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 !!

One More Last Chance ~ review

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Sarah Cooley has come home to Last Chance, New Mexico, for one reason--because it doesn't change. After a relationship gone bad with a man who wanted to change everything about her, Sarah is more than ready for the town whose motto may as well be, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."Chris Reed, on the other hand, wants nothing more than to spark some change in the little town. As the new owner of the Dip 'n' Dine, he's shaking things up to draw folks from all over the Southwest into his restaurant.As it turns out, the winds of change are blowing into Last Chance--just not in the ways that Sarah or Chris might expect.

MY THOUGHTS:

One More Last Chance is the 2nd book in this Series. I have not read the 1st book, and can tell you this book can definitely be a stand alone. While I didn't know the characters in the first book, I never felt like I was missing anything but I plan on reading it next! :)
Sarah has just ended a relationship and is looking to a city called Last Chance to help her mend her broken heart. The last thing she ever wanted was someone in her life that would change things up but Chris Reed was certainly brought into Sarah's life for a reason!

One More Last chance is a wonderful story in a sweet town that will make you want to visit and you might not want to leave !! While Sarah is very difficult to like in the beginning, things begin to change just as I hoped they would! I highly recommend it and can tell you it would be a great read over this next holiday weekend!

Thanks to Revell for allowing me this complimentary book in exchange for my honest review!

Gathering Shadows

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.

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

Fatal Exchange

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Emily Hunt might come from a family of cops, but she never goes looking for an adrenaline rush. She lives the quiet--well, relatively quiet--life of a teacher and thrives on making a difference in the lives of her students. But she'll have to draw on a well of strength and savvy she didn't know she had as student Rafael Cerda takes her class hostage for ransom money to save his brother's life.

Undercover cop Mason Taylor has been working with Rafael to find his brother and bring the cartel thugs who hold him to justice. Can he talk Rafael down from his impulsive actions? And is there something more sinister at work here than he realizes?

Fatal Exchange draws readers into a complex matrix of intertwining lives and unraveling secrets, where every answer creates more questions. Romantic suspense fans will hardly want to come up for air.

MY THOUGHTS:

Holy Smokes!!! This is one of those books that will take you on a WILD RIDE!! The pages can't be turned quick enough and sleep is not happening because you just can't get your head out of this book!!!

Even though this is the 2nd book in the series, it can be read and understood just fine! 
I LOVE the suspense with a touch of romance! I am definitely a new fan of Lisa Harris!

Thank you Revell for allowing me this book in exchange for my honest review!!

One Perfect Spring

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Claire Summers is a single mother who's doing her best to make ends meet. Keith Watson is a philanthropic workaholic who fields requests for donations. But when a letter from Claire's 11-year-old daughter reaches his desk, everything changes. Will this one missive intertwine his life with Claire's---and reap more blessings than they could ever imagine?

MY THOUGHTS:

Oh my goodness! This book is a MUST to have on your reading list! It has everything a good book needs to keep you turning pages until there are none left to turn! One Perfect String will hit almost every one of your emotions and leave you feeling inspired! A sweet story that has many twists and things happen that I didn't see coming at all! I just fell in love with little Haley and her sweet heart! Please put this on your reading list! I know you will love it and want to pass it along to someone else  :) It's just that good!

Critical Condition ~ Review

ABOUT THE BOOK:

It began as a quiet dinner party honoring Dr. Shannon Frasier's colleague, but became a nightmare when a man was shot on her lawn, reviving emotions from a similar episode a decade ago. Then a midnight call from her sister, Megan, causes Shannon to fear that her sister is on drugs again.

Her "almost-fiance" Dr. Mark Gilbert's support only adds to Shannon's feelings of guilt, since she can't bring herself to fully commit to him. She turns for help to her pastor-father, only to learn that he's just been diagnosed with leukemia.

Shannon thought it couldn't get any worse. Then the late-night, threatening phone calls begin, the rough voice asking, "What did he say before he died?

My Thoughts:

Anytime I get a chance to read one of Dr. Richard Mabry's books, I jump on it!  I absolutely LOVE his medical thrillers and Critical Condition was EXCELLENT, as I knew it would be! I'm never able to solve the who-done-it in Dr. Mabry's books and I LOVE that! I've always loved the fact that his books, for me, are not the typical cookie cutter suspense novels.  He writes good, clean, exciting novels that leave you anxiously awaiting the next one!

I loved Shannon and how she loved her family! She cared immensely for her sister, and being the oldest child, she took on a role that I could completely relate to. I just thought Mark was amazing and his patience with Shannon were obviously God-given :) But that is always how the Lord works! What we think is impossible, God makes a way and provides all you need to get through it, and that is evident in Dr. Mabry's books! 

If you haven't read one of Dr. Mabry's books, you truly should! If you like suspense, medical thrillers, then Oh boy! you truly need to read his books!! 

Critical Condition is a 5 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥'s review for sure!

Thank you Litfuse for allowing me the complimentary books in exchange for my honest review!

A Promise in Pieces

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

A Promise in Pieces

Abingdon Press (April 15, 2014)

by

Emily T. Wierenga


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


A Word from the Author:

I’m Emily, and I’m honored and humbled to meet you, friend.

We’re all stumbling along on this journey and you can approach me about anything okay? I’m an open book, with dog-eared pages and a worn cover.


I’m mama to two boys, ages two and four, and married to a farm-boy-turned-math-teacher. We live in a small Dutch hamlet with three churches, one Co-Op and no stop lights. There are a lot of fields out here, there’s a lot of space and sky for breathing and running and writing.


We foster two boys in addition to our own two, and before I had kids, I took care of my Mum who had brain cancer. She fought back and has recovered, all glory to God, and my pastor-father still holds her hand while they go for daily walks.


I battled anorexia nervosa as a child, and then again as a newly married woman, and I write a lot about body image now and have a passion for women to learn to love themselves.


My husband and I have battled infertility and are currently trying to adopt our third child through the local Alberta government.


I hurt for the church, and believe in it, and pray for it, as I’ve grown up inside its walls and have heard its groanings.


I have a heart for Africa, particularly Uganda, and went there in January on a bloggers’ trip with World Help.


My favorite things to do are read literary novels, play guitar, snowboard, paint with oil and acrylics and hug my babies.


I am the author of two books on eating disorders, a novel releasing this spring, and a memoir coming out this summer.


I hope you’ll connect with me on FB: https://www.facebook.com/emilytwierenga, or if you prefer, Twitter: @emily_wierenga. I’d love to have a virtual glass of wine, or cup of coffee, with you.


Peace to you friends,


e.

ABOUT THE BOOK

After the end of World War II, Clara Kirkpatrick returns from the Women’s Army Corp to deliver a dying soldier’s last wishes: convey his love to his young widow, Mattie, with apologies for the missed life they had planned to share.

Struggling with her own post-war trauma, Clara thinks she’s not prepared to handle the grief of this broken family. Yet upon meeting Mattie, and receiving a baby quilt that will never cuddle the soldier’s baby, Clara vows to honor the sacrifices that family made.

Now a labor and delivery nurse in her rural hometown, Clara wraps each new babe in the gifted quilt and later stitches the child’s name into the cloth. As each new child is welcomed by the quilt, Clara begins to wonder whatever
happened to Mattie—and if her own life would ever experience the love of a newborn. Little does she know that she will have the opportunity to re-gift the special quilt—years later and carrying even greater significance than when it was first bestowed.


If you would like to read the first chapter of A Promise in Pieces, go HERE.