For Love or Loyalty Review!!!

For Love or Loyalty by Jennifer Hudson Taylor

+Jennifer Hudson Taylor 

Book Description:
To atone for her father's evil, Lauren Campbell agrees to help Malcolm MacGregor. By the time she realizes she's the bargaining price to free Malcolm's mother from indentured servitude, it's too late.

Malcolm MacGregor only wants to free his family and exact revenge against Duncan Campbell. As the pride and joy of Duncan's life, his daughter Lauren is the perfect answer, but during the voyage to America, her faith continues to witness to Malcolm. He becomes enraptured with her, and upon their arrival, discovers he's sold her into a fate worse than death. Now Malcolm has the dilemma: free his family or rescue Lauren? Time is short and with little means, he needs a miracle.

My Opinion:
Love love love this book!  I was SO blessed by this story!  For love or loyalty is such an adventure and full journey!  Lauren is the kind of Christian woman I want to be and yet this book also holds the reality that even the strongest in Faith have their moments of fear and, sadly, doubt.  It also shows how as humans we can't always see the big picture like God can, but that doesn't mean He leaves us! :)  Starting out in Scotland Jennifer takes us across the sea to America.  The hardships of travel for both the people able to pay and the indentured servants is shown realistically from sickness to danger.  There are many great characters in this as Malcolm and Lauren find friends on and off the ship, but their are also many enemies with terrible intentions.  Through it all God watches over them as He shapes them into the people they need to be through the trials they face and the decisions they make.  Twists and surprises abound within these chapters.  Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen Jennifer threw in another turn that I didn't see coming.  For Love or Loyalty is a great read with adventure, suspense, Faith, love, courage, hope and so much more!  I cannot wait for For Love or Country!!!  This is a MUST READ!!! :)

Songs: "My Deliverer" by Mandisa, "He Leadeth Me" by The Cluster Pluckers, "Not For A Moment (After All)" by Meredith Andrews, "What Scars Are For" by Mandisa, "Leaning On The Everlasting Arms" by Alan Jackson, "Lily Of The Valley" by The Cluster Pluckers, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" by Women Of Faith Worship Team, "Blessings" by Laura Story, and "Love Lifted Me" by Alan Jackson

Jeremiah 29:11

~ASC

*I received this book because I was interested in it an wanted to review is.  This in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about For Love or Loyalty. ~ASC

P.S.  Thank you Jennifer for getting me a copy of your great book to read and review.  I was greatly blessed by it and can't wait for more of the MacGregor Legacy! :)

The Quilted Heart (Three Novellas in One) Review!!!

The Quilted Heart (3 in 1) by Mona Hodgson

Book Description:
Like a beautiful patchwork quilt, the three novellas in The Quilted Heart tell stories of lives stitched together with love and God’s unending grace. 
 
Once a week, Elsa Brantenberg hosts the Saint Charles Quilting Circle at her farmhouse on the outskirts of the riverside town of St. Charles, Missouri. The ladies who gather there have all experienced heartache related to the intense hardships of the Civil War, and together, they are facing their painful circumstances with friendship and prayer. Can the tattered pieces of their hearts be stitched together by God’s grace? 
 
Dandelions on the Wind
When Maren Jensen took a job on Elsa Brantenberg’s St. Charles, Missouri farm, she never expected to call the place her home. As she grows to love Mrs. Brantenberg and her granddaughter, Gabi, Maren is transformed from a lonely mail-order bride-without-a-groom to a beloved member of the Brantenberg household. But when Gabi’s father, Rutherford “Wooly” Wainwright, returns to the farm unexpectedly, everything changes for Maren, and she feels compelled to find another job. Are her choices in obedience to God, or is she running from His plan? 
 
Bending Toward the Sun
Dedicated to her education and to helping her father in his general store, Emilie Heinrich is convinced she doesn't have time for love. But when a childhood friend returns to St. Charles, Missouri, after serving in the Civil War, his smile and charm captures Emilie’s eye and her heart. Will she be forced to choose between honoring her father and a future with a husband and family of her own? 
 
Ripples Along the Shore
Change is brewing in St. Charles. A group of brave souls are preparing to head west on the Boone's Lick Wagon Train, led by the mysterious and handsome Garrett Cowlishaw, who served as a Confederate soldier in the war that killed Caroline’s husband. Despite her dislike for him, Caroline is tempted to join the wagon train and start fresh somewhere new, but when Mr. Cowlishaw forbids her—a single woman—to travel with them, will one man’s prejudice destroy Caroline’s hope for a new future? Or will the ripples of God’s love bring the answer she needs?

My Opinion:
A Lovely Collection.  I had wanted to read these stories when they first came out separately, but never got the opportunity.  So I was very happy when I got the chance to read them all in one!  The first story Dandelions on the Wind is great!  I love the characters especially the three main ladies Mrs. Brantenberg, Maren, and Gabi!  The whole concept of this first story is a great one as these people try to pick up their lives and move on after the Civil War.  Showing how God provides in ways we never expect, and that sometimes His ways aren't always our plans at all but they are far better! :)  I was SO glad after reading the end of this novella that I didn't have to wait for the next one!  Funny, sweet, and lovable.
The Next Novella Bending Toward the Sun was a little slower paced for me, but when I got into it I was deeply rooted!  I LOVE the end of this one and the whole set up.  Bending Toward the Sun touched on prejudices and letting go.  I love the spunk Mona gives to each of her characters especially Emilie as she grows up and steps out!  A very sweet read!
And Finally Ripples Along the Shore!  Caroline's story was highly entertaining.  Her courage and faith grows throughout Ripples Along the Shore which turns out to be just a taste of her tale.  Hard decisions are made in this one, secrets are hinted at but not reveled, and good byes are on the horizon throughout.  At the attempt to not give too much away; as the end came the good byes are bitter sweet and lovely.  This is where I was torn up!  Caroline and these other character's stories are cut short as they prepare to move on with their lives.  The ending is so sweet with good byes and thanks to God, but there are untied ends, unfinished stories, and unanswered questions!  I definitely need more!  After reading the Authors Note I found that these characters stories go on to the first in Mona's Hearts Seeking Homes series Prairie Song!  I really enjoyed reading the Author's Note as Mona goes into the stories behind the stories in a way.
Overall I love how these books show the different lives and changes after the Civil War and enjoy the whole quilting circle.  All of these stories show God's provision and great love for His children!  And I absolutely Love how Mona plants the title within the book so it drives home why she titled them thus; as well as the way she weaves scripture throughout.  The thing that gets me is I NEED MORE!!!! LOL!!!  I don't like where it ended and I REALLY want Prairie Song to see where Mona takes these characters!!!  I highly recommend these Novellas, just maybe after you've already got Prairie Song in your hot little hand and can immediately go on!  LOL!

Songs that were mentioned in the book and/or that fit: "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" by Chris Rice, "Sweet Hour of Prayer" by Yoshie Ueno, "Battle Hymn of the Republic" by Nashville Harmonicas Band, "Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed" by Sovereign Grace Music, 
"Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" is also mentioned in this book but I couldn't find a clear enough MP3 on Amazon so I didn't link it up.  Songs may change or be added in the future and if I find a version that's clear and I like I'll add links.

Psalm 119:105, Proverbs 4:23, James 4:10, Ecclesiastes 3:1, Psalm 119:103, Proverbs 3:5-6, 1 Samuel 16:7, James 4:6

~ASC

*I requested and received this book from Blogging for Books for the purpose of review it.  This in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about these Novellas. ~ASC

• Mona's Website
• Mona's Facebook
• Mona's Twitter
• More Info about this book
• Read Chapter One of The Quilted Heart
• Mona's Bio

Quilts of Love | A SKY WITHOUT STARS by Linda S. Clare – Kindle HDX Giveaway & “Spring Fling” Facebook Party!

Don't miss this month's Quilts of Love book, A Star Without Stars, by Linda S. Clare. Linda is celebrating the release with a Kindle HDX giveaway and joining her fellow Quilts of Love authors, Barbara Cameron and Joyce Magnin, for a Facebook "Spring Fling" party on April 1st.

  One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• Scraps of Evidence by Barbara Cameron
• A Sky Without Stars by Linda S. Clare
• Maybelle in Stitches by Joyce Magnin

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 1st. Winner will be announced at the "Spring Fling" Facebook Party on April 1st. RSVP today and connect with the authors from the Quilts of Love series, Barbara Cameron, Linda S. Clare, and Joyce Magnin, for an evening of book chat, quilt trivia, prizes, and an exclusive look at the next Quilts of Love book!

So grab your copies of Scraps of Evidence, A Sky Without Stars, and Maybelle in Stitches and join Barbara, Linda, and Joyce on the evening of April 1st for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the books, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by clicking JOIN at the event page. Spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway and party via FACEBOOK or TWITTER. Hope to see you on April 1st!

Win a Kindle HDX!

Scraps of Evidence Review!!!

Scraps of Evidence by Barbara Cameron

Book Description:

About Quilts of Love: Quilts tell stories of love and loss, hope and faith, tradition and new beginnings. The Quilts of Love seriesfocuses on the women who quilted all of these things into their family histories. A new book releases each month and features contemporary and historical romances as well as women's fiction and the occasional light mystery. You will be drawn into the endearing characters of this series and be touched by their stories. About the book: Tess has taken some ribbing from her fellow officer, Logan, for her quilting hobby. He finds it hard to align the brisk professional officer he patrols with during the day with the one who quilts in her off-time. Besides, he's been trying to get to know her better and he'd like to be seeing her during those couple nights a week she spends with her quilting guild. Then one afternoon Tess and Logan visit her aunt in the nursing home and she acts agitated when Tess covers her with the story quilt. Aunt Susan seems to be communicating a message to them about Tess's uncle. There's a story behind this quilt, they realize, one that may lead them to a serial killer. Will they have a chance to have a future together or will the killer choose Tess for his next victim before they find him? Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/tB3KXAbout the Author: Barbara Cameron is the CBD, CBA, and  ECPA bestselling author of 24 books including the new Stitches in Times series for Abingdon Press. Barbara has written fiction and non-fiction books for Abingdon Press, Thomas Nelson, Harlequin, and other publishers. She sold three films to HBO/Cinemax and is the first winner of the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award. Barbara's first two novellas won the 2nd and 3rd place in the Inspirational Readers Choice Contest from the Faith, Love, and Hope chapter of  RWA. Both were finalists for the novella category of the Carol Award of the American Christian Writers Award (ACFW).  Learn more about Barbara at: http://barbaracameron.com

My Opinion:
A great read.  When I first read the description I thought it would be a nice read, but then as I got into it I found out that it was set in St. Augustine!!!  I was REALLY excited about that because St. Augustine is one of my favorite places to visit!  I LOVED it there.  And reading this book was like visiting again.  Barbara described everything just like I saw and experienced it, and wound a good mystery into it all.  As far as who the killer is, is pretty obvious, but the getting there and the suspense of you knowing but the characters not seeing it plus not knowing when the killer would strike again kept me on the edge of my seat.  I LOVE the end and Tess's character.  She is still quite feminine, but as tough, strong, and capable as the male detectives (in some cases more so! :D )!  And I LOVE the title, it is all a title should be in describing a book in and of it's self!  There is a confusing part as far as the time line on one of the murderer's attacks.  Some of the lines sound like only a few hours have gone by, but then it said a day...maybe it's just me and I didn't understand, but things didn't seem to line up.  And I'm not sure if the book description really describes these characters correctly, at least I didn't feel so.  But these were really the only things that seemed off to me.  High suspense and awesome scenes make Scraps of Evidence a great read and I think at the end of the day this is one of my favorites, if not my favorite, of the Quilts of Love series!!!

Songs: "God Gave Me You" by Dave Barnes, "Not For A Moment (After All)" Meredith Andrews, "We'll Understand It Better By And By" by Christian Gospel Choir
Songs may change in the future.

Psalm 23

~ASC

*I received this book for the purpose of reviewing it, this in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about Scraps of Evidence. ~ASC

http://litfusegroup.com/campaigns/scraps-of-evidence-barbara-cameron

Minding Molly Review!!!

Minding Molly by Leslie Gould

+Leslie Gould 

Book Description:
Molly Zook Has Everything Planned Just Right.
Or So She Thinks!
Molly Zook's always liked being in control, so she's struggling with her mother's wish that, to save the family farm, she marry Mervin Mosier. Especially after Molly meets Leon Fisher. He's from Montana but is now training horses at a nearby ranch. He's tall and muscular and confident--Molly has never met anyone like him and she's sure he feels the same about her.

Determined to let nothing get between them, Molly tries to coax Mervin into falling back in love with Molly's best friend, Hannah. A weekend camping trip in the Poconos could be just the 
place. . .but things quickly go awry, and it seems Leon and Hannah might be falling for each other instead! Will Molly keep struggling to control everyone and everything around her? Or will she learn to let God handle the twists and turns of her life?

My Opinion:
A nice rendition.  Leslie definitely captures the, he loves her, who loves him, who loves her, who loves him aspect of A Midsummer Nights Dream!  I was interested in how Leslie was going to do this without the fairies, since they play such a big role in Shakespeare's play, and I LOVE how she did it!  I don't want to give it away though so that's all I'll say on that. ;)  I loved that Molly's family owns a flower farm and her farmers market.  Mentioned in nearly every description is something pertaining to God's creations be it flowers, trees, or birds.  I LOVE how Leslie has come up with characters and stories that have grown and stand on their own feet even as she weaves Shakespeare's base throughout.  By bringing back loved characters from the previous books; Cate, Bob, Nan, Betsy, Mervin and Martin, as well as Addie, Nel, and Hannah etc. all come back into this latest book to wrap the whole series together and make it unique.  The way Leslie writes in the first person really makes me get the emotions of the characters and scenes all the more.  I could feel the frustration and sadness of Molly's predicament and mourning.  There where times when I didn't want Molly to end up with the man she marries in the end, but as the book went on I was happy with who ended up with whom all the way around! :)  I really love the additions (such as the scene when they all follow each other into the woods) and exclusions (such as the lack of fairies and turning someone into a donkey!) from Midsummer Nights Dream in Minding Molly.  Again I think I like Leslie's Amish rendition more than Shakespeare's original work.  I also love the spiritual messages and lessons.  As the title suggests Molly is a bit of a control freak! LOL!  And I will admit that I myself have some of these issues.  So I really loved the message of letting go and letting God.  There are some sad moments that I wish were different in the end, but after being introduced with the next two character's, Bea and Ben, I can't wait to read Becoming Bea and I hope that it will bring joy from the sadness in Minding Molly's end concerning certain characters! :)  Overall this is another great read from Leslie filled with great scenes, mixed with humor, and held up by love and Faith!

Songs: "In The Garden" by Alan Jackson, "I'm Letting Go" by Francesca Battistelli, and "Steady My Heart" by Kari Jobe
Songs may change in the future.

John 13:34

~ASC

*I received this book from Bethany House because I was interested in reading and review it.  This in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about Minding Molly. ~ASC

Adoring Addie Review!!!

Adoring Addie by Leslie Gould

+Leslie Gould

Book Description:
When Addie Cramer's mutter and daed decide Phillip Eicher is the man for her to marry, they claim she must honor them by obeying their wishes. But then she falls in love with Jonathan Mosier--part of the family with whom the Cramers have a long-held grudge. 

With the help of others in her community who long to see the quarrel healed, Jonathan and Addie struggle to continue their relationship against both sets of parents' wishes. But when one of Addie's vengeful brothers harms a member of the Mosier family, Jonathan intervenes and is banished from Lancaster County. 

A distraught Addie determines to find the true reason for the grudge between the two families, hoping to tear down the animosity of the past. Can their love for each other bridge the divide between their families? Or are they destined to remain apart forever?

My Opinion:
Simply amazing!!!  I LOVED this book and I LOVE Leslie!!!  She is a fabulous writer!  I love this Amish rendition of Romeo and Juliet even more than Shakespeare's original!  I have loved this whole series' concept from the very beginning and enjoy the way Leslie weaves Shakespeare's classics in Amish settings!  Cate, Bob, Pete, Betsy, Mervin, Martin, etc. from Courting Cate make reappearances in this sequel and help throughout the story.  I love how this book plays out.  From the beginning I enjoyed how Leslie had the characters fall in love slower.  Yes it could still be considered "love at first sight" and yes they do fall in love the first day, but it felt like it had enough time to develop instead of just glimpsing each other and BAM! they're in love! LOL!  All of the characters are wonderful!  And Leslie does a fantastic job of expressing the frustrating aspects of Addie's parents attempting to force her to marry someone she doesn't love!  I even love Jonathan more than the original Romeo!  His Faith and passion made me fall in love with him right along with Addie! :D  Some of my favorite scenes from the play appear in there own ways; such as the party scene where they meet.  And I really have come to love the first person way Leslie writes in; it made me feel closer with Addie and more involved with what she goes through.  The only grammatical thing that I personally don't like is the He when referring to The Lord isn't capitalized, but I digress!  From great twists to a fantastic end I love this book through and through!  I can't wait to read Minding Molly!!!

Songs: "How Great Thou Art" Carrie Underwood, "'Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus" by Alan Jackson, and while all the lyrics of this song may not match this book overall it does and I just love this song! :)  "Overcomer" by Mandisa
Songs may change in the future.

Revelations 21:5

~ASC

*I received this Book from Bethany House because I was interested in it and wanted to review it this in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings. ~ASC