It Really IS a Wonderful Life 

Kindle Edition - print

by Linda Wood Rondeau (Author)

• Print Length: 256 pages
• Publisher: Elk Lake Publishing, Inc.; 2 edition
• Publication Date: October 9, 2019
• ASIN: B07YYNNNQS

Midville newcomer and Iraq War widow, Dorie Fitzgerald, despises the frigid Adirondack wasteland that has now become her home. After twenty failed job interviews, she questions the wisdom of moving to be near her parents. Desperate to belong, she joins the local Community Theater, in production for It’s a Wonderful Life.

Jamey Sullivan has put his professional life on hold in order to run the family business and to help his ailing father. He signs on for Midville’s production of It’s a Wonderful Life, although he hopes to receive a Broadway casting call any day now.

When these two meet, they are instantly attracted to one another. However, ambition, demanding children, and a romantic rival threaten to squash their growing love for one another. Each must discover that the best things in life are found where your heart resides.

It Really is a Wonderful Life is set in the beautiful Adirondack mountains, a perfect backdrop for a Christmas romance.

Marilyn's thoughts:   This is a charming contemporary tale surrounding war widow Dorie Fitzgerald and business owner Jamey Sullivan. Both had moved to small town Midville for family but Jamey had bigger dreams than being in the town community theater production. Dorie was trying to find something to do after being denied a job by James Sullivan. There were multiple twists and turns with a triangle of romance, a production at church and the community theater, a job offer for Dorie and a Broadway production offer for Jamey. There were moments of hilarity to tears with characters facing true to life issues. The faith message is interwoven making this a delightful Christian romance to read any time of the year but especially at Christmas for the long timed favorite movie, It's a Wonderful Life. 

I received a complimentary paperback copy of this book from the author as a winner on a blog giveaway and was under no obligation to write a review. This is my own opinion. 

The Highlanders: A Smitten Historical Romance Collection 

Paperback – ebook

November 13, 2019

by J’nell Ciesielski (Author), Naomi Musch (Author), Janet Grunst (Author), Jennifer Lamont Leo (Author)

• Paperback: 292 pages
• Publisher: Smitten Historical Romance
• 
  
• ISBN-13: 978-1645260639

Never underestimate the heart of a Highlander.

Night Fox

After the failed Jacobite Rebellion of 1715, war-weary Deven McLendon returns home to discover a thief creating chaos on his lands. But this thief isn't like any other. When Rooney Corsen sets out to steal jewels to repay her family’s debts and keep a roof over her little sisters’ heads, never does she imagine snagging the laird's heart instead.

A Tender Siege

Pontiac’s War, August 1763: “I beg Ye to take me.” Wounded in battle in the American wilderness, Lachlan McRea of His Majesty’s 42nd Highlanders pleads with God, yearning to be reunited with his lost wife and child. As death hovers near, he is discovered by Wenonah, a native widow doing all she can to survive alone while avoiding the attentions of a dangerous Shawnee warrior. In aiding one another, their perils increase. If Lachlan can let go of the woman he once loved, he might find healing for both body and soul.

The Year without Summer

Shoved off his family’s land in Scotland in 1816, Grant Cummings looks for work in Ulster, Ireland. He needs money and a home to raise his young brother. Molly MacGregor loses her father and his income, but she has no time to grieve as she sews and spins to earn enough to keep her and her young brother alive. Renting out the hut on their land might be the answer, but only if she can overcome her prejudice against the handsome Highlander who moves in. Her heart might soften toward him, but not when he plans to set sail for America.

The Violinist

In 1915 Idaho, homesick lumberjack Callan MacTavish despairs of ever seeing his Scottish homeland again. With kindness and patience, music teacher Rose Marchmont reaches a part of Callan’s heart he’d long ago locked away. She sees beyond his rough exterior to the artistic heart beneath. He longs for more than he can offer her, but she doesn’t know about the secret trauma that keeps him from crossing the sea.

Marilyn's thoughts:   This collection of Scottish Highlanders is compelling with each tale set in a different location and with various characters struggling with a realistic situation. The collection span almost 200 years of history. 

Night Fox was centered a round the mysterious happenings with valuables being stolen. Laird Devon McLendon was determined to resolve the issue when he returned home. The twists and turns brought some unexpected surprises in more ways than one. 

Naomi Musch tale A Tender Siege was a favorite with Highlander Lachlan McRea. His rescue instead of his plea being answered by God brought compassionate Wenonah to care for him, although, she had suffered greatly from the Pontiac’s War. When Highlander Nab found McRea and then Wenonah persistent native entered the scene there were heart pounding moments. 

The Year Without Summer explored the lives of Highlander Grant Cummings and Molly MacGregor. This was another favorite as characters learned to open their hearts to God’s will. Cummings’ and MacGregor’s lives hadn’t been easy plus Molly held a strong opinion of Highlanders couldn’t be trusted. 

The Violinist set in Idaho is a unique situation where Highlander Callan MacTavish was a lumberjack but his lifestyle was different than lumberjacks. Hearing beautiful violin music from Rose Marchmont gave way to him taking lessons only to hear her play, until he found enjoyment once again with his hidden secret. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from one of the authors as a winner on a Facebook party and was under no obligation to write a review. All thoughts are my own. 

Isaiah's Legacy

Isaiah's Legacy

(Prophets and Kings #3)

by 

Mesu Andrews 

Paperback: 400 pages

Publisher: WaterBrook 

(February 18, 2020)

ISBN-13: 978-0735291881

The drama of the Old Testament comes to life as Judah's most notorious king ascends to the throne in this gripping novel from the award-winning author of Isaiah's Daughter .

At eight years old, Shulle has known only life in a small village with her loving but peculiar father. When Uncle Shebna offers shelter in Jerusalem in exchange for Shulle's help tutoring King Manasseh, Judah's five-year-old co-regent who displays the same peculiarities as her father, she's eager to experience the royal court. But Shulle soon realizes the limits of her father's strict adherence to Yahweh's Law when Uncle Shebna teaches her of the starry hosts and their power.

Convinced Judah must be freed from Yahweh's chains, she begins the subtle swaying of young Manasseh, using her charm and skills on the boy no one else understands. When King Hezekiah dies, twelve-year-old Manasseh is thrust onto Judah's throne, bitter at Yahweh and eager to marry the girl he adores. Assyria's crown prince favors Manasseh and twists his brilliant mind toward cruelty, beginning Shulle's long and harrowing journey to discover the Yahweh she'd never known, guided with loving wisdom by Manasseh's mother: Isaiah's daughter, the heartbroken Hephzibah. Amid Judah's dark days, a desperate remnant emerges, claiming the Lord's promise, "Though we're helpless now, we're never hopeless--because we serve El Shaddai." Shulle is among them, a girl who becomes a queen through Isaiah's legacy.

My thoughts (LVH):  Let me begin this review by saying I am not the best person to review Biblical fiction. I’m not a fan at all. That said, Mesu Andrews probably researched everything so I am not questioning her historical accuracy. I’m sure it’s as accurate as possible. And Mesu Andrews does tell a good story.

As anyone raised in Sunday school—or read the Bible through—knows, Manasseh was one of the most evil kings to sit on the throne of Judah. This was a very dark time in Israel's history, and it shows. ISAIAH’S LEGACY is filled with sorcery, and other haunting, evil things, probably realistic, and thus hard to read.

The wicked darkness and constant references to lustful physical intimacy made this a book I can’t recommend. But don’t take my word for it!  If you like Biblical fiction and Mesu Andrews, you might love this book. Check it out for yourself!

I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.

HOLD UP! I HEARD YOU WANTED TO WRITE A BOOK by Paulette Harper

HOLD UP! I HEARD YOU WANTED TO WRITE A BOOK

ANNOUNCING… STORYTELLERS ACADEMY!!!

Storytellers Academy, is launching March 23, 2020 and is an online course designed to teach you how to SELF-PUBLISH your NONFICTION book.

ASPIRING AUTHORS…. GRAB YOUR FREE eBook!! 

Download here https://storytellersacademy.org/mini-course-opt-in

Hi, I’m Paulette Harper

Known as the Author’s coach, I’ve committed my life to helping women who have experienced emotional trauma. I teach them how to change the narrative and turn those painful experiences into impactful transformational stories. 

As an author, my book, That Was Then, This Is Now: This Broken Vessel Restored, achieved national recognition, becoming a finalist in the 2009 Next Generation Indie Book Award. My second book, Completely Whole, was the 2011 recipient of the prestigious Readers Favorite Award. 

In 2017, I also received national acclaim for my book, Secret Places Revealed, winning the Emma Award for Best Inspirational/Spiritual Romance.

I’ve been coaching authors for over eight years and now…… I’m excited to offer our online course:

“How to Write, Publish and Market Your Nonfiction Book inside Storytellers Academy. 

If this applies to you… keep reading!! 

This eBook is only a sample of what to expect inside the course!

ASPIRING AUTHORS it can be yours for FREE! 

I’ve coached nonfiction authors do this process and achieve this goal: 

BECOME A PUBLISHED AUTHOR…. but you must 

Be willing to implement the program and do the work 

Be willing to financially invest in the course and yourself 

Be willing to put in the time to get it done

  

Here are a few things you’ll learn inside this FREE eBook:

STEPS to Mapping out your Story

TIPS for Marketing your Published Book

HOW To decide on a Topic for your Book

 THIS COURSE FOR?

This course is for: those who want to write inspirational, self-help, memoirs, technical, how-to books and transformational stories.  

This course is ideal for: coaches, aspiring authors, women entrepreneurs, divorcees, married, singles with kids, healers, ministers, ex pastor wives and those who have lessons they want to package in a book. 

Download here

https://storytellersacademy.org/mini-course-opt-in

Join our FB group where you’ll find tips and tools to help you get a jump ahead!! https://www.facebook.com/groups/storyacademy1/

For those of you who prefer my premium one on one coaching, I’m accepting clients. Schedule a “FREE” Write to Publish discovery call here: https://Letschatcoachpaulette.as.me

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Loving Jenna (A Wells Landing Romance)

Loving Jenna 

(A Wells Landing Romance #9) 

Mass Market Paperback – ebook

February 25, 2020

by Amy Lillard  (Author)

• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Zebra 
• ISBN-13: 978-142014956

In this new novel set in the beloved Oklahoma Amish community of Wells Landing, three generations of women challenge themselves and each other to make a fresh start in faith, family—and love. 
 
 Jenna Burkhart is tired of being “special” and hearing about what she can't do. Even though she suffered a head injury in a childhood swimming accident, she wants a life of her own just like any Amish woman. But now that she, her mamm, and her mammi have moved to Wells Landing, she's having a hard time fitting in. . . . Until she meets Buddy Miller, a boy just like her, who gives her the confidence to reach for the impossible . . .
 
Like Jenna, Buddy is used to being the boy no one expects much from, the one people see as “different.” Still, being around Jenna’s lively, kind-hearted ways makes him strive ever-harder to become the self-sufficient Amish man she deserves. But in the face of family disapproval and their own fears, will Jenna and Buddy's courage be enough to give them a forever happiness together?

Marilyn's thoughts:  I love the cover for Loving Jenna. Then to find a sweet and heart touching story inside was a treasure. I was enthralled reading Jenna's and Buddy's story. Lillard penned a beautiful story as we watched them blossom with their lives even though they faced challenges, being called “simple” or “special” and others saying they couldn't do something. Their connection when they first met brought them a lot of determination, fortitude and admiration for one another despite the negative remarks. Jenna and Buddy took a leap when they both wanted jobs to prove their independence. Buddy’s love for animals and Jenna’s gentleness and soothing way with babies brought wonderful results for Titus and Abbie. Will they be able to survive the storm they faced during a conversation?

Fans of The Wells Landing Series by Amy Lillard will not want to miss this book which can be read as a standalone, too. I appreciate how Lillard penned this story from the heroine and hero perspective. Thankfully Jenna’s Mammi and Buddy’s mamm stood up for them as the story progress.

I received a complimentary ARC copy of this book from the author and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All thought are my own for this wonderful story.

Little Duckling's Easter Prayers

by 

Kasia Nowowiejska (Illustrations)

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Grade Level: Preschool and up

Board book: 30 pages

Publisher: Zonderkidz

 (February 4, 2020)

ISBN-13: 978-0310768357

In Little Duckling’s Easter Prayers, little ones are reminded of God’s many blessings as they celebrate spring and prepare for Easter. With simple but powerful text and bright, engaging illustrations, this charming padded board book is perfect for bedtime prayers, morning snuggles, and Easter gift giving. 

Dear God, I thank you for this day—and everything I see.For puffy clouds and tiny bugs,and sunshine chasing me. 

I’m glad you made the gentle breezeI feel against my face.I’m glad you made this perfect daythat’s filled with love and grace.Amen

My thoughts (LVH):  LITTLE DUCKLING'S EASTER PRAYERS  is the cutest little board book ever.  It has prayers turned into poems from scripture and it is oh-so-powerful and beautifully done!  I love this book, love that it shows how you can pray scripture, and is so friendly looking it is the perfect snuggle book to share with your favorite little one.  The book is sturdy enough for little hands and the illustrations colorful and engaging. I highly recommend this book for a child's Easter or springtime gift.

I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.