Where the Trail Ends by Melanie Dobson

My Thoughts:

I'm always amazed at how some authors can truly get into the mind of their characters.  Melanie Dobson has this wonderful gift and she treats her readers to romance and adventure combined with a bit of history in Where the Trail Ends.  This is her second book that I've read (Love Finds You in Macinack Island is the other one) and I've been swept away both times!  It was exciting traveling the Oregon Trail with Samantha Waldron.  It was a grueling trip and one that I never would have survived.  I'm sure I would have been grumbling all the way!  Perhaps,  if Lord Alexander Clarke were waiting for me at the end of my journey I would have been willing to suffer the hardships?:)

{MORE ABOUT WHERE THE TRAIL ENDS}

A young woman traveling the Oregon Trail in 1842 must rely on a stranger to bring her to safety. But whom can she trust with her heart?

For two thousand miles along the trail to Oregon Country, Samantha Waldron and her family must overcome tremendous challenges to reach the Willamette Valley before winter. Together they weather autumn storms, hunger and thirst, and the dangers of a wild and unfamiliar country. But when their canoe capsizes on the Columbia River, they must rely on handsome British exporter Alexander Clarke to rescue them from the icy water.

Alex escorts Samantha and her young brother, Micah, to Fort Vancouver. There Samantha is overwhelmed with men vying for her affections, but the only one who intrigues her-Alex-is the one she cannot have. When his betrothed arrives unexpectedly from England to escort him home, Samantha becomes determined to create a home for herself and Micah in the fertile valley far away from the fort. But how will an unmarried woman support herself and her brother in the wilderness alone? Then Micah disappears into the wilderness one rainy night, and Samantha must rely on the man she loves-the man she’s trying desperately to forget-to rescue her brother before it’s too late.

Order a copy here.

{MORE ABOUT MELANIE DOBSON}

Melanie Dobson has written ten contemporary and historical novels including five releases in Summerside’s Love Finds You series. In 2011, two of her releases won Carol Awards: Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa (for historical romance) and The Silent Order (for romantic suspense).

Prior to her writing career, Melanie was the corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family and a publicist for The Family Channel. She later launched her own public relations company and worked in the fields of publicity and journalism for more than fifteen years.

Melanie and her family enjoy their home in the Pacific Northwest. The entire Dobson family loves to travel and hike in both the mountains and along the cliffs above the Pacific.

When Melanie isn’t writing or playing with her family, she enjoys exploring ghost towns and dusty back roads, line dancing, and reading inspirational fiction.

Find out more about Melanie at http://www.melaniedobs

Celebrate with Melanie by entering to win a Kindle Fire!

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire


• Where the Trail Ends by Melanie Dobson


• Queen of the Waves by Janice Thompson

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 17th. Winner will be announced at the American Tapestries Author Chat Facebook Party on 10/18. Connect with authors Melanie Dobson and Janice Thompson for an evening of book chat, trivia and fun! There will also be gift certificates, books, and a Book Club Prize Pack to be won (10 copies for your book club or small group)!





So grab your copy of Where the Trail Ends and  Queen of the Waves and join Melanie Dobson and Janice Thompson on the evening of the October 18th for a chance to connect with the authors and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the books - don't let that stop you from coming!)








Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 18th!

*I was given a copy of Where the Trail Ends by Litfuse in exchange for my honest opinion.  No other compensation was received.*

Queen of the Waves by Janice Thompson

My Thoughts:

I'm a huge fan of books that involve the Titanic and Queen of the Waves is no exception.  What makes this book unique are the two young ladies the book is centered around- they are both desperate to change their lives.  It's a delightful reversal of roles but there is no guarantee that things will end well.  I loved reading about the plight of Jacqueline (being forced to marry a man she doesn't love) but the lady I really longed to get to know was Tessa Bowen.  Tessa lives a life of poverty and abuse and I was so anxious for her to get her happy ending.  

Queen of the Waves engages you at the very beginning but I felt that the ending dragged on a bit.  It's a lovely historical romance but the heavy focus on history in the second half of the book caused me to occasionally lose interest.  I'd give it 4 out of 5 stars.

{MORE ABOUT QUEEN OF THE WAVES}

When pampered Jacqueline Abington secretly elopes with the family gardener, she asks another woman to take her place on the much anticipated maiden voyage of the Titanic. Tessa Bowen hails from a poor corner of London but has been granted the opportunity of a lifetime—a ticket to sail to America aboard a famed vessel. But there’s a catch: she must assume Jacqueline’s identity. For the first time in her life, Tessa stays in luxurious quarters, dresses in elegant gowns, and dines with prestigious people. Then a wealthy American man takes an interest in her, and Tessa struggles to keep up the ruse as she begins falling for him. When tragedy strikes, the game is up, and two women’s lives are forever changed.

Order a copy here.

{MORE ABOUT JANICE THOMPSON}

Award-winning author Janice Thompson, who also writes under the name Janice Hanna, has published nearly eighty books for the Christian market, crossing genre lines to write cozy mysteries, historicals, romances, nonfiction books, devotionals, children’s books and more.

She formerly served as vice president of the Christian Authors Network and was named the 2008 Mentor of the Year by the American Christian Fiction Writers.

Thompson lives in Spring, Texas, near her four grown daughters and young grandchildren. She leads a rich life with her family, a host of writing friends and two mischievous dachshunds.

Readers can keep up with Janice Thompson by visiting janiceathompson.com, becoming a fan on Facebook or following her Twitter.

Find out more about Janice at http://janicethompson.com.

Celebrate with Janice by entering to win a Kindle Fire!

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One fortunate winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire


• Where the Trail Ends by Melanie Dobson


• Queen of the Waves by Janice Thompson

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 17th. Winner will be announced at the American Tapestries Author Chat Facebook Party on 10/18. Connect with authors Janice Thompson and Melanie Dobson for an evening of book chat, trivia and fun! There will also be gift certificates, books, and a Book Club Prize Pack to be won (10 copies for your book club or small group)!

So grab your copy of Queen of the Waves and Where the Trail Ends and join Janice Thompson and Melanie Dobson on the evening of the October 18th for a chance to connect with the authors and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the books – don’t let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 18th!

*I was given a copy of Queen of the Waves from Litfuse in exchange for my honest opinion.  No other compensation was received.*

First Day- October

October 1st.

So worried it would be the last day of my life.

Thankfully, God had other plans.:)

All packed up for my surgery.

Last peeks at my sweetie pies.

Glimpses of me they would find here and there...

Stopped here to mail letters to my girls.

I wanted so much for them to feel my love while I was away.

At the hotel we found out we were VIPs!  

Fun.

Enjoyed dinner at a yummy restaurant called Yaya's.

See me?:)

Ate entirely too much garlic.

It was fabulous.

Too late I realized the poor surgeon would fall victim to my breath!

Oops.

We had the place almost completely to ourselves.

It was such a nice way to relax after a day filled with CT scans and labs.

We'll have to go back at night to enjoy the lights.

Had to peek into Anthropologie.

The store makes you feel good.

Owls.

The Biebs.

My favorite coffee!

Back in stores for fall.

Mmmmmm.

So glad to still be here.

And, my tumor was BENIGN!!!!!

Praise the Lord!

You Don't Know Me by Susan May Warren book review

My Thoughts about You Don't Know Me:

Susan May Warren has delivered another exciting visit to Deep Haven!  You Don't Know Me shares it's mystery with you on the first page and dares you to put it down!   What I love about Susan May Warren's writing is that she offers a glimpse into her characters hearts and lives without giving too much away all at once or allowing the storyline to drag on and bore.  Her mysteries are real enough that we easily connect emotionally with the story as well as with her diverse and intriguing characters (they are all unforgettable in their own way).  This book is a real page turner!

I do love a good mystery.  Especially one with a bit of romance, richly developed characters and a lovely setting.  You Don't Know Me has all this and more.  Annalise is a regular housewife, or is she?  Agent Frank Harrison shows up one day in the town of Deep Haven and nothing may ever be the same for Annalise and her family.  You'll find yourself turning pages as fast as you can to discover the secrets that may be better left alone.

Read other reviews here!

About the Book: 

A Deep Haven Novel

Sometimes the secrets we keep to protect ourselves can be our undoing.

To all who know her, Annalise Decker is a model wife and mother. She’s a permanent member of the PTA, never misses a sporting event, and is constantly campaigning for her husband’s mayoral race.

No one knows that Annalise was once Deidre O’Reilly, a troubled young woman whose testimony put a dangerous criminal behind bars. Relocated through the Witness Security Program to the quaint harbor town of Deep Haven, Deidre received a new identity and a fresh start, which began when she fell in love with local real estate agent Nathan Decker.

Twenty years later, Annalise couldn’t be more unprepared for her past to catch up with her. When Agent Frank Harrison arrives with news that the man she testified against is out on parole and out for revenge, Annalise is forced to face the consequences of her secrets. Will she run again, or will she finally find the courage to trust those she loves most with both her past and her future?

Meet Susan: 

Susan May Warren is the RITA award-winning novelist of over thirty novels. A five-time Christy award finalist, a two-time RITA Finalist, she’s also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award, and the ACFW Carol Award.

A seasoned women’s events speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!.

Find out more about Susan May at http://www.susanmaywarren.com/.

Welcome to the campaign launch for Susan May Warren’s latest offering in her beloved Deep Haven series, You Don’t Know Me. Susan is celebrating with a $200 Weekend Getaway Giveaway and hosting a fun video Author Chat Party!

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A $200 Visa Gift Card (Use that to catch up with a loved one and “Get to Know” your spouse, friend, sister, mom…whomever!)


• The entire set of Deep Haven Books

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 22nd. Winner will be announced at the ”You Don’t Know Me” Author Chat Facebook Party on 10/23. Connect with Susan for an evening of book chat, Deep Haven trivia, and a live video chat! There will also be info about Susan’s BookShout read-along and a chance to win gift certificates, books, and other fun prizes!

So grab your copy of You Don’t Know Me and join Susan on the evening of the October 23rd for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the books – don’t let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 23rd!

*I received a copy of You Don't Know me from Litfuse in exchange for my honest opinion.  No other compensation was received.*

So glad to have your company

Pain meds.

Weak Smile.

Eyelid that won't blink.

40+ stitches.

Scary drain in neck.

Little one that cries when she sees me.

Husband that willingly cares for me.

Friends that pray for me.

Lovely flowers sent to me.

Precious packages mailed to me.

God that is carrying me.

I'm so blessed.

Please keep praying, friends, as this is a longer road than I anticipated.

So glad to have your company.

Life with Lily book review

My Thoughts on Life with Lily:

Life with Lily is an enchanting peek into the life of the Amish as seen through the eyes of an adventurous 6 year old little girl.  Absolutely delightful!  My 9 year old daughter and I were charmed by Lily Lapp and we're anxious to read her further adventures.  So excited that this is just the beginning of this new series of books!  It's like an Amish Little House on the Prairie!

Each chapter is short and sweet- perfect for bedtime stories.  Lily goes to school for the first time, spends days with her grandparents,  watches her little brother "learn to fly", finds a cat with a very odd tail (smiles), meets her new baby bother for the first time (and isn't very impressed) and more.  You will giggle, wonder and dream along with Lily and her family.  This is a series that all ages will love!

{MORE ABOUT LIFE WITH LILY}

Book 1 in the ‘Adventures of Lily Lapp’ series.

Lily is six in this story, just starting first grade in a one-room schoolhouse in upstate New York. Her parents are busy building a farm, and soon animals join the family—Jenny the cow and Chubby the miniature horse. A baby brother arrives, too, which Lily has mixed feelings about. (She wanted a sister!) Aside from a mischievous friend like Mandy Mast, Lily is happy at school and even happier at home. Trouble is brewing at the schoolhouse and change is on the horizon for Lily and her family.

Read an excerpt.

Be sure to visit the “Adventures of Lily Lapp” interactive website. The site is fun for all ages and loaded with games, downloadable coloring pages, Mama’s recipes, a way to ask Lily questions, book giveaways …and more! Check it out by clicking on the site logo.

{MORE ABOUT SUZANNE WOODS FISHER}

Suzanne Woods Fisher lives with her family in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has one husband, four children, one son-in-law, a brand new grand-baby, and a couple of dogs. She graduated from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California.

Suzanne has contracts with Revell for six more books about the Amish, both fiction and non-fiction. She is also the host of “Amish Wisdom·” on toginet.com, a weekly radio program featuring guests who are connected to Simple Living.

Find out more about Suzanne at http://suzannewoodsfisher.com/.

“Based upon Kinsinger’s own childhood, it’s reminiscent of the Little House on the Prairie books.” —Romantic Times

Celebrate with Suzanne and Mary Ann by entering their contest and RSVPing to the “Life with Lily” Facebook Author Chat Party on 10/16!

Two fortunate winners will receive:

• Either the new Kindle Fire or new Nook HD


• Signed copy of Life with Lily for you and a young reader in your life.  

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 15th. Winner will be announced at the Life with Lily Author Chat Facebook Party on 10/16. Connect with authors Suzanne Woods Fisher and Mary Ann Kinsinger for an evening of book chat, Q&A about Mary Ann’s Amish childhood, trivia, and fun! There will also be gift certificates, books, and other fun prizes!

So grab your copy of Life with Lily and join Suzanne and Mary Ann on the evening of the October 16th for a chance to connect with the authors and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the books – don’t let that stop you from coming!)






Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 16th!




*I received a copy of Life with Lily from Litfuse in exchange for my honest opinion.  No other compensation was received.*

It's Not the End of the World

Packing up tonight.

To Do Lists completed.

Teeth cleaned, hair colored, pantry stocked, new sheets on beds...

You'd think the end of the world was coming.

Sometimes it feels like it.

What would I do without the Lord?

Thank goodness, I never have to worry about that.

Yes, I'm scared.

Thankfully, the Lord has been carrying me.

He's the only reason I can sleep at night.

The only reason I can climb this mountain.

Surgery will be Tuesday morning at early o'clock.

Please keep the prayers coming, dear friends.

Pray for the tumor to be benign and that I'll still be able to smile after surgery.

Pray that I will come home to my girls and that they won't be afraid while I'm away.

The fact that you take time out of your day to pray for me absolutely blows me away.

It has brought me to tears.

It sounds crazy but your caring feels like a blanket around me.

So precious and wonderful.

You're beyond awesome.

Thank you so much.