Barefoot Summer by Denise Hunter

June 19, 2013

Barefoot Summer by Denise Hunter was an amazing book. Once I started the book I fell in love with the characters and the authors writing. I believe this is the first book of hers that I have read and I can’t wait to check out others that she has written. You follow along with Madison as she is learning to sail so that she can win the towns annual regatta in memory of her brother. There are parts of this book that were slow but for the most part the book kept my interest. If you love cute stories about love and overcoming problems you will love this book.

About The Book

Madison’s heart has been closed for years. But one summer can change everything.

In the years since her twin brother’s tragic drowning, Madison has struggled with her ability to trust God–or anyone else, for that matter. It was her brother’s dream to win the annual River Sail Regatta in their small harbor town of Chapel Springs, Indiana. And Madison’s determined to honor his legacy by making his dream her own. Maybe then she can finally find closure.

But learning to sail means learning to swim. And her instructor is Beckett O’Reilly, a man who already has two strikes against him in Madison’s eyes. Being on the water terrifies Madison. But Beckett’s calming presence and unwavering confidence eases her fear. And as much as she’d like to deny it, the chemistry between them is electrifying.

As her feelings for him grow, a fledging faith begins to take root in her soul, as well. With Beckett, Madison feels alive for the first time in years–carefree and confident she can win the regatta, maybe even find love.

But Beckett harbors a secret that will test the limits of their love and the depth of Madison’s faith. Will their love survive summer’s challenge? And will achieving her brother’s dream give Madison the peace she desperately seeks?

About The Author

Denise lives in Indiana with her husband Kevin and their three sons. In 1996, Denise began her first book, a Christian romance novel, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she’s been writing ever since. Her books often contain a strong romantic element, and her husband Kevin says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!

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

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The Snugg iPhone 5 Case Review

June 17, 2013

I was contacted by The Snugg and asked if would like to review on of their cases. I have my iPhone 5 since the beginning of the year and I have become addicted to buying cases for it. So when I was contacted I figured why not I am always open to trying new cases and seeing what they are all about.

They have so many to choose from that it was hard for me to pick. I finally chose to get ultra thin hot pink case because I didn’t have anything this color. It took about 5 or so days to get to me which was great. I hate waiting a long time for something to arrive so quick shipping is a must in my world.

The Snugg iPhone 5 Case Review — This is the case that I received.

I was worried when I got the case that I wouldn’t be able to get it off because of nails. I got it to snap on really quick and I was also able to get it off even with my nails being super long. This is a super cute case and it makes me want more of them. The only draw back to the case is the fact that if you drop it so the screen is pointed down the screen could shatter because it isn’t protected. Other than that they are super fun and super cute.

If you are looking for a cute case just to dress up your phone then I would for sure check these out. Also they aren’t that expensive so that is always a good thing when you buy as many cases as I do.

What cases do you love?

FTC:I received a free case in exchange for my honest review.

“A Heartbeat Away” by Dionne Moore

June 13, 2013

“A Heartbeat Away” by Dionne Moore was a great book. This book takes place during the Battle of Antietam which was a battle during the Civil War. You follow along with Beth as she and her grandmother help save a Confederate soldier. This is hard for Beth since she is loyal to the Union. Through the whole book you see how she struggles with helping the soldier and others from the Confederate because she is loyal to the Union and her brother also is fighting for the Union. I loved this book and I can’t wait to check out more books in this series.

About The Book

When a band of runaway slaves brings Union-loyal Beth Bumgartner a wounded Confederate soldier named Joe, it is the catalyst that pushes her to defy her pacifist parents and become a nurse during the Battle of Antietam.

Her mother’s mysterious goodbye gift is filled with quilt blocks that bring comfort to Beth during the hard days and lonely nights, but as she sews each block, she realizes there is a hidden message of faith within the pattern that encourages and sustains her. Reunited with Joe, Beth learns his secret and puts the quilt’s message to its greatest test—but can betrayal be forgiven?

About The Author

Dionne Moore is ahistorical romance author who resides in South Central PA with her family, surrounded by the beautiful Cumberland Valley and lots of fun, historically rich locations. She is a weekly contributor to “The Borrowed Book”, ablog for book-lovers and “Cozy Mystery Magazine”, for all things cozy mystery.

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Sweet Mercy by Ann Tatlock

June 10, 2013

My Review

I read this book in a few hours because I literally couldn’t put it down. From the moment I started this book I was hooked and to be honest I can’t tell you why. I loved the authors writing and how she makes you feel like you are right there with the characters. She doesn’t give too much detail but she gives enough so that you can feel like you are there with the characters. I have never read another book from the this time period so I was intrigued and interested to see what life was like for people during that time. The book takes place during prohibition in the 1930’s. You follow along with Eve and her parents as her dad gets laid off and they move to the town of Mercy to live with her uncle who owns a lodge. I am not going to get into what happens while they are there because that will give away the story.

About The Book

Stunning coming-of-age drama set during the Great Depression and Prohibition

When Eve Marryat’s father is laid off from the Ford Motor Company in 1931, he is forced to support his family by leaving St. Paul, Minnesota, and moving back to his Ohio roots. Eve’s uncle Cyrus has invited the family to live and work at his Marryat Island Ballroom and Lodge.

Eve can’t wait to leave St. Paul, a notorious haven for gangsters. At seventeen, she considers her family to be “good people,” not lawbreakers like so many in her neighborhood. Thrilled to be moving to a “safe haven,” Eve soon forms an unlikely friendship with a strange young man named Link, blissfully unaware that her uncle’s lodge is anything but what it seems.

When the reality of her situation finally becomes clear, Eve is faced with a dilemma. Does she dare risk everything by exposing the man whose love and generosity is keeping her family from ruin? And when things turn dangerous, can she trust Link in spite of appearances?

About The Author

Ann Tatlock is the author of the Christy-Award winning novel Promises to Keep. She has also won the Midwest Independent Publishers Association “Book of the Year” in fiction for both All the Way Home and I’ll Watch the Moon. Her novel Things We Once Held Dear received a starred review from Library Journal and Publishers Weekly calls her “one of Christian fiction’s better wordsmiths, and her lovely prose reminds readers why it is a joy to savor her stories.” Ann lives with her husband and daughter in Asheville, North Carolina.

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Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer

June 6, 2013

“Stealing the Preacher” by Karen Witemeyer was a super cute and a fun read. From the first page of this book I was hooked and didn’t put it down until I finished reading it. It has a unique storyline and that made me like it even more. The book starts by following Crockett as he is on his way to try out for a preaching job. While he is on the train it gets held up and they “kidnap” him because Joanna told her dad that she wanted a preacher for her birthday. There are times where I had to laugh at what was going on and other times where I was sad for the characters. This is the first book I have read from this author and I honestly can’t wait to read more. I love how I felt like I was there with the characters.

About The Book

A cowboy who wants to be a preacher. An outlaw’s daughter who wants to change his mind.

On his way to interview for a position at a church in the Piney Woods of Texas, Crockett Archer can’t believe it when he’s forced off the train by an outlaw and presented to the man’s daughter as the preacher she requested for her birthday. He’s determined to escape-which would be much easier if he could stop thinking about Joanna Robbins and her unexpected request.

For months, Joanna had prayed for a minister. A man to breathe life back into the abandoned church at the heart of her community. A man to assist her in fulfilling a promise to her dying mother. But just when it seems her prayers have been answered, it turns out the parson is there against his will and has dreams of his own calling him elsewhere. Is there any way she can convince Crockett he ended up right where he was supposed to be?

With her signature blend of humor, history, and lively western romance, two-time RITA Award finalist and bestselling author Karen Witemeyer delivers a Texas love story sure to steal your heart.

About The Author

Two-time RITA finalist and winner of the coveted HOLT Medallion and ACFW Carol Award, CBA bestselling author Karen Witemeyer writes historical romance because she believes that the world needs more happily-ever-afters. She is an avid cross-stitcher, shower singer, and bakes a mean apple cobbler. Karen makes her home in Abilene, Texas, with her husband and three children. Learn more about Karen and her books at www.karenwitemeyer.com.

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Ray of Light by Shelley Shepard Gray

June 6, 2013

Ray of Light by Shelley Shepard Gray was a sweet book. It took me a few chapters to get into this book but once I did I loved it. At times I was lost because I hadn’t read the book prior to this one so some parts were confusing for me but the author does a great job of making me understand where the characters are coming from and also making the reader feel like they are there with the characters. I wanted only the best for the characters and I was glad when in the end everything worked out just how I hoped it would. I can’t wait to check out more of the books in this series.

About The Book

Bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray brings inspirational romance to life in this sweet tale of love in the Amish community, Ray of Light, the second installment of her Days of Redemption series.Roman Keim just wants a break from the family drama at his snowy Ohio home when he heads to an Amish snowbird community in Florida. There he meets Amanda Yoder and her daughter Regina who soon are warming his heart. But will Roman return to Ohio or will he stay and help the young widow embrace a second chance at love?

The author of the series Sisters of the Heart and Seasons of Sugarcreek, Shelley Shepard Gray delivers an honest, tender love story in Ray of Light, featuring the challenges of faith, family, and romance.

About The Author

Shelley Shepard Gray is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the “Sisters of the Heart”, “Seasons of Sugarcreek”, “Secrets of Crittenden County”, and Families of Honor series. 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.