A Lady at Willowgrove Hall Review Part 2!!!

A Lady at Willowgrove Hall by Sarah E. Ladd

Book Description:

Her secret cloaks her in isolation and loneliness. His secret traps him in a life that is not his own. Cecily Faire carries the shame of her past wherever she treads, knowing one slip of the tongue could strip away everything she holds dear. But soon after accepting the position of lady's companion at Willowgrove Hall, Cecily finds herself face-to-face with a man well-acquainted with the past she's desperately hidden for years. Nathaniel Stanton has a secret of his own --- one that has haunted him from birth and tied him to his father's position as steward of Willowgrove. To protect his family, Nathaniel dares not breath a word of the truth. But as long as the shadow looms over him, he'll never be free to find his own way in the world. He'll never be free to fall in love. When the secrets swirling within Willowgrove Hall come to light, Cecily and Nathaniel must confront a painful choice: Will they continue running from the past . . . or will they stand together and build a future without the suffocating weight of secrets long suffered? Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/CsnBw About the author: Sarah E. Ladd has more than ten years of marketing experience. She is a graduate of Ball State University and holds degrees in public relations and marketing. The Heiress of Winterwoodwas the recipient of the 2011 Genesis Award for historical romance. Sarah lives in Indiana with her amazing husband, sweet daughter, and spunky Golden Retriever. Find Sarah online: website, Facebook, Twitter

My Opinion:
As the plot thickens characters you thought wouldn't be lovable turn out to be just that.  The bond and connection between Mrs. Trent and Cecily grows as they spend more and more time together and I was VERY happy to read about both of their hearts opening up to forgiveness and The Lord.  Forgiveness is a HUGE part of this story and I LOVE it!!!  The ending to me felt a bit rushed, but it could have just been me wanting a little bit more ;) .  Issues of abandonment, betrayal, loss, gain, love, fear, Faith, and regret weave this fantastic story together into a lovely journey!  Sadness does strike throughout the story also, but it ultimately ends in joy!  The whole concept is entertaining and the story is lovely.  I really enjoyed reading it! :)  

Songs: "Forgiveness" by Matthew West, "Bless The Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts, "Not For A Moment (After All)" by Meredith Andrews, "All This Time" by Britt Nicole, and "Softly And Tenderly" by Alan Jackson
Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC

Proverbs 2:3-5

~ASC

*I requested and received this book as a member of Litfuse for the purpose of reviewing it.  This in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about A Lady at Willowgrove Hall. ~ASC

http://litfusegroup.com/author/sladd

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING ALL!!!  

I hope it's a Blessed and safe one for each of you!   

Thank you for following/reading my blog and supporting me!  

You have no idea how much God uses you to touch my life and heart!  

Many Blessings, ASC

Escape to England GIVEAWAY!!!

Check out this GREAT giveaway on Sarah Ladd's page!

Click here to enter!!!

The Christmas Cat Review!!

The Christmas Cat by Melody Carlson

Book Description:
After years abroad, Garrison Brown returns home to Vancouver to build a new life. When his beloved grandmother passes away a few weeks before Christmas, Garrison goes to her house to sort out her belongings, including six cats who need new homes. While Garrison hopes to dispense with the task quickly, his grandmother's instructions don't allow for speed. She has left Garrison with some challenging requirements for /the future homes of her furry friends--plus a sizeable monetary gift for the new owners. Garrison's job is to match the cats with the right owners without disclosing the surprise gift. Along the way, he may just meet someone who can make him stay.

Humorous and heartwarming, this latest Christmas story from bestselling author Melody Carlson is the perfect gift for pet lovers and anyone in whose heart Christmas holds a special place.

My Opinion:
Great read!!!  I REALLY loved and enjoyed this book!  It's quirky and fun!  The messages throughout are fabulous to name a few: realizing we need to make time to visit those we love before they reach heaven before us and to not give up on people even if they've given up themselves!  Melody really knows how to write about cats, I could just picture them!!!  Each with their own personality and attitudes!  I LOVE how Garrison re-homes them and how Melody writes it so you can "see" God's hand and help through all of his provisions!  I laugh so hard at some of these scenes and got emotionally involved with these characters {Garrison frustrated me at times when he wouldn't open his eyes and I do wish he had remembered to pray about things more but I digress :) }.  Melody paces it nicely to!  There were times when I couldn't put it down, but also when I finally needed to make myself go to sleep I could find a nice stopping place.  Those of you who read my reviews regularly know that I LOVE Christmas novellas and I haven't been disappointed yet! :)  A fabulous, fun Christmas read that I highly recommend!

Sadly even though I really enjoyed this book I'm having some trouble come up with some songs that fit... I'll keep searching and working at it but right now all I've got is one: "Silent Night" by Casting Crowns
Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC

Proverbs 3:6

~ASC

*I requested and received this book from Revell for the purpose of reviewing it.  This in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about The Christmas Cat. ~ASC

Fire Up the Romance this Thanksgiving with @RobinLeeHatcher’s “Love Without End” Kindle Fire Giveaway!

Fire up the romance this Thanksgiving with Robin Lee Hatcher's latest offering in the King's Meadow Romance series, Love Without End. For two single parents with bruised hearts, it’ll take more than a little courage to get back on the horse when it comes to love.

Celebrate love rising from the ashes of tragedy with Robin by entering her Kindle Fire giveaway.

 One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Love Without End and the rest of the King's Meadow Romance series from Robin Lee Hatcher

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 14th. Winner will be announced December 15th on Robin's blog.
{NOT ON FACEBOOK? ENTER HERE.}

Where Treetops Glisten Review Part 1!

Where Treetops Glisten by

Cara Putman, Sarah Sundin, and Tricia Goyer

Book Description:

The crunch of newly fallen snow, the weight of wartime.

Siblings forging new paths and finding love in three stories, filled with the wonder of Christmas.

Turn back the clock to a different time, listen to Bing Crosby sing of sleigh bells in the snow, as the realities of America's involvement in the Second World War change the lives of the Turner family in Lafayette, Indiana. 

In Cara Putman's White Christmas, Abigail Turner is holding down the Home Front as a college student and a part-time employee at a one-of-a-kind candy shop. Loss of a beau to the war has Abigail skittish about romantic entanglements---until a hard-working young man with a serious problem needs her help. 

Abigail's brother Pete is a fighter pilot hero returned from the European Theater in Sarah Sundin's I'll Be Home for Christmas, trying to recapture the hope and peace his time at war has eroded. But when he encounters a precocious little girl in need of Pete's friendship, can he convince her widowed mother that he's no longer the bully she once knew? 

In Tricia Goyer's Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Meredith Turner, "Merry" to those who know her best, is using her skills as a combat nurse on the frontline in the Netherlands. Halfway around the world from home, Merry never expects to face her deepest betrayal head on, but that's precisely what God has in mind to redeem her broken heart. 

The Turner family believes in God's providence during such a tumultuous time. Can they absorb the miracle of Christ's birth and His plan for a future?

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/BwVP9

About the authors: 

TRICIA GOYER is a prolific author of nearly forty books, includingChasing Mona Lisa, and a speaker and blogger. 

Website, Facebook, Twitter

CARA PUTMAN is the author of twenty books including Shadowed by Grace. She is the winner of the 2008 Carol Award for historical fiction. 

Website, Facebook, Twitter

SARAH SUNDIN is the critically-acclaimed author of the Wings of the Nightingale series, the Wings of Glory series, and the forthcoming Waves of Freedom novels.

Website, Facebook, Twitter

My Opinion:
I LOVE Christmas Novellas!!!  And Where Treetops Glisten is no exception!  I love the way it is written and how the whole thing is linked!  Cara is a new author for me so I was happy she started things off with White Christmas.  This was one that made me want to read this book when I read the description for the first time.  I LOVE the candy making addition to the story and Abigail quickly became one of my favorite characters!  I really connect with her and I found her to be lovably entertaining as she tries to do the right things, but ends up stumbling through at times.  I also really like Jackson and I found his occupation also interesting!  There is also a bit of a mystery tied into the plot that is intriguing!  Grandma Louise was a character I didn't expect when I started, but I also grew to love her from the start!  With her love and quirkiness she is definitely an entertaining addition to the cast of characters!  I always love a good Grandma! ;)  Humor, inspiration, joy, intrigue, and excitement are just a few of the things I'm taking away from reading White Christmas!  The pace it lovely and I love the way Cara writes!  Her descriptions are excellent and over all style is lovely!  I LOVE IT ALL!!! A wonderful beginning to these stories!!!  TO BE CONTINUED!!!

Songs: "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby, "Silent Night" by Martina McBride, and I think maybe "As Long As It Takes" by Meredith Andrews
Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC

Jeremiah 29:11

~ASC

*I requested and received this book as a member of Litfuse for the purpose of reviewing it.  This in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about Where Treetops Glisten. ~ASC

http://litfusegroup.com/author/glisten

The Guardian Duke Review!!!

The Guardian Duke by Jamie Carie

Book Description:
Gabriel, the Duke of St. Easton, is ordered by the King to take guardianship over Lady Alexandria Featherstone whose parents are presumed dead after failing to return from a high profile treasure hunt. But Alexandria ignores this royal reassignment, believing her parents are still alive and duly following clues that may lead to their whereabouts. Gabriel, pressured by what are actually the King’s ulterior motives, pursues her across windswept England and the rolling green hills of Ireland but is always one step behind.

When they do meet, the search for earthly treasure will pale in comparison to what God has planned for both of them.

My Opinion:
LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!  I had always wanted to read this series but when I found it I was just at the beginning of starting my reviewing blog and Jamie was in the middle of the series.  I am SO glad I waited to start with one when two and three are out because I can hardly wait for the next one!!!!!  Definitely love how Jamie wrote the cliff hanger ending, but at the same time I can't stand cliff hanger endings LOL!  From the lovely Holy Island, to the enchanting and beautiful Ireland I LOVED the journey and adventures that these characters go through.  I thought is has feelings of Princess Bride but even more FUN and I LOVE this more because of the Christian base throughout!!!  I LOVE these characters (yes I know I'm using the word LOVE a lot LOL! but bare with me...) They are excellently crafted and in just a short time they have become some of my all time favorites!  Alexandria is an awesome character that is quirky and brave.  I can see where she has some growing to do and I can't wait to read all about it, following her through her adventures that shape her into the woman God wants her to be.  I LOVE the way Jamie describes Gabriel!!!  I can just see him as clearly as if he stood right in front of me!  The struggles he goes through are a very interesting addition to the story that I wasn't expecting and as his character is revealed I love him more and more! :)  Along the way more characters crop up to help or hinder the journey in one way or another and I love the majority of them especially the sub characters and their stories!  With Jamie's humor woven into the suspense and excitement I actually devoured this book and I can't wait for more!!!  Where are Alex's parents?  What exactly is it they're searching for?  And will Alex find them in time or will it be too late!?  Questions that I can't wait to get the answers to!  I highly recommend The Guardian Duke but be prepared to get hooked!

Songs: "The Prayer" by Celtic Woman, 
"Carry Me" by Josh Wilson, 
"You Raise Me Up" by Celtic Woman,
"Swallow Tail Jig" by Irish & Celtic Folk Wanderers, 
"Paddy's Irish Jigs" by Marc Gunn's Irish & Celtic Music Podcast
Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC

Revelation 22:21

~ASC

*I requested and received this book from B&H Fiction for the purpose of reviewing it.  This in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about The Guardian Duke. ~ASC