Win a Kindle!--with Denise Hunter

Link to buy the book:
http://ow.ly/dSvBa

About the Book:

Only one pair of boots—and the cowboy wearing them—can get Annie out of the mess she’s in.

Annie Wilkerson is Moose Creek’s premiere horse trainer and equine columnist for Montana Living. Money is tight as she tries to put her kid-sister through college and provide for her young nephew. When Annie’s column is cancelled, she’s given first shot at a new lovelorn column—and she can’t afford to turn it down. Only problem is . . . Annie’s never been in love.

Always resourceful, she reluctantly strikes a deal with the town’s smooth-talking ladies’ man Dylan Taylor: She’ll work with his ailing horse, Braveheart, if he’ll help her answer the reader letters.

Working closely with Dylan is harder than Annie imagined, and she quickly realizes she may have misjudged him. But her unwavering conviction that cowboys are nothing but trouble has kept her heart safe for years. And she can’t risk getting hurt now.
The more Annie tries to control things, the more they fall apart. Her feelings are spinning out of control, and her sister’s antics are making life increasingly more difficult. Annie knows she needs to turn the reins over to God, but surrender has never come easily.

When Dylan reveals his feelings for her, Annie doesn’t know what to trust—her head or her heart. The trouble with this cowboy is that he might just be exactly what she needs.

Meet Denise:

Denise lives in Indiana with her husband Kevin and their three sons. In 1996, Denise began her first book, a Christian romance novel, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she’s been writing ever since. Her books often contain a strong romantic element, and her husband Kevin says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!
Find out more about Denise at http://www.denisehunterbooks.com/.

The Trouble with Cowboys by Denise Hunter

I had forgotten how much I loved Denise Hunter's writing until I read this book.  When I finish a book that was written by her, I always close it and think how much fun that books was to read and there's no way she'll top this particular book.  So it's definitely not a shock to me that I closed this book thinking there's no way in the world that her new series will be better than this one.  However, I'm sure she'll once again prove me wrong! 

Hunter's books are written so well and are light, fun reads.  She incorporates romance into this story, but adds her own touch of humor.  I was a little frustrated when Annie wouldn't let her guard down for what seemed like forever, but it resolved itself in a perfect way.  I could see myself in Annie because I think firstborns tend to think they need to "help" their sibling make choices.  It was a good reminder for me to let go and trust and pray.  Dylan has always been perfect in my eyes and am so glad he finally found the perfect girl for himself.

Sprinkled throughout, you get a little update of some of the characters in the previous two books, as well as you get to learn a little bit more about Luke and Sierra.  If this was the first book in the series that you would have read by her, you wouldn't have felt lost at all when the characters were mentioned.  It was just quick little mentions with the main focus on Annie and Dylan and a side focus on Sierra and Luke.

I saw that her new series comes out in 2013....I'm thinking they need to bump that date up a bit!  Perhaps I'll have to hunt down some of her older books to read because I'm going to miss her stories.

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Curious what others think?  You can see what others thought about this book by going to  http://litfusegroup.com/campaigns/the-trouble-with-cowboys-by-denise-hunter-facebook-party-and-blog-tour
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I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group and Thomas Nelson Publishing in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin

The lost art of writing a letter is beautifully revealed through this book.  Letters can reveal much about a person.  You can even be more bold in a letter than you would normally be in person.  Revealing so much about you and your heart is so much easier when you don't really know the person that you are writing to, either. 

Tom and Mellie find themselves loving the company of each other---through letter, of course.  There's a hitch to keeping this letter writing thing going, though.  Neither of them know the other person's identity.  Being a girl (which really isn't the reason), Mellie actually does find out Tom's identity much faster than he finds out hers.  Mellie tries to decide whether or not to reveal her true self to Tom, but is convinced that if he were to see her less-than-attractive-face-to-her, then he would want nothing else to do with her.  Truth is, she needs him and his letters to help process all that she's gone through and seen.  She needs him to heal.  And unknowingly, Tom needs his precious Mellie (or Annie, if you're going by pen pal names) for all of those same reasons.  With two people who have such a past that leaves them struggling to fit in, will they be able to reveal themselves and continue on with the relationship staying the same?

I really enjoyed this book, as well as Sarah's other books.  I love the historical tidbits that she puts in her books.  You can tell that she's done some research and has knowledge about the time period in which she writes.  She's a fairly new writer to me, as I was only first introduced to her a few years ago, but I have come to find that she is also a writer that I do and will continue to seek out when I'm looking for a good book to read.  I have yet to be disappointed by her!

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I received this book free from Revell Publishers and Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Taming the Wind by Tracie Peterson

Love isn't easy.  It's a risk that you choose to make, knowing that we will all die one day.  We don't know when and we don't know how, but will we take the risk knowing that all could be stripped away from us at any moment?  That question is one that Carissa wrestles with daily.  She longs to truly be loved...not the kind of love that her now dead husband gave her.  She knows love isn't shown by violence, but how can she possibly trust another man when all she has known about love has been from an abusive husband?  However, when she looks at precious Gloria, her 2-year-old daughter, she sees a little girl that desperately needs a father in her life.

 

Tyler is a born rancher and loves nothing more than being with the cattle.  He made the choice to fight with the South against the Union and now, because of that choice, he has lost his ranch and his home.  It has been sold out from under him and as much as he wants a family, he has nowhere to take them to.  Carissa has caught his eye, but how can he even begin to gain her trust?  True, he did rescue her from dying once, but that doesn't make her trust him any more than the next guy.  Throw in his anger against the Comanche for killing his pa and you've got a man who has to learn how to forgive and realizes that it is a choice to forgive or not.  True forgiveness can only be given by God's grace and you see Tyler wrestling with what he knows that he should do against that which his human nature says would be okay to do.

 

This book is the third in the Land of the Lone Star series.  I have somehow missed reading the first two, so now I feel like I need to track those down to read!  I know I'm missing some details, like what got them to this point in the book, but I never felt lost with the characters or the plot at all.  Tracie did a wonderful job of recapping what happened with just enough detail to intrigue me to check out the previous books, without giving away all of the information and leaving me no reason to buy the first two books in the series.  She is definitely a writer that I will be reading more books by.

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For more reviews about this book, go to http://litfusegroup.com/author/TPeterson.

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I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers and Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest opinion of the book.

 

 

 

When a Woman You Love was Abused by Dawn Scott Jones

Sadly, sexual abuse is becoming something that more children are experiencing in their lives and is a reality that many have to deal with.  However, the ones who love them play an important role in helping them recover and forgive.  It's not an easy journey and it's not a fun one, but it is one that will bring you closer together if you are equipped with the right tools.  This book is one of those musts for anyone who has a relative or a friend who has been abused.  It's written more for a husband about his wife, but I still think that there is a lot of valuable information in it for anyone to be able to use.

The stories of these women who have been sexually molested are heart wrenching.  To know that a child has gone through something like this is hard to read, but it's a must in order to know how to help them...especially if you are the husband who is trying to help your wife heal.

There are chapters that explain the lies that she believes and why she believes them.  The part that was very interesting to me was how they view their relationship with God.  It is so different from the woman who has never been abused and has no trust issues.  Broken into three parts, you will begin to understand the survivor, understand the healing process, and you will learn how to help.

I never realized that many of these women who have been sexually molested will feel the need to control things in her life since she lost control of many things, including her body, very early in life.  It makes me think twice about those friends that I have that are very controlling in both conversation and relationships.  Not that anything happened to them that I know of, but I can't say for certain that something in their life didn't happen that might have brought these type of behaviors to the surface.

I think the most encouraging part of this book is the last section that is questions for men.  It answers some of the most asked questions that a husband has about his wife and helps him understand more of how to love his wife in the way that she needs.

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For more reviews on this book, go to http://litfusegroup.com/campaigns/when-a-woman-you-love-was-abused-by-dawn-scott-jones-blog-tour-and-women-redeemed-live-webcast-event-920
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I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

The Reunion by Dan Walsh

I have just closed the book for the final time and how I wish it never had to end.  Dan Walsh has written another book that left me in happy tears and itching to read another book by Walsh.  I'm pretty sure he needs to start coming out with books quarterly! 

In my last review of his previous book, which was my first one to read by him,  I compared him to Nicholas Sparks.  Now, in my own opinion, I think he's better!  He has a way of making his characters so personal to his readers.  I felt like I was in the trailer park with Aaron and then I had been transferred to the Vietnam War and was living through what 3 men thought would be the end of their lives.  I felt as if I was peeking in on Karen and Dave's relationship and how Karen really felt about a dad that abandoned her after the war and then never made contact with her or her brother Steve again. 

This book had a lot of history written into it and I found it fascinating.  I know alot of the vets from Vietnam did not get the thanks they deserved from Americans.  However, I think Dan's book is a wonderful fiction book that praises the vets and honors them.  It's a book that has some true examples in it and is patterned after the lives of 2 vets.  Above all, Walsh reminds us that we don't know every one's past.  How often do we walk past the unknown heroes or brush them aside? 

So....his next book comes out next when?!  I can't wait much longer!

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I received this book free from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Be Still My Soul by Joanne Bischof

Sometimes love just doesn't happen as we think it should always happen.  There are times when two people fall in love "at first sight" and then there are times when love needs to have a chance to grow and bloom and given a chance.

In the first book in a new series, Cadence of Grace, you meet a young man and a young woman who give love a chance.  Sure it wasn't necessarily something they wanted to do, but at the end, they were extremely pleased with the results.

Lonnie is forced into a marriage with Gideon by her father.  Neither are happy with this arranged marriage, but neither can argue either.  Gideon is downright mad and doesn't want to let Lonnie have even an inch of his heart or his life.  Lonnie keeps praying to God and pleading with Him for help and eventually Lonnie's heart begins to soften.

This book hit on marriage aspects that I think any couple could relate to.  Even if we didn't have an arranged marriage, it's still a reminder of how to make your relationship with your spouse better.  Not only that, but it's a wonderful reminder of how much work marriage is and that marriage vows aren't taken lightly.

Can't wait to read the next book in the series!
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I received this book free from Blogging for Books program in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Unending Devotion by Jody Hedlund

If ever a fiction book relates on an event that happened in the past but is still so very relevant to today, this would be it.  Focused on the sex industry and full of history, this was a very well written book that will open eyes and press hearts.  Since sex slavery is still rampantly occurring in the U.S. and many other places in the world, this book serves as a reminder (yes, a reminder, even if it is fiction) that all it takes is one person to make a difference.

 

Lily Young is trying to find her sister, but ends up finding herself smack dab in the middle of God's plan for her life at that moment.  Who would have thought that it would have involved a prostitution house.  More than that, who could have imagined the mercy Lily was given to be able to see something more in these girls.  Perhaps even more than what the average person would see in them.

 

This book has a romantic side to it, as well.  Lily meets Connell who is on a mission to gain a fortune in his company.  When he meets Lily, she presses him and his beliefs.  Forced to see something else in himself, he has to admit that perhaps things need to change.  But if he changes, what cost will he have to pay?

 

For more reviews on this book, please check out http://litfusegroup.com/author/JHedlund.

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Meet Jody:
Jody Hedlund is the bestselling author of "The Doctor's Lady" and "The Preacher's Bride". She won the 2011 Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, the 2011 Award of Excellence from the Colorado Romance Writers and was a finalist for Best Debut Novel in the 2011 ACFW Carol Awards. Currently she makes her home in central Michigan, with her husband and five busy children. She loves hearing from readers on Facebook and on her blog.

Visit her website: http://jodyhedlund.com/

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I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers and from Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

 

Lethal Legacy by Irene Hannon

The third book in the Guardians of Justice series, this book is full of suspense.  I was kept turning pages....and yes, sometimes even looking ahead because I am sadly, that type of reader.  I like to prepare myself for what lies ahead.  (I hate admitting that about myself, but that's the only way I can read a suspense novel!)  I had read the first book of hers and now the third, but I want to go back to read the second one.  I don't feel like I was missing anything, but I know that reading all the books in a series definitely helps complete the story.

Kelly's father is dead and Detective Cole is certain it was just another suicide.  Kelly feels strongly that something else is wrong and that her father was actually murdered.  If Kelly is correct, is her life put in danger, too?  Will she reveal a secret that just might provide more information on her father's death?  If so, will Cole be able to protect her?

I don't read very many suspense books, but I have read hers and a few others.  I feel like it's an honor for me to say that I liked an author's suspenseful novel because of how much I tend to avoid them!  Even if you don't tend to like these type of books, Hannon writes with such wonderful skill that it becomes a book that is extremely hard to put down and out of your mind.  I'm still thinking about it!

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I received this book free from Revell in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.  Available August 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

What a Difference a Mom Makes by Dr. Kevin Leman

Dr. Leman has managed to be well-represented on my bookshelves.  I have found all of his books extremely helpful and encouraging when it comes to parenting.  Having read many of his books, I was thrilled to read this book.  This one hit me at just the right time because I had been having some difficulty with my firstborn, just turned 4-year-old son.  I was needing not only encouragment but some guidance and assurance that what I thought was a power play, really was just that.

 

This book was very special to me since it is all about a mom's relationship with her son.  I loved how he reminded moms to let their boys be boys and not to force them to act like girls.  They can be loud and rough, but they can also learn to do many of the household things that need to be done, as well.  However, I need to remember to treat him like a boy who loves to be independent (within reason) and loves to please his mommy.  This book showed me the heart of the little boy within. I also liked how Dr. Leman wrote about how a mom chooses their future daughter-in-law by determining her type of relationship with her son.  That was eye-opening!  I want a good daughter-in-law who is thoughtful, loving, wise with words, and isn't controlling.  That means I need to work towards these things!  Glad to learn this now while he's 4!

 

I think all moms with sons need to read this book.  You will find it was time well-spent and you will see just how different that son of yours is from your daughter.  He apparently wrote a book on a daddy's relationship with his daugther, which I will be buying for my husband!

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I received this book free from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.  Available September 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

The Choice by Robert Whitlow

I like John Grisham novels because he is a lawyer and you can tell that he approaches his stories from a lawyer point of view and can make the criminal side and courtroom seem so real.  I have seen the name "Robert Whitlow" on several books, but had never stopped to read his books because I knew nothing about him, and well...I have my favorites that I tend to always read.  Let's just say that I'm adding his name to the list because he writes in the style of John Grisham and in fact, he is a practicing attorney.  The knowledge that he has about his topics (in this book it is abortion) legally makes the book so intense and very informative.  I've already "dropped" his name to a few fellow John Grisham lovers.

Teen pregnancy hasn't always held the glamour that today's culture has made it.  Back in 1974, Sandy found herself pregnant and her boyfriend pressured her to have an abortion.  He told her that he loved her and that they could still get married, but they didn't need a baby interfering with their lives and their future plans.  When Sandy decided that she could in no way kill her baby through an abortion, he told her that it's either him or the baby.  Sandy chose the baby, which meant the now ex-boyfriend began his next move----dating other girls.

At that time, pregnant girls weren't allowed to be in school, so Sandy had to move to live with her aunt in Atlanta and go to a school that many juvenile delinquents and pregnant teens went to.  Sandy did well in school and made a friend, who was a fellow teen mom.  On one of her trips back to Atlanta, she stopped at a grocery store and a lady looked at her and told her that she would be having twins and that if they ever met each other, then one of them would be killed.  Knowing this prophecy, she looks into having two separate families adopt the twins and decides not to share with each family that their babies are twins.  That's a fact only a few people know.  It was the hardest thing she's ever had to do...to give up her babies...but she knew that it was for the best.

Fast forward to 30 years and Sandy finds herself helping a teenage girl.  Who knew that meeting her might change her life forever.  Faced with a life and death decision, Sandy has to make a quick decision.  Whatever did happen to her precious babies and did they ever meet?  Was the prophecy fulfilled, just as the old lady said it would be?

I think the thing that I loved most about this book was seeing how deliberate she was in the adoption process. She thought about her children, how often the father and mother would be home, and if they would be taught about the Lord at all.  You could tell she loved them so much that she tried to think of every detail because this was the only way she would ever be involved in their life.  I loved seeing her choices played out and her decisions as well as consequences.

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I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

The Fruitful Wife by Hayley CiMarco

This book was EXACTLY what I needed to read the time that I read it.  I was going through a tough stretch of parenting and was reminded of the fact that the fruit of the spirit were not designed for me, but for me to give to others.  That includes giving them to my children and most importantly, my husband.

I loved how she took the fruit of the spirit--love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control--and showed where we, as wives and even moms, tend to fall into a trap with hoarding the fruits for ourselves.  Kindness isn't mean for us!  Yet, who tends to receive our kindness first?  Others.  And others meaning everyone but our family.  They are the ones who should reap from our kindness first because they are so close to us all of the time.

I loved Hayley's honesty through this book and how she shared where she falls and needs extra grace.  My favorite reminder was joy.  As wives and moms, we aren't always in the most joyful situations.  That doesn't meant that we can't show joy, though.  Because we have spent so much time at the feet of Jesus, we can be joyful even when we're tired and feel like we have nothing left to give.

I am thankful for this book and for it coming out at the same time that God knew that I needed to read these words and be reminded of being the wife He has called me to be.  What an encouragement to wives and moms everywhere!

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I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.