Tag Archives: Bethany House

CFBA Tour Preview: Sixty Acres And A Bride by Regina Jennings

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This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Sixty Acres and a Bride
Bethany House (February 1, 2012)
by
Regina Jennings
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Word from Regina:

See me laughing. That’s what I do when someone calls me an author. Yes, it’s always been my dream, but I still can’t keep from giggling over it.

Other things I am – a Christ-follower, a wife, a homeschooling mother of four, a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University, and a voracious reader.

Getting reading time isn’t easy. Seems like my family does more than our share of traveling. My husband is an insurance adjuster (I know, save the hate mail) and travels with the catastrophe team often. That’s allowed us to see a lot of the United States. True many times it’s in the middle of a hurricane or blizzard, but after spending three weeks in a hotel room with six people, you’ll brave anything to get out and see the sights – no matter how damaged they might be.

We also serve on the Missions Team at an amazing church, so we break out the passports frequently. Highlights include singing at a leper colony in India, holding church inside a Mexican prison and showing the Jesus film to a tribe in Senegal who’d never heard the gospel.

But I don’t have to go far away for unusual. My family provides plenty of colorful material with their love for practical jokes, pithy observations and strong agricultural roots. Because of the family business, a significant chunk of my life has been spent at sale barns and auctions – often behind the scales where I weigh pigs. I like to think of myself as a “redneck bluestocking” but I brought an entire marketing team’s discussion to a screeching halt when I said those words, so you didn’t hear it from me.

When I have spare time I love to talk books and quirky characters (real and fictional).

ABOUT THE BOOK

With nothing to their names, young widow Rosa Garner and her mother-in-law return to Texas and the family ranch. Only now the county is demanding back taxes and the women have only three months to pay.

Though facing eviction, Rosa can’t keep herself from falling in love with the countryside and the wonderful extended family who want only her best. Learning the American customs is not easy, however, and this beautiful young widow can’t help but catch wandering eyes. Where some offer help with dangerous strings attached, only one man seems honorable. But when Weston Garner, still grieving his own lost love, is unprepared to give his heart, to what lengths will Rosa go to save her future?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Sixty Acres and a Bride, go HERE.

[Book Review] Hatteras Girl by Alice J. Wisler

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About the Book:
Jackie Donovan prays for two things: an honest, wonderful man to marry and to own a bed-and-breakfast on the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina. In the meantime, she works for Lighthouse Views, writing articles about local business owners, and intrepidly goes on the blind dates set up by her well-meaning but oh-so-clueless relatives. 

There’s one specific property Jackie dreams of purchasing: The Bailey House, a fabulous old home located right next to the ocean, a place where Jackie spent many happy childhood afternoons. But the Bailey House has strange stories and secrets surrounding it—not to mention its outrageous price tag. 

When Jackie meets handsome Davis Erickson, who holds the key to the Bailey property, she believes God has answered both her prayers. But as Jackie learns some disturbing details about Davis’s past, she begins to wonder if her heart has lead her astray. Will she risk her long-held dreams to find out the truth?

About the Author:
Alice J. Wisler is an author, public speaker, advocate, and fundraiser. She has been a guest on several radio and TV programs to promote her self-published cookbooks, Slices of Sunlight and Down the Cereal Aisle. She graduated  from Eastern Mennonite University and has traveled the country in jobs that minister to people. Alice was raised in Japan and currently resides in Durham, North Carolina. Visit www.alicewisler.com


My Review:
This book was UHmazing! That’s right. UHmazing! This book, Hatteras Girl, is the first book by this sweet and lovely lady (I got to meet her two weeks ago and she is just the sweetest!) and definitely NOT the last. This is a book that will be forever on my bookshelf AND in my heart. One thing that gripped me about this novel is, it’s plot is set in my home state here in North Carolina. All the places that she mentions in this book, are places that I have been to, live 15 minutes from or have friends who travel there quite often. It was VERY cool to read a novel and say, oh my gosh, that’s 15 minutes out the road! 


Another thing that pulled me into this story, is her characters. She created characters that are true to life. I could actually feel as if these lovely characters were really my friends that I talk to you everyday. Sweet Jackie just wanted to have her dreams come true. And Davis Erickson. Well, now. I really don’t want to get into my feelings for him (humpf!). :o ) And sweet little Zane. Poor boy has been through so much! (I’m seriously trying my hardest not to give this story away! I really am tempted to tell you all the things about this book that is wonderful!) But, my favorite character of all, is Buck. Thank you, Alice, for creating Buck’s character! He is just a guy that would make any woman smile :o )! 


Alice’s use of talking about drinks in Mason jars was really cool, too. I love to drink my sweet iced tea from a Mason jar (I think that’s in a country song?!) so this really is a southern, down home novel that really pulls the reader in and makes them feel warm and cozy. All the characters that Alice created made themselves at home in my heart to stay!

So, based on my review, what do you think my recommendation is?? TO READ THIS SWEET,AMAZING NOVEL!!! It’s most definitely a 5 star book, though, I would love to give it 5 million stars! Please, read this sweet, charming novel! Alice’s messages of loss, love, hope and God will stay with you forever and you will want to read it over and over, a thousand times. One thing is for sure: I can’t wait to go back and read Rain Song and How Sweet It Is (both on my book shelf and signed by this lovely author!)!!!


You can purchase your copy here. 


*This book was provided for review by  Bethany, A Division of Baker Publishing Group*

[CFBA Tour&Review] The Preacher’s Bride by Jody Hedlund

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This week, the
 
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
 
is introducing
 
The Preacher’s Bride
 
Bethany House; Original edition (October 1, 2010)
 
by
 
Jody Hedlund
 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  

Jody has written novels for the last 16 years (with a hiatus when her children were young. In May of 2009 she double-finaled in the Genesis contest, a national fiction-writing contest for unpublished writers, sponsored by American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW.Shortly after the final, Jody acquired an agent, Rachelle Gardner of Word Serve Literary. Her agent spent the summer of 2009 working on selling her books. In September of that year, Jody signed a three-book deal with Bethany House Publishers. Jody’s debut novel, The Preacher’s Bride, releases in Oct. 2010. Her next book will release in 2011 and a third in 2012.

ABOUT THE BOOK  

In 1650s England, a young Puritan maiden is on a mission to save the baby of her newly widowed preacher–whether her assistance is wanted or not. Always ready to help those in need, Elizabeth ignores John’s protests of her aid. She’s even willing to risk her lone marriage prospect to help the little family. Yet Elizabeth’s new role as nanny takes a dangerous turn when John’s boldness from the pulpit makes him a target of political and religious leaders. As the preacher’s enemies become desperate to silence him, they draw Elizabeth into a deadly web of deception. Finding herself in more danger than she ever bargained for, she’s more determined than ever to save the child–and man–she’s come to love.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Preacher’s Bride, go HERE.

My Review:
I will be completely honest with this book. I had a hard time, in the very beginning, getting into the book as, to me, it was just a little bit slow. But after the first few chapters, I was HOOKED!! This story is about a young woman,Elizabeth, who steps into the role of caring for a widowed preacher’s baby. She feels called by God to be the caregiver, but what of falling in love? What of the problems that arise when Elizabeth falls in love with John Bunyan? Elizabeth’s character is created beautifully, including the flaws, and she really captured my heart when I got hooked on the story. I really wanted to hug her so many times for her heroic efforts of being a “mom” to the baby!

This particular novel is both informative and historical. I haven’t really read any novels that centered around the Puritans and this one was very intriguing! I love the historical era of the 1600′s in England. I could just see the towns and the townspeople of that era come to life! It was also an era of town gossip and oh what gossip there was when Elizabeth stood her ground and didn’t succumb to the gossip. She was very strong for that part.

Jody Hedlund definitely has a new fan in me. She took a historical person’s (John Bunyan) life, researched it, and created a fantastic novel that is sure to win the hearts of many a reader! This 5 star novel is worth the slow start, because once you get past that ( and you may find it’s not so slow for you!) this book will have you feeling the happiness, the sadness and the struggles that this sweet woman, Elizabeth, and the amazing characters beyond her, all felt. Definitely a book that I recommend to many readers! Well done, Jody.

[Book Review] Within My Heart (Timber Ridge Reflections, bk 3) by Tamera Alexander

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About the Book:
Sometimes the greatest step of faith is taken neck-deep in fear.

Determined to fulfill her late husband’s dream, Rachel Boyd struggles to keep her ranch afloat with the help of her two young sons. But some days it feels as though her every effort is sabotaged. When faced with a loss she cannot afford, she’s forced to trust Rand Brookston, the one man in Timber Ridge she wishes to avoid. And with good reason. He’s a physician, just like her father, which tells her everything she needs to know about him. Or so she thinks….
Dr. Rand Brookston ventured west with the dream of bringing modern medicine to the wilds of the Colorado Rockies, but the townspeople have been slow to trust him. Just as slow in coming is Rand’s dream to build the town a proper clinic. When a patient’s life is threatened, Rand makes a choice—one that sends ripples through the town of Timber Ridge. And through Rachel Boyd’s stubborn heart.
From the beloved, bestselling author of From a Distance and Beyond This Moment comes an unforgettable story about faith in the face of fear, about tarnished hopes and second chances, and ultimately about the resilient courage and tenacity of hearts broken——and mended——by love.

About the Author:
Tamera Alexander is a bestselling novelist whose deeply drawn characters, thought-provoking plots, and poignant prose resonate with readers. Having lived in Colorado for seventeen years, she and her husband now make their home in Tennessee, where they enjoy life with their two college-age children and a Silky named Jack.


Tamera invites you visit her Web site at www.tameraalexander.com.

My Review:

I have always been a huge fan of historical romances (can’t ya tell with all my reviews?) and so the chance to jump on reviewing Tamera Alexander’s book, Within My Heart was one I definitely wouldn’t pass up! And I am glad to say, that Tamera’s excellently skilled hand has penned a novel that instantly captured my heart and mind when I opened the book. 
I loved all the characters in this book. Even the secondary characters. But Rand Brookston was the one that really pulled at my heartstrings. I just couldn’t stop praying for him as I read this book. He felt real to me and came alive next to me, as I read his trials and his efforts to win the affections of widowed Rachel Boyd, whom didn’t want anything to do with love or doctors again. I felt a sisterly pull to Rand and wanted to wrap my arms around him and pray and pray for Rachel to open her eyes and see what  a wonderful man she had in front of her. 
I am saddened to know that this is book 3 in a series….I love to read a series in order, and certainly wish I would have done so with this! However, that being said, I was not confused by the events or details in this amazing story, a story of hope, love, forgiveness and letting go, and that makes it a great stand alone also. But my personal opinion? Read them in order! I wish I would have simply because I want to know more about the town of Timber Ridge and it’s God filled characters and I will be reading books 1 and 2 as soon as possible! 
I definitely recommend this book with 5 stars and then some! It’s history and God filled plot will instantly captivate you and draw you into the loving families of Timber Ridge. When you close the last page, you’ll feel like you’ve left home. Tamera Alexander has amazing talent and any Alexander fan will want to add this book to their collections, and if you’re not an Alexander fan already, this is one author whom you’ll want to be checking out! Fantastic work! 
You can purchase your copy here. 
*This book was provided for review by Bethany House Publishers*