Cara Putman celebrates her MonumentsMen novel, SHADOWED BY GRACE, with a Past & Present Giveaway!

About the book: She found peace in a time of war.

Desperate to save her dying mother, an American woman accepts her newspaper's assignment to travel to Italy where she takes photographs dangerously close to the front lines during World War II. But Rachel's real motive in this journey is to find the father she never knew, an artist she hopes can offer the comfort and support both she and her mother need to survive at such a desperate time.

In her quest, Rachel becomes involved with what will become the Monuments Men effort to save great monuments and works of art from the Third Reich. Soon enough she will find more than she ever imagined---in war, in love, and in God.





My Thoughts:  I really enjoyed this story.  History is always intriguing especially when it's accompanied by a great story.  I can't imagine living during a time of war let alone serving on a battle field.  Cara Putman did a wonderful job with her characters.  They are full of depth and pull you right into the story.   I enjoyed learning about the Monuments Men.  I really didn't know much about their organization before reading this book. If you're looking for a great story based on real historical facts, pick up this book.  I highly recommend it!

Head over to this link to see what others are saying about Cara's new book. 

Watch this YouTube video where Cara Putman discusses her new book.


Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/sCIbG


About the author: Cara C. Putman graduated high school at 16, college at 20, and completed her law degree at 27. The best-selling author of more than a dozen books, Cara is active in women's ministry at her church, teaches graduate courses at Purdue University, practices law, and is a homeschooling mom. She lives with her husband and 4 children in Indiana.

Learn more about Cara at: http://caraputman.com

Cara Putman is celebrating her latest historical suspense novel, Shadowed by Grace with a fun "Past & Present" giveaway! 



Giveaway Information:

One winner will receive:

• A Polaroid Instant Camera
• A beautiful antique AFGRA camera (learn more here)
• Movie passes to see The Monuments Men movie (with George Clooney and Matt Damon)
• Shadowed By Grace by Cara Putman

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on February 8th. Winner will be announced February 10th on Cara's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Cara's blog on the 10th to see if you won. 

 

***I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Robin Lee Hatcher’s A PROMISE KEPT Kindle HDX Giveaway and Facebook Party!

About the book: God was going to save her marriage, Allison was sure of it. But neither her husband nor her marriage had been saved.

What had become of His promise?

Tony Kavanagh had been Allison's dream-come-true. They were in love within days, engaged within weeks, married and pregnant within a year. Her cup bubbled over with joy . . . but years later, that joy had been extinguished by unexpected trials.

The day Allison issued her husband an ultimatum, she thought it might save him. She never expected he would actually leave. She was certain God had promised to heal; it was clear that she'd misunderstood.

Now, living in the quiet mountain cabin she inherited from her single, self-reliant Great Aunt Emma, Allison must come to terms with her grief and figure out how to adapt to small town life. But when she finds a wedding dress and a collection of journals in Emma's attic, a portrait of her aunt emerges that takes Allison completely by surprise: a portrait of a heartbroken woman surprisingly like herself.

As Allison reads the incredible story of Emma's life in the 1920s and 1930s, she is forced to ask a difficult question: Does she really surrender every piece of her life to the Lord?

Drawing from her own heart-wrenching story of redemption, A Promise Kept is Robin Lee Hatcher's emotionally charged thanksgiving to a God who answers prayers---in His own time and His own ways.

 Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/sK3Ti

Meet the author: Robin is the author of 65+ novels and novellas. Her home is in Idaho, where she spends her time writing stories of faith, courage, and love; pondering the things of God; and loving her family and friends.

Learn more about Robin at: http://www.robinleehatcher.com








My Review:
This was my first book to read by Robin Lee Hatcher.  I thought the writing was fabulous.  Her story drew me in, captured my attention and made me love her characters.  I could feel the anguish and turmoil that the main character, Allison, was facing as she tried to trust what she thought God wanted her to do.  The inclusion of Allison's great aunt's story, Aunt Emma, was fun to read and a great addition to the main story.  This story is a great reminder that God doesn't work according to our timetable and that His ways are far above ours.

Something interesting about this story is that it is actually inspired by the author's own story.  Robin was married to an alcoholic.  She and her husband ended up separating and then finally got divorced.  Five years later, God did something wonderful and brought them back together.
So, if you're looking for a good book, pick this one up.  You won't be disappointed!  If you'd like to read other reviews of this book, head over here and join in the blog tour for A Promise Kept.


Don't miss Robin Lee Hatcher's stunning new novel, A Promise Kept. Robin is celebrating with a fun giveaway and an encouraging Facebook Author Chat Party.

 One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• A Promise Kept by Robin Lee Hatcher

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on February 6th. Winner will be announced at the "A Promise Kept" Facebook Author Chat Party on the 6th. Connect with Robin and friends for an evening of encouraging book chat, prizes, and an exclusive look at Robin's next book!

So grab your copy of A Promise Kept and join Robin on the evening of February 6th 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 clicking JOIN at the event page. Spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway and party via FACEBOOK or TWITTER. Hope to see you on 2/6!

***I received this book free from Litfuse Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

The Headmistress of Rosemere “School” Your Desk Kindle Fire Giveaway and Facebook Party!

Don't miss Sarah Ladd's latest Regency novel, The Headmistress of Rosemere. She is celebrating the release of book two in her Whispers on the Moors series with a fun "School" Your Desk Kindle Fire Giveaway and an Author Chat Facebook Party!  Read below to find out more about this wonderful book and how to enter her fabulous contest!

About the book: Patience Creighton has dedicated herself to the Rosemere School for Young Ladies. But the return of the enigmatic master of the estate puts everything she loves at risk.

Bright, sensible Patience knows what is expected of her. At twenty-five, her opportunity for a family of her own has passed, so she invests herself in teaching at her father's school for girls. When her father dies suddenly and her brother moves away to London, she is determined to make the school successful.

Confirmed bachelor William Sterling also knows what is expected of him, but mistake after mistake has left him teetering on ruin's edge. As master of Eastmore Hall he owns a great deal of property --- including the land where Rosemere School is located --- but possesses little money to manage its upkeep. When debtors start calling, he is desperate to find a new source of income, even if it means sacrificing Rosemere.

When a fire threatens the school grounds, William must decide to what lengths he is willing to go to protect his birthright. And when Patience's brother returns with a new wife to take over management of the school, Patience suddenly finds herself unsure of her calling. After a surprising truth about William's past is brought to light, both William and Patience will have to seek God's plans for their lives-and their hearts.

My Thoughts:
The Headmistress of Rosemere is the second book in Sarah E. Ladd's Whispers on the Moors series.  I loved how this story grabbed my attention right from the beginning.  Who is the mysterious young William Sterling who seems to have gotten himself in a huge mess?  And then there is the sweet Patience Creighton doing everything she can to keep the family business alive.  I can't imagine being considered a spinster at the age of 25 especially since I didn't get married until I was 26 yrs.  The author does a great job at helping the reader build a connection with the characters in her novel along with writing a riveting plot that will keep you reading to the end.  If you're looking for a fun new series to read, pick up Sarah E. Ladd's Whispers on the Moors!

To read others thoughts on this book, head over to the blog tour by clicking here.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/sgVC4

 
About the author: Sarah E. Ladd has more than ten years of marketing experience. She is a graduate of Ball State University and holds degrees in public relations and marketing. The Heiress of Winterwood was the recipient of the 2011 Genesis Award for historical romance. Sarah lives in Indiana with her amazing husband, sweet daughter, and spunky Golden Retriever.

Learn more about Sarah at: http://sarahladd.com




Contest Info:

Between January 17–28, visit Sarah Ladd's Facebook Page to enter to win a new giveaway each day and be entered to win a Kindle Fire grand prize. Winners will be announced at the Facebook Author Chat party on January 28th! (Don't have a Facebook account? Enter here.)

RSVP today for Sarah's The Headmistress of Rosemere Author Chat Party on Facebook. During the party Sarah will be hosting a book chat, testing your Regency trivia skills, announcing the winner of the "School" Your Desk Giveaway, and giving away books, gift certificates, and more. Oh, and she'll also be giving partygoers an exclusive look at the next book in the Whispers on the Moors series!

So grab your copy of The Headmistress of Rosemere and hope to see you on the evening of January 28th! (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. HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THE 28th!

 

***I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Dare to Love Again (Book 2) by Julie Lessman

Julie Lessman has another great series out called The Heart of San Francisco.  Dare to Love Again is the second book in this fun series.

Back Cover:
"She's a sassy socialite burned by love.  He's a jaded cop burned by the upper class.  When sparks fly...will love catch fire again?
Spunky Allison McClare is determined to be a fearless, independent woman.  But when she takes a notion to explore the wild Barbary Coast, she quickly discovers she's not match for the unsavory characters that haunt the dark streets.
Detective Nick Barone would rather do almost anything than teach this petite socialite self-defense, but it seems he has little choice.  Sparks fly every time the two meet until a grudging friendship develops into something deeper.  But is he just a fraud like all the rest of the men Allison's cared for?  Or is he the one who will let her dare to love again?
Award-winning author Julie Lessman brings the glamour of Gilded Age San Francisco to vibrant life in this journey to find a love that never fails."

My Thoughts:
This was the first time I've had the privilege of reading a novel by Julie Lessman.  I have thoroughly enjoyed this story.  It is clearly apparent that this series does need to be read in order since many of the things that happened in book 1 (Love at Any Cost) are referred to in this book.  Julie brings a fun humor to her story with the banter that goes on between Allison and Nick.  I loved the fun dialogue and her writing kind of reminded me of Jen Turano's style in A Talent for Trouble.  I would highly recommend this series for anyone looking for some fun reading.  The story line is great and enjoyable!  I'm looking forward to reading many more novels from Julie Lessman.


About the Author:
 Julie Lessman is an award-winning author of The Daughters of Boston and Winds of Change series and was ACFW's 2009 Debut Author of the Year.  Voted #1 Romance Author of the year in Family Fiction magazine's 2012 and 2011 Readers Choice Awards, Julie was also on Booklist's 2010 Top 10 Inspirational Fiction list and is the recipient of fifteen RWA awards. 
Head over to Julie's website and check out her other books!

***I received this book free from Revell in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

The Big Book of Laugh-Out-Loud Jokes for Kids by Rob Elliott

Do you have a little jokester in your house?  Here is a great book to help them add to their joke collection.  The Big Book of Laugh-Out-Loud Jokes for Kids is a 3-in-1 collection by Rob Elliott.  The three books included are Laugh-Out-Loud Jokes for Kids, Zoolarious Animals Jokes for Kids, and Knock-Knock Jokes for Kids.  This book is for kids ages 6-12 years old.

This joke book is a good, clean, fun resource for kids!  My daughter is always telling knock-knock jokes.  Of course, if she gets you to laugh, you can bet she will be telling the same one over and over for a while. I am looking forward to giving this book to her for Valentine's Day.  It'll help expand her repertoire of jokes.  It's always fun hearing little ones trying to be funny.  I love hearing my daughter laugh!

Here are just a few examples of the jokes in this book:

Q: Why did the invisible man turn down a job offer?
A: He just couldn't see himself doing it.

Q: What do you get if you mix a rabbit and a snake?
A: A jump rope.

Knock knock.
Who's there?
Cook.
Cook who?
Are you as crazy as you sound?

If you are looking for a fun joke book, pick this one up for your kids.  They'll think they are the funniest people around.

***I received this book for free from Revell in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

The Redcoats Are Coming! (AIO Imagination Station Books) Book #13

 I love the Imagination Station books!  In these adventurous books, cousins Patrick and Beth travel through time meeting a lot of great people from history.  Their adventures usually encounter some mystery to solve and are often trying to get out of a sticky situation.  The latest adventure takes the cousins back to 1775 to meet Paul Revere.  This is the first of a three book set about the American Revolution.

Back of the Book Description:
"If they capture you, they can hand you for treason," Paul Revere said.  Join the cousins Patrick and Beth on a patriotic adventure set in 1775, Concord, Massachusetts.  They have a simple mission: to deliver a letter to Paul Revere.  They arrive just in time to meet founding fathers John Hancock and Samuel Adams.  They also meet a teen girl name Sybil.  She's collecting musket balls for the Patriots and is on the lookout for Loyalist spies.  But where is Paul Revere?  When the letter goes mysteriously missing, all seems lost.  Patrick and Beth try to get it back, only to be accused as spies!  Will they be able to convince Paul Revere they're on the side of freedom?  Or will the real spies win out and crush the Revolution before it begins?
The key to adventure lies within your imagination!


My Thoughts:
The author has again done a great job to get kids interested in American history.  I love that the story goes back in time and brings history to life!  The story line is great and will capture the attention of your kids.  Patrick and Beth seem to end up right in the middle of things and that is no exception with this story.  I love the mystery of the missing letter.  A good mystery is always great!  These books are just great reading for kids.  You can rest assured that they will not only teach them about history, but will include a good moral lesson as well.  If you're looking for a great series to start with your child who is age 7 and up, consider picking up this series.

Look for the next book in this 3 part series called Captured on the High Seas.  You can find out more about The Imagination Station books by clicking here.

***I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for a honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Everyday Confetti: Your Year-Round Guide to Celebrating Holidays and Special Occasions by Karen Ehman and Glynnis Whitwer

Who has the time to come up with great ideas for every celebration we have during the year....especially with little ones begging for our attention every moment of the day!  This new book by Karen Ehman and Glynnis Whitewer is a life saver and will help you put those fun little touches on life events that will make them memorable.

 

Back of the Book Description:

When a busy woman looks at her calendar and sees a birthday, holiday, or special occasion, she has the best intentions for bringing joy to her family and creating lasting memories. Then reality hits. Amidst demanding responsibilities and an overloaded schedule, when is she ever going to have time to plan the perfect celebration or find the creativity to make it special?

In this go-to guide, Karen Ehman and Glynnis Whitwer give women the ideas and the motivation they need to make such occasions less daunting. They provide creative ideas and menu plans for
· Holidays
· Birthdays
· Special Events
· Everyday Occasions
Readers will even find suggestions for reaching out to others throughout the year through celebrations that are simple, doable, and stress-free.

My Thoughts:

I thought this book was great! If you're looking for a guide to help you plan for your holidays, then head to the store and pick this book up. It has some great ideas not only of what to do for the holidays, but also how to make everyday life events special too. Part I—covers Everyday Celebration and Part II—Holiday Celebrations. Each celebration has not only ways to celebrate the event, but also some great recipes to try. I thought this book would be a great asset to anyone's library and would make a fun gift!

***I received this book free from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Widow of Gettysburg by Jocelyn Green

Widow of Gettysburg is Jocelyn Green's second book in the Heroines Behind the Lines series.  This second book covers what happened in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania during the Civil War.

Back of the Book Description:
"The farm of Union Widow Liberty Holloway is confiscated by the enemy and converted into a Confederate field hospital, bringing Liberty face-to-face with unspeakable suffering.  While Liberty's future crumbles, the past comes rushing back to Bella, Liberty's hired help and a former slave.  Bella finds herself surrounded by Southern soldiers--and one reporter learns her secret.

In the wake of shattered homes and broken bodies, Liberty and Bella struggle to pick up the fragments the battle has left behind.  Will Liberty be defined by the tragedy in her life?  Or will she be able to trust God and the Confederate soldier who may not be who her seems?

Widow of Gettysburg is a work of fiction inspired by first-person accounts from the women who letters and journals offer a peek into the lives of women living in Gettysburg during the battle and its aftermath."

My Review:
I loved reading this book!!  The story helps you to really imagine what it was like and put yourself right into the story.  I loved reading the snippets included at the beginning of each new section from real women who lived through this horrendous period of our nation's history.  The author did a fabulous job bringing together the facts and weaving them into a story that can touch hearts.  The only issue I would have with this book is the mention of rape.  While I realize this is what really happened in history, I don't like the idea planted in my head.  Other than that, I really enjoyed reading all the history!  I would definitely recommend this book if you're looking for a great historical fiction book to read.

For more information about the author, Jocelyn Green, you can visit her website here.  She also has a website just for this series.  You can visit that here.

***I received this book free from Moody Publishers in exchange for a honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Wedded to War by Jocelyn Green

Wedded to War is Jocelyn Green's first book in her Heroines Behind the Lines series: Civil War.  This first book covers the beginning of the Civil War when women were called upon to be the first nurses.

Back of the Book Description:
"When war erupted, she traded a life of privilege for a life of significance.  Tending the Union army's sick and wounded meant leaving the man Charlotte Waverly's mother approved of, Phineas Hastings.  Charlotte chose a life of service over privilege--just as her childhood friend Caleb Lansing had when he became a military doctor.  By working in the army hospitals, Charlotte discovers she' combatting more than just the rebellion.  Would the two men who love her be able to stand by and watch as she fights her own battles at home, in the hospitals, and on the battlefield?  Or would their desire for her wage war on her desire to serve God?

Though Wedded to War is a work of fiction, the story is inspired by one Civil War nurse, Georgeanna Woolsey, whose letters and journals, written over 150 years ago offer a thorough look of what pioneering women nurses endured.  This is the first novel in the series Heroines Behind the Lines: Civil War, offering an inside look at women's contributions during times of war."

My Thoughts:
This book brings the Civil War to life.  I learned many things that I didn't know concerning our American history.  I love that the story is inspired by a real, live person, Georgeanna Woosley.  Jocelyn Green did a great job helping the reader to connect with the characters.  They are believable and inspiring.  Jocelyn includes information at the beginning of the book on the Sanitary Commission, who is the forerunner of the American Red Cross.  She also includes much more history at the conclusion of the book too.  The research for this book really shows!  One thing that I really didn't care for was the rape that happened in the story.  I really don't care to read about that despicable act.  Other than that, the story was enlightening concerning all that women had to endure to become seen as competent nurses.

For more information about the author, Jocelyn Green, you can visit her website here.  She also has a website just for this series.  You can visit that here.

***I received this free book from Moody Publishers in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

99 Stories from the Bible by Juliet David and Illustrated by Elina Ellis

Candle Books has published a beautiful hardback picture Bible for kids ages 5-7 years old.  There are 53 stories from the Old Testament and 46 from the New Testament.  The art is beautiful and so full of color.  The pictures actually look like paintings.  I know my kids are just going to love this book!  The stories are short and written on a 5-7 year old's level.  This book is a great collection of Bible stories and would make a wonderful gift for a child.

This same author also did the Bumper Wipe Clean Activities book and Bible Stories Painting Book.  Her products are great!  My daughter has loved all the activity books.


***I received this book free from Kregel Publications in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.