Someone Like You Giveaway!

Add Victoria Bylin's new book, Someone Like You, to the top of your must-read list and discover if life offers a second chance at love. As Julia and Zeke, former college sweethearts, work together on an important client’s dream wedding, the fate of Zeke's resort soon depends on their success. When they are pushed to their limits both personally and professionally, will their history put up walls between them or bring them together?

Enter to win a copy of Someone Like You—five winners will be chosen! The winners will be announced June 1 on the Litfuse blog!

Five winners will receive:

—One copy of Someone Like You

Enter today! But hurry, the giveaway ends on 5/31. The winner will be announced on the Litfuse blog on 6/1.

Find out what readers are saying about the book HERE.

Due to publisher shipping restrictions, the giveaway is open to US residents only.

**By entering, entrants agree to opt-in to receive promotional emails from Victoria Bylin and Bethany House. If at any time you wish to unsubscribe, you can do so through the unsubscribe instructions on one of the emails. Learn more.**

Go to https://promosimple.com/ps/9939!

Someone Like You by Victoria Bylin

The cover of this book is what attracted me to this book. It is beautifully done with a lot of contrasting colors. It definitely catches my eye and made me curious as to what the story was about since I don't typically read the back of the book to find out. I like surprises!

It has been a while since I've read a book like this one. It is a romance, but not in the way that many readers would think. The characters have messy lives, like we, the readers, have daily. I say it's not the typical romance novel because there's an ex-husband involved and Julia is a single mom. Needless to say, she has her guard up.

Zeke, the man who has liked her before, now realizes that his feelings for her never went away. However, he has his own struggles to deal with. They each have to figure out if a relationship is possible and worth tearing down their walls or if they would rather leave them up and walk out of each other's lives. 

Messy. I like that kind of book because it is so relatable. In fact, it reminds me of conversations I've had with friends or acquaintances about their lives. 

I must say that I was a little surprised at the humor Victoria Bylin threw into this story. How wonderful it was to actually laugh in a book. Those are the books that leave you feeling good and making you wanting to pick it up and not put it down.

Read more reviews about this book at http://litfusegroup.com/author/vbylin.

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ABOUT THE BOOK

Someone Like You (Bethany House, May 2016)

Single mom Julia Dare has a lot on her plate. 

A brand new Christian, Julia is busy trying to run her own business, spend time with her widowed mother, and raise her young son, Max, despite his father’s less-than-ideal influence on him. When a big account from her event-planning business sends her to the Caliente Springs resort, she’s shocked to come face-to-face with Zeke Monroe, the resort’s general manager and her college sweetheart.

With his faith in tatters, Zeke Monroe is determined to keep the historic Caliente Springs resort running despite financial difficulties. But when Julia walks back into his life, he can’t ignore the feelings she stirs up. As they work together on an important client’s dream wedding, the fate of the resort soon depends on their success. When Zeke and Julia are pushed to their limits both personally and professionally, will their history put up walls between them or bring them together?CTORIA BYLIN

Victoria Bylin writes contemporary and historical romances known for their realistic, relatable characters. Her work has finaled in contests such as the Carol Awards, the RITAs, and the RT Reviewers' Choice Award. A native of California, she and her husband now make their home in Lexington, Kentucky.

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

Finding God in the Hard Times by Matt and Beth Redman

We have all either just come out of the desert or are being prepped to head into the desert. Hard times are not far away in this life. Having been through hard times for an entire year, I remember well the desperation and how I made it to the last trial and felt like all I could do was utter the Lord's name. I had nothing left in me to give and I didn't even know what to pray for anymore. I had to stand on who I knew God was. With that said, this book would have been so perfect for that time...for many reasons.

The first reason is the length. In the midst of pain and suffering, attention span tends to be nonexistent. The daily choices and responsibilities and decisions drain you to the point of wanting to stare at a wall. The length and the intentionality of the chapters was perfect.

Of course the topic would be the second reason. I'm currently walking through a dark time with a friend whose son has cancer. It's not easy. Having walked the cancer journey before, I remember well the struggles to know does God care and why does it seem like my prayers aren't being answered. It's a dark road where it seems to be no light. I immediately told her about this book and am giving it to her because it is encouraging for those in that season. It's encouraging for everyone, but I knew it would speak to her heart. I appreciated that Matt and Beth Redman were real. In fact, I wouldn't say that they shared anything particularly mind blowing or something most don't already know. However, how easy it is for us to be thankful in the good times. How easy it is for us to gloss over the small things and think He's failed us when we only focus on the big things.

If you know anyone going through a trial or suffering right now, this would be a very encouraging book for them to read. It reads really fast, but is full of lots of hope and reminders about who God is.

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

8 Great Smarts by Kathy Koch

I really debated on whether to read this book or not because you never know what you're going to get when it comes to books like this. I am so glad that I did because I needed to read it just when I did. Needless to say, I see my children in a whole new light and it has made a tough week not as tough. It's helped me to see their little personalities in a whole new way.

We homeschool so I definitely learned a lot about how to change my schooling. I am really excited to apply what I've learned about my picture-smart daughter and my nature-smart son. I even learned some things about myself that made me realize that I'm not strange and that others are just like me!

I also must express my thankfulness to Kathy Koch. I am a music therapist and I loved that in one chapter she actually listed music therapy as a career! There are not many people who know what that is or even will include it in a list of careers. Thank you so much!

I think not only should every teacher and every homeschool parent read this book, but I really think every parent would benefit from this book. You will begin to see your child in a new light and look for those different ways that they learn. You will see their learning as a joy instead of a struggle. Thank you for shedding light on my children's intelligence!

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

The Atonement by Beverly Lewis

Beverly Lewis is a household name for those who enjoy Amish fiction. She always writes her stories in such a way where the readers is instantly hooked on the book and has to finish it with late nights! Or at least that's how I feel about her books. She's one of the few authors that keep me up late at night. One particular thing I like is the fact that she uses shorter chapters. It makes it so much easier to set the story aside when I need to, but it also makes it easier for me to say "just one more chapter..."

The Atonement is a beautiful story of grace vs. works. Lucy thinks that she can work her way to forgiveness for her sins. She also thinks that God could never possibly forgive her for the sins that she has committed. She feels so unworthy of a young man she has long loved but who seems to have it all together. Then she meets an Englisher and realizes that she could possibly make the same mistake once again.

Restoration stood out to me throughout this story. I saw her struggle with forgiveness and especially with forgiving herself. However, the ending chapters were beautiful as you saw restoration in relationships and time redeemed. I also loved the story of the "couple on the bridge."

The characters were very easy to like and I enjoyed reading about each one. I don't think there was one that I disliked at all. I could feel the pain of her father and the fear of her mother, as well as the deep grief from Lucy.

Dale was a character that I respected. I was very impressed with him and how Beverly Lewis chose to write his story. I loved it.
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I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Back in the Saddle by Ruth Logan Herne

I am always thrilled when I find a new author that I thoroughly enjoy. It has been a while since I've read a new author and I haven't been able to stop thinking about this book. My 7-year-old son wanted to hold this book because of the cover. He wanted to read it because he was convinced it was a cowboy book. I had to convince him it was not a book about cowboys!

The setting of this book was absolutely beautiful to imagine. I could easily see it in my head. Angelina was one of my favorites. She is always speaking her mind and isn't afraid to live wholeheartedly. She had me laughing in certain parts. Colt is just a sweetheart. He gives up a lot to come home to his roots when his father needs him most. Even though he takes his duty to his father seriously, things aren't all perfect at home. He still has some issues that need to be worked out with his father. He still has hurt feelings and can't keep sweeping it under the rug.

This story focuses on Colt, but his two other brothers are primed and ready for a story all of their own. I really hope the other books in the series will focus on the other brothers. However, I hope that they will continue to update readers on Colt and Angelina.

And the best news for readers of this series? You don't have to wait long for the next book!

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

Changing of Hearts by Courtney Walsh

I was drawn to this book by the cover, honestly. I think the picture is beautiful and the font on the cover caught my eye right away. I was very excited to read this book because it was so beautifully done.

I read Paper Hearts and really enjoyed Courtney Walsh's style of writing. I couldn't wait for this book to come out. The story in Change of Heart moved along and kept me engaged from the very beginning. I was even excited to see some "familiar faces" in this book, too.

Evelyn thinks that her world is perfect, until some information is revealed that leaves her wondering if anything will ever be the same. As the lies begin to unfold, my heart just breaks. As a wife, I can't imagine hearing these things being revealed. She has a choice to make and it's a process.

I really liked Trevor. He owns up to his mistakes and stands by Evelyn. He isn't perfect, but he tries to be there to help Evelyn. In the midst of Evelyn's pain, Trevor realizes that he has never lost his love for Evelyn over all these years. Now Evelyn and Trevor have to see if it's too late and Evelyn has to figure out how to trust again.

My favorite thing about this series is that they are romance books, but they are not your typical romance book where the reader is constantly reminded that it's a romance. This is a romance that is unfolding beautifully.

I hope book 3 comes out soon!

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