Review: Claim by Lisa T. Bergren

About the book:

Sent west by their father to make a new life, the St. Clair siblings have done so—but hardly as he’d wished. Beautiful, headstrong Moira, after pursuing a career on the Paris stage, has returned to Colorado Springs—older, wiser, and certainly much poorer—to see if there’s anything left of a relationship she’d left behind. Older sister Odessa and her husband, Bryce, are struggling to rebuild their ranch after a devastating winter. And then Nic, the prodigal son, turns up—broken, haunted, and sick about leaving his sisters.

At last the family is reunited. But Dominic is still at loose ends, seeking a peace that has always eluded him. Only as he mines an old claim deep in the Rocky Mountains and begins a romance with a local schoolteacher does he begin to understand how passionately he is loved—by God, his family, and a good woman. But even as he relinquishes his fury, Nic discovers there is one last battle to fight…

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Review: Sing by Lisa T. Bergren

About the book:

Moira St. Clair has done exactly what her father forbade her to do: chased her dreams to sing on the stage. But even as her star rises, she becomes more vulnerable to those who wish to use her—or bring her down….

It is 1886, and the St. Clairs are living out their dreams in three very separate parts of the world—Paris, Brazil and Colorado. And while each has found a measure of success and joy, each is haunted by past sins and secrets.

Once home in Colorado, the St. Clairs struggle to learn what it means to sing praise to God—even in the face of tremendous loss—and trust Him in all things, even when forced to fight for their very lives.

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Review: Glittering Promises by Lisa T. Bergren

Glittering Promises by Lisa T. Bergren
The Grand Tour series: Book Three
David C. Cook / 2013
Find on: Amazon, Goodreads

About the book:

Wealth cannot buy peace … or direction.

For Cora Kensington, the Grand Tour was to be the trip of a lifetime. She discovered the family she never knew she had, and may have even found the love she longs for in Will. And yet her life has just become infinitely more challenging …

Hounded by journalists chasing the beguiling story of the newest American heiress, Cora fights to remain true to her past, reconcile her present, and still embrace her future. But as Will struggles with her newfound wealth, she begins to wonder if their love is strong enough to withstand all that threatens to pull them apart.

Complicating matters is the stubborn pursuit of Pierre de Richelieu and the increased demands on her time and attention. Cora must stand up for what she believes—regardless of how that might challenge current family and cultural norms—in order to remain true to who she really is.

And as she glimpses the end of the tour, Cora knows it’s time to decide Who and what defines her … and who and what does not.

My rating:

My thoughts:

Out of all the books I've anticipated reading this fall, Glittering Promises was at or near the top. I have loved reading Lisa Bergren's Grand Tour series - the characters are just fantastic and I love all the rich locations and history in the books. Glittering Promises completely met my expectations and I just loved it!

Right from the beginning, Glittering Promises drew me back into Cora's journey. While I did see some of the things coming in this story, there were still so many twists and turns, and one thing in particular that happened mid-story shocked me. Absolutely shocked me!

The only thing that kind of bugged me about Glittering Promises was how certain characters kept going back and forth between feeling jealousy and then trusting the person they loved. It seemed realistic, but just sort of frustrated me.

Overall, I loved Glittering Promises! I loved the history, characters, and romance story. The ending was so sweet and I couldn't help smiling while reading it. I most definitely recommend this book, but you should probably read books one and two first.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

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~Litfuse Tour Page~

Lisa T. Bergren is celebrating the release of her new book, Glittering Promises, by giving away a $200 Italian feast from Williams-Sonoma and hosting a fun Facebook party on October 29th.

 
  One winner will receive:

• A $200 Italian feast from Williams-Sonoma delivered to your door
• The three-book Grand Tour set

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 29th. Winner will be announced at the "Glittering Promises" Facebook Author Chat Party on October 29th. Connect with Lisa for an evening of book chat, European trivia, and prizes, and get an exclusive look Lisa's next book.

So grab your copies of the Grand Tour series and join Lisa on the evening of October 29th 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 by clicking JOIN at the event page. Spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway and party via FACEBOOK or TWITTER. Hope to see you on the 29th!

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Review: The Sacred Search by Gary Thomas

The Sacred Search by Gary Thomas

David C. Cook / 2013

Find on: Amazon, Goodreads

About the book:

What if you stopped looking for a “soul mate” and started looking for a “sole mate”—someone who will live out with you the great purpose of God? What if dating isn’t about finding “the one” but making a wise choice so you can better serve the One who loves you most? What if God didn’t design relationships to make you happy but to make you holy?

In The Sacred Search, Gary Thomas will transform the way you look at romantic relationships. Whether you are single, dating, or engaged, Gary’s unique perspective on dating will prepare you for a satisfying, spiritually enriching marriage even before you walk down the aisle. As Gary reminds us, a good marriage is not something you find—it’s something you make.

My rating:

My thoughts:

The Sacred Search was an  interesting and thought-provoking read. It challenges the idea of people having a "soul mate" and I don't think I've ever read a book quite like it before.

I loved the questionnaire-type chapters - those were probably my favorite. I definitely think I'll be rereading those later on. There were times The Sacred Search got a little too factual/statistical, which made it hard to read, but it was also helpful having the information.

At times, The Sacred Search was very blunt, so I only recommend this book to mature adults. All in all, The Sacred Search was a good read and I'm glad I read it.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

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Review: Breathe by Lisa T. Bergren

Breathe by Lisa T. Bergren

The Homeward Trilogy: Book One
David C. Cook / 2009

Find on: Amazon, Goodreads

About the book:

Devastated by the loss of four sons to tuberculosis and his wife in childbirth, a Philadelphia patriarch sends his three living children west in 1883 to make a new life in the clean mountain air of Colorado Springs. Odessa is struggling to survive consumption; Moira is beautiful and dangerously headstrong; and pugnacious Dominic is charged with establishing a new arm of the family business a business he doesn't want. Readers will love The Homeward Trilogy, in which the St. Clair siblings struggle to follow where the heavenly Father leads them.

In Breathe, Odessa arrives at a famous sanitarium seeking a cure for the disease that killed her brothers. While Moira and Nic establish themselves in Colorado Springs society, Dessa inches her way back to health - and into love with a softspoken fellow patient, rancher Bryce McAllan. When she witnesses a murder in the very hospital where she is recuperating-and other patients begin to die, Dessa struggles to breathe again. She'd always expected to die young, but now that she has a reason to live, can she hold on to her fragile health to solve the mystery?

My rating:

My thoughts:


I've been a fan of Lisa Bergren's books ever since I read Waterfall (book one in the River of Time series) and Breathe, one of her older novels, was SO good!

I loved the characters! The book starts out great and I couldn't help but feel for Odessa and the St. Clairs right away! They were definitely all favorites of mine, along with Bryce.

The mystery in Breathe regarding Sam's death and the poem he left Odessa was very good. I was surprised, in the end, by some things - especially regarding what had happened the night of Sam's death.

There was one thing in Breathe that I didn't care for (it's a pet peeve of mine) and that was how a character, near the end of the book, heard replies from God. I still loved the book, just didn't like that.

After getting introduced to Dominic and Moira in Breathe, I want to read their books, Sing and Claim, as soon as possible. I really want to find out what happens next in their lives. :)

Overall, Breathe was a very good read and I recommend it to fans of historical romance novels.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from David C. Cook for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion  - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

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Review & Mega Giveaway: Hurt by Travis Thrasher

Hurt by Travis Thrasher

The Solitary Tales: Book Four

David C. Cook / 2013

Find on: Amazon, Goodreads

About the book:

His Rebellion Will Soon Turn to Hope

When Chris Buckley first encountered the mysteries of creepy Solitary, North Carolina, he had little idea how far he would fall into the town’s shadows. After losing the love of his life, Chris tried to do things his way. He hunted answers. Then he gave up trying to find them.

But now Chris comes back to Solitary knowing there’s a purpose for his being there. As he watches his place in a twisted and evil bloodline become clear, Chris waits for the last battle—and wonders who will be left when he finally makes his stand.

The fourth and final book in the Solitary Tales shines light into deep darkness as Chris’s journey to Solitary comes to a dramatic close.

My rating:

My thoughts:

Hurt was a really good read. After being a little disappointed with book three, Temptation (just didn't enjoy it as much as I had thought I would), my expectations weren't that high going in to Hurt. I'm happy to say that I enjoyed this book a lot more that I had anticipated and it was a great conclusion to the Solitary Tales!

The story was intriguing and kept my attention. The supernatural aspects in Hurt were interesting, though some things were very weird and I'm not quite sure how I feel about them.

I really liked the characters in Hurt. I loved seeing Chris grow as a person and he was probably my favorite character from this book.

Overall, Hurt was an interesting read and I really enjoyed it. It was suspenseful and also had some touching moments. I recommend it if you enjoy YA suspense novels with supernatural elements. If you decide to read it, you should definitely read Solitary, Gravestone, and Temptation first - otherwise you'll probably be confused about some things.

*I received this book for free for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

Was my review helpful? If so, please click "yes" on Amazon. Thank you!

Giveaway!

Enter to win a copy of Solitary, Gravestone, Temptation, AND Hurt by Travis Thrasher courtesy of David C. Cook! Giveaway is only open to residents of the US and Canada.

To enter, be sure to sign into the Rafflecopter form and click “enter” on each entry you complete. Commenting alone will not get you entered – you must click enter on the form. Happy entering!

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Review: Temptation by Travis Thrasher

Temptation by Travis Thrasher

The Solitary Tales: Book Three

David C. Cook / 2012

Find on: Amazon, Goodreads

About the book:

The third book in the Solitary Tales series for young adults, Temptation follows the soul-wrenching twists of Chris Buckley’s journey as he heads deeper into a darkness that threatens all he loves best. 

As a reluctant student at Harrington High’s summer school, Chris meets a fun-loving senior girl who offers a welcome diversion from Chris’s past. Soon Chris no longer searches for the truth about the town of Solitary. He no longer tries to pierce its shadows. He no longer questions his role in its mysteries. He makes a new choice: he runs. What he doesn’t realize is that he’s running the wrong way—and is very close to being beyond any choices at all.

My rating:

My thoughts:

After reading Solitary (really liked it) and Gravestone (loved it) plus the short B-Side story to the series Thrasher wrote, Something I Can Never Have, I was anticipating Temptation very much!

The prologue was great and grabbed my attention. I loved how it showed a little of what was to come at the end of the story, but without giving away key things.

I got a little annoyed with Chris in Temptation - mainly during the first half of the book. I just didn't really care for the girl craziness and I ended up putting the book aside for a while because of that. I did, however, end up liking him again during the last half - especially near the end.

I didn't like when Chris seemed so preoccupied by Lily and the possibility of "being together". I know he wasn't a Christian yet, but I just didn't care for that aspect of the story. Also, there is a cuss word in the book.  If you're someone who doesn't care for these types of things, you'll now be prepared.

I liked the supernatural elements in Temptation. While I did get some answers to what is going on in this book, I still have some questions and can hardly wait to read Hurt and find out how things will turn out for Chris.

Overall, Temptation was a good read. The first half was okay, but that last half was great! Should you decide to read it, you should definitely read Solitary and Gravestone first as this series is best read in order.

*I received this book for free for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

Was my review helpful? If so, please click "yes" on Amazon. Thank you!

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Review: Grave Consequences by Lisa T. Bergren

Grave Consequences by Lisa T. Bergren

The Grand Tour series: Book Two

David C. Cook / 2013

Find on: Amazon, Goodreads

About the book: 

The Powerful, Epic Romance Continues, Book 2 in Lisa T. Begren's Grand Tour series

For Cora Kensington, the journey of a lifetime takes unexpected twists. And her future-her very life-depends on the decisions she'll make at each crossroad. As her European tour with her newfound family takes her through Austria, France, and Italy, an unseen enemy trails close behind. Meanwhile, a forbidden love continues to claim her heart, putting everyone's plans in danger.

And as Cora stays one step ahead of it all, what might need the most protection is her own heart, torn between the dramatic pursuit of a dashing Frenchman and a man who has been quietly staking claim to her affections all along. Love has dangers all its own. She must escape the bonds of the past and discover the faith to make the right choices, as each one has grave consequences. 

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/i8ZWs        

Meet Lisa:  

  

Lisa T. Bergren is the award-winning author of over thirty-five books, with more than 2 million copies sold. A former publishing executive, Lisa now divides her time between writing, editing, parenting three children with her husband, Tim, and dreaming of her next trip to Italy. She lives in Colorado Springs. 

Visit http://lisatawnbergren.com

My rating:

My thoughts:

Grave Consequences is book two in the Grand Tour series and at least the eighth book of Lisa Bergren's I've read. Having loved Glamorous Illusions (book one), I was anxious to dive into Grave Consequences and continue the "Grand Tour" journey!

I loved the main characters in Grave Consequences SO much. My favorite is Will - I couldn't help caring about him and what would happen in his life. Lisa Bergren just has a way of drawing the reader into the story and connecting with the characters. Cora was also a favorite and I loved seeing her grow throughout this book.

I liked the history that was in Grave Consequences and the locations in this novel were great - some of the descriptions were just so breathtaking!

Overall, I loved Grave Consequences! The ending was fantastic and I can hardly wait to continue Cora's journey in book three, Glittering Promises, which is set to release this coming October. I recommend Grave Consequences if you enjoy books with romance, intrigue, and a little history. Be sure to read Glamorous Illusions before this one as this is a series best read in order.

*I received this book for free for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

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Check out an excerpt from Grave Consequences below!

Grave Consequences By: Lisa T. Bergren by David C Cook

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Celebrate the release of Grave Consequences with Lisa T. Bergren by entering to win an iPad Mini!

One "grand" winner receive:

• A brand new iPad Mini
• Grave Consequences and Glamorous Illusions will be pre-loaded onto the Mini!

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 23rd. Winner will be announced on March 25th at Lisa's website.

Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

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