Friday, January 31, 2014

Weekend Wrap Up (Jan. 31)

 
This is the Weekend Wrap-Up, inspired by Melanie at Christian Bookshelf Review. This is where I will tell you what I've read in the past week, what I'm currently reading, and what I plan to read in the week ahead. I might also share some interesting events from the past week!
 
And the winner is.....
Beth Clark! Beth will receive one copy of Starflower by June Caedmon.
**Winner has been notified by email and will have 5 days to respond before a new winner is selected.**
 
What I've Read 
 
The Sinners' GardenClaiming Mariah 
(Reviews will be posted for these books in February)

What I'm Currently Reading
Dangerous Depths (The Aloha Reef Series #3) 
 
What I plan on reading
A Miracle of Hope (The Amish Wonders, #1)Echoes of MercyA Ranger's Trail (Texas Trails #4)The Beloved DaughterLove's Sweet Beginning (Sisters at Heart #3)Wildwood Creek (Moses Creek, #4) 
 
January Review:
Christmas in Apple Ridge: Three-in-One Collection: The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, NEW! The Dawn of ChristmasWhen Calls the Heart (Canadian West #1)A Time to Love (Quilts of Lancaster County, #1)Long Trail Home (Texas Trails #3)Forsaken Dreams (Escape to Paradise, #1)StarflowerThe Dancing MasterA Passion Most Pure (Daughters of Boston, #1)Safe in His Arms (Under Texas Stars, #2)Distant Echoes (The Aloha Reef Series #1)Black Sands (The Aloha Reef Series #2)A Bride for All SeasonsThe Sinners' GardenLove's Sweet Beginning (Sisters at Heart #3)Claiming Mariah 

Wow! It's been a great reading month for me! I hope I get as many books read for February. What are your goals for the month of February? Share them below!

That about wraps it up!

Friday, January 24, 2014

Week End Wrap Up (Jan. 24)

 
This is the Weekend Wrap-Up, inspired by Melanie at Christian Bookshelf Review. This is where I will tell you what I've read in the past week, what I'm currently reading, and what I plan to read in the week ahead. I might also share some interesting events from the past week!
Current Giveaway:
Enter to win one copy of Starflower by June Caedmon! 
Giveaway ends January 31

What I've Read
Black Sands (The Aloha Reef Series #2) 
Reviews Posted
Distant Echoes 
Black Sands 
A Bride for All SeasonsA Bride for All Seasons by Robin Lee Hatcher

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I loved this collection of novellas from some of my favorite authors. Each story was short and sweet, full of romance and faith, and very enjoyable. I loved all of the characters! I only wish they were a little longer! Because of the shortness of the stories, some of the romance could feel a little rushed, but I kept in mind the fact that these were novellas, not full fledged novels and it helped keep my perspective.

Overall, it was a very enjoyable collection of short stories!

In This MomentIn This Moment by B. Benfield

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is a fantastic debut novel! The characters are wonderful. Anyone can easily relate to Brooke, even if you've never lost a husband. The emotions she goes through are real and the depth of character is fantastic. I really wish we could have gotten into Reid's character a little more, because the little bit we got to know about him (from his point of view) makes me want to know more!

The plot is intriguing and had me hooked from the first page. The things Brooke goes through are so real to me, which is probably why I relate to her character so well. The action surrounding Reid's past is exciting and scary. The romance between Brooke and Reid is sweet and exciting and scary (for Brooke) all at the same time. The author does a great job of displaying those emotions.

Overall, this was a quick, easy read that I highly recommend.
**There is some language and a couple "steamy" scenes, so if you don't like those things, don't read this book.**

What I'm Currently Reading:
The Sinners' Garden (Should be done with this one today)

What I Plan on Reading:
Claiming MariahA Miracle of Hope (The Amish Wonders, #1)Echoes of MercyA Ranger's Trail (Texas Trails #4)The Beloved DaughterLove's Sweet Beginning (Sisters at Heart #3)Wildwood Creek (Moses Creek, #4)

That about wraps it up!




Thursday, January 23, 2014

An Interview with June Caedmon!

Hello everyone! As you know, I'm currently running a giveaway for the book Starflower by June Caedmon (enter here). I really enjoyed this book and am pleased that June has graciously allowed me to help promote her book for her! She's also allowed me the opportunity to do an interview!


About the Author


June Caedmon“This instinct for love, so firmly implanted in the human heart, is the supreme way by which we learn to desire and love God himself above all else.”

So writes Hannah Hurnard in the preface to her allegory, Hinds’ Feet on High Places. Hurnard’s sentiment expresses most profoundly, why I write romantic fiction. Through these stories, I seek, first and foremost, to glorify God. I trust that the stories will also engage and entertain my readers. If a single person is brought closer to God through their reading experience, I will count myself blessed indeed.

The author began writing under the pen name June Caedmon in July of 2002. Since then she has completed seven novels, four of which have been published. She is an avid reader and enjoys the research that her writing style demands. She has little with which to commend herself and relies solely on God for her inspiration, wisdom and guidance. The author lives with her family in the Hill Country of Texas.
(From her website: http://www.junecaedmon.com/)

Welcome, June! Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer a few questions for my readers!

Tell us a little bit about yourself.  I’m a forty-something child of God. I live in the Texas hill country with my amazing husband and five {step} children. I have the privilege of having my aging parents close by so I can help them whenever they need it.

What do you do when you’re not writing? Take care of my family. Travel with my husband. I also enjoy photography, blogging (which is really writing!), reading and embroidery.

What challenges did you face in getting your first book published? The biggest challenges were financial and editorial. 

What project are you working on now?  I’m in the final editing stages of the first of a two-part  saga entitled Pearl of Great Price. Can you tell us a little bit about it? It is the story of one woman’s astounding forgiveness and the power of her daughter’s love to reconcile a family torn apart by decades of deception and bitterness. 

How did you know you wanted to be a writer? Actually, I didn’t know. God started giving me stories. You know the scripture about the rocks crying out praises to God? It’s kind of like that for me; I don’t really have a choice. The stories won’t leave me alone until I write them.

If you could pick any other to interview, who would it be and why?  C.S. Lewis. God gave him such wisdom, and such a creative voice. I would be fascinated by anything he had to say.

Which character in Starflower do you connect with the most? I think what I connect with the most is how Sarah had to learn to trust herself.  She had made some bad choices in her life. But God had changed her, made her stronger. She had to trust in that, and believe that she wasn’t going to make the same mistakes again.

Any advice for aspiring writers? Write your story.

      A little bit of fun!:
a.       Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla
b.      Tea or coffee? Coffee and tea
c.       Favorite color? purple
d.      Dogs or Cats? Dogs and cats
e.      Favorite Food? Italian
 
Is there anything else you would like to say to your fans?  You have a lot of reading choices out there. I’m honored that you chose to read one of my books. I pray that there was something in the book that inspired and encouraged you in your walk with God.
*****
Thank you for taking the time to read this interview! Don't forget to enter the giveaway. You can enter the giveaway and read my review HERE!