Home To Heather Creek

October 2, 2013

I received the first 2 books in the Home To Heather Creek to review and I have to say that I loved both of the books. I am going to talk about the books on their own so that you can decided if you want to read either of them or both of them. In the Before The Dawn you get to see the struggles of teenagers and their mothers parents who have stepped up to raise the children after their daughter and the children’s mother was killed. I have to say that I really loved the first book. There are parts where I was bored and I think could have been cut out but all in all I was a good book and I was excited to see what happened in the next book. Sweet September starts at the end of summer just as the kids are going back to school. I have to say that I loved this book more than I liked the first one and I am not sure why. I know this one was written by a different author and I think that may have something to do with it. I hope there are more books in this series because I love these characters and I was sad when I finished this book.

About The Books

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Before the Dawn

Before the Dawn begins just one week after the funeral of Charlotte’s daughter, Denise. Denise’s three children barely have time to process the death of their mother before they must move to the Heather Creek Farm they have never visited with grandparents they barely know. At age 16, Sam is fiercely protective of his younger siblings. Emily is 14 and desperately misses her friends. Young Christopher is only 8 and just wants to fit in. While Charlotte tries to help her grandchildren adjust to their new life, she also wrestles with her own grief and the enormous task of bringing her family together. Bob believes the fastest path to adjustment is a firm routine, with structure and chores, the same way they raised their own kids. However, that route led to Denise running away from home as a teenager and an estranged relationship with her family. Charlotte is worried about making the same mistakes she made with Denise. Is this her chance to make things right?

It is spring when the children arrive, and as Charlotte looks around the farm, she hopes the new life around them will signify hope and healing. The miracle of new life, along with God’s healing touch, reminds all of them that it’s always darkest just before the dawn.

Sweet September

Sweet September picks up at harvest time, as the children are settling into a new school year. While the harvest should be an exciting time, the children don’t seem to be getting into the spirit. Emily is struggling with farm life, Christopher spends most of his time alone, and Sam is failing school. Trying to learn from what did and didn’t work with her own kids, Charlotte is determined to get her grandchildren back on track.

As tenuous family bonds threaten to break apart, a mystery on the farm might be the one thing that can bond the family together. Charlotte sets out to uncover the truth, and as the kids unite to find answers, this cobbled-together family learns more about one another and the love that binds them together.

The lives of the Stevensons and their grandchildren unfold in this captivating story of the remarkable change that comes from the love of family, the kindness of others, sheer persistence and unshakable faith. As readers follow the Stevensons’ inspiring stories, it’s almost impossible not feel a part of this friendly, loving community, where God’s grace can be seen in every circumstance.

About The Author

Kathleen Bauer is the pen name for a team of writers who have come together to create the Home to Heather Creek series.

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The Courier of Casewell Hall by Melanie Dobson

September 30, 2013

The Courier of Casewell Hall by Melanie Dobson was a great book. After just reading the back of the book I knew I would love this book and I have to say that it didn’t let me down. This book takes place during the Revolutionary War and I have to say that I learned about it in history but I have never read a book that takes place during that time period so I am sure that is why I loved this book as much as I did. In this book you follow along with Lydia as she tries to figure out where she stands during the war and where her true loyalties fall. The writing in this book is amazing and I felt like I was there with the characters. I was on the edge of my seat through parts of this book because I wasn’t sure what was going to happen. If you love historical fiction I know that you will love this book!

About The Courier of Casewell Hall

An unlikely spy discovers freedom and love inthe midst of the American Revolution.

As the British and Continental armies wage war in 1781, thedaughter of a wealthy Virginia plantation owner feels conflict raging in her own heart. LydiaCaswell comes from a family of staunch Loyalists, but she cares only about peace. Her friend Sarah Hammond, however, longs to join the fight. Both women’s families have already been divided by a costly war that sets father against son and neighbor against neighbor; a war that makes it impossible to guess who can be trusted.

One snowy night Lydia discovers a wounded man onthe riverbank near Caswell Hall, and her decision to save him will change her life. Nathan introduces her to a secret network of spies, couriers, disguises, and coded messages—a network that may be the Patriots’ only hope for winning the war. When British officers take over Caswell Hall and wreak havoc on neighboring plantations, Lydia will have to choose between loyalty and freedom; between her family’s protection and her own heart’s desires.

As both armies gather near Williamsburg for a pivotal battle, both Lydia and Sarah must decide how high a price they are willing to pay to help the men they love.

Part of the American Tapestries™ series: Each standalone novel in this line sets a heart-stirring love story against the backdrop of an epic moment in American history. This is the fifth book in the series.

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About The Author Melanie Dobson

Melanie Dobson is the author of twelve novels; her writing has received numerous accolades including two Carol Awards. Melanie worked in public relations for fifteen years before she began writing fiction full-time. Born and raised in the Midwest, she now resides with her husband and two daughters in Oregon.

Connect with Melanie at: http://melaniedobson.com

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Fired Up by Mary Connealy

September 25, 2013

Fired Up by Mary Connealy was a fun book to read. I read the first book called “Swept Away” last year and I loved everything about it. I have to say that this book didn’t let me down at all. In this book you get to follow along with Glynna & Dare. I was so glad that these were the next characters because I was interested to see where things would go with them at the end of Swept Away. There were times where things were unbelievable but that is true with any book. I was also so glad that we got to check back with with the characters from “Swept Away” because I really did love them. This book was amazing and I love everything about the authors writing and I can’t wait to read the next book in series.

About Fired Up

Rollicking Wild West Adventure and Romance from Bestselling Author Mary Connealy

Dare Riker is a doctor who saves lives, but someone seems determined to end his. It may have something to do with the traitors he dealt with during the Civil War, or it might be related to the recent incident with Flint Greer and the ranch. Whoever the culprit is, he or she seems really fired up, and Dare can’t let his guard down for a moment, which is a challenge, since right now he’s trying to win the heart of the recently widowed Glynna.

Glynna Greer came west as a mail-order bride and ended up in a bad situation. Now her husband, Flint, is dead, and she’s determined to care for her son and daughter on her own. She wants to believe Dare Riker is as decent as he seems, but she’s terrified to lock herself into another marriage. She plans to support her small family by opening a diner—never mind that cooking is not her greatest talent. The men in Broken Wheel, Texas, are so desperate for home cooking that they seem willing to overlook dried-out beef and blackened biscuits.

Glynna can’t help but notice that danger follows Dare wherever he goes. There’s the avalanche. And then the fire. But things really get out of hand when someone plunges a knife from Glynna’s diner into Dare’s back. Are Flint’s cronies still plotting revenge? Is Glynna’s son engaged in a misguided attempt to protect his mother? Is a shadowy outsider still enraged over past injustices? And can Dare survive long enough to convince Glynna to take another chance on love?

About Mary Connealy

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.

Connect with Mary: http://maryconnealy.com/

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The Space In Between by Brittainy C. Cherry

September 24, 2013

The Space In Between by Brittainy C. Cherry was a good book. This book was a super quick read for me and I loved that. I loved the characters and the authors writing. She does a great job of making you feel as if you are right there with the characters. I felt so bad for Andrea at the start of the book but after awhile she did get on my nerves because of how she acted from time to time. I have never had to deal with anything like she did so I am not sure how I would act but it did get old at least to me. You also get to follow along with Cooper who just bugged me and I am not sure why. All in all the book was a good book and I can’t wait to check out more books by this author.

About The Book

New Adult Contemporary Date Published: 9/17/2013

She’s scarred by her past.

ANDREA EVANS is traumatized and guilt-ridden by the death of her fiancée. Tired of the gossiping small town, she travels to New York City to pursue her dream of dance. When her dreams don’t instantly come to fruition, she ends up working at a strip club with her best friend.

He’s uncertain of his future.

COOPER DAVIDSON is a famous photographer and reality television star trying to flee from his own life filled with paparazzi, mental health clinics, and a cheating wife who is pregnant.

When Andrea and Cooper’s paths cross, they realize how damaged and in need of escapism they both are. The two create an arrangement to explore the space in between chaos and order with one another. The rules are simple—no emotional connections, no talking about the past, no speaking of the future, and when one finds order, the other walks away.

All is well until Cooper falls in love with Andrea. Will Andrea open up and let someone else into her closed off heart? Can Cooper stop the tabloids and his crazed wife from exposing his past and painting Andrea as a prostitute to the world before her life spirals back down to the land of chaos?

About The Author

Brittainy Cherry has been in love with words since the day she took her first breath. She lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with her loved ones and loves a great romance. The Space In Between is her debut novel and she looks forward to the world being able to read it! Other hobbies that she loves to take part in are writing screenplays, acting, and dancing—poorly of course.

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“Winter in Full Bloom” by Anita Higman

August 17, 2013

“Winter in Full Bloom” by Anita Higman was an amazing book. I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this book but once I started reading it I didn’t want to put it down. I read a lot of books that I like but very few make into the pile of books that I would read over and over again. This book is one of those books for me. You follow along with Lily as she travels around the world to find out answers to her past. I also loved watching Lily and Marcus’s relationship bloom and I couldn’t wait to see what happened with them throughout the book. I can’t really say more than that or it will give it away but if you are looking for a great book than make sure you check this out.

About The Book

Lily Winter’s wings are folded so tightly around her daughter that when empty nest arrives, she feels she can no longer fly. But Lily’s lonely, widowed life changes ina heartbeat when she goes to visit a woman who is almost a stranger to her—a woman who also happens to be her mother. During their fiery reunion, her mother reveals a dark family secret that she’d been hiding for decades—Lily has an identical twin sister who was put up for adoption when they were just babies.

Without looking back, Lily—with her fear of flying—boards a jumbo jet and embarks on a quest to find her sister which leads half way around the world to Melbourne, Australia. Befriended by imprudent Ausie, he might prove to be the key to finding her sister. But her journey becomes a circle that leads her back home to attempt a family reunion and to find the one dream she no longer imagined possible-the chance to fall in love again.

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About The Author

Best-selling and award-winning author, Anita Higman, has over thirty books published (several coauthored) for adults and children. She’s been a Barnes & Noble “Author of the Month” for Houston and has a BA degree, combining speech communication, psychology, and art. Anita loves good movies, exotic teas, and brunch with her friends.

Connect with Anita at: http://www.anitahigman.com

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Everybody Falls by J. A. Hornbuckle

August 4, 2013

Everybody Falls by J. A. Hornbuckle was an interesting book to read. I liked the characters but I wasn’t a huge fan of the storyline. I am not sure why though because this is usually the kind of book I can’t put down. I loved the authors writing but the storyline just didn’t keep me at the edge of my set but it was a book I am glad that I read it and I am going to check out other books by this author. I found at times that the story didn’t seem like it could really happen in real life.

About The Book

Contemporary Date Published: 6/14/2013

At 25, Jax Wynter lost his life.

As the youngest member of America’s number one rock band, Wynter’s Vicious, Jax lived a life with no rules

or responsibilities. At least until his older brother, founding member and vocalist, died in a fiery car crash. Jobless,

clueless and deemed unfit to handle his own affairs, Jax must sober up, man up and adjust to living as a ‘normal

person’ in the ‘real world’.

At 24, Lacey Emerson found hers.

Shuffled between her bi-polar mom and her former hippie grandmother, Lacey had no choice but to become

responsible at a young age. Her chaotic childhood, though, gave her the skills and determination to succeed when

she inherited her grandmother’s bakery. Her life was finally normal, real but very, very boring.

All it took was a five-point face plant to turn both their lives upside down.

From the author of Pole Dance, Human Hieroglyphix I & II and Tap Dance, comes the new novel, “Everybody

Falls”, Book One of Wynter’s Vicious Series. Set in the beautiful town of Auburn, California and filled with a cast

of quirky characters, it’s a story about learning to live, learning to love and learning to hold on when your brand

of ‘normal’ comes undone.

Sometimes you have to fall from grace before you can fall in love

About The Author

Even as a young girl, J.A. couldn’t wait to read. In fact, her first real temper tantrum was at the end of first grade when she realized that unless the book or magazine included the words, “Dick”, “Jane” or “Spot”, she was still at a loss.

The thirst for the written word has never left her.

But after reading three crap books in a row on her Kindle (or Ken-doll, as she calls it) in July 2012, she decided she could do better. Armed with a few notes, she blithely wrote out the first draft of her first novel and found her first book was worse crap than the stories that had started the whole cycle. Taking the advice of another author, she studied and learned, re-wrote and re-edited. As of June 2013, she’s published five books with another in progress.

J.A. has been fortunate to travel throughout the U.S. and overseas, though she’s now calling the Phoenix, Arizona area home. Those travels, places and the people she’s met help provide fuel for her books which is always why she includes the verbiage, ‘Although, if you recognize yourself in any character represented …maybe we need to talk.’ She calls it her rider to the disclaimer assuring readers that her characters are not based on any one particular person.

When asked to sum up what she wanted others to know about her, she simply says, “For those that have been with me on this life’s journey…Thanks for the memories! And those that are still on their way…Where’ve you been? My heart’s been waiting for you.”

Website: http://www.jahornbuckle.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JAHornbuckle

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