Litfuse Blog Tour Event: Irish Meadows | Susan Mason

Irish Meadows by Susan Anne Mason is a treasure to read. It follows the story of two sisters that don't have the best relationship, and have entirely different goals in mind when it concerns their futures.  From quiet Brianna who just wants to further her education and graduate from college to Colleen who is happy to marry for money (or so it seems) proves to holds a delightful read. Join me in my review of this lovely start to a fantastic series to come. 




Summary 

Irish immigrant James O’Leary has spent his life building Irish Meadows into a thriving horse farm and is not about to let hard economic times threaten its success. He intends for his daughters to marry prosperous men–ones who will secure the family’s rightful place in society, and at the same time, guarantee the future of Irish Meadows. Both girls, however, have different visions for their futures.

Brianna and Colleen O’Leary know their father expects them to marry well. Yet despite his wishes, Brianna, the quieter sister, dreams of attending college. Vivacious Colleen, meanwhile, is happy to marry–as long as her father’s choice meets her exacting standards. When stable hand Gilbert Whelan returns from college and distant family member Rylan Montgomery stops in on his way to the seminary in Boston, the two men quickly complicate everyone’s plans. It will take every ounce of courage for both sisters to follow their hearts. And even if they do, will they inevitably find their dreams too distant to reach?

My Thoughts 

I really enjoyed this book and its premise. Its about two sisters close in age but not in relationship with one another and the predicament their father expects of them: a good marriage to help the family.  So we meet first Brianna who is a quiet young woman who loves to read, be around her father's horses and just recently the one man she has ever had feelings for has resurfaced in her life. Brianna was a fun character to read because these were the moments where she got to open up especially when it concerned her attention towards Gilbert.  The relationship between the two was good and at times as the reader aggravating (but in the best way), just kiss already!! I loved how the writer decided to focus Brianna's character towards having a passion for college and acquiring her education in a time where women having that opinion was seen as unnecessary.  I felt it made the book feel more present in the time it was placed and as a woman reading about it made it great to see what she had to overcome and stand firm on in order to achieve her dreams. 

Now my favorite character to read though was Colleen. At first I didn't think I was going to like her because from the information that I was given as the reader from past things that Colleen had done I was expecting a brat type of character who was shallow and was going to irritate me throughout the reading. Ooooooo how happy was I when they image was shattered and instead I was presented a broken woman who had gone through a hurt that she had never expressed to anyone else until Rylan.  Rylan was the perfect person for Colleen, I just have to say that! So good.  Their relationship was most of the time Rylan trying to help Colleen find her way in her relationship with God.  There is a huge full circle for both of these characters and I just loved them both so much that I looked forward to their scenes the most. 

From the beautiful intricate language to the detailed descriptions of the story itself this author and her stories are a much watch out for. This is a beautiful tale of redemption in relationships with people but most importantly with God. 

Highly recommend this book to anyone who knows how to read! Looking forward to more by this author! 

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

About the Author 



Susan Anne Mason's debut historical novel, "Irish Meadows," won the Fiction from the Heartland contest from the Mid-American Romance Authors Chapter of RWA. A member of ACFW, as well, she lives outside of Toronto, Ontario, with her husband and two children.

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

Purchase her book: Amazon and B&N

In His Grace, 
Taylor Reid 

Will Brianna and Colleen have the courage to stand up to their father's schemes to save their horse farm and instead pursue true love? Don't miss Irish Meadows, the newest book by Susan Anne Mason! As the farm slips ever closer to ruin, their father grows more desperate. It will take every ounce of courage for both sisters to avoid being pawns in their father’s machinations and instead follow their hearts. And even if they do, will they inevitably find their dreams too distant to reach?

Join Susan in celebrating the release of Irish Meadows by entering to win her Kindle Fire giveaway and RSVPing to her September 1st author chat party!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HD 6
• One copy of Irish Meadows

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 9/1. The winner will be announced at the Irish Meadows Facebook party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Susan and other readers, 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 1st!

Litfuse Blog Tour Event: Through Waters Deep (Waves of Freedom #1) bySarah Sundin

Through Waters Deep the author Sarah Sundin brings to her readers another gripping tale that is making waves this summer. It's a wonderful beginning to a wonderful new series known as Waves of Freedom. It has everything a summer read needs! From sabotage and undercover work to the growing romance between Mary and Jim, readers and fans of Sundin can be rest assured that this new series will give them everything they could ask for and more. Join me in my review as I reveal the reasons why this book should be read immediately. 

Summary 

It is 1941 and America teeters on the brink of war. Outgoing naval officer Ensign Jim Avery escorts British convoys across the North Atlantic in a brand-new destroyer, the USS Atwood. Back on shore, Boston Navy Yard secretary Mary Stirling does her work quietly and efficiently, happy to be out of the limelight. Yet, despite her reserved nature, she never could back down from a challenge. When evidence of sabotage on the Atwood is found, Jim and Mary must work together to uncover the culprit. A bewildering maze of suspects emerges, and Mary is dismayed to find that even someone close to her is under suspicion. With the increasing pressure, Jim and Mary find that many new challenges--and dangers--await them.

My Thoughts 

It's Christmas in August, ya'll. Want to know why? It's cuz Sarah Sundin has gifted us the best thing ever, that's why, and this is a new series to obsess and fawn over for the next two years. I'm anchored in with this series and can not wait for the next two books. But before I get ahead of myself for the books to come; let's talk about this book right here: Through Waters Deep. 

If you love stories centered around WWII, that have rich historical research blended in with the story line, and have strong heroines and heroes that have great character building that just make you want to spend hours and hours reading about them then look no further than anything by Sarah Sundin. She is the author who provides the best books. I can't get over her writing. I'm a fan. I'm obsessed. I never want her to stop. (Sorry for the fangirling...on with the review.) 

This book already has a strong beginning with its gorgeous cover that has story accurate details such as the red dress Mary is wearing (more details to come in review.) Just from that alone I'm hooked. The premise of this story is very intriguing. It has romance, it has Nancy Drew-esque mystery solving, and it's set in the 1940s. Hook, line, sinker. This book is a home run. Sundin has this powerful way of captivating her readers with how she develops her stories. This one in particular has her characters going through great character building and development I must say. Three cheers for Sundin!

Mary, safe and quite Mary, is someone that people sometimes overlook and because of that they let their defenses down. This results in Mary being able to listen to conversations that are had around her because she tends to fade into the background, so to say. She works as a secretary at the Boston Navy Yard and something goes haywire with an explosive at the beginning of the story. It intrigues Mary and she wants to find out the source of it all.  Is it someone who favors the Nazi regime and wants America to go to war, or is it a framing of an innocent German man? This calls for not just Mary, but also us readers to get our Nancy Drew hats out and figure out "Who dun it?". From there she meets a man from her past, Jim and her life gets more exciting then she could ever imagine. 

Jim is a naval officer. He is also a man trying to figure out how to be a naval officer when it means making the tough choices. Now these choices that he has to make tend to feel wrong to him. Nonetheless, these choices have to be made for the good of his position and the men he is in charge of. From this it brings a lot of guilt and what-if thoughts that he has to battle in order to continue his work. He finds a rekindling of friendship with Mary and she is able to encourage him as he is able to encourage her. I love how their relationship started off again as friends. Sure there was some instances where both characters noticed the attractiveness of the other. But it wasn't the foundation of the relationship.  

I loved how much Mary grew from being the quiet girl content of being in the background into someone who started to branch out of her comfort zone. By the end of the story she was confronting very dangerous men that could kill her and she was ready to stand up for the truth. It was great. At an age where I too have to start branching out (ex: moving out and thinking of after college decisions) I related a lot with Mary with the terrifying feeling of "what if I fail?" or "what if this is the wrong decision?". From there comes the red dress reference. Mary at a sale buys a red dress (I loved this scene) which might seem like just a regular red dress to others, but for Mary its her first step towards accepting that its ok to not want to be invisible and its ok when people take notice in you rather it be for your talents or character.  

From beginning to end you will be gripped with this story. I'm so excited to read about Jim's sister in the next one, it's going to be amazing I already know.  

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

And after you make the best decision of your reading life and read this book, I highly recommend that you check out her other two series and novella. I have a few reviews/thoughts up of some of her books here and here and here if you would like to check out other stories that she has to offer. 

About the Author 

Sarah Sundin enjoys writing about the drama and romance of World War II era. She is the author of the upcoming Waves of Freedom series (Through Waters Deep, coming August 2015), the Wings of Nightingale series (With Every Letter, 2012, One Distant Shores, 2013, and In Perfect Time, 2014), and the Wings of Glory Series (A Distant Melody, A Memory Between Us, and Blue Skies Tomorrow). She also has a novella in the WWII Christmas collection Where Treetops Glisten (WaterBrook, 2014).


A mother of three, Sundin lives in northern California. She works on-call as a hospital pharmacist and teaches Sunday school and women's Bible studies. She enjoys speaking to community, church, and writers' groups.

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


In His Grace, 
Taylor Reid 

Dive into Sarah Sundin's explosive new series, Waves of Freedom, with book one, Through Waters Deep. When evidence of sabotage on the Atwood is found, Jim and Mary must work together to uncover the culprit. A bewildering maze of suspects emerges, and Mary is dismayed to find that even someone close to her is under suspicion. With the increasing pressure, Jim and Mary find that many new challenges–and dangers–await them in the midst of their budding romance.

Join Sarah in celebrating the release of Through Waters Deep by entering to win an Anchors Aweigh prize pack!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Through Waters Deep
• A nautical tote bag
• A set of compass rose notecards
• A "Hope Anchors the Soul" journal
• A Boston Tea Party earl grey tea set
• A Through Waters Deep apron
• A set of nautical tea towels

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 24th. The winner will be announced August 25th on Sarah's blog.