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Saturday, February 1, 2014

Review: Ruby by Heather B. Moore


Ruby's Secret by Heather B. Moore

Book Description:

At age sixty-two, life is finally beginning for newly widowed Ruby Crenshaw. Her son is grown and gone, and after long years spent in the role of loyal wife to her charming but unfaithful husband, she’s ready to live the life she’s always dreamed of. Her resolve is firm: she’ll never make the mistake of giving her heart to another man.

The first step in Ruby’s quest for a carefree lifestyle was to create the Newport Ladies Book Club, an unlikely gathering of women who have been her haven. Now she’s ready to take her newfound independence a step further—along with her friends from the local senior center, Ruby is jetting off on a much-needed Greece adventure. What she isn’t prepared for is Gabriel—the group’s tour guide—a native Greek and a true gentleman. His unquestionable charm is hard to resist. But resist she must—because no matter their growing attraction, Ruby is not about to fall for charming again!

Review:

I've read all of the Newport Ladies Book Club books, and I was excited when I heard that Ruby was going to have her own book so I could learn about what made her tick. The book club was her idea, and she really plays a major role in the series.

I have to say that this exceeded my expectations! After all, Ruby is a lot older than I am, and a widow, so I wasn't sure how much I'd be able to relate to her. Thankfully my struggles are very different from Ruby's, but Heather Moore wrote Ruby in such a way that I was very interested to learn about her secret, and I became quite invested in her happiness.

I didn't foresee myself enjoying a romance between senior citizens, but it was actually really good. Another shout out to Moore's excellent writing that pulled me in emotionally!

This is a clean read with a very well-written main character.

About the Author:

Heather B. Moore is the award-winning author of several historical novels which are set in Ancient Arabia and Mesoamerica. She is not old and doesn’t remember the time period, so Google has become a great friend. Although she has spent several years living in the Middle East, she prefers to forget the smells. Heather writes her historical thrillers under the pen name H.B. Moore so that men will buy her books. She is also the author of two non-fiction books, and several women’s novels including the co-authored series The Newport Ladies Book Club, the anthology series A Timeless Romance Anthology, and the historical romantic suspense novel Heart of the Ocean. These are all written under her real name so that women will buy her books.

Heather graduated from Brigham Young University with a major in Fashion Merchandising and minor in Business Management–which has absolutely nothing to do with writing novels. But at least she can balance a mean checkbook and color-coordinate her kids’ school clothes.


Title: Ruby's Secret
Author: Heather B. Moore
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Published: October 2013
ISBN: 1621084604
Source: I received an eCopy from the publisher in exchange for a review.

Friday, January 31, 2014

Book Blast: The Complete Amish Wedding Series by Becca Fisher

amish wedding  
The Complete Amish Wedding Series

This boxed set features all six books in the Amish Wedding series including:

Amish Wedding 
Rebecca Lapp has her life back together after a tough break up. She's found a new man and is finally happy once again. But when her ex comes back into town wanting her back, Rebecca will be forced to make a decision that will change her life forever.  

An Amish Widower's Heart 
Two years after Henry King loses his wife in a freak accident, he's still trying to cobble his life back together. But he knows that if he doesn't stop lingering on the past, he'll have no future. But can he love again? And just how far is the journey back to happiness?
  
The Amish Late Bloomer 
Almost all of Elizabeth Stoltz's friends are married with kids. Elizabeth meanwhile finds herself back on the dating scene again after a crushing heartbreak. And she quickly finds out that being single at twenty-one year old leaves few options for finding the perfect guy. But Elizabeth is determined to find the love of her life. Will Elizabeth be able to find the love she's been looking her whole life for, is it already too little too late for her?

Beachy Amish Romance 
After a rough break up, Benjamin Stoltz moves from Lancaster to the Florida Amish community of Pinecraft looking for a fresh start. But Benjamin soon realizes that finding romance in Florida has some unique problems of its own.
  
This Side Of Heaven 
Mary Stoltz has a clear idea in her head of what she wants her dream man to be like. But her romantic reality has fallen far short of her dreams. Not to mention she is at the tail end of her rumspringa with seemingly not a single good suitor in sight. But when Mary finally meets a handsome and interesting man, will her love life finally live up to the dreams in her head?
  
Amish Homecoming 
David Lapp has his rumspringa in the city cut short when he finds out that his mother has been in an accident. But when he returns to Lancaster to take care of her, secrets from the past come to light that will change the direction of his life forever.


Praise for The Complete Amish Wedding Series:

"I had trouble putting the book down. I enjoy the stories about the trials in their lives and the way they rise above them with a little assistance from Gott. Nice clean romances are a great to get away and relax. Thank you for the Great read." ~Teresa Thornock (Goodreads)

Excerpt:

"You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen," Samuel remarked. That was a bold statement from an Amish man. But Samuel's feelings were undeniable. Samuel knew that modesty was the Amish way. He'd been brought up on the plain life. Simple service to God. And while Samuel's feelings about himself were humble in nature, his feelings for Ruth were anything but. Ruth meanwhile was no fan of attention. She was naturally shy. Samuel had managed to coax her out of her shell though. Still, Ruth was hardly comfortable in the spotlight. It was a mystery to everyone else why Ruth was such a wallflower. She had so much going for her, she just didn't seem to realize it. "Now Samuel, there's no need to exaggerate," Ruth replied, modestly. "Who says I'm exaggerating?" Samuel continued. "I've waited my whole life to meet a woman like you. And now that I have, it would be a shame not to appreciate you." "Are you trying to make me blush?" Ruth wondered. "No. I'm just trying to make you feel as good as you make me feel," Samuel said. "I'd be careful with your expectations. If you let them get too high, you're bound to be let down," Ruth replied. "It's too late. My expectations are already through the roof," Samuel admitted. "But don't worry, I can't imagine getting let down by you." "It must be interesting looking at life through your eyes," Ruth remarked. "What can I say? Love brings a rose colored tint to everything," Samuel replied. "Don't you agree?" "Just because I'm not as vocal, doesn't mean I love you any less," Ruth said. "How much do you love me?" Samuel wondered. "So much that it scares me sometimes," Ruth admitted. Samuel was confused. "What's there to be scared about?" "Are you kidding? You know the road it's taken us to get here. So after all the bumps, to finally be with you, to finally turn my heart over, to let my feelings be exposed is both exciting and terrifying," Ruth explained. It was true. Ruth and Samuel had found the most roundabout way of getting together. They had been friends for the longest time. Part of a tight knit group of friends that had grown up together in Lancaster. So Ruth and Samuel didn't want to do anything to jeopardize their friendship. They'd seen two of their close friends date in the past. But when their relationship went south, the friendship was ruined as well. Ruth and Samuel didn't want the same thing to happen to them. So Ruth and Samuel dated other people. They did not have much luck finding love though. There were a lot of first dates, but very few second dates. After a while, Ruth and Samuel started to lose hope that they'd ever meet their match. That's when after a lot of hemming and hawing about risking their friendship, Ruth and Samuel finally gave in to the feelings they had for each other. Ruth and Samuel's first date was the best either one had ever experienced. They were a great match. With so much in common. And they made a wonderful couple. It was hard to believe they'd been so afraid to get together. In the end, their friendship only added to the relationship they were building. And ever since then, Ruth and Samuel had been nearly inseparable. Now almost a year in, Ruth and Samuel couldn't imagine being with anyone else. They made each other happier than they ever thought possible. But that didn't mean Ruth was without her worries. Samuel was always there with optimism abound though. "That's how I know we're meant for us each other. Because we know what else is out there. And none of it compares to being with you." Ruth smiled. "You're the sweetest man I've ever met."  

BeccaAuthor Becca Fisher:

I'm Becca Fisher and I write sweet Amish romances featuring simple people with complex love lives. I'm devout in my faith, relish time with my family, and seek to bring joy to as many lives as possible. I would love to have you as a reader. God bless.





BookBlast Giveaway:

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 2/28/14
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, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.  
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Blog Tour: Warrior's Moon by Jaclyn M. Hawkes

Warriors Moon
Warrior's Moon
Medieval Historical Romance by Jaclyn M. Hawkes

Book Description:

They loved each other desperately.
Never in all the kingdom has there been a more brave and protective champion. Nor such a loyal and capable maiden.
He rescued her the first time when she was three years old in a killing storm. Years later, he was still occasionally rescuing her. 'Twas in him to be a hero, and she had a pure intrepid way of getting into the kinds of scrapes that took rescuing. With such a brawny, masculine guardian around, 'twould have been a fair pity to waste the gallantry anyway.
Their childhood friendship between two young peasants had grown into a devotion few are ever blessed to experience. It was strong enough to withstand all their dark age held—danger, feudalism, disease, and unfair oppression.
Or is it strong enough? They truly loved each other desperately.
They loved their kingdom more.



Review:
I wasn't expecting to like this book, and it took me a while to convince myself to read it (and to get into it), but I'm glad I did. I have a thing for medieval books, especially with a strong female lead. This was one of those, but it also had a strong male lead, which doesn't always happen together. While I love medieval books, I sometimes had to wonder if that is when this was really set. Occasionally the way things were said had me wondering, and sometimes the way the characters acted. Also, would people have known about harems? I mean, few could read and there was no printing press or anything...people didn't travel far, so...Anyway, it was a sweet story of love and duty. Don't read the description and decide about the book. Read other reviews and decide. The description can sometimes make a book sound better than it is, but in this case it's the opposite. The book was way better than what the back says it's about. Content wise Hawkes keeps it clean. She deals with not so pleasant topics, but does it tastefully. There is also some swearing, but it's used correctly (meaning she used the words to their actual definition) so maybe that makes it not really swearing. In any case, normally swearing really bothers me, but how it was used in this book didn't.


Praise for Warrior's Moon:

"This book has adventure, memorable characters, and tons of action. There is even romance! I absolutely loved it!!!" ~Laura (Goodreads)

"I loved this book! Great characters, I love a strong female lead. I really enjoy all of Jaclyn Hawkes books, but I must say this in one of my favorites!" ~ KMon (Amazon)

Warriors Moon Tour

Author Jaclyn M. Hawkes

jaclynJaclyn M. Hawkes grew up in Utah with 6 sisters, 4 brothers and any number of pets. (It was never boring!) She got a bachelor’s degree, had a career and traveled extensively before settling down to her life’s work of being the mother of four magnificent and sometimes challenging children. She loves shellfish, the out of doors, the youth and hearing her children laugh. She and her fine husband, their family, and their sometimes very large pets, now live in a mountain valley in northern Utah, where it smells like heaven and kids still move sprinkler pipe.
 
Blog Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 2/23/14
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, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.   a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Book Review: No One to Trust by Lynette Eason


Book Description:

Summer Abernathy wakes up one morning to find her husband missing, three men in her home intent on finding him, and the life she's been living based on a lie. Which Kyle Abernathy did she marry? The computer programmer she met in line at the bank? Or the one who was apparently using that image as a cover story?

The search for her husband--and answers--takes Summer ever deeper into a world of organized crime where people are used one moment and discarded the next. And with her deepest relationship of trust already shattered, Summer doesn't know who to believe.


Book Review:

Another winner by Lynette Eason! This book had a slightly different feel to it because the story was about trust, not finding love, like her other books. The main characters were already married, and so I loved how she focused on important issues that do come up in marriage, whether dealing with organized crime or not :) I will admit that Summer bothered me at times, but it was still a book I didn't want to put down, and that I would read again. Christian Suspense Fiction keeps this a clean story, and Eason writes it well.

No One to Trust (Hidden Identity, #1)




Title: No One to Trust
Author: LynetteEason
Publisher: Revell
Published: January 2014
ISBN: 9780800722081
Source: I received an eCopy from NetGalley in exchange for a review.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Blog Tour: Power Parenting in the LDS Home by Randal A. Wright

*Guest Post*



Book Description:

The best wisdom comes from experience. Here Dr. Randal Wright has compiled the experiences of over 500 adults and their responses to his question: What parenting worked and what didn’t work in your parent’s home? Each chapter is based on the most commonly repeated mistakes and successes to help you become the successful parent you want to be.

Guest Post:

Be an Example
By Randal A. Wright


A few years ago I was asked to speak at a Know Your Religion in Mesa, Arizona. Earlier that day, I spoke to the Dobson high school seminary classes in Chandler. My topic was the importance of being a good example. That night after the KYR talk, I decided to go see a movie that several LDS friends had highly recommended. As I pulled up to the theater, I noticed most of the movies were R-rated along with the PG-rated one that I had come to see. As I walked up to the ticket booth, I saw a poster for a well advertised, highly acclaimed historical R-rated movie. For a split second, the thought passed through my mind, “You are in Tempe, Arizona and don’t know one person here. No one would ever know which movie you went to see.” Immediately, another thought came to mind. “Yes, at least two people would know—Heavenly Father and me.” I walked up to the ticket booth and told the teenage worker that I wanted one ticket to the PG-rated movie. When I said that, the young man started to smile, as if pleased with my choice. I wondered why he cared which movie I saw. As he handed me my ticket, he said, “Thanks, Brother Wright.” Startled, I asked him how he knew who I was. He said he was at the talk I had given to the seminary students earlier that day. A tremendous feeling of relief rushed through me. I thanked my Heavenly Father for helping me have the courage to resist temptation

After the movie, I imagined what the result would have been if I had made the wrong movie choice that night. I believe at the very least the young man would have lost respect for me, and thought I was a hypocrite. I then thought of a far worse scenario. What if his parents would have preached one thing to him and then did the opposite themselves?

Many years ago, President George Q. Cannon taught, “Where parents set proper examples to their children, and with those examples join good precepts, the influence is felt throughout the lives of their children. There may be some who will forget or disregard that which is shown and taught them, but they will be the exceptions. As the children grow in years, they will think about the examples and precepts of their parents. Increasing years will add weight to all that they have said and done.”

Years ago I had the privilege of serving with President Kent Richards in the San Antonio Mission presidency. He is a direct descendant of Willard Richards, a 5th generation mission president and now a general authority. I wondered how one man could have so many faithful descendants and what we could learn from him? A statement made by Brigham Young about Willard may answer those questions: “He was as true and unwavering in his course as the sun is to the earth. There is not a shade of deviation from the principles of righteousness.”


About the Author:

Randal Wright has been fascinated by the study of families for many years. Seeking ways to raise righteous children led to his receiving a B.S. and M.S. with emphasis in the family area and then a Ph.D. in Family Studies from Brigham Young University. He worked for many years as an Institute director for the Church Education System and taught at BYU in the religion department. He has written several books in the past on family topics including Families in Danger: Protecting Your Family in an X-rated World, Building Better Homes and Families and The Case for Chastity: Helping Youth Stay Morally Clean. He has spoken across the United States, Canada and England and has been a frequent speaker at BYU Campus Education Week and the Especially for Youth program for many years. Randal and his wife Wendy live in Austin, Texas and are the parents of five children and sixteen grandchildren.


Title: Power Parenting in the LDS Home
Author: Randal A. Wright
Publisher: CFI an imprint of Cedar Fort, Inc.
Published: January 2014
ISBN: 1462113796

Purchase: Amazon | Kindle | Books & Things

Monday, January 27, 2014

Book Review: The Dancing Master by Julie Klassen

The Dancing Master



Book Description:

Leaving London, dancing master Alec Valcourt moves his mother and sister to remote Devonshire--but is stunned to discover that dancing is prohibited! He finds an unlikely ally in Miss Julia Midwinter, but her questions about his past are becoming harder to evade. Together, can they bring new life to this quiet village--and heal long-kept-secret scars?

Review:

To start with, the cover is great and the book synopsis sounds really good. That's about all I can recommend from this book. First of all, it's way too long (and I love to read, I just read an almost 600 pg book today with no problem). It took forever to get through and I still haven't figured out why. All I know is that reading on my kindle I would think, "It's got to be wrapping up now" and I'd look and see I was only 50% of the way through the book. This seems to be common for this author. However, in her other books I at least liked the main characters. I can't say that for this one. Alex and Julia didn't have much to recommend them. They fit with the time period, but were too stuck up for my taste. Julia was selfish and unfeeling to everyone but her self, and she didn't really change much by the end. Alex had some good qualities, but was a a little too high and mighty for my taste. Although, everything I didn't like, I can see why it was written that way, so to some it might appeal. Content wise it was clean. No language, minimal violence, and maybe two kissing scenes. That is one thing to recommend for Alex. He always acted like a gentleman.

The Dancing Master 
Title: The Dancing Master
Author: Julie Klassen
Publisher: Bethany House Publishing
Published: January 2014
ISBN:
9780764210709 
Source: I received an eCopy from NetGalley in exchange for a review.

Friday, January 24, 2014

Blog Tour: Reverently, Quietly by Pamela Jensen

Tour Schedule
Book Description:

When the wiggles come and boredom strikes, it can be difficult for little ones to sit through long church meetings. Reverently, Quietly not only keeps boredom at bay, but also instructs and invites the Spirit. Containing drawing activities, matching games, and coloring pages, all Church-centered, this is a quiet book that all children will enjoy!

Review:

I'm a little torn on quiet books since ultimately I want my kids to sit reverently while listening to the speakers at church. Giving them something to distract them seems to defeat my goal. But, since I haven't figured out how to get them to focus on speakers yet, I like to have at least something on hand for the kids to draw with when their attention wanders.

I just received a copy of Reverently, Quietly earlier this week, so we've only been able to test it at home so far. But, it offers a variety of quiet activities that seemed  to hold my kids' attention while teaching them stories from the scriptures. Younger children could use it mainly as a coloring book, while children who can read can fill in answers to questions with the assistance of their scriptures. 

I really liked how references were listed to help the kids find answers they needed. It was a good opportunity to show my six-year-old how he can look things up in the scriptures. I'm not sure he'd do that on his own at this point, but it was a good experience to share with him.

It's not a very big book, but if finding/creating your own activity pages isn't something you like to do, this is an inexpensive option for a quiet book.

Title: Reverently, Quietly
Author: Pamela Jensen
Publisher: Cedar Fort
Published: January 2014
ISBN: 1462112153
Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for a review.

Purchase: Amazon | Books & Things