‘Among the Fair Magnolias’ Southern Hearts Kindle Fire Giveaway | Book Review

Four best-selling novelists bring tales of four Southern women who face near impossible choices on their journeys in life and in love during the most turbulent decade of our nation’s history in Among the Fair Magnolias. Don't miss this collection of stories from Tamera Alexander, Shelley Gray, Dorothy Love, and Elizabeth Musser.

A Heart So True by Dorothy Love: This was such a sad, sweet story. The setting at Pawley's Island made me want to go to the beach! I was rooting for Abigail and Wade throughout the story. I'm glad we got to see Charles' true colors because I didn't like him from the moment he stepped on the scene. I love how the author portrayed the relationship between father and daughter at a time when tides were changing. He wanted to protect her future, but couldn't see past his own political ambitions to the real Charles. Overall, I really enjoyed this sweet story.

To Mend a Dream by Tamera Alexander: As always, I am delighted by Tamera Alexander's story. They never fail to evoke my emotions. This sweet story is no exception. I remember reading about Savannah first in To Win Her Favor, A Belle Meades Plantation Novel. I'm glad to see her here again and learn more about her and her family. Her sweet, unassuming nature drew me to her and I was praying for her to find what she so desperately sought. Aidan was such a gentleman. He is not at all what I expected in a man from Boston being portrayed in a Southern state. I really enjoyed his soul searching. I think Savannah sums up the message nicely in her thoughts at the end of the book: ...marveling at God's quiet orchestration of lives and realizing she'd likely never know how often the Almighty did this. How often he interlaced such painful parts of this earthly journey with such joyous ones, weaving them together with such skill and grace. And beauty." I couldn't have said it better myself!

Love Beyond Limits by Elizabeth Musser: This story addresses a very scary time in our nation's history. Freedmen and plantation owners are working to find their places in this new and scary world. Bring in those Southern Democrats who feel white supremecy should be brought back and the Klu Klux Klan, and you've got yourself an interesting story filled with love, hate, and God's quiet orchestration in our lives. I loved Emily's character for sticking to her beliefs, even though they were not popular in that time period. Her desire to do what's right for her fellow man, and her belief that all men are created equal in God's eyes was very forward for the time, especially for a woman. I admire her for that and want to strive to be that way in my own life. 

An Outlaw's Heart by Shelley Gray: Hearing about Scout Proffitt and Will McMillan from Shelley Gray's Heart of a Hero series brought back memories of reading those fantastic books. I loved them as much as I loved this story! Both Nora and Russell dealt with situations that, for young people, can change the course of your life and sometimes not for the better. Coming back home and fixing those wrongs can sometimes be a scary and daunting task. It was brave of Russell to do so, and I admired him for the bravery. I could even tell that his mother and Nora deeply regretted the way they treated Russell those seven years ago. This was a sweet, sweet story and the perfect way to end this fantastic collection of novellas.

Overall, Among the Fair Magnolias is an enchanting collection of novellas that sweeps the reader into the beauty and heartbreak of the "Old South." I was immersed into a world of change along with the heroines of each story. With a strong message about God's orchestration and heavenly interference in our life, this collection on novellas will immerse you into a world of faith, love, turmoil, and uncertainty. I highly recommend this sweet, southern collection.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through the Litfuse blogging program in exchange for my honest review.*

Landing page:

http://litfusegroup.com/author/fairmagnolias

Join the authors in celebrating the release of Among the Fair Magnolias by entering to win their Southern Hearts Kindle Fire Giveaway and RSVPing to their August 13th author chat party!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HD 6
• One copy of Among the Fair Magnolias

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 8/13. The winner will be announced at the Among the Fair Magnolias Facebook party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Tamera, Dorothy, Shelley, and Elizabeth, 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 13th!

About the book: 
Among the Fair Magnolias (Thomas Nelson, July 2015)

In the most turbulent decade of our nation's history, four Southern women---destinies forged by birth, hearts steeled by war---face near impossible choices on their journeys in life . . . and in love.

To Mend a Dream by Tamera Alexander
Savannah Darby would do almost anything to revisit her family home. So when new owner, Aidan Bedford, a Boston attorney and former Union soldier, seeks to redecorate the house for his fiancée, Savannah jumps at the opportunity. But the clock is ticking. Can she find the box her father supposedly hid there during the war before her assignment is completed? And before she sees yet another battle lost on the home front. This time, one of the heart.

An Outlaw's Heart by Shelley Gray
When Russell Stark returns to Fort Worth, he's determined to begin a new life. But when he arrives at his mother's homestead, he discovers she's very ill, and the woman he loved is still as beautiful and sweet as he remembered. With time running out, Russell must come to terms with both his future and his past.

A Heart So True by Dorothy Love
Abigail knows all too well what is expected of her: to marry her distant cousin Charles and take her place in society. But her heart belongs to another. A terrible incident forces Abby to choose between love and duty.

Love Beyond Limits by Elizabeth Musser
Emily has a secret: She's in love with one of the freedmen on her family's plantation. Meanwhile, another man declares his love for her. Emily realizes some things are not as they seem and secrets must be kept in order to keep those she loves safe.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1Igkc7H

About the authors:

Tamera Alexander is the best-selling author of numerous books including A Lasting Impressionand The Inheritance. Tamera is a two-time Christy Award winner, two-time RITA winner, and a recipient of the prestigious Library Journal Award. A native of west Tennessee. website, Twitter,Facebook 

Dorothy Love makes her home in the Texas hill country with her husband and their golden retriever. An award-winning author of numerous young adult novels, Dorothy made her adult debut with the Hickory Ridge novels. website,Twitter, Facebook

Shelley Gray is the author of The Heart of a Hero series. Her Amish novel (written as Shelley Shepard Gray), The Protector, recently made the New York Times best seller list.website, Twitter, Facebook

Elizabeth Musser, a native of Atlanta, Georgia now living in France, is a novelist who writes what she calls 'entertainment with a soul.' For over 25 years, Elizabeth and her husband, Paul, have been involved in mission work with International Teams. website,Twitter, Facebook

A Texan's Choice

Boy, oh boy am I behind on my book reviews! School, unfortunately, is taking up my book review time and I am none too happy about it! BUT, that's life right!!

Anyways, A Texan's Choice by Shelley Gray is the third installment in the Heart of a Hero Series and it is just as fantastic as the first two. This book is mainly about Scout Proffitt (whom we met in the previous book) and Rosemarie Cousins.  There is also a side story with Scout's old gang member, but the main focus is on Rosemarie and Scout.

In the second book, A Texan's Honor, we remember that towards the end of the book, Scout met a young girl named Kitty who changed his life.  His whole life he'd been trying to be like his older brother Clayton.  He wanted to be worthy of his family and anyone in general.  Somehow, Kitty broke through is tough and lonely existence and set him on a path of irrevocable healing.  The beginning of this book marks Scout winning a ranch in a poker game and going to retrieve it.  Without giving away any more of the plot, he meets Rosemarie Cousins and has no choice but to marry her. Scout never dreamed he have a wife, especially not one like Rosemarie. 

Rosemarie is tired. She is tired of waiting and tired of being ignored.  She, like Scout, faces a difficult time accepting that she is worthy of any one's love and affection since her family has treated her so horribly.  She is, however, facing what life throws at her straight on.  She is tough and determined to make her life better. She, like Scout, never thought she would find herself married, yet alone to a notorious gunslinger who acts nothing like the novels depicted him to. 

I like the part near the beginning of the book that, after Scout asked Rosemarie to marry him, that says "For the first time, she took [his hand] easily. Like they were becoming a pair instead of merely two lost souls stuck on some of the worst land in the great state of Texas" because I believe this is where the true healing for each of them begins.  They have to learn to rely on each other and think about each other's thoughts and feelings, when they are both so used to being alone.

The main theme, running rampart through the book, is about choices.  Each person faces life with choices.  That's part of God's will for our lives, the freedom to choose whether we believe or not.  This book metes out past and present choices for each of the characters, ultimately ending in a happy, sweet way. "Faith and believing in a higher power? It's a personal thing. Something that can't be forced or taught."

I hope you enjoy this series as much as I did!

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-texans-choice-shelley-gray/1108857094?ean=9781426714658

A Texan's Honor

The second installment in the Heart of A Hero series by Shelley Gray is as promising as the first! A Texan's Honor revolves around several characters, but we'll introduce three here: Jamilyn (Jamie) Ellis, Scout Proffitt, and Will McMillan.

Jamilyn Ellis has been taking care of herself since her brother was killed during the war. Her parents retreated into themselves and pretty much forgot about her. Because of that, she hasn't seen or done much in her life. Since the death of her parents, nothing has gone right for her. At the beginning of the story, Jamie is a victim and a hostage of the notorious Walton Gang. Even though she is a victim, she shows some admirable qualities: fear, strength, determination, spunk.

After Will McMillan, former soldier and now U.S. Marshal working undercover, meets Jamilyn Ellis, he knows his life is going to change forever. He's never taken kindly to treating women disrespectfully, but the Walton gang seems fit to do just that. He is determined not to let that happen. Along with Scout Proffitt, notorious gunslinger, he decides to get Jamie off that train at all costs.

Scout Proffitt is well known as the most lethal man in the west. He's a hired gun, a killer. This story shows many different facets of Scout, even though he's not one of the main characters.  First, we see the hardened gunslinger let a captive, Jamie, get under his skin and ultimately sets her free against the Walton's wishes. Then, he meets Kitty. Kitty profoundly affects his life. I am not going to spoil it for you, but be prepared. Kitty will open his eyes and his heart like no one else can.

This book revolves around honor. The epitaph of Wyatt Earp's tombstone rightly starts this story off: "...That's nothing's so sacred as honor and nothing so loyal as love!" Honoring ourselves, honoring our Lord, and honoring each other is what we learn through these characters in the book.

I highly recommend this book, just like the first one!
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-texans-honor-shelley-gray/1105315590?ean=9781426714634

A Texan's Promise

The first book in the Heart of a Hero series by Shelley Gray, A Texan's Promise is a strong start to a beautiful series. The story revolves around three main characters: Clayton Proffitt, Vanessa Grant, and Miles Grant.

Clayton Proffitt is the honorable, respected Foreman on the Circle Z Ranch. He is everything good and kind in a lot of people's eyes. He commands respect just by the way he looks and acts towards others. Even Price Venture, Vanessa and Miles' stepfather, knew he was no match for Clayton with the men of the Circle Z. Clayton is also scarred by the war, like many others of the time. He is working on the ranch to heal and come to terms with all that he's seen and done, which he feels makes him unworthy of anyone's love.

Vanessa Grant is a beautiful, sheltered, and extremely vulnerable woman. Ever since her father's death, she has clung to Clayton like he was her lifeline. If she had any problem, she would go talk it out with Clayton, who would listen attentively and give her the best advice he could.

Miles Grant is struggling to find his place in this life. No one, not even his father, has ever taken him seriously and he's allowed it. He prefers to hang back and fade into the background. He's almost content to do it until the night Vanessa is beaten and Clayton forces him to face the reality of it.

One night, Clayton finds Vanessa in the barn crying. After much cajoling on his part, he finds out that Price has beaten Vanessa. Remembering the PROMISE  he made to Vanessa's father on his death bed to keep her safe, he feels like a complete failure, but vows to never let it happen again. The adventure begins there...

Throughout the story we learn about promises and what it means to honor and keep those promises. We also learn about God's promises to us. Clayton and Vanessa are both broken and weary by what life has thrown their way. They are struggling to make it through this life the best they can, in the best way they think. Each one has to come to grips with what they've suffered and been dealt. They also have to come to the knowledge and understanding that "God was with them, always." As Clayton states in the latter part of the book: "He's been there with us, even when we didn't know what we wanted. Even when we didn't know how to achieve our dreams." God is faithful, God keeps his promise to never leave us or forsake us. That's the lesson in this story.

I loved this story, and I know you will to!
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/texans-promise-shelley-gray/1101183663?ean=9781426714597