A Father's Second Chance by Mindy Obenhaus

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
A Father's Second Chance
(Love Inspired - July 21, 2015)

by
Mindy Obenhaus
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Word from the Author: To steal a line from Donny and Marie, I’m a little bit country, a little bit rock-n-roll. I’m trapped in the city, but prefer the country or the mountains.

I love Jesus, my family, and just about anything sweet.

I believe Jesus died for my sins, rose three days later, and will one day return. He has carried me through some of my darkest hours. Without faith in Him, I would be nowhere.

I have a penchant for chocolate, clothes, and shoes. When I’m not penning romance novels, I enjoy cooking, decorating and shopping.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Businesswoman Celeste Thompson has one goal: to make her restaurant and hotel a success. She doesn't need any distractions, even from handsome contractor Gage Purcell and his two adorable little girls. Besides, single dad Gage is just biding his time before a big job at the mines comes through. But as Celeste's project springs to life, their arguments transform into attraction. Gage isn't looking for romance, especially not with another career-driven woman like his ex-wife. But openhearted Celeste is more than just another work-consumed client. She might just be his happily-ever-after.

My thoughts:

A great book set in a lovely little town where most anyone would feel right at home. An engaging story line with well-developed characters who go through things that any of us might experience - broken familial relationships that make us hold others who want to be close at arms-length. A story full of hope, where we find if we lean on God - especially through hard times - He will show Himself faithful and can bring healing in ways we least expect it.

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author.

My sincerest thanks to author Mindy Obenhaus for generously providing a copy for my honest review.

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Father's Second Chance, go HERE.

Promise to Keep by Elizabeth Byler Younts

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Promise to Keep
(Howard Books - October 13, 2015)by
Elizabeth Younts
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Word from the Author:

I’m Elizabeth, a blessed child of The King. I’m a middle-born daughter, military officer’s wife, homeschooling mama, writer, closet DIYer, and, dare I say it, Downton Abbey addict. May I also mention that I love both my history and my coffee rich.

I am formerly Amish and my heritage is very dear to me and thankful to be so accepted among my still Amish family. I can still speak PA Dutch, too! You can learn more about my Amish family in my first book Seasons: A Real Story of an Amish Girl.

My three book series with Howard Books (a division of Simon & Schuster) is a dream come true. The series is titled The Promise of Sunrise. In this series you will live through World War 2 from an Amish perspective and experience their unique struggles as conscientious objectors during wartime. What happened if one of their members enlisted? What was it like to serve at the Civilian Public Service Camps for years with almost no compensation? How did Amish women and families cope when a son or father was drafted? I look forward to taking you back into the richness of these years of Amish history through fiction.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

World War II Marine Joe Garrison returns home from war longing to be a father to his deaf daughter, Daisy, only to find that she is attached to Esther Detweiler, the Amish woman who has raised her since his wife’s death in this touching historical romance.

Orphaned as a child, Esther Detweiler is used to caring for herself and her ailing grandmother. They made the best out of a hard life and poverty without asking for help. They even take in her shunned cousin’s deaf daughter, Daisy, when her mother dies and her father goes off to war. When Esther’s grandmother dies, Daisy is all she has.

When war veteran Joe Garrison returns, all he can think about is recovering from the horrors of war and building a relationship with his seven-year-old daughter. Daisy, however, is unwilling to leave Esther, whom she loves. Joe and Daisy get to know each other again, but Joe struggles with nightmares and fatherhood is proving to be more difficult than he imagined. Esther loves Daisy and despite her Amish ways, Joe finds himself drawn to her as a woman and not just a caregiver.

As their love blossoms, Joe decides to send Daisy away to a school for the deaf which propels their lives into turmoil and a battle for love and family.

My thoughts:

As a long time fan of Amish fiction, I was pleased to participate in this tour. This is my first book to read by this author and I am quite impressed. One thing I like is that it is set during one of my favorite historical eras...World War II and shortly thereafter. Most Amish books are written in a contemporary setting so it's a nice change of pace.

The author has done a wonderful job in the character development in this novel as strengths and vulnerabilities are evident for each character. As the characters interact, especially Joe and Esther, the emotions displayed are almost tangible as the reader is made to feel like a part of the story itself. Another thing I found commendable is the authentic portrayal of Daisy as a deaf/mute. Many people think that deaf/mutes have no vocal capabilities, but myself being raised around two deaf/mute uncles, I know firsthand how they sound when frustrated, angry, and highly amused.

I loved the ending of this book and plan on going back and reading the other two Promise of Sunrise books.

My sincerest thanks to CFBA and Howard Books for generously supplying a copy for my honest review.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Promise to Keep, go HERE.

Firefly Summer by Kathleen Y'Barbo

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Firefly Summer
(Redbud Press - June 23, 2015)
by
Kathleen Y'Barbo
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

RITA and Carol award nominee Kathleen Y’Barbo is the best-selling, award-winning author of more than forty novels, novellas, and young adult books. In all, more than one million copies of her books are currently in print in the US and abroad, and her books have been translated into Dutch, German, and Spanish, to name a few.

Kathleen is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. She holds a BBA from Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School and a certification in Paralegal Studies, and is a former member of the Texas Bar Association’s Paralegal Division.

A tenth-generation Texan, Kathleen Y’Barbo has four children of her own as well as seven bonus kids she gladly inherited when she married her own hero in combat boots (read about their real-life romance here!). Kathleen is proud to be a military wife, even if it did mean giving up her Texas drivers license.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

A new cowboy romance from award-winning author Kathleen Y'Barbo.

Trey’s biggest challenge isn’t performing surgery…it’s restoring Sessa’s heart!

Artist Sessa Chambers may never recover from losing her prodigal son. Even as she grieves the tragic decisions that led to his death, and left her with a toddler to raise, she’s asked to work on her dream project—restoring carousel horses for the Smithsonian. But she can’t do it on her own…

Dr. Trey Brown can’t pick up a scalpel again. Yes, he acted in self-defense, but the events of that awful night haunt him. He was trained to save lives, not take them. When he goes to the young man’s widowed mother to apologize, she’s not at all what he expected. For one thing, she’s not as alone as he thought—not with the fearsome ladies of the Pies, Books, and Jesus Book Club in her corner. For another, she’s beautiful, and being in her presence is more jolting than any eight-second bronco ride from his former rodeo days. Before he knows it, she’s captured his heart as easily as they capture the fireflies gracing Sessa’s Texas ranch.

How can they overcome their past to embrace a future together?

My thoughts:

If you're looking for a great romance with a bonus - great characters, spot-on small town dynamics, some seriousness as well as frivolity, and a story of how God can bring hope and renewal to those hurt by the ones they love, then this is a book for you. Firefly Summer will be on my "Best of 2015" list and I would love to see the author return to Sugar Pine in future books.

My sincerest thanks to CFBA, RedBud Press, and Kathleen Y'Barbo for generously providing a copy for review.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Firefly Summer, go HERE.

Once Upon A Summertime by Melody Carlson

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Once Upon a Summertime
(Revell - June 2, 2015)
by
Melody Carlson
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

My husband Chris and I live in a cabin-style home next to the National Forest in the beautiful Cascade Mountain area of the Pacific Northwest. Our two grown sons and granddaughter live nearby and we try to see them as often as we can. We also have two 're-homed' pets to make life more interesting-our yellow Labrador retriever Audrey and a Maine coon cat named Harry.

My writing studio is in a separate building next to our courtyard (a garden area that's off limits to the voracious deer). The window behind my desk looks out into the Ponderosa pine forest, where I see deer, squirrels, rabbits, and an occasional raccoon. The other windows in my office overlook the courtyard which is frequented by numerous hummingbirds in the summertime-one August evening we counted nearly fifty of the little hummers.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Managing the Value Lodge in her hometown was not what Anna Gordon had in mind when she set out in the hospitality industry. But it's a safe choice for a woman whose childhood was anything but stable. Out of the blue, she gets a once-in-a-lifetime chance to reinvent herself by moving to New York City, where she hopes for a management position at a stylish new boutique hotel. The big city is full of surprises--not the least of which is Sean O'Neil. Her childhood crush has applied for the very same position!

Sweet, romantic, and endlessly entertaining, this romp through the storied streets of New York City will enchant readers. Melody Carlson has created characters so charming that readers will long to meet them in the lobby of the stunning Rothsberg Hotel.

My thoughts:

I have read Melody Carlson's books for years and am always eager when she starts a new series. This series intrigued me because it is set in New York City - a place I have never been - but I love reading about. A trip around the Big Apple through the eyes of small town girl Anna Gordon was a treat, as I felt just like her, seeing landmarks and memorable sights for the first time through the author's words. This was probably the biggest highlight of the book for me.

One of my first jobs was as a maid at a motel, which was unfortunately more like the Value Lodge than the Rothsberg, so I did find the part of the story that centered around the maids in New York interesting.

The romance between Anna and Sean O'Neil was a bit predictable, however, I did like the interaction and chemistry between them, especially as they played tourists throughout the city.

All in all, I did enjoy the book and would recommend it to those who enjoy contemporary romance - and I am also looking forward to the next installment in this series.

My sincere thanks to CFBA and Revell for generously providing a copy for review.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Once Upon a Summertime, go HERE.

Dead Dog Like Me by Max Davis

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Dead Dog Like Me
(Worthy Publishing - June 23, 2015)

by
Max Davis
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Max Davis is the author of over twenty books, has been featured in USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly, and has appeared on The Today Show and The 700 Club. He holds degrees in journalism and biblical studies. In addition to his own works, he’s done a variety of ghostwriting and collaboration projects. Max and Alanna have three grown children and a grand baby.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Nick Gregory regains consciousness after a horrific car accident to find he’s been transported back in time and that he has become Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son and King Saul’s grandson. Aware that he’s experiencing another man’s life, he has to learn fast. When mega-church pastor, Nick Gregory, regains consciousness after a horrific car accident, he’s on the ground in agonizing pain. Nick realizes he is in a bizarre place – a foreign, parched, ancient land, having been transported back in time to 800 B.C. Unbelievably, he is in the body of a prince named Mephibosheth, a son of Jonathan and King Saul’s grandson. Nick is fully aware of who he is and that he’s now living in Mephibosheth’s body, strangely able to speak and understand Hebrew. This experience helps him see that he, like Mephibosheth, is a broken man desperate for God’s outrageous grace and healing (2 Samuel 9:8). Returning to present day, Nick’s experience motivates a changed life.

My thoughts:

Two things made me want to read this book. One, the cover! So unconventional, especially for Christian fiction. The second reason this book piqued my interest is because I have heard messages from three different preachers on the story of Mephibosheth just in the last few months.

The story thrusts us into the chaotic world of high profile minister Nick Gregory, whose personal and professional life is imploding. That desperation leads him to do the unthinkable - just end it all! But something happens that Nick is not expecting...his efforts to end his life in the 21st century have hurled him back in time to a life during Old Testament days. I know others have mentioned wanting more of the story set during Biblical times, and I admit that to some extent I did as well, but remember Mephibosheth only shows up briefly in 2 Samuel and I think the author did do justice in not spreading that part of the story too thin. Further into the book, the story is touched on again, and brings closure to the intersection of the modern day story and the Biblical one.

If I could have changed anything about the book, I would have liked to have seen more development in Abbi's story, especially the call to be like Hosea in response to Nick's ministry being his mistress; and a little more background information on Philip's story would have been nice as well. I just felt like that part of the story was in limbo as I didn't know what was behind his suicide until almost the end of the book.

I will say the gems of the story, in addition to the redeeming power of grace that Nick experiences, show up in the form of Maria, Kenny, and, yes, even Deuce. These three characters brought similar aspects to the story - loyalty, faithfulness, and even showing love when people are less than lovable.

Overall, I enjoyed this book as it brought the story of Mephibosheth to life for me. I'm sure it will speak to other readers as well - as a powerful reminder that God's love and grace can help us to overcome our inadequacies. Always remember, even when we feel as worthless as a dead dog, God can lead us to His banqueting table and His banner over us is Love.

My sincerest thanks to CFBA, Worthy Publishers, and Wynn-Wynn Media for generously providing a copy for review.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Dead Dog Like Me, go HERE.

Justified by Varina Denman

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Justified
(David C. Cook - June 1, 2015)

by
Varina Denman
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

An avid reader and blogger, Varina Denman enjoys writing fiction about Christian women and the unique struggles they face. She seems to have a knack for describing small town life, and is currently working on the three-book Mended Heart Series. The first book in the series, Jaded, won the 2013 ACFW Genesis contest for romance.

Varina attended three Texas universities over a span of five years, majoring in four subjects and earning zero degrees. However, she can now boast sixteen years as a home educator, volunteering in the local cooperative where she has taught numerous subjects including creative writing and literature.

Even though Varina has spoken at ladies’ retreats and taught women’s Bible classes, she finds the greatest fulfillment facilitating prayer groups. She lives in Burleson, Texas, where she helps with Family Ministry in her home congregation. Varina is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and North Texas Christian Writers.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

In a small Texas town ruled by gossip, Fawn Blaylock believes others are justified in condemning her untimely pregnancy. Stifled by guilt, she yearns for grace while the local football coach treats her with gentle respect.

Justified perfectly captures the rhythm and romance of life in a small town, telling the unforgettable story of a woman searching for renewal, a man looking beyond what others see, and a community torn between judgment and love. It is the unforgettable story of broken dreams, second chances, and relentless hope.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Justified, go HERE.

The Art of Losing Yourself by Katie Ganshert

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The Art of Losing Yourself
(WaterBrook Press - April 21, 2015)
by
Katie Ganshert
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Award-winning author, Katie Ganshert, graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Madison with a degree in education, and worked as a fifth grade teacher for several years before staying home to write full-time. She was born and raised in the Midwest, where she lives with her family. When she’s not busy penning novels or spending time with her people, she enjoys drinking coffee with friends, reading great literature, and eating copious amounts of dark chocolate.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Just like in my dream, I was drowning and nobody even noticed.

Every morning, Carmen Hart pastes on her made-for-TV smile and broadcasts the weather. She’s the Florida panhandle’s favorite meteorologist, married to everyone’s favorite high school football coach. They’re the perfect-looking couple, live in a nice house, and attend church on Sundays. From the outside, she’s a woman who has it all together.  But on the inside, Carmen Hart struggles with doubt. She wonders if she made a mistake when she married her husband. She wonders if God is as powerful as she once believed. Sometimes she wonders if He exists at all. After years of secret losses and empty arms, she’s not so sure anymore.

Until Carmen’s sister—seventeen year old runaway, Gracie Fisher—steps in and changes everything. Gracie is caught squatting at a boarded-up motel that belongs to Carmen’s aunt, and their mother is off on another one of her benders, which means Carmen has no other option but to take Gracie in. Is it possible for God to use a broken teenager and an abandoned motel to bring a woman’s faith and marriage back to life? Can two half-sisters make each other whole?

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Art of Losing Yourself, go HERE.