Harlequin Christmas Round-Up 2019

 Summary:

Hearts are lighter and wishes burn a little brighter at Christmas...

Elizabeth Hamilton has been lost. Trapped in a tangle of postpartum depression and grief after the death of her beloved parents, she couldn't quite see the way back to her husband and their two beautiful kids ... until a car accident stole away her memories and changed her life. And when she finally remembered the sound of little Cassie's left, the baby powder spell of Bridger, and the feel of her husband's hand in hers, Elizabeth worried that they moved on without her. That she missed too much. That perhaps she wasn't right mother for her kids or wife for Luke, no matter how much she loved them.

But now, seven years later, Luke finds her in a nearby town and brings Elizabeth back home to the family she loves, just in time for Christmas. And being reunited with Luke and her children is better than anything Elizabeth could have imagined. As they trim the tree and bake cookies, making new holiday memories, Elizabeth and Luke are drawn ever closer. Can the heart of the past seven years be healed over the course of one Christmas season and bring the Hamiltons the gift of a new beginning?

My review...

This is part of a series, but it can be read as a standalone. I haven't read the prior books, and I had no problem following this. I've never read anything by Thayne, but she's obviously a gifted storyteller. I'm likely to pick up her future books.

The author handled depression in a sensitive manner. This emotional tale is a great read for the holiday season, as themes of love and hope are key. I loved the characters, particularly Luke's son. They're so well drawn and realistic. It's a sweet, quick read that would make a wonderful Hallmark Channel movie.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn't required to leave a review.

COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

Author: RaeAnne Thayne

ISBN: 9781335504999

Publication Date: 9/24/2019

Publisher: HQN Books

Buy Links: 

Harlequin 

Indiebound

Amazon

Barnes & Noble 

Books-A-Million

Target

Walmart

Google

iBooks

Kobo

Author Bio:   New York Times  bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne finds inspiration in the beautiful northern Utah mountains where she lives with her family. Her books have won numerous honors, including six RITA Award nominations from Romance Writers of America and Career Achievement and Romance Pioneer awards from RT Book Reviews. She loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her website: www.raeannethayne.com

Summary:

USA TODAY Bestselling author Sheila Roberts takes readers to a small, snowbound town, where a young woman fights to save her family's charity that brings Christmas to families in need, and a stranded millionaire loses his heart and finds the true meaning of Christmas.

Sometimes you need to look beyond the big picture to see what really matters.

Olivia Berg's charity, Christmas from the Heart, has helped generations of families need in Pine River, Washington, but this year might be the end of the road. Hightower Enterprises, one of the biggest donors since way back when Olivia's grandmother ran the charity, has been taken over by Ebenezer Scrooge the Second, aka CFO Guy Hightower, and he's declared there will be no more money coming to Christmas from the Heart.

Guy is simply being practical. Hightower Enterprises needs to tighten its belt, and when you don't have money to spare, you don't have money to share. You'd think even the pushy Olivia Berg could understand that.

With charitable donations dwindling, Olivia's Christmas budget depends on Hightower's contribution. She's focused her whole life on helping this small town, even putting her love life on hold to support her mission.

When Guy's Maserati breaks down at the edge of the Cascade foothills, he's relieved to be rescued by a pretty young woman who drives him to the nearby town of Pine River. Until he realizes his rescuer is none other than Olivia Berg. What's a Scrooge to do? Plug his nose and eat fruitcake and hope she doesn't learn his true identity before he can get out of town. What could go wrong?

My review...

This is a charming holiday story, also perfect for the Hallmark Channel movies. The setting is perfect and so well-described that I felt a part of the town. I will admit that the lead characters did make me scratch my head at times. Olivia came across as a bit pushy and rude at times, which isn’t the best way to approach things when dealing with charities. Themes such as miscommunication, rash judgments, second chances, and, of course, love are key. The ending wasn’t quite what I expected, but it’s a quick read that’s a great match for a cold winter day and a warm drink.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn't required to leave a review.

Christmas from the Heart  

Sheila Roberts

On Sale Date: September 24, 2019

9780778309611, 0778309614

Trade Paperback

$16.99 USD, $21.99 CAD

Fiction / Romance / Contemporary 

304 pages

Buy Links:

Amazon

Google Play

Barnes & Noble

Apple Books

Kobo

Author Bio:

Sheila Roberts lives on a lake in the Pacific Northwest. Her novels have been published in several languages. Her book, Angel Lane, was an Amazon Top Ten Romance pick for 2009. Her holiday perennial, On Strike for Christmas, was made into a movie for the Lifetime Movie Network and her novel, The Nine Lives of Christmas, was made into a movie for Hallmark. You can visit Sheila on Twitter and Facebook or at her website (www.sheilasplace.com)

Social Links:

Author website

Facebook: @funwithsheila

Twitter: @_Sheila_Roberts

Instagram: @funwithsheila

SUMMARY:

Come home to Silver Springs for the holidays, where broken hearts learn to love again...together.

So much for forever. When Elle Devlin's rockstar husband ditches her on his way to the top, she takes her two daughters to her sister's place in Silver Springs for the holidays, hoping family can heal her broken heart. But comfort comes in unexpected packages when she crosses paths with Tobias Richardson.

The moment Tobias spots Elle, he recognizes a sadness he knows all too well. After spending thirteen years in prison paying for his regretful past, Tobias is ready to make amends, and maybe helping Elle is the way to do it. But offering her a shoulder to cry on ignites a powerful attraction, and a desire neither saw coming.

Fearing her reaction, Tobias doesn't divulge his ex-con status, let alone the shameful details. So when Elle's ex shows up in Silver Springs and reveals the truth in a bid to win her back, Tobias is sure he's lost her for good. But, just maybe, this Christmas he'll receive the forgiveness—and the love—he deserves.

My review...

Themes of healing, second chances, and redemption make this book a charming holiday story. It's part of a series, but it can be enjoyed as a standalone. The tale unfolds through multiple POVs, which gives the reader a full look into their lives. When the book started, I expected the heroine to end up being quite superficial, but, thankfully, that wasn't the case. I really liked the character development and growth in Tobias. Novak creates characters that are easy to root for, and she makes Silver Springs a place readers will want to visit.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn't required to leave a review.

CHRISTMAS IN SILVER SPRINGS

Author: Brenda Novak

ISBN: 9780778308256

Publication Date: October 29, 2019

Publisher: MIRA BOOKS

BUY LINKS:

Harlequin

Indiebound

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Books-A-Million

Target

Walmart

Google

iBooks

Kobo

Brenda Novak, a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author, has penned over sixty novels. She is a six-time nominee for the RITA Award and has won the National Reader's Choice, the Bookseller's Best, the Bookbuyer's Best, and many other awards. She also runs Brenda Novak for the Cure, a charity to raise money for diabetes research (her youngest son has this disease). To date, she's raised $2.5 million. For more about Brenda, please visit www.brendanovak.com.

SOCIAL:

TWITTER: @Brenda_Novak

FB: @BrendaNovakAuthor

Insta: @authorbrendanovak

Goodreads

"The Power of Favor" by Joel Osteen

I've read a number of books by Osteen, and I've always enjoyed them. This one was encouraging, but it wasn't one of my favorites. I found it to be a bit repetitive, from his sermons as well as prior books. While it has a positive message, overall, the concept as described is a bit too easy: just believe and it will happen. Christians know that there is a bit more to it than that.

A number of Bible stories are mentioned, but there aren't any direct references, which bothered me. When reading books such as this, I do, on occasion, like to dig a bit deeper. I don't have time to also hunt up where the passage is located in the first place.

While this wasn't one of my favorite books by Osteen,  I will likely check out his books in the future.

Some quotes I enjoyed:

• "It's not because of who you are; it's because of Whose you are."
• "Even though circumstances may change, the Source never changes."

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn't required to leave a positive review.

Amazon purchase link

First Line Friday

Happy Friday! It's time for First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books.

It's time to grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line. Today on First Line Friday, I'm featuring a book from one of my many TBR piles, Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt. I met this author and purchased this book at a conference a couple months ago. He was wonderful to listen to and speak with, and I look forward to reading this book.

And the first line is ...

Joe Pepitone once gave me his New York Yankees baseball cap.

About the book...

"The Dump" is what Doug Swieteck calls his home in Upstate New York. He lands there in the summer of 1968, when the Apollo space missions are under way, Joe Pepitone is slugging for the New York Yankees, and the Vietnam War is raging. At home he lives with a father who has lost his way and a brother accused of robbery. And Doug's oldest brother is returning from Vietnam. Who knows what wounds his missions have given him? But Doug has his own mission, too, and it begins when he first sees the plates of John James Audubon's Birds of America at the local library. His mission will open a world as strange to him as the lunar landscape.

Let me know the first line of the book closest to you and then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating.

If you're a blogger or just a social media-er, we'd love for you to join us, too!

"Safe and Sound" by David Powlison

My review...

The book is a detailed look into spiritual warfare, and it focuses on Ephesians 6. Powlison gives the reader a solid idea of what spiritual warfare is before providing application for different situations counselors may encounter.

Powlison's final book is divided into nine chapters, with Ephesians 6:10-20 the basis. Three beginning chapters explain the basic nature and weaponry of spiritual warfare. The remaining chapters focus on counseling those in need.

I had different expectations going into this book than what I actually found. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but I was a bit surprised to find that the target audience is counselors. I thought the applications could still be used and applied by the average reader wanting to get a better understanding of handling spiritual warfare, but I didn't really find that to be the case. This is definitely geared for pastors, counselors, or other spiritual leaders. Other readers may find the information overwhelming. However, there are some personal examples that make it a bit less academic.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy as part of the Read with Audra blog tour program. I wasn't required to leave a positive review.

Amazon purchase link

"On-The-Go Devotional: 200 Devotions for Teens"

My review...

As I’ve mentioned numerous times in the past, I really enjoy devotional books. I read a number of them each year. I haven’t read many with a focus on teens, so I was interested in checking this one out.

This book would work well for all teens. It’s size makes it quite portable. They’re short, so the passages could easily fit into a teen’s busy schedule.

Each devotion has a similar structure: a verse, (CSB translation, a version that is easy to understand), the message, a “to go” section that contains an additional verse for the reader to check out and an “action” to ponder for the day. (This could be challenging for some people who may not have a Bible with them.)

The book is divided into various topics, including humility, God’s love for us, how we love God, forgiveness, faith, joy, worship, heart, mind, soul, hope, friends, prayer, family, church, testimony, salvation, holiness, freedom, and worry. So, there’s likely to be devotions that will hit home and touch on needed topics for each reader. Each devotion contains “bullet points” of the key points for the message.

While this book is geared toward teens, I think it could be enjoyed by readers of just about any age. I’m past the target age group, and I found the devotions informative and thought-provoking. It’d make a great gift for those people in your life that you’d like to introduce to devotions.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.

NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible ... and a GIVEAWAY! (Read with Audra blog tour)

About the NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible for Girls

Created especially for girls ages 8 to 12, this beautiful Bible provides ample space for young artists to express themselves through coloring and journaling.

Girls can get creative with the detailed, ready-to-color line art surrounding the hundreds of inspiring versus in the NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible for Girls. This Bible is a perfect gift for a special young girl in your life and will become a cherished keepsake full of personalized creative expressions of faith. Features include:

• Hundreds of verses illustrated in ready-to-color line art
• Thicker white paper for enduring note-taking
• Lined, wide margins for notes, reflections, and art
• Complete text of the accurate, readable, and clear New International Version (NIV)
• Easy-to-read black letter text in single-column format
• Lays flat in your hand or on your desk
• Ribbon marker
• Beautifully designed Leathersoft-over-board cover featuring screen-printing and other cover embellishments
• 8-point type size

Using the accurate, readable, and clear New International Version (NIV) text makes the Bible accessible and easy-to-read for kids. The NIV is the result of over 50 years of work by the Committee on Bible Translation, who oversee the efforts of many contributing scholars. Representing the spectrum of evangelicalism, the translators, from a wide range of denominations in various countries and continually review new research to ensure the NIV remains at the forefront of accessibility, relevance, and authority. Every NIV Bible that is purchased helps Biblica translate and give Bibles to people in need around the world.

My review...

I own a few coloring Bibles, and I love them. Those are the NLT translation, so I was interested in checking out one in a different translation, in this case, the NIV Bible.

The Bible definitely catches your eye with its bright pink color with silver polka dots. It will likely delight many girls, of varying ages. There are numerous coloring pages. Some contain images, while others are just words. They are easy to read and would appeal to young girls. However, I am no longer a young girl, and I enjoyed them, too 😊 If a page does not contain an image to color, there are lines for journaling or note taking. The target age is 8 and up, and I’m sure many adults would enjoy using this, perhaps alongside the young children in their lives.

As is standard for a Bible, this one is somewhat heavy, and it comes in at over 1,400 pages. When I looked at it, I propped it on my desk, as it is a bit awkward for me to hold. I use colored pencils for my other journaling/coloring Bibles, and they’d work well in this one, as well. The pages are a decent thickness, but there could be some bleed through if using markers or gel pens.

This would make a lovely gift for girls of any age.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible for Girls from Zondervan (HarperCollins Christian Publishing) for this review. This post is sponsored by Zondervan.

Click here to download sample coloring pages

a Rafflecopter giveaway

"Misleading Miss Verity" by Carolyn Miller ... and a GIVEAWAY!

Carolyn's publicist has agreed to give away a complete set of the "Daughters of Aynsley" trilogy (all three books!) to one lucky blog reader (US ONLY). You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the end of the post. (Giveaway ends December 13, 2019. If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you.) 

My review...

This is the final installment in the “Daughters of Aynsley” series, but it could be read as a standalone (which is what I did).

The cover catches the reader’s eye, and the characters quickly pull them in to this charming tale. It’s the first book I’ve read my Miller, and I found it to be engaging and filled with vibrant descriptions. The book has a little bit of something for just about everyone, including castles, horse races, pirates, and foreign settings. Verity’s vulnerability made her easy to relate to adore. In general, characters (including the secondary ones) and scenes were well-developed, and things moved along at a realistic pace. There is a spiritual element woven throughout the story, so it’s not overwhelming. Faith, hope, and love are key themes. Fans of Regency novels (and those wanting to check out the genre) should pick this one up!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.

Excerpt...

Chapter One Bath, Somerset January 1820 

     It was the sobbing that decided her. 

     The Honorable Verity Hatherleigh eased from her bed and stole across the room to the disconsolate girl whose snuffling and muffled weeping made sleep impossible. She touched her roommate on the arm. “Lucy, dear. What is wrong?” 

     The shrouded figure shifted, lowering the heavy blankets whose inability to stifle the sounds of sadness had perturbed Verity’s slumber. Clouded moonlight streamed pale from the window, framing a plain, round face made less lovely by red eyes and blotched cheeks. “It’s Papa. He . . . he’s—” Lady Lucinda Wainbridge gulped, her chin quivering, a sure sign more waterworks were in the offing.  

    “Now, Lucy, stop, take a deep breath”—Verity waited as the older girl complied—“and tell me what has happened.”  

     After another shaky breath, Lucinda exhaled noisily, then blew her nose with a honk reminiscent of a startled goose. 

     “If you don’t want Miss Pelling to check in here, you might want to do that more quietly.” 

     Lucy’s eyes flashed accusingly. “You weren’t here when I was telling the others.”

     “No, because I was in Helena’s room, helping her with her French for tomorrow’s examination, as you well know.” Verity dashed back 10 Misleading Miss Verity to her bed and pulled on her padded dressing gown. These rooms, for all the exorbitant fees paid, were never heated properly. She returned, wrapping a woolen blanket around her shoulders. “Now, what happened to your father?” Had the Earl of Retford sickened? Her heart quickened. Had he died? Poor Lucinda . . . 

     Lucinda shook her head. “Nothing has happened to Papa. It’s what he will do.” 

     “Which is?” 

     “Remove me from Haverstock’s!” 

     This was a bad thing? “Why are you so certain he will?” 

     Lucinda wiped her eyes. “He’s bound to as soon as Haverstock sends him the letter she found from William.” 

     “She found it? I thought you had it well secured. Didn’t you place it under the floorboard as I suggested?” 

     “I was going to . . .” 

     Lucinda’s shoulders slumped, and she looked so miserable, Verity didn’t have the heart to scold her roommate’s folly. Dear foolish Lucy, with her silly infatuation for a squire’s son of whom her fastidious parents would never approve. Many had been the confidences Lucinda had whispered, ever since Verity had been forced to leave the room she had previously shared with Helena. Many a dull evening spent listening to Lucy prattle on about William’s inestimable qualities, whilst Verity strained to hear the telltale creaks in the hall that told of vigilant staff, waiting until the creaks had quite faded away before stealing across to the room which had fostered a friendship more dear than that of her family’s. 

     Helena Chisholm was the most loyal and encouraging person Verity had ever met, filled with a zest for life and mischief that rivaled Verity’s own. When Miss Haverstock had been informed about one of Verity’s previous secret visits to the headmistress’s study by the not-so-honorable Prudence Gaspard, Verity’s separation from Helena had been swift, painful, and irrevocable. Her punishment was to be bored by Lucinda’s ill-advised romance for the remaining weeks until their schooling was considered complete. 

     Not that Verity was against romantic attachments as such; more Carolyn Miller 11 that with such opposites involved, this particular attachment seemed a complete and utter waste of emotions, when anyone could see it was an attachment doomed to futility and failure. Her lips twitched. Although, judging from Lucinda’s descriptions of her beau, he seemed as dull as she, so perhaps they were well-matched. 

     “This is not funny, Verity. What am I going to do? When Papa sees what we have been writing to one another, he’ll have a fit, and threaten to marry me off to old Lord Winchester. I’d rather die than marry him!” Lucinda sniffed, as another tear tracked down her face.

     “What did William write that is so concerning?” Normally Lucinda shared every phrase over and over until Verity could mouth along too, but lately she had been too busy helping some of the younger girls prepare for their upcoming examinations. “Surely it cannot be so bad.” 

     The moonlight revealed a faint blush on Lucinda’s cheeks. “It was most poetic. William was describing me, you see. He said I am beautiful.” She smiled a wobbly smile. 

     “And if he loves you, then I suppose he should.” Verity nodded her affirmation, while wondering at how men could be so blind. Lucinda, beautiful? Even at her best she could only be described as somewhat attractive. Verity knew herself to hold no pretensions to beauty—her hair was too black, her eyes too pale, her eyebrows too slanted, her chin too pointed, the whole effect considered to be odd-looking rather than attractive, or so her mother said. But it had always surprised her how men could see what they wanted to see, such as the men who loved her elder sisters and openly admired their golden beauty, most recently at last month’s Boxing Day Ball during which Cecy’s betrothal had been announced. In Verity’s mind, Helena was more attractive, her smile even brighter than the red curls that adorned her head. “Titian-haired” their drawing master had once remarked.

      Lucinda sighed, reclaiming Verity’s attention. “I suppose he did get a little carried away.” She smiled coyly, clearly inviting Verity to enquire further. 

     Verity stifled the yawn. “It’s very late—” 

     “He said my lips are like a scarlet ribbon!”

Amazon purchase link

About Carolyn...

Caroloyn Miller lives in New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. A longtime lover of Regency romance, Miller has won a number of Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers awards. Her debut series, Regency Brides, is now available in German and Dutch translations and on audiobook. She's a memeber of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers. See more at carolynmillerauthor.com.

Where you can find her online...

Pinterest

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thankful Thursday: His Encouragement #3

Welcome to Thankful Thursday: His Encouragement. I am blessed to be part of a group of bloggers who'll be sharing a bit of encouragement through Scripture verses. I hope this post blesses you as you finish the week and that you find peace, strength, and comfort in the Lord.

Life is stressful. Is it really possible to have perfect peace ... always, and not just when things are going smoothly? Yes, it is! But, to obtain it, we have to switch our focus from the things here on earth that increase our anxiety daily to the One who is peace. 

God never promised us a life without any problems, but He did promise to never leave us alone. He wants us to turn to Him. I know it's not always easy to do. I've worked a lot over the past few years to shift those worries to prayer and then let them go. I still fail at doing that far more than I'd like to admit. But, when I do it, I'm reminded of why it needs to be my go-to option. When I turn to God first, I feel a sense of peace ... one that only He can provide. Those little annoyances and stressors are temporary and ever-changing, but the Lord is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8). He is the Rock we can stand on. His peace passes all understanding, and I want that--in fact, I need that--in my life.

What Scripture is encouraging you today? Share it in the comments.

You can check out more of His Encouragement from my fellow bloggers:

Nicole @ Christian Fiction Girl

Trisha @ Joy of Reading

Jacquelyn @ A Heavenly Home

Jessica @ A Baker's Perspective

Gina @ Stories By Gina

Rebecca @ Rev. Rebecca Writes

Andi @ Radiant Light

Becca @ The Becca Files

If you'd like to join us, please contact Trisha or Nicole

Writing Prompt Wednesday

If you're feeling stuck in your WIP (work in progress) or just want to shake things up a bit, here's something different to try today:

To his surprise, he realized he'd seen her before...

Happy writing!

Monday Motivation

"The character that lasts is an ordinary guy with some extraordinary qualities."

— Raymond Chandler

Have a wonderful week!