Love Inspired Book Tour

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received these books for free from the publisher through a book blogger campaign. 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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

What exactly is Love Inspired?  Here's the word directly from the publisher:

Feel comforted and at peace when you read these uplifting romances of faith, forgiveness and hope from Love Inspired. There are 12 new books each month! 6 from Love Inspired for those who love contemporary romance and 6 from Love Inspired Suspense who like some danger with their romance stories.


Dynamic Uno here:  While very saddened to hear that the LitFUSE Publicity Group is no longer in business, I was happy to hear that the publisher, Harlequin, decided to continue with their Love Inspired book tour.

Yes, Harlequin publishes books with a Christian slant.  The tag line is "Heartwarming Inspirational Romance" and they do not contain all of the other "stuff" that the Harlequin name is know for in their books.  I've spoken with several people this past month who were surprised to see me reading a Harlequin romance and when I started telling them about the books, they were immediately impressed. (Yay!!)

Enough about me though-you're here to hear about the books!  I was hoping to have read all of them before the tour, but alas time was not on my side.  I was able to read two of them, even though I only had to read one.  Hopefully I'll be able to read the others within the next few weeks.

Primary Suspect 

by Laura Scott

Framed for the murder of his ex-girlfriend---and then attacked at the crime scene---fire investigator Mitch Callahan turns to ER nurse Dana Petrie for help. As they fight for their lives, can she be convinced of his innocence---and in his promise of love?

Primary Suspect by Laura Scott (Love Inspired Suspense)
I have to admit that I hate finding out that the book I'm getting ready to read is part of series that I haven't read yet.  However, that was not a problem with this story.  The action started on page one with a murder scene being discovered with several murder attempts made and a couple on the run.  The action continued throughout the story and the whole time I kept questioning why all of this was happening to the characters, just like they were.  I enjoyed reading this fast-paced thriller and now want to read the other books in the series while waiting for the next one.

Bound by Duty 

by Valerie Hansen

When Sgt. Linc Colson is assigned to monitor Zoe Sullivan and determine if she's secretly aiding her fugitive serial killer brother, his instincts tell him she's not in league with the criminal---she's in danger. It's up to him and his K-9 partner, Star, to keep the pretty single mom alive.

Bound by Duty by Valerie Hansen (Love Inspired Suspense)
I was immediately drawn in to this story since the main character was being followed by Military Police surveillance because of the murders her brother committed.  Talk about drama from the first page!  This story kept me guessing throughout because the events kept getting crazier and crazier--I can only imagine how helpless the characters felt.  I  also enjoyed reading as the sparks started flying (in a good way) between Linc and Zoe.  Happy endings are my favorite!  If the other books in the series are as good as this one, then I'll definitely keep reading them!

The Wedding Quilt Bride 

by Marta Perry

Widowed single mom Rebecca Mast returns to her Amish community hoping to open a quilt shop. She accepts carpenter Daniel King's offer of assistance---but she isn't prepared for the bond he forms with her son. Will getting closer expose her secret---or reveal the love she has in her heart for her long-ago friend?

The Wedding Quilt Bride by Marta Perry (Love Inspired)
Yes, I know...another book about the Amish.  I'm hoping to get to this one in the next few weeks because it looks really good.  If you've read it, let me know what you thought!

The Rancher's Secret Child 

by Brenda Minton

Marcus Palermo's simple life gets complicated when he meets the son he never knew he had---and his beautiful guardian. Lissa Hart thought she'd only stick around long enough to aid Marcus in becoming a dad---but could her happily-ever-after lie with the little boy and the rugged rancher?

The Rancher's Secret Child by Brenda Minton (Love Inspired)
If you've been with me for any length of time, you know that I love me some cowboys--whether fictional or real. This one is another one I'm hoping to get to within the next few weeks.  I can't wait to read about what happens with Marcus and his son.


Since you've stuck with me for this long, let me tell you about the $100 Visa gift card giveaway!

https://gleam.io/gLe4I/love-inspired-blog-tour-sweepstakes

Love Inspired Blog Tour Sweepstakes!
I mean, who couldn't use $100 right now?  (If you don't need it, then you can always donate it to your favorite blogger...am I right?  Bueller...Bueller...)


Let me know what you think and Happy Reading!

Love Inspired Book Tour Giveaway

Enter now for the Blog Tour Sweepstakes by following the directions below.  Winners will be contacted via the Harlequin Love Inspired division, I'm just giving you the opportunity to enter the giveaway.  Stayed tuned for my reviews of several of the Love Inspired books.  Good luck!

Love Inspired Blog Tour Sweepstakes!

Spring Read Thing 2011

Can you believe that it's Spring already?  In Florida, we had "Winter" (cooler weather--in the 50s) for a few weeks over the past couple of months, but we've completely skipped the Spring weather and moved to Summer.  In fact, we were in the high 80's this weekend, with no relief in sight.  Yippee.  (Yes, that is said with lots of sarcasm.)

In any case, Spring Break is still over a month away and I have a pile of books that I want to read before we enter the true Summer season.  Thankfully, Katrina over at Callapidder Days is hosting the Spring Read Thing 2011, which means I can put my plan into action.  (Yes, I fell on my face in the Fall because I didn't write a wrap-up post, but that's okay because this is a low-pressure reading goal.)

Here are some of the books I would like to read between March 20 and June 20, 2011:

The Cowboy's Touch by Denise Hunter
I requested to review this title.  Cowboy's are the "in" topic for reading this year, and since I'm a cowgirl at heart (hey, I was born in Texas)I can't wait to read about this Cowboy.

The Reluctant Detective by Martha Ockley
I requested to review this book because I am a sucker for mysteries.  I love learning about all of the investigating techniques no matter what the time-period.  I blame it all on Nancy Drew.

Gold of Kings by Davis Bunn
I won this book to review through LibraryThing and it has a ton of action and suspense in it.  It seems to be mixture of the movies Sahara and National Treasure. 

Beneath a Starlet Sky by Amanda Goldberg and Ruthanna Khalighi Hopper
I won this book to review through GoodReads.  It's not my normal style of reading which is exactly why I signed up for it.

Digitalis (Discarded Heroes #2) by Ronie Kendig
I won this book in a giveaway from Dineen Miller's blog.  I LOVED the first book in the Discarded Heroes series, but this one is about my favorite character from that book-"Cowboy."

I Dare You: Embrace Life with Passion by Joyce Meyer
I started this book awhile back, but I haven't made it very far.  You see, I suffer from bouts of depression and I thought this book might be an excellent jump-start to get myself out of the funk I'm in when I start feeling depressed.  Needless to say, I don't feel much like reading when I'm in that phase, so I haven't made it too far on this book.  My hope is that I can put this funk behind me and learn from the principles Joyce Meyers writes.  After all, I am an adventurous person and I do want to "embrace life."

Powers (#2)by John B. Olsen
I won this book to review through LibraryThing, but since it's book #2 in the series, I felt I needed to purchase book #1 and read them in order.

Shade (#1)by John B. Olsen
Book #1 in the series, the cover looks interesting so I think it may be a good book.  At least I hope, especially since I need to read and review book #2.

Feng Shui for You and Your Cat by Alison Daniels
Don't even start me on this one.  It was a Christmas present several years ago and since I will have to move over the summer (rent is going up too high), I thought it might be interesting to see what the Eastern cultures have to say about placement of items in the home.

Angel by James Patterson
The Maximum Ride series started off pretty good, but since Patterson has teamed up with other writers, it's kind of gone downhill.  Aside from Fang, Angel is one of the other characters I'm intrigued by, so I picked this book up at the local Border's store (which is now gone) and will add it to my school's library collection after I'm done.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Another YA book that I picked up.  I've heard a lot of conversations bout this book over the blogging world, so figured I should read it to see what it's all about before I add it to our collection.

Call Me Irresistible by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
I won this book off of  Library Love Fest and I'm excited about reading the book.  The author has a quirky sense of humor (you should see her video about the book)  and I hope it reflects in her writing.



Smokin' Six-Shooter by B.J. Daniels
I received this one for free from Harlequin through their Ambassadors program.  Once again, there's a cowboy theme, so I'm interested in reading more about this "Smokin' Six-Shooter."

Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones
I recently ordered this book because I LOVE Jenny's humor in he writing.  Anyone that can make me laugh so hard I almost shoot water out my nose while reading is a "keeper" in my book. She normally writes YA lit, but on occasion she ventures into the adult world and writes chic-lit.  Can't wait to see this one in my mailbox!

The rest of this list are the book on this year's Florida Teens Read list that I haven't read yet.  Most of the books sound pretty good, but there are so many other books that  want to read--many of which have been sitting on my shelves forever, that I keep putting these off:

Brutal by Michael Harmon

Candor by Pam Bachorz

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley

Purple Heart by Patricia McCormick

The Secret Story of Sonia Rodriquez by Alan Lawrence Sitomer

Willow by Julia Hoban



Of course my list will probably completely change (except for the books I'm reading to review), so don't be too surprised if in June you see something different.
 
 

 If you're interested in joining, here's a link you'll want to check out.  Please let me know if you've signed up as I always love to read with friends.  Now, go create your list and Happy Reading!