Attention: I have some more exciting news about a future giveaway! That will be at the end so read all the way through! ;)
First off I want to thank everyone so much for all of the positive feedback I received after putting a little link to this giveaway on Facebook! I was blown away and extremely grateful that someone would take the time to read my review, answer my question, and even those who shared my post! It has been an amazing ride with you guys!
Secondly, I would also like to thank those of you who signed on to follow my blog. That made my day, seriously, from the bottom of my heart thank you!
I loved all of the answers I received from all the entries! I now have a little list of a few songs I have never heard. Super pumped to start listening to them!
Now what you have been waiting for! The winner!
(I am so nervous haha!)
And the winner is: Laura Pol!
Congrats! I have contacted you via Facebook! ;)
MORE NEWS!
After the amazing turn out I had I want to do another giveaway and continue the blessings! It so happens that Litfuse accidentally sent me an extra copy of another book I reviewed! Deja vu right? So to make the second giveaway even more terrific than the first one I will be giving away both copies! That means there will be two winners! TWICE THE CHANCES!
The two copies are of a new book by a *hint* beloved *hint* author of mine. I will be posting about the details soon once I finish writing my review and post it here on my blog! So be on the look out!
For His Kingdom,
Taylor Reid
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Monday, October 21, 2013
Litfuse Blog Tour Event: Gunpowder Tea (The Brides of Last Chance Ranch #3 ) by Margaret Brownley
Would you like a cup of gunpowder tea? I promise you its divine!
Margaret Brownley's Gunpowder Tea hits off with a bang! Brownley effortlessly grabbed my attention by the end of Chapter One.
Goodreads Summary
In a case that could change her career, Miranda uncovers a love that will change her life.When Miranda Hunt sees the classified ad for an heiress to the legendary Last Chance Ranch, she knows assuming the identity of Annie Beckman is the perfect cover. As one of the finest agents for the Pinkerton Detective Agency, Miranda has been tasked with apprehending the Phantom – an elusive and notorious train robber thought to be hiding on the sprawling ranch.
But she isn’t the only one there with something to hide. Wells Fargo detective Jeremy Taggert is working the scene undercover as well. And although their true identities are a secret, it is impossible for Jeremy and Miranda to hide the spark that flares between them. But neither is about to let romance interfere with such a huge case. Besides, Miranda hasn’t removed Jeremy from her list of suspects yet. The closer they come to uncovering the identity of the Phantom, the more dangerous he gets – and no one on the ranch is safe.
But neither are their hearts – the longer Miranda and Jeremy spends working together, the harder it becomes to keep their feelings in check. Their careers – and their lives – depend on solving this case. Love will have to wait.
My Thoughts
This was on my "To Be Read" list for a while, and when I got a copy I was really excited.
For some reason I got the idea in my head that I had to read this book.
I think it had a lot to do with the cover. Covers can tell so much and sometimes nothing at all. I absolutely love covers that give a glimpse into the story while giving almost nothing away. It's so much fun to read and find out! Seriously, just take a gander at this fantastic cover. There is a man giving a sideways glance to the woman who is serving him tea. Oh, and that same woman is holding a gun behind her back with a smile on her face. Slap on top of that a title such as "GUNPOWDER TEA" and the only thought going through my head is, "I have to read this book and find what is going on! ASAP!"
I was not disappointed to say the least. Actually I was pleasantly surprised by almost every little thing. Trust me by the time you get halfway through this book you will understand the title. (Unless of course you are well associated with tea and its history.) On the other hand you will most likely be surprised as was I.
Gunpowder Tea's heroine Miranda was a strong lead that I really liked. She was out in the world accomplishing what she loved and she was actually good at it too. I loved her softer side and her special quirks. Also, her relationship that bloomed with Jeremy was at times hilarious and precious.
FYI: This book can be read as a stand alone! Yay!
Brownley has crafted a truly enjoyable read from beginning to end with a mixture of mystery, romance, and women powerfully wielding guns! What more can a reader ask for? You'll be on pins and needles wondering who and how close the mysterious Phantom is to the legendary Last Chance Ranch.
A must read and addition to your ever growing "To Be Read" list!
Rating: 4 out of 5 bookshelves
Disclaimer: I received a free copy for an honest review from Litfuse Publicity Group.
Attention: Over at the wonderful Litfuse website this book is being showcased and they're giving a KINDLE FIRE~ Sound pretty awesome right? All you have to do is go to this link and follow from there! There will also be a button in the side bar as well!
Happy Reading Everyone~
For His Kingdom,
Taylor Reid
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Litfuse Blog Tour Event: Glittering Promises (Grand Tour Series #3) by Lisa T. Bergren
Goodreads Summary
Cora Kensington journeys farther into Italy, wrestles with a terrible ultimatum from her father, and comes to terms with the Father who will never fail her.
America’s newest heiress must decide if her potential fortune is rationale enough to give up her freedom and all that God is leading her toward. And when her newly-discovered siblings are threatened with ruin, her quandary deepens. Then as Cora nears Rome, more journalists are track the news story of the decade—“Copper Cora,” the rags-to-riches girl—and want to know more about her family and the men vying for her attention. Meanwhile, a charming Italian countess decides that if Cora isn’t going to claim Will’s heart, she might just try...
My Thoughts
I have been a fan of Bergren's writing way back when I read her other trilogy The River of Time Series. After reading the first book of the Grand Tour Series I was excited to see where Bergren was going to take her readers. There were a lot of qualities I liked about this book and then there were a few parts I skimmed. Only because I wanted these two certain characters to be honest with one another -- but I blame that partly because of my impatience. Sometimes when I -- as the reader -- know more than the characters it kills me. Haha!
However, this was a satisfying conclusion to Cora's growth into her new identity as a woman, sister and daughter. I really enjoyed getting to see her relationship with her siblings grow and become more intimate. It demonstrated that despite the truth of one's birth, family is family. And you should love your family. Always. Even if it's hard! I also enjoyed to see her wrestle with deciding Who defines her as a human being. With all that money and people telling you who you are can be confusing. Cora, I felt was relatable at that point in the book.
Bergren's attention to detail is extravagant. Even though I have never been to Italy, Bergren convinced me through her writing that I was in Italy. Love that descriptive writing!
Romance-wise, this book gives and takes. So light-hearted be warned! I don't know if this is spoilerish, but Cora and Will have a few falling outs. But they get resolved -- eventually. Still, to be fair, Cora and Will go over a lot of issues that I'm sure that couples go through all the time. I understand that not all relationships are perfect, but for me being a hopeless romantic, it's always hard for me to accept!
Rating: 4 out of 5 bookshelves
Disclaimer: I received a free copy for an honest review from Litfuse Publicity Group.
News: If you are a book behind in this series, currently, the second book Grave Consequences is free for a limited time for the Kindle. So I suggest picking that one up and Glittering Promises together. Fills up your kindle with two books for the price of one!
Happy Reading!
For His Kingdom,
Taylor Reid
Nancy Moser’s The Journey of Josephine Cain 5 book giveaway!
The Journey of Josephine Cain by Nancy Moser follows the adventures of a D.C. socialite as she gets involved with the building of the Transcontinental Railroad right after the Civil War. Be sure to check out Nancy's fun Pinterest board for the book!
Enter to win 1 of 5 copies of the book!
Five winners will receive:
Enter to win 1 of 5 copies of the book!
Five winners will receive:
- The Journey of Josephine Cain by Nancy Moser
Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit the Litfuse blog on the 28th to see if you won one of the books!
Monday, October 7, 2013
Litfuse Blog Tour Event: The Journey of Josephine Cain (American Tapestry) by Nancy Moser
As you can tell I've been doing a lot of book reviews. I have been extremely blessed this month to say the least. Lately, I have been deeply impressed by the authors writing for the American Tapestry novels. There are eight total in the series I previously read and reviewed the fifth in the series The Courier of Caswell Hall and that one was just as great as this one.
The Journey of Josephine Cain (American Tapestry) by Nancy Moser
For His Kingdom,
Taylor Reid
The Journey of Josephine Cain (American Tapestry) by Nancy Moser
Having the Wild West as a backdrop to this novel enhanced its life leaving me captivated. Moser's talent for writing shined in this book and proves to be a great escape for readers alike.
Set in the late 1860's in the aftermath of the Civil War, reader's are given a glimpse into the life of Josephine Cain and her journey at a crucial time in her life. Being a young socialite and unmarried from Washington D.C. Josephine feels it is time for a change in her life. She is ready to be married, but she most of all is ready to finally have a little excitement in her life and to be reunited with her father whom she misses dearly.
Josephine has a great relationship with her father who has been given the important task of overseeing the building of the Transcontinental Railroad. Her relationship with her mother is more one-sided she feels. After the death of her brother and cousin in the Civil War her mother and aunt have taken to morning every single day. For Josephine, she is ready to move on with her life. But some would argue that the Wild West-- a place populated by hundreds of laborers, outlaws, and Indians-- is hardly the place for a wealthy general's daughter. Josephine is spirited and determined enough to make the trip.
Hudson Maguire works on the railroad with his brother Raleigh to save up money and send some back home to their family. I liked Hudson. He was an honest hardworking man who anyone would admire and put their trust in. Hudson becomes Mr. Cain's most trusted and valued worker, and this puts him in the position of always being around Josephine. These two have a interest in each other even though they don't want to admit or address their feelings. Mainly because both are engaged to other people, but that doesn't mean they're in love with their significant others.
Life working alongside the construction of the railroad is a far cry from the "civil" and proper life Josephine is use to back in the nation's capital. She faces gunfights, harsh weather, vigilant uprisings and witnesses a different side of life some live that might not be considered moral. As time progresses, Josephine is challenged in what she thinks she knows or understands. This leads her to finding a new and unique purpose for her life and maybe even true love.
This book was delightful and as beautiful as the sunsets that Hudson and Josephine share a love for. I was also quite intrigued by the usage of the Native Indians in the book. It has ignited a curiosity for me to research more on the topic in general. If you want to know what I'm talking about you're just going to have to read the book to find out. Sorry!
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 bookshelves
Taylor Reid
Disclaimer: I received a free copy for an honest review from Litfuse Publicity Group.
Friday, October 4, 2013
Book Review # 14: A Bride for Keeps by Melissa Jagears
Melissa Jagears steps out onto the christian fiction prairie with her tender tale of love. Along with her promising writing technique she'll be sure to have grabbed a bandwagon full of readers ready for her next book! A Bride for Keeps is a charming read with a new take on marriage of convenience.
Everett Cline might be drowning in the demands of owning a farm, but won't humiliate himself by looking for a wife ever again. Especially after being jilted three times in a row by mail-order brides. When a well-meaning neighbor takes it upon herself to bring another mail-order bride to town. Cline has reason to doubt it will work out, and with her being the prettiest woman he has ever seen it makes it harder to believe she would be content for her to marry a simple man such as himself.
Julia Lockwood has only been a pretty face. Her father used her for a business acquisition and her former fiance showed his true intentions and colors before they were even married. By working out a way to leave her life in Massachusetts, she resorts to a mail-order marriage in far-away Kansas. All in hopes that she will meet people that care about more than her looks.
The pacing was a tad bit leisure. There were times I wanted both characters to just sit down and talk instead of playing the cat-and-mouse game. Other than that it was an endearing read and Jagears has a promising career I feel.
What I did like about this book though was that Julia wasn't pinning herself as "woe is me because I'm beautiful." It was more of a "I hope people see the inner me." It reminded me of the Proverbs31 verse that beauty is fleeting. I don't know if Jagears was going for that, but when I was reading Julia's character I really appreciated that character choice for her because 1) it was true and 2) it had biblical meaning behind it.
Looking forward to future material from her.
Rating: 3 out of 5 bookshelves
[Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."]
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For His Kingdom,
Taylor Reid
Litfuse Blog Tour Event: Return to Me by Lynn Austin (The Restoration Chronicles)
Return to Me is enchanting, astounding, remarkable and radiant!
Do not feel intimidated by the 459 pages! Lynn Austin has given life to the old Testament books Ezra and Nehemiah where the Israelites are released from Babylon and travel back to Jerusalem in order to rebuild a temple for God and return to Him and His love.
Of course it's all fiction. Yet, Austin has truly done a splendid job at digging deeper and making this story captivating for her readers.
I was honestly taken back that I found this book so precious. This book illustrates all of the qualities one experiences with his or her walk with the Lord - love, redemption, self-doubt, perseverance, and a lot more. Every character is at a different place in their faith and loyalty to God when the book starts, and from there each character deals with their own struggles that commonly happens while walking with the Lord.
As I touched on previously, this book takes place during 539 B.C. and a twenty year journey continuation throughout the story.
Iddo's prayers are finally answered, after years of watching his children and grandchildren wander from their faith. King Cyrus is allowing God's chosen people to return to Jerusalem. Iddo, joyfully prepares for his family's departure, only to learn that his family is comfortable living in the culture of Babylon and wishes to remain there instead of leaving.
Zechariah, Iddo's oldest grandson, feels torn between his grandfather's ancient beliefs and the comfort and success his father enjoys in Babylon. But he soon begins to hear the voice of God, encouraging him to return to the land given to his forefathers.
"Return to Me" tells the compelling story of Iddo and Zechariah, the women who love them, and the faithful followers who struggle to rebuild their lives in obedience to the God who beckons them home.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 bookshelves
Return To Me by Lynn Austin | Kindle Fire Giveaway & Facebook Party
So grab your copy of "Return to Me" or enter in for a chance to win one from my first contest that I have ever done! I'm looking forward to joining Lynn on the evening of October 22nd 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!)
GIVEAWAY TIME! Yes, this is my first giveaway ever! Please be patient with me as I try this Rafflecopter thing out! The reason for this giveaway is because I ended up getting a second copy from Litfuse on accident and they said I could do whatever I wanted with it. The only thing I could come up with was doing a giveaway. I have been truly blessed by receiving books so I want to pass it on. The giveaway is simple: leave a blog post comment as the Rafflecopter says and on Oct. 22 a winner will be drawn and I will announce and contact the winner! Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
For His Kingdom,
Taylor Reid
Disclaimer: I received a free copy for an honest review from Litfuse Publicity Group.
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