Tag Archives: Revell Publishing

New from Laura Frantz!!

19 Tuesday Dec 2017

Posted by in Books I LOVE, Favorites, Reviewed Books, Virginia

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the lacemaker

 

From the Back Cover

Lady Elizabeth ”Liberty” Lawson has nearly everything a lady of her position could want. Daughter of the British lieutenant governor of the Virginia Colony and a darling of fine society in a rugged land, she is anticipating an advantageous marriage. That her betrothal is a rake and love is lacking is of little consequence- or she tells herself.

Though her own life seems in order, colonial Williamsburg is a powder keg on the verge of exploding, and her fiancé’s cousin, Noble Rynallt carries the flame of the revolution in his heart. Those with connections to the British nobility are suspected as spies, and Liberty  soon finds herself left with a terrible choice. Will she stay true to her English roots? Or side with Noble and the radical revolutionaries?

My Thoughts

I was so thrilled to receive a copy of the Lacemaker in the mail this week! I simply loved it in every way. Laura Frantz tells an unforgettable story, rich in history with vivid characters and perhaps my favorite heroine yet! The story unfolds in perfect tempo, with enough turns and twists to keep you up late reading! I loved that Liberty fought for her own independence as the story unfolded. The hero of the story, Noble Rynallt, could not have been better suited for this revolutionary tale.

Many years ago, I stumbled upon Laura Frantz’s first book, The Frontiersman’s Daughter, in my local library. For me, it was love at first read. I have a short list of favorites, and Frantz is at the top! The Lacemaker is Frantz at her best! You do not want to miss this book!  As a side note, I live in Fredericksburg, Virginia, not far from Williamsburg. This book was especially thrilling to read because I know the places in it so well. Thank you Laura Frantz for another piece of perfect historical fiction!

I requested a copy of The Lacemaker from its publisher. I was not required to give a positive review. I would have purchased this book had I not received a copy because Laura Frantz is my favorite! All opinions are my own and I have not been compensated.

About the Author

Laura Frantz is a Christy Award finalist and the ECPA best-selling author of several books, including The Frontiersman’s Daughter, Courting Morrow Little, The Colonel’s Lady, The Mistress of Tall Acre, A Moonbow Night, and the Ballantyne Legacy series. She lives and writes in a log cabin in the heart of Kentucky. Learn more at www.laurafrantz.net.

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Book Review: Sacred Privilege

07 Sunday May 2017

Posted by in Books I LOVE, Reviewed Books

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Sacred Privilage

 

I knew I wanted to read this book the minute I saw the title and the author! Kay Warren is the wife of Rick Warren, Pastor of Saddleback Church.  I hold Rick and Kay Warren in high esteem because of the way they live out their lives and the way they have served the Lord in their years of ministry. Reading Sacred Privilege was like sitting with Kay Warren over coffee and asking her all of my burning questions about her life as a pastor’s wife. Fourteen years ago I married a pastor and I always appreciate wise counsel from a woman who has walked the road I am on and done so with grace.

This book is for wives of pastors of all distinctions. Kay Warren does not just write for the lead pastor’s wife, but to all pastor’s wives.  She has amazing wisdom to share! I enjoyed the entire book, but I had a few take aways that I will remember forever.

  • From Chapter 2: My husbands most valuable resource in ministry is me. Above everything else, I am vital to his work in ministry and visa versa.
  • From Chapter 6: I should not be afraid to use my own live as an example. My own struggles are meant to encourage others.
  • From Chapter 7: I need to nourish my own inner life. Warren uses an illustration from High Call, High Privilege by Gail MacDonald in this chapter.  He says, “Untended fires soon die and become a pile of ashes.” How true this is!  I cannot be of help to anyone if I have allowed my own fire to go out.
  • From Chapter 7:  I would also like a coffee mug that says Easy Like Sunday Morning. 
  • From Chapter 9: I should live the same in my private life as I do my public life. So good!

 

There is so much good stuff in this book! The five take aways I listed are the ones that really stood out to me. I honestly could have listed ten more. If there is a pastor’s wife in your life, consider getting this book for her. It would make a lovely mother’s day gift! I was given my copy by the publisher. I am passing it on to another pastor’s wife because I think it is that well written. Sacred Privilege is easily five stars! Kay Warren, thank you for barring your soul for all of us pastor’s wives. We so appreciate the encouragement, wisdom, advice, and love you put into every chapter.

Book Review: Every Girl Gets Confused

07 Saturday Nov 2015

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Every Girl gets confusedWhen I am given the opportunity to read a Janice Thompson novel, I take it. I first fell in love with her books when I read A Bouquet of Love. She seems to write novels that could easily be made into Hallmark movies. Who doesn’t love a good Hallmark movie? Every Girl Gets Confused is the second book in Thompson’s A Bride with Style Series. I did read the first book in the series, Every Bride Needs a Groom. It was not my favorite of her titles, and truthfully this second books wasn’t either.

I love the idea of Katie Fisher, Thompson’s lead character in this title. She is a simple Texas girl with a knack for design and retail. In the first book, Katie leaves her home town for the big city after a break up with her long time boyfriend, Casey. She meets Brady James, a famous basketball player whose mom happens to be in bridal fashion. This second book follows the romance of Brady and Katie as well as the story of many other characters. The problem for me is that the story felt like it revolved mostly around the many other characters. Brady and Katie have very little page time. The connection between the love birds in a love story is for me what makes or breaks a book.

The upside to this novel is the hilarity of the many personalities Thompson creates. I can easily imagine knowing any one of them. In one particular “scene” the main ingredient to a bowl of punch left me laughing. Even though this was not my favorite read of Thompson’s, I will likely read the third book in this series, Every Bride Has Her Day. I can’t imagine NOT knowing the ending. I was given a complimentary copy of this title in exchange for my honest opinion. I have not been compensated and all opinions are my own.

New from Suzanne Woods Fisher!

04 Sunday Oct 2015

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The Imposter

Because I prefer historical fiction, I rarely have the privilege to read novels that fall into the category of Amish fiction. Suzanne Woods Fisher has written many Amish Fiction novels and is really the go to author for books in this genre.  Her new book, The Imposter, is first in a new series, The Bishop’s Family.  The Imposter, is the story of Katrina Stotlzfus who is nursing a broken heart. The life she thought she would have is never to be and she is left to pick up the pieces. Katrina is offered the opportunity to help Widow Thelma Beiler with her farm and learn about her new moss business. She welcomes the distraction, but not the handsome farmhand that comes with it.

I loved the multiple story lines in this novel. Not only does Fisher tell the story of Katrina, but also of her father David, brother Jesse, and a sweet lady named Birdy. Because Fisher writes about so many characters in one community, the book reads more like a mini series. It is reminiscent of the Mitford books I loved so much by Jan Karon.

If Amish is your thing, you will likely love this book. While it is not my favorite fiction read of 2015, I did enjoy it and would recommend it. I was given a complimentary copy of this book by its publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I have not been compensated.

Book Review: Girl Meets Change

21 Monday Sep 2015

Posted by in Food for thought, Reviewed Books

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Girl Meets Change

As a self-described hater of change, I knew this book by author Kristen Strong would be a wise choice for me.  I am a girl who digs in her heals when change is in the air. I loathe a departure from things familiar. Girl Meets Change is such an encouraging read for anyone who has ever endured change, drastic or small. And because the seasons change….this book is a great read for all of us.

What I love about Girl Meets Change is the way Kristen ties in her own personal stories and accounts from people she has known, as well as truth for the God’s word. This book is not just a personal account full of examples of how she endured and coped with change. It is also a guide to what the Bible has to say to us about life and how we can apply it to our own personal situations.

If I had to pick my favorite quote from this book, it would be, “I can’t wring my hands if I am holding something in them.”  Kristen so gently reminds us that we need to spend some time in the Good Book before ever getting on Facebook. She goes on to say that the distractions of this life are not going away. We have to carve out time for what is most important.

Girl Meets Change is an easy five starts. I was given a complimentary copy of this book by its publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. Check out more from Kristen Strong on her blog, Chasing Blue Skies.

Book Review: Hot Mama

09 Wednesday Sep 2015

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Hot Mama

When my friends and I have a night out to grab coffee and chat, or a group busy married mamas get anytime alone to talk, sex and marriage ALWAYS comes up in the conversation. We talk about struggles, exhaustion, and the feeling that we are pulled in 20,000 different directions with hardly anything leftover for our dear husbands. I love this book for being a resource to women who need a little encouragement in regaining their “umph.”

Hot Mama is thirteen chapters in length that you can almost get through in one sitting. Kathy Lipp and Erin Macpherson make you feel like are you sitting with your friends and getting some honest and practical advice to feel like a “Hot Mama” again. They offer online tools, and a free study guide should you feel like you want to discuss this book in a Bible study or small group. (I would caution here that some chapters in this book may lead to oversharing…tread carefully).  They also include a Q&A from “sexperts” that might answer lingering questions you have had, but were afraid to ask. Their experts include an OBGYN, a marriage and family therapist, a marriage counselor, and two pastors.

I would recommend this book to any woman who feels like they are struggling in this area and really would like some honest advice from a trusted source. The good news is, you can purchase this book as an ebook and avoid any embarrassment at the checkout! I was given a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I have not been compensated in any way.

Book Review: Wild in the Hollow

04 Tuesday Aug 2015

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wild in the hollow

Wild in the Hollow drew me in from the beginning with Amber Haines’ lyrical account of a life spent searching. And who hasn’t spent much of their own life searching? I found myself eager to know about her struggles and the answers she found to her questions.

Truthfully, two things led me to read this book. First, the amazing cover that captures the title in such a beautiful way. Second, I read an endorsement for the book from Ann Voskamp. Ann Voskamp’s endorsement is all I need to read anything. Like Voskamp’s One Thousand Gifts, Wild in the Hollow is written in a free-flowing stream of thought. If you are someone who does not enjoy that type of read, you may struggle to get through this book. I would also say that Wild in the Hollow is a heavy read. Her words will weigh on your heart and there is little reprieve from the serious subject matter. Having said that, if you have ever struggled with the idea of Grace and God this book is one you should read. Often, reading someone else’s story helps you see your own in a different light, especially if it is well done. I do find this title living up to that standard.

Finally, I would add that Amber’s take on the church is just that…her take. While my story is different from hers, it is important to note that the mistakes of others should not be attributed to the purpose and the significance of the church. Not all churches are the same.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book by its publisher in exchange for an honest review. I have not been compensated in any way and all opinions are my own.

Best Books of 2014

31 Wednesday Dec 2014

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In 2014 I found a way to fuel my reading habit by becoming a Book Blogger. I started with one publisher and slowly added a few more. It has been so much fun! I love to see the manila envelope in my mailbox with a crisp, hot off the press, new book. Thanks to Bethany House, Revell, BookLookBloggers, Tyndale House, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review books! I have read so many fabulous books in 2014 but a few stand out above the rest. My list includes some of my favorite writers as well as new authors who absolutely blew me away.

Love's Fortune

 Love’s Fortune by Laura Frantz

I have said it before, and I will gladly say it again. This book is a fantastic work of historical fiction. Laura Frantz is a wordsmith. She has the gift of writing, the magic of words, the art of storytelling, and I cannot get enough!

In Love’s Fortune, Wren Ballantyne travels to Pennsylvania to meet her extended family, most for the first time. She is thrust into unfamiliar territory for a simple girl from Kentucky. A handsome steamboat pilot, James Sackett, is there to help her navigate all of the rules of society. It is the relationship between them that kept me turning pages through the night!

Read my review here.

THe butterfly and the violin

 The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron

I will never forget this book. In the same breath I recommend Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers to a friend, I will add The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron. It was my favorite surprise find of 2014.

I will not give anyway of the plot because that would be criminal. In short, The Butterfly and the Violin is the first book in Kristy Cambron’s debut series. Art dealer Sera James is searching for a portrait she saw years ago in a gallery. The painting is of a beautiful violinist with her hair shaved and a numbered tattoo on her arm. This book is about the story the painting tells, and the impact the story has on Sera James.

Read my review here.

Miracle in a dry season

Miracle in a Dry Season by Sarah Loudin Thomas

Sarah Loudin Thomas is another debut author in 2014 who made me fall in love with her characters and her unique style. Her writing is fresh and inviting.  If you missed this title in 2014, add it to your list of must reads!

In this book, a beautiful woman named Perla escapes to Wise, West Virginia to get away from all of the gossip and judgment she faced as an unwed mother. It is in Wise she meets Casewell and entrusts him with the truth about her situation. Casewell finds it difficult to see Perla as more than her sin, regardless of his feelings for her.

Read my review here.

Full Steam Ahead

Full Steam Ahead by Karen Witmeyer

I have long been a fan of Karen Witmeyer. I never have to wonder if I will enjoy one of her titles, it is a sure thing. Full Steam Ahead was by far my favorite book of Witemeyer’s yet. I enjoyed it immensely and I know you will too!

In Full Steam Ahead, Nicole Renard is on a mission to save her family’s business and legacy. She sets out to find not only the love of her life, but also an heir to take over her father’s shipping company. When her plans are deterred by those that mean her and her family harm, she stumbles upon Darius Thornton who is on his own mission, but his is one of self-imposed penance. The unlikely pair rescue each other in this fun and thrilling story.

Read my review here.

Fair Play

 Fair Play by Deeanne Gist

Deeanne Gist is another author who writes a guaranteed good read. What makes this particular title so wonderful is the relationship and love story Gist creates on the pages of this sigh-worthy book. I loved it.

Fair Play takes place at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893. Billy Jack Tate is a determined female doctor who is looking to make her way in the field of medicine. She is feisty, but still very much a lady. She has just hung her shingle, but hasn’t had much of a reception because medicine is a man’s world. Billy soon meets a handsome stranger who also happens to be a Texas Ranger. He is Hunter Scott and is the definition of a man’s man. They are an unlikely pair. Hunter discovers an abandoned baby at the fair and looks to Billy for help. His discovery takes the two of them down an unexpected path. Together, they work to bring life to one of the poorest neighborhoods in Chicago. At the same time, feelings grow between them.

Read my review here.

The Lady and the Officer

 The Lady and the Officer by Mary Ellis

Author Mary Ellis wrote an amazing piece of Civil War Historical Fiction in The Lady and the Officer. This title was especially delightful for me because I happen to live in the middle of Civil War Battlefields. I adored every page and I am excited to read anything Mary Ellis writes!

The Lady and the Officer tells the story of war widow, Madeline Howard whose husband fought for the Union. As the war creeps into her backyard she is rescued by dashing General James Downing. They quickly form an attachment, but Madeline is forced to find shelter with her only family left in Richmond. It is there she finds herself constantly pulled between the love of her Confederate family and her loyalty not only her country, but her new-found love.

Read my review here.

When I Fall in Love

When I Fall in Love by Susan May Warren

I am definitely a reader who has a preference for Romantic Historical Fiction. This book fell outside of those lines, but I found it to be a wonderful story full of endearing characters. I so wanted When I Fall in Love to be made into a movie! More than that, it left me wanting to read the entire series.

In this third book of the Christiansen Family Novels, Grace Christiansen is sent by her family on a culinary vacation to Hawaii. It is there she meets up with Maxwell Sharpe who has been asked to look after Grace while she is away. Max is a hockey player and culinary whiz desperate for a vacation and adventure. The unlikely pair hit it off in a story you will want to read over and over. I truly hope this one makes it to the big screen!

Read my review here.

The Secret of Pembrooke Park

The Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen

Love, mystery, intrigue, and great storytelling make The Secret of Pembrooke Park an easy favorite! Julie Klassen not only wrote one of my favorite books this year, she is on my list every year.

In The Secret of Pembrooke Park, Abigail Foster’s family is facing financial ruin and has accepted an offer of housing from distant relatives at Pembrooke Park. Abigail and her father find the old home just as the last family left it….eighteen years ago. The house is draped in mystery and frankly, a little creepy. Abigail works to put the house in order and begins to unravel the secrets of Pembrooke Park. She also meets a very attractive local curate, William. He and his family have some part to play in the house and the secrets it holds. Abigail must decide who to trust and with whom to exercise caution.

Read my review here.

A heart's rebellion

A Heart’s Rebellion by Ruth Axtell

I am thrilled to have discovered another author who tells a captivating story. Ruth Axtell has definitely won me over with this book. I am so excited to go back and read her other titles. If you enjoy Regency Romances, this book is for you!

In A Heart’s Rebellion, Jessamine and her childhood best friend Megan have arrived in London for their first season. Jessamine’s heart has been broken by Megan’s brother, Rees Phillips. Jessamine and Megan are the wallflowers of the season until they meet Lancelot Marfleet who is the second son of an aristocrat. Lancelot is a vicar and not exactly the suitor Jessamine had hoped to win. Instead, she begins a flirtation with a gentleman with a less than stellar reputation. As Jessamine comes to terms with her lingering feelings for Rees, she opens herself up to possible ruination.

Read my review here.

Love Skip Jump

Love Skip Jump by Shelene Bryan

Clearly, I prefer fiction. However, out of all the books both fiction and nonfiction, this book was the most memorable and life changing. I have recommended this book to countless people. If you were to pick one book form this list to read, pick this one.

Shelene Bryan is the founder and executive director of Skip1.org. Love Skip Jump is the story of how Skip1.org was founded. More than that, it is the story of how one woman’s yes radically altered the lives of so many. Shelene’s actions changed her own life and caused an unknown amount of ripples throughout the world.

Read my review here.

I would love to know your favorite reads this year! Please leave your picks in the comments as well as link to your blog. Happy New Year! Here is to sleeping less and reading more in 2015!

While Love Stirs by Lorna Seilstad

07 Wednesday May 2014

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While love stirsWhile Love Stirs written by Lorna Seilstad is Book #2 in her Gregory Sisters Series. It is a delightful read that I would give a two cups of coffee rating! That is, I will need to two cups of coffee today because I stayed up way past bed time to finish it! Lorna Seilstad does a great job of writing a series involving the same characters and allowing each book to stand alone. Seilstad does allude to details from Book #1, When Love Calls, but in no way did I feel like I was lost not having read it.

In this new title, Charlotte Gregory is looking to secure a position after graduating from Fannie Farmer’s School of Cookery. She is an excellent cook, but in 1910 women were not welcome in professional chefs kitchens. Charlotte is passionate and intelligent which always makes for a likeable heroine. In the midst of trying to pave the way for herself, she meets not one but two possible suitors. Dr. Brooks, the attractive but controlling physician, and Lewis the young talented vocalist.

While Love Stirs is the second book of Seilstad’s I have had the pleasure of reading. I also enjoyed Making Waves which released several years ago. If you enjoy lighthearted romantic historical fiction, this book is for you. It would definitely make for a great vacation read as it does not have an overcomplicated plot.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book by its publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I have not been compensated and all opinions are my own.