"Ransome's Crossing" by Kaye Dacus

Ransome's Crossing by Kaye Dacus is book two in the Ransome Trilogy. Book one is Ransome's Honor and you can read my review of that one here.

Yes, you could certainly read Ransome's Crossing withouth having read book one, but why would you want to? This is a fabulous series and you will want to read both books for the full enjoyment of this beautifully written series.

This book takes place in 1814 in England. We get to visit with familiar characters from the previous book as we watch the story of the Ransome family unfold. And in this story we also get some high seas adventure as well. There is great action and adventure, and gripping suspense. The characters will steal your heart. And you won't be able to put this book down once you start! There is a lot about this incredible story that I would love to tell you, but I never give away plot details. It ruins the fun of reading, in my opinion. You need to get this one and read it for yourself! It is definitely worth it!

I am a fan of Kaye's writing and I encourage you to check out her website (http://www.kayedacus.com/) if you are not familiar with her. She's a fabulous writer and I enjoy following her blog. She writes both contemporary and historical fiction.

I very highly recommend this book to anyone. The writing is eloquent, the story is suspenseful, the characters are heart warming, and there is a beautiful message of God's love and redemption woven through this entire story. I absolutely cannot wait for book three! Ransome's Quest is due out in July 2011 and I just might burst before with anticipation before then!


Book Summary:

Set in the early 1800s, this captivating, romantic second book of the Ransome Trilogy from author Kaye Dacus unfolds with the grace, power, and excitement of an ocean storm.


Charlotte Ransome, desperate to reach Jamaica to see her secret fiancé, disguises herself as a midshipman for a convoy led by her brother, Captain William Ransome. Meanwhile, William and his new bride, Julia, face the rough swells of the sea and of marriage as they try to adjust to life together.

When yellow fever befalls Charlotte and her identity is discovered, she begs first officer, Ned Cochran, and Julia to keep her presence and illness from her brother. But could this secret create insurmountable waves between Julia and William? And will Ned’s tender care of Charlotte change the tide of her affections forever?

This smart, engaging tale is about holding on to faith during the journey to love and be loved.



Read the first chapter here.

Watch the video trailer here.

Buy this book here.


Author Bio:

Kaye Dacus, author of Ransome’s Honor has a BA in English, with a minor in history, and an MA in writing popular fiction. Her love of the Regency era started with Jane Austen. Her passion for literature and for history come together to shape her creative, well-researched, and engaging writing.



Visit Kaye's website at http://www.kayedacus.com/



This book was provided for review by Harvest House Publishing.



Blessings,

"Demon: A Memoir" by Tosca Lee

I've been wanting to read Demon: A Memoir by Tosca Lee for quite some time. It is an incredible book that you have got to read for yourself to truly appreciate! I can't really do it justice but I will try.

This story is set in modern day and it's the story of a fallen angel, Lucian, who comes to a book company editor wanting his story told. Lucian has lived what would be an eternity to us, and he is trying to explain and show his life story and everything he has seen to a mere mortal human. And, that human is trying to deal with the fact that he's being visited by a demon!

This book is a very powerful telling of the Gospel and it tackles some misconceptions that society has about Biblical truths. It's touching, it's compelling, at times it's convicting and it's extremely thought-provoking. The writing is beautiful and the descriptions are so vivid and it felt so real. I got so engrossed in this book that the hours flew and I couldn't put it down until I knew how it was all going to end.

Tosca Lee is a very gifted writer and I was already a fan. If you haven't read any of her books, I strongly encourage you to check out her bio below and visit her website. She's amazing and she's the real deal.

I very highly recommend this book to anyone! It's a must read for Christians and I think it would be a great book to share with someone who isn't a believer! It's suspenseful and powerfully moving. If you are tired of "fluffy" Christian reads that don't have a lot of "meat" then I would challenge you to read this book! It also has characters that will captivate you and draw you in emotionally. It's an all around fabulous book that will keep you thinking long after you've closed the book!


Book Summary:

“One day . . . I realized that being angelic and fallen was very similar to being human and fallen—except for one major difference: the provision of a messiah. I immediately wondered what it must feel like to be unquestionably damned—and worse, to watch humans luxuriate in and take for granted the grace made available to them from a doting God. And I thought: Why wouldn’t a fallen angelic creation resent a human recipient of God’s grace? And why wouldn’t a demon want to prove that creature unworthy again and again as a result? Now I knew what it must feel like to be an angelic outsider looking in with jealous eyes and . . . through this new lens Demon: A Memoir was born.” —Tosca Lee


Read out the book and also view a preview here.

Buy the book here.



Author Bio:

Tosca Lee is author of the critically acclaimed and extensively-awarded novels Demon: A Memoir and Havah: The Story of Eve. A sought-after speaker and former Mrs. Nebraska, she continues to work for local charities and as a senior consultant for a global consulting firm. Tosca holds a degree in English and International Relations from Smith College and also studied at Oxford University. She enjoys travel, cooking, history, and theology, and lives in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Visit Tosca's website at http://www.toscalee.com/





This book was provided for review by B&H Publishing.



Blessings,

A Celebration & Giveaway!

In celebration of 100 FOLLOWERS for my blog, I am giving away a copy of A Shore Thing by Julie Carobini. It's a fantastic beach read that's perfect for this time of year!

Please take a moment and check out my full review here.

Now, if you would like to enter the drawing, here's how you enter.

1. First entry - just leave a comment to THIS post along with your email address. You must leave an email address so I can contact you.

2. Second bonus entry - become a follower to this blog and leave a 2nd comment telling me you're a follower. (If you're already a follower then go ahead and leave a 2nd entry telling me that you are.)

I hope everyone is having a great summer! Happy Reading!

*Oops. Forgot to set a date. I'll leave comments open through 8/6 and I'll announce a winner on 8/7*

You can view my contest rules here. US entries only, please.


This book was provided by B&H Publishing.

Blessings,

"The Fence My Father Built" by Linda S. Clare

The Fence My Father Built by Linda S. Clare is an amazing book! I had heard so many good things about it and finally got a chance to read it and I was just blown away.

The story and the characters hooked me from the very first page and kept me turning the pages way too late into the night because I could not put it down. The vivid descriptions of this beautiful place in remote Oregon made me feel as if I were there. I can picture it as if I've been there. The story grabbed me by the heart. I laughed and I cried and I did not want it to end!

It's a beautiful and heart warming story of a woman named Muri, searching for her roots and she finds so much more than she bargained for. She's a newly divorced single mom with two kids and I could totally relate. Her oldest is a rebellious teen and boy could I relate! My heart went out to Muri and I was pulling for her the whole way through.

I very highly recommend this book to anyone! It's a fabulous story that is beautifully written. And the story and the characters will be on your heart and mind long after you've closed the book. It's a wonderful story of God's love, forgiveness and healing. The characters are so real that I feel as if they are people that I know. It's a story I won't soon forget and one that I didn't want to end!


Book Summary:

In The Fence My Father Built, when legally separated Muri Pond, a librarian, hauls her kids, teenage Nova and eleven year-old Truman, out to the tiny town of Murkee, Oregon, where her father, Joe Pond lived and died, she’s confronted by a neighbor’s harassment over water rights and Joe’s legacy: a fence made from old oven doors.

The fence and accompanying house trailer horrify rebellious Nova, who runs away to the drug-infested streets of Seattle. Muri searches for her daughter and for something to believe in, all the while trying to save her inheritance from the conniving neighbor who calls her dad Chief Joseph. Along with Joe’s sister, Aunt Lutie, and the Red Rock Tabernacle Ladies, Muri must rediscover the faith her alcoholic dad never abandoned in order to reclaim her own spiritual path. 

Watch the video trailer here.

Read the first chapter here.

Buy this book here.

Author Bio:

Linda S. Clare is the coauthor of three nonfiction books. The Fence My Father Built is her debut novel. In addition to writing books, she also is an award-winning author of short stories and essays. Linda teaches college-level classes and mentors writers. The parents of four adult children, she and her husband Brad live in Eugene, Oregon.

This book was provided for review by Christian Review of Books.


Blessings,

Revell Blog Tour for "So Over It" by Stephanie Morrill

So Over It is book 3 in Stephanie Morrill's teen fiction series: The Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt. It's a fabulous series for teens but you don't have to be a teenager to love it! I know that their is a golden rule about three books in a series but I'm not ready to say good-bye to Skylar! I want more!

If you haven't read them, book one is: Me, Just Different and book two is Out With the In Crowd. You could certainly read So Over It without having read the first two books and I know you would enjoy it. But I really recommend this whole series. It's just a great series, and like I said, it's perfect for teen girls if you have a teen in your life, but you don't have to be a teen to enjoy this book.

Skylar Hoyt is the main character of this series. In this book she has just graduated High School and trying to decide what to do with her life. She has some heavy issues from her past that are weighing on her and she's not sure she can get over it and get past it. I absolutely adore Skylar. She's not perfect and maybe that's part of what I like about her. I can see some of my own faults in her. She's easy to relate to and easy to care about. I was rooting for her every step of the way and when this book ended I only wanted more!

I very highly recommend this book to anyone. It's targeted to teen girls and would be perfect if you have a daughter or teenage girl in your life. But, don't think you have to be a teen to enjoy this book or the series! I loved it! And I really don't want to say good-bye to Skylar! I love Stephanie's writing. She brings everything to life and makes you feel as if you're right there in the middle of the story! Skylar lives in Kansas City and I grew up in Missouri and have a lot of family in KC and I spent a lot of time there. It's always fun when a story takes place somewhere that you're familiar with! I look forward to seeing what Stephanie Morrill will be working on next!


Book Summary:

How can Skylar stay true to herself without losing the ones she loves most?


Senior year is over and Skylar Hoyt is ready to forgive and forget. Or at least forget. She wants a fresh start where people don't know about her past or her dysfunctional family. A place where she won't run into her ex-boyfriend every time she leaves the house. When she gets the opportunity to spend the summer in Hawaii with her grandparents, Skylar jumps at the chance to get out of town. But will she truly be able to leave her old life behind? And will she be strong enough to rise above the gossip and live the life God wants?


Available July 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
Read an excerpt here.


Buy this book here.


Author Bio:

Stephanie Morrill is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and the Teen Lit writers' group. Morrill is the author of Me, Just Different and Out with the In Crowd, and she also serves in youth ministry. She lives in Kansas with her husband and young daughter.



Visit Stephanie's website here.





This book was provided for review by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.



Blessings,

Revell Blog Tour & GIVEAWAY for "The Seeker" by Ann H. Gabhart

*Please read to the bottom of this post for instructions on how to enter to win a copy of this book.*


The Seeker by Ann H. Gabhart is a beautiful story. It is the first book I have read by this author and I really did not know much about the Shakers before reading this book.

This story is set in Kentucky in 1861. I really enjoy it when a historical novel includes some real history and this book is rich with American history! I also really enjoy stories set in the Civil War era and this is a great one. And we have a fabulous Southern belle character to top it all off.

As I said, I had heard of the Shakers but can't say that I really knew what it was all about until reading this book. Of course they were a religious community but a very unique one. I enjoyed learning more about this group. Reading stories set during the Civil War always reminds me the horrible division it caused even within families and communities, and the devastation that was left afterward. The writing and the story made me feel as if I were there experiencing it myself. And we get a look inside the Shaker community and what it was like as well.

I loved the story's main character, Charlotte. She grew up in an important family in society and also politically. She is a very compassionate young woman and she puts people first, which isn't always the way a woman of her standing is expected to act.

I highly recommend this book. It's not a fast-paced action thriller. It's one to sit back and relax and enjoy. You will be hooked because you're going to want to know how everything turns out and want to know what's going to happen to these people. It is very interesting to look into this Shaker community but even more interesting to look at it against the backdrop of the Civil War that was going on all around them. This is a beautiful story that is wonderfully written and rich with real history. It is a wonderful read and I look forward to reading more books by this great author.



Book sumary:

When well-laid plans go awry, can she still make her dreams come true?


Charlotte Vance is a young woman who knows what she wants. But when the man she planned to marry joins the Shakers—a religious group that does not allow marriage—she is left dumbfounded. And when her father brings home a new wife who is young enough to be Charlotte's sister, it is more than she can bear. With the country—and her own household—on the brink of civil war, this pampered gentlewoman hatches a plan to avoid her new stepmother and win back her man by joining the Shaker community at Harmony Hill. Little does she know that this decision will lead her down a road of unforeseen consequences.

Ann H. Gabhart brings alive the strikingly different worlds of the Southern gentry, the simple Shakers, and the ravages of war in 1860s Kentucky to weave a touching story of love, freedom, and forgiveness.


Read an excerpt here.

Buy this book here.


Author Bio:

Ann H. Gabhart is the bestselling author of several novels, including The Outsider, The Believer, and The Seeker. Her latest novel was inspired in part by the many stories her mother and two aunts told her of growing up in small town Kentucky during the 1930s. She lives with her husband a mile from where she was born in Kentucky.

Visit Ann's website here.





**If you would like to enter to win a copy of this book, I am offering to give away my copy. It has been gently read once. Just leave a comment with your email address to enter. You must leave an email address to be entered. For a second entry, please become a follower of my blog and then leave a second comment telling me you have become a follower. If you are already a follower then just leave a second comment telling me that. US entries only, please. You can read my contest rules here. I will leave comments open through 7/31 and will announce a winner on 8/1.**




This book was provided for review by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Blessings,

"Deceit" by Brandilyn Collins

Deceit by Brandilyn Collins is an excellent suspense thriller! It's packed full of heart-pounding suspense that will grab you from the start and keep you hanging on edge until the very end. The story has plenty of surprising twists and turns to keep you guessing and trying to figure it all out.

This story is set in modern day in California. The main character, Joanne, is smart and strong and she's used to danger because of her occupation. But this time it's not her job that has put her life in danger and solving this mystery could cost her everything. I really liked Joanne and was holding my breath at times hoping she would make it through this ordeal she had found herself in.

I very highly recommend this book. If you enjoy suspense, then you'll love this one. The writing is wonderful and the story pulls you in from the start and once you've started you won't be able to put it down until the very end. There are some surprising twists that make it more interesting. I love when a suspenseful story line takes a twist that I didn't see coming! If you're familiar with Brandilyn Collins already then you know how great her suspense is. I thoroughly enjoyed this one! And I look forward to more great thrillers from this wonderful author!


Book Summary:


Sometimes the truth hides where no one expects to find it. Joanne Weeks knows Baxter Jackson killed Linda—his second wife and Joanne’s best friend—six years ago. But Baxter, a church elder and beloved member of the town, walks the streets a free man. The police tell Joanne to leave well enough alone, but she is determined to bring him down. Using her skills as a professional skip tracer, she sets out to locate the only person who may be able to put Baxter behind bars. Melissa Harkoff was a traumatized sixteen-year-old foster child in the Jackson household when Linda disappeared. At the time Melissa claimed to know nothing of Linda's whereabouts—but was she lying?

In relentless style, Deceit careens between Joanne's pursuit of the truth— which puts her own life in danger—and the events of six years' past, when Melissa came to live with the Jacksons. What really happened in that household? Beneath the veneer of perfection lies a story of shakeable faith, choices, and the lure of deceit.

Read an excerpt here.

Buy this book here.


Author Bio:

Brandilyn Collins, known for her trademark Seatbelt Suspense™, is the bestselling author of Violet Dawn, Coral Moon, Crimson Eve, Eyes of Elisha, and other novels. She and her family divide their time between the California Bay Area and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Visit her website at www.brandilyncollins.com and her blog at www.forensicsandfaith.blogspot.com

This book was provided for review by Zondervan Publishing.


Blessings,