Blog Tour, Review and Party: Blue Moon Promise by Colleen Coble

Blue Moon Promise by Colleen Coble

Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishers

Publish Date: February 14, 2012

Paperback, 320 pages 
Fiction, Romance, Historical, Christian
 ISBN:  978-1595549150
Under Texas Stars #1

My Review:
I loved this book from the first page and I was immediately hooked as well.  I think I picked it up and finally put it down because I had somewhere to go and I had sped through over 75 pages.

I loved Lucy, Jed and Eileen from the start.  Lucy is working so hard to keep her brother and sister with her since her dad died and her stepmother left them, but she has lost her job.  So when Henry Stanton walks into her life with the marriage proposal to marry his son by proxy and move to Texas, she prays on it and decides it is the thing to do, especially after they are visited by someone the night before leaving that seems to be after something she is sure they do not have.  But arriving in Texas she does not receive the welcome she thought she would.  Nate has been on his own with his father and brother for a long time and all he knows is he wants to make his family's ranch one of the biggest and the best and he's pretty sure the pretty frail wife won't be of any help in that matter and the fact that she comes with two siblings can't help either.

But then something starts to happen and that is the magic of the book.  It's not overnight and that's not the full story here.  There is more than the developing romance and family line.  There is also a suspense line, some family feuding and some inter-family tension as well.  All of this makes for a very well-rounded book.  I found myself on the edge of my seat.  I found myself cheering for Nate and Lucy. I found myself loving the tender moments between Nate and the children.  There is just so much powering this book and it is just amazing.

Blue Moon Promise has everything you could ever want in a historical romance and then even some more.  I can't gush enough about this book, I really can't.  I loved it.  I could read it again right now and fall in love with the characters all over again.  But I will make do with waiting for the second installment in the Under Texas Stars series.  If you enjoy a "mail-order bride-type" romance where the new bride and groom have to get to know each other, then this is a book for you, but again, this book is so much more than the romance.  It's amazing, I cannot say enough about it.  I'll say it again, I love it. 

My Rating: 5.0/5.0

About the book:

Book Number One in the Under Texas Stars series

A love like Lucy and Nate’s only comes along once in a blue moon . . .

Lucy Marsh's worldly resources are running out, but she's fiercely determined to care for her younger brother and sister. When she discovers that their father's recent death was no accident, Lucy is eager to leave town. She accepts a proxy marriage she believes will provide safe refuge. But trouble follows her to Texas where her new husband is surprised to suddenly have a wife and children to care for.

Nate Stanton always hoped he'd marry someday, but running the family ranch meant he had no time for romance. When his father deposits Lucy Marsh—a city girl—on his doorstep, with two siblings in the bargain, he expects ranch life will send her running on the first train out of town. But Lucy is made of tougher stuff than Nate imagined. When danger moves in, Nate finds he'd give anything to protect Lucy and the children he's grown to love. Even if it means giving up his ranch.

About Colleen:

Best-selling author Colleen Coble's novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, ACFW Book of the Year, RWA’s RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers' Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has nearly 2 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers and is a member of Romance Writers of America. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana.

For more about Colleen and her other books visit www.colleencoble.com 

Link to buy the book: http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=1595549153&title=Under_Texas_Stars_#1__:_Blue_Moon_Promise 

About the party: 

Blue Moon Promise is a story of hope, romance, and suspense . . . immersing the reader in a rich historical tale set under Texas stars.

To celebrate Colleen is teaming up with her publisher Thomas Nelson for a "Blue Moon Promise" Facebook Chat party where she will giveaway a KINDLE Fire and a Texas-sized gift basket (fabulous Texas treats and fun Lucy-inspired housekeeping products)!

Click the banner, RSVP today for the Facebook Party and mark the date on your calendar!

Invite your friends and don't miss Colleen's evening of chat, trivia, prizes, and more.

Kindle Giveaway and More! Save the Date - 3/13!

***I received this book from Litfuse Publicity for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any other way except receiving the book for free. I do make money from The Book Depository links, but all money made from book purchases goes straight back to the blog to fund giveaways and shipping of giveaways.  Thanks!

Guest Blog: Using Personal Stories in Writing: Do or Don't by Nelle Davy

Today I welcome Nelle Davy, author of The Legacy of Eden which I reviewed a couple of weeks ago.  It's an excellent family saga and today the author is sharing a very interesting topic in light of reading The Legacy of Eden.  Read this great post and make sure you check out the book as well.  

Using personal stories in writing: do or don’t? 

by Nelle Davy

Of course it is a do. One of my favourite books is Oranges are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson which is a reworking of her own childhood within a fictional format as opposed to an outright memoir. What matters is that you are true to the kind of story you wish to tell, regardless of what is the inspiration. I would also say that no writer works in a vacuum as if their books are ‘ex nihilo.’ Whether you mean to or not, you write the kind of story you are either interested in, or have been through in some way. It is all inspired by your personal past and you rework it, sometimes even try to ignore it, but then press it down and reshape it so that it can become unrecognizable from truth but it still has seeds in it. There are some stories I love to read but would never be able to write because I would never be inspired to write them because they come from a different sort of experience to the one I have had. But novels should be about trying to tell some kind of truth – either the one you wish was real or the one that is.  And sometimes I think the novels that have impressed me the most and the ones that have really stayed with me as visceral works of honest art are the one that you discover had some grounding in the author’s past. You do look at them in a new light and they seem so much more informed. But this novel is not based on my own personal story in any other way than it is about the interrogation and destruction of the family unit.

Thanks Nelle for stopping by today.
You can check out the rest of this blog tour here:  http://booktrib.com/?page_id=152294&preview=true

  About The Legacy of Eden

For generations, Aurelia was the crowning glory of more than three thousand acres of Iowa farmland and golden cornfields. The estate was a monument to matriarch Lavinia Hathaway's dream to elevate the family name - no matter what relative or stranger she had to destroy in the process. It was a desperation that wrought the downfall of the Hathaways - and the once prosperous farm.

Now the last inhabitant of the decaying old home has died - alone. None of the surviving members of the Hathaway family want anything to do with the farm, the land, or the memories.

Especially Meredith Pincetti. Now living in New York City, for seventeen years Lavinia's youngest grandchild has tried to forget everything about her family and her past. But with the receipt of a pleading letter, Meredith is again thrust into conflict with the legacy that destroyed her family's once-great name. Back at Aurelia, Meredith must confront the rise and fall of the Hathaway family... and her own part in their mottled history. 

In My Mailbox (16)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren. To see this weeks list of participants go here.

I had a great week, here is what I received in the mail:

 Conquered by a Highlander by Paula Quinn

from Grand Central Publishing (releases June 2012)

BOUND BY DUTY
Colin MacGregor was born to fight-for his beliefs, his king, and his family's honor. After years away from his beloved Scotland, he yearns to return to its lush, green hills-and he can, after he completes one final mission for the king. Sent to infiltrate a traitor's home, Colin is determined to expose the treasonous plot and triumph on the battlefield . . . until he meets a sensual lass who tempts him towards other pursuits . . . .

BETRAYED BY PASSION
Lady Gillian Dearly is no stranger to temptation. Cast out of her family for bearing an illegitimate child, she's now the ward of a barbarian conspiring against the king. Her only desire: freedom for her son and for herself at any cost, even if it means making a deal with the devil. Yet when a mysterious Highlander appears in their midst, his braw strength and smoldering gaze give her hope for a future beyond the castle walls-and promise a desire unlike any she's ever known. But passion comes at a price . .  .

 More Beauty, Less Beast by Debora M. Coty

For a Litfuse Tour

If you ever wrestle with that out-of-control inner ogre that threatens to destroy the divinely beautiful princess hidden within, this witty and wise book is for you. With simple, practical tips for taming that nasty, unsightly beast, you’ll discover how to transform its unattractive snarl into inner and outer beauty—refashioned, revitalized, and renewed.

 

 An Amish Family Reunion by Mary Ellis

won from the author (and it's autographed!)

 During a rumschpringe visit to Niagara Falls, Phoebe Miller meets Eli Riehl, who charms her--and everyone else--with his exceptional storytelling ability. When Phoebe sketches scenes to illustrate one of his tales, Eli encourages her talent, and together they embark on a lofty and unlikely business venture for two young Amish people--writing and illustrating a children's book

Poison Flower by Thomas Perry

won from Mike Draper's Blog

Poison Flower, the seventh novel in Thomas Perry's celebrated Jane Whitefield series, opens as Jane spirits James Shelby, a man unjustly convicted of his wife's murder, out of the heavily guarded criminal court building in downtown Los Angeles. But the price of Shelby's freedom is high. Within minutes, men posing as police officers kidnap Jane and, when she tries to escape, shoot her.Jane's captors are employees of the man who really killed Shelby's wife. He believes he won't be safe until Shelby is dead, and his men will do anything to force Jane to reveal Shelby's hiding place. But Jane endures their torment, and is willing to die rather than betray Shelby. Jane manages to escape but she is alone, wounded, thousands of miles from home with no money and no identification, hunted by the police as well as her captors. She must rejoin Shelby, reach his sister before the hunters do, and get them both to safety.In this unrelenting, breathtaking cross-country battle, Jane survives by relying on the traditions of her Seneca ancestors. When at last Jane turns to fight, her enemies face a cunning and ferocious warrior who has one weapon that they don't.

The Second Time We Met by Leila Cobo

From Grand Central Publishing, releases this week

Adored and nurtured by his adoptive parents in California, Asher Stone has moved effortlessly through a nearly perfect life. He is on the verge of a professional soccer career-when a car accident throws his future into doubt. Suddenly, Asher begins to wonder about his past, and about the girl who gave him up for adoption in Colombia two decades ago. And so begins his search for a woman named Rita Ortiz.

From the teeming streets of Bogata to a tiny orphanage tucked into a hillside, Asher untangles the mystery of Rita's identity, her abrupt disappearance from her home, and the winding journey that followed. But as Asher comes closer to finding Rita, his own parents are faced with fears and doubts. And Rita must soon make her own momentous choice: stay hidden in her hard-earned new life, or meet the secret son who will bring painful memories-or the promise of a new beginning . . .

And I received these from Netgalley and Edelweiss this week (click on the covers to go to the Goodreads description):

 How was your week, leave me a link and I'd love to see what you received in your mailbox!

Weekend Report (1)

I'm all about new things this week.  I've been following Christian Bookshelf several weeks, but this is my first time posting a Weekend Report.  The Weekend Report is just a summary of what I have accomplished in my reading life this week.  You can see what Melanie has read, reviewed and is reading at her Weekend Report and view others and add yours as well at Christian Bookshelf Reviews.

Clicking on the book covers below will take you to their book descriptions on Goodreads.

What I'm currently reading:

Sizzling Sixteen is my audiobook in my car, Frantic is my next review book.

What I read:

What I reviewed (clicking on bookcovers will take you to the reviews):

Next Up:

 Giveaways (clicking on the picture will take you to the link):

Busy week!  How was yours?

Scott Nicholson Kindle Freebie Alert

Many of you know I love Scott Nicholson and his books.  I always jump at the chance to promote his books and his Epic Kindle Giveaways.  This weekend  he has one of his box set of books up for free on Amazon and I wanted to let you know about it.  This box set includes the #1 Kindle suspense bestseller Disintegration and two other crime/mystery books.  Most of you know you don't have to have a Kindle to read Kindle books, you can read on your computer, your phone, your iPad, pretty much anything with one of the great Kindle apps, so snap up this freebie now.

Mystery Dance: Three Novels by Scott Nicholson

Disintegration, Crime Beat and The Skull Ring

Find it on Amazon

MYSTERY DANCE: An omnibus edition containing more than 200,000 words.

Features the complete text of the #1 bestselling mystery and suspense novel Disintegration, The Skull Ring, Crime Beat, a short story, a bonus deleted chapter from Disintegration, and an essay about the novels.

DISINTEGRATION-- Two brothers view for a family empire built on deceit, dark secrets, and blood, and one woman stands between them while another waits in the shadows. Jacob's life falls apart when his brother Joshua returns to town after a tragic fire and they return to the twisted roles of their childhood.

THE SKULL RING-- Julia Stone pieces together her shattered childhood memories, but then the past comes closing in when she finds a mysterious silver ring. Three men want to help her, but choosing the wrong ally can cost not only her heart but her soul.

CRIME BEAT-- Crime doesn't pay...but neither does journalism. When a new reporter moves to a small town, a crime spree escalates into serial killing.

Also contains "Dead Air" the from collection CURTAINS. DRM free.

Feature and Follow Friday (1)

This is my first Friday joining in Feature & Follow Friday hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read.  When I saw the question I just knew I had to join in!

Q: Activity!!! Take a picture or describe where you love to read the most…

This is my favorite place to read. I have my laptop beside me for tweeting, reading blogs and checking out what is going on. I also have a nice electric throw for keeping me warm. It's also in the family room so my kids are near by, yet when they are noisy I have great headphones to tune them out so I can read.

When it's warm and sunny this is my other favorite place to read. I have a place to put my drink, it's in the sun and in the winter it's sheltered from the wind. In the summer it catches the breeze. I love this chair set!

Where do you like to read. Join the meme at Parajunkee's View.

Book Review: A Darkly Hidden Truth by Donna Fletcher Crow

A Darkly Hidden Truth by Donna Fletcher Crow

Publisher: Monarch Books

Publish Date: December 1, 2011

Paperback, 366 pages 
Fiction, Christian, Suspense, Mystery
 ISBN: 978-0857210500
The Monastery Murders #2

My Review:
What a fun and different mystery to read.  I did not read the first in The Monastery Murders, but I will be going back to read it because I am enamored with Felicity and Father Antony.  Ms. Crow has quickly become a must-read after one book.

I loved Felicity and Father Antony.  There is a buzz of attraction between the two of them.  Father Antony is sure of how he feels, but Felicity is conflicted because she is pretty sure she wants to become a nun.  I liked this added possible romance.  It made their working together more interesting and their interactions more plausible to me.  They worked well together.  I also liked the fact that Felicity is an American in England.  I understood her on that level and it made the book easier to understand for us Americans.  Sometimes I get lost in British-speak, but I didn't have that problem in this book.  Father Antony is great as well.  He loves to solve mysteries, he loves his calling and he's falling in love with Felicity.  He's a great character and I liked watching him develop in this book.  There is definitely some back story in the first book between these two, but I never felt lost in this book.  Ms. Crow goes into the back story briefly but enough that those of us that pick up the second book have no trouble getting into it and understanding the characters.  I really appreciated this fact and it made reading this book very enjoyable.

The plot moves along at a great pace.  Interspersing the action with some history that helps Father Antony and Felicity solve the mystery really made the book for me.  I love the history of things like the Templars, and other groups associated with the church.  But this is not another Da Vinci Code, it's completely different, so don't worry about that.  I loved her angle and how the plot moved.  I must say I didn't see several things coming and that was great as well.

Combining interesting characters, fascinating history and an interesting murder mystery, Donna Fletcher Crow was able to grab my attention within the first few pages of A Darkly Hidden Truth and I had a hard time putting the book down until I turned the very last page.  I look forward to going back and reading the first book in the series and I also look forward to future books as well.  Ms. Crow just has a way of writing that draws you in and makes you interested in the story and I really enjoyed that.  Plus the British setting was an added plus for me.  I haven't read as much British fiction so gaining a little knowledge of the countryside was great for me.  If you love mysteries then I suggest you give this series a try.  You can start with the first book, or start with A Darkly Hidden Truth which I thoroughly enjoyed.

My Rating: 4.5/5.0

About the Book:
More page-turning action from a popular author.


Felicity has decided to become a nun. She departs to visit convents in spite of her mother's imminent arrival and Fr. Anselm's request that she and Fr. Antony recover a missing priceless Russian icon before the Patriarch of Moscow arrives at the community for Holy Week.

Felicity's discernment journey takes her to Rempstone, Norwich, London, and Walsingham, but her discovery of a friend's murdered body in a shallow grave, the disappearance of more icons, the shooting of a London art expert just after she visits him, the disappearance of Antony, and finally the abduction of Felicity and her mother teach her far more about motherhood, life, and love than she could learn in any convent retreat. Breathtaking chase scenes, mystical worship services, dashes through remote water-logged landscapes, the wisdom of ancient holy women, and the arcane rites of The Knights of St. John of Malta keep the pages turning. And will Felicity choose the veil--or Antony?


About the Author (from Goodreads.com): 
Donna Fletcher Crow is the author of 35 books, mostly novels dealing with British history. The award-winning GLASTONBURY, The Novel of Christian England is her best-known work, an Arthurian grail search epic covering 15 centuries of English history. A VERY PRIVATE GRAVE, book 1 in the Monastery Murders series is her reentry into publishing after a 10 year hiatus. THE SHADOW OF REALITY, a romantic intrigue will be published later this summer.

Donna and her husband have 4 adult children and 10 grandchildren. She is an enthusiastic gardener and you can see pictures of her garden, watch the trailer for A VERY PRIVATE GRAVE, and read her international blog at www.DonnaFletcherCrow.com

Website 
Blog

FTC Information: I received this book through Kregel Tours for an honest review.  I do make money from purchases made at The Book Depository and B&N.com, but all money is used to fund giveaways and shipping for giveaways from the blog.