my (current) favorite things, march 2013 edition

It's been a very long time since I've done a "favorite things" post ... though I do have two that I started to write last year and never posted! Here are some things I've been enjoying lately:

• French press coffee. Last week, I finally bought a French press. I'd been wanting one for a while, but I just never got around to buying one. What took me so long? French press coffee is awesome! Plus, I can make however much (or little) I want. I ended up getting the Primula Classic Glass 8-Cup Coffee Press, and I'm glad I got it when I did—the price has jumped $7 since I ordered it!
• My cats. I've been pretty silent about them on the blog lately, but they're still here, and I still love them! I'm not sure if Isis will ever forgive me for taking away her chance to be a mother, but the changes in Hammond and Skaara since I got them fixed have more than made up for whatever hatred Isis shoots my way! Also, Sam is still around—she's the stray who showed up last fall looking like she was at death's door. She's fully recovered and is now definitely one of the crew ... though I wouldn't find myself heartbroken if she disappeared! (Hammond is another story. When I lose him, my heart will break.)

See those eyes? They are definitely not saying, "I love you, Becky!"

• Pushing Daisies. Several years ago, my cousin Beth told me I should watch Pushing Daisies because I'd really like it. I didn't really want to join a show mid-season, so I just filed away her recommendation. Then the show got canceled, and I forgot about it. A few days ago, I was looking for something to watch before bed. Netflix didn't have anything that called to me, so I checked out Amazon Prime Instant Video. And there it was: Pushing Daisies. I watched the first episode and was entranced. (I blogged about the episode here.) Pushing Daisies is whimsical, funny, and beautifully filmed. If you have Prime, you should definitely check it out! 
• Chicken pizza. I recently "invented" the most divine (and simple) chicken pizza. It can be made in 20 minutes, start to finish. It tastes wonderful, and it's actually pretty healthy! Look for the recipe on the blog soon.
• Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer. My sister Val introduced me to this primer when we visited for Thanksgiving. It is absolutely wonderful! I bought my own just before Christmas, and I'm still on the first bottle ... so even though it costs $36, it lasts a long time! (I only use it on days I wear foundation. On other days, I use Avon's MagiX Face Perfector. At $10 a bottle, it's a bit more economical!)
• Lizzie Bennet diaries. I first heard about this YouTube series on Annie Downs' blog. It's fantastic! Check out the first episode below, and then I'm sure you'll want to watch more. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. 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."

"love in the balance" by regina jennings

About the book: Molly Lovelace dreams of marrying Bailey Garner. She also dreams of a life lived in wealthy society ... and as Bailey is a poor wrangler, she can't see how the two dreams mesh.

Molly knows she loves Bailey, but when her parents start to push her off on rich gentlemen, Molly wavers—should she wait for Bailey to make a name for himself, or should she marry Edward Pierrepont, a rich man who sweeps into town and wants to sweep Molly off her feet?

My take: I'm going to be completely honest here—for the first 10 chapters, I loathed Molly. She was snobbish, manipulative, and eager to blame her problems on others. Had I not agreed to review this book, I would not have finished it. After all, who wants to read about a heroine they can't stand?

But then something changed. Actually, Molly changed. Her story is a redemption story, showing how Christ can completely change someone's life. No, she didn't become perfect, but she certainly became relatable. I went from hoping Bailey would wash his hands of Molly and fall for someone sweet (like her friend Prue) to longing to shake some sense into the two of them as they clearly belonged together!

Jennings' first book, Sixty Acres and a Bride, was loosely based on the story of Ruth and Boaz. As I read Love in the Balance, I tried to come up with a story it might be based on, and I think it's The Scarlet Letter. It's not a direct retelling, though; it's more that some of the themes are similar (though you could definitely find versions of Hester, Rev. Dimmesdale, and Chillingworth in the pages of this novel). Love in the Balance deals with unconfessed sin, judging others, and forgiveness ... and it does so in a very entertaining way! 4 stars.

See what other bloggers are saying.
Buy the book.
Read my review of Jennings' Sixty Acres and a Bride.

About the author: Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a history minor. She has worked at The Mustang News and First Baptist Church of Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and various livestock shows. She now lives outside Oklahoma City with her husband and four children.

Find out more about Regina at http://www.reginajennings.com/.

About the giveaway:
Regina Jennings is celebrating the release of Love in the Balance with a Kindle Fire Giveaway and a Facebook Author Chat Party on 4/4!

One "lovely" winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire 
• A copy of Regina's Sixty Acres and a Bride and Love in the Balance

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 3rd. Winner will be announced at the "Love in the Balance" Author Chat Party on April 4th. Connect with Regina, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at a trivia contest, and chat with readers just like you. There will also be many fun giveaways -- gift certificates, books, and more!

So grab your copy of Love in the Balance and join Regina on the evening of April 4th 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 4th!

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. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. 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."

a long time ago, we used to be friends* ... and now we're going to be friends again!

Two weeks ago, I arrived home from judging a speech meet, turned on my computer, and saw that my Twitter and Facebook feeds were overrun with Veronica Mars posts. I clicked on one of the links and learned the. best. news. Series creator Rob Thomas (not the guy from Matchbox Twenty) had struck a deal with Warner Brothers—if he could raise $2 million through a Kickstarter campaign, Warner Brothers would greenlight a VM movie.

I'm quite familiar with Kickstarter, as I've backed two (failed) projects in the past. Here's how it works: the creator sets a goal (in this case, $2 million in one month). He or she then offers "rewards" to people who support the project (these people are called backers). A backer can choose how much money to give based on the reward he or she wants. (A backer can also give more or less than the specified reward amounts.) If the goal is met, the project is funded. If the goal isn't met, then no one is out any money.

For a couple hours, I debated whether I wanted to become a backer. Of course I wanted to see the movie, but did I want to actually throw some of my hard earned money behind the project? I finally decided "yes" ... for entirely selfish reasons. I live in small town Nebraska, where chances of a Veronica Mars movie playing in a theater near me are slim to none. Sure, I could wait for the DVD, but did I really want to do that? No! So I'm backing the Veronica Mars movie at the $35 level, which will get me a pdf of the script (don't care), a t-shirt (kinda cool, but not necessary), and a digital copy of the film within a few days of its theatrical release. Now that's the kind of reward I want!

I backed the film when the project was at $1.8 million. Shortly thereafter, it rolled past $2 million. Right now, with 16 days left, it's at nearly $4.1 million. So it's definitely going to happen! Yippee!!!

Thomas and series star Kristen Bell put together this video announcing the project. If you're a VM fan, you need to watch this! (Just be aware there is some language, thanks to "Dick Casablancas" [Ryan Hansen].)



And here's a great article about the film ... including spoilers! (For something like this, I want all the spoilers!)

*The title of this post is a reference to The Dandy Warhols' song that served as the series' theme. You can see the opening credits here.

Have you backed any Kickstarter projects? And are you even remotely as excited as I am for the Veronica Mars movie?

"swept away" by mary connealy

About the book (from Litfuse): When a cowboy focused on revenge encounters a woman determined to distract him, there's going to be trouble in Texas!

Swept away when her wagon train attempts a difficult river crossing, Ruthy MacNeil isn't terribly upset at being separated from the family who raised her. All they've ever done is work her to the bone. Alive but disoriented, she's rescued by Luke Stone...so unfortunately, there are more chances to die in her immediate future.

Luke is on a mission to reclaim the ranch stolen from his family. But the men currently on the property won't let it go without a fight. Luke plans to meet up with friends who will help him take back the land, and since he can't just leave Ruthy in the middle of nowhere, she's going to have to go with him.

But the more time Luke spends around the hardworking young woman, the more he finds himself thinking of things besides revenge. Will Ruthy convince him to give up his destructive path and be swept away by love?

My take: Mary Connealy has created another series with fascinating characters and heartwarming romance. Her "Trouble in Texas" series begins with Swept Away, which tells the story of Luke Stone (brother of Callie Kincaid from "The Kincaid Brides" series).

I really enjoyed this story, and I especially liked Luke's friends—hopefully, each friend will get his own book! I also liked the subplot with Glynna Greer, the wife of the man who stole Luke's ranch, and I'm glad the next book in the series will focus on her.

While I liked Swept Away—especially the action—I didn't think the book was quite as romantic as some of Connealy's others. However, I definitely enjoyed this book more overall than I did any of the Kincaid books, and I liked those quite a lot! 4.5 out of 5 stars.

See what other bloggers are saying.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Connealy's In Too Deep and Over the Edge.

About the author: Mary Connealy writes fun and lively "romantic comedy with cowboys" for the inspirational market. She is the author of the successful Kincaid Brides, Lassoed in Texas, Montana Marriages, and Sophie's Daughters series, and she has been a finalist for a Rita and Christy Award and a two time winner of the Carol Award. She lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her husband, Ivan, and has four grown daughters.

Find out more about Mary at http://maryconnealy.com/.

About the giveaway:Mary Connealy is celebrating the release of Swept Away by giving away a $250 "Swept Away" Vacation Package and hosting a Facebook Author Chat Party! 

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A $250 Visa Cash Card (Get away for the weekend or use it to buy an eReader for a relaxing ‘Staycation’!)
• A copy of Swept Away (For you AND a friend!)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 27th. Winner will be announced at the "Swept Away" Author Chat Party on March 28th. Connect with Mary, get a sneak peek of the next book in the series, try your hand at the trivia contest, and chat with readers just like you. There will also be many fun giveaways -- gift certificates, books, and more!

So grab your copy of Swept Away and join Mary on the evening of the March 28th 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 28th!

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. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. 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."

"grave consequences" by lisa t. bergren

About the book (from Litfuse): For Cora Kensington, the journey of a lifetime takes unexpected twists. And her future-her very life-depends on the decisions she'll make at each crossroad. As her European tour with her newfound family takes her through Austria, France, and Italy, an unseen enemy trails close behind. Meanwhile, a forbidden love continues to claim her heart, putting everyone's plans in danger.

And as Cora stays one step ahead of it all, what might need the most protection is her own heart, torn between the dramatic pursuit of a dashing Frenchman and a man who has been quietly staking claim to her affections all along. Love has dangers all its own. She must escape the bonds of the past and discover the faith to make the right choices, as each one has grave consequences.

My take: Grave Consequences picks up directly following the events of Glamorous Illusions, book one in Bergren's Grand Tour series. This means you absolutely must read Glamorous Illusions prior to reading Grave Consequences ... or you'll end up very confused!

As the group travels from France to Switzerland to Austria to Italy, Cora finds herself more and more drawn to their guide, Will. This is the romance I was rooting for from Glamorous Illusions, yet I could also see the attraction to Pierre the Frenchman. (One of these romances reminded me of a relationship I had once upon a time ... so I was especially invested in the outcome!) But more important than the romance was Cora's quest to discover who she really was—farm girl, heiress, or a mix of the two. Her journey of self-discovery had me cheering for her all along the way.

I did find the middle of the book to drag a bit (at 430 pages, it's long), but once the group arrived in Vienna, I couldn't fly through the pages quickly enough.

Grave Consequences is a fitting sequel to Glamorous Illusions, and I eagerly anticipate the third book, Glittering Promises, which will release in the fall. 4 stars.

See what other bloggers are saying.
Read an excerpt.
Buy the book.
Get the Kindle version of Glamorous Illusions (book one in the Grand Tour series) for just $2.51.
Read my review of Glamorous Illusions.

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

Visit http://lisatawnbergren.com.

About the giveaway:

Celebrate the release of Grave Consequences with Lisa T. Bergren by entering to win an iPad Mini!

One "grand" winner receive:

• A brand new iPad Mini
• Grave Consequences and Glamorous Illusions will be pre-loaded onto the Mini!

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 23rd. Winner will be announced on March 25th at Lisa's website.

Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

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. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. 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."

new e-short from deeanne gist for just 99 cents!

Historical author Deeanne Gist has a new book releasing later this spring, and I can't wait to read it! In the meantime, here's a cheap (99 cent) eShort prelude to the book that will give you a glimpse into Gist's delightful writing style! (Also check out my review of Love on the Line for more about Gist and her books.) Below is a press release from Litfuse, the company I do most of my reviewing for. They'll be touring Gist's new book when it releases.

Deeanne Gist’s E-Short gives readers a peek inside the world’s fair. Tempest in the White City is a digital short story available from online retailers for 99 cents.

Deeanne Gist fans won’t have to wait until the April 30 release of It Happened at the Fair to read her latest work! On March 19, readers will be able to purchase the e-short, Tempest in the White City, a 40-page short story prelude to It Happened at the Fair, for 99 cents from all online retailers. While the characters from the short story are not carried over into the full-length release, audiences will get a taste of the awe-inspiring backdrop of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair and will be anxious to spend more time exploring the exhibition.

In true Gist form, Tempest in the White City combines her trademark humor with romance. Hunter Scott is one of the elite. A Chicago World’s Fair guard specifically chosen for his height, physique, character and ability to serve and protect. When Hunter is overcome with debilitating abdominal pain, he stumbles to an infirmary in the Fair’s Woman’s Building only to discover the doctor is female—which he is none too happy about. But even worse, she has the nerve to diagnose him—the toughest man west of anyplace east—with constipation.

The 1893 Chicago World’s Fair overflowed with the latest innovations welcomed by a throng of people from all around the globe. This setting replete with history, intrigue and wonder caught Gist’s attention and is sure to draw readers of both releases in as well. “I’m always drawn to events in our country’s past that are strangely absent from our history classes. Why the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition has been left out, I don’t know, especially since it was such a pivotal event for us,” explains Gist. “We were able to wow the world with our scientific innovations, and it gave women their first official board position recognized and approved by an Act of Congress (all before we had the right to vote). But it was technology which claimed the day as it nipped at the heels of horses, buggies and man-powered tools.”

More about It Happened at the Fair: Young inventor Cullen McNamara gambles everything, including the family farm, in order to make his family proud—and earn his father’s entry money to the Fair Expo back—by selling his design for an automatic sprinkler system inspired by his mother’s death in a mill fire. Struggling with hearing loss from his previous life on the farm, McNamara finds it difficult to communicate with potential buyers over the din in the Fair’s Machinery Building. In an act of desperation, he hires attractive Della Wentworth, a teacher of the deaf, to tutor him in the art of lip-reading. Much like the newly invented Ferris Wheel, Cullen is caught in a whirl between his girl back home, his dreams as an inventor and his unexpected attraction to his new tutor. Can he keep his feet on the ground or will he be carried away?

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. 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."

need something to read or watch?

I love books. I love movies. I love TV.

This should come as a surprise to exactly ... no one.

What may surprise you is that I've recently been getting rid of some of my books, movies, and TV seasons. I decided to do this because recently I felt like God was asking me to. I don't want to overspiritualize anything here—it's not like I heard the voice of God say, "Becky, sell your stuff!" But one day while I was reading my Bible, I suddenly had the thought that I should go through my DVD collection and get rid of some things.

Ultimately, it doesn't matter if the thought came from God or just randomly popped into my brain; weeding things out of my collection is a good thing. When I started my blog Cinematic Survey in 2009, I had 162 movies and 39 television seasons on DVD. That number has risen substantially since then. And don't even get me started on my shelves and shelves of books!

About a year ago, I decided to go through my bookshelves and give the books I no longer wanted to the Nebraska Christian library. While it was hard to part with my books at first, each time I look through my shelves, I have an easier time getting rid of a book or ten. And I give away almost all of the review books I read, keeping only the ones I really really love.

While I've been quite happily giving away books, I've found it quite difficult to get rid of any movies. (My Cinematic Survey journey is proof of that—of the 85 movies I've reviewed, I initially decided to keep 72.) But when I had the prompting to go through my collection, I immediately pulled 10 or 12 things off the shelf. Comparatively, that's not very many, but it's a start.

I gave Blendy first pick, and she took several things. The remaining movies and TV seasons were listed on half.com, and I've already sold two things (Bones seasons one and three—for much less than I paid for them, but for more than I'd have made if they remained on my shelf!). I have 13 things listed right now—if you're looking for a really good deal on Edward Scissorhands, I can totally hook you up!

Hopefully, I'll have the same experience with DVDs that I did with books and find that the more I go over the shelves, the easier it will be to weed out the things I don't need to keep. And maybe I'll even make a little money in the process!

"shattered" by dani pettrey

About the book (from the back cover): With All the Evidence Against Him, Only a Sister's Trust Can Save Him Now

When her prodigal brother Reef's return to Yancey, Alaska, is shattered by his arrest for murder, Piper McKenna is determined to protect him.

Deputy Landon Grainger loves the McKennas like family, but he's also sworn to find the truth. And he knows those closest to you have the power to deceive you the most. With his sheriff pushing for a quick conviction, some unexpected leads complicate the investigation, and pursuing the truth puts Landon's career in jeopardy.

When Piper launches her own investigation, Landon realizes he must protect her from herself—and whatever complications await as the two follow clues deep into Canada's rugged backcountry. Not only does their long friendship seem to be turning into something more, but this dangerous case is becoming deadlier with each step.

My take: Shattered is one of those books that grabs you at the beginning and doesn't let go until you've read the last page!

When I read Submerged, book one in Pettrey's Alaskan Courage series, my favorite aspect by far was the budding relationship between Piper McKenna and Landon Grainger, so I was thrilled to learn they would be the focus of Shattered. Pettrey continued the will-they-or-won't-they dynamic longer than most authors would have, and I loved it! I flew through the pages hoping they would finally admit their feelings for each other.

While I enjoyed Submerged very much, I absolutely loved Shattered. Everything about it is just that much better than the previous book—the suspense, the character development, and especially the romance.

Pettrey also sets up two other possible romances—between Piper's brother Gage and spunky reporter Darcy St. James and between Piper's sister Kayden and the mysterious but loyal Jake—and I eagerly await the next installment of this series, which will focus on Gage and Darcy. (And please, can we finally learn more about Jake? I'm so curious about him!)

With suspense, romance, and a strong family dynamic, this series reminds me of Dee Henderson's O'Malley series—and that's just about the highest praise I can give to romantic suspense! As this is book two in the series, I'd recommend you read Submerged first—basically because there are a lot of McKennas to keep track of, and they're all introduced in book one. And then come back and read Shattered...you'll be so glad you did! 5 stars.

See what other bloggers are saying.
Buy the book.
Read an excerpt.
See my review of Submerged.

About the author: Dani Pettrey is a wife, homeschooling mom, and author. She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves—the thrill of adventure, nail biting suspense, the deepening of her characters' faith, and plenty of romance. She and her husband reside in Maryland with their two teenage daughters.

Visit her website at www.danipettrey.com.

About the giveaway: Dani Pettrey is celebrating the release of Shattered with a Nook HD giveaway and a Facebook Author Chat Party {3/14}. 

One winner will receive:

• A brand new Nook HD
• Submerged and Shattered by Dani Pettrey {Be caught up in this riveting series.}

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 13th. Winner will be announced at the "Shattered" Author Chat Party on 3/14. Connect with Dani for an evening of book chat, trivia, and a chance to win gift certificates, books, and other fun prizes!

So grab your copy of Shattered and join Dani on the evening of the March 14th 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 14th!

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. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. 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."

much ado about whedon

I was first introduced to Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing in my college Shakespeare class. I read the play and fell in like. I watched the Kenneth Branagh film and fell in love.

I was first introduced to Joss Whedon when my brother and sister-in-law gave me their copy of Firefly to watch. After struggling a bit to make it through the pilot, I liked it. Then I watched Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. I loved it. Then I bingewatched Dollhouse on Netflix. I joined the ranks of the Whedonites. The only "big" Whedon projects I haven't gotten into are Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel ... and that's because I don't do vampires. Period. I even liked The Cabin in the Woods, and I generally stay as far away from horror films as I can get!

So you can imagine my delight when I learned that Joss Whedon had filmed a modern-day adaptation of Much Ado. To make it even better, he used his friends—actors who have appeared in previous Whedon projects. Nathan Fillion. Amy Acker. Fran Kranz. Clark Gregg. Sean Maher. I could go on and on ... basically, if you're a fan of Whedon's work, you'll recognize a vast majority of the actors.

For a long time after the movie was announced, I couldn't find out much about it, other than the cast list. But now the film has a trailer AND a release date! (June 7—unfortunately, chances are probably pretty slim that it'll be showing in my area. Road trip, anyone?)

Here's the trailer. I couldn't be more excited!

"firefly island" by lisa wingate

About the book (from the back cover): Sometimes love takes you on an adventure completely off the map.

Mallory Hale's life quickly veers off course when she falls hopelessly in love. After a whirlwind romance, Mallory finds herself leaving the bustle and action of Capitol Hill for the remote town of Moses Lake, Texas-with husband, stepson, and a U-Haul in tow.

A sweet, mishap-filled journey into marriage, motherhood, and ranch living ensues, and Mallory is filled with both the wonderment of love and the insecurities of change. But what she can't shake is the unease she feels around her husband's new boss, Jack West. Jack's presence—and his mysterious past—set her on edge, and when hints of a scandal emerge, Mallory finds herself seeking answers . . . and comes to realize that the middle-of-nowhere home she wasn't sure she wanted is the very place she'll risk everything to save.

My take: As I sit here trying to find words to describe Firefly Island, I'm at a loss. There are so many aspects to the story that it's a bit difficult to describe. Contained in the nearly 400 pages you'll find romance, suspense, political intrigue, and humor. But more than that, Firefly Island is about a woman finding her way—to motherhood, to herself, and to her God.

From the opening pages, I was swept into Mallory's story, and I remained captivated until the very end. Author Lisa Wingate does a wonderful job of drawing the reader in and painting a picture in his or her mind. The supporting characters, the vermin (I am so thankful that Nebraska doesn't have scorpions!), and the struggle to begin a marriage while settling into an unknown (and completely foreign) place all struck me as completely realistic.

While I loved the secrecy and tragedy surrounding Jack West, I found the mystery about Mallory's neighbor Al to be one of the highlights of the book, even though it was definitely a subplot. (And I would love, love, love to read a book where Al is the main character. That woman is fascinating!)

The only thing I couldn't quite buy was Mallory's blog "The Frontier Woman." Not only is that name perilously close to The Pioneer Woman, but also we bloggers know that it usually takes time and effort to build a blog's audience. Mallory wasn't famous prior to beginning her blog, so I thought it was rather implausible that she would rise to blogging prominence so quickly.

Firefly Island is the third book in Wingate's Moses Lake series, but it can easily be read as a stand-alone novel. After reading this book, I definitely want to go back and read the other two in the series! Blogging quibble aside, I absolutely loved Firefly Island, and I hope Wingate revisits Moses Lake in the future! 4-1/2 stars.

See what other bloggers are saying.
Buy the book.

About the author: Lisa Wingate is a popular inspirational speaker, magazine columnist, and national bestselling author of several books, including Tending Roses, Talk of the Town, Blue Moon Bay, and Larkspur Cove, which won the 2011 Carol Award for Women's Fiction. Lisa and her family live in central Texas.

Visit her online at www.lisawingate.com.

About the giveaway: Lisa Wingate is celebrating the release of Firefly Island with an iPad Mini giveaway and a fun Facebook Author Chat Party (March 19th).  

  One fortunate winner will receive:

• An iPad Mini
• The Moses Lake series (Firefly Island, Blue Moon Bay and Larkspur Cove)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 18th. Winner will be announced at the "Firefly Island Author Chat Party on March 19th. Connect with Lisa, 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 many fun giveaways -- gift certificates, books, and more!

So grab your copy of Firefly Island and join Lisa on the evening of the March 19th 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 19th!

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. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. 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 return of cassandra todd" by darrel nelson

About the book (from the back cover): Turner Caldwell works at a local motel as a handyman while attending college full-time. On his way to class one day, he is shocked to see Cassandra Todd and her young son in town. The sight of her brings back powerful memories of being bullied in high school-she was the popular head cheerleader and he the target of her friends' mean-spirited pranks.

When Cassandra and her son check into the motel where he works and she asks for his help in eluding her abusive husband, he finds himself entangled in a dangerous drama that will require him to forgive and draw on every skill he has if they are to survive.

My take: The Return of Cassandra Todd deals with a topic that is far too common in real life yet rarely discussed in Christian fiction: spousal abuse. Also, to a lesser degree, the book deals with bullying. Both topics are timely, and I felt that author Darrel Nelson handled these delicate subjects expertly.

As I read the book, I began to get a bit uncomfortable as I could tell that Cassandra, still a married woman, and Turner were falling for each other. I wondered how Nelson would deal with that moral dilemma. In the end, he took the expected route (though not in the way I anticipated). It was an emotionally satisfying conclusion, but I would really have liked to see the characters wrestle more with right and wrong in light of Cassandra's marital status.

One thing I loved about this book was that it was quite unpredictable. I was never quite sure what would happen to Turner and Cassandra next, and the conflict was resolved in a way I didn't see coming. However, at times I felt like I was reading the script to a Lifetime movie—it was entertaining, it was suspenseful, but it wasn't always completely plausible. (If this book was made into a Lifetime movie, I would totally watch it! I guess I like my books to be a bit more realistic than my movies ...) I also wasn't a fan of all of the point of view shifts—when Nelson was writing from Turner's point of view, it was completely believable, but he didn't bring that same credibility to the sections written from Cassandra's perspective.

All told, I did like The Return of Cassandra Todd. It won't make my "Best Books of 2013" list, but I enjoyed the time spent reading it. 3 out of 5 stars.

Buy the book.
Read my review of Nelson's debut novel, The Anniversary Waltz. 

About the author: Darrel Nelson recently retired after thirty-seven years as a schoolteacher so he could devote himself to writing full-time. He now spends his time writing novels, articles, plays, and music and soaking up time with his ten grandchildren. Nelson has bachelor's degrees in English and education from the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada, where he lives with his wife Marsha.

The Return of Cassandra Todd follows Nelson's highly praised debut The Anniversary Waltz.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Glass Road Media & Management. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. 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."