"Sixty Acres and a Bride" Book Review & Giveaway

It’s always a gamble with a new author, so I tend play it safe and stick with those I know and love, but Regina Jennings’ can hold her own! You would never suspect that Sixty Acres and a Bride is her debut book. I was hooked from the stunning cover and didn’t move until I finished the book…

About the book:

She's Finally Found a Place to Call Home... How Far Will She Go to Save It? 

With nothing to their names, young widow Rosa Garner and her mother-in-law return to their Texas family ranch. Only now the county is demanding back taxes and the women have just three months to pay.

Though facing eviction, Rosa falls in love with the countryside and the wonderful extended family who want only her best. They welcome her vivacious spirit and try to help her navigate puzzling American customs. She can't help but stand out, though, and her beauty captures attention. 

Where some offer help with dangerous strings attached, only one man seems honorable. But when Weston Garner, still grieving his own lost love, is unprepared to give his heart, Rosa must decide to what lengths she will go to save her future. Read an excerpt here.

My thoughts:

I really enjoyed Sixty Acres and a Bride. It was a sweet story, mirroring the biblical story of Ruth and Boaz and by pulling it off so well, tells you how amazing this author is! 

Rosa, a young Mexican widow, lost everything at home when she became a Christian. She follows her mother in law back to her home in Texas, where she tries to fit into a foreign world. Working day and night to try and save the family ranch, Rosa waits for the miracle they need. 

Regina Jennings' does her homework! Her characters are deep and rich, her period details are woven into the story and she captures your attention from the beginning. You can picture yourself in the story and your heart will melt for Rosa and Weston... 

When all hope is lost, Rosa listens to her mother in law and spends the night at Weston's side. After a hasty wedding, will they ever find love with each other?

I promise you won't be disappointed by Sixty Acres and a Bride. I can't wait for the next book by Regina Jennings!
 

About the author:

Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a history minor. She has worked at The Mustang News and First Baptist Church of Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and various livestock shows. She now lives outside Oklahoma City with her husband and four children. Learn more about Regina by visiting her website.

The Extras:

Read what others are saying about Sixty Acres and a Bride on the blog tour. 

Learn more about the book in an interview with Regina. 

Celebrate with Regina by entering to win a Kindle Fire and coming to her Author Chat Party on March 27th!
 

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Sixty Acres and a Bride by Regina Jennings

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 3/26/12. Winner will be announced at Regina's Author Chat Facebook Party on 3/27. Regina will be hosting an evening of chat, fun trivia and more! She'll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books, and some beautiful silver jewelry!

So grab your copy of Sixty Acres and a Bride and join Regina and friends on the evening of March 27th for an evening of fun.

And now, my giveaway!

How to enter:

1. Main entry -Leave a comment letting me know you want to win!

Bonus entries - You must leave a separate comment for each in order for it to count!

2. Like "Our Crazy Life" on Facebook (or if you already do, leave a comment letting me know!)

3. Share this post on Facebook - or any other social networking site using the "Share the Love" buttons below the post. One Bonus entry per 'share', make sure to leave a comment for each entry! (P.S. You can share 1x a day for each site!)

4. Follow me on Google Friend Connect (or if you already do, leave a comment letting me know!)

5. Add my button to your blog (worth two entries, leave two comments!)

Make sure you leave a way to contact you, either by having your reply-to email address set or by leaving your email address in your posts.

Contest will end Tuesday, 3/27/2012, at 10:00 pm CST and the winner will be chosen by a random number generator.

The winner will be mailed a copy of Regina Jennings’ Sixty Acres and a Bride via media mail.

*Fine Print: I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. The opinions expressed are all mine and I was not required to give a positive review.

I hope you win! ;)

Love,

What's Your Song? St. Patrick's Day

In honor of Saturday being St. Patrick's Day, I have to share my favorite tenor once again. Just a short song by Anthony Kearns:

and one of my favorite versions of Danny Boy.
Which isn't really an Irish song, but oh well...

Have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day!

We will spend the day eating.
Most of our family traditions revolve around food.)  

Colcannon and soda bread and maybe even some car bomb cupcakes.

I am hungry just thinking about it..

Come on over and link up your song at Goodnight Moon!

Love,

"The Maid of Fairbourne Hall" Book Review & Giveaway

*While you are here, don't miss the giveaway for Blue Moon Promise!*

I will have to admit to being a bit of an Anglophile. Maybe it's the tea and crumpets or maybe it's the butler, Mr. Carson.... Well, okay, the obsession started way before Downton Abbey. But I am enamored with the British Isles, especially the Regency era, so I was thrilled to get my hands on a copy of The Maid of Fairbourne Hall.

About the book:

To escape a scheme to marry her off to a dishonorable man, pampered Margaret Macy flees London disguised as a housemaid. If she can remain unwed until her next birthday, she will receive an inheritance, and with it, sweet independence. But she never planned on actually working as a servant. And certainly not in the home of Nathaniel and Lewis Upchurch--both former suitors.

As she fumbles through the first real work of her life, Margaret struggles to keep her identity secret when suspicions arise and prying eyes visit Fairbourne Hall. Can she avoid a trap meant to force her from hiding? 

 My thoughts:

I have been a Julie Klassen fan from the first page of her first book. She has an incredible gift for writing and for incorporating the history of the period into the story in an amazing way. The Maid of Fairbourne Hall was no different and I was hooked from the first paragraph.

Margaret, who has known nothing but life above stairs, is forced to flee to avoid being forced to marry her new stepfather's nephew - who she knows is only after her money. Somehow she ends up as a chamber maid in the house of the man she rejected and his dashing older brother. Margaret soon learns that a servants life isn't much fun, as she empties chamber pots and scrubs floors. Can she avoid being detected by the Upchurch family?

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall is filled with all sorts of twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat and guessing what is coming up on the next page. From the upstairs life of the privileged to the downstairs life of the servants, Ms. Klassen has woven an incredible story - even better than an episode of Downton Abbey!

About the author:

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane--Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She has won the Christy Award: Historical Romance for The Silent Governess (2010) and The Girl in the Gatehouse (2011) which also won the 2010 Midwest Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.

For more information, visit www.julieklassen.com 

The Extras:

Read what others are saying about The Maid of Fairbourne Hall on the blog tour. 

Don't forget to RSVP for Julie Klassen's Facebook party and register for your chance to win prizes (including a Downton Abbey prize pack)!

If you are as obsessed with all things British as I am, don't miss Julie's research page, complete with pictures!

And now, the giveaway!

How to enter:

1. Main entry - Leave a comment answering this question from The Maid of Fairbourne Hall's discussion guide:  How well do you think you would cope if you found yourself in service in Regency England tomorrow?

Bonus entries - You must leave a separate comment for each in order for it to count!

2. Like "Our Crazy Life" on Facebook (or if you already do, leave a comment letting me know!)

3. Share this post on Facebook - or any other social networking site using the "Share the Love" buttons below the post. One Bonus entry per 'share', make sure to leave a comment for each entry! (P.S. You can share 1x a day for each site!)

4. Follow me on Google Friend Connect (or if you already do, leave a comment letting me know!)

5. Add my button to your blog (worth two entries, leave two comments!)

Make sure you leave a way to contact you, either by having your reply-to email address set or by leaving your email address in your posts.

Contest will end Monday, 3/12/2012, at 10:00 pm CST and the winner will be chosen by a random number generator.

The winner will be mailed a copy of Julie Klassen's The Maid of Fairbourne Hall via media mail.

*Fine Print: I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. The opinions expressed are all mine and I was not required to give a positive review.

I hope you win! ;)

Love,