Friday, February 1, 2013

Miriam's Quilt By Jennifer Beckstrand


Miriam Bontrager has loved Ephraim for as long as she can remember. But when scandal rocks Miriam’s family, Ephraim decides that she is not worthy of him. Heartbroken, Miriam vows to never again trust anyone with her affections. But will she surrender her heart when a man of simple faith and gentle ways shows her how to love again?

Seth Lambright has always found Miriam Bontrager pretty, but she’s also too stuck-up to pay him any notice. That is, until she comes to his stable after Ephraim’s devastating rejection. Spending time with Seth’s horses gives Miriam comfort and helps her mend, but her presence nudges Seth dangerously close falling in love. Unable to ignore the way she tugs at his heart, will he risk everything to show her that there is more to love than the pain of bitter memories?
 
You must pick up a copy


I grew up with a steady diet of William Shakespeare and Jane Austen. After all that literary immersion, I naturally decided to get a degree in mathematics, which came in handy when one of my six children needed help with homework.

After my fourth daughter was born, I started writing. By juggling diaper changes, soccer games, music lessons, laundry, and two more children, I finished my first manuscript--a Western--in just under fourteen years. (Because all my children have finally entered the public school system, and I can now write a book in significantly less time.) I sent my manuscript to an agent, who asked me to try my hand at writing Amish fiction. After much research and travel, I fell in love with the people and the genre.

My goal is to write uplifting, inspiring stories with happy endings and hopeful messages. If my books make readers want to give themselves a big hug or jump up and down for joy, I've done my job.

I am a member of Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers and am represented by Mary Sue Seymour of The Seymour Agency.

There are three Amish romances in the Forever After in Apple Lake Series (Summer side/Guideposts). Kate's Song and Rebecca's Rose are now available. Miriam's Quilt is scheduled for release in spring of 2013. Kate's Song was the #1 Romantic Religious Fiction download in the Free Kindle Store, and Rebecca's Rose is currently in the top 100 Religious Fiction books on Amazon.com.
 


Kate's Song was my favorite book by Jennifer, Wait here it comes until I read Miriam's Quilt.
Ladies you are about to meet the perfect God fearing man that we all want to fall in love with, in this book.
I would love to really meet a man like Seth in real life. Seth is a character that you will never forget he is so forgiving and caring.
I never put this book down once I opened it up and started reading it.
Let me tell you if you have NOT read the Forever in Apple Lake series you need to go pick up all three books, and turn off your phone and get off Facebook and enjoy these books this weekend.
I give Miriam's Quilt 5 stars two times.
I was given a copy of this book by the author. THANK YOU SO MUCH Jennifer

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Goodbye to Yesterday By Wanda Brunstetter


Join Meredith and Luke Stoltzfus, an Amish couple who are faced with the greatest challenge of their young lives. Financial struggles. Arguments. A confirmed pregnancy. A last-minute trip to South Bend, Indiana. A drug addict on the run. A deadly encounter at a Philadelphia bus station. Will their love and faith be enough to bring them back together again, against all odds? 
 
Book 1 of the 6-part serial novel--The Discovery-A Lancaster County Saga.
 
You must pick up your copy here


New York Times bestselling author, Wanda E. Brunstetter became fascinated with the Amish way of life when she first visited her husband's Mennonite relatives living in Pennsylvania. Wanda and her husband, Richard, live in Washington State but take every opportunity to visit Amish settlements throughout the States, where they have several Amish friends.

 Well this is something new a small 8 chapter book. Book one left me hanging begging for more.
Wanda is the first  New York Time Bestselling author to sell one full book in six small books. I hate that I have to wait a month to find out what is going to happen next.
I loved this story but it was a very fast read. I need more!
Wanda is one of the queens of Amish fiction and she knows how to write a terrific story.
5 stars times two.
I was given a copy of this book by the author.
I highly recommend this book, but I must warn you. you are left hanging.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Threads of Grace By Kelly Long



Grace's autistic son needs a life that is safe and consistent. Seth wants to leave his flirting days behind him and settle down.
Deep in the heart of the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania, the beautiful and weary Amish widow, Grace Beiler, is not looking for a husband—especially one so much younger than her. But handsome and smitten Seth Wyse stumbles upon a way to help her and they marry to keep Grace’s autistic son safe from his ill-intentioned uncle.
Grace soon discovers that she is far from immune to her young husband’s experienced charm and realizes that her first marriage has not destroyed her capacity for love.
Seth Wyse seeks counsel from his older brother, Jacob, when playing the game of pursuing his wife becomes more dangerous to both his heart and life than he ever imagined.
Yet God can give Grace and Seth a passion for family and each other that teaches them the ways of the Master Quilter through the tangled and tender threads of their lives.
 
Pick up your copy here


Kelly Long is the author of the Patch of Heaven series and the historical Amish Arms of Love. She was born and raised in the mountains of Northern Pennsylvania. She’s been married for twenty-six years and enjoys life with her husband, children, and Bichon.

Are you ready to read about a portrait of Grace?
This book is threads of Grace that bind us all together,
 I have to say that Sarah's Garden was my favorite book by Kelly. A Patch of Heaven series was good but I really like the first one a lot. Until I read Threads of Grace it is my new favorite.
Kelly pulled me in and I could not put the book down until I finished it.
Kelly has a way of placing the reader right there in the middle of the story.
The characters are so real to you, as you are reading the story.
I loved Abel, so much and I just wanted to hug him. I really think this will be your favorite book by Kelly after you start reading it.
I highly recommend this book!
I give this book 5 stars. You do not want to pass this book up.
 
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

A Mother's Promise By Anna Schmidt


After her husband’s sudden death, Mennonite Rachel Kaufman has promised her son, Justin, a fresh start. Will Florida be the balm to heal their gaping wounds? Dr. Ben Booker stopped trusting God when his niece became ill. Is Rachel just what the Great Physician ordered to restore Ben’s faith? As thirteen-year-old Justin struggles in his new environs, to what lengths will he go to reestablish a sense of control over his life? When a jealous coworker begins spreading malicious gossip, Rachel’s career is jeopardized. Is her faith enough to see her through?
 
You must pick up a copy of this book



Anna has three times been a finalist for the coveted RITA award for romance fiction and has twice before been recognized by Romantic Times magazine with their Reviewer's Choice Award.

CHECK OUT:
* Anna's website and contest at www.booksbyanna.com
* Anna's Blog at www.booksbyanna.wordpress.com


MORE ABOUT ANNA...
In addition she was named a Rising Star finalist and award winner in 2000, and in 2005 she tried her hand at screenwriting. That first screenplay made it all the way to the quarterfinals of the coveted Don & Gee Nicholl Screenwriting Competition sponsored by the Academy of Arts and Sciences. (Yep, those are the folks who hand out those little gold statues called Oscar every year!) "My father ran a movie theater when I was growing up and my masters degree is in theater arts. When I write, I do tend to think in terms of my characters being 'onstage' - for me it's as much a visual process as a cerebral one."

Critics have called Anna 'a natural writer, spinning tales reminiscent of old favorites like Miracle on 34th Street.' Her characters have been called 'realistic' and 'endearing' and one reviewer raved, "I love Anna Schmidt's style of writing!"

Having survived her own battle with uterine cancer and discovered wellsprings of compassion and caring she never knew she possessed when family members and friends faced their own health challenges, Anna often draws on the questions she has faced in her own life in creating her characters. Readers regularly write to Anna to let her know that a character's story touched them on such a personal level that it was as if Anna understood what they were going through in their own lives.

"But you can't come up with believable stories if you have no life beyond writing," Anna admits. She likes to dabble in crafts - weaving, creating handmade books and notecards, and a little knitting. "We are talking straight knitting - row after row of beautiful yarn is very very soothing for me!" The rows of straight therapeutic knitting do eventually have a purpose -- Anna makes them into prayer shawls for hospice patients.

In addition she loves gardening and she's hauled enough seashells home from the Florida beaches that somewhere in the future, archeologists may believe there must have once been an ocean in Wisconsin! (Click here to learn how you can receive one of Anna's handmade bookmarks.)

One of Anna's favorite pastimes is the chance to hear from and stay in touch with her readers.


I have to say I LOVED this book. Anna is one of the top authors that writes about the Mennonites. She really writes with truth and heart. She makes the plain people part of your life.
I can tell you when open up this book you will not be able to put it down!
I loved all three of the Women of Pinecraft series books. I can not wait to read Anna's next book.
I Highly recommend this book. I give this book 4 stars.
 
I was given this book as a gift.
 

Monday, January 28, 2013

Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To By Anthony Destefano



There have been thousands of books written about prayer and millions of sermons preached about it, yet people continue to wonder: Why doesn’t God answer me when I cry out to him? In light of all the problems we face in life, we want to know why God is often so “silent” when we pray to him. Anthony DeStefano, author of the bestselling A Travel Guide to Heaven, knew there had to be an answer to this mystery, so he set out on a quest to find prayers that God says yes to all the time. The result is an extraordinary new book that has the ability to dramatically change the lives of readers of all faiths.
Each short, powerful prayer in Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To addresses a particular problem people commonly face in life—from accepting the existence of God to trying to make ends meet; from getting through terrible suffering to coping with everyday stress; from overcoming fear to finding your God-given destiny. Presented with a certainty and vigor that are sure to pique the interest of even those who are not spiritually inclined, these prayers will help readers find solutions to life’s most difficult situations and provide meaningful and inspiring answers to the vexing questions we have about the purpose of our time on earth.
In a world awash with superficial self-help books and deceptive gimmicks, Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To is the real thing. Using hundreds of scriptural references to support his claims, DeStefano writes in a simple, straightforward, and uplifting manner that makes the most profound theological matters understandable to all. In the words of the author, “This is a spiritual treasure chest that is available to everyone….This book is about prayers that work—really, truly work.”
 
PICK UP YOUR COPY TODAY



Anthony DeStefano is the bestselling author of "A Travel Guide to Heaven," "Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To," "Angels All Around Us," and the children's books, "This Little Prayer of Mine," "Little Star," "The Donkey that No One Could Ride," and gift book, "I Just Can't Take it Anymore." He has received many prestigious awards from religious organizations worldwide for his efforts to advance Christian beliefs in modern culture. In 2013, two new children's books by DeStefano will be published: "A Travel Guide to Heaven- For Kids!" and "The Sheep that No One Could Find."

 
Well I don't know what to say. Anthony is my favorite Non-Fiction author, how is that?
I could not put this book down, when I had to get up and answer the phone or door, I could not wait to pick back up where i left off and read more.
I just want to shout to world you have to read this book. The world would be a much better place if every read this book that is for sure.
I highly recommend this read. You will love Anthony and the way he tells stories in this book. This was a life changing read for me.
I know God hears my prayers and I know that he is saying yes to them.
I gave this book 5 stars two times, It is a wonderful read.
 
I was given a copy of this book by the author. Thank you Anthony!



Sunday, January 27, 2013

Liberty Belle By Patricia Carroll GIVEAWAY!



Set in 1859 Denver, Liberty Belle is a story of finding freedom and forgiveness. A jilted bride, a wayward sheriff, a small boy, outlaws, and a gallows provide plenty of action, romance, and hope. Liberty Longstreet was left at the altar, but that wasn’t the worst of her day. She awakens to the fact that she needs to declare independence from her controlling mother. Wanting her freedom and to find a man of her choosing, Libby leaves home for faraway Denver. She just doesn't count on being robbed, falling for a wayward sheriff, or being accused of murder. Sheriff Wade Calder throws down his badge in a quest for revenge. Instead, he takes responsibility for his enemy’s young son. Wanting only to be free, Wade runs into Libby, and she wins what is left of his heart. Unfortunately, he has nothing to offer her until he picks up his badge. His honor is restored, but it may cost Libby her life. Together they learn the cost of freedom and the wealth of forgiveness.
 
Pick up your copy here


Patricia PacJac Carroll I am a writer, Christian first, and blessed beyond my imagination. I live in the Dallas-Ft Worth area in Texas with my wonderful treasure of a husband, my spoiled dog Jacs, my 91 yr old Father in law, and my awesome grown son, Josh. Did I say I was blessed? The PacJac is from my initials and my husbands. I wouldn't be able to write if it weren't for him.

I love adventure and the open road. The stories of the western era have always been a favorite of mine. I enjoy writing, and my goal is to write stories readers will enjoy.

Watch for my new book, Golden Dreams coming Soon.


 I found this book to have good characters. This author has an imagination and that sure does help with the story overall.
I did have some trouble with reading this book because it was not edited and I had to push my way through it.
With that being said I think that the next book will be good with some editing and a little bit of polishing.
 
I was given a copy of this book by the author


Saturday, January 26, 2013

Tender Touch By Tanya Stowe GIVEAWAY!



Lacy Butler is graced with the gift of healing. She can save
strangers—even those undeserving—yet fails to save her mother.
Rejecting her gift, God, and society, she's content to live alone high above the mining town of Harperville. But her solitude is shattered when Royce Darnell builds a water flume through the middle of her mountain. To protect her sanctuary, Lacy sabotages his efforts. Little does she expect Royce to track her through a blizzard and end up half frozen to death on her doorstep. She can heal him, but why should she
when he threatens to steal her peace...and her heart?

With the livelihood of the miners and their families depending on his project, Royce refuses to stop building, no matter how good the reason or how lovely the masked saboteur turns out to be. Besides, he's convinced God wants Lacy to use her gift for good and not to hole up in her cabin like a reticent recluse afraid of human contact. But first, she must learn to trust, and Lacy doesn't trust anyone, not Royce and especially not God. Soon Royce finds himself in a battle to save the two things he loves the most—Harperville and Lacy. Is his faith strong enough to save them both?

 
Pick up your copy here

Are you ready for a tender love story?
 This was my first book that I read by Tanya, and I really liked it.
You all know by now that I love a good love story, This was a great love story.
You will meet the best characters in this book. I still think about them from time to time.
I recommend this read. I want to thank Tanya for sharing it with me.
 
I was given a copy of this book by the author