"tried & true" by mary connealy

Featuring a spunky heroine, swoon-worthy hero, and twisty plot, Tried & True kicks off Mary Connealy's new western series with a bang.

Saddle up for a wildly fun ride with the Wilde sisters!

Kylie Wilde is the youngest sister—and the most civilized. Her older sisters might be happy dressing in trousers and posing as men, but Kylie has grown her hair long and wears skirts every chance she gets. It's a risk—they are homesteading using the special exemptions they earned serving in the Civil War as "boys"—but Kylie plans to make the most of the years before she can sell her property and return to the luxuries of life back East.

Local land agent Aaron Masterson is fascinated with Kylie from the moment her long hair falls from her cap. But now that he knows her secret, can he in good conscience defraud the U.S. government? And when someone tries to force Kylie off her land, does he have any hope of convincing her that marrying him and settling on the frontier is the better option for her future?

I've been a fan of Mary Connealy's books for a while now ... and the fact that she's a Nebraskan who often tweets about Castle doesn't hurt! (#GBR) I enjoyed her Kincaid Brides series and really liked the Trouble in Texas series, but if Tried & True is any indication, the Wild at Heart series will be my favorite yet!

Not only is the romance in Tried & True sweet, but the danger surrounding Kylie is handled deftly—it's never over the top or unrealistic, and the resolution genuinely surprised me. These two factors combine to make a very satisfying novel. Now that I've read Kylie's story, I can't wait to dig into her sisters' stories! 4-1/2 stars.

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Read my reviews of other Connealy novels.
Get Connealy's Out of Control, book one in the Kincaid Brides series, free for Kindle! (as of 9-17-14)


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

Find Mary online: website, Facebook,Twitter

Don't miss the first book in Mary Connealy's Wild at Heart series. In Tried & True, Mary is back with her signature humor and heartfelt story-telling.

Mary's celebrating by connecting with readers during a live webcast event and giving away a Kindle HDX.

One winner will receive:

• A Kindle HDX
• Tried & True by Mary Connealy

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 23rd. Winner will be announced at the Tried & True LIVE webcast event on September 23rd. Connect with Mary for an evening of swoon-worthy book chat, fun trivia, laughter, a sneak peek at the next book in the Wild at Heart series, and more! Mary will also be taking questions from the audience and giving away books, fun prizes, and gift certificates throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of Tried & True and join Mary and friends on the evening of September 23rd for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by signing up for a reminder. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 23rd!

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."

"christmas at rose hill farm" by suzanne woods fisher

A novel of love lost and found set during the 1977 Christmas season, Christmas at Rose Hill Farm takes the reader back to Suzanne Woods Fisher's beloved Stoney Ridge.

Bess Riehl is preparing Rose Hill Farm for her Christmas wedding, but her groom isn't who she thought it would be. Billy Lapp is far away from his Amish roots working as a rose rustler for Penn State and wants nothing to do with Stoney Ridge, his family, or Bess. And that suits Bess just fine. Why should she think twice about a man who left without a word, without any explanation? It's time she moved on with her life, and that meant saying yes to Amos Lapp, Billy's cousin and best friend. But as Bess and Amos's wedding day draws near, her emotions tangle into a tight knot. She loves Amos. Yet she can't forget Billy.

When a "lost" rose is discovered at Rose Hill Farm, Billy is sent to track down its origins. Get in, identify the rose, and get out. That's his plan. The only catch is that he's having a hard time narrowing down the identity of the lost rose, and he can't get those tropical blue eyes of Bess Riehl out of his mind.

As the history of the lost rose is pieced together, it reminds Bess and Billy—and Amos, too—that Christmas truly is the season of miracles.

"Filled with heart-twisting moments amid the sweet anticipation of love, this story will charm readers into the holiday spirit."

I've read many of Suzanne Woods Fisher's novels, but I haven't read the Secrets of Lancaster County series, which introduces Bess and Billy. This isn't really an issue, as the novel functions completely as a stand alone. But I did feel a bit of confusion regarding Amos. Through the first several chapters, I kept thinking, "Amos Lapp. Why do I know that name?" And then I realized that an Amos Lapp is the patriarch in the Stoney Ridge Seasons series. And then I came to a page where the year was identified as 1969, and it all came together. It's the same Amos Lapp! Because I already have an affection for the character, I found myself caring more about Amos's journey than Bess and Billy's, though I did care about them, too. (Also, dearly beloved Jimmy Fisher pops up, sort of, in a way that made me smile.) But none of this is really important ... I just wanted to share my experience in reading!

I've come to expect several things from Fisher's novels: relatable characters, spiritual lessons that pack a punch without being preachy, and laugh out loud moments. Christmas at Rose Hill Farm provides all three. It's charming and funny while dealing with serious family and spiritual issues. (When you read it, be on the lookout for Maggie Zook, who provides the biggest laugh in the novel. I'd love to spend more time with her!) Though it ended far too soon, I hope that we'll be able to visit these characters again. 4-1/2 stars.

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Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Fishers' Inn at Eagle Hill books: The Letters, The Calling, "The Rescue" (novella) and The Revealing; The Stoney Ridge Seasons books: The Haven,The Lesson; and A Lancaster County Christmas.

Get The Choice, the first book in the Lancaster County Secrets series FREE! (as of 9-14-14)

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of the Inn at Eagle Hill series, Lancaster County Secrets series, and the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace. She is also the coauthor of a new Amish children's series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Suzanne is a Carol Award winner and a Christy Award finalist. She is a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines. She lives in California.

Download Suzanne's free app! http://bit.ly/10Tygyi

Find Suzanne online: website, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest

Join best-selling, award-winning author Suzanne Woods Fisher for an Amish Christmas to remember. Filled with heart-twisting moments amid the sweet anticipation of love, Christmas at Rose Hill Farm will charm readers into the holiday spirit.

Suzanne is hosting a "Christmas Rose" iPad bundle giveaway and a nation-wide Christmas at Rose Hill Farm Book Club Brunch in November. Enter the giveaway below and sign up to host a brunch HERE.

 

TWO grand prize winners will receive:

• An iPad
• A Rose-patterned iPad case
• A Rose-patterned phone case (for any model phone)
• A Christmas wreath
• A set of Christmas hand-towels
• Christmas at Rose Hill Farm by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Five second place winners will receive:

• Christmas at Rose Hill Farm by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 28th. All winners will be announced September 29th at Suzanne's blog.

Host a Christmas at Rose Hill Farm Book Club Brunch! This fall Suzanne is inviting book clubs across the nation to throw a Christmas at Rose Hill Farm Book Club Brunch. Sign up here between now and September 29. If you’re selected as one of the 50 hosts, you’ll receive a copy of the book plus two other Revell titles (give them away as party prizes or door prizes or keep them for yourself), a complete party kit, and a discount code to purchase copies of Christmas at Rose Hill Farm for your book club at a discount. Suzanne is also encouraging each book club brunch to collect non-perishable items for their local community shelter. She will be making a donation to her favorite charity (helping abused women and children) for every brunch that meets their goal. Click here for more details and to SIGN UP!

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit Suzanne's blog on the 29th to see if you won one of the great prizes! (Or better yet, subscribe to her blog and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox!)

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

"the desire" by dan walsh & gary smalley

Bringing to mind Karen Kingsbury's Redemption series, The Desire follows the Anderson family through the ups and downs of life.

For two years, Allan and Michele have been trying to have a baby. The emotional ride has been taking a toll on their hearts—and their relationship. Michele is obsessed with researching fertility treatments while Allan seems content to spend his time—and their money—on supporting displaced children in Africa. Something's got to give. But they both hope it's not their marriage.

Still, God has a plan for Allan and Michele that they could never have imagined. And all it takes to set it in motion is a change of heart . . .

In The Desire, authors Dan Walsh and Gary Smalley pick up the story of the Anderson family, which began with The Dance and continued in The Promise. (Don't worry if you haven't read books one and two; this book works as a stand-alone novel. I hadn't read the other books in the series, and I didn't feel like I was missing much; there were just a few references that I didn't understand.) This book focuses on Anderson daughter Michele and her husband Allan and their struggle with competing desires—Michele's desperation for a biological child, and Allan's longing to help set up an orphanage in Africa.

The emotional parts of the book are done very well, and I had tears in my eyes multiple times. The story seems very realistic—like these events could really happen to a family you know. The infertility storyline feels very timely, as so many women struggle with it today.

I especially liked a subplot involving Christina, a pregnant teen who becomes close to the Andersons. I found her story to be the most touching of any in the book, and I look forward to reading more about her in the next book in this series.

The only thing I didn't really enjoy about the book was the way the spiritual lessons were incorporated. Don't get me wrong; the lessons about humility and the sufficiency of Christ are important ones. However, the way they're incorporated (through a Sunday School curriculum) felt out of place to me. When I read these sections, I felt like I was reading a Bible study book instead of a novel. It just became a little too preachy.

Overall, I enjoyed The Desire. It definitely feels similar to Karen Kingsbury's Redemption series (which she wrote with Gary Smalley), and that's a good thing. If these books would spawn a saga similar to the Baxters, well, I'd be a happy reader for years to come! 4 stars.

Buy the book.

Dan Walsh is the bestselling author of many books, including The Dance and The Promise with Gary Smalley, The Discovery, and What Follows After. He has won three Carol Awards, and three of his novels were finalists for RT Book Reviews Inspirational Book of the Year. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Dan served as a pastor for 25 years. He lives with his wife in the Daytona Beach area, where he's busy researching and writing his next novel.

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

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

"nowhere to turn" by lynette eason

Intense action and heart-pounding suspense make this novel a thrill ride from start to finish.

She thought her days of hiding were over . . . but the danger has just begun.

The day Danielle Harding takes her eleven-year-old son and flees from her abusive husband is the same day Kurt Harding dies. A relieved Dani believes she and her son are finally safe—but in reality, things are just heating up. When Kurt was alive, he took something important from a mysterious individual—who wants the item back and believes Dani now has it. As she and her son run for their lives, they have nowhere to turn, until she hires Adam Buchanan of Operation Refuge and goes into hiding. Unfortunately, she won't be able to hide for long . . .

From the first breathless scene, this tension-laced story will hold you in its iron grip as bestselling author Lynette Eason propels you along in a race to discover the truth.

In Nowhere to Turn, book two in the Hidden Identity series, author Lynette Eason takes the audience on an intense, fully satisfying journey. From the moment I began reading until I turned the last page, I was hooked. Though I found the beginning to be a tad confusing due to the vast array of characters introduced, I kept reading (because really, how could I not when the story was so exciting?), and soon I figured out at least who it was important to keep track of.

The romance in this novel is very low key—which I think is a good thing, as too much romance would have detracted from the break-neck speed of the action. (You never thought you'd hear me say I was glad for minimal romance, did you?)

While this is book two in a series, it definitely works as a stand alone novel. (I haven't read book one, and I didn't even realize this was a sequel until I was about a quarter of the way through the book.) But you'll probably want to go back and read book one, as Nowhere to Turn will leave you wanting to read more about the Hidden Identity world! 4 stars.

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Read an excerpt.

Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of the Women of Justice series and the Deadly Reunions series, as well as No One to Trust. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. She has a master's degree in education from Converse College and she lives in South Carolina. Learn more at www.lynetteeason.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."

"making marion" by beth moran

Do you enjoy Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove books (or Hallmark Channel's Cedar Cove series)? Then you'll want to check out Making Marion.

Marion Miller comes to Sherwood Forest to uncover her father's mysterious past. She is looking for somewhere to stay, but instead finds herself on the wrong side of the reception desk at the Peace and Pigs campsite. Despite her horrible shyness, she promptly lands herself a job working for the big-hearted and irrepressible Scarlett.

It takes all of Marion's determination to come out of her shell and get to grips with life on a busy campsite, where even the chickens seem determined to thwart her. Then an unfortunate incident with a runaway bike throws her into the arms of the beautiful, but deeply unimpressed, Reuben ...

Can Marion discover her father's secret? And will she find peace, and perhaps even love, among the pigs?

When I began reading Making Marion, I wasn't sure what to expect. The cover makes it look whimsical and fun, but the first few chapters were slow, and I struggled to get through them. I think this is largely due to my lack of knowledge of British vernacular. Even now, after finishing the book, I'm not sure where exactly Marion was living—I think maybe it was in an RV? Regardless, I think my lack of interest in the beginning was the fault of this reader, not the author.

What I discovered as I pressed on was a delightful story with quirky characters. Making Marion is told from Marion's point of view, and her perspective is at various times sweet, heart wrenching, and humorous. I actually giggled a lot while reading this novel, and that humor helped cut some of the seriousness.

Making Marion is a pure delight to read, and it had the feel of some of the British shows I enjoy, like Monarch of the Glen and Doc Martin. (For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, the closest American comparison I can make is Cedar Cove, though with less soapy drama.) I would love to watch Marion's story unfold week by week on the small screen. (BBC? ITV? Any takers?) My only complaint is that it ended rather abruptly ... so I hope that author Beth Moran isn't finished with Marion's story!

There is a bit of harsh language, as well as a few (hilarious!) descriptions of people in compromising positions, so if this were a film, it would probably receive a PG-13 rating, but it would be a very mild PG-13.

While faith isn't a major focus of Making Marion, Marion does take several steps back toward God after ignoring him for many years. I don't think I'd classify this as inspirational fiction, but it is fiction that I can happily recommend. 4 stars.

Buy the book.

Beth Moran has a background as a research scientist and adult educator. She now concentrates on church work and is part of the national leadership team of the UK women's network Free Range Chicks. She is married with three children and lives in Nottingham, England. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Kregel Publications. 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.”

"meant to be mine" by becky wade

Every so often, a book comes along that so wholly consumes you that you simply can't put it down until you've read the last page. And when you do finally reach the end, hours after beginning to read, you wish you could just start all over again. Meant to Be Mine is one such book.

After a whirlwind romance and spur-of-the-moment wedding leaves Celia Park heartbroken and pregnant, she decides that her estranged husband Ty Porter doesn't ever need to know about their child. But when Ty learns he has a daughter, he determines to be a good father—even if Celia still wants nothing to do with him. The two form a tenuous friendship for the sake of their daughter, and it soon becomes apparent that the attraction that sparked their original romance is still a powerful force. But Celia's reluctant to trust Ty with her heart again, and Ty's not sure he's ready to give up his plan for his life. 

I loved so much about Meant to Be Mine that it's hard to even know where to begin. The romance, of course, is fantastic. It's that sigh inducing, toe curling, happily ever after kind of romance, but it's also not inordinately easy. Celia and Ty face serious trials on their way to love, and everything about their journey struck me as realistic.

The characters are also a strong point. Celia and Ty both have strengths and weaknesses, and I love that while they changed for the better throughout the novel, surrendering their lives to Christ didn't magically make their struggles go away. I also love, love, love their daughter Addie. She's perhaps the most adorable child I've ever read about in fiction.

Becky Wade's books are always fantastic, but Meant to Be Mine is so much better than I'd dared to hope. I have no doubt it will find itself near the top of my Top 10 of 2014 list come December! 5 stars.

Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Wade's My Stubborn Heart (my favorite book of 2012) and Undeniably Yours.

Becky Wade is a graduate of Baylor University. As a newlywed, she lived for three years in a home overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, as well as in Australia, before returning to the States. A mom of three young children, Becky and her family now live in Dallas, Texas. Visit her website at www.beckywade.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I purchased this book myself and reviewed it of my own free will. 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.”

ten books that impacted me

There's a book related meme going around Facebook right now. My friend Steph tagged me, and I decided to post my answers here so I could expound on them more than I did on Facebook.

"I've been challenged to list 10 books that have stayed with me in some way and tag people to do the same. Rules (there are always rules): don't take more than a few minutes and do not think too hard. They don't have to be the "right" books or great works of literature, just ones that have affected you in some way. Then tag 10 friends including me so I can see your list. Don't make fun of me. No particular order."

1. Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder

When I was young, bedtime was one of the most special times of the day, as my mom would read a chapter or two of a book to my brother and me. She read the whole Little House series to us, and Big Woods is what kicked off that special journey.

2. As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner

I was an English major ... a really bad one. I hardly read anything that I was supposed to read (Shhh! Don't tell Dr. Sauders!), choosing instead to turn to SparkNotes. But, for whatever reason, when Dr. Lovelady assigned As I Lay Dying, I read it. It was so ... weird. And I loved it! More than 10 years later, I couldn't really tell you anything about it, except for this: "My mother is a fish."

3. Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl

This was another childhood bedtime read. I had a boxed set of Roald Dahl books that Mom worked through—this book, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, Charlie & the Great Glass Elevator, and James & the Giant Peach. This book has stuck with me, not because I loved it, but because I was horrified when Mom explained poaching to me. 

4. Romans (in the Bible)
I suppose I could have just said "The Bible," but Romans is my favorite book. It's my default book—the book I turn to if I don't have a specific passage in mind to read. It always encourages and challenges me.

5. Sophie's Heart by Lori Wick
I first read Sophie's Heart as a freshman in high school. I'd read other Christian romances before, but Sophie's Heart made me love the genre.

6. Rilla of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery
The Anne of Green Gables series is one of my all time favorites. Anne and Gilbert ... need I say more? So why would I pick Rilla out of all the books in this series? Two words: Walter dies. I remember nothing else about this book, but I vividly remember where I was when I read of his death: lying on my parents' bed on a lazy summer afternoon, tears streaming down my face. Then my sister walked in and caught me sobbing. It was the first time I cried while reading a book.

7. Hamlet by William Shakespeare
My previous Shakespeare experience consisted of reading Romeo & Juliet in high school, which I thought was just about the dumbest story ever. Then I read Hamlet in community college, and I realized that Shakespeare had some good stories to tell. In this class (which is the class that made me decide to major in English), we each had to find a song that went along with a particular scene in the play. I got Act 3, Scene 1 (Hamlet's soliloquy), and I used the MASH theme song,"Suicide Is Painless," which has a horrible message, by the way! (Shoutout to my mom's Sheet Music Magazine subscription, without which I never would have known that the MASH song had lyrics.)

8. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Another community college read (I did far more reading there than at Grace), Things Fall Apart marked the first time I realized that, while spreading the gospel is a good thing, the white man's methods weren't always good. Things Fall Apart caused me to think critically about what I read for one of the first times in my life.

9. The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
Sure, I read an abridged, illustrated version that someone gave me for Christmas, and I've never read the actual book, but The War of the Worlds was my first foray into science fiction. For that fact alone, it belongs on this list.

10. The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis
My mom read us the Narnia books, too, and The Horse and His Boy was never one of my favorites. It just didn't seem to fit with the other books. Then, I read it again a few years ago to one of my ESL classes. I. Loved. It. Maybe it's because my students were so intrigued that I saw it through new eyes. It has adventure, action, humor, and a glimpse at the Pevensies during their rule of Narnia. It's really fantastic!