Book Review-A Wandering Heart by Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer



ABOUT A WANDERING HEART
All the stars come out in Cape Light...

New York Times bestselling authors Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer continue their Angel Island series with a sparkling new tale set in Cape Light. Celebrity has landed on Angel Island, but it's new love that steals the show.

Welcome to Angel Island. . . .Its captivating spirit can be felt from the shores of its windswept beaches to the heights of its spectacular Angel Wings Cliffs. The island is said to harbor angels who help guide the lost, delivering them from despair and darkness into the golden light of love and faith.

A movie crew arrives to shoot a film in Cape Light and Angel Island provides a perfect backdrop. Offering good food and a place to rest, Liza's Inn welcomes the cast and crew, including the famous actress Charlotte Miller. Charlotte is surprisingly down to earth and is totally charmed by the island, especially the Inn, where she chooses to stay instead of more lavish accommodations. But one day, along the water's edge, Charlotte is swept into the sea, only to have her life saved by local fisherman, Colin Doyle. Their attraction is instant and undeniable-even though they come from completely different worlds.

As Charlotte spends more time on the island, the relationship seems meant to be. They keep meeting up, by accident at first, then on purpose. But Colin believes he has little to offer this celebrated beauty. He doesn't realize that Charlotte would give up her glamorous life, for him and Angel Island, if only she knew his true feelings. For he alone knows her secret and accepts her completely. It seems only a miracle could bring them together. Then again, with faith and love on their side, Angel Island is just the sort of place where miracles can happen...

Reading level: Ages 18 and up
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley Hardcover (April 3, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425245845
ISBN-13: 978-0425245842
Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds




ABOUT THOMAS KINKADE
Thomas Kinkade is America’s most collected living artist, a painter-communicator whose tranquil, light infused paintings bring hope and joy to millions each year. Each painting Thomas Kinkade creates is a quiet messenger in the home, affirming the basic values of family and home, faith in God, and the luminous beauty of nature.
Kinkade is a devout Christian and credits the Lord for both the ability and the inspiration to create his paintings. His goal as an artist is to touch people of all faiths, to bring peace and joy into their lives through the images he creates. The letters he receives every day testify to the fact that he is achieving this goal. Thomas Kinkade passed away recently and  I'm very saddened by this

ABOUT ANNE CANADEO AKA KATHERINE SPENCER
Anne Canadeo lives and knits in Northport, New York. She is the author of the Black Sheep knitting mystery series, and she has also authored the popular Thomas Kinkade series writing as Katherine Spencer.
Katherine Spencer was a fiction editor before turning to a full-time career as a writer. The author of over twenty books for both children and adults, she lives with her husband and daughter in a small village on the Long Island Sound, very much like Cape Light


MY REVIEW
  A Wandering Heart is such a tender, compassionate story. Full  of love, romance, heart ache and hope that it is one of my favorite books. Writing this review is sweet and hard for me at the same time. I just love this style of writing, but am saddened that Thomas Kinkade won’t be writing anymore since he is now gone from us, but I’m hoping Katherine Spencer will continue to write more in this series, because I’ve come to love the characters and places so much.
When I read a book and wish I could live in that place it is hard when the book ends.
  Charlotte is a famous movie star and her and her cast come to Angel Island to film some of her newest movie. She falls into the sea and fisherman Colin rescues her. Their love story is so tender, but will it last, because their lives are so different. Will love reign in the end or is this just a summer romance?
 We hear about the wonderful Inn on Angel Island with Liza, Claire and Daniel and the neighbors that run the goat farm. How the neighbors - Audrey and Rob want to start a family so badly, but are having all kinds of trouble.
  This book A Wandering Heart turned out great and I will be satisfied if Katherine Spencer doesn’t write anymore to the series, but would love if she did.
 A Wandering Heart is such a fantastic book and one I highly recommend. You will love it as I did.

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Thank you to the author/publist for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

Summer Storms by Rebekah Lyn * A Review

ABOUT SUMMER STORMS
Book One of the Seasons of Faith Series Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne ravage Orlando in the summer of 2004. Elizabeth Reynolds, a hotel concierge in downtown Orlando, is experiencing her own personal summer storms After months of dreaming and searching for a home to restore, Lizzie finds the perfect opportunity only to face possible destruction from Hurricane Charley. She is counting on her contractor Jeffrey for help, but he is distracted and grieving the loss of his fiancé Camylle. Just when her home is repaired, a new storm wreaks havoc at work as Hurricane Frances bears down and the Hotel Lago staff have to host a wedding with international guests. Lizzie learns that sometimes the most destructive storms are those of the heart.

Paperback: 328 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (April 2, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1475137389
ISBN-13: 978-1475137385
Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds

ABOUT REBEKAH LYN
Rebekah is a Christian with a heart for new beginnings. She is a Florida native and a graduate of Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, Fl. A love of history, research and journaling led naturally to a passion for writing. She enjoys travel and has traveled extensively across the United States and Canada as well as Europe and the Caribbean. Her reading taste run from the classics to light fiction. When she is not working or writing, she enjoys cooking,baking and sharing recipes on her blog, http://rebekahlynskitchen.wordpress.com

Her current works include, Summer Storms the first book in The Seasons of Faith series and Julianne the first book in The Coastal Chronicle series. She is currently working on Winter's End, the much awaited sequel to Summer Storms.

Rebekah currently resides in Florida along with her "attack" cat, Mia. They would enjoy meeting with you on her Facebook page, www.facebook.com/authorRebekahLyn

MY REVIEW
  This book Summer Storms by Rebekah Lyn is quite an excellent read.  This is one of her first books and I think it is very good.
I always love books that have storms or tragedy in them and having two hurricanes in this one makes it fantastic.
  I really came to love the characters and where they live and work. The description of the surrounding area is incredible.
I like how our own struggles and hardships can help out someone else who is going through similar circumstances. We never know what in our lives will help others.
  Lizzie is a great help to Jeffery and Ian is there to help them both.  Some of the scenes in the book are quite suspenseful and full of  fast-action. You won’t find a boring part in Summer Storms and I was captured right from the start. An excellent read. Buy this book and help a new author and you will really be glad and enjoy this book. I recommend Summer Storms.

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Thank you to the  Author/Publicist  for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

The Reunion by Dan Walsh* review and giveaway

THE GIVEAWAY IS FROM DAN'S SITE, SO YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW THE LINK TO WIN. 

ABOUT THE REUNION

There are people in this world we pass right by without giving a second thought. They are almost invisible. Yet some of them have amazing stories to tell, if we'd only take the time to listen . . .

Aaron Miller was an old, worn-out Vietnam vet, a handyman in a trailer park. Forty years prior, he saved the lives of three young men in the field only to come home from the war and lose everything. But God is a master at finding and redeeming the lost things of life. Aaron is about to be found. And the one who finds him just might find the love of his life as well.

Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Revell (September 1, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800721217
ISBN-13: 978-0800721213
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 8 ounces

ABOUT DAN WALSH

I was born in Philadelphia in 1957 (guys don't care if you know) to a mostly
blue-collar, hard-working Irish family. My Dad was the first person on either side of the family to earn a college degree. It took him nine years, working during the day, going to college at night, using the GI Bill from his war days in Korea. In the mid-sixties, General Electric hired him as an engineer for the Apollo space program. We packed up and moved to Florida, which is really where I grew up.
I spent my childhood years playing basketball and surfing. In the spring of my senior year in high school I met the woman who would become my wife, Cindi. We dated for a brief period. I asked her to marry me and, to my great surprise, she said yes. We were married near the end of 1976. We have two children, now grown.
The desire to write novels first began in high school. But I didn't have the time to pursue this passion until 2007. To find out more, visit my website at www.danwalshbooks.com
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For the for the next week, starting today and running till next Monday, September 17th, Dan Walsh is celebrating the release of his new novel, The Reunion, with a 10-book giveaway contest! Five winners will each receive a signed copy of The Reunion, as well as his third novel, The Deepest Waters. (He’s  including this book because it was named a finalist for an ACFW Carol Award for book-of-the-year). Click on the link below to see how easily you can enter the contest!

http://danwalshbooks.com/the-reunion-book-giveaway-contest/

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MY REVIEW

 Dan Walsh’s books get better and better, and The Reunion is just a magnificent story. The characters are so well defined and the scenery is so real it is almost as if you are there, but the best part of this book is the story. Dan is such an excellent story teller that you will simply read this book all the way through without stopping.
  Aaron is so caring and loveable, but he doesn’t see himself that way. So many things happened in his past and he would love for things to be different.
  The title of this book is so fantastic and describes the book completely, and I love the cover. The Reunion is such a touching, tender story that tells about how even when we are doing things right we really can struggle with how things are in our lives, but it also gives us hope.
  The Reunion is a book that I will put on my favorite books of 2012 and I know you will love it also. I highly recommend The Reunion as a keeper and a book you will love to reread again and again.


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I received my free copy from Donna Hausler from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

The Judge by Randy Singer* A Review

The Judge by  Randy Singer

When a brilliant billionaire is diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer, he realizes that all his considerable wealth cannot prepare him to meet his Maker. But he has an idea that might: he will stage the ultimate reality show. With his true agenda hidden, he auditions followers from all the world's major religions, inviting them to the trial of their lives on a remote island, where they must defend their beliefs against spiritual challenges.

Oliver Finney, a feisty old judge with his own secrets, is chosen to defend Christianity. As the program takes a strange twist, he quickly realizes he is trapped in a game of deadly agendas that may cost him his life. With Internet access monitored, Finney sends coded messages to his law clerk, Nikki Moreno. Aided by a teen crypto-geek, Nikki soon discovers the key to understanding Finney’s clues in an apologetics book Finney wrote and must race against time to decipher the mysteries contained in the ancient words of Christ before her boss dies defending them.

Paperback: 448 pages
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.; Reprint edition (September 1, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1414335687
ISBN-13: 978-1414335681

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Randy Singer is a critically acclaimed, award-winning author and veteran trial attorney. He has penned more than 10 legal thrillers and was recently a finalist with John Grisham and Michael Connelly for the inaugural Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction sponsored by the University of Alabama School of Law and the ABA Journal. Randy runs his own law practice and has been named to Virginia Business magazine's select list of "Legal Elite" litigation attorneys. In addition to his law practice and writing, Randy serves as teaching pastor for Trinity Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He calls it his "Jekyll and Hyde thing"—part lawyer, part pastor. He also teaches classes in advocacy and civil litigation at Regent Law School and, through his church, is involved with ministry opportunities in India. He and his wife, Rhonda, live in Virginia Beach. They have two grown children. Visit his website at www.randysinger.net.

MY REVIEW

  Randy Singer is one of my favorite authors and I just loved this book The Judge. It was so full of suspense that you didn’t know what would happen next. I couldn’t put my book down.
  Finney is such a fantastic character. He is a Christian, a judge and someone who loves people. I love the idea of this book about having a reality show where the contestants are from all different religions and must compete against each other in different trials and hardships to see whose faith will stand firm.
  The Judge is really surprising and completely inspiring. Things happen that shouldn’t happen, there is even talk of someone dieing at the end of the show.
   I especially like the relationship between Finney and Nikki. Finney’s law clerk. They have a sweet daughter/father relationship even though she doesn’t realize it at first.
  The only thing I didn’t really care for in the book is how much was written about the codes and ciphers they used. I don’t mean to say that I don’t like codes/ciphers, but I believe it was explained and talked about to much. Talking about some of the codes takes several pages, when I just wanted to get back to the action and get on with the story.
Even though I didn’t care for the explaining of the codes would I recommend this book? Yes, I love it and it’s really worth reading. Another book that I love. I especially love the ending and how things played out. Quite a surprising ending, but one that satisfies.


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Thanks to Tyndale House Publishers for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

Love's Reckoning by Laura Frantz* A Review

ABOUT LOVE'S RECKONING 
On a bitter December day in 1784, Silas Ballantyne arrives at the door of blacksmith Liege Lee in York County, Pennsylvania. Silas is determined to finish his apprenticeship quickly and move west. But because he is a fast worker and a superb craftsman, Liege endeavors to keep him in York by appealing to an old tradition: the apprentice shall marry one of his master's beautiful daughters.

Eden is as gentle and fresh as Elspeth is high-spirited and cunning. But are they truly who they appear to be? In a house laced with secrets, each sister seeks to secure her future. Which one will claim Silas's heart--and will he agree to Liege's arrangement?

In this sweeping family saga, one man's choices in love and work, in friends and enemies, set the stage for generations to come. This is the Ballantyne Legacy.


Price: $14.99
ISBN: 978-0-8007-2041-4
ISBN-10: 0-8007-2041-5
Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.5
Number of pages: 432
Carton Quantity: 40
Publication Date: Sep. 2012
Formats: Paperback

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Laura Frantz credits her 100-year-old grandmother as being the catalyst for her fascination with Kentucky history. Frantz's family followed Daniel Boone into Kentucky in 1792 and settled in Madison County, where her family still resides. Frantz is the author of The Frontiersman's Daughter and currently lives in the misty woods of Washington state with her husband and two sons.






MY REVIEW
  Another winner from Laura Frantz, but this one is her best yet.
I just love how Laura weaves history into her romantic novels.
I can’t wait for book 2 in the Ballantyne Legacy books.
 In Love’s Reckoning Eden is such a gentle spirit and tries to get along with everyone and does almost all of the work at her parents home. She doesn’t think she will ever get away unless she marries someone her father wants her to marry, but knows it won’t be a good match. So she schemes a different way to escape, but finds she yearns for something or someone else when the new blacksmith comes to do his apprenticeship. Another problem is her father wants Eden’s older sister to get married to the apprentice, because she is greatly in need of a husband.
 What will become of the two sisters? Will one sacrifice for the other or will neither of them find their true love? What is love going to cost the sisters, the family? Love’s Reckoning is full of history, romantic, secrets and lies. You have to read this book to sort them all out. Very, very good book and I would give it more than 5 stars if I could.
Another winning book for Laura Frantz. I highly recommend Love’s Reckoning.

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I received my free copy from Donna Hausler from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255