A Talent for Trouble by Jen Turano

I  have had my eye on this book since I saw the updates to the book list of what was being released this month.  I couldn't wait to review this one.  I think it was the cover that had me so excited.  I just knew it would be exciting and sassy.  Well, that and I loved the other books she has written.  Her humor in the books have me laughing out loud and I really enjoy her style of writing.  It flows perfectly together and keeps me engaged throughout the entire time.

The funniest parts to me was all the meddling between the parents.  I couldn't help but get Downton Abbey and Pride and Prejudice out of my head during those scenes.  I really did like Grayson and how his personality clashed with Felicia's. 

I also liked the comparison between who Felicia wanted to be and who she really was.  It's always easier to see it in fictional characters when it's not always easy to see it in myself.  I could relate to Felicia some (not because of the man search), but just trying to be someone I'm not all the time when I really want to be myself. 

I am so glad to add this book to my collection on the shelf that I know I will never be giving away!  I hope there are more in this series.  This book is the third in the Ladies of Distinction Series.
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I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

The Bargain by Stephanie Reed

Stephanie Reed is a new author to me so I wasn't certain what to expect.  I have to admit that I'm partial to certain authors when it comes to Amish fiction, so I'm more hesitant to like new authors in this genre.  I really liked this book, though!  It was written in an era that isn't typically written about with Amish fiction, which I think helped to set it apart from the other authors.

The Vietnam War meant that the Amish were being called up to be drafted for the war.  The Amish were being directly affected by the war, as was the rest of America. 

Betsie is not only seeing the effects of the war, but she has been left alone as her family as decided to follow Christ outside of the Amish community.  This decision has left Betsie trying to hold her family together at a time when it seems everything is falling apart.  She's also trying to help an English family that is dear to her and one that she has come to love.  They aren't perfect and don't hold to her beliefs exactly, but she knows God has placed them in her life for a reason.  Betsie can't limit her interactions with the English because she has to learn from them so her cousin's business can begin.  However, she might just learn more from them than she really ever thought possible!

I really liked all of the characters of this book because they were real.  None of them were perfect and some were even hiding mistakes and secrets.  They dealt with stress, family dynamics, and outside influences.  They also saw God in the midst working out the details.

I can't wait to read the next book in this series.  It's a great beginning to the new series, Plain City Peace.

To read more reviews on this book, go to http://litfusegroup.com/author/sreed .

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About the book: Book one in the Plain City Peace series.

It's 1971, and Betsie Troyer's peaceful and predictable life is about to become anything but.

When their parents flee the Amish, nineteen-year-old Betsie and her seventeen-year-old sister Sadie are distraught. Under the dubious guidance of a doting aunt, the girls struggle to keep the secret, praying their parents will return before anyone learns the truth-a truth that may end all hopes of Betsie's marriage to Charley Yoder.

Purchase a copy here: http://ow.ly/ptivJ

About the Author: Stephanie Reed lives on the outskirts of Plain City, Ohio, site of a once-thriving Amish community. She gleans ideas for her novels from signs glimpsed along the byways of Ohio, as she did for her previous books, "Across the Wide River" and "The Light Across the River."

Learn more at Stephanie's website: http://www.stephanielreed.com/

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

Glittering Promises by Lisa T. Bergren

This is another book that I think has a stunning cover that must be commented on.  It is beautiful and sets the stage for the story inside.  I could hardly wait to read this book when I got it and made myself wait until I had finished a few other books first.

I am a big fan of Lisa T. Bergren's Grand Tour series.  I felt like I have traveled with the characters through Europe and have seen the many sights that they have seen.  I've been put back into 1913 and have thoroughly enjoyed it.  I have yet to be disappointed from a story told by Lisa T. Bergren. 

One of my favorite parts of this book is the historical notes section at the end.  I love reading not only how the story came to be, but about the struggles that Bergren had in writing this book.  I also liked the history she shared about certain places and people.  I like to read this part first so I can understand more of the story and then I re-read it at the end so I can understand more after I had encountered these things in the book.  It does have a group discussion page too, if you are doing a book group.

Each chapter tells the perspective of a certain character.  Cora is embarking on a trip that is THE trip of her life.  She has a lot on her plate, from choosing between two suitors, building relationships with her new found siblings, and then there's the wealth that she has accumulated recently.

William loves Cora and really wants to be with her but struggles to get past the issue of her money.  I really liked getting to know the perspectives of both William and Cora.  I think it added more depth to the story.

The book itself is 443 pages long, so it's a rather long story.  It's a story, though, that shouldn't be missed!  I like that I've read the other books in the series because I've anticipated this book, but it can also be read by itself.  It is a beautiful ending to this series, in my opinion.  It has suspense, threats, love, and life-altering decisions to be made.  This book truly has a little of something for every reader.

To read more reviews on this book, go to http://litfusegroup.com/author/lbegren.

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About the book: Lisa T. Bergren's popular Grand Tour series concludes as Cora Kensington journeys farther into Italy, wrestles with a terrible ultimatum from her father, and comes to terms with the Father who will never fail her.

America's newest heiress must decide if her potential fortune is rationale enough to give up her freedom and all that God is leading her toward. And when her newly-discovered siblings are threatened with ruin, her quandary deepens. Then as Cora nears Rome, more journalists are tracking the news story of the decade---"Copper Cora," the rags-to-riches girl---and want to know more about her family and the men vying for her attention. Meanwhile, a charming Italian countess decides that if Cora isn't going to claim Will's heart, she might just 

try . . .

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/pvxTP

About the author: Lisa T. Bergren is the award-winning author of over thirty-five books, with more than 2 million copies sold. A former publishing executive, Lisa now divides her time between writing, editing, parenting three children with her husband, Tim, and dreaming of her next trip to Italy. She lives in Colorado Springs.

Learn more about Lisa here: http://lisatawnbergren.com.

 

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

The Journey of Josephine Cain by Nancy Moser

The first thing I need to say that I like about this book is the cover.  I love the rustic look of it and how the back is just as beautiful as the front.  I know covers don't define the inside story, but it sure makes the reader more excited to read a book when the cover is attractive!

This is part of the American Tapestries series.  Lots of research has gone into this book and it's quite obvious that she did her homework.  Nancy Moser makes her story flow seamlessly from chapter to chapter and from character to character.  She gives an air of mystery around one of her characters, Lewis, which makes the story have a bit of suspense to it as we wait to discover Lewis' true identity and how Josephine will respond to him.

I must say that I did feel a little bit sorry for Lewis, since he was so alone.  I didn't like his relationship with Josephine, but I hated his poor circumstances.  Hudson was very easy to like and I appreciated that he was trying to take care of his family and had a sense of duty about him.  Josephine's mom drove me crazy at times, but I can imagine that a mom's sense of mourning really doesn't go away ever and the desire for others to mourn with them must be strong.  When I forgot her reason for mourning, I found myself getting tired of her.  I had to keep reminding myself that she had lost a son and that would put me back into perspective with her.  Her dad was very easy to like and I liked him from the very beginning. 

I am definitely looking forward to reading more by Nancy Moser.  I felt like I had climbed back in time and truly enjoyed the period of the Transcontinental Railroad.

To read more reviews on this book, go to  http://litfusegroup.com/author/nmoser.

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About the book: When a socialite from the nation's capital embarks on a journey to the Wild West, her life is changed forever.

A setting populated by hundreds of laborers, outlaws, and Indians is hardly the place for a wealthy general's daughter. But Josephine Cain is determined to visit her father, who supervises the day-to-day work involved in the grandest ambition of post-Civil War America: the building of the Transcontinental Railroad. Life with the railroad is far from the proper life Josephine is used to, and she faces deadly gunfights, harsh weather, and vigilante uprisings. She is torn between the West and the East; between her privileged upbringing and the challenges of a new frontier; between the pull of the suitable beau her parents approve of and an attraction to a rough but charming Irish railroad worker. But if Josephine is willing, she just might find a new life, a unique purpose . . . and true love.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/pq47s

Meet Nancy: Nancy Moser is the best-selling author of more than twenty novels. She is a winner and two-time nominee of the Christy Award, and her latest novel was named to Booklist's "Top 10 Romance Novels of 2011." Nancy and her husband have three grown children and three grandchildren, and they live in the Midwest.

Learn more at Nancy at: http://nancymoser.com/.


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

The Christmas Quilt by Vannetta Chapman

This was a beautiful Christmas story!  I think it was different than several of the books I've read in this Quilts of Love series.  Perhaps I really liked it because it was the Amish fiction that I love to read.

Vannetta Chapman tells a beautiful story of a quilt that resembles growth and discovery.  It represents hard times, good times, and trying times.  It represents both family and friendships.  When this quilt is looked upon, you know that it has a story.  The book didn't have a lot of drama, except it did as far as a much anticipated birth.  I liked the close friendship between Leah and Annie and how they walked this road together.

Both Annie and Leah are expecting babies.  Leah is expecting twins after Christmas and Annie is expecting one later in the year.  Things were going well, minus the poor relationship that had developed between Leah and Adam.  A trying time involving Adam and Leah and their babies brings the two closer together and helps them to grow closer.  Each have things that they need to work on in their relationship and God uses this time to develop some fruits of the Spirit in them.  It's not easy, but they have a relationship to be desired by the end of the book.  The quilt represents this time in their life as it was a product of all that they had went through.  Meant as a gift from Annie, it becomes something that Leah and Annie look forward to working on and brings many discussions and lots of growth from the two.

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This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Christmas Quilt Abingdon Press (October 15, 2013) by Vannetta Chapman

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Word From The Author:

I hold a BA and MA degree in English, and I am proud to be represented by Mary Sue Seymour, AAR. I have published over one hundred articles in Christian family magazines, and have received over two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. I am honored to be a member of Romance Writers of America, American Christian Fiction Writers, and Faith Hope and Love.

I live and teach in the Texas hill country with my husband, cats, and a rather large herd of deer. Our four children have flown the nest; however, we are fortunate that they all live close enough to visit.

I have always felt that my faith was at the very center of who and what I am, and I am thrilled beyond words to be able to now write about something that is so near to my heart. At various times I have served as a pianist, teacher, church secretary, and worship team member. While living in the Dallas area, I served as an adjunct professor of English Literature at Dallas Baptist University. When we moved to a small town in Central Texas, I continued teaching for a few years, but I now write full-time and I play the keyboard in our church’s praise band.

My grandfather was born in Albion, Pennsylvania, and I am currently researching whether I might have Amish roots.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Annie's life is deliciously full as the Christmas season approaches. She helps her husband, Samuel, attend to the community's minor medical needs. She occasionally assists Belinda, the local midwife, and most days, she finds herself delivering the buggy to her brother Adam. Annie’s sister-in-law Leah is due to deliver their first child before Christmas morning, and Annie is determined to finish a crib quilt before the boppli arrives. With six weeks to go, she should have no problem . . . but God may have a different plan. Leah is rushed to the English hospital when the infant arrives early, and Annie discovers the Christmas quilt may hold a far greater significance than she ever imagined.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Christmas Quilt, go HERE.

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I received this book free from Abingdon Press and CFBA in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Greetings from the Flipside by Rene Gutteridge and Cheryl McKay

I expected this book to be funny just from the title and the cover, and I was correct.  I loved the humor found in this book, along with the romance.  The idea of having her write greetings cards was wonderful.  You usually hear about a book being involved, so this idea was new and refreshing.

It did take me just a little while to get into the book because of the writing style.  It's written in both third person and in first person.  Once I got the hang of the writing style, I was hooked.  I'm not really sure why it took me a little while to attach to it, but it did.  I think I knew that I really wanted to like this book, so I kept going, knowing that I would soon grab hold of the style that can be a bit confusing at times.

The story itself isn't necessarily what the back of the books says it is.  That's where the flipside comes in.  I'm afraid to reveal too much more because I don't want to spoil the book.  But I will say that one style of writing is in reality and the other is in her head.

It's not your typical romance novel where you are dealing with 2 actual people, except you are.  It's hard to explain without giving away the story!  However, it is a fun book that does leave you thinking about it at the end.  The book has definitely set itself apart from many of the books I've read just because it is so different.  That in itself is refreshing.

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This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Greetings from the Flipside B&H Books (October 15, 2013) by Rene Gutteridge

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rene is the author of seventeen novels. She also has extensive experience writing comedy sketches, and worked for five years as the director of drama for a church. She has a degree specializing in Screenwriting, for which she earned the Excellence in Mass Communication Award, and graduated magna cum laude.

She is married to Sean, a musician and worship leader, and has two children. They reside in Oklahoma, where Rene writes full time and enjoys instructing in college classrooms and writers conferences.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Hope Landon has been rewriting other people's greeting cards since she was six years old -- there's always a funnier caption. She's all set to chase those creative dreams with her musician fiance in New York City until he leaves Hope at the altar, deciding he must not really love this girl if he can't write a song for her. That may give her something to write about . . .

Hope disappears alone on what was supposed to be the couple's month long honeymoon. Upon returning she learns of her funeral -- everyone in her life concluded Hope must have killed herself after being jilted. Needing a fresh start more than ever, she heads for the Big Apple only to discover it's not that easy to rent a place when you've been declared dead.

Taking shelter at the YWCA, Hope soon lands a job at a Christian inspirational greeting card company as an assistant to Jake, a guy who shut down his organization's humor department. She has lost her faith in love; he needs to find something or someone that will make him laugh.

Is there anything in the cards for these two? Find out in the truly original Greetings from the Flipside by authors Rene Gutteridge (Boo) and Cheryl McKay (screenplay for The Ultimate Gift).

If you would like to read the first chapter of >Greetings from the Flipside, go HERE.
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I received this book free from CFBA and B & H Books in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

A Reluctant Courtship by Laurie Alice Eakes

I have looked forward to this book since I finished reading the first two books in this series, A Necessary Deception and A Flight of Fancy.  Honestly, I was hooked on the books by Laurie Alice Eakes since her Midwives series.  One thing that I love about her books is that the covers are so beautifully done.  It always gets me excited to read them because they catch my eye and draw me in right from the start.  Even the back of the cover is simple, yet artsy. 

This whole series has something for almost every reader.  It's full of both romance and suspense and twists and turns.  Honore Bainbridge has finally chosen which man she wants to be with and has no doubts about it at all.  That is, until she's given some new information that makes her doubting definitely seem reasonable.

I have always liked Honore for some reason.  She's the complete opposite of me, so maybe that's why--since opposites attract.  She makes me laugh when I think about her personality and try to describe her.  She is the opposite of what Lord Ashmoor needs in a wife, but they desire to be together.  However, the people that they need to support them the most don't seem to want to and have no desire for the two to become one.

I do think a lot of Downton Abbey when I read these books.  I think it's the era and how they are written.  Any fan of Downton Abbey or any of the other shows like it will definitely like this series.

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