A Man of Honor

A Man of Honor
(First Responders Book #3)
Loree Lough
(Abingdon Press)
ISBN: 978-1426714627
August 2012/352 pages/$14.99
On a steamy spring morning, Dusty Parker-—part-time pastor, part-time search-and-rescue team member, and full-time administrator of a school for troubled boys-—joins the search for a missing teenage girl. He partners with volunteer and inner-city school teacher Grace Sinclair, and what they find bonds them in ways neither could have expected.

As they begin to build their lives together, a visitor from the past causes Dusty and Grace to further open their hearts and home. But a threat is looming on their seemingly perfect lives and in one terrifying night, everything changes.

Read the first chapter!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bestselling author Loree Lough once sang for her supper, performing all across the U.S. and Canada. Now and then, she blows the dust from her 6-string to croon a tune or two, but mostly, she just writes (88 novels that earned hundreds of industry and "Readers' Choice" awards and 4- and 5-star reviews).

Loree enjoys sharing learned-the-hard-way lessons about the craft and the industry; her comedic approach makes her a favorite lecturer for writers' organizations, book clubs, private and government institutions, and college and high school writing programs in the U.S. and abroad.

A writer who believes in giving back, Loree dedicates a generous portion of her income to favorite charities. (Click the "Giving Back" tab at http://www.loreelough.com.

Loree and her real-life hero split their time between a home in the Baltimore suburbs and a cabin in the Allegheny Mountains, where she loves showing off her "identify the critter tracks" skills.

MY THOUGHTS

I don't know how I missed the first two books in this series but I'm glad I read this one! This is a stand-alone novel; what ties these books together is the theme of First Responders. Loree Lough has written a story that is simultaneously heart-warming and heart-pounding. Dusty and Grace immediately endeared themselves to me; both were determined to overcome the scars of their pasts and make an impact on the lives of those around them. I was swept up in this story and thought I knew exactly where it was headed -- until Lough added a final twist that made my jaw drop. This is a beautiful story that portrays God's grace and forgiveness as well as what it means to live one's life for others as A Man of Honor. Keep a tissue handy and don't miss this book!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Abingdon Press and Pump Up Your Book Promotions as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Taming the Wind

Taming the Wind
(Land of the Lone Star)
Tracie Peterson
(Bethany House Publishers)
ISBN: 978-0764206177
September 2012/336 pages/$14.99
A young widow nursing the wounds of her past…

A cowboy with demons of his own…

Though grateful for the blessing of her daughter, Carissa Lowe has accepted that widowhood is her lot in life. Bound by fear and mistrust, she feels incapable of opening her heart again.

Tyler Atherton has never forgotten Carissa. When he discovers she’s living with her sister on a nearby ranch, his life becomes intertwined with the lovely widow’s. And Carissa’s daughter, Gloria, seems determined to wrap herself around his little finger. But while Tyler longs to provide a home and future for Carissa, he is haunted by an obligation he feels unable to fulfill.

Challenged by mounting hardships, can Carissa and Tyler preserve their fledgling love in a land as unforgiving and vibrant as the people who call it home?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tracie Peterson is the award-winning author of over eighty novels, both historical and contemporary. Her avid research resonates in her stories, as seen in her bestselling Heirs of Montana and Alaskan Quest series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana. Visit Tracie's Web site at www.traciepeterson.com and her blog at www.writespassage.blogspot.com.


MY THOUGHTS

Tracie Peterson completes her Land of the Lone Star series with another fantastic read. (Click the titles to read my reviews of the earlier books, Chasing the Sun and Touching the Sky.) Set in Texas in the early days following the Civil War, this is a thoroughly enjoyable story that portrays the many challenges of the times. Peterson once again creates wonderful characters with believable struggles and emotions who must learn where to turn for the strength to sustain them when faced with life-altering events. Carissa and Tyler (and little Gloria!) captured my heart--which is a testimony to the grace worked in Carissa's life, because she was a bit of a pain when she appeared in an earlier book! I highly recommend this book and series and think Tracie Peterson should be considered an Honorary Texan!


 See what people are saying about Taming the Wind.


Celebrate with Tracie by entering to win a Kindle Fire!


One winner will receive:

• A Brand New Kindle Fire with Wi-Fi
• The entire Land of the Lone Star series by Tracie Peterson

Hurry, the giveaway ends on 9/25/12. Just click one of the icons below to enter. The winner will be announced at Tracie's "Taming the Wind" Author Chat Party on 9/26! Connect with Tracie, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at a trivia contest, and chat with readers just like yourself. There will also be gift certificates, books and a Book Club Prize Pack to be won (10 copies for your book club or small group)!

So grab your copy of Taming the Wind and join Tracie on the evening of the September 26th for a chance to connect with Tracie 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. TELL YOUR FRIENDS VIA FACEBOOK or TWITTER AND INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THE 26TH!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers and Litfuse Publicity Group as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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To Write a Wrong is Just Right!

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Robin Caroll

and the book:

To Write a Wrong

B&H Books (September 15, 2012)

***Special thanks to Shannon Kozee of B&H Fiction for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Robin Caroll has authored twelve previous books including the Holt Medallion Award of Merit winner, Deliver Us From Evil.
She gives back to the writing community by serving as Conference Director for American Christian Fiction Writers. A proud southerner, Robin lives with her husband, three daughters, and two precious grandsons in Arkansas.

Visit the author's website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

In Angola State Penitentiary, a man is serving time for a crime he didn’t commit. Riley Baxter is an eager reporter desperate for a story to make a name for herself. When she stumbles upon the daughter of the incarcerated man, Riley sees a little too much of herself in the teen, and vows to help prove her father’s innocence.

At the same time, Hayden Simpson has his hands full with keeping his little sister in
line, worrying about his job as Police Commissioner, and dealing with his past emotional baggage. The last thing he needs is someone blowing the lid off his emotional bucket. But when Riley Baxter storms into his life, struggling to understand why God would let bad things happen to good people, Hayden has no choice but to follow his heart.

Now, Riley and Hayden must work together to uncover the truth of the past . . . before someone shuts Riley up for good.

MY THOUGHTS:

I opened To Write a Wrong, read the first sentence of the prologue, and literally caught my breath. I immediately knew this would be a riveting novel! Before I continued, though, I stopped and reread that first sentence because it was so well-crafted. That's typical of a Robin Caroll novel; my review of Injustice for All (the first book in this series) mentioned the opening sentence of that prologue as well! As the second Justice Seekers novel, To Write a Wrong can be read as a stand-alone; Riley is the sister of Rafe Baxter from the first novel and characters overlap, but the storyline is new. Once again, Caroll has masterfully created a plot that twists and builds at a pace that kept me up way too late reading "one more chapter!" The characters were fresh and authentic, with credible emotions that didn't make me feel as if I were reading a soap opera. Family conflict and irritations were displayed and dealt with rather than minimized, which I appreciated, yet the underlying love shone through when someone was in danger. Most importantly, a thread of faith was skillfully woven throughout the story, giving depth and meaning without being overbearing. While my pounding heart was glad for a reprieve, I was a bit disappointed to turn the final pages and finish this stellar novel. I highly recommend this book and this series, and I can't wait for Strand of Deception, about Rafe & Riley's sister Maddie, to come out in March!

Product Description:

List Price: $14.99
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: B&H Books
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1433672138
ISBN-13: 9781433672132


AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

Search inside this book

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River's End and a Bible Study

River's End
Melody Carlson
(Abingdon Press)
ISBN: 978-1426712746
September 2012/320 pages/$14.99
In the final story of the Inn at Shining Waters, Anna’s granddaughter Sarah is struggling to find herself. And in an attempt to escape her parents’ dysfunctional lives, Sarah travels away from all that is familiar. But her grandmother’s love and the pull of the river draw Sarah back. Still it’s not an easy journey to find the healing and forgiveness that’s needed to reunite and strengthen this broken family together again.


ABOUT THE AUTOHR

Melody Carlson is one of the most prolific novelists of our time. With around 200 books published and sales topping 5 million, Melody writes primarily for women and teens. She’s won numerous honors and awards, including The Rita, The Gold Medallion and Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. Some of her books are being considered for TV movies and film. Melody has two grown sons and makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband. When not writing, Melody likes to travel, bike, camp, garden, and walk her dog Audrey in the great outdoors.

Her latest book is a Christian Fiction titled River’s End.

Visit her website.

Pick up your copy of River’s End at Amazon.

Pick up your copy directly from the publisher.


MY THOUGHTS

Melody Carlson wraps up her Inn at Shining Waters series with the story of her granddaughter, Sarah. As the previous book, River's Call, closed, sixteen-year-old Sarah had run away with her boyfriend. Although she has returned, she is a shell of her former self, and Anna is desperate to help her heal. Set in the 1970's, the impact of communes that were common in the Pacific Northwest is portrayed. And while Lauren, who is Anna's daughter and Sarah's mother, has grown emotionally and spiritually, the consequences of her earlier dysfunction are still being reaped in the fractured relationship with Sarah. Forgiveness has been a prominent theme in each of the books in this series, but it flows through River's End as deeply as the river itself. This is my favorite book of the series and Carlson brought it to a beautiful conclusion.

Click here to read an interview with Melody Carlson about the background of this series.


HEALING WATERS BIBLE STUDY

I briefly saw Melody Carlson at ICRS in Atlanta and she told me that she is excited about the Bible Study that she has produced with Abingdon Press based on this series. I was able to get a copy of Healing Waters: A Bible Study on Forgiveness, Grace, and Second Chances and while I haven't had a chance to do the study, it looks wonderful. It is an eight-week study, with three weeks based on the first novel (River's Song, two on the second (River's Call), and three weeks on River's End. A brief summary of the book and character sketches open each section, and excerpts are scattered throughout the weeks' homework assignments as springboards for the topic of discussion. This is indeed a Bible study, however, and most of the homework involves looking up Scriptures that relate to the day's theme. Browsing through the pages and reading some of the questions and suggested prayers and applications points tempted me to stop and do it.

A companion DVD is available for groups which contains eight interviews (10-12 minutes each) with author Melody Carlson providing interesting insights and personal stories to illuminate the novels and themes of the study.

A Leader Guide is also available.




Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Abingdon Press and Pump Up Your Book Promotions as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Hodgepodging Toward 100

Wednesday has rolled around again which means it's time for the Hodgepodge! I'm always in awe that Joyce can come up with questions week after week! This is week #92 - and how crazy is this? The centennial version will land on Halloween, October 31! I'm sure Joyce will come up with a fun way to celebrate the 100th version! Come on over to her blog and join the fun!

1. In your opinion what's the most important job in the world? Oh, and parenting is a given so besides parenting, what's the most important job in the world?

There are many jobs that are important. I don't know that there is one job that outweighs any of the others, but I do know that how one does whatever job he/she has is more important than the actual job: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23-24)

2. Share a favorite or not so favorite memory from a childhood birthday.

My 5th birthday: I had a party (my only one; my mom had a thing about inviting people to bring you a gift) and I got my "five-year-old bed." I wrote a post about it back when I was doing my Flashback Friday meme here.

3. Peanut butter-crunchy or smooth?

Smooth in a sandwich, crunchy when making cookies or on buttered toast.

4. William Butler Yeats is credited as saying, "Happiness is neither virtue nor pleasure nor this thing nor that but simply growth, We are happy when we are growing." Your thoughts?

Solomon was right: there is "nothing new under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 1:9) They call it "New Age", but Yeats lived 100 years ago, and I think this sounds pretty New Age-y to me. I do not necessarily equate happiness with growth. In fact, growth is often painful and miserable at the time!

5. What's something that makes you cringe?

Fingernails on the chalkboard. Coarse language. Disrespectful children. Rodents or other critters in my house.

Oh, the question was singular, not plural?!

6. Name a song that always puts you in a good mood?

Matt Redman's 10,000 Reasons - I just LOVE that song!



7. The answer is yes. What's the question?

Wanna go grab a mocha together?!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

My boy turned 19 yesterday. It really struck me how old that was when I opened the package of candles and realized it was easier to count out the number that I wasn't using! Seems like yesterday that I was putting those five candles on the cake, not storing them in the box!

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Her Good Name

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingHer Good NameRiver North; New Edition edition (July 24, 2012)byRuth Axtell
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ruth knew she wanted to be a writer ever since she wrote her first story--a spy thriller--at the age of twelve. She studied comparative literature at Smith College, spending her junior year at the Sorbonne in Paris. After college, she taught English in the Canary Islands then worked in international development in Miami, Florida, before moving to the Netherlands, where for the next several years, she juggled both writing and raising her three children.

In 1994, her second manuscript was a finalist in Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart competition. In 2002, her sixth manuscript took second place in the Laurie Contest of RWA's Smoky Mountain chapter. The final judge requested her full manuscript and this became her first published book, Winter Is Past, which was spotlighted in Christian Retailing magazine. Since then, Ruth has gone on to publish thirteen historical romances and one novella. Her books have been translated into Dutch, Italian, Polish and Afrikaans . Her second historical, Wild Rose, was chosen by Booklist as a "Top Ten Christian Fiction" selection in 2005.

Ruth lives on the coast of Maine where she enjoys gardening, walking, reading romances and gazing at the ocean plotting her next romance.

ABOUT THE BOOK

In the 1890 thriving coastal town of Holliston, Maine, the leading lumber baron's son, Warren Brentwood, III, returns from his years away at college and traveling to take up his position as heir apparent to his father's business empire.

Esperanza Estrada, daughter of a Portuguese immigrant fisherman and a local woman, lives on the wrong side of town, surrounded by a brood of brothers and sisters and a careworn mother. She is unable to pretend she is anything but "one of those Estradas." When she overhears of a position to clean house at a local high school teacher's home on Elm Street, she jumps at the opportunity--to be able to run into Warren Brentwood now and again, but also to imbibe of the culture and intellectual atmosphere of the Stocktons.

When rumors about Espy and her respected employer begin to circulate, the entire church congregation and then the community pronounce judgment on her behavior. Warren believes the lie and his loss of faith in her causes Espy to give up without a fight. She leaves her family and hometown for the nearest city with little money and no acquaintances and is forced to spend the night on the street.  A man who heads a mission for the homeless finds Espy and offers her shelter. Espy finds the true love of God while working at the mission. Will she be able to forgive the townspeople and return home?

If you would like to read the first chapter excerpt of Her Good Name, go HERE.

MY THOUGHTS

Unfortunately, this book hasn't arrived yet! I've enjoyed previous books by this author and am disappointed it didn't arrive in time for me to review it.

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I was Captivated With Every Letter!

With Every Letter
(Wings of the Nightingale)
Sarah Sundin
(Revell)
ISBN: 978-0800720810
September 2012/425 pages/$14.99
They knew everything about each other--except their real names.

Lt. Mellie Blake is a nurse serving in the 802nd Medical Squadron, Air Evacuation, Transport. As part of a morale building program, she reluctantly enters into an anonymous correspondence with Lt. Tom MacGilliver, an officer in the 908th Engineer Aviation Battalion in North Africa. As their letters crisscross the Atlantic, Tom and Mellie develop a unique friendship despite not knowing the other's true identity. When both are transferred to Algeria, the two are poised to meet face to face for the first time. Will they overcome their fears and reveal who they are, or will their future be held hostage to their past? And can they learn to trust God and embrace the gift of love he offers them?

Combining excellent research and attention to detail with a flair for romance, Sarah Sundin brings to life the perilous challenges of WWII aviation, nursing, and true love.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sarah Sundin is the author of With Every Letter, the first book in the Wings of the Nightingale series from Revell, and also the Wings of Glory series (A Distant Melody, A Memory Between Us, and Blue Skies Tomorrow). In 2011, A Memory Between Us was a finalist in the Inspirational Reader's Choice Awards and Sarah received the Writer of the Year Award at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. Sarah lives in northern California with her husband and three children. When she isn’t ferrying kids to tennis and karate, she works on-call as a hospital pharmacist and teaches Sunday school and women’s Bible studies.

Visit her website to learn more about her and her books.

MY THOUGHTS

Sarah Sundin's first series put her on my must-read list of authors, and when I saw she was writing about the nurses in World War II, I was even more eager to get this book! With Every Letter is historical romance at its best. Sundin uses the setting and circumstances of the war to infuse realistic drama and fervor into the story without bogging the reader down with excessive historical details. I ached for both Mellie and Tom and the emotional scars that each bore from their childhood. Sundin beautifully intertwines the friendship forged with every letter and the difficult personal challenges and growth they experience as they serve their country, weaving a beautiful message of faith throughout this touching novel. I highly recommend this book and am already anticipating the next one, On Distant Shores, which will be released early next summer!

Special bonus on Sarah Sundin's website: Click the Maps link and when the World War II map comes up, click to expand it. Virtual "push pins" show various sites of the war mentioned in this novel. Clicking on each pin will bring up an actual historical photo from WWII, along with a quote from the book relating to that picture. Seeing actual pictures of the evacuation flights with the strapped in patients really brought this novel to life!



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Books and Litfuse Pulicity as part of their blogger review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

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September New Releases!

September brings some great new releases by ACFW authors! I'll be reviewing several of these and have already read a couple of them. You're in for a treat!

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website.

Love Reunited by Renee Andrews -- A soldier returns home to find the love of his life is single again, but he also learns that she's blind...and that his confession of love may have cost her a marriage and her sight. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired).

Avenir Eclectia, Volume 1 by Grace Bridges, Pauline Creeden, Kat Heckenbach, Keven Newsome, H.A. Titus, Fred Warren and more -- A human colony in the constellation of the Whale struggles to survive on an aging orbital station peopled with bureaucrats, wizards, beggars and cyborgs, and a violently unstable planet overrun with giant bugs and telepathic sea creatures. (Speculative Fiction from Splashdown Books).

Christmas Roses by Amanda Cabot -- Can an itinerant carpenter searching for his father and a young widow who seeks only her daughter's well-being find happiness in a small Wyoming mining town in the fall of 1882? (Historical Romance from Revell).

To Write a Wrong by Robin Caroll -- In Angola State Penitentiary, a man is serving time for a crime he didn't commit. Riley Baxter is an eager reporter desperate for a story to make a name for herself. When she stumbles upon the daughter of the incarcerated man, Riley sees a little too much of herself in the teen, and vows to help prove her father's innocence. At the same time, Hayden Simpson has his hands full with keeping his little sister in line, worrying about his job as Police Commissioner, and dealing with his past emotional baggage. The last thing he needs is someone blowing the lid off his emotional bucket. (Romantic Suspense from B & H Publishing).

Material Witness (A Shipshewana Amish Mystery) by Vannetta Chapman -- Masked identities, antique quilts with hidden messages, an Amish boy whose handicap makes him stronger, one brave dog, and a possible hidden treasure. This time it's nonstop action, danger, and a dash of romance. (Cozy Mystery from Zondervan).

A Mom's New Start by Margaret Daley -- Single mom, Maggie Sommerfield, is having trouble with her son and turns to Cody Weston, a counselor, but although he brings comfort and support to her, he has a few secrets of his own. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired).

A Cascade Christmas by Mary Davis, Mildred Colvin, Debby Lee, and Gina Welborn -- While Artisan Sela Fox runs her gift shop, she creates rare and beautiful guitars from redwood burl just as her husband had until his death. When land developer Evan Black shows up on her doorstep, using his humor and good looks to try and persuade her to sell the small slice of heaven she owns, she refuses to give up the only reminder she has left of her husband. But Evan is even more stubborn than the lovely Sela, and he has plans of his own. When he shares his talent for classical guitar using one of Sela's creations, he'd not intended to woo her, but she responds to his serenade. (Romance Novella from Barbour).

Mother of Pearl by Kellie Coates Gilbert -- The football coach went too far with her daughter . . . now this mother will risk everything she holds dear to bring him to justice. (General Contemporary from Abingdon Press).

The Road to Mercy by Kathy Harris -- Josh Harrison, a contemporary Christian singer, and his wife Bethany face a difficult decision that also tests their faith. A rupture in Beth's carotid artery leaves her on the brink of death even as she's pregnant with their first child. While Dr. Ben Abrams urges her to terminate the pregnancy to save her own life, she and Josh step out on faith and decide to carry the baby to full term. During the next few months, Josh struggles with his faith, Beth hides a secret that may destroy their marriage. She also discovers a decades-old connection to Dr. Abrams that could change his life forever. (General Contemporary from Abingdon Press).

Seeking Unseen by Kat Heckenbach -- It may be Angel's wish...but it's Melinda's journey. Angel's foster brother Zack needs help, but on the way she runs into her old friend Melinda, who demands to go along for the return to Toch Island. Melinda is more of an outsider than ever. A secret world surrounds her where even the bugs have magic. So when ex-con Doran Ashe offers her powers of her own, Melinda follows him despite - or maybe because of - everyone's warnings. (Speculative Contemporary Fantasy from Splashdown Books).

Healing Love by Laura V. Hilton -- What happens when an Amish midwife falls in love with an Englisch vet? (Contemporary Romance from Whitaker House).

Survive the Night by Vicki Hinze -- Veteran and now Private Investigator Della Jackson is mourning the loss of her child and subsequent breakup of her marriage and now a stalker is determined to kill her, but she teams up with Paul Mason, the head of Florida Vet Net, to reclaim her life and discovers redemption and forgiveness and finally love. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired).

Trinity: Military War Dog by Ronie Kendig -- With his military war dog, a former Green Beret embarks on the greatest mission of his life-but will it also be his last? (Romantic Suspense from Barbour).

Cedar Creek Seasons by Eileen Key, Becky Melby, Rachael Phillips, and Cynthia Ruchti -- Romantic in every season of the calendar, charming, touristy Cedarburg, Wisconsin, with its last standing original Wisconsin covered bridge, works its magic on everyone. . .From a driven young twenty-something to a recently retired woman, each finds love when she least expects it. (Romance Novella from Barbour).

Sandwich, with a Side of Romance by Krista Phillips -- She moved to Sandwich, Illinois, in search of a new life, but ended up in a giant pickle. (General Contemporary from Abingdon Press).

Stealing Hearts by Amber Stockton -- Grace Baxton struggles to forgive a thief who took precious family heirlooms, yet threatens to steal her heart. (Contemporary Romance from Barbour).

With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin -- World War II flight nurse Lt. Mellie Blake begins an anonymous correspondence with Army engineer Lt. Tom MacGilliver - when they're both transferred to North Africa, will their future be held hostage by the past, or will they reveal their identities? (Historical Romance from Revell).

The Reunion by Dan Walsh -- The Reunion is an emotionally charged story about a forgotten war hero who discovers that the love he lost can be restored. (General Contemporary from Revell).

The Shadow on the Quilt by Stephanie Grace Whitson -- Juliana Sutton's life looks perfect-from the outside. Until her husband's untimely death reveals a devastating truth. (Contemporary Romance from Barbour).

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A Great Read and a Giveaway!

UPDATE: Friday 9/13/12 6:15 pm

The previously drawn winner has not responded to my emails so a new winner has been drawn:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:
3
Timestamp: 2012-09-13 23:15:39 UTC


Congrats to Skoots1mom!! Please email me your address within 48 hours and I'll send the gift certificate to you!

* * * * *

The Breakthrough
Jerry B Jenkins
(Tyndale)
ISBN: 978-1414335841
September 2012/400 pages/$14.99
As the youngest bureau chief and head of the Chicago Police Department's Major Case Squad, Boone Drake seems to have it all under control. Only those closest to him know that just a few short years ago, he lost everything that mattered to him in a tragic accident. After years of healing, his life is back on track. He recently married a wonderful woman named Haeley, adopted her son, bought a beautiful home, and rediscovered his faith. But Boone can't fight the feeling that something is about to go terribly wrong . . . again.

When an all-too-personal case takes Boone to Beijing at a time when Haeley can least afford to let him go, Boone is forced to make a difficult choice. There he becomes enmeshed in a dangerous human-trafficking ring that takes him through the famed Hutong District's narrow streets, alleys, and hovels. Teamed with a former Liberation Army officer, Boone has one chance to pull off an elaborate sting and rescue a young boy before he disappears forever.


Read the first chapter here!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jerry B. Jenkins, former vice president for publishing at Moody Bible Institute of Chicago and currently chairman of the board of trustees, is the author of more than 175 books, including the best-selling Left Behind series. Twenty of his books have reached the New York Times Best Sellers List (seven in the number-one spot) and have also appeared on the USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and Wall Street Journal best-seller lists. Desecration, book nine in the Left Behind series, was the best-selling book in the world in 2001. His books have sold nearly 70 million copies.

Also the former editor of Moody magazine, his writing has appeared in Time, Reader's Digest, Parade, Guideposts, Christianity Today and dozens of other periodicals. He was featured on the cover of Newsweek magazine in 2004.

His nonfiction books include as-told-to biographies with Hank Aaron, Bill Gaither, Orel Hershiser, Luis Palau, Joe Gibbs, Walter Payton, and Nolan Ryan among many others. The Hershiser and Ryan books reached the New York Times Best Sellers List.

Jenkins assisted Dr. Billy Graham with his autobiography, Just As I Am, also a New York Times best seller. Jerry spent 13 months working with Dr. Graham, which he considers the privilege of a lifetime.

Jerry owns Jenkins Entertainment, a filmmaking company in Los Angeles, which produced the critically acclaimed movie Midnight Clear, based on his book of the same name. See www.Jenkins-Entertainment.com.

Jerry Jenkins also owns the Christian Writers Guild, which aims to train tomorrow's professional Christian writers. Under Jerry's leadership, the guild has expanded to include college-credit courses, a critique service, literary registration services, and writing contests, as well as an annual conference. See www.ChristianWritersGuild.com.

As a marriage-and-family author, Jerry has been a frequent guest on Dr. James Dobson's Focus on the Family radio program and is a sought-after speaker and humorist. See www.AmbassadorSpeakers.com.

Jerry has been awarded four honorary doctorates. He and his wife, Dianna, have three grown sons and six grandchildren.

Check out Jerry's blog at http://jerryjenkins.blogspot.com.

MY THOUGHTS:

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series! (Click the titles for my reviews of The Brotherhood and The Betrayal.) While this third book would be fine to read as a stand-alone, it will definitely be a richer experience if you have read the first two books, since that will enable you to understand the context of a few references to previous events. My heart pounded and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough as plenty of palpable emotion and suspense infused chapter after chapter. The stakes are higher than ever, and Boone's heart is ripped in two between his wife's critical needs and the desperate race against time to find The Breakthrough that will enable him to rescue a frightened little boy. I highly recommend this book and series!

GIVEAWAY!!

Tyndale has provided a gift certificate for a free copy of this book for me to give to one of you! The certificate may be redeemed at your local Christian bookstore or by mailing directly to Tyndale. To enter, leave a comment on this blog by 8:00 pm Friday, 9/7/12, and I will randomly draw a winner. US Residents only, please. You must include your name and an email address (name [at] address dot com) if you don't have a blog in order to be entered in the drawing.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale as part of their Blog Network review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

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