"three little words" by melissa tagg

This. Is. Adorable.

Those three little words are pretty much all you need to know about Three Little Words. Now go to Amazon and get your free Kindle copy!

(Oh, you want more of a review than that? Well, I'll oblige ...)

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Ava Kingsley and Seth Walker might be the most unlikely friends ever. The only thing these two polar opposites have in common is a knack for wordsmithing. Back in college, they were known for their written sparring in the campus newspaper's popular "He Says/She Says" column.

At their ten-year college reunion, they pick up right where they left off. Except this time their squabbling leads to a surprising turn: friendship and a year-long exchange of emails. So when Ava approaches a crossroads in her athletics department career in Minnesota, Seth is quick to offer the open apartment above the restaurant he's been remodeling in Maple Valley, Iowa.

Ava doesn't know where her career will lead her next, but she's starting to suspect she might see Seth as more than a pen pal. Which would be exciting...except for the fact that he only sees her as a friend.

As Maple Valley grows on her, Ava wonders if there might be something here for her even though Seth is unavailable. And maybe, just maybe, after all the words the two of them have exchanged over the years, they'll finally be able to say the three that matter most.

Three Little Words is an e-only novella that gives an exciting introduction to Melissa Tagg's new series about the charismatic Walker family and the endearing town of Maple Valley!

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I cannot believe it took me this long to read something by Melissa Tagg. Seriously! I've been following her blog for more than a year now, and anyone who loves Gilmore Girls as much as I do is OK in my book. (Sure, she falls on the wrong side of the Dean/Jess debate, but we all have our faults.) So of course I'd enjoy her fiction!

Three Little Words is just so cute. I've said before that "friends falling in love" is one of my favorite romance tropes, and this is another example of it being done well. So, so well.

My favorite line from the whole novella is this: "Not even twenty-four hours open, and Seth was already regretting not hanging the No Cell Phones sign he'd wanted to," because as soon as I read it, I immediately flashed to this:

#tbt That time Regina took me and Jen on a tour of the Warner Bros lot, and Luke's Diner was unlocked. #GilmoreGirls

A photo posted by Becky Ritta (@beckyritta) on Oct 2, 2014 at 11:08am PDT

Yup, that's me inside Luke's Diner! Notice the No Cell Phones sign. It was such a thrill to be on the Gilmore set!

Gilmore Girls reference aside, this novella has a lot to offer. It's romantic, witty, and charming. It also feels complete without being rushed, which is a feat for a novella. Ava and Seth make a great couple to cheer for, and Seth's family is great—I'm glad this series will be centered around them!

Once you start reading Three Little Words, you won't want to put it down ... and once you finish, you'll want to tear right into From the Start, the first novel in the Walker Family series.

So what are you waiting for? Go get your free copy now! 5 stars.

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Melissa Tagg, author of Made to Last and Here to Stay, is a former newspaper reporter, current nonprofit grant writer, and total Iowa girl. When she's not writing, she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever. She's passionate about humor, grace, and happy endings. Melissa blogs regularly at www.melissatagg.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I purchased this book myself and reviewed it of my own accord. I was not compensated in any way. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an 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.”

product review: enLIGHTen by trinity--six week update

When I initially reviewed enLIGHTen by Trinity, I said I'd update after six weeks to let you know how the product was working for me. Well ...

It's not.

Working, that is.

I know others who reviewed this product through CWA had fantastic results, so I'm not saying it's a terrible product. I am saying it's not a good product for me.

Here's the review I posted on Amazon earlier today (some of it will sound familiar if you read my initial review):

I have just a couple dark spots on my face—one close to my eye, and one on my nose. I also have terrible dark circles under my eyes. So my hope for this product was that it would lighten the two dark spots on my face and my under eye circles. (Note: Nowhere did I read that this product claimed to reduce under eye circles—I just hoped that it would.) 

After six weeks of regular use, I honestly haven't seen much difference. I hoped that at least the dark spot on my nose would diminish, but it hasn't seemed to change at all. 

My impressions of the product itself: it has kind of a green tea smell to it—not bad, but not really nice, either. I do very much like the way it feels on my skin; it has a nice cooling sensation. Also, a little bit goes a very long way, so I'll be able to use it for a long time ... but I'm not sure that I'll keep using it, since I haven't seen any results after six weeks. I do know that some people have had great success with it, but this product just didn't work for me.

I wonder if maybe my dark spots just aren't big enough or dark enough to be affected by this product. Either way, I'm glad I tried it ... and I'm also glad I didn't have to pay for it myself! 2 stars.

See what others are saying.
Buy the product.
Discover other Trinity products HERE.

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Trinity is a Christian Skincare company that develops products for Believers. They try to reinforce the principle that God is in ALL aspects of our lives. Trinity believes in referencing God’s word as part of our identity.

As a reminder of their faith in the Lord, the company strives to see not only outer beauty, but inner beauty as well.  Trinity wishes to motivate and uplift their customers’ spirits, by celebrating both inner and outer beauty; to inspire them to look, to live and to feel their best. Trinity promises to deliver exceptional products that rejoice in beauty, both skin deep and in spirit.

Trinity is built on 3 core values:

1. The Word of God
All of Trinity products incorporate the Scripture into their design and are given names that reflect a positive Christian lifestyle.

2. Customer Experience
Providing the customer with a fantastic shopping experience, including post-sale support, open communication, and a comprehensive, no hassle guarantee.

3. Quality Products
Trinity uses only premium ingredients in their formulations. Many of their products have ingredients found in very expensive products. Trinity products are developed to improve their customers’ skin and to strengthen their faith in God.

Trinity realizes that we are all obligated to care for those in God’s Kingdom, and are all connected to the Body of Christ. 

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.

"every bride needs a groom" by janice thompson

Janice Thompson's new series is set in her sweet spot—the wedding industry.

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Somewhere in a sea of tulle and taffeta, satin and crepe, Katie Fisher needs to find a key ingredient of the perfect wedding—the groom.

Small-town girl Katie Fisher is busy planning her fairy-tale wedding. Sure, her boyfriend hasn't managed to pop the question just yet, but that doesn't mean she shouldn't enter a contest in Texas Bride magazine to win the dress of her dreams, right? Anyway, she's sure he'll be getting down on one knee any time now. And a one-of-a-kind designer dress doesn't just fall out of the sky right when you need it.

But when Katie's boyfriend takes a job in another town and breaks up with her—on the very same day she wins her dream dress—her world is turned upside down. Dare she go to Dallas to claim her prize? And will the hunky pro basketball player who runs the beyond-swanky bridal shop—yeah, you read that right—discover her humiliating secret if she does?

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I've come to expect a few things from a Janice Thompson contemporary novel: humor, quirky families, and first-person storytelling, and it's usually centered around the wedding industry. Every Bride Needs a Groom fits perfectly into this brand.

Honestly, this book seems exactly like something the Hallmark Channel would make into a movie. It's light and funny with a touch of romance. And Katie's family is a hoot! From her grandma Queenie with her mysterious grudge against the Presbyterians to her afraid-to-let-her-babies-test-their-wings mom to her black sheep aunt Alva, the characters practically jump off the page.

The whole set up is pretty ridiculous with Katie winning a designer wedding dress with no fiance to speak of, but Katie's secret definitely adds to the humor of the story, and the "big reveal" to the bridal shop people came about in a way I didn't anticipate; I'm glad Thompson didn't drag it out. I'm looking forward to continuing Katie's story in book two!

Every Bride Needs a Groom isn't a story that will make you contemplate life, but it is the perfect book for when you need a little escape from reality. This would be a great book to throw in your beach bag. 4 stars.

Read an excerpt.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Thompson's wedding novels A Bouquet of Love (4 stars) and Never a Bridesmaid (4-1/2 stars) and her Titanic romance Queen of the Waves (4-1/2 stars).

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Janice Thompson is a seasoned romance author and screenwriter. An expert at pulling the humor from the situations we get ourselves into, Thompson offers an inside look at the wedding business, drawing on her own experiences as a wedding planner. She is the author of the hugely popular Weddings by Bella series and the Backstage Pass series, as well as Picture Perfect, The Icing on the Cake, and The Dream Dress. She lives in Texas. Learn more at www.janiceathompson.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell through the Revell Reads program. 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."

"let it be jesus" by christy nockels + giveaway

I love worship music, especially live worship music, so I jumped at the chance to review Christy Nockels' new live album, Let It Be Jesus.

Prior to this album, I wasn't very familiar with Christy Nockels or her music. I'd heard "Let It Be Jesus" before, and I liked it, so I thought there was a decent chance I'd enjoy the album.

I was right. It's confession time: I've been listening to Let It Be Jesus on perpetual repeat for the last week! I love all these songs—overall, they're more mellow than I expected, but they're so emotionally gripping, and they're full of biblical truth. My favorites are "Freedom Song," "Everything Is Mine In You," and "If You Never" ... but really, all the songs are excellent! Listen to the album, and you'll be singing along in no time! The album releases tomorrow, and you really should get yourself a copy! 5 stars.

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On the listening front, I have good news! I'm able to give away a digital copy of the album to one of my readers! Check out the rules below, and then enter through the Rafflecopter. The giveaway will run through Saturday, May 2.

Giveaway rules: Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Contest is open to US residents only. Winner will be selected at random using Rafflecopter.com and will have 48 hours to respond to email notification, or another winner will be chosen.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
As a worship leader for many years, Christy Nockels has been an integral part of Passion Conferences from its inception in 1997. She's seen first hand music sweep people into the presence of God in a powerful way. A pastor’s kid, who was born in Fort Worth and raised in Oklahoma, she grew up singing in church. She met her husband, Nathan, in 1993 at the Christian Artists Seminar in Estes Park, Co. They recorded an independent record with fellow worship leader Charlie Hall under the name Sons & Daughters that led to an invitation from Louie Giglio to participate in the first Passion conference in Austin. Christy’s voice gained a national platform when she and Nathan formed the duo Watermark, recording four acclaimed albums before that musical season ended, paving the way for Christy’s solo career. In 2008, the couple moved to Atlanta to become part of Passion City Church where she serves on the worship team with sixstepsrecords labelmates Chris Tomlin and Kristian Stanfill. The following year, Nockels released her acclaimed solo debut, Life Light Up, and spent much of the next two years touring with Tomlin and Passion.

Follow Christy: FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, TWITTER
Purchase on iTunes

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

"a heart's obsession" by colleen coble

Sarah and Rand's story continues in A Heart's Obsession.

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In A Heart's Disguise, Sarah Montgomery and Rand Campbell are reunited, only to discover that Sarah's family commitments and Rand's Army career will not allow them to remain together. The story continues in A Heart's Obsession, which finds Rand settling into his new life at Fort Laramie. Sarah soon joins him, though their relationship does not continue in the way she expected. Rand has new commitments, and Sarah's former fiance Ben is still determined to have her. Will Sarah and Rand ever truly be reunited?

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Once again, I've written my own summary, as the provided summary/back cover copy give away practically the entire plot line. I don't know about you, but I don't want to be spoiled simply by reading the back cover!

A Heart's Obsession begins with a brief summary of the first portion of this serialized novel, A Heart's Disguise. It's written into the narrative, though, so it seems to flow naturally—and it certainly helped me to have this refresher, even though it was only a month ago that I read A Heart's Disguise!

I must admit that I didn't enjoy this portion of the story nearly as much as I did the first portion. It really felt like this particular book served just to move the pieces into place to continue the story. I also didn't like the way Jessica, Sarah's rival for Rand's heart, was portrayed. Apparently, she was manipulative and vindictive, but I only know that because of Sarah's impressions of her—the reader never really sees her acting that way until after it's been stated many times that Sarah is not a nice person. I'd rather be shown than told about someone's character. (I even went back and reread each scene that included Jessica to see if I'd missed something. I hadn't—yet somehow Sarah sensed Jessica's true nature long before it came out.)

I did enjoy the look at the life of Indians at Fort Laramie. I'm especially interested to see where Sarah's new friend Morning Song's story will go. Like I said before, this portion feels like a set up to the main event, and I can't wait to get to it! 3 stars.

Note: This serialized series is releasing one installment per month over a six month period.

See what others are saying.

Buy the book.

Read my review of A Heart's Disguise (4 stars).

Read my reviews of Coble's Inn at Ocean's Edge (5 stars), Lonestar series (Lonestar Secrets; Lonestar Angel, 3 stars), Under Texas Stars series (Blue Moon Promise, 3-1/2 stars; Safe in His Arms, 3-1/2 stars), and The Lightkeeper's Daughter.

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Colleen Coble has sold over 2 million novels worldwide. Seagrass Pier, the third installment in her acclaimed Hope Beach series, marks a new highpoint for emotion and complexity in Coble's addictive brand of romantic suspense.

Find Colleen online: website, Facebook, Twitter

Can a woman held captive by her family make it back to the one man she knows she can trust? Find out in book two, A Heart's Obsession, of Colleen Coble's Journey of the Heart series. When Sarah Montgomery’s father succumbs to his long illness, Sarah is faced with a life-altering choice: submit to her brother’s will and marry the deceptive Ben Croftner . . . or escape through the dangerous American West to reclaim the heart of her beloved Rand Campbell at Fort Laramie, Wyoming.

Celebrate book two in Colleen's A Journey of the Heart series by entering to win a Kindle Fire and RSVPing to her May 5th author chat party!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• A copy of A Heart's Disguise
• A copy of A Heart's Obsession
• A copy of The Inn at Ocean's Edge (blog tour coming in mid-April)

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 7th. Winner will be announced May 8th on Colleen's website. Plus be sure to clear your calendar on the evening of May 5th because Colleen is hosting an author chat party on Facebook to celebrate her A Journey of the Heart series and the release of The Inn at Ocean's Edge! RSVP here!

RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on May 5th!

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 an 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 legacy" by dan walsh & gary smalley

The captivating Restoration Series concludes with youngest son Doug's take on becoming The Prodigal Son.

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One young man is about to discover the true cost of independence

For years, Doug Anderson has been drifting slowly but steadily away from both his family and his faith. His parents have been trying to reach him before he falls too far. His friend Christina hopes what she is seeing online isn't true. But sometimes you have to hit bottom before you're ready to grow up. 

Just as things begin to settle down a bit, Doug's life takes a turn that requires every bit of faith and patience for both his family and Christina—whose growing feelings for Doug, a man who writes her off as not worth his time, keep her off balance. Will Doug's crisis finally clear his vision and help him focus on what he has right in front of him?

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When I read The Desire last fall, one of the more intriguing aspects of the plot was the friendship-and-potentially-more between Christina and Doug. So when I realized that The Legacy would tell Doug's story, I couldn't wait to dive in.

I definitely enjoyed Christina's part of the story the most; even though her background is about as far from mine as you could possibly get, I related to some of her relationship struggles and appreciated her journey to finding love.

The Doug story did strike me as a bit convenient—what I mean by that is he very quickly turned his life around following a pivotal event, and the resolution with Christina came about almost too easily and neatly. So much time was spent setting up Doug's downward spiral that his redemption came at the very end of the novel—I would have preferred to spend more time with "new" Doug, and I really would have liked to see more of the romance with Christina. Still, though, I did enjoy his story.

I also have to mention that the spiritual lessons in this novel seem much less forced than they did in The Desire. Conversations about faith flow naturally and seem like they belong in the plot, rather than being forced in. This is a major improvement over the last novel.

The Legacy provides a satisfying conclusion to Doug and Christina's story, and it also wraps up Allan and Michele's story, which was the focus of The Desire. Overall, I really enjoyed this look in on the Anderson family and felt it was a fitting conclusion to the series.  4 stars.

Note: While this is book four in the Restoration Series, it could be read as a stand alone.

Buy the book.
Read my review of The Desire (4 stars).

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Dan Walsh is the bestselling author of many books, including The Dance, The Promise, and The Desire with Gary Smalley. He has won three Carol Awards, and three of his novels were finalists for RT Book Reviews Inspirational Book of the Year. He lives with his wife in the Daytona Beach area, where he's busy researching and writing his next novel.

Gary Smalley is one of the country's best-known authors and speakers on family relationships and has appeared on national television programs such as Oprah, Larry King Live, and TODAY, as well as numerous national radio programs. He is the bestselling and award-winning author or coauthor of many books, including the Baxter Family Redemption series with Karen Kingsbury. Gary and his wife, Norma, have been married for 50 years and live in Missouri.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell through the Revell Reads program. 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 inn at ocean's edge" by colleen coble

Colleen Coble is at the top of her game with the romantic and suspenseful The Inn at Ocean's Edge.

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Claire's visit to a luxury hotel in Maine awakens repressed memories, threatening all she holds dear.

In 1989, Claire Dellamare disappeared from her own fourth birthday party at the Hotel Tourmaline on the island of Folly Shoals, Maine. She showed up a year later at the same hotel, with a note pinned to her dress but no explanation. Nobody knows where Claire spent that year—and until now, Claire didn't even know she had ever been missing.

But when Claire returns to the Hotel Tourmaline for a business meeting with her CEO father, disturbing memories begin to surface . . . despite her parents' best efforts to keep them forgotten.

Luke Rocco lost his mother under equally mysterious circumstances—at the same time Claire disappeared. After a chance encounter reveals the unlikely link between them, Claire and Luke set out together to uncover the truth about what happened that fateful year.

With flashbacks swimming just beneath her consciousness and a murderer threatening her safety, Claire's very life depends on unscrambling her past . . . even if her family refuses to acknowledge it. Someone-maybe everyone-is hiding something from Claire Dellamare, and it will cost her everything to drag the truth out into the light.

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Colleen Coble is known for combining romance and suspense, and I have to admit that oftentimes I've found one or the other lacking. Not so with The Inn at Ocean's Edge! Coble has written a romantic suspense novel that serves the romance well while providing great twists and turns. The suspense is crafted in such a way that the twists are completely believable, yet still wholly surprising.

The novel is written from the perspectives of Claire, Luke, and Kate, a woman with serious medical issues who is desperate to contact the father who abandoned her. The paths of the three intertwine in surprising ways, making for a very satisfying novel.

The Inn at Ocean's Edge is the first in Coble's new Sunset Cove series, and I'm looking forward to book two's release in December. Fans of romantic suspense will definitely want to check this book out! 5 stars.

See what others are saying.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of other Coble novels.

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Colleen Coble has sold over 2 million novels worldwide. Seagrass Pier, the third installment in her acclaimed Hope Beach series, marks a new highpoint for emotion and complexity in Coble's addictive brand of romantic suspense.

Find Colleen online: website, Facebook, Twitter

Someone—maybe everyone—is hiding something from Claire Dellamare, and it will cost her everything to drag the truth out into the light. Colleen Coble's new book, The Inn at Ocean's Edge, is a must-read for mystery and suspense readers. As Claire and Luke put together the pieces of a decades-old mystery, they discover that some family secrets refuse to stay buried. And some passions are worth killing for.

Celebrate the release of The Inn at Ocean's Edge by entering to win a Kindle Fire and RSVPing to her May 5th author chat party!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• A copy of A Heart's Disguise
• A copy of A Heart's Obsession
• A copy of The Inn at Ocean's Edge

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 7th. Winner will be announced May 8th on Colleen's website. Plus be sure to clear your calendar on the evening of May 5th because Colleen is hosting an author chat party on Facebook to celebrate her A Journey of the Heart series and the release of The Inn at Ocean's Edge! RSVP here!

RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on May 5th!

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 an 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 sparrow in terezin" by kristy cambron

Kristy Cambron's engaging Hidden Masterpiece series continues with A Sparrow in Terezin, another story of hope amid the devastation of World War II.

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Bound together across time, two women will discover a powerful connection through one survivor's story of hope in the darkest days of a war-torn world.

Present Day: With the grand opening of her new art gallery and a fairytale wedding just around the corner, Sera James feels she's stumbled into a charmed life—until a brutal legal battle against fiancé William Hanover threatens to destroy the perfectly planned future she's planned before it even begins. Now, after an eleventh-hour wedding ceremony and a callous arrest, William faces a decade in prison for a crime he never committed, and Sera must battle the scathing accusations that threaten her family and any hope for a future.

1942: Kája Makovsky narrowly escaped occupied Prague in 1939, and was forced to leave her half-Jewish family behind. Now a reporter for the Daily Telegraph in England, Kája discovers the terror has followed her across the Channel in the shadowy form of the London Blitz. When she learns Jews are being exterminated by the thousands on the continent, Kája has no choice but to return to her mother city, risking her life to smuggle her family to freedom and peace.

Connecting across a century through one little girl, a Holocaust survivor with a foot in each world, these two women will discover a kinship that springs even in the darkest of times. In this tale of hope and survival, Sera and Kája must cling to the faith that sustains and fight to protect all they hold dear—even if it means placing their own futures on the line.

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Picking up a few months after The Butterfly and the Violin, the present day portion of A Sparrow in Terezin follows Sera and William as they attempt to begin a life together—a life that's shaping up to be much different than they imagined.

While I was glad to catch up with William and Sera, much of their story was—I think purposefully—confusing. Just as Sera didn't understand what was happening with William, neither did the reader. But rather than enjoying the slow unpacking of his story, I ended up frustrated, as sometimes even what Sera knew was kept from the reader. Because of that, some of Sera's actions didn't make sense to me. In the end, I'm glad things turned out the way they did, but William and Sera's story isn't what will stick with me when I think about this novel in the future.

Kája's story will.

Kája's story—the portion set during World War II—makes up the bulk of the novel. I found this story to be utterly fascinating. Set in Prague, London, and the Terezin Concentration Camp, Kája's story is different from ones you normally hear of Holocaust survivors. Kája escaped Prague, built a life for herself in England, and then returned to rescue her family ... and ended up bringing hope to countless children while in Terezin.

While Kája is not directly connected to Adele and Vladimir from The Butterfly and the Violin, Sophie, the girl they rescued, is an integral part of Kája's story, and, as she did in the first novel, Sophie serves as the bridge between the past and the present.

A Sparrow in Terezin is a truly beautiful novel. I thought The Butterfly and the Violin was good, but A Sparrow in Terezin is even better. If you enjoy historical fiction or learning about World War II, then this is a series you won't want to miss! 4-1/2 stars.

Note: You really should read these books in order. First read The Butterfly and the Violin, then pick up A Sparrow in Terezin.

See what others are saying.
Buy the book.
Read my review of Cambron's The Butterfly and the Violin (4 stars).

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Kristy Cambron has been fascinated with the WWII era since hearing her grandfather's stories of the war. She holds an art history degree from Indiana University and received the Outstanding Art History Student Award. Kristy writes WWII and Regency era fiction and has placed first in the 2013 NTRWA Great Expectations and 2012 FCRW Beacon contests, and is a 2013 Laurie finalist. Kristy makes her home in Indiana with her husband and three football-loving sons.

Find Kristy online: website, Facebook, Twitter

Bound together across time, two women will discover a powerful connection in Kristy Cambron's new book, A Sparrow in Terezin. Connecting across a century through one little girl, a Holocaust survivor with a foot in each world, two women will discover a kinship that springs even in the darkest of times. In this tale of hope and survival, Sera and Kája must cling to the faith that sustains and fight to protect all they hold dear—even if it means placing their own futures on the line.

Kristy is celebrating by giving away a basket filled with goodies inspired by her new book!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A set of poppy notecards
• A poppy pin
• A copy of I Never Saw Another Butterfly
• A copy of the Mrs. Miniver DVD
• Literary tea bags
• Tumbler
• A copy of A Sparrow in Terezin

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 28th. Winner will be announced April 29th on Kristy's blog.



{NOT ON FACEBOOK? ENTER HERE.} 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 an 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 butterfly and the violin" by kristy cambron

A year ago, I had the opportunity to review Kristy Cambron's The Butterfly and the Violin, and I passed. When I started seeing reviews on several of the blogs I followed, I regretted that decision. Then around Christmas, the Kindle version was super cheap, so I grabbed it. Other books got in the way, but when I did get on a tour for the sequel, A Sparrow in Terezin, it was the push I needed to dive into this book. I'm glad I did!

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A mysterious painting breathes hope and beauty into the darkest corners of Auschwitz—and the loneliest hearts of Manhattan.

Manhattan art dealer Sera James watched her world crumble at the altar two years ago, and her heart is still fragile. Her desire for distraction reignites a passion for a mysterious portrait she first saw as a young girl—a painting of a young violinist with piercing blue eyes.

In her search for the painting, Sera crosses paths with William Hanover—he grandson of a wealthy California real estate mogul—who may be the key to uncovering the hidden masterpiece. Together Sera and William slowly unravel the story behind the painting's subject: Austrian violinist Adele Von Bron.

A darling of the Austrian aristocracy of 1942, talented violinist, and daughter to a high-ranking member of the Third Reich, Adele risks everything when she begins smuggling Jews out of Vienna. In a heartbeat, her life of prosperity and privilege dissolves into a world of starvation and barbed wire.

As Sera untangles the secrets behind the painting, she finds beauty in the most unlikely of places: the grim camps of Auschwitz and the inner recesses of her own troubled heart.

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The Butterfly and the Violin features past and present story lines, and the connection between the two isn't fully revealed until the final pages. As I began reading, I was completely captivated by Sera's modern-day story, and I didn't care much for Adele's story. That all changed once Adele arrived in Auschwitz. Suddenly, her story was the one I couldn't fly through quickly enough.

I've read countless novels set during World War II, I've read The Hiding Place multiple times, and I've visited the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C.—but somehow, I never before realized the part that music played in concentration camps. It's heartbreaking, disgusting, and hopeful all at the same time.

The Butterfly and the Violin features two wonderful stories, and I'm glad I finally had the opportunity to read it. While I wasn't completely engaged with each story at all times, I did very much enjoy reading this novel, and I'm eager to continue the story with A Sparrow in Terezin. 4 stars.

Buy the book.

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Kristy Cambron has been fascinated with the WWII era since hearing her grandfather's stories of the war. She holds an art history degree from Indiana University and received the Outstanding Art History Student Award. Kristy writes WWII and Regency era fiction and has placed first in the 2013 NTRWA Great Expectations and 2012 FCRW Beacon contests, and is a 2013 Laurie finalist. Kristy makes her home in Indiana with her husband and three football-loving sons.

Find Kristy online: website, Facebook, Twitter


Disclosure of Material Connection: I purchased this book myself and reviewed it of my own accord. I was not compensated in any way. 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 captive imposter" by dawn crandall

I have so enjoyed reading Dawn Crandall's Everstone Chronicles over the past month! These books are unlike much of what is currently out in the inspirational market—and their uniqueness makes them stand out in a positive way. Each book is told in first person through the eyes of the heroine, and though each woman is very different from the others, each story comes across as wholly believable. The Captive Imposter unfolds through the eyes of Estella Everstone, a woman who turns out to be so much more than what she originally seems.

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Sent away for protection, hotel heiress Estella Everstone finds herself living undercover as a lady’s companion named Elle Stoneburner at one of her father’s opulent hotels in the mountains of Maine—the one she’d always loved best and always hoped to own one day, Everston. The one thing she doesn’t like about the situation is that her ex-fiancé is in the area and is set on marrying someone else. Reeling from her feelings of being unwanted and unworthy, Estella reluctantly forms a friendship with the gruff manager of Everston, Dexter Blakeley, who seems to have something against wealthy young socialites with too much money, although they are just the kind of people Everston caters to.

When Estella finds herself in need of help, Dexter comes to the rescue with an offer she can’t refuse. She sees no other choice aside from going back home to her family and accepts the position as companion to his sister. Throughout her interactions with Dexter, she can’t deny the pull that’s evidenced between them every time he comes near. Estella realizes that while she’s been hiding behind a false name and identity, she’s never been freer to be herself than when she’s with Dexter Blakeley. But will he still love her when he finds out she’s Estella Everstone? She’s not entirely sure.

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As with The Hesitant Heiress and The Bound Heart, once I started reading The Captive Imposter, I couldn't put it down. Laundry? Forget it. Cleaning? Not on your life. Sleep? Who needs it? (Me, that's who. And believe you me, I regretted my late night the next morning.)

Honestly, I was a little hesitant when I realized that Estella would be the subject of The Captive Imposter—she just seemed so young, flighty, and a bit immature in the previous novels. But in The Captive Imposter, Estella Everstone grows up and becomes a very likeable heroine.

Overall, I very much enjoyed The Captive Imposter. The "when will Dexter learn that Elle is Estella Everstone?" question kept a good amount of tension running through the novel, and I enjoyed watching Estella's relationships with both Dexter and his sister Roxy develop. It was also nice to see some of the threads involving Estella's brother Vance resolved. He would make a nice subject for a future novel—well, his future bride would, anyway! (I can't believe I'm saying this, considering how much I loathed Vance in The Bound Heart, but he redeemed himself a bit in The Captive Imposter.)

If I have any criticism, it centers around the romance. For whatever reason, I didn't connect with Estella and Dexter's romance as much as I connected with the romances in the previous novels. The story is romantic, but I was definitely more interested in other aspects of the plot than I was in the romance. Still, The Captive Imposter is a great book, and I highly recommend it! 4 stars.

Note: While you wouldn't have to, I highly recommend reading these books in order.

Follow the blog tour for The Captive Imposter.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of The Hesitant Heiress (4 stars) and The Bound Heart (5 stars).

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A graduate of Taylor University with a degree in Christian Education, and a former bookseller at Barnes & Noble, Dawn Crandall didn’t begin writing until her husband found out about her long-buried dream of writing a book. Without a doubt about someday becoming traditionally published, he encouraged her to quit her job in 2010 in order to focus on writing her debut novel, The Hesitant Heiress. It didn’t take her long to realize that writing books was what she was made to do. Dawn is represented by Joyce Hart of Hartline Literary.

Apart from writing books, Dawn is also a first-time mom to a precious little boy (born March 2014) and also serves with her husband in a pre-marriage mentor program at their local church in Northeast Indiana.

Dawn is a member of Romance Writers of America, American Christian Fiction Writers, secretary for the Indiana ACFW Chapter (Hoosier Ink), and associate member of the Great Lakes ACFW Chapter.


The Everstone Chronicles is Dawn’s first series with Whitaker House. All three books composing the series were semifinalists in ACFW’s prestigious Genesis Writing Contest, the third book going on to become a finalist in 2013.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from the author. I was not required to write a review, and 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 an 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."

"against the grain" by nancy cain

I adopted a gluten-free lifestyle almost a year ago in hopes that doing so would help some health problems I'd been having. It did, so I've settled in for the long haul. Honestly, being gluten free hasn't been too difficult from a cooking standpoint—in large part due to great recipes like the ones in this cookbook!

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Revolutionary all-natural recipes for gluten-free cooking—from the owner of Against the Grain Gourmet.

Nancy Cain came to gluten-free cooking simply enough: Her teenage son was diagnosed with celiac disease. After trying ready-made baking mixes and finding the results rubbery and tasteless, she pioneered gluten-free foods made entirely from natural ingredients—no xanthan or guar gums or other mystery chemical additives allowed. That led her to adapt many of her family's favorite recipes, including their beloved pizzas, pastas, and more, to this real food technique. In Against the Grain, Nancy finally shares 200 groundbreaking recipes for achieving airy, crisp breads, delicious baked goods, and gluten-free main dishes.

For any of these cookies, cakes, pies, sandwiches, and casseroles, you use only natural ingredients such as buckwheat flour, brown rice flour, and ripe fruits and vegetables. Whether you're making Potato Rosemary Bread, iced Red Velvet Cupcakes, Lemon-Thyme-Summer Squash Ravioli, or Rainbow Chard and Kalamata Olive Pizza, you'll be able to use ingredients already in your pantry or easily found at your local supermarket.

With ample information for gluten-free beginners and 100 colorful photographs, this book is a game changer for gluten-free households everywhere.

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Against the Grain is a gorgeous cookbook. The photos make the food look incredibly appealing, and as I first paged through the book, I couldn't wait to get cooking!

Fortunately, the recipes don't just look good, they taste good, too! So far, I've only made four of the recipes, but each has been fantastic ... and you'd never guess they're gluten free. My favorite so far is the Caramel Brownies (p. 237).  I did leave out the coconut caramel chips because the recipe for making them is rather involved, and I wanted brownies right away. Even without the caramel, these are easily the best gluten free brownies I've ever tasted. The photo below doesn't quite do them justice, but trust me: they're out of this world!

This little gem is making my Tuesday a bit brighter. Hands down the best #glutenfree brownie I've ever tasted. Recipe from #againstthegrain cookbook by Nancy Cain. Review to come soon!

A photo posted by Becky Ritta (@beckyritta) on Apr 14, 2015 at 12:47pm PDT

The recipes range from super simple to fairly complex, making this a cookbook everyone from beginning bakers to master chefs can enjoy. I did notice that the author is very fond of light buckwheat flour and tapioca starch; she explains why in the helpful "fundamentals" section at the beginning of the cookbook. I wasn't able to find light buckwheat flour at my local grocery stores, but I could find regular buckwheat flour, so I've used that instead—it wasn't too overpowering in the Yankee Ginger Snaps (p. 211), but I'm a little apprehensive about using it in more delicately-flavored recipes. Tapioca flour is relatively cheap, which is good considering probably 90% of the recipes in this cookbook call for it. (If you're wondering, my favorite place to order gluten free flours is Vitacost—almost everything I've looked for has been cheaper there than on Amazon.)

So all in all, I'm a huge fan of this cookbook, and I'm sure I'll be using it for years to come. It's a must-have for any gluten-free kitchen! 5 stars.

Buy the book.

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Nancy Cain is the owner of Against the Grain Gourmet, a line of gluten-free breads and pizzas available at supermarkets and natural food stores nationwide. She lives with her gluten-free family in Vermont.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Blogging for Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links on this page are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase a product, I will receive a 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."

harlequin heartwarming spring giveaway!

The authors over at Harlequin Heartwarming are hosting a fabulous giveaway this month! Be sure to enter and comment over on their blog on each day's post for extra entries. Here's all the info:

After the long, harsh winter most of us endured, what better way to celebrate spring—and our April and May Heartwarming releases—than with an exciting new giveaway? As with any celebration, the more the merrier, and we hope you will join us.

First, here are the beautiful covers of the April and May books . . .

And here’s what we have planned to warm your heart and chase away any lingering winter blahs. All eight Heartwarming authors with April and May releases have teamed up to offer two prize packs of four books each. We will also give away one grand prize consisting of all eight books and a stunning mix of “ever-blooming” spring garden flowers, for use indoors or out. These are gifts you can enjoy time and again, as you can read our books over and over, and the flowers won’t fade when winter threatens, since they're steel, painted in bright colors.


Our first prize pack contains:

The Truth About Hope by Kate James
Katia’s Promise by Catherine Lanigan
Raising the Stakes by Karen Rock
A Case for Forgiveness by Carol Ross

These books are certain to provide hours of springtime reading pleasure!

Our second prize pack contains:

The Long Road Home by Lynn Patrick
Man of His Word by Cynthia Reese
Fighting for Keeps by Jennifer Snow
Firefly Nights by Cynthia Thomason

Another set of four wonderful stories you will surely enjoy!

Finally, our grand prize winner will receive all eight books, along with an “ever-blooming” spring garden, consisting of a bouquet of 13 white daisies, two periwinkle blue alliums and a set of 13 black-eyed Susans, a retail value of over $150 US, before shipping.

Photos and “ever-blooming” flowers from Gardener’s Supply Company (http://www.gardeners.com/)

Now if that isn’t enough, we have a bonus book for each prize pack. Harlequin MIRA and Harlequin Intrigue author Elizabeth Heiter will include one of her recent releases—winner’s choice—in each of the prize packs.

There are three exciting prize packs waiting to be won. The contest runs until April 25th. Enter as often as you like. Post a comment on the Harlequin Heartwarming blog for two entries, visit the authors' Facebook pages, follow them on Twitter, and tweet about the contest once a day while it's running! And check back here on April 26th to see if you are a lucky winner!

Happy spring . . . and happy reading!

(Please note, prize packs can only be shipped to a continental US or Canadian address. International winners will receive the books only, in e-book format.)

Photos and “ever-blooming” flowers from Gardener’s Supply Company (http://www.gardeners.com/)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Must reside in the US/CAN for print copies; if outside these countries ebooks only will be sent from the prize packs. You must be at least 13 years old to enter and if under 18 must have adult or guardian permission. This giveaway is in no way affiliated with Facebook, Twitter, Google or any other entity other than the authors involved. Void where prohibited by law.

"never a bridesmaid" by janice thompson

Who hasn't felt overlooked and underappreciated at some point? That familiar emotion is what Mari deals with in Never a Bridesmaid.

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Can one bridesmaid undo the disasters caused by a poorly chosen maid of honor and save her sister's wedding from disaster?

Mari's older sister Crystal is getting married, and Mari is one of her bridesmaids - actually, the last in a lineup of five bridesmaids, but that doesn't really bother her. Much. But Sienna Jameson as the maid of honor? Really? She might be Crystal's best friend, but she's ditzy and undependable on her best days. When the best man turns out to be hunky Derrick Richardson, the right fielder for the Houston Astros and one of Houston's most eligible bachelors, Sienna abandons her duties as maid of honor to chase Derrick, and it's up to Mari to make sure Crystal's wedding day goes off without a hitch.

While Mari is wrapped up in dress fittings, bridal showers, and bachelorette nights, Derrick has taken notice of her devotion to her sister and her determination to make the wedding perfect. But between dodging Sienna's advances and watching Mari running around like a madwoman, Derrick is left to steal moments whenever he can to get to know this beautiful bridesmaid.

When the maid of honor shows up to the ceremony late and more done up than the bride herself, Mari fears her attempts to make her sister's wedding perfect have all been for naught. Will the bride be up-staged by the maid of honor? Will the fifth-in-line bridesmaid ever be recognized for all the work she's done? And will Mari finally have a moment to revel in the magic of a wedding and dance in the strong arms of a man?

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First of all, the title is a bit of a misnomer, as Mari is certainly a bridesmaid. What she is is the last bridesmaid—the one who stands farthest away from the bride. Her frustration as she deals with the hurt of being passed over for maid of honor duties and strives to make her sister's day the best day possible anyway is palpable ... and totally relatable.

Amid the frustration, though, is a lighthearted wedding story that completely fits with the Janice Thompson brand. The romance between Mari and Derrick is sweet, and I also loved the dynamic between Mari and her sister Crystal—despite Crystal's insensitivity toward Mari and her tendency to bow to her future mother-in-law's wishes, she clearly loved Mari, and Mari loved her. Never a Bridesmaid is a great entry in the Year of Weddings series, and fans of wedding stories will love it. 4-1/2 stars.

See what others are saying.
Buy the novella.
Read my reviews of Thompson's Queen of the Waves (set on the Titanic, 4-1/2 stars) and Bouquet of Love (Weddings by Design, 4 stars).
Read my reviews of the other Year of Weddings and Year of Weddings 2 novellas.

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Janice Thompson got her start in the industry writing screenplays and musical comedies for the stage. She has published over ninety books for the Christian market, crossing genre lines to write cozy mysteries, historicals, romances, nonfiction books, devotionals, children's books, and more. She particularly enjoys writing light-hearted, comedic tales because she enjoys making readers laugh. In addition, she enjoys public speaking and mentoring young writers. She lives in Spring, Texas, where she leads a rich life with her family, a host of writing friends, and two mischievous dachshunds. Visit her website at www.janiceathompson.com. Twitter: @booksbyjanice Facebook: Janice Hanna Thompson's Reader Page

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook blogger program. 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 an 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."