The Twelve Days of Christmas Book Review

Some awesome authors have grouped together to show off four of their new books.  I had the chance to read all four, and it's a pretty amazing collection of work.  Get the inside scoop below.

One sinister phone call has derailed their wedding. Will they let it tear them apart forever?

A Christmas wedding on the beach---what could be more perfect? Poinsettias and fragrant pikake blossoms, soft sand and mistletoe, the gentle sound of the surf and the wedding march played on a ukulele. This wedding has been a long time coming, with Bane's trust issues and Leia's worries about her childlike sister, Eva.

Now they can hardly wait for the day to arrive. Thrilled to be a bridesmaid, Eva keeps trying on her ruffled dress. The tent is reserved, the caterers paid. Everything is going as planned---until Leia's phone rings and her world skids out of control. A muffled voice informs Leia that Eva's been kidnapped and will be killed unless Leia calls off the wedding without explanation---and no police! If she disobeys instructions and tells Bane, she'll risk her beloved sister's life. But how can she ever handle this without his help? And how can he ever trust her if she lies to him now?

Of the books in this tour, I must admit that this one wasn't my favorite, but that could be because it's part of a series that I've never read.  I really enjoy Colleen Coble's writing style and liked that, but the story opens with a jump into the rapidly-approaching wedding of two characters who are the leads in the series, but without a prior connection to them, some of their actions appear to be without reason.  That definitely makes it harder to connect to them.  Still, I liked how caring they seemed to be, and I would be interested in reading other books in this series - but I'd like to start at the beginning.

Purchase your own copy of this book here.

Bree Matthews is preparing for Christmas guests, but her heart is reeling from the recent and tender loss of her unborn child. Her sister-in-law, Lauri, suddenly turns up on the doorstep of the lighthouse home Bree shares with her husband, Kade, in Rock Harbor. Secretive and withdrawn, Lauri seems curiously intent on discovering what happened to a parachuter who disappeared in the North Woods along Lake Superior's icy shore.As Christmas day nears, Bree and her faithful search-and-rescue dog Samson follow the trail of a troubling mystery into the snowy forests of Rock Harbor.

As Bree and Samson, her search-and-rescue dog, plunge into the search, Bree wonders if Lauri may know more than she's admitted about the parachuter. And then the clues lead them to the trail of a young woman whose family fears the worst about her disappearance.

Will the search on this snowy, silent night lead Bree and Samson to more than clues about the missing girl? And will Bree's prayer for a baby ever be answered?

I really enjoyed this addition to the Rock Harbor series.  The search-and-rescues are exciting and throwing adoption stories and missing people into the mix only ups the ante.  Even more than that, however, is the opportunity to see people grow closer together and growing in maturity.  Having this particular immature character learn responsibility the way that she did totally made the novella!

Purchase your own copy of Silent Night here now.

Best-selling author Colleen Coble's novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, ACFW Book of the Year, RWA's RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers' Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has nearly 2 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers and is a member of Romance Writers of America. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana.

Find out more about Colleen at http://www.colleencoble.com.

 Inspired by a true story, A Christmas Gift for Rose is a heartwarming novella of sacrifice and deep love.

Born in the midst of the hardships of The Great Depression, Rose grew up in Berlin, Ohio, in the arms of a loving Amish family. But she is overwhelmed by self-doubt when she learns the truth of her birth. She was born Englisch and abandoned when her family moved West in search of work. Was she meant to be Amish or would she have been better off growing up with her own kind---Englischers? And was her intended's gift of discovering her birth family given out of love or fear?

Don't miss award-winning author Tricia Goyer's first Christmas novella.

This is, hands-down, without a doubt, my most favorite Tricia Goyer book so far.  I have to qualify it like that because Goyer's books keep getting better and better, but this one is beyond amazing. 

That's probably partly because it's a true story.  I think that no matter how incredibly creative an author is, the stories that God writes are always better than what we can come up with, and this one is no exception.  Based on the story told to her of an Amish person's grandmother, it rings truth and honesty and heartache and love all at the same time.  

Another reason I loved this one is that it's an Amish World War II story.  One of my favorite time periods in history meets a sub-culture of my home.  What could be better?  I've never before considered how the Amish community might have regarded this far away war and the mad dictators who wreaked havoc through it, but Goyer's story is a great exploration of this concept.

The characters are loveable, as well.  While the world tilts on its axis all around her, you want the best for Rose - and for her love interest and her family, as well.  While a few of the ending bits are somewhat predictable, that doesn't make it any less exciting when they come to fruition.  

A Christmas Gift for Rose should definitely be added to your Christmas list.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/qbs31

USA Today best-selling author Tricia Goyer is the author of over 35 books, including the three-book Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series and "Lead Your Family Like Jesus," (co-written with Ken Blanchard). She has written over 500 articles for national publications and blogs for high traffic sites like TheBetterMom.com and MomLifeToday.com. She is the host of Living Inspired, a weekly radio show. Tricia and family live in Little Rock, Arkansas. They have six children.

Find out more about Tricia at http://triciagoyer.com.

Anna's grandfather seems determined to ruin her Rumspringa . . . and any hopes she has of finding a husband.

Anna Byler should be enjoying her Rumspringa as allowed by her faith. But because of the strict rules enforced by her grandfather---the bishop---the available suitors in town are afraid to court her. Even Anna's grandmother is keeping a big secret from Anna's grandfather in an effort to keep the peace. Under her grandfather's oppressive watch, Anna begins to feel her faith slipping and wonders if God has forsaken her.
Jacob Hostetler and his family have relocated to Lancaster County following a family tragedy in Ohio. As his family struggles to rebuild their lives, Jacob is forced to act as head of the household when his father is unable to cope with recent events. It's been a long time since Jacob has felt any joy. Until he meets Anna Byler. But will Anna's grandfather succeed at keeping them apart? And can Jacob put the past behind him and open his heart?

The first book of Wiseman's was in this series, so I was super excited to find this book following those same characters years later.  I enjoyed catching up with my favorite characters and meeting new ones.  Anna's romantic dilemma made a dramatic conflict for this story, and her grandmother's quirky habits added humor and fun throughout.  I loved the way that the ending seemed to wrap up all the loose ends with a neat bow.  

 Beth is a Carol Award Winner, Inspirational Readers Choice Winner, INSPY Winner, and the best-selling author of the Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaan series. All of her books have held spots on the ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) bestseller list and the CBA (Christian Book Association) bestseller list. She grew up in Houston, Texas and now resides in a small town west of Houston with a population of around 300. She lives with her husband, two dogs, two cats, two pot bellied pigs, two chickens and a pygmy goat. Her two grown sons also live in Texas. Beth has been writing in some capacity for most of her life. She's a former award-winning journalist with eleven honors, including 'First Place News Writing' for The Texas Press Association. However, writing love stories with a spiritual message is where her heart is. When Beth isn't writing (which is seldom these days) she enjoys traveling, cooking, fishing, reading, or just settling in for a good movie. Her best times are spent with family and friends!

Find out more about Beth at http://bethwiseman.com.

You can read other reviews of these books here.  I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"Return to Me" by Lynn Austin

After decades of exile, the prophesies are coming true–King Cyrus has declared the Jews may return to Jerusalem. Iddo, a priest, is sure this is a sign of God’s renewed favor. For too long they’ve remained in Babylon, and many, including Iddo’s sons, are losing the faith that sets them apart. And so only a few choose to leave everything to return–return to their home and their God.

Nothing about their journey to the Promised Land is easy. As hardships mount, even the faithful, like Iddo’s beloved wife, Dinah, question the sacrifice of following God’s leading. Zechariah, Iddo’s oldest grandson, feels torn between his grandfather’s ancient beliefs and the family they left behind. But one life-changing encounter with the Holy One gives him insight that will change Zechariah–and history–forever.

Better than any book I've ever read, Return to Me answers the question, "What was it like to live then?"   Austin describes the fear, reservations, and confusion felt by the Israelites as they leave Babylon after a 70-year exile and return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple.  Never have I thought that the Israelites might have any doubt about leaving the city of their long enslavement, nor that they might compare this prison term to the time they spent in Egypt, but Austin sets up a scenario where both happen - and makes it completely realistic and understandable.  The temptations to intermarry with neighboring clans, worship pagan gods, and bend God's rules become clear and logical from the standpoint of these characters.  While a fictionalized version, it makes sense to think about how and why these Israelites behaved as they did, and this explanation helps to understand their choices.

When I turned the first page of this book, I thought I'd get to read about Daniel, which made me sit up straight and read faster.  I'm fascinated with the way that Daniel refused to change a thing about his faith practices with God in spite of the scary situations all around him.

Reading about Iddo and Zechariah might have been even better, though.

I love the way that scripture is carried throughout the story.  I love how Austin's research is evident as she takes what we know and fills in the gaps to create a plausible story of love, temptation, forgiveness, and redemption.

Zechariah's story is inspiring.  As a priest, he would have studied the scriptures and known them well - but I never thought much about that before.  How did they study?  Who taught them?  How did they learn?  The memorization implied in the book is impressive - and makes me want to sit down and get to work.  

It is always hard to get to the end of a good book and know that I must leave the characters for a while.  It has been a long time since I have been this sad to turn the last page, however.  While we know the ultimate end to the Israelite story, I am enthralled at the details brought to life within these pages - and I can't wait until the sequel is released.

Purchase a copy of the book here.

Bestselling author Lynn Austin has sold more than one million copies of her books worldwide. She is an eight-time Christy Award winner for her historical novels, as well as a popular speaker at retreats and conventions. Lynn and her husband have raised three children and live near Chicago.

I received a free copy of Return to Me from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.

"The Courier of Caswell Hall" by Melanie Dobson

As the British and Continental armies wage war in 1781, the daughter of a wealthy Virginia plantation owner feels conflict raging in her own heart. Lydia Caswell comes from a family of staunch Loyalists, but she cares only about peace. Her friend Sarah Hammond, however, longs to join the fight. Both women's families have already been divided by a costly war that sets father against son and neighbor against neighbor; a war that makes it impossible to guess who can be trusted.

One snowy night Lydia discovers a wounded man on the riverbank near Caswell Hall, and her decision to save him will change her life. Nathan introduces her to a secret network of spies, couriers, disguises, and coded messages---a network that may be the Patriots' only hope for winning the war. When British officers take over Caswell Hall and wreak havoc on neighboring plantations, Lydia will have to choose between loyalty and freedom; between her family's protection and her own heart's desires.

As both armies gather near Williamsburg for a pivotal battle, both Lydia and Sarah must decide how high a price they are willing to pay to help the men they love.

Part of the American Tapestries™ series: Each standalone novel in this line sets a heart-stirring love story against the backdrop of an epic moment in American history. This is the fifth book in the series.

This is the best historical fiction I've read since the last time I've read a Melanie Dobson novel.  There's just something about this author who is able to transport me completely to whatever time and place she chooses.  Her unique perspective helps to set her books apart from others; The Courier of Caswell Hall focuses on the many roles women played in the Revolutionary War - and I don't mean from inside their kitchens, either.

I loved Lydia's story.  I can't imagine just how scary it must have been, knowing that to choose a side and lose, all principles aside, could mean the loss of your family's security and social standing - things which mean little eternally but which can mean a great deal as you live through their loss.  I feel as if I can relate just a tiny bit more now for having read this story.

Lydia's wasn't the only fascinating one here, however.  I've always been interested in the role of women in early American wars since reading about Deborah Sampson as a kid, and Dobson included many such stories discreetly throughout this book.  It is fascinating to know that there were women, people who society completely ignored militarily, who felt so strong as to step out in courageous ways to fight for their country.

The Courier of Caswell Hall has found its way onto my bookshelf.  My children will be reading this when they're older and studying the Revolution - not only to put themselves into the position of choosing which side to take, but also to use as a research starter - to take the details of this story and go find which ones are true.

I'd like to know that myself.

Click here to read other reviews on this bloggy hop or here to purchase your own copy now.

Melanie Dobson is the author of twelve novels; her writing has received numerous accolades including two Carol Awards. Melanie worked in public relations for fifteen years before she began writing fiction full-time. Born and raised in the Midwest, she now resides with her husband and two daughters in Oregon.

Connect with Melanie at: http://melaniedobson.com

I received a free copy of this book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.

"Fired Up" by Mary Connealy

Dare Riker is a doctor who saves lives, but someone seems determined to end his. It may have something to do with the traitors he dealt with during the Civil War, or it might be related to the recent incident with Flint Greer and the ranch. Whoever the culprit is, he or she seems really fired up, and Dare can't let his guard down for a moment, which is a challenge, since right now he's trying to win the heart of the recently widowed Glynna.

Glynna Greer came west as a mail-order bride and ended up in a bad situation. Now her husband, Flint, is dead, and she's determined to care for her son and daughter on her own. She wants to believe Dare Riker is as decent as he seems, but she's terrified to lock herself into another marriage. She plans to support her small family by opening a diner---never mind that cooking is not her greatest talent. The men in Broken Wheel, Texas, are so desperate for home cooking that they seem willing to overlook dried-out beef and blackened biscuits.

Glynna can't help but notice that danger follows Dare wherever he goes. There's the avalanche. And then the fire. But things really get out of hand when someone plunges a knife from Glynna's diner into Dare's back. Are Flint's cronies still plotting revenge? Is Glynna's son engaged in a misguided attempt to protect his mother? Is a shadowy outsider still enraged over past injustices? And can Dare survive long enough to convince Glynna to take another chance on love?

The men of this story make the series.  I generally try not to drool over characters, being quite happy with the one that I'm married to, but these men are the cream of the crop.  They're manly men, if you know what I mean:  honest, hard-working, protective of others, chivalrous, and kind.  They're not afraid of a good fight and they'll do what it takes to defend those they love.  That's how they rule in this series - because everyone around them needs defending in some way, and so they're really knights in cowboy hats charging off to save the day.

I don't know a woman alive who wouldn't swoon at that.

Although Glynna's no fainting lily herself.  She's been married to two cruel men, and she's had it rough.  She knows how to take care of her own, but she's tired of the burden and wants to share it.  Her strength but tentative trust makes her a winner here.  She doesn't back down when life gets hard, but she still hopes for a better tomorrow, and she's not afraid to work hard to get it.

Plotwise, Connealy always writes winners.  The action and drama never stop in this story, except for the occasional one-liner that adds levity to the emotionally-charged pages.  I couldn't stop turning pages from the first to the last - once you start, you just can't stop.

Morally, I've always enjoyed the faith lessons in Connealy's books, although that's not necessarily why I read them - I just love the stories.  This one's a bit different, though.  While there's lots of romantic tension and mystery solving, there are also mentoring lessons between Dare, his Regulator friends, and Paul.  I appreciate the way that these men take the time to try to reach this troubled teen and the lessons that they pass along to the reader by proxy.  Personally, I can't imagine too many teen boys will reap those lessons from the pages of this book, because while it IS full of masculine fighting, it's primarily a love story. Moms, learn those lessons and pass them along, okay?  ;-)

As usual, I'm pretty sure that Vince's story is coming up next, and I can't wait to read it.  Connealy teases the reader with the beginning of his story in this one, and it, too, promises to entice.

Read other reviews in this blog hop here, or click here to purchase your own now.

Mary Connealy writes fun and lively "romantic comedy with cowboys" for the inspirational market. She is the author of the successful Kincaid Brides, Lassoed in Texas, Montana Marriages, and Sophie's Daughters series, and she has been a finalist for a Rita and Christy Award and a two time winner of the Carol Award. She lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her husband, Ivan, and has four grown daughters.

Connect with Mary: http://maryconnealy.com/

I received a free copy of Fired Up from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.

"Rosemary Cottage" by Colleen Coble

Amy came to Rosemary Cottage to grieve, to heal, maybe even find love. But there's a deadly undertow of secrets around Hope Island . . .

The charming Rosemary Cottage on the beach offers Amy Lange respite she needs to mourn her brother, Ben. She's even thinking of moving her midwife practice to the Outer Banks community. It's always been a refuge for her and her family. She also wants to investigate Ben's disappearance at sea. Everyone blames a surfing accident, but Amy has reason to wonder.

Coast Guard officer Curtis Ireland has lost a sibling too. His sister, Gina, was run down by a boat, leaving him to raise her infant daughter. If anyone knew who little Raine's father was, Curtis could lose his beloved niece. Yet he can't help being drawn to Hope Beach's new midwife, Amy. He even agrees to help her investigate what happened to both Ben and Gina.

Can two grieving people with secrets find healing on beautiful Hope Island? Or will their quest for truth set them at odds with each other . . . and with those who will go to any length to keep hidden things hidden?

You'll have an inkling of who should fall in love with whom from the very first chapter of this book - but they won't.  Better yet, you'll fall in like with them, and you'll keep turning those pages because you want good things for them - and they're not readily forthcoming.  You won't get bored, though, because you won't be able to predict all the twists and turns in this story, which is what master storyteller Colleen Coble planned all along.

You won't care that you can't figure it out, because you'll keep thinking that you have.  You'll be able to piece a few bits of information together, sure that you're on the right trail, only to have another mudslide come along and wipe out half of your supposition.  You'll have to start all over again with the new information that the sliding mud uncovered, but that's okay - you'll be excited again to be on the trail of the answer.

With each page turned, your heart will become just a bit more attached to Hope Beach and its occupants.  With each patient of Amy's you'll pray for a safe delivery and for Curtis to come home after another daring sea rescue.  You'll want Raine to be safe and for Heather's motives to come to light and for someone to tell the lovebirds to get with it already and see the Cupid flying about overhead.

You'll want to - but you can't.  

They're only characters in a book.

Only you forgot that.

It's that good.

Click here to read other reviews on this bloggy hop or here to purchase your own copy now.

Best-selling author Colleen Coble's novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, ACFW Book of the Year, RWA's RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers' Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has nearly 2 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers and is a member of Romance Writers of America. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana.

Learn more about Colleen: http://colleencoble.com/

I received a free copy of Rosemary Cottage from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.