Blog Tour: While We Were Watching Downton Abbey by Wendy Wax

Paperback, 384 pages

Published December 31st 2013 by Jove (first published April 2nd 2013)

more details...

ISBN

0515154695 (ISBN13: 9780515154696)

edition language

English

From Goodreads


"Samantha’s marriage has been complicated by love and compromised by a shattering family betrayal. Claire, an empty nester and struggling author, is wondering if clinging to old dreams can be more destructive than not having any dreams at all. And after countless battles with her faithless ex-husband, Brooke is coming to terms with the fact that her life is not the fairy tale she thought it would be.

But when Edward, the concierge of their historic Atlanta apartment building, invites them for weekly screenings of an addictive television show, the four of them embark on a season of surprises as they forge a bond that will sustain them through life’s hardest moments—all of it reflected in the unfolding drama, comedy, and convergent lives of Downton Abbey."

My thoughts:

Every Wendy Wax book I've read, I've enjoyed immensely and this one was no different. Loved it, loved it, loved it!   I was engaged in the story from the get go and emotionally invested in the characters. Wendy makes each and every character in the story come alive, so much so that I wanted to hug, give a stern talking to or slap each character. Yes, Wendy is that good at  making the reader feel what the characters are feeling.

If you like your fictional women to be strong, caring women who support and understand each other, this is a story for you. The sense of place is so well done and of course, I just loved the Downton Abbey scenes. An enjoyable story of relationships, friendships and contemporary themes, While We Were Watching Downton Abbey is not to be missed.

Wendy Wax is the author of numerous wonderful novels. She can be found on her webpage,  and Goodreads.

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Penguin in exchange for my honest opinion.

Book Spotlight: The Katyn Order by Douglas. W. Jacobson

Hardcover, 384 pages

Published May 1st 2011 by McBooks Press (first published April 19th 2011)
ISBN1590135725 (
ISBN13: 9781590135723)
primary languageEnglish

From Goodreads:

The German war machine is in retreat as the Russians advance. In Warsaw, Resistance fighters rise up against their Nazi occupiers, but the Germans retaliate, ruthlessly leveling the once-beautiful city. American Adam Nowak has been dropped into Poland by British intelligence as an assassin and Resistance fighter. During the Warsaw Uprising he meets Natalia, a covert operative who has lost everything—just as he has. Amid the Allied power struggle left by Germany’s defeat, Adam and Natalia join in a desperate hunt for the 1940 Soviet order authorizing the murders of 20,000 Polish army officers and civilians. If they can find the Katyn Order before the Russians do, they just might change the fate of Poland.

Sounds like another compelling and emotional read from Douglas W. Jacobson. In October of '09 I read and  reviewed  his book, Night of Flames, and just loved it. If you have an interest in books set during WWII this book will definitely captivate you.

Douglas W. Jacobson is an engineer, business owner and World War Two history enthusiast. Doug has traveled extensively in Europe researching stories of the courage of common people caught up in extraordinary circumstances. His debut novel, Night of Flames: A Novel of World War Two was published in 2007 by McBooks Press, and was released in paperback in 2008. Night of Flames won the “2008 Outstanding Achievement Award” from the Wisconsin Library Association. Doug writes a monthly column on Poland’s contribution during WW2, and has published articles on Belgium’s WW2 escape organization, the Comet Line and other European Resistance organizations. Doug’s second historical novel, The Katyn Order, which will be released in May, 2011 focuses on one of history’s most notorious war crimes, the Katyn massacre.

Pump Up Your Book is currently touring The Katyn Order until June 30th. For more sites on the tour please visit here.  There  you will find the dates of  reviews, spotlights, interviews and giveaways.

Book Tour: Beachcombers by Nancy Thayer

Hardcover: 368 pages
Published by Ballentine Books (June 22, 2010
ISBN 978-0-345-51828-6

Emma Fox has just been dumped by her fiancé, fired from her high powered brokerage firm and has fled back to the family home on Nantucket. Her younger sister Lily is so worried about Emma spending her days crying and sleeping that she e-mails their older sister, Abbie, to come home from London.

That's not Lily's only worry; their dad has rented out the playhouse to a complete stranger who Lily thinks is after their dad. Marina, their new tenant, has come from the midwest and is on Nantucket to help herself heal after a heartbreaking divorce and dealing with the fact that she could never have children. But then finding out her husband Gerry is having a baby with her best friend Dara is the last straw. Over the course of her lease Marina finds a lot more on Nantucket than just a small rental on the ocean and the ability to take each day as it comes.

When Abbie arrives home, things go right back to the old pecking order. Lily is again the family baby and expects everyone to take care of her while she can just be her irresponsible self but over the course of the summer, Lily is in for quite a few surprises from her two sisters, her dad and in the end she manages to surprise herself.

Beachcombers is a wonderful story of a family in flux who find themselves in some new and unexpected relationships. The story is told from the perspective of each of the four women changing with each chapter. I love the way Thayer managed to transport me mentally and emotionally to Nantucket with these well developed and oh-so-likeable characters in such a delightful setting. The writing flowed smoothly and the story kept me engrossed to the point that I hated to see it end. Another endearing book by Nancy Thayer perfect for a light summer read. I just loved it! 4.5****

For your convenience in purchasing the book or just for more info, please use this link.

Disclosure: A review copy of this books was provided by Pump up Your Book Tours (VBT). Thanks, Cheryl!

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Knit, Purl, Die by Anne Canadeo

Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Pocket; Original edition (December 29, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 141659812X
ISBN-13: 978-1416598121

From the back cover: "Gloria Sterling had it all--money, looks, and a new sexy young husband. So when she's found floating face down in her own swimming pool, shock waves ripple through tiny Plum Harbor. At the Black Sheep Knitting Shop, Maggie Messina and her circle are devastated to lose their dear friend--a woman as colorful as her fabulous yarn creations.

The police are quick to call it an accident, but sorting out Gloria's final hours leaves too many loose ends to satisfy her friends. The vivacious, fifty-something cougar had her French manicured tips in more than a few pots, and the threads of some inside deals stashed in her chic knitting tote.

Who was the last person to see Glora alive on that quiet summer night? Two empty wine glasses suggest she wasn't home alone knitting the entire night . . .The Black Sheep need to know the truth and set out to unravel--stitch by stich--the weighty secrets that pulled poor Gloria under."

My thoughts What a fun cozy! Canadeo does a great job of introducing the diverse members of the Black Sheep knitters: widowed Maggie who owns the Black Sheep Knitting Shop, college student Phoebe, divorcee Lucy and two married women Dana and Suzanne make up the group. She also sets the scene of the crime with flair. While Gloria's realtor, Suzanne, is showing the home to well heeled clients the last thing she wants them to find is a body in the pool.

While their marital status and ages are diverse, the Black Sheep knitters all have two things in common: they love to knit and they want to find out who murdered their friend Gloria. Yes, murdered! There is no way Gloria would move her chair from the terrace to that end of the pool. She didn't even like to get wet never mind go for a swim at close to midnight. When the friends start to do some amateur sleuthing, someone's feathers are ruffled and a threatening note is left at the Black Sheep Knitting Shop. Will the five friends figure out who didn't want to see Gloria live to knit another stitch?

This is a new author for me but I was immediately drawn in due to several factors; the location is coastal Massachusetts and the group of friends are knitters. The clues are believeable and there is more than one viable motive and they all involve some pricey and or shady real estate deals. I really enjoyed the mystery, the recipes and the knitting links at the end of the book. Although this is the second book in the Black Sheep Knitters series, I don't feel that I missed anything by not having read the first one. 4****

About the author: Anne Canadeo began her Black Sheep Knitting Mystery series with While My Pretty One Knits. She is the author of more than 30 books, including the bestselling Cape Light series, which she writes as Kathleen Spencer. A novice with needles, she finds many similarities between knitting and writing-inspiration, peristence, and good thing happening by accident. Anne lives in Northport, New York.

Now for the giveaway details: Pocketbooks is allowing me to give away two copies of the book to:

Residents of the USA only
Followers of this blog.
Be sure to include an e mail address. Bonus entries can be earned by:

+5 posting about it and leave me a permalink
+2 putting a link to contest in sidebar

Deadline to enter is Feb 3rd at 5 P.M. Good luck!

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Pocketbooks. Thank you, Sarah.

Blog Tour: Limelight by Melody Carlson

Synopsis:

Claudette Fioré used to turn heads and break hearts. She relished the glamorous Hollywood lifestyle because she had what it takes: money, youth, fame, and above all, beauty. But age has withered that beauty, and a crooked accountant has taken her wealth, leaving the proud widow penniless and alone. Armed with stubbornness and sarcasm, Claudette returns to her shabby little hometown and her estranged sister. Slowly, she makes friends. She begins to see her old life in a new light. For the first time, Claudette Fioré questions her own values and finds herself wondering if it’s too late to change.

My Thoughts: Limelight hooked me right from the start. When Claudette began remembering her life, I wanted to see what got her to the point of despair at the age of 82. It seemed as if the author disappeared and I was left in a cozy setting with a very real Claudette, not just a character in a book, telling me her story; I was mesmerized.

Looking back over her married life of luxury to one of Hollywood's premier directors, Claudette had many wistful memories of fabulous parties, scintillating company and the sheer joy of never having to worry about finances. Now a reversal of fortune has landed Claudette back to the little house where she grew up. Thinking she is far superior to the small town residents of Silverton, she rebuffs their attempts to be friendly.

After some hilarious mishaps and meeting people who are more than willing to help her, Claudette begins to open her heart to new possibilities. Having to learn to do for herself is almost overwhelming at her age, but when she finally does learn to do a few things, she feels a small sense of accomplishment. As time goes by, she is more than willing to forge new friendships and mend some old ones, particularly with Violet, her estranged sister. Claudette learns that no matter how old she has become, it's not too late to learn new things.

I finished the book in 2 sittings, being reluctant to put it down. One of the things I found enjoyable was Claudette's Hollywood reminiscences with some very recognizable names. Carlson does a wonderful job with her characters, fleshing them out to be fully developed and easily imaginable. I like the way she drew Claudette and showed her growth from the beginning of the book to the end of the story. 4 ****stars

This book was provided for review by the Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group. For more info on the book please visit Random House.

Blog Tour: What Matters Most by Melody Carlson

Synopsis:

Maya’s Green Tip for the Day: Recycled fashion is one of the most fun ways to go green. A pair of jeans could be transformed into a denim skirt. A sweater into a vest. A bunch of old ties into a dress. A blanket into a poncho. Accessorize it in new way–with beads, buttons, appliqués, buckles, stencils, or ribbons…your imagination is only the limit. (65 words)Sixteen-year-old Maya Stark has a lot to sort through. She could graduate from high school early if she wants to. She’s considering it, especially when popular cheerleader Vanessa Hartman decides to make her life miserable–and Maya’s ex-boyfriend Dominic gets the wrong idea about everything.To complicate matters even more, Maya’s mother will be released from prison soon, and she’ll want Maya to live with her again. That’s a disaster waiting to happen. And when Maya plays her dad’s old acoustic guitar in front of an audience, she discovers talents and opportunities she never expected. Faced with new options, Maya must choose between a “normal” life and a glamorous one. Ultimately, she has to figure out what matters most.

Author: Melody Carlson has published over ninety books for adults, children, and teens, with sales totaling more than two million and many titles appearing on the ECPA Bestsellers List. Several of her books have been finalists for, and winners of, various writing awards, including the Gold Medallion and the RITA Award.

For more info on the book please visit Random House.

This book was provided by the Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Blog Tour: Leaving Carolina by Tamara Leigh

Synopsis:

Piper Wick left her hometown of Pickwick , North Carolina , twelve years ago, shook the dust off her feet, ditched her drawl and her family name, and made a new life for herself as a high-powered public relations consultant in LA. She’s even “engaged to be engaged” to the picture-perfect U.S. Congressman Grant Spangler.Now all of Piper’s hard-won happiness is threatened by a reclusive uncle’s bout of conscience. In the wake of a health scare, Uncle Obadiah Pickwick has decided to change his will, leaving money to make amends for four generations’ worth of family misdeeds. But that will reveal all the Pickwicks’ secrets, including Piper’s. Though Piper arrives in Pickwick primed for battle, she is unprepared for Uncle Obe’s rugged, blue-eyed gardener. So just who is Axel Smith? Why does he think making amends is more than just making restitution? And why, oh why, can’t she stay on task? With the Lord’s help, Piper is about to discover that although good PR might smooth things over, only the truth will set her free.

My Thoughts: This was a very slow starter for me. It did eventually pick up but it took time, a lot of time. In the first few chapters, the reader is introduced to so many characters, it's mind boggling. Piper struck me as a 30 year old still stuck in the mindset of a young teenager. Through flashback thoughts, we see that all the myriad of cousins didn't take too kindly to young Piper. An infamous "teenage stunt" that could cause some great scandal if brought to light after twelve years turns out to be (imo) making a mountain out of a molehill. Supposedly with the threat of this revelation, Piper is fearful that her boyfriend to whom she is engaged to be engaged, will hear of this and drop her like the proverbial hot potato. The premise to get her back to North Carolina to forgive her family and be free of all this angst and move on is a good one but the plot lines to get her there are weak. Supposedly she is, as she puts it, "taken", but when she first sees Axel she looks at him as a dog would the last t-bone on earth. She must mention he has blue eyes about 78 times.

The funny thing is that one of her cousins, Maggie, who was so mean to her in school has now become a nice person with a wonderful and very intelligent 12 year old daughter. It seems Maggie has progressed emotionally since Piper has been gone. Now if we could just get Piper to do the same. About half way through the book, the story did finally pick up and I found myself liking some of the characters; Maggie, her daughter Devyn, Uncle Obe and Axel. Piper, as the main character, never really did it for me but the story turned out nice and neat. I have no quibble with the ending as I think the author did eventually achieve her objective. It just took an awfully long time to get there. If you like christian fiction, a little romance and family entanglements, you might like this one. For me, it was an okay but just not great read. 2.5**

This book was provided for review by the Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group. For more info on the book and where to purchase on line, please visit Random House.

Blog Tour: Night of Flames by Douglas W. Jacobson

Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: McBooks Press; illustrated edition edition (October 1, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1590131665
ISBN-13: 978-1590131664

In his debut novel set against the backdrop of World War II, Douglas W. Jacobson weaves a complex story of a young Polish couple, Jan and Anna Kopernik, seeking to be re-united amidst the ravages of war torn Europe. The story takes place in Poland and Belgium alternately following Jan and Anna as they try to cope with their separation in horrific war conditions.

When the Germans begin their relentless invasion into Poland in 1939, Anna has just come from Krakow to Warsaw to attend the funeral of her friend Irene's mother. Anna, Irene and Irene's son Justyn attempt to make their way from the ravaged city of Warsaw back to Krakow. A friend of a friend can manage to get them to Italy on a diplomatic visa but when Irene becomes ill, all plans and lives for that matter are dramatically changed.

Jan, an officer in the Polish Cavalry, and his division face some devasting battles. Although Jan manages to escape with non life- threatening injuries, he does not return to his cavalry position. With his ability to speak fluent German, Jan finds himself doing intelligence work for the British.When he is offered the chance to get back to Poland, he is determined not only to do his duty but to find Anna.Unfortunately this proves to be much more difficult than he thought it would be.

After much hardship, travail and heartbreaking losses, Anna ends up in Belgium and becomes involved with a resistance movement called the White Brigade. At one point she is captured by a Nazi officer, Dieter Koenig; a most vile, disgusting and thoroughly evil man. Even though he saves her from being sent to a concentration camp, he is determined to keep her for his own purposes. Jacobson paints such a chillingly vivid picture of this character, I could feel the hair on the back of my neck stand up and I was almost holding my breath to see how this would all pan out.

I truly enjoyed Anna's character as I felt she was a strong, intelligent and brave woman with a very caring nature. At risk to herself, she did not hesitate to help her Jewish friends Irene and Justyn. The character of Jan was not as thoroughly developed as Anna's but I still got the feeling that he was an extremely patriotic and conscientious man who would do whatever was necessary to find his beloved Anna. Would Jan and Anna find each other again in all the chaos? More importantly, would they even survive the war?

Jacobson has obviously done a tremendous amout of research for his plot driven novel and managed to seamlessly mingle fact and fiction into a wonderfully vivid story. The pages just came alive for me with all the historical detail and a myriad of characters. All the accounts of efforts made by the resistance enhanced the storyline. Jacobson has paid homage to these brave individuals who risked much and sometimes all to overcome the oppressors in their homeland. A compellingly told story of loyalty, betrayals and heroism of ordinary citizens in a time when the world seemed to have gone mad. Excellent read. I just loved it! Highly recommended. 4.5****

A big thank you to Dorothy from Pump Up Your Book Tours for allowing me to participate in the tour and to McBooks Press for a review copy.

Blog Tour: The Sound of Sleigh Bells by Cindy Woodsmall

Hardcover: 208 pages
Publisher: WaterBrook Press (October 6, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0307446530
ISBN-13: 978-0307446534
Publisher's synopsis:

"Beth Hertzler works alongside her beloved Aunt Lizzy in their dry goods store, and serving as contact of sorts between Amish craftsmen and Englischers who want to sell the Plain people’s wares. But remorse and loneliness still echo in her heart everyday as she still wears the dark garb, indicating mourning of her fiancé. When she discovers a large, intricately carved scene of Amish children playing in the snow, something deep inside Beth’s soul responds and she wants to help the unknown artist find homes for his work–including Lizzy’s dry goods store. But she doesn’t know if her bishop will approve of the gorgeous carving or deem it idolatry. Lizzy sees the changes in her niece when Beth shows her the woodworking, and after Lizzy hunts down Jonah, the artist, she is all the more determined that Beth meets this man with the hands that create healing art. But it’s not that simple–will Lizzy’s elaborate plan to reintroduce her niece to love work? Will Jonah be able to offer Beth the sleigh ride she’s always dreamed of and a second chance at real love–or just more heartbreak? "

My Thoughts: When Beth and Jonah began exchanging letters, each thinking the other person was someone else, they both were not afaid to show their vulnerable side. Beth and Jonah both shared such deeply personal thoughts which helped the other person to see who they really were inside. But when Beth finds out about Lizzy's manipulations after Jonah shows up at a social given by Lizzy, she becomes very angry and wants nothing more to do with Jonah. Will Beth be able to let go of her pain and anger and see that Aunt Lizzy has her best interests at heart or will Lizzy's deception ruin her original matchmaking scheme?

This book touched me in ways that at times I actually had tears in my eyes. The characters in this story came to life for me and I was immersed in their lives from the very beginning. Woodsmall can get right into her characters' hearts and souls with the ability to easily convey those feelings to the reader.Woodsmall has the knack to engage the reader very early on with her little hints of mystery behind Beth's heartache. I couldn't wait to find out what happened and so read the book in two sittings. Even though the story is reasonably short ( just 194 pages of actual story) it packs an emotional wallop. I cried and I rejoiced at this simple but wonderful story. The Amish aspect of the book was not only educational but extremely interesting to me. The book has a Christian theme to it; but it is handled like pleasant low background music, not blaring in-your-face noise. A thoroughly enjoyable read that I would highly recommend to fans of Christian fiction, romance and family stories.
4****

Author Bio: Cindy Woodsmall is the author of When the Heart Cries, When the Morning Comes, and The New York Times Best-Seller When the Soul Mends. Her ability to authentically capture the heart of her characters comes from her real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families. A mother of three sons and two daughters-in-law, Cindy lives in Georgia with her husband of thirty-one years. Cindy has a wonderful website with chances to win one of her books and/or a handmade quilt.

A big thank you to Elizabeth from Multnomah/Random House for inviting me to take part in the tour and for the review copy. For more info on The Sound of Sleigh Bells and options for purchasing on line, please visit Random House.

Blog Tour: Stray Affections by Charlene Ann Baumbich

Format: Trade Paperback
320 pages
On Sale: September 15, 2009
Price: $13.99


From the Publisher: "In Stray Affections, the last thing that Cassandra expects out of her Sunday is to be mesmerized at a collectors’ convention by a snowglobe. She’s enjoying some shopping time, with husband Ken at home tending their brood of four young boys, when she’s utterly charmed by the one-of-a kind globe containing figures of three dogs and a little girl with hair the color of her own. She can’t resist taking the unique globe home—even if means wrestling another shopper for it!
The beautiful snowglobe sparks long-dormant memories for Cassie, of her beloved Grandpa Wonky, the stray she rescued as a child and the painful roots of her combative relationship with her mother, “Bad Betty” Kamrowski. Life in Wanonishaw , Minnesota is never dull, though, and Cassie keeps the recollections at bay, busy balancing her boys, her home daycare operation, and being a good friend to best pal Margret. But after a strange—flurrious, as Cassie deems it—moment happens with the remarkable snowglobe, Cassie and the people she loves are swirled into a tumultuous, yet grace-filled, and life-changing journey.
“As a believer, I know the power of forgiveness and new beginnings, and of a God, and family and friends, who love me the way I am,” Charlene Ann Baumbich says. “The heartbeat of change flows through those wonderful gifts.”

"With the quirky, close-knit Midwestern small-town feel that made Charlene Ann Baumbich’s acclaimed Dearest Dorothy novels so popular, Stray Affections invites readers to experience the laughter and the healing of second chances."

My thoughts: *Sigh* .... Oh, I just loved this whole book, but what was most endearing to me was the change in the relationship between Cassandra and her mother, Betty. Since childhood Cassandra called her mother Bad Betty, "our lady of the no wishing, wanting or being" whose favorite admonishment to Cassandra was, "No crying!" As an adult, Cassandra still had issues with her mother and their relationship was strained at best, but when long remembered childhood hurts took on adult perspective, the gift of forgiveness became possible. The inexplicable incident with the snowglobe was the catalyst for change in a lot of lives.

Although Cassandra is the main character, her mother Betty has her own remarkable story fraught with a deep sadness that turns to intense happiness. The book would not have been complete without Betty's story. Baumbich does an amazing job letting the reader into Betty's head. The reasons for all her past actions and how they affected her entire life and Cassandra's life become crystal clear. I reveled and rejoiced as Betty found the way to let go of the past and find contentment and joy again. With her new found love of life, she also found a sense of humor that astounded her family.

There are many more delightful characters (loved Sam the butcher) in the book but I want you to experience them for yourself. Suffice it to say, Stray Affections is a wonderfully written, warm -the- cockles -of -your- heart kind of story. All the characters are so well fleshed out, I feel as if I really know them. Baumbich sure knows how to get to the heart of her characters' hearts! Every emotion, whether painful or joyous, is believable and felt by the reader. 4****

The book is categorized as contemporary fiction but it does have a Christian overtone to it. Not a preachy, beat- you- over- the- head tone, but you know it is there. Interspersed throughout are many humorous incidents.This book would make another candidate for book clubs as there are many topics that could be discussed. In fact, at the end of the book there is a readers discussion guide.

To see Charlene on video talking about the book, visit the following links:
The video is available on facebook and/or YouTube.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/video/video.php?v=101927788491
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWwya52SkjU

Author Bio: Charlene Ann Baumbich is a popular author and speaker and an award-winning journalist. In addition to her Dearest Dorothy series of novels, she has written seven nonfiction books of humor and inspiration. A bungee-jumping, once motorcycle-owning grandma and unabashed dog lover, Charlene lives with her husband and rescued dog Kornflake in Glen Ellyn , Illinois . She loves telling stories, laughing whenever possible, and considers herself a Wild Child of God.

For more information on Stray Affections, please visit Waterbrook/Random House here.

A big thank you to Ashley at Waterbrook/Random House for a review copy and the invitation to participate in the tour.

Book Tour: Rose House by Tina Ann Forkner

Summary for Rose House (from the publisher):" A vivid story of a private grief, a secret painting, and one woman’s search for hope. Still mourning the loss of her family in a tragic accident, Lillian Diamon finds herself drawn back to the Rose House, a quiet cottage where four years earlier she had poured out her anguish among its fragrant blossoms. She returns to the rolling hills and lush vineyards of the Sonoma Valley in search of something she can’t quite name. But then Lillian stumbles onto an unexpected discovery: displayed in the La Rosaleda Gallery is a painting that captures every detail of her most private moment of misery, from the sorrow etched across her face to the sandals on her feet.What kind of artist would dare to intrude on such a personal scene, and how did he happen to witness Lillian’s pain? As the mystery surrounding the portrait becomes entangled with the accident that claimed the lives of her husband and children, Lillian is forced to rethink her assumptions about what really happened that day.A captivating novel rich with detail, Rose House explores how the brushstrokes of pain can illuminate the true beauty of life. "

Author Bio: Tina Ann Forkner is the author of Ruby Among Us. Originally from Oklahoma, she now lives with her husband and three children in Wyoming, where she serves on the Laramie County Library Foundation’s board of directors.

A big thank you to Ashley from Waterbrook/Random House for a copy of the book and inviting me to participate in the tour.

Blog Tour: The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper by Kathleen Y'Barbo

The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper (from the publisher):
"The future is clearly mapped out for New York socialite Eugenia “Gennie” Cooper, but she secretly longs to slip into the boots of her favorite dime-novel heroine and experience just one adventure before settling down. When the opportunity arises, Gennie jumps at the chance to experience the Wild West, but her plans go awry when she is drawn into the lives of silver baron Daniel Beck and his daughter and finds herself caring for them more than is prudent–especially as she’s supposed to go back to New York and marry another man. As Gennie adapts to the rough-and-tumble world of 1880s Colorado, she must decide whether her future lies with the enigmatic Daniel Beck or back home with the life planned for her since birth. The question is whether Daniel’s past–and disgruntled miners bent on revenge–will take that choice away from her."

My thoughts: What a fun read this one is! The book is billed as historical fiction, but there is plenty of romance and adventure as well. With a terrific cast of characters that seem to leap right off the page, authentic dialogue and lots of action, The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper is just sheer escapism to another time and place.

I just adore the main character, Eugenia or Gennie as she prefers to be called. Although she is a New York socialite and expected to always be the lady, she greatly admires the fictional Mae Winslow and secretly reads all the latest "penny dreadful" stories about Mae's wild west escapades. When Eugenia has a chance to trade places with her maid and be a governess in the wilds of Colorado, she doesn't hesitate in trading her fancy frocks for boots and buckskin. Her grand plan is to have a Wild West adventure ( with capital W's, mind you !) for just one month before she settles down with her NY banker beau. Well, you know what they say about the best laid plans!

Barely escaping New York without being detected, Gennie lands in Colorado to find things not quite as she expected. The father is absent and the child, Charlotte, is living like a tomboy. In her opinion she has no need to be clean or wear a dress, and she emphatically makes it known to Gennie the last thing she needs is a governess. After all, she is ten years old! At this first inauspicious meeting, Gennie has definitely met her match!

When she finally meets the father, Daniel Beck, it is almost a comedy of errors. Now Gennie comes up with another plan. Well, you'll just have to read the book to find out what happens next. Whoo hoo... the reader is in for another round of fun and adventure in Denver, Leadville and back to New York. As a little added bonus, at the top of each chapter is a mini story with Mae Winslow. This is one book I really enjoyed just for the sheer fun of it. 4****

Author Bio: Kathleen Y’Barbo is the best-selling, award-winning author of more than thirty novels, novellas, and young adult books, with more than a half-million in print. A graduate of Texas A&M University, she is currently a publicist with Books & Such literary agency. Please visit Kathleen at her website.

A big thank you to Ashley Boyer at Waterbrook/Random House for a copy of the book and for an invitation to participate in the tour.

Blog Tour: The Sweetgum Ladies Knit for Love by Beth Pattillo

The Sweetgum Ladies Knit for Love (from the publisher):
"Once a month, the six women of the Sweetgum Knit Lit Society gather to discuss books and share their knitting projects. Inspired by her recently-wedded bliss, group leader Eugenie chooses “Great Love Stories in Literature” as the theme for the year’s reading list–a risky selection for a group whose members span the spectrum of age and relationship status.As the Knit Lit ladies read and discus classic romances like Romeo and Juliet, Wuthering Heights, and Pride and Prejudice, each member is confronted with her own perception about love. Camille’s unexpected reunion with an old crush forces her to confront conflicting desires. Newly widowed Esther finds her role in Sweetgum changing and is surprised by two unlikely friends. Hannah isn’t sure she’s ready for the trials of first love. Newcomer Maria finds her life turned upside-down by increasing family obligations and a handsome, arrogant lawyer, and Eugenie and Merry are both asked to make sacrifices for their husbands that challenge their principles.Even in a sleepy, southern town like Sweetgum, Tennessee, love isn’t easy. The Knit Lit ladies learn they can find strength and guidance in the novels they read, the love of their family, their community–and especially in each other."

My thoughts:

What are the essential ingredients of an enjoyable fiction novel? For me, it is characters that are easy to relate to, a pleasant setting and a plot that has challenges and resolutions. Sweetgum Ladies Knit for Love has all of these essentials and more. The dialogue is believable, the characters are authentic and the setting feels comfortably familiar. Let's just take a brief look at these diverse characters.

Eugenie ~ a mid sixties librarian who has been the town spinster until very recently and is now married to Paul, local minister, with whom she was involved in her youth. Eugenie can be a bit stern and set in her ways, especially when running the lit society monthly meeting, but underneath she has a heart with a lot of soft spots. Eugenie has recently become Hannah's legal guardian.

Hannah ~ a 15 year old very independent young woman whose upbringing or lack thereof has left her with some indelible emotional scars. She may be quiet at times but she is fully aware of what's happening around her and shows some very mature insight about the people in the story.

Camille ~ has always wanted to escape Sweetgum as she feels she is trapped there due to financial and family obligations. When an old flame shows up in town, she does her best to avoid him. How long can she hold out and will she decide Sweetgum is really the place for her? Will the potential for love trap her or free her?

Maria ~ just lost her father and is now the sole support of her mother and sisters. Having to give up their home, they are reduced to living above the family owned five and dime store. Maria has joined the knit lit society at Eugenie's invitation.

Esther Jackson~ newly widowed, Esther finds out her financial situation is shaky and her present extravagant lifestyle is in jeopardy. Esther is a very proud older woman who does not know how to lighten up and enjoy life. Esther had thought marriage was about making the right alliance, not nonsense about dying for love.

Merry ~ is a devoted mother whose world has been turned upside down when her husband wants her to work for him full time. His law practice is teetering on bankruptcy and he needs her help. She is torn between wifely duties and motherhood, especially when one of her children is in jeopardy.

When Eugenie suggests the knit lit society read Romeo and Juliet and knit a project that will complement the book selection, the other five women aren't too sure this is a good idea. Eugenie first asks them what love means to them. This is the one of the themes of the book. All of the women find challenges in their daily life due to love and duty to their families. How they all resolve these challenges is an emotional journey that takes them in different directions. They eventually learn how to share their feelings, help and support each other in some difficult times while learning a few things about themselves.

Although this is a stand alone novel, I would recommend reading The Sweetgum Knit Lit Society. This first book in the series tells the story of how Hannah and Eugenie met in the library and why Eugenie got Hannah involved in the knit and lit group. These books are written with such charm and feeling that I thoroughly enjoyed them. There seems to be something special about Southern small towns and the people who live there. Ms. Pattillo's writing transports you to that world and makes you feel part of each family. This book would make an excellent book club choice as there are many avenues of discussion that can be explored. For an easy, satisfying, feel- good read, The Sweetgum Ladies Knit for Love is an excellent choice. 4****

Author Bio: RITA Award-winning Beth Patillo combines her love of knitting and books in her engaging Sweetgum series. Pattillo served churches in Missouri and Tennessee before founding Faith Leader, a spiritual leadership development program. Beth Pattillo learned to knit in the second grade. she is the author of nine books including Heavens to Betsy and Jane Austen Ruined My Life. Beth lives with her husband and children in Tennessee. Ms. Pattillo's website can be found here.

A big thank you to Ashley at Waterbrook Press/Random House for a copy of this fine book and inviting me to participate in the tour.

Blog Tour and giveaway: Summer of Two Wishes by Julia London

(from the author's web site)
"Macy Lockhart's life shattered in a moment with the news that her husband, Finn--serving in the military overseas--has been killed in the line of duty. Their ardent and devoted marriage is over, leaving Macy alone and directionless. But while she tries to sustain herself with memories of Finn, the quiet, strong man who made her and their small Texas ranch the center of his life, it is wealthy Wyatt Clark who slowly brings joy back into her life. Her love for Wyatt may be less romantic than the breathless passion she'd once shared with Finn, but she vows to cherish him, and their marriage is happy and solid as a rock. Until the day that Finn, miraculously spared from death, returns home to claim his bride...
How can a woman choose between the two men she loves? And how will she make the right choice--for herself and everyone involved? "

My thoughts: The day the army showed up at Macy Lockhart's door and told her that her husband Finn was dead, her world just fell apart. After grieving for several years she is introduced to Wyatt Clark, a very wealthy and respected developer. Although Finn is always in her thoughts, Wyatt brings Macy some happiness and eventually she falls for him. After Seven months of marriage to Wyatt, the army drops another emotional firestorm on Macy when they tell her they were mistaken three years ago; Finn is still alive and will be home soon. He was captured by the Taliban and kept in prison.

Her mother, who is a lawyer, tells her she can either divorce Finn and continue on with Wyatt or declare her new marriage to be void. These are her legal choices, but what about her emotional choices? Although she is happily married to Wyatt, Finn is and has always been her true soul mate. Macy knows it is impossible not to hurt one of them in the process, but who will she choose? Can she just easily pick up the pieces of her old life or continue with the new and forget about the old?

London really knows how to portray her characters' feelings. This is one passionate, emotional roller-coaster of a romance book. I got caught up in Macy's story right from the beginning. Her anguish in making a decision is so evident and well written. There is also a serious side to Finn's story. As a returning vet he is suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome. This is not a huge element of the book but it does give an authentic voice to Finn's character. The one thing that kept him going while he was imprisoned was the thought that Macy was waiting back in Texas. His heartbreak at her indecisiveness is almost palpable. So much heart-ache!

At the end of the book you will find a readers group guide, a conversation with Julia and an excerpt from her book, A Courtesan's Scandal. Summer of Two Wishes is a thoroughly enjoyable read and I gave it a 4**** rating.

About the author: (from the back cover) Julia London is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of numerous romantic novels, including the Scandalous series: The Book of Scandal, Highland Scandal, and A courtesan's Scandal; The Desperate Debutantes Trilogy: The Dangers of Deceiving a Viscount, The Perils of Pursuing a Prince, and the Hazards of Hunting a Duke; and the Lockhart family trilogy: Highlander Unbound ( a finalist for the Romance Writers of America's RITA Award for best historical romance), Highlander in Disguise, and Higlander in Love (also a finalist for the RITA Award). She is also the author of Guiding Light: Jonathon's Story, the NY Times bestsellingnovel based on the Emmy Award-winning daytime drama Guiding Light. A native Texan, Julia lives in Austin.

Visit Julia at her website here to read an excerpt of Summer of Two Wishes. She has a contest there you can enter for some delightful gifts.

Since the book Summer of Two Wishes debuts today, I am giving away my gently read copy to a much appreciated follower ( US and Canada only this time) who comments what you would do if you were in the same situation as Julia: stay married to your second husband or go back to your first husband and the reason why.

Winner will be selected by random.org. Deadline to enter is 5 PM August 23rd. Just a quickie little contest, so enter now and be sure to leave e- mail contact info. Thanks for visiting and good luck!

A big thank you to Sarah at Pocket books for a review copy.

Where to go from here; other blogs participating in the tour:deleted

Blog Tour: North! or Be Eaten by Andrew Peterson

Readers thrilled to the phantasmagorical adventures in On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, Book One of the Wingfeather Saga. Now in Book Two, Janner, Tink, and Leeli Igiby, mom Nia, ex-pirate grandfather Podo, Peet the Sock Man, and trusty dog Nugget flee north to rebel headquarters. Their escape brings readers to the very brink of Fingap Falls, over the Stony Mountains, and across the Ice Prairies, while villains galore try to stop the Igibys permanently. Fearsome toothy cows and horned hounds return, along with new dangers: a mad man running a fork factory, a den of rockroaches, and majestic talking sea dragons.

Andrew Peterson’s lovable characters create what FantasyBookCritic.com says made Book One “one of the best fantasy novels in a very long time,” and Book Two contains even more thrills, exploring “themes universal in nature, ranging from the classic good versus evil, to the importance of family, and burdens of responsibility.”

My thoughts: To say this genre is a little out of my comfort zone is an understatement. I never read fantasy or fictional world type books but wanted to expand my reading horizons so just thought I would give it a try. Never having read any, I really have nothing to compare this book to. After reading the book, I can see it's not my cup of tea but that is just me

If you are a fantasy book fan, you may really like this one. There is certainly a lot of adventure going on as the Igibys make their way from the fang infested forest of Glipwood to the Ice praries. The Igibys encounter many hardships and much evil on their journey, but goodness does eventually prevail. An element of the book I did like was the inherent message of family love and togetherness.

Peterson does such a wonderful job with his descriptions that I had no problem visualizing all these strange creatures and places. One simile that really evoked a clear image for me : "At some unknown signal, a ringing of bells erupted from the city-first one, then a few more, then what seemed to be thousands of bells clanged like a swarm of invisible, metallic bats rushing into the night."

In the beginning there is a map showing all the sites the characters visit on their journey to the ice praries. Along with a wealth of incredibly imaginative characters, are finely detailed ink drawings throughout the book of some of the creatures and items mentioned in the story. North! or Be Eaten is the second book in the Wingfeather Saga.

About the author: Andrew Peterson is the author of On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, book one in the Wingfeather saga, and The Ballad of Matthew's Begets. He is also the cricially acclaimed singer-songwriter and recording artist of several albums, including Resurrection Letters II. He and his family reside in Nashville, Tennessee.

Visit Andrew’s websites here and here . For a direct link to purchase the book, please visit here.

A big thank you to at Staci at Multnomah/Random House for a copy of the book.

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Seduce Me by Robyn DeHart

"Fielding Grey is the second son of the Marquess of Eldon and fortune hunter by night. He's on a mission for the Legend Hunters--a group of wealthy, titled, and heart-breakingly gorgeous men, each of whom are after the find of the century--he has his eyes set on obtaining the illustrious Pandora's Box. But before he finds it, he encounters an equally alluring treasure--the woman bold enough to look inside. Esme Worthington can't resist taking the tiniest peek inside when fate drops the real Pandora's Box in her lap. Thus, she unleashes one of Pandora's irresistible curses: the curse of lust. Now, both Esme and Fielding must deal with this passionate curse--or blessing?--before unknown implications of Pandora's Box overpower them both.

My Thoughts: Surprise! Yes, surprise was my initial reaction to this book. Surprised that I liked the book so much. Normally, this type of cover would be a turn off for me but get past that and the story is not just a romantic romp but a fun adventure tale. The whole premise of legends and myths is interesting and once I started the book, I wanted to read more about mythology, archaeology and the rumors about curses and antiquities hunters.

Esme is such a fun character; serious, book loving scholar with a lot of spunk who is not averse to speaking her mind. Yet, inside beats the heart of a woman yearning for true love and family. At the advanced age of 27, she is convinced she will die a lonely virgin until she meets Fielding Grey. Sparks fly while the two of them try to track down others who have looked into the box and released some of its contents. In a race against time to thwart the curse, Esme and Fielding not only meet a few nefarious characters along the way but they find out some startling family revelations.

DeHart does a superb job of keeping up the reader's interest level. Her characters are very well fleshed out and are easily imagined. I think I too fell in love with Fielding! Another element of the book I really liked was the whole Victorian atmosphere. From exclusive gentlemen's clubs to the seediest parts of London, this book has it all; great characters, wonderful atmosphere, steamy ( phew, is it hot in here or is it just me?) romance and lots of adventure. What more could you ask for? I know I am really looking forward to the next two books in the Legend Hunter's trilogy. A fun read! For it's genre 4****

Author Bio:Robyn DeHart has published four books with Avon: Courting Claudia, A Study in Scandal, Deliciously Wicked, and Tempted At Every Turn. Known for her unique plotlines and authentic characters, Robyn is a favorite among readers and reviewers. Publishers' Weekly claims her writing to be "comical and sexy" while the Chicago Tribune dubs her "wonderfully entertaining." A two-time Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice award nominee, Robyn has earned 4 star and 4 star top pick reviews on all her books and Kathe Robin says, "Like Amanda Quick, DeHart will keep you up all night."

Robyn's 5 fun facts about the book can be found here and her website can be found here. Book trailer is on Robyn's website. A definite must see.

Now, for the giveaway. Through the generosity of Hachette Book Group, 5 books are up for grabs. Here are the usual "rules": US & Canada only, no P.O. Boxes. Deadline to enter is Aug 25th at 5 P.M.

***Please leave all comments in ONE box including your e mail address. ***

For official entry just comment why you would like to win !

Bonus entries:

3 bonus entries if you become a public follower (google friend connect). Already a follower? Awesome! That earns you the bonus entries also.

2 bonus entries if you post about the contest and leave me a link, please.

1 bonus entry if you put a link in your sidebar or tweet about it and leave me a link.

That should cover it. Don't forget the *** instructions. Thanks for visiting and good luck to all.

Book Tour and Guest post by Elle Newmark, author of The Book of Unholy Mischief

Today, I am privileged to introduce Elle Newmark, author of The Book of Unholy Mischief. Be sure to visit her blog and watch the video of Walking Tour of Venice. It's fascinating ! The direct link is here. You can also find a book trailer here. So, without further ado, here's what Elle had to say.

Read The Book Not The Back Story by Elle Newmark


" This blog reviews good books so it seems a perfect opportunity to get something off my chest. Ever since my novel, The Book of Unholy Mischief was published last December, people have been talking about the unusual publishing story behind it. Even the New York Times began its review with " The Story of this book's publication is the stuff of fiction itself."

What?

Eventually the reviewer got around to saying nice things about the book, but you had to wade through the publishing story to get to the actual review. Since when do reviewers talk more about how a book came to be published than the book itself?

Today, I would like to pointedly ignore the story of how this book got published. Anyone who wants to know the publishing story can read the blog on my website, Better Late Than Early at http://www.ellenewmark.com/

But why would you? You're looking for good books to read, no? Well, if you would like to spend some time in the doge's kitchen in Renaissance Venice, you should skip the back-story and go straight to the book. If you l ike the idea of food as metaphor (as in Like Water for Chocolate)forget about the publisher's auction and read The Book of Unholy Mischief. If you like a mystery surrounding a chef and his apprentice (as in the mentor/student relationship in The Name of the Rose) read The Book of Unholy Mischief. Let's face it: there wouldn't be such a freaking big publishing story if there weren't a pretty decent book to back it up.

If this sounds like a shameless promotion, that's because it is. Isn't that the whole point of a blog tour? I'm sick of talking about the back-story and I want to talk about the book that took me three years to write. Wouldn't you?

If you are heavily into the ins and outs of the mad, mad world of publishing, go ahead and read the back-story. But if you like novels, if you like the Renaissance Venice, or a culinary motif, or historical mystery, or rags-to-riches story of redemption, read The Book of Unholy Mischief. Please. "

Those are certainly some compelling reasons to read The Book of Unholy Mischief. Thank you Elle for the gift of your time to visit with us today.

Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Atria; First Edition edition (December 30, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1416590544
ISBN-13: 978-1416590545
Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.4 x 1.4 inches


A big thank you to Tracee of Pump up Your Book Promotion for Elle's guest post.

Book Tour: Summer House by Nancy Thayer

From the inside cover: "After years of wandering from whim to whim, thirty year old Charlotte Wheelwright seems to have at last found her niche. The free spirit enjoys running an organic gardening business on the island of Nantucket, thanks in large part to her spry grandmother Nona, who donated a portion of land on the family's seaside compound to get Charlotte started. Though Charlotte's skill with plants is bringing her success, cultivating something deeper with people -particularly her handsome neighbor Coop- might be more of a challenge.

Nona's generosity to Charlotte, secretly her favorite grandchild, doesn't sit well with the rest of the Wheelwright clan, however, as they worry that Charlotte may be positioning herself to inherit the entire estate. With summer upon them, everyone is making their annual pilgrimage to the homestead-some with hopes of thwarting Charlotte's dreams, others in anticipation of Nona's latest pronouncements at the annual family meeting and still others with surprising news of their own. Charlotte's mother, Helen, a Wheelwright by marriage brings a heavy heart. She once set aside her own ambitions fo fit in with the Wheelwrights, but now she must confront a betrayal that threatens both her sense of place and her sense of self.

As summer progresses, these three women-Charlotte, Nona and Helen- come to terms with the decisions they have made. Revisiting the lives and loves that have crossed their paths and the possibilities of the roads not taken, they may just discover that what they've always sought was right in front of them all along."

My thoughts:

The publisher's synopsis does not include the male characters and they are very important too, particularly Nona's son Worth. He is married to Helen and is Charlotte, Oliver and Teddy's father. Although his family loves him dearly, he provides a lot of the tension in the family dynamics. What Worth wants for his children is not necessarily the path they want to take and that's a big part of the plot.Teddy is one of the characters I really rooted for. He and Worth are like oil and water. I really wanted to see him shake off his personal demons and work it out with his father. Through flashbacks to the 1940's, Nona reveals piece by piece her place in the Wheelwright clan and finally discloses a bombshell secret that will shake Worth to the core.

I sighed as I turned the last page, wishing the book could go on and on. Stories about families, their interactions with each other and hidden secrets always fascinate me. Reading a well written story with true to life characters in a delightful setting, well, I am just as happy as a clam at high tide! Thayer really knows how to pull the reader in and be immersed in a fictional world that seems very real. This wonderful book will definitely be on my list of 10 best books read this year. Summer House is another book that would make a fantastic book club selection. There are so many possible discussions about families that could be explored. Highly, highly recommended. 5*****

About the author: Nancy Thayer is the New York Times bestselling author of Moon Shell Beach, The Hot Flash Club, The Hot Flash Club Strikes Again, Hot Flash Holiday, The Hot Flash Club Chills Out and Between Husbands and Friends. She lives on Nantucket. Nancy Thayer's website can be found here.

A big thank you to Dorothy from Pump Up Your Book Tours for a copy of such a wonderful book.

Book Tour: Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand

"Greg and Tess MacAvoy are one of four prominent Nantucket couples who count each other as best friends. As pillars of their close-knit community, the MacAvoys,
Kapenashes, Drakes, and Wheelers are important to their friends and neighbors, and especially to each other. But just before the beginning of another idyllic summer, Greg and Tess are killed when their boat capsizes during an anniversary sail. As the warm weather approaches and the island mourns their loss, nothing can prepare the MacAvoy's closest friends for what will be revealed. Once again, Hilderbrand masterfully weaves an intense tale of love and loyalty set against the backdrop of endless summer island life."

My Thoughts:

At the beginning, the cast of characters seemed almost overwhelming but I was quickly immersed into the lives of these four couples. At first, all seems idyllic with the friendships solid and loyal between these eight characters. But their intricate lives are not all as happy as they appear on the surface. From each character's personal viewpoint, the reader learns through flash backs and some present moments that there are underlying dark secrets within each one of them. They all have their own weaknesses and strengths as diverse individuals and as part of a relationship.

Hilderbrand does a fabulous job of character development. With each new viewpoint, another character layer is revealed showing them all to be somewhat flawed and truly human. The complex group dynamics of the friendships was as interesting as each individual story and each marital relationship. I think that's why this book reads so authentically. The only character that did not ring true to me was Andrea, the Chief's wife. Her reaction and virtual withdrawal from life over Tess's death felt over the top melodramatic to me. One of the characters I really liked was Phoebe even though she had her own way of coping with pain and loss. She lived in a pharmaceutical and alcoholic haze for most of the book. But she did redeem herself and made the ending of the book so worthwhile.

I have read several of Hilderbrand's books prior to this one. In my opinion, The Castaways has a plot line and characters with a lot more depth and have a little more contemporary edge to them than some of her previous books. If you're looking for a really enticing escape read, you need look no further than The Castaways. For book clubs, this would be a wonderful selection. I can see plenty of discussion possibilities. Highly recommended. 4****

For other participating tours today, please visit:

http://www.myspace.com/darbyscloset
http://imbookingit.wordpress.com/
http://booksoulmates.blogspot.com/
http://www.morbid-romantic.net/
http://nisefunpages.blogspot.com/
http://tvandbookaddict.blogspot.com/
http://allisonsatticblog.blogspot.com/
http://wrightysreads.blogspot.com/
http://frugalplus.com/
http://www.mgpblog.com/

Elin Hilderbrand lives on Nantucket with her husband and their three young children. She grew up in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, and traveled extensively before settling on Nantucket. She is the author of ten novels. Hilderbrand is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and the graduate fiction workshop at the University of Iowa.

A big thank you to Miriam at Hachette Book Group for a copy of this delightful book and allowing me the privilege of taking part in the tour.

Visit Elin Hilderbrand's Nantucket

Book Tour: Tomorrow's Treasure by Linda Lee Chaikin & The Captain's Bride by Lisa Tawn Bergren

From the back cover:

"Raised by her aunt and uncle at the rectory in the small English village of Grimston Way, lovely Evy Varley remembers little of her parents and nothing of South Africa, the land where she was orphaned during the Zulu war of 1878. But when Sir Roger Chantry, the arrogant and handsome son of the local squire, accuses Evy's mother of stealing the infamous Kimberly Black Diamond, Evy sets out to prove the rogue wrong and clear her mother's name.

Secrets abound, however, from the diamond mines of South Africa to the halls of her own beloved rectory. A stunned Evy finds her own aunt and uncle may have concealed disturbing truths about her family, and the rakish Sir Rogan has his own reasons to seek the Black Diamond. Now, faced with a dangerous past and an uncertain future, Evy must draw upon her wits and her faith to pursue Tomorrow's Treasure."

My thoughts: This story has a lot going for it: from adventures in Capetown to a rural village in the Victorian era, luxurious living at the squire's manse to penurious rectory life, family secrets and a black sheep, stolen diamonds and a captivating love story. Phew, what more could you want for a perfect literary escape! I really enjoyed this book and want to extend a thank you to Staci at Waterbrook Press for a copy. 4****

About the author: Linda Lee Chaiken has written numerous top-selling books and series, including The Silk House series and For Whom The Stars Shine, a finalist for the prestigious christy Award. Two of her novels have been awarded the Silver Angel Angel Award for excellence. Linda is a graduate of Multnamah Biblical Seminary and taught neighborhood Bible classes for many years. She and her husband live in California.

Captain's Bride


My Thoughts: The story opens in Bergen, Norway in 1880 as we are introduced to the main characters: Elsa Anders and her fiance Peder Ramstadt, Elsa's younger sister Tora and Peder's best friend Karl. Along with these characters are newlyweds Kaatje and Soren. Elsa's and Peder's wedding occurs in Norway and then they are off to build a new life in Camden-by-the-Sea, Maine. Several others from Bergen are to sail with them. Peder is the Captain of the ship and he and his friend Karl will be building a new shipyard in Maine but Karl is harboring a secret that could destroy their life long friendship.

After settling in their new home, Elsa becomes distraught that Peder does not want her to sail with him as he thinks it is too dangerous. This becomes a bone of contention in their marriage. You can just feel Elsa's frustration and Peder's obstinacy. Even though they have differences of opinons, their deep Christian beliefs keeps their love intact and helps them to overcome many problems. Bergren does such a wonderful job with these characters that they really come to life on the page. It is so easy to feel their anguish at leaving their families but also the excitement and sense of adventure in emigrating to America.

Some of the other Bergensers, including Kaatje and Soren travelled on to North Dakota to make a living out of farming. Unfortunately, Soren has an eye for other women. Despite his promises to Kaatje to be faithful only to her, Soren can not help dallying with others, even turning to the teenaged Tora while sailing to America. These actions are to have dire consequences to their young marriage.

Tora, despite her young age of 16, is a woman who knows what she wants and will use any means to get it. Aspiring to marriage and family is definitely not on her agenda. She has set her sights to high society and wealth. After finally leaving Camden-by-the-Sea, she moves to Duluth to begin a career and a search for the perfect man who will keep her in style. All of the characters start out with big dreams for a new life in a new country where the possibilities seem endless.

This book is the first in The Northern Lights trilogy. I got so engrossed in this wonderful saga that I finished it in two sittings. I had a really hard time coming out of the time frame and putting this one down. Bergren is a skilled writer who fleshes out her characters to perfection. Every nuance of the characters' emotions is clearly expressed leaving the reader to feel as if these characters are real. There are also plenty of adventures in this epic story. I liked the first one so much, I read the next two books in the series: Deep Harbor and Midnight Sun where the story continued. If you are a fan of romance, Christian fiction, adventure or family sagas, this is one story you will savor. Highly recommended. 4.5****

About the author: Lisa Tawn Bergren has authored more than thrity books, including Breathe and The Begotten. Visit her online here.

A huge thank you to Staci at Waterbrook/Random House for a copy of this riveting novel.