Colors of Christmas by Olivia Newport

Book description:

Christmas in Gold
After eighty years, change is nothing new for Astrid. By the time she was twenty, she survived the destructive Nazi regime, caring for her family under brutal circumstances, moving to America, and losing her husband. At forty she was widowed again and left to build a new life with her children. Now, when she faces a move into an assisted living community and meets a young woman on the brink of despair, she resolves to stir up hope through tragedy one more time.

Christmas in Blue
In the wake of a personal loss deeper than anyone realizes, Angela plans to bypass as much of the season as possible and get through her duties as the church organist by going on autopilot. Instead, she finds herself in charge of the town’s celebration. After a mysterious young man arrives, townspeople suspect he is the reason that one set of plans after another disintegrate until little is left of their traditions. Yet Angela warms to Gabe because she suspects they share a secret—his real reason for coming to town. Even when all they have to work with is a garish supply of blue Christmas decorations, Gabe helps Angela discover the hidden beauty of hope.

My review:

 I am a sucker for Christmas books, and have way more than I could possibly read during one Christmas season.... but that doesn't stop me from reading and reviewing new ones that come out each year.

 This is the first Christmas book I have read and/or reviewed this year. It is also the first book I have read by this author. Christmas books often revolve around romance, but neither of the two stories in this book do, though there is a hint of a possible romance in the first story.

 I did enjoy both stories. It was neat the way the author brought the color gold into the first story, and the color blue into the first. Each story deals with a different type of loss, and the main character in each story has new challenges thrown her way. Newport not only came up with an endearing plot for both stories, but also endearing and likable characters. I liked Christmas In Blue better than Christmas In Gold. I thought the plot was better, and there were a lot more characters that made you want to like them and experience Christmas the way they were experiencing it. And that is not to say I didn't like Christmas In Gold.... I did. Both stories show the hope and magic of the Christmas season.

 I don't know if the author has previously written any Christmas books, but this is one she can be proud of and is one I recommend to other lovers of a good Christmas story.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

About the author:

Olivia Newport’s novels twist through time to find where faith and passions meet. Her husband and twentysomething children provide welcome distraction from the people stomping through her head on their way into her books. She chases joy in stunning Colorado at the foot of the Rockies, where daylilies grow as tall as she is.

Check out her website at www.olivianewport.com.


Colors of Christmas is available from Shiloh Run Press, an imprint of  Barbour Publishing.

Thanks to Barbour for the review copy.

Rescued Hearts by Hope Toler Dougherty, with a giveaway

Book description:

Children's clothing designer Mary Wade Kimball's soft spot for animals leads to a hostage situation when she spots a briar- entangled kitten in front of an abandoned house. Beaten, bound, and gagged by the two thugs inside, Mary Wade loses hope for escape when a third villain returns with supplies.

Discovering the kidnapped woman ratchets the complications for undercover agent Brett Davis. Weighing the difference of ruining his three months' investigation against the woman's safety, Brett forsakes his mission and helps her escape, the bent-on-revenge brutes following behind.

When Mary Wade's safety is threatened once more, Brett rescues her again. This time, her personal safety isn't the only thing in jeopardy. Her heart is endangered as well.

An animal rescue, an abandoned house, and a kidnapping. Find out what happens in Hope Toler Dougherty's new release!

My review:

  I like trying out new authors, and this was a new author to me. She has a few other books, but they don't look like they are suspense, as this one is....which is my favorite genre'. And I definitely liked her suspense novel.

 The book starts out with a kidnapping and then a rescue, so it didn't take long for me to get pulled into the story. I found myself liking the two main characters right away, and loved the conversations and interplay between the two of them. The male hero of the story also had an interesting and amusing grandmother that played into the story a lot.

 The suspense element was done very well. You knew the bad guys were after the couple, but there were still some surprises along the way. I thought the book was very well written, had great characters, plot, and ending. It was a book I didn't want to put down and read through fairly quickly. Looking forward to reading more suspense from this author.

About the author:

Hope Toler Dougherty holds a Master's degree in English and taught at East Carolina University as well as York Technical College. A member of ACFW, RWA and SinC, she writes for Almost an Author. Before writing novels, she published non-fiction articles on topics ranging from gardening with children to writing apprehension. She follows the Pittsburgh Steelers, ACC basketball, and Army West Point Football. Hope and her husband, Kevin, live in North Carolina and chat with their two daughters and twin sons through ooVoo. Her debut novel, Irish Encounter, is partially set in Ireland. Her second one, Mars . . . With Venus Rising, is published with Pelican Book Group.

Learn more at hopetolerdougherty.com.

Thanks to Litfuse for the review copy.



  Her personal safety isn't the only thing in jeopardy-so is her heart. In Hope Toler Dougherty's new novel, Rescued Hearts, children's clothing designer Mary Wade Kimball's soft spot for animals leads to a hostage situation when she spots a briar-entangled kitten in front of an abandoned house. Discovering the kidnapped woman ratchets the complications for undercover agent Brett Davis. Brett forsakes his three-month mission and helps her escape, the bent-on-revenge brutes following behind . . . and then Mary Wade's safety is threatened once more.

Cozy up this fall with Hope's new book and enter to win a Kindle Fire!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Rescued Hearts
• A Kindle Fire 7

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on November 13. The winner will be announced November 14 on the Litfuse blog.

Know The Word Study Bible KJV, with a giveaway

Bible description:

The KJV Know the Word Study Bible offers three easy ways to begin studying Scripture and helps individuals transition from being a casual reader of the Bible to becoming a regular student of the Bible. You can choose to study the Bible book-by-book, verse-by-verse, or topic-by-topic; each path offers powerful insights that will help you develop a daily routine of Bible study. The book-by-book series of notes leads you through the main points of each book of the Bible. The verse-by-verse notes help you to dig deeper into God's Word. The topic-by-topic articles, which cover 21 theological topics, guide you through a series of insightful notes and give you a thorough biblical understanding of each topic. With the beautiful and timeless text of the KJV translation, the KJV Know the Word Study Bible offers you choices of how to study Scripture and grow in your relationship with Christ.

Features Include:
King James Version Bible text
Three easy approaches to study the Bible (book-by-book, verse-by-verse, or topic-by-topic)
Insightful introductions for each book of Scripture
Words of Jesus in red
Beautiful two-color interior page design
Comprehensive list of theological notes
Concordance
Full-color maps 

My review:

  I grew up on the King James Version, and we still use it at my church exclusively, except on the rare occasion my pastor uses the NKJV. I personally rarely use it, but this Bible intrigued me. I went ahead and requested it, and am glad I did.

 I like a Bible with study notes on the verses, and this Bible has some great notes on the verses. As with other Bibles, there are not notes on every single verse, but they cover a lot of the verses throughout the Bible.

 This Bible also has book-by-book notes. At the beginning of each book are notes on how to study that book, with study the book highlights. I also found these well done and useful.

 Scattered throughout the Bible are highlighted verses or topics with an area for more insight.

 I found this to be a useful Study Bible to use while reading and studying the Bible, and I feel it is very well done.

 This Bible was given to me in exchange for my honest review.

 The Know The Word Study Bible is available from Thomas Nelson Publishing.



Thanks to Litfuse Publicity for the review copy. Diving deeper into God's Word can be easy and rewarding if you break it down book by book, verse by verse, or topic by topic with the new KJV Know The Word Study Bible by Thomas Nelson. The book-by-book series of notes leads you through the main points of each book of the Bible. The verse-by-verse notes help you to dig deeper into God's Word. The topic-by-topic articles, which cover 21 theological topics, guide you through a series of insightful notes and give you a thorough biblical understanding of each topic. With the beautiful and timeless text of the KJV translation, the KJV Know the Word Study Bible offers you choices of how to study Scripture and grow in your relationship with Christ.

This fall, become a regular student of the Bible and enter to win the Kindle Fire giveaway!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of the KJV Know The Word Study Bible
• A Kindle Fire 7
• A Kindle Fire case (winner's choice)

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on October 31. The winner will be announced November 1 on the Litfuse blog.

Where We Belong by Lynn Austin

Book description:

The Adventure of a Lifetime for Two Indomitable Socialite Sisters 

In the city of Chicago in 1892, the rules for Victorian women are strict, their roles limited. But sisters Rebecca and Flora Hawes are not typical Victorian ladies. Their love of adventure and their desire to use their God-given talents has brought them to the Sinai Desert--and into a sandstorm.

Accompanied by Soren Petersen, their somber young butler, and Kate Rafferty, a street urchin who is learning to be their ladies' maid, the two women are on a quest to find an important biblical manuscript. As the journey becomes more dangerous and uncertain, the four travelers sift through memories of their past, recalling the events that shaped them and the circumstances that brought them to this time and place.


My review:

 I have read several books by Lynn Austin, and they all had one thing in common: they were Biblical fiction. She did a masterful job on the two Biblical fiction series that I read by her. I had never read her other books, as they were pretty much women's fiction. When this book came up for review, I decided I'd check out her other fiction.

 Where We Belong is historical fiction, and I discovered that Lynn Austin writes as good of historical fiction as Biblical.......even if it is geared towards women. Granted, the book did have some elements of suspense and mystery, which are my favorite genre's.

 Austin came up with a great plot, setting, and time period for this novel. To be honest, I had a little difficulty getting into it at first, but after a few chapters I was able to get caught up in the story. Among other aspects of the book, I enjoyed the dialogue between the sisters and also between they and their companions on their journey.

 In her Biblical novels, I felt Austin did a lot of research for her books to be historically and also  accurately  according to the Bible. In We Belong, that research comes through also. I don't know a lot about the time period and setting of the novel, but Austin did a great job of portraying everything in a historically accurate way.

 I did enjoy the book, and most likely will try some of her other novels that are not Biblical ones.

 This book was given to me in exchange for my honest review.

About the author:

For many years, Lynn Austin nurtured a desire to write but frequent travels and the demands of her growing family postponed her career. When her husband's work took Lynn to Bogota, Colombia, for two years, she used the B.A. she'd earned at Southern Connecticut State University to become a teacher. After returning to the U.S., the Austins moved to Anderson, Indiana, Thunder Bay, Ontario, and later to Winnipeg, Manitoba.

It was during the long Canadian winters at home with her children that Lynn made progress on her dream to write, carving out a few hours of writing time each day while her children napped. Lynn credits her early experience of learning to write amid the chaos of family life for her ability to be a productive writer while making sure her family remains her top priority.

Extended family is also very important to Austin, and it was a lively discussion between Lynn, her mother, grandmother (age 98), and daughter concerning the change in women's roles through the generations that sparked the inspiration for her novel Eve's Daughters.

Along with reading, two of Lynn's lifelong passions are history and archaeology. While researching her Biblical fiction series, Chronicles of the Kings, these two interests led her to pursue graduate studies in Biblical Backgrounds and Archaeology through Southwestern Theological Seminary. She and her son traveled to Israel during the summer of 1989 to take part in an archaeological dig at the ancient city of Timnah. This experience contributed to the inspiration for her novel Wings of Refuge.

Lynn resigned from teaching to write full-time in 1992. Since then she has published twelve novels. Eight of her historical novels, Hidden Places, Candle in the Darkness, Fire by Night, A Proper Pursuit, and Until We Reach Home have won Christy Awards in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, and 2009 for excellence in Christian Fiction. Fire by Night was also one of only five inspirational fiction books chosen by Library Journal for their top picks of 2003, and All She Ever Wanted was chosen as one of the five inspirational top picks of 2005. Lynn's novel Hidden Places has been made into a movie for the Hallmark Channel, starring actress Shirley Jones. Ms Jones received a 2006 Emmy Award nomination for her portrayal of Aunt Batty in the film.

 Check out her website at LynnAustin.org.

The Christian Standard Apologetics Study Bible

Bible description:

The CSB Apologetics Study Bible helps today’s Christians better understand, defend, and proclaim their beliefs in an age of increasing moral and spiritual relativism. This revised and updated edition includes new articles and extensive apologetics study material from today’s leading apologists to reflect and provide deeper understanding of the relevant apologetics issues and questions being discussed today.

Features Include:
• 90 leading apologists contributed commentary and articles on apologetics including:
Ted Cabal, Lee Strobel, Chuck Colson, Paul Copan, Norm Geisler,
Hank Hanegraaff, Josh McDowell, Albert Mohler, J.P. Moreland,
Ravi Zacharias, and many more.
• 134 Articles on key apologetic issues–including a lead article by Lee Strobel (The Case for Christ).
• 66 Exclusive introductions from contributors
• 48 “Twisted Scripture” explanations for commonly misunderstood passages
• 12 Profiles of Christian apologists including Thomas Aquinas, Origen, C.S. Lewis and more
• 13 Timelines and Maps include unique offerings such as a Timeline of Apologists and Notable Works, Comparison of World Religion, Naturalism vs. Theism and more
• Apologetics Study Notes
• Annotated Bibliography
• Presentation page
• Book Introductions
• Two-color interior
• Two-column text
• Smyth-sewn binding
• Ribbon marker
• Full-color maps
• 9.75-point type size

The CSB Apologetics Study Bible features the highly reliable, highly readable text of the Christian Standard Bible® (CSB), which stays as literal as possible to the Bible’s original meaning without sacrificing clarity. The CSB’s optimal blend of accuracy and readability makes Scripture more moving, more memorable, and more motivating to read and share with others.

My review:

The translation:

  I am not one of those people who stick by one Bible translation/version, but I prefer to read from multiple ones. I have a copy of the Holman Christian Standard Bible, and the Christian Standard Bible is an updated version of that Bible. I always liked the HCSB, and was curious to see what the Christian Standard Bible would be like. I compared some popular passages and there are some differences, which just makes it easier to read and understand in my opinion. I have used the Bible for a few weeks, and have come to enjoy this newer translation.

The Bible:

   Apologetics is of interest to me, which is another reason I requested this Bible to review. I won't go over everything the Bible has, as it is listed in the description, but I will say I was impressed with all of the information given in this Bible that has to do with Aplogetics. Some of the big names in Christian apologetics are represented here, and the information from them is of great interest and I have found very helpful.

 I am someone who likes notes at the bottom of passages of Scripture, and feel these are also very well done and helpful in this Bible.

 I didn't have time to read the whole Bible or compare it completely to the Holman Christian Standard Bible, but I like what I have read and checked out so far, and recommend the translation and also the Apologetics part of it.

 This Bible was given to me in exchange for my honest review.

Blind Spot, Chesapeake Valor #3 by Dani Pettrey

Book description:

FBI agent Declan Grey is in the chase of his life--but isn't sure exactly what he's chasing after. Threatened by a terrorist that "the wrath is coming," Grey fears something horrible is about to be unleashed on American soil. When his investigation leads him to a closed immigrant community, he turns to Tanner Shaw to help him. She's sought justice for refugees and the hurting around the world, and if there's anyone who can help him, it's Tanner.

Tanner Shaw has joined the FBI as a crisis counselor . . . meaning she now has more opportunity to butt heads with Declan. But that tension also includes a spark she can't deny, and she's pretty sure Declan feels the same. But before anything can develop between them, they discover evidence of a terror cell--and soon are in a race against the clock to stop the coming "wrath" that could cost thousands their lives.


My review:

   Dani Pettrey has had me hooked as a reader since I read her first book in the Alaskan Courage series. I have come to equate her with top notch Christian suspense, and she has yet to disappoint me.

 In her first series, each book centered on a different person from the same family. This series focuses on a different man in a circle of friends who are all in some area of law enforcement. Throughout the first two books, there was a lot of talk about the fourth friend who had been missing for seven years, and there were hints this man, Luke, was still alive. Blind Spot removes all doubt about that, and clearly lets the reader know the fourth book will be about Luke.

 Blind Spot is one of those books I started reading on my lunch break at work, and found very difficult to put down to go back to work. The plot and action pulled me in from the start of the book, and didn't let go until I got to the last page.....which came all too fast. It focuses in part on human trafficking, and shows how terrible that crime is, and also on a possible terrorist attack.

 As with all of Dani's books, there was a romantic part, which even this confirmed bachelor enjoyed and cheered on....though I enjoyed the suspense more. Blind Spot is one of the best books I have read this year, and I am looking forward to reading the final book in the series, which is not going to come soon enough.

 I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

About the author:

Praised by New York Times bestselling author Dee Henderson as "a name to look for in romantic suspense," Dani Pettrey's novels have sold more than 300,000 copies. Dani combines the page-turning adrenaline of a thriller with the chemistry and happy-ever-after of a romance novel. Her novels stand out for their "wicked pace, snappy dialogue, and likable characters" (Publishers Weekly), "gripping storyline[s]," (RT Book Reviews), and "sizzling undercurrent of romance" (USA Today).

Dani's adventure-focused Alaskan Courage series climbed the CBA bestseller lists, with Submerged staying in the top twenty for five consecutive months. The five-book series also won multiple awards, including the Daphne du Maurier Award, two HOLT Medallions, and Christian Retailing's Best Award, among others. She turns her attention to crime and law enforcement in her home state of Maryland in her new Chesapeake Valor series, starting with Cold Shot, which Library Journal called, "a harrowing and thrilling ride." For more information about her novels, visit danipettrey.com.

 Blind Spot and the other books in the Chesapeake Valor Series is available from Bethany House Publishing, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

Thanks to Bethany House for the review copy.

Check out the whole series thus far:

Deadly Proof, Atlanta Justice #1 by Rachel Dylan

Book description:

In the biggest case of her career, attorney Kate Sullivan is tapped as lead counsel to take on Mason Pharmaceutical because of a corporate cover-up related to its newest drug. After a whistleblower dies, Kate knows the stakes are much higher than her other lawsuits.

Former Army Ranger turned private investigator Landon James is still haunted by mistakes made while serving overseas. Trying to forget the past, he is hired by Kate to look into the whistleblower's allegation and soon suspects that the company may be engaging in a dangerous game for profit. He also soon finds himself falling for this passionate and earnest young lawyer. 

Determined not to make the same mistakes, he's intent on keeping Kate safe, but as the case deepens, it appears someone is willing to risk everything--even murder--to keep the case from going to trial.

My review:

  I enjoy legal thrillers, and there have been a few authors on the Christian market who have written some great ones. I also enjoy trying new authors, so this was a no brainier to request this legal thriller to a new (to me) author. My first thoughts upon finishing this book were "wow!" and "This lady is really good." I started researching her and was surprised to discover that she is not a new author, and has several published books under her belt.

 The legal thrillers I have read have been mostly by men, but Dylan shows she can hold her own in among these guys with this novel. It has everything a reader would want in a legal thriller: Great plot, great and likable characters, suspense, drama, romance, and legal "stuff" that is in easy to understand jargon.

 Deadly Proof has great Christian themes throughout it, and especially of trusting God, and forgiveness. The book is an exciting read that kept me on the edge of my seat, and groaning when I had to put the book aside to do other things that needed done. The book had an excellent ending that left me wanting more, and also left me wanting to read more by this author. This is a truly awesome read that I was sorry to see end.

About the author:

Rachel Dylan writes Christian fiction including inspirational romantic suspense for Love Inspired Suspense and the Windy Ridge Legal Thriller series. Rachel has practiced law for almost a decade and enjoys weaving together legal and suspenseful stories. She lives in Michigan with her husband and five furkids--two dogs and three cats. Rachel loves to connect with readers. You can find Rachel at www.racheldylan.com.


Deadly Proof is available from Bethany House Publishers, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

Thanks to Bethany House for the review copy.