Giveaway: The Painter's Daughter by Julie Klassen Audiobook Review by Carrie Fancett Pagels

The Painter's Daughter by Julie Klassen
Recorded Books Dec.3, 2015

Sigh Worthy Listen!

The narrator, James Gillies, could not have been more perfect for this wonderful novel! Julie was able to choose the actor she wanted to narrate the audiobook - a BBC actor and he is fabulous!  I fell in love with Captain Overby as personified by the fabulous narrator! (To LISTEN to a sample of the narration go to Audible.com  and press "Play Audio Sample" beneath the cover image at this link CLICK HERE

This Regency novel includes the trademark Julie Klassen style of secrets, a dashing hero, imperfect people whose spiritual arcs draw them to a deeper relationship with God, and cool architectural features in the settings that add to the ambiance and the plot.

Sophie Dupont has been her prominent artist father's assistant for years. But now her stepmother's relation, a young man, had begun to serve as his helper. And he has his own agenda - pursuing Sophie while wealthy "gentleman" Wesley Overby has made the lovely innocent young woman his "muse."  Apparently abandoned by him, Sophie faces grave consequences for her choices. In sweeps a gruff military man who is referred to as "Captain Black" by his carefree brother but Captain Stephen Overby is anything but a blackguard.  He saves young Sophie from an untenable situation. But, when his brother returns, and Captain Overby has been called to action, what will happen?

Sigh-worthy listen and one of Julie's best yet!  Brava, Julie! Well done! Definitely a candidate for my Best Novels of 2015!

GIVEAWAY: Winner's choice of ebook or audiobook format for The Painter's Daughter!

Diana Reviews 'Carry Me Home' By Dorothy Adamek

Carry Me Home (Blue Wren Shallows #1) By Dorothy Adamek
Crabapple House Publishing, Dec. 1, 2015

Reviewed By Diana Flowers
~5 stars~
(No Spoilers!)

Romance Down Under

In her debut novel Carry Me Home, Dorothy Adamek pens a poignant, heartrending novel of a young woman's quest for love—a journey that transports her to a land both fearsome and beauteous with its raw terrain of red mud, heat, and incessant rain—contrasting with gorgeous blue wrens, purple-petaled Little Noonflowers, wild roses, and the glorious shell-covered beaches of the land down under...Australia.

Finella Mayfield travels from England to Phillips Island, Australia, anticipating her future as a preacher's bride in an prearranged marriage. Instead Finella is met by Shadrach Jones, a poor farmer whose only desire is to grow chicory, mustard, and care for his simple minded sister, Molly. Unbeknownst to Finella, Shad has made a promise to a dying friend to marry her, but how will he ever accomplish that feat? When all that greets Finella when she arrives at his dwelling is a crude mud hut surrounded by red mud and puddles, with no oven and nothing but filth inside. She is used to fancy things and her destiny is to be the wife of a preacher...or is it?

In her lovely lyrical prose, Dorothy Adamek has written a stunning debut novel that nearly took my breath away! Have you ever finished a book and couldn't stop thinking about it for hours? This unforgettable story truly had that affect on me! I'm astounded that this is Ms. Adamek's first novel as her impeccable and descriptive phraseology is that of a much more seasoned author. Not only is it a treasure trove of Australian info for all of you "land down under" fans like me, but also a compelling, angst-filled, tender love story with plenty of romantic tension! Sweet Molly will undoubtedly steal your heart as she did Finella's...and mine. And there's nothing quite as captivating as a complex hero who will do anything for the woman he loves. With an inspirational thread of forgiveness and redemption certain to bring tears to your eyes...be sure to put Carry Me Home on your Christmas "hint" list this year!

Little Noonflowers in Australia



Australian Blue Wren



Introducing Dorothy Adamek!

This book may be purchased through Amazon.

GIVEAWAY: Dorothy Adamek has generously offered to give away a paperback copy of Carry Me Home to one blessed commenter! To be eligible for the drawing, please leave your email address written (at) and (dot) to protect you from spammers.



Noela reviews Manila Marriage App: Passport to Romance by Jan Elder

Manila Marriage App

Manila Marriage App
by Jan Elder
Pelican Ventures Book Group (White Rose Publishing), April 17, 2015

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow
5 Stars *****

An engaging and entertaining romance!

A few chapters into this delightful story and I was so thankful I’d embarked upon this adventure to steamy Manila in the Philippines. This was not a journey I wanted to come to an end!

Shay Callahan travels to Manila upon answering an ad for a potential bride to a missionary. But the questionnaire she had completed leaves her shaking her head at the arrogance of this man. Desiring to get away and enjoy a paid trip while taking down this imperious, chauvinistic, though extremely good-looking guy a peg or two, Shay sets off on her tropical adventure.

I think I fell a little in love with this enigmatic missionary man called Timothy Flynn. Though seriously, what wasn’t to love about him? When Shay begins to see beyond the misleading veneer of egotistical jerk, he was not only devastatingly handsome but kind, strong yet vulnerable, godly, charitable, and basically everything her ex-boyfriend wasn’t. So what was behind the strange questionnaire? And what happens when Shay’s ex turns up in Manila? What began as a lark is beginning to challenge all her expectations and beliefs.

This was a surprise story for me and I would definitely read more by this author! It was humorous and witty, the characters were refreshing and engaging, and the romance was of the sweep-you-away variety. Get those passports stamped because this novella promises an entertaining journey!

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Blurb from Amazon for NEW RELEASE‘A Semi-Precious Christmas’ by Jan Elder

On a bright, crisp December morning, jewelry store manager, Peridot Keaton-Jones, arrives at work expecting to find her beloved uncle, Marty. Instead, she’s greeted by the muzzle of a gun pressed to her temple. When thugs assault her, threaten her life, and steal thousands of dollars worth of jewelry, Peri can only pray her uncle is late to work for the first time in his life. Christopher Lane is a TV news cameraman in the right place at the right time. He witnesses the heist, calls the police, and offers help when Peri needs it most. She can't deny her attraction, but is he really her hero, or is he just after a story? And with Christmas right around the corner, can Peri and Chris avert a holiday disaster?

Click on the title here to buy: A SEMI-PRECIOUS CHRISTMAS by Jan Elder

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*You can find MANILA MARRIAGE APP: PASSPORT TO ROMANCE at these and other places: Amazon; CBD; Barnes & Noble

GIVEAWAY: Jan Elder is generously donating TWO books for giveaway- An ebook for 'Manila Marriage App' and an ebook for her newly released 'A Semi-Precious Christmas'!
Leave a comment below to enter and remember to include your email. Use (at) and (dot) to protect yourself against spammers.

Diana Reviews THE PAINTER'S DAUGHTER By Julie Klassen

The Painter's Daughter by Julie Klassen
Bethany House, Dec.1, 2015

Reviewed By Diana Flowers
~5 stars~
(No Spoilers!)

A Picture Paints A Thousand Words

In The Painter's Daughter, author Julie Klassen pens a spellbinding Regency era novel that exudes an aura of mystery—sweeping the reader from the thatched cottages, cries of the seagulls, and dangerous slopes of the Devonshire coast—to the opulent beauty of Overtree Hall with its hidden rooms, secrets, and strange noises.

Sophia Margaretha Dupont, the daughter of a portrait and landscape painter, often sketches the picturesque cliffs of the north Devon coast—popular with many an artist—hiding her own talented work. It is there she meets the handsome artist, Wesley Overtree, who flatters Sophie with his many compliments and lovely portraits of her. At the end of his leave, Captain Stephen Overtree is sent to bring his brother back to Overtree Hall, but is shocked to learn Wesley has sailed to Italy leaving Sophie in dire straights. Feeling the need to recompense for past failures, Stephen's proposal "in name only" leaves Sophie terribly torn and conflicted. She barely knows this brooding man who has been nicknamed Captain Black, and what if her beloved Wesley should return for her? Should she wait for him or elope with Stephen?...a decision she could regret the rest of her life.

Julie Klassen has written a captivating regency with a delectable blend of Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte, and Jane Austen—filled with twists and turns and never a dull moment! Ms. Klassen is a master of descriptive imagery and in my mind's eye I could totally see the dangerous, but picturesque slopes and quaint cottages of Devonshire, the sheep dotting the meadows near the brothers' estate, and the ornate, but somewhat creepy Overtree Hall. Secrets abound as do mysterious, eerie characters and things that go bump in the night—making this a novel that is terribly hard to put down! The Painter's Daughter is definitely one of my favorite Julie Klassen novels ever...order your copy today!

Castle Rock Where Sophie Loved To Sketch And Watch The Sunset



 This novel may be purchased through Amazon, CBD, BAM, and your local bookstore.

GIVEAWAY: Julie Klassen has generously offered to give away a paperback copy to one blessed commenter. To be eligible for the drawing please leave your email address written (at) and (dot) to protect yourself from spammers.

Giveaway Melanie Dickerson's The Golden Braid Audiobook - Review by Carrie Fancett Pagels

The Golden Braid

by Melanie Dickerson

Thomas Nelson (November, 2015)

This audiobook will be on my list of Audiobooks of the Year for 2015.

Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels

5 Stars *****

A Beautifully Woven Story!!!

The Golden Braid on audiobook at first put me off because the narrator sounded depressed. I really didn't care for her voice. And if you've ever met Melanie Dickerson you know she has the sweetest voice in the world! So that narrator just seemed so wrong! BUT, I really wanted to listen to the book because Melanie is a talented author and a friend plus Noela had done such a stellar review here on OWG blog that I pushed past the initial reaction to the narrator. I turned the speed up on her and soon I was ENGROSSED in the story!  It was a GREAT book and it is so hard to find a wonderful audiobook to listen to for Christian readers!

This is a Rapunzel story with many twists. I loved how Melanie fleshed out the wicked "mother" in the story. She does a great job of making the evil woman's behaviors understandable. And I love how instead of the knight, Sir Gerek, being completely heroic, he was a bit of a jerk at first. Again, the author does her job of helping us understand his behavior. I was impressed by the weaving together of the story threads.


Giveaway: Hardcover copy of The Golden Braid. Question: Have you read any of Melanie's books and which one is your favorite? (I think this one may be my favorite!) 

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?

Noela Nancarrow reviews FAKING GRACE by Tamara Leigh

Faking Grace

Faking Grace

by Tamara Leigh

Tamara Leigh; 2^nd Edition (September 24, 2015)

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow

5 Stars *****

Discovering grace and faith while faking it!

Take a deep breath before you begin reading the effervescent ‘Faking Grace’, because once you do you’ll inhale it so fast and laugh so hard, you’re liable to choke! This entertaining, heart-warming, and at times quite emotive tale, showcases a young woman’s jarring journey into what being a genuine Christian is all about.

Maizy Grace works part-time at a Nashville newspaper with aspirations to become an Investigative Journalist, but until she gets her big break, Maizy needs a second job to help pay the bills. So when she spies a part-time position at Steeple Side Christian Resources for a ‘committed Christian’, Maizy decides to brush up on how to look the part by reading ‘The Dumb Blonde’s Guide to Christianity’. What ensues is a hilarious and priceless comedy of blunders as Grace fakes her way into employment and then strives to maintain the façade on the job.

Providing a thorn in her side is the handsome Brit and Managing Editor Jack Prentiss, whom she first meets in the parking lot while attempting to straighten her Christian bumper sticker. That’s right, she’d only taped it on! Do his smirks and sarcasm mean he can see through her religious accessories, Jesus catch-phrases, and overly conservative fashion? If he doesn’t expose her as a fraud, then her own guilt might just do it. Things then go from bad to worse when Maizy’s newspaper boss insists that if she is to get ahead in journalism, she must dig up dirt on the staff at Steeple Side. As Maizy’s affections for Jack and her co-workers deepen, will it result in costing Maizy her new friends or her coveted career at the newspaper?

I’m in author-awe every time I read something by Tamara Leigh. A master wordsmith—her skill at penning stories rife with wit and vibrant dialogue, is unparalleled and a pleasure to read! As per usual, I fell in love with the quirky and endearing characters that graced the pages. But the fundamental message of personal integrity in ‘Faking Grace’, I believe is a great wake-up call for us all to get real before each other and God! Highly recommended!

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Leaving Carolina: Southern Discomfort Series: Book One

Newly Released, 2nd Edition - November 25, 2015

'They say you can take the girl out of the South, but you can't take the South out of the girl. This girl begs to differ.'

Click on the title here to read more: Leaving Carolina

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FAKING GRACE is available for purchase at: Amazon

GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment below for an opportunity to WIN an e-book copy of 'Faking Grace! Leave your email so that we may contact you if you are the winner, but use (at) and (dot) to protect against spammers.