A Stitch and A Prayer by Eva Gibson (Quilts of Love book #18)

This was the most different of the Quilts of Love books I have read yet, but I think I have said that once before? However, it was really good once I got into the third chapter. 

Florence got married, and the wedding was pretty confusing. She married Will, and loves him dearly. They are out in boondocks and Florence is scared of all kinds of things. She has cause, panthers and men who are hunting horse thieves are just a few of the problems. She has a strange health problem that wasn't made clear for a good while, but it causes her hands to be almost useless. 

Before long, she winds up with a life changing issue, and what happened just about floored me. That was traumatic folks! So was what happened next! Will leaves Florence leaves her in this series situation with just a note that he will come back before the baby is born! WHAT?!? Why?!? She hasn't a clue! 

So while he is gone, she is praying, and stitching, and trying to cope. Praying, and stitching her own version of a Tree Of Life quilt. Will Florence even live through this for her husband to come home? What about her baby? There needs to be a lot more prayer and there needs to be Will home too! 

This book had me holding my breath once the plot got rolling. 

Carol :) 

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Stitch and A Prayer Abingdon Press (May 20, 2014) by Eva Gibson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

(No image available) Eva Gibson is the author of twenty books, including A Stitch and a Prayer, the latest release in the Quilts of Love series from Abingdon Fiction. She currently teaches Writing Your Life Story classes for Portland Community College and is an active member of Oregon Christian Writers. She has lived most of her life on the family farm in Wilsonville, Oregon, which is the setting for her novel.

ABOUT THE BOOK

After her fiancé returns from the Klondike gold rush in 1897, Florence Harms sets about building a new life in her new marriage—even though the lingering effects of illness have left her weak and vulnerable. She and her young husband, Will, work tirelessly to clear the land around their Northwest cabin, content with their modest life. But then a stranger comes knocking and Florence suddenly senses a restlessness in Will’s spirit that she had never seen before. When he leaves her with only a note that tells her he will return before their baby’s birth, she is devastated, and the illness that stiffened her joints returns. Counting the days until Will walks back through her door, Florence busies herself with a Tree of Life quilt displaying a map of the farm they call home. Doubts claw at her heart as Florence struggles to believe Will’s promise to return to her. Will her labor of love—and faith in God—sustain her as she waits to see her beloved once again?

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Stitch and A Prayer, go HERE.

The book link is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1426772521

While Love Stirs: A Novel (The Gregory Sisters) by Lorna Seilsta

Love isn't the only thing stirring here, for you see, Charlotte can cook! Yep, don't faint now, this determined young lady can cook up a storm! She went to cooking school, Fannie Farmer's School of Cooking, and she has high ambitions. She wants to be, GASPS, a chef! Silly female, don't you know MEN are chefs, not women?

Ahhh, but that doesn't get Charlotte down because she has a plan, and she is going to pray and just keep moving forward. Green eyed doctors with OCD who are more handsome than they should be will not stop her. Not even when she has to lecture the man on nutrition for nursing mothers, like her sister and her baby! Charlotte has no problem telling Dr. Joel that he needs to re-vamp or allow his clients to suffer from chipped plates and bad meals. (Hey, hospital food could be worse, and in this case, it was!)

Next thing you know Charlotte is entering some majorly interesting contests, and getting job offers. Is this the plan God has for her life? She figures she is an "old maid" now, so why not go for whatever open door is available! Besides, she and Joel seem to fight frequently and not get along well. What can they possibly do when they keep getting thrown together in situations? However, Joel isn't the only one who sees that Charlotte has some value. Lewis is now her traveling companion in a job that is cutting edge for that day and age.

There is some faith, hope and dreams, and Charlotte has some big choices to make. The historical aspects were well put together. The cooking was very well described, and can make you hungry. The gas stoves are revved up and cooking for sure, with lots of details. This is the first book by Lorna Seilsta that I have read. It was a light easy read.

Carol :)

My copy of this book came from Revell in exchange for my honest review, and nothing else.

Take one lovely young woman. Add two ambitious young men. Stir . . . and stand back. As a graduate of Fannie Farmer's School of Cookery, Charlotte Gregory is thrilled to have the opportunity to travel, lecture, and give cooking demonstrations on the very latest kitchen revolution--the gas stove. And she certainly doesn't mind that the gas company has hired the kindhearted Lewis Mathis to entertain at her lectures. Lewis encourages Charlotte's work, especially her crusade to introduce fresh, appetizing, nutritious food to those convalescing in hospitals. But young hospital superintendent Dr. Joel Brooks is not convinced any changes should be made--especially by this outspoken young woman. When Charlotte and Joel are coerced into planning a fund-raising gala for the hospital, will this combustible pair explode? Follow the second Gregory sister as she looks for truelove and makes her way in a rapidly changing world in this breezy, lighthearted love triangle that will keep you guessing. Lorna Seilstad is the author of When Love Calls and the Lake Manawa Summers series. A former high school English and journalism teacher, she has won several online writing contests and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. Lorna lives in Iowa with her husband. Learn more at www.lornaseilstad.com.

Gathering Shadows by Nancy Mehl

Welcome to Sanctuary. That sounds like a safe place to be, right? After all, this is a quaint, peaceful little Mennonite town. It is what you would expect, buggies, two places to eat, a quilting shop (a must have!), horses, carriages, a few churches, it sounds just like it's name!

Wynter is a reporter. She is there with Zac, her photographer to do a "piece" on this picturesque Mennonite town. While there, she suddenly sees a young man who is the exact image of her brother Ryan. One glitch, Ryan was kidnapped at the age of seven. Can this Mennonite young man actually be her brother, now grown??? Would Ruben King, the dashingly handsome mayor of Sanctuary help her know, or find out if this guy is really Ryan? Will you wind up loving Zac, or just being annoyed by him? Oh, and don't miss the cats! They are rather special ones!

The secretes that are being unearthed by Wynter are dangerous. They could get her killed, but how far must she go to find out if that is Ryan or not? How can she live with herself if she doesn't find out? Really now, what kind of Sanctuary is this town? Is it a safe Sanctuary that is just having a bump on an otherwise smooth trail, or just one that hides and harbors murderers or something much worse? The folks in this town, and the people visiting will either find their Faith stronger, or broken by the secrets that are reviled.

Carol :)

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Gathering Shadows

Bethany House Publishers (May 6, 2014)

by

Nancy Mehl

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nancy Mehl lives in Wichita, Kansas with her husband Norman and their dog, Watson. She’s authored thirteen books and is currently at work on her newest series for Bethany House Publishing.

All of Nancy’s novels have an added touch – something for your spirit as well as your soul. “I welcome the opportunity to share my faith through my writing,” Nancy says. “It’s a part of me and of everything I think or do. God is number one in my life. I wouldn't be writing at all if I didn't believe that this is what He’s called me to do. I hope everyone who reads my books will walk away with the most important message I can give them: God is good, and He loves you more than you can imagine. He has a good plan especially for your life, and there is nothing you can’t overcome with His help.”

She and her husband attend Believer’s Tabernacle in Wichita.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Wynter Evans is a promising young reporter for a television station in St. Louis, but even a bright future doesn't take away her pain over the disappearance of her brother nine years ago. So when she stumbles across a photograph of a boy with an eerie resemblance to him, she can't pass up the chance to track him down. With research for work as her cover, she sets out with one of the station's photogs for the place where the picture was taken: the town of Sanctuary.

Almost as soon as she arrives, she meets the town's handsome young mayor, Rueben King, and together they begin to uncover long held secrets that could tear the small town apart and change everything Wynter thought she knew about her life. As the truth of her family's past hides in the shadows, it's clear someone will stop at nothing to keep the answers she's searching for hidden forever--even if the cost is Wynter's very life.

If you'd like to read the first chapter of Gathering Shadows, go HERE.

Nancy can be reached through the Contact link on her Website 

The book link is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0764211579

Fatal Exchange by Linda Harris (Southern Crimes Series)

This is the first book of Linda Harris's that I have read, and it is the second in this series.

Emily Hunt is a school teacher, in a family full of cops. Avery, her sister, Micheal her now deceased brother, and her Father are all in law enforcement. She considers herself not brave enough to be an officer, and chose to teach in order to help children.

Emily's heart and soul are damaged just now. Her brother Micheal is dead. Her sister Avery blames his best friend and fellow officer, Mason,  for having something to do with it. That wasn't proven, but Avery is still hunting for clues to prove that Mason should have been implicated in the matter. To top things off, Charlie is now Emily's ex-fiance. She figures she can't bear to ever date another law enforcement employee again.

All that would be enough, but that is just the tip of the "iceburg" that is about to come crashing down into Emily's life. It starts with a student that Emily has worked very  hard with, Rafael. He's acquired a scholarship, he has super grades, but his little brother has been kidnapped! The child isn't just kidnapped, the cartel, the mob, aka the drug lords have him and the clock is ticking to meet their demands, or they will kill him! Rafael wasn't suppose to tell anyone, but he told Mason. Mason had to share a bit of info about the cartel killings with Avery, after all she is the chain of command over him. That leads him to taking to Emily. After all, Rafael missed a meeting, and he isn't at school on time. What happens next wasn't predictable. I didn't see it coming, and that takes a bit of doing.  I don't want to give you any spoilers, so let me just say a huge mega situation breaks out, followed by some more massive situations, on top of the personal issues in progress!

This book was full of conflict, and some resolutions, bold resolved people. These same people are wrestling with God's plans for their lives, forgiveness, healing, and relationships. Lisa Harris did a good job, and I wouldn't mind reading another one of her books!

Carol :)

Desperate times create desperate people. And desperate people are dangerous . . . 

Though Emily Hunt comes from a family of cops, the relatively quiet life of a high school teacher suits her just fine. She's saving up to buy a house, slowly moving forward after her brother's death, and settling into a life she loves. So the last person she wants to spend time with is Mason Taylor.

An undercover cop, Mason is enemy number one as far as her family is concerned. His involvement in the death of Emily's brother is still up in the air, and now he expects her to help him with a case. Mason has been working with one of her students, Rafael Cerda, whose brother has been kidnapped by a drug cartel. And with time running out to meet their demands, Rafael is getting desperate.

Emily will have to draw on all of her strength to handle what happens next . . .

Fatal Exchange will draw you into a complex matrix of intertwining lives, unraveling secrets, and unexpected love.

Lisa Harris is a Christy Award finalist and the winner of the Best Inspirational Suspense Novel for 2011 from Romantic Times. The author of more than twenty books, including Dangerous Passage, Harris has spent over ten years living with her family as missionaries in Africa. Learn more at www.lisaharriswrites.com.

My copy of this book is from Revell in exchange for my honest review, and nothing else. 

One Perfect Spring by Irene Hannon

This book tops Irene Hannon's last romance book!

One spring, an 11 year old little girl, Haley, decides to help one of her Mom's neighbors. Dr. Chandler is going through chemo, and a past indiscretion created a child. Claire Summers, Haley's Mom, is trying to explain how her child sent in a letter pleading for help for Dr. Maureen Chandler to help her find the son she placed for adoption so long ago. Maureen was so hurt by her past, that she hasn't let anyone else in completely since, and she has never married.

Aware of the situation now, the "help" that Haley was trying to give, Maureen finds out that David McMillan is quite kind, and he passes her case off to Keith. Before long, David is finding himself drawn to Maureen, and Keith seems very fond of Claire.

This story of a quest for a lost child, a child with lots of love and empathy to give, is told in four voices. We hear from Keith, Claire, Maureen and David. They each share view points to this story. Romance, abounds with the married couples, and isn't absent with the strong attraction to each other with our possible couples.
Our past, isn't who we are. We are who God says we are, and this sweet book shows that rather well.
I liked this book! The multiple relationships were fun, and it was heavy, like flower's blooming, and light and airy too - like a spring breeze.

Carol :)

"Irene Hannon is one great storyteller." -Debbie Macomber,
#1 New York Times bestselling author


Independent single mom Claire Summers is doing her best to make  lemonade out of the lemons life has handed her. Workaholic Keith Watson is interested only in the bottom line--until a letter from Claire's eleven-year-old daughter reaches his desk and changes everything.

As the executive assistant to a philanthropic businessman, Keith is used to fielding requests for donations. But the girl isn't asking for money. She wants help finding the long-lost son of a neighbor. As Keith reluctantly digs into this assignment in his usual results-oriented style, he has no idea how involved he and Claire will become--nor how unusual the results will actually be. Who could have guessed that a child's kindhearted request would bring love and hope to so many lives . . . including his own?

Through compelling characters and surprising plot twists, fan favorite Irene Hannon offers this tenderhearted story that demonstrates how life is like lilacs--the biggest blooms come only after the harshest winters.

"Hannon's multithread plot is woven beautifully together to create a tapestry that will enchant romantics of all ages."--Publishers Weekly

Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of over forty-five books, including That Certain Summer. Her romance and suspense fiction has won many awards, including two coveted RITAs, a Carol, two HOLT Medallions, a National Readers' Choice, a Daphne du Maurier, a Retailers Choice, and two Reviewers' Choice Awards from RT Book Reviews magazine. In addition, she is a Christy Award finalist, and Booklist included one of her novels in its "Top 10 Inspirational Fiction" list for 2011. She lives in Missouri. Learn more at www.irenehannon.com.

http://www.amazon.com/One-Perfect-Spring-Irene-Hannon-ebook/dp/B00GHXRLRO/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1399610648&sr=1-1&keywords=one+perfect+spring+by+irene+hannon

Thank you Revell for my copy of this book in exchange for my honest review, and nothing else.

Sunshine Award Nomination! :D

O.k. This for a Sunshine award!
I hear there is another award too that I might be eligible for! What fun! :D

First, a bit about the Sunshine Award. You have to be nominated.
Thank you to Lindsay at http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-sunshine-award.html for nominating me! :D Like Lindsay, I had not heard of this award before she mentioned it.

The Sunshine Blogger Award is a way for bloggers to get to know each other and get other bloggers to link to their website. (YEAH! Fun networking!) 

The Award Requirements Are As Follow:
1. Thank the person who gave you the award.
2. Name ten things about yourself that others might not know.
3. Pass the award on to ten other bloggers (Be sure to show the Sunshine Award logo so they can use it too).

So here are 10 things about me:
1) I have more than one book in the works writing right now. 
2) I LOVE coffee. 
3) My cats think they can write e-mails and post comments. They help by getting all over my keyboards.
4) I'm not a morning person. I try, it just doesn't work out.
5) I am also a Photographer with two degrees in Photography, among other things. ;) I LOVE my Nikon camera. When we were in collage I loved my Canon, but we couldn't afford the Nikons. Now I have my very own entry level professional Nikon DSLR and it is lots of fun!
6) I am very good with graphics and designing web sites.
7) I really want a mico lens, unless I go with an extender. I am still weighing options on this one.
8) I also like hot tea, especially Jasmine or Chinese hot tea.
9) I *love* seafood. I never ever get tired of it, and it agrees greatly with me. ;) 
10) I thoroughly enjoy getting to know people and hearing about their life's story and what God has done for them. 

My 10 Nominees for this award are in no set order....
Deb at http://positivegrace.com/wordpress/blog/
Hannah at http://aladyintime.blogspot.com/
Heidi at http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com/
Kortney at http://cheeseheadbookreviews.blogspot.com/
Sarah at http://thehopejourney.wordpress.com/
Courtney at http://thegreenmockingbird.wordpress.com/
Danni at http://lovingthechaos.com/
Kristi at http://kristie-moments.blogspot.com/
Brooke at http://brookesbookblog.weebly.com/blog.html
Brianna at http://looseleaflibrary.com/

Have fun ladies, and I enjoyed visiting your blogs! 
Carol :) 

Amari by Steven Atwood

I'm going to start this review with the fact that we are missing out on this great author! I wound up with this book from Story Cartel in exchange for my review. I had no idea I had "stumbled" into a fantastic book that is more than worth sharing! In fact, upon finding out today that Bane is on sale for $0.99 - I snatched it up quickly! Now, onto Amari! 

Amari is on her "last" mission. She lives in a world that is just about post apocalyptic in thinking. The government is "god". All other Religions, especially Christians are forbidden. Pray is taboo, and as in the days of old when Jews or Christians were killed for believing in God, so it is in Amari's world. In fact, praying or talking about praying, or God will get you transported to a re-education facility. If only that were the real extent! It turns out that they are death camps, just like when Hitler killed so many, many Jews. 

Among those who lost family, is a young man, Colin, who turned in his own family, thinking that he was doing "the right thing". He has been haunted by his beloved sisters face when they took her away. Now, all these years later, he still works for the United Nations (UN). Colin is coming to the realization that not all is as he has believed that it was. He is called to work on a case where a female named Cloee was headed for the death camps, but has instead disappeared. When he sees her image, he sees a face that could be his sister!!! Colin's whole world is being shaken.

Meanwhile, Amari, our space pirate and captain of her own ship, has Cloee in her hold. She was told to pick her up off a very lightly guarded ship, and she did so. Things being as they are, Amari finds Cloee to be a very intriguing person. She is willing to defy all, to pray for her and answer her questions when she has no one else to turn to. Cloee holds no malice, and while on board Amari can ask her about things that she can't ask of anyone else. 

Cloee grew up off Earth and she isn't sure what she did that was so wrong, or what is in store for her future. She has at parent in a powerful position, who might, or might not be protecting her. Amari is smack in the middle of all this, and she decides that Borrris could have more than just a working relationship with her. She is his boss, but there is the concern about Cloee. She is suppose to be their last gig before settling down to a pleasant life. 

*Nothing* about this mission is what it seems, and the more I read, the better this book got and the more impressed I became with the way truth was worked into this plot! I'm looking for the next book in this series. Frankly I need a way to sign up to know when it is released! I HIGHLY recommend reading this book, which just almost should be required reading!!!

The book link:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F83O7K8?&tag=storycartel-20

About the Author:

My life had its ups and downs, like most people. Along the way, I met my beautiful wife who saved me. I was in the darkest part of my life at the time, practically lived in seclusion even though I had a roommate. I smoked, drank very heavily, believed everyone owed me something, and I had a dead end job. My life was spiraling into the abyss, until I met her. To make a long story short, she reached into a bucket of sludge, picked me up, hosed me off, and married me. She never asked me to change, but her example and my love for her made it my priority.

Why do you write? I just really enjoy writing. I love the idea of telling stories and I want them to have some meaning. I think a good story should make you think or encourage you to reflect, but this should never take away from a great story.

What do you write? The premise is that no matter long ago in the past or how far into the future, the…Read more

Pelican Bride by Beth White (Gulf Coast Chronicles)

This is my first book by Beth White. I couldn't resist it since the cover is lovely, and her last name is kin to kin of mine. I know - there are often common popular name, but even so it drew me, and as far as I could find, this is her first book!

Genevieve and her sister Aimee are in a major mess. They have to leave France, for reasons disclosed later on in the book, and head for the "New World". In this case, they are headed for Massacre Island. They are on the Gulf Coast around the year 1704! Having arrived aboard The Pelican, a ship that transports perspective wives who are white, and suppose to be upstanding, these ladies are here to marry men in unions that the King would approve of. The coast of buggy, swampy, strange Louisiana is now home. Here they are to spend their lives, and the first task is to pick out a husband among the Canadian males who are mostly attached to the military base there, and serving France.

To add to the history part, I grew up in Alabama. I have been to the coast of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama many times. I have lived on a coast as well. The descriptions are all very detailed and accurate to the time frame as far as I am concerned!

Arriving in this new place was nothing at all like they had thought it might be. My first favorite quote from this book is this one:

"Pardon. Are you uncomfortable?" She hung upside down with her hair dragging the water, her thighs tucked under a strange man's chin. "Oh, no, monsieur, I was merely wondering what time tea will be served."

This is not just a fluffy easy reading book! It was a bit hard to get into the first few chapters, but once entangled in this tale, I didn't want to leave it. Ginette, Tristian, Amiee, Marc-Antonie, Father Mathieu, Ysabeau, Nika are several of the main characters who have a lot of impact and have a live story to share or tell. I was thrilled at the deep portrayals of the Native American people's of this area and time. Their lives and characters were handled with care, respect, and some grains of truth.

Ginette for example, she could die for having her faith exposed. She is risking her life just having a Bible hidden in her trunk! All this that I have told you, and yet I haven't scratched the surface of the intrigue, drama, history, faith, betrayals, persecutions, murder(s), love, forgiveness, second chances, and hope all planted into the lives of these characters in this one book. I hope I get to review the next one!

Carol :)

It is 1704 when Genevieve Gaillain and her sister board a French ship headed for the Louisiana colony as mail-order brides. Both have promised to marry one of the rough-and-tumble Canadian men in this New World in order to escape religious persecution in the Old World. Genevieve knows life won't be easy, but at least here she can establish a home and family without fear of beheading. But when she falls in love with Tristan Lanier, an expatriate cartographer whose courageous stand for fair treatment of native peoples has made him decidedly unpopular in the young colony, Genevieve realizes that even in this land of liberty one is not guaranteed peace. And a secret she harbors could mean the undoing of the colony itself.

Gulf Coast native Beth White brings vividly to life the hot, sultry south in this luscious, layered story of the lengths we must go to in order to be true to ourselves, our faith, and our deepest loves.

The Back of the Book:
She's come to the New World to escape a perilous past. But has it followed her to these far shores?
It is 1704 when Frenchwoman Geneviève Gaillain and her sister board the frigate Pélican bound for the distant Louisiana colony. Both have promised to marry one of the rough men toiling in this strange new world in order to escape suffering in the old. Geneviève knows life won't be easy, but at least here she can establish a home and family without fear of persecution for her outlawed religious beliefs. 

When she falls in love with Tristan Lanier, an expatriate cartographer-turned-farmer whose checkered past is shrouded in mystery, Geneviève realizes that even in this land of liberty one is not guaranteed peace. Trouble is brewing outside the fort between the French colonists and the native people surrounding them. And an even more sinister enemy may lurk within. Could the secret Geneviève harbors mean the undoing of the colony itself?

Gulf Coast native Beth White brings vividly to life the hot, sultry South in this luscious, layered tale.

THE AUTHOR

1. 

   © Wendy Wilson Photography

   Beth White

   Beth White's day job is teaching music at an inner-city high school in historic Mobile, Alabama. A native Mississippian, she is a pastor's wife, mother of two, and grandmother of one--so far. Her hobbies include playing flute and pennywhistle and painting, but...

   Continue reading about Beth White
2. 
   
3. 
   

http://www.amazon.com/Pelican-Bride-Gulf-Coast-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00DY9FOYQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1399008243&sr=8-1&keywords=Pelican+Bride+by+Beth+White