And…now for the FINAL book in the blog tour this month! Yep, after this we’ll go back to our regularly scheduled writing tips and… oh, who am I kidding. I don’t regularly schedule anything. But get you know what I mean.

Okay, book #3!

In Every Heartbeat

by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Historical Fiction/Inspirational

Release Date: September 2010

Back Cover Copy:

Three best friends, three cherished dreams, three searching hearts…

As three friends who grew up in the same orphanage head off to college together, they each harbor a special plan for the future. Libby Conley hopes to become a famous journalist. Pete Leidig believes God has called him to study to become a minister. And Bennett Martin plans to pledge a fraternity, find a place to belong, and have as much fun as possible. But as tensions rise around the world on the brink of World War I, the friends’ differing aspirations and opinions begin to divide them, as well.

When Libby makes a shocking discovery about Pete’s family, will it drive a final wedge between the friends or bond them in ways they never anticipated?

My Thoughts:

You know… this isn’t a bad book at all. It’s readable, the characters are decent (albeit a little bit cardboard at times), and the plot—while it’s nothing particularly new or innovative—follows the traditions of ‘strong-headed woman and the man who loves her’ in a way that isn’t too cliché or overbearing.

I’ll be honest—I didn’t love it, and I’m not sure I’d even say I liked it. It kinda just ‘was’, for me. But I think fans of inspirational historical fiction will find a place in their hearts for this one. It had a little too much on the ‘Christian’ side of Christian fiction for my liking (I’ve preferred Bethany House’s other offerings lately) but I’m sure that many patrons of church libraries will enjoy it. And I’m not being demeaning when I say that, so don’t take it the wrong way!

And isn’t the cover beautiful?

I know this review isn’t as thorough as my other ones, but I didn’t find anything that sparked anger or that I particularly disliked, and there wasn’t really anything I loved. So… hey, if you like this kind of historical, go for it. If historical fiction with a heavier Christian slant isn’t your thing, this one isn’t for you.

If you have a mother, grandmother, aunt, or sister who likes this kind of historical fiction, this would be a safe choice for a gift in the future.

About the Author: Kim Vogel Sawyer is the author of fifteen novels, including several CBA and ECPA bestsellers. Her books have won the ACFW Book of the Year Award, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, and the Inspirational Readers Choice Award. Kim is active in her church, where she leads women’s fellowship and participates in both voice and bell choirs. In her spare time, she enjoys drama, quilting, and calligraphy. Kim and her husband, Don, reside in central Kansas, and have three daughters and six grandchildren. She invites you to visit her Web site atwww.kimvogelsawyer.com for more information.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".