The Magnolia Duchess Review!!!!!!!

The Magnolia Duchess by Beth White

Book Description:

Fiona Lanier is the only woman in the tiny Gulf Coast settlement of Navy Cove. While her shipbuilding family races to fill the demand for American ships brought by the War of 1812, Fiona tries to rescue her brother who was forced into service by the British Navy.

Lieutenant Charlie Kincaid has been undercover for six months, obtaining information vital to the planned British invasion of New Orleans. When a summer storm south of Mobile Bay wrecks his ship and scatters the crew, Charlie suffers a head injury, ultimately collapsing in the arms of a beautiful mermaid who seems eerily familiar. As Charlie's memory returns in agonizing jags and crashes, he and Fiona discover that falling in love may be as inevitable as the tide. But when political loyalties begin to collide, they'll each have to decide where their true heart lies.

My Opinion:
WOW!  I absolutely LOVE the second book in this series and so I couldn't wait for this one to come out!!!!  And while Lyse's story is still my favorite in the series Fiona's story is just as entertaining!  FULL of twists and the unexpected, you feel like you MUST keep reading just to see what could possibly happen next!  And just when you think there couldn't be any more surprises Beth throws another one at you! :D  I also LOVE the way Beth writes about history!  As many of you that have read my reviews before know, history was not one of my favorite subjects in school.  So when I find an author that really brings it into and entertaining and intriguing way I'm one happy reader! :)  Lyse and Rafa make another appearance and I LOVE coming back to these characters and this family!  This new generation is as brave, adventurous, and patriotic as the last!  From Navy Cove, to Mobile, to New Orleans and back.  Filled with battles, spies, and romance (not just one, or two, but three!) The Magnolia Duchess is a fabulous adventure that is a MUST READ! :)  

Songs: "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)" by Chris Tomlin, "Yankee Doodle" performed by the US Army Chorus, and "Hurricane" by Natalie Grant
 Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC

Jeremiah 29:11

~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 Magnolia Duchess. ~ASC

The Reluctant Duchess Review!!!!

The Reluctant Duchess by Roseanna M. White

+Roseanna White 

Book Description:
A Riveting Edwardian Series Set among Britain's High Society
Lady Rowena Kinnaird may be the heiress to a Highland earldom, but she has never felt good enough--not for her father, not for the man she thought she'd marry, not for God. But after a shocking attack, she's willing to be forever an outcast if it means escaping Loch Morar.

Brice Myerston, the Duke of Nottingham, has found himself in possession of a rare treasure his enemies are prepared to kill for. While Brice has never been one to shy away from manor-born ladies, the last thing he needs is the distraction of Lady Rowena, who finds herself in a desperate situation. But when Rowena's father tries to trap Brice into marrying his daughter, Brice makes a surprising decision.

Rowena wanted to escape the Highlands, but she's reluctant to marry a notorious flirt. And when she learns that Brice is mixed up in questionable business with a stolen treasure, she fears she's about to end up directly in the path of everything she was trying to avoid.

My Opinion:
LOVE IT!!!  Abuse, healing, redemption, romance, heartache, mystery, tragedy, humor, suspense, and SO MUCH MORE!  The Reluctant Duchess is AMAZING!  I haven't read the first in this series yet (and I stress the word yet) ;)  So while there are characters and history from the first book mentioned Roseanna has crafted it into a beautiful stand alone also!  I was blown away by how awesome this book is.  Throwing you right into the story from the beginning you don't want to put it down, and when you finish you want to start from the beginning all over again! :)  With twists and hidden enemies, you don't know which characters to trust and who will strike next!!!!  I LOVED reading how these characters grow closer to God and closer to each other!  Rowena's pain and trials tore at my heart and in a minor way I found I could relate to her.  OH and BRICE!  I love him!  He is one of my all time favorite hero characters!  With his kindness and faith!  He is awesome!  I also loved that Roseanna adds a second romance into the mix, and how she touches on acknowledging the unseen around us!  From the Highlands to lovely British estates this story takes you on an amazing journey that will leave you thinking about it long after you've finished reading! 
I can't wait for the next book!
Songs: "Before the Morning" by Josh Wilson
 Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

~ASC


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

Sit, Stay, Love Book Review Part 1!!!!!

Sit, Stay, Love by Dana Mentink

Book Description:
          Sit, Stay, Love 
(Harvest House, April 2016)

Take one abrasive professional athlete, a quirky out-of-work schoolteacher, and an overweight geriatric dog, and you're ready for a lesson in love . . . Tippy style.

Pro baseball pitcher Cal Crawford is not a dog guy. When he inherits his deceased mother's elderly dog, Tippy, he's quick to call on a pet-sitting service.

Gina isn't thrilled to be a dog sitter when her aspirations lie in the classroom. Furthermore, she can't abide the unfriendly Cal, a man with all the charm of a wet towel. But with no other prospects and a deep love for all things canine, she takes the job caring for Tippy.

As Gina travels through Cal's world with Tippy in tow, she begins to see Cal in a different light. Gina longs to show Cal the God-given blessings in his life that have nothing to do with baseball or fame. When her longing blooms into attraction, Gina does her best to suppress it. But Cal is falling in love with her too . . .

Discover the charming story of Tippy, the dog who brought a family together.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1W95mqe

About the author:

Dana Mentink lives in California, where the weather is golden and the cheese is divine. Dana is an American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year finalist for romantic suspense and an award winner in the Pacific Northwest Writers Literary Contest. Her suspense novel, Betrayal in the Badlands, earned a Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award. Besides writing, she busies herself teaching third and fourth grade. Mostly, she loves to be home with her husband, two daughters, a dog with social anxiety problems, a chubby box turtle, and a feisty parakeet.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

My Opinion:
First Impression:  Great read! :)  I was hoping that this would be a sweet little quirky read and it's that and more! :D  I LOVE the characters from main to sub and Tippy out does them all! ;)  Dana is a new author to me and I really enjoy her style of writing!  The pace is lovely, not too fast and not slow by any means!  You want to keep reading too see what's gonna happen and goodness there are some surprises!  Some pretty funny surprises to! ;)  Can Cal work through his pain to let love in, and can these three find a way to get along long enough to see what's been given to them? TO BE CONTINUED!  

Songs to come:
Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC

John 5:44

~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 Sit, Stay, Love. ~ASC

http://litfusegroup.com/author/dmentink

Song of Silence Review Part 1!!!!

Song of Silence by Cynthia Ruchti

+Cynthia Ruchti 

Book Description:

Song of Silence (Abingdon, April 2016)

Music taught Lucy love and beauty. Could silence teach her hope?

Lucy and Charlie Tuttle agree on one thing: they're committed to each other for life. Trouble is, neither of them expected life to look like this. Charlie retired early, but Lucy is devoted to a long-term career . . . until the day she has no choice.

Forced to retire from her position as music educator in a small Midwestern K-8 school, Lucy can only watch helplessly as the program her father started years ago disintegrates before her eyes. As the music fades and a chasm separates her form the passion of her heart, Lucy wonders if her faith's song has gone silent, too. The musical score of her life seems to be missing all the notes.

When a simple misstep threatens to silence Lucy forever, a young boy and his soundless mother change the way she sees---and hears---everything.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1RAajD2

About the author:

Cynthia Ruchti tells stories hemmed in hope. She's the award-winning author of 17 books and a frequent speaker for women's ministry events. She serves as the Professional Relations Liaison for American Christian Fiction Writers, where she helps retailers, libraries, and book clubs connect with the authors and books they love. She lives with her husband in Central Wisconsin.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

My Opinion:
I love how Cynthia can take the most stressful and terrible circumstances and still weave humor into them! :D  It's those nuggets of comic relief that make the turmoil bearable in life and in reading! :)  Oh the manipulation of some of those in charge!  It is crazy and Cynthia also portrays it to a T here!  The characters are entertaining and relatable!  You feel for Lucy as she struggles with her world being turned upside down and Cynthia writes Charlie (Lucy's husband) in such a realistic, one moment you love him and the next you want to strangle him, sort of way! LOL!  Then throw in all the other characters from unique artsy friends to loving daughters and more!  Plus filled with tons of emotion from panic, to anger, to sorrow, and beyond!  Can Lucy find her Faith again to help her move on towards an uncertain future?  TO BE CONTINUED!  

Songs to come:
Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC

Psalm 28:7

~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 Song of Silence. ~ASC

http://litfusegroup.com/author/cruchti

The Inheritance Review

The Inheritance by Michael Phillips

Book Description:

The Inheritance (Bethany House, April 2016)

The death of the clan patriarch has thrown the tiny Shetland Islands community of Whale's Reef into turmoil.

Everyone assumed MacGregor Tulloch's heir to be his grand-nephew David, a local favorite, but when it is discovered that MacGregor left no will, David's grasping cousin Hardy submits his own claim to the inheritance, an estate that controls most of the island's land. And while Hardy doesn't enjoy much popular support, he has the backing of a shadowy group of North Sea oil investors. The courts have frozen the estate's assets while the competing claims are investigated, leaving many of the residents in financial limbo. The future of the island-and its traditional way of life-hangs in the balance.

Loni Ford is enjoying her rising career in a large investment firm in Washington, DC. Yet in spite of her outward success, she is privately plagued by questions of identity. Orphaned as a young child, she was raised by her paternal grandparents, and while she loves them dearly, she feels completely detached from her roots. That is until a mysterious letter arrives from a Scottish solicitor. . . .

Past and present collide in master storyteller Phillips's dramatic new saga of loss and discovery, of grasping and grace, and of the dreams of men and women everywhere.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1QpMpIN

About the author:

Michael Phillips is a bestselling author with more than 70 of his own titles. In addition, he has served as editor/redactor of nearly 30 more books. He is known as the man responsible for the reawakened interest in George MacDonald of the last 30 years. In addition to the MacDonald titles adapted/edited for today's reader, his publishing efforts in bringing back full-length quality facsimile editions also spawned renewed interest in MacDonald's original work. Michael and his wife, Judy, spend time each year in Scotland but make their home near Sacramento, California.

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My Opinion:

Not my cup of tea.  I REALLY wanted to love this book, but sadly the style just isn't for me. I just couldn't get drawn into the story and ended up skimming chapters that sounded interesting. :/  I've had an interest in the Shetlands ever since The Lord led me to the Shetland breed of sheep and blessed me with two of these lovely woolies!  But sadly the extinct breed of Scotland Dunface Sheep was featured instead.  I REALLY love the concept of this story, but sadly I wish it was written differently and I don't think I'll be continuing with this series.  I recommend that you read the preview on christianbook.com to see if you like the style and wish to continue! :)

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 The Inheritance. ~ASC

http://litfusegroup.com/author/mphillips

GIVEAWAY!

The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder Giveaway!!!!!!!

I had so much fun reading this book!  And I think you will to! ;)

Book Description:

The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder (Harvest House, April 2016)

In 1910 Toronto, while other bachelor girls perfect their domestic skills and find husbands, two friends perfect their sleuthing skills and find a murderer.

Inspired by their fascination with all things Sherlock Holmes, best friends and flatmates Merinda and Jem launch a consulting detective business. The deaths of young Irish women lead Merinda and Jem deeper into the mire of the city's underbelly, where the high hopes of those dreaming to make a new life in Canada are met with prejudice and squalor.

While searching for answers, donning disguises, and sneaking around where no proper ladies would ever go, they pair with Jasper Forth, a police constable, and Ray DeLuca, a reporter in whom Jem takes a more than professional interest. Merinda could well be Toronto's premiere consulting detective, and Jem may just find a way to put her bachelor girlhood behind her forever---if they can stay alive long enough to do so.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1RRdypX

About the author:

Rachel McMillan is a keen history enthusiast and a lifelong bibliophile. When not writing or reading, she can most often be found drinking tea and watching British miniseries. Rachel lives in bustling Toronto, where she works in educational publishing and pursues her passion for art, literature, music, and theater.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Ok Here's How to Enter!:

Just leave me a comment with your email address!

Have you read A Singular and Whimsical Problem 
the .5 of this fun series?  

Or what are you reading right now?

Or just say howdy! :) 

But make sure to leave me an email address in a safe format 

(example ascphotos87063ATgmailDOTcom) 

where I can get in touch with you in case you win!!!

If you follow me here with either Networkblogs 

or the "Join this Site" with Google Friend Connect button

on the left 

let me know and I'll give you a second entry!

And if you share with either twitter or facebook copy the url link of your post or tweet and paste them into your comment; 

you'll be entered for a THIRD entry!

(All followers and sharing will be verified.  

So make sure to paste url links so I can find them 

for the entries to count)

This giveaway is for US residents only.

Pocket Prayers by Max Lucado

Pocket Prayers by Max Lucado 

Book Description:

Pocket Prayers (with various authors; Thomas Nelson, March 2016)

Bestselling author Max Lucado has teamed up with six authors to write the Pocket Prayers series for those in need of peace, renewal, rest, faith, hope, joy, direction, serenity, and courage.

Short, simple prayers are very effective, which is why each book in the series contains forty guided prayers and complementary scriptures for any situation, including for:

-Moms (written with daughter Andrea Lucado)
-Grads (written with daughter Andrea Lucado)
-Dads (written with Mark Mynheir)
-Military Life (written with Mark Mynheir)
-Teachers (written with blogger Jennifer Hale)
-Friends (written with Betsy St. Amant)

Purchase your copies: http://amzn.to/1VgCJqv

About the author: 

More than 120 million readers have found inspiration and encouragement in the writings of Max Lucado. He lives with his wife, Denalyn, and their mischievous mutt, Andy, in San Antonio, Texas, where he serves the people of Oak Hills Church.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest 

My Opinion:
Nice.  I found the introduction to these books to be nice and a good description of what follows.  I love prayer!  The connection we have with our Heavenly Father is one of the dearest and most beautiful things to me! :)  It is my hope that these books will be a nice tool for anyone seeking to grow their prayer life and connect more with Jesus.  Hardcover and small enough to fit in a pocket {like the name ;) } or purse.  I think these books would make a lovely gift for family members and friends!  And excellent reminders to graduates to remain centered as they embark on a new chapter in their lives.



I was so happy when we were encouraged to give these books as gifts with this blog tour and share whom we are going to give them to.  I hope to/will be giving the book for:
-Moms: to my best friend this side of Heaven my Mama! :)
-Dads: will be gifted to my Dad of course!
-Grads: With many graduating this year I may have to get more Graduate copies to give out! :D
-Military Life: I hope to send this pocket book to my dear friend Vicky, currently in the Army

-Teachers: Our churches Teacher's Appreciation is coming up in May so I'll have many opportunities to pass that copy along as well! :)  
and
-Friends: I will be passing this book onto another very dear friend of mine Pam. 

Song: "Pray" by Sanctus Real
Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC

Philippians 4:6-7

~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 Pocket Prayers. ~ASC

http://litfusegroup.com/author/mlucado

The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder Review!!!!

The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder 

by Rachel McMillan

Book Description:

The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder (Harvest House, April 2016)

In 1910 Toronto, while other bachelor girls perfect their domestic skills and find husbands, two friends perfect their sleuthing skills and find a murderer.

Inspired by their fascination with all things Sherlock Holmes, best friends and flatmates Merinda and Jem launch a consulting detective business. The deaths of young Irish women lead Merinda and Jem deeper into the mire of the city's underbelly, where the high hopes of those dreaming to make a new life in Canada are met with prejudice and squalor.

While searching for answers, donning disguises, and sneaking around where no proper ladies would ever go, they pair with Jasper Forth, a police constable, and Ray DeLuca, a reporter in whom Jem takes a more than professional interest. Merinda could well be Toronto's premiere consulting detective, and Jem may just find a way to put her bachelor girlhood behind her forever---if they can stay alive long enough to do so.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1RRdypX

About the author:

Rachel McMillan is a keen history enthusiast and a lifelong bibliophile. When not writing or reading, she can most often be found drinking tea and watching British miniseries. Rachel lives in bustling Toronto, where she works in educational publishing and pursues her passion for art, literature, music, and theater.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

My Opinion:
I'm hooked!  I started with the .5 in this series A Singular and Whimsical Problem and enjoyed getting to know these characters in that.  Instead of coming before The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder it takes place sort of in the middle of it.  Rachel writes in a style and format that is entertaining and unique from any other fiction book I've read.  While a bit fast paced, and with some character jumps that were a little tricky for me to keep up with at times, I still enjoyed the similarities to this story and those of Sherlock Holmes and Watson adventures.  Plus a romance that is one of the best I've read in a long time.  This is one of my favorite kinds of romances actually!  Where you can't help but giggle at blunders, sigh at sweetness, and gasp at turmoil! :)  Plus be left anxiously awaiting a second romance to come!  Filled with simply fabulous characters, good and bad, and a highly entertaining plot, I can't wait to see what the next case has in store for us!  To put it plainly, I'm a lot like Jem, hooked to following Merinda wherever adventure calls! 

Songs: "God Is on the Move" by 7eventh Time Down and "Blue Danube Waltz" performed by The Viennese Colonade Orchestra
Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC

Colossians 3:23-24

~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 The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder. ~ASC

http://litfusegroup.com/author/rmcmillan

Rachel McMillan’s Murder Mystery Prize Pack and Facebook Party

Meet best friends and flatmates Merinda and Jem, who launch their own Sherlock Holmes-esque consulting detective business in 1910 Toronto in Rachel McMillan’s The Bachelor Girl’s Guide to Murder. The deaths of young Irish women lead Merinda and Jem deeper into the mire of the city’s underbelly. Merinda could well be Toronto’s premiere consulting detective, and Jem may just find a way to put her bachelor girlhood behind her forever–if they can stay alive long enough to do so.

Rachel is celebrating the release of The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder with a Murder Mystery Prize Pack giveaway (details below) and an author chat party on April 28!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• One copy of The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder
• A magnifying glass necklace
• A bowler hat
• A pocket watch
• A $30 Amazon gift card

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 4/28. The winner will be announced at The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder Facebook party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Rachel and other readers, as well as for a chance to win other prizes!

RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 28th!

Learn a Lesson in Love—Tippy Style— in Dana Mentink’s New Book (Plus a Prize Pack Giveaway)

What do you get when you add one abrasive professional athlete, a quirky out-of-work schoolteacher, and an overweight geriatric dog? A lesson in love—Tippy style—in Dana Mentink's new book, Sit, Stay, Love. As Gina travels through Cal’s world with Tippy in tow, she begins to see Cal in a different light. Gina longs to show Cal the God-given blessings in his life that have nothing to do with baseball or fame. When her longing blooms into attraction, Gina does her best to suppress it. But Cal is falling in love with her too. . . .

Join Dana in celebrating the release of Sit, Stay, Love with a blog tour and a Travels with Tippy prize pack giveaway!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Sit, Stay, Love
• A basket filled with Tippy-themed goodies
  • Travel-themed decorator box
  • Reading dog statue
  • Dog journal
  • Poems for Dog Lovers
  • Snuggle Paws fleece blanket from Animal Rescue Site
  • Pawprint scarf
  • Doxie desk pen
  • Pupmobile auto magnet

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry! The giveaway ends on April 25th. The winner will be announced April 26th on Dana's blog.

APRIL FOOLS! :D

OOPS!  I have no idea why I sent out the May new Releases 

along with the April releases!  

Sooooooo APRIL FOOLS!? LOL!

There are some fabulous new releases coming in this month and the next so please comment and share all the ones you're looking forward to! :)

Happy Reading ~ASC

May New Releases!

Here's what's coming out in May 2016!
And aren't these covers GORGEOUS!?

[these are some of the books I'm looking forward to this month]

Which ones are you most excited about?  :)

Did I miss a May Christian Fiction release 

that you've been looking forward to?  

Give it and the author a shout out in the comments!

The Quieting by +Suzanne Woods Fisher

The Stoltzfus family faces serious problems, both in the church and at home. Everyone in the community expects minister David Stoltzfus to fix things--fast. But David doesn't work fast. He prefers to wait for God to work in individual hearts. However, even he is left wondering if the solution to their most pressing problem might be a Quieting. 
When David's mother arrives, uninvited, more upheaval is in store. She has matchmaking plans for everyone in the family, including David and her eligible granddaughters--and especially for David's niece Abigail. When Abigail stumbles onto a curious connection during her genealogical research, it could help David solve one problem--but will it create another? 
Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher takes fans back to Stoney Ridge, delivering the twists, turns, and romance they adore.

Fading Starlight by Kathryn Cushman

Lauren Summers is hiding. Her fashion house internship should have launched her career, but a red carpet accident has left her blackballed. The only job she finds is unpaid, but comes with free lodging--a run-down cottage in the shadow of a cliff-side mansion. Unsure of what comes next, she's surprised to be contacted by a reporter researching a reclusive former Hollywood ingEnue who lives in the nearby mansion. 

Kendall Joiner wants Lauren's help uncovering the old woman's secrets. In return, she'll prove the red carpet accident was a publicity stunt so Lauren can regain her former job. With all her dreams in front of her, Lauren's tempted by the offer, but as she and the old woman get to know each other, Lauren realizes nothing is quite as it seems.


Anchor in the Storm by +Sarah Sundin 

One Plucky Female Pharmacist + One High-Society Naval Officer = Romance--and Danger 
For plucky Lillian Avery, America's entry into World War II means a chance to prove herself as a pharmacist in Boston. The challenges of her new job energize her. But society boy Ensign Archer Vandenberg's attentions only annoy--even if he "is" her brother's best friend. 
During the darkest days of the war, Arch's destroyer hunts German U-boats in vain as the submarines sink dozens of merchant ships along the East Coast. Still shaken by battles at sea, Arch notices his men also struggle with their nerves--and with drowsiness. Could there be a link to the large prescriptions for sedatives Lillian has filled? The two work together to answer that question, but can Arch ever earn Lillian's trust and affection? 
Sarah Sundin brings World War II to life, offering readers an intense experience they won't soon forget.


Messenger by Moonlight by Stephanie Whitson 

When orphaned Annie Paxton and her brothers strike out on their own, they see an ad for the Pony Express that seems to answer their prayers: "Wanted," it reads, "Young, skinny fellows not over eighteen. Must be expert riders and willing to risk death daily. Orphans preferred." Without hesitation, Annie becomes a cook at the Pony Express station, and the boys become Express messengers. Annie soon attracts the interest of two men, and is both flattered and baffled by their attention. One is a refined, dashing officer. The other, a rugged stagecoach driver. When a routine Express mission goes awry, Annie must intervene. Racing on a moonlit adventure, she'll have to learn how to trust her instincts and follow her heart, even if she's conflicted about which way it's leading her.

The Beautiful Pretender by +Melanie Dickerson 

What happens when a margrave realizes he’s fallen in love with a servant?

The Margrave of Thornbeck has to find a bride, fast. He invites ten noble-born ladies from around the country to be his guests at Thornbeck Castle for two weeks, a time to test these ladies and reveal their true character.

Avelina is only responsible for two things: making sure her deception goes undetected and avoiding being selected as the margrave’s bride. Since the latter seems unlikely, she concentrates on not getting caught. No one must know she is merely a maidservant, sent by the Earl of Plimmwald to stand in for his daughter, Dorothea.

Despite Avelina’s best attempts at diverting attention from herself, the margrave has taken notice. And try as she might, she can’t deny her own growing feelings. But something else is afoot in the castle. Something sinister that could have far worse—far deadlier—consequences. Will Avelina be able to stop the evil plot? And at what cost?

Murder Comes by Mail by A.H. Gabhart

A Cozy Mystery Complete with a Small Town Full of Charming, Quirky Characters 
Deputy Sheriff Michael Keane doesn't particularly enjoy being touted as the hero of Hidden Springs after pulling a suicidal man back from the edge of the Eagle River bridge in front of dozens of witnesses--a few of whom caught the breathtaking moments with their cameras. But the media hype doesn't last long as a new story pushes its way into the public consciousness of Hidden Springs' concerned citizens. 
Photos of a dead girl arrive in the mail, and Michael becomes convinced she was murdered by the man he saved. With a killer one step ahead, things in Hidden Springs begin to unravel. Now Michael must protect the people he loves--because the killer could be targeting one of them next. 
Readers will love racing along with Deputy Sheriff Keane as the clock ticks in this page-turning mystery.

Bride of a Distant Isle by Sandra Byrd

Miss Annabel Ashton is a teacher at the Rogers School for Young Ladies in Winchester when she takes a brief visit to her family home, Highcliffe Hall at Milford-on-Sea. She believes her stay will be short but soon learns that she will not be returning to the safety of the school. Instead, she remains at Highcliffe, at the mercy of her cousin, Edward Everedge.

Annabel protests, but as the illegitimate daughter of a woman who died in an insane asylum, she has little say. Edward is running out of money and puts the house up for sale to avoid financial ruin. He insists that Annabel marry, promising her to a sinister, frightening man. But as the house gets packed for sale, it begins to reveal disquieting secrets. Jewelry, artifacts, and portraits mysteriously appear, suggesting that Annabel may be the true heir of Highcliffe.

She has only a few months to prove her legitimacy, perhaps with assistance from the handsome but troubled Maltese Captain Dell’Acqua. But does he have Annabel’s best interests at heart?

And then, a final, most ominous barrier to both her inheritance and her existence appears: a situation neither she nor anyone else could have expected. Will Annabel regain her life and property—and trust her heart—before it’s too late?

*Books are in order of release and release dates are taken from amazon.com

April 2016 New Releases!

Here's what's coming out in April 2016!

[these are the books I'm looking forward to this month]

Which ones are you most excited about?  

Leave me a comment with your list and I'll try to get a giveaway for the most anticipated release! :)

Did I miss an April Christian Fiction release 

that you've been looking forward to?  

Give it and the author a shout out in the comments!

**The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder 
(Herringford and Watts Mysteries #1) 
by Rachel McMillan
April 1st

Book Description:
In 1910 Toronto, while other bachelor girls perfect their domestic skills and find husbands, two friends perfect their sleuthing skills and find a murderer.

Inspired by their fascination with all things Sherlock Holmes, best friends and flatmates Merinda and Jem launch a consulting detective business. The deaths of young Irish women lead Merinda and Jem deeper into the mire of the city's underbelly, where the high hopes of those dreaming to make a new life in Canada are met with prejudice and squalor.

While searching for answers, donning disguises, and sneaking around where no proper ladies would ever go, they pair with Jasper Forth, a police constable, and Ray DeLuca, a reporter in whom Jem takes a more than professional interest. Merinda could well be Toronto's premiere consulting detective, and Jem may just find a way to put her bachelor girlhood behind her forever--if they can stay alive long enough to do so.

What Happened on Beale Street 
(Secrets of the South Mysteries #2) 
by +Mary Ellis
April 1st

Book Description:
A cryptic plea for help from a childhood friend sends cousins Nate and Nicki Price from New Orleans to Memphis, the home of scrumptious barbecue and soulful blues music. When they arrive at Danny Andre's last known address, they discover signs of a struggle and a lifestyle not in keeping with the former choirboy they fondly remember.

Danny's sister, Isabelle, reluctantly accepts their help. She and Nate aren't on the best of terms due to a complicated past, yet they will have to get beyond that if they want to save Danny.

On top of Danny's alarming disappearance and his troubled relationship with Isabelle, Nate also has to rein in his favorite cousin's overzealousness as a new and eager PI. Confronted with a possible murder, mystery, and mayhem in the land of the Delta blues, Nate must rely on his faith and investigative experience to keep one or more of them from getting killed.

Song of Silence 
by Cynthia Ruchti
April 5th

Book Description:
Lucy and Charlie Tuttle agree on one thing: they're committed to each other for life. Trouble is, neither of them expected life to look like this. While Charlie retired early, Lucy is devoted to a long-term career . . . until the day she has no choice.
Forced to retire from her position as music educator in a small Midwestern K-8 school, Lucy can only watch helplessly as the program her father started years ago disintegrates before her eyes. As the music fades and a chasm separates her from the passion of her heart, Lucy wonders if her faith's song has gone silent, too. The musical score of her life seems to be missing all the notes.
When a simple misstep threatens to silence Lucy forever, a young boy and his soundless mother change the way she sees--and hears--everything. 

The Reluctant Duchess (Ladies of the Manor #2) 
by +Roseanna White
April 5th

Book Description:
Lady Rowena Kinnaird may be the heiress to a Highland earldom, but she has never felt good enough--not for her father, not for the man she thought she'd marry, not for God. But after a shocking attack, she's willing to be forever an outcast if it means escaping Loch Morar.

Brice Myerston, the Duke of Nottingham, has found himself in possession of a rare treasure his enemies are prepared to kill for. While Brice has never been one to shy away from manor-born ladies, the last thing he needs is the distraction of Lady Rowena, who finds herself in a desperate situation. But when Rowena's father tries to trap Brice into marrying his daughter, Brice makes a surprising decision.

Rowena wanted to escape the Highlands, but she's reluctant to marry a notorious flirt. And when she learns that Brice is mixed up in questionable business with a stolen treasure, she fears she's about to end up directly in the path of everything she was trying to avoid.
**The Inheritance (Secrets of the Shetlands, #1) 
by Michael R. Phillips
April 5th

Book Description:
The death of the clan patriarch has thrown the tiny Shetland Islands community of Whale's Reef into turmoil. Everyone assumed MacGregor Tulloch's heir to be his grand-nephew David, a local favorite, but when it is discovered that MacGregor left no will, David's grasping cousin Hardy submits his own claim to the inheritance, an estate that controls most of the island's land. And while Hardy doesn't enjoy much popular support, he has the backing of a shadowy group of North Sea oil investors. The courts have frozen the estate's assets while the competing claims are investigated, leaving many of the residents in financial limbo. The future of the island--and its traditional way of life--hangs in the balance.

Loni Ford is enjoying her rising career in a large investment firm in Washington, DC. Yet in spite of her outward success, she is privately plagued by questions of identity. Orphaned as a young child, she was raised by her paternal grandparents, and while she loves them dearly, she feels completely detached from her roots. That is until a mysterious letter arrives from a Scottish solicitor. . . .

A Twist of Faith 
by +Pepper Basham 
April 6th

Book Description:
Maybe the language of love doesn’t have an accent, but with any other type of accent, Dr. Adelina Roseland feels confident she can correct it. Accent reduction is her specialty and she’s worked ten years in research with it to attain her dream job: Professor at the University of Virginia. But all rookies must pass through the fire, so Adelina is sent to a tiny town in a crevice of Appalachia called Wise, Virginia, to begin a new program for their satellite university there. Determined to prove herself, Adelina makes a daring wager with her arrogant supervisor, Dr. Alexander Murdock. If she can pass Appalachian cow farmer, Reece Mitchell, off as a Harvard grad and help him with a job interview for a corporation in Chicago, then she can present her research at the National Convention in front of her newfound colleagues and hundreds of other professionals, launching her career to further heights and moving her as far away from Appalachia as possible.

But Adelina didn’t plan for the faith and friction of single-dad Reece Mitchell or his chaotic family. Drawn into a culture she’d been trying to forget for the past fifteen years, Adelina finds the warmth of family, the hope of faith, and the joy of love melting away at the deep wounds of her past. But when Reece discovers that he’s been a mere pawn in her step up the corporate ladder, will he be able to forgive her deceit or will their miscommunication end in two broken lives.

Will some good old-fashion Appalachian grit from a meddling mother bring rescue this culturally-diverse couple before they lose their chance to build a future of their own?

Stitching a Life in Persimmon Hollow 
(Persimmon Hollow Legacy #2) 
by +Gerri Bauer
April 16th

Book Description:
in the second novel of the Persimmon Hollow Legacy series, we meet starry-eyed seamstress Josefa Gomez.

Living with her aunt and uncle, the housekeeper and caretaker at Agnes and Seth’s Taylor Grove compound, Josefa longs for the glamorous life of a fashion designer far beyond her small town. But her dreams of designing exquisite gowns for rich women in Paris and New York alarm her Tia Lupita, who fears that Josefa’s ambitions are unrealistic for a girl of her station. In late 19th century America, a Mexican woman’s best prospect may well be a suitable marriage and a position in the household of a kind employer. When Lupita announces a plan for Josefa to move away from Persimmon Hollow to live with distant relatives in Texas and prepare for an arranged marriage, the headstrong beauty knows she has to make an audacious choice.

Will Josefa follow her dreams of glamor or submit to her aunt’s plans for stability and security? Can she find a way to use her gifts in a truly productive way? And when a choice arises between two suitors, will she choose a rich man who could give her all the outward trappings she desires, or a quiet carpenter who has fewer material goods—but a bigger heart?

The Magnolia Duchess (Gulf Coast Chronicles #3) 
by Beth White
April 19th

Book Description:
Fiona Lanier is the only woman in the tiny Gulf Coast settlement of Navy Cove. While her shipbuilding family races to fill the demand for American ships brought by the War of 1812, Fiona tries to rescue her brother who was forced into service by the British Navy.

Lieutenant Charlie Kincaid has been undercover for six months, obtaining information vital to the planned British invasion of New Orleans. When a summer storm south of Mobile Bay wrecks his ship and scatters the crew, Charlie suffers a head injury, ultimately collapsing in the arms of a beautiful mermaid who seems eerily familiar. As Charlie's memory returns in agonizing jags and crashes, he and Fiona discover that falling in love may be as inevitable as the tide. But when political loyalties begin to collide, they'll each have to decide where their true heart lies.(less)

*Release dates were taken from goodreads.com and confirmed with amazon.com
**These two books were incorrectly marked on goodreads and will release on amazon in April.