Litfuse Blog Tour Event: Among the Fair Magnolias | Tamera Alexander, Shelley Shepard Gray, Dorothy Love, Elizabeth Musser

Among the Fair Magnolias is an exquisite blending of four novellas that captures southern history during one of its most turbulent decades. Each story has an abundance of rich language that brings the south to life on the page, is full of great characters that stick to their morals and firm convictions, and the story lines will leave you as the reader asking for seconds. These four southern love stories prove to be just as sweet as peach cobbler. 




Summary 

Four Southern women are at a turning point in history . . . and in their own hearts.

~To Mend a Dream by Tamera Alexander~

The Civil War cost Savannah Darby everything—her family and her home. When Aidan Bedford, an attorney from Boston, buys the Darby estate, he hires Savannah to redecorate. Can she find a mysterious treasure before her job is finished?

~An Outlaw's Heart by Shelley Gray~

When Russell Stark returns to Fort Worth, he’s determined to begin a new life. But when he arrives at his mother’s homestead, he discovers that she is very ill and the woman he loved is still as beautiful and sweet as he remembered. With time running out, Russell must come to terms with both his future and his past.

~A Heart So True by Dorothy Love~

Abigail knows all too well what is expected of her: to marry her distant cousin Charles and take her place in society. But her heart belongs to another. A terrible incident forces Abby to choose between love and duty.

~Love Beyond Limits by Elizabeth Musser~

Emily has a secret: She's in love with one of the freedmen on her family's plantation. Meanwhile, another man declares his love for her. Emily realizes some things are not as they seem and secrets must be kept in order to keep those she loves safe.

My Thoughts 

My-oh-my was this collection of four novellas just the best thing since sliced bread! I just adored every single novella that was in this book. From the beautiful cover to the deep and complex story lines, I was seriously impressed.  

I am still new to the novella game as a reader because I am always hesitant about not seeing enough resolution in the characters or the plot line. We are talking a whole story from beginning to end in under 100 pages or so, and sometimes that makes me nervous as a reader. I want resolution! I want to be satisfied with my read! All simple things a reader thinks about when picking a book to read. Still, I knew about all of these authors and have read their works prior to this so I was a little bit more open minded to the experience. As I stated above, this collection of stories exceeded my expectations (but now I want more!). 

Each story was placed in the south during or around the time of when the civil war was ending or the area that the story was placed had been recovering from it.  From there we are introduced to four strong willed women who are firm in their beliefs and have minds of their own. Those two qualities are very interesting because it's during a time where most women (at least to my knowledge) were not as vocal or at least encouraged at all to speak their opinions of any matter. I loved how well developed each woman was and how each author wrote them throughout the story. Plus, each male character that was their opposite complimented each woman so well. I just loved the way we were able to see four different relationships in such beautifully sweet story lines. 

I loved how well involved in history Elizabeth Musser's story was. It dealt with the time of when many southerners were helping, now freed slaves, escape the wrath of the Klux Klan. It was such a dramatic time and I felt that Musser really crafted her story well when it came to keeping it short. However, it still packed a punch for me as the reader and it opened my eyes to a time I wasn't aware of in that part of the south. Personally, I think it was the most moving out of the four novellas. 

Dorothy Love's story was about Abigail being caught in a situation that has left her helpless when it comes to duty and love. This story did focus on the issue and controversy of Abigail being able to speak her mind and making her own decisions. If she did her family and herself would be the gossip of the town, and if she didn't she would be paired off when a man that would rather her be mute than speak at all. Another quality of this story that I liked was how it focused also on the secondary characters such as Abigail's parents. It showed that her father was more than just a businessman who wanted his daughter to marry. It also showed a backstory of her mother that I would have personally loved to have read as a standalone or even another novella. Just saying...

Tamera Alexander's story about Savannah Darby is a great treat for any readers of To Win Her Favor as she is a character that is in that book and now she gets her own story! Alexander always knows how to write a story that no matter how short or long she never disappoints with making a girl sigh. *sigh* It was a really fun story to read and was a great light read addition to these four novellas. I loved Savannah and her siblings and I loved reading about Aiden's connection with them and how they finally got their happily ever after. Sweet as peach cobbler I say! 

Lastly, Shelley Gray's story was really interesting to read.  It was about an regret filled outlaw who once returning home starts to live a life with possibilities he thought was never in his cards. Honestly out of all out them I would have wanted this as a stand alone. The story line was great for character development, but if we're still being honest here, as a novella it got straight to the point and gave me everything I could ask for in a story. Nora and Russell are so cute it kills me. (Probably my favorite out of the four if I had to choose.) 

Each story was the most delightful thing I have read all summer. Pick up a slice of your own and taste the sweetness that is this collection of novellas!  

Rating: 4 out of 5 bookshelves 
I received a free copy from Litfuse Publicity in return for an honest review.

About the Author's 

Tamera Alexander is the best-selling author of numerous books including "A Lasting Impression" and "The Inheritance." Tamera is a two-time Christy Award winner, two-time RITA winner, and a recipient of the prestigious Library Journal Award. 

Link to her: Facebook, Website, Twitter and Goodreads

A native of west Tennessee, Dorothy Love makes her home in the Texas hill country with her husband and their golden retriever. An award-winning author of numerous young adult novels, Dorothy made her adult debut with the Hickory Ridge novels. 

Link to her: Facebook, Website, Twitter and Goodreads

Shelley Gray is the author of The Heart of a Hero series. Her Amish novel (written as Shelley Shepard Gray), "The Protector," recently made the New York Times best seller list. 

Link to her: Facebook, Website, and Goodreads

Elizabeth Musser, a native of Atlanta, Georgia now living in France, is a novelist who writes what she calls 'entertainment with a soul.' For over 25 years, Elizabeth and her husband, Paul, have been involved in mission work with International Teams.

Link to her: Facebook, Website, Twitter and Goodreads

Purchase their book on: Amazon and B&N 

In His Grace, 
Taylor Reid 

Four best-selling novelists bring tales of four Southern women who face near impossible choices on their journeys in life and in love during the most turbulent decade of our nation’s history in Among the Fair Magnolias. Don't miss this collection of stories from Tamera Alexander, Shelley Gray, Dorothy Love, and Elizabeth Musser.

Join the authors in celebrating the release of Among the Fair Magnolias by entering to win their Southern Hearts Kindle Fire Giveaway and RSVPing to their August 13th author chat party!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HD 6
• One copy of Among the Fair Magnolias

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 8/13. The winner will be announced at the Among the Fair Magnolias Facebook party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Tamera, Dorothy, Shelley, and Elizabeth, as well as for a chance to win some great prizes!

RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 13th!

Litfuse Blog Tour Event: A Bride at Last | Melissa Jagears

A Bride at Last by Melissa Jagears depicts two people finding healing and love between a rock and a hard place.  It has humor, secrets, and the classic Jagears telling of a romance between two people who long for the same thing: family. 

Summary 

Silas Jonesey's life in Salt Flatts, Kansas, has not followed the course he imagined. After his mail-order bride, Lucinda, abandoned him, it was an uphill battle to recover from a pattern of poor choices and sour moods. Now his prayers for reconciliation have finally come true; his estranged wife has contacted him after ten years of silence to tell him of her whereabouts.

Kate Dawson was supposed to be a mail-order bride, but after realizing she had been deceived about her intended groom she never went through with the marriage. Settling into life as a schoolteacher, she's spent her spare time the past few years helping her student, Anthony, and his sick mother. When Lucinda passes away, Kate is ready to fulfill the woman's wish that she take care of nine-year-old Anthony--until a man shows up in town asking about Lucinda and claiming he was married to the woman ten years ago. 

Silas and Kate disagree over who should raise young Anthony, who has opinions of his own about his future. After being forced to come together for the good of Anthony, Silas and Kate begin to see another side to each other and the possibility of a united future despite all that stands between them. When Kate's past comes to light, Silas's feelings about women who abandon their grooms immediately throw the walls right back up between them. Can Silas, Kate, and Anthony's wounded souls bind them together as a family, or will past hurts and new resentments leave them lonely forever?

My Thoughts 

Jagears has done it again. She has brought her readers a splendid summer read that is sure to make them sigh and leave them giddy with happy feelings. 

This was probably one of my favorites from the Bride Series. If you have followed along with the previous books feel assured that you will see scenes and glimpses of our favorite couples from those books in this book as well.  But back to this book.  I liked how complex it was.  There was more to it then just the two main characters, Kate and Silas, trying to find out what to do with Anthony the nine year old orphan. It was also about Silas finding a family he never knew he had. It was about Kate learning to stop running from life. It was about finding old roots and planting new ones. 

The focus story line is how Kate and Silas are able to deal with the secrets and past hurts that start to resurface as they begin kindling a possible relationship. A possible new future that entails a home, belonging and healing. On top of that the nine year old boy given to Kate after her friend's death could maybe be Silas's son so they have to find out a way to prove it. I liked how Jagears decided to transition this story from discovery to discovery, healing to healing, secret to secret. It flowed really well I felt.  There was a constant battle between the idea of starting a new beginning for these characters because they kept letting their past decide what they thought they deserved to experience in their futures. 

There were slight moments where I felt some decisions made by characters made me want to grab them by the shoulders and tell them to stop being stupid and just be honest with one another. But alas that is probably a reader tick I have when I want characters to just be happy already.

If you love love stories this is a book for you.  It about new beginnings and two souls finding out if their hurts will cause their bond to be stronger or force it to crumble down into a life of loneliness.

Rating: 4 out of 5 bookshelves
I received a free copy from Litfuse Publicity in return for an honest review.

About the Author 

I am a stay at home mother on a tiny little farm with a fixer-upper house. As much as I love writing and reading about homesteaders, I am so glad I’m a homesteader during an era with modern grocery stores to take up for my slack. I am an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher by trade, and I still work occasionally in that field along with being my church’s financial secretary and writing novels. {snippet from author's website bio}

Link to Author's: Facebook, Website,  and Goodreads 
Purchase her book: Amazon, B&N

In His Grace, 
Taylor Reid   

Can Silas and Kate overcome their rocky start and experience healing—and possibly love? Discover the answer in Melissa Jagears' new book, A Bride at Last. Neither Kate nor Silas is prepared for the secrets and past hurts that have yet to come to light as they attempt to prove nine-year-old Anthony's paternity to the court. Can their wounded souls bind them together or will all that stands between them leave them lonely forever?

Celebrate the release of A Bride at Last by entering to win a $100 Memory-Making giveaway and RSVPing to Melissa's August 4th author chat party!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A $100 gift card to Netflix (for a family movie night), Shutterfly (to create a family memory book), or TablePlayGames (for a family game night)
• One copy of A Bride at Last

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 8/4. The winner will be announced at Melissa's 8/4 A Bride at Last Facebook author chat party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Melissa and fiction fans, as well as for a chance to win some great prizes!

RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 4th!

Litfuse Blog Tour Event: Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor | Melanie Dobson

Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor by Melanie Dobson sheds light on the shadows that hide the secrets each character has in Dobson's newest story. Told from the point of view from multiple characters, it will keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat as to when the truth will be revealed.  Its story line and characters will captivate you, and its backdrop of beautiful cottages placed in the romantic English countryside will make for a perfect summer read.



Summary 

When Heather Toulson returns to her parents cottage in the English countryside, she uncovers long-hidden secrets about her family history and stumbles onto the truth about a sixty-year-old murder. Libby, a free spirit who can't be tamed by her parents, finds solace with her neighbor Oliver, the son of Lord Croft of Ladenbrooke Manor. Libby finds herself pregnant and alone when her father kicks her out and Oliver mysteriously drowns in a nearby river. Though theories spread across the English countryside, no one is ever held responsible for Oliver's death.Sixty years later, Heather Toulson, returning to her family's cottage in the shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor, is filled with mixed emotions. She's mourning her father's passing but can't let go of the anger and resentment over their strained relationship. Adding to her confusion, Heather has an uneasy reunion with her first love, all while sorting through her family's belongings left behind in the cottage. As Heather digs, she finds a mysterious journal that belonged to a woman she never knew and it contains clues that lead to the truth about a mysterious drowning decades ago. What she uncovers will change everything she thought she knew about her family's history. Award-winning author Melanie Dobson seamlessly weaves the past and present together, fluidly unraveling the decades-old mystery and reveals how the characters are connected in shocking ways. Set in a charming world of thatched cottages, lush gardens, and lovely summer evenings, this romantic and historical mystery brings to light the secrets and heartaches that have divided a family for generations.

My Thoughts 

Well done, Dobson. This book blew me away.  I had no idea I was going to be as involved as I was when I started to read this book.  This book reminded me a lot of The Midwives BBC series (highly recommended from moi), and when that connection happened for me I knew this book was going to be great. 

Where do I start?  I loved this book.  If you like reading about family secrets and about the uncovering of an almost half decade murder with a side of romance spreading across three generations of women in a family (try saying that sentence three times fast): this book is for you. If you liked even one of the things listed above: this book is for you. Trust me. 

Dobson explores redemption, forgiveness, and unconditional love through her characters that is both awe-inspiring to read and also personally challenging.  This book dealt a lot with the theme of the cycle of hurt (sin) that this one family of women was having hardships with. In no way are the women in the story seemed or portrayed as bad or stupid for making the decisions they made. Instead, they were portrayed as humans doing life as humans: being and experiencing brokenness, feeling lost and looking to God for guidance even in the darkest of places. 

I loved how she used one character in particular.  His name was Walter and he was the father of Libby and Heather. For Parts 1,2, and 3 each began with a letter that he wrote in his journal about his hardships as a husband, parent and individual.  As a character I felt he exemplified coming full circle. I was moved by his actions of how he cared for the women in his life: Maggie, Libby and Heather.  I would say more and elaborate more but I would spoil some really satisfying reading time for you if I did. ;)

I loved the story line from beginning to end.  It wasn't until the last four chapters where I started to put the pieces of the puzzle together.  However, I did not expect the reveal of Oliver's murderer to be who it was. 

I highly, highly, highly (see three times!) recommend this book for your ever-growing to 'be read list'.  I would propose though that you put it right at the top of the list and read it as soon as possible. 

Rating: 4.75 out of 5 bookshelves 
I received a free copy from Litfuse Publicity in return for an honest review.

About the Author 

Writing novels is a fun excuse for Melanie to explore ghost towns and old houses, travel to unusual places, and spend hours reading dusty books and journals. She writes both contemporary and historical fiction with threads of romance and suspense. 

Link to Author's: Facebook, Website, Twitter and Goodreads

Purchase her book: Amazon, B&N

In His Grace, 
Taylor Reid 

Litfuse Blog Tour Event: Crazy Little Thing Called Love | Beth Vogt

Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Beth K. Vogt is charming, witty and full of emotions that will pull on your heart strings.  This destination wedding novel will bring a smile to your face and give you hopeless romantics out there the hope for love. 

Summary 

Wedding bells and storm clouds collide in the first engaging novel in a brand-new series about destination weddings, the power of love, and the possible mishaps and missteps that happen on a couple’s journey down the aisle to “I do.”

Paramedic Vanessa Hollister has put her adolescence behind her, including the unwanted label of being the new kid in town over and over again, thanks to her father’s military career. She’s overcome what her mother called “the biggest mistake of her life” and is planning an elegant destination wedding in Destin, Florida with her new fiancé. But will the reappearance of her first husband from her what-were-you-thinking teenage elopement disrupt her dream of an idyllic beach wedding?

As a professional storm chaser, Logan Hollister is used to taking risks. However, a reckless decision during the last tornado season has him questioning the future of his team, the Stormmeisters. Coming face to face with his ex-wife eight years after their divorce compels him to confront his greatest regret: losing Vanessa. Does their past give him the right to interfere with her future?

A fast-moving, powerful hurricane throws Vanessa and Logan together as they evacuate to a storm shelter along with other residents of the Florida Gulf Coast. Forced to spend time together, the pair battles unexpected renewed feelings for each other.

Vanessa and Logan are faced with a choice: Should they accept, once and for all, their teenage marital mistake? Or is God offering them a second chance at happily ever after? 

My Thoughts 

Again, another novel I ended up liking more than I thought I was going too.  This is a first for me with author Beth K. Vogt and if this ends up being a series I will be coming back for more. 

What I liked about this book is that it showed two different relationships between the same two people. Vanessa and Logan are a divorced couple and married young. Due to that, their relationship wasn't as strong and certain life decisions made it harder for them to stay together.  Fast forward eight years and it appears that Vanessa and Logan are getting their possible second chance. Vogt showed nice glimpses of Vanessa and Logan in their first relationship with their dating and first marriage life. She carried the story of their reunion really nicely, and it was apparent to the other characters in the story (more than Vanessa and Logan), and clearly us readers too, that this reunion is more than just a chance happening. 

{SPOILER} I was first apprehensive because I didn't know how Vogt was going to break off the relationship between Vanessa's then fiance Ted as she rekindles with Logan, but it was handled as well as it could have been I felt. {END SPOILER} 

There were a lot of passages that filled me up with that happy feeling you get as a reader when you're just so flipping happy about the book. Be warned though: the second to last chapter had the most moving scene in the entire book that I was trying not to get tears on the page.  

This novel is a perfect summer beach read full of intense moments that are balanced out well with the calm endearing ones. I look forward and hope that Vogt brings us a new story that showcases some of the characters I feel in love with in this story. 

Rating: 4 out of 5 bookshelves 
I received a free copy from Litfuse Publicity in return for an honest review.

About the Author 

{snippet from Beth's website}

There's more to happily ever after than fairy tales tell us. We're living real life--and relationships are messy, even when you believe in God. Even when you anchor your life to his promises. 

I live my life acknowledging these realities...And I weave these truths into the stories I write. 




Link to Author's: Facebook, Website, Twitter and Goodreads 
Purchase her book: Amazon, B&N

In His Grace, 
Taylor Reid

Litfuse Blog Tour Event: Summer's List by Anita Higman

Summer's List is full of quirky character's that all have unique voices. It's title alone could convince you to put it on your summer reading list! 

Summary 

A dying wish alters the course of a young woman's life.

Life hadn't been easy for Summer Snow. In acts of selflessness-caring for her ailing parents and running her grandmother's bookstore-she had forfeited her youth and dreams for the needs of others. And the only tries she had at love... didn't turn out. She had the bookstore, she had her beloved granny, but she was missing something-or someone.

Opportunity strikes when Granny sends Summer on an unexpected adventure with one Martin Langtree, a kind but gangly young man from Summer's past. A childhood friendship is rekindled, a romance is sparked, and mysteries are solved in one magical Texas summer. Will Summer strike out on love again, or will things finally go her way?

With lovable characters and surprising twists, Summer's List is a simple delight. 

My Thoughts 

This book did not really meet my expectations.  It took me longer than usual to read this book than it does for me to usually read a book.  Why? Well, the reason being is because something about this book was a little odd.  Be it the awkward dialogue and the very awkward written characters it was overall difficult to read this book. 

I really hate not liking books.  I totally understand that someone dedicated so much time and effort to creating something for others to enjoy.  So I want to point out some good things about this book.  The characters did have interesting background stories. Also, she was able to use her characters names in a unique way that provided some clever sentences throughout the book (Summer Snow, hint hint).  

Yet, it was just hard to believe some of the stuff written in the book. Something another reviewer pointed out was that after twenty years of no contact Martin and Summer become instant friends within seconds. This also perplexed me. Why did they stop talking??  Well, the reason why was because of a lie that didn't really make sense. The reason why he stopped talking to Summer when he moved away was due to a lie his brother's told him. I felt though that it wasn't backed up enough to make sense for me as the reader to believe it. Summer was written up to be the nicest person around,  so if Summer was this really person where was the evidence or proof in her actions that she didn't want to be friends with Martin? It just kind of fell flat there for me. Also, Martin's brothers are just weird...and then we find out the reason as to why they are possibly weird and that was...well... you have to read it yourself. 

I did really want to like this book.  The cover is gorgeous and the synopsis is a good start for a good read, but it just didn't work out for me.  I do highly encourage you go ahead and try and give this book a chance.  There are still plenty of reviews of people who liked this book.  

Rating: 2 out of 5 bookshelves 
I received a free copy from Litfuse Publicity in return for an honest review. 

About the Author 

CBA best-selling and award-winning author, Anita Higman, has twenty-nine books published (several co-authored) for adults and children, and she has seven books coming out in the next two years. She won a 2011 RWA Readers Choice Award (first place) and has been honored in the past as a Barnes & Noble “Author of the Month” for Houston. Her latest coauthored book, Love Finds You Under the Mistletoe, was on the Nielsen’s best-seller list for five weeks for religious adult fiction and #6 on the CBA best-seller list for fiction (January, 2011). Anita’s novella, Once Upon a Christmas Eve, was given a four-star review in Romantic Times Magazine.

Link to Author's: Facebook, Website, Twitter and Goodreads 
Purchase her book: Amazon, B&N

In His Grace, 
Taylor Reid