Bethany House

Finding Me by Kathryn Cushman

April 3, 2015 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

What would you do if you found out the life you’d lived was a lie? After the death of her father and stepmother, Kelli Huddleston finds information in her father’s safe that points to her family—the family she has always believed to have died in a fire when she was a baby—is alive. Desiring to learn what happened, why her father thought it best to run with her, Kelli makes the drive across the country from California to a small Tennessee town in hopes of finding out information so she can return home and go back to her plans for the future. Once in town, Kelli finds it difficult to leave. After meeting her father’s best friend, her mother, and her sister, Kelli is confused and disappointed that her father was the kind of man she’s find out he was. Determined to make amends to these people, Kelli sticks around for the summer. What she doesn’t count on is the friendships, the feeling of belonging, and the love that is poured into her.

This is the third of Kathryn Cushman’s books that I’ve read and every time I am amazed and moved by her ability to pull a reader into the emotional turmoil of her main characters. Kelli’s struggle to find herself, to come to terms with the man her father—her hero—truly was, to befriend her sister knowing she will be leaving at the end of the summer to never see her again is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Then you through in the budding romance and Kelly’s life gets more complicated. As a resident of Tennessee (although a larger one), the small town is not at all difficult to picture. A story of finding truth, healing, friendship, and making the right choice instead of the easy choice, Finding Me is one that will stick with you long after you’ve read the last sentence.

***Bethany House provided me with a copy of this book (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest and fair review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Dauntless by Dina Sleiman

April 2, 2015 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

Two years ago, Lady Merry Ellison’s life took a turn that stripped her of not only her title, but also her family and life as she knew it. Now committed to leading and caring for the other children from her village, Merry and her gang live in the forest and survive in any way they can—including hunting and stealing. Merry’s life isn’t the one she dreamed of but this group is her family.

Timothy Grey is determined to capture the Ghosts of Farthington Forest to win favor with the lord of the manor where he is scribe and attains to rising in power. But when he goes searching for the ghosts in the forest where he finds more than he dared believe or dream. But how can he save Merry from this band of thieves? Is she a prisoner or is she more involved?

Dina Sleiman’s young adult tale of intrigue, family, and love is engaging, exciting, and encouraging. And even those of us who have been out of the “young adult” range for years enjoyed it. With points of view from several different characters, you get a well-rounded view of life for several of the characters—the life Merry used to have as daughter of a lord, the life she had now as leader of a band of outlaws, Timothy Grey’s life as an employee for a lord, the point of view of Allen, the spiritual leader of Merry’s group, and readers will even see through the eyes of the enemy of Timothy’s.

Book one of The Valiant Hearts series by Dina Sleiman will definitely leave you ready for the next one (and I’m hoping in it we get to continue on with a certain one of the characters through this book).

Bethany House provided me with a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and fair review. All opinions expresses are my own.

After a Fashion by Jen Turano

March 7, 2015 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

Miss Harriet Peabody’s modest life is turned upside down by a spoiled society woman who is intent on making a spectacle of herself. Sent on an errand for her boss to deliver some (a carriage full) of hats and procure payment or at least a promise of prompt payment, Harriet witnesses Mr. Addleshaw’s assumed fiancé throwing a tantrum as she is ejected from his home. When she intervenes, only trying to save Miss Birmingham from embarrassment, Harriet is immediately berated and her position as a hat maker is jeopardized.

Knowing full well Mrs. and Miss Birmingham will make good on their threats and Miss Peabody is about to lose her job, Oliver Addleshaw comes up with a plan. A plan he is quite proud of and wishes he’d thought of sooner. It certainly would have saved him from the scene playing out in front of him. He would hire Miss Peabody to act as his lady companion until he closed his business deal with the duke. It would take a month, tops. What he doesn’t count on is Harriet’s stubbornness. Or goodness. Or loveliness. And when her past comes calling, his protectiveness. Suddenly, a month isn’t long enough.

This book was lough out loud hilarious in places. Harriet’s antics toward Oliver at the beginning are amusing, but the reader can’t help but side with her. Oliver’s change of character after meeting and spending time with Harriet are subtle but apparent—reminiscent of Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice after his first proposal to and subsequent dressing down by one Miss Elizabeth Bennett. Actually, a few things in this story reminded me of my favorite book, including some of the dialogue. Lines like this one: “Don’t say another word,” she said between clenched teeth. “You have insulted me most grievously, and I will not be held responsible for my actions if you continue to speak.”

Harriet’s best friends—Millie and Lucetta—have their own endearing traits and quirks. These two are the kind of friends women hope for in their lives. And the fact that Harriet has escaped from an unconventional upbringing to become a young woman of character is a testament to her kind-hearted and caring nature. There are some twists and turns in the plat that keep the story interesting. While I had an inkling of one of these, it turned out much better than what I’d imagined.

If you are looking for some fun and humor in your next read, consider Jen Turano’s latest offering. Available now.

***Bethany House publishers provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Deadly Echoes by Nancy Mehl

February 25, 2015 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

Sarah Miller has made a life for herself in the small town of Sanctuary, Missouri. When she was a child, her parents were murdered, and her sister’s investigation has led to her murder. As Sarah tries to welcome her niece into her home and solve her sister’s murder, she’s unsure who she should trust. The circumstances surrounding her sister’s death are similar to those surrounding her parents’ murders.

I didn’t love this book and I’m not sure why. I think it was a combination of several things. First of all, it was predictable. I knew who the murder was right away. The first person point of view only allowed character development for Sarah. I would have loved to read more about Paul and his thoughts. And Paul was another issue I had with the book. There wasn’t a whole lot of development of the romance between Sarah and the Sheriff’s deputy who wanted to help her solve the case. It’s like they flirted, acknowledged their interest, and Sarah was all of the sudden in love with the guy. All of that said, the book was an easy and fast read. It was a nice change of pace from the historical romance I finished before this one.

Available now.

***Bethany House Publishers provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Enter to Win the Heart of Adventure Sweepstakes

February 2, 2015 by Suzie Waltner 2 Comments

Summary:

In SABOTAGED, the fifth and final book of author Dani Pettrey’s award-winning Alaskan Courage series, Kirra Jacobs and Reef McKenna experience the high stakes of Iditarod search-and-rescue when Kirra’s uncle, a musher in the race, goes missing.

Kirra and Reef put aside their differences to search for him, but what they discover is harrowing: Frank’s daughter Meg has been kidnapped, and Frank must do the kidnapper’s bidding or Meg will die.

Soon Kirra, Reef, and the entire McKenna family are thrown into a race to stop a shadowy villain who is not only threatening a girl’s life, but appears willing to unleash one of the largest disasters Alaska has ever seen.

To celebrate their epic race, Dani and Bethany House Publishers are pleased to present the HEART OF ADVENTURE SWEEPSTAKES, and your chance to win one of three marvelous prizes, all closely connected to the story.

Timeframe & Notifications:

This giveaway starts February 2, 2015 and ends February 22, 2015 @ 11:59 pm (PST).
Entry is open to US residents only, age 18 and over. Winners will be selected Monday, February 23, 2015, and announced at DaniPettrey.com

About the Prizes

Heart of Adventure Sweepstakes Grand Prize

GRAND PRIZE:

LUXURIOUS LODGE GETAWAY

During their cross-country hunt for answers, Kirra and Reef stop to rest at a gorgeous mountain lodge in Denali that holds special memories for Reef. This prize offers you a chance to build your own special memories, with a luxurious lodge getaway for two.

SECOND PRIZE:

Our Grand Prize winner will receive: A $250 gift certificate to Hotels.com, good for reservations at lodges and hotels across the Continental US, Alaska, Hawaii, and numerous International locations

PALS WITH PAWS DONATION

In the Alaskan Courage series, Kirra is the proud owner of Nanook Haven, a rescue shelter for sled dogs. In real life, animals need rescue as well, and this prize will allow you to give a special gift to support an organization like Kirra’s.

Our Second Prize winner will receive: A $150 donation in your name, to the animal rescue, shelter, or veterinarian of your choice.

THIRD PRIZE:

SWEETHEART SURVIVAL SLED

In SABOTAGED, Kirra and Reef take shelter in a snow cave while hiding from a man determined to put them on ice– permanently! Luckily, Kirra has a survival kit, to help them make it through the sub-zero temperatures.
If you prefer a little more romance and a little less suspense in your survival kit, this is the prize for you.

Our Third Prize winner will receive: A $100 value sweetheart survival pack. This gift basket includes double chocolate raspberry cake, smoked salmon, brie cheese and crackers, and a wide variety of gourmet snacks

How to Enter:

Go to http://www.danipettrey.com/heart-of-adventure-sweepstakes/ and complete the entry box, anytime between February 2 – 22, 2015.