"a heart's home" by colleen coble

A Heart's Home concludes Colleen Coble's Journey of the Heart series.

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Isaac Liddle is keen to marry Emmie, and she knows she shouldn't hide the secret surrounding her pregnancy from him any longer. But before she can tell him her secret, a widower friend asks the impossible of Emmie: Will she honor her promise to his dead wife by marrying him to care for the orphaned baby?

With the Sioux Wars threatening outside the fort, Emmie's solemn vow threatens her happiness from within. Will she honor a promise sure to break her heart—and Isaac's? Or is there another way to find a home for her heart?

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Colleen Coble wraps up her Journey of the Heart Series with a novella that ties up most loose ends and leaves the main characters in a good place.

Emmie and Isaac's relationship was my favorite of the whole series, so I really enjoyed watching them get their happily ever after. I'm also glad that Morning Song, Sarah Campbell's friend, got her own happy ending. I also appreciated that the hardships of frontier life—death, disease, harsh winters—were not shied away from. Not everyone had a dream ending, and that made this series feel more realistic.

I was a little disappointed that Jessica DuBois's story just sort of ended, and I expected Ben Croftner to make another appearance wreaking havoc, but instead the characters just heard about what happened to him. And Emmie's big secret—that she had never been legally married to her first husband—never came out at all; I assume she told Isaac at some point, but as this was a secret that she put off telling him for so long, I felt a little disappointed that as I reader I didn't get to learn his reaction. (I'm sure he would have taken it well—but there was just so much build up and never any payoff.)

Overall, though, A Heart's Home is a nice conclusion to the series. Though this series isn't Coble's most engaging, it is entertaining, and I expect that most fans of historical fiction will enjoy it. 3.5 stars.

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Buy the book.
Read my reviews of A Heart's Disguise (4 stars), A Heart's Obsession (3 stars), A Heart's Danger (4 stars), A Heart's Betrayal (3 stars), and A Heart's Promise (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

A hidden pregnancy, a promise sure to break hearts, and a tragic loss at Fort Phil Kearny: Don't miss the gripping conclusion in book six, A Heart's Home, of Colleen Coble's A Journey of the Heart series. With the Sioux Wars threatening outside the fort, Emmie’s solemn vow threatens her happiness from within. Will she honor a promise sure to break her heart—and Isaac’s? Or is there another way to find a home for her heart?

Colleen is celebrating the final book release of her A Journey of the Heart series by giving away the entire series and the chance to host Colleen virtually at your book club, local library, or women's group to talk about the series.

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• Books 1–6 of A Journey of the Heart series
• A chat with Colleen via Skype or Google Hangout
• A custom book-club kit PDF, featuring Colleen's favorite recipes and group discussion questions

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 31st. Winner will be announced September 1st on Colleen's website.

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."

"goodbye, magnolia" by krista noorman

Sparks fly when a wedding photographer must work with the man who has infuriated her since college.

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Wedding photography is Maggie’s passion. The art of capturing a moment forever in time is magical to her, and she’s worked hard to become the best of the best. Week after week, she works with couples as they plan their happily ever afters, but she hasn’t been so lucky in love.

Behind the camera, it’s easy to hide from the pain and rejection of her past. The life she has made for herself is safe and predictable, until the owner of a rival photography studio sets up shop in her small town and comes to her with an unexpected proposal. Suddenly, everything she has worked so hard to build is threatened and her simple, controlled life is thrown into chaos.

As she travels the state of Michigan photographing weddings, she struggles to keep her business afloat and the wall around her heart intact. But along the way, she learns more about loyalty and love than she ever imagined.

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Goodbye, Magnolia is a sweet, highly romantic story. It's one of those reads that, though it's imperfect, you find yourself completely drawn into. I started reading before bed, and I didn't put the book down until I was finished ... and I paid for it the next day!

Maggie and Simon are wildly imperfect people. Maggie has major trust issues following a bad breakup, and Simon is a little too charming and free with his affections. These issues cause major obstacles on their road to happiness, especially regarding the pivotal misunderstanding that serves to keep them apart until the end of the novel. I will admit I had some major reservations regarding Simon—he wasn't a bad guy, but it also didn't seem wise for Maggie to begin a relationship with him. By the end, though, I'd come around!

Even though I wasn't sure of Simon's character for a while, I definitely enjoyed the romantic scenes. Maggie and Simon's chemistry practically leaped off the page, and I loved the back-and-forth dance they did around a relationship. I also enjoyed the supporting characters—especially Maggie's best friend and assistant Sarah.

I did think the beginning was a bit choppy, and I noticed a couple of continuity problems, but overall, I greatly enjoyed Goodbye, Magnolia, and I'll definitely be watching for what Krista Noorman comes out with next! 4 stars.

Buy the book. (Only $0.99 through 8-28-15.)

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KRISTA NOORMAN is the author of the young adult novel The Truth About Drew and the contemporary romance Goodbye, Magnolia. Most of her life has been spent scribbling away in journals, honing her writing skills, while documenting her every day life. But it wasn’t until she took part in National Novel Writing Month in 2008, that she found her true calling and turned her pen (or rather her computer keyboard) to fiction.

Krista studied music education at Cornerstone University. After college, she turned to her love of photography and spent nearly a decade running her own wedding photography business. She is constantly inspired by books and movies, enjoys beautiful instagram feeds, and loves a great cup of coffee. Krista makes her home in a small town in western Michigan with her husband, Jacob, and their two children.


She writes about life, family, faith and whatever else comes to mind at bykrista.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author. 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."

"glory days" by max lucado

One of the things I love about Max Lucado's writing is the way he's able to take biblical truth and explain it in a way that is relatable, understandable, and impactful. His latest book, Glory Days is no different.

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The wilderness. Maybe you know it well.

The Israelites sure did. After all, they spent forty years wandering the desert. Victories were scarce. Progress was slow. They were free from Pharaoh but not free from fear. Saved but stuck.

Sounds a lot like midlife misery. Caught in a rut. Stalled out. Running on empty. Are you mired in the same?

You can name the day you became a Christian and escaped Egypt. But you can't remember the last time you defeated a temptation or experienced an answered prayer. You're fighting the same battles you fought the day you came to Christ. You're out of Egypt, but Egypt's not out of you.

Isn't the Christian life supposed to be better than this?

Jesus offers abundant joy. Yet you live with oppressive grief. The epistles speak of grace. You shoulder guilt. You are more than a conqueror yet are commonly conquered by temptation or weaknesses.

But there's good news. With God's help you can close the gap between the person you are and the person you want to be. Like Joshua and the Israelites, you can move from a wilderness existence into a promised inheritance.

This is God's vision for your life. You, at full throttle. You, as you were intended. You, as victor over the Jerichos and giants. You, minus the stumbles, hurts, and hate.

You and your Promised Land life.

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In Glory Days, Max Lucado takes the Israelites' journey chronicled in Joshua to show how Christians can get out of the wilderness and find their Canaan, their Promised Land.

There's nothing earth-shattering here. I already knew everything Lucado had to say ... but the way he presented it made me think, "I can do that!" For example, Lucado says the most important step to spiritual growth is reading the Bible. Of course that's true, and of course I've heard it before ... maybe it will sink in this time?

Each chapter is incredibly practical and reads like a mini sermon (an interesting one). Lucado uses scripture to back up every point he makes.

I finished this book with passages highlighted, notes jotted in the margins, and much to think about. I highly recommend it! 5 stars.

See what others are saying.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Lucado's Miracle at the Higher Grounds Cafe (4-1/2 stars), Fearless, and The Tallest of Smalls. 

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More than 120 million readers have found comfort in the writings of Max Lucado. He ministers at the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, where he lives with his wife, Denalyn, and a sweet but misbehaving mutt, Andy.

Find Max online: website, Facebook, Twitter

Are you stuck in the wilderness known as midlife misery? Can you name the day you became a Christian but can’t remember the last time you defeated a temptation or experienced an answered prayer? Find encouragement in Max Lucado's new book, Glory Days. With God’s help you can close the gap between the person you are and the person you want to be. Like Joshua and the Israelites, you can move from a wilderness existence into a promised inheritance.

Now through August 31, 2015, pre-order Glory Days and receive free gifts!

 

There are two pre-order options:

Option 1:

Pre-order one copy of Glory Days (any format), and receive a free digital download of the abridged audio version of In the Grip of Grace by Max Lucado.

After you've pre-ordered, please claim your free gift by submitting your email and proof of purchase at GloryDaysBook.com.

Option 2:

Pre-order one copy of Glory Days (any format) AND one copy of God is With You Every Day (Max's brand-new, 365-day devotional—any format), and receive both the abridged audio version of In the Grip of Grace and a paperback copy of Traveling Light by Max Lucado (U.S. addresses only). 

After you’ve preordered, please claim your free gift by submitting your email and proof of purchase at GloryDaysBook.com.

Pre-order today and get your free gift by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the offer ends on August 31, 2015.

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."

"trial run" by thomas locke

If you like sci-fi thrillers, check out Trial Run!

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Dr. Gabriella Speciale has assembled an international team of elite scientists with one goal in mind--to create and control out-of-body experiences that transcend the limits of time and space. Reese Clawson's mind-bending experiments aim to explode the boundaries of human consciousness--and annihilate the opposition in the process.

When a terrifying discovery and a string of failed tests threaten to dismantle both programs, the key to survival may reside in the mind of a gifted grad student whose unsettling dreams have thrust him into the center of a dangerous battle for control.

As the threads of perception and reality become tangled and time itself twists in unexpected directions, one warning remains clear: what you don't know can kill you.

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Trial Run is marketed as a thriller/suspense title, but it's really more science fiction than anything—which is fine by me! In a way, Trial Run reminds me of the film Inception because of the idea of entering dreams, but really that's where the similarity ends. In Trial Run, people in a dream state are able to travel back or forward in time, but then several subjects end up comatose.

This novel features a very large cast of characters, and at first I struggled to keep them all straight. A few of these characters only appear sporadically, which sometimes made me stop and question who they were. Fairly quickly, though, the novel's main characters come to the forefront—grad students Shane and Trent, government operative Reese, and researcher Gabriella and her guard Charlie. When this happens, things get much easier to follow. I also appreciated that it took me a long time to figure out which faction (Reese's or Gabriella's) was good and which was bad ... and I'm still not entirely sure that the good guys are truly good!

The action moves at a rapid pace, and, while there's a lot of scientific mumbo-jumbo (which isn't actually mumbo-jumbo if you take the time to try to understand it), it doesn't become overwhelming or confusing. The ending features a great blend of dream world and real world action, and it sets up what is sure to be a fascinating second book.

Trial Run is not for everyone, that's for sure, but those who enjoy smart science fiction will really like it. I'm already looking forward to next summer when book two will release. 4 stars.

Buy the book.
Get the prequel novella, Fault Lines, free for Kindle.

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Thomas Locke is a pseudonym for Davis Bunn, the award-winning novelist with total worldwide sales of seven million copies. His work has been published in twenty languages, and critical acclaim includes four Christy Awards for excellence in fiction. Davis divides his time between Oxford and Florida and holds a lifelong passion for speculative stories. As Thomas Locke, Davis is also the author of Emissary. Learn more at www.tlocke.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."

"for the love" by jen hatmaker

Let me start by saying that this review is going to be unlike most of my other reviews because the subject has impacted me so personally. Last March, I was chosen to be on a 500-member launch team for Jen Hatmaker's For the Love, which released today. I honestly have no idea why, out of the 5000 applicants, I was one of the 500 chosen. I wasn't a Jen Hatmaker super fan. Sure, I knew she was funny, and I liked her HGTV show, and I read her blog on a semi-regular basis, but I'd never read any of her books. I have no idea what I put in my application ... but I'm convinced that God gave me the necessary words because He knew I needed the community I'd find on this team and the freedom I'd find in the message contained in Jen's book.

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Best-selling author Jen Hatmaker is convinced life can be lovely and fun and courageous and kind. She knows how the squeeze of this life can make us competitive and judgmental, how we can lose love for others and then for ourselves. She reveals how to:

• Break free of guilt and shame by dismantling the unattainable Pinterest life.
• Learn to engage our culture’s controversial issues with a grace-first approach.
• Be liberated to love and release the burden of always being right. 
• Identify the tools you already have to develop real-life, all-in, know-my-junk-but-love-me-anyway friendships.
• Escape our impossible standards for parenting and marriage by accepting the standard of “mostly good.”
• Laugh your butt off.

In this raucous ride to freedom for modern women, Jen Hatmaker bares the refreshing wisdom, wry humor, no-nonsense faith, liberating insight, and fearless honesty that have made her beloved by women worldwide.

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Rather than speak about the whole book (which, by the way, is fantastic—you should read it!), I'm going to focus on the part that—I'm not kidding—changed my life.

First of all, check out my endorsement for the book (which wasn't selected for print but shows up on the endorsement page of the book's website), and then I'll expound: 

You often hear people say, “This book will change your life!” I usually scoff at such endorsements; after all, how often does a book actually stick with you after you’ve turned the final page? Well, it didn’t take even ten pages for “For the Love” to change my life. Jen’s words about figuring out which things in your life are necessary and which can be set aside were so freeing and, yes, life changing. I’ll be chanting “off the beam” for the rest of my days.
~ Becky; Blogger, Editor, Cat Wrangler, Hallmark Movie Lover, Latte Enthusiast. Central City, NE

The first chapter of the book is called "Worst Beam Ever." In it, Jen (and I must call her "Jen"—I feel like we're friends now!) talks about how we women have a tendency to try to do everything and do it well—because we feel we must—and that's completely ridiculous.

I journaled my way through the beginning of the book (then life happened, and I just read ...), and this is the very first thing I wrote: I knew Jen "got me" when I read this: "We need to quit trying to be awesome and instead be wise."

Graphic: Brianna George

Be wise. That's something I'm slowly learning as I deal with Hashimoto's and its impact on my daily life, so this message is quite timely. As I kept reading, Jen's words continued to ring true. "You have permission to examine all the tricks and decide what should stay. What parts do you love? What are you good at? What brings you life?" Wow. Just wow.

Graphic: Jenny Garwood

I found this whole chapter so freeing! I ended up having several conversations with close friends about what should and should not be on my beam, and I'm making appropriate changes.

Church choir? Off the beam.
Focusing on health? On the beam.
Speech? On the beam for one more year, and then it's off.

Here's my big takeaway from this chapter: I need to stop feeling pressure to do just because I'm single and childless. I still need to take care of myself, especially now when my health is iffy. It's OK to say no, and it's OK to take things off my beam.

So that's why I said what I said in my endorsement. I'm absolutely not kidding when I say that this book was life changing for me ... and it might be for you, too. At the very least, you'll be left with much to consider. And you'll probably laugh quite a bit, too! (With gems like this, how can you not?)

Graphic: Tricia Klein

Seriously, read this book. While I don't have a copy to give away, several bloggers are giving away one or more copies. You can see posts on the official blog linkup and enter giveaways here. 5 stars.

See what others are saying.
Buy the book.
Visit the website.

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Jen Hatmaker is a mom to five children, a pastor’s wife, sought-after speaker, best-selling author and star of the popular series My Big Family Renovation on HGTV.  She is best known for her books 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess and Interrupted: When Jesus Wrecks Your Comfortable Christianity. For more information, visit JenHatmaker.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free for review. 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.d. 30 abridged" by ted dekker

Several years ago, I was a huge Ted Dekker fan—as in, I bought and read everything he wrote. But then I got to the point where I couldn't handle the intense crime fiction, a la Boneman's Daughters, and I just kind of drifted away from Dekker's writing. I'd heard amazing things about A.D. 30, though—it won a 2015 Inspy award for best mystery/thriller—so when I had the opportunity to review the new abridged version, I jumped at it.

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New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker offers an exclusive, ebook original novella in this abridgment of A.D. 30, the epic historical novel about a woman who rises to lead her people after meeting Jesus.

Maviah, the outcast daughter of a powerful Arabian sheik, is called to protect the very people who rejected her. When enemies launch a sudden attack she escapes with the help of her father's warriors. Their journey is fraught with danger and takes her to a brutal world subjugated by kings and emperors. There Maviah must form an unlikely alliance with King Herod of the Jews. But her path also leads her to Yeshua, who offers her a way of life more powerful than any kingdom. Though following him may present an even greater danger, his may be the only way for Maviah to save her people--and herself.

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Wow. Just wow. I never had any doubt that Dekker was an excellent writer, but A.D. 30 feels like a return to the Circle series, to The Books of Mortals. Yet it's different, too—it's not allegorical; it's set during Jesus' ministry, and it features events that truly happened and Jesus' own words. Obviously, Maviah's story is fictional, but it feels so real. Dekker's novel is a welcome addition to the biblical fiction genre.

Honestly, I have no idea what was cut out of the original novel to make this abridgement: it feels 100% complete. The story moves at a rapid pace, which serves to keep the reader fully engaged. And the scenes with Yeshua are so powerful; I loved watching Maviah change because of her encounters with Him. The ending is a bit abrupt, but that's because the story will continue in A.D. 33, which will release later this fall. I, for one, can't wait to find out what's next for Maviah while seeing Yeshua's story continue! 5 stars.

Buy the novella.
Read my reviews of Dekker's Green, Immanuel's Veins, Forbidden (written with Tosca Lee), and Tea with Hezbolla (written with Carl Medearis).

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Ted Dekker is a New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty-five novels with more than 10 million books in print. His most recent novel is A.D 30, an epic historical about the life of Jesus and the first book of his AD series. The second in the series, A.D. 33, will be published in October 2015. Dekker is best known for thrillers that combine adrenaline-laced plots with incredible confrontations between good and evil.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook free for review. 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."

divine walls product review

While I've seen wall decals in many of my friends' homes, I've never tried any in my home. Sometimes they look tacky, and sometimes they look great; it all depends on the design. I have been curious about whether I'd like the look of a wall decal in my home, so I jumped at the chance to review a design from Divine Walls.

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Divine Walls crafts inspirational and faith based vinyl wall art for the home, office, or church. Their site boasts over 600 unique designs that you can't find anywhere else online. The design and print shop are both run from their cozy space in Scappoose, Oregon.

The designs available at Divine Walls feature popular scriptures from the Old Testament and New Testament. They also carry decals of Christian phrases such as:

• "Bless the food before us, the family beside us, and the Love between us. Amen"
• "and the Blessings of the Lord Rested upon us."
• And more!

Custom designs are also an option, so the sky is the limit.

Divine Walls loves to work with churches, and they offer wholesale discounts of 10-25% based on the amount spent.

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I was able to choose any regular (non-custom) design, and I decided to go with a Christmas design—after all, can you ever have too many Christmas decorations?

Never having used a wall decal before, I didn't quite realize how they worked—it's not exactly easy to move them to a new location (or, in my case, put it up to try it out and then take it down until the Christmas season). I finally decided to apply the design in a place that's normally covered by a piece of art. Then, when the Christmas season rolls around, I'll remove the art to uncover the Christmas design.

As for the actual application process, it took me about 30 minutes. The design came with a set of very thorough instructions, and I followed them to the letter. However, the process was still a bit frustrating at times. After I marked where on the wall I was going to apply the design, I had to pull off the backing. This was more difficult than I anticipated because some of the letters wanted to pull off with the backing. I especially had trouble with the thinner letters. Once I had the backing pulled off, I applied the design to the wall.

Following the directions, I took a credit card and rubbed the edge all over the design to remove air bubbles. Another reviewer said she used a ruler, and I do think that would be a better choice because you could press harder on the design.

Then it was time to peel off the front paper: the directions said to pull down at a slight angle. Just as when I pulled the backing off, some letters didn't want to stay put. I found that if I pressed with the side of the credit card just below the place where I was pulling the paper off, the letters stayed in place better. The "y" and the script "d" did give me extra trouble, and I had to peel them off and reapply them. 

The end result is quite impressive, though—definitely worth the time and effort to apply the design!

I will say that, though I don't have other experience to prove it, I doubt that Divine Walls designs are any more difficult to apply than other wall art. I'm glad to have this design on my wall, and I look forward to enjoying it at Christmas! 4 stars.

See what others are saying.
Visit the Divine Walls website.

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.

"through waters deep" by sarah sundin

To say my experience reading Sarah Sundin's newest novel, Through Waters Deep, was interactive would be an understatement. I actually spoke to certain characters as the book progressed because their actions, while noble, were also incredibly frustrating! And the fact that I cared so much is a testament to just how engaging Sundin's novels are.

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It is 1941 and America teeters on the brink of war.

Outgoing naval officer Ensign Jim Avery escorts British convoys across the North Atlantic in a brand-new destroyer, the USS Atwood. Back on shore, Boston Navy Yard secretary Mary Stirling does her work quietly and efficiently, happy to be out of the limelight. Yet, despite her reserved nature, she never could back down from a challenge. When evidence of sabotage on the Atwood is found, Jim and Mary must work together to uncover the culprit. A bewildering maze of suspects emerges, and Mary is dismayed to find that even someone close to her is under suspicion. With the increasing pressure, Jim and Mary find that many new challenges---and dangers---await them.

Sarah Sundin takes readers to the tense months before the US entered WWII. Readers will encounter German U-boats and torpedoes, along with the explosive power of true love, in this hopeful and romantic story.

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While I enjoy reading a wide variety of books, I only really keep up with a handful of authors, eagerly anticipating their next release. Sarah Sundin is one of those authors, and I've been looking forward to Through Waters Deep for the past year.

It did not disappoint.

I loved Jim and Mary, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching them fall in love. Their romance was a bit frustrating, though, as they both did a great job of keeping their emotions hidden. In fact, their romance (or lack therof) caused me to do something I haven't done in years—I actually flipped to the back of the book and read the last few pages when I was only about halfway finished with the book because I just had to be sure everything would turn out well!

From the moment Mary's friend Quintessa was mentioned, I figured I knew where the story was headed--and I did have it figured out for the most part. What I didn't count on was the depth of Jim's character, and he took the story in a bit of a different direction than I expected.

Mary has to be one of my favorite heroines in recent memory. She reminds me a bit of myself--like Mary, I hate being the center of attention, an incident in my childhood caused me to withdraw from the limelight, I've never been a guy magnet, and I would probably respond like Mary did if I was in a situation like she found herself in with Jim! So while her actions were at times frustrating, I understood--and I was thrilled for her when she faced her fears and went after what she wanted!

In addition to the romance between Mary and Jim, Through Waters Deep contains a fascinating mystery about a saboteur at the Navy Yard. The mystery unravelled slowly, and it was fun to watch Mary put the pieces together.

Overall, Through Waters Deep fits perfectly into Sundin's brand, and I can't wait to get my hands on next year's novel! 5 stars.

See what others are saying.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Sundin's With Every Letter (5 stars), On Distant Shores (5 stars), In Perfect Time (5 stars), and Blue Skies Tomorrow (5 stars).

Note: Shoutout to my friend Jen, who commented that she thought the guy on the cover looked like Ryan Reynolds. Now when I look at the cover, all I can see is Ryan. (It's all in the top half of his head--the mouth isn't quite right.)

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Sarah Sundin is the author of With Every Letter, On Distant Shores, In Perfect Time, and the Wings of Glory series. In 2014,On Distant Shores was a finalist for the Golden Scroll Awards from both AWSA and the Christian Authors Network. In 2011, Sarah received the Writer of the Year Award at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. A graduate of UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy, she works on call as a hospital pharmacist. During WWII, her grandfather served as a pharmacist's mate (medic) in the Navy and her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force in England. Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children.

Find Sarah online: website, Facebook, Twitter


Dive into Sarah Sundin's explosive new series, Waves of Freedom, with book one, Through Waters Deep. When evidence of sabotage on the Atwood is found, Jim and Mary must work together to uncover the culprit. A bewildering maze of suspects emerges, and Mary is dismayed to find that even someone close to her is under suspicion. With the increasing pressure, Jim and Mary find that many new challenges–and dangers–await them in the midst of their budding romance.

Join Sarah in celebrating the release of Through Waters Deep by entering to win an Anchors Aweigh prize pack!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Through Waters Deep
• A nautical tote bag
• A set of compass rose notecards
• A "Hope Anchors the Soul" journal
• A Boston Tea Party earl grey tea set
• A Through Waters Deep apron
• A set of nautical tea towels

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 24th. The winner will be announced August 25th on Sarah's blog.

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."

"love takes the cake" by besty st. amant

When Charlotte, a gun-shy single mom, becomes attracted to one of the customers at her bakery, she's sure her crush is "safe"--after all, the guy buys cookies for another woman each time he stops in. But when she learns that the "other woman" isn't who she seems, will Charlotte be open to risking her heart for a chance at happiness?

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Meet the people who make it all happen—the planners, the photographers, the musicians who have helped orchestrate the perfect day for countless couples—as they find their own happy endings in the second Year of Weddings novella collection. 

She’s known for her delicious cakes, but there’s no recipe for dealing with the new man in her life. Charlotte owns the best bakery in Louisiana, and clients come from near and far for her renowned wedding cakes. And while the wedding scene is Charlotte’s place to shine, her own love life is more dull than ever. After a string of failed relationships—and men who actually were too good to be true—she has decided to throw herself into her craft and leave love and marriage to her clients. 

Will is a successful entrepreneur but devotes much of his spare time to caring for his sister. He deeply regrets his past mistakes, so he has done everything he can to guard his heart from relationships. And what girl would understand that he needs to spend all his time with his sister? But when his best friend calls in his help for his September wedding, Will can’t refuse. He's always been there for those closest to him. And when he finds out they don’t have a wedding cake yet, he knows exactly where to go—the bakery owned by the beautiful, mysterious young woman he buys treats from. 

Charlotte assumes Will is just another party boy who flirts with all the bridesmaids. But is Will hiding something that explains his behavior? And despite their reservations, will they be able to deny the chemistry between them?

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In Love Takes the Cake, Charlotte and Will sort of stutter-step toward a relationship. She swore off charismatic, attractive men after being duped by her ex. He doesn't feel worthy of a good relationship, due to his past mistakes.

While Charlotte and Will's holdups could become annoying, St. Amant wrote the characters in such a way that their reservations were perfectly understandable. And the two certainly had chemistry, which made the novella that much more fun to read!

Sometimes novellas feel rushed or incomplete, but Love Takes the Cake was really the perfect length. The leads are well developed, and many of the supporting characters feel fully fleshed out, as well. (And can we please get a story about Will's sister Melissa next? I would absolutely love to read her love story!)

Love Takes the Cake is the fourth Besty St. Amant novel or novella that I've read, and I've enjoyed each one. She's definitely become a must-read author for me! 4-1/2 stars.

Buy the novella.
Read my reviews of St. Amant's A February Bride (4 stars), All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes (5 stars), and Love Arrives in Pieces (4-1/2 stars).
Read my reviews of the other Year of Weddings and Year of Weddings 2 novellas.

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Betsy St. Amant lives in Louisiana with her young daughter and has a heart for sharing the amazing news of God's grace through her novels. A freelance journalist, Betsy is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. When she's not reading, writing, or singing along to a Disney soundtrack with her daughter, Betsy enjoys inspirational speaking and teaching on the craft of writing.

Find Betsy online: website, Facebook

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."

"hope harbor" by irene hannon

Fans of Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove series will want to check out Irene Hannon's Hope Harbor!

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Come home to Hope Harbor--where hearts heal . . . and love blooms.

Tracy Campbell never wanted to leave Hope Harbor, Oregon, or the idyllic three-generation cranberry farm where she grew up. But life--and love--altered her plans. Now she's home again--with a floundering farm to run . . . a tragic secret . . . and a wounded heart. Romance is not on her agenda. Nor is it on Michael Hunter's. The visitor from Chicago has daunting secrets and devastating regrets of his own. But when Tracy recruits him to help with a project that is close to her heart, winds of change begin to sweep through Hope Harbor, bringing healing, hope, and love to countless lives--including their own.

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The instant I started reading Hope Harbor, I was reminded of Cedar Cove, the setting of many of Debbie Macomber's books (and the Hallmark Channel series of the same name). I love the Cedar Cove world, so the comparison is quite favorable. 

Hope Harbor is the story of three hurting people: Michael and Tracy, who both lost their spouses and carry a lot of guilt over their roles in the deaths, and Anna, who became a recluse after becoming estranged from her son. Though none are particularly ready to allow anyone else in, God (often through taco truck owner Charley) keeps throwing them together in ways that can't help but spur healing.

The novel moves fairly slowly, but it never becomes boring. Though there are serious subjects in the novel, the tone is light and breezy and warm. I did wish for more time with some of the other residents of Hope Harbor: one scene near the end of the novel involving Reverend Baker and Father Kevin, the town's two clergymen, had me snickering, and I wish their personalities had a chance to come through earlier on. Hopefully they, as well as other minor characters, will become more prominent in future novels. The next novel in the Hope Harbor series releases next summer, and you can bet I'll be looking for it! 4-1/2 stars.

Buy the book.
Read an excerpt. 

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Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of more than forty-five romantic suspense and contemporary romance/women's fiction novels, including the Heroes of Quantico, Guardians of Justice, and Private Justice series, along with That Certain Summer and One Perfect Spring. Her books have garnered dozens of honors, including two coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America. She is also a two-time Christy Award finalist. IreneHannon.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." 

"among the fair magnolias" by alexander, gray, love & musser

While I generally prefer full-length novels, sometimes I just want a quick read—something I can get through in about an hour. Novellas like those in Among the Fair Magnolias often fit the bill.

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In the most turbulent decade of our nation's history, four Southern women---destinies forged by birth, hearts steeled by war---face near impossible choices on their journeys in life . . . and in love. 

To Mend a Dream by Tamera Alexander
Savannah Darby would do almost anything to revisit her family home. So when new owner, Aidan Bedford, a Boston attorney and former Union soldier, seeks to redecorate the house for his fiancée, Savannah jumps at the opportunity. But the clock is ticking. Can she find the box her father supposedly hid there during the war before her assignment is completed? And before she sees yet another battle lost on the home front. This time, one of the heart. 

An Outlaw's Heart by Shelley Gray
When Russell Stark returns to Fort Worth, he's determined to begin a new life. But when he arrives at his mother's homestead, he discovers she's very ill, and the woman he loved is still as beautiful and sweet as he remembered. With time running out, Russell must come to terms with both his future and his past. 

A Heart So True by Dorothy Love
Abigail knows all too well what is expected of her: to marry her distant cousin Charles and take her place in society. But her heart belongs to another. A terrible incident forces Abby to choose between love and duty. 

Love Beyond Limits by Elizabeth Musser
Emily has a secret: She's in love with one of the freedmen on her family's plantation. Meanwhile, another man declares his love for her. Emily realizes some things are not as they seem and secrets must be kept in order to keep those she loves safe.

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I picked up Among the Fair Magnolias after I'd finished reading a fairly intense novel, and the novellas inside were the perfect antidote to the heaviness I'd been dealing with. As is the case with most novella collections, I enjoyed some novellas more than others, but they all provided a nice diversion. 4 stars for the collection. Read on to see my thoughts on each of the novellas.

To Mend a Dream by Tamara Alexander is simply fantastic! I loved every second I spent reading it. Some novellas feel rushed, but this one didn't, yet neither did it drag. I do wish it had been longer, simply because I enjoyed the experience of reading it so much! Savannah and Aidan are so likeable, and Alexander did a fantastic job of building the chemistry between them in such a short period of time. The subplots of Savannah's search for hidden treasure and Aidan's desire to find his friend's home just add to the main "falling in love" plot. Wonderful story. 5 stars.

An Outlaw's Heart by Shelley Gray features a man searching for redemption and the woman who has loved him since childhood. While I did enjoy this novella, it felt a bit too condensed—the bad guy was revealed quickly and easily, and I felt like things with him ended a bit anticlimactically. But the romance between Russell and Nora was sweet, and I liked the way Russell gained back the trust of the town. While this wasn't the most memorable of stories, I did enjoy it while I read it. 3 stars.

A Heart So True by Dorothy Love is the one novella in this collection that I just couldn't get into. The villain was so evil, and I couldn't understand why Abigail refused to tell her parents the truth about him. I also didn't really care about Abigail and Wade's romance, perhaps because all of the falling in love happened prior to the beginning of the novella. It simply did not keep my interest. I did, however, enjoy reading about Abigail's mother. She was an intriguing character, and I'd be interested in learning more of her story. 2 stars.

Love Beyond Limits by Elizabeth Musser is, well, not at all what I was expecting—in a good way! While there is some romance, the focus of the story is the danger and opposition the freedmen faced in Georgia during Reconstruction. Along with Emily, I wanted to shout from the rooftops that all men are created equal. (This may have to do with my recent viewing of Selma, but boy does racism get me fired up right now!) This is such a well written story that pulls on your heart! I did think Emily's affections shifted a bit suddenly, but overall, this novella was great. 4-1/2 stars.

See what others are saying.
Buy the book. 

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Tamera Alexander is the best-selling author of numerous books including A Lasting Impression and The Inheritance. Tamera is a two-time Christy Award winner, two-time RITA winner, and a recipient of the prestigious Library Journal Award. A native of west Tennessee. website, Twitter, Facebook
 
Dorothy Love makes her home in the Texas hill country with her husband and their golden retriever. An award-winning author of numerous young adult novels, Dorothy made her adult debut with the Hickory Ridge novels. website, Twitter, Facebook

Shelley Gray is the author of The Heart of a Hero series. Her Amish novel (written as Shelley Shepard Gray), The Protector, recently made the New York Times best seller list. website, Twitter, Facebook

Elizabeth Musser, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, now living in France, is a novelist who writes what she calls 'entertainment with a soul.' For over 25 years, Elizabeth and her husband, Paul, have been involved in mission work with International Teams. website, Twitter, Facebook

Four best-selling novelists bring tales of four Southern women who face near impossible choices on their journeys in life and in love during the most turbulent decade of our nation’s history in Among the Fair Magnolias. Don't miss this collection of stories from Tamera Alexander, Shelley Gray, Dorothy Love, and Elizabeth Musser.

Join the authors in celebrating the release of Among the Fair Magnolias by entering to win their Southern Hearts Kindle Fire Giveaway and RSVPing to their August 13th author chat party!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HD 6
• One copy of Among the Fair Magnolias

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 8/13. The winner will be announced at the Among the Fair Magnolias Facebook party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Tamera, Dorothy, Shelley, and Elizabeth, as well as for a chance to win some great prizes!

RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 13th!

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."

"married 'til monday" by denise hunter

Throughout the Chapel Springs Romance series, Denise Hunter has told the stories of the McKinley siblings. In Married 'til Monday, oldest brother Ryan finally gets his chance (or really his second chance) at romance.

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With a big anniversary party in the works for her parents, Ryan will pretend to be Abby's husband for just one last weekend.

Ryan McKinley has tried to move on from his ex-wife, Abby. He's sulked, he's gotten angry, and ultimately he bought her dream house. Big mistake. Living alone in the massive 2-story has only made him miss her more. When her parents call him out of the blue about their anniversary party in Summer Harbor, Maine, Ryan believes God has dropped a golden opportunity straight in his lap.

Abby McKinley never exactly told her parents about the divorce. A strained relationship with her dad has culminated in a distant relationship with her parents, but she's finally succumbed to her mom's pressure to make the drive for their 35th-anniversary party.

Then Ryan shows up on her doorstep, looking as devastatingly handsome as ever. When he insists he's going to Seabrook, with or without her, Abby knows she can't say no. Her parents still think they're married and now Ryan knows it too. Besides, he only wants to check in with his best friend from college-her cousin Beau, who just lost his dad. It's just a one-week road-trip with the man who broke her heart. What could possibly go wrong?

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I have enjoyed every second I've spent reading the Chapel Springs series, and Married 'til Monday didn't break that trend. Married 'til Monday is quite different from the other books in the series though—it's not a bad thing, it's just different, and it almost didn't even feel like it was part of the same series, probably because the other McKinleys don't have a large role in the novel.

Most of Married 'til Monday takes place over a long weekend road trip. That setting allows for some comedy as, of course, things always go wrong on a road trip! So there's a lightheartedness to the novel that helps balance out some of the serious moments—and there are plenty of those, as Abby's past comes to light and Ryan tries to break down her walls.

While there are plenty of humorous and serious moments, one aspect of the novel stands out: romance. One of the hallmarks of Hunter's writing is sizzling chemistry between the hero and heroine, and that chemistry is certainly on display in Ryan and Abby's interactions! I ached for them to work things out and get back together; I was definitely invested in their journey.

I did feel like the novel drug on a bit once they returned home from their road trip, but that's a minor quibble. Married 'til Monday is a fantastic romance, and I can't wait to pick up Hunter's next novel! 4-1/2 stars.

Buy the book.
Read my reviews of the other Chapel Springs books: Barefoot Summer (5 stars), A December Bride(4.5 stars), Dancing with Fireflies (5 stars), and The Wishing Season (5 stars).

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Denise Hunter is an internationally published best-selling author. Her books have won The Holt Medallion Award, The Reader's Choice Award, The Foreword Book of the Year Award, and was a RITA finalist. In 1996, inspired by the death of her grandfather, Denise began her first book, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her husband says he inspires all of her romantic stories, but Denise insists a good imagination helps, too. When Denise isn't writing, she's busy raising three heroes-in-the-making with her husband.

Learn more about Denise at http://www.denisehunterbooks.com.

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."

"crazy little thing called love" by beth k. vogt

Second chance at love stories are some of my favorites—especially ones that reunite couples after years apart. So I was thrilled to dive into Beth K. Vogt's latest, Crazy Little Thing Called Love.

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Wedding bells and storm clouds collide in the first engaging novel in a brand-new series about destination weddings, the power of love, and the possible mishaps and missteps that happen on a couple's journey down the aisle to "I do."

Paramedic Vanessa Hollister has put her adolescence behind her, including the unwanted label of being the new kid in town over and over again, thanks to her father's military career. She's overcome what her mother called "the biggest mistake of her life" and is planning an elegant destination wedding in Destin, Florida with her new fiancé. But will the reappearance of her first husband from her what-were-you-thinking teenage elopement disrupt her dream of an idyllic beach wedding?

As a professional storm chaser, Logan Hollister is used to taking risks. However, a reckless decision during the last tornado season has him questioning the future of his team, the Stormmeisters. Coming face to face with his ex-wife eight years after their divorce compels him to confront his greatest regret: losing Vanessa. Does their past give him the right to interfere with her future?

A fast-moving, powerful hurricane throws Vanessa and Logan together as they evacuate to a storm shelter along with other residents of the Florida Gulf Coast. Forced to spend time together, the pair battles unexpected renewed feelings for each other.

Vanessa and Logan are faced with a choice: Should they accept, once and for all, their teenage marital mistake? Or is God offering them a second chance at happily ever after?

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Crazy Little Thing Called Love is such a fun book! Combining friendship, romance, and a beautiful destination wedding, it is a joy to read from start to finish.

Vanessa and Logan are such likeable characters, and I couldn't help but pull for their happily ever after. I loved how Vogt gave a glimpse into their teenage romance between the pages of the present-day action, as it brought another level of understanding to the characters.

The minor characters—like Vanessa's friend Mindy, Logan's sister Caron, and Logan's team—are fleshed out and realistic, and I would love to see some of their stories continued in future novels.

I'd say more than a romance, this book represents Vanessa's journey to finding her place in the world. Yes, there is romance involved, but it's also about finding friends, forging relationships, and developing a vital relationship with Christ.

Crazy Little Thing Called Love is a great opening novel to Vogt's new Destination Wedding series—romance lovers won't want to miss it! 4-1/2 stars.

See what others are saying.
Buy the book.
See my reviews of Vogt's Wish You Were Here (5 stars), Catch a Falling Star (4-1/2 stars), A November Bride (4-1/2 stars), and Somebody Like You (5 stars).

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Beth K. Vogt believes God's best often waits behind the doors marked "Never." A 2015 RITA® Finalist and a 2014 Carol Award finalist, Beth is a contemporary romance novelist with Howard Books. Her 2014 novel, Somebody Like You, was one of Publisher's Weekly's Best Books of 2014. In 2015 she introduced her destination wedding series with both an e-novella, Can't Buy Me Love, (May) and a novel, Crazy Little Thing Called Love (June).

Visit Beth online: website, Facebook, Twitter

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."

"this is not a test" by tobymac + giveaway

Release Date: August 7, 2015

In junior high and high school, I was obsessed with dc Talk. Obsessed. One of my biggest regrets is not ever seeing them live. I've now seen each member separately, but it's not quite the same. So I was thrilled—like fist pump, jump up and down ecstatic—when I learned that TobyMac's new album would feature a track with dc Talk. And then when an invitation to review said album showed up in my inbox, I hit reply so fast it would have made your head spin!

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This Is Not A Test  (Deluxe Edition) Songs:
1. Like a Match
2. Backseat Driver (featuring Hollyn & TRU)
3. This Is Not a Test (featuring Capital Kings)
4. Lights Shine Bright (featuring Hollyn)
5. Til the Day I Die (featuring NF)
6. Feel It (featuring Mr. Talkbox)
7. Move (Keep Walkin')
8. Love Broke Thru
9. Beyond Me
10. Love Feels Like (featuring dc Talk)
11. Undeniable
12. Lift You Up (featuring Ryan Stevenson)
13. Fall
14. Beyond Me (Phenomenon Remix)
15. Like a Match (Garcia's Remix)

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If you're anything like me, your first question regarding the album is, "How's the dc Talk track?"

In a word: Awesome.

Basically, "Love Feels Like" is all the best parts of dc Talk rolled into one. It sounds like it would fit very well on the Jesus Freak or Supernatural albums. Each guy gets a chance to do his thing, and it's just fantastic. The song is incredibly catchy, and there is no doubt it's dc Talk.

The rest of the album is great, too. I especially like "Backseat Driver," featuring Hollyn (who I'd never heard of before) and TRU (TobyMac's son, previously known as Trudog). "Beyond Me" is great, too—and chances are good you've already heard it if you listen to any Christian radio. Really, I like every song on this album, and I think it's going to give Portable Sounds a run for its money as my favorite TobyMac album! 5 stars.

Now here's the part you've been waiting for: I get to give a copy of this awesome CD to one of my readers! Just enter through the Rafflecopter below.

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 in the US and CANADA 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

Preorder the album on iTunes and get four songs instantly! 

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Toby McKeehan (known professionally as TobyMac) is a husband, father, performer, songwriter, producer, and businessman. Growing up in the northern Virginia suburbs adjacent to Washington D.C. helped instill his love for rap music. While attending Liberty University during the mid 80s, Toby met Michael Tait and Kevin Max Smith, and these three friends formed the Grammy winning, platinum selling group dc Talk. Toby began his solo career in 1999 with his first solo album, Momentum, releasing in 2001. Momentum has been followed by four additional studio albums, Welcome to Diverse City (2004), Portable Sounds (2007), Tonight (2010), and Eye On It (2012), along with his first live album, Alive and Transported (2008). This Is Not A Test is his 6th studio album to be released. Starting with dc Talk, and then going solo when the group disbanded, Toby still clings to such rootsy notions as hard work, persistence, patience, and - perhaps most relevant of all - the power of music, which he insists is still what keeps him going. "It's the truth," he says. "I still believe that a song can penetrate a heart. I believe God can use a song to open someone's mind and heart."

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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.