Audiobook Review of A Name Unknown by Roseanna M. White

Blurb: 
Edwardian romance and history gains a twist of suspense. 
Rosemary Gresham has no family beyond the band of former urchins that helped her survive as a girl in the mean streets of London. Grown now, they concentrate on stealing high-value items and have learned how to blend into upper-class society. But when Rosemary must determine whether a certain wealthy gentleman is loyal to Britain or to Germany, she is in for the challenge of a lifetime. How does one steal a family's history, their very name? 
Peter Holstein, given his family's German blood, writes his popular series of adventure novels under a pen name. With European politics boiling and his own neighbors suspicious of him, Peter debates whether it might be best to change his name for good. When Rosemary shows up at his door pretending to be a historian and offering to help him trace his family history, his question might be answered. 
But as the two work together and Rosemary sees his gracious reaction to his neighbors' scornful attacks, she wonders if her assignment is going down the wrong path. Is it too late to help him prove that he's more than his name?

A Name Unknown
(Shadows over England, # 1)
Audiobook Review
Recorded Books 2017
By Roseanna M. White
Narrated By Liz Pierce


Review by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Book One in a New British Series!

This novel was a Romantic Times Book Reviews Top Pick in July, 2017. I listened to a download of the book on Audible.com. The suspenseful romance and mystery is available in multiple formats at Barnes and Noble,  Amazon, Christian Book Distributors, at your local Christian book store (BTW, Lifeway will price match and they also can get you a book that they don't have in the store), and at other online and brick-and-mortar bookstores.

First of all, this is a very unusual Christian fiction story in that the heroine is an anti-hero. Roseanna will be speaking in Maryland, on September 9th, at the Write To Inspire Workshop in Frederick, on "When to Break the Rules" in writing, so I'm assuming that's what she's trying to do for this novel. When I had the opportunity to have dinner with Roseanna and her family in Williamsburg, Virginia, recently, she also talked a little about this idea. Realize, however, it takes a really talented author to do this.  With 200+ reviews on Amazon with a 4.7 average, readers agree that she's done so.

Be prepared for a long listen. This book is over 400 pages long which translates into many hours of audible listen. If you don't have to do the read by audio, you might want to stick with the paperback, ebook, or hardcover edition. Listening to the narrator stutter (yes, the hero is a stutterer, but if you're reading it with your eyes you don't actually hear it) is painful at times. It does hammer through the reality of the characters situation, though. The narrator is good, with a lovely British accent, but she doesn't quite nail the male character's voices like some other narrators can do. 

Because I'm also an author, the concept of this book (the hero is a secret novelist) caused "author intrusion" for me throughout much of the listen. I don't think this would be a problem for the vast majority of listeners, and indeed by the ratings it obviously didn't. And knowing Roseanna made that intrusion even worse. Big sigh. One of those times I wish I was still a reader only, as this is a nice long lovely listen to savor.

Bibiliotherapy aspects are ripe and rich and make this audiobook a top candidate for my Bibliotherapy Book of the Year. With the first hero with a marked speech impairment and a heroine who is not only an orphan but a thief who has grown up with a family of criminals, albeit her loved ones with reasons why they've turned to this life.

Questions: How often do you listen to a new release on audio? What's your favorite way to read and why?

Giveaway: To Wager Her Heart by Tamera Alexander -- Audiobook Review

To Wager Her Heart by Tamera Alexander

To Wager Her Heart (Zondervan, August 2017)
by Tamera Alexander

Audiobook Review
by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Worth the Wait!

Another fantastic novel from Tamera Alexander! I've read all of her books and have never been disappointed. Like most of her other stories, we have a well-fleshed out heroine with a strong backbone but flexibility, too. Alexandra Donelson has to make some big choices when her father tries to force her into an unwanted marriage. She's overcome trauma and loss but isn't about to be married to a man over twice her age and her father's crony. But her father has a secret. Not saying what.

Readers will gain insight into the struggles that African-American students faced, as the author takes us to the struggling Tufts University in Nashville. Not only to we feel their difficulties but also the challenges of those who would instruct the freedmen students.

Entwined in this novel is a beautiful romance between a very unlikely couple. Alexandra has been brought up the privileged daughter of one of Nashville's oldest families, her father an attorney. Silas Rutledge, on the other hand, was first raised by his widowed mother before she remarried -- a man who would be come Sy's psychological father and a role model for him. Sy's railed engineer stepfather, however, has died in a controversial manner. Tamera Alexander includes many great tidbits about railroads and the men who built them as well as the very real dangers faced in railroad travel after the Civil War.

Bibliotherapy Elements: PTSD, loss of a loved one, clearing a loved one's name, trust.

I hope to re-listen to this audiobook again within the year, something I don't often do. This book will definitely be on my Best of 2017 and is a contender in the Bibliotherapy Best category, too.

Blurb: Can a railroad man and a Southern Belle turned teacher find a way to work together to achieve their dreams in the new reality of the post-Civil War South?

Sylas Rutledge, former gambler and new owner of the East Line Railway, invests everything he has into this venture, partly to see if he can do it--but mostly to avenge his father. One man holds the key to the railway's success--General William Giles Harding of Nashville's Belle Meade Plantation. But Harding is champagne and thoroughbreds, and Sylas Rutledge is beer and bullocks. Sy needs someone to help him maneuver in high society, and when he meets Alexandra Donelson, he quickly decides he's found his tutor.

Spurning her family's wishes that she marry, Alexandra Donelson is pursuing her passion for teaching at Fisk University, the first freedmen's university in the United States. But her family does not approve, and ultimately, her father expels her from the family home and cuts her off completely.

Through her friendship with Mary Harding, Alexandra is thrown together with both General Harding and Sylas Rutledge. And she soon finds herself falling in love with a man whose roguish qualities and adventuresome spirit smack more of recklessness than responsibility.

Sylas Rutledge will risk everything to win the hand of the woman he loves. What he doesn't count on is having to wager her heart to do it.

Set at Nashville's historic Belle Meade Plantation, To Wager Her Heart is a sweeping Southern love story about a nation mending after war, the struggle to move a country forward, and the courage of a man and woman to see themselves for who they truly are--and can be--with each other.

Belle Meade (image from Flickr)

Disclaimer: I listened to this book on a (paid by me, via membership) download from Audible.com (click here for the audiobook download of To Wager Her Heart). Additionally, I received a NetGalley copy, which I didn't read, but I'm grateful that it was available. The publisher sent me a paperback copy of this fantastic novel, which I'm giving away to one of our readers. I am under no compunction to offer a positive review. I've loved all of Tamera's books and have read every one!


Purchase at Barnes & Noble
At Christian Book Distributors
At Amazon
At Your local Christian Bookstore such as Lifeway (call ahead -- if they don't have it, they'll often get it for you!)

Giveaway: A paperback copy to one of our commenters. 

Carrie Turansky's "Shine Like the Dawn" -- Audiobook Review by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Shine Like the Dawn
by Carrie Turansky
(narration Anne Flosnik)
Tantor Audio (2017)

To be Savored!!!

I listened to Carrie Turansky's newest novel via a download from Audible.com. I really enjoy her books! 

One of the things about this book is that is is very well suited for audiobook because there is a fair amount of repetition to clarify things. That makes it easier to stop and start your listening. I usually listen while cleaning or if I am not feeling well. This is a sweet romance with lovable characters set in England. I loved spending time with Maggie and her family! I am hoping little sister, Violet, gets her own story later!

As far as narration, what a thrill! Anne Flosnik is one of my favorite narrators so having her narrate this book was a super treat. This also contributed to me wanting to savor the reading listening experience rather than rushing through it. Since it could be six to twelve months before Carrie's next novel I didn't want to binge listen. 

Extras: There are secondary romances in this book to enjoy. I will say that was a little bit distracting while listening. I think if read with the eyes that would all be a super bonus to the book. I will likely re-listen to this book sometime so I can catch all the lovely layers better. If you are a dedicated one-time read type of person you might want to opt for the ebook or paperback versions. 

Genre: This story overlaps a bunch of subgenres, which is fun. It is primarily a Christian historical romance but with mystery/suspense. There are mystery components as this is a murder mystery and some interesting "red herrings" that will have you wondering. 

Bibliotherapy: This is a great book for people to listen to while going through court cases or when involved in situations that resulted in death or injury. The unfairness in situations, the dealing with people lying, the stress of court -- all those things are portrayed very accurately in Ms. Turansky's book. This story is a contender for Bibliotherapy Book of the Year on OWG Blog. 

Giveaway: Audible.com download of Shine Like the Dawn. Answer this question -- Have you ever had to deal with a grievous injustice? How did God get you through it?

Audiobook Review of A Changed Agent by Tracey J. Lyons

Audiobook Review of A Changed Agent  (Brilliance Audio, 2016)
by Tracey J. Lyons

An Entertaining Listen!
Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels

I listened to this novel via an audible.com download. This September I had the privilege of meeting Tracey J. Lyons in Nashville at a Christian writers' conference and readers' event. We're also both members of Romance Writers of America's Professional Authors Network.  It's been my experience that an author's personality is often reflected in their writing voice. And I found that to be true in this listen. Ms. Lyons is a delightful woman as was her heroine, Elsie Mitchell, a schoolteacher.  I really enjoyed this story!

A Changed Agent had a nice flow to it and the narration was also good. There were some surprises -- such as with Elsie's former fiancé.

The hero, William Benton, an undercover Pinkerton agent, has some emotional baggage he needs to deal with. He also now has the responsibility of taking care of his niece and nephew. William works a deal with Elsie to help him out with their care in return for enough compensation that she can go on her next big trip. Elsie loves to travel! But will this faux lumberjack foreman cause her to want to stay put?

Bibliotherapy: Abandonment, orphans, parenting, deception, and second chances.

This book is available in ebook (Waterfall Press), paperback, and audio formats. Since Christian historical romances are difficult to find, and because the narration was good for this lovely story, I'd recommend the audio version.

Review & Giveaway - The Red Door Inn by Liz Johnson

I had the privilege of working with Liz Johnson several years ago for the Guidepost Books' "A Cup of Christmas Cheer" collection. I loved Liz's short story! And as I have found with other authors and their stories, when I met her in person, she was just as lovely a person as her stories are! When I saw the cover of The Red Door Inn, I had to get the book. 

SPOILER ALERT: Because I do bibliotherapy reviews, I will be addressing a topic that is part of the book.  Skip to the bottom to the comments section if you just want to enter the giveaway!

Review: 
First of all -- I do not normally read contemporary fiction. I don't write contemporary fiction (other than as a favor for a friend for a recent serial.)  But I loved Liz's writing and love the idea of going to Prince Edward Island one day so I ordered the paperback. Then I had two deadlines to complete. Fast forward a few months -- both books turned in to Barbour. I wanted my escape and now I'd acquired the Kindle version of this book. 

The Red Door Inn
Book One in Prince Edward Island Dreams
By Liz Johnson
(Revell Publishing)
Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels

LOVED LOVED LOVED this story!!!

Five Stars *****

Marie Carrington is one of the most fragile heroines I've seen lately, yet she has a subtle tungsten steel thread of strength, in her faith. God is drawing her back to Him after she's betrayed both by her father and by an old school mate. Ms. Johnson does a great job of drawing you into the story by revealing only just enough to hook you and propel you forward in reading.

Seth Sloane starts out as a jerk. But, again, Ms. Johnson infuses enough information about Seth that the reader quickly understands why he's acting so wounded -- because he is. But his reaction to that utter betrayal is to throw walls up. As the story goes on, both Seth and Marie seek to overcome their animosity toward each other and a true friendship and caring grows.

The next book in the series has released and I'm looking forward to reading it! And another book due out in summer, 2017!

Bibliotherapy: I was a psychologist for twenty-five years. Marie's reaction is pretty extreme, but given the rape and then her father's betrayal, and everything else Liz Johnson has set up, her flight to Prince Edward Island is understandable. As is Seth's. These two are shown God's mercy via a widower, Jack, who is setting up a bed and breakfast to fulfill his wife's wishes before she died.  This story would be a good bibliotherapy tool for: emotional abandonment, betrayal, rape, and manipulative relationships. 

Giveaway: A paperback copy of The Red Door Inn. Leave a comment! 

Noela reviews A HEART MOST CERTAIN by Melissa Jagears

A Heart Most Certain

A Heart Most Certain (Teaville Moral Society Book #1)

by Melissa Jagears

Bethany House Publishers (2 August 2016)

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow

5 Stars *****

‘A Heart Most Certain’ is a richly rewarding story that will deeply challenge you, inspire you, bless you, and make you late for absolutely everything until you reach the last page. Of that, I am most certain!

Lydia King’s heart is in the right place. She faithfully goes to church and is a part of the Moral Society ladies group who protest against prostitutes and raise money for different church projects. When Lydia is challenged by the society’s president Mrs. Little, to garner a donation from the town’s wealthy miser Nicholas Lowe, she determines to succeed where others have failed. Lydia feels she must impress Mrs Little if she is to have a chance to marry her son, the politician. Securing marriage to the well-off Sebastian Little would ensure she wouldn’t end up in the poor house and that her ailing mother will be taken care of. 

When Nicholas is pestered by Lydia for a donation and won’t take no for an answer, he proposes a bargain she can’t refuse. Their pact has more than a few surprises in store for Lydia as she is challenged in everything she has ever believed in. She will be tested spiritually, ethically, and emotionally. Nicholas, a man of many layers and secrets, sought to show Lydia a thing or two, but learns a few things himself when his whole life turns upside down along with Lydia’s.

Often we need to take the time to look below the surface and not take everything we see and hear at face value. These wonderfully genuine characters discover this for themselves through their experiences—sometimes to their delight, and other times to their sorrow. The wealth of spiritual encouragement within the novel includes motivating messages of ‘Who else will do it if you and I don’t?’, choosing God’s favor over man, and enlightening illustrations of hypocrisy. Infused with a double helping of romance, drama, and humor, I give ‘A Heart Most Certain’ a most emphatic ‘Highly Recommended’!!

*Thank you to the author for providing a copy of 'A Heart Most Certain' in exchange for my honest opinion.

~ ~ * ~ ~ * ~ ~ * ~ ~ * ~ ~ 

You can find this wonderful book for purchase at these places: AMAZON; CBD; B&N; BAM

GIVEAWAY: Melissa Jagears is generously offering a PAPERBACK copy of 'A Heart Most Certain' to one blessed commenter. USA only. 
*To be eligible, please leave your email address for contact purposes should you win. Using (at) and (dot) will protect you against spammers.

Room for Hope by Kim Vogel Sawyer -- Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Blurb
In a desperate time, can Neva find forgiveness for a grievous wrong—and make room for hope?

Neva Shilling has a heavy load of responsibility while her husband travels to neighboring communities and sells items from his wagon. In his absence, she faithfully runs the Shilling Mercantile, working to keep their business strong as the Depression takes its toll, and caring for their twins.

When a wagon pulls up after supper, Neva and her children rush out—and into the presence of the deputy driving a wagon carrying three young children. The deputy shocks her with the news that Warren and his wife have died, insisting it was their last request that the three children go live with “Aunt Neva.”

Neva’s heart is shattered as she realizes that Warren’s month-long travels were excuses for visits with his secret family. She wants nothing more than to forget Warren, but can she abandon these innocent children to an orphanage? Yet if she takes them in, will she ever be able to see them as more than evidence of her husband’s betrayal and love them the way God does?

Carrie's Review

Five Stars *****

I listened to this novel as an audible.com download. I have a yearly membership. This story is set in the 1930's, a hard time all across America.  Imagine believing you have a loving husband whose travels for your business turn out to be time spent with another family -- then having the offspring from that other union brought to you to raise during the Great Depression? 

This novel has multiple points of view, which I found distracting at first but I think give the story a broader perspective. We have Neva's, her son Bud's, the sheriff's, and a neighbor/suitor's perspectives throughout the book.  Having two adult males, both hero prospects, is something I'm not sure I've seen in other CBA novels. 

The narrator has a rather depressed-sounding voice. At the beginning of the book this somewhat works for the story. She does lighten up some as the book goes forward. But I don't hear the hope in her voice that I imagine the author intended, hence the title. Still, if you prefer audiobooks or require them, this is a good listen and you can get past the narration because the story is compelling.

Room for Hope is a great read by Kim Vogel Sawyer, with many unique elements. I highly recommend it.

Bibliotherapy elements: Death of a spouse, bigamy, illegitimate children, raising someone else's children, financial struggles, hope in Christ, and being shunned by "friends." I think this story is also good for bibliotherapy for someone who is feeling a little down as the tone of the book won't grate on you like it might if you were in a really chipper mood. 

Question: Have you read any of Kim Vogel Sawyer's other books? Which ones?

Giveaway: Carrie Fancett Pagels Reviews Darlene Franklin's "Tobogganing for Two"

Tobogganing for Two by Darlene Franklin

Carrie Reviews Darlene Franklin's Tobogganing for Two part of the Love's Sporting Chance collection by Forget-Me-Not Romances. 

Five Stars *****

This was a wonderful Christian historical romance set in the 1870s.  Darlene's novella is also part of the Sporting Chance collection.  I read this book as part of the collection and enjoyed it very much! It is a nice easy evening read leading up to Christmas. Highly recommend! 

Blurb: Laura Evans moves to Plymouth, Nebraska, to take care of her aunt and her paralyzed sister. Dr. Jay Andrews has come to Plymouth to escape his work among those wounded during the Civil War—only to be faced with a paralyzed patient. Laura and Jay clash as they face fears from their past. Will a midnight toboggan ride bring them together, or push them further apart? 

CFP: Ms. Franklin did a great job setting up the Evans sisters arrival in Nebraska, to stay with their aunt, who also has some physical limitations. Laura has been caring for her sister, who is paralyzed from the waist down, by herself.  Dr. Andrews is a young physician who has served in the Civil War. He has a heart for people with disabilities and thinks of ways to accommodate them. Jay has set up the aunt's home to be disability friendly as is his office. He's a very kind soul and easy to see how Laura could quickly fall in love with this wonderful hero!

Bibliotherapy: Great book for those coping with physical disabilities. Particularly a nice book for those who have someone who requires the use of a wheelchair (referred to as a "bath chair" in this story.) Also good for those who struggle with guilt that is impacting their ability to move forward in life.

This novella is looking very good for making my list of Best Bibliotherapy Books of 2015!!!

Giveaway: An ebook copy of Darlene's novella for one of our readers. Answer the question: Do you have a loved one who uses a wheelchair?

Blinded by Love by Melissa Jagears - Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels

The Convenient Bride Collection from Barbour (2015)

The Convenient Bride Collection (Barbour, July 2015)
Blinded by Love by Melissa Jagears

Five Stars *****

One of the things I loved about this novella was that Melissa featured a "mature" romance with older hero and heroine.

Melissa Jagears' novella, Blinded by Love, is a refreshingly unique piece of Christian historical fiction. Her heroine, Margaret, is forty-seven!!! Shocking in Christian romance for a heroine to be this old. I've been told for the CBA market that I couldn't make my leading ladies over thirty five! So when I read Margaret's age I sent up a "Huzzah!!!"

The hero, Neil, is a prominent, wealthy, and handsome man. He's also losing his eyesight. He and Margaret have been friends, or "debating partners" if you will, for some time. Margaret is very tall (taller than me even! She's 5'11" and I'm 5'9") and she describes herself as plain enough that she could pass as a man if she cut her hair and tall and boxy--nothing feminine about her. Yet it soon becomes clear that her sister who received all the good looks, and her family are dysfunctional--not just that, I'd say they are clearly toxic. Neil is an intelligent man and compassionate. You'll love reading about their romance!!!

Bibliotherapy: For those who have thought love might never find them, this is a great later-in-life marriage story (sort of like rooting for Father Tim in the Mitford Series!). Also a good read for those who are loyal even to people who deserve no loyalty--those in toxic relationships. And Neil's disability is relatable to those not only losing their eyesight but losing other faculties such as mobility or hearing. Also, Margaret and Neil are both "socially awkward" and I think Melissa Jagears may be giving a slight wink at them possibly tending toward what I would call residual Asperger's--someone who has overcome the issues to a large part but still has some difficulties. I hesitate to even put it that way as it may not have been her intent. But for those overcoming mild ASD, this may be a good bibliotherapy read. It's a delightful novella, regardless!

Disclaimer: I read the book through NetGalley's program and am under no compulsion to post a positive review.

Giveaway: We're giving away a copy of Melissa's new novel, A Bride at Last, this week, in paperback, and also another giveaway of either her new novel OR this Convenient Brides novella collection -- Readers choice of format ebook or paperback. You can enter three times this week by leaving a comment on each blog post.

Question: How old is "too old" for a hero and heroine? Would you purchase a full length novel if you knew the heroine was over forty? Why or why not?

The Westward Christmas Brides Collection - Review of Vickie McDonough's Novella

The Westward Christmas Brides Collection

Forging a Family by Vickie McDonough
The Westward Christmas Brides Collection (Barbour Books, 2014)
Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels 

In Forging a Family, Vickie McDonough has crafted a beautiful Christmas novella. Beth Ruskin is accompanying her father, a physician, west and is bringing one last (of ten) orphan on the train, hopeful to find little Lizzie a home. Meanwhile burly blacksmith Cade Maddox, a widower, is trying to figure out how he can possibly take care of his daughter, Annie, three, by himself.

The bridge washed out and the train passengers all must find places in a tiny town to stay.  When little Annie is injured, Beth and Dr. Ruskin must help.

Sparks fly when Beth meets Cade. He's the first man she can really imagine herself falling in love with. But her father would never approve of a smithy. And Cade thinks the same thing. He has tried unsuccessfully to find a caregiver for Annie, in his small town.

As Beth helps Cade and Annie, bringing little Lizzie along with her, you can see they were meant to be a family. But when Cade goes through some difficult struggles and is seriously injured, all bets are off. But of course there is a satisfying happy-ever-after or I wouldn't give it five stars~

This story was a real page-turner yet the author managed to make sure you were grounded in the setting in each scene.

Five out of Five Stars *****

Bibliotherapy elements: Loss of spouse, adoption, injuries, making difficult life choices.

Giveaway: We're giving away an ebook or paperback copy of The Westward Brides Collection this week. Have you read any other stories about orphan trains?

Bibliotherapy at Christmas! A Review

Another Christmas Story by Susan Page Davis
Novella in The Westward Christmas Brides Collection by Barbour (2014)
Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels

SPOILER ALERTS: I have a couple of spoilers in my review so if you don't read reviews with spoilers stop right now and just leave a comment to enter for the giveaway!


Bibliotherapy Galore!
For a short novella, Susan Page Davis's story packs a punch! The story starts right out with a bang as the heroine, Beryl, and her young brother, Sam. learn that their father has been seriously injured on their wagon train ride west. They are forced to take refuge in a nearby town and with the unlikely assistance of the store owners and their handsome son, James. Although Beryl has heard that Clara, the proprietor's wife, drives a hard bargain, the family is extremely generous to them, putting the little family of three (other family members died before the trip) up in a cabin they own. So far then, in the story, we had previous loss of family (grieving), relocating elsewhere, now severe life-threatening injury, and plans derailed.

Which makes one pause and ask--is this really a Christmas story? I think Susan Page Davis tagged it appropriately, almost tongue-in-cheek by calling it Another Christmas Story. This is a story about all the awful stuff that can still happen near the holidays. (The story does not terminate at Christmas, like most seasonal stories but continues on, again, a surprise in a novella of this length.)

Beryl's and James' romance is sweet and unfolds slowly. When her father dies and a difficult winter strikes, Beryl and Sam move in with James and Clara. This has a great boon for her brother because Sam benefits from instruction he receives with the Lassen family. Meanwhile, Mr. Lassen heads off to resupply their store.

There is a creepy episode that takes place at the store, with unwanted intruders. Again, not Christmas-like. And another tragedy in store. Again, not what one expects in a Christmas novella. BUT, Christmas doesn't come and go without there being many difficulties for many people. I think readers who are going through a hard time at Christmas might be able to relate to this story very well and draw comfort from the fact that it is so different.

This is NOT just Another Christmas Story. It is a story full of bibliotherapy elements. It's one of those stories where a friend might point out that particular novella to a friend who is suffering losses. And lest you fret--there is a happy ever after for the young couple.


Giveaway: We're giving away a copy of either ebook or paperback copy of The Westward Christmas Brides collection this week.
Question: Have you ever had an awful Christmas season? Did you read anything during that time that helped?

Review of Jen Turano's "A Match of Wits," by Carrie Fancett Pagels

A Match of Wits by Jen Turano

Jen Turano delivers again in this witty book!  Agatha Watson, having been sent West with a body guard (Spoiler alert: two body guards!) hasn't seen Zayne Beckett in two years. Although she had strong feelings for him, he was engaged to another woman. Agatha sends back articles to New York, for the newspaper but someone there is trying to kill her. She comes across a filthy mountain man, who turns out to be Zayne, with a serious leg injury that has left him with a limp. She determines to get him back home, and does.

Zayne was dumped by his fiancee. He doesn't want to go home, but when he and Agatha and the guards are attacked at his mine, he heads back East with his old friend, Agatha. As will the other Jen Turano novels there are enough shenanigans to keep the reader continuously turning those pages forward.

Very entertaining. A little different from the previous books in that there is much more dialogue and far less description of the various settings.

Bibliotherapy: Accept who you are, as God made you. Also, Zayne has succumbed to addictive behavior, which he overcomes. He has to cope with and learn to overcome a serious injury, also. This was nicely done.

Disclaimer: I read this as a NetGalley download and am under no requirement to post a positive review.

Giveaway: Choice of Jen Turano book and choice of format (ebook only or paperback if available through Book Depository for international.)

Melissa Jagears Debut book reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels

A Bride for Keeps

A Bride for Keeps by Melissa Jagears
Bethany House, 2013

Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels

This debut fiction novel by Melissa Jagears is a solid read. (I read the ARC and not the final novel so there may be some differences but none that should affect this review.) 

Poor farmer Everett Cline has been jilted numerous times, both by mail order brides and by a local gal.  So he's abandoned the idea of trying again. But gorgeous Julia Lockwood arrives in his life after his best friend's wife sets him up.  And there is no escaping. But Julia has attracted the attention of one wicked man, also.

Spoiler alert

Bibliotherapy aspects: Both characters have a lot of emotional numbing which continues the majority of the story. The heroine, Julia, has had a terrible experience with her ex-fiancé that has basically caused PTSD symptoms that are pretty severe--so severe that there is a near-tragedy. And she's also experienced her mother's and baby brother's deaths that traumatized her. She's convinced that because her mother and grandmother suffered so many miscarriages and stillbirths that she's unlikely to give birth to a healthy child. So she convinces herself that she will never be able to be a mother. There is a stalking and assault in this story and another woman is a battered wife. 

Spiritual arc: Although Everett professes to be a strong Christian he soon discovers that his faith is lacking when it comes to Julia.  The heroine is basically an unbeliever so it is interesting to see her story arc in faith.

You can find this at Amazon, Christian Book.com, Deeper Shopping, Barnes & Noble and other outlets.

Giveaway: A gently used ARC copy (mine!) will be given away to one of the commenters this week as well as a new paperback copy. (Disclaimer: I "won" an ARC copy from the publisher in a contest after I'd already ordered my own copy.  No review was required.)

Leave a comment and your email address!

Review of Tamera Kraft's Debut Release "Soldier's Heart" by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Soldier's Heart by Tamera Lynn Kraft

Blurb: Noah Andrews, a soldier with the Ohio Seventh Regiment can’t wait to get home now that his three year enlistment is coming to an end. He plans to start a new life with his young wife. Molly was only sixteen when she married her hero husband. She prayed every day for him to return home safe and take over the burden of running a farm. 
But they can’t keep the war from following Noah home. Can they build a life together when his soldier’s heart comes between them? 
150 years ago the history of America changed forever. Live 1863 through the stories of some of our finest writers – the passion, the romance, the tragedy, and the triumph.

My review: Parents should be aware that this would be more of a PG rating or even a PG-13 dependent upon how conservative a parent you are.  However, that being said, this is a realistic look at how Post Traumatic Stress disorder can affect someone.  In this case, Tamera Lynn Kraft is addressing specifically "Soldier's Heart" or PTSD caused by military service and surviving terrible combat situations. This is a historical not a historical romance as Noah and Molly were married when she was only 16 and he 20.  Now three years later, he has finished his commission as Sargent  and returned home to Ohio.  

The young couple tries to begin their lives together while he is overcoming the terror brought on by losing his men in an ambush. This is a fairly quick read--I read it in one night.  But it is not a light read. This is a 25,000 word novella but the reader can quickly lose herself in the read--like I did!

Scriptural elements are brought in about a quarter of the way into the story and I think that was a good strategy because we are at first immersed into Noah's reaction to being home from war. And his spiritual arc requires him recapturing, and growing in, his faith.

Lots of nice historical details or "jewels" we history geeks like to say! You'll be nicely grounded into Noah's and Molly's world in Civil War era Ohio.  

Bibliotherapy: This story could be used for bibliotherapy for family members of soldiers who've seen combat duty or for the military members themselves.  This is one of the most thorough coverages I've seen in fiction.

Giveaway: Kindle copy of Tammy's novella to one of our commenters.  Do you have a loved one who has seen combat?

Losing My Sister to Breast Cancer, and Overcoming My Grief - Interview With Heather Blanton

Heather Blanton

Heather Blanton is the author of A Lady in Defiance.

Heather, welcome to Overcoming With God.  We appreciate your willingness to share your testimony of overcoming with our readers. 

Would you tell us about the most difficult thing in your life you have had to overcome, with God’s help?

The most difficult thing I have done so far in my life is watch my sister Susan die of cancer. She was a young, amazingly Godly woman who had overcome some incredible circumstances in her life. When she fought this battle, and then lost it, it affected me deeply. After a long absence from the keyboard, I started writing again to deal with the loss, and what happened next is nothing short of a miracle.

I wanted to tell the story of my sister’s life, but in a very cloaked way. You see, Suzy was an unwed teenage mother. But what most people would call a mistake, my God called the first link in a chain of miracles.

My sister got pregnant at the age of fifteen. Both families pushed her to have an abortion and she agreed. In the doctor’s office, however, she changed her mind and said she couldn’t go through with it. The phone rang and it was the father of the child; he didn’t want Suzy to go through with it, either, but he still couldn’t marry her.

So, Suzy went to a half-way house to have the baby and give him up for adoption. A month before she was due to deliver, the father of the baby finally stood up to his own father and told him he loved Suzy and was going to bring her home. She and her new husband gave their hearts to the Lord and went on to have two more children. Suzy matured into a mighty, spirit-filled woman of God, finished her GED, earned a degree as an R.N., and became a licensed minister in the Church of God, all while raising children and helping her husband farm. She was a popular speaker at women’s conferences, and worked as a Hospice nurse for over two years, leading patients to Jesus on their death beds. And the “unwanted” baby that was almost aborted grew into a Godly man who boldly preaches the gospel.

When I lost my sister to breast cancer I struggled with my grief and turned to fiction to “write it out.” Initially, I had no big plans for the book. I just needed to write. A Lady in Defiance tells the story of three, good Christian sisters who get stranded in a pretty wild mining town. Suzy was the inspiration for my character of Hannah, the young, unwed, teenage sister.

God opened doors for me to get an editor and then an agent, both totally unexpected. Last February I asked my literary agent, David Shepherd, if I could self-publish the book and use it as a fundraiser for an American Cancer Society event. My goal was to sell 200 copies. I wound up selling nearly 9000 copies in 2012 and actually made some bestsellers lists at Amazon. No publisher, no PR, no marketing. Just God. All God.

I’m writing fulltime now and working on the sequel to finish Suzy’s story. Praise the Lord for an amazing journey!

(CFP: What an amazing witness, Heather!)

Disability friendliness: Is this latest release available in audio format or do you have any other works available on audio?  Do your e-books have audio capability? Do you have any in large print? 

I hope to have the audio version available by Christmas!

A Lady in Defiance is full of bibliotherapy uses. Can you comment?  How to deal with grief, and anger at God. Naomi is widowed along the trail to California, which is how the sisters wind up in the mining town. Her struggle to trust God and accept his plan has resonated with so many of my readers, especially since her grief manifests itself as anger.

Also, this is a rough town with rough characters. Hannah shows us how to love and not judge, because no one among us can cast that first stone.

Thank you, Heather, for agreeing to answer these questions.  Have a blessed day and keep on writing!! 

Giveaway: One copy is being given by Heather and one by OWG. Please answer the following question to enter (also leave your email address): Do you have a loved one who had had breast cancer?  How does Breast Cancer Awareness month affect you?