Category: Litfuse blog tour

March 3, 2015

Betting on Hope by Debra Clopton #bookreview

Betting on Hope follows the story of a bet gone wrong, a small town community and their meddling and a cowboy intent on saving his ranch.

About Betting on Hope

Maggie Hope is an advice columnist whose background leaves her with little advice to give and it is beginning to show. When Maggie fills in at an interview with champion horse trainer, Tru Monahan, the on camera chemistry between the two of them is undeniable. Maggie’s bosses see this as the opportunity she has been looking for to launch her career and their bank accounts. In order to save her column, Maggie takes Tru up on the bet that he can teach her to ride a quick stepping cutting horse like any cowgirl despite the fact that she has never been on a horse. In the meantime, she can get the scoop on the man under the cowboy hat.

Tru has been on the competition circuit for longer than he would like but he knows it is the only way he can afford to keep the Four of Hearts Ranch that means so much to his ailing Grandfather. So when his sponsors see the opportunity for Tru’s fans to get to know the star on a more intimate level, he knows that he must oblige. To his dismay, Maggie not only invades his small town of Wishing Springs but she also invades his heart and that is something he cannot let any woman do – for her own good.

In Wishing Springs, Maggie finds what she has always been looking for: a community and a home. But when her past catches up to her, it threatens everything, even the tender hope that this town holds all of her heart’s desires.

My Thoughts

I love a good romance and Betting on Hope delivers this and so much more! It is a story of grace, trust and believing in yourself. Both characters have to look past their past experiences and misconceptions that surround us. Each character was believable and have internal conflicts that many of us can relate to on some level. They have each tried hard to move forward from their past experiences but somehow they each keep catching up with them.

There were quite a few twists in this novel which added to the suspense of this fairly light read. I loved how easy it was to get into Betting on Hope and it was a perfect read at bed (or in my favourite reading spot – my bubble bath!). This novel will be the perfect addition to your romance collection!

You can find more reviews of Betting on Hope on the Litfuse Blog tour page. You can purchase your own copy of the book here.

Rating: 4.5/5

About the Author

Debra Clopton is a multi award-winning novelist and has written more than twenty-two novels. Along with writing, Debra helps her husband teach the youth at their local Cowboy Church. Debra’s goal is to shine a light toward God while she entertains readers with her words. You can find Debra online on Facebook and Twitter.

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

February 13, 2015

Return to Exile by Lynne Gentry

How far would you go to save the ones you love? In Return to Exile by Lynne Gentry, Lisbeth would cross centuries.

About Return to Exile

Six years ago, impossible circumstances found Dr. Lisbeth Hastings leaving behind the love of her life, not just in another country but in another time period. Her work as an epidemiologist and single Mother help alleviate some of her pain but at night she misses her Cyprian and it haunts her.

Cyprian Thascius returns from exile a broken man. He has lost his faith, the love of his life and his purpose. He attempts to move on, to face the danger that is looming over Carthage but when the love of his life returns his heart becomes as imperiled as the Church he seeks to save.

Have the years that kept apart Lisbeth and Cyprian created too wide of chasm to bridge? In the midst of disease and oppression will their love be the most costly fatality?

My Thoughts

An exciting novel full of time travel, love and history! All of my favourite subjects wrapped up in one well written novel.

The story line in Return to Exile is fantastic and kept me guessing through out the novel. I was heartbroken for Lisbeth at times (which also made me wish I had read the first in this series!). She literally crosses time to return to the man she loves with his child he never knew he had. He never thought she was coming back so he moved on with his life still loving her. With her she brings life saving medical knowledge and vaccines. The world she returns is not even close to the one she left leaving me heartbroken for her. I can’t even begin to imagine her pain on her return. Her only comfort in this world is her Mother who is being kept as a slave.

The novel finishes off with just enough to leave you hanging and just enough to make you ready to read the next novel in this series (honestly can not wait for the next book!).

You can find more reviews of Return to Exile on the Lifuse blog tour page here. You can purchase a copy of the book here.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Lynne Gentry has written for several publications. She is a professional acting coach, theater director and playwright. Lynne is also inspirational speaker. You can connect with her online on Facebook and Twitter.

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

February 13, 2015

Remember the Lilies by Liz Tolsma

A gripping World War II story, Remember the Lilies by Liz Tolsma will have you reading long into the night.

About Remember the Lilies

Interred by the Japanese, missionary Irene Reynolds comes across a mysterious note while working at the censor’s office. She memorizes the parts she must block out and delivers it to the wealthy nightclub owner, Rand Sterling. Before she knows what has happened, she is drawn into a web of secrets and danger.

Rand Sterling wants nothing more than to open his nightclubs once the war is over. But Frank Covey, a man not to be trusted, wants his hand in the till and will stop at nothing. More importantly, Rand will stop at nothing to ensure that Irene does not find out the information that Frank knows about Rand.

When Irene is attacked by a Japanese solider both of their secrets are exposed. Irene and Rand must learn the meaning of forgiveness if only they can fight off starvation until the American troops arrive.

My Thoughts

This is the second book I have read from Liz Tolsma and I fell in love with this book just as much as the first one! She has a way of writing that touches your heart and draws you right into the story.

Historical fiction has always been a personal favourite of mine. Liz draws you into the World War II setting in the Philippines and gives you a glimpse of life during those years for Americans living there. The starvation and death that surrounds them is almost unbearable but even in those moments they find God and their faith. It is God that brings them through the worst moments and helps them see the light.

The characters change as a person so much in this novel and in a completely positive light. They grow in faith and forgiveness. Rand becomes a whole different man from start to finish and it was a privilege to be part of this adventure with him.

This will definitely be a book you will not want to put down until it’s done and then re-read again!

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

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Liz Tolsma is a New York Time’s bestseller and is the author of Daisies are Forever and and Snow on the Tulips. Liz lives in Wisconsin with her husband and adopted children. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook.

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

February 11, 2015

Becoming A Spiritually Healthy Family by Michelle Anthony

We all want the best for our children and our family. We want to watch our family grow in love and God. Life can get so busy that sometimes we step away from these values and beliefs. Becoming A Spiritually Healthy Family by Michelle Anthony brings family and God back into the forefront.

About Becoming A Spiritually Healthy Family

We all want to guide our children into the abundant life that Jesus offers. But when we as parents pursue the more, the better that life offers over the pursuit of Jesus we fall into dangerous parenting habits. In Becoming A Spiritually Healthy Family, Michelle Anthony breaks down six of the most common dysfunctional parenting styles that we may fall into because of habit, lack of attention or oversight due to busyness. If you long to show your children Jesus but unsure of how to do this practical guide is for you! This guide includes scripture passages, reflection questions and real life family examples.

My Thoughts

“This is the way God intended His family to respond to one another. God knew families would suffer loss and pain, and that no family would have the perfect life they anticipated. His provision was that we would, in His name, fill in the gaps for each other. No one family can provide for its needs in the powerful ways that the family of God can!” (Becoming a Spiritually Healthy Family, 123).

This is the perfect resource guide for busy families. The moment I picked up this book I could not put it down. I found so much of myself and those around me in the parenting styles Michelle highlights. Michelle breaks down parenting styles into six of the most common ones: the double minded parent, can’t say no parent, driver parent, micro manager parent, criticizing parent and the absentee parent. Instead of throwing blame at parents for their parenting styles she visits why we have come to this route of parenting style and how it can affect our family life and children. She then gives real examples from not only her own life but those around her. She ties in Bible scriptures breaking them down to help us see the bigger picture. At the end of each chapter she allows room for us to complete discussion questions and assessments.

It can be hard to guide our children in our faith – I am not going to lie I find this hard! I take them to our Church and try to teach them moral lessons but I know I can and should be doing more. I loved the real examples Michelle gives us – ideas that I would never have even thought of on my own! The passage that I started this section with is one of my favourite from the book. It truly exemplifies what God asks us to do when he says we are part of his Kingdom and one family.

You can purchase a copy of the book here. For more reviews you can visit the Litfuse Blog tour page.

Rating: 5/5

About Michelle Anthony

Michelle is the Vice President of the Learning Resources and Family Ministry Architect at David C. Cook. She is the author of Spiritual Parenting, Dreaming of More for the Next Generation, A Theology of Family Ministry and The Big God Story. She has over twenty-five years of church ministry experience as a children’s and family pastor. You can connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

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

February 9, 2015

The Dandelion Field by Kathryn Springer

The Dandelion Field is a story of strength, overcoming obstacles and finding faith.

About The Dandelion Field

After Raine’s Dad walks out on them, Ginevieve Lightly never lives in one place too long – a rambling lifestyle that defines her daughter’s youth. When their car dies in Banister Falls, Wisconsin, Gin promises Raine that they can stay until she finishes her senior year of high school. Gin will do anything to make sure her daughter has a bright future – a future that is compromised when Raine reveals she is pregnant.

Dan has only ever called Banister Falls home. After losing his best friend in a tragic accident, Dan devotes himself to fighting fires, rescuing the helpless and guiding Cody Bennett, his best friend’s son. This was always an easy job until Cody said “The baby is mine.”

Knowing gossip of the pregnancy will erupt sooner or later because of the small town nature, Gin’s reflex is to run. But with each passing day Gin finds herself rooted to this small town unable to leave and she falls more and more in love with Dan. Dan works hard to show her not all men are the same and not all men will run when the smoke starts.

As Gin and Dan do their best to guide the two young teenagers they discover that romance can bloom in the rockiest of situations.

My Thoughts

I fell in love with this book as it resonated strongly with me. I was a young Mother who also went through some of the same things Raine was forced to go through in her pregnancy. Those initial reactions Raine faced of anger, feeling the need to hide and facing negativity from others is difficult to overcome. When she turns to those she needs the most, Gin would do anything for her daughter. Gin sees an opportunity to protect her daughter from the terrible things that happened to herself when she was pregnant as a teen with Raine.

Raine’s pregnancy is only one small part of this story. Through Raine’s pregnancy we are introduced to Gin’s past and the hurt she has had to overcome when her boyfriend left her and family abandoned her. Gin finds it hard to believe in others and to trust. It was incredible to be able to watch her character grow and trust again all because of Dan. Dan also benefits from his relationship with Gin as he finds himself, forgives himself for his past and moves into the future.

A fantastic story of forgiveness, healing and moving forward. It does not disappoint! You can find more reviews on the Litfuse blog tour page here. You can purchase your own copy here.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Kathryn Springer is a USA Today best-selling author. She grew up in Wisconsin where her parents published a weekly newspaper. It is the time she spent with her parents writing and reading that gave her a deep passion for both areas. Kathryn has written nineteen books and close to two million copies sold.

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