Welcome to my point of view for When I Close My Eyes by Elizabeth Musser and enter below to win your own ebook version of this powerful story!

Could she ever share the secret of The Awful Year?
 
There is one story that novelist Josephine Bourdillon shirked from writing. And now she may never have a chance. Trapped in her memories, she lies in a coma.

The man who put her there is just as paralyzed. Former soldier Henry Hughes failed to complete the kill. What’s more: he never received full payment–funds that would ensure surgery for his son.

As detectives investigate disturbing fan letters, a young but not-so-naïve Paige Bourdillon turns to her mother’s turbulent past for answers. Could The Awful Year be worse than the one they’re living now?

Set against the flaming hills of North Carolina and the peaceful shores of the Mediterranean Sea, When I Close My Eyes tells the story of two families struggling with dysfunction and finding that love is stronger than death.

my point of view:

I received this book as a Christmas gift from a friend. The story took my breath away in so many ways, I hope I can do justice to it in this review. As you all know, I am a huge fan of of christian Fiction – mostly romance, but I do enjoy other genres as well!  I was pleasantly surprised to find there are elements of mystery, suspense, redemption, illness, forgiveness and healing for all of the characters involved and even a little romance.

But the heart of the story deals with a topic most people try to avoid – depression. It affects so many of our lives, but no one wants to openly discuss it. Some people may even shy away from reading about this topic in a fiction story – I mean, most of us read for escapism, right? Who wants to read about afflictions? Well, let me tell you, if you think you are one of those people, I encourage you to take a chance on this story, truly. This novel brings to light the ways depression can touch everyone’s lives, in all ways, not just the individual who suffers from it. I think we can all learn some great lessons in compassion when reading this book.

Beyond the hard hitting topics is the overall atmosphere of the story. The dual settings of North Carolina and France are amazing. Ms. Musser has an obvious love for both locations and it truly comes out in her writing. Makes me want to take a road trip to NC and soon! 

About Elizabeth Musser   

Welcome to my point of view for Belong With Me by Alexa Verde! Alexa is aso sponsoring a $5.00 Amazon gift card giveaway, learn how to enter below!

A third chance or a third strike?

What do a dog, a cat, and a hamster, and a whole lot of fish have in common? The couple of humans taking care of them trying not to fall in love! An opposites-attract, fish-out-of-water romance to warm your heart.

Translator Cassidy Longfellow’s quiet life is turned upside down when she returns to her hometown to care for her niece. Not only must she deal with a lovestruck teen and a dog but also with a neighbor with nephews and a multitude of pets. After having loved and lost twice, her heart is closed to romance. But can the handsome neighbor warm her heart this cold winter enough for a third chance?

A former executive from Boston, Jonathan Hastings, was betrayed too many times to believe romantic love is possible for him. But he adores his nephews and needs all the help he can get, including from a shy lovely woman next door who draws him in. When his past threatens his future, what will he choose?

Welcome to Chapel Cove, Oregon, where life begins at forty.

Stunning coastline, a harbor against life’s storms, and a welcoming community await in Chapel Cove. A place where those hurt by challenges, disappointments, and failures or reminded of their unfulfilled hopes and dreams can make a fresh start. And, if they’re brave enough to accept it, maybe find a second chance at love, if only they’ll allow God to safely anchor them in their hearts’ home?

Discover this small town filled with love, hope, and faith, in Chapel Cove, a series of sweet and clean standalone Christian romances. Join bestselling authors Marion Ueckermann, Alexa Verde, and Autumn Macarthur in Chapel Cove today!

my point of view:

I must say I have been having a wonderful time in Chapel Cove, it has easily become one of my favorite fictional towns! This latest story is no exception! This lovely town is a beautiful setting for this amazing community of folks, who are always there for one another! I have always loved that small town vibe, where everyone knows each other and is willing to lend a hand (or a pastry <grins> as needed) when there is someone in need.

Cassidy reminds me so much of myself – much younger version of myself, of course, lol. Being single in your thirties, having loved and lost – not once, but twice – you begin to believe you are just better off staying alone and caring for others. The heartache she has endured by being in love twice before has certainly made her hesitant to try again. She also has a really hard time saying ‘no’ to anyone, from her sister in need of a caregiver, to a total stranger as a baby sitter of his nephews! Cassidy is a beautiful example of a woman who is willing to be there for her family and others, no matter how much it may interrupt her own life.

Enter neighbor, Jonathan……he, too has been burned by love, in a most dramatic fashion. He wants nothing more than to recoup his business, or start a new one and get on with his financial success. Even so, he agrees to watch his precious nephews and their hoard of pets while his sister and her husband leave for a cruise. Never in his wildest dreams did he think he’d find someone like Cassidy living right next door!

The beautiful faith these people have in God is so wonderful to read, and the outcome is more than I ever expected or dreamed would happen in this amazing story! It literally had me in tears and I am so grateful to have read this story – you will be too!

About Alexa Verde   

Alexa Verde is once again being her oh so generous self and offering a $5.00 Amazon gift card for one of our readers! Comment below and tell us what would be your first choice of a new language to learn to speak fluently if you could! Contest will run until 6pm EST on Feb 21st and winner will be notified via email!

Welcome to my point of view for Her Shining Eyes by Jeanette Morris and enter below to win your own ebook version of this riveting story!

Sometimes Pain Opens the Soul….Fourteen-year old Irina Kotova’s life as a promising violinist collapses in sync with the demise of the Soviet Union. After her father is killed in a bar fight, her ailing mother is hauled off to jail without explanation. Now considered an orphan, Irina is forced to live in a boarding school where Russia’s throwaway kids are abandoned and forgotten. Irina is constantly tormented by Vadim Solokov, a mean-spirited hooligan who takes great pleasure in reminding her that nobody cares about them. Irina is convinced he is right, and the not-so-mysterious theft of her precious violin seals her resolve to escape the school or die trying. Will she find a place to belong before bitterness destroys all her dreams?

my point of view:

What an amazing look into the lives of the people of Russia during a difficult time in their history! I have always held a special place in my heart for all things Russian, and this story took me to a time in Russian I have never read about before. The coming of age for two young teens is so real that I couldn’t help but ache for them both. What a journey these characters all go through, both separately and together, it is heart wrenching and achingly beautiful in the telling of it.

I was so taken by the circumstances and difficulties that the citizens of this country had to endure that it truly made me cry. It is obvious that the author had first hand experience in the lives of the Russian people, and she makes the story so real, I can honestly imagine that these circumstances could actually be more real than fiction. When you are reading the story, you so want to just cry out at the injustices that these people have suffered, but at the same time, you see God at work in all of their lives. I truly feel like this book is a must read for anyone!

About Jeanette Morris        

Ms. Morris is offering one of our readers a free ebook copy of this touching story. Simply comment below and tell us why you’d like to read this story about Russia to enter! Winner will be notified via email, thank you!

A Promise to Keep by Melony Teague

PLUS – enter below to win a $5.00 Amazon gift Card from Melony!

Research librarian Savannah Sanderson wants nothing more than to escape into her happily-ever-after novels with their larger-than-life fictional heroes. But a promise to her late husband has her attending her dreaded twenty-year high school reunion, drinking ghastly punch, and taking desperate measures just to keep her vow, even if she has to hide behind the décor to do it.

Once a reckless troublemaker, Michael McCann fled town after graduation. Now a professional technical rescuer, he’s back for the reunion, but on his trip down memory lane, he soon comes face to face with unresolved issues, namely Savannah.

Before the night is over, a pact between these two old friends will lead them on an adventure into uncharted emotional territory where Michael must confront his past regrets and find the courage to reveal the truth. But can Savannah fly from her sheltered nest and risk her heart on a real-life hero?

my point of view:

This is story really touched me, in several ways. I cannot believe it is Melony’s debut novel! I felt as though she has been writing novels forever, lol! Seriously though, the setting for the story in Upstate New York is always a favorite of mine, as I am from the area and enjoy reading about it through other’s eyes. Then you have the slightly older characters, and by this I mean not your twenty somethings, hahaha, but much more, ahem, mature folks in their mid thirties……you know what I mean, characters that have had some bumps in the road already, maybe bruised hearts, walls that they have erected, and well, faith issues as well.

Now let’s add in second chance at romance – and love – with a couple of old high school friends who have not spoke in, yikes, 20 years! This is definitely one of my favorite genres, I can never get enough of them….but there is a slight twist to this story. Savannah and Michael were actually part of trio friendship in high school, the third being Michael’s best friend and now Savannah’s deceased husband. These two characters want desperately to honor Nick and at the same time restore the closeness they had as friends all those years ago, but Savannah is somewhat afraid of her own shadow these days and Michael is not only an adventure seeking adrenaline ‘junkie’ but it is now his job to face dangerous situations daily to rescue folks in trouble. I honestly did not see how this author was going to be able to pull this together for these two……but you will have to read the story yourself to find out, lol! I encourage you to take this journey with Michael and Savannah and see what God has in store for them! Now, if only I could get away to Upstate NY for a vacation, lol…..

About Melony Teague              

We’d love to hear your comments, and you could win a $5.00 Amazon Gift Card! Tell us what you love most about your hometown to enter! Bonus entry – share this post on your social media to get a second entry to win, just be sure to tag me (Paula Marie) in it for it to count! Contest will run for one week and winner will be notified via email!

Welcome to my point of view for Where I Was Planted by Heather Norman Smith, and eneter below to win your own paperback copy!!

In the spring of 1961, ten-year-old Nate “Weenie” Dooley has a revelation-his father is not a good one.

Inspired by National Geographic, his favorite thing next to the Bible storybook his mother gave him before she died, Nate plans to leave his father and their home in the Smokies to set out on adventure.

When he discovers that his father has left him first, it will take the help of a stray dog, some kind neighbors, a one-man-band, letters from a long-lost-aunt, and a new understanding of God to figure out he isn’t really alone.

Will he find that Copper Creek is where he’s always belonged? Or will his wanderlust keep him from ever coming back?

my point of view:

I am so grateful that I was able to read this amazing story! This story is told from a beautiful perspective of a ten year old boy and his journey through some very difficult times. To be perfectly honest with you, I was quite surprised at just how much I enjoyed the entire novel, and felt so refreshed at being on the adventure with Nate! While I do enjoy many types of Christian Fiction, i wasn’t so sure I would be able to ‘get into’ a story such as this….boy, was I wrong!

I cannot imagine what it must have been like to face adult situations as a ten year old, but Ms. Smith has a very unique way of giving the characters depth and perspective in a way that felt very natural. From the very beginning the story makes you think about God and His faithfulness, and how we can see things differently in our own lives if we only take the time. Personally, I have always been fascinated with how a ‘weed’ can grow between the concrete and flourish…but I never related that to myself as a person, and with God’s love, how we too can grow and flourish out of the most impenetrable circumstances! The full cast of characters in this novel bring a different outlook to the same situations in a whole new light. It is such a beautiful story to see how people can all come together to try and help one child, and then end up gaining so much more. I loved seeing how god can work on children – and adults – for the good of everyone involved.

About Heather Norman Smith    

I hope you enjoy my point of view for this brand new release – PLUS you can win your own ebook version! See below to enter!

Responsibility—that one word sums up Wade Spencer’s existence since his father’s death. Thrust into the role of head of the family, he’s keeping the farm running and his younger siblings in line. When a life-threatening illness attacks his momma, he readily steps in to support her. Sure would be nice to have someone by his side to help carry the load, but all that responsibility hasn’t left much time for dating. Or maybe it’s just his reserved nature holding him back.

Dani Connor had gotten everything she ever dreamed of as a child. Married her high school sweetheart, had a sweet little girl she could shower with all the love she’d been denied by her own parents, and built a life far away from the farm. When those dreams come crashing down, she realizes that back at home on the farm is where she should have stayed.

It doesn’t take long after Dani’s return to Shiloh for Wade to realize she’s the one God has in mind, but Dani will have to get over past hurts and take another chance if she wants Wade to be part of her new dreams.

my point of view:

I want you all to know up front, that when I hear Andrea Boyd has new book coming out, my simple response is “yes, please”  lol! I love her writing style, she always makes me smile, even while tackling some hard hitting issues, just as she has done here with Waiting For You. Dani and Wade are two amazing characters that I feel like I would totally be friends with. Their family members are like icing on the cake for me! I love series like this, and am looking forward to more of the Spencer family down the road….ah, but let’s get back to Dani and Wade, shall we?

I’ll start with Dani…wow, could I relate with her! As a teenager she thought she knew exactly what she wanted and how to accomplish those goals. I completely understood her take at that age, thought I knew it all too, hahaha. We all make mistakes, all we can do is move forward and turn them into good, for God always has His reasons. I, too, was a single parent, raising my son on my own from the time he was just a year old, so definite connection in that respect. My ex also was not in the picture, at all, so I completely understood how Dani felt, trying to be everything for your child, and walking that tightrope of not putting the father down in front of them. There comes a point where you start to lose sight of who you are as person, almost fading away into being nothing more than your child’s mother. Suddenly finding herself attracted to Wade leads Dani on a new path.

Wade stole my heart, he is a wonderful character who loves his family and is always there for everyone who needs him. I adore the way he tries to help even when it is not asked for. He is the anchor for his family since their father passed, and the one they all look up to…but who can Wade turn to when he needs someone? Wade’s momma is one of the strongest women I have seen in Christian fiction, with a love for God and her family, and never losing faith even in the worst of times. 

I don’t want to give away the journey, it’s one you all need to read for yourselves, but I promise you, you will come away from reading this book with a true sense of peace!

About Andrea Boyd  

Andrea Boyd has offered one free ebook version to one of our amazing readers! Please comment below and tell us where your dream place to live would be to enter. Contest will run for one week from this published post and winner will be notified via email!

When I Come Home Again by Jennifer Rodewald

Enter below to win a free ebook of Ordinary Snowflakes, the first time we meet Craig!

When a family crisis calls him back to Big Prairie, will Craig Erikson be able to work through past mistakes and a tragedy that had sent him searching for a new place to call home?

Brenna Blaum had been sure of three things in her life—her brother, her running, and her dad’s star receiver. But in a matter of a year’s time, everything she’d counted on fell apart, leaving her devastated. Seven years later, she’s stable again. She has a supportive boyfriend, fulfilling career, and close friends. She keeps her past heartache where it belongs—in her rearview mirror. Until the man who broke her heart finds his way back to Big Prairie.

Craig Erikson had it all—popularity, success, and the love of his high school coach’s daughter. But after a year of mistakes that ended in a tragic accident, he’d left Big Prairie—the place he’d thought to always call home—hoping that without his antagonizing presence, Brenna would be able to heal. Now his mother desperately needs him, as do two young boys in her care. Craig has little choice but to return for good.

Unsure that she can forgive him, Brenna does her best to avoid him. Irritated that she ignores him as if they’d never meant anything to each other, Craig becomes determined not to allow it.

Life in a small town forces their interaction, making them confront their unresolved issues and igniting emotions that have smoldered for seven years. As Craig and Brenna are pushed together, can they endure the hard places still littering their lives? If so, is it possible to find their way back to love and home again?

my point of view:

I cannot even begin to tell you how much I enjoyed this story! First let me say Brenna is one stubborn character, she is so strong willed and so sure of what is “right” and “wrong” that she is blinded to her own true feelings. Ah, I hate to admit it, but she reminds me whole lot of myself in my, er, younger days, lol! I loved her to pieces, all while wanting to smack her upside the head, hahaha! But, hey, we all want to read the journey, right? What fun is there in perfect people? Honestly, though, Brenna is a wonderful person, while she is so giving and caring about everyone she meets, it is herself she has a hard time forgiving.

Now, Craig, wow, he is so wrapped up in guilt that he too has been dealing with his own demons. While Brenna chose to stand firm at home, Craig on the other hand has been wandering around looking for a new place to plant his roots. Of course, that is not in God’s plan, so through heartache and illness He has forced Craig to return home and face his past – and his future.

Riding along on this path to redemption was truly a blessing for me, and it made me face some of my own past hurts that I had still been holding on too, like a shield of armor, sometimes we need to lay that down to face a brighter future. I hope you all go get your copy of this new release as soon as possible and take this journey with Brenna and Craig and see where it might lead you to as well!

About Jennifer Rodewald                

Jennifer is generously offering a free ebook of Ordinary Snowflakes to one of readers! Comment below and tell us what your favorite subject in high school was! Contest will run for one week and winner will be notified via email!

I hope you enjoy my point of view of Star Rising…and enter below to win your own ebook copy!

Star Youngblood has always been a fighter–a necessity after her mother married a monster of a man. Now, she’s finally on the path to the stable life she’s always wanted. Her employer, Priscilla Kelly, is a sweet woman ravaged by rheumatoid arthritis, and Star will do anything to help her. Even if that means going toe to toe with Mrs. Kelly’s neglectful son.

After being betrayed on the mission field and devastated by the tragic death of his father, Paul Kelly gave up on God. He lives life on his own terms, biding his time as a corporate pilot until he can save enough money to begin his own flight school closer to home. His mother is all he has left, and he wants to be near her. He just didn’t expect her health to decline so quickly. When he discovers his mother has taken in a stray—a woman he’s not at all sure can be trusted—his protective instincts kick into high gear. Paul’s handled a lot of turbulence, but he’s never gone up against a force like Star.

As Paul and Star strive to protect his mother in their own ways, they soon find their own hearts are at the greatest risk.

my point of view:

I must admit that Janet Ferguson ranks up there with my very favorite authors, and I have been blessed to read ALL of her books – yes every single one…and I have never come away thinking anything other than awesome! Jane has a way of getting into the heart and soul of a character, to the point it can make your heart break and bring real tears to your eyes…and shout out loud for joy when things go right!

This story is no exception, in fact, I think it was her most powerful and emotional story yet…and I don’t say that lightly. Star is definitely a complex individual, one i would love to know, and yet she can be a little scary with her protectiveness, lol! Something I feel I can relate to <<grins>> Her story is one of fierce determination to rise above adversity and overcome all odds, all while keeping herself firmly planted in God’s grace. Some people might have expected a character like Star’s to have been broken by all she went through, but God certainly had big plans for her  – as he does for us all – if only we listen!

Paul Kelly on the other hand, well, let’s just say I wasn’t a big fan at the beginning, but of course, i knew he had his own story that needed to be revealed, and Janet did a spectacular job of taking us all on that journey with him. Paul’s past and issues are also ones I can relate to in my own past, and so I was able to connect with his pain and adventure as well. The secondary characters all find a place in your heart, especially Mrs. Kelly! Talk about relating, it has always been a dream of mine to see Italy, but never been able to, and now with my own arthritis, I sure could feel her anxiety over her knees! I have never been to Ireland, but sure felt as though I had an adventure there while reading Janet’s story, I know she visited there herself, so I feel as though i was truly looking at the sites through her eyes.

One of the things I truly appreciated in this story was how Janet did not ‘rush’ the characters into a box or get them to the point of a happily ever after too soon…she truly explores all the ins and outs of living a God First life before making a commitment to others. That is hard to do in the world of Christian Fiction romance where sometimes the focus is getting to the HEA too quickly. I seriously cannot recommend this story highly enough, it will be released on the 4th of January, so you can pre-order it now and start reading it as soon as you start the weekend!

About Janet W. Ferguson   

Janet Ferguson has generously offered a free ebook version of Star Rising to one of our readers! To enter, simply comment below and tell us where you’d like to arm chair travel to! Contest will end one week from publication and winner will be notified via email, good luck!