Monday, December 19, 2016

Tour Grand Finale for A Family Under the Christmas Tree (with a giveaway!)

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Book Tour Grand Finale for
A Family Under the Christmas Tree
By Terri Reed

David and Sophie don't even know the gift they need to find the most under the Christmas tree this year, but an unexpected meeting between a little boy and Sophie's dog might lead to just that. We hope you enjoyed coming along with us as we get to know more about their story on this tour! If you missed any of the stops, go back and check them out now...

Launch - Author Interview

2. What do you hope readers take with them after they’ve read it?

I hope readers will see the beauty of letting go of expectations and embracing new circumstances. That sometimes life doesn’t go the way we want and that’s okay because the unexpected sometimes is more than we could have hoped for.



"A Family Under the Christmas Tree by Terri Reed is sweet and romantic and heartwarming. Troy and Riggs, as well as Sophie’s grandma, add moments of humor and make the story all the more endearing. This is an ideal read for fans of Hallmark Christmas movies or for anyone looking for a quick and uplifting escape from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season."


"I adored Grandma and her puppy, Riggs. When you add that handful, Troy, to the mix, the story is definitely entertaining and fun. They are each catalysts, in their own ways, to bringing this couple together. I do love a story where the characters undergo some change, especially in their outlooks on life. There are some good elements to this story and it is a sweet Christmas read."

Falling Leaves - All-Time Favorite Christmas Movie

My all-time favorite Christmas movie is A Charlie Brown Christmas, released in December of 1965. This is the longest-running cartoon special in history, airing every year but this classic almost didn’t make it on the air. The studios hated it, No television networks wanted to play it. They didn’t like the religious theme running through the story or the contemporary jazz score. It was criticized for not having a laugh track, and for using voices of real children (except for Snoopy, who was voiced by the show’s animator Bill Melendez). The creator of the show, Charles Schulz, wanted the central meaning of the show to reflect his own beliefs of Christmas. With his clout, Schulz managed to get his little animated cartoon to air...

Zerina Blossom's Books - Author Interview

Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or is it purely all imagination?

I like to add a bit of real life to my stories. There are several scenes in A Family Under the Christmas Tree that come from personal knowledge. The setting of Bellevue Washington is where I have family so I was able to describe it from having visited the city. In the story, the characters visit a Christmas tree farm, which I patterned after a local tree farm here that we’d visit often when my children were young. It was fun to remember back to those days with my kids.

Bookworm Lisa - Review

"I enjoyed the sweet message of the book. The characters were well written and easy to like. The book is a clean romance with kissing. This is a great Christmas time read to cuddle up with."

Mommabears Book Blog - Favorite Christmas Moments


My favorite Christmas moments are unpacking the decorations and hanging them on the Christmas tree. When my husband and I were first married, we had no decorations of our own. At the time I worked for a mall department store in Sacramento California, so with my employee discount I bought a few ornaments—a set of diamond shaped mirrors, a box of round colorful bulbs and a pretty tree topper that sparkled. Not very many decorations for the four-foot tree that fit nicely in our snug little apartment....


"What a heartwarming story. . . . I would recommend this story to all readers, especially ones who love Christmas time as I do and enjoy a good love story." - Vickie

"WOW! I literally could not put it down until I finished it! It is such a “cleanly” delightful read! I am certainly glad it isn’t any lengthier than it is, or I would not have enjoyed the company of my spouse in the evening!" - Lu Ann



"Set against a winter backdrop during Christmas, this is the perfect fluffy novel for a cold night. . . . This writing is great, the characters are developed, and the romance is believable. I highly recommend this novel. Add it to your Christmas list!"

Mel's Shelves - The Characters


The characters of A Family Under the Christmas Tree are very dear to me. I really liked David, Sophie and Troy. As well as Grandma Louise and Simon. I enjoyed developing them because they surprised me the more as I dug into them. I had this germ of an idea—I wanted to do something along the lines of Scrooge meets Mary Poppins. As part of developing the story I find photos of actors that resemble how I see my characters. Having the visual helps me in my descriptions as well as makes them more three dimensional in my own mind.

Kathleen Denly - Author Interview

I noticed in the bio on your website that you spent ten years working as a model in your life-before-writing. How did that experience help with developing the character of Sophie Griffith?

Having worked in front of the camera for many years afforded me an appreciation for photography. I was able to glean the art it takes, the time and patience as well as the technical know-how for a well-done photo shoot. I enjoyed putting my knowledge to work for Sophie.


"This book is all sweetness and Christmas goodness. If you are looking for a cute holiday romance then you should check this book out. . . . It was a little slow moving, but the characters were likable and brought a smile to my face. Christmas stories during December are always fun to read!"

Paulette's Papers - Cranberry Sauce


Who says Cranberry sauce is only for Thanksgiving? Our family enjoys cranberry sauce for all special occasion meals, including Christmas dinner. In fact, for us Christmas dinner is the same menu as Thanksgiving. We’ve long done the canned jellied or whole cranberries and been perfectly happy. But this year my nephew decided we’d try a homemade version. And my, is it delicious.

Kindle and Me - Review

"I might have shed a few tears at the tender moments in the book. So, if you like a little cry, opening up your heart, books with loss, puppies, Christmas, snowflakes, serving others, finding love and having a family that loves you then this might be for you!"



"This book was very cute and a quick, fun read. It’s everything a sweet Christmas romance should be. It has a meddling, matchmaking grandma, a mischievous little boy, a puppy, snow…what more could you want? . . . All of you sweet, clean romance lovers are going to want to add A Family Under the Christmas Tree to your TBR piles!"

Tell Tale Book Reviews - ​Christmas Cookies


For me the Christmas season isn’t complete without Christmas cookies. . . . In my story, A Family Under the Christmas Tree, my heroine Sophie and her grandmother help young Troy bake and decorate cookies. A tradition I’ve done with my mother when I was young and one I have continued with my own kids.

Don't forget to enter the fabulous giveaway below...

A Family Under the Christmas TreeA Family Under the Christmas Tree
by Terri Reed
Inspirational Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 340 pages
October 4th 2016 by Howard Books

In this heartwarming tale set during the Christmas season, a single father and a fashion photographer are brought together by a young boy and a mischievous Bernese mountain dog—but first they must learn to set aside their differences if they are willing to let their relationship bloom.

David Murphy never knew much about kids. But when his brother dies unexpectedly, David is granted custody of his six-year-old nephew, Troy, who he’s only seen once a year since he was born. He already has his hands full running his business, and he has no idea how to help the grieving boy. When Troy runs off one day, David finds him at a park playing with an adorable and rambunctious Bernese mountain dog—who leads him to Sophie.

Sophie Griffith has spent her life travelling around the world as a photojournalist. She has never stayed in one place for long, and her new assignment—helping her grandmother for a few weeks—is just temporary. Once Christmas day comes, Sophie is off the hook and can leave for a new adventure. Caring for her grandmother is a piece of cake—but caring for her new Bernese mountain dog, Riggs, is a different story. It doesn’t help that Riggs strikes up a friendship with a lost little boy one day at the park—and leads her to David.

Neither David nor Sophie have time for romance. But as they spend more time together, they start falling for each other even though they know it can’t go anywhere. Sophie will be gone after Christmas, and the last thing David needs is another distraction as he tries to comfort Troy. But as their faith and growing love for the boy and dog unites them, they wonder whether it’s more than a holiday romance…and maybe Troy might finally get his Christmas wish for a family.



Terri Reed’s romance and romantic suspense novels have appeared on Publishers Weekly top 25 Romance and Publishers Weekly top ten Religion Fiction, Nielsen’s Bookscan top 100 and featured in USA Today, Christian Fiction Magazine, More To Life Magazine and Romantic Times Magazine, finaled in RWA’s RITA contest, National Reader’s Choice Award contest, ACFW’s The Carol Award contest. She is an active member of both Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers. She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her college-sweetheart husband. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, gardening and playing with her dogs.


Tour Giveaway


- 1 winner will receive a copy of Love Inspired Classic 2 in 1, Love Comes Home and A Sheltering Love, a light up angle ornament, a Santa bookmark, A Family Under the Christmas Tree bookmark, a manicure set, and a Tule Book Girl book bag (US only)
- 1 winner will receive a $10 Amazon eGift Card (open internationally)
- Ends December 22nd

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Grab Our Button!

Posted by Bookworm Lisa at 4:40 AM 0 comments

Friday, December 16, 2016

The Wedding Shop by Rachel Hauck

The Wedding Shop by Rachel HauckThe Wedding Shop by Rachel Hauck
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Netgalley
Genre: Christian Women's Lit

 Book Description:  Two women separated by decades. Both set out to help others find their dreams when their own have crumbled.


It’s the early 1930s, but Cora Scott is walking in stride as a career woman after having inherited her great aunt’s wedding shop in Heart’s Bend, Tennessee, where brides come from as far away as Birmingham to experience her famed bridal treatment. Meanwhile, Cora is counting down the days until her own true love returns from the river to make her his bride. But days turn into months and months to years. All the while, Birch Good continues to woo Cora and try to show her that while he is solid and dependable, he can sweep her off her feet.

More than eighty years later, former Air Force Captain Haley Morgan has returned home to Heart’s Bend after finishing her commitment to military service. After the devastating death of her best friend, Tammy, and discovering the truth about the man she loved, Haley is searching for her place in life.

When Haley decides to reopen the romantic but abandoned wedding shop where she and Tammy played and dreamed as children, she begins a journey of courage, mystery, and love.

As Cora’s and Haley’s stories intertwine through time in the shadow of the beloved wedding shop, they both discover the power of their own dreams and the magic of everyday love.

My thoughts: The Wedding Shop is a beautiful story. The book is told from two points of view. The first is Cora, she operated a Wedding Shop and kept it going through the depression and the early 1980's. She was a woman who experienced a lot of heartache, but believed in giving brides a romantic start with quality clothing and a wonderful experience. She was known for her ethic and efforts to help others in need.

The present day story is of Haley. She also has experienced heartache and comes home to her small town to heal. She has always felt a pull to the empty and run down Wedding Shop. Events unfold that prove to her that it is part of her destiny to re-open the shop.

The lives of these two women have many parallels. I loved how Rachel Hauck intertwined their experiences. The book goes back and forth between their stories showing their progression and how healing comes about. The book is Christian centered and is describes forgiveness and feeling God's love.

The book has romantic elements. It is not the main focus of the story, but part of the journey the women take. It is really beautiful the comparisons and the realization of what it means to truly love.


Purchase Links:


Rachel HauckAbout the Author: (Taken from Goodreads)  New York Times, USA Today & Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Rachel Hauck writes from sunny central Florida.

A RITA finalist and winner of Romantic Times Inspirational Novel of the Year, she writes vivid characters dealing with real life issues.

She loves to hear from readers. She also loves to encourage new writers and sits on the Executive Board of American Christian Fiction Writers.. 

A graduate of Ohio State University with a BA in Journalism, Rachel is an avid OSU football fan. She hopes to one day stand on the sidelines in the Shoe with Urban Meyer.

An avid Diet Coke fan, she is caffeine free. Sometimes you just have to compromise. 

She's never skied or jumped out of an airplane. She leaves such hijinks to Jason Bourne.



www.rachelhauck.com
Posted by Bookworm Lisa at 5:30 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

A Family Under the Christmas Tree by Terri Reed (Tour + giveaway)




A Family Under the Christmas TreeA Family Under the Christmas Tree by Terri Reed
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review
Genre: Clean Christmas Romance

Book Description:  In this heartwarming tale set during the Christmas season, a single father and a fashion photographer are brought together by a young boy and a mischievous Bernese mountain dog—but first they must learn to set aside their differences if they are willing to let their relationship bloom.

 David Murphy never knew much about kids. But when his brother dies unexpectedly, David is granted custody of his six-year-old nephew, Troy, who he’s only seen once a year since he was born. He already has his hands full running his business, and he has no idea how to help the grieving boy. When Troy runs off one day, David finds him at a park playing with an adorable and rambunctious Bernese mountain dog—who leads him to Sophie.

 Sophie Griffith has spent her life travelling around the world as a photojournalist. She has never stayed in one place for long, and her new assignment—helping her grandmother for a few weeks—is just temporary. Once Christmas day comes, Sophie is off the hook and can leave for a new adventure. Caring for her grandmother is a piece of cake—but caring for her new Bernese mountain dog, Riggs, is a different story. It doesn’t help that Riggs strikes up a friendship with a lost little boy one day at the park—and leads her to David.

 Neither David nor Sophie have time for romance. But as they spend more time together, they start falling for each other even though they know it can’t go anywhere. Sophie will be gone after Christmas, and the last thing David needs is another distraction as he tries to comfort Troy. But as their faith and growing love for the boy and dog unites them, they wonder whether it’s more than a holiday romance…and maybe Troy might finally get his Christmas wish for a family.


My thoughts: Awwww....cute! This is a very sweet romance set around the Christmas holiday. It has a very cute little boy and a lovable puppy that pull at the heart strings. The rest of the characters are good, but for me the sweetness factor was the boy and the dog.

The first half of the book was a little slow for me. There is a lot of explanation about the past. The characters are holding a lot of pain and it makes them wary or unwilling to enter into a romantic relationship. David has a little boy to think about. He became his nephew's guardian when his brother was killed in a accident. He wants to shield himself and the boy from pain if he can.

Sophie grew up feeling as if she were her parents afterthought. They placed emphasis on their careers rather than their children. She feels as if she has to prove her worth and a relationship does not fit in her plans. This books shows that as you go about making plans the unexpected can happen. Sometimes plans need to be re-evaluated and new plans need to be made.

I loved that Terri Reed showed the emotional process of David and Sophie as they came to understand what (or who) was important to them. The second half of the book boosted the book from a three star to a three and a half star book for me.

I enjoyed the sweet message of the book. The characters were well written and easy to like. The book is a clean romance with kissing. This is a great Christmas time read to cuddle up with.







On Tour with Prism Book Tours.




Terri Reed’s romance and romantic suspense novels have appeared on Publishers Weekly top 25 Romance and Publishers Weekly top ten Religion Fiction, Nielsen’s Bookscan top 100 and featured in USA Today, Christian Fiction Magazine, More To Life Magazine and Romantic Times Magazine, finaled in RWA’s RITA contest, National Reader’s Choice Award contest, ACFW’s The Carol Award contest. She is an active member of both Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers. She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her college-sweetheart husband. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, gardening and playing with her dogs.


Tour Giveaway


- 1 winner will receive a copy of Love Inspired Classic 2 in 1, Love Comes Home and A Sheltering Love, a light up angle ornament, a Santa bookmark, A Family Under the Christmas Tree bookmark, a manicure set, and a Tule Book Girl book bag (US only)
- 1 winner will receive a $10 Amazon eGift Card (open internationally)
- Ends December 22nd

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Grab Our Button!

Posted by Bookworm Lisa at 5:00 AM 4 comments

Monday, December 12, 2016

To Warm a Wintered Heart by Deborah M. Hathaway

To Warm a Wintered Heart by Deborah M. HathawayTo Warm a Wintered Heart by Deborah M. Hathaway
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received eBook from Author to review
Genre:  Regency Romance

Book Description:  After an uneventful season in Bath, Miss Charlotte Rosebury returns home to Warwickshire, looking forward to a visit from her mother’s friend. Their expected guest, Mrs. Worthington, has promised that her son will be accompanying her, and as Charlotte has only ever heard stories of the gentleman who rarely leaves his Yorkshire estate, she is most pleased to meet him. However, when her warm welcome is returned with a fierce frown from the handsome man, she cannot help but long to be free of him and his blue-eyed glare.

Despite his mother’s protests, Mr. Gabriel Worthington had made the decision long ago to remain unmarried, but when he meets Charlotte, doubts about his decision creep into his fearful mind, and he wishes for nothing more than to flee from the woman and never return.

For weeks, the two are forced to live within the same home, and though they provoke one another with teasing and stolen glances, an unlikely friendship blossoms between them, a friendship that grows stronger than either of them had expected. Will Gabriel concede to the choices binding his heart, or can Charlotte’s warmth be just the thing to strengthen their love and, at last, end their fears?



My thoughts: There is something about the Regency time period that I love. This book is set during that time so it made it a "want to read" when the author contacted me and asked me to read her book.

Charlotte is a young woman with an independent mind. She is full of love and compassion to those around her. She smiles through her afflictions. One of the main affliction is Gabriel, the son of her mother's dear friend. They find themselves spending time together when he and his mother come to visit. Their frosty introduction thaws as they begin to see the qualities the other possesses. Soon this becomes a reluctant friendship, of course, that usually leads to love and romance.

I liked how Deborah M. Hathaway presented her characters. Both are flawed. They have circumstances in their past that hold them back from living life to the fullest. As they begin to trust each other, some of their experiences are revealed. That added depth to the characters for me and I enjoyed the story a little more.

This is a clean romance. There is kissing and a "villain" who tries to push Charlotte into more than kissing.



Purchase it for your kindle for $2.99!

Amazon 

Deborah M. Hathaway
About the Author: (Taken from Goodreads) Deborah M. Hathaway graduated from Utah State University with a bachelor's degree in English and an emphasis in Creative Writing. As a young girl, she watched her first regency romance (Pride and Prejudice, 1940), before devouring Jane Austen’s novels and being captured by all things Regency. After falling madly in love with, and then marrying, her English husband, Deborah traveled to the United Kingdom, spending time in England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. While exploring the beauty of the countryside, she received inspiration within cities such as York and Stratford-upon-Avon, the latter being one of her favorite places in the world. She is thrilled to have three novels out and is already working on her next clean romance.

Visit her WEBSITE.

Posted by Bookworm Lisa at 5:30 AM 2 comments

Thursday, December 8, 2016

Winter Sky by Chris Stewart



Winter SkyWinter Sky by Chris Stewart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Source: Received from Publisher to Review
Genre: WWII fiction

Book Description:  In a bombed-out Polish village during World War II a young resistance fighter finds that he is suddenly alone and trapped between two opposing armies. He is one of Poland's "Devil's Rebels" fighting desperately to save his homeland, but an injury has erased his memory and his only possession is a torn photograph of a couple he assumes are his parents. The woman appears to be holding the hand of a young child whose image has been ripped off. Could the child be him?

Caught in the crosshairs of the retreating German army and the advancing Russian forces, the village holds nothing but destruction and despair until a mysterious young woman offers a small glimmer of hope that may represent his last chance - news of a refuge train departing from a nearby town headed for American installations at the border. But complications arise when the resistance fighter is betrayed by his own countryman and hunted by German SS Officers who are determined to kill him before they retreat. Desperately searching for a home and family he can't remember he is persuaded to rescue two children who are doomed to die without his help.

As time runs out the former rebel is faced with an impossible choice. Standing at the crossroads of saving himself or risking his life for strangers, what would motivate a young man at the brink of salvation to make one more sacrifice?


My thoughts; When I was asked if I would like to read this book, I jumped at the opportunity. Chris Stewart is the author of one of my all-time favorite books, Prologue: The Brothers. I love the series, but The Brothers is my favorite.

Winter Sky takes me to a time and place that I am not as familiar with. When I think of WWII, I think of the allies vs. Germany, concentrations camps, Pearl Harbor, etc. It is easier for me to focus on the grand scale of the war and not on the people or places caught in the middle.

This book takes place in Poland. The Polish were hated by the Germans and the Russians. (A fact that I rarely remember.) The focus of the book is on Lucas, a rebel soldier who has lost his memory in a battle that nearly took his life. He is now fighting, not with a regiment, but behind the scenes ans he struggles to regain him memories and deal with the pain of those memories.

He has two children who are orphaned who join him in this journey. It is heartbreaking to think of the children left alone after parents were killed senselessly. This book brings to mind the sacrifices that were made by those who fought for their country and sought to fight against oppression.

This is an excellent book. It takes place around Christmas time. Some of the images of Christ's hand in the middle of horror are inspiring. This book reminds me of all that I have to be thankful for. I also remember those who fought for their home and country. I am grateful to them and their sacrifices.



Where can you purchase a copy?

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository * Deseret Book


Watch Chris Stewart talk about his book!

 
Posted by Bookworm Lisa at 5:00 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Book Spotlight ~ "Christmas Greetings From the Presidents"



Christmas Greetings from the Presidents

Christmas Greeting From the Presidents
96 Pages
Published by Shadow Mountain 9/16/2016

Christmas Greetings from the Presidents takes a comforting, nostalgic look back in time to when Americans viewed the annual Christmas message to the nation as the embodiment of a national spirit of unity and goodwill through both the best of times and the darkest days of national trials. The book, the first of its kind by a national publisher, chronicles presidential Christmas messages from the inception of this tradition in 1927 with Calvin Coolidge to President Obama. It provides the historical context of the era, rarely-seen archival photographs that offer us a window into the history unfolding at the time, and a sidebar “Did you Know” feature with trivia that often shines a new light on the personality of the president as he responds to unplanned Christmas-time events.

Purchase Links:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository * Deseret Book
Posted by Bookworm Lisa at 5:30 AM 0 comments

Monday, December 5, 2016

Love For All Seasons Tour Grand Finale

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Book Tour Grand Finale for
Love for All Seasons
By Stacy Henrie

Love is something that is perfect for every season of the year. We hope you enjoyed finding out more about this newest novella collection set during each of the four seasons. If you missed any of the excerpts or review, go back and check them out now...

Launch - Note from the Author

In these four novellas - one for each season of the year - you'll meet four couples who overcome a myriad of obstacles to love with faith and determination. Each story takes place in a different time period and setting, one that I felt really showcased that particular season.


"I love this author's writing style and loved how well the novellas came together into stories that felt complete. For as much as I complain about certain seasons (namely winter because I hate being freezing cold all of the time...and maybe autumn because right now, I'm pretty tired of raking leaves), I LOVE having seasons. There are things that I love about each and every one and having a sweet story set in each season is truly magical."

Heidi Reads... - Review

"Love for All Seasons was a perfect reading experience! . . . It was too hard to pick a favorite from the four stories set in each of the four seasons, so I recommend reading them all and deciding for yourself ;) Can't wait to read more from this author!"


"I enjoyed each novella very much and won’t even try to pick a favorite. Love for All Seasons is filled with sweet, touching stories – perfect for any time of the year when you’re looking for a satisfying shorter read."

Bookworm Lisa - Review

"I loved this anthology! The stories are short and super sweet. I loved all of the characters and wanted to see their romances bloom. The book has a romance for each season of the year."


"If you are looking for some sweet historical romances, set in different eras, tied together with a similar inspirational thread, look no further than Love For All Seasons by Stacy Henrie. It’s a collection that easily be read in one sitting, but you’ll also find yourself wanting to savor each story, reluctant to leave the characters behind. An excellent set of novellas, all four strong and each one unique."


Samantha knew the voice without turning. It was Rex. Her best friend. Her longtime neighbor. And the boy she’d bested as many times as she’d lost to during their shared years at the one-room schoolhouse up the road. Their competitive dares hadn’t ended, either, when Rex, two years her senior, had graduated. Though Samantha had enjoyed being the shining star of the classroom for those two years.


If he stayed here long enough, maybe Mr. Whitefield would give up the idea of Rex accompanying Samantha, in this too-small sleigh, for the evening.

 Not that he didn’t want to help deliver the gifts—he hated to see the older man’s traditional
Christmas Eve activity halted by illness, and Rex agreed that Samantha shouldn’t go out alone.
But tonight’s outing would make keeping his promise to stay away from Samantha impossible.

Wishful Endings - Excerpt

Tempest leapt up to find the hammer sitting innocently on top of the ledger at the far end of the counter. “Aha.” She lifted the tool off the account book and brandished it in the air in triumph. She’d remembered after all.

 “Do you greet all of your customers as if you mean to bash them over the head?”


"As always, Henrie delivers lovely and wonderful stories that readers will absolutely love. I would recommend this magnificent novella collection to readers that enjoy Henrie’s previous work, as well as are fans of historical romance stories."


Bram charged into the street, heedless of the traffic, his bag of unneeded nails gripped inside his hand. He hadn’t expected his competition to be a woman. And certainly not one as passionate and pretty as Tempest Blakely. When she’d leapt up from behind the counter, brandishing that hammer like some fierce Roman goddess, he quite forgot his purpose in entering the store in the first place.

Mel's Shelves - Review

"Even though the stories are short, they feel complete. The characters and situations are so different and I enjoyed each one of them. I loved how faith and belief in God played an important role in each of their stories. This is the type of book you can enjoy in bits and pieces or all at once. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys reading clean, historical romance!"

Bookworm Nation - Excerpt

After gathering up the bundle of towels and clean linens to deliver to the next room, Loralee slipped out the door—only to crash into a firm chest clad in a damp bathing shirt. A hand clasped her elbow to keep her from joining the towels and sheets that had spilled onto the carpet.

Don't forget to enter the awesome giveaway below as well...

Love for All Seasons: Four Inspirational Historical Romance NovellasLove for All Seasons
(Four Inspirational Historical Romance Novellas)
Inspirational Historical Romance
ebook, 164 pages
November 9th 2016

If you like the inspirational historical romances of Deanne Gist and Lauraine Snelling, you’ll love USA Today bestselling author Stacy Henrie! With four novellas—one for each season of the year—you’ll find a heartwarming collection of couples from a simpler time in America who discover the redeeming powers of faith and love.

A Long Winter Kiss

As Samantha and Rex’s childhood friendship matured into young love, they promised their hearts to one another, even as Rex headed off to war. But their hope for a bright future was shattered when Rex succumbed to his belief that the horrors of war had made him a man no woman could love. Now he has returned, and Samantha must help Rex see that he still has much to give—and much more to gain—by replacing fear with faith and opening himself to love.

An Unlikely Spring Courtship

Tempest worked hard to secure her independence as a woman running her own mercantile, so when Bram has the audacity to open a competing shop in a town with only enough room for one, Tempest is driven to despair. And then to retaliation. But when tragedy strikes their community and threatens everything they both hold dear, will they be able to recognize that what they share is far more important than what separates them?

A Summer for Love

Loralee’s life has changed dramatically in the eight years since she’s last seen the resort town of Bayocean, but one thing that has never changed is her feelings for Wyatt, a man she promised to meet at the resort on a specific day if they were both still unattached. When Wyatt appears on that date, as hopeful and uncertain as Loralee, the two must see if an old and abiding love has outlasted the changes wrought by time—and begin to build a new life together.

Romance in Autumn

Phoebe and James grew up together but apart in the same beautiful mansion, he as the son of the owners, she as the daughter of a servant. In the years since, Phoebe’s fortunes have changed dramatically, and she carries the dream of one day owning the mansion that is still close to her heart. Until James—now a deeply compelling man—delivers the bad news that securing the purchase will be all but impossible. As Phoebe reluctantly relinquishes her dream, she will also look deep into her soul to learn that a true home might exist in her budding love for James.



USA Today bestselling author Stacy Henrie is the author of western romances and the Of Love and War series, which includes Hope at Dawn, a 2015 RITA Award finalist for excellence in romance. She was born and raised in the West, where she currently resides with her family. She enjoys reading, road trips, interior decorating, chocolate, and most of all, laughing with her husband and kids. You can learn more about Stacy and her books by visiting her website at stacyhenrie.com.


Tour Giveaway

$40 Amazon eGift Card and Winner's Choice of an ebook of Any of Stacy Henrie's Books (you can see her books listed on Amazon here)
Open internationally
Ends December 8th

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Grab Our Button!
Posted by Bookworm Lisa at 4:30 AM 2 comments

The Shattered Vigil by Patrick W. Carr

The Shattered Vigil by Patrick W. CarrThe Shattered Vigil by Patrick W. Carr
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received from Bethany House to Review
Genre: Fantasy

Book Description:  Award-Winner Carr Delivers Latest in Fantasy Saga

Victory over the dark forces during the feast of Bas-solas should have guaranteed safety for the continent. Instead, Willet and the rest of the Vigil discover they've been outsmarted by those seeking to unleash the evil that inhabits the Darkwater. Jorgen, the member of the Vigil assigned to Frayel, has gone missing, and new attacks have struck at the six kingdoms' ability to defend themselves.

Just when the Vigil thought they had quenched the menace from their enemy in Collum, a new threat emerges: assassins hunting the Vigil, men and women who cannot be seen until it's too late. The orders of the church and the rulers of the kingdoms, fearing the loss of the Vigil's members altogether, have decided to take them into protective custody to safeguard their gift. On Pellin's orders, the Vigil scatters, leaving Willet to be taken prisoner by the church in Bunard.
In the midst of this, Willet learns of the murder of an obscure nobleman's daughter by one of the unseen assassins. Now he must escape his imprisonment and brave the wrath of the church to find the killer in order to turn back this latest threat to the northern continent. 


My thoughts: When you think that things are going well for Will Dura, chaos erupts!

This is the second book in the Darkwater Saga. Will and the other members of the Vigil defeated the evil of the Darkwater in the first book. They did not know that the evil is spreading and the enemy is taking a new approach to corrupt society.

In order to fully grasp this book, you really need to read The Shock of Night first. The plot of this fantasy is complex. There are many people involved. The Vigil is a complex group that has religious origins. They have "gift" to sort through memories and determine a person's innocence or guilt. They can also exact justice.

The Darkwater is a forest where evil lurks. It alters minds and changes personalities. The Vigil has tries to keep people from the forest, but there are ways to entice people to enter. The way that Patrick W Carr writes his story is enticing. I could see both sides of the coin and have empathy for characters that I normally would not. He uses the most unlikely heroes who step up and do amazing things. I have enjoyed every book he has written (yes, I have read them all.)

If you are a fantasy lover and love an epic tale you should read this saga. It has violence. The people are evil and there are uncomfortable things done to good people. There is mention of rape, but it is not descriptive.  There will be another book!



Where can you purchase a copy?

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository




Posted by Bookworm Lisa at 4:00 AM 0 comments
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