CFBA - Rival Hearts by Tara Randel

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Rival Hearts

Abingdon Press (June 17, 2014)

by

Tara Randel

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Tara Randel has enjoyed a lifelong love of books, especially romance and mystery genres, so it didn't come as a surprise when she began writing with the dream of becoming published. After finding Romantic Times magazine in a bookstore many years ago, she found information about writing organizations. Soon after, she joined Romance Writers of America. She located the local RWA chapter and immediately attended her first meeting. There was no stopping her after that!

Through Tampa Area Romance Authors, Tara learned all about the business of publishing, starting with the craft of writing to behind the scenes of publishing. She served as contest coordinator for four years and served as President for one year, enjoying the organization and the lasting friendships made there.

When not writing, Tara owns a business with her husband and stays busy with her two daughters. She lives on the West Coast of Florida, where gorgeous sunsets inspire the creation of heartwarming stories, filled with love, laughter and the occasional mystery. Enjoy!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Molly Henderson and Ben Weaver have been rival magazine writers for the same publishing group for years. When both come up for the same promotion, they find themselves in an unexpected competition to win the spot. Molly, editor of Quilter’s Heart, and Ben, editor of Outdoor Adventures, must switch roles, each working for the other for one month, then submit an article at the end of their quests.

Can girly-girl Molly survive the outdoor adventures that Ben has planned? Can Ben navigate the perils of the social dynamics of quilting events without destroying a valuable quilt in one short month? More importantly, in this he-said, she-said situation, will Molly and Ben give in to their attraction and fall in love, no matter who wins?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Rival Hearts, go HERE.

My Thoughts:

Rival Hearts was a fun read from beginning to end.  The two lead characters are head strong and willing to do almost anything to get what they want. Molly Henderson is the editor of Quilter's Heart magazine and Ben Weaver is the editor of Outdoor Adventures magazine. Both magazines are owned by Master's Publishing.  The owner, Mr. Blake Masterson has decided he wants to debut a brand new magazine entitled American Legend. Mr. Masterson is known for doing some strange gimmicks to promote his magazines and he has come up with a way to select the Editor-in-Chief of the new magazine.  He decides to have Ben do a project for Quilter's Heart magazine and Molly must do a project for Outdoor Adventures magazine. It was a wild ride...

When the story first began, I didn't like Ben very much. I thought he was an egotistical jock who thought he was better than everyone else, including Molly. Boy, was I wrong. Molly came off as a wallflower in the beginning and the two seemed very mismatched. But as the shells of these two wonderful characters started to peal away what was left was a beautiful relationship between two lovable characters.

I won't tell you who won because that would ruin it for you, but I do suggest that you pick up a copy because I am sure you will love it.

On a 5-Star Scale - 4 1/2 Stars!

I would like to thank Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Abingdon Press for my review copy of Rival Hearts. I received my copy for free so I could read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

CFBA - A Stitch and a Prayer by Eva Gibson

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

A Stitch and A Prayer

Abingdon Press (May 20, 2014)

by

Eva Gibson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Eva Gibson is the author of twenty books, including A Stitch and a Prayer, the latest release in the Quilts of Love series from Abingdon Fiction. She currently teaches Writing Your Life Story classes for Portland Community College and is an active member of Oregon Christian Writers. She has lived most of her life on the family farm in Wilsonville, Oregon, which is the setting for her novel. 

ABOUT THE BOOK

After her fiancé returns from the Klondike gold rush in 1897, Florence Harms sets about building a new life in her new marriage—even though the lingering effects of illness have left her weak and vulnerable. She and her young husband, Will, work tirelessly to clear the land around their Northwest cabin, content with their modest life. 
But then a stranger comes knocking and Florence suddenly senses a restlessness in Will’s spirit that she had never seen before. When he leaves her with only a note that tells her he will return before their baby’s birth, she is devastated, and the illness that stiffened her joints returns. Counting the days until Will walks back through her door, Florence busies herself with a Tree of Life quilt displaying a map of the farm they call home. Doubts claw at her heart as Florence struggles to believe Will’s promise to return to her. Will her labor of love—and faith in God—sustain her as she waits to see her beloved once again?


If you would like to read the first chapter of A Stitch and A Prayer, go HERE.

My Thoughts:

I am a big fan of the Quilts of Love series published through Abingdon Press. I have read quite a few of them and have loved all but a couple of them. Unfortunately, I didn't love Eva Gibson's contribution to the series, A Stitch and a Prayer. I believe I would have loved it had I connected to her character's more. 

I tried to really connect with Florence and Will but it never happened. I think it's because I wondered how a husband could go off and leave his frail pregnant bride alone without at least telling her why he was going away. To just promise he would return didn't seem enough. After all,  the late 1800's  were hard and to force a young mother to be alone, well it bothered me. I guess things like that happened, but to keep a secret in the beginning of their marriage was hard for me to understand or agree with.

One thing I did enjoy about this book is that the quilt Florence worked on was the Tree of Life pattern.  This is a pattern very dear to me as my grandmother, before she died, quilted a pillow with the Tree of Life on it and gave it to me. it's beautiful.

On a 5-Star Scale - 3 stars.

I would like to thank Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Abingdon Press for my copy of A Stitch and a Prayer. I received my copy for free in order to read and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

CFBA - Maybelle in Stitches by Joyce Magnin

This week, the


Christian Fiction Blog Alliance


is introducing


Maybelle In Stitches


Abingdon Press (March 18, 2014)


by


Joyce Magnin

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

A word from the Author:

I am the author of seven novels. Five adult novels and two middle grade readers. I never wanted to do anything else but write and every day I wake up astonished that I get to do what I always dreamed about. My days are filled with words and images along with the usual family stuff. I have three children, Rebekah who is married to Joshua. They have three of the most adorable boys on the planet, Lemuel, Cedar and Soren. My daughter Emily Kate is a lovely young woman anthropologist and my son Adam is fourteen and a student--he's a genius who loves frogs and lizards and fish and plants. He amazes me.

I have never eaten a scallop. I love cream soda. Drink way too much coffee. I do not like elevators but I do enjoy needle arts and of course books. I prefer jazz over country (no offense), milk chocolate over dark, but not roller coasters although my life has often resembled a roller coaster ride.

One of my life's desires is to meet Amy Grant so I can tell her she saved my life.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Maybelle can’t sew. But when she finds an unfinished quilt in the attic of her mother’s house, she gets the crazy idea to complete it. At first, it’s just a way to fill the lonely nights while her husband, staff sergeant Holden Kanzinzki, is away fighting in World War II.

Yet when Maybelle discovers that the quilt is made from scraps of material that can be traced back through her family heritage, the project is suddenly much more important. Then word comes that Holden is missing in action, and with little else to do, Maybelle clings to the quilt as much as to the hope that her husband is still alive. As neighborhood friends gather around Maybelle to help her through the unknown days and nights ahead, it is the quilt that becomes a symbol of her unflagging belief that Holden will return—to her, to their home, and to their quilt-covered bed.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Maybelle In Stitches, go HERE.

My Thoughts:

I've enjoyed all the "Quilts of Love" books that I've read so far, however, Maybelle in Stitches was not one of my favorites. I found it difficult for me to connect with the characters because they didn't come to life for me.

There was a lot of sadness in this book, first when Maybelle's mother passes away and then again when Maybelle's husband, Holden, is listed as Missing in Action while fighting the Nazis. Probably the saddest part for me was the end. It was bittersweet.

I did however enjoy the women who came together to help Maybelle finish the quilt her mother had started.

I would like to thank Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Abingdon Press for my copy of Maybelle in Stitches. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review.

Smiles & Blessings,

CFBA - Tempest's Course by Lynette Sowell

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Tempest's Course

Abingdon Press (December 17, 2013)


by

Lynette Sowell


ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Lynette Sowell is an award-winning novelist. Her most recent novel, Tempest’s Course, is part of the Quilts of Love line from Abingdon Press. When Lynette’s not writing, she divides her time between editing medical reports and chasing down news stories for the Copperas Cove Leader-Press. Lynette was born and raised on the Eastern Shore of Maryland but makes her home in Coppress Cove, Texas, with her husband and a herd of cats who have them well-trained.



ABOUT THE BOOK

Kelly Frost, a textiles conservator, is invited to the Massachusetts coastal city of New Bedford to restore a 150-year-old Mariner's Compass quilt. But there is one stipulation: she must live and work in Gray House, a former whaling captain's home, where the quilt is stored. There she meets Army veteran Tom Pereira, the caretaker of Gray House, whose heart seems as hard as the rocky Massachusetts coastline. Over the long-lit months as Kelly works to restore the quilt, she and Tom grow closer. And as she reads stories in a daily journal penned by Mary Gray, she learns the secrets of the quilt and Mary's own sad tale of regret. Then Tom learns secrets of his own family's past, and both Tom and Kelly learn they are tied to Gray House in ways they never imagined.



If you would like to read the first chapter of Tempest's Course, go HERE.


My Thoughts:

I have become a big fan of the "Quilts of Love" Series of books. When given the opportunity to review Tempest's Course I jumped at the chance.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book, especially the way Ms. Sowell incorporated the journal of Mary Gray that was written in the 1850's. I have always enjoyed reading books that tie the past to the present.

Ms. Sowell created believable characters that endeared themselves to this reader.  I didn't see the ending coming but that's what makes reading so enjoyable, the surprises that an author drops when you least expect it.  I don't believe I have read anything by Lynette Sowell in the past but I will definitely be looking for her books in the future.

On a 5-Star Scale - 4 Stars!

I would like to that Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Abingdon Press for my review copy of Tempest's Course. I received my copy for free so I could read it and give my honest review which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,