My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade, Book review

Synopsis:

A Sensational CBA Debut in Contemporary Romance!  This summer author Becky Wade makes her CBA debut with a fun -- and funny -- contemporary romance.  Amidst the light-hearted banter and laugh-out-loud moments is a compelling spiritual journey of one woman's choice to listen to God and wait on him.  Filled with humor and authentic romance, My Stubborn Heart is shaping up to be the hit of the summer.

Kate Donovan is burned out on work, worn down by her dating relationships, and in need of an adventure. When Kate's grandmother asks Kate to accompany her to Redbud, Pennsylvania, to restore the grand old house she grew up in, Kate jumps at the chance.

Yet, she discovers a different kind of project upon meeting the man hired to renovate the house. Matt Jarreau is attractive and clearly wounded -- hiding from people, from God, and from his past. Kate can't help but set her stubborn heart on bringing him out of the dark and back into the light... whether he likes it or not.

My thoughts:

After a couple of minutes into the book I realized I misunderstood the resume and this novel did not deal with teenagers. Covers rarely reflect the actual contents and one should not judge a book by its cover...I guess I missed that class!

In 'My Stubborn Heart' author Becky Wade introduces her protagonists and sub characters to allow the reader to understand the behind the scene emotional context but this was much more a romance story than a Christian novel.

Because of adult thematic language and references, I would like to clarify this is for mature readers only. I realize of course the author never claimed otherwise since it is clearly labeled 'Contemporary Romance' but clearly this is not YA material.

At times funny, at others indulging and slightly overdone, 'My Stubborn Heart' lacks a little finesse and I will admit I winced at the first chapter: 

'Kate Donovan entered the town of Rosebud, Pennsylvania, for the first time driving a car packed with her seventy-six-year-old grandmother, a comprehensive set of encyclopedias on American Antiques, three sacks of non perishable groceries, and enough pink luggage to give  Mary Kay fits of jealousy.' 

Pish Posh...

In lieu of entertainment the author leaves us to ponder on raging hormones, money gambling and drinking Jack Daniels etc...which does not reflect God's trust or purpose for us. Character fitting? Normal talk betwixt adults? Hardly and not necessary!
Neither a prude or a Bible thump-er, I prefer to see life through rose coloured lenses as a dreamer of course and as a believer...


Noting the 31 year old heroine feeling the need to pray for a husband since fourth grade and was now tired of waiting did not help the over all image the plot created as I continue to read.
The Lamborghini didn't improve the picture either, never mind the peculiar descriptions of dating seniors. 

Pish Posh...


Are we really so shallow? Self centered? Is our language so loose and manners so free? Again, this is clearly a novel I would hesitate to pass along.
Readers like to identify themselves in characters, in which they see one or more personal traits and I'd prefer to say 'pass'.

Finally despite a happy ending, in the end the overall effect dims the message of faith the author intended for this novel to reflect surely,  and doesn't do much justice to her writing skills. 

Of course this is just my opinion and I suggest you check it out for yourself.


I give it 3 stars.

About the Author:

 During her childhood in California, Becky frequently produced homemade plays starring her sisters, friends, and cousins. These plays almost always featured a heroine, a prince, and a love story with a happy ending. She's been a fan of all things romantic ever since.

Becky and her husband lived overseas in the Caribbean and Australia before settling in Dallas, Texas. It was during her years abroad that Becky's passion for reading turned into a passion for writing.

More (here).

FOR MORE ON THIS BLOG TOUR AND ADDITIONAL REVIEWS SEE BELOW:

http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/13491775/beckywade

AND NOW FOR BECKY'S GIVEAWAY... 

Celebrate with Becky by entering her My Stubborn Heart Giveaway and connecting with her during the Author Chat Party on 5/24!

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A Brand New Nook Simple Touch™ with GlowLight™
• A $25 Barnes & Noble Gift Certificate
• A copy of My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on May 24th. Winner will be announced at the "My Stubborn Heart" Author Chat Facebook Party on 5/24. Becky will be hosting an book chat, testing your trivia skills and giving away some great prizes!

So grab your copy of My Stubborn Heart and join Becky on the evening of the May 24th for a chance to meet Becky 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 and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 24th!

I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.

I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Wish You Were Here by Beth K. Vogt, Book review and Giveaway

Synopsis:

Kissing the wrong guy days before her scheduled wedding leads Allison to become a runaway bride. But can it also lead to happily ever after?

Allison Denman is supposed to get married in five days, but everything is all wrong. The huge wedding. The frothy dress. And the groom.

Still, kissing the groom’s brother, Daniel, in an unguarded moment is decidedly not the right thing to do. How could she have made such a mistake? It seems Allison’s life is nothing but mistakes at this point. Daniel’s adventures—chronicled through a collection of postcards—have always appealed to Allison’s well-hidden desire for something more. But how can betraying her fiancé’s trust lead to a true happily ever after?

Can Allison find her way out of this mess? Recognizing she doesn’t have all the answers won’t be easy because she’s used to being in control. To find her way again, she will have to believe that God has a plan for her—one outside her carefully defined comfort zone—and find the strength to let Him lead.

My thoughts:

Beth K. Vogt writing is as engaging as her winning smile! I indulged into a wonderful 'just for me' time on Mother's Day by sitting on the porch with a cuppa and her debut novel 'Wish You Were Here' and I had a lovely time! 

There is always something intriguing in the 'no show at the altar' subject and I will admit to just plain curiosity! I am not a fan of Julia Roberts (oops, sorry!) and  I had a hard time to sit through 'Runaway Bride' but it was the idea of 'running away' which first attracted my attention!

A Runaway bride, a kiss, a series of postcards and God's hidden plans...

In 'Wish You Were Here' Beth K. Vogt gives us a wonderful opportunity to 'run away' from everyday  hum drum and discover yet again, with faith there are amazing things just waiting for us in this world!

Well written and clearly with a zest of life, this is a Christian romance novel you will enjoy with all your heart! Beth K. Vogt knows what makes women, young and older, feel all those butterflies...

The author richly balances all of her characters in this debut novel and you will have a hard time to find just one favourite! Allison is blessed with a solid family, great friends and her life is at a glance just as it should be. When she realizes however she is not happy, she finds the courage to follow a different path, opening her heart and trusting in God's plans.

If I had to choose one protagonist over the others it would be the stepfather figure! With that description Beth K. Vogt wowed me and yet it was just a very small part in the novel! And then there is the unconventional aunt, and the 'Bad Boys' who will have you chuckle starting with their quirky names...Who knew llamas liked cats?

Each chapter starts with a postcard message and you soon discover Allison has attached herself to the wrong groom! Never mind that she also hates her wedding dress!

A delightful story certain to pull at your heartstrings on more than one occasion, you will want to read it in one scoop, forgetting everything else! Absolutely perfect to relax with!

It is just the sort of novel to tuck in your beach bag for a good summer read and the perfect gift for a good friend!

I give it 5 stars of course and I am looking forward to Beth K. Vogt's next novel!!

About the Author:

Beth K. Vogt provides her readers with a happily ever after woven through with humor, reality, and God's lavish grace. She's a non-fiction author and editor who said she'd never write fiction. She's the wife of an Air Force physician (now in solo practice) who said she'd never marry a doctor-or anyone in the military. She's a mom of four who said she'd never have kids. Beth has discovered that God's best often waits behind the doors marked "Never." She writes contemporary romance because she believes there's more to happily ever after than the fairy tales tell us. Beth earned a journalism degree from San Jose State University and met her husband Rob when he knocked her down at a karate studio. They've been married for 31 years. They have four children, ranging in ages from 28, 25, 23 and - thanks to a funny thing happening on their way to the empty nest-a 10-year-old.
More on her website (here).

As part of this blog tour, let me invite you to check out other reviews of this debut novel (here)

AND NOW FOR BETH'S GIVEAWAY...

Win an iPad2 from @BethVogt! Celebrate with Beth by entering her Wish You Were Here Giveaway!

One "happy" winner will receive:

• A brand new iPad with Wi-Fi (The must-have, do-everything gadget!)
• Wish You Were Here by Beth Vogt (Swoon worthy.)
• $15 iTunes Gift Card (Music, books, apps, & more.)

Hurry, the giveaway ends on 6/4/12. The winner will be announced 6/6/12 on Beth's website!

Just click one of the icons below to enter! Tell your friends about Beth's giveaway on FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.





I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

The Heart Always Remembers...

“Love is not written on paper, for paper can be erased. Nor is it etched on stone, for stone can be broken. But it is inscribed on a heart and there it shall remain forever.”

(Lao Tzu)

Mothering's Day...

A MOTHER IS A MAKER OF MEMORIES....

HAPPY MUM'S DAY TO ALL!

Winner Of " As One Devil To Another,

The winner of Richard Platt 'As One Devil To Another, (see review here) is....

Mystica May 7, 2012 7:23 PM

Thank you for sharing! I was intrigued with the title so please count me in for this one.

Congratulations Mystica! I will be contacting you shortly for your snail mail address! 

TYNDALE has awarded you a gift certificate to redeem your own copy of this excellent book!

Again congratulations and thank you for entering this giveaway!

Enjoy!

Beyond Hope's Valley by Tricia Goyer, Book review

Synopsis:

After an extended stay in Montana, where Amish traditions are different than in her home state, Marianna Sommer returns to Indiana for two reasons, first to help her brother and his girlfriend prepare for a baby and their wedding. Second, to plan her own wedding to Aaron Zook -- a marriage she’s been dreaming about ever since childhood. And yet, although she had missed the idyllic farms and families of her upbringing, Marianna is surprised that Indiana is somehow making her long now for Montana.

As months pass, secrets that were hidden in winter’s frozen grasp thaw and take on a life of their own. The truths about a child, about a past relationship, and about God’s plans are being revealed. Walking through a valley of questions, Marianna must hold on to hope as she decides where and with whom her heart truly belongs.

My thoughts:

'Beyond Hope's Valley'  is book # 3 in the series 'Big Sky Novels' and whilst I would have prefered to read the stories in order, this last installment's was in itself a true pleasure. Tricia Goyer introduces yet again to a different facet of Amish life.

I have learned from previous works such as 'Night Song' and 'Dawn of a Thousand Nights' there is always something for me to learn from this author and even better, witness as a fellow Christian.

Amish life varies from area to area and communities such as the traditional one our protagonist belonged to before leaving for Montana is no different. It soon becomes clear returning to Indiana brings to Marianna challenges she had not foreseen and the past casts many shadows over her family.

Beyond Hope's Valley would have been just another Amish story but the interaction betwixt Amish and Englisher gives it a different twist and I found myself drawn to the story after the fourth chapter. The romantic in me found the letters 'written with the pen of the man who dreams of...' captivating.

Tricia Goyer mentions an Amish proverb: 'The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor the man perfected without trials.' Plain and true words!

In this heartwarming tale, Marianna learns to follow her heart and God's love gives her the serenity to accept His plans for her and her family!

A pleasant story to delight any reader who likes Amish inspired novels, complete with mouth watering recipes and solid wisdom!

I give 4 stars!

Note to readers: 'Along Wooden Paths' and 'Beside Still Water' are book # 1 and book # 2 in 'The Big Sky Novel'.

Also as part of this blog tour, I would like to invite you to read other reviews on this book (here)

About the Author:

Tricia Goyer is the author of twenty-six books including Beside Still Waters, The Swiss Courier, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003.

Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like MomSense and Thriving Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. She and her family are part of the ministry of FamilyLife.

For more on this author please visit her website (here).

AND THERE IS MORE...
Tricia is hosting a Custom Amish Prize Pack Giveaway and an All Things Amish Author Chat Party!

Win a Custom Amish Prize Pack from @TriciaGoyer in her Beyond Hope's Valley Giveaway! RSVP for All Things Amish Party {5/21}! Celebrate with Tricia and enter to win a custom-made Amish Wall hanging in the colors of your choice ... and much more!

One fortunate winner will receive: 

•  Custom Amish Wall Hanging {You choose the colors!} 
• An Amish Doll {Sweet.} 
• Amish-made basket {It’s picnic season!} 
• Doilies, potholder and an Amish cookbook {All items form Bird-in-Hand, PA!} 
• Three book Big Sky Amish series {Be swept away by this captivating series.} 

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 20th. Winner will be announced at "All Things Amish" Author Chat Facebook Party on 5/21. Tricia will be hosting an author chat (on Facebook and Live from her website) and giving away books, gift certificates and more! 

So grab your copy of Beyond Hope's Valley and join Tricia on the evening of the May 21st for a fun chat, trivia contest (How much do you know about the Amish?) and lots of giveaways. (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 and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning!

I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.

I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Snuggles Japanese Alps Adventures by Master Photographer Tim Ostermeyer, Book review

Synopsis:

Snuggles is a cute 1 month old snow monkey who decides to plan ahead to make sure that he will be warm for the winter.  He plans to travel throughout the jungles of the  Japanese alps to get to the Japanese hot springs.  He has to go through many obstacles on the trip, climbing mountains, climbing tree branches, jumping over rivers, etc.   

Will Snuggle's get to the hot springs before the big storms of winter arrive?  

This is a Christian book that has 10 bible verses, a lesson on how to pray, and evidence showing how the 6 forms of evolution are all scientifically incorrect.  The lesson from this book is on planning (some people ruin their lives by not planning correctly).

My thoughts:

When Bookcrash offered Master Photographer Tim Ostermeyer's book 'Snuggles' Japanese Alps Adventures' for review, I sent a prayer above, crossed fingers (and toes) and hoped to be amongst the 'chosen ones!'

With stunning photos to illustrate yet another one of his amazing books, the author takes us (and children too!) on a journey of learning about love, faith, family unity and finally teaches the reality of creationism versus evolutionism! 

Snuggles is like all children, depending on his Mum and Dad for survival and learns the difference betwixt right and wrong, caring about others, the importance of praying and a vital lesson in planning ahead!

Children will marvel at the beautiful photos whilst learning of God's creation!

Little fingers (and big eyes) will follow Snuggles traveling to the Japanese Alps with his family to reach the Hot Springs. One look at Snuggles tiny face and you will have an avid audience!

Scriptures are included on each page for additional learning and quick references for Mum and Dad as we know there will be many questions!

Interestingly enough, Tim Ostermeyer seems to have written a  book appropriate for any age, thus making it perfect as night time reading with the little ones, an excellent learning tool for individual readers as well as fascinating for the older child (huh..make that, the adult!) 

Snuggles' Japanese Alps Adventures would make a wonderful book for responsible grandparents and parents alike to share with children and an excellent tool for educators!

I give it 5 stars of course!

About the Author/Photographer:

'Tim Ostermeyer is a Master Photographer who has won 250 first place awards for his photography including 14 wildlife images that are considered to be the best in the world by its inclusion in the Professional Photographer Loan Collection books (best images in world by professional photographers).

He has traveled the world for the last 25 years, taking images of wildlife from the Arctic in the north to the Antarctic in the south. He has taken the best images from his travels over these 25 years to place in 6 children books.'

More (here)

I received this book free COURTESY OF THE AUTHOR and BOOKCRASH as part of the blogger review program.

I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.