A Bride for Keeps

Thanks to Melissa, once I started this book I couldn't stop. I blame her for my unkempt house and for my poor children who had to scrounge in the couch cushions for left-over Cheerios on which to subsist, while I sat completely engrossed and oblivious to everything else.

That's how good this book is.

So prepare your family before starting this novel, and you'll be much better off than I was.

Book Rating: Up All Night'er

I just finished this book two minutes ago and though after a long day my eyes are aching and my head begging to rest, I must write this review now!! Sorry head, you'll just have to wait.

I was giddy while reading this. Just ask my husband. I got so engrossed in the characters and their drama-filled lives (yes, drama--you know how I love my drama) I couldn't focus on anything else. It was fabulous. I mean, isn't that what you want from a book?

Everett Cline has been jilted too many times to get his hopes up that this mail-order-bride will actually stay--and marry him. Julia Lockwood is trying to escape a difficult past, filled with pain. But she isn't sure if this marriage of convince is the answer. If its not, she's got to keep running.

The plot is sweet and flows effortlessly. I must admit that there were some things that happened that I did not see coming. And there were other things that I expected to happen, that never did. The romantic tension is CRAZY! In fact, I will admit that I yelled at the book, just once, because I could not believe that girl didn't just let it go and realize what kind of man she had!!! (I'm still not quite over it, can you tell?) And, let's face it, I would have liked another kiss or two mingled throughout, but the wait is well worth it, let me tell ya!

I dare you to try and put this book down.
Fine.
Double dog dare you.
Oh, yea?
 I'll triple dog dare you.
*teehee wink*


Happy Reading!
Buy it!

Love's Awakening

Remember when you went to that really expensive French restaurant and had real creme brulee for the first time? Heaven! Remember that other time you watched ROMAN HOLIDAY and were pretty sure it was the best movie ever made? Yea, I remember that too.

Well, this book is like that! Only better, because there are no calories--and let's face it any book is always better than a movie.

Book Rating: Best of the Best

Oh, be still my heart. This book is like the creme brulee of fiction--so exceedingly delectable you won't be the same after reading it. Laura's writing is incomparable. I was transported back in time by her prose. The way she puts together a scene and the words she uses to describe people, settings and emotions will seep into your bones, making the story come magically alive.

Ellie is the daughter of Silas (take a moment to catch your breath, ladies) and Eden Ballantyne and she is SUCH a breath of fresh air. I enjoy most heroines I read about, but Ellie was so sweet and strong without being over-the-top. She seemed real. And I LOVE that.

Now as for Jack, you'll have to excuse me if I blush a bit. *eh hem*  He is SO rugged and there is something about a reformed rogue that is just so appealing, isn't there?!

These two characters have known each other since childhood, and their families are anything but friends. So when Ellie decides to teach Jack's younger sister, a firestorm hinging around the families' rivalry and their need to hide something vital and desperate, begins to rain down!! Its all so marvelous, you will be sucked in and won't be able to stop! . . .  Kind of like creme brulee. *teehee* (OK, I'll stop with the food analogy)

There you have it, my friends. I can't say more though I COULD say more, I just don't want to give too much away. So go read it. And enjoy every delicious, mouth-watering word, knowing that you won't gain a single ounce. *wink*

~~Thank you to Revell for my free copy of this book, in exchange for my honest review~~

Happy Reading!
Buy it!

Costume Party Giveaway!! (Are you interested in WINNING three awesome books?)

I LOVE dressing up, do you?

You are invited to a costume party! YIPPEE!!

Please come dressed as your FAVORITE heroine from your FAVORITE HCR. If you can get your hubby or boyfriend to tag along, come dressed as your FAVORITE COUPLE!! Tell me who you would dress-up as, what novel they are from and why they are your FAVORITE! (OK, I'll stop emphasizing that word now... *teehee*)

To be entered you must follow my blog OR my FB page.

PLEASE tell your friends! I will keep this giveaway open for TWO WEEKS, so there is lots of time to enter!

What's the prize you ask!?! I will be giving ONE lucky winner THREE fabulous books...but you'll have to stay tuned to find out which ones. *wink*

As for me, I'll be dressing as Constance from A BRIDE MOST BEGRUDGING and my husband will be going as Drew. *sigh*

It's gonna be awesome, can't wait to see you there!

Rebellious Heart

REBELLIOUS HEART, where have you been all my life?!

Book Rating: Best of the Best

I'm pretty sure I haven't ever rated a Hedlund book anything other than a Best of the Best. This is another winner no doubt!!

Here are the TOP FIVE reasons you will love this book:


5: Location, location, location! 
Who can't like pre-RevWar Boston? I mean, really. Talk about endless opportunities for fabulous conflict, right?

4: Character love!
There is something wonderful about this story's characters and the way they are all intertwined. There was no character I didn't really care for, which you sometimes find in even the most delectable novels. Ben and Susanna are marvelous together and their chemistry is so thick you can feel it coming off the pages.

3: Romance 101-501
Jody does it right. She has "romance" figured out from the basic essential components to the minutia that makes your mouth water. I LOVE the scenes in this book where Ben and Susanna are together, because no matter what is happening you feel their attraction growing.

2: History
I am obsessed with all things colonial and have been since I was young. OK, so I'm a nerd, so what. *wink* This story brought to life the colonial era in a way that made you feel the salty air from the beach and smell the apple tansey as it cooked. Jody claims she isn't an expert, but she could'a fooled me. *wink again*

1: Your story ain't nothin' if it ain't got plot:
I thought the plot of this story was beautifully complex and yet I never felt overwhelmed by it as can happen sometimes if there is too much going on. Simply marvelous!! Everything had a purpose--and oh, the drama! Bless my heart, I love intrigue and excitement and drama. A lot!! The spiritual nature of it was lovely as well, and I promise you will not be disappointed on that point either.
It was all there and so magically intertwined, I know you will LOVE this story as much as I did.

Thanks, Jody, for another masterfully written story. *smile*


Happy Reading!
Buy it!

September's Author of the Month: Melissa Jagears

Welcome to September!! I have to admit that this has always been my very favorite month of the year. I love the weather--warm, yet not too warm, and there are no holidays (not that there's anything wrong with holiday's per se...) to make things super hectic or busy. September is the unsung hero of the year as far as I'm concerned.

Before I introduce our NEW and OUTSTANDING AUTHOR, let me say a big thank you to Joan Hochstetler who I hosted last month. She is fabulous--thanks Joan!

And now, for this month...

I have gotten to know this wonderful new author, whose book A BRIDE FOR KEEPS releases October 1, and I couldn't wait to tell you about her!! Put your hands together for MELISSA JAGEARS!!! Seriously, I think Melissa is a blast (hilarious sense of humor) and her novel is marvelous. You are going to love getting to know her.

Enjoy the interview!!

Tell us about Melissa! 

I'm the most unromantic romance author possibly ever. I dislike celebrating holidays, especially Valentines' day.

I never had a boyfriend....I couldn't make myself use the word "boyfriend" with my husband (the only guy I ever dated) because it seemed such a silly word for an almost 30 year old and it was just odd to think I had one. So when he pressed me for exactly what he was to me, I said he could be my "secret boyfriend" if he had to be something, but he couldn't ever call himself that. :P I'm sure that was tons sillier, but I just couldn't say that word with a straight face. Thankfully the word "fiance" took over um....5 months later. (I had to go look up dates, told you I was unromantic.)

How long have you been writing? What inspired you to be an author?

I'd occasionally had story ideas pop into my head and I'd write it on a slip of paper and throw it in a box, but I never wrote beyond what was necessary. As an English teacher, I recall being very uncomfortable grading my students' creative writing assignments because I wasn't qualified if I never wrote it myself. (Probably the easiest A's my students received.)

When we had children, we decided I'd stay home. After a year of patty-cake and endless diaper washing, I needed some kind of academic exercise because my brain felt like it was atrophying!  So I pulled out that box of ideas and decided to try my hand at writing fiction.

That would be about 4 years ago. I've written 6 novels and 1 novella so far.

What scripture or scripture story give you the most comfort, guidance in your life?

Comfort: John 10:29 - "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand." Guidance: 1 Timothy 4:6-16, my Bible's heading calls this section "A Good Minister's Discipline."

If you had three wishes what would they be? (they can be serious or frivolous....doesn't matter!)

A housekeeper/cook, a mortgage free home, more talent than I have



What are your top three historical Christian romance books?

Hmmmm, ....I'm a chronic rereader, so in a crazy world where you were never allowed to read a book more than once, the ones I'd be most upset over never being able to reread would be: A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers, To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer, Who Brings Forth the Wind by Lori Wick


Thank you SO much, Melissa! I know readers are going to FLIP about your book, Melissa, and about your novella. Just a word about that novella, ladies-- LOVE BY THE LETTER--is free right now, so click on that link and you can get it ASAP!! Melissa, it was a pleasure to interview you and get to know you better. I can't wait for readers to devour your story and THANK YOU for following your heart and sharing your talents with us. God bless!!

Yes, yes, readers--I know what you're thinking, "So is there gonna be a giveaway?!" Right-o, there is! Leave a comment and your email (you must follow my blog or FB page to be entered) and I will put your hat in the drawing! It's going to be awesome! I'll choose the winner one week from today!

God bless you all and have a wonderful September!

Happy Reading!!!