By the Stars by Lindsay B. Ferguson - Giveaway!

Lindsay's publisher is offering a giveaway of 10 copies of By the Stars on Goodreads. Find the giveaway with this link!

By the Stars

Author: Lindsay B. Ferguson

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Published: March 2016

ISBN: 9781462118151

Paperback: 320 pages

FTC FYI: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, all views and opinions are my own.

Goodreads Summary

When Cal finally gets a chance with Kate, the girl he's loved since grade school, their easy friendship quickly blossoms into a meaningful romance. Spirited and independent, Kate keeps a guarded heart due to a painful past, and Cal wants nothing more than to gain her trust. But World War II soon cuts their time far too short, and Cal prepares to part from her – possibly for good. After he's gone, what Kate does next changes everything. 

In the suffocating jungles of the Philippines Cal encounters the chilling life of a soldier and deadly battles of war. With Kate's memory willing him on, Cal must put his trust in God to survive if he hopes to ever return to her. Inspired by a true story, By the Stars is a romance that stands the test of time and the most intense obstacles.

My Review

By the Stars is the beautifully told story of Cal and Kate.  Cal loved Kate since the 8th grade, and always admired her from afar.  When they did "meet" again, I loved the progression of their relationship.  I loved how Cal saw Kate, really saw her. Not only for her beauty but for the type of person that she was.  Cal is sent away many times. First with his mission before they courted, then a second time when he is called to war.  I loved seeing Cal's character grow through these experiences.  I enjoyed their courtship before Cal leaves for war, but what I loved most about it, was the regret Kate felt when he leaves, and what she does after that, it was very clever and sweet.  And well, quite sneaky too.   I love stories about World War II, that time period is very fascinating to me.  The author does an incredible job of depicting war, the horrors of war, and the battles of war. Cal was amazing to me.  Not only was he a loyal and caring person, but incredibly brave and a hero.  What I loved most about the story was how it is based on real people.  I loved the Afterword and the author's thoughts and feelings on why she wrote the book in the first place, truly amazing.  I love hearing the "back story" on why a book is written.

One of my favorite quotes was right at the beginning. 

If there's one thing I've learned throughout my experiences, it's that in life there are no coincidences.  In my life there have been no coincidences.  God's hands are in everything.  As I have given my life to Him, He has shaped it.

This statement stuck with me as I read this book, and has stayed with me since.  While reading, it was clear that Cal stayed faithful and God blessed and protected him.  What a wonderful lesson for us all.

5 out of 5 stars.  These characters will always have a special place in my heart.

Author Links

Website / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Book and Things / Deseret Book

Thank you to Cedar Fort and the author. They have graciously offered a paperback copy of the book as a giveaway! Use the Rafflecopter for the giveaway. US ONLY a Rafflecopter giveaway

Home and Away by Dean Hughes

Home and Away: A World War II Christmas Story

Author: Dean Hughes

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: September 2015

ISBN13: 9781629720937

Hardcover: 176 pages

FTC FYI: Received a hardcover copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads Summary

A historical fiction novel told from the perspective of a son fighting on the battlefields of Europe during World War II and his mother, struggling with worry and uncertainty about her soldier son while she tries to keep a semblenance of a normal, happy Christmas holiday back on the home front. Norma Hayes has always tried to make Christmas special for her family, but 1944 will make that more difficult with money being tight and wartime rationing making everything hard to come by. Aware of his mother's hardships and the worry from having her eldest son at war, second son, Dennis, is determined to buy his mother a special gift this Christmas, a lavender blue dress he hopes will bring her comfort as a symbol of special times gone by and the hope of a brighter future with the family reunited at war's end. Meantime, on the long campaign to free Europe, her soldier son carrys on as best he can, the horrors of war taking its heavy toll on armies and civilians alike. On a battlefield far from home in Holland with his 101st Airborne battalion, he catches a familiar scent of lavender which briefly transports him back to the home front to the perfume scent his mother wore, giving him a short respite and reuniting the family once again if only in his imagination. This historical fiction novel is a nostalgic and tender story about the power of love, the reality of war, and the hope we all have that things will turn out all right.

My Review

I truly loved this story.  It is the perfect book for Christmastime.  The story is beautifully told.  Dennis was my favorite character.  I loved how he treated his mom, with so much respect and love.  It was touching how he wanted to get her the perfect gift and I loved how he was able to obtain it for her.  That part made me cry.  I enjoyed the point of view switches between Dennis and Glen.  The author does a great job showing the hardships of war, for all involved.  How hard it is for the soldiers and those left at home worrying.  Dennis's father, at times, really frustrated me, but I appreciated him more when I understood his side.  The scenes with Glen at war were written well, one particular scene that had the tears flowing.  I loved how the family was able to come together, as they are waiting to hear Glen's fate.  The time period was a character itself.  I really enjoy stories about World War II.  Dennis and Glen's mother, Norma, was a great character.  No matter how hard things were, she always remained positive.  She sacrificed so much for her family.

5 out of 5 stars.  Merry Christmas!

Author Links

Website / Goodreads

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Deseret Book 

Secrets of the Red Box by Vickie Hall -- Blog Tour

Secrets of the Red Box

Author: Vickie Hall

Publisher: self

Published: September 15th, 2012

ISBN13: 978-1479330546

FTC FYI: I received a PDF copy in exchange for an honest review

Goodreads Summary:

Bonnie has secrets to keep - secrets with the potential to destroy lives, including her own. Running from her destructive and pain filled past, she recreates herself, believing she has escaped the damning evidence hidden in the red box. When her former life is revealed by a cruel twist of fate, Bonnie faces losing everything, including Glen, the only man she’s ever loved. But is Bonnie the woman he thinks she is? Set against the backdrop of the 1940s, Secrets of the Red Box is filled with intrigue and suspense - sure to keep you guessing to the very end!

My Review

3 out of 5 stars.  I did enjoy reading Secrets of the Red Box.  There were times, however, when I thought it was a little slow.  I thought there were some things that didn't need to be in there.  It is a clean read, which I appreciated, and the author did a great job of developing characters.  I really liked the ending, and thought it was perfect for what the secrets were in the red box.

Tour Giveaway

• $25 Amazon Gift Card or $25 PayPal Cash from Author Vickie Hall + copy of Secrets of the Red Box (US - Paperback, Kindle ebook - International)
• Paperback copy of Secrets of the Red Box (US only)
• Kindle Ebook copy of Secrets of the Red Box (International)

Ends 11/25/2012

Author Vickie Hall

Vickie is a native of Utah, but growing up, lived in the states of Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and Nebraska. When she's not writing, she's composing music, or shopping with her sister. She loves animals of all kinds and camping with her family. Her favorite pastime is watching old movies on TCM, and unashamedly has a crush on Cary Grant.

Links: Blog * Website * Facebook * Goodreads

Secrets of the Red Box

Bonnie has secrets to keep - secrets with the potential to destroy lives, including her own. Running from her destructive and pain filled past, she recreates herself, believing she has escaped the damning evidence hidden in the red box. When her former life is revealed by a cruel twist of fate, Bonnie faces losing everything, including Glen, the only man she’s ever loved. But is Bonnie the woman he thinks she is? Set against the backdrop of the 1940s, Secrets of the Red Box is filled with intrigue and suspense - sure to keep you guessing to the very end!

Purchase Link: Amazon 

Link for the Book Blast.

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