Kindle Book Giveaway

 
Seeing as I've been posting a lot of books by Elizabeth Camden and just recently did an author interview on her I thought it would be really fitting to do a giveaway on one of her books!

The giveaway begins on August 4th and ends on August 16th. At the end of that time a random winner will be selected and notified of their win! Good luck!

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Interview with Elizabeth Camden / Part One

Here's the next author interview that I mentioned I'd post...As noticeable in the title this interview will be posted in two part segments, so be on the lookout for the next part sometime next week!

For any of you who haven't had the chance to read some of Elizabeth Camden's books I would highly suggest going to your library or favorite bookstore right away!





Author, Elizabeth Camden
Where do you get the inspiration for your characters (their personality, looks, circumstances, etc,.)?
I usually start with a ‘what if’ question. What if a librarian working for the Library of Congress fell in love with a congressman? (Beyond All Dreams). What if a boy from the wrong side of the tracks fell in love with a girl out of his reach, but then grows up to become one of the richest men in America? (The Lady of Bolton Hill). This kind of question is a starting point, then I have to put flesh on the bones and make sure the chemistry between the characters will catch fire.

Do you have a favorite male and/or female character from your books?
Easy…it is Trevor McDonough from With Every Breath. I feared readers wouldn’t care for him because he is a tough sell.  He is moody, difficult, and appears to be quite mean at first…but by the end of the book he emerges as the most compassionate and heroic character I’ve ever written.  He is a doctor who works only with terminally ill patients, so he has an ice-cold persona he hides behind simply as a survival mechanism to avoid getting close to people.

Out of all the books you've written, do you have a favorite?
With Every Breath! Kate and Trevor are both complicated people, but from the moment they meet, the fireworks ignite. I’ve always believed a romance novel lives or dies based on the chemistry between the leading characters, and sadly, this is a hard thing to conjure up, but when it happens it makes the book terrifically easy to write. With Every Breath is a wildly romantic book with heavy themes, but I hope the sparkling humor between Kate and Trevor keep readers eager for more.
 
How does your faith influence your books?
I usually have a pretty light hand in delivering overtly religious messages, but all my books have a strong, optimistic outlook based on solid values. I have often been inspired by fiction, and hope I can plant similar seeds through my own books.
 
Why do you write historical fiction?
Because this is how I got my first contract! I’m good at historical research because I am a research librarian by day….but I could just as easily put that skill to use in romantic suspense, thrillers, or contemporaries. I will probably start writing contemporaries someday, but I doubt I’ll ever abandon historicals.  They are too much fun for me to write.
 
What do you find to be the hardest thing about being an author?
No complaints from me! Life is hard and bellyaching rarely makes it easier. I love being a writer and don’t take the privilege for granted.
 
What is your favorite thing about being an author?
I love reading letters people write me. I wrote FIVE manuscripts that were rejected, so when I finally got published and saw my book in print it was such an amazing sensation. When someone takes the time to write me a letter it is confirmation that yes, there really are people out there reading and enjoying my books. That makes everything worthwhile.

Random Novel / Lady of Bolton Hill

Don't you just love Summer? I sure do. I love looking out the window and seeing the sun, hearing the wind chimes and sounds of nature. Plus, it's nice to be able to take a swim after being hot all day. When you swim in a pond you just can't do that in other seasons. Too cold...

This picture is available as a desktop background on this link: Desktop Background
I just finished another of Elizabeth Camden's books and, like all of them, I LOVED it! I recently reviewed Against the Tide, a story of Alexander Banebridge and Lydia Pallas. This book, The Lady of Bolton Hill, is about Clara Endicott and Daniel Tremain but "Bane" from the afore mentioned book makes his first appearance here.  

Now, onto the review!
Book Title: The Lady of Bolton Hill
Author: Elizabeth Camden

Description:
Female journalists are rare in 1879, but American born Clara Endicott has finally made a name for herself with her provocative articles championing London's poor. When the backlash from her work forces a return home to Baltimore, Clara finds herself face to face with a childhood sweetheart who is no longer the impoverished factory worker she once knew. In her absence, Daniel Tremain has become a powerful industry giant and Clara finds him as enigmatic as ever. However, Daniel's success is fueled by resentment from past wounds and Clara's deeply held beliefs about God's grace force Daniel to confront his own motives. When Clara's very life is endangered by one of Daniel's adversaries, they must face a reckoning neither of them ever could have foreseen.

My Review:
Elizabeth Camden is a gifted author who skillfully weaves together a beautiful romance, adventure, and historical facts. Every book that I've read of hers I've immensely enjoyed; and I've read every single one she's written.

You can't help but love both of the main characters of this book, even with their flaws and mistakes. Clara is an energetic and caring person. She'd do anything for Daniel; even try to help him overcome his thirst for revenge. Daniel comes across to everyone as gruff and insensitive but Clara knows the real him; a man who is passionate about protecting and providing for those he cares about.

I love it when an author writes such an enthralling book that you feel you are in the story too, right alongside the hero and heroine. The Lady of Bolton Hill was this way and I felt I was present in each of the scenes. I guess you could say I've now been in jail, had my house burnt down, and kidnapped. :) Pretty adventurous life, right?

If it's not obvious by my before words I'll say it now, I would recommend this book for fellow readers; especially those who love historical fiction.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Author Interview

Be on the lookout for my next author interview, with Elizabeth Camden! Coming soon in the next couple of days!! :)

New Releases: A Love Like Ours

I've been meaning to review this book for quite awhile now but as you can see I'm just getting to it. Even though its already been out for a couple months I decided I'd put it as a new release anyway. After all, it did come out this year. :)

Oh, and on a side note, isn't the cover gorgeous? You can learn some interesting behind-the-scene facts about it on Becky Wade's website. Here's the link: The Inside Scoop...




Book Title: A Love Like Ours
Publication Date: May 6, 2015
Publisher: Bethany House

Description:
Former Marine Jake Porter has far deeper scars than the one that marks his face. He struggles with symptoms of PTSD, lives a solitary life, and avoids relationships.

When Lyndie James, Jake's childhood best friend, lands back in Holley, Texas, Jake cautiously hires her to exercise his Thoroughbreds. Lyndie is tender-hearted, fiercely determined, and afraid of nothing, just like she was as a child. Jake pairs her with Silver Leaf, a horse full of promise but lacking in results, hoping she can solve the mystery of the stallion's reluctance to run.

Though Jake and Lyndie have grown into very different adults, the bond that existed during their childhood still ties them together. Against Jake's will, Lyndie's sparkling, optimistic personality begins to tear down the walls he's built around his heart. A glimmer of the hope he'd thought he'd lost returns, but fears and regrets still plague him. Will Jake ever be able to love Lyndie like she deserves, or is his heart too shattered to mend?


My Review:
I'd heard of Becky Wade before but for some reason I'd never picked up her books. After hearing so many good things about her I decided to read her newest book, A Love Like Ours, and give it a try. I'm so glad I did.

A Love Like Ours is a beautifully written story. I loved all the characters in the book. Lyndie was such a sweet and optimistic person and Jake had a personality that tugged at your heartstrings.

One of the things I loved most about the book was the prologue. Although only a couple pages long it was so good I was positive I would love the rest of the book.

Now after reading the third book in this series I HAVE to go back and read the first two. I'm definitely excited to read more about Ty and Celia's story. For any of you who were like me and hadn't made an effort to read Becky Wade's books I would highly suggest you do so. They are well worth your time.

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Note: I received this book through NetGalley. http://netgalley.com

Mary Slessor: Missionary Mother

This book is not actually in our Bright Light's Lending Library but I would definitely recommend it as a book for Bright Lights girls to read. Some of you may have read Mary Slessor: Forward into Calabar from the series Christian Heroes: Then & Now. (That one we do have in our library. :) Well, if you liked that book I'm sure you will love this one too.

Here's my review on it:

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Book Title: Mary Slessor - Missionary Mother
Author: Terri B. Kelly

Description:
The daughter of a drunken mill worker, Mary Slessor wonders how God can possibly use her. But God is preparing her for more than she knows. With His power and a personality to match her fiery red hair, Mary stands up to African chiefs, adopts abandoned children, and slowly begins to change the hearts of the African people. Prayer and determination pave Mary's path to trusting God and becoming one of the most cherished missionary "mothers" in the history of Scotland and the world.
 
My Review:
This book is an easy and interesting read. Why read a boring biography when you can read about a person's life as if you were there alongside? I learned facts about Mary Slessor that I never knew before. You will learn exciting details about her early childhood, adventures in her life as a woman, and devoted work until her death. This book, "Mary Slessor: Missionary Mother" makes you appreciate the incredible work this woman did.

Genres: Biography, Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Ministry

New Releases: Married 'til Monday

Today's review is on Denise Hunter's newest book, Married 'til Monday. I just recently came across this author but already I'm hooked on her books.

Book Title: Married 'til Monday
Publication Date: June 9, 2015
Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Description:
(Note: Married 'til Monday is the fourth book in the Chapel Springs Romance series.)

With a big anniversary party in the works for his ex-wife’s parents, Ryan has just one weekend to play Abby’s husband . . . and win back the woman of his dreams.

Ryan McKinley has tried to move on from his ex-wife, Abby. He’s sulked, he’s gotten angry, and ultimately he bought her dream house. Big mistake. Living alone in the massive two-story has only made him miss her more. When her parents call him out of the blue about their anniversary party in Summer Harbor, Maine, Ryan believes God has dropped a golden opportunity straight in his lap.

Abby McKinley never exactly told her parents about the divorce. A strained relationship with her dad has culminated in a distant relationship with her parents, but she’s finally succumbed to her mom’s pressure to make the drive for their 35th-anniversary party.

Then Ryan shows up on her doorstep, looking as handsome as ever. When he insists he’s going to Summer Harbor, with or without her, Abby knows she can’t say no. Her parents still think they’re married and now Ryan knows it too. It’s just a one-week road trip with the man who broke her heart. What could possibly go wrong?

My Review:
To start off I just want to say that Ryan was my very favorite character in this book. Like everyone, he's not perfect but he was pretty close to it. Abby was a great character to read about too. Although, I found myself wanting to reach through the book and shake some sense into her. Because she was so hurt in her past she wouldn't let herself trust Ryan or anyone else for that matter. It's always easier to see the whole picture when you're looking from afar so I made myself wait patiently until she finally began to heal. If I were in Ryan's shoes I don't think I could have been so patient and forgiving though.

I think what I enjoyed most about this book was Ryan's perseverance. Even though it seemed impossible to reach through to Abby's heart Ryan knew it was what God wanted him to do and stuck with it.

I really enjoyed Married 'til Monday. It was really well written, exciting, romantic, thought-provoking, and overall totally wonderful. I think it would make a great movie... :)

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Note: I received this book through NetGalley. http://netgalley.com

The Start of a New Month

It's the first day of July! Wow, can you believe that the year is already half way over? This Summer has been incredibly rainy for us. Yesterday I was excited to see the sun for the first time in days. Today it's back to rain and cloudy skies. To celebrate the start of a new month I'm posting another desktop background. The Bible verse of this background deals with rain and clouds. Seemed fitting. :)

This picture is available as a desktop background on this link: Desktop Background
Wishing everyone a wonderful week!