Combined Review of The 13th Day of Christmas by Jason F. Wright

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Nov 182012
 

Product Details:

  • Title: The 13th Day of Christmas
  • Author: Jason F. Wright
  • Hardcover: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Shadow Mountain (October 9, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1609071778
  • ISBN-13: 978-1609071776
  • FTC FYI: We were given a review copies in exchange for an honest review.
  • Reviews by: Sheila and Mindy


 

 
Book Description:

Publication Date: October 9, 2012
Marva Ferguson has a very personal Christmas tradition
that happens every December 26. As an aging widow, the tradition means
more to her now than it ever has. Her newest neighbor, nine-year-old
Charlee, loves Christmas too. But her family has fallen on hard times
and things get worse when Charlee becomes critically ill. Then, on
December 12, Charlee makes a wonderful discovery. A mysterious note is
delivered that promises twelve days of gifts and stories that will
reveal the truth behind the beloved Christmas carol The Twelve Days of
Christmas. As the days go by, the gifts hint at a possible lost lyric.
Was there once a 13th day of Christmas? And if so, could its magic
change or save a life? If Marva knows something about the letters from
the Elves, she s not telling. However, you don t live as long as Marva
Ferguson and not have a secret or two including a whole lot of faith in
your apron pocket. Filled with laughter, tenderness, and hope, The 13th
Day of Christmas invites us to see how an old Christmas favorite can
turn into a true Christmas miracle.
Sheila’s Review: 
If you have never read any of Jason Wright’s books you are in for a treat. His books will always leave you with a good feeling and some life lesson learned. This life lesson will enhance your life for the better. The 13th Day of Christmas follows this same pattern as the other books written by Jason; such as The Christmas Jars, The Wednesday Letters, and The Cross Gardener.

 

 

The 13th Day of Christmas has two of the most memorable characters that I have “met” in a long time. Miss Marva, the older lively widow, and sweet nine year old Charlee. These two unlikely friends soon become the world to each other.With Charlee’s family having fallen on hard times, Marva turns her loneliness into taking care of this family. When Charlee becomes ill, Marva is there to lift up Charlee’s family and give hope to Charlee. This novel is centered around the holidays and Miss Marva’s Christmas tradition of using her advent calendar through the 26th of December. With Charlee in the hospital, someone soon is sending her notes and presents doing The 12 Days of Christmas tradition. This story has so much reality interlaced in it’s pages your heart will hurt for the characters; job loss, death of a child, loss of a spouse, cancer and marital problems. With Jason’s unique writing style that brings his characters to life, you will be wrapped up in Charlee’s fight to live and Marva’s intensity to give of herself and her love for this young girl. Be prepared to shed a few tears before you read the last page of this book. The 13th Day of Christmas will become a new favorite classic read during the Christmas season and beyond. With the message that we should not only celebrate Jesus Christ’s life one day a year, but to celebrate his life by also living like him the other 364 days; this will stay in your heart for a long time. Thank you Jason for another heart warming book!

 

Mindy’s Review

Jason does such an amazing job of instantly pulling me into his books with his well-written plots and wonderful characters.  I immediately loved Miss Marva and Charlee.  Marva collects aprons, and she changes them a few times a day depending on her mood.  Charlee’s family has come on hard times, and moves into the trailer park owned by Marva and her late husband.  Charlee is out looking for a something to do, when she see Marva hanging clothes on the line. Marva calls Charlee over, and they become fast friends. There is a lot going on at Charlee’s house.  Her father recently lost his business, and her brother Zack was kicked out of school.  Life at their house is hard.  The only ray of sunshine was Charlee.  Miss Marva invites the family to Thanksgiving dinner.  It is an all day event with all the trimmings.  Then the worst happens, Charlee get dizzy, faints, and her loved ones rush to the hospital, only to hear the news no family wants to hear.

One warning, have a box of Kleenex handy when you are reading this book.  As with all of Jason’s stories I’ve read, I cried.  A lot.  The 13th Day of Christmas is full strong characters, and lots of heart.  I loved the message that this book sends, think of others before youself.  Service is the way to bring you closer to Christ. When I was a kid, we would pick a family in our neighborhood to do the 12 Days of Christmas for. One year, my dad tried to disguise his voice and ended up scaring their young daughter.  Luckily, he apologized and all was well. :)

5 out of 5 stars. I loved this book. So full of heart and love of two friends. It is a fast read, but I wanted to know what happens to these great characters, so I couldn’t put it down. Just remember what I said about the Kleenex, but also this book has a great ending that will leave you satisfied, but possibly crying happy tears.

 

Author Links
Website
Facebook Fan Page
Twitter

Purchase Links
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Deseret Book


About The Author:

Jason Wright is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USAToday bestselling author.

He is the author of The James Miracle (2004); Christmas Jars (2005); The
Wednesday Letters (2007); Recovering Charles (2008), Christmas Jars
Reunion (2009); Penny’s Christmas Jar Miracle (2009); The Cross Gardener
(2010); The Seventeen Second Miracle (2010); The Wedding Letters
(2011); and The 13th Day of Christmas (2012).

Articles by Jason have appeared in over 50 newspapers and magazines across the United
States including The Washington Times, The Chicago Tribune, and Forbes.
He has been seen on FoxNews, CNN, CSPAN and on many local and national
radio shows.

Jason is also a popular speaker who speaks to over
100,000 annually on topics ranging from the value of service, the joy of
failure, the lost art of letter writing and many other topics.

He lives with his wife, Kodi, and their four children in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.

Review of A Night on Moon Hill by Tanya Parker Mills

 Posted by  Sheila's Reviews
Nov 172012
 

Product Details:

  • Title: A Night on Moon Hill
  • Author: Tanya Parker Mills
  • Paperback: 301 pages
  • Publisher: Walnut Springs Press. (September 20, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 159992868X
  • ISBN-13: 978-1599928685
  • FTC FYI: I was given a review copy from Walnut Springs in exchange for an honest review.

Book Description:

Publication Date: September 20, 2012
Swimming is Daphne’s one refuge until the night she finds a body in her pool.University professor and renowned author Daphne Lessing has never felt at ease in
society. But a disturbing occurrence in her once calm and controlled
existence suddenly unearths events from her past and thrusts an unusual
child into her life.

Ten-year-old Eric has Asperger’s syndrome
and is obsessed with fishing and angels. Soon, Daphne finds herself
attached to him and faced with a choice: Does she leave him and return
to her solitary, ordered life, trusting others to do right by him, or
does she allow this bright child to draw her into the world she has
tried to shun? And what about the man that came into Daphne’s life with
Eric? Will she be able to shut him out as well?

My Review:
I picked up A Night on Moon Hill and was immediately surprised about how fast I was pulled into this story.The novel starts with a bang and a big mystery about the body that Daphne finds floating in her swimming pool. Though Daphne seems to be a hard to relate to character, she is very intriguing. As her story and life unfolds, you can’t stop reading because you want to know more. 

The story becomes even more interesting when 10 year old Eric, a precocious young boy with Aspergers Syndrome, enters her life. Daphne is drawn to this intelligent child and finds that they have so much in common. I loved Eric as he reminds me of several children that I have taught in the past that fall somewhere along the ASD Spectrum.Here is some information if you don’t know a lot about ASD.

What are Autism Spectrum Disorders?

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are a group of developmental
disabilities which affect behavior, communication and
social interaction. Most children with ASDs appear to develop
relatively normally until the ages of 18 to 36 months.
During this window parents or professionals begin to notice
developmental delays. Mild forms of Autism Spectrum Disorder
may resemble a learning disability while more severe forms may
involve substantial impairment of communication, learning
and social abilities, abnormal responses to sensory stimuli and
sometimes self-injurious behavior. Individuals with Autism
may have one or two skill areas which exceed age-matched peers’
skill levels. These skills frequently appear in the areas
of mathematical computation, music, art or memory. Children with
milder forms of ASD may be diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental
Disorder (PDD) or with Asperger’s Disorder.

I wanted to point out that I read the first 100 pages so fast it shocked me! I looked down and there was page “100”. This story is so well written, and with characters that bring you into the story so deeply, you will have this novel read in no time. What will you find in this novel? A great combination of suspense, angst, romance and relationships that will truly make you think. You will also look at life and people a little differently. I love the respect and care that Tanya has given to the tender subjects found within the pages of this novel. For all of this, I’m giving this book 5 stars!


Tanya Parker Mills…

Best Price $11.87
or Buy New $13.49

 

About the Author:

Tanya Parker Mills grew up overseas in some pretty volatile
areas and, as a result, likes to write fiction that builds understanding
between people and cultures. She graduated from Brigham Young University in Broadcast Journalism
with a minor in Political Science and worked for Sunset Magazine for a couple
of years as an Assistant Editor for Trade Publications. Her first novel, THE RECKONING, was a 2008 Whitney
Finalist, the 2009 Indie Book Award Winner for Multicultural Fiction, and the
2010 Writer’s Digest International Self-Published Book Award Winner for
Mainstream/Literary Fiction. Her new novel, A
NIGHT ON MOON HILL, just came out in September and was inspired by her son,
Jason, who was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome at age six.You can reach Tanya here at her website http://www.tanyaparkermills.com/ 

Blog Tour Review of Nightingale by David Farland

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Nov 162012
 

Product Details:

  • Title: Nightingale
  • Author: David Farland
  • Hardcover: 496 pages
  • Publisher: East India Press (March 14, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1614757879
  • ASIN: B008SMUL2E
  • Review by: Sheila

 

 

 

Book Description:

Publication Date: March 14, 2012
Some people sing at night to drive
back the darkness.  Others sing to summon it. . . .Bron Jones was abandoned at birth. Thrown into foster care, he was rejected by
one family after another, until he met Olivia, a gifted and devoted high-school
teacher who recognized him for what he really was–what her people call a
“nightingale.”

But Bron isn’t ready to learn the truth. There are secrets that have been
hidden from mankind for hundreds of thousands of years, secrets that should
remain hidden. Some things are too dangerous to know.  Bron’s secret may
be the most dangerous of all.In his remarkable young adult fantasy debut, David Farland shows why critics
have called his work “compelling,” “engrossing,”
“powerful,” “profound,” and “ultimately
life-changing.”

My Review:
Nightingale is a great read. Though the main character Bron is a teenager, don’t think this book was just written for teens. The action and storyline creates enough interest in Bron and his powers and the mysterious group of people, called the Masaak, who are more powerful than the human species. We find out soon that Bron’s real father is after him and his powers.This is where the real suspense and action starts when the Masaak hunters, the Draghoul, come after him. This book is action packed, full of great characters and mystery. I loved how the first book builds up this story that will be continued in books to come. I’m so excited to read the next book in the series. If you have never read David Farland’s writing, you are in for a real treat. He is a master at his craft and it shows in all of his books. I highly recommend Nightingale for teens and adult readers.

The multi-award winning novel, Nightingale by best-selling author, David Farland is available in hardback, ebook, and now in a special iPad enhanced version. This young-adult
fantasy novel has already been turning heads.

Grand Prize Winner of the Hollywood Book Festival,
placed first in all genres, all categories.Winner of the 2012 International Book Award for Best Young Adult Novel of the
Year!

Finalist in the Global Ebook Awards

.


“Superb worldbuilding, strong characters, and
Dave’s characteristic excellent prose.  –Brandon Sanderson, #1
New York Times Bestselling Author

“A wonderful tale of a young man trying to find his humanity, even
though he’s not quite human.  One of Farland’s very best!”–#1
International Bestseller Kevin J. Anderson

The enhanced version creates an amazing reading experience complete with
illustrations from several talented artists and a sample of a
soundtrack that coincides with the story. Published by East India Press a publishing company that takes e-books
in a whole new direction with enhanced multimedia–soundtracks, movie
clips, author interviews and more. From the site: “East India embraces
emerging technologies and new distribution methods, producing every
novel in three forms:  as an enhanced multimedia experience, as a
standard e-book, and as a limited edition hardcover.”

Farland has plans for three more books in the series: Dream Assassin, Draghoul, and Shadow Lord.

About the author: 

David Farland has written and edited fifty published books.
These include novels for adults, young adults, anthologies, middle-grade
readers, and picture books. He often teaches writing workshops, and has trained
a number of people who went on to become international bestselling
authors—people like Brandon Sanderson in fantasy, Brandon Mull in middle-grade
fiction, and Stephenie Meyer in young adult fiction.

As part of his dedication to helping other writers, David
writes the David Farland’s Daily Kick in the Pants, an email bulletin for
writers or those who would be writers. Many authors rave about how it has
helped them. Out of devotion, he provides the Daily Kick free. You can register
to receive it at http://www.davidfarland.com/.

 

You can learn more about Dave and his books/writing seminars here:

FB:http://www.facebook.com/david.farland1

Twitter
handle @DavidFarland
Websites:
www.nightingalenovel.com
http://www.davidfarland.com/
Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/83308.David_Farland

David Farland Amazon Page

 

 Blog Tour Schedule for Nightingale 
by David Farland 2012

Sept 28- http://www.christydorrity.com/2012/09/nightingale-book-tour.html

Sept 28- http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/2012/09/book-giveaway-nightingale-by-david.html

Oct 1- http://www.stinalindenblatt.com/2012/10/bringing-scenes-to-life-guest-post.html
Oct 3- Donna Weaver- http://weavingataleortwo.blogspot.com/
Oct 4- http://www.rashelleworkman.com/

  Oct 9 –  http://www.ilikethesebooks.com/

Oct 12-http://www.debbiesinkspectations.blogspot.com/
Oct 16- http://moniquebucheger.blogspot.com/

Oct 17- http://peggyeddleman.blogspot.com/ 

Oct 18- http://www.dorinewhite.blogspot.com/

Oct 19- http://thebookshelfmuse.blogspot.com/

Oct 23- http://www.karen-hoover.blogspot.com/

Oct 24-http://www.tanyaparkermills.com/

Oct 25- http://davidpowersking.blogspot.com/  

 Oct 26- http://rachellewrites.blogspot.com/

Oct 29- http://writersally.blogspot.com/

Oct 30-  www.franklycreative.blogspot.com

Nov 2- http://1000wrongs.blogspot.com/

Nov 5- http://www.ja-bennett.com/

Nov 5- http://astorybookworld.blogspot.com/

Nov 6- http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/

Nov 7- http://starcrossedbookreviews.blogspot.com/

Nov 14- http://elanajohnson.blogspot.com/



Nov 16-  http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/

Nov 16- http://www.ldswomensbookreview.com/wordpress/

Nov 19- http://christinebryant.blogspot.com/

Nov 20- http://cindybennett.blogspot.com/

Nov 21- http://writersally.blogspot.com/

Nov 26- http://cindymhogan.blogspot.com/

Nov 27-http://www.alicross.com/

Nov 28-http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/

Nov 29- http://fireandicephoto.blogspot.com/

Nov 30- www.blogginboutbooks.com

Dec 3- http://rebeccablevinswrites.blogspot.com/ 

Dec 7- http://kbrebes.blogspot.com/ 

Dec 14 – author@jlloydmorgan.com

Once Upon a Baby by Shari Guess — Blog Tour/Combined Review

 Posted by  Combined Reviews, Mindy's Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Nov 072012
 

Once Upon a Baby: A Tale of Adoption

Author: Shari Guess

Publisher: Narrow Trail Publishing

Published: 2012

Paperback: 28 pages

ISBN13: 9780985859008

FTC FYI: Received a PDF copy in exchange for an honest review

Reviewed by Mindy and Sheila

Goodreads Summary: A heartwarming tale of LDS adoption. Follow a child’s journey from the Pre-existence to his family’s home on Earth.  The divine guidance of the Savior, along with the prayers of both birth and adoptive parents are gently and lovingly portrayed in this tender story of the ultimate “happily every after”.

Mindy’s Review

I was very excited to be a part of this blog tour.  November is National Adoption Month.  I have many friends who have been blessed by adoption.  This book is a sweet telling of that very thing.  This story is the journey of a family starting their life together in heaven, and the way they end of together here on earth.  They soon realize that they need some help. Once Upon a Baby is also a beautifully illustrated story. It is a great story for all families.  My favorite quote from the book talked about how much our Heavenly Father loves us.

The mommy and daddy said more than a few prayers and asked Heavenly Father and Jesus to help them keep their promise to the baby. Because Heavenly Father and Jesus loves mommies and daddies and children too, Jesus answered their prayers. He would help the child come down from Heaven as a baby to his family’s home on earth.

Once Upon a Baby is a perfect book that will help a child understand where they came from, and that their “tummy mommy” loved them too.

Sheila’s Review

Once Upon a Baby is such a sweet book. I wish I would have had this book 14 1/2 years ago when I brought home my sweet baby girl. We were blessed with her through the gift of adoption. I also came to my family through adoption as a baby.
This darling LDS picture book tells such a wonderful story of how babies can come to families through the help of a “tummy mommy”. This book is perfect for young kids. It is simply told in words that they can understand. This story is written as if the author were talking right to the child reading the book. The pictures were drawn to look like they were colored with crayons, something little ones will like and relate to. My favorite page had these lines:
Because Heavenly Father and Jesus love you, they helped your Tummy Mommy bring you to our family.  Because they love our family, they made temples so that one day we all be together in Heaven again.
Wow it brought tears to my eyes!!
 
This is such a perfect book for a family who has been blessed with children through adoption. As one of those families, I can say, this book is very needed and will be well liked and accepted.

Find out more about the Shari on her website .

Purchase Link:

AMAZON

Bio from her Goodreads page:

SHARI GUESS is a proud, first-time children’s book author and lives in rural North Texas where she is “Mom” to her beloved 9-year-old adopted son, Garrett. Happily married to her husband Walter for going on 13 years they share their cabin-in-the-woods with a small herd of Great Danes and farm animals. Shari is currently a part-time real estate agent and property manager and prior to marriage worked for over a decade in the music business, spanning from Los Angeles to Nashville. She wore many hats as a journalist and publicist representing multiple recording artists, magazines and music publishing companies, along with being a part-time performing artist and songwriter. Her hobbies include choral, Americana and rock music, martial arts, photography, travel and anything in the mountains.


There is a giveaway going on for this book.  Fill out the Rafflecopter form below.a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour Review for The Guy Next Door by Kate Palmer

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Oct 262012
 

Product Details

  • Title: The Guy Next Door
  • Author: Kate Palmer
  • Paperback
  • Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc. (September 2012)
  • Genre: Mystery/Romantic Suspense
  • ASIN: B009958AH2
  • FTC FYI: I recieved a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
  • Reviewed by Sheila

 

 

 

 

Book Description:
On the surface, Eva Black’s life seems practically perfect. The small-town
kindergarten teacher is set to wed ambitious lawyer Sean Langley, and
their plans for a dream wedding are well underway. Eva accepts that she
will soon live life in the spotlight as a member of the prestigious
Langley family, but can she overlook her fiancé’s tendency to dominate
the details of her life and push the limits of her standards?
Mere weeks before the wedding, Eva is thrown into a traumatic, life-changing event that
changes her view of family commitment and creates a sharp contrast
between her ideals and Sean’s. With her engagement to Sean in jeopardy,
Eva finds herself relying on the support and encouragement of Peter, her
kind and attentive next-door neighbor. Faced with a choice between her
penitent fiancé and the increasingly mysterious Peter, Eva is unprepared
for the consequences—and peril—that come with her decision.
My Review:(There will be spoilers in this review)
The Guy Next Door is a wonderful mix between a Romance, with a thriller mixed in half way in the story. The story starts with such sadness and shock. The sense of loss, main character Eva goes through, is so heartbreaking. Eva’s parents are dead and soon her only sister and brother-in-law pass away leaving Eva to mother and raise her newborn niece, Melody. Eva was engaged to super rich and handsome, Sean, but he has a hard time accepting Eva’s new role as “mother” to Melody. To add things into the mix, Eva’s next door neighbor Peter, is a kind and rather ruggedly handsome man who attracts Eva’s interest. There is a major love triangle in this story, but I really liked the way it all played out.

I liked Eva, a school teacher, and someone dedicated and loyal to family and friends. This LDS Romantic/ Mystery Suspense shows her struggle to learn to trust, have patience and faith. As the two men try to win her love, she is caught up in things she never would have imagined. Some of the shocking things revealed near the end I kind of guessed what was happening, but there were still many surprises. I always like when an author can surprise me with twists and turns along the way. This truly is an enjoyable read that keeps you on your toes at the end. My favorite male character is by far, Peter. Even though he was a mystery through most of the book, I loved his values and kindness. He is the type of man I could go for. This book also has a very satisfying ending. You will cheer for Eva as she gains strength in herself as a woman and mother.  Author Kate Palmer’s first book is a job well done. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Blog Tour Schedule
October 10: Ranee S. Clark – Review
October 13: Bookworm Lisa – Review
October 14: Geo Librarian – Review
October 14: LDS & Lovin’ It – Review
October 19: Gamila’s Reviews – Review
October 21: Books Are Sanity – Review
October 22: Debbie’s Inkspectations – Review
October 25: Tristi Pinkston – Review
October 26: Why Not? Because I Said So! – Review
October 26: LDS Women’s Book Review – Review
October 29: The Book Bug – Review
Giveaway:
As part of the tour, Kate is generously offering a grand prize giveaway of a copy of The Guy Next Door plus Junior Mints (Eva’s favorite candy), and a copy Eva’s lemon chicken recipe.
To enter to win these prizes, simply fill out the Rafflecopter form
provided. (Each tour stop will have the same Rafflecopter form)
  • Open from October 2 to November 2.
  • Must be 13+ years of age to enter
  • US mailing addresses only
Earn entries by doing any/all of the following:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author Bio:
Kate began her career as an elementary school teacher, but was soon promoted
to full-time mom. She is the mother of six living in the country. Her
husband is trying to teach her to be a farm girl. She can’t saddle a
horse, but she knows how to butcher a chicken. After a day of chasing
children, cooking meals, and folding laundry, she likes to escape into a
good book.
Social Networking Links:
Purchase Links:

// <![CDATA[
_
// ]]>

A Timeless Romance Anthology (Winter Collection) — Combined Review

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Oct 232012
 

A Timeless Romance Anthology: Winter Collection

Authors: Sarah M. Eden, Heidi Ashworth, Annette Lyon, Joyce DiPastena, Donna Hatch, Heather B. Moore

Publisher: Mirror Press, LLC

Published: October 1, 2012

ISBN13: 9781301381166

ebook: 269 pages

Goodreads Summary of all 6 Short Stories: Six Award-Winning Authors have contributed brand new stories to A Timeless Romance Anthology: Winter Collection. A collection unlike any other, readers will love this compilation of six sweet historical romance novellas, set in varying eras, yet all with one thing in common: Romance.

The Road to Cavan Town by Sarah M. Eden, set in 1864 Ireland, combines Eden’s sense of humor with her signature sweet romance. Alice Wheatley walks each weekend into town, accompanied by Isaac Dancy. And while Alice finds herself falling in love with the gentleman, unfortunately he has his eyes set on the belle of the town, Miss Sophia Kilchrest. Alice must find a way to turn Isaac’s eyes toward her.

Regency author Heidi Ashworth’s delightful story, It Happened Twelfth Night, set in England 1812, follows Luisa Darlington who discovers the man of her dreams, Percy Brooksby, isn’t in love with her as much as she thought he was. When Percy’s friend, the mysterious foreigner, Mr. Flynn, visits for the twelfth night holiday, he promptly sweeps Luisa off her feet, quite literally. Luisa is left catching her breath in more ways than one.

An Unexpected Proposal by Annette Lyon is a captivating romantic novella, set in remote Wood Camp, the snowy canyon of Logan, Utah, 1880. When Caroline Simpson is forced to thwart the aggressive advances of Mr. Butch Larson, she discovers that her long-time friend, James, has genuine affection for her. But as stubborn as Caroline is, she minimizes the feelings he’s awakened in her, and it takes almost losing James to admit her true feelings for him.

In Joyce Di Pastena’s charming medieval story, Caroles on the Green, we enter England of 1151, in which Lady Isabel has a dilemma. She promises herself that she’ll marry the man who sent a ring hidden in her pastry since the man she truly loves, Sir Lucian de Warrene, has proved to be impossible and exasperating. To forget him, Isabel sets her eyes on other eligible men, only to face another confrontation with Lucian—who isn’t about to back off and leave her to her newest plot.

Donna Hatch’s enchanting novella, A Winter’s Knight, begins when Clarissa Fairchild’s coach just happens to break down in front of the most forbidding estate in the county, that of Wyckburg Castle, a place where young brides have been murdered for generations by their husbands. Clarissa is horrified yet curious all in the same breath. When she meets widower Christopher de Champs, Earl of Wyckburg, she must decide if she should flee or uncover the greatest secret in the county about her handsome rescuer.

In Heather B. Moore’s exciting turn-of-the-century story, A Fortunate Exile, Lila Townsend finds herself the victim of a broken heart—broken by the most notorious bachelor in 1901 New York City. If that isn’t bad enough, her father sends her to Aunt Eugenia’s remote farm where Lila must wait for her father’s anger to subside and the gossip columns to find new fodder. When Lila meets her aunt’s boarder, Peter Weathers, she discovers a man who isn’t afraid to stand up to her formidable family and take a chance on a woman with a sullied reputation.

Mindy’s Review

4 1/2 stars. I was very excited to review these wonderful short stories by such talented authors.  As I read them, I appreciated the individual style of each talented lady.  All six stories are well-written and I was immediately taken into each story.  The benefit of a short story is how quick the plot moves a long.  I also enjoyed the way each author introduced the plot and characters quickly, but I never felt they were rushed.  It was so nice reading six fantastic romance stories that were clean, romantic, and heart pounding.  At the end of each, I was wishing for more.  I reveled in each story, but I must say I did have a favorite.  Donna Hatch’s A Winter’s Knight.  It reminded me a bit of Beauty and the Beast.  With a mysterious earl, ancient curses, and one curious red head, I was instantly hooked.

I think what I appreciated the most was how strong the women in these stories were.  Even though the time periods represented vary, each woman brought to the table a fire of knowing who they are.  A few learned that process during the course of the story, but found themselves and stood their ground.

Sheila’s Review

I was so thrilled to get to read a collection of stories written by some of my favorite authors.  I know that these women can write, and I have read their previous work.  I have to say I was not disappointed.  The best part is that these are clean stories full of romance.  Reading this anthology was like eating a platter of appetizers:  you were able to get yummy bites of everything.  The only thing I didn’t like is that I would just start to get into the story and then it would be done.  All of these stories could easily be continued in a longer novel.

On the plus side, these stories are perfect for the busy reader.  You could read one, enjoy it, finish it and then go off and run your errands.  Then later that inght, you could come back and read another story.  I was telling someone about the anthology.  They asked if I had a favorite story out of the six, but it would be hard to choose just one.  All of the stories had unique, and fun characters set in various eras. I liked the spunk of the women in the anthology.  I loved the romance and the awakening that takes place when you realize that love is there. **sign**

I can see these anthologies becoming guilty pleasure for women everywhere , especially those that want to read about romance without the gratuitous sex that is prevalent in today’s society.  Curl up in your jammies, grab your hot chocolate and get lost in this anthology of timeless romances! 

Read more about this anthology from the Blog and Facebook page.  There is a Spring Anthology coming next year!

AMAZON / BARNES AND NOBLE / SMASHWORDS

 Older Entries  Newer Entries