Saturday, April 28, 2018

Winning Miss Winthrop by Carolyn Miller

I loved Carolyn Miller's Winning Miss Winthrop. It is the first book in her new series Promise of Hope. Ms. Miller has an obvious love of the Regency period and it shows in the fine details of her stories. She creates believable characters and I love the dialogue. Ms. Miller is definitely one of my go-to Regency authors. I really enjoyed visiting with characters from her previous books. I really enjoy when authors tie their series together. I am looking forward to reading Miss Serena's Secret due out in July of 2018. So grab your iced tea and settle down on the porch for a lovely read.

I was given a copy of this book by the author with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

From Amazon:

"A touching, charming tale of love won and lost and won again. . . . Brings the Regency period to vivid life."
—Julianna Deering, author of the Drew Farthering Mysteries

Years ago, the man who stole Catherine Winthrop's heart rejected her--and she's never recovered from the grief. Now tragedy has brought him back into her life. This time it isn't her heart he's taking, it’s her home and her family's good name.

Jonathan Carlew's serious demeanor and connection to trade, not to mention the rumors surrounding his birth, have kept him from being a favorite of the ladies, or their parents. Now, suddenly landed and titled, he finds himself with plenty of prospects. But his demanding society responsibilities keep pressing him into service to the one woman who captured his heart long ago--and then ran off with it.

These two broken hearts must decide whether their painful past and bitter present will be all they can share, or if forgiveness can provide a path to freedom for the future.

Set in the sumptuous salons of Bath, Regency England's royal breeding ground for gossip, Winning Miss Winthrop is the first volume in the Regency Brides: A Promise of Hope series. Fans of the wholesome and richly drawn first series won't want to miss this new set of characters--or appearances by their old favorites.

"Fans of Christian Regency romances by Sarah Ladd, Sarah Eden, and Michelle Griep will adore Carolyn Miller's books!"
--Dawn Crandall, award-winning author of The Everstone Chronicles

About the author:

Carolyn Miller

A longtime lover of Regency romance, Carolyn's novels have won a number of Romance Writers of American (RWA) and American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers. Her favorite authors are classics like Jane Austen (of course!), Georgette Heyer, and Agatha Christie, but she also enjoys contemporary authors like Susan May Warren and Becky Wade.

Her stories are fun and witty, yet also deal with real issues, such as dealing with forgiveness, the nature of really loving versus 'true love', and other challenges we all face at different times.

› Visit Amazon's Carolyn Miller Page

Biography

Hi, I'm Carolyn Miller, author of 'The Elusive Miss Ellison'.

I live in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia.

I'm married, with four gorgeous children, who all love to read (and write!) as I do (except not in the Regency genre - funny, that!).

My favourite authors are classics like Jane Austen (of course!), Georgette Heyer, and Agatha Christie, but I also enjoy contemporary authors like Susan May Warren and Becky Wade.

I try to write stories that are fun and witty, yet also deal with real issues, such as dealing with forgiveness, the nature of really loving versus 'true love', and other challenges we all face at different times.

I hope you enjoy reading my novels. Thanks for stopping by!

Sunday, April 22, 2018

Starting From Scratch by Kate Lloyd

Starting From Scratch was an interesting read. I enjoyed the plot and the characters were well thought out. There was enough drama and suspense to keep me reading and I have to confess I did not know which feller Eva was going to choose. I enjoyed the setting of a small cafe at a commercial nursery. I also enjoyed seeing Eva struggle with a job she was not trained for. My only complaint was the rather abrupt ending. I would have liked a bit more. So grab a glass of sun-tea and a whoopie pie and settle back for a satisfying read!

I was given this book by NetGalley.com for review purposes. All thoughts are my own.

From Amazon:

An Old Flame Brings a Spark of New Hope

En Alt Maedel—an old maid.

At age twenty-nine, that's what Eva Lapp considers herself. And who could argue with her? Finding a good Amish husband at her age will be next to impossible. Plus, Eva's unwarranted bad reputation in Lancaster County precedes her. Maybe living the Englisch life would be better.

Squeezed out of her childhood home by her brother's boisterous family, Eva finds lodging and a new job managing a small café at a local plant nursery. But the challenge of her new position isn't enough to distract from her current predicament.

To Eva's surprise, her first love, Jake Miller, suddenly returns to Lancaster County. Flooded with emotions and filled with questions about Jake's past, can Eva trust what she's feeling?

Jake and Eva face many obstacles in their quest for a fresh start in the community, but perhaps with God's help, they can find the redemption they both desperately need.

About the Author:

Kate Lloyd is a bestselling novelist whose books include A Portrait of Marguerite, The Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy (Leaving Lancaster, Pennsylvania Patchwork, and Forever Amish), A Letter from Lancaster County, and Starting from Scratch. A native of Baltimore, she enjoys spending time with friends and family in rural Pennsylvania and is a member of the Lancaster County Mennonite Historical Society. She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband. Please visit her on her Website katelloyd.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/katelloydbooks/?pnref=story, and on Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram: @katelloydauthor.
Kate loves hearing from readers and often holds Blog Contests/Giveaways.

Whoopie pie recipe

Ingredients

¾ cup butter, softened
2 cups packed soft light brown sugar
2 large eggs
½ tsp salt
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 cups quick cooking oats
2 tsp baking soda
3 Tbs boiling water
Filling:
1 large egg white
1 Tbs vanilla extract
2 Tbs milk
2 cups icing sugar, sifted
¼ cup vegetable shortening, softened

Instructions

Pre-heat the oven to 425F.
Lightly grease a couple of baking sheets and set aside.
Cream the butter and sugar together until fluffy.
Beat in the eggs.
In another bowl, sift together the flour, salt and baking powder.
Beat this into the creamed mixture.
Stir in the oats and cinnamon.
Mix all together well.
Stir together the baking soda and the boiled water.
Stir this mixture into the rest of the batter, mixing it in well.
Drop by the tablespoon onto the baking sheets, placing them at least 2 inches apart.
Bake until the cookies are firm and just starting to turn golden around the edges, some 10 to 15 minutes.
Remove from the baking sheets to wire racks to cool completely when done.
Combine the egg white, vanilla, milk and 1 cup of the icing sugar.
Cream well together.
Add the remaining icing sugar and the shortening, beating all together until smooth.
Spread 1 Tablespoon of the filling on the bottom of one cookie and top with a second cookie

Thursday, April 19, 2018

Seedfolks by Paul Fleischman

As I am going to be attending the play 'Seedfolks' I thought I should know what the story was about. so I grabbed a copy of Seedfolks not really expecting much. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this story. each chapter is about a different character and how they become involved in a community gardening project. It all starts with a young girl who plants a few lima beans in order to connect with her dead father and grows into a community of people who enjoy gardening. This is a truly fascinating book. So grab your pitcher of iced tea and settle in for a good read!

From Amazon:

Newbery Medal-winning Seedfolks from Paul Fleischman tells thirteen stories from diverse perspectives—young and old, immigrant and native, haunted and hopeful. A fractured neighborhood unites with just a few seeds, turning a drab empty lot in Cleveland into beautiful green garden.

Seedfolks has been chosen as a state- and city-wide read in communities across the country for its inspiring message of unity.

Kim begins the garden, planting a few lima beans to connect with her father who died when she was a baby in Vietnam. Then Tío Juan, a farmer from Guatemala, gains purpose when he teaches the neighborhood children how to plant. Soon curious neighbors join in and together they grow a beautiful garden. With each bean sprout and cucumber blossom the residents of Gibs Street find hope and meaning in their little green paradise.

As the Christian Science Monitor noted, "The size of this slim volume belies the profound message of hope it contains."

About the author:

Paul Fleischman grew up in Santa Monica, California, the son of children's book author Sid Fleischman. Drawing on history, music, art, and theater, his books have often experimented with multiple viewpoints and performance. He received the Newbery Medal in 1989 for JOYFUL NOISE: POEMS FOR TWO VOICES, a Newbery Honor Award for GRAVEN IMAGES, the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction for BULL RUN, and was a National Book Award finalist for BREAKOUT. He lives on the central coast of California.

For more information, visit paulfleischman.net.

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

The Kremlin Conspiracy by Joel Rosenberg

Joel Rosenberg is one of the most authentic authors in the political thriller genre. As a citizen of Israel, he is privy to the political climate in the middle east. In his newest book, The Kremlin Conspiracy, Mr. Rosenberg shifts his focus from the Middle East to Russia. Although the first half of the book is slow backstory, the second half is pure action. The Kremlin Conspiracy is set in modern-day Russia with a president who sees himself as Czar. I was fascinated by the political intrigue and infighting. It was as though I had a seat in the Kremlin. So hang onto your hat and grab a cup of chai, You will be in for one heck of a read!

I was given this book by NetGalley.com for review purposes. I was not required to post any review and all thoughts are my own.

From Amazon:

New York Times bestselling author Joel C. Rosenberg returns with a high-stakes political thriller set in Russia.

Everything he learned to protect our president, he must use to take out theirs.

With an American president distracted by growing tensions in North Korea and Iran, an ominous new threat is emerging in Moscow. A czar is rising in the Kremlin, a Russian president feverishly consolidating power, silencing his opposition, and plotting a brazen and lightning-fast military strike that could rupture the NATO alliance and bring Washington and Moscow to the brink of nuclear war. But in his blind spot is the former U.S. Secret Service agent, Marcus Ryker, trained to protect but ready to kill to save his country.

About the author:

Biography

Joel C. Rosenberg (www.joelrosenberg.com) is a New York Times bestselling author of 13 novels and five nonfiction books, with nearly 5 million copies sold.
He has been interviewed on hundreds of radio and TV shows, including ABC's Nightline, CNN, CNN Headline News, C-SPAN, Fox News, MSNBC, The History Channel, The Rush Limbaugh Show, The Sean Hannity Show, and The Glenn Beck Show. His articles and columns have been published by National Review,FoxNews.com, CNN.com, the Jerusalem Post, World magazine, and the Washington Times, among others. He has been profiled by the New York Times, the Washington Times, and the Jerusalem Post.
Joel has spoken to audiences and met with religious and government leaders all across the U.S. and Canada and around the world, including Israel, Iraq, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, the UAE, Turkey, Afghanistan, Russia, Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, India, South Korea, and the Philippines. He has also addressed audiences at the White House and the Pentagon, addressed members of Congress on Capitol Hill, members of the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa, and a conference held at the European Union Parliament in Brussels.
He is the founder and chairman of The Joshua Fund (www.joshuafund.com), a nonprofit educational and charitable organization he and his wife launched in 2006 to mobilize Christians to "bless Israel and her neighbors in the name of Jesus, according to Genesis 12:1-3."
Joel's books, most of which are published in numerous languages, include:
FICTION
The Last Jihad (2002)
The Last Days (2003)
The Ezekiel Option (2005)
The Copper Scroll (2006)
Dead Heat (2008)
The Twelfth Imam (2010)
The Tehran Initiative (2011)
Damascus Countdown (2013)
The Auschwitz Escape (2014)
The Third Target (January 2015)
The First Hostage (December 2015)
Without Warning (March 2017)
The Kremlin Conspiracy (March 2018)

NONFICTION
Epicenter: Why the Current Rumblings in the Middle East Will Change Your Future (2006; revised version, Epicenter 2.0, released in 2008)
Inside The Revolution: How the Followers of Jihad, Jefferson & Jesus are Battling to Dominate the Middle East and Transform the World (2009)
Implosion: Can America Recover From Its Economic and Spiritual Challenges in Time? (2012)
Israel at War: Inside the Nuclear Showdown with Iran (2012)
The Invested Life: Making Disciples of All Nations One Person at a Time, written with Dr. T. E. Koshy (2012)
He has produced two documentary films, based on two of his nonfiction books, Epicenter and Inside the Revolution.
Several of his books have won national awards:
The Ezekiel Option—ECPA Gold Medallion Award for Best Novel of 2006.
Epicenter—Retailers' Choice Award for Christian Living (Christian Retailing magazine)
Dead Heat—Retailers' Choice Award for Fiction: Mystery & Suspense
Inside the Revolution—Retailers' Choice Award for Social Issues
The Twelfth Imam—Retailers' Choice Award for Fiction: Mystery & Suspense
The Tehran Initiative—Retailers' Choice Award for Fiction: Mystery & Suspense
The Auschwitz Escape—finalist in the 2014 GoodReads Choice Awards for Best Historical Fiction
Several of his books have reached the top or near the top of national bestseller lists.
The Last Jihad hit #1 on the Amazon.com bestseller list. Dead Heat reached #4 on the New York Times hardcover fiction bestseller list. The Third Target hit #4 on the Publishers Weekly hardcover fiction bestseller list and spent two months as the #1 bestselling work of fiction in the Christian market in North America. The First Hostage was also the #1 bestselling work of fiction in the Christian market in North America.
Joel was born in Syracuse, New York. His father is a first-generation American from a Jewish background whose parents and grandparents emigrated from Russia and settled in Brooklyn, New York. His mother, a Gentile, was raised in Rome, New York. When Joel was two, his parents moved to a community just outside of Rochester. He grew up in the small town of Fairport and graduated from Fairport High School in 1985. He attended Syracuse University (1985–1989)—spending one semester of his junior year studying at Tel Aviv University (August 1987 to January 1988)—and graduated from SU with a BFA in film drama in May 1989.
Joel married his college sweetheart, Lynn, in June of 1990. Together, they made their home in the Washington, D.C., area for 24 years. They and their four sons—Caleb, Jacob, Jonah, and Noah—now live in Israel.
For more information on conferences Joel organizes, please visit www.epicenterconference.com.You can find his weblog at https://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com/. You can follow him on Twitter @joelcrosenberg.

Sunday, April 15, 2018

A Search For Refuge by Kristi Ann Hunter

I always enjoy Ms. Hunter's books and A Search For Refuge is no exception. She is one of my go-to authors when I want to read Regency stories. She creates witty, enjoyable characters that grow in faith through the plot. I love this story and am thrilled that it is the beginning of a new series. So sit back with a large cup of tea and enjoy Ms. Hunter's latest tale. The e-book is available for free at:

https://www.amazon.com/Search-Refuge-Haven-Manor-Novella-ebook/dp/B079V1KN1K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1523841424&sr=8-1&keywords=a+search+for+refuge

From Amazon:

Margaretta Fortescue desperately needs to disappear from London society, and her only hope is to follow the rumors of another young woman who recently made a life for herself away from the glare of society. Her search leads her to the market town of Marlborough where, in spite of her efforts to avoid attention, she can't seem to elude local solicitor Nash Banfield.

All Nash wants is a quiet, sedate life--no risks or surprises. When Margaretta, clearly on the run and unwilling to answer questions, interrupts his solitude, his curiosity and his principles won't let him leave this determined woman without assistance.

But will discovering the truth about Margaretta make him think twice about finally taking a risk on love?

A Search for Refuge is an e-only novella that gives an exciting introduction to Kristi Ann Hunter's new Regency historical romance series, Haven Manor! Includes an extended excerpt of the first full-length novel in the series, A Defense of Honor.

About the author:

Kristi Ann Hunter graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in Computer Science but always knew she wanted to write. In addition to several pre-published contests, Kristi is a Rita award winner and has also been a finalist in the INSPY, Christy, and GRW Maggie Award of Excellence. She lives with her husband and three children in Georgia

Monday, April 9, 2018

A Loyal Heart by Jody Hedlund plus giveaway!

Book 4 in Jody Hedlund's An Uncertain Choice series is an excellent addition. I loved Lady Olivia and Sir Aldric. As the plot progressed both were forced to examine their motives and accept God's grace. I really enjoyed watching them grow to know each other. The setting is thrilling for anyone who loves medieval tales.

I was given this book by the author for review purposes. All thoughts are my own.

bout the Book

Title: A Loyal Heart

Author: Jody Hedlund

Genre: Adult medieval romance

Release Date: March 6, 2018

He’s taken her as his prisoner. But she’s holding his heart captive. In gaining their freedom, will they lose what matters most?

When Lady Olivia’s castle is besieged, she and her sister are taken captive and held for ransom by her father’s enemy, Lord Pitt. Loyalty to family means everything to Olivia. She’ll save her sister at any cost and do whatever her father asks—even if that means obeying his order to steal a sacred relic from her captor.

As Lord Pitt’s commander, Sir Aldric is in charge of the beautiful but feisty new prisoner. He has his hands full attempting to keep Lady Olivia out of trouble. When Lord Pitt throws her in the dungeon and threatens to hang her for stealing, Aldric conceives a plot to save Olivia’s life—betrothal to him.

Can Olivia give up the prestigious match her father has arranged with a wealthy marquess in order to marry a lowly knight like Aldric? And can Aldric move beyond his past mistakes to embrace love again? When loyalties are tested, they’re thrust into danger that could cost them their love and their lives.

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author

ody Hedlund is the author of over twenty historicals for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Award.

Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. Although Jody prefers to experience daring and dangerous adventures through her characters rather than in real life, she’s learned that a calm existence is simply not meant to be (at least in this phase of her life!).

When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.

Guest Post from Jody Hedlund

The Growing Need for Sweet Young Adult Romances

By Jody Hedlund

This past year my youngest daughter turned twelve and entered seventh grade. And she decided that she wanted to read my books.

Of course I was thrilled that she was taking an interest in my writing. But since my adult historical romances are more intense and contain some mature themes, I handed her the young adult series I’ve written.

As she started the first book, I peeked in her room a time or two to ask her how she liked it.

“It’s the best book you’ve ever read, right?” I teased.

“It’s okay,” she replied, teasing me right back.

The true test for how much she liked the series came when she couldn’t put the book down. She hid away in her room and read all day. Then she read the second book the next day and the third book the day after that.

She never did gush over the series. But she didn’t need to. Her serious reading marathon told me all I needed to know! Then when I was writing the fourth book in the series, she asked me if she could read it early before it was published which was another testament to how much she enjoyed the series.

“As long as you promise to say that I’m your favorite author,” I said, teasing her again.

I’m happy to say that she finished A Loyal Heart just as quickly as the others. Although I’m not sure that I’m her favorite author, I’m satisfied that she loved the series.

Even more, I’m thrilled that I could hand her sweet romances full of chivalrous qualities—like courage, sacrifice, honor, and loyalty. As she’s being entertained, she’s learning lessons about character traits that are important in relationships.

My daughter, like other young teens I’ve talked to, really enjoys medieval settings and stories. In some ways, those kinds of stories connect them to the princess fairy tales they used to love when they were little. Let’s face it, even adult readers still love stories about knights and castles and daring damsels!

In a book market for teens that has grown increasingly dark, jaded, and sexual, I only wish I had more to offer my daughter and other young women. It’s my passion to continue providing wholesome, clean romances for teens, books I know will encourage and uplift as well as entertain.

How about YOU? Is there a teen reader you know who needs an alternative to what’s available in the market? I encourage you to gift them with A Loyal Heart. And make sure to enter the giveaway for a chance to win the entire series that you can read, pass along, or even gift to your library.

Jody Hedlund is the best-selling author of over twenty historicals for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Award. She lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. Although Jody prefers to experience daring and dangerous adventures through her characters rather than in real life, she’s learned that a calm existence is simply not meant to be (at least in this phase of her life!). When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.