Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay | Favorite Austen Moments KINDLE HDX Giveaway, Pinterest Contest and Facebook Party!

 

 About the book: Samantha Moore has always hidden behind the words of others-namely her favorite characters in literature. Now, she will learn to write her own story-by giving that story to a complete stranger.

Growing up orphaned and alone, Sam found her best friends in the works of Austen, Dickens, and the Brontë sisters. The problem is that she now relates to others more comfortably as Elizabeth Bennet and Jane Eyre than as herself.

Sometimes we lose ourselves in the things we care about most.
But life for this twenty-three-year-old is about to get stranger than fiction, when an anonymous benefactor (calling himself "Mr. Knightley") offers to put Sam through the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. There is only one catch: Sam must write frequent letters to the mysterious donor, detailing her progress.

As Sam's program and peers force her to confront her past, she finds safety in her increasingly personal letters to Mr. Knightley. And when Sam meets eligible, best-selling novelist Alex Powell, those letters unfold a story of love and literature that feels as if it's pulled from her favorite books. But when secrets come to light, Sam is --- once again --- made painfully aware of how easily trust can be broken.

Reay's debut novel follows one young woman's journey as she sheds her protective persona and embraces the person she was meant to become.

My Thoughts:

this novel to start off with i wasn't totally sure of what to think about it honestly. it seemed sort of weird at first but as i kept reading i grew more and more engrossed with it. i had to see what Sam would write next to mr knightley. and it just got better and better. though i'm not really that familar with the authors austen dickets and bronte's it didn't matter much i'm sure if i knew more about all of them it'd be easier. but regardless this novel was a hit and i just wanted more and more. i was so sad when it ended. it was an amazing novel.

thank you to litfuse and thomas nelson for providing me with a copy of this novel for review. i wasn't compensated in anyway.

Debut author Katherine Reay is celebrating the release of her delightful novel, Dear Mr. Knightley, with a Kindle Fire HDX giveaway, a fun Favorite Austen Moments Pinterest contest, and an Austen-themed Facebook Party.










One winner will receive:




• A Kindle Fire HDX


• Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay


• Handmade Austen-themed items (scarf, mug, bracelet, and necklace) 

Two ways to win! Enter today by clicking one of the icons below or participating in the Pinterest contest (see banner below)—or BOTH! 

But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 3rd. Winner will be announced at the "Dear Mr. Knightley" Austen-themed Facebook Author Chat Party on the 3rd. Join Katherine (and Austen fans) for an evening of book chat, prizes, and an exclusive look at Katherine's next book.

So grab your copy of  Dear Mr. Knightley and join Katherine on the evening of December 3rd for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, 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, TWITTER, or PINTEREST. Hope to see you on the 3rd!

CFBA Blog Tour Aloha Rose by Lisa Carter

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Aloha Rose Abingdon Press (November 19, 2013) by Lisa Carter

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A word from the author:

I am a wife and mother. My husband and I have two daughters and make our home in the beautiful state of North Carolina.

I am a teacher. With a Master’s degree in history, I have taught at the university, high school and middle school levels. After years of church involvement as a soloist, choir member and worship leader, I also teach music.

I am a writer. Delighted by the rhythm and musicality of words, I have been writing since childhood. In 2001, I won the Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) Story Writing Contest that re-ignited a lifelong love of writing.

I am on a journey of faith. My ultimate desire through my life and my writing is to proclaim the truth of God’s Word, His redeeming love as seen in the life of Jesus Christ and to help others know for themselves this great, awesome God of all comfort and wisdom. He is enough for every need.

ABOUT THE BOOK

When Laney Carrigan sets out to find her birth family, her only clue is the Hawaiian quilt—a red rose snowflake appliquéd on a white background—in which she was found wrapped as an infant. Centering her search on the Big Island and battling fears of rejection, Laney begins a painstaking journey toward her true heritage. Kai Barnes, however, is determined to protect the people he’s come to regard as family. He thinks Laney is nothing more than a gold digger and blocks every move she makes toward her Hawaiian family. As their conflict escalates, it puts at risk the one thing that Kai and Laney both want most—a family.



My Thoughts:

i am not finished with this book but im about 1/3 of the way through and its pretty good. it was rough for me at point near the front but i think its mostly cause of my own focus level at that moment. i'm excited to finish the rest of the book when i get time.

thanks to cfba and abingdon for the review copy i wasn't compensated in any way

If you would like to read the first chapter of Aloha Rose, go HERE.

ENTER Anita Higman’s Double Kindle Fire Giveaway & RSVP for “Tea for Two” 12/12 Facebook Party!

 "One decision changed both their lives . . . but will love win in the end? Charlotte Rose Hill enjoys a comfortable life serving up country delicacies, uniquely blended teas, and matchmaking advice for her quirky, devoted customers. The only thing lacking is someone to share it with. At eighteen she denied Sam Wilder’s marriage proposal after his family convinced her to walk away from their relationship. They both moved on . . . or so she thought. When Sam walks back into her life more than a decade later, Charlotte is surprised that her heart still quickens. But is it because of his presence? Or because of the presence of Sam’s new fiancée? A second chance at love doesn’t happen often, but their past may keep them apart. Is it too late for Sam and Charlotte?" 

my thoughts:

even though the cover may look boring  this book isn't disappointing. i really loved it as with all anita higmans writing its pretty awesome. but the one thing i didn't like about this book was its length. it left me wanting more to the story i just felt like it stopped too short. the flow is nice the characters are great just not enough story.

i was provided this book in exchange for my review all these thoughts are my own



Anita Higman is celebrating the release of her latest book, A Marriage in Middlebury, with a double Kindle Fire giveaway (one for you & one to give away!) and a "Tea for Two" Facebook Author Chat Party on December 12th.

One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire for you AND a friend
• A Marriage in Middlebury by Anita Higman (one to keep and one to give away!)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 12th. Winner will be announced at the "Tea for Two" Facebook Author Chat Party on December 12th. Invite your friends and connect with Anita for an evening of book chat, prizes, and an exclusive look at Anita's next book!

So grab your copy of A Marriage in Middlebury and join Anita on the evening of December 12th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, 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 12/12!

Litfuse Review and giveaway Win a “Bonding Spa Day” from Deb DeArmond | Related by Chance, Family by Choice!

The caricatures are everywhere, the jokes are inexhaustible, and the stereotypes fill the screens. From Marie Barone (Everyone Loves Raymond) to Viola Fields (Monster-in-Law) to Internet sites and social media pages like ihatemyinlaws.com and a Facebook page for ihatemymotherinlaw there is no shortage of examples of the caustic relationships that can develop between the two women in a man’s life.
Deb DeArmond and her three daughters-in-law have conducted their own exhaustive research into the status of the women-in-law relationship. Their research, which incorporated online surveys, interviews, and discussions, included asking about the faith factor in the relationships they studied. Of the respondents, nearly 90 percent claimed they were Christians, and 79 percent said their faith was foundational and guided their actions and decisions. As discouraging as it may be, the numbers of those they surveyed who reported that their women-in-law relationships were “bad” were nearly identical to those in a survey conducted by a popular secular website that recorded no statistics on faith.
Beyond the statistics and their analysis, Deb brings to this book more than thirty years working with adults to improve communications and deal constructively with conflict. Aside from her research and her professional expertise, perhaps the most important asset Deb brings to this work is her own relationship with her three daughters-in-law that is so obviously and unusually positive that she—and they—are often asked to explain the secret of the relationships they share.
This practical and unapologetically scriptural book covers issues of personal perceptions, strained communication, the roles of sons and fathers in the relationship’s success, how to begin these relationships on the right foot, and the necessity of trust and love. Deb’s one motivating objective is to help womenin- law move from women who are simply related to strong and confident members of a truly spiritual family. - book description from amazon.com

 My Thoughts:

this book came at a convient time. i got engaged last month. and though maybe this book would give me some insight and it totally did. some of the bad parts of a in law relationship totally rings true for me. but at the same time this book was more for someone who actually has their "in law" in the same city as them. which isn't true for me. though it did give me some tips and thoughts to ponder its more for someone who has all of your family in the same city. 

thanks to litfuse for providing me with a copy of this book for review. i was not compensated in anyway


Deb DeArmond is celebrating the release of her book, Related by Chance, Family by Choice, with a "Day of Bonding" Spa giveaway!

One winner will receive:

• A $200 SpaFinder gift card (perfect for a pampering day of bonding)
• Related by Chance, Family by Choice by Deb DeArmond (2 copies)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 30th. Winner will be announced December 2nd at Deb's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Deb's blog on December 2nd to see if you won.

A Million Little Ways by Emily Freeman

Book Description:

Do you desperately fear you have nothing to offer the world but secretly hope you're wrong?

You were born to make art. You were made to live art. You might not see yourself as an artist, but you are--in so many unexpected ways. In what you create, whether poetry or pie, sculpture or sand castle, calligraphy or conversation. It's time to uncover the shape of your soul, turn down the voice of the inner critic, and move into the world with the courage to be who you most deeply are.

Creating a life of meaning is not about finding that one great thing you were made to do, it's about knowing the one great God you were made to glorify--in a million little ways.

My Thoughts:

this book intruiged me so i had to get a chance to check it out. i really loved how the writing flowed well. i also love pretty much everything emily talked about in the book. it is definately a book you keep and read again and again. even my fiancee wants to read it. after reading some of the parts of it to him it has/will help us with some issues both of us have. so for that its a great thing. i loved it.

thanks to revell for the copy of the book i wasn't compensated in any way


Available November 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

CFBA Blog Tour Drailed by Dave and Neta Jackson

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Derailed

Worthy Publishing (October 8, 2013)

by

Dave and Neta Jackson




ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

As a husband/wife writing team, we are enthusiastic about books, kids, walking with God, gospel music, and each other! Together we are the authors or coauthors of over 120 books. (You can see our Publication Record by clicking HERE.) In addition to writing several books about Christian community, we have been privileged to coauthor numerous books with expert resource people on a variety of topics from racial reconciliation to medical ethics to ministry to kids in gangs.




But over the years the we have especially enjoyed writing for children and young people! This includes our award-winning TRAILBLAZER series, historical fiction about great Christian heroes and heroines for young people ages 8-12, and the four-volume HERO TALES: A Family Treasury of True Stories from the Lives of Great Christians, and the companion book, Heroes in Black History.




Somewhere along the way, our own children grew up! Son Julian is Director of Experience Design for the Alder Planetarium in Chicago where he “provides the experience of exploring space” for visitors. He has two sons, Liam Isaac and Elijah David. Daughter Rachel graduated from Eastern Mennonite University and after working in the field of rape-crisis prevention went on to earn a Masters Degree in counseling from the University of Illinois. She is now a counselor at “Uni High School” in Champaign, Illinois. She is the loving mother of Havah Noelle (our first grandchild!) and Noah Zion, our youngest grandchild. The Jackson family also includes a Cambodian foster daughter, Samen Sang, who has four children.




We live in Evanston, Illinois, where for twenty-seven years we were part of Reba Place Church, a Christian church community. We are now members of a multi-racial congregation in the Chicago area.




ABOUT THE BOOK

Forced to give up his hard-earned retirement, Harry Bentley goes back to work as a detective. Receiving a bizarre undercover assignment that sends him across the country by train. Things suddenly go awry when it appears one of his new neighbors may be part of a smuggling ring and suspicion rises about his own son’s involvement in a major drug cartel.
The second in the Windy City Neighbors series, Derailed is a contemporary, and often humorous, tale in an urban setting, featuring ordinary people wrestling with the spiritual and practical issues of real life. Intersecting with Grounded (book one), the Jacksons employ their innovative storytelling technique of “parallel novels.” Though each book follows its own drama and story arc, the characters’ lives become intertwined and affect one another. Derailed transports you to Beecham Street—a typical, isolated American neighborhood . . . until hope moves in.




If you would like to read the first chapter of Derailed, go HERE.

CFBA blog tour Paige Rewritten by Erynn Mangum

<div align="center"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/1600/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif"><img alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/320/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif" border="0"></a></div><center><span>This week, the</span></center><center><a href="http://www.christianfictionblogalliance.com/"><span>Christian Fiction Blog Alliance</span></a></center><center><span>is introducing</span></center><center><span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1612913210">Paige Rewritten</a></span></center><center>NavPress (October 8, 2013)</center><center>by</center><center><span><a href="http://www.erynnmangum.com/">Erynn Mangum</a></span></center><br><br><b><span>ABOUT THE AUTHOR:</span></b> <br><br><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpnxb-XI2-5W-BRk_exgLSl9oB8srl6mJGw4gxsCioFVNK0LGD9dnG06L4NmxG9c2jkB6yIJouybUtmwT6h6IOOmGoI72gbs1gDByMkLo-pNbevp8peLYTk1LwjC0GvDjMWZTowxcQbZy/s1600/ERynn.png"><img height="200" width="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpnxb-XI2-5W-BRk_exgLSl9oB8srl6mJGw4gxsCioFVNK0LGD9dnG06L4NmxG9c2jkB6yIJouybUtmwT6h6IOOmGoI72gbs1gDByMkLo-pNbevp8peLYTk1LwjC0GvDjMWZTowxcQbZy/s1600/ERynn.png" border="0"></a></div><br><br>A few things about her: <br><br>So, if we were having this conversation in person, we would probably be hanging out at Starbucks or one of the cute coffeehouses in town. I’m nuts about all things coffee, I’m crazy about all things pink and girly, and I love, love, love the Food Network! I’m married to my best friend and the most amazing guy ever, Jon. He is amiable toward coffee, does not like anything pink or girly and tolerates the Food Network. So, we make a good match! In July 2010, we became parents to one of the funniest, cutest, sweetest little guys in the whole world (and nope, we aren’t biased at all!), our Nater-Tot, who is legally known as Nathan. Most days, I’m cleaning up messes, making goofy faces, trying to fit some writing in, and just LOVING the life that God has given me! <br><br><b><span>ABOUT THE BOOK</span></b> <br><br><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboeiRYXhyJN6Q_IALvp4IYGKnald3W495j1gQ4GzQL3tLYsGZIjQVC9pCj-_dyzv5YQYZ2qYrtCaV73jeYyxF6YN0Y6-lG-VIMobEKk9m2-hb2dTARapoqhMBLjL69-R9aTclE-IYWf13/s1600/Paige_Rewrittem.jpg"><img height="200" width="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboeiRYXhyJN6Q_IALvp4IYGKnald3W495j1gQ4GzQL3tLYsGZIjQVC9pCj-_dyzv5YQYZ2qYrtCaV73jeYyxF6YN0Y6-lG-VIMobEKk9m2-hb2dTARapoqhMBLjL69-R9aTclE-IYWf13/s1600/Paige_Rewrittem.jpg" border="0"></a></div>Paige Alder is in a really good place. She’s dating nice guy Tyler. Her boss has offered her a raise. Her walk with God is strong. Life is great—and that’s when things start to change. <br><br>First, the youth pastor at church keeps asking Paige to work with him full-time. Then her sister shows up newly engaged and wanting to reconnect, even though they haven’t spoken in years. And now former boyfriend Luke has come back into her life. How is Paige supposed to know what the right decisions are? <br><br>This warm and humorous second book in the Paige Alder series will help young girls work through important issues, such as forgiving others and obeying God. <br> <br>If you would like to read the first chapter of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1612913210">Paige Rewritten</a>, go <a href="http://thestorybeginnings.blogspot.com/2013/11/paige-rewritten-by-erynn-mangum.html">HERE</a><br><br>