House Of Hope | Elizabeth Gifford | Book Review & Blog Tour

House Of Hope

by

Elizabeth Gifford

{ ABOUT THIS BOOK }

One couple’s powerful ministry to some of China’s most vulnerable children. 

Robin and Joyce Hill lived in a gated community in Beijing. Their family’s life was marked by luxury and the security of Robin's job as an engineer. Then one day, as members of their church, they had a chance to tour a state-run orphanage. Haunted by the needs of the children they saw there, for the next four years they tried to help the institute in meaningful ways.

In 1998 the Hills planned to leave China, but instead felt a sudden call from God on their lives. They left their gated community--reserved for only non-Chinese residents--moved their family into a small apartment miles outside of Beijing and immediately began to take in foster children.

They took in any child, but especially those that needed extra care—terminally ill children that couldn't receive care elsewhere, and those that needed complicated and expensive surgeries that the Hills soon began to coordinate and sometimes pay for out of their own savings.

What began as Hope Foster Home is now New Hope Foundation. As they continue their work, the Hills enjoy support from major corporations and high-profile philanthropists as well as the trust of the Chinese authorities. The Hills' story is an inspiring example of God's care and provision for those whom society does not value. Learn more about Hope Foster Homes here: http://www.hopefosterhome.com.

{ MY REVIEW }

This story is a very moving one, and I couldn't put it down. Robyn and Joyce Hill lead extraordinary lives, and because of their faith and devotion, thousands of Chinese babies are alive today who would otherwise have perished. What a legacy! I highly recommend this book to anyone with a heart for children, and for service to God.

{ PRAISE FOR THIS BOOK }

"I strongly support Robin and Joyce Hill's New Hope Foundation which is saving so many orphan lives in China. Read this amazing story of God's grace and accept the challenge to make a difference!"

--Steven Curtis Chapman

"I had the privilege of going to China and witnessing the work that God is doing through Robin and Joyce Hill. They are wonderful servants of God who lovingly care for the 'least of these.' I hope that many will read this book and consider their example."

--Francis Chan, author of Crazy Love

You can read what other reviewers are saying about House Of Hope here.
 

{ ABOUT THE AUTHOR }

Elisabeth Gifford is a journalist who has written for the London Times and the Independent Newspapers. She lives in Kingston, England, and teaches children with dyslexia.

{ BUY THIS BOOK }

You can buy this book for only $11.19 here!

{ WANNA WIN? }

The publisher is sponsoring a $50 "GET / GIVE" GIVEAWAY: One winner will receive a $50 Amazon.com gift certificate for themselves AND $50 will be given in the winner's name to Hope Foster Home!

To enter all you have to do is send a tweet (using #HFH) about The House of Hope or share about it on Facebook!

If you tweet they'll capture your entry when you use #HFH. If you share it on Facebook or your blog, just email them and let them know (ckrumm@litfusegroup.com). Easy!

{ DISCLOSURE }

I received a free copy of this book for the purpose of providing an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Doctor's Lady | Jody Hedlund | Book Review & Giveaway

This giveaway is closed. Congrats to the winner, Kimberly Ferland!

The Doctor's Lady
by
Jody Hedlund
Bethany House Publishers
378 pages

{ FROM THE BACK COVER }

Priscilla White KNEW God wanted her
to be a missionary. NOT A WIFE.

Then, the missionary board declares
THE ONLY WAY she can serve
is to be MARRIED.

Now, married IN NAME ONLY,
her epic journey west will test
her spirit...and the new
LONGINGS of her heart. 

~ from the back cover.

{ PLOT SYNOPSIS }

The Doctor's Lady is the fictionalized story of Marcus and Narcissa Whitman, a young missionary couple who traveled to Oregon country in 1836 to start a mission among the native Nez Perce. The Whitmans traveled with the Spaldings - a pastor and his wife - and Narcissa and Eliza Spalding are famous for being the first two white women to cross the Continental Divide and make it all the way to the far west. Narcissa wrote a very detailed diary, and drawing on those writings as well as the various historical accounts of their life, Jody Hedlund has constructed a vivid picture of the life of this incredible woman and her companions. In order to breathe life into her characters, Hedlund fictionalized the account just enough to speculate on what is not fully known, and gave the characters new names (Marcus and Narcissa Whitman become Eli and Priscilla Earnest); even so, this book is highly accurate as verified by Narcissa's diary.

{ MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK }

From the very first chapter, to the final page, The Doctor's Lady is mesmerizing. Priscilla's faith as she marries a man she does not know so that she can serve God on the mission field is staggering, as is the faith of the man she marries, Eli Earnest. These two, so different and yet so alike, do not at first seem like they could ever have more than a superficial, even business-like relationship, but watching them grow together through the rigors and trials of the trail West makes you yearn for more for them than the distant arrangement upon which they agreed when they obeyed the American Missions Board and got married in order to serve as missionaries. Jody Hedlund proves her merits as an author in this incredible story as she masterfully depicts the harsh life on the Oregon Trail, and all of the twists and turns of two lives drawn together by the Master. I highly recommend this book!

{ BUY THIS BOOK }

You can own your own copy of The Doctor's Lady for only $10.19 at Amazon.com!

{ COMING SOON }

Want to know more about this incredible author? Check back on Wednesday (November 16, 2011) to read an exclusive interview with Jody Hedlund, here on Little Bit Of Wonderful!

{ WIN THIS BOOK }

Want to win a free copy of The Doctor's Lady, right here on Little Bit Of Wonderful? The incredible author, Jody Hedlund, is offering one of my readers their own copy of this amazing book! All you have to do is enter via the Rafflecopter widget below (only entries received via the widget will count - comments are for blog lovin' only), and check back here (and in your email inbox) in two weeks to see if you are the lucky winner! This giveaway is open to residents of the United States, only.

{ DISCLOSURE }

I received a free copy of this book for the purpose of providing an honest review. All words and thoughts are my own.

{ WANT MORE? }

Don't miss my interview with this amazing author! Jody shares some thoughts with us here.

A Lasting Impression | Tamera Alexander | Book Review & Blog Tour

A Lasting Impression

by

Tamera Alexander

Bethany House Publishers

426 pages

{ ABOUT THIS BOOK }

A fake. A forger. More than anything, Claire Laurent longs for the chance to live an authentic life, to become the woman she wants to be. And she'll be given that choice. But will it come at too costly a price?

Claire Laurent's greatest aspiration is to paint something that will bring her acclaim. Yet her father insists she work as a copyist. A forger. When she's forced to flee from New Orleans to Nashville only a year after the War Between the States has ended, her path collides with attorney Sutton Monroe. She considers him a godsend for not turning her in to the authorities. But after he later refuses to come to her aid, Claire fears she's sorely misjudged the man. Finding herself among the elite of Nashville's society, Claire believes her dream to create a lasting impression in the world of art is within reach--but only if her fraudulent past remains hidden.

The Federal Army has destroyed Sutton's home and confiscated his land, and threatens to destroy his family's honor. His determination to reclaim what belongs to him and to right a grievous wrong reveals a truth that may cost him more than he ever imagined--as well as the woman he loves.Set at Nashville's historic Belmont Mansion, a stunning antebellum manor built by Mrs. Adelicia Acklen, A Lasting Impression is a sweeping love story about a nation mending after war, the redemption of those wounded, and the courage of a man and woman to see themselves--and each other--for who they really are.

{ MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK }

When I first picked up this book, I was genuinely worried that I held in my hand a cheesy romance novel with a Christian bent. Boy, was I wrong! A Lasting Impression is the fascinating story of a young woman forced to forge art by her father, who takes the first opportunity after her mother's death to flee and begin a new life in a world where honesty is valued higher than money. But the past does not die, and Claire eventually has to face up to her roots and accept the consequences. Sutton, the young many in the story, must also learn from his past - that who you are is not tied to what you own or what others think of you, but that our identities are determined by the choices we make each day, and by who God says we are. Claire and Sutton cross paths in a comical accident, and choose to walk away more than a little pleased to see the other go, only to be thrown into each others daily lives when Claire takes a job in the home of Sutton's employer and friend. Not only do they have to learn to get along, but they must also learn to trust each other - something that does not come easy to either.

I loved reading A Lasting Impression, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction. This story has certainly left an impression on me, that will last through many, many rereads!

{ ABOUT THE AUTHOR }

Tamera Alexander is a best-selling novelist whose deeply drawn characters, thought-provoking plots, and poignant prose resonate with readers. Having lived in Colorado for seventeen years, she and her husband now make their home in Nashville Tennessee, along with their two adult children who live near by. And don't forget Jack, their precious--and precocious--silky terrier.

For more information please visit www.tameraalexander.com

{ BUY THIS BOOK }

You can buy your own copy of A Lasting Impression for only $9.22 by visiting this link!

{ BLOG TOUR & A CHANCE TO WIN THIS BOOK }

Kindle Fire Giveaway and Facebook Party from Tamera Alexander!

While Tamera and her book,  A Lasting Impression, are traveling across the country virtually (with a few international stops as well!), she will be hosting a Kindle Fire Giveaway (11/4 - 11/15) and preparing for a lavish Southern-Style Facebook Party (11/15) (dripping with hospitality, of course). She will be giving away Southern Food Baskets, books, and an array of other fabulous freebies! Don't miss a minute of the fun. Swoon!

Read what the reviewers are saying here.

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Brand New Kindle Fire (shipped as soon as it releases)
• A copy of A Lasting Impression and 3 other special books Tamera wants you to have (for Kindle)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on November 15th. Winner will be announced at A Lasting Impression Facebook Party on the 15th. Tamera will be wrapping up the A Lasting Impression celebration with an author chat and giving away Southern Food Baskets (Loveless Cafe Food Baskets, books, Amazon & Starbucks gift certificates, and copies of Christy Jordan's Southern Plate cookbook), six gift certificates to Starbucks and Amazon.com, and copies of A Lasting Impression! So grab your copy of A Lasting Impression (it's okay if you don't have one yet- you might win one!) and join Tamera on the evening of November 15th for an author chat, a trivia contest (How
much do you know about the 1860's?) and lots of Southern-inspired giveaways (complete listing here).

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER. Hope to see you on the 15th!

{ DISCLOSURE }

I received a free copy of this book for the purpose of providing an honest review. All opinions and words in my review are my own.

Fairer Than Morning | Rosslyn Elliott | Author Interview & GiveAway

Rosslyn Elliott

author of Fairer Than Morning

The delightful Rosslyn Elliott, author of Fairer Than Morning, generously agreed to participate in an author interview here on Little Bit Of Wonderful, and is sponsoring a giveaway of her lovely book! I enjoyed getting to know her better imensely, and I know you will too. Be sure to read all the way to the bottom for a chance to win your own copy of Fairer Than Morning! If you missed yesterday's post, you can find my review of her book here, as well as information about the huge book release party going on all over the web, and the amazing giveaway she's sponsoring to celebrate the release of Fairer Than Morning.


Join me after the jump for my interview with Rosslyn Elliot, and a chance to win your own copy of her lovely book, Fairer Than Morning...

Fairer Than Morning | Rosslyn Elliott | Book Tour & Review

Fairer Than Morning

by Rosslyn Elliot

{ ABOUT THIS BOOK }

Ann dreams of a marriage proposal from her poetic suitor, Eli-until Will Hanby shows her that nobility is more than fine words. 

Ann travels to Pittsburgh, accompanying her father on business. There she meets Will Hanby, a saddle-maker’s apprentice. Will has spent years eking out an existence under a cruel master and his spirit is nearly broken. But Ann’s compassion lights a long-dark part of his soul. Through his encounters with Ann’s father, a master saddler, Will discovers new hope and courage in the midst of tremendous adversity.

When the Millers must return to Ohio and their ministry there, Will resolves to find them, at any cost. If Will can make it back to Ann, will she be waiting?

Read an excerpt here: http://www.rosslynelliott.com/books.php

Join me after the jump for my thoughts on this book, and info about the great giveaway the author is doing to celebrate the release of Fairer Than Morning!

Author Interview | Karen Witemeyer | Part 3

Welcome to Part 3 of my interview with Karen Witemeyer, fabulous author of To Win Her Heart! If you missed Part 1 or Part 2, check them out here and here. Looking for my book review? Check it out here, and don't forget to enter my giveaway of this lovely book! Join me after the jump for the conclusion of this delightful interview...

Author Interview | Karen Witemeyer | Part 2

If you missed Part 1 of this three part interview with Karen Witemeyer, the brilliant author of To Win Her Heart, check it out here. This second part of our interview focuses on her other books, and let me tell you, I am excited to get my hands on them as soon as possible! And don't forget to enter my giveaway! Join me after the jump...

Author Interview | Karen Witemeyer | Part 1

Karen Witemeyer is the incredibly gifted author of To Win Her Heart, an historical romance set in the old west. You can read my review of this amazing book here, and don't forget to enter the giveaway to win your very own copy of To Win Her Heart while you're there! Karen has graciously agreed to do a three part interview with me for Little Bit Of Wonderful, and I know you are going to enjoy what she has to say as much as I did! Join me after the jump for Part 1 of this special three part series...

To Win Her Heart | Karen Witemeyer | Book Review & Giveaway

This giveaway is now closed.

The winner will be announced Monday, 8/29/2011. 

Thanks a bunch!!

{ Buy @ BethanyHouse }



To Win Her Heart

by

Karen Witemeyer

BethanyHouse

347 pages

I am very excited to share with you not only my review of this exciting new book, but announce that the beautiful and talented author ~ Karen Witemeyer ~ has agreed to a series of interviews and to give away a copy of To Win Her Heart to one lucky reader of Little Bit Of Wonderful! Make sure you read all the way to the bottom for details...


{ ABOUT THE BOOK }

After completing his sentence for the unintentional crime that derailed his youthful plans for fame and fortune, Levi Grant looks to start over in the town of Spencer, Texas. Spencer needs a blacksmith, a trade Levi learned at his father's knee, and he needs a place where no one knows his past.

Eden Spencer has sworn off men, choosing instead to devote her time to the lending library she runs in the town her father founded. When a mountain-sized stranger walks through her door and asks to borrow a book, she's reluctant to trust him. Yet as the mysteries of the town's new blacksmith unfold, Eden discovers hidden depths in him that tempt her heart.

Eden believes she's finally found a man of honor and integrity. But when the truth about Levi's past comes to light, can this tarnished hero find a way to win back the librarian's affection?

~ From the back cover of To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer.

To Win Her Heart | Karen Witemeyer | Check Out My Review!



If you have a soft spot for romantic historical fiction, To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer is an absolute must-read ~ and it will inpspire you, too! Set in the Texas town of Spencer at the turn of the last century, this is a story of love, forgiveness, and redemption. Karen Witemeyer is a master of her craft, and this book is an amazing example of her work! And if you haven't already discovered my literary blog, be sure to check it out while you're there! After all, it's Just Another Day In Paragraphs...