A Stitch and a Prayer by Eva Gibson

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
A Stitch and A Prayer
(Abingdon Press - May 20, 2014)

by
Eva Gibson
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

(No image available) Eva Gibson is the author of twenty books, including A Stitch and a Prayer, the latest release in the Quilts of Love series from Abingdon Fiction. She currently teaches Writing Your Life Story classes for Portland Community College and is an active member of Oregon Christian Writers. She has lived most of her life on the family farm in Wilsonville, Oregon, which is the setting for her novel.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

After her fiancé returns from the Klondike gold rush in 1897, Florence Harms sets about building a new life in her new marriage—even though the lingering effects of illness have left her weak and vulnerable. She and her young husband, Will, work tirelessly to clear the land around their Northwest cabin, content with their modest life.

But then a stranger comes knocking and Florence suddenly senses a restlessness in Will’s spirit that she had never seen before. When he leaves her with only a note that tells her he will return before their baby’s birth, she is devastated, and the illness that stiffened her joints returns. Counting the days until Will walks back through her door, Florence busies herself with a Tree of Life quilt displaying a map of the farm they call home. Doubts claw at her heart as Florence struggles to believe Will’s promise to return to her. Will her labor of love—and faith in God—sustain her as she waits to see her beloved once again?

My thoughts:

An enjoyable book, but definitely not my favorite Quilts of Love offering. I really didn't feel like I connected to Florence and part of that may be that I felt like I was dropped into the middle of the story - without enough backstory to fill in the gaps. I did enjoy some of the secondary characters and I seemed to connect more with them -Tilly, Aunt Amelia and even the dog, Vaughn to some degree. I also felt the ending was a bit abrupt.

Lovers of Christian Historicals set in the Pacific NW would probably enjoy this story and I just may not have been the right reader to really put all the pieces together and connect with the main character in this story.

My sincerest thanks to CFBA and Abingdon Fiction for generously providing a copy for review.

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Stitch and A Prayer, go HERE.

Gathering Shadows by Nancy Mehl

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Gathering Shadows
(Bethany House Publishers - May 6, 2014)
by
Nancy Mehl
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nancy Mehl lives in Wichita, Kansas with her husband Norman and their dog, Watson. She’s authored thirteen books and is currently at work on her newest series for Bethany House Publishing.

All of Nancy’s novels have an added touch – something for your spirit as well as your soul. “I welcome the opportunity to share my faith through my writing,” Nancy says. “It’s a part of me and of everything I think or do. God is number one in my life. I wouldn’t be writing at all if I didn’t believe that this is what He’s called me to do. I hope everyone who reads my books will walk away with the most important message I can give them: God is good, and He loves you more than you can imagine. He has a good plan especially for your life, and there is nothing you can’t overcome with His help."

She and her husband attend Believer’s Tabernacle in Wichita.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Wynter Evans is a promising young reporter for a television station in St. Louis, but even a bright future doesn't take away her pain over the disappearance of her brother nine years ago. So when she stumbles across a photograph of a boy with an eerie resemblance to him, she can't pass up the chance to track him down. With research for work as her cover, she sets out with one of the station's photogs for the place where the picture was taken: the town of Sanctuary.

Almost as soon as she arrives, she meets the town's handsome young mayor, Rueben King, and together they begin to uncover long held secrets that could tear the small town apart and change everything Wynter thought she knew about her life. As the truth of her family's past hides in the shadows, it's clear someone will stop at nothing to keep the answers she's searching for hidden forever--even if the cost is Wynter's very life.

My thoughts:

I was especially impressed by Nancy Mehl's previous "Road to Kingdom" series and I knew I couldn't turn down the chance to review this book.

I really enjoyed this book. It was GOOD! It included many of my favorite elements in a story - a multi-faceted mystery with moments of nail-biting suspense, a hint of romance, and a faith message that is seamlessly woven into the plot. It has enough of the Mennonite ways interspersed throughout to appeal to the bonnet-fiction lovers, but not so much that it would keep those who aren't fans of that genre away. Another plus - seeing Kim Vogel Sawyer's "feline foursome" (Sam, Clyde, Maizie, and Frances) pitter-patter their way through the pages of this book - with plenty of snuggles thrown in!

I think Nancy Mehl has another winner on her hands...Gathering Shadows is strong start to this series and I can't wait to see what comes next!

My sincerest thanks to CFBA and Bethany House Publishers for generously providing a copy for review.

If you'd like to read the first chapter of Gathering Shadows, go HERE.

Rise and Shine by Sandra D Bricker

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Rise and Shine
(River North; New Edition edition - May 1, 2014)
by
Sandra D. Bricker

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

For more than a decade, Sandra D. Bricker lived in Los Angeles. While honing her chosen craft of screenwriting in every spare moment, she worked as a personal assistant and publicist to some of daytime television's hottest stars. When her mother became ill in Florida, she walked away from that segment of her life and moved across the country to take on a new role: Caregiver.

The author says that it was her 8th novel that opened the door to finding her way as a writer. "I'm a Christian woman, first and foremost," she says. "So it was a bit of a dream-come-true when Summerside Press chose me as one of two authors to launch the Love Finds You line."

Sandie's real-life role as cancer survivor has parlayed into her steadfast commitment to raising awareness and funds for ovarian cancer research. Spearheading a series of devotionals for Summerside Press (such as the popular His Grace is Sufficient...Decaf is Not), the author has stipulated that a portion of each contributor's proceeds will go to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.

"Being allowed to combine my faith and my humor with raising funds for my pet projects ... and still pursue my writing dream," says Bricker, "well, that's the best of all worlds, as far as I'm concerned!"

And one of the author's pet projects is animal rescue, evidenced by the special bond she has created with one particular formerly-abandoned puppy -- a red-haired collie with "killer brown eyes and the heart of the class clown."

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Shannon Malone thought she'd found her happy ending when she married Edmund Ridgeway, but a diving accident on their honeymoon left her in a coma. Waking up to the news that she's thirty years old would have been daunting enough . . . but she also learns that Edmund has lost his interim battle with cancer and the world has marched on without her. Her gorgeous doctor, Daniel Petros, seems to know everything about her and becomes Shannon's tour guide into a whole new world of madness where reality television has taken over the planet and everyone's life appears to revolve around a tiny screen on their cell phones!

As Shannon struggles to navigate through the changes-both in the world and in her-she also must discern real memories from imagined ones. Did she really ever wear capris pants and entertain in her living room, or was that Laura Petrie from her favorite classic TV show? And where is her beloved dog, Freeway? Oh, wait! That was Jonathan and Jennifer Hart's dog, not hers. Shannon's three elderly aunts flit through her life in true Sleeping Beauty style with her well-being always a priority.

And Edmund's sister Millicent descends like the Evil Queen she is, trying to extract Shannon from any claim on the Ridgeway family fortune. When a tornado moves through town and Shannon is knocked unconscious, will Daniel's kiss awaken her once and for all?

My thoughts:

Although this wasn't my favorite book by this author (Emma Rae is a tough cookie to dethrone!) I did enjoy it. A nice mix of Sandie's signature "Live Out Loud" Fiction - romance, comedy, faith, and "real" characters with real struggles that readers can relate to. It would make a good addition to the reading list of any lovers of Christian Rom-Com.

My sincerest thanks to CFBA and River North Fiction for generously providing a copy for review.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Rise and Shine, go HERE.