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10 November 2015

Review of Angela Breidenbach's Audiobook Quilts of Love & The Debutante Queen


A Healing Heart by Angela Breidenbach


I have the privilege of reviewing two of Angela Breidenbach's wonderful books in this post - one a contemporary romance and the other a historical romance.


 Confession: I rarely read contemporary books. But I wanted to listen to Angie's audiobook for the Quilts of Love series, A Healing Heart.
Blurb: Mara Keegan is an uber-successful mother and a widow of three years. She's been chasing success and all the "good things in life" for her family to make up for the cruel whim God played on them by taking her husband. In an effort to be the perfect mom, she decides to make a photo memory quilt, a graduation present for her daughter, Cadence. She's not yet finished when she experiences a heart attack.

While Mara recuperates, she revisits the choices she's made that led to this physically and spiritually broken heart. The memory quilt must be finished in time for Cadence's big day, but Mara struggles with her burgeoning feelings for the man who must keep Mara's business going during her recovery, Joel Ryan. Can Joel find his way into Mara's heart and onto Cadence's quilt?

Listen to A Healing Heart!!!
Five Stars *****
My review: I loved this audiobook! The story was compelling as one thing after another happens to the poor heroine, Mara, who is a widow trying to manage her family's business.  The hero, Joel, was was dynamic right from the beginning, making me root for him to be the new father in Mara's cute family. But Mara has many reasons to resist Joel's charm--especially since he and she have a way less than stellar previous history in business. He's been sent to consult with her by a man she's had an ongoing business relationship with, whom she trusts.  Can Joel earn her trust? And her love? The narration was very well done and the pacing really good. It was hard to stop listening and take breaks.
Highly recommend!!!
The Debutante Queen by Angela Breidenbach

Five Stars *****
I read this book in 2014 but it is now out in audiobook! This was a delightful Christmas read. Highly entertaining! I read this book as a Kindle book in the Snowflake Tiara collection that Angela Breidenbach and Valerie Comer published last winter. Valerie's book is a contemporary and Angela's is historical romance.

 The Debutante Queen is a super book, set in Helena, Montana, in 1889. I believe Ms. Breidenbach will be launching a series set in Montana during this time frame. This is a great book to read at Christmastime. Very sweet characters and a lovely romance. Angela Breidenbach's background as a former Mrs. Montana comes in handy in her insight into behind-the-scenes goings on in pageants! 

 Calista is a Miss Snowflake contestant as Montana begins to celebrate statehood. But although her platform is centered around the plight of impoverished children, she is harboring a child who is an indentured servant. Albert is running the contest and senses that all is not quite right with Calista, as he begins to fall in love with her.  
Highly Recommend!

Giveaway: Answer this question--do you listen to audiobooks? When? One respondent will receive a choice of one of Angela's audiobooks (or ebook or paperback). 
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32 comments:

  1. Diana FlowersNovember 10, 2015 at 8:25 AM

    Wonderful reviews, CARRIE! These books sound marvelous and the covers on them are all so pretty. No audiobooks for me b/c I'm too easily distracted. If I listened to them while lying down I would fall asleep. I DO listen to my Kindle when cooking, fixing hair, and sometimes cleaning if I'm going to be in one spot for awhile. I think audiobooks are great, though, especially for those who are visually impaired and have trouble seeing the font in books.

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 10, 2015 at 10:12 PM

      I love listening while I am cleaning. It just seems there are so few Christian audiobooks out there!

      Delete
  2. UnknownNovember 10, 2015 at 9:46 AM

    These both sound like wonderful books that I'd love to read!! Awesome reviews, thanks Carrie! Like Diana, I prefer not to listen to audio books either because I'm easily distracted lol, but also I do much of my reading lying down and I imagine listening to someones constant voice would have me nodding off! It's great that it's available though!

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 10, 2015 at 10:13 PM

      Thanks, Aussie Angel! I do enjoy my Kindle with the ability to change the font size at will! Blessings!

      Delete
  3. Deanna StevensNovember 10, 2015 at 11:21 AM

    I do listen to audio books.. I like to listen in the car, while hubby is driving, and when I'm sewing/quilting. Sometimes LOL while I'm on the computer checking out my favorite blogs! I've got A Grand Design: Quilts of Love Series going now :)
    dkstevensneAToutlookD otCoM

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 10, 2015 at 10:14 PM

      I am so glad they are putting the Quilts of Love on audiobook, Dee! Thanks for coming by! I like to listen in the car, too! And when I am beading.

      Delete
  4. AngBreidenbachNovember 10, 2015 at 11:52 AM

    I'm deeply honored and so excited The Debutante Queen goes live this week!! I'll post the moment it's live :)

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  5. kim hansenNovember 10, 2015 at 4:57 PM

    Cooking, Cleaning is when I listen to audio books.

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  6. justcommonlyNovember 10, 2015 at 5:18 PM

    Great review, Carrie! Your review is making me want to read or listen to both books. I already am excited about The Debutante Queen from OWG's previous post. I just recently got into audiobooks. Well, I borrowed a book I've read already to see how I like listening to it. So now I have 2 that's on my to be listened stash. It's quite different, in a good way. I think it's great when I'm on the move or working around the house, cooking, cleaning..etc.

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 10, 2015 at 10:16 PM

      I love being able to use Audible.com for downloads. I used to use the library but the selection, while good, was still limited. It is so much easier for me to do an audiobook than to read. Thanks for commenting!

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  7. MelodyNovember 10, 2015 at 5:49 PM

    I love reviews so that I'll know if I want to take the time to read it. No on the audio books, just never had the opportunity to try them or the means in our vehicles.

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 15, 2015 at 1:40 PM

      You travel so much, Melody, I'd think you'd enjoy audiobooks.

      Delete
  8. MelodyNovember 10, 2015 at 5:50 PM

    I love reviews so that I'll know if I want to take the time to read it. No on the audio books, just never had the opportunity to try them or the means in our vehicles.

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 10, 2015 at 10:16 PM

      Reviews help me, too, Melody! I hope you get a chance to read Angela's books and your name will be entered in the drawing!

      Delete
  9. Mary PrestonNovember 10, 2015 at 7:01 PM

    I have started to listen to audio books. I should more.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  10. ASC Book ReviewsNovember 10, 2015 at 7:40 PM

    Sadly I do not listen to audiobooks. My mom and I tried when I was younger and we both found that we are not audiobook people! LOL! Half the story was lost on us! I'm too much of a day dreamer, something great happens in the book and then my imagination takes flight causing me to miss what happens next! HA!

    Many Blessings, Amada (pronounced: a.m.a.th.a)
    amada_chavezATyahooDOTcom

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 11, 2015 at 4:20 PM

      God reaches us all different ways, Amada! So audio is not the way for many people! Blessings!

      Delete
    2. ASC Book ReviewsNovember 12, 2015 at 9:31 AM

      So true and I'm SO thankful! :)

      Hugs, A

      Delete
  11. BettiNovember 10, 2015 at 7:55 PM

    I have never listened to an audio book - I do think this migh be a very good thing for me to get into, as I could knit at the same time as reading then...lol. Do I require a special piece of equipment to listen to books? I would love to win one!
    bettimace at gmail dot com
    By the way, I thoroughly enjoyed your reviews, Carrie :)

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 15, 2015 at 1:41 PM

      Wow, how is that possible, Betti? I listen to mine on my Kindle Fires. Thanks so much, Betti, I am not the primary reviewer on this blog--I usually do the interviews and only review quite special books and audiobooks. I'm in stellar company, though, and am grateful for all the OWG reviewers!

      Delete
  12. Melanie BackusNovember 10, 2015 at 11:03 PM

    I have not listened to audio books and I might really be missing something. I just love the feel of a book in my hands and turning those pages filled with wonderful words.

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 11, 2015 at 4:20 PM

      I love hearing a great narrator bring a book to life!

      Delete
    2. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 15, 2015 at 1:44 PM

      CONGRATS Melanie Backus, you are the winner per random.org! Now to find u an Angela Breidenbach book!

      Delete
  13. Bonnie RoofNovember 11, 2015 at 3:48 PM

    Loved your wonderful reviews, Carrie - thank you!! I would love to read both 'Quilts of Love' and 'The Debutante Queen'-love the storylines. I'm not surprised Angela was a Mrs. Montana - her beauty is striking. I enjoy listening to audiobooks while driving, but prefer paperbacks or e-reader in other situations as I am easily distracted and tend to "nod off" - as with Diana and Noela.

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 11, 2015 at 4:21 PM

      Yes, Angela is a beautiful lady! Love to listen to audiobooks. You keep so busy it is no wonder you nod off if you sit to listen! Blessings!

      Delete
  14. Lane Hill HouseNovember 12, 2015 at 12:19 AM

    I am a print book person. Listening to audio books I would have to go back and replay if I missed something, instead of just putting in a bookmark and not losing my place. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House (If I should win, I would like a print copy of The Debutante Queen ~ I do have a print copy of the Quilts of Love series, A Healing Heart.) lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 15, 2015 at 1:42 PM

      What is sad is when what sounds like a great read is ruined by the narrator. So then a listening read really isn't an option.

      Delete
  15. MerryNovember 13, 2015 at 9:46 AM

    I've listened to a few audio books while sewing which made the time fly in a lovely way!
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 15, 2015 at 1:42 PM

      That is a great time to listen, Merry! Sewing and audio reading go hand in hand!

      Delete

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