sunnyislandbreezes.com

Raspberry Kisses

By Cecilia Dowdy

Facing eviction, Rhea Morrison, a young grieving widow, must save her failing bakery. Her recently-injured twin sister, Raven, loans her money – stipulating Rhea attend a singles retreat to spy on Martin Lane, Raven’s new love interest. Disgruntled, Rhea attends the retreat and is attracted to Martin. She discovers that Martin can help save her bakery.

Pastor Martin laments over his secret, traumatic past mistakes. He’s destined to lead his father’s church, despite blatant rejection. He can’t love Rhea – he’s yet to forgive himself for his past, and if Rhea knew how he used to be, she would have no interest in pursuing a relationship with him. In spite of their shared attraction, he helps Rhea form a plan to save her business. Martin, a former successful bakery owner, can expertly create delicious pastry recipes.

Rhea feels torn about her attraction to Martin – he’s a pastor, and after her husband’s death, she vowed to never get involved with another pastor. Plus, her twin sister, Raven, has strong feelings for Martin. Can Rhea let herself have romantic feelings for Martin – knowing it would hurt her sister?

Can Martin and Rhea overcome their past so that they’re free to love again?

ISLAND BREEZES

Ms Dowdy has given us a very sweet love story. So sweet you’ll want to visit Rhea’s bakery and taste some of those raspberry kisses for yourself.

Being a preacher’s wife is not an easy job. I’ve been there, but Rhea is now the widow of one who died a violent death while serving others. She’s still grieving two years later when she meets another pastor who is attracted to her.

There are complications with Rhea’s sister and Martin’s past as they fight this attraction.

I was very happy to have the opportunity to read another book by Ms Dowdy. I enjoyed her previous books and am delighted to say I enjoyed this one just as much as her others. I’m looking forward to her next book in The Bakery Romance Series.

***A special thank you to the author for providing a review copy.***

Cecelia Dowdy is a world traveler who has been an avid reader for as long as she can remember. When she first read Christian fiction, she felt called to write for the genre.She loves to read, write, and bake desserts in her spare time. Currently she resides with her husband and young son in Maryland.

The Creole Princess

By Beth White

Torn between loyalties to family and flag, one young woman is about to discover that her most important allegiance is to her heart.

It is 1776, and all along the eastern seaboard the American struggle for independence rages. But in the British-held southern port of Mobile, Alabama, the conflict brewing is much quieter–though no less deadly.

Lyse Lanier may be largely French in heritage, but she spends most of her time in the company of the ebullient daughter of the British commander of Mobile. When a charming young Spanish merchant docks in town, Lyse is immediately struck by his easy wit and flair for the dramatic. But is he truly who he makes himself out to be? Spies abound, and Spain has yet to choose a side in the American conflict. Is Lyse simply an easy mark for Rafael Gonzalez to exploit? Or are his overtures of love as genuine as Spanish gold?

With spectacular detail that brings the cultural gumbo of the Colonial Gulf Coast alive, Beth White invites you to step into a world of intrigue and espionage from a little-known slice of the American Revolutionary War.

ISLAND BREEZES

Lysette is living in the middle of British territory while the fledgling USA is fighting for her independence. It will get interesting for for Lyse with her French heritage and her British friend Daisy. Especially when a handsome Sp0anish dandy sails into port.

Lyse has a hard time figuring out Rafael and his motives. Spies seem to abound. Is he one of them?

Then there’s her family. Interesting? Yes. Dysfunctional? Yes. Lyse thinks she’s the mortar holding the family together, so no matter what she wants, she stays and tries to help ends meet.

She thinks Rafael has ulterior motives where she’s concerned, but he keeps coming back. Daisy is in love with Lyse’s brother, but he seems to have disappeared. The two try to find a meaningful life, but with the strange disappearing act of the men, they find it difficult at times.

Daisy and then Lysette get enmeshed in some dangerous activities, but can they continue without being caught and tossed in the stockade?

This book definitely has surprises among the twists and turns of this tale. It’s one of those books I didn’t really want to end.

Thank you Ms White. I’m looking forward to Book 3 of the Gulf Coast Chronicles. The teaser at the end of this book makes me wish it were coming out this summer instead of next spring.

***A special thank you to Lynette Haskins for providing a review copy.***

Beth White is the award-winning author of The Pelican Bride. A native Mississippian, she teaches music at an inner-city high school in historic Mobile, Alabama. Her novels have won the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Carol Award, the RT Book Club Reviewers’ Choice Award, and the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award. Learn more at www.bethwhite.net.

Buried Secrets

By Irene Hannon

They both wanted quieter, safer lives.

But crime never sleeps . . .

and killers keep killing.

After years as a Chicago homicide detective, Lisa Grant is ready for the kinder, gentler life of a small-town police chief. But the discovery of a human skeleton by a construction crew at the edge of town taxes department resources. Enter ex-Navy SEAL Mac McGregor, the detective sent by the county to assist on the case. As they work to solve the mystery behind the unmarked grave, danger begins to shadow them. Someone doesn’t want this dead person telling any tales–and will stop at nothing to make certain a life-shattering secret stays buried.

ISLAND BREEZES

Secrets and danger often go together, along with dead bodies. Chief Grant thought moving to small town mid_America would give her a break from all this stuff.

The find of a human skeleton was stretching the small police department so much that the county sent a detective to assist on the case. Sparks immediately started flying between Lisa Grant and Detective McGregor. No, not that kind. The kind that happen when a man assumes that the younger male instead of the female is the chief of police. Definitely not a good start with their working relationship.

This all gets quite interesting as the two work together to solve the case and end the string of deaths that escalate as they come closer to the truth.

Every book I’ve read by Ms Hannon keeps me reading straight through to the end. I’ve learned to start reading them early in the day so I’ll have a chance to go to bed that night. Otherwise, forget about sleep.

I’m looking forward to the next book in her Men of Valor series.

***A special thank you to Lanette Haskins for providing a review copy.***

Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of more than forty-five romantic suspense and contemporary romance/women’s fiction novels, including the Heroes of Quantico, Guardians of Justice, and Private Justice series. Her books have garnered dozens of honors, including two coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America. She is also a two-time Christy Award finalist.

www.irenehannon.com

Song of the Prarie

By Vickie McDonough

Janie Dunn’s life changes when, at the request of her dying cousin, she flees with her cousin’s newborn son to protect him from his abusive father. She moves to Kansas, but things take a dire change when her brother is killed. Is a marriage of convenience to kindhearted Aaron Harper the answer to her problems? Is Kansas far enough away from New York that they are safe from the baby’s father?

ISLAND BREEZES

“What a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.” I don’t know who first said that, but my fifth grade teacher loved to repeat it. It’s very appropriate for this book.

Janie’s dying cousin begged her to take her newborn to hide and protect him from his abusive father. Janie gives up her dreams and flees with the child, ending up in Kansas with her brother. This mock marriage they dream up to protect the child later becomes quite an entanglement.

When Janie’s brother dies, what is she going to do? She can’t run the farm alone. Aaron, the neighbor who offers to help , is attracted to Janie, as she is to him and his children.

Maybe a marriage of convenience will work. Or maybe the child’s father will find them. Or maybe Janie will lose the farm. Maybe the secret about her baby will come out.

What happens and will Janie’s future be in jeopardy will keep you reading until the very end.

Thank you, Ms McDonough, for a plot that is definitely not run of the mill.

***A special thank you to Cathy Hickling for providing a review copy.***

Vickie McDonough is an award-winning author of twenty-six books and novellas. A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, she served as treasurer of the organization for three years and also was treasurer for her local chapter. Vickie lives with her husband, Robert, in Oklahoma. They have four grown sons and one daughter-in-law, and are grandparents to a precocious seven-year-old girl. When she isn’t writing, Vickie enjoys reading, shopping for antiques, watching movies, and traveling. To learn more about her and her books, readers may visit her Web site at www.vickiemcdonough.com.

The Promise of Palm Grove

By Shelley Shepard Gray

A young Amish woman finds herself torn between the man she’s pledged to wed and the man her heart desires in this heartwarming story of chance, duty, and choice in the face of love—the first volume in beloved New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray’s new Amish Brides of Pinecraft series.

Amish bride-to-be Leona is thrilled to be in Florida, on a mini vacation in the pretty town of Pinecraft. Her girlfriends think she’s happy because she’s away from the stress of wedding planning. They have no idea that Leona’s real joy is in being away from her fiancé.

Edmund is a good man and will make a decent husband . . . just not for Leona. The more time she spends with him and his overbearing ways, the less she wants to be his wife. Her cousins are sure Edmund is the right man for her—and their certainty makes Leona begin to doubt herself. But when a chance encounter with a wayward cat brings her face-to-face with a handsome, fun-loving Amish man named Zachary Kaufmann, Leona’s faced with two vastly different futures.

Leona must decide: Should she follow the path set out before her? Or take a chance with only the promise of what could be to guide her?

ISLAND BREEZES

Oh, good. A chance to get away from her controlling fiance’, Edmund. Leona is really looking forward to a vacation at Pinecraft, Florida with her cousin, Sara, and her friend, Mattie.

The three soon discover that Pinecraft has some fine looking young men. Zachary Kaufmann is one of them. He and Leona are attracted to each other, but Leona has to be on her best behavior. Mattie is Edmund’s sister.

The three are really enjoying their vacation in Florida. That is, until Edmucd shows up out of the blue. Leona has to do some pretty fast thinking. Will she go with her heart or cave in to the pressure to marry Edmund?

I’m enjoying Ms Gray’s Amish Brides of Pinecraft. Pinecraft isn’t all that far from my hom, so these books are special Thanks, Ms Gray.

***A special thank you to litfuse for providing a review copy.***

Shelley Shepard Gray is a two-time New York Times bestseller, a two-time USA Today bestseller, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time Holt Medallion winner. She lives in Southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.

Anna’s Crossing

By Suzanne Woods Fisher

Some endings are really beginnings . . .

On a hot day in 1737 in Rotterdam, Anna König reluctantly sets foot on the Charming Nancy, a merchant ship that will carry her and her fellow Amish believers across the Atlantic to start a new life. As the only one in her community who can speak English, she feels compelled to go. But Anna is determined to complete this journey and return home–assuming she survives. She’s heard horrific tales of ocean crossings and worse ones of what lay ahead in the New World. But fearfulness is something Anna has never known.

Ship’s carpenter Bairn resents the somber people–dubbed Peculiars by the deckhands–who fill the lower deck of the Charming Nancy. All Bairn wants to do is to put his lonely past behind him, but that irksome and lovely lass Anna and her people keep intruding on him.

Delays, storms, illness, and diminishing provisions test the mettle and patience of everyone on board. When Anna is caught in a life-threatening situation, Bairn makes a discovery that shakes his entire foundation. But has the revelation come too late?

Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you back to the beginning of Amish life in America with this fascinating glimpse into the first ocean crossing–and the lives of two intrepid people who braved it.

ISLAND BREEZES

Anna does not want to leave Rotterdam and sail to America, but she was given no choice. She was the only English speaker in her Amish community and needed as an interpreter. It’s not going to be a pleasant journey for the Amish crowded into too small quarters with a Mennonite group also making the crossing.

The merchant ships carrying passengers to the New World in 1737 were far from desirable as far as accommodations, provisions, storms, illness and you name it. And, yes, a person can be lonely in the midst of a crowd. Anna dispels some of that loneliness as she gets to know the ship’s carpenter. He, too, along with the rest of the crew resents the Peculiars on board.

This book has secrets, a rowdy little boy, sadness, joy, birth, death and beauty. I was able to guess one of the big secrets before it was revealed, but that did nothing to mar my enjoyment of the book.

Suzanne Woods Fisher always holds my interest. I’m looking forward to more Amish Beginnings novels. This is such an enjoyable way to soak up more history. Thank you, Ms Woods Fisher.

***A special thank you to Lanette Haskins for providing a review copy.***

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of the Lancaster County Secrets series, the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace. She is also the coauthor of an Amish children’s series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp. Suzanne is a Carol Award winner for The Search, a Carol Award finalist for The Choice, and a Christy Award finalist for The Waiting. She is also a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Twitter @suzannewfisher.

Saddle up for a new romance from novelist Debra Clopton, Betting on Hope! In Wishing Springs, Maggie finds what she has always been looking for: a community and a home. But when her past catches up to her, it threatens everything, even the tender hope that this town holds all of her heart’s desires.

Enter to win a Kindle Fire HD 6 to celebrate the release of Betting on Hope! 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• A copy of Betting on Hope

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 8th. Winner will be announced March 9th on Debra’s blog.

Betting on Hope

By Debra Clopton

A bet gone wrong. A small town’s meddling. And a cowboy intent on saving his ranch.

Maggie Hope is an advice columnist whose background leaves her with little advice to give . . . and it’s beginning to show. When Maggie fills in at an interview with champion horse trainer Tru Monahan, the on-camera chemistry between them is undeniable. Maggie’s bosses know this is the opportunity she’s been looking for to launch her career—and their bank accounts. In order to save her column, Maggie takes Tru up on the bet that he can teach her to ride a quick-stepping cutting horse like any cowgirl, despite the fact that she has never been on a horse. And in the meantime, she can get the scoop on the man under the cowboy hat.

Tru has been on the competition circuit for longer than he’d like, but he knows it’s the only way he can afford to keep the Four of Hearts Ranch that means so much to his ailing grandfather. So when his sponsors see the opportunity for Tru’s fans to get to know the star on a more intimate level, he knows he must oblige. To his dismay, Maggie not only invades his small town of Wishing Springs, but she also invades his heart, and that is something he cannot let any woman do-for her own good.

In Wishing Springs, Maggie finds what she has always been looking for: a community and a home. But when her past catches up to her, it threatens everything, even the tender hope that this town holds all of her heart’s desires.

ISLAND BREEZES

She may be beautiful. She may be clumsy, but she’s an advice columnist, not a TV personality. Not only did she mess up an interview with a high profile cowboy, she also got herself into a bet involving horse riding.

Not going to happen since those huge animals terrified her. Except now her job is at stake. The cowboy’s also been coerced by his sponsers into teaching Maggie and entering her into a cutting horse event where she will separate cattle from the rest of the herd.

Neither Tru nor Maggie care much for each other as they enter into this farce. Is there any possibly that they might end up as friends at the end of this? Maggie’s secret just might rule that out. I’ll give you a little clue. You’ll probably need tissues for tears at the end of this book.

Thank you, Ms Clopton. I’m looking forward to more Four of Hears Ranch Romances.

***A special thank you to litfuse for providing a review copy.***

Debra Clopton is a multi-award winning novelist and has written more than 22 novels. Along with writing, Debra helps her husband teach the youth at their local Cowboy Church. Debra’s goal is to shine a light toward God while she entertains readers with her words.

The Messiah’s Sign

By Amber Schamel

Dreams…they shouldn’t bother him, but when Tyrus’ worst nightmare is vindicated, he has no choice but to face reality. His wife has been unfaithful, and God has punished her with the most feared disease in the land: leprosy. Banishing her to the leper colony, Tyrus struggles to raise and protect their son. But when Malon begins following the teacher from Nazareth, what remains of their business and reputation is at stake. Can Tyrus save his son from the beguiling lies of a false Messiah before he loses the only thing he has left?

Go here to read the first chapter.

ISLAND BREEZES

Tyrus is a married man now with his own child, but is still haunted by the death of his baby sister. His nightmares are turning into real life.

He has to send his wife to a leper colony, and try to rebuild his life without her. He has a six-year-old son and a business to keep running at a profit. It’s not an easy task.

I can’t really go into much detail without ruining the plot for you. I will say that you will recognize names, but they won’t tell you what’s going to happen until the end of the story.

Ms Schamel has once again left me wanting more.

***A special thank you to the author for providing a review copy.***

Amber Schamel was born in Littleton, CO and has traveled extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and the Holy Land. She was raised in a family of 11 children, homeschooled throughout her education and currently works with their 10 family businesses as bookkeeper and marketing director. She volunteers half of the summer at a non-profit Christian Family Bootcamp in rural MO helping and ministering to young girls and Christian families. Amber loves history, culture, reading and music. She has a musical ministry and travels throughout the United States ministering thru song. During her spare time she enjoys crafting Christ-honoring stories that will inspire and encourage her readers. Amber currently lives with her family outside of Colorado Springs, CO.

In Terri Blackstock’s third and final book in her Moonlighters series, Twisted Innocence, readers are in for a story of suspense and redemption. Dangers old and new threaten Holly and her baby, and lives are demanded as sacrifices for love. Through a complex web of mistakes and regret, redemption is the one hope Holly has left to hold on to.

Celebrate the series’ final release by entering Terri’s Nook giveaway!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Nook GlowLight
• The entire Moonlighters series

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 8th. Winner will be announced March 9th on the Litfuse blog.