3 Incredible Love Stories

When you think of weddings what is your first thought?

Love, romance, commitment?

For most, yes, that is the first thing that comes to mind, but if you ask the bride of even her mother that's not always the first answer.  It's the details or behind the scenes that actually brings a wedding together.  

This year has been a busy one for my family in the romance department.  I have had 3 nieces who got married and a nephew that is getting married this week.  Each wedding has been different, but filled with much joy.  As I spoke with each parent their greatest desire was that all the details were handled with precision so that the day would be enjoyed by not only the bride and groom, but also guests.  

Yes, a lot more goes into planning a wedding than one would imagine.  The behind the scenes details are important.  I'm talking about the choosing a venue and working with the planner, the cake and flowers.  

To Have and To Hold is a great collection of novellas from 3 wonderful authors, Betsy St.Amant, Katie Ganshert, and Becky Wade,  that take the reader behind the scenes and highlight not only the dedication, but the work involved in bringing a special day to the bride and groom.  

  Published August 30th 

2016 by Zondervan

Book Description:

Love Takes the Cake by Betsy St. Amant
 

She’s known for her delicious cakes, but there’s no recipe for dealing with the new man in her life.
Charlotte Cantrell is always the baker; never the bride. When Will, a regular at Charlotte’s bakery, catches her attention, she can only hope that he is the reliable man this single mother has always hoped to find. The problem is that he’s regularly stopping in to buy cookies for another girl. But when Charlotte is hired to bake a host of wedding goodies for a difficult bride and finds out Will is the best man, she has the perfect opportunity to get to know him better—and find out how serious Will is about this other girl in his life.
 

The Perfect Arrangement by Katie Ganshert


Meeting Nate was truly an accident—but Amelia finds that he’s one of the few people she can count on.
Amelia Woods is a small-town wallflower and the proud owner of Forget-Me-Nots, a quaint flower shop. Despite her success in business, her love life has always been a bit lackluster. Until she spies on her ex-boyfriend’s wedding and ends up in an embarrassing fender-bender with handsome wedding guest, Nate Gallagher.
Meanwhile, Amelia’s younger brother, William, has proposed to his girlfriend. Amelia would be excited except she has evidence that the fiancée is not who she says she is. It seems Nate is the only one available for any advice-giving, and he’s good at it—and pretty fun to talk to, too.
As Amelia works to craft the perfect flower arrangements for other people—including a ninety-year-old “fairy godmother” named George—she begins to wonder if real love is better than the dream. And if it is, will Nate still be interested when he learns who she is?


Love in the Details by Becky Wade


She left him to save his future, but they’ve never gotten over each other.
When Josh returns to his hometown of Martinsburg, Texas, to help his best friend get married, he didn’t intend to run into church wedding coordinator—and ex-girlfriend—Holly. He can’t help but pine after the girl he never got over.
Holly broke up with Josh years ago in an attempt to ensure his future success. But she loved him then and still loves him now. As she helps him plan his best friend’s wedding, she can’t help but feel horrible for the pain she caused him. And even though she longs to be with Josh, she doesn’t feel worthy of his big-time lifestyle when she is more comfortable in her small town world. Will Josh and Holly be able to keep things as they are when their true feelings threaten to surface at every turn?

Available for Purchase:

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CHRISTIANBOOK  BOOKS-A-MILLION   

Meet the Authors:

 

Betsy St. Amant lives in Louisiana and is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers group. Betsy is multi-published through Steeple Hill and has been published in Christian Communicator magazine and Praise Reports: Inspiring Real Life Stories of How God Answers Prayer. One of her short stories, ‘Kickboxing or Chocolate’, appears in a Tyndale compilation book, and she is also multi-published through The Wild Rose Press. She has a BA in Christian Communications and regularly freelances for her local newspaper. Betsy is a fireman’s wife, a mommy to a busy toddler, a chocolate-loving author and an avid reader who enjoys sharing the wonders of God’s grace through her stories.

Connect Online:

     WEBSITE  FACEBOOK  TWITTER 

 

Katie (K.E.) Ganshert was born and raised in the exciting state of Iowa, where she currently resides with her family. She likes to write things and consume large quantities of coffee and chocolate while she writes all the things. She’s won some awards. For the writing, not the consuming. Although the latter would be fun.

Connect Online:

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During her childhood in California, Becky frequently produced homemade plays starring her sisters, friends, and cousins. These plays almost always featured a heroine, a prince, and a love story with a happy ending. She's been a fan of all things romantic ever since.

Becky and her husband lived overseas in the Caribbean and Australia before settling in Dallas, Texas. It was during her years abroad that Becky's passion for reading turned into a passion for writing. She published three historical romances with Avon Books, then put her career on hold for several years to care for her three kids, then recently returned to writing sheerly for the love of it. She felt led to move to the genre of contemporary Christian romance and couldn’t be more thrilled with it.

These days Becky can be found failing but trying to keep up with her housework, sweating at the gym, carting her kids around town, playing tennis, hunched over her computer, eating chocolate, or collapsed on the sofa watching TV with her husband.

Connect Online:

WEBSITE   FACEBOOK  TWITTER 

 My Thoughts:

 What a wonderful collection of 3 novellas!!!

Zondervan had released  a fall collection of love stories that  each easily wove their way into my heart.  I met some unforgettable characters. Each were artistic and dedicated to their own profession.  I think one of the greatest common denominators among the characters was not only their ability to put on smile on someone's face, but also that they focused on each client as though they were the only client.  Each have a dream they are trying to fulfill, but at the same time hoping they would get a chance at romance and love.  

In the first story we meet Charlotte Cantrell who is the baker and owner of The Doughknot. She is a single mom who doesn't want to let anyone close enough to hurt her again, but her attraction to a man who came every Tuesday evening might just leave her in knots before it's over. 

In the second story we meet Amelia Woods the owner and designer of Forget-Me-Not Flower Shop.  Life had not turned out as she had expected.  This is almost like a Cinderella story.  Amelia's mother owned a flower shop where Amelia had helped and learned the art of the trade.  With her mother's death she thought the shop was all but lost to her, until she was able to buy it.  It's success was her greatest desire.  A happenstance meeting with a stranger involving a car wreck and the exchange of emails has Amelia looking for love in all the wrong places.  

Last we meet Holly and Josh, who were high school sweethearts looking forward to spending the rest of their lives together.  Holly makes a decision that will break both their hearts.  Now with Josh back in town to fulfill an obligation as best man and Holly the church wedding coordinator will they get another chance at love or will the past be too much to overcome?

These are three sweet romances that quickly pulled me in and kept me turning the pages.  Each plot is well thought and the characters are easy to love.  

This is a book I would recommend to anyone who loves a good, clean love story.  

*I received this book from the author in exchange for a honest review without bias or outside influence.    

Hearts Bend #2

Old things have passed away....
all things become new.


Oh my what an endearing story of past meeting present.  This is the story of The Wedding Shop which is located in Hearts Bend, Tenn. and was established by Miss Jane Scott in 1890.  Upon her death in 1925 she left the shop to her niece Cora who ran it until 1979.

Two women separated by decades. Both set out to help others find their dreams when their own have crumbled.


It’s the early 1930s, but Cora Scott is walking in stride as a career woman after having inherited her great aunt’s wedding shop in Heart’s Bend, Tennessee, where brides come from as far away as Birmingham to experience her famed bridal treatment. Meanwhile, Cora is counting down the days until her own true love returns from the river to make her his bride. But days turn into months and months to years. All the while, Birch Good continues to woo Cora and try to show her that while he is solid and dependable, he can sweep her off her feet.

More than eighty years later, former Air Force Captain Haley Morgan has returned home to Heart’s Bend after finishing her commitment to military service. After the devastating death of her best friend, Tammy, and discovering the truth about the man she loved, Haley is searching for her place in life.

When Haley decides to reopen the romantic but abandoned wedding shop where she and Tammy played and dreamed as children, she begins a journey of courage, mystery, and love.

As Cora’s and Haley’s stories intertwine through time in the shadow of the beloved wedding shop, they both discover the power of their own dreams and the magic of everyday love.

Published August 16th 2016 
 by Zondervan  


Available for Purchase:

Amazon  Barnes & Noble  ChristianBook  
Books-a-Million 


Meet the Author:


Rachel Hauck is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and award-winning author.
A graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in Journalism, Rachel worked in the corporate software world before planting her backside in an uncomfortable chair to write full-time in 2004.
She serves on the Executive Board for American Christian Fiction Writers and leads worship at their annual conference. She is a mentor and book therapist at My Book Therapy, and conference speaker.
Rachel lives in central Florida with her husband and pets, and writes from her two-story tower in an exceedingly more comfy chair. She is a huge Buckeyes football fan.



Connect Online:

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My Thoughts:

I loved this story!!!
It was fascinating how the author transitioned from past to present with ease.
The prologue takes us to Hearts Bend where we meet both Cora and Haley, one is 1996 and the other swept me back to 1930.  The common denominator is The Wedding Shop which was built by Akron Developers.  I fell in love with the concept of The Wedding Shop immediately.  
Haley was the youngest in her over achieving  family and tended to be teased/picked on a lot by her older brothers, and she knew from an early age that she was going to defend others, help people and stand up for the picked on.  I knew I would be cheering this young lady on through out the book.  
Cora had worked in The Wedding Shop with her aunt and in 1925 she became the official owner.  She had help from her seamstress, Odelia, and Esme`, her mother and hostess.  Cora dreamed of her own wedding one day and that would be to a handsome riverboat captain.  
As the story opens we see Haley at a crossroads of her life, trying to decide which direction she should take.  She was immediately drawn to a building that she had spent her youth playing in with her best friend, Tammy.  It was run down and in need of many repairs, but all she could see in her mind was what it once was.  Cora Scott had brought something regal and glamorous to the country and farm women in their day, but Haley would find out that she brought something more than that to a bride as she stepped out on the mezzanine and descended the grand staircase for her family and friends to see her in her wedding finery. 
As the story unfolds we see how Cora builds a legacy through love and dedication and how Haley wants to preserve the legacy by opening the shop back up in the same tradition as when Cora ran it.  Each will face complications neither anticipated, but will learn that the greatest gift of all is love.  
This is the second installment in the Hearts Bend series, but I would definitely say it's a stand alone story.  As with any book in a series I recommend reading the other books in the series to get the full impact.  This is a book I would recommend to anyone.  It has elements of crisis of faith, forgiveness, a sense of community and family, history and most of all love.

**I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Boggers book review bloggers program.  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.  
  

Amish Heirloom #2

 

Published June 28, 2016

by Zondervan

 

 

Synopsis:

 

Years ago, a picnic basket brought two hearts together. For Rachel and Mike, history may be about to repeat itself.Rachel Fisher is devastated when the young man she’s loved for years leaves her to date her best friend. Her heart is broken, and she has all but given up on love. Determined to keep her mind off the pain, she starts teaching at an Amish school for children with learning disabilities.
Since his father became ill, Mike Lantz has been overwhelmed with the responsibility of providing for his family and caring for his six-year-old brother, John. When John joins Rachel’s class and she learns that his mother is deceased and his father sick, she desperately wants to help the family, even with something as simple as a meal.With her parents’ old picnic basket, Rachel begins sending food to the Lantz family. As the weeks go by, John’s grades start to improve, and the attraction grows between Rachel and Mike. They can’t deny that their friendship is growing toward something more, but both of them are hesitant to risk a more serious relationship.
The last thing Rachel wants is another heartbreak, and Mike is worried about providing for his loved ones. Will the two be able to reconcile their past hurts with new hope for the future? 

 

 

Here is Amy telling us about The Courtship Basket:

 

 

 

About Amy:

 

 

 

Amy Clipston has been writing for as long as she can remember. Her fiction writing “career” began in elementary school when she and a close friend wrote and shared silly stories. She has a degree in communications from Virginia Wesleyan College and is a member of the Authors Guild, American Christian Fiction Writers, and Romance Writers of America. She is the author of the bestselling Kauffman Amish Bakery series and Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel series with HarperCollins Christian Publishing. Amy works full-time for the City of Charlotte, NC, and lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, mother, and four spoiled rotten cats.

 

 

 

Connect with Amy:

 

Website 

Facebook 

Twitter 

 

 

Available for Purchase:

 

AMAZON  |  BARNES & NOBLE  |  CHRISTIANBOOK  |  ZONDERVAN

My Thoughts:

I loved this story.  Amy Clipson takes us back to Lancaster County Pennsylvania for the second installment in her Amish Heirloom series.  This sweet story begins with the marriage of Veronica Fisher and Jason Huyard.  Mattie and Leroy have 3 daughters, Veronica, Rachel and Emily.  Rachel is enjoying the wedding and dreaming of her own wedding to David Beiler.  Oh they weren't engaged just yet, but had been dating for four years so the she knew they would soon be announcing their intentions.  Suddenly her dreams were evaporating into thin air when she happens upon David and her best friend, Sharon, talking about their own relationship and being open with Rachel about it. 

Rachel shows great strength of character when she accepts the job at the Amish school for children who needs extra help.  She never imagined herself as a teacher, but she has made up her mind to put all her energies into her position.  When assigned a new student John Lantz she finds herself drawn to this young student who recently lost his mother.  Unfortunately everything she tried in class fell short of getting John involved in the classroom work, so taking it upon herself she approached his older brother Mike Lantz about not only John's behavior, but his academics.  

Mike Lantz is a young man who is truly overwhelmed with responsibilities.  His father and uncle share ownership of Bird-in-Hand Builders, but since his father's illness Mike has stepped up to do his father's work.  Of course that also extends to their home and care of the animals.  He has cousins to help with his father during the day, but in the evenings he's left with the responsibility of not only caring for his father and younger brother, John.  

Rachel shows up at their house to talk with Mr. Lantz not realizing the home situation and spoke with Mike about John.  Mike tried to explain the situation and that they were trying to help John.  Rachel feeling bad about how it may have looked to Mike about her concerns and decided that she wanted to help in any way possible.  Her sister Emily gave her the idea to possibly prepare a meal a few times a week and send home with John and also to help tutoring him.  Rachel became excited about this plan and hoped it would help convincing Mike to forgive her actions.  

This is a very sweet story with elements of betrayal, forgiveness, love and lots of faith.  Rachel was a character that I found to be very strong.  She was dealt a blow, but didn't let it keep her down.  She showed her strength of character so many times throughout the story.  Mike was someone I immediately liked.  His love of family and stepping up to take on responsibilities he knew nothing about.  I was immediately drawn into the plot from page one and with each page I turned I became more invested in the story.  This is a book I would recommend to anyone who loves Amish stories.  

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers  book review bloggers program. 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.

 

 

Next book in the series, The Cherished Quilt, is set to be released Nov., 2016.

 

 

 

When Christopher Hochstetler comes from Ohio to work at his uncle’s shop in Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, he gets off on the wrong foot with Emily Fisher. But when he finally opens up to her about his tragic reasons for leaving home, her heart begins to change. When Christopher compliments an old quilt, Emily decides to make a similar quilt for Christopher as a gesture of friendship. Emily knows she must guard her heart, as Christopher is not a baptized member of the church, but she’s suddenly found someone with whom she can imagine sharing a future. When a family emergency calls Christopher back home to Ohio, Emily decides to finish the quilt, in spite of her pain, and send it to him for Christmas. But when Christopher receives it, will he have the courage to truly follow his heart?

Faithful Friday

 

Published May 17th 2016

 by Zondervan

Book Description:

 

As an on-the-go teen, you’re moving fast. God is moving faster! The New King James Version Teen Study Bible will help you keep in step with all he has done, is doing, and will do in the world and in your life. This Bible will help you discover the eternal truths of God’s Word and apply them to the issues you face today.

Features include: • We Believe: Unpacks the Apostles Creed to reveal the biblical foundation of faith • Panorama: Keeps the big picture of each book of the Bible in view • Key Indexes: Help with in-depth Bible study • To the Point: Reveals what the Bible says about pressing issues • Dear Jordan: Offers biblical advice for teens • Instant Access: Tells what God says to you personally • Q&A: Tests your knowledge of Bible trivia • Bible Promises: Highlights Bible verses worth remembering • Book Introductions: Provides an overview for each book of the Bible • Complete New King James Version (NKJV) Bible Text.

My Thoughts:

I have been looking for a bible for my son who is now 15 and has advanced from his first bible.  As you know there are lots of bibles on the market, but for me it was important to find one that would fit with his age.  When given the opportunity to review this bible I was very excited to see if it was one that would be a good fit for him and fortunately it was.  

Let me tell you a little about this bible:

•  Hardcover
• 1632 pages
• 8.50 X 5.40 X 1.75 (inches)
• 8 point font in black letter text

 

Features include:

• We Believe: Unpacks the Apostles Creed to reveal the biblical foundation of faith
• Panorama: Keeps the big picture of each book of the Bible in view
• Key Indexes: Help with in-depth Bible study
• To the Point: Reveals what the Bible says about pressing issues
• Dear Jordan: Offers biblical advice for teens
• Instant Access: Tells what God says to you personally
• Q & A: Tests your knowledge of Bible trivia
• Bible Promises: Highlights Bible verses worth remembering
• Book Introductions: Provides an overview for each book of the Bible
• Complete New King James Version (NKJV) Bible Text

 This is a wonderful bible and resource for any teen.  It will help them in their study of God's word and their understanding of all he has done and will do in their lives.  I really liked the Dear Jordan sections which are questions/concerns a lot of teens have.  I also liked the Q&A section.  I do believe this is a great bible for the target audience (ages 13-16) and do believe this bible could last through all the teen years.  

I would recommend this for any child in their teens.  

*I received this book from the publisher through BookLook Bloggers book review program.  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. 

Go Big or Go Home

The Journey Toward the Dream

 

Published May 3rd 2016

 by Zondervan  

Synopsis:

It was just a simple singing competition that would be fun to audition for. Who knew what kind of doors it might open for a sixteen-year-old from Garner, North Carolina.

Go Big or Go Home is the story of a kid with country songs in his soul. The special thing with Scotty McCreery, however, is that he has this God-given ability to sing those tunes the exact way they should be sung. Daring to enter the limelight at such a young age, Scotty finds himself embraced by the nation, and even overseas, as he competes on "American Idol". This is his journey from his North Carolina roots to winning America’s most popular singing competition and launching a musical career he had always dreamt about.

Go Big or Go Home narrates Scotty's journey from a kid imitating Elvis on the school bus to 30 million across America tuning in to see him win Season 10 of "American Idol”. Now as he completes his ground-breaking fourth album, Scotty shares a glimpse of where he came from and the impact his faith, family and friends have had on a humbled guy who keeps asking “why me?”

 My Thoughts:

I loved this book as Scotty McCreary opens up about his journey, faith and life that lead him to become the next American Idol.  

Scotty begins his story by telling about his grandmother picking up a book about Elvis at a bookfair when he was in preschool which started his obsession with Elvis. Two years later his mother bought him his first Elvis cd which sealed his fate.  He tells about how growing up in Garner, NC and how living in this small community outside of Raleigh not only grounded him, but made him the man he's grown into.

He says that home isn't just a starting point; it's also a place that can ground you and keep you normal, even if your life has suddenly been uprooted and feels anything but. 

He describes his first idol competition which was actually in Clayton, NC.  His mother signed him up for the Clayton Idol without his knowledge.  He sang Living Color by Jamie Johnson and suddenly found himself not singing anymore, but more like breathing.  During the performance the lyrics stirred his soul and it felt more like releasing rather than reciting mere words.  

He discusses his faith and how he was saved at the age of 12 during a youth retreat.  He says that there are lessons in our struggles.  Some lessons we figure out; some we might not figure out until we are on the other side of heaven.  He describes the bible as basic instructions before leaving earth.  One of his favorite verses is Jeremiah 29:11.

He discusses in depth the journey from Garner, NC to the huge stage in California, from audition to winning American Idol. The ups and downs of the journey and how the idol judges and other contestants became, however briefly, his home away from home.  I really like how he shared all aspects that made him into the young man and performer that he is.  

If you like Scotty McCreary then I urge you to read this book and see how he is more than you ever imagined. I was impressed with him while watching American Idol, but after reading this book I am more impressed with the man he has become. 

** I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A Season To Wed

 

 

They've helped orchestrate the perfect day for countless couples. Now twelve new couples will find themselves in the wedding spotlight in the second Year of Weddings novella collection.
Love at Mistletoe Inn by Cindy Kirk
Sometimes the road to happiness is paved with youthful mistakes.
Ten years after what she thought was her almost-wedding, Hope Prentiss discovers that the ceremony counted-and, as fate would have it, the jilted John Burke has just ridden back into town. After spending some time with John and helping plan a Christmas wedding for a mystery couple, Hope begins to wonder if she really wants a divorce . . . or a real wedding of her own.
A Brush with Love by Rachel Hauck
Revealing the beauty in other women might be Ginger Winters's specialty-but it will take an unexpected kind of love to help Ginger see the beauty in herself.
Ginger Winters will be the "beauty-maker" for the Alabama society wedding of the decade.
But when high-school crush Tom Wells shows up looking for a haircut, Ginger's thinly veiled insecurities threaten to keep her from love once again . . . despite Tom's best efforts.
Serving Up a Sweetheart by Cheryl Wyatt
Meadow knows how to serve delicious food to match any wedding theme. But can she accept love when it's served up on a silver platter?
Meadow Larson is having the mother of all Mondays when her roof caves in during a blizzard, right before the most important wedding contract of her career.
Renovation contractor Colin McGrath offers to fix Meadow's roof, even though he knows he is the last person she would accept help from.
But the more Meadow gets to know the new Colin, the more she realizes God may have something more permanent in store than a new catering kitchen.

My Thoughts:
This is a wonderful collection of three novellas by three very talented authors.  These stories give you  a look at weddings from different perspectives.  When I think of a wedding it's usually just about the ceremony, but as we all know it's more involved than that.  We will meet a young woman who helps run a successful wedding/reception venue, a stylist, and lastly a caterer.  These stories bring humor, love and romance, but they also bring a wonderful message that stayed with me even after I closed the book.  
The first novella, Love at Mistletoe Inn, takes us to Idaho to the Boise Bridal Extravaganza where we meet Hope Prentiss.  Hope is representing Harmony Creek which is a successful venue for weddings/receptions.   She has kept a secret for 10 years and unfortunately it's one that's about to be revealed.  I loved her character. 

In the second novella, A Brush With Love, we meet Ginger Winters who is the owner and operator of Ginger Snips, the local beauty salon. At the age of 12 life as she knew it went up in flames.  The trailer fire left more scars than just the ones on her body, but they also gave her a purpose. 

Lastly, in Serving Up a Sweetheart,  we are introduced to Meadow Larson.  She and her former teacher/mentor/friend are operating Havenbrook Creative Catering out of her house.  With Del out sick and a tight schedule the very last thing Meadow needs is for her roof to collapse from heavy snow, but that's exactly what happens.  

Each plot has good flow and pace that will keep your attention.  We meet strong, well developed characters.  I liked each story and loved the characters, but the one that pulled me the most was Ginger and her story.  It reminded me that beauty comes from the heart.  We need to take the time to see people with our hearts instead of with our brains.  People are so judgmental with their eyes that they never take the time to look at a person's heart.  
This book brings the message of trust, love and forgiveness. 
I give this book 5 Stars. 
I would recommend this to anyone one who loves a good, clean romance that will touch your heart.  
*I received this book from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review program.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I 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. 

Meet the Authors:
 

Cindy Kirk is a lifelong Nebraska resident who started writing after taking a class at a local community college. But her interest in the written word started years before when she was in her teens. At sixteen she wrote in her diary, “I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t be a writer.”
Not until her daughter was heading off to college did Cindy return to her first love---writing. Unlike some writers, Cindy wasn’t interested in newspaper or magazine articles, short stories or poetry. When she decided to start writing, she jumped feet first into book length fiction. She loves reading and writing romance because she believes in the power of love and in happily ever after. An incurable romantic, Cindy loves seeing her characters grow and learn from their mistakes and, in the process, achieve a happy ending.
Someone once told Cindy that to know a writer you just have to read what she's written; she hopes that once you read her books you can tell she is an eternal optimist, one who truly believes in the power of love. She invites you to kick off your shoes, pick up one of her books and get to know her.
Cindy and her high school sweetheart husband live on an acreage with two dogs and two cats—Oreo--a friendly feline who loves to sit next to the computer and supervise her writing and Leo, a white devil with a raccoon-like tail.

 Website

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Twitter 

Rachel Hauck is a USA Today Best Selling, and award-winning author of critically acclaimed novels such as The Wedding Dress, Love Starts with Elle, and Once Upon A Prince.
She also penned the Songbird Novels with multi-platinum recording artist, Sara Evans. Booklist named their novel, Softly and Tenderly, one of 2011 Top Ten Inspirationals.
A graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in Journalism, Rachel worked in the corporate software world before planting her backside in an uncomfortable chair to write full-time in 2004.
She serves on the Executive Board for American Christian Fiction Writers and leads worship at their annual conference. She is a mentor and book therapist at My Book Therapy, and conference speaker.
Rachel lives in central Florida with her husband and pets, and writes from her two-story tower in an exceedingly more comfy chair. She is a huge Buckeyes football fan.
Website
Facebook
Twitter



Not even Cheryl Wyatt’s closest friends would dream that this sweet, shy intercessor plots mayhem during announcements at church. She is a Registered Nurse turned stay-at-home-mom, wife and writer who loves Jesus with all of her heart.
Joyful chaos rules her home, and she delights in the stealth moments God gives her to write. She stays active in her church and in her laundry room. She is convinced that having been born on a Naval base on Valentines Day destined her to write Inspirational Military Romance.
Cheryl loves to laugh and to make others laugh, so she often plans comedic moments for her defenseless characters in spite of their grumbling. She says it’s payback for when they refuse to obey the plots she’s set out before them.
She currently writes for Love Inspired, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Zondervan imprint, Redbud Press and more. Her stories can be purchased anywhere books are sold.
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The Wedding Chapel

An old, forgotten chapel holds the key to love and forgiveness.

Retired hall-of-fame football coach Jimmy Westbrook never imagined anything would come of his labor of love—building a wedding chapel for Collette Greer, the woman he fell in love with in 1949. But now a realtor wants the land the chapel sits on, and he sees no reason to hang onto the past.

Photographer Taylor Branson is trying to make a life for herself in New York. Leaving her hometown of Heart’s Bend, Tennessee, she put a lot of things behind her, including her family’s string of failed marriages. When she falls head-over-heels for Jack Gillingham, a top ad man, their whirlwind romance and elopement leave her with doubts. Jack, while genuine in his love for Taylor, can never seem to find the right way to show her he really cares.

When a post-mortem letter from Taylor’s Granny Peg shows up, along with an old photo, she is driven to uncover family secrets and the secret to her own happiness, starting with an assignment to photograph an unknown, obscure wedding chapel back in Heart’s Bend.

Taylor begins a mission to convince Jimmy that the chapel is worth saving—and that forgiveness and healing might happen within the chapel’s walls . . . for both of them.

 

 Expected publication: November 17th 2015

 by Zondervan 

5 Stars


Rachel Hauck brings us a heart touching story that spans decades.  It's one of choices, forgiveness and second chances.  

Taylor Branson and Jack Forester are both complex characters with very real issues, but as the story unfolds you see that there's a lifeline for each.  
Both are from the small town of Heartsbend, Tenn.  Each left for different reasons with no intention of ever going back, but everyone knows about best laid plans-you better check with God first.  
Taylor has always been a free spirit and doesn't believe in marriage, but meeting Jack again changes that.  After a whirlwind courtship 8 weeks later find them on a beach speaking vows that bind them forever.  Unfortunately 6 months later and escalating arguments Taylor starts to question if their love is enough to see them into the future. 
In 1948 Jimmy Westbrook sees a picture of a girl and is immediately drawn to her.  Collette Greer is an immigrant from England after the end of World War 2 in which both of her parents were killed.  She and her sister, Peg, arrive in Heartsbend to live with her aunt and uncle where she meets Jimmy Westbrook.  The attraction is immediate and Jimmy starts building for their future, but obstacles keep getting thrown in their path.  In 1949 after graduating high school Jimmy is drafted and Collette is left with choices that are hard to make. 
The description of the sweet, old chapel evoked so many feelings in me.  I could feel the loneliness and the anticipation of it finally being used as God intended.  It vibrated with the love, sweat and tears that built it.   
This is a sweet plot that flows effortlessly. The characters are very complex with very real issues.  I loved the characters of Taylor and Jack.  Each one in their own way fighting for a marriage that seems just out of reach.  The imagery will literally draw the reader in and keep them turning the pages. Even after turning the last page I found myself thinking about the characters. This story reminded me that God is our anchor and with him all things are possible.  
I would recommend this book to anyone. 
**I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley for a honest opinion without bias or outside influence.  All opinions and thoughts are my own.  

 
RITA finalist and award winning author Rachel Hauck writes from sunny central Florida. With strong southern stories, she infuses faith and real life into the lives of her fictional characters.Rachel loves to encourage new writers and is the book therapist for My Book Therapy and writing community founded by
Susan May Warren. Rachel graduated from Ohio State University with a BA in Journalism. She's and avid OSU football fan.
Her favorite things are:
  Exercise. Watching the Buckeyes and college football. It’s a “season” in our house.
  Worship/Singing (I’m the worship leader at our church)
  Movies (like Remember The Titans, The Proposal, Notting Hill, It’s a Wonderful Life)
  Love stories (real and made up!)
  Photography
  A good prayer meeting!
  Family and friends – the spice of life. 

Contact Information:
Website:
http://www.rachelhauck.com/
Blog:
http://www.rachelhauck.com/blog/ 
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/rachelhauck 
Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/rachelhauck 

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