Monday, August 31, 2015

Must-Have September Releases & Link Up

The Chase

        Only God could have written a love story as beautiful as Kyle and Kelsey Kupecky’s. From their teenage days thousands of miles apart when they separately wrote letters to their future spouses, to a chance meeting backstage at a concert, their story brings inspiration and hope to every girl.
        It’s easy to get impatient for the future to play out, especially when it comes to love. Before long you find yourself chasing the perfect guy and trying to write your own happily ever after. But the truth is, your best future won’t be found chasing boys—it’ll only come by first chasing God.
        In The Chase, Kyle and Kelsey take turns telling their story—with Kelsey sharing secrets to a Godly relationship and Kyle revealing the truth about what guys really think. Together they’ll show you how to put God first, protect your heart, deal with the loneliness and peer pressure that come along with purity, and see yourself as God does.
        Are you ready to trust God with your very own happily ever after? Let the chase begin!



        I have been looking to this book for a very, very long time, and I’m so excited that it will finally be releasing tomorrow! I already have my copy and have finished a good bit of it at this point, and am super excited to share with you my thoughts about it in the next couple of days. I know this book is going to touch so many young women’s lives, so I really commend Kyle and Kelsey for writing it. Don’t forget, I am doing a giveaway of this book on September 7th. Keep an eye out for your chance to win!


The Lopsided Christmas Cake

        Twin sisters Elma and Thelma Hochstetler have done everything together for their thirty-two years of life—including remaining unmarried. They inherited their grandparents’ house and general store, which will support them well. Now they will take on baking a cake for a Shipshewana charity event together.
        They are decent cooks, but they didn’t anticipate having to demonstrate the baking process on stage before their cake will be auctioned off. They panic, and Elma struggles to keep order while Thelma bumbles through the process with a smile. The pair end up being so entertaining that bachelor friends in attendance, Joseph Beechy and Delbert Gingerich, think it was all planned. Joseph, a shy harness maker, would like to meet Thelma and asks Delbert to bid on the sister’s cake.
        Could a lopsided Christmas cake be the key to opening the door to romance for one or more of the Hochstetler twins?



        I have long enjoyed Wanda. E Brunstetter’s Amish novels, so I am always on the lookout for something new from her. The Lopsided Christmas Cake sounds like a funny tale about two sisters known to get into a few scrapes, which I am sure will make for many laughs throughout the book. With such a cute plot, this one is sure to be a hit.

You can preorder a copy here.

Falling Like Snowflakes

Eden Martelli is too busy fleeing the clutches of danger to realize she’s running straight into the arms of new love.
        Speeding north through rural Maine, Eden Martelli wonders how it ever came to this—on the run, with her mute five-year-old son dozing fitfully in the passenger seat. But when a breakdown leaves them stranded in Summer Harbor, Eden has no choice but to stay put through Christmas…even though they have no place to lay their heads.
        Beau Callahan is a habitual problem-solver—for other people anyway. He left the sheriff’s department to take over the family Christmas tree farm, but he’s still haunted by the loss of his parents and struggling to handle his first Christmas season alone.
        When Eden shows up looking for work just as Beau’s feisty aunt gets out of the hospital, Beau thinks he’s finally caught a break. Eden is competent and dedicated—if a little guarded—and a knockout to boot. But, as he soon finds out, she also comes with a boatload of secrets.
        Eden’s been through too much to trust her heart to another man, but Beau is impossible to resist, and the feeling seems to be mutual. As Christmas Eve approaches, Eden’s past catches up to her.
        Beau will go to the ends of the earth to keep her safe. But who’s going to protect his heart from a woman who can’t seem to trust again?



        I have been a huge Denise Hunter fan ever since I first read her Chapel Springs series, so when I found out she would be doing a series about some of the people we met in her final Chapel Springs novel, when Ryan and Abby were in Summer Harbor, I was ecstatic. Especially as I read the descriptions for both Falling Like Snowflakes and the second novel—The Goodbye Bride—which releases next March. Both sound like they will live up to my already high expectations—Denise has yet to truly disappoint me—although I must confess I am looking forward to The Goodbye Bride just a tiny bit more. Either way, I am sure I will enjoy Falling Like Snowflakes very, very much, and I cannot wait to read it. Keep your eyes peeled for my review, because I’ve already preordered this gem and will be diving into it very soon!

You can preorder it—or The Goodbye Bride--for yourself here!

The Lost Heiress

        Brook Eden has never known where she truly belongs. When her friend Justin uncovers the fact that she is possibly the missing heiress from Yorkshire, Brook leaves the sun of the Mediterranean to travel to the moors of the North Sea to the estate of her supposed family.
        The mystery of her mother’s death haunts her, and although her father is quick to accept her, the rest of the family and the servants of Whitby Park are not only when Brook’s life is threated do they draw close—but will their loyalty come too late to save Brook from the same threat that led to tragedy for her mother?
        As heir to a dukedom, Justin is no stranger to balancing responsibilities. When the matters of his estate force him far from Brook, the distance between them reveals that their friendship has grown into something much more. But how can their very different loyalties and responsibilities ever come together?
        And then for a second time, the heiress of Whitby Park is stolen away because of the very rare treasure in her possession—and those who can save her still aren’t sure who to trust.



        I absolutely love Roseanna M. White. She is one of my all-time favorite authors, and for good reason, since her historicals are absolutely wonderful. Whispers from the Shadows—the second book in her Culper Ring series—is one of my all-time favorite novels. Like, top five favorite books, not just that list that has about a hundred. When I first read about this new series I got super excited—like jump up and down excited—and immediately put The Lost Heiress on my ‘books-to-preorder’ list (yes I have one of those). The Lost Heiress sounds full of mystery, secrets, intrigue, and love, which makes for the perfect combination. I am eagerly anticipating reading this book, so look out for my review of this one as well!

You can preorder a copy for yourself here!

The Mistress of Tall Acre

        The American Revolution is finally over and Sophie Menzies is starved for good news. When her closest neighbor, General Seamus Ogilvy finally comes home to Tall Acre, she hopes it is a sign of better days to come. But the general is now a widower with a small daughter in desperate need of a mother. Nearly destitute, Sophie agrees to marry Seamus and become the mistress of Tall Acre in what seems a safe and sensible arrangement. But when a woman from the general’s past returns without warning, the ties that bind this fledgling family together will be strained to the point of breaking. When all is said and done, who will be the rightful mistress of Tall Acre?



        Don’t you just love the cover for this novel? And the description; it makes The Mistress of Tall Acre sound like a book that is right up my alley, and sure to keep me engrossed from page one. I have only read one other novel by Laura Frantz—The Colonel’s Lady—but I absolutely loved it, and how perfect her military and 18th century facts were. The story swept me away, and her impeccable facts and storyline made the book even better. Since I am sure The Mistress of Tall Acre will be just as well written, I cannot help but have it on my must-have list.

You can preorder a copy here!

A Noble Masquerade

        Lady Miranda Hawthorne acts every inch the lady, but inside she longs to be bold and carefree. Approaching spinsterhood in the eyes of society, she pours her innermost feelings out not in a diary but in letters to her brother’s old school friend, the Duke of Marshington. Since she’s never actually met the man she has no intention of ever sending the letters and is mortified when her brother’s mysterious new valet, Marlow, mistakenly mails one of the letters to the unsuspecting duke.
        Shockingly, this breach of etiquette results in a reply from the duke that soon leads to a lively correspondence. Insecurity about her previous lack of suitors soon becomes confusion as Miranda finds herself equally intrigued by Marlow, a man she has come to depend upon but whose behavior grows more suspicious by the day. As the secret goings-on at her family’s estate come to light, one thing is certain: Miranda’s heart is far from all that’s at risk for the Hawthornes and those they love.



        A Noble Masquerade, the first book in Kristi Ann Hunter’s Hawthorne House series, is Kristi Ann’s first full length novel, and I am absolutely dying to read it. Just a couple of months ago, she released the e-novella prequel to the series—A Lady of High Esteem—which got me started on her writing. A Lady of Esteem was absolutely wonderful, e-short or not, and I was delighted to find myself already totally and completely in love with the Hawthornes by the end of it. I cannot wait to learn more of them and their exploits, so be sure I will be reading A Noble Masquerade as soon as possible.

You can preorder a copy of A Noble Masquerade or pick up A Lady of Esteem here.

The Photograph

He studied the picture more closely, finding it curious that the young woman looked so boldly into the camera while wearing a white prayer Kapp shaped like a heart—the characteristic head covering for the Lancaster County Old Order Amish.
Why would a devout girl have her picture taken?
        When her sister Lily disappears only months after their widowed mother’s passing, Eva Esch fears she has been wooed away from the people. Yet Lily’s disappearance isn’t Eva’s only concern: she and her sisters must relocate once their older brother takes over the family farmhouse. Then Jed Stutzman, an Amish buggy maker from Ohio, shows up in Eden Valley with a photo of a Plain young woman. Eva feels powerfully drawn to the charming stranger—but the woman in the forbidden photograph is no stranger at all.



        I absolutely LOVE the description to this novel! It sounds utterly fascinating! And, since I have read all but a small handful of Beverly Lewis’s books, I know what I am getting into by putting The Photograph on my to-read list. Beverly’s Amish dramas never fail to disappoint, but rather tend to be so wonderful and intriguing many of them make it onto my all-time-favorites list. I am sure The Photograph will be no exception.

You can preorder a copy of it here!

A Reluctant Bride

She never wanted to marry. He hopes to make amends for past wrongs. Can love find a way to mend both of their hearts?
        Sadie Schrock swore she would never marry. All of her other Amish friends could court and marry—she was content to manage the family business and eventually take it over when her parents are ready to retire. But all of that changes when a reckless driver kills both of her parents and seriously injures her younger sister. With mounting hospital bills adding to the pile of debt her parents left behind, Sadie is left with no choice: she must marry. And not just any man—the man who saw her at her weakest and walked away.
        Aden knows what his brother did to Sadie years ago was inexcusable. And every day since that incident, Aden has lived with the guilt for not intervening sooner. When he is faced with the chance to protect Sadie once again, he can’t let her down—even if it means living with the scorn of the woman he loves for the rest of his life.
        Working alongside Aden at the store, Sadie realizes he isn’t the same boy who once betrayed her. Just when Sadie starts to let her guard down and perhaps develop feelings for her new husband, several dangerous secrets are revealed. Now everything Sadie has worked so hard to protect is threatened, and she must find a way to save her family—and herself.



        I love reading Amish-themed novels. Can you tell? And A Reluctant Bride sounds utterly fascinating, doesn’t it? Kathleen Fuller always does a wonderful job of weaving secrets into her stories in a way that makes it absolutely impossible for you to put down her books until you find out their resolution, and I am sure that A Reluctant Bride will be the same way. Besides, it just sounds like something I wouldn’t be able to keep from reading.

You can preorder a copy of it here!

The Sea Keeper’s Daughters

        Restaurant owner Whitney Monroe is desperate to save her business from a hostile takeover. The inheritance of a decaying Guilded Age hotel on North Carolina’s Outer Banks may provide just the ray of hope she needs. But things at the Excelsior are more complicated than they seem. Whitney’s estranged stepfather is entrenched on the third floor, and the downstairs tenants are determined to save the historic building. Searching through years of stored family heirlooms may be Whitney’s only hope of quick cash, but will the discovery of an old necklace and a Depression-era love story change everything?



        The Sea Keeper’s Daughters is the third book in Lisa Wingate’s Carolina Heirlooms series. Let me just say, I absolutely love Lisa’s writing. Although I have only read one of her books so far (I was trying to read both of the previous novels in this series but with my move it just didn’t quite happen), I have completely fallen in love with the way she weaves her stories together. Her writing appears effortless, and she does an amazing job of coming up with captivating storylines. I look forward to reading more of her writing in the future, starting with the rest of this series!

You can purchase any of the novels in this series here!

Last Chance Hero

What happens when your heart is intercepted before you even know it’s in play?
        The folks in Last Chance, New Mexico, could not be more pleased. Dr. Jessica MacLeod has opened an office right on Main Street and Andy Ryan, the best athlete the town ever produced, has come home from the NFL to coach the high school football team. Unfortunately, Dr. Jess immediately gets off on the wrong foot with this football-obsessed town when she admits that she’s never seen a football game, isn’t really interested in doing so, and in fact doesn’t know a first down from a goalpost.
        Despite having little in common, Jess and Andy find themselves drawn to each other. But when a disagreement over the future of an injured player puts them both on the defensive, it begins to look like this game is over…



        Last Chance Hero is the fourth book in Cathleen Armstrong’s A Place to Call Home series. Although I have not finished any of her novels yet, I have started the first book in this series—Welcome to Last Chance—and I have loved every bit of it so far. Cathleen does a great job of writing characters with hidden pasts and stories to tell that makes you fall in love with them and devour their story so you can find out everything about them and their future. I cannot wait to finish this series, so I know I will be picking up this novel very soon.

You can purchase all of the novels in this series here!

A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn

        Emma Keim was heartbroken when her husband, Sanford, passed away, leaving her to raise three young daughters alone. Though several years have passed, her relatives have made it no secret that they expect Emma to remain a widow, mourning Sanford indefinitely. But when she meets Jay Hilty—a handsome widower with three young sons of his own—Emma is delighted to have a new friend who understands her struggles. Still, she is dismayed that her family is so opposed to their friendship—and the idea of it ever become anything more. She honors her husband’s memory every day, but is she destined to be alone forever?
        Emma’s gentleness with Jay’s boys stirs something in his heart that’s been quiet for far too long. But when his oldest son becomes engaged to a local woman, suddenly Jay, Emma, and their children are swept up in wedding preparations. Witnessing his son’s joy, Jay wonders if it’s time for him to move forward, too, and find happiness again.
        Once again, love has come to Pinecraft. But can these two parties of four become a happy, healthy family of eight?



        A Wedding at the Orange Blossom in is the third book in Shelley Shepard Gray’s Amish Brides of Pinecraft series, and is another book I have been anticipating for a little while now. I recently read the first two books—The Promise of Palm Grove and The Proposal at Siesta Key—and I really enjoyed both of them. Shelley does an amazing job of writing cute Amish stories that captivate you and touch your heart. I cannot wait to read this next installment in this series!

You can purchase any of the novels in this series here!

When Love Returns

Riddled with doubt and lingering regrets, will Suzanne and Paul find strength in God to explore a second chance at love?
        It wasn’t easy to move back to the Old Order Mennonite community from which quiet, responsible Suzanne Zimmerman was shamefully sent away as a pregnant teen. Returning twenty years later to take care of her mother, Suzanne and Alexa—the daughter she raised as her own—have spent months rebuilding relationships with her family.
        Now, with the upcoming wedding of their biological daughter, Suzanne and Paul find themselves drawn to one another once again—but with new challenges to face. They have been single parents with painful pasts. Can Paul and Suzanne find the strength to rebuild the loving relationship that was torn apart by their teen pregnancy so long ago?
        Suzanne must also let go of Alexa as she heads back to Indianapolis to visit friends—and as her chance to find her birth parents. Leaving the bed-and-breakfast in Suzanne’s apprehensive hands, Alexa embarks on a journey that will certainly changer her life completely. Can mother and daughter trust God to restore all things in His timing?



        When Love Returns is the final book in Kim Vogel Sawyer’s Zimmerman Restoration Trilogy, coming after When Mercy Rains and When Grace Sings. I absolutely loved the first two novels in the series—I read both of them in just a couple of days—so I have been longing to read When Love Returns ever since I finished them. I cannot wait to get to the dramatic conclusion of the Zimmerman family’s story, so that I can finally know what happens to them all. I will be reviewing this one soon as well, just so long as I can get my hands on it before my calendar fills up!


You can preorder a copy here!

        So, those are the books I'm most looking forward to that release next month! I hope you'll link-up here with me! There's only one rule, please follow me on at least one platform, whether directly on the blog or on my social media! After that, just link-up a post about whatever it is you happen to be posting about at the moment. Although my post has to do with must-haves for the next month, and I would love to hear about your must-haves, I would love to read any of your posts, no matter what they are about. So, have at it! Link-up your post for the day, your last couple of posts or, if you're feeling adventurous, join me in posting about your must-haves. I'd love to read anything you'd like to share!
        Happy reading!


Linking up at Let it Shine, Bloggers Who Have Inspired Me, and Totally Terrific Tuesdays.



All credit for the italicized synopses goes to the authors and their publishers.

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