Rival Hearts!

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Rival Hearts

Abingdon Press (June 17, 2014)

by

Tara Randel


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tara Randel has enjoyed a lifelong love of books, especially romance and mystery genres, so it didn't come as a surprise when she began writing with the dream of becoming published. After finding Romantic Times magazine in a bookstore many years ago, she found information about writing organizations. Soon after, she joined Romance Writers of America. She located the local RWA chapter and immediately attended her first meeting. There was no stopping her after that!


Through Tampa Area Romance Authors, Tara learned all about the business of publishing, starting with the craft of writing to behind the scenes of publishing. She served as contest coordinator for four years and served as President for one year, enjoying the organization and the lasting friendships made there.


When not writing, Tara owns a business with her husband and stays busy with her two daughters. She lives on the West Coast of Florida, where gorgeous sunsets inspire the creation of heartwarming stories, filled with love, laughter and the occasional mystery. Enjoy!


ABOUT THE BOOK

Molly Henderson and Ben Weaver have been rival magazine writers for the same publishing group for years. When both come up for the same promotion, they find themselves in an unexpected competition to win the spot. Molly, editor of Quilter’s Heart, and Ben, editor of Outdoor Adventures, must switch roles, each working for the other for one month, then submit an article at the end of their quests.

Can girly-girl Molly survive the outdoor adventures that Ben has planned? Can Ben navigate the perils of the social dynamics of quilting events without destroying a valuable quilt in one short month? More importantly, in this he-said, she-said situation, will Molly and Ben give in to their attraction and fall in love, no matter who wins?


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

Blind Trust - Review

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Kate Adams had no idea she was carrying counterfeit money, and she can't believe that it came from her sweet neighbor. Or that it lands her in the middle of another one of Detective Tom Parker's investigations. Determined to prove her neighbor's innocence, Kate stumbles into a pit of intrigue that is far deeper than a two-bit counterfeit operation--and strikes too close to home for comfort. As family secrets come to light, her world--and her budding romance with Tom--begin to crumble. To Kate, it's clear that she won't be safe until she uncovers all of Port Aster's secrets. But is it too late for her and Tom?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sandra Orchard is the award-winning author of several inspirational romantic suspense/mysteries, including Deadly Devotion and Blind Trust. Her Love Inspired Suspense titles have garnered two Canadian Christian Writing Awards and aRomantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award. Sandra has also received a Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense. In addition to her busy writing schedule, Sandra enjoys speaking at events and teaching writing workshops. She lives in Ontario, Canada. Learn more about Sandra's books and check out the special bonus features, such as deleted scenes and location pics, at http://sandraorchard.com.

My Thoughts:

I have to share first off that I had no idea this was the 2nd book in a series.  The Port Aster Secrets series and the first book is titled "Deadly Devotions." Typically when you read a series, each book can be read as a stand alone without much confusion, but that is not the case in this series! I found myself confused many times but even so I still loved the book and will be purchasing the 1st book in this series, and will definitely be anxiously awaiting the next one!

This is the first time I've read anything from Author Sandra Orchard and I will definitely look for other books she's written! If you like mystery, action, romance, suspense, and lots of drama, this will be a great series to begin! 

Thank you to Revell, a division of Baker Publishing for allowing me this complimentary book in exchange for my honest review!

Meant to be Mine ~ Review

ABOUT THE BOOK:

One spontaneous Las Vegas wedding. + One groom who regrets it in the morning. + Five and a half years of separation.  + A baby hidden from her father. = Lots of emotion, fun, romance and forgiveness. 

Ty Porter has always been irresistible to Celia Park. All through high school---irresistible. When their paths cross again after college---still irresistible. This time, though, Ty seems to feel exactly the same way about Celia. Their whirlwind romance deposits them at a street-corner Las Vegas wedding chapel.  

The next morning they wake to a marriage certificate and a dose of cold reality. Celia's ready to be Ty's wife, but Ty's not ready to be her husband. He's a professional bull rider, he lives on the road, and he's long planned to settle down with the hometown girl he's known since childhood.  

Five and a half years pass. Celia's buried her dreams so that she can afford to raise her daughter. Ty's achieved all of his goals. Or thought he had, until he looks again into the eyes of the woman he couldn't forget and into the face of the child he never knew he had.  

How much will Ty sacrifice to win back Celia's trust and prove to her that their spontaneous marriage can still become the love of a lifetime? 

My Thoughts:

This is a tough one because I truly had a love/hate thing with this book! Celia and Ty also had a love/hate thing going on which drove me crazy! Ty continuing on & on about the "Other Woman" was just so wrong, yet him interacting with his new found daughter, Addie is absolutely precious! Addie is 4 yrs. old and just a doll, however, at times she responds to Celia as if she were 14. So Very in tune with Celia's emotions and situations, and in my opinion, no 4 yr. old would even grasp what the situation truly was. 

I loved the ending, but I will be honest, getting there was so rushed...I would have loved to see the author

work on the true sentiments of Celia and Ty and leave all the other stuff alone! Leaving out all of the drug use and other addictive behaviors would have helped some as well. 

Heart of a Bookworm gives Meant to be Mine 3 ♥ ♥ ♥'s

Thank you to Litfuse publicity for allowing me this complimentary book in exchange for my honest review!

Pressed Pennies Review

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Rick and Abby grew up together, became best friends, and ultimately fell in love. Circumstance tore them apart in their early teens, though, and they went on to lives less idyllic than they dreamed about in those early days. Rick has had a very successful career, but his marriage flat-lined. Abby has a magical daughter, Paige, but Paige's father nearly destroyed Abby's spirit.

Now fate has thrown Rick and Abby together again. In their early thirties, they are more world-weary than they were as kids. But their relationship still shimmers, and they're hungry to make up for lost time. However, Paige, now nine, is not nearly as enthusiastic. She's very protective of the life she's made with her mother and not open to the duo becoming a trio. Meanwhile, Rick has very little experience dealing with kids and doesn't know how to handle Paige. This leaves Abby caught between the two people who matter the most to her. What happens when the life you've dreamed of remains just inches from your grasp?

PRESSED PENNIES is a nuanced, intensely romantic, deeply heartfelt story of love it its many incarnations, relationships in their many guises, and family in its many meanings. It is the most accomplished and moving novel yet from a truly great storyteller of the heart.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Steven Manchester is the published author of Pressed Pennies, The Unexpected Storm: The Gulf War Legacy and Jacob Evans, as well as several books under the pseudonym, Steven Herberts. His work has appeared on NBC's Today Show, CBS's The Early Show, CNN s American Morning and BET s Nightly News. Recently, three of Steven's short stories were selected 101 Best for Chicken Soup for the Soul series. When not spending time with his children, writing, or promoting his works, this Massachusetts author speaks to troubled children through the Straight Ahead Christian Program, as well as Street Speakers; a talented group of high school poets from the Whaling City Alternative School.

My Thoughts:

I have to say how much I loved this book! Childhood friendships are a treasure and maintaining those relationships into adulthood is even more so!

I could relate to so much about this book and in particular, I could relate to Paige. Paige is a young girl who is caught between her parents as they are divorcing. Paige's faith in her father never waivers despite being put off, forgotten, or just plain ol' left standing at the door waiting and waiting and waiting for her daddy to pick her up. 

Abby is a phenomenal mom who tries her best to be all things to Paige...a Mom, a Dad, a friend, and so much more and does a really great job at it! When she runs into her old flame, Richard, it was as if no time had ever kept them apart. But Abby is determined to keep Paige her first priority. Will Richard be able to handle being 2nd in Abby's life? Will he be able to earn the love of her daughter, Paige?

Pressed Pennies is a wonderful story of two childhood sweethearts who are reunited and wonder if their love is still as strong as it was all those years ago! 

Pressed Pennies is a definite 5 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥'s !!