Review and Giveaway: Hannah’s Courage by Molly Jebber January 30, 2020

About the Book

Book: Hannah’s Courage
Author: Molly Jebber
Genre: Amish Historical Romance
Release Date: January 28, 2020
A loaf of fragrant cinnamon bread for breakfast . . . a sweet and creamy custard pie for dessert. In 1912 Ohio, the Amish Charm Bakery has something to delight locals and visiting Englischer alike. And within this warm, welcoming community, there’s always room for love to grow . . .
Hannah Lapp’s life, like a long-cherished recipe, is satisfying just the way it is. She enjoys whipping up desserts at the bakery, tutoring local children, and socializing with dear friends. One of those friends, Timothy Barkman, has made his interest in Hannah clear, but she’s been in no hurry to change her circumstances.
No sooner does she feel ready to grow closer to hard-working, handsome Timothy than Hannah finds she may have waited too long. Charlene Shetler intends to become Timothy’s fraa. It’s little wonder he’s attracted to such a pretty, forthright young woman, but is the newcomer all that she seems? Only when Hannah is willing to confront some difficult truths can she move bravely toward a life of abiding faith and love . . .
Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Molly Jebber’s Amish Historical Romance books have been featured on Publisher’s Weekly’s Best Ten Recommended Reads, in USA Today’s HEA, Romantic Times and many other media sites. She’s tours and speaks for Stonecroft Ministries – Women’s Christian Connection, and about Amish history/traditions, writing, marketing, publishing, and her books. She loves God, her family, and friends. She enjoys swimming, golf, reading, and says yes to butterscotch pie and parasailing, but no to coconut and skydiving! Visit http://www.mollyjebber.com for a complete list of her books and speaking events.

More from Molly

I related to Hannah in this book where I had to find the courage to make some hard decisions. Maybe you’ve had some hard choices to make and finding the courage to follow through has been difficult for you.
Have you had a bad day where nothing goes right? We’ve all had those. Hannah’s has many days like this, and she is torn about what to do from one problem to the next in her life. She makes some snap decisions, and faces life-altering challenges. You’ll laugh and want to stomp your feet at the twists and turns in this story. She’s good at giving her friends advice, but has trouble following it. I can relate to this in my life at times. Maybe you can too.
The Sheriff and Dr. Harrison are still regular customers at the bakery where she whips up mouth-watering desserts. She and her friends cry, laugh, and offer each other advice. I love time with girlfriends, and Hannah’s no different. You’ll relate to her, root for her, want to reach in the book and shake her at times (I’m sure my friends have wanted to do this with me a time or two!), and wonder how what the future holds for her.
I hope you’ll follow my blog tour and enter for a chance to win the Grand Prize at the end of the tour. The more you enter, the more chances you have of winning!
Thank you so much for your support and encouragement. Your Facebook comments help me to get to know you better, and I appreciate it so much!
Here’s a recipe Hannah’s whipped up for you. And there are more in the back of Hannah’s story.
Cake

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 ¾ teaspoons cinnamon
• ½ teaspoonnutmeg
• ½ teaspoonsalt
• 1 ¼ cups vegetable oil
• 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
• ½ cupbrown sugar
• 3eggs
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
• 3large apples, peeled and cut into large pieced

Glaze

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons heavy cream
• ¼ teaspoonvanilla

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease 9 x 13 pan with butter and coat with 2 tablespoons of flour
2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Sift two additional times and set aside.
3. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine oil and both sugars, and mix until well blended.
4. Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Add vanilla and mix again.
5. Add the sifted dry ingredients to the batter and mix thoroughly. By hand, fold in apples and walnuts and mix until evenly combined.
6. Spoon the batter into the prepared bundt pan. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
7. Remove cake from the oven and allow to cool in the bundt pan for 20 minutes.
8. While the cake is cooling, prepare the glaze. In a saucepan, over medium heat, combine all of the glaze ingredients. Bring to a boil and allow the mixture to boil for 1 minute.
9. Remove the cake from the pan, onto a serving plate. Spoon the glaze over the warm cake.
10. Cool for a little longer before serving.

Blog Stops

The Avid Reader, January 30
Genesis 5020, January 30
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 31
Texas Book-aholic, January 31
Batya’s Bits, February 1
Quiet Quilter, February 1
She Lives to Read, February 2
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 2
Bigreadersite , February 3
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, February 3
For Him and My Family, February 4
deb’s Book Review, February 4
Inklings and notions, February 5
Jeanette’s Thoughts, February 5
Pause for Tales, February 5
Older & Smarter?, February 6
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, February 6
Blossoms and Blessings, February 7
Lighthouse Academy Blog, February 7 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 8
Christian Bookaholic, February 8
For the Love of Literature, February 9
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 9
SusanLovesBooks, February 10
Adventures of a Travelers Wife, February 10
Connie’s History Classroom, February 11
SPLASHES of Joy , February 11
Locks, Hooks and Books, February 12
Vicky Sluiter, February 12

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Molly is giving away a Molly Jebber grand prize collection that includes a handmade quilt and Amazon 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/f564/hannah-s-courage-celebration-tour-giveaway

My thoughts:

This is the first book I have read by Molly. I don’t read too much Amish fiction because I struggle to find it interesting, but I always want to give it a try (I have a few more reviews coming up in Amish fiction).

I am really torn with my review on this one. Parts of it I enjoyed. I really felt the tension with Charlene and I did not like her at all, so the author did a great job of making Charlene the villain. But it really made no sense to me why Timothy would keep spending time with her when she seemed completely opposite from him. I didn’t feel that was believable.

I also appreciate Hannah’s desire to teach and step out of her comfort zone and do something new and I liked her circle of friends.

But if I am being completely honest I didn’t connect with the writing style in this book. It was very different from what I enjoy reading. Some wording felt unnatural and perhaps that was due to the Amish style? But I’ve read other Amish books before and didn’t really feel that way. The thought processes of the characters seemed forced, like that is was information the author wanted to tell us, instead of show us?

Again, there were parts I did enjoy and if this is an author you have read and like then you will probably enjoy this book as well.

Grab your copy at your local bookstore, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook.com or your favorite retailer.

A copy of this book was given to me through the Celebrate Lit Team. All opinions are my own. 

Still by Jenny L. Donnelly January 29, 2020

About:

Discover the resting place God designed for you

Do you worry a lot? Do you dread upcoming events? Does pressure or stress trigger outbursts of anger, isolation, depression, or feelings of failure? Do you have a hard time finishing what you start? Do you find it impossible to work in the middle of chaos? Do you wonder if God is going to come through for you in difficult times?

In Still, Jenny Donnelly shows you how to experience true, life-giving rest even in the midst of chaos. Sharing her own personal story of struggling with life’s pressures and emotional exhaustion, she introduces you to the source of peace and rest: Jesus. She shows you the steps to take to access rest any time, any place, under any conditions. And she reveals how operating from a place of stillness powers your identity, creativity, relationships, and so much more.

My thoughts:

I’m always hesitant when it come to non-fiction books. A lot promise to deliver one message but I don’t get it. However, this book delivered.

If you fully ready and absorb what is written you will find a place a REST. If you walk through the exercises that Jenny offers you will be transformed.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and needed this message badly and will continue to grow in what was taught through her words and the words of scripture.

Definitely worth the time to read.

Grab your copy at your local bookstore, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook.com or your favorite retailer.

A copy of this book was given to me by the publisher. All opinions are my own. 

Promised Land by Robert Whitlow January 27, 2020

About the Book

Book: Promise Land
Author: Robert Whitlow
Genre: Christian Fiction, Suspense, Legal Drama
Release Date: January 14, 2020

With historical mysteries, religious intrigue, and political danger, Promised Land asks one momentous question: what if your calling puts you—and your family—in the crosshairs?

Despite their Israeli citizenship, Hana and Daud cannot safely return to their homeland because a dangerous terrorist ring is threatening Daud. Hana is perfectly fine remaining in the United States, working for a law firm in Atlanta, especially when she learns she’s pregnant. But Daud can’t shake the draw to return home to Israel, even if it makes him a walking target.

Hana is helping her boss plan a huge Middle East summit in Atlanta when Jakob Brodsky, her old friend and former co-litigator, asks for her help with a current case. His client is attempting to recover ancient artifacts stolen from his Jewish great-grandfather by a Soviet colonel at the end of World War II. Because the case crosses several national borders, he knows he needs Hana’s knowledge and skill to get to the bottom of what happened to these precious artifacts.

Meanwhile, Daud is called in to help a US intelligence agency extract a Ukrainian doctor from a dangerous situation in Egypt. While overseas, he can’t resist the call of Jerusalem and thus sets off a series of events that puts thousands of people in danger, including his wife and unborn child.

Bestselling author Robert Whitlow explores the meaning of family and home—and how faith forms the identity of both—in this breathtaking follow-up to Chosen People.

Click here to get your copy.

About the Author

Robert Whitlow is the bestselling author of legal novels set in the South and winner of the Christy Award for Contemporary Fiction. He received his JD with honors from the University of Georgia School of Law where he served on the staff of the Georgia Law Review. Website: www.robertwhitlow.com; Twitter: @whitlowwriter; Facebook: robertwhitlowbooks

Read an Excerpt

Click here to read an excerpt of the book.

Blog Stops

Genesis 5020, January 27
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 27
Inklings and notions, January 28
deb’s Book Review, January 28
Texas Book-aholic, January 29
For Him and My Family, January 30
CarpeDiem, January 30
Christian bookaholic, January 31
Mary Hake, January 31
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, February 1
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 2
Blogging With Carol, February 2
Daysong Reflections, February 3
A Good Book and Cup of Tea, February 3
For the Love of Literature, February 4
Betti Mace, February 5
Hallie Reads, February 5
By The Book, February 6
SPLASHES of Joy, February 7
Bigreadersite, February 7
Pause for Tales, February 8
Emily Yager, February 8
Locks, Hooks and Books, February 9

My thoughts:

I have some mixed feelings about this book. I read the first book in the series and really enjoyed it. But for me, at times, this book felt disjointed. So many different parts.

There were times I was completely caught up in the book and drawn into the story and characters and other times I wondered why this was part of the story.

A few things bothered me that seemed too far out of reach for me to believe, like a married woman having dinner with an unmarried man and his child who adores her. This would not be a safe thing for a woman to do or healthy for the child. However, Hana did come see this had become an issue for the child, so I was glad for that.

Also, as a teacher, I had to chuckled out loud when Ben said if his daughter didn’t get her homework done he would write her a letter to excuse her. No teacher would ever accept that as okay, however, many parents might try to do this.

Like I said, there were very interesting parts to this book but it wasn’t something I loved because there was so much going on that didn’t seem connected. Eventually I did make connections but it took a really long time for me.

Grab your copy at your local bookstore, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook.com or your favorite retailer.

A copy of this book was given to me through the Celebrate Lit Team. All opinions are my own.

 

 

Review and Giveaway: The Gray Chamber by Grace Hitchcock January 23, 2020

About the Book

Book: The Gray Chamber
Author: Grace Hitchcock
Genre: Christian Historical / Suspense
Release Date: January, 2020
Will Edyth prove her sanity before it is too late?
Step into True Colors—a new series of Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime
On Blackwell’s Island, New York, a hospital was built to keep its patients from ever leaving.
With her late parents’ fortune under her uncle’s care until her twenty-fifth birthday in the year 1887, Edyth Foster does not feel pressured to marry or to bow to society’s demands. She freely indulges in eccentric hobbies like fencing and riding her velocipede in her cycling costume about the city for all to see. Finding a loophole in the will, though, her uncle whisks Edyth off to the women’s lunatic asylum just weeks before her birthday. And Edyth fears she will never be found.
At the asylum she meets another inmate, who upon discovering Edyth’s plight, confesses that she is Nellie Bly, an undercover journalist for The World. Will either woman find a way to leave the terrifying island and reclaim her true self?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Grace Hitchcock is the author of three novellas in The Second Chance Brides, The Southern Belle Brides, and the Thimbles and Threads collections with Barbour Publishing. The White City is her debut novel and releases March 2019 with Barbour Publishing. She holds a Masters in Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in History. Grace lives in southern Louisiana with her husband, Dakota, and son. Visit Grace online at GraceHitchcock.com.

More from Grace

I am thrilled to share with you my second novel in the True Colors series, The Gray Chamber, which is set in New York City in 1887. I loved writing about Edyth Foster, our cat-rescuing, spunky heroine who spends her days painting, fencing with her dreamy instructor, and avoiding society at all costs, which as you can imagine, comes back to haunt her before the end. I’ve never written about a character who despised reading, so that was a new one for me. Edyth just doesn’t like to sit still long enough to finish a book, but you’ll find out why later.

I am pretty certain the librarians at my local branch are wondering what in the world my hobbies are, judging from the stacks of fencing books for beginners, histories of New York crime in the 19^th century, and Nellie Bly’s Ten Days in a Mad-House, and more that I have continuously checked out since moving back to Louisiana.

The inspiration for this book came from Nellie Bly’s scandalous exposé for Joseph Pulitzer’s newspaper, The World. In reading Nellie’s articles, I was shocked at the grounds by which the asylum would commit women and that’s when I discovered a tiny mention about an heiress with family members who had her tucked away so they could have her fortune. . .and Edyth Foster was born.

I hope you will enjoy reading about our eccentric leading lady and her fencing master hero, Raoul “Bane” Banebridge. If you are interested in seeing pictures of the asylum and to see what I pictured the characters looking like, check out my Pinterest board here.

Thank you for joining the fun for the Celebrate Lit tour! Join my author newsletter for more bookish news and to find out what is coming next! Just enter your e-mail address and name here. Happy Reading!

“With beautiful description and shiver-worthy scenes, Grace Hitchcock has penned an incredible fiction story based on true history. The Gray Chamber was a fascinating and chilling read. Edyth’s story had me glued to the pages. But as I journeyed with the heiress and her eccentricities, the greed of her family which saw her locked up in an asylum against her will made me grateful for the freedoms I have today. And made me pray that my voice would never be silenced. The nightmare was brought to life so vividly that I found myself holding my breath and then cheering on Bane as he never gave up on Edyth. This is a story that will stick with me for a long time…”

~Kimberley Woodhouse – Carol-Award winning and Best-Selling Author of more than twenty books, including: MissTaken Identity, The Express Bride, The Golden Bride, The Patriot Bride, and The Mayflower Bride.

Blog Stops

A Reader’s Brain, January 20
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 20
Texas Book-aholic, January 20
Emily Yager, January 21
All-of-a-kind Mom, January 21
Older & Smarter?, January 21
Bigreadersite, January 22
Inklings and notions, January 22
For Him and My Family, January 22
Genesis 5020, January 23
deb’s Book Review, January 23
Blogging with Carol, January 23
Christian Bookaholic, January 24
KarenSueHadley , January 24
Mary Hake, January 24
For the Love of Literature, January 25
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 25
Godly Book Reviews, January 26
Stephanie’s Life of Determination, January 26
The Becca Files, January 26
Through the Fire Blogs, January 27
Daysong Reflections, January 27
Back Porch Reads, January 28
Robin’s Nest, January 28
Connie’s History Classroom, January 28
Betti Mace, January 29
Rebecca Tews, January 29
Vicky Sluiter, January 29
By The Book, January 30
Hallie Reads, January 30
Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, January 30
Blossoms and Blessings, January 31
A Baker’s Perspective, January 31
Remembrancy, February 1
To Everything There Is A Season, February 1
With a Joyful Noise, February 1
Locks, Hooks and Books, February 2
Pause for Tales , February 2

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Grace is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a free copy of The Gray Chamber!!

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/f4a2/the-gray-chamber-celebration-tour-giveaway

My thoughts:

This is a series I have been sticking it out with. Each book is written by a different author and the books are based on a true crime that happened in America. The first few books I wasn’t a fan of but the blurb always sounded so interesting I kept giving them a shot.

I am really glad I did.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book before this one and LOVED this book. By far that is my favorite that I have read in this series.

Grace is a new to me author but I found her writing engaging and her storytelling spot on. She developed characters I couldn’t wait to get back to and I didn’t want to leave.

If you enjoy historical romance with some intrigue this is a must read!

Grab your copy at your local bookstore, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook.com or your favorite retailer.

A copy of this book was given to me through the Celebrate Lit Team. All opinions are my own. 

 

Review and Giveaway: Legion by Shadia Hrichi January 22, 2020

About the Book

Book: Legion
Author: Shadia Hrichi
Genre: Bible Study
Release Date: Oct 8, 2019
How far will Jesus go to rescue one lost soul?
Tormented, chained, and living in a graveyard, the man known only by the name of the demons that tormented him had no one to help him–no one to intercede for him. No one but Jesus. Climb into the boat with Jesus as He heads into enemy territory. Witness Jesus’s power and passion as He battles violent storms and armies of demons in order to rescue . . . one . . . lost . . . soul.
Through this six-week, action-packed Bible study, you will experience God’s relentless love as you celebrate the impassioned Savior Who moved heaven and earth to rescue you.

Click here for your copy!

About the Author

“SHADIA HRICHI is a passionate Bible teacher, author, and speaker who has a heart for seeing lives transformed by the power of God’s Word. She has received a master’s in biblical and theological studies from Western Seminary as well as master’s in criminal justice from the State University of New York. In addition to LEGION, Shadia is the author of several Bible studies, including HAGAR and Worthy of Love. Shadia is often invited to speak at churches, conferences, and other events. Her insightful, witty, yet vulnerable teaching style reveals a compassion for the hurting, love for Jesus, and uncompromising commitment to the truth of God’s Word. Visit shadiahrichi.com.

More from Shadia

If there is one universal truth, it is that every human heart longs for paradise. A perfect world without death, pain, or sorrow. A world at peace, where each of us is secure, treasured, and loved. But the reality is that the world as we know it will never deliver; it cannot. Scripture tells us that “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19).
As a result, you and I live in a broken world. A world that has been drifting off course ever since that slippery serpent enticed our first parents to reject God’s authority in that garden paradise so long ago. In that moment, they unwittingly handed over dominion of the earth to Satan on a silver platter. But this then begs the question. Why was God willing to risk rebellion in the Garden? And why would God allow His perfect creation to fall victim to the enemy’s schemes? And if God is good, why does He allow evil to exist?
Through this six-week study, you and I will explore the answers to these questions and more as we step into the fascinating story of the man known only by the name of the demons that tormented him. To be honest, I don’t know why I am attracted to the hard stories in the Bible. The messy stories. I suspect it stems, in part, from my own broken past. I can relate much easier to the broken people. The ones who experienced times when they felt unseen, or unloved, or unwanted. At the same time, their stories captivate my heart because when God reveals what He is doing behind the seen, His power and glory are displayed in ways that make my spirit soar!
So I invite you to come with me as we climb into the boat with Jesus and head into enemy territory. We will witness Jesus’s power and passion as He battles violent storms and armies of demons in order to rescue . . . one . . . lost . . . soul. Tormented, chained, and living in a graveyard, the man had no one to help him. No one to intercede for him. No one but Jesus. As a result:

• A demoniac becomes a disciple.
• A house of demons becomes a dwelling for the Living God.
• The chained becomes a champion of good news.

You and I live in a world crying out for rescue. And just as Jesus was willing to cross the sea and rescue one man from the enemy’s chains, He crossed the heavens to rescue you and me from a fate even worse: eternal chains. But praise God that through His sacrifice for sin, Jesus conquered all the forces of evil and opened up the gates of paradise to all who embrace His mercy. So come with me. Let’s rediscover the God Who Rescues Me!
“For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.” —Colossians 1:13 NASB

Blog Stops

The Power of Words, January 21
Robin’s Nest, January 21
Genesis 5020, January 22
Older & Smarter?, January 23
For the Love of Books, January 24
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 24
Texas Book-aholic, January 25
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 26
janicesbookreviews, January 27
Quiet Workings, January 27
Inklings and notions, January 28
Aryn the Libraryan , January 29
Godly Book Reviews, January 29
Through the Lens of Scripture, January 30
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 31
Lights in a Dark World, February 1
D’S QUILTS AND BOOKS, February 1
Pause for Tales, February 2
Emily Yager, February 3

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Shadia is giving away the grand prize package of 1 book of Legion, 1 book of Hagar and a $50 gift certificate to two winners each!!

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/f4a5/legion-celebration-tour-giveaway

My thoughts:

I did the first Bible study in this series and really enjoyed it. I love how Shadia doesn’t jump right into subject of the title (others might find that annoying). She does a fabulous job of laying the ground work for her material and subject.

For example with this study we start at the beginning of the Bible and how the enemy first comes on the scene with Adam and Eve. We take a stroll over the weeks into the new testament and more ways the enemy has been at work deceiving people ever since.

She gave me things to think about that I never considered before. I also appreciate how she works her own testimony into the Bible study. I look forward to what she come up with next.

Grab your copy at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook.com or your favorite retailer.

A copy of this book was given to me through the Celebrate Lit Team. All opinions are my own. 

 

Review and Giveaway: Collateral Damage Lynette Eason January 18, 2020

About:

They thought they left the fight behind on the battlefield.
But their greatest struggles are just beginning.

Honorably discharged from the Army after an explosion nearly killed her, former military psychiatrist Brooke Adams has set up shop to help others, but her days of helping military personnel are over. She’s got her own battles to fight from her time overseas, and she’s not equipped to take on more.

Former Army Special Ops Sergeant First Class Asher James could handle anything that war sent his way. The only thing that scares him now is sleep. As the shadows close in, the nightmares begin.

Finally convinced that he needs help, Asher makes an appointment with a counselor. When he arrives at her office, she isn’t there–but a dead body is. When it becomes clear that Brooke was the real target of the attack–and that her secrets go even deeper than his own–Asher vows to protect her no matter what.

My thoughts and giveaway:

I haven’t read a Lynette Eason book in awhile and I have to say picking this up was like a happy reunion. I was immediately drawn into this unique story.

It seems like there are many different threads that had nothing to do with each other but obviously we figure out they must have something to do with each other because a good writer makes everything count. So I was anxious to see how these threads would weave together.

Brooke and Asher have a lot of reasons they shouldn’t be together and just as many reasons why it would make sense. The inside look into people’s struggles as they return to civilian life was pretty eye-opening. Not only do our main characters struggle with this but many other characters in the book, who I have a feeling may get their own books in this series.

Visit Lynette here.

Grab your copy at your local bookstore, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook.com or your favorite retailer.

Leave a comment by January 28th for your chance to win a copy of this book. One winner will be chosen by random.org. U.S. addresses only. I will not replace books lost or damaged in the mail. 

A copy of this book was given to me through the publisher. All opinions are my own. 

Review and Giveaway: Freedom in the Mountain Wind by Misty M. Beller January 16, 2020

 

About the Book

Book: Freedom in the Mountain Wind
Author: Misty M. Beller
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release Date: January 14, 2020

The last epic journey before her life changes forever.
Susanna Wilkins will do anything to make her father’s final dream come true, including trek along the path Lewis and Clark explored into the untamed wilds of the Rocky Mountains. Every mile is more crucial now that lung cancer is stealing Pa’s last days faster than she can come to terms with losing him. The journey becomes harder than she ever expected, but paddling upriver through fierce rapids and fighting hungry grizzlies isn’t what terrifies her the most.
Beaver Tail endured more than he can stand from the women in his Blackfoot camp, but the last disaster gave him the final shove he needed to join this band of brothers searching for one of their group who’s gone missing. The last thing he expected was to find a white woman and her sick father stranded at the base of massive waterfall. His plan is to help them carry their oversize canoe and supplies, then leave them to their strange mission. Yet, the more he learns about the pair, the more he realizes his life is about to be derailed—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 for your copy.

About the Author

[Insert Author Picture Here]

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.

More from Misty

When God Directs a Google Search…
I’m a history lover, but you may have guessed that since I write historical romance stories. Most of my books are set in the Rocky Mountains during the mid-1800s, but as I began brainstorming ideas for this new series, my heart became drawn earlier to the earlier part of the century—a time period with which I wasn’t quite as familiar with the history.
I love when God orchestrates even the most mundane part of our lives, including Google searches! During one particular search (I can’t even remember what I was originally looking for), I stumbled across part of a journal entry from the Lewis and Clark expedition, which trekked across Montana during the time period I was looking into. I’d forgotten that expedition had even entered the territory that would later become Montana, but now I was fascinated.
After finding an audiobook of the abridged journals of Lewis and Clark, I happily listened to almost 19 hours of fascinating stories from the Corp of Exploration’s journey up the Missouri River and across the mountains to the Pacific Ocean, then back mostly the over the same path they’d come. The stories the men told were so amazing, and the detail of their trials so absorbing, I’ve actually re-listened to the audiobook twice! Many of the true tales wouldn’t be believable in fiction, but as I listened, my mind formed the premise for Freedom in the Mountain Wind: a father/daughter duo who sets out almost two decades after Lewis and Clark’s journey, determined to retrace the steps of that famous expedition.
I hope you enjoy this story as much as I loved writing it! And whether you’re a history lover or not, I pray that you too will be touched by this “epic journey through breathless landscapes and adventure so intense, lives will never be the same.”

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, January 15 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)
Daysong Reflections, January 15
My Devotional Thoughts, January 15
Genesis 5020, January 16
Blossoms and Blessings, January 16
Connect in Fiction, January 17
SPLASHES of Joy, January 17
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 17
Emily Yager, January 18
Deanne’s Book Thoughts, January 18
The Meanderings of a Bookworm, January 18
A Baker’s Perspective, January 19
Adventures of a Travelers Wife, January 19
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 20
Jeanette’s Thoughts, January 20
Mary Hake, January 20
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 21
Wishful Endings, January 21
All-of-a-kind Mom, January 21
Pause for Tales, January 22
Bigreadersite, January 22
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, January 22
Through the Fire Blogs, January 23
Betti Mace, January 23
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, January 23
Older & Smarter?, January 24
For the Love of Literature, January 24
Locks, Hooks and Books, January 25
Rebecca Tews, January 25
For Him and My Family, January 25
She Lives to Read, January 26
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 26
Inklings and notions, January 26
Blessed & Bookish, January 27
janicesbookreviews, January 27
deb’s Book Review, January 27
Texas Book-aholic, January 28
Hook Me In A Book, January 28

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/f49e/freedom-in-the-mountain-wind-celebration-tour-giveaway

My thoughts:

This is only the second book I have read by Misty. I LOVED the first book I read. Her settings are unique to her writing: mountain adventures (with romance, of course).

This book was definitely unique, with references to Lewis and Clark and all they discovered.

Suzanna loves her father dearly and will do anything to make sure he gets his last wish. I kept hoping that some who there might be a cure what his illness, you will have to read the book yourself to see if that happens or not.

The motley cure of men who end up helping them keep this story interesting, as well.

If you think you might like a mountain adventure then this might a story would want to pick up!

Grab your copy at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or your favorite retailer.

A copy of this book was given to me through the Celebrate Lit Team. All opinions are my own. 

 

Review and Giveaway: It’ll Be Okay by Sheryl Giesbrecht Turner January 15, 2020

About the Book

Book: It’ll Be Okay
Author: Sheryl Giesbrecht Turner
Genre: Non-Fiction, Christian Growth
Release Date: April, 2018
Is it okay for Christians to doubt?
When we don’t get answers or see God’s guiding hand, it’s hard to keep praying or walking forward in faith. Difficult times often cloud our perspective. Does God see me? Does he hear me? Does he care? Many Christians confuse doubt with unbelief and are afraid to admit those fears, but God is not threatened by our questions, and doubt does not negate our faith.
Our doubts express a yearning to be sure of what—and who—we trust. When our questions are answered by trust, faith is fed and our doubts transform into deeper belief that pushes us toward a decision.
· When we address doubt head-on, faith can grow.
· God has a plan in the good and bad that life brings.
· God can heal our wounds and turn our past mistakes around.
Join nationally-known Bible teacher Sheryl Giesbreacht Turner as she guides you toward a deeper understanding of the role doubt plays in your spiritual growth—and how learning to ‘doubt your doubts’ enables faith to prevail.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Sheryl Giesbrecht Turner holds a bachelor of arts, a master’s in ministry, and a doctorate of theology. Her television and radio show, “Transformed Through Truth,” is nationally and internationally syndicated; it’s seen and heard daily by millions of viewers and listeners on audio, internet, Roku, and YouTube networks across the United States and through The Holy Spirit Broadcasting Network worldwide. Sheryl is the author of three books and hundreds of columns, articles, and devotions. As a Lead Like Jesus facilitator, a blogger, and a missionary with Freedom in Christ Ministries she has personally equipped hundreds and facilitated the training of thousands of national and international leaders. She and her husband, Dr. Jim Turner, live in California’s Central Valley where she enjoys running 5K races with her eighty-five-year-old mother.

More from Sheryl

I’ve always been the one to ask the questions. As a kindergartener, I embarrassed my mother when I inquired, “Where did I come from?” Years passed, as a teenager, I made unhealthy life choices, experimented with alcohol and street drugs, and wondered, “What am I here for?” As a young adult, in Bible College; I asked God to take control of my life and questioned, “What’s my purpose?” Maybe you, too, have had or now have questions? These concerns may even keep you up at night? Doubting ourselves or God may be criticized as a lack of faith. I disagree. Doubt is the in between. Doubts need to be addressed. If doubts are not considered, they will rot our faith from the inside out. When we doubt, we are able to be honest with ourselves and God. We should not be afraid to doubt.
As a delivered drug addict, stage four cancer survivor, and former widow, I’ve faced many types of situations which caused me to question God’s love, goodness and compassion. As I have gone to His word, I’ve discovered He hasn’t changed, His word continues to speak and revives my faith, taking me to a deeper level every single time. I am reminded of this in Lamentations 3:21-24 (NIV) Yet this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
Thank you so much for being part of this blog tour. I am excited about what God is going to do with His truth in us as we bring our questions to the Answer – Jesus.
Love and prayers, Sheryl Giesbrecht Turner

Blog Stops

Through the Lens of Scripture, January 7
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 8
janicesbookreviews, January 9
Older & Smarter?, January 10
For the Love of Literature, January 11
Texas Book-aholic, January 12
Artistic Nobody, January 13 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, January 13
God is Love, January 14
Genesis 5020, January 15
Inklings and notions, January 16
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 17
Emily Yager, January 18
All 4 and About Books, January 19 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, January 19
Beck To Basics, January 20

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Sheryl 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/f465/it-ll-be-okay-celebration-tour-giveaway

My thoughts:

I wanted to review this book because at the time I was really struggling with doubt. Dealing with my daughter’s torn ACL and surgery and how that changed everything for her senior year was very hard for me. She voiced doubts that I thought about but never said aloud. For me this book was timely.

There is good content in this book. Sheryl is open and honest about her own struggles and doubts and how she walks through that. She has had her fair share so she can offer sound advice.

On page 55 she writes: “Disruptive moments are opportunities for God to strengthen us and deepen our faith if we let him. They are opportunities to place our trust in an all-knowing God rather than rely on our human perspective.” I really liked the term “disruptive moments”. It’s just a moment not a life time, big difference.

As I have stated many times on this blog I am really picky about non-fiction books. This was one my mind wandered a lot. I liked it but I didn’t love it, yet obviously there is a lot of good information in this book.

Grab your copy at Amazon, Barnes and Noble or your favorite retailer.

A copy of this book was given to me through the Celebrate Lit Team. All opinions are my own. 

 

The Thief of Lanwyn Manor by Sarah E. Ladd January 13, 2020

About the Book

Book: The Thief of Lanwyn Manor
Author: Sarah E. Ladd
Genre: Regency Romance
Release Date: January 7, 2020

In this sweet Regency romance, Julia knows Matthew Blake, copper mine owner and very eligible bachelor, is the gentleman she should set her eyes upon. But why can’t she steal her gaze away from his younger brother, Isaac?

Cornwall, England 1818—Julia Twethewey needs a diversion to mend her broken heart, so when her cousin invites her to Lanwyn Manor, Julia eagerly accepts. Lanwyn Manor is at the heart of Cornwall’s mining industry, and as a guest Julia is swept into its intricate world. It’s not long, though, before she realizes something dark lurks in the home’s ancient halls.

As a respected mine owner’s younger son, Isaac Blake is determined to keep his late father’s legacy alive through the family business, despite his brother’s careless attitude. In order to save their livelihood—and the livelihood of those around them—the brothers approach the master of Lanwyn Manor with plans to bolster the floundering local industry. Isaac can’t deny his attraction to the man’s charming niece, but his brother has made his intentions to court the lovely guest clear. And Isaac knows his place.

When tragedy strikes, mysteries arise, and items go missing, Julia and Isaac find they are pulled together in a swirl of strange circumstances, but despite their own best efforts to bow to social expectations, their hearts aren’t so keen to surrender.

Click here to buy your copy.

About the Author

Sarah E. Ladd received the 2011 Genesis Award in historical romance for The Heiress of Winterwood. She is a graduate of Ball State University and has more than ten years of marketing experience. Sarah lives in Indiana with her amazing family and spunky golden retriever. Visit her online at SarahLadd.com; Facebook: SarahLaddAuthor; Twitter: @SarahLaddAuthor.

Read an Excerpt

Click [Insert Excerpt Link Here] to read an excerpt from the book.

Blog Stops

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 13
Genesis 5020, January 13
A Baker’s Perspective, January 13
For Him and My Family, January 14
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 14
Inklings and notions, January 14
Bigreadersite, January 15
For the Love of Literature, January 15
Texas Book-aholic, January 15
Through the Fire Blogs, January 16
Pause for Tales, January 16
Wishful Endings, January 16
deb’s Book Review, January 16
Betti Mace, January 17
KarenSueHadley, January 17
The Meanderings of a Bookworm, January 17
Robin’s Nest, January 18
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 18
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 18
The Christian Fiction Girl, January 19
Remembrancy, January 19
Books, Life, and Christ, January 19
Christian Chick’s Thoughts, January 20
My Devotional Thoughts, January 20
Hallie Reads, January 20
Blogging With Carol, January 20
Kat’s Corner Books, January 21
Life of Literature, January 21
Danielle Lozada, January 21
She Lives to Read, January 22
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 22
Jeanette’s Thoughts, January 22
By The Book, January 23
Blossoms and Blessings, January 23
SPLASHES of Joy, January 23
My Precious Bits and Musings, January 24
Mary Hake, January 24
Back Porch Reads, January 24
Daysong Reflections, January 24
Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 25
Mamma Loves Books, January 25
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, January 25
Hookmeinabook, January 26
Stephanie’s Life of Determination, January 26
Simple Harvest Reads, January 26 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

My thoughts:

First of all I love the covers to Sarah’s books. They draw me in and beg me to read them.

What I enjoyed about this book was that is reminded me a lot of Poldark (I love that series).  The setting of the mining town and the dangers that surround that type of life and the the worry from those that have loved ones that work in that setting added to the intrigue of this book.

The opening scene is sure to capture your attention as we dropped into Julia at gun point and then Isaac rushing into the save the day.

This book did take me a few chapters to become fully invested, but overall it was a wise investment of my time as the story unfolded and the true motives of the characters were revealed.

Grab a copy at your local bookstore, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook.com or your favorite retailer.

A copy of this book was given to me by the Celebrate Lit Team. All opinions are my own.

 

Review and Giveaway: The Duke’s Refuge by Lorri Dudley January 9, 2020

About the Book

Book: The Duke’s Refuge
Author: Lorri Dudley
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release Date: January 7, 2020

When love comes in a tempest, who knew it would wear pink?

Georgia Lennox has traded in her boyish ways for pink gowns and a coy smile to capture the eye of the Earl of Claremont. However, on the day she’s convinced the earl will propose, Georgia is shipped off to the Leeward Islands to care for her ailing father. But when she arrives on Nevis, the last thing she expects is to learn that her abrupt departure was not at her father’s bidding but that of the infuriating, yet captivating, island schoolmaster. And now her plans may well be shipwrecked.

Harrison Wells is haunted by the memories of his deceased wife and hunted by the subsequent women who aspire to be the next Duchess of Linton. Desiring anonymity, he finds sanctuary in the Leeward island of Nevis. He’s willing to sacrifice his ducal title for a schoolmaster’s life and the solace the island provides. That is until unrest finds its way to Nevis in a storm of pink chiffon—Miss Georgia Lennox.

As Georgia and Harrison’s aspirations break apart like a ship cast upon the rocks, a new love surfaces, but secrets and circumstances drag them into rough waters. Can they surrender their hearts to a love that defies their expectations?

Click here to get your copy!

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

After being buried under the largest snowfall in Massachusetts history, I wrote The Duke’s Refuge as an escape to warmer tropical climates, and what better respite than a romantic Caribbean isle with a mysteriously missing Duke? In the process I fell in love with the beauty of Nevis, it’s rich culture, and history.
My heroine Georgia lured me in the moment I realized she only wore pink. My psychology background had me digging deeper. I needed to know why. Why the obsession? What was the root behind the hurt? Why pink? How did she go from being a Tomboy to a dignified, Regency socialite? And how did she wind up in the Leeward Islands? Enter her beloved, sick father who always saw Georgia’s potential even when it was hidden under boy’s clothing and often smelled of marsh. Although, he held the best of intentions, his relocating to Nevis left Georgia with deep abandonment issues.
Harrison was a completely different beast. After reading about Mudlarks who trolled the Thames River searching for treasure and even picking the pockets of dead people washed up on the shores, I knew Harrison’s would wind up caked in the Thames’s thick mud and devastated at the loss of his wife. The Leeward island became not only a reprieve from his grief but also from the women who snuck into his carriage or cornered him at parties clamoring to become the next Duchess.
Oddly enough, part of the story formed when a friend of mine spoke of their family trip to visit his mother. She happened to own a parrot, and after a week of the kids yelling each other’s names, the parrot imitated their shrieking. Even long after they returned to the U.S. the bird still screeched out their names. I couldn’t resist adding a mimicking parrot to add a comical element and harass my main characters.
The Duke’s Refuge is meant to be a fish-out-of-water, case-of-mistaken-identity, love triangle romance with a happily-ever-after. It demonstrates how God’s love fervently pursues us, no matter how far we run, and that sometimes, something we would never have chosen can bless us in a way we would never have expected.
To learn more, check out my website at lorridudley.com or click here to watch The Duke’s Refuge’s book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D65yeAhswnI&feature=emb_logo

Blog Stops

Blog Stops
Batya’s Bits, January 9
Genesis 5020, January 9
Texas Book-aholic, January 10
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 10
Betti Mace, January 11
KarenSueHadley, January 11
janicesbookreviews, January 12
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 12
Remembrancy, January 12
Reading Is My SuperPower, January 13
Through the Fire Blogs, January 13
Reflections From My Bookshelves, January 14
Kat’s Corner Books, January 14
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 15
Books, Life, and Christ, January 15
She Lives to Read, January 16
Blessed & Bookish, January 16
Locks, Hooks and Books, January 16
Daysong Reflections, January 17
Mary Hake, January 17
Inklings and notions, January 18
April Hayman, Author, January 18
For Him and My Family, January 19
Britt Reads Fiction, January 19
Adventures of a Travelers Wife, January 20
Hallie Reads, January 20
Pause for Tales, January 20
deb’s Book Review, January 21
Life of Literature, January 21
Just the Write Escape, January 21
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 22
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, January 22

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/f468/the-duke-s-refuge-celebration-tour-giveaway

My thoughts:

I really enjoyed this book and the setting was beautiful. I am excited to read more in this series and by this author.

Georgia is wounded. Her perception of what happened when her father left and never returned has left deep wounds on her heart and causes her to doubt the love of her father. How often do we do that as believers? Our perception about things that happened in our own lives often cause us to believe our Heavenly Father isn’t that good, or doesn’t love as the Bible tells us he does.

This is a beautifully woven story of restoration, love and forgiveness. If you enjoy historical romance I highly recommend this one.

Grab your copy at your local bookstore, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or your favorite retailer.

A copy of this book was given to me through the Celebrate Lit Team. All opinions are my own.