Showing posts with label quilts of love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label quilts of love. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

"hidden in the stars" by robin caroll

Whether you prefer your romance to be historical, contemporary, or suspenseful, Abingdon's Quilts of Love series has something to offer. Hidden in the Stars fits nicely into the contemporary suspense category.

A quilt holds the secret to a killer still at large—and who his next victim will be.

Following an attack that killed her mother and stole her ability to speak, 21‑year‑old Sophia Montgomery has no choice but to accept her estranged grandmother’s offer to return to their family home. Although detective Julian Frazier is working hard on the case, Sophia unknowingly frustrates him because her inability to speak thwarts her eyewitness evidence. The fact that Julian is undeniably attracted to Sophia doesn’t help either, so Julian hides his feelings as concern for a trauma victim and focuses instead on finding the killer.

Little do they know, the clues to solving the case may be right in front of them, displayed in Sophia’s mother’s “special” quilt design. Who will realize the secret Sophia’s unwittingly been hiding in plain sight? When the truth comes to light, will Sophia find her voice again? Or will the murderer—still at large—silence her forever?

I had the opportunity to review Hidden in the Stars several months ago when it went on tour with a company I often work with. I passed on it, a move I regretted once the excellent reviews began rolling in. So when it popped up as an offering through Vine, I requested it immediately.

From the very first page, when Sophia wakes up battered and confused in the hospital, I was completely hooked. The mystery about Sophia's mother and the attack is unraveled at a good pace, and I absolutely flew through the pages.

Oftentimes in romances, especially short ones like this, the author spends so much time on the relationship between the hero and the heroine that everything else takes a backseat. Not so in Hidden in the Stars. The friendship between Sophia and Charlie, the woman who reads her lips when she cannot speak, is actually more developed than the romance, and I think it's one of the highlights of the novel.

Overall, Hidden in the Stars is a great suspense novel with a touch of romance. It also provides a glimpse into the ballet world that I found fascinating. I highly recommend it! 4-1/2 stars.

Buy the book.
Read my reviews of other Quilts of Love novels.

Robin Caroll is the author of 22 published novels. When she isn’t writing, Robin spends time with her husband of 20‑plus years, her three beautiful daughters and two handsome grandsons, and their character‑filled pets at home in Little Rock, Arkansas. She gives back to the writing community by serving as conference director for ACFW. Her books have been named finalists in such contests as the Carol Award, HOLT Medallion, Daphne du Maurier, RT Reviewer’s Choice Award, Bookseller’s Best, and Book of the Year.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this product free for review from Amazon.com through its Vine reviewer program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions 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."

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

"swept away" by laura v. hilton & cindy loven

When her aging grandmother hires a random stranger to make repairs around the house, Sara Jane's life changes in ways she never imagined.


Sara Jane doesn't think she wants love. But her grandmother has other plans.

Sara Jane Morgan is trying to balance teaching with caring for her ailing, stubborn grandmother. When school lets out for the summer, the plans are for Grandma to teach Sara Jane to quilt as they finish up the Appalachian Ballad quilt Grandma started as a teenager. But things don't always go as planned.

Andrew Stevenson is hiding from his past—and his future. He works as a handyman to pay the bills, but his heart is as an artisan, designing homemade brooms. When Sara Jane's grandmother hires him to renovate her home, sparks fly between Drew and his new employer's granddaughter.

Still, it doesn't take Sara Jane long to see Drew isn't what he seems. Questions arise, and she starts researching him online. What she discovers could change her life—and her heart—forever.

Learn more about this book and the series at the Quilts of Love website.

Swept Away combines romance, faith, and family drama into a compelling novel. It's a quick read that immediately sweeps the reader into Sara Jane's world.

What I appreciated most about this novel was the very clear presentation of the gospel. Sometimes the faith element of a novel seems forced, yet here it was an integral part of the novel and completely fit into the story.

Drew is a fascinating hero who battles both self-esteem issues and his feelings for Sara Jane. I found it refreshing to read about a hero who struggles but remains likable. I also enjoyed Sara Jane, who discovers much about life and love through the course of the novel.

One thing I couldn't get past was Grandma. I understand that she was in the early stages of Alzheimer's and was going through some personality changes, but it sounds like she was never a very nice woman, and it was hard for me to feel sympathetic towards her. She did provide some great comic relief, but overall I didn't like her.

There are also a few things never explained fully (or fully enough for my liking), such as why Drew feels no woman would want him, why Sara Jane feels her parents' death is her fault, and Grandma's spiritual state. I often felt like I was missing something as I read—it was like the authors had created a back story for the characters that wasn't fully explained on paper.

Ultimately, I very much enjoyed Swept Away, but the aspects that bothered me keep me from giving it a hearty recommendation. 3 stars.

See what others are saying.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of other Quilts of Love releases.

Laura V. Hilton is an award-winning author and a professional book reviewer. A stay-at-home mom and home school teacher, Laura lives with her family in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas. Cindy Loven is active in the church and writes from her home in Conway, Arkansas, where she lives with her husband and their son.

Don’t miss the newest Quilts of Love book, Swept Away by Laura V. Hilton and Cindy Loven. November’s QOL release is a spark of romance and fun just in time for the holidays.

Enter to win a Kindle HDX, and RSVP for the “Merry Quilted” Quilts of Love Facebook party on December 9th. 
qol-sweptaway2-400
One winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire
  • Swept Away by Laura V. Hilton and Cindy Loven
  • Hidden in the Stars by Robin Caroll
  • Quilted by Christmas by Jodie Bailey
Enter today by clicking the button below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 9th. Winner will be announced during the "Merry Quilted" Christmas Facebook party on December 9th. RSVP today and connect with some of the Quilts of Love authors (Jodie Bailey, Laura V. Hilton, Cindy Loven, Cathy Elliott, and Gina Welborn) for a "merry" evening of book chat, Christmas traditions, prizes, and more!
qol-sweptaway-enterbanner
{NOT ON FACEBOOK? ENTER 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 December 9th!

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."

Monday, November 3, 2014

"quilted by christmas" by jodie bailey

Looking for a sweet Christmas romance that can be read in an evening? Then check out Jodie Bailey's Quilted by Christmas.


A grandmother's last wish is to communicate God's love through an Irish chain quilt.

Taryn McKenna believes she's easy to forget. Abandoned by her parents and left behind when her high school sweetheart joined the army, she vows to never love again and throws herself into her love for the outdoors and the pursuit of a college degree—something no one else in her family has ever accomplished. Her goal, as a young teacher in the hills of North Carolina, is to leave a legacy in the lives of the middle-schoolers she teaches.

When Taryn's grandmother Jemma, the only other person who ever held her close, has a heart attack that reveals a fatal medical condition, Taryn is corralled into helping Grandma work on a final project—an Irish chain quilt that tells the story of her history and the love Jemma knows is out there for Taryn. As the pieces of the quilt come together, Taryn begins to see her value. Can she learn to believe that God will never leave her behind even though others have?

Quilted by Christmas is a sweet, two-fold love story. Not only is there the requisite man-woman romance (after all, this is a romance novel), but there's also the love story between Taryn and the God she thought she drove away. Both love stories are delightful in their own ways. (Sorry, but I can't really say more about that without giving away major spoilers! Trust me when I say that it's well worth it to discover what happens on your own.)

The characters in this novel are particularly endearing. Taryn is a very likeable, relatable heroine, and Jemma is the perfect spunky grandmother. Justin, as Taryn's lost love, makes a great hero—he's good but not too perfect.

The plot has some major twists, but they all make sense within the story. And while the ending is a bit predictable, it's still super sweet. I could very easily see this as one of Hallmark Channel's "Countdown to Christmas" movies.

The only thing I didn't love about this book was that it took me a couple chapters to get into it. It was like I couldn't quite get into the rhythm of the writing for a bit. But once I did, I couldn't put the book down. It's a great Christmas love story! 4-1/2 stars.

See what others are saying.
Buy the book.
Learn more about the Quilts of Love series.
Read my reviews of the Quilts of Love novels Rival Hearts, A Promise in Pieces, Tempest's Course, A Wild Goose Chase Christmas, and Aloha Rose.


Jodie Bailey is Tarheel born and bred. After 15 years as a military spouse, she settled with her family back in North Carolina. She is the author of the military suspense novel Freefall and is a contributor to a devotional for military families, Fighting Fear: Winning the War at Home. While not working on her next novel, she teaches middle-schoolers to love writing as much as she does.

Connect with Jodie: website, Facebook, Twitter



Don’t miss the newest Quilts of Love book, Quilted by Christmas by Jodie Bailey. October’s QOL release is a warm Christmas tale of God's steadfast love.

Enter to win a Kindle HDX, and RSVP for the “Merry Quilted” Quilts of Love Facebook party on December 9th.
qol-quiltedbychristmas-400
One winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire
  • Two copies of Quilted by Christmas by Jodie Bailey (One for you and one to give away as a gift!)
  • Hidden in the Stars by Robin Caroll
  • Swept Away by Laura V. Hilton and Cindy Loven
Enter today by clicking the button below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 16th. Winner will be announced November 17th at the Quilts of Love blog.

Wait! There's more! RSVP for the "Merry Quilted" Quilts of Love Christmas Book Chat Party on December 9th and connect with some of the Quilts of Love authors. Jodie Bailey, Laura V. Hilton, Cindy Loven, Cathy Elliott, and Gina Welborn will be hosting a "merry" evening of book chat, Christmas traditions, prizes, and more!

qol-quiltedbychristmas-enterbanner
{NOT ON FACEBOOK? ENTER 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 December 9th!

About Quilts of Love: Quilts tell stories of love and loss, hope and faith, tradition and new beginnings. The Quilts of Love series focuses on the women who quilted all of these things into their family histories. A new book releases each month and features contemporary and historical romances as well as women's fiction and the occasional light mystery. You will be drawn into the endearing characters of this series and be touched by their stories.

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."

Monday, June 30, 2014

"rival hearts" by tara randel

About the book: They both want the promotion. But will they find out that it is worth the cost?

Molly Henderson and Ben Weaver have been rival magazine writers for the same publishing group for years. When both come up for the same promotion, they find themselves in an unexpected competition to win the spot. Molly, editor of Quilter's Heart, and Ben, editor of Outdoor Adventures, must switch roles, each working for the other for one month, then submit an article at the end of their quests.

Can girly-girl Molly survive the outdoor adventures that Ben has planned? Can Ben navigate the perils of the social dynamics of quilting events without destroying a valuable quilt in one short month? More importantly, in this he-said, she-said situation, will Molly and Ben give in to their attraction and fall in love, no matter who wins?

My take: Rival Hearts features one of those stories that I could easily see being made into a romantic comedy: co-workers vying for the same promotion are pitted against each other in a competition and soon find themselves incredibly attracted to one another. I don't know that I've seen this exact plot, but I'm sure Hallmark or Hollywood has done something similar. (You've Got MailHow to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, and Hallmark's A Christmas Song aren't quite the same plot, but they do have some similarities.)

Even though the plot is familiar, it works. Well. From start to finish, Rival Hearts is enjoyable. Ben and Molly are both compelling characters with intriguing back stories. Their chemistry is palpable, and the romance is sweet. Also, I never figured out who would actually win the competition, so kudos to the author for keeping it secret yet realistic.

The dialog does come across a bit stilted at times, especially in the beginning. There's one section where the boss is laying out Ben's and Molly's accomplishments, and it seems to be solely for the reader, as Ben and Molly would both be well aware of everything the boss is saying. Also, the "villain" (not too villainous, but the only person who doesn't seem like a wonderful human being) was very clearly telegraphed, so when conflict between Ben and Molly arose, I had no difficulty figuring out who to blame.

Overall, though, Rival Hearts is a very enjoyable read and an excellent entry in the "Quilts of Love" line.

Content note: While this book contains no objectionable content regarding language or sex, I do need to note that the view of salvation in this book does not line up with my own—it's more "if you believe in God, then you're a Christian" than "saved by grace through faith." As this is romantic fiction and not a theology book, and the religious thread is very light, I don't think it's a major deal, but it is worth noting.

My rating: 4 stars

See what others are saying.
Buy the book.
Learn more about this book and the series at the Quilts of Love website.
Read my other Quilts of Love reviews: A Promise in Pieces, Aloha Rose, Tempest's Course, and A Wild Goose Chase Christmas.

About the author: 
Tara Randel is the author of five romance novels including Lasting Love, Melody of Love, and This Time Love. A member of ACFW, Tara is also the lead author of the new Annie's Mysteries series (see AnniesMysteries.com). Tara lives in New Port Richey, Florida.

Connect with Tara at her website and on Facebook.

About the giveaway: Don’t miss this month’s Quilts of Love book, Rival Hearts, by Tara Randel. A quilt becomes a labor of love for a lonely wife mysteriously separated from her young husband.

Celebrate June's release by entering to win a summer camping kit (grill, tent, and camp chairs) from Quilts of Love.
qol-rival-400-click

One winner will receive:
  • A Coleman grill, tent, and camp chairs
  • A Promise in Pieces by Emily Wierenga
  • A Stitch and a Prayer by Eva Gibson
  • Rival Hearts by Tara Randel
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on July 13. Winner will be announced on the Quilts of Love blog.

Spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

About the series: Quilts tell stories of love and loss, hope and faith, tradition and new beginnings. The Quilts of Love series focuses on the women who quilted all of these things into their family histories. A new book releases each month and features contemporary and historical romances as well as women's fiction and the occasional light mystery. You will be drawn into the endearing characters of this series and be touched by their stories.

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."

Saturday, May 3, 2014

"a promise in pieces" by emily wierenga

About the series: Quilts tell stories of love and loss, hope and faith, tradition and new beginnings. The Quilts of Love series focuses on the women who quilted all of these things into their family histories. A new book releases each month and features contemporary and historical romances as well as women's fiction and the occasional light mystery. You will be drawn into the endearing characters of this series and be touched by their stories.

About the book (from Litfuse): A baby quilt touches many hearts as it travels from family-to-family and through generations.

After the end of World War II, Clara Kirkpatrick returns from the Women's Army Corp to deliver a dying soldier's last wishes: convey his love to his young widow, Mattie, with apologies for the missed life they had planned to share.
Struggling with her own post-war trauma, Clara thinks she's not prepared to handle the grief of this broken family. Yet upon meeting Mattie, and receiving a baby quilt that will never cuddle the soldier's baby, Clara vows to honor the sacrifices that family made.

Now a labor and delivery nurse in her rural hometown, Clara wraps each new babe in the gifted quilt and later stitches the child's name into the cloth. As each new child is welcomed by the quilt, Clara begins to wonder whatever happened to Mattie—and if her own life would ever experience the love of a newborn. Little does she know that she will have the opportunity to re-gift the special quilt—years later and carrying even greater significance than when it was first bestowed.

Learn more about this book and the series at the Quilts of Love website.

My take: I've read several of the Quilts of Love books with mixed results. Some I've really enjoyed, and others have been difficult to get through. But A Promise in Pieces? It's in a class of its own.

One thing that makes A Promise in Pieces unique is the way it's told. It begins in the year 2000 as Clara, her husband Oliver, and their children and grandchildren are traveling to New Orleans to deliver a special quilt to a museum. This portion (and all other portions in 2000) is written in third person. Then Clara begins telling her story—and the story of the quilt—to her grandson Noah, and this part is written in first person from Clara's perspective. What's different about this is the reader can actually hear Clara speaking to Noah—it's as though this portion was a transcription of Clara's speech. Wierenga switches seamlessly between Clara's story and the action in 2000 as she unveils Clara's story in pieces.

Ultimately, though, what makes A Promise in Pieces special is the story itself. Clara and Oliver's love story is so sweet and unusual, and the story of the quilt and how it touched so many lives is truly special. And near the end, when Clara faces something she'd dreaded her whole life, well, let's just say I had to stop reading for a bit to regain my composure! The end is not what I expected, but it's very fitting for Clara.

At a mere 193 pages, A Promise in Pieces can be read in an evening, but the story will stick with you much longer than that. It's one of those novels that I would love to see made into a film. (Hallmark???) I highly recommend it!

My rating: 5 stars

See what others are saying.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of other Quilts of Love novels: Aloha Rose, Tempest's Course, and A Wild Goose Chase Christmas.

About the author: Emily Wierenga is a former editor, ghostwriter, freelance writer and staff journalist, a monthly columnist for The Christian Courier, and the author of Save My Children (Castle Quay Books, 2008), Chasing Silhouettes (Ampelon Publishing, 2012) and Mom in the Mirror (Rowman & Littlefield, 2013). Emily resides in Alberta, Canada. This is her first novel.

Learn more about Emily at http://www.emilywierenga.com.

About the giveaway: The latest Quilts of Love release, A Promise in Pieces by Emily Wierenga is receiving glowing reviews.

Emily is celebrating the release of her debut novel with a "Women Helping Women" shopping spree giveaway.
qol-promisepieces-400-click

  One winner will receive:
  • $200 to spend at Emily's favorite shops, Noonday Collection & Vibella (Click through to learn more about how these companies exist to make a difference in the lives of women!)
  • A Promise in Pieces by Emily Wierenga
  • A Stitch and a Prayer by Eva Gibson
  • Rival Hearts by Tara Randel
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 10th. Winner will be announced on the Quilts of Love blog on May 12th. Then be sure to stop by the Quilts of Love Facebook page on May 29th for the "Quilting Bee" Facebook party with Emily and other Quilts of Love authors. RSVP for an evening of book chat, quilting tips & tricks, prizes, and more!

Spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Thursday, December 5, 2013

"tempest's course" by lynette sowell

About the book (from Litfuse): Kelly Frost, a textiles conservator, is invited to the Massachusetts coastal town of New Bedford to restore a 150-year-old Mariner's Compass quilt, with one stipulation: she must live and work in Gray House where the quilt is stored. Tom Silva, whose heart seems as hard as the rocky coastline, is the caretaker employed by the mysterious absent owner of Gray House.

Over the long-lit months as Kelly works to restore the quilt, she is drawn out of her self-imposed shell and embraces the family God has given her after her own family failed her. As Kelly reads stories in a journal penned by Mary Gray, she learns there is no transgression beyond God's forgiveness, but the real obstacle is forgiving herself. During her and Tom's journey to grace and love, an unknown force works to keep both of them from discovering a long-buried truth that will change their lives forever.

My take: Featuring a sweet romance and intriguing mystery, Tempest's Course provides hours of enjoyable reading. Kelly and Tom are likable characters, and they both go on interesting (largely separate) journeys to find the truth about their heritage and Gray House.

I did find the secondary plot involving Mary Gray's journal to be more enthralling than Kelly and Tom's story, but then the story threads overlapped, wrapping everything up in an interesting manner. I do wish that Sowell had revealed a bit more of what happened to Mary and her children. Really, I'd be happy to read an entire book about Mary! But the book Sowell did write is quite good in its own right.

My rating: 4 stars

See what others are saying.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of other books in the Quilts of Love series: Aloha Rose and A Wild Goose Chase Christmas.

About the author: Lynette Sowell is the award-winning author of five novels and six novellas for Barbour Publishing with sales topping 250,000. In 2009, Lynette was voted one of the favorite new authors by Heartsong Presents book club readers. Her historical romance, All That Glitters, was a finalist in ACFW's 2010 Carol Awards. When Lynette's not writing, she divides her time between editing medical reports and chasing down news stories for the Copperas Cove Leader-Press. Lynette was born and raised on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, but makes her home on the doorstep of the Texas hill country with her husband and a herd of cats who have them well-trained.

Learn more at: http://www.quiltsoflovebooks.com

About the giveaway: Lynette Sowell's Tempest's Course is the newest book in the Quilts of Love line, and Lynette is celebrating with a fun giveaway and joining Vannetta Chapman and Lisa Carter for the Quilts of Love "Christmas Bee" Facebook Party on December 10th!
tempest-400
 One winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire HDX
  • Tempest's Course by Lynette Sowell
  • The Christmas Quilt by Vannetta Chapman
  • Aloha Rose by Lisa Carter
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 16th. Winner will be announced on the Quilts of Love Facebook page on December 17th. But wait! There's more. RSVP for the "Christmas Bee" Facebook Party on December 10th and connect with the authors from the Quilts of Love series, Vannetta Chapman, Lisa Carter, and Lynette Sowell, for an evening of book chat, quilt trivia, and Christmas traditions and gifts, PLUS get an exclusive look at January's Quilts of Love book!

So grab your copies of The Christmas QuiltAloha Rose, and Tempest's Course and join Vannetta, Lisa, and Lynette on the evening of December 10th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the books, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by clicking JOIN at the event page. Spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway and party via FACEBOOK or TWITTER. Hope to see you on December 10th!

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."

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

"a wild goose chase christmas" by jennifer allee

About the book (from the publisher): Upon her grandmother's death, Izzy Fontaine finds herself in possession of a Wild Goose Chase pattern quilt that supposedly leads to a great treasure.

Of course, once the rest of the family finds out about the "treasure map," they're determined to have a go at the treasure themselves. And, if that weren't enough, Max Logan, a local museum curator, contacts Izzy and says that Grandma Isabella promised him the quilt.

What is it about this quilt that makes everyone want it? Is Izzy on a wild goose chase of her own, or a journey that will lead her to the treasure her grandmother intended?

My take: I lost my grandmother just before Christmas three years ago. While nothing else in this story mirrors my life, the special relationship between Izzy and her grandmother reminds me of the relationship I shared with my grandma. And because of that, I instantly felt a connection with A Wild Goose Chase Christmas.

This is a sweet story of finding love and family, and it's a thoroughly enjoyable read. I did think the turnaround Izzy's brother and mother made happened a bit quickly, but overall, the story is great. I especially enjoyed getting to know Max and his grandfather, Virgil, and I thought the romance between Izzy and Max progressed at a realistic pace.

This is exactly the kind of book Hallmark would adapt into one of its Christmas movies—it's a great holiday story! This is the perfect book to pick up on on snowy afternoon or to put in a romance lover's stocking.

My rating: 4 stars

Watch the book trailer.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of other "Quilts of Love" books: Aloha Rose and Tempest's Course.

About the author: Jennifer AlLee believes the most important thing a woman can do is discover her identity in God – a theme that carries throughout her stories. She has written skits, activity pages, and over one hundred contributions to Concordia Publishing House’s popular My Devotions series. Her novels include The Love of His Brother (Five Star, 11/07), The Pastor’s Wife, (Abingdon Press, 2/10), The Mother Road (Abingdon Press, 4/12), and A Wild Goose Chase Christmas, book two in the Quilts of Love series (Abingdon Press, 11/12). She’s an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. Jennifer resides in the grace-filled city of Las Vegas with her husband and teenage son. Visit her website at www.jenniferallee.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for review from Abingdon Press.  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.”

Monday, November 18, 2013

"aloha rose" by lisa carter

About the book (from Litfuse): When Laney Carrigan's adoptive father encourages her as an adult to seek out her birth family, her only clue is the Lokelani quilt in which she was found wrapped as an infant. Centering her search on the Big Island, she battles fears of rejection from a family that abandoned her once before while her faith struggles to embrace God's love.

Along the path to her true heritage, she meets Hawaiian cowboy/helicopter pilot, Kai Barnes. Kai is determined to protect the people he's come to regard as family against a woman he suspects of being nothing more than a gold-digger, but he finds himself drawn to Laney in spite of his reservations. He's spent his entire life seeking forgiveness from past mistakes and longs for a second chance at happiness.

Laney's painstaking journey to find restoration and a place to belong among the breathtaking allure of the Big Island will lead her closer to her past and maybe even something more.

My take: This is the type of review I hate writing. Aloha Rose is a decent book, but its flaws kept me from really enjoying it. I recently reviewed author Lisa Carter's Carolina Reckoning, and I really enjoyed that book—especially the romance aspect. In Aloha Rose, the romance is precisely the part I didn't enjoy. Laney and Kai's romance moved way too quickly for me to find believable ... or I guess I should say the physical aspect moved faster than it should have. The actual romance was very hot and cold, and the constant back and forth was tiresome.

The other parts of the story—the parts involving Laney's birth family—were much more enjoyable. Laney's journey to connect with her birth family was heartwarming, and I especially enjoyed learning about Laney's mother, Rose. I knew from Carolina Reckoning that Lisa Carter could write a good twist, and Aloha Rose contains a few. The novel definitely didn't end as I expected it to (aside from the romance—that was pretty predictable), and I especially enjoyed the last quarter of the book.

While Aloha Rose wasn't the book for me, I predict that many romance lovers will enjoy it.

My rating: 2.5 stars

See what others are saying.
Buy the book.
Read my review of Carter's Carolina Reckoning.

About the author: Lisa Carter has been published in MomSense and Christian Parenting Today. Lisa is currently teaching music at a preschool and enjoying the enthusiasm and joy for life for which preschoolers are famous. She and David have two beautiful daughters.

About the giveaway: In honor of their new Quilts of Love releases, The Christmas Quilt and Aloha Rose, authors Vannetta Chapman and Lisa Carter are gearing up to ring in the Christmas season with a Kindle Fire HDX giveaway and a "Christmas Bee" Facebook Party on December 10th with fellow Quilts of Love author Lynette Sowell!
qol-400

One winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire HDX
  • The Christmas Quilt by Vannetta Chapman
  • Aloha Rose by Lisa Carter
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 30th. Winner will be announced at the "Christmas Bee" Facebook Party on December 10th. Connect with the authors from the Quilts of Love series, Vannetta Chapman, Lisa Carter, and Lynette Sowell, for an evening of book chat, quilt trivia, Christmas traditions and gifts, PLUS get an exclusive look at January's Quilts of Love book!

So grab your copies of The Christmas Quilt and Aloha Rose and join Vannetta, Lisa, and Lynette on the evening of December 10th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the books, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by clicking JOIN at the event page. Spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway and party via FACEBOOK or TWITTER. Hope to see you on December 10th!

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."