"A Place in His Heart" by Rebecca Demarino

When Rebecca DeMarino traveled to Horton Point, Long Island, with her mother, Helen Jean Horton Worley, in 1999, passions collided: her love of faith, family, travel, history, and writing. Rebecca's debut novel, A PLACE IN HIS HEART, is a historical romance based on Mary and Barnabas Horton, Rebecca's ninth great-grandparents. Set in 1600's Southold, Long Island, book one of The Southold Chronicles will be released by Revell in June, 2014. She lives in the Pacific Northwest and when not writing, she enjoys family and genealogy, travel, reading, running, baking and gardening. Rebecca is represented by Greg Johnson of WordServe Literary Agency.

 

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

She could cross an ocean, but could she ever win his heart?

Anglican Mary Langton longs to marry for love. Left at the altar and disgraced in her small hamlet, she is being pressured to marry the eligible son of the London milliner. Puritan Barnabas Horton still grieves the loss of his beloved wife, but he knows his two young sons need a mother. 

With tender hearts, Mary and Barnabas take a leap of faith and wed. But when Barnabas's secret plans to move his family to the New World to escape persecution come to light, Mary's world is upended. How could she possibly leave her papa and her dear sister?

And will she ever reach the secret places of her husband's broken heart?


"This debut novel will pull you into love and loss, then sweep you across the English sea to the rolling landscapes of Long Island. Be prepared to have your heartstrings plucked to the music of God's song of love in sickness and in health, and in times of richness and want. A Place in His Heart is a satisfying and compelling historical romance sure to win fans early for the entire series."--Jane Kirkpatrick, bestselling author ofOne Glorious Ambition

"A tenderly told story enriched by the author's own heritage, A Place in His Heart is sure to win readers' hearts too. Rebecca DeMarino weaves a lovely spiritual message as old and new worlds collide and love thrives amid the challenges of early America."--Laura Frantz, Christy Award finalist and author of Love's Reckoning

Rebecca DeMarino is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, and The Southold Long Island Historical Society. She was a 2011 Genesis Award semi-finalist and lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Tom. A Place in His Heart is based on DeMarino's ancestors, who came to Long Island in the mid-1600s to establish a life--and a legacy--in the New World. Learn more at www.rebeccademarino.com.

About the Author

Rebecca DeMarino lives in the Pacific N.W. and enjoys hiking, baking, genealogy and gardening. Her debut novel, A Place in His Heart, is a historical romance inspired by her ninth great-grandparents, Barnabas and Mary Horton, and is book one of The Southold Chronicles. It is available now from Revell. For more information please visit her at www.RebeccaDeMarino.com or https://www.facebook.com/AuthorRebeccaDeMarino She can also be found on Pinterest!

Book Description

Publication Date: June 3, 2014

Anglican Mary Langton longs to marry for love. Puritan Barnabas Horton is still in love with his deceased wife and needs only a mother for his two young sons. And yet these two very different people with very different expectations will take a leap of faith, wed, and then embark on a life-changing journey across the ocean to the Colonies. Along the way, each must learn to live in harmony, to wait on God, and to recognize true love where they least expect to find it.

This heartfelt tale of love and devotion is based on debut author Rebecca DeMarino's own ancestors, who came to Long Island in the mid-1600s to establish a life--and a legacy--in the New World. 

MY REVIEW

"A Place in His Heart" by Rebecca Demarino is definitely a five star novel times two. " A Place In His Heart held my attention from the first page. I love Historical Fiction and knowing that this story was actually based on the author's real life ancestors added to the appeal. This story is full of love and faith and yes even laughter, ( when flour is dumped on a character's head). No story is complete without heartache and this story has it share but I believed that is why it was such a great story. It was told with just enough details I had to keep reading because I just had to know how the story ended. I am thinking if her debut novel is this fantastic, I cannot wait till the second volume in the "The Southold Chronicles" . I think all readers of Christian Fiction and Historical Fiction will enjoy this book! There are some books that has parts that are boring for a page or two, but not this story, no boring parts at all.  

I was given a copy by the author for my honest review and once again I say it's fantastic. 

Rebecca and her Publisher (Revell Books) is hosting a giveaway.  Entry form is just below.  Enjoy!

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" Journey of Hope" by Debbie Kaufman

ISBN: 978-0373829989  | List Price: $5.99 print/ $5.99 Kindle|Format: Paperback or kindle| Page Count: 288

Journey of Hope is Christian historical romantic adventure set in the jungles of 1920 Liberia, Africa and published by Love Inspired Historical books.

 Marriage Is Not Her Mission

Escaping a society wedding, Annabelle Baldwin followed her heart to Liberia to pursue her calling as a missionary. But when an attempted kidnapping lands her under the protection of Stewart Hastings, Anna’s journey takes a new turn. The wounded war veteran needs a guide through the jungle. It’s a job the underfunded missionary can’t refuse, despite the feelings Stewart stirs in her guarded heart.

Stewart knows he won’t succeed without Anna’s expertise. And when danger puts her life at risk, he realizes he cannot live without Anna by his side. But what will it take for a man who has lost his faith to capture the heart of a woman who lives for hers?

                                 Author's Bio

Debbie Kaufman writes inspirational romance for Love Inspired Historical. Along the years, Debbie has had a lot of adventures. They include running a rural airport, working as a small town journalist, teaching middle and high school, working in domestic adoption, and establishing a Chinese adoption program, just to name a few. And through those exciting times, she and her husband managed to raise four children, an assortment of dogs, a plethora of hamsters, gerbils, many ill-fated fish, and quite a few of their children’s friends, all while homeschooling for many years.

Since becoming an empty-nester, Debbie has learned some eclectic truths about herself: She should never be allowed in a book store with a credit card, hobby stores are off limits unless she is accompanied by a rational adult who holds the credit card, and the smartest thing she ever did outside of giving her life to God was to chase after and marry her husband of more than thirty-six years.

Concerning her books, Debbie wants her readers to know that the fact that some of her books contain cannibals should be understood as an element of adventurous historical romance stories, and should never be misconstrued as the sign of a warped mind. Debbie insists she is as normal as everyone else. To decide for yourself, connect with her at one or all of these hangouts:

Website: www.debbiekaufman.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/debbie_kaufman

Facebook: www.facebook.com/debbiekaufmanfanpage

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4946642.Debbie_Kaufman

                                            My Review

" Journey of Hope" by Debbie Kaufman is getting five stars from me!

I really don’t know what to say about this book except that I was hooked from the first page. I wanted to see where Anna and Stewart’s journey ended and if it ended the way they both wanted it too.

This is a love story but so much more! It is a story of faith and courage and living out what you believe.

Anna is a missionary in Liberia and after an attempted kidnapping, her bishop hires her to guide Stewart into the Liberia jungle and Anna’s life is changed forever as well as Stewart’s.

Neither Anna nor Stewart are looking for romance but just maybe God has something else in mind, as Stewart tells Anna when they are discussing there former finances, as they both had one. This is the direct quote from the book on page 109 “ Poetic,but no. For now, my students are enough for me. If God wants otherwise,I trust he’ll send the right man into my life, one who will see my heart.” Stewart’s voice took on an unexpected fervor. “ Perhaps he did. Maybe your standards are the problem.Are you sure you’d recognize him even if he stood in front of you?”  Anna is attracted to Stewart but there is a problem, he is not a believer.

This story is full of details about the dangers of the Liberia jungle and the customs of people who live there. 

This book also has life lessons as well as the love story ,which I believe will touch your heart and make you see that God doesn't promise to deliver us from pain or even death, but gives us ,the strength to walk through life's trials, whether we are delivered from them or not.

I really recommend this book.

There are questions for discussions at the end of the book.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book/Ebook/Product to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.

"Health, Wealth, and Murder: A Plain Jane Mystery " by Traci Tyne Hilton

"Health, Wealth, and Murder: A Plain Jane Mystery" by Traci Tyne Hilton , the fourth book in this series is a five star book. 

Jane Adler, a house cleaning college student dreams of being a missionary someday has solved four murders but cannot get the police to take her seriously so she enrolls in some crime solving classes.

Her roommate who is also her cousin goes to a meeting that a well respected and influential preacher  is preaching at and while there the preacher is murdered at this meeting!

Jane is hired by Josiah Malachi's  ( the preacher) wife and personal aide to clean their house for them. But the personal aide really hires her to find out who killed him.

Jane has always known that Josiah Malachi was a quack but she never really knew how much of one until she starts to hunt for the murderer.

Nothing is really as it seems. There is the case of the missing daughter, but is she really missing? Is the young wife in the wheelchair really a victim of polio?

This mystery keep me reading till I finished the book, I just had to find out all the answers! Just when I thought I knew the answers, another murder attempt was made. Have I got you curious yet, read this book and end your curiosity!

You will be surprised at the outcome! I certainly was! 

I have written a little review on the other three books in this series and I will repeat ,this series was worth my time reading and I think there are more coming! I downloaded the first book " Good, Clean Murder because it was free and I was given a ebook copy of " "Health, Wealth, and Murder:" by the  author for my honest review and I say it is "Great".  I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series!

I want to know if Jane ever gets her detective license and if she ever becomes a missionary!

When not writing I Facebook too much, knit socks, and accompany my mandolin loving husband on the spoons.

I'm also the author of The Mitzy Neuhaus Mystery Series, The Plain Jane Mystery Series, and one of the authors in The Tangle Saga series of science fiction novellas. I was the Mystery/Suspense Category winner for the 2012 Christian Writers of the West Phoenix Rattler Contest, a finalist for Speculative Fiction in the same contest, and have a Drammy from the Portland Civic Theatre Guild. I currently serve as the Vice President of the Portland chapter of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association.

I have a degree in History from Portland State University and still live in the rainiest part of the Pacific Northwest with my goofy family and two small dogs.

More of Traci's work can be found at http://www.tracihilton.com

Traci's photo by Jessie Kirk Photography

"Bright New Murder" by Traci Tyne Hilton

"Bright New Murder" by Traci Tyne Hilton is another five star novel, the third book in the (plain Jane Mysteries Series).

In "Bright New Murder" Jane has broken up with her boyfriend and is helping her longtime friend Jake (whose parents were the ones that was killed in book one,) host a fundraiser to raise funds for homeless kids and a lady is killed!

So once again Jane is on the hunt to find the murder.

" Dirty Little Murder" by Traci Tyne Hilton

" Dirty Little Murder" by Traci Tyne Hilton, the second book in (the Plain Jane Mysteries Series) gets five stars from me.

In this book, Jane is cleaning a new house for a  maid that is on vacation and finds the owner dead in a hot tub. In the story, there is more danger and more romance. There is more flirting in this book but it is still a clean and fun read!  This novel keeps you guessing even more who is really the murder and Jane does he best to figure out the clues!

Again I say this book and  all  he books in  the series was worth the read!

"Good Clean Murder" A Plain Jane Mystery by Traci Tyne Hilton

"Good Clean Murder" A Plain Jane Mystery, by Traci Tyne Hilton gets five stars. "Good Clean Murder" is the first in the

 (A Plain Jane Mystery, a Cozy Christian Collection). 

Jane Adler is a house cleaner going to college. She wants to be a missionary.  In this book Jane discovers the master of the house dead in bed, and then she discovers the mistress of the house dead on the bathroom floor.  

Jane sets out to solve the murders. Even though there are murders, this is a good, clean fun book. There is even a mix of romance.  Jane and her teacher at night school is attracted to each other. 

Traci Hilton gives the reader a clear insight into the story and keeps the reader guessing who is the real murderer. This book has scenes that makes the reader chuckle out loud. 

This first book is free on Amazon, and I think if you took the time to download it and read it, you will be hooked into wanting the other stories in this series.  I have read the other books that are available in this series and they are all great!

Tracy's Bio

When not writing I Facebook too much, knit socks, and accompany my mandolin loving husband on the spoons.

I'm also the author of The Mitzy Neuhaus Mystery Series, The Plain Jane Mystery Series, and one of the authors in The Tangle Saga series of science fiction novellas. I was the Mystery/Suspense Category winner for the 2012 Christian Writers of the West Phoenix Rattler Contest, a finalist for Speculative Fiction in the same contest, and have a Drammy from the Portland Civic Theatre Guild. I currently serve as the Vice President of the Portland chapter of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association.

I have a degree in History from Portland State University and still live in the rainiest part of the Pacific Northwest with my goofy family and two small dogs.

More of Traci's work can be found at http://www.tracihilton.com

Traci's photo by Jessie Kirk Photography

"Learning to Love - Saul's Story (including Chloe's Revelation)" by J.E. B. Spredemann

Learning to Love - Saul's Story (including Chloe's Revelation) by J.E. B. Spredemann is a five star book. It is labeled as teen fiction, but I think it must be older and more mature teens because it has a lot of kissing and there is talk about wanting more than kissing. Ok, I don't want to give the impression that this book isn't Christian because it is and there is no bad words or scenes, just a few instances where the talk is more , I will just give an example " Say, Dat? What do you think of...Well, you know... the marriage bed? I mean, I kissed mei fraa the other night and she refused me. She said she didn't want my body without my soul, whatever that meant."  But I loved this book.

J.E.B. Spredemann really knows how to keep her readers turning those pages. She really writes so the readers can feel the character's emotions.

 ALERT  : This review has a SPOILER

Chloe and Saul are the perfect Amish couple except they cannot stop kissing when they are together. They agreed to marry. Then Sarah, the bishop's daughter, tells her father that she is pregnant and Saul is the father.  Both Chloe and Saul marry someone else and are happy but they don't forget their first love.Both Sarah and Chloe believe in the Englischer's way that you must be saved by Jesus and that you can  know you are going to Heaven when you die. This gets Sarah shunned.

Saul and Chloe get a second chance, but will Saul accept the Englischer's Bible, or will he lose Chloe a second time?

I was given a pdf file by the author for an honest review!

This is the third book in "The Amish Girls Series". I haven't read the other books but definitely intend  to after reading this one. This is the second book that I have read that was written by J.E.B Spredemann and both were Wunderbaar.

J.E.B. Spredemann resides in central California and currently writes Christian fiction.

Author Interview below from brittreadsfiction.wordpress.com:

B: Thanks for being here with us. Will you tell us a little about yourself and how long you have been writing books?

J: Thank you for having me here, Brittany. I am the J. in J.E.B. Spredemann. The acronymous name J.E.B. Spredemann was created about a year and a half ago and stands for Jennifer (myself), Emily (my daughter), and Brandi (my daughter). Since three names are a little much to fit on the cover of a book, we thought J.E.B. was suitable and somewhat incognito. ;)

We began penning works of literature a little over a year and a half ago. Joanna's Struggle (Book 1 of the Amish Girls Series) was the first book we co-authored.

NOTE: We began writing the Amish Girls Series together, but since then the girls have branched out and are currently working on fiction in other Christian genres. The adult novellas are solely penned by J. Spredemann. I chose to not change the name because I felt readers were already familiar with J.E.B., so I kept it. The only place this is indicated is at the front of each book where the 'Other Books by the Author' are listed; you will see an asterisk * next to the books.

B: How did you decide to focus on writing Amish fiction? Is this a genre you enjoy reading?

J: Yes, I enjoy reading Amish fiction immensely. Our writing journey began when Brandi asked me why they didn't have more (Amish) books for girls her age. I replied, "Why don't we write some?" Since then, we've put our hands to the plow and haven't looked back. Also, my husband and I both have German ancestry. My husband currently speaks fluent German and has a Mennonite background.

B: I appreciated the fact that the gospel message was clearly presented several times in the story. Do all of your books present the gospel to readers?

J: I think the Gospel is essential and it is the reason I write. I aim to have the Gospel in all my books. In one form or another, it is presented in each book. If a person only reads one of my books, I want them to know that, no matter who they are or what they've done, God loves them and He made a way for them to get to Heaven. John 3:16-18, Romans 10:9-13

B: You have a series aimed at the Young Adult market. Do you have any upcoming Young Adult books you are working on or have been currently released?

J: The Amish Girls Series for teens is an eight book series. The first four books have already been released and number five should be coming out in August 2013. October, December, and February are the scheduled release dates for books six, seven, and eight. Books six and seven are currently in the editing process, and book eight is being penned at present.

B: Will you tell us a little about the next book in the Amish Secrets series and when we can expect it to be available?

J: The next book in the Amish Secrets series is about Joseph Bender, a young man who has been shunned in his ultra-strict Amish community and now lives on the streets. He believes leaving the Amish life behind is best...until he meets kindhearted Anna Smucker. Will his past secrets destroy his future too? A Secret Encounter (Amish Secrets - Book 2) is due to be released December 2013 at participating online retailers.

More:

Joanna's Struggle, in the Amish Girls Series, is the first of several books written by the author. The Amish Girls Series was primarily penned for teen girls, but has been enjoyed by readers of all ages. Lovers of the ever-popular Amish fiction genre are sure to enjoy these books as well, even though they are shorter and geared toward a younger audience. The characters in the stories will soon become endeared to your heart, especially the mischievous Jonathan Fisher. We hope and pray that our books will touch your life and be a blessing to you, as they have been to us! The Amish Girls Series (8 books in all) is the foundation on which all of the other books are built.
Amish by Accident, written specifically for adults, was the first book to be released via Amazon Kindle and is the eighth book penned by the author. It is now available in eBook, audio book, and paperback. A book trailer for Amish by Accident may be viewed on YouTube.

Author can be contacted via email at jebspredemann@gmail.com or at http://amishbooks.wix.com/jebspredemann. Follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter for the most current updates and/or giveaways.

" Courting Cate" by Leslie Gould

"Courting Cate" by Leslie Gould is a five star novel. It is the first in " The Courtships of Lancaster County Trilogy. This is the first book written by Leslie Gould that I have read, but it definitely won't be the last! In fact before I had even finished this book I bought the other two books in this series. 

This book had my attention from the first sentence because Cate was a reader like me. In fact, her father thought she read to much. He made an announcement that her younger sister Betsy couldn't court or marry till Cate did. 

Pete Treger comes to town and him and Cate agreed to court. Then Cate finds out that twin brothers offer to pay Pete to court Cate because they want to court Betsy!

Betsy wants to get married to Levi, and she comes up with a "lie" to get Cate to marry Pete! So Peter and Cate get marry and have a marriage of convince, but is a marriage of convince the best for them! 

Oh I forgot to say that Pete is a reader also. 

I couldn't wait to get to the end of this book, it was full of twists and turns. It was a story of forgiveness and family issues. 

I cannot wait to read the other two books.

"Ghost No More" by Cee James

"Ghost No More" by Cee James is a five star nonfiction book. The subjects address in this book isn't for everyone but then I think everyone should be aware that abuse, in all forms, ( mental, physically and sexual do exist and are hidden for many years before they come out in the open. 

I really couldn't put this book down but at the same time was thinking I don't want to read this, the people you trust to protect and love you are the ones who are doing such terrible things!


Cee James has written a heart felt and honest account of her life. She only wanted love from her parents, mostly her mom, but all she got was abuse in all forms. Then her grandparents enter the abuse and even the legal system lets her down! The tears were falling as I read this book. Again I stress that we all need to be aware that this happens and is happening more and more! This book is honestly written but not with graphic details! 

This book also gives proof that God makes "Beauty out of Ashes" and Cee gives the steps she took to be on the road to healing and I like the fact that she doesn't make false claims that she never has to stop and be reminder that she isn't that same little girl as she was! 

I was given an ebook copy for an honest review and I have written it even though it was one of the hardest ones I have written because it evoked memories from my own life. There is going be a sequel to this book and you can sign up for the newsletter at the end of the book.

"A Mile Apart" by Sarah Jae Foster

"A Mile Apart" by Sarah Jae Foster is another five 5 star novel.  I really enjoyed this book, it keep me turning the pages last night until I literally couldn't keep my eyes open because I just had to see if it ended the way I hoped! I loved this story from the first page! I recommend it for anyone who enjoys a good historical romance.

Eden Montgomery, (a widow) was the owner of the mercantile and the Golden Angel Mine in Whistle Creek.

Joseph Benton was a gold miner who left his wife and son to find gold and become rich.


Their lives are entangled when a stranger comes to Whistle Creek and leaves a small boy, Christopher, at the mercantile, claiming he is Joseph's son.

Eden goes to the mining campsite and leaves Christopher there telling Joseph to be a father and to take care of his son. Joseph is heartbroken to learn that his wife and daughter, (one he doesn't know he had or that his wife was expecting when he left) has died.

One day Eden has to travel through the camp and finds Christopher's in a women's care that is in a bad profession (yes she is a prostitute).  Even by saying that this book is a good clean book. This book won't offend any reader. God is mentioned and the characters do pray. I only added all that to say even readers that don't like Christian genre wouldn't have a problem enjoying this book. I have friends who are readers but don't like Christian genre and I believe they would enjoy reading this story. Well, to get back to the story, Eden takes Christopher back to her home. Joseph sets out to reclaim Christopher and ends up passing out, ( his health is endangered from the mining and injuries suffered).  When Eden finds out about his passing out she takes him into her home and takes care of him. She believes she needs to do this because of her bitterness toward, Daniel, her husband and his accident that caused his death), because he was a miner also. Eden and Joseph disagreed on what is the best course for Christopher after Joseph gets well so they reach an agreement! Is this agreement the best for them?

Jack and Asher add their own troubles to this little mining town because they want The Silver Angel mine for themselves. Eden won't sell it even though she hates it and all miners!

This story is a love story but it is also a story about forgiveness and second chances and there is a little bit of mystery involved.

Does it all end well for the town of Whistle Creek and Joseph and Eden ? I challenge you to read and find out yourself, you won't be disappointed. 

I was given an ebook copy of " A Mile Apart" by the author for my honest review!  

Sarah Jae Foster has a desire to portray a raw brand of inspirational stories. While she believes there is a purpose for guidelines of inspirational works, she also believes in portraying the reality of life, as it is today.

Sarah Jae is a Christian, a wife, and a mother, wholeheartedly yet imperfectly, loving God since she was a child. She wants to share stories about characters with faith who mess up big time due to the seductions in society. In doing so, she's willing to take a risk and be on the cutting edge of writing for the inspirational market, sharing what's in her heart and in the world today.