by Crystal Caudill | May 22, 2018 | Book Reviews
The Captured Bride by Michelle Griep
(Book 3 of the Daughters of the Mayflower Series)
I love Michelle’s books and this one didn’t fail to entertain. This book is the third in a groundbreaking series written by different authors put out by Barbour Books following the lineage of women starting at the Mayflower. While very loosely connected, it is a fun concept.
I highly recommend pre-ordering this story.
Genre: Historical Romance, 1770, French and Indian War
Plot Overview: Mercy Lytton, a scout with keen eyesight raised among the Mohawks, and Elias Dubois, a condemned traitor working both sides of the conflict, must join together to get a shipment of gold safely into British hands.
What I loved: I loved the constant pace and tension. As usual, Michelle brings a wonderful collection of unique characters and surprises that are fun to read. The constant tension between who Elias really served made for an especially fun twist. I had my suspicions, but every now and then something would happen that would make me question who he really served.
*As a side note, I really enjoyed the author’s notes about the historical research and the bibliography so I could find out more.*
Favorite Character: Mercy and Elias were my favorites. Although, all the other side characters were a lot of fun and very tempting to select. I especially enjoyed Matthew as the overbearing protective father-figure, because who doesn’t like to believe there is a father-figure out there willing to protect you.
Who would like this: Anyone who loves adventure, women who do not fit the “standard” mold, espionage, traitors, danger, and history.
Rating and Why: I gave this a five-star rating because it was a fun, adventurous read that kept me up all night. As my time becomes more precious and lack of sleep more detrimental to productivity, staying up all night to read is a sure sign that the author has convinced me to set logic and responsibility aside.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author/publisher. The review above was influenced in no way by this and the above opinions are my own.
Join the discussion: Does genealogy intrigue you? Do you know your family tree or how far you can go back? Any interesting tidbits?
Purchase Links:
Christianbooks.com Barnes and Noble Amazon
More in the Daughters of the Mayflower series:
The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1620 Atlantic Ocean (February 2018)
The Pirate Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo – set 1725 New Orleans (April 2018)
The Captured Bride by Michelle Griep – set 1760 during the French and Indian War (June 2018)
The Patriot Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1774 Philadelphia (coming August 2018)
The Cumberland Bride by Shannon McNear – set 1794 on the Wilderness Road (coming October 2018)
The Liberty Bride by MaryLu Tyndall – set 1814 Baltimore (coming December 2018)
by Crystal Caudill | May 15, 2018 | Writer's Life
Hi friends, this is just a quick note to say, if you are a newsletter subscriber, PLEASE check your email for an urgent message concerning your subscription. In order to be compliant with GDPR, I need all my subscribers to confirm they would like to continue receiving my newsletter. It is a quick click and won’t take more than a minute, but anyone who does not update their subscription will be deleted from my newsletter subscribers after May 25, 2018.
I pray you’ll stick around. My newsletter comes out quarterly and June’s newsletter will contain some exciting news, a summer recipe, one subscriber will receive a $10 Amazon gift card, and other fun reader stuff. This newsletter is separate from my blog.
If you haven’t subscribed but are interested in joining my newsletter to find out news about my writing, please follow this link or click on the newsletter tab up top. Thanks! And have a blessed day!!
by Crystal Caudill | May 14, 2018 | Book Reviews
Welcome to the blog tour and giveaway for The Accidental Guardian by Mary Connealy, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
Hi guys! This is my first Review tour for JustRead Publicity Tours, but you will find my review is just the same. There is a GIVEAWAY associated with this review so please read through to the bottom and feel free to follow all the other review posts for the Accidental Guardian on other blogs that will be going up every day for the next two weeks.
On to the Review!
The Accidental Guardian
by Mary Connealy
Genre: Historical Romance, 1867 – Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Plot Overview: Deb is the only eye-witness of a wagon train attack that left her and her sister responsible for two young children in the mountains of Nevada as winter sets in. With no other choice, she must rely on Trace, a stranger known as the Guardian, to get them to safety and protect them from the dangers of winter and the criminals still on the loose.
What I loved: I enjoyed the humor of a situation where a man who’d been on his own in the wilderness since he was fifteen is thrown into caring for two women and two young children. He seems adept at is while still bumbling and suffering through several funny challenges of early morning potty screams and how to talk to women.
Favorite Character: I enjoyed all the characters, but to be honest, Wolf was my favorite. Half wolf, half domesticated dog, he is quite the companion for Trace and his wards. He can go from determined defender to puddle of goo begging for a belly rub at any moment. I love how he had his own personality.
Who would like this: Anyone who enjoys stories of survival in harsh conditions, stories of justice, light romance, light danger, and adventure.
Rating and Why: I gave this a four-star rating because for me the pacing felt slow compared to her other stories. It was an enjoyable read, but it took until the last quarter of the book before the danger became evident and built up the tension. The romantic tension was light, and the motivations for the characters were okay, but it just didn’t pull me in like some of her other stories. This is still a story I would recommend to others to read and I will enjoy reading the rest of this series.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher/author. I was in no way required to leave a review, and the above review is my honest opinion.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: The Accidental Guardian
Series: High Sierra Sweethearts, Book 1
Author: Mary Connealy
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Release Date: April 3, 2018
Genre: Historical Romance / Western
+To Read: Goodreads
She’s the Only Witness to a Wagon Train Attack. Keeping Her Safe, Though, Means His World Is about to be Turned Upside Down.
When Trace Riley finds the smoldering ruins of a small wagon train, he recognizes an attack by the same group who left him as sole survivor years ago. Living off the wilderness since then, he’s finally carved out a home and started a herd–while serving as a self-appointed guardian of the trail. He’d hoped the days of driving off dangerous men were over, but the latest attack shows otherwise.
Deborah Harkness saved her younger sister and two toddlers during the attack, and now finds herself at the mercy of her rescuer. Trace becomes an accidental guardian when he offers the only shelter for miles around and agrees to take them in until they can safely continue their journey. His simple bachelor existence never anticipated kids and women in the picture and their arrival is unsettling–yet enticing.
Trace and Deborah find themselves drawing ever closer as they work together to bring justice to the trail and help the group survive the winter–but every day closer to spring means a day closer to leaving the mountains forever.
The next book in the series, THE RELUCTANT WARRIOR will be released later this year in October, 2018!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo courtesy of Ginger Murray Photography
Mary Connealy writes “romantic comedies with cowboys” and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She has more than half a million books in print. She is the author of the popular series Wild at Heart, Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Lassoed in Texas, Sophie’s Daughters, and many other books. Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero.
CONNECT WITH MARY: website, facebook, twitter, instagram
GIVEAWAY
(1) Winner will win:
- The Cimarron Legacy by Mary Connealy (all 3 print books)
- The Accidental Guardian by Mary Connealy (print)
(US/Canada Mailing Addresses Only) Full terms & conditions noted on Rafflecopter form.
To Enter, use the Rafflecopter giveaway below (or click on the Giveaway banner above). Be sure to stop at every post on the tour for additional entries!
For the full tour schedule for more giveaway entries, head to JustRead’s Launch Page HERE (or click on the Tour Banner below).
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
by Crystal Caudill | May 1, 2018 | Book and Writing Events, Writer's Life
I know, it’s a year away, but registration is OPEN for the amazing Christian Fiction Reader’s Retreat taking place in Washington, D.C. April 5-6, 2019.
If you are able, I highly recommend attending this event. The information below comes from the Christian Fiction Reader’s Retreat Page. Please visit them for more information and register soon!
What is CFRR?
“Christian Fiction Readers Retreat is a one day event gathering of Christian Fiction readers and authors. The event’s theme is “Honoring God through Christian Fiction” and will feature speaker sessions, author panels, breakout sessions, prayer & worship and author signings.
An unprecedented event in the Christian Fiction genre, the Christian Fiction Readers Retreat (CFRR) offers an opportunity for readers to meet and chat with authors. The event will include food, games, giveaways and free books. Following a successful 2016 debut in Nashville, and a second one on August 12th in Cincinnati, Ohio, the next CFRR will take place in the Spring of 2019 in the VA/DC/MD area.”
– CFRR Website
What Authors will be OFFICIALLY there?
| Amber Lynn Perry |
Gabrielle Meyer |
Megan Whitson Lee |
| Becca Whitham |
Janet Ferguson |
Melissa Tagg |
| Bethany Turner |
Jayme H Mansfield |
Mesu Andrews |
| Carole Towriss |
Jean C. Gordon |
Mikal Dawn |
| Carrie Turansky |
Kimberley Woodhouse |
Misty M Beller |
| Cathy Gohlke |
Kristi Ann Hunter |
Roseanna M. White |
| Connilyn Cossette |
Kristin Noel Fischer |
Ruth Logan Herne |
| Dawn Crandall |
Lindsay Harrel |
Sandra Ardoin |
| Deborah Giusti |
Lindsey Brackett |
Stephenia H. McGee |
| Elaine Stock |
Lisa Cox Carter |
Susan May Warren |
| Erica Vetsch |
Lisa Jordan |
Toni Shiloh |
| Eva Marie Everson |
Mary Connealy |
Tracey J Lyons |
Last year, I discovered that authors are just as excited to go as a reader to a reader event. And why not? We’re avid readers, too.
What do you do there?
When I went in 2017, I was so impressed with how the event went. It was like a spiritual retreat mixed with a reader’s dream. We had awesome times of worship, a devotional, speakers who glorified God, and we prayed together, authors prayed with me. It was an amazing spiritual refueling.
In addition to the spiritual side of things, we played games, won prizes, asked questions, fan-girled (I swear I wasn’t the only one), and came home with these awesome bags filled with books, reader swag, and awesome goodies. It was an amazing time.
(First Photo by EA Creative Photography)
What does Registration include?
The Registration Fee for the Main Event (April 6, 2019, 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM) includes: :
- Entry to the 2019 Christian Fiction Readers Retreat (CFRR) Main Event on April 6, 2019, which includes (3) speaker sessions, at least (2) author panels, breakout sessions and the opportunity meet and chat with authors, and fellow readers.
- Author signing at the end of the day to chat with authors and fellow readers
- A goody bag full of swag from authors, publishers, sponsors and CFRR
- Light breakfast
- Lunch
- Afternoon snack
- All day non-alcoholic beverage service
- Tons of chances to win giveaways donated by authors and sponsors throughout the day
- One entry into the Grand Prize of the event
The Registration Fee for the Meet & Greet Event (April 5, 2019, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM) includes:
- Entry to the 2019 Christian Fiction Readers Retreat (CFRR) Meet & Greet Event on April 5, 2019. It will start at 6:00 PM and run through 8:00 PM or later.
- Please note, the reserved space for the Meet & Greet have limited capacity, and therefore ticket sales will be closed once capacity is met. It will not accommodate all guests for the main event.
- Non-alcoholic beverages and light snacks will be served by the hotel. Guests are welcome to purchase additional food (only) from the hotel restaurant and bring it to the Meet & Greet.
- A relaxed schedule will be posted closer to date.
So what are you waiting for? This is an event you DO NOT want to miss if at all possible. Visit the Christian Fiction Reader’s Retreat Website and register, ASAP. Last year the spots filled up before the Registration Deadline.
Important Dates:
- Readers’ Registration Begins – April 30, 2018 at 11:00 AM EST
- Readers’ Registration Deadline – September 20, 2018 or until capacity reached (whichever comes first)
- Hotel Room block Deadline – March 15, 2019 or until block capacity reached (whichever comes first)
- 2019 Christian Fiction Readers’ Retreat – April 5 – April 6, 2019
Join the Discussion: Who is going? If you can’t go, what questions would you want to be answered by a participating author? I’ll try to remember to ask them and share it when I do my CFRR Review post next May.
by Crystal Caudill | Apr 24, 2018 | Book Reviews
Stories by: Erica Vetsch, Susanne Dietze, Cynthia Hickey, Marcia Gruver, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Martha Rogers, Lorna Seilstad, Connie Stevens, Jennifer Uhlarik
Genre: Historical Romance, 1865-1910
Plot Overview: There are nine stories of first loves being reunited and finding forever love together.
A first love is never easily forgotten…
and coming face to face with that person again can be awkward when the heartstrings are still holding on to the “what ifs.”
In settings from 1865 to 1910, nine couples are thrown back on the same path by life’s changes and challenges. A neighbor returns from law school. An heiress seeks a quick marriage. A soldier’s homecoming is painful. A family needs help. A prodigal son returns. A rogue aeronaut drops from the sky. A runaway bridegroom comes home. A letter for aid is sent. A doctor needs a nurse. Can love rekindle despite the separation of time and space?
– Blurb from Amazon
What I loved: I particularly loved Heartfelt Echoes, Lighter than Air, and After the Ball. Each story had its own merit, and who doesn’t love with those first crushes become long-lasting relationships that hold through the test of time.
Favorite Character: Like in my interview with Jennifer Uhlarik, I really loved Travis and Millie. The obstacles they overcome and the relationship they share makes my heart swoon.
Who would like this: Anyone who likes quick historical romance reads. Each story took me a little over an hour to read, which made the weeks when I didn’t have time for a full-on book at least bearable.
Rating and Why: I gave this a three-and-a-half star rating because while I did really enjoy several of the stories, there were also two that I really just did not enjoy at all. And in a rare exception, I completely skimmed one and never read the whole story. With all collections, you have a mix of writing styles and skill levels, but this one had more than I am accustomed to as far as did not appeal to me. Reading is completely subjective so you may disagree once you dive in. I do still recommend it, if only for the few mentioned in What I Love.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher/author. I was in no way required to leave a review, and the above review is my honest opinion.
Winner of the giveaway from Jennifer Uhlarik’s interview is: Cassandra Darensbourg Check your email for a notice from me and if you do not see something, check your spam folder. Thank you so much for participating.
Join the discussion: What makes a novella so enticing you can’t put it down?
