Love On The Line by Deeanne Gist - Book Review

It's battle of wills...and love is on the line! Rural switchboard operator Georgie Gail is proud of her independence in a man's world...which makes it twice as vexing when the telephone company sends a man to look over her shoulder.

Dashing Luke Palmer is more than he appears though. He's a Texas Ranger working undercover to infiltrate a notorious gang of train robbers. Repairing telephones and tangling with this tempestuous woman is the last thing he wants to do. But when his stakeout puts Georgie in peril, he realizes that more than his job is on the line. (Taken from back cover.)

My review: I love the fiction of Deeanne Gist. She knows how to tell a great story, with well-rounded charactization and attention to detail. In Love on the Line, Deeanne brings to life Brenham, Texas in the early 1900's.

It is obvious that Deeanne has done her research, from train robberies, to telephone operators to birds. I particularly enjoyed all the birding references, and how Deeanne wove this element carefully into her story. She also injects a healthy dose of humor into her story.

I usually wouldn't choose a book with a western theme, but thought I would give it a try. I was pleasantly suprised. I highly recommend this book.

Deeanne Gist has rocketed up the bestseller lists and garnered rave reviews with her very fun, original historical and contemporary romances, including Maid to Match and Bride in the Bargain. Dee has earned three RITA nominations, won two Christy Awards, and loves interacting with fans through Facebook and Dee's Circle of Friends online. Find out more about Dee at http://www.iwantherbook.com/

"http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=240526342663236

I received a copy of the book for review purposes from http://www.litfuse.com/

Book is available through http://www.amazon.com/

THE HEIRESS by Susan May Warren - Book Review

Introducing Heiress – book 1 in the Daughters of Fortune series! Enter to win an opulent Gilded Age prize pack fit for an heiress in Susan May Warren’s fun giveaway ($100 to ModCloth.com, iPod Shuffle, Pearls, Titanic, Music & More!)!  All the details here: http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13429072 “With unexpected twists and masterful storytelling, Warren has penned one of her best novels to date.” Pick up a copy today!

About the book: Heiress

They can buy anything they want—fame, power, beauty, even loyalty.
But they can’t buy love.

The beautiful and wealthy heiress daughters of August Price can buy everything their hearts desire. But what if their desire is to be loved, without an enormous price tag attached? When one sister betrays another for the sake of love, will she find happiness? And what happens when the other sets out across the still untamed frontier to find it—will she discover she’s left it behind in the glamorous world of the New York gilded society? What price will each woman pay for being an heiress?

Set in the opulent world of the Gilded Age, two women discover that being an heiress just might cost them everything they love.


My review: The Heiress is the first book I've read by Susan May Warren. I LOVED it! Susan is a gifted wordsmith. The writing is so descriptive, I felt transported to New York City in the Gilded Age. I could feel the richness of the fabric, smell and taste the food, and see everything through the eyes of the sisters and the men in their lives. Susan also brought the struggles of the lower classes to light, showing the hardships of the times for those who weren't part of the opulent society. Susan skilfully weaves historical details throughout. I felt the dilemmas of the characters as they made some poor choices with long-reaching consequences.
The Heiress causes the reader ro ponder a number of deep issues."What is true love?'' "What does it mean to be rich?" What is a blessing?" "Can we expect God to bless us in spite of the wrong choices?" I love how Susan speaks to these issues without being 'preachy'.

The book has discussion questions, making it suitable for a book club. The author's notes at the end explain many details which help place this story in its historical context.

This is the first in a new series, Daughters of Fortune. The next installment is Baroness. I, for one, cannot wait!

About Susan:
 Susan May Warren is an award-winning, best-selling author of over twenty-five novels, many of which have won the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, the ACFW Book of the Year award, the Rita Award, and have been Christy finalists. After serving as a missionary for eight years in Russia, Susan returned home to a small town on Minnesota’s beautiful Lake Superior shore where she, her four children, and her husband are active in their local church.


Susan's larger than life characters and layered plots have won her acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. A seasoned women’s events and retreats speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!. She is also the founder ofwww.MyBookTherapy.com, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice.

More information at http://www.susanmaywarren.com/
Follow Susan on facebook

Published by Summerside Press, http://www.summersidepress.com/.

Available through http://www.amazon.com/

I wish to thank http://www.litfusegroup/ for providing a copy of this book as part of their bloggers' review program.

THE PUMPKIN PATCH PARABLE by Liz Curtis Higgs

It's that time again! Autumn beauty is all around us, and there is that refreshing crispness in the air. It is time to once again bring out The Pumpkin Patch Parable by Liz Curtis Higgs. This delightful book has become an enduring classic, and continues to delight children (written especially for the 3-7 year old), as well as parents and grandparents, teachers, day care providers, and Sunday School teachers.

In a society which places a huge emphasis on Hallowe'en, this story is a real tre at. Liz has redeemed a well known symbol and used it to illustrate biblical concepts. It is easy to understand, superbly written, and beautifully illustrated by Nancy Munger.

The Pumpkin Patch Parable is the story of a Farmer who chooses a pumpkin from the patch, washes it, then cuts off the top, removing the yucky, stringy part, making it clean inside. He then carves a smiling face in the pumpkin, and places a lit candle inside. When the pumpkin is ready, the Farmer places the glowing pumpkin outside to shine its light in the darkness.

The book has Bible verses at the bottom of some of the pages, which early readers will be able to read for themselves. This book is a great discussion starter. Highly recommended!

The Pumpkin Patch Parable is an enduring story, ready to be introduced to a new generation.

Available through http://www.amazon.com/, http://www.christianbookdistributiors.com/  and wherever fine books are sold.

Available in hardcover, as well as in the newer, larger board book format.

THE QUEEN by Steven James - BOOK REVIEW

The Queen, by Steven James, is the 5th title in his series. All the books have titles based on chess, beginning with The Pawn, followed by The Rook, The Knight, The Bishop. These books get better and better. More are to follow.

The story centres on Patrick Brower, FBI Special Agent. Full of intrigue, plot twists and suspense, James keeps the reader on the edge  of his seat as the story unfolds. It is hard to put down. James has me hooked from page one. Thankfully, the chapters are short, allowing the reader to keep up with the changing points of view. James has a masterful way of manoevering around the intricately woven twists in the plot. The story is full of technical details, and is obviously well-researched.

Steven James is indeed a master storyteller. In addition to writing, James has also taught writing and creative storytelling on three continents.

The best endorsement I can give this series is the fact that my husband, a non-reader, is now engrossed in his 4th book, and will be reading The Queen next!

Keep up the great work, Steven. We can hardly wait to see what will come next.

For more information on the author, go to his website, http://www.patrickbowers.com/ and http://www.stevenjames.net/.



"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".




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Review of THEO, a new DVD-based curriculum for children.

THEO, a presentation of Whitestone Media, is a brand-new DVD-based curriculum. It is designed to present biblical truth to children in a fun and interesting way. THEO is a loving older British gent, who cummunicates truth via his relationship with two mice, Luther and Belfry. The cartoons are upbeat  and colorful, and the mice are delightful.

Topics include: Saving Faith, Loving Obedience, Forgiveness, and Good News.
Scriptures taught include the story of Abraham's faith, Jonah's disobedience, and the unforgiving servant.

To learn more about the curriculum and its creators, go to http://www.theopresents.com/.

I showed the introductory DAD to our grandchild, ages 6 and 8. They loved it, and couldn't take their eyes off it. They were asked if they thought it would be good for children who know God as well as for those who don't, and they felt they would. One asked where they could see more, when were they coming out. They listened very attentively to the story, and found the cartoons with the mice funny.

What a great idea!

THEO curriculum is available through the website. The first is available now, with others to follow.

I received a review copy from
 http://www.alarryross.com/.

A LANCASTER COUNTY CHRISTMAS by Suzanne Woods Fisher - Book Review

About the book:

Jaime and C. J. Fitzpatrick began their married life as most couples do--in love and looking forward to a bright future together. But four years later they've drifted apart and are almost ready to call it quits.

Mattie Riehl was hoping to give her husband Sol the Christmas gift they have both longed for--news that a baby was on the way. But as usual, she is disappointed. The holidays bring an acute awareness to Mattie that her dream of a big family isn't likely to become a reality.

Then a winter storm raging outside blows the Fitzpatricks into the Riehl home--and into a much slower pace of life. Can these two couples from different worlds help each other understand the true meaning of love this Christmas?

With her trademark plot twists and attention to detail, Suzanne Woods Fisher offers readers a beautiful Christmas story of love, forgiveness, and what truly matters in life.

My review: If you enjoy Amish fiction in a Christmas setting, if you love a sweet story, filled with family values, this book is perfect! As I am reviewing this, the weather is still warm, but I can imagine curling up around the fire, sitting in my favourite chair, cuddled in a cozy blanket or quilt, and thorougly enjoying this story.The story connects the lives of individuals, especially two women, who are brought together, and discover there is much to learn from each other.

Suzanne Woods is well qualified to write such a book. She has already written a series of three books based on Amish culture, as well as a number of books about the Amish. She also hosts a radio show, Amish Wisdom. I look forward to more books from Suzanne in the future.

Enter to win your very own iPad Prize Package in Suzanne Woods Fisher’s “Christmas in September” Giveaway! Enter at the link below and then be sure check out the blog tour – many of bloggers are giving away a copy of A Lancaster County Christmas! http://www.litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13425768 Winner of the iPad will be announced on 9/27 during Suzanne’s Facebook Party!

But, wait! There's more! The winner will be announced at the A Lancaster County Christmas Facebook Party on 9/27 at Suzanne's author page. During the party she'll be revealing something *BIG* - you won't want to miss it. She'll also be hosting a book chat, trivia contest and giving away a few early Christmas presents! Hope to see you there.

The book may be purchased at http://www.amazon.com/

Connect with Suzanne on-line at http://www.suzannewoodsfisher.com/

I received a copy of the book for review purposes from Suzanne' publisher, Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group (http://www.litfusegroup.com/)
Follow the blog tour here. http://www.litfusegroup.com/blogs

STUCK by Jennie Allen - A new DVD Bible study curriculum for a new generation of women seeking God

From promotional copy:
We are often so stuck in invisible struggles in our hearts and minds, we barely have space for God.

These deep struggles, these stuck places, are familiar to every one of us: brokenness, anger, discontentment, fear, and sadness. Stuck takes on these struggles within us so that we can encounter God. Because until we recognize that we are stuck and in need of God, we will miss what He has for us.

Jennie Allen's Bible studies are designed to draw women close to God and to each other. These shorter studies dig deep quickly, creating experiential conversations and allowing women to wrestle with Scripture in a deep and authentic way throughout the week.

My review:
This study, STUCK, the places we get stuck and the God who sets us free, is a refreshing new study, the first in a series by Jennie Allen. Allen addresses such themes as broken, mad, discontent, scared, overwhelmed, sad, and unstuck. We've all been there, and so can relate to what she shares, deeply and from her heart. The accompanying study guide emphasizes Biblical truth, and we are given various suggestions for applying it personally. I love Jennie's openess and sweet manner, as well as her honesty. This study is a breath of fresh air!
Jennie's material features 8 sessions on DVD, a study guide and leader's guide, as well as conversation cards for spontaneous and authentic discussion.

"Samplers of the Book and DVD have been provided courtesy of Thomas Nelson and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. DVD-Based Study available October 2011 at your favourite bookseller from Thomas Nelson".