Wednesday, June 27, 2018

The Love Letter by Rachel Hauck + A GIVEAWAY


About the Book

Title: The Love Letter  

Author: Rachel Hauck  

Release Date: June 12, 2018  

Genre: Contemporary  

Tour Dates: June 21 – July 4

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Dress comes a story of long-lost love and its redemption in future generations. 

Romance has never been actress Chloe Daschle’s forte—in life or on screen. But everyone knows who to call for a convincing death scene . . . and it might be killing her career. 

When Chloe is given a peek at the script for an epic love story, she decides to take her destiny into her own hands and request an audition for the lead female role, Esther Kingsley. The compelling tale, inspired by family lore and a one-page letter from the colonial ancestor of scriptwriter Jesse Gates, just might break her out of this career-crippling rut. Jesse would rather write about romance than live through it after his past relationship ended in disaster. But once on-set together, the chemistry between Jesse and his leading lady is hard to deny. 

Centuries earlier, in the heart of the Revolutionary War, Hamilton Lightfoot and Esther Longfellow wrote their saga off the silver screen. Esther’s Loyalist father opposes any relationship with Hamilton, but Esther must face her beloved father’s disapproval and the dangers of war in order to convince Hamilton of their future together. Hamilton has loved Esther for years, and on the eve of battle pens the love letter she’s always wanted—something straight from the heart. 

Set in stunning upcountry South Carolina, The Love Letter is a beautifully-crafted story of the courage it takes to face down fear and chase after love, even in the darkest of times. And just maybe, all these generations later, love can come home in a way not even Hollywood could imagine.

Click here to purchase your copy!

My Review

This is an absolutely incredible contemporary/historical romance!

The characters in this novel are so well developed that I felt I could sit down for a cup of tea and visit with them. I was especially captivated by all four of the main characters. It was like I could get right inside their heads at any moment.

The way the story flowed between the two time periods was wonderful. I don’t read very many duel-time-period books so it did take me a couple of switches to get used to it.

The historical portion really brought to life for me what the conflict between Tories and Patriots was like during the Revolutionary War. I had never really considered that they would be living in close proximity with each other. The fact that Esther and Hamilton had grown up as close friends and then found themselves on opposite sides was heartbreaking for me.

All four of the main characters had personal journeys to grow closer to God and mature. There was past baggage that they had to sort out and move on from. I love it when the characters grown throughout the story. That is what life is all about.

I loved this book and find myself compelled to give it a 5-star rating. I'm highly recommending it.


I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and NetGalley. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinions.

About the Author

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. She is a double RITA finalist, a Christy and Carol Award Winner. 

Rachel sits on the Executive Board for American Christian Fiction Writers, and is the comical sidekick to Susan May Warren at the amazing My Book Therapy. She is a worship leader and speaker.

A graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in Journalism, Rachel is a devoted Ohio State football fan. She lives in sunny central Florida with her husband and ornery cat.

Guest Post from Rachel Hauck

I’m always looking for story ideas. My husband does a standard disclaimer when I start drilling into a conversation with questions like: 

"Really? So why did you do that?” 

"Have you sought help?” 

”Was it love at first sight?” 

Hubster says, “Warning, anything you say can end up in a book.” 

Of course, stories abound! Interesting people abound! 

Then again, sometimes ideas just hit out of the blue. A few years ago I had the idea of a young, contemporary couple meeting by “accident” only to learn that their great grandparents were in love but time, life, family, war, or society made their love impossible. 

I suppose there are a hundred ways to tell such a story but when it came time to write The Love Letter, I was slightly infatuated with the Poldark series on PBS. 

Set in 18th century Cornwall, the story and the characters were so dynamic I had to write my own version of Poldark

But could I write a split time with a 240 year difference? I mean, they didn’t have electricity or phones in 1780! They didn’t even have a postal system. Letters were carried by traveling friends or family. 

What possible conflicts could my historical characters face? What event could be so dark and tragic to keep them apart? 

The Revolutionary War created a perfect backdrop for my young lovers. 

I set the story in upcountry South Carolina not realizing the battle I chose for the back drop, the Battle of Cowpens, was the inspiration for the movie The Patriot. (A fav movie of mine!) 

For the contemporary story, I started with shoes. I mean, doesn’t every thing start with shoes

”Nice outfit but what shoes are you wearing?” 

”You’re going on a date? You need new shoes.” 

What we “walk in” can either empower or defeat us. There’s a spiritual metaphor I’ll mediate on for awhile. 

However the shoe angle didn’t quite work so the contemporary story ended up in Hollywood with an actor/screenwriter and an actress. 

Both worlds—1780 upcountry South Carolina and contemporary Hollywood—were a bit out of my southern bailiwick. 

I did a lot of research on the war and the colonial south. Where I couldn’t find details, I filled in with my imagination. 

As for Hollywood, I talked with a screenwriter friend, read books, watched interviews, and then, you know, made the rest up. Don’t you know I eventually ended up on a movie set—Once Upon A Prince—four days after I finished reading the galley proofs for The Love Letter! 

One of the hardest parts of the story was the actual love letter. What did it say? Who wrote it and why? Was there more than one? No, only one. But why only one? 

I must have written and rewritten the letter five different ways to Sunday before I settled on the magical one. 

During the course of the book, I realized I’d never written a love letter. Have you? 

I’ve written sentiments to my husband on an anniversary or birthday card. I speak my love and affection out loud all the time. But a bonafide love letter? 

A love letter is it’s own art form. They range from sickly sweet with a lot of “darlings” and “sweethearts” to Shakespearean sonnets. 

There’s a vulnerability that comes with writing a love letter. Putting one’s heart on the page creates a new level of commitment with your affections. 

Will the reader receive your words? Will the reader respond in kind? 

It’s fascinating to consider the purpose of a love letter. Have we lost something intrinsic to the human heart with our instant texting and email society. 

Can you imagine Romeo texting to Juliet in 2018? 

Saw you at your window. You looked hot. 

Doesn’t quite have the same ring as: “But soft! what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east and Juliet is the sun.” 

Scripture is a continuous love letter. “For God so loved the world—” 

Whether you write love letters or poems, or quick texts, or put XO’s on cards to loved ones, write a love letter this month. 

Write one to yourself, to Jesus, a spouse, child, parent, friend, foe— 

See how it will bless your heart! Off to write my love letter…


Blog Stops

Among the Reads, June 21
The Avid Reader, June 21
Genesis 5020, June 21
ansel book blog, June 22
C Jane Read, June 24
By The Book, June 25
Carpe Diem, June 26
Mommynificent , June 27
Radiant Light, June 28
Novels corner, June 29
Bigreadersite, June 29
Pause for Tales, June 30
Splashes of Joy, June 30
Remembrancy, July 2
amandainpa, July 2

Giveaway



To celebrate her tour, Rachel is giving away:

Grand prize of a Kindle Fire 7 

Semi-Grand prize of a book basket 

2nd – 4th place prize of a copy of The Love Letter!!

Click below to enter. 

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Saturday, June 16, 2018

Getting There (All Roads Lead Home #1) by L. L. Ward













Title: Getting There (All Roads Lead Home #1)
Author: L. L. Ward
Pages: 334
Release Date: June 11, 2018
Genre: Western
Publisher: CKN Christian Publishing
Format: eBook (also available in Paperback)
Note: I received a complimentary eBook copy of this novel from the publisher. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the book:

     Getting lost is easy. Finding your way home’s the tricky part.

     Burned out Jesse McKlintock has nowhere left to go except right back to the place he cut loose from ten years ago in a blind rage. In those ten years, he stayed blind drunk. Now he hates himself as passionately as those who betrayed him. He is an old thirty-six needing to winter somewhere. And the chip on his shoulder from years of being hated for his skin is getting mighty heavy.

     Getting There reveals Jesse’s rich Scot-Wichita heritage while trekking up north to winter in Wyoming, simultaneously traveling back in time to his roots, carried by his Native American grandmother’s tales spanning over eighty years across pre-Indian Territory linking his past, present, and future generations.

     Time may not heal all wounds, Jesse will learn. It will, however, do its part when we at least show up for ours.

My review:

     An entertaining, yet thought provoking western.

     The depth of many of the characters amazed me. I felt like I was truly able to get inside their skin at times and see things from their viewpoint. At times in this book we were looking at the past as if it were the present as Jesse was remembering his ancestors lives. 

     While he was making the horseback journey home he had three unusual encounters with very strange individuals. Each of them made one statement that had me stopping to think. This portion of the book was reminiscent of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens for me. Each of these encounters had Jesse taking stock of another aspect of his life.

     Then to top it off the drastic changes he found when he reached home had him trying to sort things out. As he worked to heal his own wounds as well as those of others we got to know the people that were family to him.

     This story drew me in and held me captive. I am looking forward to finding out what happens in the next book.

     I have to give this wonderful story a rating of 5 stars. I’m highly recommending it.


Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Friday, June 8, 2018

The Road Home by Beverly Lewis













Title: The Road Home
Author: Beverly Lewis
Pages: 316
Release Date: April 3, 2018 
Genre: Amish Fiction
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)
Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinions.

About the book:

     As the sun began to rise, Lena Rose leaned against the cool pane of the bus window and gazed out at the familiar landscape of her life. I’m leaving my family and everything I know behind. She sighed, trying to keep her composure.

     Grieving the death of her Amish parents and the separation from her nine close-knit siblings, Lena Rose Schwartz consoles herself that her new life in Lancaster County won’t be forever. Surely someday soon she will return to her beloved Michigan settlement, including her beau. But even as she holds on to hope for a reunion with those she loves most, she discovers that Lancaster holds charms of its own. Will she find the courage to open her heart to other possibilities?

My review:

     This is an absolutely fabulous Amish novel!

     The characters are fantastic. They are so well developed and easy to relate to. From the beginning of the book there were many times that I wanted to just wrap my arms around a number of different ones as they went through difficult times. 

     The journey that God had Lena Rose on was such a heartbreaking story. But throughout it she had strong believers that kept pointing her to God and the fact that He had a plan for her life. 

     I loved the emphasis on prayer that is included in this wonderful book. They weren’t just praying at meal times either. Many of the characters spent time praying for God’s help in their lives. 

     There is a romance but it isn’t the main story. Family life within a community seemed to be the main focus. Working together and helping one another.

     I am giving this marvelous book a rating of 5 stars and highly recommending it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*