Litfuse Reviewer

High Cotton by Debby Mayne

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FTC: I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse/publisher in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.

High Cotton by Debby Mayne was a sweet book.  One thing I want to say right off the top is that some of the characters have weird names.  Well that isn’t to say that people don’t actually get named these names, but they aren’t used around here. Other than that, one thing I really enjoyed this book.  I fell in love with Shay right from the start.  I also enjoyed this book because of how true the subject matter is to most people and their own families. I always love books that I feel like I can relate to and this one was one where I could have been Shay because my own family is just as crazy if not crazier than her family.  This moved at just the right pace for me, so I didn’t get bored like I do with some books in this genre.  This was all round a great book and I sure most people would enjoy this book just as much as I did.

Have you read this book and if so how did you feel about it?

About The Book

Some families are filled with so much love they can’t help but drive each other crazy 

Shay Henke has mixed feelings about going to her family’s next reunion. On the one hand, she’ll get to see everyone in her mama’s family—folks she loves unconditionally. On the other hand, she knows there’ll be more drama than you can shake a stick at.

The days leading up to the event bring one surprise after another. First Shay must deal with her sister-in-law’s deep, dark secret. Then she has to contend with the childish ways of her business-mogul twin cousins. And when her high school crush wants to be her date to the reunion . . . well, it may have been a dream come true for Shay’s teen self, but the woman she’s become doesn’t know what to make of this.

Shay’s contentment is challenged, and she’s determined to shake things up a bit. But will she find the excitement she’s looking for, or will Shay realize she prefers her quiet and predictable life? One thing is certain: Life in the Bucklin family is never boring.

About The Author

Debby Mayne has published more than 30 books and novellas, 400 print short stories and articles, more than 1,000 web articles, and a slew of devotions for women. She has also worked as managing editor of a national health magazine, product information writer for HSN, a creative writing instructor for Long Ridge Writers Group, and a copy editor and proofreader for several book publishers. For the past eight years, she has judged the Writers Digest Annual Competition, Short-Short Contest, and Self-Published Book Competition. Three of Debby’s books have been top ten favorites by the Heartsong Presents book club. Love Finds You in Treasure Island, Florida received 4-1/2 stars from Romantic Times Magazine, and was named a Top Pick for the month of July 2009.

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Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2018 Margaret Margaret

His Risk by Shelley Shepard Gray

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FTC: I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.

His Risk by Shelley Shepard Gray was a good book but for this first time this wasn’t one of my favorites by this author.  I always knew that this day would probably come that I read a book by her that I didn’t like, and this book is that for me.  I didn’t like this book because it seemed to far-fetched for me. This book was well written I just had a hard time believing that Calvin started out life as Amish and then ended up being an informant.  I just seemed like a huge jump and that made it hard for me to believe.  Other than that, though it was a good book and I really liked Alice throughout the entire book.  I am sure the most people would enjoy this book it just wasn’t a good fit for me.

About The Book

An undercover English DEA agent will do anything to protect the Amish girl he loves.
Calvin Fisher left the Amish community at fourteen and never looked back. Only his brother’s illness can bring him back to Hart County. Now, as Calvin works to make amends, he meets Alice, a local nursery school teacher, and falls hard for her. But he has a secret that could threaten the happiness he’s finally found.
Alice shouldn’t like-or want-Calvin. He’s English, has a questionable past, and an even more questionable job. Still, she can’t help being intrigued. Though Calvin assures Alice that he’s worthy of her, she’s torn between surrendering to her growing feelings and steering clear of him.
When a sudden surge of criminal activity alarms the community and even targets Alice, Calvin fears that his double life has put everyone he loves at risk. As for Alice, she can’t help but wonder if the brave and honorable man she’s lost her heart to is far more dangerous than she could ever imagine.

About The Author

Shelley Shepard Gray is a “New York Times” and “USA Today” bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time HOLT Medallion winner. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.
Find out more about Shelley at http://www.shelleyshepardgray.com.
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Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2018 Margaret Margaret

Keturah by Lisa T. Bergren

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FTC: I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.

Keturah by Lisa T. Bergren was a sweet story.  I love that the author made the main character’s strong independent women because it isn’t commonly done in books that happen during the 1700’s.  This is the first book that I have read by this author, and I can’t wait to read others especially more in this series.  I think I loved Verity the most and I hope that she will be one of the main characters in the next book.  Since this book is a historical fiction novel, I did get bored from time to time because I always have a hard time staying interested when books take place this much is the past.  I spent the entire book rooting for Keturah to come out on top.  If you love reading historical fiction books that have a strong female lead than I know you will like this book as much as I did.

About The Book

In 1772 England, Lady Keturah Banning Tomlinson and her sisters find themselves the heiresses of their father’s estates and know they have one option: Go to the West Indies to save what is left of their heritage.

Although it flies against all the conventions, they’re determined to make their own way in the world. But once they arrive in the Caribbean, conventions are the least of their concerns. On the infamous island of Nevis, the sisters discover the legacy of the legendary sugar barons has vastly declined-and that’s just the start of what their eyes are opened to in this harsh and unfamiliar world.

Keturah never intends to put herself at the mercy of a man again, but every man on the island seems to be trying to win her hand and, with it, the ownership of her plantation. She could desperately use an ally, but even an unexpected reunion with a childhood friend leaves her questioning his motives.

To keep her family together and save the plantation that is her last chance at providing for them, can Keturah ever surrender her stubbornness and guarded heart to God and find the healing and love awaiting her?

About The Author

Lisa T. Bergren has published more than 40 books with more than 3 million books sold combined. She’s the author of the Christy Award-winning “Waterfall,” RITA®-finalist “Firestorm,” bestselling “God Gave Us You,” and popular historical series like Homeward, Grand Tour, and more. She’s also a recipient of the RT Lifetime Achievement Award. She lives in Colorado Springs with her husband and three teen-and-older children.

Find out more about Lisa at http://lisatawnbergren.com.

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Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2018 Margaret Margaret

Real-Life Romance by Rhonda Stoppe

Real-Life Romance Rhonda Stoppe

FTC: I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.

Real-Life Romance by Rhonda Stoppe was a sweet book.  I did enjoy all of the stories in this book, and almost all of them left me with a smile on my face.  I also loved that the author gives you points to ponder and things that you should ask yourself and think about.  I love that the author doesn’t quote tons of scriptures while telling the story but she does give you some of the points that you should ponder.  If you are looking for ways to grow as a couple, I think this book could help you.  Since I am single, I just enjoyed the stories, and that is all.  I am one hundred percent, okay being single, so I just pick up these kinds of books to break up some of the other types of books that I read.   If you are looking for something sweet to read I think that this book would be an excellent fit for you.

About The Book

Do you believe in true love?

In a world of broken relationships and hurting people, it can seem like all we ever see is heartache-that marriages are doomed from the start and romance isn’t worth the risk.

But heart-fluttering, long-lasting love is all around us…we just have to look for it!

This collection of beautiful, real-life accounts will bring laughter and tears as you enjoy each story of ordinary people who found extraordinary love. Page after page, you will find inspiration to

-rekindle the romance in your love story

-trust in God’s providence and timing

-faithfully hope for your own happily-ever-after

-celebrate true romance

-believe in life-long love

Don’t let the world define romance for you! See how God is at work in the hearts of His people-knitting together hearts in a love that forever endures.

About The Author

Rhonda Stoppe is the No Regrets Woman. With more than 20 years of experience as a pastor’s wife, mom, mentor, author, and speaker, Rhonda uses humor and honest communication to help women build No Regrets Lives. She and her husband live their real-life romance in northern California, and have four grown children and eight grandchildren.

Find out more about Rhonda at http://www.rhondastoppe.com.

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Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2018 Margaret Margaret

The Melody of the Soul by Liz Tolsma

The Melody of the Soul by Liz Tolsma

FTC: I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.

The Melody of the Soul by Liz Tolsma was a book that I love right from the start.  I knew going into this book that I was probably going to like it and I am so glad that I did.  I am a huge fan of any books that take place during WWII, so I always get worried that I will find a book that I don’t like.  I love that the characters in this book aren’t Americans because it gives you a different view of the horrible things that happened during WWII.  I am so glad that there are more books in this series because I fell in love with all of the characters in this book and the setting of the book.  I have read few other books by this author, and I think I loved them just as much as I did this book.  If you are a lover of books that take place during WWII than I would pick up a copy of this book because  I am sure you will love it like I do.

What is your favorite genre of book to read?

About The Book

By 1943, Anna Zadok, a Jewish Christian living in Prague, has lost everything, including her career as a concert violinist and almost her entire family. The only person she has left is her beloved grandmother, and she’s determined to keep her safe. But protecting Grandmother won’t be easy–not with a Nazi officer billeted below them.

Anna must keep a low profile. There’s one thing she refuses to give up, though. Despite instruments being declared illegal, Anna defiantly continues to practice her violin. She has to believe that the war will end someday and her career will be waiting. Fortunately for Anna, the officer, Horst Engel, enjoys her soothing music. It distracts him from his dissatisfaction with Nazi ideology and reminds him that beauty still exists in an increasingly ugly world.

When his neighbors face deportation, Horst is moved to risk everything to hide them. Anna finds herself falling in love with the handsome officer and his brave heart. But what he reveals to her might break her trust and stop the music forever. . . .

About The Author

New York Times best-selling author Liz Tolsma is the author of Daisies are Forever, Snow on the Tulips, and the contributing author of A Log Cabin Christmas. When not busy putting words to paper, Liz enjoys reading, walking, working in her large perennial garden, kayaking, and camping. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and children, all adopted internationally.

Connect with Liz: website, Facebook, Twitter

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Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2018 Margaret Margaret

Seeds of Hope by Barbara Cameron

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FTC: I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.

Seeds of Hope by Barbara Cameron is a sweet Amish fiction novel.  I always enjoy books in this genre so I wasn’t shocked when I fell in love this this book.  I have read several other books by this author so I hoped that I would enjoy this one like I did those books.  I really loved that this book included more than just the typical Amish characters.  I love when the authors bring in characters that are just “normal” people.  I was a huge fan of Mark right from the start and I didn’t stop loving him.  Miriam got on my nerves from time to time but in the end I did fall in love with her as well.  If you love Amish fiction than I would recommend this book to you.

About The Book

Miriam Troyer has had a secret crush on Mark Byler since she was a teenager, but she knows they can never have a relationship: Mark is a big-city attorney and an Englischer. Her Amish community is too far removed from all he knows-and she loves her quiet way of life.

Mark has always loved his visits to his grandfather’s farm, but he’s convinced the Amish life isn’t for him. There’s so much of the world to see and experience, and the excitement of his successful law practice can’t be matched by the slow pace of life found back home in the country.

But when things go wrong and his firm distances itself from him to try to save themselves, Mark finds himself back at his grandfather’s farm. Could life in this simple world be worth living after all? Especially when the teenager he remembers has grown into a woman that could be his future. Suddenly, these two people whose lives seem so far apart may get a chance to really see each other for the first time.

About The Author

Barbara Cameron has a heart for writing about the spiritual values and simple joys of the Amish. She is the best-selling author of more than 40 fiction and nonfiction books, three nationally televised movies, and the winner of the first Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award. Her books have been nominated for Carol Awards and the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award from RWA’s Faith, Hope, and Love chapter. Barbara resides in Jacksonville, Florida.

Find out more about Barbara at http://barbaracameron.com.

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Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2017 Margaret Margaret