CFBA: Firefly Summer by Kathleen Y'Barbo

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:
Firefly Summer Redbud Press (June 23, 2015) by Kathleen Y'Barbo

MY TAKE:

Another romantic hit from Kathleen Y'Barbo. When I see her name, I can guarantee it's going to be worth my time. Firefly Summer didn't disappoint. There are so many layers to this story, each well developed character connecting and interacting; leading each other to find love and forgiveness in so many different ways. It's such a beautiful glimpse of life, with all it's various tragedies, and how God can turn all things for good - often through the touch of another life also seeking healing.  Y'Barbo has done an admirable job weaving a story that focuses on hope. Despite it's heavier undertones, love wins out over tragedy. A truly satisfying endeavor.

ABOUT THE BOOK

A new cowboy romance from award-winning author Kathleen Y'Barbo.

Trey’s biggest challenge isn’t performing surgery…it’s restoring Sessa’s heart!

Artist Sessa Chambers may never recover from losing her prodigal son. Even as she grieves the tragic decisions that led to his death, and left her with a toddler to raise, she’s asked to work on her dream project—restoring carousel horses for the Smithsonian. But she can’t do it on her own…

Dr. Trey Brown can’t pick up a scalpel again. Yes, he acted in self-defense, but the events of that awful night haunt him. He was trained to save lives, not take them. When he goes to the young man’s widowed mother to apologize, she’s not at all what he expected. For one thing, she’s not as alone as he thought—not with the fearsome ladies of the Pies, Books, and Jesus Book Club in her corner. For another, she’s beautiful, and being in her presence is more jolting than any eight-second bronco ride from his former rodeo days. Before he knows it, she’s captured his heart as easily as they capture the fireflies gracing Sessa’s Texas ranch.

How can they overcome their past to embrace a future together?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Firefly Summer, go HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

RITA and Carol award nominee Kathleen Y’Barbo is the best-selling, award-winning author of more than forty novels, novellas, and young adult books. In all, more than one million copies of her books are currently in print in the US and abroad, and her books have been translated into Dutch, German, and Spanish, to name a few.

Kathleen is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. She holds a BBA from Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School and a certification in Paralegal Studies, and is a former member of the Texas Bar Association’s Paralegal Division.

A tenth-generation Texan, Kathleen Y’Barbo has four children of her own as well as seven bonus kids she gladly inherited when she married her own hero in combat boots (read about their real-life romance here!). Kathleen is proud to be a military wife, even if it did mean giving up her Texas drivers license.

The Rocky Mountain Heiress Collectin by Kathleen Y'Barbo

Song Stuck on the Brain: Sally Was A Good Ole Girl by Roy Clark

The Rocky Mountain Heiress Collection:

The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper, Anna Finch and the Hired Gun, The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck

 

by

 

Kathleen Y'Barbo

 

 

 

MY TAKE:

 

Do you love a good clean romance? One that's got more than a few good laughs and sweet "aw" moments? How about one with a spunky female heroine, a handsome hero and few sparks? Yes? Well, me too! And if I added that it was also a Christian story to boot, well that like extra icing on the best cupcakes.

Even better - there's more than one. I have to say, I love a good series, but waiting for the next book for months at a time can be killer. This was a great opportunity to immerse myself in another world and not come out until it was done. That always makes me VERY happy.

Kathleen Y'Barbo has a great writing style and the fact that her publishing list is so long just proves that. I loved this series, but that didn't surprise me. I've like every book I've read by Kathleen Y'Barbo.

 

ABOUT THE BOOKS:

 

Take a trip back to the nineteenth-century Wild West in these three inspirational romance novels, attractively priced and packaged as an eBook omnibus. Kathleen Y'Barbo's The Rocky Mountain Heiress Collection includes the rollicking romances of three amazing young women; an adventure-seeking heiress pretending to be a governess to go west, a feisty well-to-do society girl longing to become a journalist and chase the story of a lifetime, and the millionaire's daughter who is being asked to marry for the good of the family business . Fans of westerns will find themselves transported to frontier Colorado, and into stories with independent heroines, adventure, love, and ambition.

The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper

Roman Holiday meets Mary Poppins in this Gilded Age tale of Eugenia "Gennie" Cooper, a New York socialite who takes advantage of a rare opportunity to step into the world of the dime novels she secretly loves. From the splendor of Fifth Avenue's mansions to the gilded homes of Denver silver barons and the rugged Leadville mines, Gennie's adventure as a governess soon becomes a love story despite the rocky start she has with widower Daniel Beck and his daughter Charlotte.



Anna Finch and the Hired Gun

Anna Finch's father desperately wants to marry her off, but Anna's not having much success, mostly because she's much better at the written word than the spoken word. When she's around an eligible man, she becomes completely tongue-tied. It doesn't help that the awful man at the newspaper taunts her with constant mentions in his "Perish the Thought" gossip column.

When Anna encounters the infamous lawman and outlaw Wyatt Earp, she sees her chance to finally achieve her dream of becoming a reporter. In this capacity, she finds love and trouble in equal measure when she convinces the dying gunfighter Doc Holliday to tell her his story. Her freedom to meet with Holliday is hampered, however, by Pinkerton agent Jeb Sanders, who's been hired to keep an eye on her--and keep her away from nobleman and notorious playboy Edwin Beck. Once Jeb realizes what Anna's up to, his annoyance at being forced to babysit a rich girl is swamped by his need to exact revenge on Doc Holliday.

As the reporter and the detective get more tangled in Doc Holliday's story and each other, will their opposing goals tear

them apart--or bring them together?

 

The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck

Charlotte Beck wants to go to college, but her father would rather she get married and spend her days painting. Alex Hambly's aristocratic family is in financial straits, and he has two options: either sell off the family's Colorado silver mine or marry a rich, American heiress. Charlotte's father makes them a deal: he'll allow Charlotte to go to college and be the instrument of Alex's financial salvation on one condition--that they agree to get married. Seeing no way out, Charlotte and Alex find themselves engaged. They agree that they'll have the marriage annulled as soon as possible and go back to their own lives. Except Alex isn't sure he wants the annulment. He sets out to woo his wife for real, and Charlotte suddenly finds that her marriage has become very inconvenient indeed.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

RITA and Carol award nominee Kathleen Y’Barbo is the best-selling, award-winning author of more than forty novels, novellas, and young adult books. In all, more than one million copies of her books are currently in print in the US and abroad, and her books have been translated into Dutch, German, and Spanish, to name a few.

Kathleen is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. She holds a BBA from Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School and a certification in Paralegal Studies, and is a former member of the Texas Bar Association’s Paralegal Division.

A tenth-generation Texan, Kathleen Y’Barbo has four children of her own as well as seven bonus kids she gladly inherited when she married her own hero in combat boots (read about their real-life romance here!). Kathleen is proud to be a military wife, even if it did mean giving up her Texas drivers license.

CFBA: Millie's Treasure by Kathleen Y'Barbo

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:   Millie's Treasure Harvest House Publishers (August 1, 2013) by   Kathleen Y'Barbo


MY TAKE:

Millie is my kind of girl. Smart, bookish (shall we say nerdy?) and strong willed. For most men, those are not desirable traits in 1888 (maybe not now either...). She can design fuel injectors but can't sew a stitch. The fact she's beautiful, however, does makes her desirable. Especially to swindler and cad Will Tucker. Remember him? Last we saw he was terrorizing poor Flora in Flora's Wish.  He's back and not only has he tricked Millie into an engagement under a false name, he's making business deals with her father that may not be on the up and up. Millie wants free of her father's domineering and controlling manner, so she's willing to do just about anything to escape. Thank goodness for the mysterious aviator that flies her to the moon and falls in love with all her bookish, nerdy goodness.

I thought it a unique twist to build a series around the bad guy. The Secret Lives of Will Tucker may follow his path as he cheats one poor girl after the next, but the focus is really on the Pinkerton Agents that chase him and the love stories they find amidst their cases. I thoroughly enjoyed Flora's Wish, but have to say that I was even more excited by Millie's Treasure. Maybe it's my own nerdyness showing through, but the inventions/science and, well, Pirates - had it all beat. Great story. Looking forward to the next adventure.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

From bestselling author Kathleen Y'Barbo comes Millie's Treasure, the second book in The Secret Lives of Will Tucker series, a new set of novels involving romance, adventure, and hidden identity.

Memphis 1890--Bookish heiress Millie Jean Cope is as clever as she is beautiful. Unfortunately, though adept at solving puzzles and cryptograms, she doesn't realize her new fiancé isn't who he claims to be, but instead is a charming scoundrel. The infamous Will Tucker is presenting himself as a British gentleman, Sir William Trueck, though in reality he is a crafty criminal looking for a hidden map to a secret treasure.

Pinkerton agent Kyle Russell has been on Tucker's trail for years. At last Kyle believes he has Tucker cornered, but he is uncertain whether the lovely woman on the con man's arm is an unsuspecting victim or willing accomplice. Finding reasons to spend time with Millie is easy. Keeping himself from falling in love with her is another issue entirely. A fun and entertaining story of how God can shine the light of truth on the most cryptic circumstances.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Millie's Treasure, go HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

RITA and Carol award nominee Kathleen Y’Barbo is the best-selling, award-winning author of more than forty novels, novellas, and young adult books. In all, more than one million copies of her books are currently in print in the US and abroad, and her books have been translated into Dutch, German, and Spanish, to name a few.

Kathleen is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. She holds a BBA from Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School and a certification in Paralegal Studies, and is a former member of the Texas Bar Association’s Paralegal Division.

A tenth-generation Texan, Kathleen Y’Barbo has four children of her own as well as seven bonus kids she gladly inherited when she married her own hero in combat boots. Kathleen is proud to be a military wife, even if it did mean giving up her Texas drivers license.

Flora's Wish by Kathleen Y'Barbo

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:     Flora's Wish Harvest House Publishers (February 1, 2013)   by   Kathleen Y'Barbo

MY TAKE:

The name Fatal Flora had my attention from page 1. What a horrible moniker to be crowned with, who could do that to a girl? What could possibly earn that nickname?

Lucas McMinn is sure she's a bad girl, but now that he's met her he's finding it hard not to fall under her sweet, lilac scented spell. Is she really bad news or is she the target of some other really bad guys?

Kathleen Y'Barbo's stories are always full of fun and romance, but I also love her characters quirks and unique personalities. Their realness and relate-ability. (Even if I haven't had 4 fiances keel over before they made it to the alter). Faith is always a strong thread throughout as well and I appreciate how well it's interwoven into the fabric of the stories.

Flora's Wish is a great read, I loved the details, especially all of Lucas' inventions and gadgets. Put me in mind of Inspector Gadget for the 19th century...only a whole lot better looking. :) I find it intriguing that the series is titled The Secret Lives of Will Tucker, seeing as Will Tucker is part of the bad news surrounding Flora. I'm curious to see how the series will follow what appears to be the 'bad guy' and if we'll see him find his own redemption.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

May 1887--Flora Brimm is determined the fifth time is the charm. Back home she has a reputation as "Fatal Flora," a woman whose previous four fiancés died in untimely accidents. Flora is desperate to marry, because producing an heir is the only way she can keep her family's estate. She's confident this visit to Eureka Springs with her grandmother will help her land a husband.

Pinkerton detective Lucas McMinn is hot on the trail of Will Tucker, the thief who broke his sister's heart. When he discovers the slippery fellow with Flora, he thinks they are in on the devious plot together. Will Flora be able to convince Lucas of her innocence? Will Lucas catch the elusive Mr. Tucker?

And, more importantly, will Lucas survive if he pursues Flora's heart?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Flora's Wish, go HERE.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

RITA and Carol award nominee Kathleen Y’Barbo is the best-selling, award-winning author of more than forty novels, novellas, and young adult books. In all, more than one million copies of her books are currently in print in the US and abroad, and her books have been translated into Dutch, German, and Spanish, to name a few.

Kathleen is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. She holds a BBA from Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School and a certification in Paralegal Studies, and is a former member of the Texas Bar Association’s Paralegal Division.

A tenth-generation Texan, Kathleen Y’Barbo has four children of her own as well as seven bonus kids she gladly inherited when she married her own hero in combat boots. Kathleen is proud to be a military wife, even if it did mean giving up her Texas drivers license.

CFBA: Beloved Counterfeit by Kathleen Y'Barbo

Song Stuck on the Brain: Come Back to Me by David Cook

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:

Beloved Counterfeit

by

Kathleen Y'BarboBarbour Publishing, Inc (May 2009)



ABOUT THE BOOK:

LOVE CAN COVER A MUTITUDE OF SINS

Washed ashore on Fairweather Key, Ruby O’Shea and her three nieces─the offspring of the pirate Thomas Hawkins and Ruby’s late sister─have a chance for a new beginning as Ruby takes a job in a boardinghouse and the girls are passed off as her daughters. But will Ruby be able to confess all when she falls for Micah Tate, a widower, wrecher, and soon-to-be preacher?

Micah is determined to marry the young woman who has captured his heart despite knowing she has something to hide. But will he be able to remain true to his vows when his lady love’s shady past comes to light?

Captain Thomas Hawkins will go to any length to discover the whereabouts of his daughters. What will his determination cost the folks of Fairweather Key?

When Ruby finds herself bereft of her newfound love and protector, will she run away in an attempt to escape her present as she did her past? Will Micah’s love cover the multitude of Ruby’s sins, or will Ruby’s duplicity cost her everything?


If you would like to read the first chapter of Beloved Counterfeit, go HERE


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

KATHLEEN MILLER Y’BARBO is a tenth-generation Texan and a mother of three grown sons and a teenage daughter. She is a graduate of Texas A&M University and an award-winning novelist of Christian fiction whose first published work jumped onto the Christian Booksellers Association bestseller list in its first month of release. Kathleen is a former treasurer for the American Christian Fiction Writers, and is a member of the Author’s Guild, Inspirational Writers Alive, Words for the Journey Christian Writers Guild, and the Fellowship of Christian Authors. In addition, she is a sought-after speaker, and her kids think she’s a pretty cool mom, too…most of the time, anyway.

CFBA: Beloved Captive by Kathleen Y'Barbo

Song Stuck on the Brain: It's A Wonderful Life by Louis Armstrong

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:


Beloved Captive


by


Kathleen Y’BarboBarbour Publishing, Inc (November 1, 2008)





ABOUT THE BOOK:

In this sequel to Beloved Castaway, Emilie Gayarre is learning to accept her mixed race heritage while finding fulfillment in teaching children of the key. There is no denying the attraction between Emilie and the handsome young naval commander, Caleb Spencer, who is shadowed by his own flock of secrets. But if her heritage is found out, even greater things than his career are at risk. Enjoy this historical romance full of risk and redemption.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Beloved Captive, go HERE.





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

There’s never a dull moment in the Y’Barbo household! From hockey and cheer mom to publicist to bestselling author, Kathleen Y’Barbo somehow manages to do it all - and well. While wearing her publicist’s hat, Kathleen has secured interviews with radio, television, and print media for clients at NavPress, Hatchette, Integrity, Barbour Publishing, and Broadman & Holman, to name a few. She also brings her own unique blend of Southern charm and witty prose to the more than 350,000 award-winning novels and novellas currently in print. Her novels have been nominated for American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year in 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2006; and 2007 will see the release of her 25th book.

Kathleen is a tenth-generation Texan and a mother of three grown sons and a teenage daughter. She is a graduate of Texas A&M University. Kathleen is a former treasurer for the American Christian Fiction Writers, and is a member of the Author’s Guild, Inspirational Writers Alive, Words for the Journey Christian Writers Guild, and the Fellowship of Christian Authors. In addition, she is a sought-after speaker, and her kids think she’s a pretty cool mom, too…most of the time, anyway.

The first book in this series is Beloved Castaway.

GRPR: Beloved Castaway by Kathleen Y'Barbo

Song Stuck on the Brain: SpongeBob Theme Song

Today's book is brought to you by Glass Roads PR.

Beloved Castaway

by

Kathleen Y'Barbo

About the Book:

Isabelle Gayarre, fleeing a life of servitude, refuses to be owned by anyone, yet soon finds her heart in danger of being possessed by the godless Captain Josiah Carter. Can Isabelle trust him to help her escape without losing her heart? Josiah Carter, running from demons of his own, is stirred by the presence of the beautiful woman seeking refuge on his ship. Realizing that a runaway slave can never be his, legally or otherwise, a storm begins to brew within. Will their love ever reach a safe haven, or is it doomed to wreck upon the jagged reefs of the Fairweather Keys?

My Take:

Isabelle's tale is a compelling one. I was a little confused by the terms of her slave status and her reasons for fleeing in the begining of the book, but those were made clear later. The story is full of action and grace. More specifically, the Grace of God. Josiah's caracter was the most intriguing for me. I enjoyed seeing his character grow and change as he saw himself through God's eyes. The relationship between Isabelle and Josiah is both very proper and yet daring at the same time. It's hard to comprehend in our present day, how being an Octaroon could make marriage or freedom such a frightening legal issue, yet it was. The fact that the couple was willing to honor those laws, even when they didn't agree with them, was moving. It made me wonder if I could do that if I were in their shoes.

Beloved Castaway was a good romantic read and it made me think, which in my opinion is something any good book should do.

About the Author:

Kathleen Y'barbo Miller is a tenth generation Texan and a mother of three grown sons and a teenage daughter. She is a graduate of Texas A&M University and an award winning novelist of Christian fiction whose first published work jumped onto the Christian Booksellers Association bestseller list in its first month of release. Kathleen is a former treasurer for the American Christian Fiction Writers, and is a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Romance Writers of America, Words for the Journey, and The Writers Guild. In addition, she speaks on the craft of writing to schools and writing groups, and teaches an online creative writing course through Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas.

A.

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas...

Song Stuck on the Brain: Silent Night

It seems like good things always come in threes. It's a tradition set over two thousand years ago when three wise men followed God's leading and brought the baby messiah Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. But God has gifted us the three greatest gifts.




It's just:





Three little words.

Three short sentences.


Three big events.


"He Is Born."


"I Am Finished."


"He Is Risen."





Thank you, God, for loving us so much. Merry Christmas everybody.


A.






On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me....

The Gift of Love




God's Gift of Love

by Kathleen Y'Barbo

Love. It seems as though everyone these days is either in desperate avoidance of it, in the heart wrenching process of losing it, or in the giddy throes of finding it. Some have given up on it while others believe they will know it when they see it. All of us hope when it’s our turn, the love we get - and give - will be unconditional.

But can flawed humans really offer unconditional love?

Oh, we try. If you’re a parent you know the depth of love you felt the first moment you saw that precious baby of yours. Then there’s the feelings you carried up the aisle to join your beloved at the altar. Or perhaps love to you is counted by the nights spent at a parent’s bedside. The thread of love winds through each of these, and yet it is the rare parent, spouse, or child who would admit to having loved perfectly. We are human and sadly flawed, even when we act with the best of intentions.

There is only one unconditional love that never fails. Only one love that never turns a blind eye, says the wrong thing, or procrastinates rather than acts. The love of the Father, our Heavenly Father, is perfect in every way. Not only is His love unconditional, but He also loves us in spite of who we are and not for what we are. How wonderful to know that the God of the universe loves us.

Not just love in the way we see it, the stars-in-our-eyes crazy-about-my-baby love, but a depth of feeling exponentially more than anything our flawed but well intentioned hearts could imagine.

So today, when you’re reminded of that tiny baby, Jesus Christ the Creator-made-flesh, think of the love it took to accomplish this holy miracle of unconditional love. To put on the fingers and toes of an infant and come to us as Savior was the beginning of a love story that has no end.

Kathleen Y’Barbo

Kathleen Y'Barbo is the author of Beloved Castaway and countless other books. For more information visit www.kathleenybarbo.com.