Amanda Stephan's Blog: God is Good, God is Great, page 7

##### A Jane Austen Encounter by Donna Fletcher Crow

About the Book:
 English professors Elizabeth and Richard are celebrating twenty years of marriage with their dream vacation— visiting all of Jane Austen's homes in England. But not even the overpowering personality of their Oxford guide nor the careful attentions of the new friends they make can keep their tour free from lurking alarms. When a box of old documents is donated to the Jane Austen Centre in Bath Richard volunteers to help sort through it. Later that night, however, he finds the Centre's director bleeding on her office floor. Could the valuable letter that has gone missing really lead them to new revelations about Jane Austen's unfinished manuscript The Watsons?  Join Elizabeth and Richard on their tour. But don't let your guard down. Evil lurks even in the genteel world of Jane Austen.   English professors Elizabeth and Richard are celebrating twenty years of marriage with their dream vacation— visiting all of Jane Austen’s homes in England. But not even the overpowering personality of their Oxford guide  nor the careful attentions of their new friends can keep the tour free from lurking alarms. When a box of old documents is donated to the Jane Austen Centre in Bath Richard volunteers to help sort through it. Later that night, however, he finds the Centre’s director bleeding on her office floor. Could the valuable letter that has gone missing really lead them to new revelations about Jane Austen’s unfinished manuscript The Watsons? 
Encounter Jane Austen with Elizabeth and Richard on their tour: Visit all the sites so redolent of Jane Austen and her characters in the beautiful city of Bath; stay in the Chawton House Library and visit the charming Chawton cottage where Jane’s writing flowered and the nearby Steventon church where her father was rector and her own faith developed; stand by her grave in Winchester Cathedral; and enjoy your time at the lovely country estate of Godmersham. But don’t let your guard down. Evil lurks even in the genteel world of Jane Austen.
Genre:cozy murder mystery/literary suspense

About the Author:



Donna Fletcher Crow is the author of 43 books, mostly novels of British history.  The award-winning Glastonbury, A Novel of the Holy Grail, an epic covering 15 centuries of English history, is her best-known work.  She is also the author of The Monastery Murders: A Very Private Grave, A Darkly Hidden Truthand An Unholy Communion as well as the Lord Danvers series of Victorian true-crime novels and the literary suspense series The Elizabeth & Richard Mysteries. Donna and her husband live in Boise, Idaho.  They have 4 adult children and 13 grandchildren. She is an enthusiastic gardener. To read more about all of Donna’s books and see pictures from her garden and research trips go to: http://www.donnafletchercrow.com/  You can follow her on Facebook at: http://ning.it/OHi0MY
My Thoughts:

Beaded Bracelet - Showcase Series

My closest friends call me Squirrel and with good reason. I can get sidetracked quicker than, well, a dog seeing a squirrel. 
I love to do many different things. I like to sew, I love to write, I love to bead, I love to teach, and the list goes on. With each of these hobbies I have, I've noticed that I have to be in the mood to do these things. If I'm on a beading binge, there's really no way you're going to get me to sew anything. And it's going to be like pulling teeth to get me to stop and cook dinner. It's sad, but true. It's just not going to happen.
I've started making jewelry to sell at craft fairs and art shows in an effort to help with college costs for our children. Yeah. They grow up quick, don't they? As I'm sure you're well aware, college isn't the cheapest of endeavors. Our daughter starts this fall, and this is one way I felt I could maybe help her a little. Each week on the blog I'm hoping to showcase my newest beading creation. Notice I said hoping. Remember the whole Squirrel issue? Yeah. I can see 'sidetrack' coming, can't you?
This week, I'm sharing a bracelet I made using a tutorial by Beejang . Beejang is a very talented beading artist, and you can find her tutorial on how to make this bracelet on her website. I am kind of color challenged, so if any of you have color ideas you'd like to see, shoot me a comment. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Until next time, happy beading!

Four Weddings and a Kiss Book Review & Tour

Spitfire Sweetheart by Mary Connealy

Maizy Place is an unruly tomboy. When she causes an accident, injuring neighbor Rylan Carstens, she becomes his unlikely caregiver. Rylan has never noticed how pretty his infuriating neighbor is, and he never expected to fall in love.

Love Letter to the Editor by Robin Lee Hatcher

Molly Everton is the outspoken daughter of the town newspaper's owner. When her father brings in an outsider to be editor, she tries to drive him out of town. But Jack Ludgrove is not intimidated. He's resolved to change Molly's mind about him---as an editor and as a man.

A Cowboy for Katie by Debra Clopton

Katie Pearl is uninterested in men and love. But she needs help on her ranch and hires Treb Rayburn, a wandering cowboy looking to make a buck. Will Treb change Katie's mind?

Courting Trouble by Margaret Brownley

Grace Davenport is either the unluckiest woman alive---or a killer. When her third husband is found dead, Grace is arrested. Attorney Brock Daniels isn't interested in the case---until he meets Grace. Only a miracle will prove her innocence, but the joining of two lonely hearts may be their saving grace.


Purchase a copy:  http://bit.ly/1qTiFK2


About the authors: 



Margaret Brownley is a NEW YORK TIMES best-selling author and has penned more than thirty novels. Her books have won numerous awards and has written for a TV soap opera. @margaretbrownley 


Robin Lee Hatcher is a Christy and RITA award-winning author. She is the author of over seventy novels and her work often appear on bestseller lists. @robinleehatcher 


Mary Connealy is an award-winning author of romantic comedy with cowboys. Mary and her Nebraska rancher husband have four grown daughters and two spectacular grandchildren. @MaryConnealy 


Debra Clopton is an award winning author of sweet, heartfelt, western romance that face life with a smile. With over 2 million books in print, Debra's first book-to-movie aired on ABC Family and starred LeAnn Rimes. @debraclopton

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My Thoughts:
This novel starts out with a young preacher determined not to marry the girl he loves. She's unconventional and he's positive she's not going to be accepted by his parishioners. She's wild and unruly, and actually plays...games! For pete's sake, who wouldn't have a problem with that?! It's up to his four older, wiser - and meddlesome -  companions to show him the errors in his thinking.



These four novellas are a delight to read. They pack a wollop of a punch from four very talented authors and ring true. A woman who doesn't dress the way others think she should? Another who's accused of murder? When God decides to put people together, watch out. He's going to get His way, come what may. Each story hits home with a different theme we can all learn from. Forgiveness of others, loving someone for who they are, seeking God's direction in situations, trusting others, etc, the lessons don't stop. This is a fun set of novellas I will read over and over again - if not for the lesson, at least for the chuckles.

How many of us started out with someone we thought might not be right for us? Maybe he didn't have the background you thought he should, either his parents or yours objected to the relationship, or maybe, as in my case, his name wasn't right and he didn't like cats. I mean, come on! How is this going to work?!  But one thing I've found, God knows what He's doing. Sometimes, we just need to let go and let God take control.

*My thanks to the publisher for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. These thoughts are my own, and I was not required they be positive.*

Edwin: High King of Britain - Book Review

About the book:
Note: This is not a specifically Christian book. In 604 AD, Edwin, the deposed king of Northumbria, seeks refuge at the court of King Raedwald of East Anglia. But Raedwald is urged to kill his guest by Aethelfrith, Edwin's usurper. As Edwin walks by the shore, alone and at bay, he is confronted by a mysterious figure--the missionary Paulinus--who prophesies that he will become High King of Britain. It is a turning point.

Through battles and astute political alliances Edwin rises to power, in the process marrying the Kentish princess Aethelburh. As part of the marriage contract the princess is allowed to retain her Christian faith. But, in these times, to be a king is not a recipe for a long life.

This turbulent and tormented period in British history sees the conversion of the Anglo-Saxon settlers who have forced their way on to British shores over previous centuries, arriving first to pillage, then to farm and trade--and to come to terms with the faith of the Celtic tribes they have driven out.

The dramatic story of Northumbria's Christian kings helped give birth to England as a nation, English as a language, and the adoption of Christianity as the faith of the English.

Purchase a Copy for ONLY $1.99 for a limited time!





My Thoughts: 
Villains, heroes, heroines, the rise and fall of kings and kingdoms make this an adventure-filled tromp through some of history's darkest and bloodiest times. I'm rather thankful that we live in the time we do - maidens were little more than chattel that were bartered and traded for political reasons, villains were brutish and vile, and kings' lives seemed to be a mere blink at times. Not having read The History of English People by Bede, I found it a compelling, interesting book that I very much enjoyed. I love books that are historical and that pull me into a time long since past. This one does just that. I especially liked the conversion of Edwin and how the queen conducted herself in some very difficult circumstances and trusted that God would take care of her.

If you like the Arthurian legends and books about medieval times, you would probably like this new series. I am looking forward to the rest of the trilogy.

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Raptor 6 Book Review and Tour

About the book: 


His mission.His team. Captain Dean Watters keeps these parts of his life in laser-like focus. So when hackers threaten both his mission and his team, Dean's Special Forces training kicks into high gear. Ten military super-secure computers are missing-which if opened, would give America's enemies a blueprint of US military intelligence. Failing to stop the hackers isn't an option.Zahrah Zarrick is a missionary teacher to Afghan children in Mazar-e Sharif. She's also a target. Her expertise in quantum cryptology makes her an unwitting pawn in the hackers' deadly game. They're coming for her, and Dean and his team must stop them.Before the team can get to Zahrah, she disappears. Now Dean must race to rescue her and stop the hackers from unleashing terror on millions across the globe. But to do so, Dean will be forced to crack open the steel box around his heart-a move that might come at the highest cost.


Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/xoyE1


About the author: 


Ronie Kendig is an award-winning, bestselling author who grew up an Army brat. After twenty-plus years of marriage, she and her hunky hero husband have a full life with four children and a Maltese Menace in northern Virginia. Author and speaker, Ronie loves engaging readers through her Rapid-Fire Fiction. Ronie can be found at www.roniekendig.com and on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

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My Thoughts: 
What can I say? Ronie Kendig is an extremely gifted writer that not only weaves believable plots and scenarios, but, for a time, transplants you into a different place and culture. All good books should do this, but it's my opinion Ms. Kendig does a better job than most. 

Raptor 6 is exciting, fast-paced, and riddled with so much gut-twisting and heart-stopping action that I recommend you have more than an hour to yourself. Once you start reading this novel, you won't want to put it down.

Dean Watters is the epitome of soldier-dom. Tough, handsome, rugged, and plenty of wow mixed up into one hunky alpha-male. Need I say more? And his counterpart, Zahrah Zarrick is what every woman wishes she could be; smart, classy, morally upstanding, and desirable. Mix these two together, the Taliban, guns and explosives, and you have a winning novel that you will enjoy.

Due to some of the content, I would recommend this to an older, more mature reader. War is not pretty, and sometimes what mankind does to mankind is terrible and Ms. Kendig writes a realistic portrayal of a war and struggle that is often ugly.

The Heart's Pursuit

About the book: 


A jilted bride desperate to save her family from ruin.
A bounty hunter seeking vengeance for a ravaged past.
An arduous trek toward justice---or redemption.

Silver Matlock and Jared Newman know traveling together is a bad idea. Bad for Silver's already tarnished reputation in her small Colorado town. Bad for bounty hunter Jared's secret, single-minded mission for revenge. But Silver is determined to track down the rogue who left her at the altar and stole the last remnant of her father's fortune. And Jared's in a hurry to hunt down the murderer who destroyed his family---even if Silver is too distractingly beautiful for comfort.

The pair takes off over mountain and desert, past bleak homesteads and raw mining towns, hot on the trail of the two villains who took what wasn't theirs to take. Soon supplies dwindle, secrets emerge, and suspicion leave Silver and Jared at odds when they need each other most. To confront an enemy deadlier than desert rattlesnakes and rocky cliffs, Silver and Jared must learn to forgive and trust and face the question they haven't dared voice: What happens next?


Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/wSpq9


About the author: 


Best-selling novelist Robin Lee Hatcher is known for her heart-warming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. The winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction, the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance, two RT Career Achievement Awards, and the RWA Lifetime Achievement Award, Robin is the author of over sixty novels.


Robin can be found at: website, Facebook, Twitter

Introducing Robin's new novel, The Heart's Pursuit
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My Thoughts:
The Heart's Pursuit was well written and engaging. There were times it could have been dark and gory, and I deeply appreciated the author not going into those details while still managing to convey the villain's dark side and crimes. The heroine, Silver Matlock, was a strong-willed, yet enjoyable character who had a hard time following orders. You just knew there was going to be trouble whenever Jared Newman told her to do something, and I started looking forward to it.

This was rich in detail and imagery, and there were times I could even taste the gritty sand from the desert. I could easily see this being adapted into a fantastic Western movie. There were a couple red herrings that felt a little flat in presentation, but it didn't detract from the story. It just made me wonder if the author had intended to go into a different direction and changed her mind.

Ms. Hatcher is an excellent story teller and she did keep my imagination engaged the entire book. I enjoyed her writing and will be reading more of her work.
*My thanks to the publisher for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest view. I was not requird it be positive.*

DAISIES ARE FOREVER - Enter to win a Kindle HDX from Liz Tolsma!

Liz Tolsma's latest WWII historical fiction novel, Daisies are Forever, is getting rave reviews. 



". . . compelling and fast-paced tale about the atrocities and tremendous losses. . . ." —Library Journal



"Excellent storytelling, accurate historical reporting and gritty, persevering characters make this WWII-era novel a must-read." —CBA Retailers + Resources


Liz celebrating the release with a Kindle HDX giveaway!



One winner will receive:


A Kindle Fire HDXDaisies are Forever by Liz TolsmaEnter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 31st. Winner will be announced June 2nd on Liz's website.



Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Liz's website on June 2nd to see if you won.

All My Belongings by Cynthia Ruchti

About the book: A new life and a new identity can't protect Becca from a past that refuses to go away.
After spending years running from the shame her father put on her family, Jayne is determined not to let him steal her future in the same way he stole her childhood. Changing her name to Becca Morrow, she moves to California and settles into a new life and new job caring for ailing mother of handsome young businessman, Isaac Hughes.
But just as she's wondering if she and Isaac are headed for a relationship, Becca's patient passes away under unusual circumstances. Suddenly, her past catches up with her and the unnerving details of her heritage threaten to destroy all sense of home and all hope for love.
Even if she could clear her name, a phone call wraps a suffocating shroud around her heart. Her estranged father needs her help. But can Becca open her new life to the man who ruined her past?


Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/x96lt


About the author: Cynthia Ruchti has more than three decades of radio broadcast experience with "Heartbeat of the Home" radio and currently serves as Professional Relations Liaison for American Christian Fiction Writers.






Cynthia can be found at: website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads
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My Thoughts: 
I've never been one to lie or hide the truth. I simply can't do it. But what if I had to? What if I were the daughter of an infamous person that I couldn't bear to be compared to - that wouldn't be fair to be compared to? I might be tempted to do the same thing Becca Morrow did.

Changing her name didn't seem like it would be that much of a big deal. Change it legally and people couldn't - nay, wouldn't - lump you with your Kevorkian-like father. But, sd Sir Walter Scott said so eloquently, "oh what a tangle web we weave, when we first practice to deceive." And things can't help but unravel for poor Becca.

I very very much enjoyed this novel. There were some hard-hitting questions of morality, forgiveness, making rash judgments because of someone's family connections that really make you stop and consider how you yourself treat others in hard situations. Things that make you question if you could do the same as Becca. Or would you be more like Isaac and Geneva? Or Tony? This is a read slowly type of book. One that will give you plenty of things to pause and reflect on as you turn the pages.

*My thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions. I was not required they be positive.*

MOMS’ NIGHT OUT - No More “Frumpy Mommy” Challenge! ($200 Visa Card Giveaway!)

USA Today best-selling author Tricia Goyer has written the novelization to the much-anticipated movie, Moms' Night Out. Don't miss this hilarious family comedy that celebrates real family life—where everything can go wrong and still turn out all right.



And, look for the companion devotional written by comedian Kerri Pomarolli,  Moms' Night Out and Other Things I Miss: Devotions To Help You Survive.



Tricia and Kerri have teamed up for the "No More Frumpy Mommy" challenge.



Motherhood can sometimes seem like survival of the fittest. Every day brings its own troubles, and by the end of the day, you’re spent. Between school, soccer practice, cleaning, laundry, cooking dinner, putting away dishes, and keeping your kids from going at each others’ throats, the last thing on your mind is getting away for an evening. If that’s you, you’re invited to take part in Tricia and Kerri's No More Frumpy Mommy challenge.
Tricia and Kerri will choose 10 winners to receive a Fandango gift card to see Moms' Night Out, as well as copies of Moms' Night Out (the book) and Moms' Night Out and Other Things I Miss. One grand-prize winner will receive $200 to put toward her own moms' night out or her own moms' night out "ride" (getting her car detailed and cleaned).
GO HERE TO JOIN THE CHALLENGE!

A Stitch and a Prayer by Eva Gibson

About Quilts of Love: Quilts tell stories of love and loss, hope and faith, tradition and new beginnings. The Quilts of Love series focuses on the women who quilted all of these things into their family histories. A new book releases each month and features contemporary and historical romances as well as women's fiction and the occasional light mystery. You will be drawn into the endearing characters of this series and be touched by their stories.
  About the book: 
A quilt becomes a labor of love for a lonely wife mysteriously separated from her young husband.
After her fiancé returns from the Klondike gold rush in 1897, Florence Harms sets about building a new life in her new marriage---even though the lingering effects of illness have left her weak and vulnerable. She and her young husband, Will, work tirelessly to clear the land around their Northwest cabin, content with their modest life.
But then a stranger comes knocking and Florence suddenly senses a restlessness in Will's spirit that she had never seen before. When he leaves her with only a note that tells her he will return before their baby's birth, she is devastated, and the illness that stiffened her joints returns. Counting the days until Will walks back through her door, Florence busies herself with a Tree of Life quilt displaying a map of the farm they call home. Doubts claw at her heart as Florence struggles to believe Will's promise to return to her. Will her labor of love-and faith in God---sustain her as she waits to see her beloved once again?
Learn more about this book and the series at the Quilts of Love website.
About the Author: 
Eva Gibson is the author of twenty books, including The Gift of Forgiveness and The Three Marys. She currently teaches "writing your life story" classes for Portland Community College and is an active member of Oregon Christian Writers. She has lived most of her life on the family farm in Wilsonville, Oregon, which is the setting for A Stitch and a Prayer.

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My Thoughts: 
I love quilts and the fact that each truly does tell a story intrigues me. Always has. This short novel, was a quick read. There were times I thought Florence seemed a little childish, but who isn't in their first year of marriage, right? I did like how her faith in God grew and how she started learning to trust Him to take care of her rather than focus solely on her husband for comfort. I was more than a little irritated that Will left her - pregnant and living alone - with just a note and no explanation. As a wife without an illness like Florence's, I'd be beside myself with worry and stress and probably less forgiving than she was at his return.

There were times I wondered if this was part of a series and I got the second book by mistake. I did have a hard time connecting with the characters. It felt the story was rushed and they weren't as developed as they could have been.

Overall, I did like the faith aspect of this story.
*My thanks to the publisher and LitFuse for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not required it be positive.*