FIT TO BE TIED (Bucklin Family Reunion Series #2) by Debby Mayne [Giveaway - 2 winners]

My thoughts: Delving into this second in the Bucklin Reunion Series, Fit To Be Tied, took this reader on a "road trip" of family drama and tensions. The Bucklins are like no other family I ever met and I'm a Southern Lady born 'n bred. However, being different seems to be what the Bucklins are best at, plus arguing, plus having a heap of drama.

Their reunions are famous for miles around with non-family members dreaming of the possibility of an invitation so they can see this never-to-fail-excitement for themselves. The food alone is worth dreaming over.

The book is a lot about the ladies in the community and family getting fashion make overs at the local chic dress shop, and it is a lot about cooking and bringing food to brag about to the reunion. 

Each chapter is from a different character's POV and switches back and forth throughout.  This can be good or it can be distracting. I found it just a little difficult to keep track of who was who in the fast switches.

All in all, this is a good, light read that gives the reader a look into flawed individuals who work around problems and resolve issues. There is a touch of romance. No suspense. This is contemporary Christian fiction that is clean and wholesome.

About the book: Bucklin family loves each other too much to stay away. . . but not enough to behave.  

Being rich is fine, but when wealth comes from striking oil, it can make a slippery mess for a family who doesn’t know what to do with it. The Bucklin cousins are all together again, and this family reunion is shaping up to be another hot mess.

Coralee falls for the police officer who pulls her over. Sally has finally found a guy, but now she’s not sure a relationship is even worth the bother. No matter how hard Brett tries to avoid trouble, he somehow stumbles right back into the thick of it. And Marybeth and Bucky continue to fumble and bumble as they learn just how to handle being rich.

The Bucklin family is known for drama—and family drama knows no bounds.

GIVEAWAY

2 winners - each win 1 copy
Begins September 6

Ends September 28 at 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA addresses only.

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Meet the Author: Debby Mayne writes family and faith-based romances, cozy mysteries, and women's fiction and is the author of more than 60 novels and novellas-plus more than 1,000 short stories, articles, and devotions for busy women. Debby is currently an etiquette writer for The Spruce.

Debby grew up in a military family, which meant moving every few years throughout her childhood. She was born in Alaska, and she has lived in Mississippi, Tennessee, Oregon, Florida, South Carolina, Hawaii, and Japan. Her parents were both from the Deep South, so Debby enjoys featuring characters with Southern drawls, plenty of down-home cooking, and folks with quirky mannerisms. High Cotton is the first book in the Bucklin Family Reunion series.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions expressed by me are mine, alone, and are freely given. Giveaway copies are provided directly to the winner by Gilead Publishing.

High Cotton: Bucklin Family Reunion series: Book 1 by Debby Mayne (Southern Fiction from Gilead Publishing) [Review & Giveaway]

My thoughts:  From the first page, High Cotton has you jumping into the family with both feet and before you know it you're knee deep in characters with their quirks, smirks, roses and thorns, and pure southern goodness. Be prepared because there are stories within the story and you have to have your bonnet tied on tight to keep them all straight as you switch from one point of view to another.

What I like about some of the characters.......

"Shay" is a strong young Southern woman who is successful in business. She is single, but recently having encountered former high school crush has the date scene looking a bit promising. She is smart. She is successful. She is considerate and loving. 

"The Twins: Sara and Sally" are in their early 20's and are highly successful (think large bank balances) with their Etsy business of making large bows! I totally love these two energetic, sentence sharing sweeties! 

"Puddin'" is the middle aged wife and mother who is hiding a secret and who feels unappreciated and unloved. Nothing bad or sinister here, just simple middle age stuff that some sweet women experience.

Lots of other characters, but these hit the spot of favoritism with me. And they and all the others prepare for some southern living that really isn't too much different from northern or western living.

This is a delightfully fun book to read full of charm, quirkiness, sweetness, and humor that is a good book to share. Who knows? You just might find yourself written in as one of the characters. Will you find yourself in the pages of High Cotton?

About the book: Some families are filled with so much love they can't help but drive each other crazy.

Shay Henke has mixed feelings about going to her family's next reunion. On the one hand, she'll get to see everyone in her mama's family---folks she loves unconditionally. On the other hand, she knows there'll be more drama than you can shake a stick at.

The days leading up to the event bring one surprise after another. First Shay must deal with her sister-in-law's deep, dark secret. Then she has to contend with the childish ways of her business-mogul twin cousins. And when her high school crush wants to be her date to the reunion . . . well, it may have been a dream come true for Shay's teen self, but the woman she's become doesn't know what to make of this.

Shay's contentment is challenged, and she's determined to shake things up a bit. But will she find the excitement she's looking for, or will Shay realize she prefers her quiet and predictable life?

GIVEAWAY

Begins March 21

Ends April 9 at 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Meet the Author: Debby Mayne writes family and faith-based romances, cozy mysteries, and women's fiction and is the author of more than 60 novels and novellas-plus more than 1,000 short stories, articles, and devotions for busy women. Debby is currently an etiquette writer for The Spruce.

Debby grew up in a military family, which meant moving every few years throughout her childhood. She was born in Alaska, and she has lived in Mississippi, Tennessee, Oregon, Florida, South Carolina, Hawaii, and Japan. Her parents were both from the Deep South, so Debby enjoys featuring characters with Southern drawls, plenty of down-home cooking, and folks with quirky mannerisms. High Cotton is the first book in the Bucklin Family Reunion series.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions expressed by me are mine, alone, and are freely given. Giveaway copy is provided directly to the winner by Gilead Publishing.

High Cotton (Bucklin Family Reunion series #1) by Debby Mayne [Giveaway]

ISBN: 9781683701309
Gilead Publishing
Christian fiction $15.99

About the book: Some families are filled with so much love they can't help but drive each other crazy.

Shay Henke has mixed feelings about going to her family's next reunion. On the one hand, she'll get to see everyone in her mama's family---folks she loves unconditionally. On the other hand, she knows there'll be more drama than you can shake a stick at.

The days leading up to the event bring one surprise after another. First Shay must deal with her sister-in-law's deep, dark secret. Then she has to contend with the childish ways of her business-mogul twin cousins. And when her high school crush wants to be her date to the reunion . . . well, it may have been a dream come true for Shay's teen self, but the woman she's become doesn't know what to make of this.

Shay's contentment is challenged, and she's determined to shake things up a bit. But will she find the excitement she's looking for, or will Shay realize she prefers her quiet and predictable life?

One thing is certain: Life with the Bucklin family is never boring.

Meet the Author: Debby Mayne writes family and faith-based romances, cozy mysteries, and women's fiction and is the author of more than 60 novels and novellas-plus more than 1,000 short stories, articles, and devotions for busy women. Debby is currently an etiquette writer for The Spruce.

Debby grew up in a military family, which meant moving every few years throughout her childhood. She was born in Alaska, and she has lived in Mississippi, Tennessee, Oregon, Florida, South Carolina, Hawaii, and Japan. Her parents were both from the Deep South, so Debby enjoys featuring characters with Southern drawls, plenty of down-home cooking, and folks with quirky mannerisms. High Cotton is the first book in the Bucklin Family Reunion series.

GIVEAWAY

Begins March 21

Ends April 9 at 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions expressed by me are mine, alone, and are freely given. Giveaway copy is provided directly to the winner by Gilead Publishing.

The Melody of the Soul (Music of Hope book #1) by Liz Tolsma (World War II Historical Fiction) [Review & Giveaway]

My thoughts:     I find it quite disconcerting to read of the soul-searching inner turmoil and the bitter and senseless mistreatment of others that are found in stories that involve the treatment of Jews and those who helped them during World War II. Horrific! Inhumane! Senseless! Evil!

I find, too, the strength of people faced with such calamity encouraging to my weak spirit as I read of their inner strength and faith when faced with the horrors of the time.

In The Melody of the Soul the author writes of loss of faith and strength of faith. She shows us the loveliness that is found in music reaching the depths of the soul caressing and gentling it to the point that one finds themselves settled, able to cope, and renewed. The melody is not only in the music. The melody is that which is in tune with the Almighty. The God of the ages. The Saviour.

This is a lovely story but it is also one that wrenches the soul and the heart. Those were times of much evil and much meanness toward those perceived and declared different. Ms. Tolsma writes with skill and gently leads the reader down the streets and into the homes and on into the heart of the characters.

You may find yourself gripped with the story yet unable to continue reading because your own heart must settle before you can turn another page. No, there is no detailed ugliness in the writing. The spirit of the events is adequately presented yet not to a point of being gross.

I highly recommend this book.

The author and the music of the book...... I don’t listen to music when I write, because I need complete silence in order to concentrate. The book is filled with references to classical music, because Anna was a concert violinist. The following are some of the songs that appear in the book. The most significant song, and the one that sounds like what I envision the tone of the book to be, is Csárdás.

• Mozart Violin Concerto Number Three
• Vittorio Monti’s Csárdás
• Paganini’s 24 Caprices
• Bach Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Minor
• Anton Bruckner’s Ninth Symphony in D Minor
• Beethoven’s Fourth Symphony.
• Vivaldi’s Four Seasons

About the book: It's 1943 and Anna Zadok, a Jewish Christian living in Prague, has lost nearly everything. Most of her family has been deported, and the Nazi occupation ended her career as a concert violinist. Now Anna is left to care for her grandmother, and she'll do anything to keep her safe---a job that gets much harder when Nazi officer Horst Engel is quartered in the flat below them.

Though musical instruments have been declared illegal, Anna defiantly continues to play the violin. But Horst, dissatisfied with German ideology, enjoys her soothing music. When Anna and her grandmother face deportation, Horst risks everything to protect them.

Anna finds herself falling in love with the handsome officer and his brave heart. But what he reveals might stop the music forever.

More information & reviews: click here

Meet the Author: Liz Tolsma's specialty is historical fiction---from WWII to prairie romance. Her debut novel was a finalist for the 2014 Selah and Carol Award. She prides herself in excellent storytelling, presenting accurate historical details, and creating persevering characters.

Liz is also a popular speaker on topics such as writing, marriage, living with courage, and adoption. She and her husband have adopted all their children internationally. Liz resides in semi-rural Wisconsin with her husband and two daughters; her son currently serves as a U.S. Marine. Liz is a breast cancer survivor and lives her life to the fullest. In her free time, she enjoys reading, working in her large perennial garden, kayaking, and camping with her family.

GIVEAWAY

Begins January 16

Ends February 6 at 12:01 a.m. EST

Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Litfuse Publicity Group on behalf of the publisher Gilead Publishing and the author to facilitate a review. Opinions are my own and are freely given. Winner's copy is provided by and sent directly to the winner by either the publicist, publisher, or author.

Favorite author Liz Tolsma writes a melodious story in "Melody of the Soul" Music of Hope Book #1 [Giveaway]

About the book: It's 1943 and Anna Zadok, a Jewish Christian living in Prague, has lost nearly everything. Most of her family has been deported, and the Nazi occupation ended her career as a concert violinist. Now Anna is left to care for her grandmother, and she'll do anything to keep her safe---a job that gets much harder when Nazi officer Horst Engel is quartered in the flat below them.

Though musical instruments have been declared illegal, Anna defiantly continues to play the violin. But Horst, dissatisfied with German ideology, enjoys her soothing music. When Anna and her grandmother face deportation, Horst risks everything to protect them.

Anna finds herself falling in love with the handsome officer and his brave heart. But what he reveals might stop the music forever.

Meet the Author: Liz Tolsma's specialty is historical fiction---from WWII to prairie romance. Her debut novel was a finalist for the 2014 Selah and Carol Award. She prides herself in excellent storytelling, presenting accurate historical details, and creating persevering characters.

Liz is also a popular speaker on topics such as writing, marriage, living with courage, and adoption. She and her husband have adopted all their children internationally. Liz resides in semi-rural Wisconsin with her husband and two daughters; her son currently serves as a U.S. Marine. Liz is a breast cancer survivor and lives her life to the fullest. In her free time, she enjoys reading, working in her large perennial garden, kayaking, and camping with her family.

GIVEAWAY

Begins January 16

Ends February 6 at 12:01 a.m. EST

Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Litfuse Publicity Group on behalf of the publisher Gilead Publishing and the author to facilitate a review. Opinions are my own and are freely given. Winner's copy is provided by and sent directly to the winner by either the publicist, publisher, or author.