Julie's Book Blog
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Book Reviews & Giveaways
Review of A Tale of Two Hearts by Michelle Griep
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Book 2 in Reader Favorite Michelle Griep’s Charming Once Upon a Dickens Christmas Series
London, 1853: Innkeeper’s daughter Mina Scott will do anything to escape the drudgery of her life, for there’s nothing more mundane than serving customers day after day. Every minute she can, she reads and dreams of someday becoming a real lady—and catch the eye of William Barlow, a frequent guest at the inn.
William is a gentleman’s son, a charming but penniless rogue. However, his bachelor uncle will soon name an heir—either him or his scheming cousin. In an effort to secure the inheritance, William gives his uncle the impression he’s married, which works until he’s invited to bring his wife for a visit.
William asks Mina to be his pretend bride, only until his uncle names an heir on Christmas Day. Mina is flattered and frustrated by the offer, for she wants a true relationship with William. Yet, she agrees. . .then wishes she hadn’t. So does William. Deceiving the old man breaks both their hearts. When the truth is finally discovered, more than just money is lost.
This is the second book in the Once Upon a Dickens Christmas series and it was as entertaining as the first one that I read. Michelle Griep is a master storyteller and weaves wonderful characters that pull you in and keep you engaged in the story.
This one is set in 1853 London and is filled with struggles, deception, love, and forgiveness and definitely keeps you turning the pages. Mina Scott is a delightful and strongly opinionated woman with a warm and loving heart, but is tired of her mundane life and wishes for more. When she gets involved in a deceptive scheme with William Barlow things start to turn bad. Their relationship is filled with lies that pair off one Barlow family member against the other. The lies told by Mina and William to his uncle are told with all good intentions but come back to haunt them both.
I loved the references to Dickens and the Christian aspects of the story that were very inspirational. All in all, a very enjoyable and entertaining read written with old English style of the time period that brought the story to life.
I received a copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it.
Review of Christmas at Mountain Mist by Pamela Ferguson
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Did you come here to visit or to hide?
Dr. Brady Thomasson has his hands full. Christmas is two days away and he’s the physician in charge at Lilac’s senior living community. A mysterious illness, blizzard conditions, and a skeleton staff would be enough to keep even the most seasoned medical professional on his toes. Will the unexpected arrival of his former girlfriend distract him from his duties?
With a brewing scandal about to crash down on her head, environmental lawyer Camille Zignetti drives through a snow storm to spend Christmas with her ailing grandfather. Certain she will pay a price for her employer’s bad behavior, could Brady blame her for wanting to hide from a situation she’d helped to create?
Lilac. Where paths cross, sparks fly and love blooms.
By Award-winning author
Camille, an environmental lawyer decides to join together with a famous actor-turned-environmentalist-activist that isn't what he appears to be. Brady, her ex, warns her not to work for him but she ignores the warning. Camille gets thrown a curve when she leaves town to avoid the press to visit her grandfather that needs her assistance at Mountain Mist Retirement Home. Camille & Brady are thrown back together but can they repair the damage from the past?
This was a lovely story of family struggles, relationships, love, and forgiveness. Well-written with great characters that kept me engaged the whole time. Loved the ending that wrapped everything up nicely.
I was given an ARC copy by the author and voluntarily chose to review it.
Fall Into Books $250 Giveaway 9/10-10/10
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Fall Into Books
$250 Cash Giveaway
September 10th to October 10th
Enter for your chance to win $250 in PayPal Cash or a $250 Amazon Gift Code!
A HUGE thank you to this fabulous group of sponsors who made this giveaway possible. Be sure to stop by and show them some love!
Sponsor List
B. Kristin McMichael Simple Wyrdings
Giveaway Details
$250 in Paypal Cash or a $250 Amazon.com eGift Card
Ends 10/10/18
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal or gift codes via Amazon.com.
Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded.
No purchase necessary.
You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you.
The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the authors, bloggers, and publishers on the sponsor list. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for Seeing Green
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Don’t Let the Shadow of Envy Color Your Joy
You know that feeling, don’t you? That heart sting when someone else receives the very thing you desire. When your best friend announces her engagement. When your sister says she’s pregnant. When your coworker gets the promotion. You tell yourself you’re happy for her, but something casts a shadow. That something is envy.
What if, in those moments, you were able to turn away from the green glow of envy, and see the spotlight of God’s glory shine on your friend? What if your first response was joy?
Join Tilly Dillehay as she uncovers seven common sources of envy and challenges you to change the way you think about God’s glory. In doing so, you will learn to rejoice with others, you will experience greater contentment, and you will discover how to truly love your neighbor as yourself.
My Review
Seeing Green made me aware that there are a lot of subtle ways that envy can creep into your character. It is different than a lot of other sins and temptations we may deal with. Seeing Green is written with easy to read descriptions and strategies to apply to everyday life and is a valuable resource to refer to often.
Tilly Dillehay holds a degree in journalism from Lipscomb University. In the past, she has been the editor of a weekly newspaper and of a lifestyle magazine, and now she serves as homemaker and mother to two little girls. She writes at www.justinandtilly.com and contributes occasionally to The Gospel Coalition. She is the host of The Green Workshop, an event for women on the subject of envy that is held at local churches. Tilly's husband, Justin, is a pastor in the small town east of Nashville where the family resides.
SEEINGGREEN25 – for 25% off Seeing Green, from August 20 – September 30, 2018. It can be purchased at this link: https://www.harvesthousepublishers.com/books/seeing-green-9780736974943
One Night Beautifully Illustrated Advent Calendar-Back the Kickstarter!
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My Review
The calendar was inspired from the book of Luke and is very well illustrated with wonderful calligraphy, hand-drawn images and a story.
It is very well made with sturdy construction for years of use. It would look lovely on top of a table or fireplace mantle and is sure to be the center of attraction during the holdiays. Any family can enjoy reading each 24 days leading up to Christmas to start a new tradition.
Enter to Win a Copy of "Reload Love!"
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Will we try to forget all the things we’ve seen?
Or will we see, really see, and then let our emotions
lead us into a new way of living?
This is the story of one woman who refused to look away from atrocities on her television screen. Lenya Heitzig allowed her heart to break at the plight of refugees and the deaths of innocent children, and then she begged God for a job to do.
In this gritty, passionate story, Lenya details the epic way God answered her prayers—how a spark came to life turning weapons of war into something beautiful. Experience the hope found in a children’s playground as you journey with her through the jungles of Burma and the war-torn streets of the Middle East.
Though the shape of your heart and passion may look very different, you will find hope and inspiration in ordinary people who go to incredible lengths to share God’s life-giving love.
Author Lenya Heitzig’s heart is to reach out to hurting people through tangible acts of love. She is the founder of Reload Love, a ministry which touches the lives of children affected by terrorism. Lenya also serves as the executive director of she Ministries at Calvary Church, pastored by her husband, Skip. www.lenyaheitzig.com
My Review
Reload Love is a very heart-wrenching read, but one filled with the undeniable power of God. Lenya, leaves her home and travels with her crew from Reload Love as they put their dreams into action.
I was inspired by Lenya's strength and her willingness to boldly go where ever God wanted to use her. I also admired her for her ability to face the atrocities of the aftermath of ISIS and press on to meet with the many victims of war.
Lanya's organization, Reload Love, is an amazing example of what can be accomplished when you are led by God and are willing to make the hard choices. A very inspiring read.
By subscribing, you confirm you're at least 13 years of age and you agree that you want to enter to win a copy of Reload Love and agree to receive occasional emails from Harvest House Publishing, Lenya Heitzig, and FrontGate Media. 5 Winners selected on 10/30/18. This page is designed by FrontGate Media. You may unsubscribe from these email communications at any time.
Falling in Love-100 Kick Off Giveaway
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#FallingInLove – $100 Kick Off Giveaway
#PayPal #Amazon
Falling In Love
A Clean Romance Event
Hosted by I Am A Reader & Clean Wholesome Romance
September is going to be an AWESOME month for clean romance lovers! I’m excited to kick-off this month-long celebration with this $100 Giveaway. Before we get to the giveaway…
Just look at this amazing list of authors who are participating!
Elizabeth Johns
Julie Wright
Jo Noelle
Laurie Lewis
Bria Quinlan
Beth Labonte
Sariah Wilson
D.E. Malone
Delaney Cameron
Donna Hatch
Kimberley Montpetit
Rachael Anderson
Mylissa Demeyere
Daniel Banner
Danielle Thorne
Aubrey Wynne
Kimberly Krey
Jennifer Griffith
Jen Geigle Johnson
Cindy Roland Anderson
Are you excited? I hope so because it’s going to be a great month!
Each Monday through Friday for the rest of the month one of these authors will be spotlighted. There will be a $25 giveaway along with each spotlight which means there will be $500 given away in addition to this $100 giveaway! That’s a total of $600 being given away plus you will have the chance to learn more about 20 AMAZING authors!
So let’s start this off with the $100 Kick-Off Giveaway!
Giveaway Details
One lucky winner will receive a $100 Amazon Gift Code or $100 in Paypal Cash.
Ends 10/1/18
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via PayPal or gift codes via Amazon.com. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, PayPal, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader & Clean Wholesome Romance and sponsored by the participating authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
Across the Blue by Carrie Turansky
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Description:
Isabella Grayson, the eldest daughter of a wealthy, English newspaper magnate, longs to become a journalist, but her parents don't approve. They want her to marry well and help them gain a higher standing in society.
After she writes an anonymous letter to the editor that impresses her father, her parents reluctantly agree she can write a series of articles about aviation and the race to fly across the English Channel, but only if she promises to accept a marriage proposal within the year.
When James Drake, an aspiring aviator, crashes his flying machine at the Grayson's new estate, Bella is intrigued. James is determined to be the first to fly across the Channel and win the prize Mr. Grayson's newspaper is offering. He hopes it will help him secure a government contract to build airplanes and redeem a terrible family secret. James wants to win Bella's heart, but his background and lack of social standing make it unlikely her parents would approve. If he fails to achieve his dream, how will he win the love and respect he is seeking? Will Bella's faith and support help him find the strength and courage he needs when unexpected events turn their world upside down?
My Review
Being a lover of anything to do with vintage airplanes and airshows, this story peaked my interest from the beginning. The historical aspect and the characters which appeared true to the time period made the story come to life for me.
Bella, the daughter of a newspaper tycoon in Edwardian England, was very much her own woman. She wanted to be a journalist for one of her father's newspapers at a time when that sort of behavior was unheard of. The world of aviation fascinated her and after meeting James, a pilot, it became even more intriguing. James, plagued with the need to find the answers to his past, hoped to gain recognition in the aviation world.
I found the author's writing style easy to read, the pages filled with vivid descriptions, and the storyline uplifting and inspirational. I liked how God's message was woven into both characters lives.
There were a lot of surprises and twists which brought even more excitement and suspense to the story. I loved the setting of Edwardian England and the amazing race to cross the English Channel. Well researched and a very enjoyable read. HIghly recommended.
I received this book as a gift and so glad I did.
His Perfect Love by Sharon K. Connell
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About the Book
No one crosses Jerry Windham and gets away with it. Not even a woman as shrewd as Patricia Campbell. After uncovering this man’s dreadful secrets about women reported missing, she ran. Even two years later, she can't get rid of the thought that he'll never stop looking for her. He’d do anything to see her dead, or worse. Unaware of the FBI’s search for her to learn what information she might hold, she continues to hide. A new look, a new city and job, fearful thoughts suppressed, Patricia moves on. Three new men enter this beautiful woman’s life. A persistent computer technician, a charming philanthropist, and a handsome, wealthy businessman who wants to marry her. But her fears resurface, and she wonders if she can trust any of them. Having rejected God in her college days, Patricia believes He would not listen to her now. All she wants is to change and have a normal life. Will she put her trust in God? Can she survive long enough to find peace…and perfect love?
My Review
His Perfect Love is a story with lots of suspense, adventure, and romance. I must say that in the beginning, I didn't like Patricia very much due to her loose lifestyle and lack of Christian ethics. However, there is hope for everyone and towards the end, her character changed.
There were a few surprises and twists which made the book not only interesting but suspenseful. I found myself trying to figure out what would happen next and it definitely kept me turning the pages. The Christian aspect was weaved into the storyline nicely and I enjoyed following Patricia's growth in coming to the Lord.
The ending wrapped everything up nicely.
The Hope Jar by Wanda Brunstetter
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My Review
The Hope Jar is a story about a young woman, Michelle, who grew up in an abusive home, had an abusive boyfriend, and couldn't seem to have a chance at a decent life. When she is mistaken for the Lapp's granddaughter they never knew, the need to be loved and have a family that she felt she always deserved, leads her down a path of lies, deceit, and betrayal.
The story is well-written and Michelle's character was believable, even though what she lowers herself to do, seems heartless. The descriptions of Amish farm life paints a loving picture of grandparents who do anything to get back the years they have lost with their granddaughter. Englisher and Amish worlds mix, creating doubt and confusion for those around Michelle.
There are plenty of surprises and twists, and I felt sympathy for all her characters. They were each hurting in their own way. I was a little disappointed in the ending but figured there is more to come.
