My Thoughts on The Restless Wrangler by Karen Baney

About:

Compelling love story full of heartache and redemption set in Ash Fork, Arizona Territory in 1893-1894.

Preston Colter felt like he was the forgotten son. Years of drinking and drifting finally catch up to him. When a near-death experience recharts the course of his life, he finds himself face-to-face with an old flame. Will he prove he is a new and different man, or will he fall back into his old destructive ways?

Years ago, Hetty Clark made one bad choice to follow her attraction to a man she loved which led to the birth of her son out of wedlock. After she inherits her father’s ranch, an older man offers her security for her son’s future if she marries him. When the man from her past shows up on her doorstep, she is faced with a difficult decision. Will she choose a loveless proposal to secure her son’s future? Or will she risk her heart on a man she doesn’t believe has really changed?

My Thoughts:

This is a story of second chances for a prodigal son who, while living selfishly, hurt many people, especially his family and the woman he loves. However, when his second chance arrives, someone had to sacrifice, and Preston is not sure he can live up to that or stay sober. But, when he finds out all that he has been missing in his life, Preston sets out to make changes and find his soul's redemption.

Hetty has made some mistakes in her life, and one of those gave her her son. But when Preston suddenly appears back in her life, on the heels of her family's tragedy, she is not sure what to think. She at first is cold towards him, but she realizes pretty quickly that she still loves him, just maybe not enough to give him that answer he so desperately wants from her. Hetty has trust issues where Preston is concerned, she knows his deepest darkest secrets and forgives him anyway. But when it comes to her heart, she is not that willing to let him in again.

This was an emotional tale of a family that needed to have its missing piece back. This is a story of redemption and forgiveness and taking a risk that someone truly has changed and gotten their life back together again. The question is, what would you risk for love, maybe even the love of a lifetime?

I look forward to reading more about the other brothers in this series and more of author Baney's works.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

My Thoughts and More on The Keys to Gramercy Park by Candice Sue Patterson

 

About the Book

Book: The Keys to Gramercy Park

Author: Candice Sue Patterson

Genre:Christian / Historical / Romance

Release date: April, 2023

Secrets Sealed Within a Wall Come to Light in Lower Manhattan

Walk through Doors to the Past via a new series of historical stories of romance and adventure.

Investigative historical journalist Andrea Andrews is tired of waiting tables to make ends meet. If she could find and write the next breakout story, she could secure a promotion with Smithsonian Magazine as their writer-at-large. But not much happens in lower Manhattan out of the ordinary until she discovers post-Civil War counterfeit bills hidden in the wall of her historic district apartment.

Politics have always been Beau Davidson-Quincy’s passion, despite his family’s real estate empire. His clean image and single status make him a target in the media as he prepares to build his campaign for New York governor. He has nothing to hide until a cute waitress unravels a mystery that could destroy his family’s reputation.

Two centuries earlier, wounded Civil War veteran Franklin Davidson lost everything—his house, his wife, his standing in society. In his darkest moment, he’s awarded a position with the newly formed Secret Service to combat the spread of counterfeit U.S. currency. His life and new home in Gramercy Park are the envy of his peers, but nothing is as it seems. Secrets are meant to be kept, and Franklin will take his to his grave.

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts:

This was a pretty intriguing and mesmerizing dual-time story that had me from the first pages. I usually enjoy one timeline better than the other, but this time I was anxious to get to both, especially as the secrets were coming to light.

In the past, during and after the Civil War, we have two twin brothers, Franklin and Edward. Theirs is a complicated relationship and we get both of their points of views. Without giving too much away, one of these men was a villain, and I was not sure what to make of him and what happened. It was very heartrending.

The present times were just as intriguing. They were told in Andrea's, an historical investigative journalist, and Beau's, who has some high ambitions for being governor of New York until something is found that could destroy his chances. And Andrea, the girl he is trying to get to date him, so happens to find this. 

The back and forth of the timelines, the characters from each, the moral dilemmas, and long held secrets kept the pages turning and I can say this is one of the most interesting dual-time stories I have read.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

About the Author

Candice Sue Patterson studied at the Institute of Children’s Literature and is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives in Indiana with her husband and three sons in a restored farmhouse overtaken by books. When she’s not tending to her chickens, splitting wood, or decorating cakes, she’s working on a new story. Candice writes Modern Vintage Romance—where the past and present collide with faith. Her debut novel How to Charm a Beekeeper’s Heart was a 2012 ACFW First Impressions finalist and made INSPYs Longlist for 2016.

 

More from Candice

A locked secret garden in Manhattan with historical significance and the only ones privileged to step inside are the wealthy residents who purchase a key—count me in! The plot for The Keys to Gramercy Park was born at our dining room table when my husband looked up from the book he was reading and asked if I knew about Gramercy Park. I hadn’t, so we started Googling and discovered it was a real garden in Manhattan built in 1841 for the cream of society. The fact that it’s been off-limits to the public for one hundred and eight-two years instantly brought all kinds of story ideas to my mind.

Not long after, I discovered that Barbour Publishing Inc. was looking for dual-time stories to fill their Doors to the Past series. I love reading dual-time novels but I’d never written one. I love a good challenge, so I began plotting and before I knew it, I had another first—creating a villain.

I’ve only ever seen the New York City skyline from the New Jersey ferry that travels to and from the Statue of Liberty, so after the story was contracted, I spent several weeks researching Manhattan and Gramercy Park. New York is full of rich history and it was so fun to stumble across the historical details of The Player’s, Edwin Booth, and the stories behind each home along Gramercy Square.

One of my favorite things about writing this story was the juxtaposition of the timelines. We don’t have the present without the past, and what happens in the past affects the future, but the future can also determine how we view, feel, and learn about the past. That’s essentially what The Keys to Gramercy Park is about—the butterfly effect of past events reaching ahead two centuries with dire consequences. I love how in one scene the characters are sending telegraphs and in the next scene, they’re sending text messages.

What’s your favorite thing about dual-time novels? Make sure to check out the other books in the Doors to the Past series!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 26

lakesidelivingsite, May 26

Melissa’s Bookshelf, May 27

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, May 27

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 28

Blogging With Carol, May 28

Book Looks by Lisa, May 29

Connie’s History Classroom, May 29

Texas Book-aholic, May 30

For Him and My Family, May 30

Cover Lover Book Review, May 31

Where Faith and Books Meet, May 31

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 2

Blossoms and Blessings, June 2

Remembrancy, June 3

Holly’s Book Corner, June 3

Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 4

Pause for Tales, June 4

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, June 5 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, June 5

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 6

Inklings and Notions, June 6

Simple Harvest Reads, June 7 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Labor Not in Vain, June 7

She Lives To Read, June 8

Books I’ve Read, June 8

 

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Candice is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon e-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/2626e/the-keys-to-gramercy-park-celebration-tour-giveaway

My Thoughts and More on A Cry in the Dark by Jessica R. Patch

 

About the Book

 

Book: A Cry in the Dark

Author: Jessica R. Patch

Genre: Inspirational Psychological Thriller

Release date: February 28, 2023

Deep in the Kentucky hills, three women have been found brutalized and murdered.

But the folks in Night Holler have their own ways and their own laws.

And they’re not talking…

Led to an isolated Appalachian Mountain town by a trail of disturbing murders, FBI special agent Violet Rainwater’s determined to catch a serial killer with a twisted agenda. With locals refusing to reveal their secrets, Violet’s only ally is Detective John Orlando. But even John has an ulterior motive—he’s convinced this case is connected to his wife’s murder.

As they dig deeper, Violet uncovers a link to her own unresolved past. For years she’s worked the cold case of her mother’s abduction, which had led to her birth. The need to look into the eyes of the sinful man who fathered her consumes Violet. Until she can, she’ll never have peace. Because she’s terrified she might be exactly like him.

In this chilling novel, when the present collides with Violet’s mysterious past and John’s tragic loss, they must unravel the warped, sinuous connections before the killer strikes again. But solving the case might not be nearly as terrifying as the possibility that Violet’s finally found her roots…

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts:

Well, this was a creepy one and a somewhat terrifying story. I would recommend not reading it late at night, or just reading it in the broad daylight might be best. This story has a lot packed into it.

Our two main characters both have tragic histories that have shaped their lives and careers. FBI agent Violet Rainwater is a result of the harrowing experience her mother went through, and Detective John Orlando is still dealing with the aftermath of his late wife's murder and that unsolved case. Now they are deep in the Kentucky hills as three bodies of women are discovered that seems to bring everything together.

What I really liked was that Violet was part of a great team. In the book they mention Scooby Doo, and I kind of felt the vibe of that with the way they worked together. Not a clumsy humorous way, but I will always have your back way.

I enjoyed this story with the teamwork. There was something about Violet that really got to me, and I wanted her to have a happy ending. The suspense at times, the eeriness, and the darkness was almost palpable and not only brought the story to life but gave me chills too. I look forward to more.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

About the Author

Jessica R. Patch is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author known for her dry wit, signatures twists, and complex characters. She loves reading true crime books, discussing cold cases over chips and salsa with her girlfriends, and hunting down serial killers in her romantic suspense novels and psychological thrillers.

Jessica loves to encourage and inspire people to forward living through her Forward Friday Blog posts and through her monthly email newsletter. You can join the Patched In community at her website: www.jessicarpatch.com.

She resides in the Memphis area with her husband, two young adult children, and her spoiled tri-color Shetland Sheepdog. Jessica is represented by Rachel Kent of Books & Such Literary Management.

 

More from Jessica

A Cry in the Dark can’t be compared to Scooby Doo, but I can thank Scooby Doo for being my first introduction into the world of mystery and all matter of things that go bump in the night. But, in the end, the masks of darkness are always revealed in the light and are exposed. Justice served. This is why I write gritty crime fiction/psychological thrillers outside of my Love Inspired Suspense books. 

In Luke 22:53 NLT, they come to arrest Jesus and crucify Him. “Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there every day. But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns.” 

Darkness gets one moment. Just one. When they crucify and kill Him. But we know what happens next! Light bursts out of that dark tomb and victory is ours. We’re rescued in darkness from darkness into marvelous light.

In a thriller, darkness gets its moment. I don’t shy away from those tough things. The Bible didn’t shy away from it! We read about a Levite who gave cruel men his concubine which they abused all night until she died, and then he cut her up into parts and sent her to the tribes! God never approves of darkness, nor does He edit it out or sanitize the people. We see the depravity of humans when walking apart from God all through the Bible. And honestly, I’m glad He doesn’t edit out things I’d rather not see or read about. God works in broken people’s lives and through brokenness to accomplish His redemptive purposes. I’m broken. You’re broken. He can use the righteous as well as the wicked. I need to be reminded that without Him, I could fall into those same traps (not cutting up women but… you know) and I need to know that despite my weakness and brokenness, God can and will still use me! 

A Cry in the Dark has some violence and darker subject matter (though it is not graphic in real time) because darkness gets a moment…and then hope reaches in, hears the cries in the dark of broken people, and rescues them. And in the end, that’s what this book is about. A great and powerful rescue mission out of darkness and into light!

Blog Stops

The Sacred Line, May 23

Genesis 5020, May 23

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 24

Walking Fruitfully, May 24

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 25

Betti Mace, May 26

Cover Lover Book Review, May 26

Pause for Tales, May 27

Texas Book-aholic, May 28

For Him and My Family, May 28

Simple Harvest Reads, May 29 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

Blogging With Carol, May 30

Blossoms and Blessings, May 30

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 31

Splashes of Joy, May 31

Godly Book Reviews, June 1

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, June 1

Holly’s Book Corner, June 2

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 3

amandainpa, June 3

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, June 4

JESUS in the EVERYDAY, June 4

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 5

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jessica is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a signed paperback of Her Darkest Secret!!

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/26265/a-cry-in-the-dark-celebration-tour-giveaway

My Thoughts on The Secret to Happiness by Suzanne Woods Fisher

 

About:

Escape to Cape Cod--where you just might find the secret to happiness

Callie Dixon had the world by the tail . . . until it all slipped away. Fired from her dream job after making a colossal mistake, she's escaped to her aunt's home on Cape Cod for time to bounce back. Except it isn't a home, it's an ice cream shop. And time isn't going to help, because Callie's bounce has up and left. There's a reason she made that mistake at work, and she's struggling to come to terms with it.

Things go from bad to worse when Callie's cousin Dawn drags her to a community class about the secret to happiness. Happiness is the last thing Callie wants to think about right now, but instructor Bruno Bianco--a curiously gloomy fellow--is relentless. He has a way of turning Callie's thoughts upside down. Her feelings, too.

Bruno insists that hitting rock bottom is the very best place to be. But if that's true, how is it supposed to help her figure out what--or who--has been missing from her life all along?

My Thoughts:

Visiting Cape Cod in the winter, I am not sure too many people would. But as a reader it was nice to come back to the Cape Cod Creamery and meet up again with the beloved characters of Dawn and her mom Marnie and the guys, Kevin and Lincoln and even six year old Leo. However, this story adds another voice, that is Dawn's cousin Callie.

Ever exuberant Callie has been hit with too many crippling life circumstances at once. Happening to run into her Aunt Marnie at an ice cream school, she asks if she can stay with her and Dawn. After exhausting all other possibilities, Marnie agrees. Marnie is a sweet and caring woman, but the past competitiveness of Dawn and Callie and their fathers was a bit too much to handle at times.

Well, time marches on and times have changed and Callie needs healing. She is dealing with much more than what has made the news. I found this novel eye opening in the way that we don't really know what someone is going through. The best that we can do is be there for them, pray, and hope with them.

And the secret to happiness? That was a very simple recipe, per say, for all of us to take to heart and enact in our lives. What is it? Well, read this book, no spoiler here.

I was provided with a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

About the Author:

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the award-winning, bestselling author of more than 30 books, including The Moonlight School, Anything but Plain, The Sweet Life, and The Secret to Happiness, as well as the Three Sisters Island, Nantucket Legacy, Amish Beginnings, The Bishop's Family, The Deacon's Family, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series. She is also the author of several nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and Amish Proverbs. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Facebook @SuzanneWoodsFisherAuthor and Twitter @suzannewfisher.

My Thoughts and More on Clarissa by Jean Jacobsen

 

 

Book Details:

Book Title:  Clarissa: A Clean & Wholesome American Historical Romance by Jean Jacobsen
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+) ,  324 pages
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Jean Jacobsen
Release date:   Feb 2020
Content Rating: G: Wholesome

Book Description:

Tragedy brings them together. Will love tear them apart?

New York City, 1832. Clarissa Tanner is carefree and lighthearted until the sudden death of her parents. Forced to pay off family debts or lose her horse farm, she's given one choice: auction off her beloved horses or reluctantly enter 1830s New York Society social season to face the dreaded marriage market.

Nicholas is a man on a mission, searching for his missing brother. Fearing Liam may be the victim of foul play, Nicholas needs to keep a low-profile while conducting his search. He takes a position as a dance instructor, providing refresher lessons to the beautiful but distracted Clarissa.

​Clarissa and Nicholas find a connection through grief and movement as they fight their attraction to one another. Will they give in to their desires and find true love or will family obligations keep them apart?

Buy the Book:
Amazon 
Bookbub

My Thoughts:

Clarissa was a story that sucked me in from the very beginning. Clarissa finds herself in unbelievable grief at the start and she and her grandmother must decide quickly how they will handle the debts that are threatening their home and livelihood after her parents passing.

Each have their own ideas. Clarissa wants to auction her prize horses to see them through. Her grandmother, Abigail, wants for her to have her debut and get on the marriage market. Clarissa wants no such thing. She believes marriage will stifle her independence and be a oh so boring life.

Well, it becomes apparent that someone is out to get Clarissa and Abigail and their home. So, without any other fallback, Clarissa follows her grandmother's leading. Abigail hires a certain dance tutor, Nicholas Granger, for some refreshing dance courses for Clarissa. But what happens when Clarissa has finally met her match in Nicholas?

Well, Nicholas has his own agenda and his growing feelings for Clarissa keep getting in the way. But before either of them can even settle down, they must first deal with the danger that is closing in all around them.

I enjoyed this story very much from this new to me author. I look forward to more of her stories.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

Meet the Author:

Jean Jacobsen is an award-winning storyteller of Sweet, Historical Romance. Featuring strong female characters, roguish heroes, and 19th Century adventure tales. She pens stories that transcend the heart and always have a happy ending. Because of Jean’s deep passion for history, she includes real events from the time period, making her stories come to life as they transport you to a by-gone era. Join her on the next adventure.

connect with the authors: website ~ facebook ~ bookbub ~ goodreads 

Enter the Giveaway:

Clarissa by Jean Jacobsen Book Tour Giveaway

My Thoughts and More on Guess How Much God Loves You by Karen Ferguson

 

About the Book

 

Book: Guess How Much God Loves You

Author: Karen Ferguson

Genre: Children’s book (picture book)

Release date: July 19, 2022

Take a journey through the Bible with Lucy Lu, a colorful, creatively curious first grader who is starting to have serious questions about God.

Questions like: How old is He? Does He sleep? What does He do all day? And the biggest one of all – does God really love me?

After one very hard day, feeling like she doesn’t matter, Lucy sits with her Papa Joe who has promised to answer these questions and more, launching them onto an exciting journey to discover God’s never changing, never failing, never ending love.

What follows in this book series is a wild adventure through the Bible, where Lucy and her Papa find themselves in the middle of it all, on each page of the powerful story of God’s love and faithfulness for all people, throughout all history.

This first book is all about God’s Creation 🌎

Guess How Much God Loves You is a vibrant, fun, and biblically based book that is sure to captivate young readers as it teaches them important Bible truths that will help them build a firm foundation in God and His Good Character – all through the lens of His unconditional love.

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts:

Lucy is a seven-year-old little girl who is asking some big questions in her life. She has some concerns about life in general and she is being picked on in school. So, she takes her questions to her Papa Joe, and he tells her that God loves her. He also reads to her from the Bible, and she discovers just how majestic God is what He created and that He is the creator of everything. 

Lucy is enthralled and realizes that this is just the beginning of the wonderful truths and lessons in this book. Even though she has to go to bed before the book is finished, she has her whole life to read about God's love for her and what Jesus did for her.

This is a beautifully illustrated storybook to awaken a child's interest in the Word of God.

I was provided a copy of this book from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

About the Author

Karen Ferguson is a freelance writer and small business owner with a background in K-8 education. A grateful wife, mom, and grandmom she loves words and the Word of God and is passionate about writing stories that grab and hold young readers’ attention, teaching them all about God’s unchangeable truths, and His unchanging love for them.

Her first children’s book, Guess How Much God Loves You, was released in July 2022 through Ambassador International and is available wherever books are sold.

 

More from Karen

Are you looking for God honoring books that will captivate your child’s imagination, teach them faith-building biblical concepts, and help them grow in their reading skills?

Then I have the perfect book for your young reader…Guess How Much God Loves You

This beautifully illustrated book introduces young readers to the Creation Account, through the eyes of seven year old Lucy Lu, a creatively curious first grader who is starting to have serious questions about God.

Questions like…

How old is He? Does He sleep? What does He do all day? And the biggest one of all – does God really love me?

After one very hard day, feeling like she doesn’t matter, Lucy sits with her Papa Joe who has promised to answer these questions and more, launching them onto an exciting journey through the Bible to discover God’s never changing, never failing, never ending love.

I wrote this book because I want every child to know their life matters. To know that the God of all things created them in His image, on purpose and for a good purpose.

Guess How Much God Loves You will have seven books in the series with each one covering an important Bible account critical to building an understanding of God’s character and His love for all people, including your reader!

This first book is about the Creation Account as recorded in the Bible. Future books will cover the Garden of Eden, Noah’s Ark, the Exodus and more.

I want children to understand these are not just stories about fictional characters, but historical accounts about real people they can relate to. People who experienced God’s power, love, and faithfulness.

My greatest desire is to see this next generation trust the Bible and enjoy reading it. More than ever, young readers need to hear the message that they are valuable, loved unconditionally by the One who created them and gave them the best gift of all, His Son Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 18

Lots of Helpers, May 18

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, May 19 (Author Interview)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, May 19

Cover Lover Book Review, May 20

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 21

Texas Book-aholic, May 22

Book Butterfly in Dreamland, May 22

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 23

Pause for Tales, May 24

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 25

Bliss, Books & Jewels, May 25

Vicky Sluiter, May 26

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 27

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 28

JESUS in the EVERYDAY, May 29

Mary Hake, May 29

Labor Not in Vain, May 30

For Him and My Family, May 31

 

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Karen is giving away the grand prize package of a $30 Amazon gift card, one signed hardcover, one eBook, and one digital activity workbook that will help to reinforce the learning concepts in a fun way!!

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/26071/guess-how-much-god-loves-you-celebration-tour-giveaway

My Thoughts and More on Murmur in the Mudcaves by Kathleen Denly

 

About the Book

Book: Murmur in the Mudcaves

Author: Kathleen Denly

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: May 16, 2023

He came to cook for ranch hands, not three single women.

Gideon Swift, a visually impaired Civil War Veteran, responds to an ad for a ranch cook in the Southern California desert mountains. He wants nothing more than to forget his past and stay in the kitchen where he can do no harm. But when he arrives to find his employer murdered, the ranch turned to ashes, and three young women struggling to survive in the unforgiving Borrego Desert, he must decide whether his presence protects them or places them in greater danger.

Bridget “Biddie” Davidson finally receives word from her older sister who disappeared with their brother and pa eighteen years prior, but the news is not good. Determined to help her family, Biddie sets out for a remote desert ranch with her adopted father and best friend. Nothing she finds there is as she expected, including the man who came to cook for the shambles of a ranch.

When tragedy strikes, the danger threatens not only her plans to help her sister, but her own dreams for the future—with the man who’s stolen her heart.

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts:

The year is 1873, and Gideon Swift, a Civil War veteran is headed out to California as a ranch cook. He feels he is not qualified for much else as he has debilitating headaches and eyesight problems that can leave him bedridden for days. Cooking for a ranch should be less stressful and non-eventful. But when he gets to the ranch and sees its blackened ashes, he doesn't know quite what to do. However, one thing is sure, he will not leave the lone woman and daughter of the man he was hired by alone out there in hostile territory. Even if she keeps threatening his life.

Biddie has had a lovely upbringing by her adoptive parents after her mother passed. There were promises made if Biddie's older sister and older brother were ever found after their father took them. Then one day Biddie receives a letter after 18 years of no word from her sister Ginnie. Now Ginnie needs money along with the news their birth father has died. So, Biddie along with her adoptive father and best friend set out to find her sister. After a grueling trip with an unforeseen accident, Biddie is not prepared to encounter a bitter sister and the burnt grounds she still calls home. She was also not expecting help from a soldier named Gideon.

This ranch and her sister need help. Can they all pull through this with danger lurking in the unsettled land while never really trusting one another? A good story of a family's restoration. 

I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

About the Author

Kathleen Denly lives in sunny Southern California with her loving husband, four young children, and two cats. As a member of the adoption and foster community, children in need are a cause dear to her heart and she finds they make frequent appearances in her stories. When she isn’t writing, researching, or caring for children, Kathleen spends her time reading, visiting historical sites, hiking, and crafting.

 

More from Kathleen

The Making of a Hero

Picture in your mind the typical male rancher or cowboy. Can you see him? If we’re going for the full stereotype, you’re looking at a tall, handsome man who is, above all, strong. Particularly in the nineteenth century, it takes strength to build a house, install fencing, chop wood, haul water, heft hay bales, and most of all manage cattle. Not to mention the 101 other things it takes to start and keep a ranch running.  

Now consider the aftermath of the American Civil War. Many men never returned from the battlefields, and those who did often returned with injuries that would remain with them the rest of their lives. Some would suffer chronic pain until the day they died. 

In considering whose story I wanted to tell next, I wondered about that last group of men in the context of running a ranch. How could a seriously injured man, suffering chronic pain, keep his ranch going in an era where able-bodied men were more difficult to find? And what about those whose ranches were too new and small to support the cost of hiring help?  

This was the beginning of my inspiration for Gideon Swift–a Civil War Veteran still struggling daily with the consequences of having gone to war, ten years after his injuries sent him home.  

Raised to believe true men were strong and weak men were next-to useless, Gideon’s identity is shattered when an explosion leaves him with brain damage that causes recurring migraines with aura and the loss of periphery vision in one eye. For those unfamiliar, a migraine with aura is a severe headache preceded or accompanied by sensory disturbances called aura. Examples of such disturbances include flashes of light, blind spots, general blurry vision, and blurry or shimmery lines in vision. There can also be speech or language difficulty, muscle weakness, and/or numbness or tingling in one side of a person’s face, one hand, or one limb. Gideon experiences most of these at different times, but his most common sensory disturbance is a curled shimmery line that appears in his vision.

He is further humbled by a series of tragic losses partially triggered by his medical condition. These are the events that send him to California, determined never to work with cattle again, and never to marry.

I am often asked how much of myself I put into my characters. In Gideon’s case, I modeled his pain partially after my own. While I have no peripheral vision loss, nor brain damage, I do have recurring migraines. In my case, these are brought about by my menstrual cycle and only occasionally involve aura symptoms. Still, these severe headaches have lasted from a mere hour, up to nearly a week, and are frequently beyond anything my medications can alleviate. Too often, this pain leaves me unable to function. If I’m lucky I can sleep through it. If not, I lay awake in a darkened room for hours with pain preventing me from drifting into blissful unconsciousness. Nauseousness, foggy thinking, dizziness, and exhaustion are frequently parts of my experience. I have also experienced one-sided tingling numbness and the same curly, shimmering line that Gideon experiences. Yet, I know others who have far worse migraines. So, in describing Gideon’s episodes, I combined my own experiences with those of family and friends whom I have witnessed suffering. 

Through Murmur in the Mud Caves, we see how God works in Gideon’s life and heart to remind him of where his true value and strength come from. It is my hope that his journey will touch the hearts of readers and encourage them in whatever trials they may be facing. We are never alone. Whatever God brings us to, He will bring us through. He loves us and has a good purpose for everything we endure in this life, even when we cannot understand His reasons.

Blog Stops

lakesidelivingsite, May 17

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 18

Books You Can Feel Good About, May 18

Texas Book-aholic, May 19

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 20

For Him and My Family, May 20

Melissa’s Bookshelf, May 21

Connie’s History Classroom, May 21

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 22

Betti Mace, May 22

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 23

Madi’s Musings, May 23

Pause for Tales, May 24

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 25

Kristina Hall, May 25

Vicky Sluiter, May 26

Blossoms and Blessings, May 26

Blogging With Carol, May 27

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, May 28 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 28

Cover Lover Book Review, May 29

Holly’s Book Corner, May 30

Karen Baney Reviews, May 30

 

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kathleen is giving away the grand prize package of 1 set of beautifully engraved, metal measuring spoons, 1 pouch of “Baking Day” potpourri, 1 Cat and Mouse kitchen timer, 1 vintage wooden sign with Christian encouragement message, 1 Cowboy Hat cookie cutter with recipe for Cowboy Sugar Cookies, 1 Kitchen towel that reads, “This Home is our Happily Ever After”, and 1 Kathleen Denly engraved pen!!

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/2606f/murmur-in-the-mudcaves-celebration-tour-giveaway