Dark Threat – A Review and Giveaway

Posted on June 23, 2021 by Patti Pierce

About the Book

Book: Dark Threat

Author: Kimberly Rose Johnson

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release date: June 1, 2021

Reporter Trinity Lockhart pursues a story but then unwittingly becomes the story.

Acting on a tip from an anonymous source, Trinity investigates an art trafficking ring at a high-end Seattle gallery. She turns to handsome FBI agent Kyle Richards for help after being spotted by the crooks.

Kyle is drawn to the feisty reporter, but he can’t afford a beautiful distraction when lives are at stake. He must trust his friends at Protection Inc. to watch over Trinity while he investigates the gallery.

Will this couple overcome the impossible odds threatening to keep them apart?

Click here to get your copy!

While pursuing a story, reporter Trinity Lockhart finds herself in danger. She winds up going to the only law enforcement agent she feels comfortable reaching out to, FBI agent Kyle Richards. Needing additional help to keep Trinity safe, Kyle reaches out to his friends at Protection, Inc to protect her. I loved getting to see Carissa and the other characters from an earlier book in this series.

I found it interesting that Trinity’s father was a thief. Containing danger, pursuing the story, and figuring out the mastermind behind everything kept me interested while reading this book.

I loved how Trinity sensed the feelings between Dillon and Sally. I look forward to reading their story when it comes out. So check out this book for yourself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but it in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author

Award winning author Kimberly Rose Johnson married her college sweetheart and lives in the Pacific Northwest. From a young child Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing. She especially loves romance and writes romantic suspense and mystery with a heart.

Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.

You can sign up for Kimberly’s newsletter via her website at: https://kimberlyrjohnson.com/

More from Kimberly

Dark Threat features FBI agent Kyle Richards. We first met Kyle in book one of the Protection Inc. series where he joined the team while working undercover for the FBI. He has since become an honorary member of the team and has been in every book since.

When I set out to write this series I planned to only feature the team members, but Kyle is practically part of the team, so he needed his own story too. I thoroughly enjoyed getting into Kyle’s head for this book.

As with most books, this one took research. Through the years I’ve done all kinds of research to understand the occupations of my characters. For the characters occupations in Dark Threat I did some different kind of research than I’ve done in the past.

I really wanted to understand how FBI agents think and operate so I listened to an audio book written by a former agent. The man was rough around the edges but it really helped me understand the atmosphere in which agents work. Then I read a book written by a female, former CIA as well as FBI agent. It was fascinating to see the differences between the agencies from a former agent’s point of view.

Trinity, the female lead in Dark Threat is a crime beat reporter. I pretty much knew nothing about the life of a television reporter, so I watched You Tube videos filmed by actual reporters about a day in their lives as reporters. One young woman did a series of videos, which I found extremely helpful. Another had the camera following her on the job. From her I learned about what it’s like to go out on location and how meal times during her day on the job were never guaranteed. She’d grab a bite when she could and sometimes she wouldn’t even be able to finish it because she had to rush to a breaking story.

Finally, I needed to better understand the art world. I have a college friend who is an amazing artist. She has a gallery in Boise, Idaho. I contacted her and picked her brain about art and art galleries.

As for anything related to law enforcement I asked my uncle who is a retired police officer.

The thing I loved most about talking to people about their professions is that one question often snowballed into a deeper conversation about the topic. My friend and my uncle would tell me things I didn’t even know I needed to know.

I think Dark Threat required the most research of all the books I’ve written. I’m not a huge fan of doing research, but I truly enjoyed every minutes of it for this book.

I hope you will enjoy reading Dark Threat even more than I enjoyed writing it!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 12

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 12

Texas Book-aholic, June 13

Blogging With Carol, June 13

Inklings and notions, June 14

Blossoms and Blessings, June 14

For Him and My Family, June 15

Bizwings Blog, June 15

deb’s Book Review, June 16

The Sacred Line, June 16

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 17

CarpeDiem, June 17

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, June 18

Betti Mace, June 18

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, June 19

Bigreadersite, June 19

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, June 20

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 20

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 21

Daysong Reflections, June 21

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, June 22

HookMeInABook, June 22

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 23

Kayem Reads , June 23

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 24

Worthy2Read, June 24

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, June 25 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, June 25

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kimberly is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/10d55/dark-threat-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Rabbi’s Touch – A Review and Giveaway

Posted on June 22, 2021June 22, 2021 by Patti Pierce

About the Book

Book: The Rabbi’s Touch

Author: Annetta Lammers

Genre: Biblical Historical Fiction

Release date: Sept, 2020

Ten Gospel Encounters

What if you could live in the story? What if you could meet Jesus and have His eyes meet yours and know His great love for you? What if you could feel his healing touch and know your body was well? Author Annetta Lammers explores ten encounters with Jesus found in the gospels and tells their stories. Through reflection, study of the Greek and living each story she retells the encounters of Jesus touch, voice and power.

Click here to get your copy!

Taking familiar stories from the New Testament, Annetta Lammers creates a fictionalized version of the stories that stays true to the Biblical version in The Rabbi’s Touch. I loved getting to go inside the minds of these individuals along with their friends and family members who help them reach out to Jesus for healing. Each story focuses on the actual actions of the individual or individuals along with Jesus.

For the blind, the lame, the possessed and more, Jesus providing a healing touch that jumps to life in the pages of this book. I desired to live during the time of Jesus and experience these events for myself. Jesus always had time and energy to do the work of His Father, and this book illustrates that fact. I appreciate the tone and pace the author used to communicate these stories. So check out this book for yourself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but it in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author

Annetta Lammers is a wife, mother, homemaker, and educator. She savours quiet walks in the woods, the texture and colour of pottery and reading Biblical fiction with a cup of coffee. Her fascination and love of God’s word has motivated her to study over the years. You will find more of Annetta’s reflections at annettalammers.com.

More from Annetta

I counted my journals, wondering. A drawer filled with thirty-three journals. The years of words held in those pages cover countless seasons of living and following Jesus. Even the gaps of silence speak volumes in the journey.

This passion for writing, evident in that drawer of journals, has had the dream of a book tucked within it. And, quite by surprise, a book has formed and grown these past years. The Rabbi’s Touch began innocently with the study of Blind Bartimaeus. His miracle took shape in my imagination, taking on sounds, images and emotions. Notes and reflections about his healing found their way in the current journal. Hidden Greek meanings fed my imagination until I was Bartimaeus meeting Jesus. That encounter took on words that needed to be put down on paper as his story. Bartimaeus’ story led to another short story, which led to another. Each story was driven by the desire to enter the lives of those who met Jesus and were healed. Each story was written with the longing to encounter Jesus for myself, as if I had never met Him before. Perhaps I would grow in knowing Him. And I did.

As the stories grew, so did a quiet desire for others to meet Him as I had. Perhaps others could meet Jesus on their dusty road, make eye contact with Him, hear His voice and feel His healing touch? Perhaps a conviction of what He can do will grow, and they, too, could be determined to press in to receive what is His to give? Perhaps they also will cast aside the veil they have been hiding behind and walk free? Perhaps you can meet Him, too? So, here it is, a collection of first-hand stories, ready for you to encounter Jesus.

Annetta Lammers – Author

Blog Stops

Batya’s Bits, June 9

Texas Book-aholic, June 10

For Him and My Family, June 11

deb’s Book Review, June 12

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 13

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 14

Inklings and notions, June 15

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 16

Artistic Nobody, June 17 (Author Interview)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 17

Connie’s History Classroom, June 18

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 19

Simple Harvest Reads, June 20 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, June 20

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, June 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 22

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Annetta is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and copy of the book (fulfilled through Amazon)!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/10d51/the-rabbi-s-touch-celebration-tour-giveaway

Book Reviews, Celebrate Lit Reviews

Every Window Filled with Light – A Review and Giveaway

Posted on June 21, 2021June 21, 2021 by Patti Pierce

About the Book

Book: Every Window Filled with Light

Author: Shelia Stovall

Genre: Contemporary Women’s Christian Fiction

Release date: April 2, 2021

Welcome to Weldon, Kentucky, where the only things the locals love more than fried pies are gossip and match-making.

Librarian Emma Baker, a young and childless widow, believes her dream to build a family is over. It’s been two years since a student accidentally stabbed Emma’s husband to death, and her grief has stifled any interest in romance—until she meets Pastor Luke Davis. But when Emma learns Luke is counseling her husband’s killer fresh out of jail, her temper gets in the way.

Meanwhile, Emma discovers twelve-year-old Harley, abandoned by her drug-addict mother, hiding in the library, and takes the girl in as her foster mom. Then a young mother is made homeless by an apartment fire, and Emma opens her home again. One person and one prayer at a time, Emma begins to discover hope.

If Emma can yield and offer forgiveness to her husband’s killer, perhaps she’ll be able to piece together the broken parts of her heart…and the broken people who enter her life…to form a new family and maybe even have a second chance at love.

Click here to get your copy!

Imagine someone murdering your husband, and then having that person reach out to you. Emma experiences exactly that situation.

This book also illustrates how a group of unrelated people form their own family through circumstance. Faith in God plays a major role in this book. I loved getting to know Pastor Luke, Emma, Harley, Mr. McCullough, and all the other characters in this book.

The author masterfully created a plot with characters I wanted to get to know. I would love to read more books about other characters in this book.

With faith, forgiveness, and second chances, I definitely found myself drawn into the story. So check out this book for yourself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but it in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author

Shelia Stovall is the director of a small-town library in southern Kentucky, where only strangers mention her last name, and the children call her Miss Shelia.

Shelia and her husband Michael live on a farm, and she enjoys taking daily rambles with their three dogs to the creek. Spending time with family, especially her grandchildren, is her all-time favorite thing. The only hobby Shelia loves more than reading uplifting stories of hope is writing them.

More from Shelia

When I was younger, I daydreamed about becoming an author, but it wasn’t something I pursued. I wrote a few short stories for fun, but I poured my time and energy into my children and career.

In the summer of 2011, I participated in a Bible study called Jonah by Priscilla Shirer. One evening, our facilitator asked us to meditate on the question, What does God want you to do that you don’t want to do. I sat feeling smug as the others prayed. I’d already signed up for a short-term mission trip to Africa, which I hadn’t wanted to do. But as I sat in the quiet, God spoke to me. Write a book for me. My heartbeat quickened as God gave me the opening and the ending of the story. I envisioned a large two-story yellow Victorian home with every Window filled with light.

God’s request filled me with panic, and the workbook page remained blank. The thought of someone reading God’s request made my face hot. Who was I to think I could be an author? Finally, I made a feeble attempt, but it was too hard.

My Ninevah was Africa. I turned my thoughts and efforts to preparing to go to Niger in December 2011. After the trip, all I could think about was returning to Africa. Our translators were visiting the US. It thrilled me when they accepted my invitation to stay overnight in my home. While preparing for their visit, I discovered my laptop under the bed covered in dust. I gulped as I remembered God asking me to write a book. With trepidation, I opened the computer and read the first few pages of the story I’d started. It wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t great. I whined to God. I don’t have the skills or the talent. I don’t know how to write a book.

Then, I received an email in my work email account promoting a Christian writers’ conference. To this day, it is still the only email I’ve received at work advertising a writers’ conference. I could hardly breathe as I read the email promoting the writers’ workshop to be held at East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, TX—a long way from Kentucky. I shared everything with my husband, and he encouraged me to go even though we didn’t have the money. He reminded me we had a travel credit in our airline account because of connection problems during our first trip to Africa, and so, I packed my bags.

When I attended the conference, two instructors, New York Times best-selling author Lisa Wingate and Judy Christie, changed my life when they encouraged me to finish the story. Judy asked me to commit to writing one hour a day, and she predicted I’d finish the first draft by Thanksgiving if I’d stick with it. The conference was held in October, and I thought her expectations impossible. I didn’t meet her goal, but I finished the first draft on 12/12/12. I’ll never forget that morning. It’s a good thing I had no idea of the work ahead of me.

Judy was kind enough to give me the email address of her award-winning editor Jamie Clarke Chavez. I sent the first three chapters to Jamie, and my mouth dropped open when she agreed to work with me. Today, she is someone I consider a dear friend. Writers have asked me, How did you get Jamie Chavez to work with you. She must have taken pity on me. I cringe as I remember those first chapters. I consider Jame a gift from God.

Through the years of hard work, God has been faithful to provide me with encouragement and help along the road to publication. If there is anything good in Every Window Filled with Light, it is from Him and the people he sent to aid me. The best blessings of the writing journey are the friendships I’ve made along the way.

I hope you’ll read Every Window Filled with Light or give it to someone who needs an uplifting story of hope. If there’s a person you know who doesn’t know Christ and doesn’t want to listen to a witness, this is a book you can share. I hope the reader will be so drawn into the story they won’t realize they are being exposed to God’s salvation plan until it’s too late.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about why I wrote Every Window Filled with Light. Has God ever asked you to do something you didn’t want to do? I’d love to hear your story.

Warm regards,

Shelia

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 10

The Avid Reader, June 10

Through the Fire blogs, June 11

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 11

Texas Book-aholic, June 12

Cats in the Cradle Blog, June 12

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 13

For Him and My Family, June 14

CarpeDiem, June 14

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 15

Inklings and notions, June 16

Just Writing, June 16

Older & Smarter?, June 17

Rebecca Tews, June 18

deb’s Book Review, June 18

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 19

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, June 20

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 20

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 21

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 22

Mary Hake, June 22

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, June 23

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Shelia is giving away the grand prize package of a themed gift basket from Habegger’s Amish Market!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/10d52/every-window-filled-with-light-celebration-tour-giveaway

Book Reviews, Celebrate Lit Reviews

Ruth – A Review and Giveaway

Posted on June 20, 2021June 19, 2021 by Patti Pierce

About the Book

Book: Ruth

Author: Caryl McAdoo

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: May 3, 2021

The Lord works in mysterious ways.
Fleeing heartache, shame, and betrayal, Ruth finds all her plans are thwarted until the untimely death of a goat that gives her hope! Hired as a wet-nurse for Logan’s orphaned son, she rejects his marriage-of-convenience proposal, hoping to find true love at the trail’s end. Going West (in what was later called the Great Migration of 1842) satisfies the widower’s wanderlust, and even though she turns him down, he determines to prove his love is true. Come along on this infamous journey of love and adventure.

Click here to get your copy!

Having the opportunity to read a book by Caryl McAdoo always brings a smile to my face. Finding a way west initially proves more of a challenge than Ruth expected. But she finds a way west for her daughter and herself by serving as a wet nurse for Logan’s orphaned son. However, she starts off turning down Logan’s proposal for a marriage of convenience. But the trip provides ample opportunity to discover that God sometimes moves in mysterious ways. We can sometimes find ourselves placed in the right set of circumstances to find true love, even when we are not expecting to find it with the person in front of us.

Caryl McAdoo creates stories filled with characters and storylines that draw the reader in and causes them to want to read more books by her. This story lives up to my expectations for these historical works of Christian fiction. So check them out for yourself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but it in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author

Award-winning author Caryl McAdoo prays her story brings God glory, and her best-selling stories—fifty-nine published—delight Christian readers around the world. The prolific writer also enjoys singing the new songs the Lord gives her; you may listen at YouTube. Sharing four children and twenty-one grandsugars (three greats), Caryl and Ron (her high-school-sweetheart-husband of over fifty years) live in the woods south of Clarksville, seat of Red River County in far Northeast Texas. The McAdoos wait expectantly for God to open the next door.

More from Caryl

I’ve loved the premise of RUTH for seven years now, that’s when the beginning of this story was first written, way before its time! Its title was Evelyn’s Redemption back then, but I’ve since had a favorite character named Evelyn in COVERING LOVE and MIGHTY TO SAVE (books eight and nine in the Texas Romance Family Saga series), so my heroine needed a new name.

Ruth was my maternal grandmother’s name and Mama’s middle name (Naomi Ruth), and though Ron doesn’t like me to name characters after family members, he let me have my way . . . as my heroes usually let my heroines. 😊 So, she became Ruth.

I pulled up the ten thousand words already written back in 2014, caught up-to-date to refresh the story in my mind, then took off writing! In a month and a day, I finished this story that I just love! Never knowing where it’s going—or exactly how it will end when I start—I so enjoy the tale as I write it just as you do when you read it! God gives me the most awesome stories I’m so thankful for!

My hero’s thirteen-year-old daughter Hannah is one of my favorites in this story. Her great character created such an example of taking up an offense that is hard to put down. I think we’ve all been there, and to me, it’s especially hard to forgive and get over it when the offense is taken up on behalf of someone we love. The loved one like gets extra grace to forgive, but not so for the offended-on-their-behalf!

I love that God helps me weave scriptural lessons into my stories, lessons that I’ve learned in walking with Him for more than sixty years—and I’ve learned a lot! Besides praying my stories give Him glory, I also pray they help those who read them draw closer to Him—or learn ways to live more purely for Him.

We serve a mighty God indeed, and it’s my honor to help advance His Kingdom here on earth through writing these stories! Also, I enjoy singing the new songs He gives me! Check out ‘Caryl McAdoo’ on YouTube! I have a few songs up there and need to video more.

So, have a blessed day, y’all, and may God’s joy and peace encompass you everywhere you go!

Blessings!

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 9

Just Writing, June 9

KarenSueHadley, June 10

lakesidelivingsite, June 10

Texas Book-aholic, June 11

Inklings and notions, June 12

For Him and My Family, June 13

Vicky Sluiter, June 13

deb’s Book Review, June 14

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 15

Blossoms and Blessings, June 16

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 16

Connie’s History Classroom, June 17

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 18

Splashes of Joy, June 18

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, June 19

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 20

Simple Harvest Reads, June 20 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Girls in White Dresses, June 21

Pause for Tales, June 21

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 22

Cats in the Cradle Blog, June 22

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Caryl is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/10d50/ruth-celebration-tour-giveaway

Book Reviews, Celebrate Lit Reviews

Faith in the Mountain Valley Celebration Tour and Giveaway

Posted on June 19, 2021June 19, 2021 by Patti Pierce

About the Book

Book: Faith in the Mountain Valley

Author: Misty M. Beller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: June 15, 2021

This epic journey is the only way to leave her secrets behind.

After eleven years spent looking for the girl who stole his heart, Jean-Jacques Baptiste—better known as French to his friends—is tempted to give up. Until the day he spotted the flaxen-haired stranger traveling the wooded path with Blackfoot Indians. He never imagined he’d find his childhood friend masquerading as a man in this Rocky Mountain wilderness, hundreds of miles from the Canadian town where he last saw her. No matter her reasons, he can’t let her go this time.

Colette Mignon’s life has become a cacophony of lies, including the fact that her Blackfoot Indian companions believe she’s a man. She’s willing to live the taxing life of a trapper in these desolate mountains as long as it keeps her secrets hidden. When her childhood friend and first love discovers her, his determination to help might put everything at risk.

As the worst of her past threatens to catch up with her, the hope for Colette’s new life shatters. But no matter what, she must protect the one good thing that came from all her mistakes. Though French is determined to stay at her side, she can’t let him become entangled in the perilous consequences of her actions. If only it wasn’t so painful to push him away. The danger pressing in may leave her only one choice—leave everything behind…again.

From a USA Today bestselling author comes another epic journey through breathless landscapes and adventure so intense, lives will never be the same.

Click here to get your copy!

Whenever I pick up a book by Misty Bellerophon, I know the characters and plot will grab my attention. This book did not disappoint. Continuing the saga of French and his friends, this book chronicles French’s relationship with Colette, I enjoyed reading about their past and how they rediscover each other.

This book took twists and turns that captured my imagination . I love the relationship between Colette and the Blackfoot Indians she is traveling with, and how the men react to her secret. This book explores overcoming a pain-filled past to find a joy-filled future designed by God. I really enjoyed this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but it in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author

Misty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.

She was raised on a farm in South Carolina, so her Southern roots run deep. Growing up, her family was close, and they continue to keep that priority today. Her husband and children now add another dimension to her life, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

God has placed a desire in Misty’s heart to combine her love for Christian fiction and the simpler ranch life, writing historical novels that display God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.

Click here to get your copy!

More from Misty

Ever Played Dress-up?

I’ll bet most of us played “Let’s Pretend” when we were kids. Maybe you dressed up as a princess, or a knight, or a soldier. When we were little, my grandmother had a secondhand wedding dress she let us play with. It had the long train and veil that dragged several feet behind a grown woman. We spent so many fun hours dressing up and pretending. And of course, there were all the times my older brother and I played cowboys as we rode our horses.

With so much experience playing dress-up and “let’s pretend,” I thoroughly enjoyed writing the story of a heroine who pretended to be a man! And not just a fellow around town. She joined up with a group of five Blackfoot braves and attempted to pass herself off as a man for weeks while she lived in their camp, trapping alongside them!

She had a good reason for attempting the ruse, and you can find out if she pulls it off in Faith in the Mountain Valley. This might be my favorite of all the books in the Call of the Rockies series. I pray you enjoy it too!

Blog Stops

lakesidelivingsite, June 8

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 8

Texas Book-aholic, June 9

Blessed & Bookish, June 10

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 10

Inklings and notions, June 11

Betti Mace, June 12

For Him and My Family, June 12

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 13

Connie’s History Classroom, June 14

cats in the cradle blog, June 14

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, June 15

deb’s Book Review, June 15

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, June 16

Mary Hake, June 16

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 17

Reviewingbooksplusmore, June 17

For the Love of Literature, June 18

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 19

Blossoms and Blessings, June 19

The Adventures of a Travelers Wife, June 20

Splashes of Joy, June 21

Jeanette’sThoughts, June 21

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Misty is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/10d0a/faith-in-the-mountain-valley-celebration-tour-giveaway

Book Reviews, Frontgate Blogger Reviews

How Did I Get Here – A Review

Posted on June 17, 2021 by Patti Pierce

About the Book

Do you feel lost? Disconnected? Like you’re just going through the motions?

When you don’t know the next step to take, God’s grace empowers you with a way forward. His hope offers an anchor for the soul and a way to get back on track. His faithfulness declares that wherever you are now, he is always ready to bring you home.

As a respected Bible teacher, author, and activist, Christine Caine knew that Jesus was her only anchor. But after an especially difficult season, she found herself drifting, unsure if she wanted to keep going the way she always had and asking, “How did I get here?” as she struggled to return to the steadiness of God’s purpose for her. Where she once wanted to take ground, she now just wanted to take cover. It was a bewildering and disorienting place to be—one you may also have found yourself in before.

Life rarely goes the way we planned, and Christine Caine tackles that idea in her latest book. Combing candor with humor, Christine Caine provides insights for learning to trust God more and recognizing He has a path for us to take. Sharing her own journey, Christine creates a work her readers will relate to in the end. Including thoughts, prayers, actions and sometimes hard questions, this book deserves your attention. The topics she touches on suit the climate of today’s world. So check it out for yourself.

About the Author:

Born in Austrailia, Christine CAine loves Jesus and serves a a speaker, author, and activist. She desires to reach the lost, strengthen leadership, and champions the cause of justice. Along with her husband she created the A21 campaign for combating human trafficking in addition to Propel Women, an organization designed to celebrate the strengths, passions, purposes, and potential.

Purchase your own copy of the book here.

Book Reviews, Celebrate Lit Reviews

Day of Reckoning Celebration Tour – A Review and Giveaway

Posted on June 16, 2021June 16, 2021 by Patti Pierce

About the Book

Book: Day of Reckoning

Author: Valerie Massey Goree

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Release date: August, 2019

International Retrieval Organization Agent Lela Ortiz is assigned the kidnapping case of businessman, Chuck Davenport. When her boss allows Chuck’s brother-in-law to assist, Lela accepts the help with reservations, especially when Jay Vashon prays to God at the most inopportune times.

Jay would do anything to help bring his brother-in-law home, even work with hesitant Agent Ortiz. As Jay helps Lela decipher the clues sent to Chuck’s special-needs son, Jay begins to fall for the feisty IRO agent.

Can Jay break through the barrier Lela has constructed around her heart? Will Lela be able to overcome her distrust of men and God? And what of Chuck? Can the pair locate him before the ransom deadline?

Click here to get your copy!

This Christian romantic suspense novel drew me in and kept me hooked. Agent Lela Ortiz, part of the International Retrieval Organization, becomes part of the team looking for Jay Vashon’s brother-in-law Charles Davenport. I instantly liked both of these characters. Jay’s constant prayers disturbs Lela, who is not a Christian.

This book combines the best parts of finding God, dealing with danger, and saving Jay’ brother-in-law. I loved getting to know Jay’s sister and family. The author took some twists and turns that kept me guessing. I loved the journey of Lela accepting God as her Savior. It shows how God sometimes places people in our path with His message of His redeeming love at the exact moment we need to receive it.

I also have to say the ending left me satisfied. I would love to read more books about the tInternational Retrieval Organization team members. So check out this book for yourself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but it in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author

American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Award winner Valerie Massey Goree resides with her husband on the beautiful Olympic Peninsula of Washington State.

After serving as missionaries in her home country of Zimbabwe and raising two children, Glenn and Valerie moved to Texas. She worked in the public school system for many years, focusing on students with special needs. Now retired in Washington, Valerie spends her time writing, and spoiling her grandchildren.

Novels include: Deceive Me Once; Colors of Deceit; The Stolen Lives Trilogy, Weep in the Night; Day of Reckoning; and Justice at Dawn, to be released July, 2021. Valerie’s latest novel Forever Under Blue Skies, is now available from Amazon.

Valerie loves to hear from her readers.

Check Valerie’s website to learn more about her books: www.valeriegoreeauthor.com

More from Valerie

“Dressed in black, Lela stretched out of the chair like a panther on the hunt.” Would that sentence entice you to know more about Lela?

It worked for me, and I wrote the sentence!

Here’s how it all came about. When I outlined the plots for my Stolen Lives Trilogy, I knew that an International Retrieval Organization (IRO) agent mentioned in Book One would became the star in Book Two, and an agent highlighted in Book Two would take the lead in Book Three.

I first ‘met’ Lela Ortiz two-thirds of the way into writing Weep in the Night, Book One in the trilogy. She was a minor character, a proficient agent, but serious and quiet. Up until that point, I still hadn’t decided which agent would go on to fame in the next book. However, when I wrote the sentence already quoted, I knew Lela was my gal.

Ooh. I fell in love with that description of her and had to delve into her backstory. Why was she so serious? What happened in her past to make her such a good agent? At first, I decided she was an orphan, but she ‘informed’ me she had a loving family. Scratch that idea. If her troubles didn’t stem from her immediate family, where did they originate?

Quite often a character will ‘give’ me details during a conversation with another member of the cast. My plan might be for the plot to veer left, then lo and behold, the character will say something that takes the story in a completely different direction. This may sound strange to some readers, but believe me, many authors will agree that if your character isn’t ‘talking’ to you, maybe it’s because you’re taking them in the wrong direction. Lela certainly did that with me. And I think her story is so much richer and deeper than the one I’d originally planned.

After you read about her life before becoming an agent, you’ll understand her desire to help people, and why her boss holds her in high regard.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 5

For Him and My Family, June 6

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 7

Texas Book-aholic, June 8

deb’s Book Review, June 9

The Sacred Line, June 9

Inklings and notions, June 10

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 11

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 12

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, June 13

Betti Mace, June 14

Stories By Gina , June 15 (Author Interview)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 15

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 16

CarpeDiem, June 17

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, June 18

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Valerie is giving away the grand prize package of a copy of the book, wall plaque saying ‘Wait on the Lord’, a writing journal, and Aromatherapy Lavender Foam Bath crystals!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/10d05/day-of-reckoning-celebration-tour-giveaway

Book Reviews, Celebrate Lit Reviews

Emeline – A Journey with the My Journey Companion Journal – A Review and Giveaway

Posted on June 15, 2021 by Patti Pierce

About the Book

Book: Emeline – A Journey with the My Journey companion Journal

Author: Kathy J. Perry

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction Adventure

Release date: November 1, 2020

Emeline:

I can’t ask Pa; I must decide for myself.

What do I really want?

Set in 1890, a period of no phones or refrigerators, thirteen-year-old Emeline has lost both parents and must travel through ten states to reconnect with family in Boston.

On the way, she encounters many people and trials. Some characters are unsavory, ruthless, and violet, wanting only her money and possessions, caring nothing for her life. But all is not bleak: good folks make her trip memorable, giving her help as they are able.

Will she make it, and if she does, will she stay?

Will the events of her journey redefine her life?

This Christian historical fiction adventure will educate, entertain, and inspire young readers.

My Journey:

You Are Unique

What do you believe?

What motivates you?

What are your thoughts, hopes, and dreams?

Find a quiet place and contemplate the questions inside. Journaling is a great way to understand yourself and work through emotions.

Who knows? You might surprise yourself!

Click here to get your copy!

As a homeschooling mother, I always enjoyed finding Christian works for my children to read. Even though my youngest is 18 now, I still enjoy discovering new books to recommend to homeschooling friends. Emeline chronicles the journey of a young girl after the death of her mother two years ago and her father recently.

At thirteen in 1890, Emeline sets out for Boston to find her family. Along the way, she meets people who help her and encourage her. She meets people on only want to steal from her and harm her. I find it difficult to imagine our daughter taking such a journey when she was thirteen. Yet the determination and persistence Emeline shows brings this story to life. The setting and descriptions of the journey pulled me into Emeline’s world as well. Including faith makes this a story I believe girls will benefit from reading.

A companion journal provides a place for girls to chronicle their own thoughts and feelings regarding the book and Emeline’s journey. I believe both items provide the perfect gift for a special young lady in your life. So check it out for yourself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but it in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author

After the passing of my parents, I evaluated at what I was doing with my life and my contribution to others. I’ve always had a heart for teaching kids. I’ve been a classroom teacher, a homeschool mom, a tutor, and a substitute for many years. I’ve written, illustrated, and published the Bandana Acres series of Early Reader Chapter Books with solid moral lessons that fill a genre gap between picture and chapter books. Fellow teachers say, “Great! Keep it up. We need more of these.”

As a twelve-year-old, I identified with a fictional orphaned girl and was so impressed with her cleverness and honesty that I wanted to be like her. It was this story that inspired me to write Emeline – A Journey — a story that will educate, encourage, and inspire your tween or teen to find their way as a confident young adult.

A companion book, a consumable guided journal entitled My Journey, will challenge your young adult to important questions and give them lots of room to process their thoughts, hopes, and dreams.

More from Kathy

Research for Emeline’s story gave me such joy. It amazed me how much I learned about life in 1890 from internet searches, YouTube videos, and library books. Some topics, however, were more difficult than others. I purchased a book about 1800s printing for lithography details. I later gifted this beautiful book to my printer brother-in-law.

With new technology bursting at the seams of the fabric of our lives, could your young adult have an interest in such a time as 1890? Fantasies and futuristic books claim attention and provide an escape from our time and place. But the 1890s was a fascinating time, too, with inventions that would change how we live forever — inventions that we take for granted today. Regardless of the external factors, people then had the same personal issues. People remain people, no matter when or where they live.

I hope that from reading or listening to this book, your tweens and teens will internalize the important character qualities vital for confident, successful adulthood. The companion book, My Journey, follows the same values shown in Emeline’s book and provides a place for personal evaluation and self-discovery.

Blog Stops

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 7

Labor Not in Vain, June 7

Inklings and notions, June 8

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, June 9

Connie’s History Classroom, June 10

Library Lady’s Kid lit, June 10

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 11

Texas Book-aholic, June 12

For Him and My Family, June 13

Mary Hake, June 13

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 14

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 15

Lots of Helpers, June 16

deb’s Book Review, June 17

She Lives To Read, June 18

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 19

Splashes of Joy, June 20

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kathy is giving away the grand prize of a hardcover copy of Emeline, a softcover copy of The Journey, and a $25 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/10d09/emeline-a-journey-and-my-journey-celebration-tour-giveaway

Book Reviews, Celebrate Lit Reviews

The Captain’s Quest Celebration Tour & Giveaway

Posted on June 14, 2021 by Patti Pierce

About the Book

Book: The Captain’s Quest

Author: Lorri Dudley

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: June 22, 2021

Innocent mistakes can have dire consequences.

Pricilla Middleton only attended the Lemoore house party to keep her friend out of trouble. Now, her only chance to keep from becoming a gossip column headline is to sneak aboard her brother’s ship and pretend she’d been visiting him instead of taking part in the debacle. Before she can speak to her brother, the ship sets sail, and the man in charge is not at all who she expects.

Captain Tobias Prescott, son of an infamous war hero, has been assigned on a critical mission to deploy warships in St. Kitts for battle in New Orleans. Unfortunately, his orders require him to assume command of a friend’s ship, and he must weigh anchor the instant the former captain is escorted down the gangplank. When they reach open waters, the last thing he expects is to find a woman hiding in the captain’s cabin, yet his mission is too urgent to return her to England.

The Middleton name has always brought Tobias trouble, and Pricilla is no exception. As the waters clear and the temperature warms, the danger escalates too. Yet Tobias discovers the intuitive and strong woman who struggles to hide her anxiety is nothing like her disloyal brother. He may lose the opportunity to help his country, but perhaps he can still save the woman who’s rescued his heart.

Click here to get your copy!

What if you went somewhere only to protect a friend, but then things went wrong? In the historical work of Christian fiction, Priscila finds herself in exactly that situation. She needs to seek the safety of her brother’s ship.But instead of finding her brother; she finds herself on a ship with Captain Tobias Prescott who despises her brother and her last name. Tobias’ mission must be completed quickly, so he has to deal with her being on his ship. But as the days pass by, Tobias comes to realize Priscilla differs from her brother.

While this book is the fourth in a series, I believe someone could read it alone. However, I recommend reading the books in order. The author doe an excellent job of showing how God often takes things and turns them around for His glory. The faith illustrated in this book makes it worth reading. So if you enjoy Christian Historical Fiction, check out this book for yourself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but it in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author

Lorri Dudley has been a finalist in numerous writing contests and has a master’s degree in Psychology. She lives in Ashland, Massachusetts with her husband and three teenage sons, where writing romance allows her an escape from her testosterone filled household. Find her online at www.lorridudley.com.

More from Lorri

Priscilla Middleton’s character begged for her story to be told. The Captain’s Quest is the fourth book in the Leeward Island series. While it can read as a stand-alone, the heroine, Priscilla, had a brief guest appearance at the beginning of book two, The Merchant’s Yield, as Lottie’s closest friend. With Lottie now living on the isle of St. Kitts, that left Priscilla to navigate the London season all on her own. I imagined what mischief a young woman would find whose parents allowed her too much freedom, especially with her friend, the voice of reason, across the Atlantic.

When my close friend moved to Michigan, the loss of her physical presence left me feeling disoriented, lost, and out of place, even in familiar surroundings. There was loneliness, a desperate need to replace what was missing, and fears about being forgotten. In Lottie’s absence, Priscilla clings to an unhealthy friendship, landing herself in a precarious situation, with no other option but to hide aboard her brother’s ship to save her reputation and that of her family.

The biggest issue with running from problems is that we can’t run from ourselves. Priscilla avoids one catastrophe only to walk right into another as Captain Tobias Prescott takes command of the ship. She blames the brooding captain for her predicament only to realize she’s battling the wrong enemy. The more Priscilla tries to hide from the problems she must face within herself, the further she drifts from everyone she knows and the chance to be fully loved.

Although Priscilla’s story was drafted pre-pandemic, her struggles are similar to those that surfaced during the lockdowns. Anxiety, loneliness, isolation, fear, and feelings of being disregarded mounted as the pandemic spread. Vacations, Thanksgivings, and Christmases were canceled. Families couldn’t visit or see each other—the feeling of being forgotten sliced open raw wounds.

Cory Ashbury’s song Reckless Love was popular as I plotted The Captain’s Quest, and the lyrics from the book of Matthew of how God will leave the ninety-nine to chase after the one lost sheep developed Priscilla’s story. Through its comical mishaps, dramatic twists, and struggles to prevail, The Captain’s Quest is a reminder of the heights, depths, and lengths that our great God will go to show His passionate love for us.

To learn more, checkout my website at LorriDudley.com, or watch The Captain’s Quest book trailer by clicking here: The Captain’s Quest trailer.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 1

Blossoms and Blessings, June 1

Texas Book-aholic, June 2

Just Writing, June 2

For Him and My Family, June 3

Connect in Fiction, June 3

Inklings and notions, June 4

Life of Literature, June 4

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 5

Batya’s Bits, June 5

deb’s Book Review, June 6

Kayem Reads, June 6

She Lives To Read, June 7

Betti Mace, June 7

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 7

The Adventures of a Travelers Wife, June 8

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, June 8

Rebecca Tews, June 8

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 9

Blessed & Bookish, June 9

Remembrancy, June 10

Genesis 5020, June 10

Connie’s History Classroom, June 11

KarenSueHadley, June 11

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 12

Daysong Reflections, June 12

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 12

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, June 13

Simple Harvest Reads, June 13 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 14

HookMeInABook, June 14

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lorri is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/10cce/the-captain-s-quest-celebration-tour-giveaway

Book Reviews, Celebrate Lit Reviews

The Little Way – A Spotlight & Giveaway

Posted on June 13, 2021June 12, 2021 by Patti Pierce

About the Book

Book: The Little Way

Author: St. Thérèse

Genre: RELIGION / Spirituality

Release date: May 18, 2021

We want to love God with all our hearts, but we often find ourselves striving in our efforts to please Him, acutely aware of our weaknesses. As our failures pile up, we become frustrated and discouraged.

Have we missed the essence of the gospel? Is there a simple but true way to serve God that can fill us with joy and peace rather than fear and discouragement?

St. Thérése of Lisieux faced similar struggles. As a young woman who desired to abandon herself to God, she felt daunted at the thought of climbing “the steep stairway of perfection.” Thérése searched the Scriptures until she discovered a path to freedom she called her “little way.” This is “the way of spiritual childhood, the way of trust and absolute surrender.” It is a recognition that while we are small and imperfect, we have a mighty God who reaches out to us with infinite love, grace, and strength to take care of all our needs.

As Thérése followed this new path, she considered herself a “little flower” in Jesus’s garden. She understood that she was beloved by her heavenly Father and delightful in His eyes. And she could bloom right where He planted her as she daily demonstrated His unconditional love to others in small but meaningful acts of kindness and interceded on their behalf.

This beautiful gift book highlights St. Thérése’s deep insights into faith and devotion, while visually capturing, through simple floral illustrations, the theme of simplicity that permeated her life. As you read excerpts from St. Thérése’s autobiography, poetry, and letters, with accompanying Scripture verses, you will learn to rest in the loving arms of your heavenly Father, allowing your own faith to grow and flourish.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

St. Thérèse, known as the “Little Flower,” was born Marie-Françoise-Thérése Martin on January 2, 1873, in Alençon, France, the youngest of five surviving children in a loving Christian family. Desiring to devote her life to God, she persuaded the religious authorities to allow her to join the Carmelite convent at Lisieux at the age of fifteen. Feeling unable to meet the perceived demands of Christian perfection, she sought a simpler, scriptural way to reach God, an “elevator to take me straight up to Jesus.” The “little way” she discovered—that of humility, trust, sacrifice, and resting in God’s deep love—captured the essence of the gospel with profound simplicity. It transformed her relationship with her heavenly Father, and its ripple effects surged to a global impact that continues to this day. Thérése died of tuberculosis on September 30, 1897, at the age of twenty-four. Her autobiography, The Story of a Soul, published shortly after her death, eventually became a worldwide bestseller, with millions of copies in print. The work has been translated into more than sixty languages and dialects. Thérése was canonized by the Roman Catholic Church on May 17, 1925, and was declared a Doctor of the Church on October 19, 1997. Pope John Paul II described her insights into faith as “vast and profound.”