Book Blast: Winter's End by Rebekah Lyn - Enter to Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

Title: Winter's End (Seasons of Faith) By Rebekah Lyn Book Two of the Seasons of Faith Series Musician Michelle Burton just had the best night of her life. Her band Tangled Web opened for Wonderland in downtown Orlando and the crowd loved them. Too excited to sleep she makes a fateful decision to go to work early. The best night of her life turns into the worst day of her life.

Nearby, at boutique Hotel Lago, Stephen Longbottom, acting concierge manager, is anxiously awaiting the arrival of the board of directors for Silken Pleasures, a multimillion dollar company based in New York and specializing in high end cosmetics, fragrances and lingerie. Their incessant demands before they even arrive are driving him to distraction. Meanwhile Lizzie Reynolds, his boss is on a romantic ski trip in Vermont leaving him to manage his first solo event.

Hope, forgiveness and love are an integral message throughout the book and like a fine tapestry the threads of God’s master plan for the character’s lives are woven into a fabric of great storytelling, conflict and humor.

Readers who came to know and love the characters of Summer Storms will enjoy catching up with Lizzie, Stephen, Michelle, Jeffrey and Ian.
Kindle | Paperback
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 and Winter's End, books one and two in The Seasons of Faith series, and Julianne the first book in The Coastal Chronicle series. She is currently working on the, as yet untitled, second book in the Coastal Chronicles set in coastal Florida during the early years of the space program. Rebekah currently resides in Florida along with her "attack" cat, Mia. They would enjoy meeting with you on her Facebook page.

Follow Rebekah Lyn Website | Facebook | Twitter

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The Tutor's Daughter by Julie Klassen (Review & Giveaway)

Emma Smallwood, determined to help her widowed father regain his spirits when his academy fails, agrees to travel with him to the distant Cornwall coast, to the cliff-top manor of a baronet and his four sons. But after they arrive and begin teaching the younger boys, mysterious things begin to happen and danger mounts. Who does Emma hear playing the pianoforte, only to find the music room empty? Who sneaks into her room at night? Who rips a page from her journal, only to return it with a chilling illustration?

The baronet's older sons, Phillip and Henry, wrestle with problems--and secrets--of their own. They both remember Emma Smallwood from their days at her father's academy. She had been an awkward, studious girl. But now one of them finds himself unexpectedly drawn to her.

When the suspicious acts escalate, can the clever tutor's daughter figure out which brother to blame... and which brother to trust with her heart?

I GIVE THIS BOOK:

MY THOUGHTS:

Julie Klassen has created a masterpiece! I have read all of her books and while I have loved everyone of them this one is by far my favorite. For a book that is over 400 pages long it sure didn't seem like it - the pages just flew by!

I am a person who can be very picky about covers and there is one small thing that bothered me about this one. In the book it clearly says that Emma always wears a hat and gloves when she goes outdoors, yet on the cover she's wearing a hat, but no gloves. I thought "Well, maybe there will be a scene wear she forgot her gloves or something." and there was...but the problem is she wasn't wearing her hat either. Just a little something that bugged me, but not something that affects the story at all or my rating of the book.

Okay back to the story. While reading, I would have moments where this book very much reminded me of Jane Eyre and, overall, a little like Jane Austen's work. There are a lot of secrets in this story. A few that I figure out well in advance, but other that I never saw coming.

Emma was a very likeable and relatable character. The Weston brother were all so different from one another. When I started the book I had a certain opinion of each one of them, but before long I came to question my conclusions and by the end of the book my opinions were so different it was surprising.

The ending was absolutely perfect in my opinion, so sweet in an unexpected way. It wrapped everything up and then some.

The Tutor's Daughter is a must read for any fan of historical fiction and one that I highly recommend! I absolutely loved this book!

 ***I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.***

If you found this review helpful, will you please click yes HERE. Thanks! 

BOOK DETAILS:

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (January 1, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764210696
• ISBN-13: 978-0764210693
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1.3 x 8.5 inches
• Available to purchase at: Amazon | CBD | B & N

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. She has been an advertising manager, fiction editor, and now works as a full-time novelist. Her 3rd book, The Silent Governess, won the Christy Award for Historical Romance, and was also a finalist in the Minnesota Book Awards, ForeWord ReviewsBook of the Year Awards, and the RITA Awards. Her latest books, The Maid of Fairbourne Hall and The Girl in the Gatehouse, have also won Christy Awards. Julie is a graduate of the University of Illinois. She and her husband have two sons and live near St. Paul, Minnesota.


Julie is celebrating by giving away one of the new Paperwhite Kindles, Downton Abbey (season 3) and hosting a fun Author Chat Party on Facebook. (January 31st)

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A Kindle Paperwhite
• Downton Abbey, Season 3
• A Julie Klassen library (The Tutor’s Daughter, The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, The Girl in the Gatehouse, and The Silent Governess)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on January 30th. Winner will be announced at "The Tutor's Daughter Author Chat Party on January 31st. Connect with Julie, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at the trivia contest, and chat with readers just like you. There will also be great giveaways - gift certificates, books and season 3 of Downton Abbey!

So grab your copy of The Tutor's Daughter and join Julie on the evening of the January 31st for a chance to connect with Julie and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 31st!

Sunrise on the Battery by Beth Webb Hart (Review)

She wanted her husband to attend the town's society-driven church. God answered her prayer in a radical way.

An emptiness dogs Mary Lynn Scoville. But it shouldn't.

After all, she's achieved what few believed possible. Born in the rural south, she has reached the pinnacle of worldly success in Charleston, South Carolina. Married to a handsome real estate developer and mother to three accomplished daughters, Mary Lynn is one Debutante Society invitation away from truly having it all.

And yet, it remains--an emptiness that no shopping trip, European vacation, or social calendar can fill.

When a surprise encounter leads her to newfound faith, Mary Lynn longs to share it with her husband. But Jackson wrote God off long ago.

Mary Lynn prays for him on Christmas Eve . . . and her husband undergoes a life-altering Damascus Road experience. As Jackson begins to take the implications of the Gospel literally, Mary Lynn feels increasingly isolated from her husband . . . and betrayed by God. She only wanted Jackson beside her at church on Sunday mornings, not some Jesus freak who evangelizes prostitutes and invites the homeless to tea.

While her husband commits social suicide and the life they worked so hard for crumbles around them, Mary Lynn wonders if their marriage can survive. Or if perhaps there really is a more abundant life that Jackson has discovered, richer than any she's ever dreamed of.

I GIVE THIS BOOK:

MY THOUGHTS:

Mary Lynn prays for her husband to believe, but when he does and starts to implement changes in their lives she wished she never had prayed for it.

Jackson, Mary Lynn's husband, at first rules the family with a firm hand with no give. He very much cares what everyone thinks about the family and tries to keep up with the Joneses. However, when he starts to believe he goes to the other extreme of not caring and being too lenient with his children. There didn't seem to be any balance.

Catherine is their teenage daughter. She's so stressed by her dad's pushing her to excel in school that she has started to abuse over-the-counter medicine. When Jackson is convicted he is radically different. Now instead of pushing his children with their work he only wants them to be happy. I personally didn't find it believable how he went from caring so much about their education, to not caring at all.

I like when a book is able to draw me in and I am completely engrossed in the story. However, that did not happen with this book. In fact, at times the story was downright dull and at those times it was a struggle to continue reading it.

I didn't connect with any of the characters and found a lot of them to be annoying, but I think Mary Lynn was the worst of the bunch. With most books my complaint seems to be that the story ended too soon, but with this one I felt as though I was reading forever - it just went on and on. I was very glad when I reached the end. I personally would not recommend this book.

 ***I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.***

If you found this review helpful, will you please click yes HERE. Thanks!

BOOK DETAILS:

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (October 11, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1595542000
• ISBN-13: 978-1595542007
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.9 x 8.1 inches
• Available to purchase at Amazon | B&N | CBD

CFBA Tour: Ashton Park by Murray Pura

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingAshton ParkHarvest House Publishers (January 1, 2013)byMurray Pura

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Murray Pura was born and raised in Manitoba, just north of Minnesota and the Dakotas. He has published several novels and short story collections in Canada, and has been short-listed for a number of awards. His first books to be published in the United States are the inspirational works Rooted and Streams (both by Zondervan in 2010). His first novel to debut in the USA is A Bride’s Flight from Virginia City, Montana (Barbour), which was released January 2012. The second, The Wings of Morning, will be published by Harvest House on February 1. Both of these novels center around the Amish of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.



ABOUT THE BOOK:

For fans of the hugely popular Downton Abbey series, comes this equally enthralling story of the Danforth family of Ashton Park. Among the green hills and trees of Lancashire, only a few miles from the sea, lies the beautiful and ancient estate of Ashton Park. The year is 1916.  The First World War has engulfed Europe and Sir William's and Lady Elizabeth's three sons are all in uniform--and their four daughters are involved in various pursuits of the heart and soul.

As the head of a strong Church of England family for generations, Sir William insists the Danforth estate hold morning devotions that include both family and staff. However, he is also an MP and away at Westminster in London whenever Parliament is sitting. During his long absences, Lady Elizabeth discreetly spends time in the company of the head cook of the manor, Mrs. Longstaff, who is her best friend and confidante. This friendship includes visits to a small Baptist church in Liverpool that exposes Lady Elizabeth to a less formal approach to Christian worship and preaching than she is used to and which she comes to enjoy.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Ashton Park, go HERE.

CFBA Tour: Grace Given by Beth Shriver

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingGrace GivenRealms (January 8, 2013)byBeth Shriver

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Childhood memories of her grandfather's ranch came alive as Beth wrote her first Amish story. Her parents grew up in the country, so she appreciates pastoral life and respects those who make a living off the land. She visits a nearby Amish community just south of Fort-Worth for an occasional church service or brunch with the bishop and his wife. And on the way home she stops at the community store to get some plum jam!

Beth received a degree in social work and psychology from the University of Nebraska. She worked as a caseworker for Boulder County Department of Social Services before starting a family. Beth and her husband, two children, along with two cats and a beagle live in Texas after moving from their first home in Colorado. She freelances for the local papers in her area and writes columns, devotionals for magazines, and novels in a variety of genres in both fiction and nonfiction. Beth is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Literary Agency.



ABOUT THE BOOK

“Never doubt in the darkness what God has shown you in the light.” —Amish Proverb

Elsie Kline can’t forgive her sister for leaving the community. Gideon Lapp helps Elsie through her bitterness by studying the Martyr’s Mirror book that is centuries old, describing their ancestors’ sacrifice for their faith. But he feels there is something more. When the community moved to Texas, they were not welcomed by some of the locals. They have told Katie and Elsie that harm will come to their community if don’t go back up north where they came from. Gideon stays by Elsie’s side as she learns to give grace and to humble herself to accept grace as well. “Beth has a heart for helping others, whether through her nonfiction and fiction writing or in other capacities. It has been my pleasure to read and respond to her work during the past few years of knowing her.” —Leanna Ellis, Author of Facelift and Forsaken and winner of the National Readers Choice Award.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Grace Given, go HERE.

CFBA Tour: Mystery of the Heart by Jillian Kent

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingMystery of the HeartRealms (January 8, 2013)byJillian Kent

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jillian Kent is a busy writer and the alter ego of Jill Nutter, a full-time counselor.

Jill spent the first semester of her senior year of college at Oxford studying British Literature, where she fell in love with England. During this season, she came to appreciate the written word, the rich imagery of romantic poetry like The Highwayman, and historical novels of many types, including Jane Austen and all things Regency.

Jill received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Bethany College in West Virginia, and her Masters Degree in Social Work from WVU, and she brings her fascination with different cultures and societies into her writing.

Jill has always been a romantic at heart, so readers will find a good dose of romance woven through each of her novels. Jill, her husband Randy, and children Katie and Meghan are animal lovers. They currently own two dogs, Boo-Boo and Bandit and a menagerie of cats, Lucky, Yuma, Snow, and Holden. Critters of all assortments make their appearance in her stories.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Lord Eden is intrigued when he discovers Lady Mercy Grayson’s secret, but how can he hope to gain her heart when he is forced to betray her?

Lady Mercy Grayson longs be a physician like her big brother, Devlin, Lord Ravensmoore. However, society would never tolerate a female physician, let alone one who is a noblewoman. So Mercy takes matters into her own hands, disguising herself as a man to get through medical school. But then a male colleague discovers her secret, which is only the beginning of Mercy’s problems that could destroy her dreams forever.

The Prince Regent is awaiting the return of Vincent St. Lyons, Lord Eden, whom he sent on a secret voyage to locate and bring back a relic that some believe possesses the power to heal. St. Lyons discovers Mercy washed up on England’s shore upon his return and agrees to give her safe passage to London aboard a ship of men practicing African Vodun. Both must face treacherous circumstances, difficult decisions, and a growing attraction to one another that could forever change the course of their lives.

As the final installment in the series, the theme of this book is God’s plans for our lives. “Whatever the hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might” (Eccles. 9:10).

If you would like to read the first chapter of Mystery of the Heart, go HERE.

Interview with Megan Thomason, Author of daynight

Megan, welcome to Hardcover Feedback!

Thanks for hosting daynight!

Would you tell us a little about yourself?
I’m a happily married mother of five. Our family moved to San Diego from the Seattle area a few years back to escape the less desirable weather there :). I had a successful stint in the software industry, which I left after becoming pregnant with child #4. I thrive on hard work, drive too fast, eat too much sugar, and have a severe allergy to housework and paperwork (a non issue, due to my excellent prioritization skills that moves those things to the bottom of the list).

What is a typical day like for you?
Get my kids ready for and then take them to school (the state of California eliminated school buses from their bloated budget ages ago… so much better to have every parent driving their kids I guess?). Write, promote, or work on another project until it is time to pick them up. Occasionally, by necessity, I have appointments or errands to run. Take kids to and from activities (sports, theatre, etc.). Read on my phone while doing any sort of waiting. Hopefully, make a homemade meal and spend some time with husband and kids after, interspersed with more writing and/or reading.

When did you begin writing Daynight?  What inspired this book and how much research was involved in writing it?
I started in 2008 and drafts done in early 2009. The inspiration for the book came as I hiked the canyons of San Diego on a particularly hot day. I pondered what would happen if temperatures were so extreme that days and nights had to be switched. This became the impetus for Thera, the main setting for daynight. I researched the extreme temperatures would have on the environment and what a society would have to do to adapt to it. Even the lingo was affected… Monnight, Tuesnight, etc.; daygowns instead of nightgowns; daymares and more… I had a lot of fun with it. daynight's story is complex, so I plotted the whole thing out and then adjusted continually as I went along and had better ideas.

What or who made the biggest influence on you wanting to become a writer?
My husband, actually. I’ve always loved to write (even enjoyed writing essays in college), but it wasn’t until my husband decided to write a middle grade novel and I helped with plotting and editing that I got interesting in writing my own. 

What was the first book you ever wrote about and was it ever published?
I wrote my first book, a teen romantic comedy called the thin veil for my daughters and their friends. They loved the book, so upon their request I wrote two sequels, the thin line and thin skin. Immediately thereafter I came up with the much more ambitious project of daynight. Since being absorbed in the world of Thera and characters of daynight, I haven’t been able to switch gears to go back and get that original trilogy ready to publish. I love the characters and stories, but the writing isn’t up to my current standard.

Do you have any writing habits that people might find unusual?
I write everything on my 11” MacBook Air and will literally write anywhere. Son’s basketball game. In the car while in line to pick up my kids from school. Chiropractor office. Sometimes, I feel an intense need to chew while thinking and so I have a serious love/hate relationship with Hot Tamales. We will break up for up to two years at a time, but always find our way back to each other.

Do you have a favorite character or one that is especially close to your heart?
I like comedic, sarcastic characters, so I’m going to say Jax. He’s a minor character, but is charming, has a unique brand of double speak, is great eye candy, and much more important to the overall story of daynight than people may realize (though it shall become apparent in book 2, arbitrate ;)). I’m naturally sarcastic and had to really hold back on daynight’s main female character, Kira. If I’d made her like me The Second Chance Institute (totalitarian leader of Thera) would have killed her off within a day :).

Do you have a favorite quote? If so, what is it and why is it your favorite?
I’m not really a quote person (my mother’s continually recitation of Murphy’s Law ruined me). But I love this quote from Brave New World… "Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the overcompensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand." —Aldous Huxley 

I can’t say I agree that happiness isn’t grand, but the alternative does make for compelling reading and writing!

What is the best gift you have ever received, do you still have it and who gave it to you?
My wedding ring… my husband. 

What is something that you have always wanted to do, but just haven't gotten around to it yet?
African safari. 

If you were stranded on a deserted island, other than basic necessities, what three items would you hope to find in your suitcase to help make your time there more bearable?
Solar powered generator to power my laptop and iPhone. If I’m stranded, I could get an awful lot of writing done. And I have thousands of books on my iPhone and could use it to keep in touch (I have to assume that one of the basic necessities is internet access ;)). 

What is your all-time favorite book?
I have read thousands of books, so very difficult to pick one (The Hobbit, From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, The Phantom Tollbooth, Pride and Prejudice, Hunger Games, Crime and Punishment, 1984 each were at various points in time). But, the book I’m probably re-read the most is my scriptures and I learn something new every time I read them so, I’ll go with that.  

Other than yourself, who is your favorite author?
Another tough one to narrow down. I’ll go with J.R.R. Tolkien for being able to come up with such a completely immersive world. 

If a TV show was based on your life, what type of TV show would it be (i.e., comedy, drama, suspense, etc.) who would you choose to play the leading character (you), and what would the theme song be? Why?
My life could be spun as a dark comedy, comedy, or drama. Elizabeth Banks or Tina Fey. Radioactive by Imagine Dragons. In our family there’s always drama (sometimes dark), but we spend a lot of time laughing about it. Our dinners in particular are right out of a comedy show.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
Besides writing… Spend time with my husband and kids. Date night with my husband (every week religiously). Read. Projects; always have one (from bizarre: world class weapons collection to useful: organize Gala fundraiser for daughters’ theatre group). Community service.

Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Night owl. 

What is your favorite TV show and/or movie?
TV: Vampire Diaries (though Revenge, Nashville & The Good Wife are right up there). I don’t have much time to watch… am way behind this season. Movie: Schindler’s List

If you could spend the day with anyone (living or dead, real or fictional - excluding Jesus, family, and friends), who would you choose and how would you spend the day?
I’m not a huge Harry Potter fanatic, but it would be cool to spend the day with Harry and Dumbledore touring Hogwarts and Diagon Alley, learning some magic, and seeing some magical creatures (it would be a packed day). 

If you had the opportunity to go anywhere you wanted, at anytime in history, where would you go and why?
Ancient Egypt. I was obsessed with the ancient Egyptian civilization when I was a kid. I’d love to see the pyramids and Luxor in their original splendor, as well as the Pharos, giant lighthouse and one of the original seven wonders of the world.

What are you currently working on?
I’m simultaneously promoting daynight and writing the sequel, arbitrate, targeted for a summer 2013 release. In addition, I’m writingB*Lies, the story of a girl who makes the decision to run from her abusive father. If I ever get any spare time I will do a re-write on my original trilogy, the thin veil, the thin line, and thin skin. 

Where can people connect with you online?
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6578897.Megan_Thomason
Twitter: https://twitter.com/megan_thomason
Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/daynight.series 

Thank you so much Megan for being on Hardcover Feedback!
Thank you for having me!

Tour Schedule

To find out more about Daynight and to enter a giveaway for a copy of it, Insurgent by Veronica Roth & a $50 Amazon gift card go HERE.