Sixty Acres and a Bride by Regina Jennings~~A Litfuse Publicity Group Book Review

My Review:

A Ruth and Boaz Story. Texas Style.

I just finished Sixty Acres and A Bride by Regina Jennings. My last thought as I closed the book is WOW, what a wonderfully satisfying story.

After the deaths of their husbands, Eli and Mack, Rosa Garner and her mother-in-law, Louise, decide to leave Mexico and move to Louise’s hometown of Prairie Lea, Texas. outside of Lockheart, Texas.

Lockheart isn’t ready for Rosa Garner. A petite young widow, who is not wearing the traditional black, but her native Mexican clothing. Also, she is a hard worker, which is evidenced in one of the opening scenes.

When Rosa, Louise, and Aunt Mary, who met them at the train station, are traveling to the courthouse to settle the taxes on Louise’s ranch, Sixty Acres, the axle on the wagon breaks, tipping the wagon. While Louise and Aunt Mary go to find help, Rosa, accesses the situation then adjusts the wagon load to even out the weight, righting the wagon.

When they get to the courthouse they find out that their tax bill is $160.00, a lot for 1878. This is seemingly impossible for two widows. They have three months to raise the money and redeem the farm before the county forecloses on the property.

Weston Garner, a widower, as well as, Louise’s nephew, is a neighbor and someone who possibly can help Rosa and Louise, but he has already helped Aunt Mary and her husband George financially. Would he help? Louise and Rosa aren’t sure they should ask outright, so they ask him how they could raise the money. He offers to give them sheep to care for and then sell at the livestock auction. They raise produce to sell. And Rosa is commissioned to embroider linens, tablecloths and napkins to sell to a local shop owner, Mr. Bradford.

At the end of three months they find themselves woefully short of funds. while they contemplate what  to do Louise tells Rosa the story of Ruth and Boaz, but only part of it. Rosa decides to go to Weston, as Ruth had gone to Boaz.

I enjoyed the story. I found the characters to be so very real. There were times I cried and laughed, and times I scolded. As well as, times where my heart was beating wildly, wondering how things would turn out.

Sixty Acres and a Bride is Regina Jennings’ first novel, but I don’t expect is to be her last, and I for one will be waiting for her next novel to appear on my local Christian bookstore shelf.

I give Sixty Acres and a Bride 5 out of 5 stars.

**Sixty Acres and A Bride by Regina Jennings was provided for me free by Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest review.

About the book:

She's Finally Found a Place to Call Home... How Far Will She Go to Save It?

With nothing to their names, young widow Rosa Garner and her mother-in-law return to their Texas family ranch. Only now the county is demanding back taxes and the women have just three months to pay.

Though facing eviction, Rosa falls in love with the countryside and the wonderful extended family who want only her best. They welcome her vivacious spirit and try to help her navigate puzzling American customs. She can't help but stand out, though, and her beauty captures attention. 

Where some offer help with dangerous strings attached, only one man seems honorable. But when Weston Garner, still grieving his own lost love, is unprepared to give his heart, Rosa must decide to what lengths she will go to save her future.

Would you like to read an excerpt?    

About Regina:

Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a history minor. She has worked at The Mustang News and First Baptist Church of Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and various livestock shows. She now lives outside Oklahoma City with her husband and four children. Meet Regina here.

Learn more about Regina by visiting her website.

 

 

Want to read some more reviews of Sixty Acres and A Bride by Regina Jennings? You might like to visit some of the other blogs on the tour.

Interested in purchasing the book?

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

Win a Kindle Fire from @ReginaJennings in the Sixty Acres and a Bride Giveaway! RSVP for #Facebook Party on 3/27.

Celebrate with Regina by entering to win a Kindle Fire and coming to her Author Chat Party on 3/27!

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Sixty Acres and a Bride by Regina Jennings

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 3/26/12. Winner will be announced at Regina's Author Chat Facebook Party on 3/27. Regina will be hosting an evening of chat, fun trivia and more! She'll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books, and some beautiful silver jewelry!

So grab your copy of Sixty Acres and a Bride and join Regina and friends on the evening of March 27th for an evening of fun.

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP TODAY and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 27th!

Blessings,

**Sixty Acres and A Bride by Regina Jennings was provided for me free by Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest review.

Beauty for Ashes by Dorothy Love~~A Litfuse Publicity Group Book Review

My Review:

Beauty for Ashes by Dorothy Love is the second book in the Hickory Ridge Romance series and the first book that I have read by Dorothy Love, although, it will not be the last. As I am already looking forward to the next book in this series, as well as, others from this author.

At first I was a little lost in the story because I hadn't read the first book in the series--Beyond All Measure--but I soon became familiar enough with the characters, and became engrossed in the story.

It had been Carrie and her brother, Henry, since their parents deaths. After her husband's death, Carrie had lived with her brother and helped with taking care of their farm. Things are changing though and Henry has married Mary, a women who can be mean-spirited and selfish, and she also has two young, undisciplined boys.

Carrie decides to move into town to make a new life for herself because she and Mary can't seem to get along. Carrie likes living in town, and the job that she has been given by Nate, the book-seller and the man she is courting. When she meets Griff Rutledge, after he saves her from being trampled by a runaway horse, she finds herself thinking about him, and enjoying the times they meet on the street.

Griff Rutledge is from North Carolina, and is in Hickory Ridge on personal business. He is also a horse trainer. After he saves Carrie from being trampled by Majestic, a spirited young Thoroughbred, he is asked by the towns banker to train Majestic, for the upcoming Race Week. Griff agrees, but he doesn't plan on staying in Hickory Ridge for long, as he has a wanderlust and wants to visit Australia, and maybe buy a horse farm there. Although Carrie has had warnings from her friends about spending time with Griff, she enjoys his company, and continues to see him.

When Mary has been put on bed rest, Carrie must return to the farm in order to help run the farm and to care for Mary and her boys while Henry is away working in Chicago for the railroad. It is hard for Carrie to return, but she does. During the time of Mary's confinement, Carrie begins to see Mary differently, and grows to love her boys, as well.

The story shows how people can grow and change when God is placed first in their lives. I found that some of the lessons Carrie was learning are some of the same that God is teaching me. Touching my heart even more.

I enjoyed Beauty of Ashes very much, and give it 5 out of 5 stars.

About the book:

She’s a beautiful young widow. He’s a Southern gentleman with a thirst for adventure. Both need a place to call home.

After losing her husband in the Civil War, Carrie Daly is scared she will never have the family she longs for. Eligible bachelors are scarce in Hickory Ridge, Tennessee, but Carrie has found love. Not the weak-in-the-knees kind, but something practical. Still, she isn't quite ready to set a wedding date with Nate Chastain.

Griff Rutledge is a former member of Charleston society, but has been estranged from his family for years. He’s determined to remain unattached, never settling in one place for too long. But when asked to train a Thoroughbred for an upcoming race in Hickory Ridge, he decides to stay awhile.

Despite objections from the townsfolk, and her fear that true happiness has eluded her, Carrie is drawn to Griff's kindness and charm. It will take a leap of faith for them to open their hearts and claim God's promise to give beauty for ashes.

About Dorothy:

Before returning to her writing roots in historical fiction, Dorothy Love published twelve novels for young adults. Her work has garnered numerous honors from the American Library Association, the Friends of American Writers, the International Reading Association, the New York Public Library, and many others. The Hickory Ridge Novels mark her Christian fiction debut.

For more about Dorothy you may visit her website, or friend her on Facebook.

Link to buy the book:

Would you like to read Beauty for Ashes? You can find it here.

If you would like to read more reviews of Beauty for Ashes, please go here.

          *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Dorothy Love's Beauty for Ashes Kindle Fire and a Sapphire Ring Giveaway! Enter Today & RSVP for 3/20 Facebook Author Chat Party! We're thrilled to announce the fun giveaway Dorothy is hosting! First, she'll be giving away a Kindle Fire (3/1-3/20), then on the evening of the 20th she's inviting everyone to her Facebook Author Page for a fun Author Chat party! Don't miss a minute of the fun ... sigh.

One beautiful winner will receive:

• A Brand new Kindle Fire with Wi-Fi
• Beauty for Ashes by Dorothy Love
• Beyond All Measure by Dorothy Love

 

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 3/20/12. Winner will be announced at Dorothy's Facebook Author Chat Party on 3/20. Come for an evening of chat, trivia, and a sneak peek at the next book in Dorothy's Hickory Ridge series - bring your friends! She'll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books and a stunning sapphire ring!

 

So grab your copy of Beauty for Ashes  and join Dorothy and friends on the evening of March 20th for an evening of fun.

 

Don't miss Dorothy's delightful giveaway and party. RSVP TODAY and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 20th!

**Beauty for Ashes by Dorothy Love was provided for me free by Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest review.

 

Blessings,

Trust Leads to Romance

What stirs the embers of romance deep inside you?

• Loving Words

• Touch

• A Night Out?

Maybe you haven’t thought about romance lately because of busyness, fatigue, disillusionment, or hopelessness.

I’ve been there too.

But romance with the man you love may not be as elusive as you might think.

Though we all desire romance—every woman longs to be

noticed, pursued, and adored—few of us realize that…

our words and actions may serve as stumbling blocks rather than invitations for the man in our life to woo us romantically.

If this is true, then we’re sabotaging the very romance we desire. Reminds me of the saying,

“If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.”

Do you like what you’re experiencing in regard to romance?

If not, ask yourself if you’re more likely to trust OR control your husband.

You’ve seen the controlling type.
Most women on TV sitcoms struggle with control. They walk all over the men they’re with and it bothers us.

It’s easy to detect control in others, but are you guilty of similar actions?

Let’s look deeper and find out.

1. Do you correct your husband?

2. Do you instruct your husband?

3. Do you improve your husband?

Do you correct your husband’s pronunciation or perhaps the

telling of a story when you know he’s got the facts mixed up?

When you correct your husband you’re telling him he did something wrong.

In this position you’ve become his mother. And that’s a romance killer if there ever was one.

Do you instruct your husband when he drives, performs

tasks, or helps out with the kids?

When you instruct your husband, you’re sending the message, “You don’t know how to do this.”

In this position you become the teacher who highlighted his ineptitude. Exposed, he’ll either shrink or strike back, rather than pursue.

Do you improve your husband?

In the past, I’ve tried to improve Tom’s appearance whenever possible. Once, when dressing for dinner at an elegant restaurant on vacation, I wore a vintage cashmere jacket with pearls and heels while Tom wore an improbable, wrinkled ensemble worthy of an episode of What Not to Wear. Yet, I didn’t say a word! (Some of you may be appreciating the restraint that required!) If I’d shared my fashion-improvement advice with him, I would have sent the romance-spoiling message, “You could have done better.”

In what areas do you try to improve your husband?

When we correct, instruct, and improve, we justify our actions by saying we’re just trying to help when, in reality, the measures we employ have more to do with fear—the fear that we won’t get what we want or we’ll get it too late.

Whenever our actions are borne of fear, the results we experience will be disappointing at best!

Give your fears to God and trust your husband with new words and actions…

Inviting him to romance.

**Trust Leads to Romance is courtesy of Amy Lathrop and LitFuse Publicity Group

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen~~A Litfuse Publicity Group Book Review

My Review:   
Do you like to read books by Jane Austin, or The Bronte Sisters? If you do, then I recommend The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen.

I was hooked from the first page. The writing is impeccable, drawing the reader into each scene, and conversation. I loved Julie’s descriptions of each scene, they were so well written that even now I can see Fairbourne Hall and her rooms.

I can’t image having had to flee my home in order to protect my reputation, but that is exactly what Margaret Macy had to do. And although she was ill equipped to step into a role of service, she did just that to escape being found.

I liked Margaret, and I cheered her on as she, in disguise as Nora Garret, grew in character, strengthened in her faith, and learned what a true friend is and is not.

There were times when I found that I was holding my breath as I turned the pages of this book. There is mystery, suspense, friendship, and blooming love within the pages of The Maid of Fairbourne Hall; it kept me riveted to the story.

I look forward to reading more books by Julie Klassen in the future.
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

About the book:
To escape a scheme to marry her off to a dishonorable man, Margaret Macy flees London disguised as a housemaid. If she can remain unwed until her next birthday, she will receive an inheritance, and with it, sweet independence. But she never planned on actually working as a servant. And certainly not in the home of Nathaniel and Lewis Upchurch--both former suitors.

As she fumbles through the first real work of her life, Margaret struggles to keep her identity secret when suspicions arise and prying eyes visit Fairbourne Hall. Can she avoid a trap meant to force her from hiding?

About Julie:

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane--Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She has won the Christy Award: Historical Romance for The Silent Governess (2010) and The Girl in the Gatehouse (2011) which also won the 2010 Midwest Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.

For more information, visit Julie’s website here.

Would you like to read The Maid of Fairbourne Hall? You can purchase it here.



~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Welcome to the campaign for Julie Klassen's latest Regency novel.

Don't miss the perfect blend of Regency-era romance and mystery in The Maid of Fairbourne Hall! Grab a copy and then be sure to enter Julie's Kindle Fire Giveaway and RSVP for her Author Chat party on Facebook! Swoon.

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A brand new Kindle Fire
• A Julie Klassen Library (The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, The Girl in the Gatehouse, and The Silent Governess)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 3/14/12. Winner will be announced at Julie's Fairbourne Hall Book Chat Party on 3/15. Julie will be hosting an evening of chat, trivia and a sneak peek of her next book - bring your friends! She'll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books and a Downtown Abbey Prize Pack (Seasons 1 and 2)!

So grab your copy of The Maid of Fairbourne Hall and join Julie and friends on the evening of March 15th for a book chat party.

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on March 15th!
The Maid of Fairbourne Hall blog tour schedule
** The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen was provided for me free by Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest review.
Blessings,

Princess Stories-Real Bible Stories of God’s Princesses Written by Carolyn Larson and Illustrated by Sergey Eliseev~~A Tyndale House Book Review

My Review:

Princess Stories by Carolyn Larson and Illustrator Sergey Eliseev has become my daughters’ (ages 5 and 8) favorite book to end their day with. My husband or I will read a chapter or two before we tuck our girls into bed. We talk about the story using the discussion questions provided, reminding the girls that these princesses were real people from history, and learn the memory verse.

Each chapter focuses on one Bible “princess”, some of them are Eve,Sarah. Naomi, Ruth, Hannah, Abigail, Esther, Elizabeth, Mary, and Priscilla. Lists the Bible passage that the story is based on, a short story, Bible memory verse, and discussion questions. They are the perfect length to read at bedtime, and a wonderful way to end our day.

My daughters say “We liiiiike the book!”

About the Book:

Princess Stories is the big sister to popular board book My Princess Bible. Princess Stories, appropriate for girls ages 4 to 8, is a collection of first-person narrative stories about 29 women in the Bible—and the 30th story is about the reader, who is God's princess too.

In each four-page story, the reader gets a rhyming verse about the princess (addressed to "Mirror, mirror on the wall"), a first-person story of the featured Bible woman and the special quality her life reflects, a Bible verse from another passage of Scripture that summarizes/relates to the character trait, and Princess Ponderings—questions that help girls and their parents discuss the stories and relate the lessons to life.

Through this book, girls will learn more in-depth stories of women of the Bible and how to apply Scripture to their own lives.

About the Author:

 

Carolyn Larsen has written more than 40 books for children and adults. She is best known as the author of the Little Girls Bible Storybook line of products, which have collectively sold more than one million units. In addition, Carolyn is a speaker who has taught and spoken extensively in the United States and overseas. She is the cofounder of the performing group Flashpoints, which is comprised of five women who share a God-ignited passion to encourage women and girls to know God better through drama, creative movement, signing, and humor. Carolyn is the mother of three and lives with her husband in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.

Visit Carolyn Larson’s website here

**Princess Stories by Carolyn Larson and Illustrated by Sergey Eliseev was provided for me free by Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Blessings,

Want a Growing Marriage?

 

source

My husband and I were reading a financial book about how to make your money grow when one of the principles jumped off the page at me:

What you focus on grows. 

Because it’s such a simple principle, I couldn’t get it out of my mind and began applying it to all areas of life, especially relationships.

Most women have the desire to grow a more intimate relationship with their husband

yet  few  focus  their  desire  long  enough  to  do  anything  about  it.
Thus, nothing changes.  

• Ignorance, 

• Distractions, and/or

• hopelessness are often to blame.

I should know. Just 19 when I said, “I do”, I was ignorant about how to grow my marriage.  Our pre-marriage counseling consisted of one two-hour meeting with my pastor and that wasn’t enough to prepare me for the emotional, spiritual, and verbal abuse my husband doled out on a regular basis.   The abuse produced pain and grief.
I could think of little else than surviving. 

Hope for our future crumbled.

Over time, I began sharing my pain with a few trusted, godly women.  Venting my pain and hearing their honest feed-back helped me see that the abuse I was suffering wasn’t my fault.

I  began seeing a Christian counselor who gave me tools that helped restore me to a place of strength and dignity.

The best choice I made was to dig into God’s word and find out what He wanted to say to me about my marriage.  In the Bible I found the following verses which applied to my situation:

• “…Your godly lives will speak to them [husbands] better than any words.  They will be won over by watching your pure godly behavior.” (I Peter 3:1,2) In place of preaching to my husband, I began entrusting my difficult situation to God through prayer—listening for His instruction.

• “Instead, we will hold to the truth in love…” (Ephesians 4:15) I began to exchange preaching for speaking the truth in love—in as few words as possible.

• “See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good…” (I Thessalonians 5:15) On my new path, I chose to respond in kindness and enforce healthy boundaries in place of angry retaliation.

When I dug into the word, I learned that my husband wasn’t the only one sinning.  My responses to Tom were often sinful and my response was the only thing I was responsible for.
(What I wanted was to change my husband but I couldn’t find a biblical reference to support my desire and neither will you)!  

Focused on God and His Word, I was able to reverse negative behavioral patterns in my life which had long plagued me. 

When I did what I could do—keeping my focus on God, HE DID WHAT I COULD NOT!

He healed me and ultimately my marriage—to the praise of His glorious grace!

What you focus on grows.

Are you focused on growing your marriage?

**Want a Growing Marriage? is courtesy of Amy Lathrop and LitFuse Publicity Group

The Beautiful Wife by Sandy Ralya~~A Litfuse Publicity Group Book Review

 

My Review:

Are you married, or looking forward to the day that you will be? Planning for your wedding is the easy part, becoming one with your husband, well, that is a life long process. Sandra Ralya has written a devotional that is relevant to any women whether she is engaged, newly married or has been married a long time. I know I found this book helpful, and I have been married nearly 18 years.

The Beautiful Wife contains 12 meaty chapters that use examples from Sandra Ralya’s own experiences and include some of these topics: Prayer, Being Genuine, Mystique; Romance; Communication, and Speaking the Truth in Love. And it is filled with Bible references to make you think about your own situation. At the end of each chapter you will find journaling/discussion questions to help you to think through what you have learned.  

No matter how long you have been married, or how good your marriage is there is always room for improvement. So if you like Bible studies this might be one you would like to have on your coffee table, or night stand.

Companion Materials:

I also received the Prayer Journal and Mentor’s Guide from the publisher. each of these little books are a nice edition to The Beautiful Wife devotional.

The Prayer Journal has places to write down pray requests, your prayers, and the answers you have received. Places to write down the Bible verses you are learning, as well as, what you have learned from reading them. I think it would fit well into your daily study.

The Mentor’s Guide is a nice tool for Bible study group leaders. It includes everything you need to lead a group study, and whether you are an experienced leader or it is your first time to lead a Bible Study Group I think you will find it very helpful.

 About the Book:

The Beautiful Wife uses these inspiring stories along with biblical principles to guide and encourage any wife looking for God's best in her marriage. The Beautiful Wife answers serious questions women have about their roles as wives. Discussing everything from romance and money to beauty, communication, and sex, Sandy challenges women to open up and share their journeys so that together they can see God's plan for their marriages. "It is my passion to help women discover God's heart for their marriage, just as the other women helped me," writes Sandy. "When women share with each other the details of their journeys with God as wives, it's a beautiful thing indeed." The Beautiful Wife has two companion resources - Prayer Journal and Mentor's Guide.

About Sandy Ralya:

Sandy Ralya is the founder and director of Beautiful Womanhood, a marriage mentoring ministry based near Grand Rapids, Mich. Her marriage testimony was the focus of a popular three-day interview on FamilyLife Today, TV's Walking by Faith, and Time Out for Women. Sandy is a sought-after speaker, presenting Beautiful Womanhood seminars to hundreds of women each year at MOPS groups, women's retreats, and church leadership conferences across the country and in Canada. Sandy and her husband Tom have been married since 1980, and have a growing number of grandchildren.  www.beautifulwomanhood.com

 

Purchase the book here

Sandy’s Testimony. This is directed primarily at wives. Sandy speaks to the mentors for a few seconds near the end, but her testimony will be one that resonates with wives as well. Watch the video here

 

About BEAUTIFUL WOMANHOOD Ministry. This uses Sandy’s experience to speak directly to the marriage mentor to encourage and equip her role as a mentor. Watch the video here

 

 

Celebrate with Sandy by entering her Kindle Touch Giveaway and coming to her "Beautiful Womanhood" Facebook Party {3/8}!

One beautiful winner will receive:

• A Brand new Kindle Touch with Wi-Fi
• The Beautiful Wife By Sandy Ralya
• The Beautiful Wife Prayer Journal and Mentor's Guide

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 3/7/12. Winner will be announced at Sandy's "Beautiful Womanhood" Facebook Party on 3/8. Sandy will be hosting an evening of chat, laughter and encouragement - bring your friends! She'll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books, prayer journals and a live chat with Sandy for your Bible study or small group!

So grab your copy of The Beautiful Wife and join Sandy and friends on the evening of March 8th for an evening of fun.

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on March 8th!

Blog Tour Schedule

**The Beautiful Wife by Sandy Ralya was provided for me free by Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest review.

Blessings,