Dancing with Fireflies by Denise Hunter~~A Litfuse Publicity Group Book Review, Blog Tour and Kindle HDX Giveaway

Learning to Dance Again

Dancing with Fireflies by Denise Hunter in the second book in the A Chapel Hill Springs Romance series. The first was Barefoot in Summer.

Denise Hunter is one of my favorite Contemporary Christian authors. She has a way of drawing the reader in and keeping her through the last page.

Jade McKinley left her home in Chapel Springs, Indiana wanting a fresh start and needing to escape the painful memories of her past. She hadn't planned to return. However, nearly a year later she finds herself pregnant, and penniless, with nowhere to go but home. Nevertheless, she has decided to do whatever it takes to stand on her own two feet and take care of her baby. 

Jade knows going home isn’t going to be easy. In fact, going home pregnant could hurt someone very dear to her. Which is one of the reasons she tries to hide her pregnancy, if only temporarily, from her family and friends.

Daniel Dawson has loved Jade for years. But, he is an honorary member of the McKinley family which puts him in the “brother zone.” When Jade left, Daniel's feelings were crushed, but now that she has returned, his heart is once again in danger. What's worse, she asks him to find and set her up with men that he would approve of for dates. Against his better judgment, he agrees. Although, he was planning to keep an eye on his competition. Behind Jade’s strange request, Daniel discovers Jade's secret, and he is determined to walk by her side, despite the cost to himself and his heart. As Daniel renews his friendship with Jade, old emotions awaken while faith and trust are pushed to the limit as his own insecurities and fears bubble to the surface.

Daniel is the Knight-in-Shining-Armor every little girl dreams of. He is loving, protective, and loyal. Jade, despite experiencing the unthinkable manages to find the strength to overcome and shines. I was transfixed to the pages of this book from beginning to end, as I read Jade and Daniel's story.

Dancing with Fireflies is truly a story that brings beauty for ashes to both Jade and Daniel! I loved returning to Chapel Springs and spending time getting re-acquainted with the McKinley family, as well as getting to know the characters that I fell in love with in the first book of the series, Barefoot Summer better. I highly recommend this series, to fans of Denise Hunter, as well as anyone who enjoys true Christian Fiction.

About the Book:

A Chapel Springs Romance

Jade returns home to Chapel Springs after years of protecting her fragile heart. Then along comes Daniel, making her long to dance again.

Creative and complicated, Jade McKinley felt like a weed in a rose garden growing up in Chapel Springs. When she left, she thought she’d never look back. But now, pregnant, alone, and broke, she has no other choice but to return.

The mayor of Chapel Springs, Daniel Dawson, has been an honorary member of the McKinley family for years. While his own home life was almost non-existent, Daniel fit right into the boisterous McKinley family. He’s loved Jade for years, but she always saw him as a big brother. Now that she’s back, his feelings are stronger than ever.

As Jade attempts to settle in, nothing feels right. God seems far away, she’s hiding secrets from her family, and she’s strangely attracted to the man who’s always called her “squirt.” Finding her way home may prove more difficult than she imagined.

Would you like to purchase the book?

Meet Denise;

 

 

 

Denise Hunter is an internationally published best-selling author. Her books have won The Holt Medallion Award, The Reader's Choice Award, The Foreword Book of the Year Award, and was a RITA finalist. In 1996, inspired by the death of her grandfather, Denise began her first book, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her husband says he inspires all of her romantic stories, but Denise insists a good imagination helps, too. When Denise isn't writing, she's busy raising three heroes-in-the-making with her husband.

Denise invites you to visit her website to learn more. 

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 Don't miss Denise Hunter's latest Chapel Springs Romance, Dancing with Fireflies. Reviewers have already labeled Dancing with Fireflies "swoon-worthy" and "the perfect love story."

Join Denise in celebrating the release of her new book by entering her Kindle HDX giveaway and RSVPing for her April 10th Facebook party.

 

One winner will receive:

• A brand new Kindle Fire HDX
• Dancing with Fireflies and Barefoot Summer by Denise Hunter

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 10th. Winner will be announced at the Dancing with Fireflies Facebook Party on April 10th. Connect with Denise for an evening of prizes, book chat, and an exclusive look at the next book in the series.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by clicking JOIN on the event page. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 10th!

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Blessings,

**Dancing with Fireflies by Denise Hunter was provided for me free by Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest review.

Barefoot Summer by Denise Hunter~~A Litfuse Publicity Group Book Review, Blog Tour and Giveaway

 

My Review:

Learning to Trust God

"Life is filled with difficulties. This isn't heaven. We have these big mountains, set right in front of us, and we have no choice but to climb.”
Her mom looked down, took a long moment, then squeezed Madison's hand. "When you were a little girl, you didn't like going barefoot, you remember? You had such tender feet."
"The grass tickled, and the sticks and rocks hurt."
"Even that time we went to Lake Michigan, you wore your sandals on the beach except when you were on your towel."
"The sand was hot."
"You remember Michael though?" Mom laughed. "Mercy, I couldn't keep that boy in shoes. It was all I could do to make him keep them on at church. I'd come into the nursery and there his socks would be, all balled up in the corner, and him running around barefoot."
Madison smiled at the remembrance. "We were different as day and night."
"But still so close." Mom tucked Madison's hair behind her ear and looked at her knowingly. "Sometimes we have to find the courage to take off our shoes and feel it all. Even the bad stuff."
"Sometimes those negative feelings are so strong, they're overwhelming, and it's easier to just not deal with them. But they always come out one way or another. You've always been afraid of feeling, Madison. But death is part of life. Not my favorite part, not by a long shot. But God does not owe us ninety years on this earth. Life is a gift, however long it lasts. It's God's to give and take away as He sees fit. We go through life thinking we're entitled to our ninety, but we're not entitled to anything. All we can do is trust that He knows what He's doing. That He has a plan for all of us, and that no pain He allows in our life will go unused. I supposed realizing that has given me a measure of peace." (Barefoot Summer pp. 235-236).

Madison McKinley is still grieving her twin brother Michael’s death. She has nightmares about him that prevents her from sleeping, and she has decided that the only way to get them to stop is to fulfill Michael’s dream of being the youngest winner of their town’s annual regatta. There is only a couple things that stand in her way…her crippling fear of water, and the fact that she doesn’t know the first thing about sailing a boat.

Her plan is to learn to sail with Evan Higgins, a longtime winner of the regatta. When Evan’s work schedule doesn’t permit him to give the lessons, the job falls to Beckett O'Reilly, Chapel Spring's bad boy and the son of the town drunk. Madison doesn’t like the change of plans, but what choice does she have? Especially when she is determined to see Michael’s dream come to fruition.

Beckett has his own reasons for being apprehensive about teaching Madison to sail. He’s had a crush on Madison since High School, but he doesn’t think he has a chance with her. Beckett believes she would never want to date a guy like him. Even though he is a Christian now, and has turned his life around. But he thinks it’s too late. She would never want anything to do with him if she really knew the truth about him.

I don’t want to ruin the story for you by saying too much. But I will say that there are twists and turns throughout the book that kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next. I liked how Denise used Beckett and Madison’s mother to help Madison see her need for Jesus. Watching Madison finally learn that nothing she did, not training for the chance to win the regatta, her job, Beckett or her family could heal her hurt, and seeing that only Jesus could was one of the best parts of the story.

I am looking forward to Denise’s next book in the Chapel Hill series- - Dancing with Fireflies; unfortunately it won’t be available until April 2014.

About the Book:

Madison’s heart has been closed for years. But one summer can change everything.

In the years since her twin brother’s drowning, Madison McKinley has struggled to put it behind her. Despite the support of her close-knit family and her gratifying job as a veterinarian in their riverside town, the loss still haunts her.

To find closure, Madison sets out to fulfill her brother’s dream of winning the town’s annual regatta. But first she has to learn to sail, and fast.

Beckett O’Reilly knows Madison is out of his league, but someone neglected to tell his heart. Now she needs his help—and he’ll give it, because he owes her far more than she’ll ever know.

Madison will do anything—even work with the infamous Beckett O’Reilly—to reach her goal. And as much as she’d like to deny it, the chemistry between them is electrifying. As summer wanes, her feelings for him grow and a fledgling faith takes root in her heart.

But Beckett harbors a secret that will test the limits of their new love. Can their romance survive summer’s challenges? And will achieving her brother’s dream give Madison the peace she desperately seeks?

Would you like to purchase the book?.

Meet Denise:

Denise lives in Indiana with her husband Kevin and their three sons. In 1996, Denise began her first book, a Christian romance novel, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her books often contain a strong romantic element, and her husband Kevin says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!

 

 Denise invites you to visit her website to learn more.

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Denise Hunter is celebrating her new Chapel Springs Romance series with a Summer Fun Giveaway. The first book, Barefoot Summer, is already a favorite with readers. “Hold-your-breath romance, heartache, and laugh-out-loud moments. It’s more than a good read. It’s a delight.” -- Lisa
 
Summer: it’s all about sunny skies, star-gazing, swimming, spending time with loved ones, and living as if a small part of the weight of the world has been lifted off your shoulders.

Get ready for some serious summer fun with Denise’s 12-Day Summer Sun giveaway. From June 10-21, keep your computer near as you head to the lake or your friend’s barbecue because Denise will be giving away a summer essential each day!

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Blessings,

**Barefoot Summer by Denise Hunter was provided for me free by Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest review.

Secretly Smitten...Love Changes Everything ~~An Evening of Giggle, Gab & Prizes

Summer, fall, winter, spring—Smitten, Vermont, is the place for love . . . and mystery!

There’s a secret in Grandma Rose’s attic—a forgotten set of dog tags belonging to her first love. But David Hutchins was killed in action and never returned to Smitten. How did the dog tags end up in the attic?

The mystery intrigues Rose’s three granddaughters—Tess, Clare, and Zoe—and they decide to investigate, though their mother, Anna, warns against meddling. But as the seasons turn and the mystery unravels, the three young women and their mother encounter some intriguing mystery men of their own. Has a sixty-year-old puzzle sparked something new for this close-knit family of women?

Join popular romance novelists—and real-life BFFs—Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter for four delightful intertwined tales of mystery and sweet intrigue.

Would you like to read what others are saying about Secretly Smitten?

Would you like to purchase a copy?

 

Meet the Authors:

Coble, Billerbeck, Hunter, Hunt

RITA-finalist Colleen Coble is the author of several best-selling romantic suspense novels, including "Tidewater Inn", and the Mercy Falls, Lonestar, and Rock Harbor series. * Christy Award finalist and two-time winner of the ACFW Book of the Year award, Kristin Billerbeck has appeared on The Today Show and has been featured in the New York Times. Her books include "A Billion Reasons Why" and "What a Girl Wants." * Denise Hunter is the award-winning and best-selling author of several novels, including "A Cowboy's Touch" and "Sweetwater Gap." She and her husband are raising three boys in Indiana. * Diann Hunt has lived in Indiana forever, been happily married forever, loves her family, chocolate, her friends, her dog, and, well, chocolate.

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The "gals" are celebrating the release of Secretly Smitten with a fun Live Webcast on February 5th. They'll be debuting the *NEW* animated Smitten trailer, giving away tons of prizes, dishing on the book and their friendship. They'll also be wrapping up the Secretly Smitten blog tour, answering audience questions and testing your trivia skills. Don't miss the fun and bring your friends. Click here to RSVP and set up a reminder.

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Blessings,

The Trouble with Cowboys~~A Litfuse Publicity Group Book Review

 

My Review:

The Trouble with Cowboys?--they leave. This is Annie Wilkerson’s belief, and she is determined not to fall for one. The only problem is, a cowboy named Dylan, is slowly working his way into her heart.

Annie Wilkerson, carries a lot on her shoulders. She and her sister were abandoned by their father when they were young, and after their mother passes away, their grandfather takes care of them.
Now it is just Annie, her sister Sierra, and Sierra's son Ryder.

In order to keep their heads above water, Annie works two jobs. One is as a horse trainer, the other as a columnist for a magazine.  She had been writing about horse care, but the readership was dropping. As a result, her supervisor decided that she should try her hand at a lovelorn column.

Annie doesn't feel that she is qualified to help the people seeking answers. So she strikes up a deal with Dylan Taylor, she'll work with his horse, Braveheart, as he adjusts to going blind, and he'll help her with writing her new column. Simple enough, right? Well...not so much.

The Trouble with Cowboys by Denise Hunter is the first book I have read in this series (and this author). I wondered if not reading the first two books would be a hindrance in enjoying the story. It wasn’t. I highly recommend this author, she writes in a way that sets vivid scenes, create believable characters, and draws the reader into the story. I look forward to reading more of her books.

 About the Book:

Only one pair of boots—and the cowboy wearing them—can get Annie out of the mess she’s in.

Annie Wilkerson is Moose Creek’s premiere horse trainer and equine columnist for Montana Living. Money is tight as she tries to put her kid-sister through college and provide for her young nephew. When Annie’s column is cancelled, she’s given first shot at a new lovelorn column—and she can’t afford to turn it down. Only problem is . . . Annie’s never been in love.

Always resourceful, she reluctantly strikes a deal with the town’s smooth-talking ladies’ man Dylan Taylor: She’ll work with his ailing horse, Braveheart, if he’ll help her answer the reader letters.

Working closely with Dylan is harder than Annie imagined, and she quickly realizes she may have misjudged him. But her unwavering conviction that cowboys are nothing but trouble has kept her heart safe for years. And she can’t risk getting hurt now.

The more Annie tries to control things, the more they fall apart. Her feelings are spinning out of control, and her sister’s antics are making life increasingly more difficult. Annie knows she needs to turn the reins over to God, but surrender has never come easily.

When Dylan reveals his feelings for her, Annie doesn’t know what to trust—her head or her heart. The trouble with this cowboy is that he might just be exactly what she needs.

Order a copy here.

About Denise:

Denise lives in Indiana with her husband Kevin and their three sons. In 1996, Denise began her first book, a Christian romance novel, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she’s been writing ever since. Her books often contain a strong romantic element, and her husband Kevin says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!

 

Find out more about Denise at her website.

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Denise Hunter’s “The Trouble with Cowboys” Facebook Party & Kindle Fire Giveaway

To celebrate the release of The Trouble with Cowboys Denise is hosting a fun Author Chat Party on Facebook. She'll connect with readers and give away some amazing prizes - including a Kindle Fire!
Save the Date for October 11th!

Grab your copy of Denise Hunter’s latest book and join her for an Author Chat Party on October 11th at 8:00 PM EST (that’s 7:00 Central, 6:00 MST, & 5:00 PST)! Haven’t read The Trouble with Cowboys yet? That’s okay, don’t let that stop you from coming to the party! (You may win a copy!)

During the evening she’ll be sharing the story behind the book, posting discussion questions, testing your trivia skills, and of course, there will be plenty of chatting and fun giveaways – books, gift certificates and – a Kindle Fire! She’ll also be giving you a sneak peek of her next book too!

RSVP today and then come back on the 11th … and bring your friends!

Blessings,

**The Trouble with Cowboys by Denise Hunter was provided for me free by Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest review.

Denise Hunter’s “The Trouble with Cowboys” Facebook Party & Kindle Fire Giveaway

To celebrate the release of The Trouble with Cowboys Denise is hosting a fun Author Chat Party on Facebook. She'll connect with readers and give away some amazing prizes - including a Kindle Fire!
Save the Date for October 11th!

Grab your copy of Denise Hunter's latest book and join her for an Author Chat Party on October 11th at 8:00 PM EST (that’s 7:00 Central, 6:00 MST, & 5:00 PST)! Haven't read The Trouble with Cowboys yet? That's okay, don't let that stop you from coming to the party! (You may win a copy!)

During the evening she’ll be sharing the story behind the book, posting discussion questions, testing your trivia skills, and of course, there will be plenty of chatting and fun giveaways – books, gift certificates and – a Kindle Fire! She’ll also be giving you a sneak peek of her next book too!

RSVP today and then come back on the 11th … and bring your friends!

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I will be posting my review of The Trouble with Cowboys on October 10, 2012.

Blessings,

Today our mailman has been busy

Do you want to see what he has left in in my mailbox?

 

 

Well, I guess I had better get busy reading!

Blessings,