Princess Ever After by Rachel Hauck

Princess Ever After

 

by

 

Rachel Hauck

MY TAKE:

Princess Ever After is book 2 in the series and the sequel to Once Upon a Prince. It follows American born Regina Beswick as she learns she's the sole heir the throne of Hessenberg. Without her Hessenberg will lose their sovereignty, but can she really become a queen?

Not only is it a fun and romantic story, it has a unique mystery subplot that connects to her great grandmother - the long lost princess of legend. It's a fantastic follow up in the series and not to be missed. Can't wait for more from Rachel Hauck.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Regina Beswick never dreamed of faraway places. She’s happy with her life as a classic car mechanic and owner of a restoration shop.

But an unexpected visitor and the discovery of a fairytale, drawn by her great-grandma, causes Regina to wonder if she might be destined for something more.

Tanner Burkhardt, Minister of Culture for the Grand Duchy of Hessenberg, must convince the strong-willed Southerner, Miss Beswick, that she is his country’s long-lost princess. Failure could destroy his reputation and change his nation forever.

As Regina and Tanner face the challenges before them, neither are prepared for love to invade their hearts and change every thing they believe about themselves.

However, when a royal opponent nearly destroys Regina’s future, she must lean into God and trust He has sovereignly brought her to her true and final destiny.

 ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rachel Hauck is an award-winning, best selling author of critically acclaimed novels such as the RITA nominated The Wedding Dress and Love Starts with Elle, part of the Lowcountry series. She also penned the Songbird Novels with multi-platinum recording artist, Sara Evans. Booklist named their novel, Softly and Tenderly, one of 2011 Top Ten Inspirationals.

A graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in Journalism, Rachel worked in the corporate software world before planting her backside in an uncomfortable chair to write full-time in 2004.
She serves on the Executive Board for American Christian Fiction Writers and leads worship at their annual conference. She is a mentor and book therapist at My Book Therapy, and conference speaker.
Rachel writes from her two-story tower in an exceedingly more comfy chair. She is a huge Buckeyes football fan.

Once Upon a Prince by Rachel Hauck

Once Upon a Prince

by

Rachel Hauck

MY TAKE:

Susanna Truitt is a VERY patient woman. She's waited 12 years for her fiance to marry her, and now he's called it off. What she finds hardest might not be that she lost him, but that all her plans have gone awry and she's wasted so many years.

Nathaniel is going to make her see things with new eyes. She doesn't recognize him at first and that's for the best in his eyes. He knows he has other duties and he can't ask for more than what they have now. But true love will find a way always.

I loved Nathaniel and Susanna's story. It has quickly become a new favorite and I know it's one I will re-read again and again. Rachel Hauck did a fantastic job all around and I can't recommend it enough.


ABOUT THE BOOK:

Susanna Truitt never dreamed of a great romance or being treated like a princess—just to marry the man she has loved for twelve years. But life isn’t going according to plan. When her high-school-sweetheart-turned-Marine-officer breaks up instead of proposing, Susanna scrambles to rebuild her life.

The last thing Prince Nathaniel expects to find on his American holiday to St. Simon’s Island is the queen of his heart. A prince has duties, and his family’s tense political situation has chosen his bride for him. When Prince Nathaniel comes to Susanna’s aid under the fabled Lover’s Oak, he is blindsided by love.

Their lives are worlds apart. He’s a royal prince. She’s a ordinary girl. But everything changes when Susanna receives an invitation to Nathaniel’s coronation.

It’s the ultimate choice. His kingdom or her heart? God’s will or their own?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rachel Hauck is an award-winning, best selling author of critically acclaimed novels such as the RITA nominated The Wedding Dress and Love Starts with Elle, part of the Lowcountry series. She also penned the Songbird Novels with multi-platinum recording artist, Sara Evans. Booklist named their novel, Softly and Tenderly, one of 2011 Top Ten Inspirationals.

A graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in Journalism, Rachel worked in the corporate software world before planting her backside in an uncomfortable chair to write full-time in 2004.

She serves on the Executive Board for American Christian Fiction Writers and leads worship at their annual conference. She is a mentor and book therapist at My Book Therapy, and conference speaker.

Rachel writes from her two-story tower in an exceedingly more comfy chair. She is a huge Buckeyes football fan.

A March Bride by Rachel Hauck

A March Bride

A Year of Weddings Novella

 

by

 

Rachel Hauck

MY TAKE:

When I found that this book in the Year of Weddings Novella series actually  intertwined with another series in progress, I had to stop and read the other book first.

Although I'm sure you can read A March Bride as a stand alone novella, be aware that is takes place immediately after Rachel Hauck's novel Once Upon A Prince. It was a fantastic read and SO worth reading first to keep the story line in order.

Susanna has agreed to marry her Prince Charming, only now he's being crowned King Nathaniel II of Brighton Kingdom. She's feeling rather alone and isolated from her family so far across the sea and despite her love and commitment to Nathaniel, her mind is telling her to think twice.

King Nathaniel is extremely romantic and it's not hard to see how Susanna has fallen so hard for him. It's truly a modern day fairy tale with enough reality to make it feel like maybe, just maybe, one day it COULD be you marrying your Prince Charming.


ABOUT THE BOOK:

Susanna has found her true prince, and their happily ever after is just around the corner. But when Nate asks her to give up something precious to her, Susanna can't help but wonder if it's a sign that their love is not meant to be.

Susanna has found her true prince, and their happily ever after is just around the corner.
But when Nate asks her to give up something precious to her, Susanna can't help but wonder if it's a sign that their love is not meant to be.

Susanna Truitt (Once Upon A Prince) is three weeks from royalty. She'll soon marry King Nathaniel II of Brighton Kingdom. But when the government insists she renounce her American citizenship before the wedding, coupled with the lack of involvement by family and friends, Susanna's heart begins to doubt whether this marriage is God's plan for her.

Nathaniel would do anything for his bride-to-be. But he knows his position requires that she give up a lot to be with him. Her life will never be her own---right down to her very identity. When she travels home to St. Simon's Island, Georgia, right before the wedding, Nathaniel fears she won't return.
Gathering his courage, he devises a plan to win his bride all over again, and together they seek out a kingdom to treasure above all.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rachel Hauck is an award-winning, best selling author of critically acclaimed novels such as the RITA nominated The Wedding Dress and Love Starts with Elle, part of the Lowcountry series. She also penned the Songbird Novels with multi-platinum recording artist, Sara Evans. Booklist named their novel, Softly and Tenderly, one of 2011 Top Ten Inspirationals.

A graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in Journalism, Rachel worked in the corporate software world before planting her backside in an uncomfortable chair to write full-time in 2004.

She serves on the Executive Board for American Christian Fiction Writers and leads worship at their annual conference. She is a mentor and book therapist at My Book Therapy, and conference speaker.

Rachel writes from her two-story tower in an exceedingly more comfy chair. She is a huge Buckeyes football fan.

A February Bride by Betsy St. Amant

A February Bride

A Year of Weddings Novella

 

by

 

Betsy St. Amant

MY TAKE:

The opening scene of this runaway bride is fantastic. I felt every moment with her as she struggles with her decision to stay or run.

Betsy St. Amant did a fantastic job of breathing life into two things that could easily be cheesy or ho-hum: Runaway Brides and Valentine's Day. The fact that the story remains fresh, enticing and engaging proves it's well worth the read. The spiritual type and shadow that winds in so seamlessly is just one more star on the review. Great job.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

History repeats itself when this bride runs out of the church on her wedding day - in the same dress that had been passed down for generations and worn by her mom, grandma, and great-grandmother who also ran out of their weddings.

In A February Bride by Betsy St. Amant, history repeats itself when this bride runs out of the church on her wedding day---in the same dress that had been passed down for generations and worn by her mom, grandma and great-grandmother who also ran out of their weddings. The heroine struggles to break destructive cycles of the past. Can this bride shuck expectation and discover who SHE is as a bride and in the Bride of Christ? And if she finally walks down the aisle, what dress will she be wearing? Readers will enjoy this novel of redemption centered on a winter wedding.






ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Betsy St. Amant is one Good Girl who enjoys writing about Bad Boys in her YA fiction novels. She lives in Louisiana with her adorable kindergartener, is often found consuming massive amounts of chocolate, and is an avid reader who is constantly wondering where Mr. Darcy went. A freelance journalist and fiction author, Betsy is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and is multi-published in Contemporary Romance. Her ninth Love Inspired novel will release January 2014, while her first YA novel, ADDISON BLAKELY, CONFESSIONS OF A PK, released 2012 through Barbour Books. She recently contracted a 2-book deal with Zondervan. When she’s not reading, writing, or singing along to the Tangled soundtrack with her daughter, Betsy enjoys inspirational speaking and teaching on the craft of writing.

A January Bride by Deborah Raney

A January Bride

A Year of Weddings Novella

 

by

 

Deborah Raney

MY TAKE:

A story about weddings, mistaken identities and old fashioned correspondence? I'm in! I've always enjoyed Deborah Raney's writing and A January Bride didn't disappoint.

Maddie is stressed and looking for advice. Why not ask the kindly inn keeper that stays downstairs? She's never met him in person, surely he has lots of wisdom... Arthur finds himself in a similar position. Maddie in his mind is some how an elder woman with wise words to share. Well, they got the wise words to share part right!

I loved reading the letters between them and watching their relationship develop in such a unique way. A January Bride was fun, touching and well written.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Who can work in a house that's overrun by contractors and carpenters? Not Madeleine Houser, a successful novelist who gladly accepts a temporary office in a charming bed and breakfast owned by an innkeeper she's never met.

Who can work in a house that's overrun by contractors and carpenters? Not Madeleine Houser, a successful novelist who gladly accepts the help of her octogenarian friend, Ginny, to arrange for a temporary office in the charming bed and breakfast owned by Ginny's friend, Arthur. Maddie's never met the innkeeper----but a friendship grows between them as Maddie and Arthur leave messages for each other each day. To Maddie's alternate delight and chagrin, she seems to be falling for the inn's owner----a man who's likely many years her senior----and who she's never even met.






ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

DEBORAH RANEY is bestselling novelist whose books have garnered multiple industry awards including the RITA Award, HOLT Medallion, National Readers' Choice Award, Carol Award, Silver Angel from Excellence in Media, and have twice been Christy Award finalists. Her first novel, A Vow to Cherish, shed light on the ravages of Alzheimer's disease. The novel inspired the highly acclaimed World Wide Pictures film of the same title and continues to be a tool for Alzheimer's families and caregivers. Deborah is on faculty for several national writers' conferences and serves on the advisory board of the 2500-member American Christian Fiction Writers organization. She has written more than 20 novels, and her recent Hanover Falls Novels series is published by Howard/Simon & Schuster. Deb and her husband, Ken Raney, enjoy small-town life in Kansas.

A December Bride by Denise Hunter

A December Bride

A Year of Weddings Novella

 

by

 

Denise Hunter

 

 

 

MY TAKE:

 

 I adore wedding stories. When I  saw A Year of Weddings Novellas was coming I nearly squealed. NO. I'm not exagerating.

The series begins with A December Bride, a Christmas wedding of course and one worth reading about.

Layla and Seth really get themselves into a tangled web of lies, one that gets messier by the moment. Truth always sets you free, and when Layla and Seth finally come clean love has a way of healing old wounds and new ones.

This was a great story. The characters and plot felt complete even though it is shorter than the average novel.

 

ABOUT THE BOOK:

 

What started as a whim turned into an accidental---and very public---engagement. Can Layla and Seth keep up the facade in Chapel Springs this holiday season---for the sake of her career... and his heart?

 

Under normal circumstances, Seth Murphy, the best friend of Layla O?Reilly's ex-fiance would be the last person she'd marry. But the news of their upcoming (and phony) nuptials convinces a big client that Layla may be high-society enough to work for his agency, a coup that would put her fledgling home-staging business on the map.

Seth has secretly loved Layla for years, even when she was dating his best friend. Maybe she'll never forgive him for the way he hurt her back then, but he has to try. And Layla is willing to keep up their engagement farce until she's landed her client.

For Layla, it's the chance to save her career. But for Seth, it's his last chance to win her heart.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

 

Denise lives in Indiana with her husband Kevin and their three sons. In 1996, Denise began her first book, a Christian romance novel, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her books often contain a strong romantic element, and her husband Kevin says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!

CFBA: Maybelle In Stitches by Joyce Magnin

Song Stuck on the Brain: Smile by Chris Rice

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:   Maybelle In Stitches Abingdon Press (March 18, 2014) by   Joyce Magnin


MY TAKE:

I may not be as bad at sewing as Maybelle - but I'm not much better either! What a great hook for a story about quilting. A woman who can't quilt. :)

Maybelle is living in an era when women are meant to be homemakers, mothers and caregivers. None of which she excels at. The world is changing drastically, though. With WWII in full swing and all the healthy young men overseas, the women are stepping up to do jobs no one ever thought them capable of. Building war ships being one of them. Maybelle might not excel in domestic skills but she can weld a seam with the best of them. Something she's happy to do while waiting for her husband Holden to return.

Maybelle's struggles with hope and faith are universal. I may not have a loved one away at war, but I can understand her frustration and her human weakness to ask God, "Why? Why me?" We all come to that point at sometime in out lives. Experiencing her journey as well as the other war women in the same situation is touching.

I've always been rather taken with this time period and the author did a great job with her research. From the big details of the Sun Shipbuilding company in PA to the little details like the most popular color of nail polish being "Off Duty Red". The book is full of interesting little tidbits. Every one contributing to the authentic feel of the book. Even the vernacular used for the place and era was fitting. There were moments I had visions of Lucy and Ethel chatting in my mind.

I really enjoyed the story and found time zipped by while reading it. I had it done in no time because I didn't want to step out of their world.

Enjoy!

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Maybelle can’t sew. But when she finds an unfinished quilt in the attic of her mother’s house, she gets the crazy idea to complete it. At first, it’s just a way to fill the lonely nights while her husband, staff sergeant Holden Kanzinzki, is away fighting in World War II.

Yet when Maybelle discovers that the quilt is made from scraps of material that can be traced back through her family heritage, the project is suddenly much more important. Then word comes that Holden is missing in action, and with little else to do, Maybelle clings to the quilt as much as to the hope that her husband is still alive. As neighborhood friends gather around Maybelle to help her through the unknown days and nights ahead, it is the quilt that becomes a symbol of her unflagging belief that Holden will return—to her, to their home, and to their quilt-covered bed.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Maybelle In Stitches, go HERE.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A word from the Author:

I am the author of seven novels. Five adult novels and two middle grade readers. I never wanted to do anything else but write and every day I wake up astonished that I get to do what I always dreamed about. My days are filled with words and images along with the usual family stuff. I have three children, Rebekah who is married to Joshua. They have three of the most adorable boys on the planet, Lemuel, Cedar and Soren. My daughter Emily Kate is a lovely young woman anthropologist and my son Adam is fourteen and a student--he's a genius who loves frogs and lizards and fish and plants. He amazes me.

I have never eaten a scallop. I love cream soda. Drink way too much coffee. I do not like elevators but I do enjoy needle arts and of course books. I prefer jazz over country (no offense), milk chocolate over dark, but not roller coasters although my life has often resembled a roller coaster ride.

One of my life's desires is to meet Amy Grant so I can tell her she saved my life.

Evil Eyes by KC Sprayberry

Today I'm featuring friend and fellow writer KC Sprayberry:

 

 

Evil Eyes

 

by

 

KC Sprayberry

 

 

ABOUT THE BOOK:

 

Will Lisa survive Fred’s evil intent?

Lisa is so ready for a break from the grueling first semester of college. Along with five other friends, she returns to Landry, and hopes to have nothing but fun. Within days, one of the group is the victim of a vindictive stalker, and Lisa herself is now in the man's sights. No matter what she does, she can't shake this person.

Fred has a little problem, but he figures he can take care of it himself, if he achieves fame with his folk rock band, Olney-Oak Lane Sounds. Then he happens to see this beautiful woman, who turns out to be just like every other woman he's met. He takes care of her, and is immediately drawn to Lisa. No one will get between Fred and Lisa, absolutely no one.

On Christmas Eve, Lisa has to fight for her life and sanity after Fred kidnaps her. She turns out to be very different from the other women, in a way he never figured.

EXCERPT:

 

The wind picks up, intensifying into a howl. Snow swirls in circles everywhere. Lisa hears John calling for her again. She turns around to tell him that they need the police, but stops when a strange voice echoes all around her.

"Lisa," the man says. "I love you, Lisa. You're mine forever."

Lisa opens her mouth. All that comes out is a completely terrorized scream.
 

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

 

KC Sprayberry started writing young, first as a diarist, and later through an interest in English and creative writing. Her first experience with publication came when she placed third in The Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge contest while in the Air Force, but her dedication to writing came after she had her youngest child, now in his senior year of high school.

Her family lives in Northwest Georgia where she spends her days creating stories about life in the south, and far beyond. More than a dozen of her short stories have appeared in several magazines. Five anthologies feature other short stories. She has three books that are Amazon best sellers: Softly Say Goodbye, Who Am I?, and Mama's Advice. Her other novels available are: Take Chances, The Ghost Catcher, Family Curse … Times Two, Secret From The Flames, Where U @, The Wrong One, and Grace.

 

Author Links:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/KC-Sprayberry/331150236901202

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kcsowriter

Blog: http://outofcontrolcharacters.blogspot.com/

Website: www.kcsprayberry.com

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5011219.K_C_Sprayberry

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Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21472973-evil-eyes

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