Book Review and Giveaway - The Lost Lieutenant by Erica Vetsch

My Review
The Lost Lieutenant is set in Regency period England (1813).  It is the story of Evan Eldridge, a war hero who ends up an Earl ... married to a woman he likes but barely knows, Diana Seaton. Their story is complicated by their pasts -- she is raising her late sister's illegitimate baby, while he has lingering issues (similar to PTSD) from the war.  They also have a real threat in the present day to contend with.

I wanted to read this novel because I love the Regency period.  I found it intriguing that much of the novel focuses on a male character instead of the typical female protagonist found in books set in this era.

The Lost Lieutenant was a lovely, satisfying read!  I really liked the characters, particularly Evan, who was brave and so fundamentally decent.  I enjoyed the slowly developing relationship between Evan and Diana, and their restoration of an abandoned manor house.  Their relationship with Diana's infant nephew was also a sweet aspect of their story.

The book is well written with a great deal of historical detail.  The author does an especially good job with consistent usage of early 19th century language.

The character development in The Lost Lieutenant is intriguing, as we get to know Evan gradually over the span of the book.  I especially enjoyed his interest in rescuing abandoned war horses.

I recommend The Lost Lieutenant for fans of historical fiction, and especially for anyone who enjoys Regency period settings.

Book Synopsis
Evan Eldridge never meant to be a war hero--he just wanted to fight Napoleon for the future of his country. And he certainly didn't think that saving the life of a peer would mean being made the Earl of Whitelock. But when the life you save is dear to the Prince Regent, things can change in a hurry.

Now Evan has a new title, a manor house in shambles, and a stranger for a bride, all thrust upon him by a grateful ruler. What he doesn't have are all his memories. Traumatized as a result of his wounds and bravery on the battlefield, Evan knows there's something he can't quite remember. It's important, dangerous--and if he doesn't recall it in time, will jeopardize not only his marriage but someone's very life.

Readers who enjoy Julie Klassen, Carolyn Miller, and Kristi Ann Hunter will love diving into this brand-new Regency series filled with suspense, aristocratic struggles, and a firm foundation of faith.

Read an excerpt from Kregel by clicking here!
 
He's doing what he can to save the Prince Regent's life . . . but can he save his new marriage as well?

Author Bio

Erica Vetsch is a New York Times best-selling and ACFW Carol Award–winning author. She is a transplanted Kansan now living in Minnesota with her husband, who she claims is both her total opposite and soul mate.

Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum and cheering on her Kansas Jayhawks and New Zealand All Blacks.

A self-described history geek, she has been planning her first research trip to England.

Learn more about Erica Vetsch and her books at www.ericavetsch.com. She can also be found on Facebook (@EricaVetschAuthor), Twitter (@EricaVetsch), Instagram (@EricaVetsch) and Pinterest (Erica Vetsch).

Giveaway

Book Review and Giveaway - The Memory House by Rachel Hauck

Book Synopsis
When Beck Holiday lost her father in the North Tower on 9/11, she also lost her memories of him. Eighteen years later, she’s a tough New York City cop burdened with a damaging secret, suspended for misconduct, and struggling to get her life in order. Meanwhile a mysterious letter arrives informing her she’s inherited a house along Florida’s northern coast, and what she discovers there will change her life forever. Matters of the heart only become more complicated when she runs into handsome Bruno Endicott, a driven sports agent who fondly recalls the connection they shared as teenagers. But Beck doesn’t remember that, either.

Decades earlier, widow Everleigh Applegate lives a steady, uneventful life with her widowed mother after a tornado ripped through Waco, Texas, and destroyed her new, young married life. When she runs into old high school friend Don Callahan, she begins to yearn for change. Yet no matter how much she longs to love again, she is hindered by a secret she can never share.

Fifty years separate the women but through the power of love and miracle of faith, they each find healing in a beautiful Victorian known affectionately as The Memory House.

My Review
The Memory House is the story of two women.  In the present day, Beck Holiday is a New York City police officer who lost her father tragically on 9/11.  When he died all her childhood memories died too.  In 1953, Everleigh Applegate lost her husband to a tornado in Waco, Texas.   This novel is about the connections between these two women and the parallels as they work to rebuild their lives and find happiness.

This was an exceptionally well done dual storyline novel.  As well as Beck and Everleigh, there are also chapters that focus on the men that love them -- Bruno (Beck) and Don (Everleigh).  The author does a great job of differentiating the characters and creating a strong sense of time and place.

As a fan of historical fiction, I especially liked Everleigh's story, which spanned from 1953 to 1961, Waco, Texas and Fernandina Beach, Florida.  I love that period of American life, and enjoyed all the beautiful details of that time in this book.

I especially loved the setting of Fernandina Beach, Florida, a place we visited on summer vacations when I was a little girl!

I found a lot to like about both Beck and Everleigh, and read this book in a short time because I was so eager to know what happened with their lives.

There even is a dog rescue story, as Beck rescues a dog named Beetle who was in precarious health from being used as a drug mule.  (I had no idea this even happened before this book.)

The Memory House features a beautiful, rambling old Victorian house in Fernandina Beach, and the house is almost another character in the book.  I have a great weakness for books that do this, and it was such a lovely feature of this novel.

There is a strong faith element in the book.  Everleigh was a great example of someone who lived her faith in a quiet, daily way.

I recommend The Memory House for fans of women's fiction and Christian fiction.  This is my first read by Rachel Hauck and I look forward to looking for more of her novels in the future.

Author Bio
Rachel Hauck is an award winning, New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author.

Her book The Wedding Dress was named Inspirational Novel of the Year by Romantic Times Book Reviews. She is a double RITA finalist, and a Christy and Carol Award Winner.

Her book, Once Upon A Prince, first in the Royal Wedding Series, was filmed for an Original Hallmark movie.

Rachel has been awarded the prestigious Career Achievement Award for her body of original work by Romantic Times Book Reviews.

A member of the Executive Board for American Christian Fiction Writers, she teaches workshops and leads worship at the annual conference. She is a past Mentor of The Year.

At home, she’s a wife, writer, worship leader and works out at the gym semi-enthusiastically. A graduate of Ohio State University (Go Bucks!) with a degree in Journalism, she’s a former sorority girl and a devoted Ohio State football fan. Her bucket list is to stand on the sidelines with Ryan Day.

She lives in sunny central Florida with her husband and ornery cat.

For more information, visit www.rachelhauck.com, Facebook (@rachelhauck), Twitter (@RachelHauck) and Instagram (@rachelhauck).

Giveaway
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Book Review and Giveaway - Who I Am With You by Robin Lee Hatcher

Book Synopsis

For these two broken hearts, the first step toward love will be a huge leap of faith.

Jessica Mason isn’t looking for love when she meets Ridley Chesterfield. Instead she is still reeling from the tragic, unexpected loss of her husband and daughter—and awaiting the arrival of her unborn child. Harboring the secret of her husband’s betrayal, her pain is deeper than anyone knows.

Ridley Chesterfield is hiding out in Hope Springs, Idaho, avoiding a political scandal and the barrage of false media headlines that have tarnished his good name. The last thing Ridley wants is a relationship—but when fate leads Ridley to form a friendship with his reclusive and pregnant neighbor, he wonders if this small-town hideout might be more of a long-term destination. 

When Jessica begins to read her great-grandfather’s Bible, she finds a connection with a man she never knew. Somehow the verses he marked and the words he wrote in the margins open her heart to healing. And as Ridley and Jessica help each other forgive the people who have broken their hearts, they must decide if the past will define them or if they will choose to love again. 

Who I Am with You weaves together a modern-day romance with Jessica’s great-grandfather’s story from the 1930s, reminding us that some truths can cross generations and that faith has the power to transform families forever. 

Who I Am with You is the first book in Robin’s new “A Legacy of Faith” series.

Click here to read an excerpt!

My Review
Who I Am With You tells the story of Jessica Mason and Ridley Chesterfield in the small town of Hope Springs, Idaho.  Jessica is pregnant and alone;  her husband and young daughter were killed in a tragic car accident.  Ridley is spending time alone after he is implicated in a political scandal that could effect his career.  They end up as neighbors and unlikely friends ... with a budding romantic interest.

This is such a lovely read.  I really cared about Jessica and Ridley.  They were both sad and lonely people, and I really wanted them to find happiness and peace.  I found it very uplifting to watch them heal separately - and together.

I loved the dual timelines of this novel.  There are Jessica and Ridley, but there is also the story of Jessica's great-great grandfather in the 1930's.  Legacy of Faith is a perfect name for the series that begins with this book.  Jessica found great strength from her grandfather's faith and from his old family Bible.

The small town setting was wonderful, and I loved the sweet, leisurely pace of this novel.  There were several aspects of the book I particularly liked and related to, like Ridley's rescue of Kris the Sheltie dog, and Jessica's work selling her art online.  

I am already looking forward to reading the rest of this series.  I recommend Who I Am With You for fans of Christian fiction and small town, sweet romances.

Author Bio
Robin Lee Hatcher is the author of over 75 novels and novellas with over five million copies of her books in print. She is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. Robin is an ACFW Carol Award winner and an eight-time finalist and has won two RITA Awards and been a finalist eleven times. Her numerous other awards include the Christy Award, the HOLT Medallion, the National Reader’s Choice Award, and the Faith, Hope & Love Reader’s Choice Award. She is also the recipient of prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards from both American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. 

When not writing, she enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, Bible art journaling, reading books that make her cry, watching romantic movies, and decorative planning. A mother and grandmother, Robin and her husband make their home on the outskirts of Boise, sharing it with a demanding Papillon dog and a persnickety tuxedo cat.

For more information, visit www.robinleehatcher.com, Facebook: robinleehatcher, Twitter: @robinleehatcher and Instagram @robinleehatcher.

Giveaway

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I received a copy of this book from Audra Jennings PR. 

Book Review - Summer Plans and Other Disasters, by Karin Beery

Book Synopsis

Elementary school music teacher Callie Stevens thinks she’s finally figured out God’s plan for her life—she even made a list to keep her on track.

Moving in with her brother and reconnecting with her ex-boyfriend are at the top of the list. What’s not on the list is running into her childhood crush, Ryan. God wanted her to connect with Kyle, right?

Trying to figure out God’s plan is hard enough. But a dating-averse older brother, the young blonde who adores him, a pregnant best friend, and Callie’s continual mishaps make her wonder whether her best laid plans were truly God-inspired. 

 
Now available from Elk Lake Publishing!


My Review
Summer Plans and Other Disasters tells the story of Callie, who moves home for the summer to live with her brother and pursue her ex-boyfriend Kyle.  She has her summer neatly planned out.  But things happen to make her re-think her plans, including meeting her long ago crush, Ryan, again.

This is such a fun, sweet read!   Callie is a very likeable and real character.  She is a music teacher and a bit of a klutz.  Her attempts to help her brother Jack as he works to maintain the lighthouse where they live and the surrounding park almost always end in disaster.

I loved the other characters too -- Callie's brother Jack, his best friend Ryan, Stacey (who has a crush on Jack), and Callie's friend Mae.

The atmosphere of the book was especially nice.  I felt like I spent a few hours enjoying life in a lighthouse in small town Michigan.

I also really liked the Christian message of this novel.  Callie is a planner but she learns to let go and trust God.  The author, Karin Beery, handled the message deftly and with a light touch.  The strength of the characters and the engaging plot were always at the heart of this novel.

This story is told from several characters' perspectives, and that took a few chapters to get used to.   But I soon was interested in what would happen next and I enjoyed getting to know the different characters via alternating perspectives.

I recommend Summer Plans and Other Disasters for fans of Christian fiction, women's fiction, and contemporary romance.  It would make a fun weekend read or vacation book.

Author Bio

Karin wrote her first novel in 2007 to cope with her husband’s cancer diagnosis (no worries – he’s cancer free now!). With the support and encouragement of her family, she submitted that manuscript. That particular manuscript has not been published yet, but Summer Plans and Other Disasters, her first published book, releases in September 2018.
 

Karin writes contemporary and speculative fiction stories with a healthy dose of romance, but she’s also expanded her repertoire: she writes feature stories for the local paper, copy material for businesses, and blog posts for herself and others. She even edits (offering copy editing, fiction editing, and critiques through Write Now Editing Services) and teaches (she’s the Substantive Fiction Editing instructor for the PEN Institute and can be found around the country teaching writing and editing courses at conferences and at her local college).

When Karin’s not reading, writing, or editing, she enjoys cooking and baking. She plays the piano and sings (the key of E, please). She kayaks with her husband in the summer, watches football in the fall (Go Blue!), and enjoys Christmas lights all winter long. Shy but extroverted, Karin adores her nieces and nephew and loves spending time with her family.  Learn more about Karin at: karinbeery.com.

You can also follow her on:

Facebook - www.facebook.com/authorkarinbeery/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/karinbeery 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/karinbeery/

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.