A Ransomed Grete ~ A Review & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: A Ransomed Grete

Author: Chautona Havig

Genre: Christian Historical Mystery, Fairytale

Release date: December 28, 2022

October 1939—What happens when you run from danger… and into a trap?

After the Anschluss, Austria becomes a place its citizens don’t recognize—especially its Jewish citizens. Whispers ripple through Jewish communities—whispers about a chalet where a woman protects Jewish children from discovery. She’ll keep them safe, fed, and far away from Nazis.

Parents are forced to make horrific decisions. Send their children away to safety, possibly never seeing them again, or keep their families together and risk their children’s lives?

Hans Hartmann arrives at the chalet with a chip on his shoulder and a little girl in tow. He found Grete waiting at the train station. Alone. But life at Chalet Versteck feels more ominous than the streets of Vienna. Children sometimes vanish, and before Hans can figure out what’s happening, a high-ranking officer appears—and is killed.

It’s a race to find out who killed the man and get himself (and probably that pesky Grete) out!

A Ransomed Grete is the bridge book between the 1920s and 1940s Ever After Mysteries, combining fairy tales with mysteries.

Click here to get your copy!

A Ransomed Grete by Chautona Havig is a mixture of a Christian Historical Mystery combined with a fairytale. Jewish families hear rumors of a woman living in a chalet who protects Jewish children. Families are forced to make horrific decisions about whether to keep their families together or send them away.

Hans Hartmann arrives at Chalet Versteck with a chip on his shoulder and a little girl in tow. He found Grete waiting at the train station alone He finds life at the chalet more threatening than the streets of Vienna.

Chautona Havig creates the next installment in the Ever After Mystery series. I loved the characters and the story line. I was unable to put it down.

So if you enjoy works of Christian historical fiction, check out this book for your self. I definitely recommend it.

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

About the Author

USA Today Bestselling author of Aggie and Past Forward series, Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her at chautona.com and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.

More from Chautona

Picture it. Ventura, California,1982. Why I went to the lock-in, I still don’t know. It wasn’t my church, I didn’t actually like the girl I went with, and I knew no one else. In hindsight, I think God put me there, because that was the night I was introduced to Corrie Ten Boom.

Yes, they showed The Hiding Place, and a near obsession with all things Holocaust followed.

I don’t remember when my brain connected The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe to that same war and helped me realize that the people bombing London and making the need to protect those children were the same ones ripping fathers, mothers, and children from homes in other countries and sending them “out into the country” too. But it happened. A sickening, nauseating understanding that still infuriates me today.

I railed against the evil soldiers. How could they do such a thing? My ever-patient father said, “Like our airmen should have refused to drop the bombs that ensured we’d end the war with Japan? When do soldiers get to decide which orders they will obey and which they will not?”

In my self-righteous, ever-black-and-white mind, I remember saying something to the effect of, “If they’d all refused, then the generals would have to listen. You can’t kill all your soldiers for insubordination.”

Dad’s quiet voice (it wasn’t always, but it was when he was deadly serious) answered that with a… “Considering the millions of Jews they slaughtered, I think they might have. Live soldiers can make a small difference.”

Look, Dad wasn’t defending the Nazi regime. He wasn’t defending sending innocent people to their deaths because some madman said they must. He did, however, point out that sometimes what seems to be acquiescence is really a front for helping people under the radar. Without proof of someone’s guilt, we could hope there was more to it than fear for self.

And that taught me another lesson—to assume the best of people until they gave me a reason to know otherwise. It also sparked ideas. How many men, women, and children pretended to be in league with the Nazis when they weren’t? How many people cowed to Nazi ideals out of self-preservation? How many others didn’t really see the evil until it was shoved down their throats?

It took forty years to do it, but those questions became the basis for A Ransomed Grete (pronounced Gret-uh, if it matters to you). What happens when the horrific occurs and self-preservation becomes a means of evil? I hope I offered enough hope amid the horror of Jewish genocide.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 24

deb’s Book Review, February 25

Texas Book-aholic, February 26

Blogging With Carol, February 27

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 27

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 28

Lots of Helpers, March 1

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 2

An Author’s Take, March 3

Denise L. Barela, Author, March 4 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, March 4

Connie’s History Classroom, March 5

For Him and My Family, March 6

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, March 7

Betti Mace, March 8

Inklings and notions, March 9

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Chautona is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

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/24704/a-ransomed-grete-celebration-tour-giveaway

Courage in the Shadows ~ A Review & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Courage in the Shadows

Author: Robin Patchen

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Release date: Febraury 14, 2023

When she crosses paths with a killer from her past, can she survive long enough to step into her future?

Ever since she and thirteen other models were kidnapped years before, Summer Lake has fought to ensure that she can protect herself. But when her job as a bodyguard brings her into contact with a man she believes masterminded her kidnapping, her first urge is to run, terrified of being taken again. Instead, she follows the stranger, determined to bring him to justice.

Bodyguard Grant Wright fell in love with Summer the instant he saw her, a fierce protector standing in front of the other endangered young women he’d come to rescue. Years later, Summer still sees him as barely more than a coworker. Grant bides his time, sticking close in an effort to keep her safe and hoping she’ll eventually open her heart to him. When her life is threatened, he’s not about to allow her to fight her enemies alone. He’ll stay by her side whether she wants him or not.

But Summer and Grant have an enemy whose global smuggling organization is so powerful, so pervasive, that it’ll be a miracle if either of them emerges from this battle alive.

Click here to get your copy!

Courage in the Shadows by Robin Patchen is a work of Christian Romantic Suspense by Robin Patchen. She’s a supermodel turned bodyguard. Grant is her cousin’s best friend who works with them both. Samantha works to overcome a past including abuse by her father and being kidnapped when she was a supermodel.

While on assignment together to protect a governor from Mexico, Samatha finds herself facing the dangerous individual who masterminded her kidnapping in the past. Grant attempts to protect Samantha while facing his own struggles with his past. I thought Robin Patchen did an excellent job revealing his backstory, introducing his family, and especially describing the family’s camp.

I loved reading this next book in the Coventry series. It is full of family, faith, danger, and suspense. The author did an excellent job developing characters I wanted to get to know, while creating a plot line that kept me interested.

I definitely loved this book, and recommend reading the series in order. I also look forward to reading the next book in the series. So check out Courage in the Shadows for yourself.

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

About the Author

Robin Patchen is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of Christian romantic suspense. She grew up in a small town in New Hampshire, the setting of her Nutfield Saga books, and then headed to Boston to earn a journalism degree. After college, working in marketing and public relations, she discovered how much she loathed the nine-to-five ball and chain. After relocating to the Southwest, she started writing her first novel while she homeschooled her three children. The novel was dreadful, but her passion for storytelling didn’t wane. Thankfully, as her children grew, so did her writing ability. Now that her kids are adults, she has more time to play with the lives of fictional heroes and heroines, wreaking havoc and working magic to give her characters happy endings. When she’s not writing, she’s editing or reading, proving that most of her life revolves around the twenty-six letters of the alphabet. Visit robinpatchen.com/subscribe to receive a free book and stay informed about Robin’s latest projects.

More from Robin

In Lineage of Corruption, the heroine offhandedly refers to her bodyguard as a “Venus statue.” It seemed a fair description of the woman known at the time only as Lake.

But it made me wonder… Why would a nearly six-foot-tall, drop-dead gorgeous blonde become a bodyguard?

We learned a little more about Lake in Wreathed in Disgrace, including the fact that her partner, Jon, was also her cousin—a man who considered her as close as a sister.

We also learned that Lake didn’t have the happiest background.

Slowly, over the course of writing two books, Lake became more than just the pretty bodyguard in the corner. She became real to me.

And her murky background came into view. What would make a beautiful woman, a woman given the whimsical name Summer Lake, a woman who could easily grace magazine covers—and has in the past—decide to lay down her curling iron and pick up a sidearm?

I won’t tell you her secret, but suffice it to say, Summer has good reason to carry a gun. She’s been threatened in the past. And when she was a kid, she didn’t even feel safe in her own home. She’s seen people she loved and cared about harmed, and she loathes nothing more than watching the strong prey on the weak.

She decided a long time ago that she’s never going to be counted among the weak again.

But when Summer follows a man she’s pretty sure was the mastermind behind her own worst nightmare, she inadvertently overhears his nefarious plans. Only she wasn’t as hidden as she thought, and if not for Grant, her new partner—a man who’s doggedly determined to make sure she stays safe—she might have been killed.

With just enough information to know something terrible is going to happen, Summer and Grant embark on a quest to bring down Summer’s old enemy.

But he knows who she is, and he’s not going down without a fight.

This book was a blast to write, and I absolutely can’t wait for you to get your hands on it. It’s got a hunky and protective hero, a strong yet vulnerable heroine, and a villain who’ll keep you awake at night.

I hope you’ll check it out!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 17

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions , February 17

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 18

An Author’s Take, February 19

Texas Book-aholic, February 20

deb’s Book Review, February 21

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 22

Holly’s Book Corner, February 22

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 23

Betti Mace, February 24

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, February 25

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 26

Blogging With Carol, February 27

Spoken from the Heart, February 28

Mary Hake, February 28

For Him and My Family, March 1

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 2

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Robin is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 gift card and a paperback copy of Wreathed in Disgrace!!

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/24518/courage-in-the-shadows-celebration-tour-giveaway

A Trail So Lonesome ~ A Review & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: A Trail So Lonesome

Author: Lacy Williams

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: January 12, 2023

Spending five months eating trail dust wasn’t Leo Spencer’s first choice. Or his second. He’s not one to run away, but some situations can’t be fixed and his family—two brothers and a sister—needs to start over. Which is how he finds himself on a westbound wagon train.

Evangeline has a secret, one that has sent her on a journey across the plains on the Oregon Trail. When her father is badly hurt and she needs help, Leo is there. A deal is struck and the two unlikely friends form an alliance… that leads to more.

But Evangeline’s secret looms over her… and Leo’s family troubles are far from over.

Click here to get your copy!

A Trail So Lonesome by Lacy Williams is a work of Christian Historical Fiction. Family secrets and danger to another family force two families to head west. Leo Spencer knows his family needs a fresh start, so he heads west with his two brothers and one sister. Evangeline carries a secret that sends herself, her father, and someone everyone believes is Evangeline’s sister heading west as well. Initially, sparks of an unpleasant variety fly between Leo and Evangeline. But when Evangeline’s father is injured, they form an unlikely alliance. From there, the relationship develops further.

I loved seeing the way Lacy Williams developed the characters and the storyline. The other characters, including a man named Steven Fairbanks and Leo’s two half-brothers, really add to the story. It shows how, through time, faith, and situations, relationships can change and improve.

As I read this book, I believe the author has the opportunity to continue this story by telling the stories of others traveling on the wagon train and to further develop the story of Evangeline and Leo’s relationship. So if you enjoy sweet historical fiction with a dash of sweet romance thrown in, check out this book for yourself. I definitely recommend it.

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

About the Author

Lacy Williams wishes her writing career was more like what you see in Hallmark movies: dreamy brainstorming from a French chateau or a few minutes at the computer in a million-dollar New York City penthouse. In reality, she’s up before the sun, putting words on the page before her kids wake up for the day. Those early-morning and late-night writing sessions add up, and Lacy has published sixty books in a decade, first with a big five publisher and then as an indie author. When she needs to refill the well, you can find Lacy birdwatching, gardening, biking with the kiddos, or walking the dog. Find tons of bonus scenes and reader extras by becoming a VIP reader at http://www.lacywilliams.net/vip

More from Lacy

Leaving Home

Do you remember what it was like when you left home? Was it a specific event that sticks out in your mind? Or was it gradual?

I moved into the dorms at my university when I was eighteen. After that, I felt sort of… in transition. I went home for winter break and during the summer, but I didn’t feel like my parents’ house was home anymore. I married my sweet hubby when we were both twenty and that’s when I felt like I had a true home again. (Even though it was a tiny one-bedroom apartment!)

My new series, Wagon Train Matches, is all about travelers on a journey across the country in their Conestoga wagons. In the 1850s, people would leave home, leave everything and everyone behind and travel across the plains and mountains mostly on foot. It was difficult and dangerous. And when they arrived, they didn’t have houses ready and waiting for them!

It’s been a lot of fun researching for this series. Understanding why people would risk everything for a new start. I think it would be both exciting and terrifying!

In A TRAIL SO LONESOME, heroine Evangeline wants to leave home for a new start. She’s carrying a secret with her (a bigger secret than the library of books she’s packed in the wagon!) and believes that starting over in Oregon will change everything.

Only it doesn’t take long on the trail for someone to discover her secret. Hero Leo has secrets of his own. He can’t afford Evangeline to look too closely at his family. But he also can’t seem to stay away from her.

Eek! I’m really excited to kick off this new series with A TRAIL SO LONESOME. I hope you love these characters as much as I have while writing them.

-Lacy

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 16

Pause for Tales, February 16

Vicky Sluiter, February 17

Texas Book-aholic, February 18

deb’s Book Review, February 19

Labor Not in Vain, February 19

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 20

Lighthouse Academy, February 21 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 22

Connie’s History Classroom, February 23

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 24

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, February 24

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 25

Britt Reads Fiction, February 26

Simple Harvest Reads, February 27 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Karen Baney, February 27

Cover Lover Book Review, February 28

For Him and My Family, March 1

Holly’s Book Corner, March 1

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lacy is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and copy of the book!!

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/24517/a-trail-so-lonesome-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Secret Society ~ A Review & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: The Underground Book Readers: The Secret Society

Author: Terry Overton

Genre: Upper Middle Grade, Pre-Teen, Teen, YA Christian Fiction Dystopian

Release date: December 15, 2022

In a world without books, schools, churches, and parents, how can teens and pre-teens find each other and work to bring back a world like the world before? Ever watchful, this group of friends meet in an underground cavern in the mountains of Virginia. Rumors of spies, enemy soldiers, and the possibility of finding their parents, keep these friends searching to make a better life for everyone.

In Book 1, The Secret Society, the original four members of the group discover others who, like them, have lost their parents and older siblings. These friends bond together and form a strong new family. Together, they discover new documents, clues, and tools to assist in their adventures. In the hope of someday finding others who can help establish a new settlement, they study, plan, and make discoveries that will propel them forward in their journey. Are others hiding from the World Force Soldiers? They are determined to find the answer.

Click here to get your copy!

The Underground Book Readers: The Secret Society by Terry Overton is a work of Middle Grades/Young Adult Christian Fiction Dystopian. Parents and older siblings have either died or disappeared. Books, education, and other signs of normalcy have disappeared. Children are living on their own with no one to rely on but themselves. But a few children come together to form a group that works to find books and support each other.

This book illustrates how important food and other necessities can be. I loved watching the children come together, learn together, and forge relationships to help others survive. I loved the pace at which the author developed the plot. I also appreciated how she developed their characters.

As a former homeschooling mom, I definitely would recommend this book. I believe it illustrates important skills such as growing your own food, the importance of books, and the importance of recognizing that learning about the past helps you make sure you don’t repeat past mistakes.

So whether you have a young adult or a middle-grade student or just enjoy reading well-written and well-thought-out stories, check out this book for yourself. I definitely recommend it.

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

About the Author

Terry Overton obtained her Ph.D. in Psychology and her Ed. D. in special education. She taught in public schools and was a school psychologist and a professor before retiring in 2016. She began her second “career” after retirement writing Christian fiction books and devotionals. She hopes to share the Christian worldview through her writing and touch the lives of her readers. Her novels, middle grade readers, and picture books seek to entertain readers through the travel experiences and characters included in her books. Her books have earned Bookfest Awards, Firebird Award Winner, American Writing Award Gold, International Finalist Book Award, Reader Views Awards, and Reader’s Favorite Awards. She currently resides in Laguna Vista, Texas, near the Texas-Mexico border. She enjoys Biblical history and general Bible studies, writing, and enjoying family and friends. She has seven grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

More from Terry

This book came from my concern about children and teens not being able to read many of the classic books we cherish.  My concern that many children and teens do not value reading, our faith, and our freedoms, is the reason for the book being a dystopian story. In this new world, there are no books, school, or churches.

Here is the intro:

The world was not ready for what happened. And in the mountains and valleys of Virginia, a group of young friends wondered what to do in this different world. Their parents and older siblings were taken away, or “disappeared,” and have not been seen since that fateful day. Schools were destroyed, churches burned, and books banned. There was no fuel or electricity available for the anyone. Cars and other vehicles no longer worked and were found abandoned beside the roads rusting and in disrepair. Only the World Force military had fuel and vehicles.

The discovery of books, documents, tools, clues, and other teens hiding in the countryside, brought hope to group of friends who met daily deep in the cavern. Follow their journey of hope and adventure through the series: The Underground Book Readers.

And what do teens do when their world has changed and there are no parents or other friendly adults? They find each other, find forbidden books such as Huckleberry Finn and the Bible, hide in a cavern, read, study, and plan for a better world.

Blog Stops

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, February 14

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, February 14

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 15

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 16

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 17

Texas Book-aholic, February 18

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

deb’s Book Review, February 20

Simple Harvest Reads, February 21 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 21

Aryn The Libraryan , February 22

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 23

For Him and My Family, February 23

Cover Lover Book Review, February 24

Lily’s Book Reviews, February 25

Mary Hake, February 25

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 26

Blogging With Carol, February 27

Lights in a Dark World, February 27

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Terry is giving away the grand prize package 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/24515/the-secret-society-celebration-tour-giveaway

A Not So Persistent Suitor ~ A Review & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: A Not So Persistent Suitor

Author: Sandra Merville Hart

Genre: Christian historical romance

Release date: Febraury 14, 2023

He’s fighting for his career…She’s bent on achieving her own goals…Will their love survive a second chance at happily ever after?

Cora Welch dreams of a future teaching kindergarten, which is in its infancy, and marriage to Ben Findlay, her beau and her twin brother’s best friend. But she returns to college from summer break to learn of Ben’s unwise choices in pursuit of his career—choices that destroy her trust in the man she thought she knew and loved.

Ben is working hard toward his dream to become the best reporter in the city. He’s no stranger to fighting for a goal against all odds, ever since he was orphaned at age thirteen. Even though Cora has captured his heart, he makes the mistake of escorting the boss’s daughter to a fancy banquet to further his career—with far-reaching repercussions. Now he’s hurt Cora and botched his career goals.

Winning Cora’s trust again proves harder than Ben expects, especially as they both face struggles of their own. When events spiral out of their control, catapulting them into hardship and even danger, only God can restore their dreams—though the outcome may look far different than either of them planned.

Click here to get your copy!

A Not So Persistent Suitor by Sandra Merville Hartis is a Christian Historical Romance. Cora Welch dreams of being a kindergarten teacher, which is just coming into existence. She also dreams of marrying her beau – Ben Findlay. Ben Findlay, Cora’s twin brother’s best friend, works towards becoming the best reporter in the city.

When Cora returns to the city following a school break, she learns Ben took his boss’ daughter to a fancy banquet. This story illustrates how one bad choice can destroy trust between people.

The book also illustrates how Cora’s brother faces challenges of his own from the lady who wants him to marry her. The lady believes Cora’s brother only stays in the city for Cora’s protection. I really enjoyed reading about the interactions between Cora and the men. I also enjoyed reading about the interactions at the newspaper. The author masterfully dealt with the effects one co-worker’s comments can destroy relationships, trust, and opportunities.

With orphans, jealousy, estranged family members, and more, this book kept me reading. The pace of the story is excellent. The characters are well-developed. The author made me feel as though I was part of the story. I could see in my mind’s eye everything that was happening. So if you enjoy Christian works of historical fiction, check out this book for yourself.

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

About the Author

Sandra Merville Hart, award-winning and Amazon bestselling author of inspirational historical romances, loves to discover little-known yet fascinating facts from American history to include in her stories. Her desire is to transport her readers back in time. She is also a blogger, speaker, and conference teacher. Connect with Sandra on her blog, https://sandramervillehart.wordpress.com/.

More from Sandra

I have wanted to write a story set in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the 1880s for several years. It seems to me that it was on my heart to write while I was still working as a Programmer Analyst and writing was but a dream.

Twins Cora and John had been living on their family’s farm before moving to Cincinnati to attend college. John went rogue on me (he does that in Book 3 too ) and got a job at a newspaper working with Ben, and decided not to go to college. Meanwhile, Ben begins to court Cora.

When our story begins, Cora is in her second and final year at the Cincinnati Kindergarten Training School. Kindergarten is still in its infancy in 1883, when our story begins. In fact, the demand for kindergartens grew in the 1870s. There were about four hundred kindergartens by 1880, and the need to train teachers for them was a natural part of that growth.

A training school in Cincinnati was organized in March of 1880. At first, kindergarten students (aged four – six) learned the 3 R’s –reading, writing, and arithmetic. Before long, principals in higher grades complained that kindergartners also needed a basic knowledge of music, drawing, and manual training.

This led to greater training for kindergartener teachers, who learned teaching tools that included games, songs, and handwork.

I imagine that incorporating games, songs, and activities engaged the children’s interest in a new and fun way for them.

Part of my research included The Songs and Music of Friedrich Froebel’s Mother Play by Fro. Bel. Friedrich. Early training schools used Friedrich Froebel’s writing extensively in their training so I mentioned his Mother Play book within the story.

Though demand for kindergartens was growing, most schools didn’t address the needs of these four to six-year-old children by providing a kindergarten class. Cora has to fight for a local school to start a new class to open the fall after she graduates.

Another fun thing about this novel is the places I’ve included that the modern reader familiar with Cincinnati will recognize:

Fountain Square, the Suspension Bridge, St. Peter’s Cathedral, and the Zoological Gardens to name a few.

Follow characters you’ve grown to love in A Not So Convenient Marriage, Book 1 in the “Second Chances” series into A Not So Persistent Suitor, Book 2!

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 15

Blossoms and Blessings, February 15

Texas Book-aholic, February 16

deb’s Book Review, February 17

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 18

Writing from Walsh Mountain, February 18

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 19

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, February 20

Connie’s History Classroom, February 21

Holly’s Book Corner, February 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 22

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 23

Simple Harvest Reads, February 24 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

For Him and My Family, February 25

lakesidelivingsite, February 26

Christina’s Corner, February 26

Cover Lover Book Review, February 27

Pause for Tales, February 28

Mary Hake, February 28

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Sandra 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/24516/a-not-so-persistent-suitor-celebration-tour-giveaway

A Wedding in Wild Harbor ~ A Review & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: A Wedding in Wild Harbor

Author:Grace Worthington

Genre:Clean Romance

Release date: September 29, 2022

She needs a hero to save her beloved bookshop. He needs a girlfriend to satisfy his mother’s dying wish.

Can this grump and sunshine pair work out the perfect deal for a happily ever after?

If Cassidy Woods could make one dream come true, it would be to save her struggling bookshop from closing its doors. So when wealthy investor Liam Henry announces he is shutting down her store, Cassidy will do anything to change his mind, including becoming his girlfriend.

Liam Henry is running out of time. His mother’s final wish is that he’d meet the girl of his dreams before it’s too late. But Liam doesn’t stand a chance without some kind of help. No woman can see past his grumpy exterior to discover if he has a beating heart under his designer suit.

When his mother advertises his search for a girlfriend, Liam makes the best and worst plan of his life: ask Cassidy to become his fake girlfriend. Too bad she’s his gorgeous employee who’s about to get axed from her job.

Cassidy’s sunshine is the perfect opposite to his grump, forcing Liam to make an outrageous trade off he’s destined to regret.

Now everybody’s happy, except the mismatched couple who are headed toward a bumpy road that unravels every tightly constructed argument they’ve put up against love. In the end, only one of them can win.

When they’re thrown together in a race against time, will a plot twist they didn’t see coming ruin everything?

Or will they discover that in fooling everyone, the only person who’s fallen for it is themselves?

A delightful sweet romance with a grumpy boss and plucky heroine, both who are determined to save the day even if that means teaming up in a fake engagement to do it.

Click here to get your copy!

A Wedding in Wild Harbor by Grace Worthington centers around a bookstore. Cassidy Woods dreams of owning the bookstore she currently works. Liam Henry, a wealthy investor, buys the bookstore and plans to close it.

Liam’s mother is dying, and she wishes to see her son married before she dies. So when the two meet, their lives change. She agrees to be his girlfriend in exchange for him helping her try to save the bookstore. I loved seeing how the author developed the characters and storyline.

Liam is driven and focused. Cassidy is more free-spirited. I appreciated the dynamics between the two. As someone who loves bookstores and books, I highly recommend this book. So check it out for yourself.

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

About the Author

Author of sweet romance and sweet romcom novels. Grace Worthington loves quaint small towns and the beach is her happy place, which is why you’ll find both in her books. She’s obsessed with chocolate, romcoms from the 80’s & 90’s, and doodles. Find out more at graceworthington.com

More from Grace

If I could send you anywhere on vacation to relax, I’d send you to Wild Harbor. It’s the perfect spot to fall in love and raise a family–the type of town you’ll never want to leave once you visit.

A Wedding in Wild Harbor is set in this fictional town on Lake Michigan, a place where you can sink your toes in the sand, let the waves lull you to sleep, and marvel over the gorgeous sunsets.

I created the fictional town based off of the quaint small towns along Lake Michigan that look like they belong in a Hallmark movie. It’s the quintessential small town with meddling neighbors, quirky townsfolk, and a coffee shop where everyone knows you by name.

The Wild Harbor sweet romance series follows the stories of four siblings–three sisters and one brother–and their journey to find love. Each story is a standalone and they don’t have to be read in order, though characters reappear in each book.

I hope the sweet love story and charming town give you a needed escape from your fast-paced life.

Blog Stops

Vicky Sluiter, February 11

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 12

Life, Love, Writing, February 12

Texas Book-aholic, February 13

deb’s Book Review, February 14

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 15

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, February 16

Holly’s Book Corner, February 16

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 17

She Lives To Read, February 18

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 19

Mary Hake, February 19

Pause for Tales, February 20

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 21

For Him and My Family, February 22

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, February 23

SusanLovesBooks, February 23

Cover Lover Book Review, February 24

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Grace is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and copy of the book!!

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/242ab/a-wedding-in-wild-harbor-celebration-tour-giveaway

A Journey for Hope ~ A Review & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: A Journey for Hope

Author: Stacy T. Simmons

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release date: January 17, 2023

With one “yes” everything Hope Fuller has sought could be hers.

Hope Fuller has life all planned out. Following a short trip to Briar Creek, North Carolina to help her sister, Hope will return home to Florida and begin her teaching career. Alas, keeping her trip short proves challenging after she sees someone from her past—a handsome lawyer who makes her heart want to plant itself within the community.

Dylan Gaines is just starting out his small-town legal practice and has his own plans for life. However, his reunion with Hope just might change some of them. Then again, their last attempt at romance ended up straining their friendship.

What will it take for Dylan and Hope to strike out on a different journey this time, one where love takes the wheel and leaves solitary plans in the dust?

Click here to get your copy!

A Journey for Hope by Stacy T. Simmons takes place in Briar Creek, North Carolina. Hope Fuller comes to North Carolina to be with her sister. She plans to return to Florida to teach. She runs into Dylan Gaines, someone from her past, and he is starting his law practice

I love seeing how the storyline developed. I also love how the relationship between the characters develop. I appreciated seeing how the characters rely on God, and how He blesses them. I can not wait to read the story of Grace, the youngest sister.

So check out this book for yourself.

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

About the Author

Stacy T. Simmons writes uplifting fiction that delights the reader’s romantic sensibilities. Thirty-four years of marital bliss is a great contributor. She is a mom of two grown children, and she and her family have a menagerie of pets she likes to call “Noah’s Ark.” You can find her working on her next manuscript with a piece of dark chocolate and a cup of coffee nearby. She loves to connect with her readers via her web site at http://www.stacytsimmonsauthor.com

More from the Editor

A Light to the World by Denise Barela

This is a hard one for me to write and share. I’m writing this article, not as an author, but as an editor. This past year we lost an amazing sister in Christ, and her loss has been felt even in the small things. This month, Stacy T. Simmons’ book, A Journey for Hope releases. We were still in the editing process when she passed away, so I’ve taken over the editing of the book and have been working hard to ensure it stays as true to the way she wrote it as it can be. Stacy worked hard on this book, and we wanted to make sure her words were shared with her readers.

Stacy was such an encouragement to so many people. She would respond to emails letting you know how grateful she was or sending a little bit of encouragement for that particular day. She’s touched so many people’s lives, and it was so heartwarming to see all the authors posting how much she’d touched their lives in the last several years. We wanted to honor her memory and hard work with this book.

I’ve never had to take on another author’s role in applying edits. I’ve only ever tackled my own as a whole. I know I’m bound to make a few mistakes since I don’t know all the thoughts she put into some of what she wrote, but I’m doing my best to keep her ideas and message intact. I’m so grateful for the privilege of knowing her for the short time I did. She was an incredible person whose love for the Lord shone through. I know I’ll get to see her again in heaven one day. Until then, I will work to bring her story to the world all shiny and polished. I hope you find her words inspiring and heartwarming.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 10

HappyWhenReading, February 10

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 11

Back Porch Reads, February 11

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 12

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 13

An Author’s Take, February 14

deb’s Book Review, February 15

Christina’s Corner, February 15

Simple Harvest Reads, February 16 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, February 17

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 17

She Lives To Read, February 18

Sylvan Musings, February 19

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, February 20

Holly’s Book Corner, February 20

Melissa’s Bookshelf, February 20

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 21

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, February 21

Texas Book-aholic, February 22

Blogging With Carol, February 23

For Him and My Family, February 23

Giveaway

To celebrate Stacy’s tour, Celebrate Lit is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

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/242a4/a-journey-for-hope-celebration-tour-giveaway

Ellie’s Escape

About the Book

Book: Ellie’s Escape

Author: Linda Shenton Matchett

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: March 25, 2022

She’s running for her life. He needs a trophy wife. They didn’t count on falling in love.

Ellie Wagner is fine being a spinster school teacher. Then she witnesses a bank hold up and can identify the bandits. Fellow robbery victim Milly Crenshaw happens to run the Westward Home & Hearts Matrimonial Agency so she arranges for Ellie to head West as a mail-order bride. But her groom only wants a business arrangement. Can she survive a loveless marriage?

Banker Julian Sheffield is more comfortable with numbers than with people, but he’s done well for himself. Then the bank president tells him that in order to advance further he must marry in six weeks’ time. The candid, unsophisticated woman sent by the agency is nothing like he expected, but time is running out. When her past comes calling, does he have what it takes to ensure their future?

Click here to get your copy!

Ellie’s Escape by Linda Shenton Matchett is a Christian Historical work of fiction. Banker Julian Sheffield finds himself in need of a wife for his job. He prefers numbers over people. He finds himself seeking a marriage of convenience.

Ellie Wagner believes she is fine as a spinster teacher, but everything changes after she witnesses a bank robbery. She finds herself agreeing to become a mail-order bride for Julian. As the two meet and begin to get to know each other, they often find themselves clashing or wondering what the other is thinking.

I always love reading books by Linda Shenton Matchett. She does a marvelous job developing characters and storylines. As the two get to know each other, they develop feelings for each other. This book is the 27th book of the Westward Home and Hearts Mail-Order Brides series, this book lives up to my expectations.

I loved the twists and turns the story took, as well as how the story moved to its conclusion. So if you enjoy sweet Christian Historical romances, check out this book for yourself.

About the Author

Linda Shenton Matchett writes about ordinary people who did extraordinary things in days gone by. A volunteer docent and archivist for the Wright Museum of WWII, Linda is a former trustee for her local public library. She is a native of Baltimore, Maryland and was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry (of Star-Spangled Banner fame). Linda has lived in historic places all her life, and is now located in central New Hampshire where her favorite activities include exploring historic sites and immersing herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors.

More from Linda

Dear Reader,

One of my favorite tropes to use in a story is the proverbial “fish out of water,” so when it came time for me to brainstorm the idea for Ellie’s Escape, I made a list of situations that would be uncomfortable for my protagonists (see what we writers do to our poor characters?).

As a result, I sent my female protagonist from the crowded city of Boston, Massachusetts (population 362,000) to the remote reaches of Gunnison, Colorado (population 888) where because of its location in the Rocky Mountains is one of the coldest places in winter in the United States. Compared to Boston’s elevation of 141’, Gunnison’s elevation of over 7,700 feet had to seem dizzying to my poor girl. The research into Gunnison was very fun, and I was able to use my boss as a subject matter expert because he’d lived there for several years before moving to New Hampshire. I gave my painfully shy male protagonist a gregarious mail-order bride that he doesn’t quite know what to do with.

Here are a few fun facts about Gunnison:

• The Gunnison River drops an average of forty-three feet per mile through Black Canyon which is SIX times more than the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.
• Standing at 2,250 feet from river to rim, Black Canyon’s Painted Wall is the tallest cliff in Colorado, and nearly twice as tall as the Empire State Building.
• The town is named for a man who only stayed for three days – explorer John W. Gunnison who was searching for a route for the transcontinental railroad.
• A little-known site for gold and silver mining, Gunnison and the surrounding area produced a reported 130,000 ounces of gold.
• Gunnison residents isolated themselves during the Spanish Influenza epidemic of 1918. All highways were barricaded near the county lines, and train conductors warned passengers that if they got off the train in Gunnison, they’d be arrested and quarantined for five days.

Comment and name a fun fact about where you live for your chance to win the grand prize.

Blessings,

Linda Shenton Matchett

Blog Stops

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 8

For Him and My Family, February 9

Betti Mace, February 10

Vicky Sluiter, February 11

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, February 12

Christina’s Corner, February 12

Book Looks by Lisa, February 13

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 14

Texas Book-aholic, February 15

deb’s Book Review, February 16

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 17

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 18

Connie’s History Classroom, February 19

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 20

Mary Hake, February 20

Holly’s Book Corner, February 21

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Linda is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Visa Gift Card and signed copy of the book!!

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/242a2/ellie-s-escape-celebration-tour-giveaway

A Life Reclaimed ~ A Review & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: A Life Reclaimed

Author: Olivia Rae

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: November 28, 2022

Book: A Life Reclaimed

Author: Olivia Rae

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: November 28, 2022

A Scoundrel, A Spy, and A Secret. Will She Ever Learn the Truth?

Desperate to avoid a second loveless marriage, Anne Howell hides out in a cave on the Welsh coast. If she can get to England, she should be safe from her stepfather’s long reaching hand. She thinks her prayers are answered when she rescues a shipwrecked sailor, Thomas Armstrong, who agrees to help her, claiming he has ties to Queen Elizabeth I. Though she fears he may be an accomplished liar, she has no choice but to trust him, especially when a secret from her past puts spies on her trail and threatens to destroy her future.

Upon learning his true mother was executed in place of a dethroned queen, Thomas Armstrong sets out to find the cowardly monarch and avenge his mother’s death. Broke and in debt, he is finally on the verge of reaching his goal when his ship goes down in a storm and he ends up owing his life to the honest and forthright Anne Howell. He fears his quest is finished – until he learns there are those who would pay handsomely to have Anne in their possession, enough to clear his debt and enable him to pursue the revenge he seeks. But in helping Anne he has lost his heart, and now faces a devastating choice – remain loyal to his goal of avenging his mother or follow his feelings to an uncertain future with Anne.

Click here to get your copy!

A Life Reclaimed by Olivia Rae is listed as a work of Christian Historical fiction. It tells the story of Thomas Armstrong, the son of a woman who died in the place of a dethroned queen. When he finds out the truth of his parentage, he sets out to seek revenge on the dethroned queen.

Along the way, he crosses paths with Anne Howell. On the run from her stepfather who wants to force her to flee to England. She finds herself forced to accept the help of Thomas.

I wish I could say I recommend this book, but I find myself unable to do that completely. I found words used in parts of the book to be inappropriate from my viewpoint. I feel the author could have used other words that could have conveyed the same ideas. So, I recommend you consider whether or not this book is one you want to read or not.

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

About the Author

Olivia Rae is an award-winning author of historical and contemporary inspirational romance. She spent her school days dreaming of knights, princesses and far away kingdoms; it made those long days in the classroom go by much faster. Nobody was more shocked than her when she decided to become a teacher. Besides getting her Master’s degree, marrying her own prince, and raising a couple of kids, Olivia decided to breathe a little more life into her childhood stories.

Olivia is the winner of the Book Buyers Best Award, Angel Award, New England Readers’ Choice Award, the Golden Quill Award, the American Fiction Award, and is a gold and bronze medalist in the Illumination Awards.

More from Olivia

I’ve always been drawn to English history and back in 2009, I was blessed to visit London with my daughter. We immersed ourselves in the area’s rich history by going to museums, visiting Westminster Abbey, Windsor Castle, Temple Church, and so much more. Of course, a tour of the city wouldn’t have been complete without a visit to the Tower of London. There I learned about the tragic and short life of Lady Jane Grey, who was the queen of England for nine days.

Later that day, I found a postcard that displayed the famous painting, The Execution of Lady Jane Grey by Paul Delaroche. My mind started racing and the seeds for the Secrets of the Queens series took root. I wondered what would’ve happened if Lady Jane Grey had lived. A Life Reclaimed, the third book in the Secrets of the Queens, is not about Lady Jane Grey per se, but it follows the story of a young man whose life has been changed because of her escape from death.

I hope you enjoy my tale of mystery, intrigue, and love as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Blog Stops

Rebecca Tews, February 9

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 10

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 10

Worthy2Read, February 11

Texas Book-aholic, February 12

deb’s Book Review, February 13

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 14

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, February 15

For Him and My Family, February 15

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 16

Betti Mace, February 17

Cover Lover Book Review, February 17

Connie’s History Classroom, February 18

Holly’s Book Corner, February 18

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 19

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, February 20 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, February 20

Pause for Tales, February 21

Blogging With Carol, February 22

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Olivia is giving away the grand prize of a themed gift box!!

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/242a3/a-life-reclaimed-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Revelation of Israel ~ A Review & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: The Revelation of Israel

Author: Rachel Rebecca Baxter

Genre: Christian Non-Fiction

Release date: January, 2022

In the Revelation of Israel, God’s plan to regather His people from all 12 Tribes of Israel is unveiled.  He promises to, again, raise up the Josephs, so that His lost children from the 10 Tribes of the Northern Kingdom of Israel may know who they are, be provided for, and protected through the Tribulation, which is nearly upon us.

Click here to get your copy!

The Revelation of Israel by Rachel Rebecca Baxter is a Christian work of Non-Fiction that explores God’s plan for bringing Israel back together again. Rachel Baxter clearly spent time researching this book. The depth and breadth of it require the reader to study and spend time in it rather than rushing through it.

With numerous Scripture references, Biblical concepts, and more, this book provides an excellent study of the path God plans for reuniting the tribes of Israel. I believe anyone who wants to know more about the End Times should read this book.

So if you are interested in an in-depth study of the Bible and God’s plan for us, check out this book for yourself.

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

About the Author

Rachel Baxter has a professional background in engineering, with a Bachelor’s of Science in Industrial Engineering, and an MBA.  Rachel currently works in the field of business process consulting with over 20 years of experience.

Rachel grew up in the Lutheran Church where she was baptized, confirmed, and married.  She was born again and spirit-filled in 2014 when she received inner healing through a ministry called One Whole Heart in Omaha, Nebraska.  She now serves as an elder and volunteer for this ministry.  Rachel also serves her local church in various capacities.

Rachel is married to Garrick, and they have 4 children from elementary to high school age.  Rachel led a Christian school and homeschool coop called Valor for 5 years.  This was a missional spirit-led school where every day began with worship, and the children were taught to hear and follow the voice of the Lord, as Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice and follow me!” Rachel continues to have a heart for Kingdom youth education.

When she was baptized in the Holy Spirit, Rachel began to have dreams and visions from the Lord.  He began to speak with her about the days that are ahead, the time before   Jesus returns, so that she could write them down and release the prophetic words for those who were willing to hear.  Rachel has received several angelic visitations.  (A primary purpose of an angel is to be a messenger.) An angel of the Lord came to Rachel to tell her that she was, “Called to see that which was coming upon the Earth and to tell others what is coming.”  This book is an act of obedience to that call.

More from Rachel

It’s been a year since I co-labored with the Lord to write this work.  I have used it myself on a weekly basis as a reference.  There is so much insight here that is beyond me.  The Lord, in His glorious wisdom, is able to make the complicated and mysterious – clear and beautiful when He takes His truth and allows us to absorb it into our bones.  This is the essence of a revelation!  The Revelation of Israel is God’s story of His plans written before time began.  It starts with a people under Father Abraham who were meant to know their God.  Those people fell short in every way and were scattered across the earth.  We know that Jesus came to redeem God’s people to Himself through His atoning sacrifice – but the story of God does not end there.  God’s story has continued the last 2,000 years and is about to be fulfilled in the last seven years of tribulation on the earth that culminates with the return of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah at the last trump!

Blog Stops

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 5

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 6

Splashes of Joy, February 7 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, February 7

Texas Book-aholic, February 8

Spoken from the Heart, February 9 (Author Interview)

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, February 10

deb’s Book Review, February 11

Guild Master, February 12 (Author Interview)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 13

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, February 14

A Reader’s Brain, February 15 (Author Interview)

Vibrant Wings by Valerie, February 15

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 16

Artistic Nobody, February 17

Blossoms and Blessings, February 18 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Rachel is giving away the grand prize package of a $100 Amazon gift card with copy of book!!

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/23eef/the-revelation-of-israel-celebration-tour-giveaway