My Review Of: A Great Catch By Lorna Seilstad

 
 Title: A Great Catch (Lake Manawa Bk.2)
Author: Lorna Seilstad
Genre: Historical Christian fiction, with lots of romance and baseball.

Publisher: Revell Books
Date released: June 1st. 2011
ISBN: 978-0-8007-3446-6
Stars (out of 5): **** 1/2
Age rating: PG
The content of this book was mild and for the occasional kiss (which there could always be more) and criminal  (don't want to give too  much away) the book would be fantastic for the romance beginner
Back cover (from Revell):

 She wants to change the world.
He wants to change her mind.

It's the beginning of a new century at Lake Manawa resort in Iowa, but some things never change. When Emily Graham's meddlesome aunts and grandmother take it upon themselves to find her a husband among the resort guests, the spunky suffragist is determined to politely decline each and every suitor. She has neither the time nor the need for a man in her busy life.
Carter Stockton, a recent college graduate and a pitcher for the Manawa Owls baseball team, intends to enjoy every minute of the summer before he is forced into the straitlaced business world of his father.
When their worlds collide, neither Emily nor Carter could have guessed what would come next. Will Carter strike out? Or will Emily cast her vote for a love that might cost her dreams?
The perfect summer novel, A Great Catch will enchant you with its breezy setting and endearing characters.

My Thoughts:
Last summer I got to read Ms. Seilstad's first book, Making Waves, and LOVE it, and A Creat Catch was nothing short of baseball bliss. The heroin, Emily, was great (and I don't just say that about every heroin). She was real to the core and it was so easy to believe I was her, and had a handsome baseball player all starry-eyed with me, that's how realistic Ms.Seilstad writing style was. I loved that the author brought back characters from book 1, and continued they're story, without taking away from Emily's. Most Christian author strive to have a mini salvation message laced throughout the book, and I really enjoy read God's Truths, and biblical lessons applied to characters, that otherwise would be dull and lifeless. But, in A Great Catch, the author didn't do a salvation message, a lesson I sorely needed to hear, about not making time for God. As Christians, we can be saved since 5 years old, but without daily time with God, and building that relationship, our faith shrivels up and dies, like a flame.I loved that the message was speaking to us Christian that need that kick in the pants to remind us, we need that one-on-one with God, EVERYDAY!  Over all, this was the perfect read to get the summer going. So, have your Catcher's mitt out, cause you won't want to miss this home run of a romance.

Available May 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group!

 
If you'd like to know more about Lorna and her books, go to:
The Publisher
Her Website
Goodreads

Love Y'all,

Ashley

My Top 10 Books Of 2010! +Giveaway!

It's New Year's Eve and that means it's time to tell you my Top Ten Books Of 2010 and for After All, Tomorrow Is Another Day's annul End-Of-The-Year Giveaway. Last year, I made a resolution to host giveaways on my blog and I had so much fun reading Y'all Top Ten list last time, that I wanted to it again, this year.  To enter the giveaway and if you have a blog, simply leave a comment with your e-mail address and post your Top Ten Of 2010 book list (either published, read or wanted to read in 2010) on your blog, then leave the link in a comment. Or if you don't have a blog, just list your top five right there in the comment.  The prize (which is what the giveaway is all about) will be one book of your choosing, off your Top Ten list (if you already have the books on your list, then you may choose another book). Sound like fun?
Well, now unto to my Top 10 Books Of 2010 (in no particular order)

 A Hope Undaunted by Julie Lessman
"This book was the highlight of the year, for me.
Julie Lessman did it again and I can't wait for her newest release next year!"

A Memory Between Us by Sarah Sundin
"I'd never read WWII novels before, this book changed that, and I can say I now LOVE WWII fiction"
















 Making Waves by Lorna Seilstad
"This was such a fun read, I really can't wait to read it again. And when book 2 comes out this next year, I'll be the first in line to get it"

Courting Morrow Little by Laura Frantz
"Laura Frantz is such a great writer, I'm just sorry I didn't get the chance to read on her books till now"

Disaster Status by Candace Calvert
"A wonderful mix of drama, medicine, and romance.  I would prescribe took a doses of Candace Calvert, as needed throughout the day. I can't wait to read the whole series, in order this time"

Love Finds You In Hershey  Pennsylvania by Cerella Sechrist
"I wasn't a fan of contemporary fiction, but this a sweet read that I enjoyed more then a Hershey Kiss, and that's saying a lot. "

Angel's Den by Jamie Carie
"I was asked to read this be the publisher and I'm so happy I said yes. This book, though sad, was a great book and I look forward to reading more by Ms. Carie!"

The Anonymous Bride by Vickie McDonough
"A fun and frolicking read and a great  series to get into"

The Raven Saint by M.L Tyndall
"I LOVE pirates, what can I say? LOL!"

Here Burns My Candle by Liz Curtis Higgs
"I tried reading her Lowlands Of Scotland series, but just couldn't get past all the sadness. But I surprisingly LOVED this book so much more."












Ok, so now for the boring, but, important stuff.......

Giveaway Rules:
* You must have a valid e-mail address (you must leave your e-mail address in the comment to be entered in the contest. To prevent spammers write e-mail like this.... i.e: i95fahrenheit[at]ymail[dot]com)
* Must have a valid U.S mailing address.
* U.S residents only
*The giveaway will start on Dec. 31th 2010 and end on Jan. 8th 11:59 pm, 2011
Any entries after the set date will not be entered in the giveaway * The winner will be announced on Jan 9th 2011 on this blog. The winner will be contacted via e-mail. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to the e-mail. If they do not reply within the 48 hours, a new winner will chosen.
For extra entries:
1+ For commenting (including the link and your e-mail address)
2+ For becoming a new follower
3+ For being an old follower
5+ For post (on the sidebar of your blog) about this giveaway on your blog
Be sure to include all extra entries in the one comment


I can't wait to see those lists!!!:)
I hope Y'all have a safe, blessed and God-filled New Year!
Love Y'all,
Ashley

Revell blog tour ~ My Review: Making Waves by Lorna Seilstad

I know I'm a little late in posting my of Making Waves, but unfortunately I've been sick and in bed all week, too weak to even get on my computer. Okay, okay, so I've really been on the couch watching episodes of Big Brother, eating who-knows-what and being lazy. But, that's what I do when I get sniffles, so don't judge me. LOL;~)

 
Title:Making Waves (Lake Manawa Summer bk.1)

Genre:  Historical christian romance

Author: Lorna Seilstad

Publisher: Revell

Date released: Sept. 1st. 2010.

ISBN: 978-0-8007-3445-9

Stars (out of 5): *****

Age rating: PG-12 up
 Aside from a  from a kiss (or maybe two), there wasn't anything overtly inappropriate in Making Waves. There is a gambling house/ hog farm that plays an important role in the story plot and there is mention of prostitution, but all from a Christian prospective.

Back cover (from Revell):

Sun, summer, and a scrumptious sailing instructor. What more could a girl want?
When spunky Marguerite Westing discovers that her family will spend the summer of 1895 at Lake Manawa, Iowa, she couldn't be more thrilled. It's the perfect way to escape her agonizingly boring suitor, Roger Gordon. It's also where she stumbles upon two new loves: sailing, and sailing instructor Trip Andrews.
But this summer of fun turns to turmoil as her father's secrets threaten to ruin the family forever. Will free-spirited Marguerite marry Roger to save her father's name and fortune? Or will she follow her heart--even if it means hurting the family she loves?
Full of sharp wit and blossoming romance, Making Waves will whisk you away to a breezy lakeside summer holiday.

My Thoughts:
I could go all year, and never read a book this good. The story center on Ms.Marguerite Westing and her family, as they spend the summer at beautiful Lake Manawa.
I LOVED this book, and the characters were charming and intriguing while still being real and rich. Mrs. Seilstad made quit a splash with this first novel. Her writing style made this book co me to life with all the details about sailing and Lake Manawa. I felt as if I could feel the warm breeze running through my hair as I sat along with Marguerite on that first boat trip; I could hear the sounds of the midway and picture the pigpen gambling hall as if it was right in front of me. And don't even get me started on Trip Andrews. Be still my beating heart. Trip was handsome, complex and an oh-so-strong man of God. He was truly swoon worthy, unlike his advisory, the weaselly Roger Gordon. I liked that, even at the end, you still couldn't tell who Marguerite would choose. There were plenty of twists and turns to keep the book moving, though I found more often than not, that I wanted to savor each page
*I have been so blessed by Donna Hausler @Revell Books, for sending me a review copy of Making Waves in exchange for my honest opinion*

Available September 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

To Learn More About Lorna Seilstad and her book go to:

Her Website
The Publisher
Goodreads

Make sure you go to Lorna's "My Stories" page, to see what books she has in store for us in the coming years. I'm just sad  we got to wait a whole  year,   till we'll get to visit beautiful Lake Manawa again. :(




Love Y'all,
Ashley