25 Book Reviews

Thursday, June 30, 2016

A New Surf Side Novella by Beth Wiseman!!

"Message in a Bottle"

"A Surf's Up Novella"

By Beth Wiseman

Synopsis:
One man. Two women. A child desperate for medical treatment. How can Kyle choose between the woman he once loved and his current fiancée? Is there a solution that suits all involved, or will someone end up out of the triangle forever? Morgan Calhoun and her parents are whisked away in the middle of the night, something Morgan always knew was a possibility because of her father's CIA job. But she'd always thought if such a scenario played out that she would have time to say goodbye to those she loved—particularly her boyfriend, Kyle. Adding to her unbearable situation, several weeks after the move, Morgan finds out that she's pregnant. Kyle Brossmann doesn't even get a break-up letter from Morgan. She's just gone, along with her parents. His heart broken, Kyle continues with his plans. He graduates from high school and attends college, where he meets his fiancée, Lexie. But two men visit Kyle and encourage him to travel to an undisclosed location, where he will meet his five-year-old daughter. Rocked by the news that he has a child, Kyle learns he is the only person who might be able to save his daughter's life. Will Kyle choose his first love and his daughter? Or will he stay with Lexie and live the life they’ve been planning? Each Surf’s Up novella takes the reader to a beach locale, weaving romance and adventure into a soul-soothing journey of hope. See Also: A Tide Worth Turning: A Surf's Up Novella.

My Thoughts:

What can I say about this novella???? Well, it is written by a most outstanding author, Beth Wiseman , who is also the creator of many popular, award winning novels. She also happens to be at the top of my list of favorite authors!!! 

Beth writes all of her books with her unique talent of making one feel a part of the story. The reader immediately becomes thoroughly engaged with the characters and lives their lives alongside them. This novella was no disappointment. It met all of my personal requirements to be a good book. The only  negative comment I have , is that the story ended far too soon!! I am certainly thankful that this is the second in Beth's Surf's Up series!! There is definitely more to come!! The intense struggles that Kyle experienced were felt deep within as he met giant roadblocks in every part of his life. A good man, with seemingly insurmountable problems!!  Morgan's emotional roller coaster of a life, sent me to deep despair at times, at others, had me rejoicing with her. 

The plot is intense and moves quickly with totally unexpected twists and turns. Amazingly , for a novella, it is packed with action that flows from one crisis to the next. The conflicts were very real and oh my, there were many!!!

The underlying theme in this novella outshone all the troubles!! God is always present in our lives, whether we realize it or not. He is ready and willing to be called upon. We must trust in Him through our troubles and He will see us through. 

An amazing novella!! Don't miss it!!
Definitely five stars for this book!!

This book was provided by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
at No comments:

Unexpected Meeting Adds Complications to New Challenges

      "All Summer Long
        By Melody Carlson

 Synopsis:

 Tia Gets a Second Chance at Love When an Old Crush Suddenly Reappears

Tia D'Amico is thrilled to move to San Francisco to help her aunt transform an old luxury yacht into an upscale floating restaurant. What's not to love? Sunset dinner cruises, upscale wedding receptions--the possibilities are endless and far more appetizing than staying in a monotonous job in her Podunk hometown. Besides, some of her best memories are tied to San Francisco--especially the memory of Leo Parker, her crush from a long-ago sailing camp. 

When the self same Leo Parker turns out to be the yacht's captain, Tia is floating on air. But will it all come crashing down around her when she discovers his heart belongs to someone else?

Get ready for a romantic summer in San Francisco, where the future glistens brighter than the bay at sunset.

My Thoughts:

This second book in the "San Francisco Romance" series is every bit as pleasant a read as the first! A perfect book for a trip to the beach. The setting was perfect, one in which a romance should develop, described so vividly that I could easily picture it in my mind. A cruise ship is an ideal location for a developing romance.  I must admit that the detailed description of the food had my mouth watering and I had the greatest desire to go on a dinner cruise! Not only could I see the delicious food, I could taste it, if only in my dreams.

The characters took only a very few pages to capture my heart. Each is described in a realistic manner . They became my dear friends within the first chapter and I felt their hurts, disappointments, as well as their joys and accomplishments. Melody Carlson has the unique talent of having her characters display a Christian message to all readers. The underlying theme clearly shows us how God does have a plan for each and every one of us. We often have to step back and let God take control, He will take care of us if only we wait and patiently listen to Him  . Tia and Leo are good examples for each of us. 

 The plot moves slowly but steadily. Although not full of action, it keeps one's attention and causes the readers to examine their own lives.  A slower pace allows us time to absorb the underlying meanings and truths. The story is both light hearted and thought provoking. The tale flows easily from one chapter to the next, keeping one engrossed. 

 Although a light read, this book was very thought provoking. A great read for young and old!!

 This book was supplied by Baker Publishing Group and Graf- Martin Communications Inc.in exchange for a fair and honest review. Now available from your local bookseller.
at No comments:

Another Winning Novel From Three Time Rita Award Winner, Irene Hannon!

       "Sea Rose Lane"
       By Irene Hannon

 Synopsis: Once again back in Hope Harbor....

After a devastating layoff, attorney Eric Nash heads back to the town where he grew up--only to discover that his childhood home is being transformed into a bed & breakfast. Instead of plotting his next career move in peace, he's constantly distracted by noise, chaos--and BJ Stevens, the attractive but prickly blonde architect and construction chief who's invaded the house with her motley crew.

As for BJ, her client's son might be handsome, but after a disastrous romance, dating isn't high on her agenda. Yet when they join forces to create a program for Hope Harbor seniors, might they also find healing, hope, and a new beginning themselves?

Three-time RITA Award winner Irene Hannon takes readers back to Hope Harbor for a new season of charm, romance, and second chances.

My Thoughts:

 The setting of this book is peaceful and serene, a place where I would love to be! The charming , seaside town of Hope Harbor exhibits a typical, small town atmosphere, one that a person tends to either love, as I do, or hate, because of course, in a small town, secrets become gossip! In other words, there are few things that your neighbors don't know! 

 Ms Hannon has an exceptional talent in describing her characters in such realistic detail, that  you can immediately identify with them. The issues of self worth, the aging process, immigration and most importantly, second chances , are all sensitively addressed. The hope that follows all the obstacles that seem to suddenly appear as mountains in the way of progress , is one of which we all need to be reminded. The reader can feel the despair of the characters as they make their way down this winding road. 

 The plot is extremely interesting being told from different points of view. As I read this book, there were times when my heart was in my throat!!! I could NOT put the book down. The unexpected twists and turns had me rethinking constantly of what would eventually happen . 
The underlying theme that is evident throughout the book gives the reader hope for the future. The answer to a successful and happy life lies in one's relationship with the Lord and the hope that that brings to one's soul. There are second chances!! God offers them willingly to us, but we have to allow HIm to take control and do it in HIS time not our's!

  Definitely a five star book!! Irene Hannon has written another winning novel!

This Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. and is now available at your local booksellers.
at No comments:

Being a mom is easy, right?!? NOT always!!


      "Ante Up"
By Chautona Havig

About the Book:
Out with Murphy and in with O’Reilly!
O’Reilly’s Law: Murphy was an optimist!
Marriage has been good to Aggie. After a few years and a baby under her belt, she’s confident that she can take on anything–including adding child number ten to the home! Blessings aren’t always easy, and Aggie is about to discover that in a whole new way!
When their near-idyllic life was turned upside down by senseless vandalism, Aggie and gang spent a week on “Aunt” Willow’s farm. Luke worked day and night to get them back home for Thanksgiving. But when things, once more, seem to pile up, Aggie flounders. Her pregnancy grows precarious, and her husband doesn’t recognize her anymore.
Only the Lord can soothe her rumpled spirit, but will she allow Him to comfort her as only He can?
Aggie’s sure that she just needs to “knuckle down” and “ante up” to keep from losing ALL her marbles.
Ante Up! is the fourth book in the Aggie Series.

My Thoughts:
I had never heard of this author until I was approached to participate in a blog tour to introduce her latest creation to the public.  When I heard that this book was preceded by three others, the first thing I did was read the first one in the series, just to see what I was getting into. I could NOT put the book down!  Needless to say, I was HOOKED! I then read the second, the third and lastly, the newest, "Ante Up". Upon beginning this new novel, I was immediately caught up in the lives of a family that I had grown to know and love. Meeting them again, as they have grown and matured was just so much fun. I felt as if I was catching up with distant family members who I hadn't seen for a good while. 

  Although seemingly a simple story of the life of a woman who has decided to raise her sister's orphaned children, as well as marry and begin her own family, the depth and hidden challenges presented, were anything but simple. I actually did a bit of soul searching myself, as I read and compared my life to her's. Do I have hidden resentments?? Have I allowed bitterness to enter my life? I loved following Aggie's journey in life. Aggie is one special lady to her family and to her readers. Luke, her husband presents himself as a dreamy partner, with his gentle love and neverending faith in God. I had no problems identifying with these characters. In fact, they became my best friends

  The plot moves steadily throughout the book, giving one time to reflect on the challenges and trials met in this family's daily life. Letting God handle the bumps in the road is the most difficult thing to actually do , especially in tough times, however , this family found out , in some difficult ways that it is the very BEST thing to allow. I sure know how they feel.

  I would highly recommend this book to readers of any age. The importance of faith shines bright and clear throughout the story. A true Christian message, that we often forget to apply in our lives. 

 This book was provided by the author and CelebrateLit in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

 About the Author

Chautona lives in a small, remote town in California’s Mojave Desert with her husband and six of her nine children. When not writing, she enjoys paper crafting, sewing, and looking forward to retirement from home education. Chautona writes stories of fictional people who have real problems, weaknesses, and triumphs. Through their stories, she tries to share the Hope that is within her.

Guest Post from Chautona Havig

“You have eight kids? How do you do it? I can barely manage with the one (or two or three) that I have! I could never do eight.”
How many times had I heard those words? Ten? Fifty? A thousand? I suspect it was between fifty and a thousand. I guarantee it felt like a million. And the reason wasn’t that people were rude or unkind about it. It was simply because they assumed things that weren’t reasonable. They acted as if I’d woken up one day with eight kids and never had a problem with adapting to it.
The cold, hard truth? I never planned to have children—ever—much less the eight I had then or the nine I have now. I didn’t like children, and even now, I really just prefer mine and others’ in very small doses. I’m naturally a very selfish person. So the comments that made me sound excessively patient and maternal were, in a word, ridiculous.
I had one answer I always gave—just one. “I didn’t get them all at once. I got them one at a time, the old fashioned way. And with a minimum of about eighteen to twenty-two months of getting used to having two, three, six, seven before I got the next.”
But that thought haunted me for weeks. What would happen if someone did get eight at once? How would she handle that? Not like the women with multiples—five, seven, eight at a time. No, I was thinking of what it would be like for someone to have my kids just dumped on someone all at once with all those different ages to deal with. I think I should have known at that moment that my childhood dream of being a writer would come true, because my next thought was, “And what if she was single?” From there, I added more. A grandmother-in-law to rival any horror stories of mothers-in-law, home renovations with kids (every mother’s nightmare), grieving, and accident prone kids who can’t stop calling 9-1-1 and you had all the worst things I could think of without becoming ridiculous.
I had originally decided that Aggie would remain single. Yeah, that didn’t happen. So, I gave her personal convictions to follow. I added to that her sister’s convictions, just to keep things interesting. I wanted to show that people have convictions for a myriad of reasons, and just because they hold one, doesn’t mean they look down on those who don’t. That original story grew from a sixty-thousand word single book into a trilogy—each book being over one hundred twenty thousand words! I was sure people would hate the length, hate the story, and ride me out of the country on the proverbial rail. I just hoped I landed in the southern Atlantic—nice and warm.
Instead, Ready or Not has been my best selling book—an Amazon bestseller. The first promotion we did resulted in the book being downloaded every 3.6 seconds in a twenty-four hour period. I was flabbergasted. I did the math a dozen times to make sure. When the last book came out, fans bemoaned the loss of their favorite character. I added more of her to another series, Past Forward. That helped—a little.
Eventually, I agreed to write a fourth book. I waited, and I’m so glad I did. Nearly five years have passed since Aggie inherited her eight nieces and nephews, and nearly four have passed since she married and began a new journey with him. She’s a mother now, not “just” an aunt. She’s a wife. Her life is rich and full of the craziness readers have come to love. So in this book, I decided to explore what happens when life throws just one too many curve balls. I decided to show the children growing up and facing new trials and temptations. And, I wanted to give just a little bit of joy in the extended family front after three books of trials there. I thought it was about time.
My goal for these books has always been to point my readers to the Lord. I did that through one character’s wisdom, another’s steadfastness, and of course, through Aggie’s songs and bite-sized prayers (p-mails). In this book, I wanted to point readers to the Lord through Aggie again, but in a different way. I hope it is as encouraging to them as it was to me. I learned so much in the writing of this book. It laid open my heart before the Lord and I saw things in myself I didn’t want to see but needed to. The Lord is so good to us.
Don’t forget—for those who purchase before July 7, 2016, we’re giving away a FREE bonus devotional,Tune My Heart: 25 Hymn-Filled Moments with the Lord. Each chapter corresponds to the book and examines some of the themes of the book, so you don’t want to read it before you’ve read the book! To get your free copy, just forward your Amazon receipt to THIS EMAIL.
GIVEAWAY!!!!! 


 To celebrate her tour, Chautona is giving away a Kindle Fire! Click to enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/9d3a

To purchase this book:  Purchase your copy here.
CelebrateLit Blog Tour:

June 30: Quiet Quilter
July 2: Mary Hake
July 3: Petra’s Hope
July 7: Cassandra M’s Place (spotlight)
July 10: Karens Krayons
July 11: cherylbbookblog (spotlight)
at 6 comments:

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Another Delightful Romance from the Queen of Romantic Comedy

"Every Bride Has Her Day"
  A Bride With Style Book
  By Janice Thompson

 Synopsis:  
Katie Fisher is ecstatic. Pro basketball star Brady James has proposed, and she can't wait to start planning their life together. She's confident she'll make it down the aisle this time--but it still may be easier said than done. A high-society Houston bride has Katie and the Cosmopolitan Bridal team scrambling to get the perfect dress done in time for her spectacular wedding. Meanwhile, Katie finds herself bombarded with everyone's competing visions regarding her own special day--and she's beginning to worry that her own ideas will get lost in the crossfire. Will she ever manage to settle all of the details for her perfect day? Or will bridal shop chaos and overzealous friends and family make a mess of everything?

Fan favorite Janice Thompson gives readers what they've been clamoring for: another funny, romantic romp with a Texas twang.

 My thoughts:

 I have loved following the antics and trials of Katie Sue through Janice Thompson's series, entitled "Brides With Style". This third book in the series just happens to be my favorite.  The engaging writing style that this author possesses kept me totally engaged while reading about  these well described, realistic, rather quirky characters. Katie's dreams for her wedding reflects the thoughts of most young woman, thus is easy with which to identify. Her sweet romance tends to be overflowing with a comedy of errors. It had me giggling aloud at times, while being close to tears at others. 

 The plot moves steadily towards as the book progresses, keeping the reader interested in the lives and happenings of these rather unusual characters going through unusual challenges. The Christian theme runs throughout the book , as each trial requires the faith of the characters to get them through, only to meet the next roadblock on their paths. 

 This book is a super summer read, perfect to take to the beach or the cottage, light , enjoyable and yes at times, hilarious. 

 This book was provided by Revell, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

at No comments:

Release Day is TODAY for this fabulous new book by Vannetta Chapman!!

  "Deep Shadows"

By Vannetta Chapman

 This fantastic new book releases TODAY!!!
I will be posting a review of it later this week. I absolutely LOVED this book!! Very different from  my usual read! 

 Here is a post provided by the author, Vannetta Chapman, just to wet your appetite!
A Dystopian Setting—Deep In the Heart of Texas

Deep Shadows is the first book in my upcoming Remnant Series. It’s a dystopian Christian fiction novel, and instead of using a fictional setting I decided to use the area I know best—central Texas.

So what is dystopian fiction? At its core this type of story deals with a major shift in society—a plague or a global natural disaster or a man-caused universal change across the breadth of society. In Deep Shadows, a solar flare causes a disruption in all things electrical for the foreseeable future.

Yikes! No cell phones or a/c or television? No internet? I know. It’s a horrible thing to imagine. I had a lot of fun with it because I love torturing my characters and seeing if they are strong enough, smart enough, faithful enough to survive.

But it’s not all fiction.
·        Gorman Falls and Colorado Bend State Park do actually exist, and it provides a dramatic, remote setting for the opening scene of Deep Shadows.
·        Fort Hood is located in central Texas and is one of the largest US military installations in the world. The close proximity of this base provides a nice tension to my plot.
·        There is no town called Fort Croghan; however, the US government established Fort Croghan in 1849 to protect settlers from hostile Indians along the Texas frontier.  You can still visit the grounds and museum. I had a lot of fun imaginging that a town had grown up around this historic site.
·        Townsend Mills was established in 1856 and was a base camp for surveying crews. It no longer exists today but the small town Adamsville is located near the old site. Townsend Mills provides a nice transition from small town living to a life spent hunkering down on the farm, waiting for things to improve.
·        There are more than 2900 natural springs in 183 Texas counties. Water quickly becomes a scarce resource in Deep Shadows, which would especially be true in central Texas where much of the area is exceedingly dry. In my story, any place with a water resource becomes a place of refuge as well as a designated target for those in need of that resource.

While I enjoyed using real places, the main setting—Abney, Texas—does not exist. I could not bear to destroy a town that I know and love, so instead I used a compilation of several towns in central Texas.

Deep Shadows is a story about relationships and how they survive or crumble when what we’ve feared, as a society, occurs. It’s also a story of faith and hope. What do I hope readers take away from this story? The assurance that God's grace is always sufficient. Take the worst scenario that you can imagine, and you can still count on our Heavenly Father—maybe not to make things instantly better, but to lead, guide, and care for us regardless the circumstances.
All It Takes Is One Night
to Plunge the World into Darkness

Life in Abney, Texas, is predictable and safe--until the night a massive solar flare wipes out all modern technology.

Shelby Sparks, novelist and single mom, had one goal: to provide for her diabetic son. In the wake of this global disaster, her mission hasn't changed. Only now, medication is a priceless commodity and the future resembles an apocalyptic nightmare.

Max Berkman and Shelby were once sweethearts, but he lost his chance at claiming her love years ago. When the abrupt loss of power ushers him into a leadership role, he rises to the occasion. But his highest priority--to keep Shelby and her son safe--could prove to be the biggest challenge of all.

As the brilliant northern lights give way to deep shadows, Max and Shelby's faith will be tested like never before. Only one rule remains: Find a way to survive.

In this first book in an eerily plausible dystopian series, a memorable cast of characters must navigate a familiar world thrown into chaos.

About the Author:


 Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace, including romantic suspense and Amish romance novels. She is the author of seventeen novels, including the Pebble Creek Amish series, The Shipshewana Amish Mystery series and Anna’s Healing, a 2016 Christy Award finalist. Vannetta is a Carol award winner and also received more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups.  She was a teacher for 15 years and currently resides in the Texas hill country. For more information, visit her at www.VannettaChapman.com.


My Links

http://vannettachapman.com
https://twitter.com/VannettaChapman
https://www.facebook.com/VannettaChapmanBooks
https://www.instagram.com/vannettachapman/

Deep Shadow Links
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Deep-Shadows-Remnant-Vannetta-Chapman/dp/0736966536/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8




at 4 comments:

Friday, June 24, 2016

A Fabulous Story of Faith

                "fading starlight"
              By Kathryn Cushman

Lauren is a beautiful, young woman who puts herself in hiding. Her fantastic fashion house internship came to a shocking and abrupt, horrific end. Instead of launching her career, an accident on the red carpet is unjustly blamed on Lauren's work, which is deemed careless, full of errors. This is a total surprise to this caring woman who has done her best in all of her work. Blackballed , due to lies of an uncaring, cruel star, Lauren struggles to find a place in which to hide and work through her challenges, on her own, depending on no one but herself and her faith. Seeking answers, she settles in a rundown cottage, with a lowpaying job. Hiding in the shadows of a cliff side mansion, she discovers what one can see is not always the whole story. Planning to live on savings until she figures out what will come next in her life, Lauren is totally unprepared to be contacted by a  reporter who says she wants to  help her uncover the truth about her accusations as a fashion designer, totally unaware of the reporter's real motives. 

 The events that follow keep the reader totally engrossed . The only negative opinion that I have about this novel is that I did not want it to end!! The characters were described in such a realistic, detailed fashion that I at once was able to identify with them. I felt every hurt, challenge, worry and fear and rejoiced with them in any successes that were won. Lauren's difficult journey in her life and careeer became part of me. This book is a story of a very persistent, young woman who even though her life is in crisis mode, and she is questioning her faith in this path of false accusations, presents us with alternative ways to deal with troubles. That is, other that striking back!! It is truly a story of faith. 

 The plot is packed full of unexpected twists and turns, all intertwining to make this a winning book! It is a beautiful , tender, yet compelling tale of faith, friendship and new beginnings. Lauren struggles throughout with ethical issues, that many of us encounter , however deals with them in unusually kind, thoughtful ways. She can not repair her problems by herself, and is receptive to God's plan for her life. It is not always what we expect , but she pays back bitterness and evil with kindness to others.

  I absolutely loved the details of fashion design that were at the core of this story.  It was truly an education in that, as well as in old time Hollywood stars, and the history of films. God's plan for our life is not always laid out as we imagine. Lauren is the perfect example of how one can turn evil hurtful experiences into a valuable learning tool to help others who are hurting. 

 Definitely a five star book!! Don't miss it!!
This book was provided by Bethany House, and Graf-Martin Communications , in exchange for a fair and honest review. Available now at your local booksellers. 






at No comments:

Thursday, June 9, 2016

A Very Different Novel for Readers of Amish Fiction!


                 Don't miss the giveaway!!!


      "The Amish Firefighter"
           By Laura V. Hilton

I must say  that the cover of this book, as well as the title, grabbed my attention immediately! The picture of a young Amish woman with a firefighter??? Seemed very different! Who is this man? Why would he be pictured with a good Amish girl?? I have to admit I could hardly wait to get started on this story.

 About this book:
A Beautiful Young Woman Banished from Home
Abigail Stutzman thought it was bad enough being dropped at the nearest bus station and sent to live several states away with some relatives she’d never even heard of, much less met. But now, just a week after her arrival in Jamesport, Missouri, she finds herself at the scene of a barn fire. An intentional barn fire. And all fingers are pointed at her. She’s desperate to prove her innocence and protect her reputation, but nobody’s making that easy to do. And God certainly doesn’t seem willing to help.
A Brave Firefighter with an Agenda of His Own
Sam Miller is in the process of turning over a new leaf. Determined to atone for the follies of his past, he is a volunteer firefighter, an EMT, and a doctor-in-training. With suspicious barn fires escalating, and the Miller family being among the victims, no one is more determined to see the perpetrators brought to justice than Sam.
A Kindled Flame Neither One Could Have Anticipated
When their paths first cross at the site of a barn burning, the emotional intensity rivals the warmth of the flames. Soon, they must decide whether this fire is one they should feed or fight. And they’ll discover that the truth can prove more dangerous than a blazing inferno.
My Thoughts: Laura Hilton has never disappointed me with her creations and this book was no exception. From her well crafted characters to her double intertwining plots, she captured my attention and kept it throughout the book. I have to admit the world passed me by as I read this amazing story of faith, trust and forgiveness. My husband could attest to the fact, as housework was left incomplete and meals were...... well, they just didn't happen!!!
Laura has a unique talent of creating characters that have such depth that you immediately identify with each in very different ways.  Abigail's hurts and struggles became mine. I just wanted to wrap my arms around this girl who had an unbelievable past, none of the problems due to her own making. Sam also intrigued me as he struggled to overcome the difficulties in his past, a kind man who just had to come to terms with the ability of God to forgive and lead him to a bright future. 
The plot was well developed and moved quickly with twists and turns at every turn of the page.  The theme of forgiveness of oneself as well as of God shines brightly through the trials and challenges that appear in the lives of these captivating characters. God's mercy and grace shines through in the darkest hours. I must say that I was on the edge of my seat as I  was waiting for the next block to fall in the path of forgiveness. 
This book was comprised of romance, secrets and mystery , all combined to make up a WINNING book!!!  Don't miss this new twist in the Amish genre. Laura Hilton is an author to be watched!! I can hardly wait for her next creation!! This book was her best yet!! Well, I say that , until I read the next one. LOL!!


About the Author:  Amish fiction lovers responded positively and immediately to Laura V. Hilton’s debut novel, Patchwork Dreams, when she burst on the scene in 2009 with her unique series, The Amish of Seymour, set in the tiny town of Seymour, in Webster County, Missouri. Fans of the genre immediately recognized Hilton’s insider knowledge, not only of the Webster County community, but Amish culture in general. Her natural speech and writing patterns, she says, are uniquely “Amish,” acquired from her Amish maternal grandparents. The Amish of Seymour, includes Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts, and Promised to Another. Her second series, The Amish of Webster County, is comprised of Healing Love, Surrendered Love,and Awakened Love. A stand-alone title, A White Christmas in Webster County, was released in September 2014. The Birdhouse concluded Laura’s 2015 series, The Amish of Jamesport, includes The Snow Globe, The Postcard and The Birdhouse. Laura is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a professional book reviewer. Laura and her husband, Steve, have five children, whom Laura homeschools. The family makes their home in Arkansas.
For more about Laura, her latest book, the books she’s written and those she’s reviewed:
Laura Hilton’s Website:  www.lauravhilton.blogspot.com
Purchase your copy of The Amish Firefighter here

Guest Post from Laura V. Hilton

Unlike some authors, I am not a planner. I have a very vague idea of the story, of the series, and as soon as the characters step forward and introduce themselves I dive in and start writing. When I first began writing this series – New Beginnings in Jamesport – I knew Sammy Miller was going to be the hero. Readers started asking for Sammy’s story as soon as they read The Postcard where Sammy was the villain. Ouch. I’d never considered writing a story about a former villain. But just as David in The Postcard was reader requested, Sammy would be.
Sammy is a very strong character and I knew he had to have a strong female lead character, one that wasn’t afraid to stand up to him and keep him under control. He is a leader, an EMT studying to be a paramedic, and a volunteer firefighter. The female lead, Abigail, is thrown into Jamesport without warning. Her step-father takes her to the bus station and sends her away and she doesn’t even know why! When she is met at the bus station by an aunt and uncle she didn’t even know existed, she is thrown into the middle of several mysteries, including barn fires set by arsonists. And she is the main suspect.
The whole New Beginnings in Jamesport series, while considered a continuation of The Amish of Jamesportseries due to Sammy being the hero, is set around Amish starting over in Jamesport. The second bookThe Amish Wanderer is about a former resident of Jamesport hitchhiking across the country to get to his Mennonite uncle’s house in Pennsylvania. Silas is desperate to escape from his dysfunctional family for several reasons. But he cannot stay in Jamesport because someone is out to kill him. When he stumbles upon another mystery within hours of his arrival, what choice does he have but to stick around for awhile?
God gave me the verses for all three books in the Amish of Jamesport series The Amish Firefighter, The Amish Wanderer and the yet untitled third book (My books all stand alone) before I started writing them, which is unusual. He usually reveals these things slowly to me, as I need to know. The verse for The Amish Firefighter is Isaiah 43:2-4 and the verse for The Amish Wanderer is Romans 8:38-39. The third book’s verse is 2 Corinthians 4:8. It is tentatively titled The Amish Accountant, but most people think accountants are boring, and his real profession is a clockmaker. But The Amish Clockmaker has already been taken by another author. So we shall see what the wonderful Whitaker House team will come up with. It is about another young Amish woman, Lydia, who needs a “safe haven.” So her parents send her to live with her Mennonite aunt and uncle in Jamesport. It doesn’t exactly work out as planned, as the aunt and uncle leave for a foreign mission trip immediately, leaving Lydia acting manager of a gift shop and living in an all electric apartment. Before her aunt leaves, she tells Lydia’s secrets to her best friend. But did she tell all of them or some of them? And the best friend’s son, Caleb (the clockmaker) is acting as accountant for the gift shop. And what about Caleb’s carefully kept secret? When Lydia’s past catches up with her, will it destroy all she’d begun to imagine as she dreamed of starting over in Jamesport?
Next after that is The Christmas Challenge which is also set in Jamesport.
I don’t have official release dates for The Amish Wanderer or the other books yet. But as soon as I know, I’ll share.
Coming next? Who knows? I have two ideas warring for attention—but which one gets told first, I don’t know! I lean toward one, then the other. They both want to be told.
And now, I must get back to work. Thank you for visiting today and thank you so much for supporting my books. I do hope you’ll enjoy The Amish Firefighter!
Happy Reading!
Because of Him,
~ Laura ~
This book was provided by CelebrateLit in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Please take a moment to read other reviews of this book.

Blog Stops

June 9: Quiet Quilter
June 12: Splashes of Joy
June 13: Babs Book Bistro
June 13: bigreadersite
June 17: A Greater Yes
June 19: Petra’s Hope
June 21: A Holland Reads
June 22: Pause for Tales
June 22: KarensKrayons

Don't miss the giveaway!! Enter today!!
To celebrate her tour, Laura is giving away a basket that includes a Kindle Fire and a complete set of her books! Enter here: https://promosimple.com/ps/9bed
at 9 comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Another Fantastic Read by One of My Favorite Authors, Vannetta Chapman!

An Amish Proposal for Christmas  By Vannetta Chapman Synopsis: Her deepest Christmas wish will bring more than she imagined…in this novel by...