Tree Swing Reading

Christy Award Nominees Giveaway: Contemporary Romance Category

The Christy Award is a "Christian fiction award to recognize novelists and novels of excellence in several genres of Christian fiction." The nominees for this year were announced recently and the winners will be announced July 12. Every year I make it my goal to read all the books that are nominated for the Christy Award. I also give them away!

I will giveaway the books by category while I am reading the books nominated in that category.

To enter to win any/all of these books, please do the following:

1. Post a comment indicating which book/books you would like to be entered for in the featured category.

2. Enter by the date indicated. For this category, please enter by JUNE 12, winners announced on June 13.

3. Respond within 10 days should you receive an email indicating you have won a particular book.

4. To win even more books, share the links to the giveaway...tweet them, status them, email them, whatever! If I get 250 retweets and/or new Facebook likes over the next 6 weeks, I'll give away an extra copy of my top 5 favorites from the list.

5. Come back soon for the next category giveaway!

Today's category is: "Contemporary Romance."

The books nominated in this category are:

My Foolish Heart by Susan May Warren

Description:

Unknown to her tiny town of Deep Haven, Isadora Presley spends her nights as Miss Foolish Heart, the star host of a syndicated talk radio show. Millions tune in to hear her advice on dating and falling in love, unaware that she's never really done either. Issy's ratings soar when it seems she's falling in love on-air with a caller. A caller she doesn't realize lives right next door.

Caleb Knight served a tour of duty in Iraq and paid a steep price. The last thing he wants is pity, so he hides his disability and moves to Deep Haven to land his dream job as the high school football coach. When his beautiful neighbor catches his eye, in a moment of desperation he seeks advice from My Foolish Heart, the show that airs before his favorite sports broadcast. Before he knows it, Caleb finds himself drawn to the host-and more confused than ever. Is his perfect love the woman on the radio . . . or the one next door?

My Thoughts:

This was a sweet and fun read for me. I've always enjoyed Warren's books, and, although I haven't read any of the other books in the "Deep Haven Series," the book was fine to read on its own too. I found the romance between Issy and Caleb was a bit predictable, but still fun to witness its growth.

 

Larkspur Cove by Lisa Wingate

Description:

Adventure is the last thing on Andrea Henderson's mind when she moves to Moses Lake. After surviving the worst year of her life, she's struggling to build a new life for herself and her son as a social worker. Perhaps in doing a job that makes a difference, she can find some sense of purpose and solace in her shattered faith.

For new Moses Lake game warden Mart McClendon, finding a sense of purpose in life isn't an issue. He took the job to get out of southwest Texas and the constant reminders of a tragedy for which he can't forgive himself.

My Thoughts:

I found myself completely cheering for Andrea right from the start. She wants to prove herself and stand out from under her past marital failures to suceed at a job that her parents disapprove of. Her romance with Mart comes on faster than I expected and grows at a nice pace, until she panics about how it will affect her 14-year-old son. I really liked the characters in this story and found myself totally engrosed in their lives and in the bits of suspense that run through the final chapters of the book. I love Andrea's Robin Hood.  I also loved to see Andrea come into her own confidence.

 

Wolfsbane by Ronie Kendig

Description:

Embark upon a danger-laden mission within the pages of Ronie Kendig's riveting Wolfsbane. Demolitions expert Danielle Roark thought escaping from a brutal Venezuelan general was a challenge. Now she's charged with espionage and returned to the jungle where a new nightmare begins. Will Dani survive or become just another political pawn destined to be lost forever? Former Green Beret Canyon Metcalfe is disgusted with the suits on Capitol Hill. Still wrestling with the memories of a mission gone bad, he and Nightshade launch a mission to find Dani. Can Canyon rescue Dani, armed with nothing but raw courage?

My Thoughts:

The "Discarded Hero" series by Ronie Kendig is one not to be missed. And, while each book blends with the characters of the other, they can certainly be enjoyed on their own as well. Since I love a good suspense, this contemporary romance selection appealled greatly to me since it contains a good dose of action as well.  I love this series.

My pick to win this category if I were the only judge? This is a close one, but I lean slightly toward Larkspur Cove only because of the richness of the characters and the honestly of their experiences. All good books though!

Review of "Distant Echoes" by Colleen Coble

Description:

Love blossoms in the warm Hawaiian sun, but something sinister lurks in the silent sea. When a missile test goes off-course, destroying a tourist boat and killing several passengers, dolphin researcher Kaia Ohana is called upon by Navy security head Jesse Matthews to help in the stalled investigation. Is sloppy science at fault---or sabotage and terrorism?

My Thoughts:

I read this book while I was on the plane to Florida!  I thought it was a nice storyline, with cool dolphins; but, in all honesty, it felt kind of choppy to me.  More and more I expect a lot from the books I read, and there wasn't a nice flow to this one, in my opinion.  The characters would go from conflict to resolution without much explanation; or from love to separated back to love without flow.  The action was nice, but not the well-developed plot I was hoping for. A nice read overall.

Book Bullets:

My rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Genre: Romance, Suspense

Part of a Series: yes, book 1 of the "Aloha Reef Series"

Publication year: 2005

Publisher: Thomas Nelson 

 

Great series by Lynette Eason

"Women of Justice" series is great! A nice combination of suspense and romance. My favorite combo in a book!

Book 1: Too Close to Home

Description:

Samantha Cash is the FBI's secret weapon. Her methods are invisible, and she never stops until the case is closed. When missing teens begin turning up dead in a small Southern town, Samantha is assigned to help local chief Connor Wolfe find the killer. And he has two problems with that. There's her faith--in God and herself. And then there's the fact that she looks exactly like his late wife.As they get close to an answer, the case becomes personal. The killer seems to be taking an interest in Connor's 16-year-old daughter, who thinks her dad is getting way too protective. Can't a girl just have some fun?

Book 2: Don't Look Back

Description:

Twelve years ago, forensic anthropologist Jamie Cash survived a brutal kidnapping. After years of therapy, she's made a life for herself---and finally lets herself get close to FBI agent Dakota Richards. But when her attacker reappears, can she escape his grasp a second time? Will she ever feel safe enough to find true love?

 

Book 3: A Killer Among Us

Description:

Kit Kenyon is a first-rate hostage negotiator. Noah Lambert is a good detective with excellent instincts. The new partners have hardly had time to get used to each other when they are thrown into a grisly murder case. As evidence mounts up and more victims are found, Kit and Noah realize they are on the hunt for a serial killer. The problem is, he's hunting one of them too.

 

My Thoughts:

Like I said at the top of the post, I always enjoy a good romantic suspense!  These books reminded me of Dee Henderson's romantic suspense books. The action keeps moving along and the romance part grows along with the suspense. Definately a good series to grab your attention and keep you interested until the surprise ending.

Book Bullets:

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Genre: romantic suspense

Part of a Series: yes, Women of Justice Series 

Publication year: 2010, 2011

Publisher: Revell

Review of "Sworn to Protect" by DiAnn Mills

This book is one of the Christy Award Nominees that I'm giving away until July 5. Enter here.

Description:

Border Patrol Agent Danika Morales sends illegal immigrants back to Mexico; a job she's paid dearly for. Her husband, Toby, was murdered two years ago trying to help and his murder's never been solved. Now a string of attacks and arrests leads her to believe that someone from McAllen profits from sneaking undocumented immigrants into the country and somehow this illegal activity is tied to her husband, Toby's death.

My Thoughts:

Another great book with a nice combination of action and romance! I really am enjoying this series!  There were a few spots where the story seemed to jump a bit in the flow, but it didn't stop me from devouring the book!

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Genre: romance, suspense

Part of a Series: yes, "Call of Duty" series book 2 

Publication year: 2010

Publisher: Tyndale

Review of "Blood Ransom" by Lisa Harris

This is one of the Christy Award Nominees I am giving away. Enter here before July 5.

Description:

In the African republic of Dhambizao, Natalie Sinclair works with Dr. Chad Talcott to eradicate diseases that are claiming whole towns. Meanwhile, Joseph Komboli returns to his village to find rebels abducting his family. When Chad and Natalie help Joseph expose the modern-day slave trade, they're courting disaster. Will they win their race against time?

My Thoughts:

Another good book! That's what's great about reading the Christy Award Nominees...they don't disappoint. A really nice blend of action and romance, the author lays  plain the issues facing these African people and draws the reader into the compelling need for Chad and Natalie to take action. The romance is subtle, given the gravity of Chad and Natalie's situation. A book for everyone! It will make you think, but still suspense and romance too.

Book Bullets

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Genre: romance, suspense

Part of a Series: yes, "Mission Hope" series book 1

Publication year: 2010

Publisher: Zondervan

Another Fabulous Series: "The River of Time Series" by Lisa Bergren

Description:

Book 1: Gabriella has never spent a summer in Italy like this one.

Remaining means giving up all she’s known and loved…

and leaving means forfeiting what she’s come to know…and love itself.

Most American teenagers want a vacation in Italy, but the Bentarrini sisters have spent every summer of their lives with their parents, famed Etruscan scholars, among the romantic hills. Stuck among the rubble of medieval castles in rural Tuscany on yet another hot, dusty archeological site, Gabi and Lia are bored out of their minds… until Gabi places her hand atop a handprint in an ancient tomb and finds herself in fourteenth-century Italy. And worse yet, in the middle of a fierce battle between knights of two opposing forces.

And thus does she come to be rescued by the knight-prince Marcello Falassi, who takes her back to his father’s castle—a castle Gabi has seen in ruins in another life. Suddenly Gabi’s summer in Italy is much, much more interesting. But what do you do when your knight in shining armor lives, literally, in a different world?

Book 2:

Gabi knows she’s left her heart in the fourteenth century and she persuades Lia to help her to return, even though they know doing so will risk their very lives. When they arrive, weeks have passed and all of Siena longs to celebrate the heroines who turned the tide in the battle against Florence—while the Florentines will go to great lengths to see them dead.

But Marcello patiently awaits, and Gabi must decide if she’s willing to leave her family behind for good in order to give her heart to him forever.

My Thoughts:

Loved, loved these books! They have everything! Romance, action, knights-in-shining-armor, suspense! So good! 

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars plus a bonus "amazing" star

Genre: romance, fantasy 

Part of a Series: yes, "River of Time" series 

Publication year: 2011

Publisher: David C. Cook

Review of "The Mailbox" by Marybeth Whalen

Publisher's Description:

Centered on a real landmark on the coast of North Carolina, The Mailbox blends intriguing folklore and true faith with raw contemporary issues that affect every woman.

 

When Lindsey Adams first visits the Kindred Spirit mailbox at Sunset Beach, she has no idea that twenty years later she will still be visiting the mailbox—still pouring out her heart in letters that summarize the best and worst parts of her life.

 

Returning to Sunset for her first vacation since her husband left her, Lindsey struggles to put her sorrow into words. Memories surface of her first love, Campbell—and the rejection that followed. When Campbell reappears in her life, Lindsey must decide whether to trust in love again or guard herself from greater pain. The Mailbox is a rich novel about loss, hope, and the beauty of second chances.

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed this one, but thought it moved a little slow for my taste at times. I think since it came on the heals of reading another book that dragged for me, it suffered a bit because of my residual frustration. Fact of the matter is, it was a great read for a summer day with lovable characters and a feeling reminiscent of Nicholas Sparks' The Notebook.

Book Bullets:

• My rating: 4 out of 5 stars
• Genre: contemporary, romance
• Themes: second chances
• Part of a Series: no
• Publication year: 2010
• Publisher: David C. Cook
• Author's website: http://www.marybethwhalen.com/

 

Review of "A Billion Reasons Why" by Kristin Billerbeck

Description:

There are a billion reasons Kate should marry her current boyfriend.

Will she trade them all to be madly in love?

Katie McKenna leads a perfect life. Or so she thinks. She has a fulfilling job, a cute apartment, and a wedding to plan with her soon-to-be fiance, Dexter.

She can think of a billion reasons why she should marry Dexter…but nowhere on that list is love.

And then in walks Luc DeForges, her bold, breathtaking ex-boyfriend. Only now he’s a millionaire. And he wants her to go home to New Orleans to sing for her childhood friend’s wedding. As his date.

But Katie made up her mind about Luc eight years ago, when she fled their hometown after a very public breakup. Yet there’s a magnetism between them she can’t deny.

Katie thought her predictable relationship with Dexter would be the bedrock of a lasting, Christian marriage. But what if there’s more? What if God’s desire for her is a heart full of life? And what if that’s what Luc has offered all along?

My Thoughts:

This was a sweet and fun romantic read! Perfect for Valentine's Day!  I knew from the moment that Dexter's character was introduced that I did NOT want Katie to marry him!  I loved how Katie's mom explained it, that when life had hard times, Katie would want someone to jump in do fight with her, not someone who would blame her for the problems. 

Billerbeck always creates wonderful romances with a fun combination of light-heartedness thrown in.  I couldn't wait to read the whole story to find out what went wrong with Luc and Katie's romance and what Luc's reasons were for his actions.  I, like Katie, love the Ginger Roger dancing movies and movies like "Singing in the Rain," so that aspect of the story was fun as well.

A great romantic read for the most romantic holiday of the year!

For more information about the book and an interview with Kristin Billerbeck about this novel, check out: http://www.tbbmedia.blogspot.com/

 

My thanks to The B&B media Group for my copy of this book.

INSPY Award Winners Giveaway: "Sons of Thunder" by Susan May Warren

Here is the new giveaway! I am giving away the books that won the INSPY Award, which is an award created by a group of bloggers for "excellence in faith-driven literature"?  Check out their website: http://inspys.com/ for more information.

I will be giving away these books one at a time, so be sure to come back again in a day or two for the next one!

Here are the rules:

A. Post a comment to this post to indicate you would like to be entered for this book.

B. Answer today's random question for fun. (forgot to change it at first again)

Today's question: When you read historical fiction, what's your favorite time period?

My answer: I'm not a big fan of historical fiction for the most part. Especially the covered wagon, prairie ones. Probably because that was my only choice from our church library growing up. I enjoy this time period from this book though: I find the World War I and II books interesting. Sarah Sundin's books are also excellent from this time period.

C. If your name is drawn, I will send you an email to let you know. Please respond within 10 days or the winner will be redrawn.

D. Enter by January 26 for this book. Winner to be announced the following day.

E. Come back again soon for more giveaways!

Today's book: from the category Romance/Romantic Suspense Fiction, Sons of Thunder by Susan May Warren.

Description:

Sophie Frangos is torn between the love of two men and the promise that binds them all together. Markos Stavros loves Sophie from afar while battling his thirst for vengeance and his hunger for honor. Dino, his quiet and intelligent brother, simply wants to forget the horror that drove them from their Greek island home to start a new life in America. One of these "sons of thunder" offers a future she longs for, the other—the past she lost. From the sultry Chicago jazz clubs of the roaring twenties to the World War II battlefields of Europe to a final showdown in a Greek island village, they’ll discover betrayal, sacrifice and finally redemption. Most of all, when Sophie is forced to make her choice, she’ll learn that God honors the promises made by the Sons of Thunder.

My Thoughts:

I have always enjoyed Susan May Warren's books. And this book was very good. I really liked following the different points of view as the story progressed. I liked the grace that was afforded to the characters, but was little surprised at their lack of remorse for some of their actions. Because this is a Christian fiction, I guess I had expectations for regret at killing someone or prostitution. Overall though, I was totally engaged in the storyline and the characters' development. There was a nice combination of suspense and romance. 

Book Bullets:

• My rating: 4 out of 5 stars
• Genre: suspense, romance
• Themes: redemption from past
• Part of a Series: yes "Brothers in Arms" book 1
• Publication year: 2010
• Publisher: Summerside Press
• Other books I've read by this author: Noble Legacy Series, The Great Christmas Bowl, PJ Sugar series 1-2
• Author's website: http://www.susanmaywarren.com/

Review of "Deliver Us From Evil" by Robin Caroll

Description:

A beautiful yet tough woman working in a beautiful yet tough setting, Brannon Callahan is a search and rescue helicopter pilot for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Strong faith and a decorated history of service have kept her one step ahead of on-the-job dangers, but there’s no precedent for what’s about to happen. After a blizzard takes down a small plane carrying U.S. Marshal Roark Holland (already haunted by a recent tragedy), Brannon must save him in more ways than one and safeguard the donor heart he’s transporting to a government witness on the edge of death. Otherwise the largest child trafficking ring in history—with shocking links from Thailand to Tennessee—will slip further away into darkness along the Appalachian Trail.

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed this adrenaline-filled book very much! I like the nice combination of suspense and romance. Caroll does a nice job shifting from voice to voice in a way that is not at all confusing, but contributes to the storyline. I am excited to see the storyline involving one of the characters has been picked up in the book Fear No Evil and I look forward to reading that.

Book Bullets:

• My rating: 5 out of 5 stars
• Genre: Suspense, romance
• Themes: trusting God in spite of loss
• Part of a Series: yes? it looks like it, though I don't see an official series name
• Publication year: 2010
• Publisher: B&H Publishing Group