Month: June 2014

The Here and Now #review

The Here and Now by Ann Brashares is the romantic thriller about a girl from the future who might be able to save the world if she can let go of the one thing that she has found to hold on to.

Follow the rules. Remember what happened. Never fall in love.

These are the three biggest rules that seventeen year old Prenna James, who immigrated to New York when she was twelve must remember. The only thing is that Prenna did not immigrate from a different country. She came from a different time – a future where a mosquito borne illness has mutated into a pandemic killing millions and leaving the world in ruins.

Prenna and the others who have escaped to the present day must follow a strict set of rules to never reveal where they are from, never interfere with history and never be intimate with anyone outside their community. Prenna does as she is told, believing she can help prevent the plague that will one day ravage the earth. But everything changes when Prenna falls for Ethan Jarves.

Where to start with this novel – I loved every moment! Ann Brashares has the most incredible way of writing that has you wanting more (to be honest when the novel was finished I was hoping for a teaser to a second part!). I love stories set in the future and the way they had traveled back in time was brilliant. The romance that blooms between her and Ethan is forbidden but could not be helped. I know that this will be a hit for many young readers!

Rating: 5/5

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book but was not obligated to write a post. I wanted to share this awesome book with you!

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FOUR WEDDINGS AND A KISS – Win an iPad Mini & rip-roarin’ Facebook Party!

Four best-­selling romance novelists bring tales of feisty heroines, stubborn heroes, and unlikely love in the Wild West in Four Weddings and a Kiss. Don’t miss the latest from the Western Brides Collection from Margaret Brownley, Robin Lee Hatcher, Mary Connealy, and Debra Clopton.

The authors are celebrating with a “Sweet on Love” iPad Mini Giveaway and rip-roarin’ Facebook party.

4weddings-400-click

   
One winner will receive:

  • An iPad Mini
  • A Bride for All Seasons and Four Weddings and a Kiss 

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on July 8th. Winner will be announced at the Four Weddings and a Kiss Facebook Author Chat Party. Connect with Western Brides Collection authors Margaret Brownley, Robin Lee Hatcher, Mary Connealy, and Debra Clopton for an evening of fun book chat, western-themed trivia, and prizes. The authors will also be answering audience questions and giving an exclusive look at the next book in the collection!


So grab your copy of Four Weddings and a Kiss and join the authors on the evening of July 8th 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!)

Don’t miss a moment of the fun; RSVP todayTell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 8th!

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Four Weddings & a Kiss #review

Four fantastic authors come together to bring you Four Weddings & a Kiss – Margaret Brownley, Debra Clopton, Mary Connealy and Robin Lee Hatcher. Four stories intertwine when a young man questions the suitability of a potential woman.

Spitfire Sweetheart by Mary Connealy follows the story of Maizy Place – an unruly tomboy. When she causes an accident that injures her neighbour Rylan Carstens, she becomes his unlikely caregiver. Rylan has never noticed how pretty his infuriating neighbour is and he definitely never expected to fall in love.

Love Letter to the Editor by Robin Lee Hatcher is the story of Molly Everton, the outspoken daughter of the town’s newspaper owner. When her father brings in an outsider to be the editor she tries to drive him out of town. But Jack Ludgrove is not intimidated. He is resolved to change Molly’s mind about him both as an editor and as a man.

A Cowboy for Katie by Debra Clopton finds us meeting Katie Pearl, a young woman that is uninterested in men and love. What she needs is help on her ranch so she hires Treb Rayburn. Treb is a wandering cowboy looking a make a few dollars – will he help to change Katie’s mind?

In Courting Trouble by Margaret Brownley Grace Davenport is either the unluckiest woman alive or a killer. When her third husband is found dead Grace is arrested. Attorney Brock Daniels is not intersted in the case until he meets Grace. Only a miracle will prove her innocence but the joining of two lonely hearts may be their saving grace. 

There is so much to love in this novel! Four fantastic authors spin tales of love, romance and mystery in a way that leaves you craving more. They give just enough to keep you hanging on the edge of the seat. The simple romances in each story will make your heart warm (who wouldn’t want a strong cowboy?!). Each story is intertwined in a unique way to show that love knows no boundaries and that we can never help who we fall in love with. Only that we should embrace love – the most precious gift of all.

You can find more reviews on the Litfuse blog tour here. You can purchase a copy of the book here.

Rating: 5/5

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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The Fragrance of Crushed Violets: Forgiving the Inexcusable #review #giveaway

Forgiveness. Why is it so hard to talk about forgiveness? I know at times I find myself slow to forgive others (and even harder to let that hurt go from my memory) and I am even slower to forgive myself. It has only been through my faith over the years and my hours spent at Church in prayer and mass that I found some understanding on the word forgiveness.

“God’s forgiveness by it’s very nature is rooted in His grace and mercy – it is something that can not be earned it is a gift” – The Fragrance of Crushed Violets

Cathy Bryant (author of A Bridge Unbroken) brings us this incredible and thought provoking companion Bible study booklet on the topic of forgiveness. Cathy examines relevant Bible scriptures to explore the meaning and understanding of forgiveness, God’s process in forgiveness and how to forgive.

Cathy examines the current understanding of forgiveness and all the emotions that can contribute and make it harder to forgive (anger, resentment, vengeance and pride) as well as the Christian meaning of forgiveness. She gives us relevant scriptures and questions to help us examine the most hurtful moments in our life that we may still be holding on to and how to release that.

“Forgiveness isn’t natural. It is supernatural” – The Fragrance of Crushed Violets

I worked my way through the guide (roughly forty pages) over a period of two weeks. Each stage has it’s own questions and suggested Bible readings. I loved how thought provoking her questions were. It really had me examining my current feelings and some resentment that I have held on to over the years without truly forgiving the individual who harmed me.

Even harder was learning to forgive myself. I used a lot of the questions in relation to myself and some poor choices I had made that only I felt were affecting my current life. Between this book, prayer and attending Church I have found a way to forgive myself. Forgiveness is a continuous act – when I feel myself building up again I find myself re-reading the guide and praying in order to re-release the hurt I hold against myself.

“To be a Christian means forgiving the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you” – C.S. Lewis

I love this guide and all the relevant life questions and readings it provides. As forgiving is a constant act and life is constantly changing this is an important guide to have around to help you work through all the difficult times.

Cathy is now giving one of you the chance to win your own digital copy of the guide. Please enter via the Rafflecopter form below and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this guide in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.  

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A Prayer #WW w/linky

This week’s Wordless Wednesday post is in honour of my Grandfather. He has been admitted to the hospital and is having a rough time. There are so many wonderful things that I love about him especially his drive, his patience and his willingness to do anything for his family. I remember as a child all of our weekly Sunday trips for family time at his house, his incredible vegetable garden, him leaving coins around his house for us to find and so much more. This week’s Wordless Wednesday is all about him and a prayer that he remains well and free from pain.

Link up your Wordless Wednesday post below so that I can visit you as well!

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