Making the Grade--A Writer's Book Review

Hi, I’m Patty and I’m a bookaholic.

Does that really surprise anyone? I read anywhere from 4 to 6 books a week aside from writing my own. But I’m always a bit reluctant to write book reviews. But there are those occasions when a book just slides inside and takes up residence in my heart that I HAVE to share.

You won’t find any negative book reviews on this website because opinions are subjective. What I might love, someone else might judge differently. But being a writer, I respect the process each writer goes through to produce their best work. The books I review are the ones that not only entertain, but teach me how to be a better writer.

To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer

Having completed his sentence for the unintentional crime that derailed his youthful plans for fame and fortune, Levi Grant looks to start over in the town of Spencer, Texas. Spencer needs a blacksmith, a trade he learned at his father's knee, and he needs a place where no one knows his past. But small towns leave little room for secrets...

Eden Spencer has sworn off men, choosing instead to devote her time to the lending library she runs. When a mountain-sized stranger walks through her door and asks to borrow a book, she steels herself against the attraction he provokes. His halting speech and hesitant manner leave her doubting his intelligence. Yet as the mysteries of the town's new blacksmith unfold, Eden discovers hidden depths in him that tempt her heart.

Levi's renewed commitment to his faith leads Eden to believe she's finally found a man of honor and integrity, a man worthy of her love. But when the truth about his prodigal past comes to light, can this tarnished hero find a way to win back the librarian's affections?

All I can say is WOW! I actually started listening to this book on my iPod but got so caught up in Eden and Levi’s story, I hurt my thumb trying to find it on my Nook! Karen has a way with developing characters in her novels, with little tidbits of insight and reaction, that makes the reader feel as though these are people you want to know in real life. And because her characters are so well drawn out, they carry the plot from first paragraph to the very last sentence. Grab a cup of hot cocoa, curl up in a soft blanket and enjoy a read that will keep you up well into the night.

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A Vow Fulfilled--Chapter 4 (and a giveaway!)

If you missed yesterday's chapter, go to MaryLu Tyndall's blog to catch up! Remember to post a comment for a chance to win a basketful of great prizes including MaryLu Tyndall's latest release, Forsaken Dreams and Laurie Alice Eakes' book, Choices of the Heart. And now, A Vow Fulfilled: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chapter Four Turner glanced between his cousin and Celia—no, not Celia. William’s fiancée. The “confused” lady he was kidnapping at the bequest of his cousin could be nothing more than Miss Sheldon to him. And as long as he didn’t think of her by her Christian name, she’d stay nothing more in his mind than the living version of the portrait his cousin had painted. A glorified portrait, he had eventually concluded after weeks of studying it, for no woman with as little guileless and much loveliness as had been captured on that canvas could love or even wish to marry a man as scheming, greed

Review: Her Patchwork Family by Lyn Cote

When Felicity Gabriel inherits a mansion, she decides to turn it into a home for orphans. But her first charges test her resolve: one child is a thief, suspicious of her kindness; the other is the local judges traumatized daughter. Broken by war, Judge Tyrone Hawkins is devastated when his little girl runs from him to Felicity. But Felicity’s courage despite the town’s scorn for her orphanage and her caring way with his daughter restore his lost faith. Now he wonders if they all can find the family they seek. . .just in time for Christmas. I’ve got to admit—I’m a sucker for a holiday romance and Lyn Cote doesn’t disappoint with this second installment of the Gabriel Sisters series. The story is a lovely tale of one woman’s desire to help those left orphaned after the Civil War while discovering the love of her life. I thoroughly enjoyed getting acquainted with Felicity and Ty--I liked them so much, I took them to my mother-in-law’s for Christmas!--as well as the secondary characters of

D-Day 70th Anniversary Celebration Blog Tour--Home Front Heroines

For a chance to win ALL TEN novels featured on our blog tour, please visit each blog, collect the answers to the questions, and enter the Rafflecopter giveaway on the BLOG TOUR PAGE . You have a new chance to enter each day of the tour! The contest opens June 2, 2014 at 1 am PST and closes June 13, 2014 at 11 pm PST. The winners will be announced on Monday, June 16, 2014. *Note* Several of the titles will not be released until later in the year—these copies will be mailed to the winners after the release dates. To win the prize of ALL TEN books, you must have collected ALL TEN answers. The winner must be prepared to send ALL TEN answers within 24 hrs of notification by email, or a new winner will be selected. You can enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway once each day! The more often you visit, the more entries you receive! However, you only need to enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway once to be entered. But don’t forget…to win, you must have collected ALL TEN answers. To collect the answers

Patty Smith Hall

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