Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Party Time! Celebrating A Noble Groom by Jody Hedlund!

Jody Hedlund (one of my very favorite authors!!) has a new release, so we are having a party on my blog! Woo-hoo!! I love parties!!

Grab a beverage...



And a scone, donut, or muffin...

 



And let's talk about Jody's latest book!!


A NOBLE GROOM

Recently widowed Annalisa Werner has the feeling her husband was murdered but can’t prove it.

Alone with her young daughter in 1881 Michigan, she has six months left to finish raising the money needed to pay back the land contract her husband purchased, and the land is difficult to toil by herself. She needs a husband. With unmarried men scarce, her father sends a letter to his brother in the Old Country, asking him to find Annalisa a groom.

For nobleman Carl von Reichart, the blade of the guillotine is his fate. He’s been accused and convicted of a serious crime he didn’t commit, and his only escape is to flee to a small German community in Michigan where he’ll be safe. He secures a job on Annalisa’s farm but bumbles through learning about farming and manual labor.

Annalisa senses that Carl is harboring a secret about his past, yet she finds herself drawn to him anyway. He’s gentle, kind, and romantic–unlike any of the men she’s ever known. He begins to restore her faith in the ability to love–but her true groom is still on his way. And time is running out on them all.

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I was blessed to receive an advanced reader copy of A Noble Groom! I read it last weekend in one sitting--I couldn't have put it down if I wanted to! Here's my review:
5 Stars for A NOBLE GROOM

I know I'm going to love a book when I'm cheering out loud by page 14! I've read all of Ms. Hedlund's books, and this is her best yet, which is saying a lot since I devoured her first three! From page one the stakes are high, and they continue to rise until the powerful ending. 
Jody Hedlund is one of the rare authors who gives readers very different stories while staying in the historical genre. A Noble Groom takes place in mid-Michigan in the early 1880's. The heroine,  a young mother, faces desperate circumstances due to her poor German roots, unpredictable Michigan weather, and having to rely on an unworthy husband.  I won't give any spoilers, but the twists and turns in this story delighted me! With its fast pace, sympathetic characters, and excellent writing, I read this book in a day and didn't want it to end. In fact, I found myself wishing there would be another book giving the heroine's sister a happy ending too!
I'm from mid-Michigan and have German roots, and I found myself nodding at many of the family attitudes and the plight of the farmer. A very authentic, finger-nail-biting, romantic book!
**I received an advanced reader copy of this book with no obligation to review it. All opinions are my own.**



Want to purchase A Noble Groom? Head to Jody's Books page (linked)!!
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Jody Hedlund is an award-winning and bestselling author of inspirational historical romances.

As a busy mama-writer, she has the wonderful privilege of teaching her crew of 5 children at home. In between grading math papers and giving spelling tests, she occasionally does a load of laundry and washes dishes. When she’s not busy being a mama, you can find her in front of her laptop working on another of her page-turning stories.

She loves reading almost as much as she loves writing, especially when it also involves chocolate and coffee.

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I'd love to know--where did you grow up? 

Thanks so much for partying with us!!

18 comments:

  1. Good morning, Jill! I'll take a couple of mocha lattes, a chocolate donut, and a chocolate muffin! Seriously. I want them transported to my house stat! ;-)

    And thank you so much for the lovely review on my book!! You rock! :-)

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    1. Mocha latte and chocolate everything coming right up! I found a recipe for double chocolate mini-muffins. I'll be trying that one soon!

      Thank YOU for being my guest AND for such an amazing read!! Loved it!!

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  2. Yum! Glad I came over here before I ate breakfast. lol
    I have loved all of Jody's books so I can't wait to read this one!

    I grew up in a small farming community in southern Illinois. The state where you don't pronounce the "s"! But everyone where I live now does.

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    1. Sounds like the town I grew up in! We took Sunday drives with my grandpa, and he would go all of 25 mph and say things like, "the beans are high," or "he should have gotten that corn in earlier." Good times!

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  3. I'm in the middle of Jody's book and LOVING it!! Amazing how she can make what seemed such a simple story so engaging and suspenseful. :)

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    1. I agree, Lindsay! There are so many twists and turns--I loved it!!

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  4. Yum! I'll sample a bit of everything...thank you!

    I'm looking forward to reading A Noble Groom--Jody always knocks it out of the park!

    And let's see, in answer to your question... I grew up in a quaint little town in the Ozarks where everyone knew everyone and Sunday dinner-on-the-grounds was the order of the day.

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    1. Ooo, your quaint little town sounds so lovely. I would like to come over and have a Sunday dinner-on-the-grounds! :)

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  5. Oh, I love Jody's books so much...it's kind of killing me that I haven't been able to start this one yet. But I will...and soon...probably tonight! :)

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    1. I know!! I have a slew of books I've been dying to read. Must find time!!

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  6. Stopping by the join the party. It's herbal tea and strawberries for me, since I'm on an eating healthy kick and haven't had sugar since the first of the year.

    I'm eager to read the final version of Jody's book. Trouble is, I know that once I start, I won't want to do anything else. Her books have a way of making the rest of the world go away as I become immersed in her story world.

    I grew up in California. All over California. My dad was a firefighter in the U.S. Forest Service, so we moved every year or two until I was in high school. I've lived in many small towns and at a few ranger stations.

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    1. I know--Jody's books suck me in too, Keli! That's really cool your dad was a firefighter. It's hard switching schools all the time, though. I know from experience.

      Tea and strawberries for you!

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  7. I opened Noble Groom this weekend and was loathe to put it down. I'm about halfway through, but I can see there are going to be some turns in the road ahead.

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  8. I'm not spoiling anything, Jane, but you're in for quite a ride! Whoo!!

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  9. Hi Jill and Jody! I enjoyed a cafe mocha whilst perusing this party. Great idea! Congratulations on your new release, Jody, and the excellent reviews! You are such a beautiful writer - it is well deserved. Thanks for giving us this great insight, Jill!

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    1. Cafe mocha for you, Donna! And some kitty treats for your kitty-babies!! :) Thanks so much!

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  10. OMG I have this book and I still haven't read it yet! I've loved all of Jody's books, and from the sound of that blurb, I know I'll love this one as well.

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    1. It's fabulous, Julie! Save it for when you have a clear day. You won't want to put it down!

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