Trust My Heart by Carol J Post

A complimentary review copy was provided to me.

The weather here has been a little crazy this week. Friday was a beautiful fall day, temperatures in the low 70s and a great day to spend outside getting things done. Then, come Saturday, the temperature took a nose dive, the wind came rushing in and brought with it some snow. One of my favorite activities on a snowy day (or weekend) is to curl up with a good book.

Fortunately for me, I had just started reading Trust My Heart by Carol J. Post. Grant McAllister and Jami Carlisle are the main characters in this touching story about overcoming obstacles of trust, learning the truths, and offering forgiveness. I loved how each planned to only be friends but as they learned more about each other and shared their stories developed a slow-budding romance that neither was really willing to accept along the way. The quirky characters that help shape the story, like Bernie and Hank further enhanced the connection with the characters in the book. I enjoyed how through intentional and inadvertent action, Bernie and Hank participated in the rise and fall of the relationship between Grant and Jami.

The character development was great, as the author created complex and believable characters that were endearing and frustrating at the same time. Both Jami and Grant had trust issues as a result of their past. Both had to learn to let it go and approach forgiveness, of each other and of those from their past, in order to allow them to grow in their relationship.

I was excited to see on the author's page that this book is the first in a planned series. I look forward to having the chance to get to know all of the characters better in the future installments in the series.

About the book:

Trust My Heart (Waterfall Press, October 2016)

Grant McAllister arrives in Murphy, North Carolina, with one aim: to sell his inherited property and leave as quickly as possible.

The big-city lawyer has no interest in his late, estranged grandparents or the dilapidated mansion he just acquired. After his high-profile divorce, he should be avoiding perky reporters, too. But Jami Carlisle is honest, funny, and undeniably appealing.

After breaking up with her safe-but-smothering boyfriend, Jami is determined to ace her first big assignment. A story about the McAllister estate is too intriguing to ignore---much like its handsome, commitment-phobic heir. Thanks to her digging, the pieces of Grant's fraught family history are gradually fitting into place, but also upending all his old beliefs.

The two draw closer as they share their dreams, until misread signals and misunderstandings begin to test their trust. But in the unspoiled beauty of the Smoky Mountains, there's healing and forgiveness to be found. And for Grant, this unplanned detour may be just what's needed to finally guide him home...

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2fg7WKG

About the author:

From medical secretary to court reporter to property manager to owner of a special-events decorating company, Carol J. Post's résumé reads as if she hasn't yet decided what she wants to be when she grows up. But one thing that has remained constant through the years is her love of writing. She started as a child composing poetry for family and friends, then graduated to articles for religious and children's publications. Now she pens fun, fast-paced inspirational romance and romantic suspense stories. Her books have been nominated for an RT Reviewers' Choice Best Book award and selected as an RT Top Pick. When Carol isn't writing, she enjoys sailing, hiking, camping---almost anything outdoors. She also plays the piano and sings with her music-minister husband. Their two grown daughters and their grandkids live too far away for her liking, so she now pours all her nurturing into taking care of a fat and sassy black cat and a highly spoiled dachshund.

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See more reviews and learn more about the book on the Blog Tour Landing Page.

No compensation was received for this review. All opinions expressed are my own or that of my family. A complimentary review copy was provided to me.

Get Your Salsabration on with CHI-CHI’s

No compensation was received for this post. Content and a complimentary prize pack was provided by Chi-Chi's.

This week, Kent State is playing Western Michigan and Akron is playing Bowling Green, and there’s a special treat for anyone attending the game! CHI-CHI’S, makers of Mexican food favorites, including sauces, tortillas, salsas and dips, will be at the game throwing a “Salsabration”!

What is a “Salsabration”?

During the "Salsabration", fans will have the chance to win free merchandise, dance in a virtual conga line, and snack on an endless supply of CHI-CHI’S zesty salsas and chips.

Of course, you can also enjoy the fiesta experience at home with your family. In a world where everyone is glued to their phones, CHI-CHI’S wants to help people connect with each other—and with the moment—over tasty chips, crowd-pleasing salsa and fun times. At our house, we are fans of Mexican food. Whether it is a snack of chips and salsa in the evening, or a quick dinner of quesadillas, chips and tortillas are a staple at our house and part of nearly every shopping list. Chi-Chi's can help bring the fiesta to the table by adding a zesty kick to your favorite meals.

CHI-CHI’S products are made from quality ingredients, including real tomatoes, vegetables, and flavorful seasonings. For more information about CHI-CHI’S, please visit www.chichis.com, become a fan on Facebook or follow us on Pinterest.

Giveaway
For those who are not able to attend one of the games, no worries because I’ve got a special surprise—you too can host your own “Salsabration”! CHI-CHI’S is offering one A Busy Mom of Two reader the chance to win a giveaway prize, including chips, salsa and tortillas to make your gatherings and celebrations more enjoyable and irresistibly flavorful.
Prize Pack:

· (1) Mild Thick & Chunky Salsa ($3.29)

· (1) Medium Thick & Chunky Salsa ($3.29)

· (1) Hot Thick & Chunky Salsa ($3.29)

· (1) Authentic Original Tortilla Chips ($2.99)

· (1) Rounds Original Tortilla Chips ($2.99)

· (1) Strips Original Tortilla Chips ($2.99)

· (1) Fajita Style Flour Tortillas ($2.49)

· (1) Burrito Style Flour Tortillas ($2.49)
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Giveaway will remain open through November 12th. Giveaway is open to residents of the US only. Winners will be selected through Rafflecopter. The winners will have 24 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected.

No compensation was received for this post. The content of this post and the prize pack were provided by Chi-Chi's. All opinions expressed are my own or that of my family.

A Lady Unrivaled by Roseanna M White

A complimentary review copy was provided to me.

I love when I read a book and find myself totally transported to another time and place. When the book is so good that I can't put it down and stay up later that I should simply so I can read a little more and try to 'help' the characters uncover the truth before they find themselves or their loved ones in danger. A Lady Unrivaled by Roseanna White was just that type of book. Her story was so engaging that I simply wanted to keep reading. As with the The Lost Heiress, this third book in the Ladies of the Manor series had the perfect balance of romance, adventure, mystery, intrigue, deception and faith. Even though this was the third book in the series, it very much so can be read on it's own. I have read the first book in the series and somehow missed reading the second, but would like to go back and read it (even out of sequence).

Her character development and scene setting was terrific, so much so, that I was pulled into the story, I felt almost like I was living the story along with the characters. I loved seeing glimpses into the ongoing stories of the characters that we met in the earlier books and of course, further development of some of the characters that we simply met in the earlier stories. I loved Ella's determination and Cayton's softer, creative side. Seeing them each interact with Cayton's daughter was endearing.

As each character grew during the story, they found pathways that were much different than they might have originally expected. As the story concluded, I found that I really enjoyed the way that the story concluded and the curse of the Fire Eyes resolved in a fantastic way, helping to ensure that others would not fall into the danger of the curse.

If you are a fan of historical fiction, I would recommend checking out this book (and the rest of the series, for that matter).

About

Amid the Unforgettable Cotswolds, the Final Grasp for the Fire Eyes Diamonds Could Threaten Them All

Lady Ella Myerston can always find a reason to smile--even if it's just in hope that tomorrow will be better than today. All her life everyone has tried to protect her from the realities of the world, but Ella knows very well how the dangerous Fire Eyes diamonds have haunted her brother and their friends, and she won't wait for peril to strike again. She intends to take action . . . and if that happens to involve an adventurous trip to the Cotswolds, then so much the better.

Lord James Cayton has already broken two hearts, including that of his first wife, who died before he could convince himself to love her. Now he's determined to live a better life . . . but that proves complicated when old acquaintances pull Cayton into their desperate attempt to seize the jewels. He does his best to remove the intriguing Lady Ella from danger, but the stubborn girl won't budge. How else can he redeem himself, though, but by saving her--and his daughter--from those intent on destroying them all?

No compensation was received for this review. All opinions expressed are my own or that of my family. A complimentary review copy was provided to me.

Christian's Hope by Ervin Stutzman

A complimentary review copy was provided to me.

One of my favorite things about the fall is curling up under a blanket with the windows open and reading on a lazy afternoon. Recently, I had the chance to read the new book by Ervin Stutzman, Christian's Hope. It is the third book in the Return to Northkill series, although I haven't read the other books, there was no problem in being able to start with this book, as the author provides backstory as needed.

This book was an interesting juxtaposition of two types of books that I enjoy reading - historical fiction, set in the 1760s and Amish fiction. I loved that the series is based on actual events in the lives of the author's ancestors.

About the book:

Christian's Hope (Herald Press, October 2016)

When Christian Hochstetler returns to the Amish after seven years in captivity, he finds that many things have shifted.

Captured as a child during the French and Indian War, Christian has spent much of his life among Native Americans, who cared for him and taught him their ways. Now that Christian is home, his father wants him to settle back into their predictable Amish life of farming, and Christian's budding friendship with Orpha Rupp beckons him to stay as well.

Yet Christian feels restless, and he misses his adoptive Native American family---who raised him as their own son. When faced with a life-altering decision, will Christian choose the Amish identity that his father desires for him? Or will he depart from his family and faith community yet again?

Christian's Hope tells the story of the younger brother of Joseph and son of Jacob, whom readers have come to love in the first two books in the Return to Northkill series. Based on actual events and written by a descendant of the Hochstetler family, Christian's Hope brings the sweeping epic of the Return to Northkill series to a soul-stirring end.


Purchase a copy here.


About the author:

Ervin R. Stutzman is author of Jacob's Choice, Joseph's Dilemma, Tobias of the Amish, and Emma, A Widow Among the Amish. Born into an Amish home in Kalona, Iowa, Stutzman based the Return to Northkill series on the life of his ancestor, Jacob Hochstetler. He has been featured on TLC's Who Do You Think You Are?

See more reviews and learn more about the book on the Blog Tour Landing Page.

No compensation was received for this review. All opinions expressed are my own or that of my family. A complimentary review copy was provided to me.