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Messy Beautiful Love: Hope and Redemption for Real-Life Marriages by Darlene Schacht ~ A Marriage Book Review

Messy Beautiful Love:

Hope and Redemption for Real-Life Marriages

Darlene Schacht

Nonfiction / Marriage

MESSY BEAUTIFUL LOVE DELIVERS AN INCREDIBLE

TESTIMONY OF GRACE THAT OFFERS HOPE FOR TODAY'S

MARRIAGES AND A SPARK FOR REKINDLING LOVE

Love gets messy.

Financial problems, sickness, aging parents, a chronically unhappy spouse . . . trials will inevitably come that threaten your marriage. No matter how long you've been married or how strong your relationship is, sooner or later you are going to have a mess to clean up.

Messy Beautiful Love is about cleaning up messes God's way, exchanging your ideas for His, and being prepared for both the best and the worst that marriage has to offer.

When you surrender your relationship to God, then and only then will you experience the blessing of marriage as He intended. This is the blessing of obedience.

Messy Beautiful Love is an invitation to that obedience. The cynical world says marriages don't last, but God knows better. Tune out the world and tune in to Him. When you do that, a beautiful marriage is not only possible; it's inevitable.

My Thoughts
What stood out the most to me in Messy Beautiful Love was the transparent honesty which Darlene Schacht used to tell her story. In the opening chapter you quickly find out that she had an extra-marital affair. I'm not sure that I would be brave enough to put that on paper for the world to see, but Darlene followed the lead of Christ and is using her story to reach those in similar situations.
The title of the book is very appropriate. If you have been married for any length of time you already know that some of the magic fades and real life enters in. Darlene shares about the struggles in their early married life with a candor that is to be admired. It would be easy to say "it was his fault" and go on, but she tells her story in a way that allows you to relate to the whole situation. I can almost guarantee that we've all been there. If you've not had a fixer-upper, or a home-based business, or more than one kiddo under the age of three then you may not relate to how things took a nose-dive. But if you are like most of us you can envision how discontent can settle in.
While the beginning of the book deals with the fallout of the affair the middle to end are all about the hope we can have in building a loving and lasting marriage. This isn't your typical marriage book, but it is one that I think you will benefit from reading if you are married for any length of time at all.
Connect With The Author

www.TimeWarpWife.com

Facebook I Twitter I Pinterest I Instagram

The Southern Foodie's Guide To The Pig by Chris Chamberlain ~ A Culinary Book Review

The Southern Foodie's Guide To The Pig: A Culinary Tour of the South's Best Restaurants & the Recipes that Made Them Famous

Chris Chamberlain

Cooking / Southern

How To Select, Prepare, Cook, And Enjoy

Everything But The Oink

Chris Chamberlain, author of the popular The Southern Foodie Cookbook, takes you back to the South for a tour of the restaurants that make the best pig dishes.

When Ben Franklin lobbied his fellow founding fathers to consider the wild turkey as our young country’s national symbol, perhaps he should have considered the pig. Arguably the most democratic of all proteins, pork is welcome across the country from a gourmet pork belly dish on the menu of the toniest Charleston bistro to a whole hog roasting in a hole dug in the sand of a beach in LA (Lower Alabama).

Pork is also uniquely democratic in that it is a meat that is welcome at every meal. The old saw goes that when considering a breakfast of bacon and eggs, "the chicken is involved, but the pig is committed." While you may occasionally see a breakfast steak on the menu, the pig is the star of the morning meal. A thick-sliced smoked bologna purchased from a gas station deli in rural Tennessee is the perfect working man’s lunch, unless you consider the ultimate demonstration of the nose-to-tail versatility of the pig, a snoot sandwich made from a boiled hog’s nose slapped between two slices of white bread. Feel free not to consider that for too long…

The Southern Foodie’s Guide to the Pig takes you on several journeys. An anatomic survey of the pig introduces readers to all the parts of this versatile animal and teaches procedures and recipes to prepare all sorts of wonderful dishes. A geographic tour of the Southern states will showcase restaurants in the region that have particular talents when it comes to pork. The chefs and pitmasters have shared some of their most sacred secrets, the actual recipes for the best pork, barbecue and bacon dishes that emerge from their kitchens. Finally, since man cannot live by pig alone (unfortunately), there is also a selection of recipes that are great accompaniments to the pork dishes contributed by the fifty Southern restaurants that are featured.

So feel free to keep a copy of this book in your glovebox to help you find the best place for an elegant meal in Atlanta or that hidden gem of a barbecue joint in Kentucky. Or get this book a little dirty in the kitchen as you take your own tour of the South’s best pork dishes while you plan your meals for the week. Either way you use it, it’s a journey well worth taking.

My Thoughts
There is just so much to salivate over in this book. The pictures, the descriptions, the recipes, every inch is just covered in some sort of deliciousness. In fact the only thing that could possibly make the book better would be to insert some scratch and sniff spots . . . but of course that would just be over the top!
I really like the layout of the book. The first section is educational. If you are a hard-core foodie or just an average joe, this section is for you. The explanations that are included on the different cuts of meat and the different types of seasoning methods are interesting and do not talk down to those of us that are not as well versed in the matters.
The second section is going to make you want to take the ultimate foodie field trip. This section includes some of the outstanding restaurants in the South that just happen to feature some out-of-this-world pork dishes. The details make you feel like you are getting the inside scoop into each restaurant. At the bottom of each page is a list of that particular restaurant's specialties, insider tips to help you make your choices, and also directions to the featured recipe from this establishment in section three of the book.
Chris Chamberlain saved the best for last in this book . . . the recipes! We've had the book for a couple of weeks and have tried several of the offerings. Granted my attempts are nowhere near as pretty as the pictures, but the results are oh so tasty! Just go ahead and add this to your Christmas list to give and to get. It will be perfect for all your favorite foodies.
Connect With The Author

Chris Chamberlain is a food and drink writer based in Nashville, Tennessee, where he has lived his entire life except for four years in California where he studied liberal arts at Stanford University and learned how to manipulate chopsticks. He is a regular writer for the Nashville Scene and their "Bites" food blog. He has also contributed to the Nashville City Paper, Nashville Lifestyles magazine, 2001 Edgehill and at www.geardiary.com. Follow his Facebook page The Southern Foodie.

Man Stuff by Josh Turner ~ Devotional Thoughts on Faith, Family, and Fatherhood {Review & Giveaway}

Man Stuff: Devotional Thoughts on Faith, Family, and Fatherhood

Josh Turner

Christian Life / Devotional

THE MAN BEHIND THE GUITAR--

HE'S ALL ABOUT FAITH, FAMILY,

AND FATHERHOOD.

Multi-platinum country music artist Josh Turner is a man who says what he thinks, and means what he says. And he's got a lot to say about the road he's traveled to stardom, the growing of his family, and his steadfast faith in God.

Drawing from rich experiences filled with both sunshine and rain, Josh shares ninety short stories about his life and the lessons he's learned along the way. You'll laugh, smile, and nod as you connect with what he believes is truly important in life. Each can be read in the time it takes to drink a morning cup of coffee. But the truths he shares will linger in your mind like the lyrics to a good song.

My Thoughts
If you are living and breathing you have undoubtedly heard about Josh Turner, if not the man himself then at least his music. He has become a powerhouse in the Country Music field. His music speaks to the average person and reflects Josh's personal beliefs and faith like few others do.
But behind all that fame is a normal man that is a husband and father. In his ordinary life he faces the same issues of balancing it all that our husbands and fathers do. Through ninety short devotional segments, Josh gives you a peak into his world. He allows you to see how God has worked in his life in the good and not so good moments. He shares with you what his family has passed down through the generations that has created the legacy of the Turner family.
You'll be encouraged as a husband and a father to reach for a more meaningful life. The fame and fortune are all good and well, but if you have no one to share it all with what was the point. The book is simple in its approach, but make no mistake, the words and message are profound.
By the way the forward in the book is written by Jase Robertson of Duck Dynasty fame. Jase wholeheartedly endorses the book and his message about it and Josh in particular is very moving. This would make a great gift for those special men in your life, especially the young fathers. If we want our men to be who God intended them to be then we must support them in those efforts. This book is a great affirmation that the role of husband and father is the most important role that our men will ever have.

The Giveaway
We have partnered with Tommy Nelson to offer one of our readers a copy of Man Stuff: Devotional Thoughts on Faith, Family, and Fatherhood. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents and will run through midnight on Saturday, October 11, 2014. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. The winner will be contacted by email and will have forty-eight hours to claim the prize. If unclaimed, a new winner will be drawn. The winners’ entries will be verified. Please enter the contest using the Rafflecopter form below. All entries are optional. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Notes From A Blue Bike: The Art of Living Intentionally in a Chaotic World by Tsh Oxenreider ~ A Christian Life Book Review and Giveaway

Notes From A Blue Bike:

The Art of Living Intentionally in a Chaotic World

Tsh Oxenreider

Nonfiction / Christian Life

Inside the flap:

In a sense, it all started with a bike, a powder-blue cruiser with chrome fenders and a wire basket.

To Tish Oxenreider, this birthday gift represented a promise made with her husband--"that we'd try, with all our collective might, to make a new and better life that actually aligned with our values."

In another sense, the blue bike was simply one more milestone in a quest begun years before to live more simply, more fully, and more purposefully. This memoir traces the family's journey from an urban high-rise in Turkey to the congested city of Austin, Texas, and finally to a small town in Oregon. It chronicles false starts, changed minds, periods of chaos and boredom, doubts and dilemmas--but also moments of surprising and transcendent grace as the Oxenreiders gradually learn to live the life they have chosen:

buying less and enjoying more
changing their approach to food, work, travel, education, and entertainment
discovering the grace and the sanity-saving joy of the "80/20 principle"
fostering global awareness and a sense of curiosity and adventure in themselves and their children
learning to live with partial and imperfect solutions without losing sight of what matters
seeking out emotional, spiritual, and physical revival
creatively planning and pursuing a life they can believe in

Full of practical hows and compelling whys, Notes from a Blue Bike emerges as far more than a memoir. It's a gentle but persuasive manifesto--an invitation for readers to strike out on their own journeys toward an on-purpose, values-based lifestyle.

You may never own a blue bike. But the message of Notes from a Blue Bike--that you can choose your life and find grace along the way--will resonate in your heart and mind long after you've finished reading.

My thoughts:
I enjoy reading books about other people's journeys. I find it interesting to read about their thought processes on topics that I am interested in. I love to tag along with them through the pages of a book as they navigate through life's obstacles.
In Notes from a Blue Bike we get to literally travel the world with the Oxenreider family. The story begins in 2008 with them living in a small apartment in Izmir,Turkey. The culture is completely different from Austin, Texas where they are originally from. The language is different, the shopping is different, and the relationships are different. Tsh shares her struggles and triumphs in this beautiful place that will wind up leaving a lasting impression on their family.
Eventually the family settles down in small town Bend, Oregon and that's where the real work begins. They moved to Bend to try and capture some of the simpler aspects of living in a small town. But they quickly realize that location doesn't necessarily mean simplicity. Instead they begin to make intentional choices that lead their family in the direction that they desire.
The memoir is broken down into parts entitled Food, Work, Education, Travel, and Entertainment. In each of these sections Tsh shares her family's journey through intentional choices to arrive at a simpler lifestyle. If you are a follower of Tsh on TheArtOfSimple.net you will especially enjoy reading and getting an inside peek into the everyday life of her and her family.
Connect with the author:

www.TshOxenreider.com

www.TheArtOfSimple.net

Facebook

Twitter ~ @tsh

Instagram

Pinterest

The Giveaway:

We are thrilled to offer one of our readers a copy of the book Notes from a Blue Bike. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents and will run through midnight on Tuesday, July 29, 2014. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. The winner will be contacted by email and will have forty-eight hours to claim the prize. If unclaimed, a new winner will be drawn. The winners’ entries will be verified. Please enter the contest using the Rafflecopter form below. All entries are optional.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dreamtreaders by Wayne Thomas Batson ~ A Young Adult Fantasy Review and Giveaway

Dreamtreaders

Dreamtreaders Trilogy, Book 1

Wayne Thomas Batson

Juvenile Fiction/Fantasy

Back of the book:

SAVING THE WORLD

ONE DREAM AT A TIME

Fourteen-year-old Archer Keaton is a dreamtreader, one of three people in the entire world destined to defeat evil forces lurking in the Dream. The dreamtreaders' mission is to stop the Nightmare Lord, who terrorizes the dreams of innocent people all over the world. However, Archer's fellow dreamtreaders have gone missing so he's all alone in his fight. And strange sightings in the Dream make Archer think that someone who is not supposed to be there has been trespassing and it's up to him to find and stop the interloper.

But as Archer's adventures in the Dream become more threatening, so too does his waking life. Rigby Thames, the new kid from England, has become popular overnight, and his new group of followers is acting secretive and suspicious. Even Archer's best friend Kara is spending alll of her time with Rigby. Archer can't put his finger on it, but there's more going on with Rigby than meets the eye.

As Archer faces two foes in two worlds, will he be able to quell the nightmares haunting his dreams and reality?

From Jacob's dream of the heavenly stairway in Genesis 28 to angels visiting Joseph's dreams in Matthew 1, dreams have been powerful ingredients of God's plan as revealed through Scripture. This fantasy adventure imagines a whole dream world where God's warriors literally battle evil every night.

My thoughts:

If you have enjoyed C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia series or Tolkein's Lord of the Rings series, it is probably a fair guess that you are going to like Batson's newest book Dreamtreaders.

In Dreamtreaders we are allowed to explore three different worlds, the Temporal, the Ethereal, and the Dream. The Temporal realm is where all humans dwell during the waking hours. The Ethereal realm is where humanity came from and it is also their ultimate destiny. Finally the Dream realm is the realm between the two.

"Dream is the twilight world intended to remind those dwelling in the Temporal that there is a far better land, a spectacular far-off country, that waits for them in the someday . . . in the plane of the Ethereal."

With the opening scene we are thrust into the Dream with dreamtreader, Archer Keaton. Archer is there just to patch up some breaches but against all directions to the contrary he decides to take on the Nightmare Lord. After a very close call we follow Archer back into the Temporal realm and experience his life with his family, friends and schoolmates.

The story continues to split between the two worlds with action packed scenes filled with important lessons. The characters are fascinating and the switching between the worlds is very plausible in a fantasy type of way. I appreciated how Archer was portrayed. He made mistakes and he fell into temptations of self-will as any typical teenager would. What set this story apart from so many others in the genre, was that Archer corrected and learned from his mistakes. I also appreciated that even though it was a fantasy book it had good Biblical basis that should lead to some great discussions with your middle grade reader.

While science fiction and young adult fiction are not my typical cup of tea, this story kept my attention throughout the entire book. In fact I am looking forward to reading book two when it comes out. I do however, have two areas of caution. First this is a trilogy, so this is not a stand-alone book. You are going to be left hanging at the end so you will need to read the next two books to see this story draw to a conclusion. Secondly, this book is recommended for readers ages eight to twelve. I would have no problem handing this book to my twelve-year-old without pre-reading it. But I'm not so sure about the younger set. There is nothing out-of-bounds about this story (no sex, no cursing, no untoward innuendos) but it does have violent fighting scenes that might be best experienced while reading with an adult.

Connect with the author:

EnterTheDoorWithin.blogspot.com

Goodreads

Facebook

Twitter ~ @WayneBatson

The Giveaway:

We have partnered with Tommy Nelson to offer one of our readers a copy of the book Dreamtreaders

. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents and will run through midnight on Tuesday, July 8, 2014. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. The winner will be contacted by email and will have forty-eight hours to claim the prize. If unclaimed, a new winner will be drawn. The winners’ entries will be verified. Please enter the contest using the Rafflecopter form below. All entries are optional.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dancing With Fireflies by Denise Hunter ~ A Contemporary Romance Review

Dancing With Fireflies

A Chapel Springs Romance, Book 2

Denise Hunter

Contemporary Romance

Back of the book:

Jade returns home to Chapel Springs after years

of protecting her fragile heart. Then along comes Daniel,

making her long to dance again.

Growing up in the midwestern river town of Chapel Springs, Indiana, Jade McKinley felt like a weed in a rose garden. When she left, she thought she'd never look back. 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 nonexistent, Daniel fit right in with the boisterous McKinley family. He's loved Jade for years, but she always thought of 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." Returning home may prove more difficult--and more wonderful--than she ever imagined.

My thoughts:

Jade McKinley had big plans for her life. She had moved to Chicago to pursue her dreams. But one seemingly innocent evening changed everything. Now she's headed home to Chapel Springs with a secret she's not going to be able to keep for very long.

The first person she turns to upon arriving in Chapel Springs is Daniel Dawson. He's the safe choice. He's always been there and Jade has looked at him as another big brother. The problem is that Daniel doesn't see Jade in the same way. In fact he's spent the last year trying to put his feelings for her behind him and move on. Then on a random Spring evening Jade unexpectedly shows up on his doorstep. She needs him . . . but only as a friend.

In Dancing With Fireflies we get to experience the divine hand of God at work in two peoples lives. What seems like one traumatic incident after another is used to bring about the perfect outcome at just the right time.

Denise Hunter has the art of sexual tension down! Her love scenes pack some definite heat without crossing the line. If you are interested in an electrified romance search no further. Dancing With Fireflies can certainly be read as a stand alone. But let me just recommend going back and reading Madison and Beckett's story in Barefoot Summer. Then treat yourself to the delightful little novella, A December Bride, that is a nice little bridge between the two novels. Trust me, you won't regret it!

Connect with the author:

DeniseHunterBooks.com

Facebook

Twitter ~ @deniseahunter

Happy Wives Club: One Woman's Worldwide Search For The Secrets Of A Great Marriage by Fawn Weaver ~ A Marriage Book Review

Happy Wives Club

Fawn Weaver

Nonfiction/Marriage

About the book:

DISCOVER THE BEST MARRIAGE SECRETS

FROM THE WORLD'S HAPPIEST WIVES

One woman undertakes a worldwide search to learn the secrets of a great marriage—and finds one foundational truth that could change everything.

Fawn Weaver was a happily married woman running a successful business—and then something happened. Maybe it was divorce rate reports on the evening news, The Real Housewives of Orange County, or any daytime talk show where husbands and wives dramatically reveal their betrayals. Everywhere she looked, Fawn saw negative portrayals of marriage dominating the airwaves and dooming everyone to failure.

Looking at Keith, the love of her life, she knew that wasn’t true. She was determined to find and connect with women just like her—happy and optimistic about marriage, deeply in love with her spouse, and committed to building a strong marriage that stands the test of time.

On a whim, she started the blog HappyWivesClub.com and sent the link to a few of new friends. What started as a casual invitation to five women exploded into an international online club with 150,000 members in more than 100 countries.

Happy Wives Club is Fawn’s journey across the world to meet her friends and discover what makes their marriages great. Join her on this exciting, exotic trip across six continents and through more than eighteen cities. Walk the streets of Mauritius, the historic ruins in Italy, and the vistas of New Zealand and Australia. Go from Cape Town to London, Manila to Buenos Aires, Winnipeg to Zagreb.

Along the way, you will meet everyday women whose marriage secrets span cultures. You will hear their stories, witness their love, and be inspired by the proof that happy, healthy marriages do exist—and yours can be one of them!

It turns out great marriages are all around us—when we look for them. Go on a trip with Fawn and learn the best marriage secrets the world has to offer.

My thoughts:

In an age of seemingly constant attacks on marriage today, this book was a wonderful breath of fresh air. It was interesting to read through each individual woman's story and see her marriage through her words. The stories weren't all happy, happy, happy. In fact most of them had struggles, but the difference was the way they allowed those struggles to make them better and stronger.

It was fascinating to read about women across the world that loved being married. There were stories from places that you kind of get the impression that they just exist and stay married because that's just what you do. But that wasn't the case. They intentionally worked at being happily married.

The main thing that I took away from this book was that we shouldn't believe the lie that being married and being happy could not go together. It can and it does. If you are happily married you are going to enjoy reading about others that share your joy. If you are unhappily married I think this book will be encouraging to you that with a little work and a change in attitude can make all the difference.

Connect with the author:

www.HappyWivesClub.com

Facebook

Twitter ~ @HappyWivesClub

Pinterest

Book Review ~ Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay

Dear Mr. Knightley

Katherine Reay

Contemporary Fiction

About the book:

Samantha Moore has always hidden behind the words of others—namely, her favorite characters in literature. Now, she will learn to write her own story—by giving that story to a complete stranger.

Sam is, to say the least, bookish. An English major of the highest order, her diet has always been Austen, Dickens, and Shakespeare. The problem is, both her prose and conversation tend to be more Elizabeth Bennet than Samantha Moore.

But life for the twenty-three-year-old orphan is about to get stranger than fiction. An anonymous, Dickensian benefactor (calling himself Mr. Knightley) offers to put Sam through Northwestern University’s prestigious Medill School of Journalism. There is only one catch: Sam must write frequent letters to the mysterious donor, detailing her progress.

As Sam’s dark memory mingles with that of eligible novelist Alex Powell, her letters to Mr. Knightley become increasingly confessional. While Alex draws Sam into a world of warmth and literature that feels like it’s straight out of a book, old secrets are drawn to light. And as Sam learns to love and trust Alex and herself, she learns once again how quickly trust can be broken.

Reminding us all that our own true character is not meant to be hidden, Reay’s debut novel follows one young woman’s journey as she sheds her protective persona and embraces the person she was meant to become.

My thoughts:

I am a big Jane Austen fan so when I saw the title of this book I immediately snatched it up. Imagine my surprise when I started reading and realized this was not a Jane Austen knock-off. Was I disappointed? Not in the least! In fact I think I have just added a book to my top ten list for the year.

This is Katherine Reay's debut novel but it does not read like one. The depth of emotion that this story evokes is overwhelming at times. Through the character of Samantha Moore we are taken into the world of the foster care system. Some of it good and nurturing but a lot of it broken and damaging.

A simple classification of this tale would be to characterize it as a love story. As with most love stories it is complex. It involves the love of a man for a woman but it also involves adults that love a child even when that child is an adult herself.

If you enjoy deeply emotional and beautifully written literature I can almost guarantee that you will love this piece of work. Let me leave you with a couple of my favorite quotes from the book:

"The day we forget the horror, Sam, we will repeat it. Never forget your past. It will make you less human, less than human."

"I've heard all sorts of things about a kiss (melting, fireworks, music), but no one ever told me it's a conversation: asking, accepting, deciding, inviting, giving . . . questions posed and answered."

Connect with the author:

www.KatherineReay.com

Facebook

Twitter ~ @Katherine_Reay

Goodreads

Book Review ~ City on Fire: A Novel of Pompeii by Tracy L. Higley

City on Fire: A Novel of Pompeii

Tracy L. Higley

Historical Fiction

Back of the book:

As Vesuvius churns, a slave girl-turned-gladiator joins forces with an unlikely source to seek justice.

In the coastal town of Pompeii, a new gladiator prepares to fight. But this gladiator hides a deadly secret: she’s a runaway Jewish slave girl named Ariella, disguised as a young boy. A savvy fighter, Ariella determines to triumph in the arena, knowing her life will be forfeit should anyone uncover the truth.

Cato, a wealthy politician, moved to Pompeii after tiring of the corruption in Rome. But he soon learns that Pompeii is just as corrupt, and if he doesn’t play the game, his family could pay the price. Determined to bring about justice for the citizens of Pompeii, Cato searches for allies. But what he discovers instead is a confounding group of Christians . . . and a young female gladiator whose fame is growing daily.

Political unrest reaches a boiling point as Christians are jailed and executed, and the mountain in the distance threatens to destroy the city with its river of fire. Cato and Ariella must act quickly and courageously to save their loved ones before all is lost.

Read The First Chapter

My thoughts:

The story of Pompeii has always fascinated me. In our modern world it is so hard to imagine being unaware of the impending eruption of a volcano. I can hardly imagine being caught unawares, but that is exactly what happened to most of the citizens of Pompeii.

City on Fire is about so much more than the eventual destruction of the city. It begins with the story of the burning of the Temple in Jerusalem and the persecution of the Jewish people by Nero. The story is told through the life of Ariella who escapes a very dangerous situation by masquerading as a male gladiator. The debauchery of the Roman empire is told in detail but Ms. Higley does it in a very tasteful manner.

We are also introduced to an aspiring politician by the name of Cato. He has recently moved to Pompeii to escape a disappointing past and make a fresh start with his mother and sisters. Little does he know what this move has in store for him and those he loves.

I was completely intrigued by all the detail that was included in the story-line. This is not an easy read but it is one that is worth every minute. The persecution of Christians in such vile manners are important reminders that even though so much in our world has changed so much has stayed the same. If you enjoy historical fiction I urge you to get a copy of this book and be reminded of where we have come from.

Connect with the author:

www.TracyHigley.com

Facebook

Twitter ~ @TLHigley

Barefoot Summer by Denise Hunter ~ A Contemporary Romance Review

Barefoot Summer

Denise Hunter

Chapel Springs Series, Book 1

ContemporaryFiction

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?

My thoughts:

If you can classify a novel as steamy without it crossing the line then this one is definitely putting off some vapors. The relationship between Madison and Beckett has been brewing for years and it finally comes to a point that they need to pursue it or move on. The problem is that neither one of them is sure how the other one feels. In order to figure it out someone is going to have to become vulnerable. That would mean exposing old hurts and weaknesses.

Ten years before Madison’s twin died in an accident. Everyone seems to have moved on except Madison. There’s a hole that just can’t be filled no matter how hard she tries. So instead she just pushes all those feelings down. But unfortunately her life is beginning to spiral out of control and she no longer has a choice about facing the past.

Beckett has so much baggage that he looks like a seasoned traveler. His father is a well-known alcoholic. His mother is long gone. He and his sister have spent years trying to forge a life in the face of all that adversity. As an adult Beckett is nothing like he was as a rowdy teenager, but can he convince Madison that he’s not who she thinks he is?

I enjoyed reading Madison and Beckett’s story. It made my heart pound and times with anticipation and at other times it just broke with sorrow over their situation. I think you’ll find it to be the perfect savory and sweet summer read. This four book series is off to a fabulous start!

Connect with the author:

DeniseHunterBooks.com

Facebook

Twitter ~ @deniseahunter

Blog Tour for The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck

The Wedding Dress

Rachel Hauck

Fiction/Christian/Romance

Buy the book from Thomas Nelson

Back of the book:

Charlotte owns a chic Birmingham bridal boutique. Dressing brides for their big day is her gift—and her passion. But with her own wedding day approaching, why can’t she find the perfect dress—or feel certain she should marry Tim?

Then Charlotte purchases a vintage dress in a battered trunk at an estate sale. It looks brand-new, shimmering with pearls and satin, hand-stitched and timeless in its design. But where did it come from? Who wore it? Who welded the lock shut and tucked the dog tags in that little sachet? Who left it in the basement for a ten-year-old girl? And what about the mysterious man in the purple vest who insists the dress had been “redeemed”?

Charlotte’s search for the gown’s history—and its new bride—begins as a distraction from her sputtering love life. But it takes on a life of its own as she comes to know the women who have worn the dress. Emily from 1912. Mary Grace from 1939. Hillary from 1968. Each with her own story of promise, pain, and destiny. And each with something unique to share. For woven within the threads of the beautiful hundred-year-old gown is the truth about Charlotte’s heritage, the power of courage and faith, and the beauty of finding true love.

About the Author:

Rachel earned a degree in Journalism from Ohio State University and is a huge Buckeyes football fan. She is the past President of American Christian Fiction Writers and now sits on the board as an Advisor. Visit her web site at www.rachelhauck.com to reader her blog, and to follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

My thoughts:

When I was growing up my grandfather liked to frequent auctions. Nothing was more exciting than when he would come home with a locked suitcase or a sealed container. What could possibly be inside? That is where The Wedding Dress begins. Charlotte has unwittingly stumbled into an auction and finds herself bidding on and winning an old locked truck.

The story jumps back and forth between modern day Charlotte’s life and Emily Canton’s life in 1912. I love how the author wove the tale between the two with all the subtle similarities in the women’s lives. The stories of Mary Grace and Hillary come toward then end and help to round out the story into a complete account of the lives of these four fascinating women. There is even a wonderful mystery of exactly who is that man dressed in purple.

As with other pieces of Ms. Hauck’s work there is a deeper meaning in this tale. It is a great surface read, but the underlying story just puts it over the top. The discussion questions in the back of the book are a great addition as well. In them we get a glimpse of what the author intended for the reader to take away from the story. I highly recommend this amazing story of redemption.

Follow the blog tour:

What is "true" beauty? Join the conversation at Rachel's Author Chat Party Event Page. On the eventing of 4/19 we'll gather to talk about inner and outer beauty and share moments of beauty in our lives.

In the meantime, celebrate with Rachel by entering her True Beauty Giveaway!

One "beautiful" winner will receive:

A $200 Visa Cash Card (Treat yourself to a spa day or weekend get-away!)
The Wedding Dress (by Rachel Hauck)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 4/18/12. Winner will be announced at Rachel's "True Beauty" Facebook Party on 4/19. Rachel will be hosting an evening of beauty (inner/outer) chat, fun trivia, laughter, and encouragement - bring your friends! She'll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books, and a Book Club Prize Pack! (Ten copies of the book for your small group or book club and a live chat with Rachel via Skype.)

So grab a few of your friends and your copy of The Wedding Dress and join Rachel on the evening of April 19th for an evening of fun.