EmpowerMoms

To Wager Her Heart (A Belle Meade Plantation Novel, Book 3 of 3) by Tamera Alexander

“To Wager Hear Heart” is book 3 in the Belle Meade Plantation series but each novel are “standalone novels” meaning that each book is a complete story and can be read independent of the others. But if you’re planning to read them all, the author encourages readers to read them in order.

I have not read the other books in this series, but I did enjoy this historical romance. I really liked Alexandra and her love for learning and wanting to teach others. After the death of her finance, she finds herself cast our of her house after choosing to teach at a university. She isn’t impressed with Sylas at first, especially because of his ties to the railroad, but they start to lean on each other and help each other through tough circumstances.

This book was rich with history and very accurate for the time period and events represented. I enjoyed reading it and it got me interested in reading other books by this author.

I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

About the Book:
Sylas Rutledge, the new owner of the Northeast Line Railroad, invests everything he has into this venture, partly for the sake of the challenge. But mostly to clear his father’s name. One man holds the key to Sy’s success–General William Giles Harding of Nashville’s Belle Meade Plantation. But Harding is champagne and thoroughbreds, and Sy Rutledge is beer and bullocks.

Seeking justice . . .

Sy needs someone to help him maneuver his way through Nashville’s society, and when he meets Alexandra Jamison, he quickly decides he’s found his tutor. Only, he soon discovers that the very train accident his father is blamed for causing is what killed Alexandra Jamison’s fiancé–and has shattered her world.

Struggling to restore honor . . .

Spurning an arranged marriage by her father, Alexandra instead pursues her passion for teaching at Fisk University, the first freedmen’s university in the United States. But family–and Nashville society–do not approve, and she soon finds herself cast out from both.

Through connections with the Harding family, Alexandra and Sy become unlikely allies. And despite her first impressions, Alexandra gradually finds herself coming to respect, and even care for this man. But how can she, when her heart is still spoken for? And when Sy’s roguish qualities and adventuresome spirit smack more of recklessness than responsibility and honor?

Sylas Rutledge will risk everything to win over the woman he loves. What he doesn’t count on is having to wager her heart to do it.

With fates bound by a shared tragedy, a reformed gambler from the Colorado Territory and a Southern Belle bent on breaking free from society’s expectations must work together to achieve their dreams – provided the truth doesn’t tear them apart first.

Purchase a copy here:

Biography
Tamera Alexander is a USA Today bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers in the historical fiction genre. She and her husband live in Nashville, Tennessee, not far from the Southern mansions that serve as the backdrop for six of her award-winning novels. For more about Tamera’s books, visit www.TameraAlexander.com

More about the book here:
http://tameraalexander.com/books/belle_meade_plantation_novels/to_wager_her_heart

About the Book:
Olivia Dalton has a reputation in the DA’s office—tough, thorough, and fierce when she’s closing a case. Those skills are essential in the courtroom, but not in the relationship department—until Mick Donovan crosses her path. Everyone thinks he’s a player, but when an unexpected situation arises, she glimpses an honorable man instead. Olivia is drawn to him, but he pushes her away, unable to shake the past that still haunts him. Can he ever let down his guard long enough to let her in and take a chance at love?

Keep watching Author Julie Bellon’s Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJulieCoulterBellon/ to find out the exact release date in October!

With This Wish (Windswept Bay #9) by Debra Clopton

This series is set in Windswept Bay-beach area and introduces the 9 Sinclair siblings through out the series of books.

Brothers: Levi, Cam, Jake, Max, Trent
Sisters: Cali, Shar, Olivia, Jillian

I have read all 9 books in this series and I have loved every single one of them!

In this story, Trent meets his new neighbor Lilly (who happens to be the sister of his brother in law) and is immediately blown away by her personality. Trent builds adult tree houses in his spare time so Lilly asks him to build her one for her “authors den”. Lilly moves to town to be closer to her brother and to focus on her writing in a more peaceful environment.

I love that this series focuses on faith, family, love; all the while showing realistic character struggles like Trent and Lilly experiencing traumatic loses in their lives and learning to love again.

I can’t wait to read about Jake in the upcoming #10 ebook! I highly recommend this fun, romantic, christian fiction series!

I received a copy of this ebook complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

About the book:
Trent Sinclair knows love and loss. He holds both close to his heart and private. But when he meets Lilly McCall, the sister of his brother-in-law, suddenly his life is turned upside down. Lilly McCall has been running from her past as long as she can remember. She keeps busy helping out at one national park after the other…but now her past is catching up to her and she’s come to Windswept Bay looking for answers. She isn’t counting on the handsome, quiet Trent Sinclair turning her world upside down and putting her wounded heart on the line. Don’t miss this next heartwarming, touching story in the Windswept Bay Series~the sisters have had their love stories now its time for the brothers to get swept away by love.

Purchase your copy here:

My reviews for the other books in the series are here:

Book 1: http://empowermoms.net/2016/10/from-this-moment-on-windswept-bay-1-by-debra-clopton.html
Book 2: http://empowermoms.net/2016/10/somewhere-with-you-windswept-bay-2-by-debra-clopton-book-review.html
Book 3: http://empowermoms.net/2016/12/with-this-kiss-windswept-bay-book-3-by-debra-clopton.html
Book 4: http://empowermoms.net/2016/12/forever-and-for-always-windswept-bay-4-by-debra-clopton.html
Book 5: http://empowermoms.net/2017/01/holding-out-for-love-windswept-bay-5-by-debra-clopton.html
Book 6: http://empowermoms.net/2017/06/with-this-ring-windswept-bay-book-6-by-debra-clopton.html
Book 7: http://empowermoms.net/2017/06/with-this-promise-windswept-bay-volume-7-by-debra-clopton.html
Book 8: http://empowermoms.net/2017/06/with-this-pledge-windswept-bay-volume-8-by-debra-clopton.html

About the Author
Bestselling author Debra Clopton has sold over 2.5 million books and her holiday story, OPERATION: MARRIED BY CHRISTMAS has been optioned for an ABC Family Movie staring LeAnn Rimes. Debra writes cowboy romances, inspirational, Christian romance, contemporary and western romances set in Texas. She is known for her snappy dialogue, cowboy heroes and spunky heroines. Her awards include: The Book Sellers Best, Romantic Times Magazine’s Book of the Year. She’s also a Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Finalist, and a triple finalist in the American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award. A sixth generation Texan, Debra lives on a ranch in central Texas with her husband Chuck. She loves to travel and spend time with her family. She is the author of the much loved Mule Hollow Matchmakers series where you never know what the Matchmaking “Posse” is going to do next! She has written for Harlequin and Harper Collins Christian and now with DCP Publishing with her newest series New Horizon Ranch collection. She is currently working on her 39th novel surrounded by cows, dogs and even renegade donkey herds that keep her writing authentic and often find their way into her stories. She loves helping people smile with her fun, fast paced stories. Visit Debra’s website at http://www.debraclopton.com

The Berenstain Bears 5-Minute Inspirational Stories
Read-Along Classics
By Stan & Jan Berenstain with Mike Berenstain

My 7 year old LOVES Berenstain Bears books and we have ALOT! We were thrilled to get this book because it’s perfect to keep on our nightstand to read before bed. I like that it’s hardcover and larger so its easy to hold and not get bent.

The stories included are from the “Living Lights” series which are more christian stories instead of secular. The stories explain different aspects of living life according to God’s way and the scriptures.

My son loved all the stories in this collection and we have read this book numerous times since it was released in May! Well worth the money since you receive 12 stories in this collection!

I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

Age Range: 4 – 8 years
Grade Level: Preschool – 3
Series: Berenstain Bears/Living Lights
Hardcover: 192 pages

About the Book:
The Berenstain Bears 5-Minute Read-Along Stories is the perfect companion for young readers at bedtime or anytime. With classic stories from the Berenstain Bears Living Lights series, join the Bear family and all their friends in Bear Country as they learn how to be good friends, how to play fairly, where to find courage, and much more. This oversize padded storybook is sure to become a lap time favorite for Berenstain fans, both young and old, as they read these stories in 5 minutes.

Stories included are:

The Berenstain Bears and the Forgiving Tree,
The Berenstain Bears God Loves You,
The Berenstain Bears Say Their Prayers,
The Berenstain Bears Love Their Neighbors,
The Berenstain Bears’ Faithful Friends,
The Berenstain Bears’ Biggest Brag,
The Berenstain Bears and the Gift of Courage,
The Berenstain Bears Blessed are the Peacemakers,
The Berenstain Bears Get Involved,
The Berenstain Bears’ Gossip Gang,
The Berenstain Bears God Bless Our Home, and
The Berenstain Bears Here’s the Church, Here’s the Steeple.

Purchase your copy here:

About the Author:
Stan and Jan Berenstain introduced the first Berenstain Bear books in 1962. Mike Berenstain grew up watching his parents work together to write about and draw these lovable bears. Eventually he started drawing and writing about them too. Though Stan died in 2005, and Jan in 2012, Mike continues to create the delightful Bear adventures from his studio in Pennsylvania, in an area that looks much like the sunny dirt road deep in Bear Country.

“Fault Lines” by Thomas Locke

I haven’t read anything by this author so I was excited to try a new book. Unfortunately I didn’t read the book description very well because I don’t care for “psychological thriller” books. I had a hard time getting into the characters and plot.

From the first chapter it seemed unrealistic and weird to me that Charlie would get into a vehicle with a strange woman and drive to a secret, undisclosed location. I read about half the book before I just put it away.

If you like this author’s writing style or psychological thriller mystery books, than you may enjoy this one!

I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

About the Book:
As a security expert, Charlie Hazard is all about taking control of the situation. But when the stunning Dr. Gabriella Speciale draws him into a secret psychological project, risk parameters are shattered. Every move brings him to the edge of one fault line after another, and Charlie struggles to stay clear of a maelstrom of entangled dangers.

The research team abandons the lab on the Florida coast and flees to a mountain refuge in Italy. The battles in Charlie’s mind are overtaken by real life attacks. He must grapple with the daunting realization that a conspiracy is taking hold on both internal and external levels. Can Gabriella be trusted, or is she just part of the scheme?

Leave behind your assumptions about the way the world works, and race along the unknown corridors of human consciousness in Fault Lines.

Purchase your copy here: