death of their mother.

Overall I enjoyed this book immensely. It was a heartwarming tale of loss, love, and redemption, that proves that one can always reclaim the faith that they lost along the way.


Favorite Quote: Normally there is a certain phrase that sticks with me after reading a book, although I found that this time it was a few chapters that will be embedded in my mind. Chapters 26-27 unfolded so brilliantly that I will never forget what they entailed. I felt that they were extremely emotional for both Jackson and Ellie, and both bore their souls until they were emotionally naked so to speak. I believe that these two chapters captured the soul of the story.

If you enjoyed this book please check out my review of Walker’s Wedding by Lori Copeland.

Also please watch for my review of Delia Parr’s “Love’s First Bloom”

Stronger Than Sin by Caridad Pineiro review/giveaway

It's been six months since Liliana Carrera helped her brother rescue Caterina Shaw from Wardwell Laboratories, a group of fringe scientists experimenting on human beings. Now, Liliana--with funding from the FBI--has set up a new facility to continue testing the inhibitor complex, a cure for the patients of Wardwell. What's even better is the FBI has managed to recover another of the patients, Jesse Bradford.

When Jesse arrives at Liliana's facility, he has been drugged and displays violent erratic behavior. As Liliana helps him detox, Jesse demonstrates strange powers--superhuman strength and the ability to heal quickly.

Despite their growing attraction, Jesse is secretive and Liliana remains fearful of him. Eventually he admits that Wardwell scientists threatening his sister's life in order to maintain control over him and his powers. As they try to locate her, they begin to suspect that the scientists may have corrupted the FBI. Unless they can discover Wardwell's master plan soon, Jesse's sister, the other patients, and an unknown number of innocent people, will pay the price.
(from the publisher)



My Thoughts:

This is my first time reading a novel by Caridad Pineiro and I have to say that I was very impressed. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed “Stronger Than Sin”, and even though this novel is the second in a series it reads pretty much as a stand alone. Although it does refer to the events of the first book, I did not feel as though it took away from this story, but readers be warned once you have read “Stronger Than Sin”, you will want to read the first part “Sins Of The Flesh”.

Overall would I read this book again? Defiantly. Especially after I read the first one.

What to look forward to: Chapter 38 sets up the next book nicely, and I cannot wait to read it once it’s out.

I have 5 books to giveaway

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Contest ends December 13

Sundays at Tiffany's By James Patterson, Gabrielle Charbonnet giveaway

Sundays At Tiffany’s is now a Lifetime original movie from Sony Pictures Television , which will be airing on Monday, December 6 at 9:00 PM ET/PT, 8:00 PM CT. And to promote both this book as well as the movie, One lucky winner will win a copy of the book.

Here is a bit about the book to peak your curiosity, although I imagine that knowing it’s by James Patterson has already done just that!

Book info:

AN IMAGINARY FRIEND
Jane Margaux is a lonely little girl. Her mother, the powerful head of a New York theater company, makes time for her only once a week, for their Sunday trip to admire jewelry at Tiffany's. Jane has only one friend: a handsome, comforting, funny man named Michael. He's perfect. But only she can see him. Michael can't stay forever, though. On Jane's eighth birthday he leaves, promising that she'll forget him soon. He was there to help her until she was old enough to manage on her own, and now there are other children who need his help.

AN UNEXPECTED LOVE
Years later, in her thirties, Jane is just as alone as she was as a child. And despite her own success as a playwright, she is even more trapped by her overbearing mother. Then she meets Michael again--as handsome, smart and perfect as she remembers him to be. But not even Michael knows the reason they've really been reunited.

AND AN UNFORGETTABLE TWIST
Sundays at Tiffany's is a heart-wrenching love story that surpasses all expectations of why these people have been brought together. With the breathtaking momentum and gripping emotional twists that have made James Patterson a bestseller all over the world, Sundays at Tiffany's takes an altogether fresh look at the timeless and transforming power of love.



THANKS TO VALERIE AT HACHETTE BOOK GROUP I HAVE 1 COPY TO GIVEAWAY!!!!

Contest ends December 15

To enter please leave your name and a valid email address as well as your favorite holiday movie.
Contest open to residents of the US and Canada only.
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Montana Glory by R.C. Ryan review/giveaway

Title: Montana Glory (book 3 in the Fools Gold Trilogy)
Author: R.C. Ryan
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-446-54864-9
$7.99
Format: Mass Market ARC


The last thing in the world Zane McCord wants is a wife. But after returning home to the family ranch in Montana to help his cousins search for the lost treasure that is their legacy, Zane can't help notice that love and marriage seem to be contagious. Both his cousins have succumbed, but he refuses. Determined to stay a bachelor till he dies, Zane wants to devote his time to filming documentaries and taking care of the ranch...and then Riley Mason walks into his life.

The last thing on Riley Mason's mind is romance. Sent to the McCord ranch to save the family's accounting problems, she only wants to impress her firm in Helena and be on her way. Life as a single mother isn't easy and she needs to impress her bosses for a raise. But when Zane McCord opens the door, her breath catches in her throat and a desire she's never experienced before takes over her. When the McCords insist that she and her daughter, Summer stay at the ranch, she's forced to give in and before long, she's pulled into their search for the long lost treasure. But she absolutely draws the line at getting involved with Zane McCord, playboy and heartbreaker extraordinaire.

But as they all get closer to finding Coot's lost treasure, a dangerous series of accidents target Riley and her daughter Summer. Can Zane keep her safe while trying to win her heart?
(From the publisher)

My Thoughts:

When I read the first and the second book, I found that Jesse was my favorite, although I have to say that after reading Montana Glory, I believe that I like Zane the best. It was fun watching him interact with Riley’s daughter Amber, I also enjoyed the way he worked through his feeling about love and staying away from it due to his parents messy marriage.

Like the two previous books in the series, Montana Glory, has everything one would expect from a R.C. Ryan romance, plus a few things that I didn’t see coming.


I have 5 copies to giveaway on November 30, 2010
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Walker’s Wedding by Lori Copeland

Title: Walker’s Wedding (book 3 in The Western Sky Series)
Author: Lori Copeland
Publisher: Harvest House Publisher
ISBN: 978-0-7369-2761-1
$12.99
Format: Trade Paperback
Pages: 276 Chapters: 46
Genre: Historical Western Inspirational Romance
Rating 5 out of 5

My Review:

After a near death experience Walker McKay, owner of Spring Grass Ranch, is determined to produce an heir. There’s only one problem with his plan, he needs a wife. So what’s a man that has been previously jilted by his fiancée to do? Find himself a mail order bride. Yet things don’t go quite as planned.

Sarah Livingstone, wealthy railroad heiress, has everything that money can buy, yet she longs for more. If only her father would allow her to marry, her dreams of becoming a wife and mother would be complete. When an opportunity arises to trade places with a mail order bride she snatches it in an instant.

Once Walker and Sarah marry-it’s only a matter of time before the truth comes out. Walker now feels as though he has been betrayed all over again. Will Sarah be able to soothe Walker’s wounded heart, or will they walk away from what could have been the greatest love they ever found?

My thoughts:

There was something about Walker that drew you in yet held you at an arms length away. You could feel the hurt and betrayal that he still holds from his first fiancée, and it haunts his existence, and only allows him to feel to just to an extent. Then there is Sarah, she is a feisty, independent thinker, and you knew that she was going to be both the balm to ease Walker’s broken heart and the catalyst to break it all over again. I knew that each scene that Sarah was in was going to be emotionally charged, and I was not disappointed. Each page held a different emotion, and I felt that Lori Copeland captured the readers attentions and held them transfixed as the plot unfolded.

Overall this was a lovely Inspirational read that held an amazing message at its core. I love it when I discover a new author that I have not yet had the pleasure of reading and fall in love with their work. I now can say that I have become a fan of Lori Copeland, I cannot wait to read more of her work.

Please note that even though this is book 3 in the Western Sky Series, Walker’s Wedding is a standalone read.

Also note that this book was originally published by Avon Romantic Treasure as Marrying Walker McKay