"Sandpiper Cove"
​by Irene Hannon

Hope Harbor police chief Lexie Graham has plenty on her plate raising her son alone and dealing with a sudden rash of petty theft and vandalism in her coastal Oregon hometown. As a result, she has zero time for extracurricular activities--including romance. Ex-con Adam Stone isn't looking for love either--but how ironic is it that the first woman to catch his eye is a police chief? Yet wishing for things that can never be is foolish.

Nevertheless, when Lexie enlists Adam's help to keep a young man from falling into a life of crime, sparks begin to fly. And as they work together, it soon becomes apparent that God may have a different--and better--future planned for them than either could imagine.

Lauded by Library Journal as "a master at character development," Irene Hannon welcomes readers back to this charming Oregon seaside village where hearts heal--and love blooms.
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Welcome back to Hope Harbor! We are reacquainted with old friends and get to make some new friends on this trip. “Sandpiper Cove” is Adam and Lexie’s journey. Just like many journeys we take, theirs is not always smooth sailing. Their paths cross under less than ideal circumstances along the way, and some pleasant moments as well. They both have hurts and secrets from their pasts that they need to overcome before they are ready to move on. Adam and Lexie both had several lessons to learn for themselves also, and it wouldn’t hurt for everyone to learn those lessons. One of the main lessons that is learned and is one of the underlying themes of the story is to “never judge a book by its cover”. So many times, we ignore or avoid someone based on their outward appearance as Lexie first did with Adam. We need to remember to look beyond the surface and get to know people before we form opinions of them. I cannot wait to take another trip to Hope Harbor next spring when “Pelican Point” comes out. If you have read the first two books in this enchanting series, then you will most definitely want to pick up “Sandpiper Cove”. Even if you have not read any of the Hope Harbor series, I would still recommend this book. In fact, I would recommend the entire series Hope Harbor series.
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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

"The One True Love of Alice - Ann"
​by Eva Marie Everson

Living in rural Georgia in 1941, sixteen-year-old Alice-Ann has her heart set on her brother’s friend Mack; despite their five-year age gap, Alice-Ann knows she can make Mack see her for the woman she’ll become. But when they receive news of the attack on Pearl Harbor and Mack decides to enlist, Alice-Ann realizes she must declare her love before he leaves.

Though promising to write, Mack leaves without confirmation that her love is returned. But Alice-Ann is determined to wear the wedding dress her maiden aunt never had a chance to wear―having lost her fiancé in the Great War. As their correspondence continues over the next three years, Mack and Alice-Ann are drawn closer together. But then Mack’s letters cease altogether, leaving Alice-Ann to fear history repeating itself.

Dreading the war will leave her with a beautiful dress and no happily ever after, Alice-Ann fills her days with work and caring for her best friend’s war-torn brother, Carlton. As time passes and their friendship develops into something more, Alice-Ann wonders if she’ll ever be prepared to say good-bye to her one true love and embrace the future God has in store with a newfound love. Or will a sudden call from overseas change everything?
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Wow! I don’t even know where to begin when expressing my thoughts about this wonderfully written story. “The One True Love of Alice-Ann” is set during World War II (which is one of my favorite eras to read about and study), and tells of the struggles Alice-Ann and her family and friends during this awful time. Alice-Ann is still a child, trying to be a woman, when the war breaks out, but through the course of the story and war, we see Alice-Ann grow and mature not just physically but also spiritually and emotionally.

I loved how the author, while focusing on Alice-Ann, also showed us the views and perspectives of those around Alice-Ann. I felt like I was part of the Bynum, Georgia community. I could vividly picture all the many scenes in the story and the people who were there. While Alice-Ann is the heroine and focus of the story, I must admit that my favorite character is most definitely Carlton. I do like Alice-Ann, but I was drawn to Carlton’s character. His strength and faith were so strong even though he had seen and lived some awful things during the war.

This is the best book that I have read in a long time. (Nothing against any of the books that I have recently read of course) The story is so beautiful and powerful that you cannot help but be drawn into this captivating tale. I stayed up all night reading it, and was said when it ended. I wanted to see Alice-Ann’s and ??? story continue. (I put the ??? so as not to give away who Alice-Ann’s one true love is.) As soon as I finished the book, I immediately told my Mom that she had to read it. If you are looking for a good, clean, and captivating story, then this is the story for you.
 
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale Publishers in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Q & A WITH EVA MARIE EVERSON
1. What inspired you to write The One True Love of Alice-Ann? This whole story started with the title. I was working on another project when the title The One True Love of Alice-Ann popped into my head. I thought, “That’s a cool title . . . ,” and I wrote it down. I went back to my project, but I kept looking over at the title. Then, as if inspiration just sprang up, I remembered a story our neighbors (both of whom have been deceased for a while) told my husband and me—their love story from World War II. I took that story, changed it slightly, wrote it down, ran it past my critique partner—she loved it—so I sent it to my editor at Tyndale . . . and then I got back to work! 

2. How do you expect this story to resonate with your audience? What are you most excited for your readers to experience through reading this novel?
We have all had to make life choices. I heard a line in a movie (just this morning) that went like this: Every time you make a decision, you take a gamble. Maybe it’s the right choice. Maybe it’s not. How do you know? This is Alice-Ann’s dilemma. Does she have one true love . . . or two? We’ve all been there. We’ve all made decisions and then wondered if we made the right one. Sometimes those choices follow us for years. Sometimes we know the answer right away. I’m most excited for readers to experience life in the States during WWII. So often we read of what happened in Europe or in the Pacific, but we don’t usually read about how our citizens who stayed back home sacrificed for the greater good. I’m also excited for them to experience Alice-Ann’s love story and maturity as she grows from a starry-eyed 16-year-old to a grown woman. 

3. What role does faith play in the story?
Alice-Ann has a major life decision to make, and she can only make it with God’s help. But also, I think faith was much more of a natural reality in the ’40s. People went to church. Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night . . . They prayed for the troops. Actively. Sincerely. This was a different time in America (and one I wouldn’t mind seeing us go back to—as far as faith is concerned!). 

4. What lessons or truths do you hope readers will take away from The One True Love of Alice-Ann?
That when we take our distresses to God, he not only hears our cries, but he and he alone can wrap us up in his great big arms and show us the right path to take. He alone can ease our pain. You know, he loves us so much . . . he sent his Son to die for us. He won’t let us down now.

5. As an author, what did you particularly enjoy about crafting this story?
The entire thing! I love this story so much. I loved researching the era. I loved creating Alice-Ann and Carlton and their love story. I just loved it!

6. How did writing this story influence your perspective on the stateside effects of WWII, and more specifically on women’s roles during the war?
During the writing, I went to see a friend of mine who is in a veterans’ home in South Carolina. As I arrived, a hearse pulled in. After I met my friend in the cafeteria, I learned that one of the veterans living there had passed away. I accompanied my friend to the “graduation” ceremony. I have to tell you . . . since I’d researched the era and I was in the midst of writing the book, I started crying and couldn’t stop! As far as women’s roles, I learned that everyone stepped up to the plate. Everyone. Young. Old. Women. Men. Children. Everyone. My mother used to tell me stories of rolling up yarn and waving to the soldiers who were coming out of Camp Stewart (which is in the book!) and heading down 301. She was only about six to ten years old during the war, but even she had a part in the effort. 

7. Please describe how you portrayed the US labor camps for European POWs and why you included that perspective in the story.
My grandmother used to talk about the POWs who worked the fields with them. She said only the nicest things about them. Then, as I was writing, Bulloch County, Georgia, marked the site of the camp—ceremony and all. I read the (long) article printed in the paper and discovered that the woman they interviewed was the wife of one of my relatives! So I dug a little deeper. The fact is, the POWs helped keep the farms going. The men were at war. The women and children and farmers left behind did what they could, but they needed help. My uncle told me that one day a week, the children were let out of school to go work the farms. That’s all just so amazing to me! See what I mean about a different era?

8. What is the best advice or encouragement you have received either personally or professionally?
Robert Benson said to me, “The only person who knows what God has whispered into your heart is you . . . but you won’t hear him if you don’t hush.” 

9. What are you most proud of in your writing career?
So, so much . . . truly. But—and I don’t want this to sound cliché—I’ve got the awards and all that . . . but the truth is, when I get an e-mail or a letter and someone tells me that my work changed their life or helped them in some major way . . . really, that is more than enough.

10. What are some future projects you’re working on?
I just finished writing a biography on Eric Liddell with Rev. Eric Eichinger for Tyndale. Amazing, amazing, amazing story! I’m very active as the president of Word Weavers, as the director of Florida Christian Writers Conference, and with my work with new writers. And somewhere in all that, I’ve got another “based on a true story” popping around in my head.

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ABOUT THE BOOK
Book: Surrendered
Author: Elaine Maners
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
​Release Date: December 28, 2016

"Surrendered"
​by Elaine Manders

The fight never ends until someone surrenders.
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Having vanquished his political enemies, Rhyan Cason is anxious to get home to his beloved Carianne. Then he receives word an anthrax outbreak threatens his ranch. Even as he ponders how he can afford to take a wife, dark secrets from the distant past shake his beliefs to the core and convince him he’ll never be able to find forgiveness or make Carianne happy.
Carianne Barlow is stunned when Rhyan breaks their secret engagement. She leaves Sollano, the beautiful ranch house she loves almost as much as its owner, and returns home to Westerfield. While waiting for her shattered heart to heal, she shifts her attention to building the library she’s promised the town.
Even though Colt Holliman offers her a new courtship, circumstances keep drawing her back to Sollano and Rhyan. Torn between her affection for Colt and her love for Rhyan, Carianne realizes almost too late Rhyan’s troubles lie deeper than saving the ranch. He fights an evil that threatens more than his love for her—one only God can defeat.
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This is the first book that I have read by Elaine Manders, but it will not be the last. “Surrendered” is book two in the “Intrigue Under Western Skies” series. While you can read this book as a stand alone, I would recommend reading the “Pursued” (book one) before reading this one. I did not read the first book, but wish I had because I was slightly lost. I plan on trying to get a copy of the first book though; so that, I can read the beginning of Ryhan and Carianne’s story.

I enjoyed this book very much. I immediately fell in love with Ryhan and Carianne. They are both strong characters with minds of their own who want their own ways. Both learn that they need to surrender their wills to God before they can have peace and a happy life together. I really hope that there is another book to continue Ryhan and Carianne's journey.

The story is also filled with twists and turns, ups and downs, intrigue, adventure, and romance. I am not usually one to read a Western book, but I loved this one. I wanted to join them in their antics, and I would love to visit Sollano. If you are looking for a fun read, then I would recommend this story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

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About the Author
Elaine Manders writes wholesome Christian romance and suspense about the bold, capable women of history and the strong, dependable men who love them. She prefers stories that twist and turn and surprise, told by characters who aren’t afraid to show their love for God and each other. She lives in Central Georgia with a happy bichon-poodle mix. Besides writing, she enjoys reading, crafts, and spending time with her friends, daughter, and grandchildren.

Guest Post from Elaine Manders

I was born with the gift of story. The make-believe of childhood never left me, but it wasn’t until my daughter left for college, and I was left with the empty nest, that I decided maybe it was time to start writing the stories crowding my mind. I joined a local writers’ group, took a fiction writing course, developed the craft, went to conventions, and started pitching to editors.

Since I wrote romance, I found the publishing industry pushing me to a place I didn’t want to go. The secular publishers wanted steamier writing, and I complied as much as I could. Then when I was offered a chance for publication, I couldn’t allow my name to go on the book. The Christian publishers had a very narrow marketing concept. Again, I tried to comply until I felt the joy of story being squeezed out of me. I took a twelve year hiatus from writing.

Then in 2012, I was sitting in church listening to the familiar parable of the talents. When my pastor asked the question, “Are you hiding your talent?” I immediately visualized that closet filled with my unpublished manuscripts. I rededicated myself to putting my talent to use, and I asked God to send me a new story, if this was what he wanted me to do.

Later that week, I was on the golf course when I laid down on a little hill waiting for my husband to chase a ball in the woods and stared into the deepest, bluest sky I’ve ever seen. The sun was high in the sky, but the shade of blue was so dark I could actually see, not only the moon, but some of the stars. Looking into that sky, I experienced a strange sensation, as if I’d lost contact with the earth and was moving into infinity. I wondered, as I had many times before, how an atheist could look into the heavens and not believe in the Creator. This led me to an investigation of scientific atheism, Darwinism, and the entire series, Intrigue under Western Skies was born. My protagonist is a Darwinist of the 1880s. Book 1, is his spiritual journey to belief in Christianity, and Book 2,  takes him to acceptance. The heroine, of course, helps him on this journey, while dodging all the dangers the old west has to offer. Incidentally, will be free on Amazon Apr 18-19.
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April 11: 100 pages per hour
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April 12: History, Mystery & Faith
April 13: Moments Dipped in Ink
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April 15: Chas Ray's Book Nerd Corner
April 16: Daysong Reflections
April 17: cherylbbookblog
April 17: Baker Kella
April 18: I Hope You Dance
April 19: Inklings and Notions
April 20: Reading Is My SuperPower
April 20: Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses
April 21: Pause for Tales
April 21: Have A Wonderful Day
April 22: D's QUILTS & BOOKS
April 23: Debbie's Dusty Deliberations
April 24: Connie's History Classroom

GIVEAWAY

"Through the Mist"
by Liz Isaacson

Can Landon and Megan use prayer and faith to find their happily ever after?

Landon Edmunds has been a cowboy since birth, even winning in the rodeo for several years before an injury ended his career. He returned to his hometown of Gold Valley, where he works at Horseshoe Home Ranch as a cowhand, but now he's looking for something of his own. He's thinking of buying a horse ranch and training horses for the rodeo, but when an old high school friend returns to Gold Valley, he turns to construction instead.

The preacher's daughter, Megan Palmer needs a helping (cow)hand to get her father's church in good repair so he can retire. Megan and Landon work well together, and as sparks fly, she’s sure God brought her back to Gold Valley so she could find her happily ever after--if only Landon wasn't looking to leave town.

Through serious discussion and prayer, can Landon and Megan find their future together?
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This is a beautiful story about learning to trust in God and trust and love yourself. Both Megan and Landon have suffered from failed relationships and have trouble believing that they are worth loving or that they are ready to love someone else. Both characters were at times frustrating because they only wanted what was best for them and no one else. However, this is often how many of us are(if we are totally honest about), we want things are way and get upset when they don't happen. Megan and Landon's story showed me that what we want isn't always best, but what God wants is always best. 

I received a complimentary e-book copy of this book from the author. All opinions are my own.​

"After the Fall"
​by Liz Isaacson

From the Amazon #1 bestselling author of the Three Rivers Ranch Romance series comes a new ranch, with new cowboys to fall in love with... Go to Gold Valley, Montana and the Horseshoe Home Ranch to find your next happily ever after!

Will a troubled past cause Norah to abandon her chance at true love?

Professional snowboarder Sterling Maughan has sequestered himself in his family cabin in the exclusive mountain community above Gold Valley, Montana after a devastating fall that ended his career. Lost, with no direction and no motivation, the last thing he wants is company.

But Norah Watson has other plans for the cabin. Not only does she clean Sterling's cabin, she's a counselor at Silver Creek, a teen rehabilitation center at the base of the mountain, and she brings her girls up to the cabin every twelve weeks. She senses that Sterling's lost more than his chance at another gold medal, and she feels a pull to help him. She doesn't have much to give, as she's the full-time caretaker of her mentally ill mother and her three half-brothers, but for Sterling, she invests the time.

When Sterling finds out there's a job for an at-risk counselor at Silver Creek, he asks Norah to drive him back and forth. He learns to ride horses and use equine therapy to help his boys—and himself. 

The more time they spend together, the more convinced Norah is to never tell Sterling about her troubled past, let him see her house on the wrong side of the tracks, or meet her mother. But Sterling is interested in all things Norah, and as his body heals, so does his faith. Will Norah be able to trust Sterling so they can have a chance at true love?
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A story about overcoming addictions and troubled pasts. Both Norah and Sterling have things that they would rather forget, but they both learn that leaving behind the past may be harder than you think. This book was good, but I did not enjoy as much as I did book one in this series. 

I received a complimentary e-book copy of this book from the author. All opinions are my own.

"Before the Leap"
​by Liz Isaacson