Blog Tour: Spring Value Fiction "Grab Bag"

Since this was a "grab bag" tour - I didn't know what titles I would get. Since I like fiction, that wasn't an issue for me. The first book I picked up to read was Beneath a Southern Sky by Deborah Raney.

This was the first book I've ever read by this author but I really enjoyed it. It was a bit slow starting but once it did - it was truly a great read. It's a wonderful story about trusting God fully with your life.

Publisher's Summary:
After two years of serving as a missionary in a remote area of South America, Daria Camfield has returned to the States to mourn her husband, reportedly killed while providing medical aid to a neighboring Colombian village. 

One family discovers how God can redeem any tragedy.

At first, Daria finds comfort only in the daughter born to her after Nate’s tragic death. As she begins to heal, she also finds a listening ear and a tender heart in her new boss, veterinarian Colson Hunter. Determined to move forward with life, Daria ignores the still small voice calling her to wait and accepts Cole’s marriage proposal. But after the wedding, Daria’s new dream life turns into a nightmare with the arrival of an unbelievable telegram: “Nathan Camfield found alive. Flying into K.C. Int’l. via Bogota…”

Now two men have the right to her daughter, her life, and her love. Will Daria return to her beloved first husband, abandoning Cole? Or will she reject Nate and choose the only man her daughter has ever called “Daddy”--a man she has come to cherish with all her heart?


DEBORAH RANEY is at work on her 20th novel. Her books have won the RITA Award, HOLT Medallion, National Readers' Choice Award, Silver Angel, and have twice been Christy Award finalists. Her first novel, A Vow to Cherish, inspired the World Wide Pictures film of the same title. Deb and her husband, Ken Raney, enjoy small-town life in Kansas. They are new empty nesters with four grown children and two grandsons, all of whom live much too far away.

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The second book I was given was called Faithful Heart by Al Lacey. I do have a couple hang-ups with this...it is the second book in Mr. Lacey's newest series, however, he has a previous series about this same character that consists of four additional books. I just like to read my books in order as you miss little things by jumping in to the middle of the series. Having said that, Mr. Lacey does a good job of filling in the back story. The book even has an explanation with some of the background right in the beginning.

I am still reading this book and I haven't yet decided how much I like it. I do think I will be getting the other books and reading through the series all the way from the beginning though.

Publisher's summary:

FOR SOME SOLDIERS, THE BATTLE never ends. 

Dottie Harper fears for her children's safety. Her husband, Jerrod, is struggling with dementia brought on by shell shock during the Civil War. It's as though there are two Jerrods locked inside him: the tender and loving Christian man she married, and a harsh man given to unpredictable fits of violent rage. Dottie loves her husband with all her heart, and with God's help, she'd determined to remain steadfast. 

Dottie's sister, Breanna Baylor, is a certified medical nurse. She's headed west with a wagon train, planning to visit Dottie in California and meet her family for the first time. Along the way, Breanna meets up with wounded soldiers, contagious townspeople, and injured outlaws. Compassionate and highly skilled, she tends to their physical hurts and shares the gospel whenever she can. Litlle does she know that a life-or-death meeting awaits with her own brother-in-law.

Come alongside these two remarkable sisters, and rejoice in how God takes care of those with faithful hearts.

AL LACY has written more than ninety novels, including the Angel of Mercy, Battles of Destiny, and Journeys of the Stranger series. He and his wife, JoAnna Lacy, are coauthors of the Mail Order Bride, Hannah of Fort Bridger, and Shadow of Liberty series. The Lacys make their home in the Colorado Rockies.

Disclaimer: I am not paid for these book reviews. I am given copies of the books by the WaterBrook Multnomah Blogging for Books program to read in exchange for my review. Of course, this arrangement works well for me since I love to read! If you are interested in seeing how to get free books to review, click on the link in my side bar.