"the breath of dawn" by kristen heitzmann

 About the book (provided by Litfuse): Corporate turnaround specialist Morgan Spencer, dubbed the "success guru," has a Midas touch in business. But losing his wife sent him to the brink, and his two-year-old daughter, Livie, is all he's living for—until they encounter a woman whose trouble just might draw him out of his own.

Four years ago Quinn Reilly did the right thing. Now the man her testimony put in jail is getting out. Though she has put up barriers to protect herself and those around her, she has come to care for the Spencer family, especially the winsome Livie and her mercurial father. Unwilling to put them at risk when the threats begin, she requests something she hopes the super-successful Morgan might be able to deliver.

Fixing problems is what Morgan does best, but his counterproposal takes them in a direction neither is equipped to handle. Determined to confront the past, will they survive to build a future?

My take: I began reading The Breath of Dawn with high expectations, as I've really enjoyed all of the other Kristen Heitzmann books I've read. Happily, this book lived up to my expectations!

Heitzmann has weaved an intriguing tale of love, trust, betrayal, and second chances. The plot is full of twists and turns, but it never seems contrived. And the characters seem like people you could actually meet in real life.

The Breath of Dawn is Heitzmann's third book featuring the Spencer family (A Rush of Wings and The Still of Night are the first two), yet it functions well as a stand alone novel. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it! 4-1/2 stars.

See what other bloggers are saying.
Buy the book.
See my reviews of Heitzmann's Indivisible and Indelible.

About the author: Kristen Heitzmann is the bestselling author of over a dozen novels, including Freefall, Halos, A Rush of Wings, and the Christy Award winner Secrets. She and her husband, Jim, and their family live in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she serves as worship leader in their church.

Find out more about Kristen at http://www.kristenheitzmannbooks.com/.

About the giveaway: Kristen Heitzmann is celebrating The Breath of Dawn by giving away one of the new Paperwhite Kindles and hosting a fun Author Chat Party on Facebook. (11/27)

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A Kindle Paperwhite
• The Breath of Dawn by Kristen Heitzmann

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 26th. Winner will be announced at the "The Breath of Dawn" Author Chat Facebook Party on 11/27. Connect with Kristen, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at the trivia contest, and chat with readers just like you. There will also be gift certificates, books and a Book Club Prize Pack to be won (10 copies for your book club or small group)!

So grab your copy of The Breath of Dawn and join Kristen on the evening of the November 27th for a chance to connect with Kristen and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 27th!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"the guest book" by marybeth whalen

About the book: When Macy was a child, her family traveled to Sunset Beach and stayed at Time in a Bottle guest house each summer. One year, she drew a picture in the house's guest book, and when she returned the next year, she found a response—another drawing and a picture of the boy who drew it. For several years, Macy and this boy corresponded only through drawing in the guest book, and Macy fell more in love with him each year. But then her dad died, and the family stopped visiting Time in a Bottle.

Ten years later, Macy, now a single mother, returns to Time in a Bottle with her mother, brother, and daughter. She prays a desperate prayer, begging God to allow her to meet the boy she knows only as "the artist," having no idea how radically that prayer will change her life.

My take: I requested this book from Vine because I'd become familiar with author Marybeth Whalen through the website Southern Belle View. (Though Whalen no longer writes for the site, I'd still encourage you to check it out.) Because of what I'd read on the site, I was fairly certain I'd enjoy The Guest Book—but I had no idea just how much I'd love it!

The Guest Book is one of those novels that you could easily see being made into a movie. (Are you listening, Hallmark Channel???) Though it starts off a bit slowly, the pace is nice. It's a thought provoking, gentle book that deals with some weighty issues without being heavy handed or overbearing.

I loved Macy's quest to find the artist, and, like Macy, I was thoroughly confused as to who he might be. Though it is a romance, the book is more about Macy finding her way back to God than about finding a man, and I like it that way. (I also wish that God would drop three incredible men into my lap, as happened in this book. What a problem to have!) This is one of the most enjoyable books I've recently read! 4-1/2 stars.

Buy the book.
Watch the book trailer.

About the author: Marybeth Whalen is the wife of Curt and mom of six children. She is the director of She Reads, an online book club focused on spotlighting the best in women's fiction. Marybeth is the author of The Mailbox, She Makes It Look Easy and The Guest Book. Marybeth spends most of her time in the grocery store but occasionally escapes long enough to scribble some words. She's always at work on her next novel. Marybeth and her family live in North Carolina. You can find her online at www.marybethwhalen.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this product free for review from Amazon.com through it's Vine reviewer program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.

"no safe harbor" by elizabeth ludwig

About the book: She came to America searching for her brother. Instead all she's found is a web of danger.

Cara Hamilton had thought her brother to be dead. Now, clutching his letter, she leaves Ireland for America, desperate to find him. Her search leads her to a houseful of curious strangers, and one man who claims to be a friend—Rourke Walsh. Despite her brother's warning, Cara trusts Rourke, revealing her purpose in coming to New York.

She's then thrust into a world of subterfuge, veiled threats, and attempted murder, including political revolutionaries from the homeland out for revenge. Her questions guide her ever nearer to locating her brother-but they also bring her closer to destruction as those who want to kill him track her footsteps.

With her faith in tatters, all hope flees. Will her brother finally surface? Can he save Cara from the truth about Rourke... a man she's grown to love?

My take: I did not expect to enjoy No Safe Harbor. The cover is gorgeous, and the book summary is intriguing, so why was I prepared to dislike this book? Because I did something I never do with books I'm reviewing: I read another reviewer's take before picking up the book. My mistake was innocent enough—I forgot I'd requested the book. After reading the lukewarm review, I planned to stay away from No Safe Harbor. (This particular reviewer often enjoys books more than I do, but I'd never seen him give a negative review to a book I liked.) Then a few days later, the book arrived on my doorstep. I put off reading it as long as possible, and when I started reading, my fears seemed to be confirmed.

But then ...

I kept reading, and soon I found myself swept into the story. The mysteries regarding Cara's brother and Rourke's father kept me guessing, and I couldn't wait to figure out who was really calling the shots. I also enjoyed the romance between Cara and Rourke, as well as the relationships Cara built with the others in her boardinghouse.

The other reviewer's criticisms are valid (you can see his review here), but these issues did not diminish the enjoyment I got from reading No Safe Harbor. In fact, I'd expect all of those questions he had to be answered in upcoming books. (No Safe Harbor is book one in Ludwig's Edge of Freedom series.)

No Safe Harbor is well written, engaging, and full of intrigue. Reading this book reinforced my belief that while reviews are important—especially for building buzz about a book—they should be taken with a grain of salt. (As a book blogger, should I even be saying this???) We all connect with books—or fail to connect with them—for different reasons. A book I love, you may hate. And I book I pan, you may think is the greatest book ever written. But that's part of the joy of reading fiction—discovering great stories for yourself. And if you hate a book? Well, no one said you had to finish it! (Unless, of course, you're a book blogger...) 4 stars.

Buy the book.
See what other reviewers are saying.

About the author: Elizabeth Ludwig is an award-winning author and an accomplished speaker and teacher. Her historical novel Love Finds You in Calico, California earned four stars from Romantic Times. She is the owner and editor of the popular literary blog The Borrowed Book. Along with her husband and two children, Elizabeth makes her home in Orange, Texas.

Learn more at www.elizabethludwig.com.

About the giveaway: Elizabeth Ludwig is celebrating her new book with a Kindle Fire Giveaway and connecting with readers at a Facebook Author Chat party on 12/6.

One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• No Safe Harbor by Elizabeth Ludwig

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 5th. Winner will be announced at the "No Safe Harbor" Author Chat Facebook Party on 12/6. Connect with Elizabeth, get a sneak peek of the next book in the Edge of Freedom series, try your hand at the trivia contest, and win some great prizes—gift certificates, books and a Book Club Prize Pack (10 copies for your book club or small group)!

So grab your copy of No Safe Harbor and join Elizabeth on the evening of the December 6th for a chance to connect with her and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 6th!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"everyday matters bible for women"

About the Bible: Today’s Christian Woman is so busy handling the challenges of day-to-day life that spending time in the Word can easily become yet another ‘should’ buried in that growing list of daily ‘musts.’ Created in partnership with Kyria.com, Christianity Today’s women’s magazine, the Everyday Matters Bible for Women is designed to help women develop spiritual practices that will make their lives richer, not harder. It offers practical encouragement and tools to renew, reinvigorate and restore meaning to everyday life.

This Bible features twenty-four disciplines—or practices—that position us to receive power and strength to do those things that we cannot possibly do on our own and make everyday life fuller and deeper. Each discipline is represented by a colorful icon whose illustration is a reminder of its meaning.

The contemporary language of the New Living Translation combines with content from today’s foremost Christian leaders to help readers understand and apply spiritual discipline.

Contains more than 300 articles and features by more than 140 of today’s most well-known Christian leaders and writers, including: Kay Warren, Priscilla Shirer, Elisa Morgan, Nancy & John Ortberg, Richard Foster, Liz Curtis Higgs, and Lauren Winner.

My Take: I really like this Bible. The translation is New Living, which is one of my favorites for reading. It seems like there's a Bible out there geared toward just about every type of person (and I've owned several, beginning with The Adventure Bible when I was a kid!), so you might be tempted to think this is just another marketing gimmick. But this is different from other Bibles I've seen. What sets this Bible apart are the features included. I really like the idea of studying spiritual disciplines while reading the Bible, and if you don't need an extra book to do it, then all the better!

I wasn't quite sure where to start when I picked up this Bible, so I decided to flip to Philippians, which is the book we're studying in my Monday afternoon Bible study (not to be confused with my Monday evening study over Revelation). The Philippians section contains three additional readings on the disciplines of service, stewardship, and worship. The one that really jumped out at me was on stewardship. This reading, written by JoHannah Reardon, talks about how part of the stewardship of our bodies includes learning to say no, sometimes to good things. That's one of the very things I've been learning (slowly...) this year!

One other thing I like about this Bible the index of spiritual practices (disciplines). Each discipline is listed, along with the locations for each related reading and additional verses for further study. Since the stewardship reading jumped out at me, I think I'll study that discipline first!

Overall, I'm very pleased with this Bible. I think it would be especially beneficial for use during quiet time or in a small group Bible study. (Suggestions for using it in a small group are given right before the index.) Also, because I'm a woman and care about these things, I have to note that the Bible really is beautiful! I love the cover, and the touches of color throughout the book really make it pleasing to the eye. 5 stars.

Buy the book. (Note: The Kindle version is listed as free, but it's not really the whole Bible—it's an introduction and all the readings on "Acceptance" to give you a feel for the Bible.)
See what other reviewers are saying.
Follow Everyday Matters Bible on Facebook and Twitter.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a free copy of this product to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” I am part of the CWA Review Crew.

media update & a giveaway

Here are a few things I've been thinking about/obsessed with recently ... and be sure to keep reading to the end because I'm giving away a good book!

• Hart of Dixie: I recently reviewed the pilot on my new blog. That's right; I started a new blog. I may have some mental issues! I haven't done too much with it yet, but hopefully now that I'm not reading quite so much I'll be able to spend more time on it. Anyway, Hart of Dixie. It's one of those shows that's in the same vein as Gilmore Girls—quirky characters in a small town. It's even filmed on the WB lot in some of the same places that Gilmore Girls used. I discovered this show on Netflix a couple months ago and powered through all of season one in less than a month. Now I eagerly await each new episode. Also, I recently discovered that Scott Porter, who plays one of Dr. Zoe Hart's potential love interests, is a huge Nebraska fan, which immediately endeared him to me. (And no, I still haven't watched that little show Porter's mainly known for ...)
• Kindle Fire HD: Last winter, my dad gave my mom a Kindle Fire. I immediately fell in love with it. I contemplated getting one, but I decided to wait for the inevitable new model. I'm so glad I did! I ordered the Kindle Fire HD the day after it was announced, and it arrived on my doorstep the day it was released. For a while, I thought I'd use both my Kindle Keyboard (that I bought 1-1/2 years ago) and my Kindle Fire. Not so. I haven't used the old Kindle once since I got the Fire ... so I'm giving it to my sister.
• Christmas Music: Today is November 11, which is much too early for Christmas music. Christmas music should not be listened to prior to Black Friday (when it turns into a Christmas music free-for-all) ... or so I normally claim. But recently I stumbled across some cheap ($5 or less) Christmas music on Amazon, and I had to indulge myself! They have 100 $5 Christmas albums this month (and my guess is they'll have 100 more next month). Plus, there are other ridiculously discounted Christmas albums, like the Elf soundtrack for $4.49. I ended up buying two soundtracks: Elf and Home Alone. Can a person have too much Christmas music? I don't think so! 
• Christmas Movies: My parents have cable now (for the first time ever!), so I thought perhaps my compulsion to purchase Christmas movies during the holiday season would disappear due to the plethora of cheesy Christmas romance at my disposal. I was wrong. So, so wrong. Lifetime just released this item. Twelve Christmas movies for $30? That's just $2.50 per movie—and two of them (Recipe for a Perfect Christmas and His & Her Christmas) were ones I wanted anyway! Purchasing them separately would have cost half of what I paid for all 12. See how easy it is for me to justify Christmas movie purchases? I've already watched and reviewed one of the movies, Christmas in Paradise, on my other other blog. Check it out.
• Giveaway: I received an extra copy of The Memory Jar from Zondervan, so I'm giving it away! Tricia Goyer is a great writer, and I enjoyed this book. Enter using the form below. (Giveaway open to US residents only.) 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

"courting cate" by leslie gould

About the book: When This Couple Gets to Courting, Sparks Will Fly!

In Paradise, Pennsylvania, Cate Miller is known more for her sharp tongue and fiery temper than her striking appearance. Her sweet and flirty sister, Betsy, on the other hand, seems to have attracted most of the bachelors in Lancaster County!

But the sisters' wealthy father has made one hard-and-fast rule: older Cate must marry first, before younger Betsy can even start courting. Unfortunately, untamable Cate has driven away every suitor—until Pete Treger comes to town, that is.

Prodded by the men of the area, Pete turns his attention to winning Cate's hand. But is his interest true or is there a scheme at play?

Book 1 in The Courtships of Lancaster County series.

My take: When I first picked up this book to read, the thought that ran through my head was why on earth did I request another Amish book? I enjoy Amish fiction, but I quickly tire of it, so I haven't been reading it very often anymore. Then I flipped the book over and read the back copy ... and then I knew why I'd requested it—it's based on Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew! I can't get enough of modern retellings of classic literature, and The Taming of the Shrew is probably my third favorite of Shakespeare's plays (behind Much Ado About Nothing and Hamlet, just in case you were wondering). Win-win!

So even though I had a pretty good idea of how this book would turn out, I enjoyed every minute I spent reading Courting Cate. It's humorous, heartwarming, thought provoking, and just plain fun! 4-1/2 stars.

See what other bloggers are saying.
Buy the book.

About the author: Leslie Gould is the co-author, with Mindy Starns Clark, of the #1 bestselling The Amish Midwife and The Amish Nanny. She is also the author of numerous novels, including Garden of Dreams, Beyond the Blue (winner of the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice for Best Inspirational Novel, 2006), and Scrap Everything. She holds an MFA in creative writing from Portland State University and has taught fiction writing at Multnomah University as an adjunct professor. She resides with her husband and four children in Portland, Oregon.

Learn more at www.lesliegould.com.

About the giveaway: A retelling of the Taming of the Shrew! Leslie Gould is celebrating the release of Courting Cate with a fun Kindle Fire Giveaway and a Facebook Author Chat Party (11/20)!

One lucky winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Courting Cate by Leslie Gould

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 19th. Winner will be announced at the "Courting Cate" Author Chat Facebook Party on 11/20. Connect with Leslie, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at an Amish trivia contest, and chat with readers just like you. There will also be gift certificates, books and a Book Club Prize Pack to be won (10 copies for your book club or small group)!

So grab your copy of Courting Cate and join Leslie on the evening of the November 20th for a chance to connect with Leslie and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 20th!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"the memory jar" by tricia goyer

About the book (provided by Litfuse): Every year, 30-40 young Amish men descend on the cozy little town of West Kootenai, Montana, arriving in the spring to live there for six months and receive 'resident' status for the hunting season in the fall. They arrive as bachelors, but go home with brides!

Sarah Shelter has lived in West Kootenai for the last ten years and wonders if she will ever fall in love. Since the tragic death of her best friend, she carries her memories in a jar along with the small items connected to them. For just as long, she's also been carrying around her emotions instead of allowing them to penetrate deep into her heart. Now she's met Jathan, a kind and gentle man who may be able to break down the wall. But can Sarah risk her heart to finally achieve her dreams?

My take: While I'm not a huge fan of Amish fiction, Tricia Goyer's Big Sky series is one of my favorites ever—Amish or not. So I jumped at the chance to read The Memory Jar, the beginning of a new series also set in West Kootenai, Montana.

As the story began, I thought I had it all figured out—Sarah and Jathan would fall in love and live happily ever after. And while that does happen, the couple faces several challenges on their way to happily ever after—challenges that are realistic and sometimes seem insurmountable.

While I enjoyed Sarah and Jathan's love story and reading about the growth each of them personally experienced, one of my favorite aspects of the book was the presence of characters from Goyer's Big Sky series. It helped the story to seem that much more real!

The one aspect of the book that I didn't enjoy was the flashbacks to Sarah's childhood with her best friend Patty. While the flashbacks did give insight into Sarah's personality and struggles, I felt that they basically served to pull me out of the story. I also didn't connect with the characters as much as I would have liked. Still, it was an enjoyable read—I just didn't think it was as great as some of Goyer's other work. 3-1/2 stars.

See what other reviewers are saying.
Buy the book.
Watch the book trailer.
See my reviews of Beside Still Waters and Along Wooded Paths, books one and two in the Big Sky series.

About the author: Tricia Goyer is the award winning author of over thirty books including Beside Still Waters, Remembering You, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences and is the host of Living Inspired. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife.

Find out more about Tricia at http://triciagoyer.com.

About the giveaway: Celebrate with Tricia by entering her Amish Kindle Gift Pack Giveaway and RSVPing to her Facebook party on November 7th. (And be sure to catch the fun video trailer or try your hand at one of the simple, keepsake crafts Tricia has put together on her website.)

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A brand new Kindle Fire
• Custom-made Memory Jar Kindle Cover
• Amish-made decorative items {Wall hanging, horse/buggy and Amish houses}
• The Memory Jar {Be swept away by this captivating series.}

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 6th. Winner will be announced at the "Memory Jar Author Chat Party on 11/7. Connect with Tricia for an evening of book chat, Amish trivia, and a live video chat! There will also be a chance to win gift certificates, books, and other fun prizes!

So grab your copy of The Memory Jar and join Tricia on the evening of the November 7th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 7th!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."