So little time...

Monday, March 18, 2013

Blog tour and Review: Beyond the Valley By Rita Gerlach

Today, I’m happy to be apart of the Pump Up Your Book blog tour.

About the book:

When Sarah Carr's husband Jamie drowns, her young life is shattered and takes a turn that she never expected. Pregnant and now widowed, she reaches out to Jamie's family for help, but they are unwilling. Instead they devise a plan to have her kidnapped and taken to the Colonies to live a life of servitude. Sarah's new life in the Colonies finds her surrounded by a family's whirlwind of secrets, while she hopes the young doctor she loves with will bring her freedom.

My Review:

What would it be like to be tricked, taken against your will, loaded onto a ship sailing for the colonies, and sold as an indentured servant? That’s what we find out in Beyond The Valley. In the midst of hardship, the courage of Sarah Carr shines through!

After the death of her husband, Sarah goes to the only family she has for help. Betrayed by them, she is tricked onto a ship sailing for the colonies. Dirty and hungry, she faces the humiliation of standing on a platform, being inspected like livestock. What will become of her?

This story reminded me a lot of Job. Through out all of the trails Sarah goes through, she never loses her faith in her Savior. She never loses her spunk either! She stands her ground when asked to do something she won’t do - for example, to become her master’s mistress. No, she won’t do it.

Sarah is a fiery red head, beautiful, except for a slight impediment. One of her legs is shorter than the other, giving her a limp when she walks. Some people see it as a weakness, but Sarah is a strong, hard worker, she holds her head up high when they look down at her. I liked her a lot! She is very strong! Her suffering does not stop after she is bought. She endures many injustices; the threat of being sold to someone else, hunger, being killed or captured by Indians to name a few. She gets caught up in a web of deceit that is heartbreaking.

When she meets Dr Alex Hutton and his adorable nieces, she falls in love. Alex is also taken with Sarah, and he tries to convince Mr. Wentworth, Sarah’s master, to sell her to him. Wentworth refuses and sells Sarah to Mr. Thrasher, a trapper, who takes her into the frontier to help keep his house and cook for him. In the frontier, she faces the danger of Indian raids. Will Alex be able to find her, or is she lost to him forever.

In this historical novel, we see some of the many struggles women faced in the 1700s. They did not have many rights. It could be a very hard life, especially for a woman with no family to protect her.

I enjoyed Beyond the Valley! This is the third book in the Daughters of the Potomac Series. It does stand alone. I have not read the first two, but I might have to!

4 out of 5 stars.

I received a copy of the book for my honest review.

Buy your copy: Amazon / Barnes & Noble
(Disclaimer for Amazon link: Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link I will receive a small commission.)

About the Author:

Rita Gerlach writes inspirational historical fiction with a romantic bent, with unique settings in both America and England. She lives with her husband and two sons in a historical town nestled along the Catoctin Mountains amid Civil War battlefields and Revolutionary War outposts in central Maryland.

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Beyond the Valley Virtual Book Publicity Tour Schedule

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Monday, March 4 - Book Review at Literary R&R

Tuesday, March 5 – First Chapter Review at The Book Connection

Tuesday, March 5 – Book Review at One Person’s Journey Through a World of Books

Wednesday, March 6 – Book Review & Book Giveaway at Peeking Between the Pages

Thursday, March 7 – Book Review at Kaisy Daisy’s Corner

Friday, March 8 – Book Review & Book Giveaway at Broken Teepee

Monday, March 11 – Book Review at Maureen’s Musings

Monday, March 11 – Book Review & Book Giveaway at Mary’s Cup of Tea

Tuesday, March 12 – Book Review at Colletta’s Kitchen Sink

Tuesday, March 12 – Guest Blogging at Lori’s Reading Corner

Wednesday, March 13 – Book Review at Library of Clean Reads

Thursday, March 14 – Book Review at Melina’s Book Blog

Friday, March 15 – Book Review at The Bunny’s Review

Monday, March 18 – Book Review at So Little Time…So Much to Read!

Monday, March 18 – Book Review at Hardcover Feedback

Tuesday, March 19 – Book Review at LDS and Lovin It

Wednesday, March 20 – Book Review at My Devotional Thoughts

Wednesday, March 20 – Book Review at Sincerely Stacie

Thursday, March 21 – Book Review & Book Giveaway at Bookworm Lisa

Friday, March 22 – Book Review at Reviews by Molly

Friday, March 22 – Book Review at Bloggin’ ‘Bout Books

Monday, March 25 – Book Review & Guest Blogging at Jersey Girl Book Reviews

Monday, March 25 – Book Review at Bless Their Hearts Mom

Tuesday, March 26 – Book Review at WV Stitcher

Friday, March 29 – Book Review at The Self-Taught Cook

Friday, March 29 – Book Review at A Room Without Books Is Empty

Friday, March 29 – Book Review at A Year of Jubilee Reviews

Friday, March 29 – Book Review at The Book Connection

Any thoughts? I'd love to hear from you!

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Review: My Dear Sophy By Kimberly Truesdale

My Dear Sophy is a sweet, charming story of Sophia Wentworth, Fredrick Wentworth’s older sister (of Jane Austen’s Persuasion). It’s a beautiful telling of how she met and fell in love with Captain Croft.

Life for Sophy is slipping by. When her mother dies, she is left to help her father raise her younger brothers, Edward and Freddy. All of her friends have married, but at 23, her hopes for a husband have seemed to pass her by. Until one day, Mr. Hollingson, the young new curator starts paying her some attention. She begins to have feelings for him also - but could it be love?

Soon, Captain Conard Croft comes to town to visit his parents, he’s been away 14 long years. Sophy was just a child when he left, but they immediately fall into an easy friendship. With Captain Croft, Sophy feels comfortable...she can tell him her secret thoughts, and he listens to her. Soon she begins to have strong feelings for Captain Croft, but he is leaving - going back to sea. Mr. Hollingson is here, and offering her a comfortable home and security. What can Captain Croft offer? Adventure and the unknown. Of course from Persuasion, we know whom Sophy will choose, but I was eager to know how Sophy would choose her future husband.

Argh! The frustration of the regency period! With so many people around them all the time, Captain Croft and Sophy have very little time to talk alone. And time was limited, Captain Croft would be leaving soon. How would they ever get a chance to find out how the other feels?

I loved getting to know Captain Croft and Sophy! I had really never thought much about them before. Truesdale has opened my eyes to them, and she has made me love them!!

4 out of 5 stars.

I won my copy of My Dear Sophy from Kimberly Truesdale's Website.

Buy a copy here. (Disclaimer: Link to Amazon. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link I will receive a small commission.)

About the Author:

Kimberly Truesdale is a writing and literature teacher who has many nerdy tattoos ranging from The Great Gatsby to The Beatles. In July of 2012, Kimberly published her first Austenesque novel, My Dear Sophy, about how the Admiral and Mrs. Croft from Persuasion first meet. Kim is currently editing her second novel, The Wrong Woman, a Regency romance, and writing a non-fiction account of a murder mystery in her family.

Connect with Kimberly Truesdale:

Website

twitter
facebook

Kimberly's second book, The Wrong Woman is coming out this month! I love the cover! You can read more about her new book here.

Any thoughts? I'd love to hear what you think!

Monday, March 11, 2013

Review: Stardust Summer By Lauren Clark

Today, I'm happy to be apart of the Stardust Summer Book Tour presented by ABG Reads Book Tours! There's also a giveaway going on!

Title: Stardust Summer
Author: Lauren Clark
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Number of Pages: 280

Synopsis:

Single mom Grace Mason doesn’t believe in miracles, magic, or love at first sight. She likes the quiet life, complete with her eight-year-old son, their tiny house, and her teaching job. For Grace, happiness means that nothing much ever changes in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

Then, one thousand miles away, tragedy strikes. A massive heart attack leaves Grace’s estranged father comatose in an Upstate New York hospital. While a team of doctors fight to keep Henry Mason alive, Grace and Evan rush to his bedside to say their final goodbyes.

Henry’s passing brings little closure for Grace, but she finds herself inexplicably drawn to her new surroundings. What begins as a short trip results in an entire summer spent with Henry’s second wife, Kathleen, and her next-door neighbor, Ryan Gordon, the town doctor. When a series of unlikely events lead to Evan’s disappearance, Grace must face her worst fears to find her son and bring him back home.

Stardust Summer explores the complexities of forgiveness, what it means to be a family, and the fabulous possibility of falling in love—again.

My Review:

Stardust Summer is a moving story set in a small town on Keuka Lake, in Upper New York State. It’s a story of loss, resentment, forgiveness and love.

When Grace Mason learns of her father’s death she finds herself and her son, Evan, traveling to a place she never wanted to be, and spending time with a person she never wanted to be see again. Nine days...she could handle nine day, couldn’t she? While there, Grace is forced to face her resentment and anger, and deal with her loss. She might even learn to love again.

Grace's step-mother, Kathleen Mason loved her husband very much and can’t image going on without him. She does some pretty bizarre things after his death. I don’t think it is usual for people to behave strangely when dealing with a sudden loss. Kathleen’s emotions felt realistic to me.

The tension between Kathleen and Grace is pronounced. They have a lot of unresolved issues to deal with. We know something has happened to drive a wedge between them, but it takes a while to find out what those issues are.

Then there is the hot doctor next door to add to the many feelings Grace is dealing with. Ryan was not only Henry’s doctor, but also a good friend to both Kathleen and Henry. He spends a lot of time with Grace, Evan and Kathleen. There is definitely some chemistry between Ryan and Grace.

I found the first part of the book to have a melancholy feel, which is understandable with Henry’s death and the reflecting both Grace and Kathleen are doing. There are some humors scenes also, for example, when Kathleen has the outside of the house painted an unusual color! And some suspenseful moments as a storm would come up suddenly on the lake.

I could really relate to Grace's feelings toward Kathleen. I’ve had some of those same feelings toward my step-mother.

The picturesque descriptions of the lake and countryside are beautiful!

Stardust Summer is a lovely story of finding forgiveness and love again!

4 out of 5 stars.

I was provided an e-copy of the book for my honest review.

Buy a copy here. (Disclaimer: Link to Amazon. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link I will receive a small commission.)

Giveaway!! Lauren Clark is having a giveaway on her website! Her book Dancing Naked in Dixie and 5 $10 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift cards are up for grabs! Click here to fill out the Rafflecopter form.

Connect with Lauren Clark:

Website: http://www.laurenclarkbooks.com/

Blog: http://www.laurenclarkbooks.com/blog/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lauren-Clark/235315706518284

Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurenclark_bks

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/laurenclarkbooks

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5280308.Lauren_Clark

More stops on the tour:

February 20 Chick Lit Goddess Guest Post
February 21 Forget The Housework, I'm Reading  Review/Guest Post
February 22 I Am A Reader, Not A Writer  Author Interview
February 23 Hanging With Bells  top ten list
February 24 Reflections Of A Bookworm Review
February 25 Book Reviews by Dee Guest Post
February 26 The Book Bag Review
February 27 A Buckeye Girl Reads Top Ten List
February 28 Chick Lit Cafe Author Interview
March 1 Happiness, Passion, Love & Faith Top Ten List
March 2 Books, Etc. Review
March 4 My Devotional Thoughts Author Interview
March 5 Amys Booket List Guest Post
March 6 Chick Lit Plus Excerpt
March 7 Colorimetry  Excerpt Or Top Ten List
March 8 Christine Raines Guest post
  Tracie Banister Character Interview
March 9 Kaisy Daisys Corner  Review/Guest Post
March 10 Reflections of A Book Addict Guest Post
March 11 So Little Time... Review
March 13 A Bookish Affair  Review
March 14  Reading Reality Review/Guest Post
March 15 Truth, Beauty, Freedom and Books Guest Post
March 16 Jersey Girl Book Reviews Guest Post/Review/Excerpt
March 18 The Romance Bookie Review
March 19 Chick Lit Reviews & News Author Interview
March 20 Literary Musings & Life's Little Lessons Learned Review

Any thoughts? I'd love to hear from you!

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Austen Admirers - and the winners are...

Happy Tuesday, Everyone!

Today, it is all about winners. Last week, Jakki from Leatherbound Reviews hosted the updated list of giveaways for the Austen Admirers Kickstarter Campaign. I'm so grateful to everyone for donating prizes and supporting this effort. Janeites rule! Note: the following winners are from the giveaways only, and does not take away any rewards you may have earned by donating at various levels.

How were the winners chosen? Kickstarter assigns each person a consecutive number based on when they pledged to donate. The numbers ran from #1 - #84. I then went to Random.Org and placed those numbers in the Random Number Generator. The first number chosen that corresponded with the correct pledge level won the prize.

The winners of a set of Jane Austen Royal Stamps, donated by author Cassandra Grafton are:

#45 - Maria Grace
#48 - Debra Anne Watson
#51 - Marianne S. Barstad
#80 - Sally Smith O'Rourke
(Note: Cassandra is sending these from England, and it may take a bit longer to get them to you!)

The winners of a special edition Pride and Prejudice 200th Anniversary Calendar, donated by artist Janet B. Taylor are:

#36 - Katie Parkin
#12 - Lisa Mieth

The winners of an eBook copy of "Jane and the Ghosts,' donated by author D. W. Wilkin are:

#10 - Carole Pico
#11 - Pam Rothrock Hunter
#16 - Cassandra Grafton

The winners of anthologies, "The Road to Pemberley, and "Pride Revisited," donated by author Tess Quinn are:

#54 - Virginia C. Tharrington
#56 - Diana John Oaks

The winners of "If Only In His Dreams" and "A Pair of Dancing Brown Eyes," donated by author Melanie A. Schertz:

#2 - Wendi Sotis
#34 - Candy Morton

The winners of an eBook copy "Love Will Grow," donated by author P.O. Dixon:

#20 - Meredith Esparza
#84 - Heather Moll

The winners of a set of the ebooks, "Jane Austen's Works, Illustrated" and "Compulsively Mr. Darcy," donated by author Nina Benneton:

#25 - Dianne Speakman
#84 - silentgirl88

The winners of a signed ARC of "The Passions of Dr. Darcy" PLUS an eBook of any Darcy Saga you choose, donated by author Sharon Lathan:

#44 - Marsela Qafzezi
#71 - Rita Lacerda Watts

The winner of a set of the ebooks, "Jane Austen's Works, Illustrated" and "Compulsively Mr. Darcy," PLUS a cameo appearance with Edward Bennet (follow him on twitter @EdwBennet) in the Pride and Prejudice's Reader Choice's Bennet Brother at Austen Authors on April 10th, 2013, donated by author Nina Benneton:

#17 - P.O. Dixon

The winner of one signed copy each of "The Man Who Loved Jane Austen" and "Yours Affectionately, Jane Austen" PLUS a special edition, remastered DVD of 1995 Pride and Prejudice mini-series, donated by author Sally Smith O'Rourke:

#14 - Melanie A. Schertz

The winner of a $100 Amazon.com gift card, donated by DarcyandLizzy.com:

#73 - Tobin Fried

The winner of a 3 month gift certificate to Audible.com, donated by me:

#52 - Lesley Ralph

Congratulations to the winners! I'll be working this week contacting the recipients of level prizes. Kickstarter takes 14 days to process donations, so I hope to have everyone's levels to them by the end of the month.

Join me at BooksHugBack.com on Friday for a post tying up all of the loose ends from the Austen Admirers Kickstarter Campaign. A big thank you to Candy for graciously letting me guest post on her blog, and thank you again for supporting Austen Admirers!

Monday, March 4, 2013

Review: Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy: The Last Man in the World by Abigail Reynolds

I saw a conversation on twitter a while back between some friends, and they were discussing a scene in The Last Man in the World by Abigail Reynolds. I had read the book a few years back, and I couldn’t remember the scene. So I thought, wow, I really should re-read it, and I did!

In this Pride and Prejudice variation...what if, Elizabeth is compromised by Mr. Darcy during his proposal at Hunsford? Assuming Elizabeth will consent to the marriage Darcy kisses her before she has a chance to answer. Just at that moment Colonel Fitzwilliam comes along and witnesses the kiss. Elizabeth is horrified, but to protect her sisters she marries Darcy. With the resentment Elizabeth feels toward Darcy, their marriage is bound to have problems!

Because Elizabeth never rejects Darcy, she never receives that letter he writes her while at Rosings. As a result, she still believes Wickham’s lies. It was breaking my heart that Elizabeth didn’t love Darcy. As she gets to know the good man that he is, she begins to fall in love with him, but will it be too late?

Georgiana is at Pemberley with Darcy and Elizabeth. Witnessing their odd behavior and not understanding what is going on between them, poor Georgiana is so confused! If this is what it is like to be married, she would rather be a spinster!

This time I enjoyed the story a whole lot more! You might ask," Why would that be?" Well, I’m not sure. It might be that I can handle the angst much better than I used to. Oh, the rejections and heartache! First, I want to shake some sense into Elizabeth, then I want to throttle Darcy! The story is so good!

What I love about Reynolds’s writing is that she really knows how to make you feel the emotion of her characters. She always pulls me into her stories. It had been a couple weeks since I had read this and I wanted to re-read something real quick before I wrote my review, and I was pulled right back in!

If you haven’t already read Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy: The Last Man in the World, you need to do so quickly!

(Originally published as The Last Man in the World)