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Saturday, March 18, 2017

Book Review! Buried Secrets by Rachel J. Good

Buried Secrets


About the Book


Book: Buried Secrets
Author: Rachel J. Good
Genre: Amish Romance
Release Date: March 7, 2017
Overcome the past and any other obstacles that stand in the way of the future God
 has planned for you.
Three years after the accident that almost claimed her life, Emma Esh has recovered physically
 but has no memory of the year before the accident. When she moves to a new community to 
help her sister Lydia and brother-in-law, Caleb, prepare for the birth of twins, she falls
 for their neighbor Samuel.
But the twins’ premature birth, a visit from the Englischer Emma once dated, and the sudden
 return of her memory threaten Emma’s romance. After the secrets of her past are revealed, 
will love be able to overcome all obstacles?
 I absolutely loved Buried Secrets! From the first page I could not read fast enough! 
Rachel J Good has crafted an amazing story that will leave your heart pounding and trying to
 read quickly to continue the story! I cannot imagine losing my memories or trying to rebuild
 my life as it once was. I had not read any of the other books in the series and I did not have
 any problems following along 
I received an advance copy of the book in exchange for my opinion - all opinions are my own

DONT FORGET TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!!!

About the Author

Inspirational author Rachel J. Good writes life-changing, heart-tugging novels of faith, hope, and forgiveness. She is the author of several Amish series in print or forthcoming – Sisters & Friends series, Love & Promises series, and two books in the Hearts of Amish Country series – as well as the Amish Quilts Coloring Books and the contemporary novella, Angels Unaware, part of the Hope Chapelseries. Rachel also juggles freelance editing and illustration careers. She loves reading (of course!), traveling, and spending time with her five children and three grandchildren. Visit her at her websiteFacebookauthor pageTwitterPinterest, and Goodreads. You also can sign up for her quarterly newsletter here.


Guest Post from Rachel J. Good


Readers who have read Change of Heart, the first book in the Sisters & Friends series, will remember Emma as the wild teen who defied her family. Her older sister, Lydia, tried to prevent Emma from making mistakes during Rumschpringe, the Amish running-around time. Throughout most of the story, Lydia and Emma were at odds with each other, but in the end, the family needed to forgive Emma and show her God’s love.
In Book 2, Buried Secrets, Emma has no memory of her rebellion, so she’s devastated when she finally does remember. Then she must confront her past, learn to forgive herself, and also ask for and accept God’s forgiveness. Sometimes when we’ve done things we’re ashamed of, we struggle to believe that God can forgive what we’ve done. But God’s mercy has no limits. Emma needs to open her heart to that truth. As she does, she discovers an important lesson: Some mistakes in the past can never be undone, but God can forgive anything.Authors often write about themes that are close to their hearts, and I’m no exception. Many times, after I write a novel, I look back and see how God directed me to tell a story containing lessons I needed to learn. In Change of Heart, Lydia discovers that judging other people or suggesting ways they can improve their lives can be a form of self-righteousness. God used my young daughter to point that out to me, but it’s a lesson that bears repeating. And as I finished the novel, I clearly saw it as a reminder not only to Lydia, but also to me.

Emma’s story also blessed me by reminding me how deep and wide God’s love is for each of us. No matter how we’ve failed, He never stops loving us, and His forgiveness is only a prayer away.
I also hope to remind readers that “all things work together for good for those that love God.” So often we expect hardship when we do God’s will, but He has promised to give us the desires of our hearts. Lydia learned in Change of Heart that God’s will was so much better than anything she could have planned, and Emma, too, comes to realize that, by trusting God to direct her life, she is blessed many times over.
Has God ever given you a desire of your heart? To enter the giveaway, share one of God’s blessings in your life. And let’s rejoice together at the many wonderful things He has done for each of us.
Book Excerpt
 Emma concentrated on the plants beside her. Gardening soothed her, made her feel whole again. The spring sunshine warmed the ground and sent comforting rays through her cloak as she bent over the soft, moist earth. She lifted a seedling from its pot and inhaled the savory tomato-y aroma. Then she pinched off the lower leaves, set it in the hole, and gently bent the stem before covering it with soil.
Whoosh. A heavy weight slammed her backwards, smashing her head against the ground. Gasping, desperate to suck some air into her crushed lungs, Emma opened her eyes to find a furry face inches from her own. A huge mouth opened, revealing pointy white teeth. Then a wet pink tongue scraped across her cheek.
“Bolt,” a deep male voice commanded. “Off.”
A handsome stranger, black bangs hanging in front of his eyes, bent over her, his hand outstretched. “Ach, I’m so sorry. She slipped out the door again.” He clamped his other hand on the Irish setter’s collar and pulled the dog off Emma, leaving muddy paw prints across her skirt.
Still dazed, Emma lay where she’d fallen, gazing up at him, unsure whether the rapid pattering of her pulse was from her recent fright or from looking into the greenest eyes she’d ever seen.
“Are you all right?” Worry crinkled his brow.
“I–I’ll be fine.” Ignoring the hand he’d extended, she tried to sit.
The stranger dropped to one knee beside her. “Don’t get up if you’re hurt. Is there someone I can fetch?”
“I don’t need help.” Heat flooded Emma’s cheeks when her words came out sharply. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “Please forgive me.” Then pinching her lips together, she steeled herself to sit without assistance.
“There’s nothing to forgive. I’m the one who let my dog escape.” The words were barely out of his mouth when the Irish setter twisted free and bounded off, crushing the rows of seedlings Emma had just planted.
“Oh, no!” The stranger dashed off after the dog, swerving to avoid the tomato plants the setter had crushed. Gasping for air, he made a desperate tackle, landing a few feet beyond the garden, the dog wriggling under him. With a firm grip on the Irish setter’s collar, he stood, the front of his shirt, galluses, and black pants splattered with dog hair and dirt.
Emma suppressed the urge to giggle at his sheepish expression, the clod of mud clinging to his forehead, and the panting dog struggling to jerk free of his hold.
He pinched his lips together as he studied the mess. “I’m so sorry. Let me put Bolt in the house. Then I’ll help clean up.”
“Bolt?” Had he called the dog that earlier? Emma had been too distracted to pay attention. Now she couldn’t hold in her mirth.
Rather than taking offense, the stranger glanced down with a rueful expression, then joined in her laughter. “Jah,” he said between hearty chuckles. “Short for Lightning Bolt. She zigs and zags so fast I can’t catch her sometimes.” He waved a hand toward the disaster in the garden. “Like she did here. And now look at me.”
 Emma did, and her laughter ended in a sharp intake of breath. And then his eyes met hers, and she stopped breathing altogether.
I hope you’ll enjoy reading Buried Secrets as much as I enjoyed writing it!
Rachel

Blog Stops


March 9: autism mom
March 13: Bigreadersite
March 15: Carpe Diem
March 16: Splashes of Joy
March 20: A Greater Yes
March 22: Rhonda’s Doings
March 22: Karen Sue Hadley


To celebrate her tour, Rachel is giving away a full box of Whoopie Pies freshly baked for you from a bakery in Amish country, along with copies of Angels Unaware, the brand new Amish Words and Proverbs Coloring Book and Amish Quilts Coloring Book #1 (Large Print Edition), an autographed copy of Change of Heart, and an Amish cookbook!! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/b160

Saturday, March 11, 2017

Book Review! The Art of Vanishing by Cynthia Kuhn



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The Art of Vanishing
by Cynthia Kuhn

Cynthia didn’t disappoint with this fabulous second book…her books are smooth like a really good cup of tea, not bitter, not sweet, just right.
~Bibliophile Reviews
I was on the edge of my seat in this fast-paced read. The author keeps you captivated until the last page.
~Shelley’s Book Case
The author has a talent for creating a story that is serious yet have an undertone of light and fun to allow the reader to enjoy the story.
~Rainy Day Reviews
The Art of Vanishing (A Lila Maclean Academic Mystery)
Publisher: Henery Press (February 28, 2017)
Paperback: 262 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1635111699
Kindle – ASIN: B01NBHR7Y6

Synopsis

When Professor Lila Maclean is sent to interview celebrated author and notorious cad Damon Von Tussel, he disappears before her very eyes. The English department is thrown into chaos by the news, as Damon is supposed to headline Stonedale University’s upcoming Arts Week.
The chancellor makes it clear that he expects Lila to locate the writer and set events back on track immediately. But someone appears to have a different plan: strange warnings are received, valuable items go missing, and a series of dangerous incidents threaten the lives of Stonedale’s guests. After her beloved mother, who happens to be Damon’s ex, rushes onto campus and into harm’s way, Lila has even more reason to bring the culprit to light before anything—or anyone—else vanishes.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Cynthia Kuhn writes the Lila Maclean academic mystery series. Her work has appeared in McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern, Literary Mama, Copper Nickel, Prick of the Spindle, Mama PhD and other publications. She teaches English at Metropolitan State University of Denver and serves as president of Sisters in Crime-Colorado. Visit her at cynthiakuhn.net or @cynthiakuhn.
Author Links
Twitter: @cynthiakuhn


 Purchase Links
Amazon – B&N  – 
iTunes – Kobo


MY REVIEW:
This was the first book that I had read by this author. It is the second in the series. I was able to fully understand what was going on. The characters are well written. One of the things that I loved was that I had to think about the different clues and how things fit together. I love how books make me think. Lila's character is interesting. There was some small hints of romance - but I liked this book a lot. 
I was provided an advanced copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion. 
4 stars. 


GIVEAWAY


Great Escape Tour Stops

TOUR PARTICIPANTS
March 1 – T’s Stuff – INTERVIEW, SPOTLIGHT
March 1 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW
March 2 – Queen of All She Reads – SPOTLIGHT
March 2 – Sleuth Cafe – SPOTLIGHT
March 3 – Books Direct – INTERVIEW
March 3 – Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers – SPOTLIGHT
March 4 – Mystery Playground – INTERVIEW
March 5 – The Editing Pen – INTERVIEW
March 6 – Maureen’s Musings – REVIEW
March 6 – View from the Birdhouse – SPOTLIGHT
March 7 – My Journey Back – REVIEW, INTERVIEWAdding interview
March 7 – Shelley’s Book Case – REVIEW
March 8 – Pulp and Mystery Shelf – INTERVIEW, SPOTLIGHT
March 9 – Girl with Book Lungs – CHARACTER INTERVIEW, SPOTLIGHT
March 9 – Island Confidential – CHARACTER INTERVIEW, SPOTLIGHT
March 10 – Rainy Day Reviews – REVIEW, INTERVIEW
March 11 – Connie’s History Classroom – REVIEW  
March 11 – Books,Dreams,Life – SPOTLIGHT
March 12 – Varietats – REVIEW
March 12 – Babs Book Bistro – CHARACTER INTERVIEW, SPOTLIGHT
March 13 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
March 14 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW
March 14 – A Blue Million Books – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
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