"Beloved" Winner Announcement!!!!

Wow this is my second giveaway and it's so amazing to see the great community online that love some good ol' Christian fiction! So encouraging!

I loved reading every single one of the responses. It was so touching and beautiful to read that everyone had a common love which was Jesus. Seriously ladies that is so beautiful it made my day!
 Now to get to the main event and what you have been waiting for! The winner(s)!!!!

The winners are Amanda and Patty!!! 

Congrats ladies! I have contacted you via my g-mail account so check you inboxes for the next step to get your copies! 

Thank you again everyone this online community rocks! Have a blessed week! 

Stay tuned for more giveaways in the future ;) 

For His Kingdom, 
Taylor Reid    

Favorite Austen Moments KINDLE HDX Giveaway, Pinterest Contest and Facebook Party!

Debut author Katherine Reay is celebrating the release of her delightful novel, Dear Mr. Knightley with a Kindle Fire HDX giveaway, a fun Favorite Austen Moments Pinterest contest, and an Austen-themed Facebook Party.

  One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay
• Handmade Austen-themed items (scarf, mug, bracelet, and necklace) 

Two ways to win! Enter today by clicking one of the icons below or participating in the Pinterest contest (see banner below)—or BOTH! 

But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 3rd. Winner will be announced at the "Dear Mr. Knightley" Austen-themed Facebook Author Chat Party on the 3rd. Join Katherine (and Austen fans) for an evening of book chat, prizes, and an exclusive look at Katherine's next book.

So grab your copy of  Dear Mr. Knightley and join Katherine on the evening of December 3rd for a chance to connect 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 by clicking JOIN at the event page. Spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway and party via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST. Hope to see you on the 3rd!

Litfuse Blog Tour Event: Dear Mr. Knightly by Katherine Reay

I am over the moon that I got the opportunity to review this marvelous debut novel by the igneous Katherine Reay! If this book is not on your "To Be Read" list it needs to be A.S.A.P.
 
Goodreads

Dear Mr. Knightley is a contemporary epistolary novel with a delightful dash of Jane Austen.
 
Samantha Moore survived years of darkness in the foster care system by hiding behind her favorite characters in literature, even adopting their very words. Her fictional friends give her an identity, albeit a borrowed one. But most importantly, they protect her from revealing her true self and encountering more pain.
 
After college, Samantha receives an extraordinary opportunity. The anonymous “Mr. Knightley” offers her a full scholarship to earn her graduate degree at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. The sole condition is that Sam write to Mr. Knightley regularly to keep him apprised of her progress.
 
As Sam’s true identity begins to reveal itself through her letters, her heart begins to soften to those around her—a damaged teenager and fellow inhabitant of Grace House, her classmates at Medill, and, most powerfully, successful novelist Alex Powell. But just as Sam finally begins to trust, she learns that Alex has secrets of his own—secrets that, for better or for worse, make it impossible for Sam to hide behind either her characters or her letters.

My Thoughts

Reay wrote a truly whimsical novel that is unique in all in its own. Why do I think that?

The reasons being: 

1. The novel's female lead is in college (master's program). As a college student myself I am always looking for Christian fiction set in some sort of college aspect. 

2. The romance takes place through letters first. You have to read to find out. 

3. The female lead is also not a strong Christian and she goes through the self-doubt of God probably doesn't care about her. It's refreshing I feel to read books of Christians and or people figuring God out to wrestle with these tough circumstances. It's never easy but it is common. Personally, I have came to like when it's conveyed in novels.

4. The main character is a runner and forms her first genuine friendship through running. I thought that was unique and a nice touch! 

I just love the way this book was written. The voice was real, honest, and hilarious. I loved Sam to be honest. At times I felt I knew Sam all to well. I related with her on so many levels. Being a bookaholic I feel at times I would rather read a book than converse with people! Ha! All truth being set aside Sam is just a overall strong character. Being in the foster care with numerous families has taken a toll on her with people relationships. But through the love of God being shown through the many people being put into her life she is able to overcome her limitations. 

The romance in this book is not in your face. Which I still liked. Alex and Sam together I thought were like peanut butter and jelly. They complemented each other so well. Both loving books and would have quote-offs. Some people might think that is so-so but my book lover's heart melted. These two were well developed and not just your cookie-cutter girl meets boy, boy meets girl, happy ending. No. They had issues. You could tell. Yet, they were able to be hones with one another. 

As I said before I loved, loved, loved, loved, the way this book was written. I loved all the characters. Even the side characters. There was not one 1-sided character. The writing was so splendid that I felt like I was actually there with Sam as she was having coffee with Alex in Barnes and Noble, or when she was running during the Chicago Marathon (by the way I knew how she felt being that I just recently finished my first half-marathon, half or full having the word marathon guarantees some pain). 

This book blew me away! It was something I never expected!


If you want a book that could spice up your Christian romance drought. Try this book out. I would seriously even recommend this book to people who aren't Christians. It's seriously that diverse. It's spectacular and I know during winter break I will most likely reread the book out of this book! 

I already feel that Katherine Reay is the type of author that will make us impatiently wait and yearn to the next novel! I know I already am!

As you can tell this is a special book to me! Ha! What is a special book to you? For Sam is was anything Jane Austin! 

Rating: 5 out 5 bookshelves 

Disclaimer: I received a free copy for an honest review from Litfuse Publicity Group.

Purchase a copy 
Learn more about the author

For His Kingdom, 
Taylor Reid  

Litfuse Blog Tour Event: To Know You by Shannon Ethride and Kathryn Mackel

To Know You is a beautifully woven novel that challenges its readers as the believers and non-believer characters are  challenged in face in the most intense and trying ways.  

Goodreads 

Years ago, Julia Whittaker gave up two daughters for adoption. Now she must find them to try to save the life of her son.
 
Julia and Matt Whittaker’s son was diagnosed with biliary atresia at birth. Dillon has beaten the odds for thirteen years only to have the odds—and his liver—crash precipitously. The only hope for his survival is a transplant. He can receive a “living liver” transplant but neither his parents, nor various family members and friends, are compatible.
 
The transplant list is long and Dillon’s time is short. Very short.
He has two chances for a compatible liver: his two older half-sisters, born eighteen months apart and adopted at birth.
 
But can Julia ask a young woman—someone she surrendered to strangers—to donate a portion of her body to a brother she’s never known? Will either sister even be a match for their half-brother? 

Will either of them show mercy and courage if they are?
 
Julia knows she’s probably on a fool’s errand—reaching out to the daughters she abandoned only now that she needs them. But what other choice does she have except to try. 

My Thoughts 

This book caught me off guard. It was incredibly extreme on multiple levels of discomfort and emotions that I had to take a step back and take a breathe. I was gripped with these characters and their struggles that were all too unique and heartbreaking. I could not stop crying. I could not help by relate. I could not stop reading. This book explores the depths of love and sacrifice in family and how our decisions can affect others around us and not just ourselves.

Ethride and Mackel outdid themselves when they wrote this book. This is not a common story where bio-mom comes and tries to rebuild bridges with the two daughters she gave up for adoption years ago. 

Nope. 

Julia is a woman on her knees who knows that what she is asking of the two young women is completely outrageous. Her son needs a liver and his two half sisters might be the answer to Julia and her husband's fourteen years of prayer. 

The depth of this book is so much more than I could hope to describe on this post. The characters are human. Their sin is ugly. But isn't that the truth of all sin? Not one character is "normal". They're all messed up and complicated and feel unworthy of God. This is real life though. Real life is messy, human and ugly.  

The ending completed this book in a full circle of redemption and forgiveness. The characters will surprise you in their decisions when it comes to the end of this book.

The writing was perfect and I can not wait for the next book in this series to see the development of more of the characters that were just touched on the surface in  Veil of Secrets which will be available July 2014. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 bookshelves 
Disclaimer: I received a free copy for an honest review from Litfuse Publicity Group.
 
 I recommend though that you check out the first novel before so you know exactly what you are getting yourself into! Here is a link to the amazon page for purchase.

To learn more about the authors here are two links to Shannon Ehtide and Kathryn Mackel's websites. Great websites with a lot of info about their other ministries and books.

Litfuse Giveaway Alert! 11/19 

To Know You is Shannon’s debut fiction release, and she’s celebrating by giving away a $100 gift certificate to Lisa Leonard Designs and a personal coaching session, as well as throwing a Facebook Author Chat Party. 

Link to the page for more details! Enter in before it's too late!  

For His Kingdom, 
Taylor Reid