Saturday, May 5, 2012

Baroness by Susan May Warren

4 out of 5 stars

Synopsis 

Lilly and Rosie, daughters of an empire coming of age in the roaring twenties, can have anything they want…except freedom.  Expected to marry well and to take the reins of the empire, they have their lives planned out for them.  But, Lilly, Esme’s daughter longs to return home to Montana, to adventure outside the confines of New York City.  And Jinx’s daughter Rosie dreams of the bright lights of the newly emerging silver screen.  But following their dreams – from avant garde France, to Broadway, to the skies in the world of barnstormers and wing-walkers will take all their courage.  And if they find love, will they choose 

Review 

Jazz, air planes, post-WWI, short dresses, bold makeup, gangsters, baseball, tons of jewelry, and flapper dresses. Baroness leaves nothing out in this roaring twenties novel. Susan May Warren is truly a master a capturing an era that few people write about. 

I couldn't put this book down. Almost every character jumped off the page! The two main characters, Rosie and Lilly, truly captured the heart. I cried with them, felt joy with them, and cheered as they attempted to reach for more.

The beginning of the novel seemed, at first, to be somewhat a waste of time. Yes, we strolled through the streets of Paris, but when nothing truly developed from the characters' time in Paris, I started wondering why on earth it was in the novel. Of course, Susan May Warren is a wonderful story-teller, and one can rest-assured nothing goes to waste in this story. I love how she walked us through their past rather provide back story. 

While this novel is written for adults, I can't help but feel that it should also be a "coming of age" novel. If I were a teacher in school, I'd opt for Baroness over The Great Gatsby for required reading.

Now, I have to say something about the title. Baroness. Why is this so cute? When you discover one of main character's final career choice, you can't help but think of the Red Baron. To be honest, I think it's genius!

If you're looking for a novel that is different, gripping, exciting, and historical, then Baroness will leave you not only satisfied, but longing for more. Thank goodness, Susan May Warren has a third one in the series coming out!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, via Litfuse publicity, in exchange for an honest review. 


Baroness Roaring 20s Kindle Fire Giveaway from Susan May Warren!


Celebrate with Susan by entering her Roaring 20's Giveaway!




One grand prize winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire
  • Signed copies of Baroness and Heiress by Susan May Warren


Just click one of the icons below to enter! Tell your friends about Susan's giveaway on  FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

Enter via E-mail Enter via FacebookEnter via Twitter



About the Author


Susan May Warren is the award-winning author of seventeen novels and novellas with Tyndale, Steeple Hill and Barbour Publishing. Her first book, Happily Ever After won the American Fiction Christian Writers Book of the Year in 2003, and was a 2003 Christy Award finalist. In Sheep’s Clothing, a thriller set in Russia, was a 2006 Christy Award finalist and won the 2006 Inspirational Reader’s Choice award. A former missionary to Russia, Susan May Warren now writes Suspense/Romance and Chick Lit full time from her home in northern Minnesota.


Website   Facebook  Twitter   Youtube

Purchase


Available from Summerside Press in ebook and print formats





Monday, April 30, 2012

Trailer for Short-Straw Bride

Karen Witemeyer fans can rejoice! This June, her fourth novel releases. To whet your appetite, here's the official book trailer. 

Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer

Available June 2012


View the Trailer 

Friday, April 27, 2012

Baroness Roaring 20s Kindle Fire Giveaway from Susan May Warren

Expected to marry well and to take the reins of the family empire, they have their lives planned out for them. But following their dreams -- from avant garde France, to Broadway, to the skies in the world of barnstormers and wing-walkers -- will take all their courage.  And if they find love, will they choose freedom or happily ever
after?

Celebrate with Susan by entering her Roaring 20's Giveaway!



One grand prize winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire
  • Signed copies of Baroness and Heiress by Susan May Warren

But hurry, the giveaway ends on 5/7/12. The winner will be announced on 5/9/12 on Susan’s blog, Scribbles!

Just click one of the icons below to enter! Tell your friends about Susan's giveaway on FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

Enter via E-mail Enter via FacebookEnter via Twitter

Thursday, April 26, 2012

The Winner for the April Giveaway!

Sorry for the delay in posting this. Apparently today is not the 25th. 

Without further delay, the winner for this month's giveaway is . . . 

Cathy!

Congrats on winning the Titanic giveaway! I hope you enjoy the books! 

Come back at the beginning of the month to learn about the May giveaway. 

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

The Key on the Quilt by Stephanie Grace Whitson

3.9 out of 5 stars

Synopsis 

Enter a historic Nebraskan prison where three women find betrayal, love, and ultimate truth. Jane Prescott is serving a ten-year sentence for murder. Can a broken spirit be healed behind bars? Matron Mamie Dawson feels called to help the wounded women in her charge. Will a guard’s attentions keep her from her mission? Warden’s wife Ellen McKenna has changed her preconceptions about these female prisoners. Will it be enough to save her from a life-or-death situation? Will the cryptic quilt connecting their lives expose the truth of one woman’s past and ensure a better future for them all?

Review 

The Key on the Quilt is a unique novel that is certain to capture the history lover. Stephanie Grace Whitson has taken a unique step in Christian fiction and ventured beyond the realms of the typical story-line found in the historical genre as she explores prison life among females. 

This novel introduces the reader to three protagonists. Each of these protagonists struggle with something different. One is an actual prisoner, the other is the matron, the other is the warden's wife. These protagonists have the potential to reach a variety of readers, as one may be able to identify with a certain protagonist more than the others due to their life's circumstances.   

This novel does an excellent job of showing readers the essence and heart of Jesus--which is to reach those who are broken and hurting. What better place than a prison? I love how this novel delves into a Christianity that the modern church is slowly forgetting about. It's wonderful to see the direction this story takes.

Another great part of the novel is the symbolism at the end. It's one of those "wow" moments that leaves readers reaching for the nearest tissue. 

The only problem I have with this novel is the amount of back-story and explanation. It seemed to slow the story down. I would have loved to have seen it worked in rather than explained. At some portions, the back-story was very appropriate. At other times it felt un-necessary. 

I definitly recommend every history lover give The Key on the Quilt a try. It's so far from the ordinary story, that one can't help but find themselves pleasantly surprised by this novel. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Barbour Publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

View the Trailer 




About the Author 

Stephanie Grace Whitson, bestselling author and two-time Christy finalist, pursues a full-time writing and speaking career from her home studio in southeast Nebraska. Her husband and blended family, her church, quilting, and Kitty--her motorcycle--all rank high on her list of "favorite things."





Purchase

Available from Barbour Publishers in ebook and print formats 




Next 
from Stephanie Grace Whitson


The Shadow on the Quilt



Monday, April 23, 2012

Your Favorite Authors on Pinterest!




Have you recently developed an addiction to this new social site? I know I have! Now you can include your love of reading into your addiction. I've complied a list of authors you may like to follow on Pinterest. A lot of these authors have pin boards for their books that feature pictures of the characters, settings, houses, clothing, etc. 

To learn more about their pin boards click on the author's name.


   


















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