Anna Weaver Hurtt, Inspirational Author
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Review: Tiffany Girl by Deeanne Gist

4/19/2016

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About the Book:

From the bestselling author of It Happened at the Fair and Fair Play comes a compelling historical novel about a progressive “New Woman”—the girl behind Tiffany’s chapel—and the love that threatens it all.

As preparations for the 1893 World’s Fair set Chicago and the nation on fire, Louis Tiffany—heir to the exclusive Fifth Avenue jewelry empire—seizes the opportunity to unveil his state-of-the-art, stained glass, mosaic chapel, the likes of which the world has never seen.

But when Louis’s dream is threatened by a glassworkers’ strike months before the Fair opens, he turns to an unforeseen source for help: the female students at the Art Students League of New York. Eager for adventure, the young women pick up their skirts, move to boarding houses, take up steel cutters, and assume new identities as the “Tiffany Girls.”

Tiffany Girl is the heartwarming story of the impetuous Flossie Jayne, a beautiful, budding artist who is handpicked by Louis to help complete the Tiffany chapel. Though excited to live in a boarding house when most women stayed home, she quickly finds the world is less welcoming than anticipated. From a Casanova male, to an unconventional married couple, and a condescending singing master, she takes on a colorful cast of characters to transform the boarding house into a home while racing to complete the Tiffany chapel and make a name for herself in the art world.

As challenges mount, her ambitions become threatened from an unexpected quarter: her own heart. Who will claim victory? Her dreams or the captivating boarder next door?

My Review:

I really enjoyed Deanne’s latest historical romance novel. It has been far too long since I picked one of hers up and I’m really glad that I carved out the time to read this one.

This book tells the story of Flossie Jayne, a talented, naïve artist and Reeve Wilder, a journalist, who live in the same boardinghouse.  Both of them are lovable, flawed individuals that are so very different that I really didn’t know how they were going to end up together. They both had a ton of growing to do before it would ever work out, but I enjoyed watching them take that journey as their paths intertwined again and again.

The historical aspect of the Tiffany Girls and what they had to go through was fascinating to me. I also really liked how Reeve was able to grow and turn into the perfect man for Flossie.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to see what Ms. Gist has for us next.
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Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, which I have given. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Amazon Link:

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Review: The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest by Melanie Dickerson

1/6/2016

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Book Blurb:

A beautiful maiden who poaches to feed the poor.

A handsome forester on a mission to catch her.

Danger and love are about to unite in Thornbeck Forest.

The margrave owns the finest hunting grounds for miles around—and who teaches children to read, but by night this young beauty has become the secret lifeline to the poorest of the poor.

For Jorgen Hartman, the margrave’s forester, tracking down a poacher is a duty he is all too willing to perform. Jorgen inherited his post from the man who raised him . . . a man who was murdered at the hands of a poacher.

When Jorgen and Odette meet at the Midsummer festival and share a connection during a dance, neither has any idea that they are already adversaries.
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The one man she wants is bound by duty to capture her; the one woman he loves is his cunning target . . . What becomes of a forester who protects a notorious poacher? What becomes of a poacher when she is finally discovered?

My Review:

What a beautiful story! This was my first book by Melanie Dickerson, but it won't be my last!

"The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest" is a combination of "The Swan Princess" and "Robin Hood," following the story of the fair and brave Odette as she poaches deer from the margrave's forest to feed the poor. Add Jorgen Hartman, the handsome and capable forester who has been put in charge of capturing the poacher, and you have a recipe for disaster... Or romance!

I loved both of the main characters. They seemed to leap off the page. I feel like I connected with both of them immediately.

I really enjoyed the subtle intrigue of this story, with several who-done-its planted throughout the story to keep things interesting.

5 stars for an excellent, sweet, adventurous read!

(I received an e-copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest review, which I have given.)

Amazon Link:

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Review: Explosive Alliance by Susan Sleeman

10/27/2015

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Book Blurb: 

RACE AGAINST TIME 

The last thing Krista Curry expected to find in a soccer stadium was a time bomb. When she alerts explosives expert Cash Dixon, she becomes a local hero. But the attention could expose her real name—and the infamous past she fought to escape. Cash promises Krista protection from the bomber's retaliation. Yet she hesitates to trust him as she sees his suspicion about her grow with every question she dodges. She can't expect Cash to continue to safeguard her unless she tells him the truth. Now Cash must decide if she's an innocent woman or guilty accomplice. But the clock is ticking down—and the real bomber is still on the loose… 

First Responders: Brave men and women alert and ready for danger and love.

My Thoughts:

Explosive Alliance is the first book I've read by this author, but it won't be the last. I really enjoyed this inspirational romantic suspense story.

Cash and Krista are great characters, flawed yet lovable. I really enjoyed Opa and Krista's relationship. It brought a sweetness to the suspense. I also liked the family atmosphere of the First Responders Team. I can see how all of them will have unique stories to tell. (And can’t wait!)

I loved the twist at the end that answered all of the questions. I won't say any more, but the end is worth it! :)

I'm giving this great read 4 stars. Looking forward to the next installment!

(I received an e-copy of this book from Harlequin and Netgalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review, which I have given.)

Sound good? Pick up your copy here!

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Review: "Siren's Fury" by Mary Weber

10/6/2015

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Book Blurb:

“I thrust my hand toward the sky as my voice begs the Elemental inside me to waken and rise. But it’s no use. The curse I’ve spent my entire life abhorring—the thing I trained so hard to control—no longer exists.”

Nym risked her life to save Faelen, her homeland, from a losing war, only to discover that the shapeshifter Draewulf has stolen everything she holds dear. But when the repulsive monster robs Nym of her storm-summoning abilities as well, the beautiful Elemental realizes her war is only just beginning.

Now powerless to control the elements that once emboldened her, Nym stows away on an airship traveling to the metallic kingdom of Bron. She must stop Draewulf. But the horrors he’s brought to life and the secrets of Bron are more than Nym bargained for. Then the disturbing Lord Myles tempts her with new powers that could destroy the monster, and Nym must decide whether she can compromise in the name of good even if it costs her very soul.

As she navigates the stark industrial cityscape of Bron, Nym is faced with an impossible choice: change the future with one slice of a blade . . . or sacrifice the entire kingdom for the one thing her heart just can’t let go.

My Thoughts:


After the emotional bombshell that is dropped at the end of Storm Siren, I wasn't sure how the author was going to "fix" it. After reading the next book in the series, all I can say is: You must read it!!!

I don't read very much fantasy fiction, but Ms. Weber has changed my mind... She has the knack for taking completely impossible and hopeless circumstances and somehow making them work out even better than we could imagine.

In this series, I love how each of the characters are so deep and real. Nym is an excellent heroine, independent and tough without being annoying, clever and compassionate without being wimpy.

Draewulf, Rasha, Eogan, and Myles are also excellent characters.

I don't want to give anything away, so you're just gonna have to pick up a copy and check out this wonderful continuation to the story.

5 stars for a truly excellent story!

(I received an e-copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.)

Sound good? Pick up your copy here!

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Review and Giveaway: Together With You by Victoria Bylin

8/4/2015

5 Comments

 
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Book Blurb:

Sometimes the most unexpected love can be exactly what a heart needs...

When a Lost Child warning blares over the mall's PA system, Carly Mason finds the little girl playing with a stuffed rabbit. Something about Penny Tremaine is different. An ex-social worker, Carly recognizes that the child suffers fetal alcohol effects, and a piece of Carly's past suddenly confronts her. Never again will she become personally involved with a client. The risks are far too great. But something about Penny--and Penny's handsome father--tugs at Carly's heart.

Dr. Ryan Tremaine is trying to put his life back together. With his ex-wife remarried and on a trip far away, his two teenage sons and Penny are living under his roof full time. Ryan has put his faith in his Sink-or-Swim list, a plan to reconnect with his children. The first step: recruit Carly Mason to be Penny's nanny.

Ryan never anticipated being so drawn to Carly, an attraction Carly seems to fight as much as he does. Could Carly be the missing piece that helps his family stay afloat, or will their blossoming romance only complicate things further?

Known for her realistic and engaging characters, Victoria Bylin delivers an emotion-packed story reminiscent of The Sound of Music, one that reminds us all to believe in the power of faith and love.

My Thoughts:

This novel pulled me in from the very first page and didn't let me go. Victoria Bylin is a new-to-me author, but I look forward to seeing what else she has written. 

From their first scene together, Carly and Ryan are perfect together, even when they're butting heads. Both of them are flawed and hurting, but their characters came alive to me as a reader, springing to life off of the page. Their love story is sweet, genuine, and authentic, growing slowly but surely. 

Before reading this book, I was not aware of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, but I feel like I learned quite a bit about it during my reading.

5 stars for a sweet, thought-provoking romance.



(I received an e-copy of this book from Netgalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.)

Giveaway Time!

I won a copy of this book in another giveaway, so I'm passing it on to one of y'all! Just fill out the Giveaway Tools form below to put your name in for this great book. :) Giveaway ends 8/11.
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Book Review: After A Fashion by Jen Turano

7/23/2015

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Book Blurb:

Miss Harriet Peabody dreams of the day she can open up a shop selling refashioned gowns to independent working women like herself. Unfortunately, when an errand for her millinery shop job goes sadly awry due to a difficult customer, she finds herself out of an income.

Mr. Oliver Addleshaw is on the verge of his biggest business deal yet when he learns his potential partner prefers to deal with men who are settled down and wed. When Oliver witnesses his ex not-quite-fiance cause the hapless Harriet to lose her job, he tries to make it up to her by enlisting her help in making a good impression on his business partner.

Harriet quickly finds her love of fashion can't make her fashionable. She'll never truly fit into Oliver's world, but just as she's ready to call off the fake relationship, fancy dinners, and elegant balls, a threat from her past forces both Oliver and Harriet to discover that love can come in the most surprising packages.

My Thoughts:

Guys, I’ll be honest, this is probably the best book I’ve read this year. I absolutely LOVE Jen Turano’s writing. She has the delightful habit of dropping her well-developed characters into deliciously ridiculous situations and we readers get to watch them figure out how to deal with it in their own quirky, unique ways. What fun!

Ms. Turano has a way of making historical fiction fun, exciting, and hilarious. I lost count of all the times I burst into giggles while reading. It’s just that good, y’all.

The characters are wonderful. Both the hero, Oliver, and the heroine' Harriet, were deep, unique, and flawed while being extremely likable. Their budding romance was completely swoon-worthy. I also fell in love with a few of the other characters and can’t wait to see them star in their own stories. (Lucetta and Millie, I’m talking about you!)

If you like inspirational historical fiction with comedy and romance (and even if you don’t), I recommend picking up this book. You won’t regret it.

I can’t wait to see what Ms. Turano has up her sleeve next. 5 stars for a fantastic read!



(Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of this book from NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest and unbiased review, which I have given.)

Amazon Link:

As of this posting, you can purchase a copy on Amazon for $1.99! (Always double-check the price before you buy, though.)
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    Inspirational author. Newbie Air Force wife. Jesus Follower. Recovering musician. Dachshund mama. Coffee addict. Book reviewer/giveaway-er.

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