Someone Like You by Victoria Bylin

When I am looking for a book to read, I am usually drawn first to the cover even before looking at the book title or author's name. Looking at the cover of Victoria Bylin's newest book, Someone Like You won me over at first glance. Isn't the cover absolutely beautiful?

Someone Like You is a story of second chances between Julia Dare and Zeke Monroe. It is a story that shows what can happen when we let go of our past and problems and allow God to come in and take full control of all areas of our lives.

This is a story of love, forgiveness, family and faith. The characters were well developed and they handle their life issues in a realistic manner. I must say some of the characters were more enjoyable than others, especially the character of Ladybug, who just happened to be a goat. I must say she was quite entertaining.

Ms. Bylin took us on an emotional journey through the lives of Julia and Zeke as they faced love, forgiveness and fighting their self-doubt. Her characters played their parts well and had this reader believing they were real.

I would highly recommend picking up a copy of this wonderful book, especially if you enjoy a good romantic read regarding second chances or if you are like me and just love the cover. 

On a 5 Star Scale - 4.5 Stars!

I would like to thank Litfuse Publicity and Bethany House for my copy of Someone Like You. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review.

Smiles & Blessings,

  

Together With You by Victoria Bylin

When I first heard of Victoria Bylin's debut novel, Until I Found You, I jumped at the chance to read it because I love debut novels. It was so extremely good (read my review here) that when I was given the opportunity to read her second book, Together With You, I jumped at the chance.

Carly Mason is an ex-social worker, working as a manager in a toy store while going to school for her PhD. in Social Welfare. When the story begins a young girl with FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) has been reported missing somewhere in the mall. When Carly hears the "Code Adam" over the Mall PA system she finds herself going back in time when one of her charges ran away and still hasn't been found. At a heightened alert she begins the Code Adam protocol in her store and finds Penny, a young girl who matches the Code Adam description. Soon Penny's father, ophthalmologist Dr. Ryan Tremaine shows up with his two sons to claim Penny. 

While talking with Carly, Dr. Tremaine explains to her that Penny suffers from FASD, but before he can explain what it is, Carly explains it to him. Dr. Tremaine is in need of a nanny. Someone who understands Penny's disorder would be icing on the cake. He asks her to come for an interview and at first Carly tells him no. But she soon changes her mind and accepts the interview.

This book explains a lot about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and the reader is shown what the outcome can be and how children need be handled. Ms. Bylin treated the subject with sensitivity and care.

Ms. Bylin created very believable characters and I found myself wanting to reach out and hug little Penny. I know Ms. Bylin did her research and wouldn't be at all surprised if she observed children with FASD over a period of time.

This story was about forgiveness, trust, and learning to believe and trust in God. While it is a love story between Dr. Tremaine and Carly, it is also a love story between Dr. Tremaine and his kids. There is also a small suspense thread in the early part of the book.

If you enjoy a good contemporary inspirational novel you will love this one. 

On a 5-Star scale = 5 Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Bethany House for my free copy of Together With You. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

CFBA - Until I Found You by Victoria Bylin

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Until I Found You

Bethany House Publishers (May 6, 2014)

by

Victoria Bylin

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A word from the Author:

This may sound crazy, but I was driven to write romance by giant bugs and killer rabbits. I just couldn't take it anymore. My husband and two sons would be camped in front of the television watching a movie about spiders the size of bowling balls, and I'd be wondering when the handsome scientist would get around to kissing the spunky woman with the bug spray. When it didn't happen, I decided to write my own happy endings--without the giant bugs...


Known for her realistic, likable characters and vivid writing, Victoria Bylin writes both western and contemporary inspirational romance. Her books have finaled in the ACFW Carol Awards, the Rita Awards and RT Magazine’s Reviewers’ Choice Awards. She and her husband currently live in Lexington, Kentucky and have two grown sons.

ABOUT THE BOOK


Finding each other was only the beginning . . .


When Kate Darby swerves off a mountain road to avoid hitting a California condor, she ends up trapped in her car, teetering on the edge of a cliff. Terrified, she breathes a prayer that changes her life.


It's Nick Sheridan who comes to Kate's rescue. Nick is handsome and confident, and he seems to develop a habit of rescuing her, but Kate is in town only until her grandmother recuperates from a stroke. She's not planning to get involved with one of the locals.


Nick is a reformed veteran of life in the fast lane, a new Christian, and a travel writer. When he sees a car dangling on the edge of a cliff, the daredevil in him jumps into action. He doesn't expect to be swept off his feet by the car's occupant. He's made a vow--no dating for a year--but keeping that vow is going to be a lot more difficult now that he's met Kate Darby. . . .


If you'd like to read the first chapter of Until I Found You, go HERE.

MY THOUGHTS:

This was my first experience reading a book by Victoria Bylin but as cliche as it may sound, it won't be the last. I loved her strong POV of her characters. Kate Darby and Nick Sheridan were perfectly crafted to show all their flaws and yet they pulled this reader in and made me care for them despite their many flaws.

Nick comes to Kate's rescue early on in the book and their meeting was traumatic and heroic all at once. Throughout the book Nick tends to come to Kate's rescue but it never gets old. In fact you expect him to be there at just the right time.

Kate's grandmother, Leona, was a wonderful character and Ms. Bylin depicted her character very well, especially after Leona suffers a stroke. I loved the passion that Leona has for the California Condor and the journal she created for Kate about the condors. Well done Ms. Bylin.

I loved this book. I love birds. I'm a native Californian (transplanted to Indiana) and I could relate to the mountainous driving that Kate Darby was so fearful about. 

On a 5-Star Scale = 5 Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Bethany House Publishers for my copy of Until I Found You. I received my copy for free in order to read and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,