My Thoughts and More on Revenge: The Winslows of Texas by Tamara G. Cooper

 

About the Book

 

Book: Revenge: The Winslows of Texas

Author: Tamara. G. Cooper

Genre: Romantic Suspense (Christian)

Release Date: May 7, 2023

Aaron’s life shatters in the aftermath of his best friend’s sudden, bizarre death. He firmly believes her demise was no mere accident, as the authorities ruled, but a cold-blooded murder. Driven to the brink of despair by the relentless media shadowing his every move, accusing him of causing her death, he needs a place to hide. Salvation dawns in an unexpected inheritance — the dense, sprawling wilderness of his great aunt’s East Texas estate. There, he discovers another surprise: his first love recently moved back to the area. She intrigued him at fourteen; she completely captivates him at twenty-six.

The discovery of a woman’s body on his property is chillingly timed on the grim anniversary of his friend’s death, shaking Aaron to his core. He realizes the bloodthirsty killer has delivered a disturbingly personal message to him: You cannot hide from me. Suddenly, his secluded sanctuary is exposed, a beacon for the merciless media relentlessly searching for him. He fortifies his estate, transforming it into a fortress against what he understands now is an inevitable attack. The murderer’s tightening noose of fear threatens to ensnare him. Outsmarting this ruthless predator has become a deadly game of chess, where every move could be his last.

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts:

This story is one that is full of twists and turns with a mysterious threat always in the background. It focuses on a very rich man who has witnessed a devastating accident that killed his friend. He himself has not quite gotten his head wrapped around what happened and the whole situation haunts him. Not only that, but he is a famous Winslow which means paparazzi seek him out. He has many homes around the world, but the people know all about them. So, when he inherits his aunt's estate in Texas, he decides to become a recluse and live there for as long as he can.

Aaron does his best to do everything remotely and get what he wants through his hired people. However, he cannot avoid people forever and he realizes there are some he would actually like to get to know better. In fact, his first crush is one of the people who is working on the estate. Could he get to know her better? But as Aaron finds out, we are not meant to be alone, and he suddenly finds himself with people around. Not only that but the one who is after him, has not given up.

This was a good story that slowly unraveled its mysteries and secrets from the beginning throughout the entire novel. Hooking the reader with the eeriness of it all and getting inside of Aaron's head and not letting go till the last page.

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.

About the Author

Tamara G. Cooper is a Texas-based author who finds inspiration in the simple things in life: hiking, camping, fishing, and long walks with her family that end in a picnic. She lives in a small town in East Texas with her husband, her youngest of five sons, and four dogs. Tamara loves writing suspense/mystery stories with just a touch of romance.

 

 

More from Tamara

I’m an East Texan, through and through. You should hear me talk! There is no mistaking that I’m from Texas. So, one day, I was wondering: what would it be like if a New Yorker moved to East Texas? Better yet, let’s make him a billionaire New Yorker who wants nothing to do with “rednecks” but is forced to move to Texas. What would motivate him to move there, especially when he’s made it very clear that he wants nothing to do with Texas or Texans?  

Running for his life would work. Suddenly, he needs a place to hide. The people after him know of his other homes and have them staked out. So, where could he go? His great-aunt Dottie dies and wills her 6,000-acre estate in East Texas to him. Perfect! It sets him up nicely where he doesn’t want to be. And to add icing to this Texas cake? His first love at fourteen recently moved back to the area where he’d met her on one of his family’s rare visits with Aunt Dottie.  

But life doesn’t settle down for him. Of course, it doesn’t, right?   

And that’s how this book came about. I love Aaron. Every day, I couldn’t wait to get back to him and his story. He has so much to give and doesn’t even know it. As one of the “walking wounded,” he’s going to discover what really matters in life, but it’s not going to be easy for him.   

One thing that’s somewhat different about me as a writer is that I don’t outline my books. I sit at my computer and let the characters tell me their stories. Sounds a little weird, doesn’t it? But it works for me. They take me in all kinds of directions! When the first draft is finished, I consider it my “outline.” Now, the fun begins with editing!  

I love writing. I love storytelling. “Revenge” is one of my favorite stories and, yes, I fell a little bit in love with Aaron. I hope you do, too. 

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, November 15

Book Looks by Lisa, November 16

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, November 17 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, November 17

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 18

Texas Book-aholic, November 19

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 20

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 21

Blogging With Carol, November 22

Cover Lover Book Review, November 23

For Him and My Family, November 24

Artistic Nobody, November 25 (Author Interview)

Exploring the Written Word, November 25

Pause for Tales, November 26

Because I said so, November 27

Lights in a Dark World, November 28

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Tamara is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 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/28eeb/revenge-celebration-tour-giveaway

My Thoughts on Julia Monroe Begins Again by Rebekah Millet

 

About:

Julia Monroe has just turned forty and has high hopes for a fresh start after the last decade of her life abruptly left her a young widow and a single mom. With both her boys off to college, she can finally focus on expanding her New Orleans-based cleaning business. Julia is ready for new beginnings--but God has other plans. Samuel Reed, the ruggedly handsome Green Beret who shattered her heart over twenty years ago, has returned to town and is the kind of distraction she never saw coming.

After their first interaction in years leaves her mind spinning and her emotions out of control, Julia knows she needs to avoid him if she wants any chance of preventing history from repeating itself, but her meddling best friend keeps throwing them together. And now it seems inevitable that the man who was hard to forget might just be impossible to resist.

My Thoughts:

Wow! I have a new favorite author. This book was just what I was wanting to read, and I didn't know it. It pulled at my heartstrings, I may have shed a tear or two, and I laughed a plenty at Julia's wit and sassiness and maybe I swooned along with her over Samuel.

Julia is a widow who now is facing an empty nest at forty, as both of her boys are away at college. She has her best friend, Kate, her mother, who sometimes is more a force of evil, her church family, volunteer ministry, and her cleaning business. However, with all of that, Julia is still alone too much with her dog and her thoughts. Then, one Sunday Samuel Reed, her first love walks into her church. The next Sunday he is a member. She is trying to avoid him at all costs, but he is trying to pursue her at all costs.

Samuel is a new Christian, and he is not shy about how he feels about Julia, nor what he hopes is a future together. But their history is one of passion and a lot of heartbreak. More than Julia is willing to dwell on or even revisit. Samuel is not deterred, and he is going to show Julia that he is changed for the better and he will be true to her and make her happy.

It will be an uphill battle as battle scars are visible. Physically and emotionally. As in the past twenty years, somewhere Samuel has lost an eye. Now he wears a patch which only makes him more attractive to Julia. These two had my support, but boy did they need to work out some issues. I liked how they handled everything as adults. Be prepared to laugh, swoon, and keep those tissues handy. I look forward to more from this author's pen.

I was provided a copy of this novel from Bethany House Publishers through Interviews and Reviews. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

About the Author:

Rebekah Millet (rebekahmillet.com) is a Cascade Award and ACFW First Impressions Award-winning author of contemporary Christian romance novels. A New Orleans native, she grew up on beignets and café au lait, and she loves infusing her colorful culture into her stories. She exasperates her husband by rearranging their furniture and being a serial plant killer, while her two sons keep her laughing and share her love of strawberry Pop-Tarts. You can find Rebekah on all social media platforms.

My Thoughts and More on Remain True by Thomas Nye

 

About the Book

Book: Remain True: Amana

Author: Thomas Nye

Genre: Christian Romance

Release Date: January 31, 2023

Rebounding from a failed relationship, Author Timothy Hayes escapes to the beautiful Amana Colonies to begin a new life. Smalltown Iowa, during the 2020 pandemic, proves lax with social distancing. Social awkwardness, however, is at an all-time high as a host of quirky neighbors crowd Tim’s personal space. Tim’s pug must go for walks which opens the door for adorable children, annoying neighbor men, old ladies who want to tell their life story, and a matchmaker set on “fixing Tim up.” Several attractive young women emerge as contenders for Tim’s heart. A woman twice his age infatuates him with her magical gift of storytelling. Remain True is a dual timeline. Tim’s life in 2020 becomes interwoven with the storyteller’s history, resulting in a surprising singular conclusion. No matter what happens in life, God will Remain True.

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts:

Upon opening this book, I was not sure what this story would be all about. I had never known about the Amana people, who are lot like the Amish and Mennonite and as I began reading it was a story that took place during 2020, during the pandemic. This is the second book in so many days that I have read that has the pandemic in it. As with the last one, it is not something I ever wanted to read about again, but this story began to draw me in, especially with all of the quirkiness and I had questions.

Tim is an author who has gone through a divorce. He has moved, with his dog who also is an important character, to start over. He has moved to a home in Amana for peace and quiet and to get away from people. But what he finds in that town is that people are not scared of the pandemic, in fact they are all living their lives as normal and bringing him into the bustle. Which is not what he wants at all, at first.

Tim's neighbor is an old woman who insists he come over and visit for tea. As he reluctantly does, she begins a story about a young girl named Blondie who lived at his house. Tim becomes very invested in her story, this reader as well, as we learn about Blondie's family, friends, and life as she grows up. Not only that, but Tim sees a picture in a shop that mesmerizes him of a beautiful young Amana woman.

What happens as the story is told is a help for Tim, as he comes face to face with his own failings, especially in his marriage. The story being told begins to unravel into real life, and dots become connected, and we find along with Tim that the world is not such a big place sometimes after all.

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.  

About the Author

Thomas Nye, author of the beloved Amish Horses Series, writes romance novels with an Historical flare and a touch of humor. He and his wife live on an acreage her grandparents bought in 1918. They have five grown children, nine grandchildren, and a team of draft horses. Their home is situated between an Amish community and the Amana Colonies, a perfect location to inspire his writing.

 

 

 

 

More from Thomas

Most of us have experienced some dark episodes in this life. How do we find our way back into hope and sunshine? My wife and I have been married for almost 43 years, but about halfway through we were separated for 4 months. The storyline of Remain True has almost nothing in common with the details of my dark time. The difficult emotions and subsequent hopefulness of God’s graceful intervention led me to write this novel.  

For Timothy Hayes, life has become incredibly dark. In the opening scene we find him reluctantly removing his wedding band and placing it in a miniature, coffin-like box. To make matters worse, Tim’s personal struggle coincides with the heaviness of the Coronavirus outbreak. His will to live is shrinking. Tim visited the Amana Colonies ten years earlier and thought of the villages as a hauntingly beautiful getaway where he could sulk.  

God has another plan. 

Small town Iowa is not the place to isolate, even during Covid, as it proves an epic failure in social distancing. Social awkwardness, however, is at an all-time high as a host of quirky neighbors invade Tim’s personal space and refuse to allow him any opportunity to submerge into depression.  

I hope those who read Remain True will be able to relate with Tim’s struggle enough to rejoice with him as God provides a ray of sunshine during his darkest hour. 

My wife and I found hope and restoration and are looking forward to our 43rd anniversary. We thoroughly enjoy grandparenting our 9 grandchildren (and counting) together. God is good!  

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, November 6

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 7

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 8

Lighthouse Academy Blog, November 9 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Texas Book-aholic, November 10

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 11

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 12

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 13

lakesidelivingsite, November 14

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 15

Artistic Nobody, November 16 (Author Interview)

Exploring the Written Word, November 16

For Him and My Family, November 17

Pause for Tales, November 18

Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 19 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, November 19

 

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Thomas 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/28d2e/remain-true-celebration-tour-giveaway

My Thoughts and More on The Prime Suspect by Lauren Carr

 

 

Book Details:

Book Title:  The Prime Suspect (A Sam MacKade PI Mystery) by Lauren Carr

Category:  Adult Fiction (18 +), 430 pages

Genre:  Mystery

Publisher:  Acorn Book Services

Release date:   Oct 26, 2023

Content Rating:  PG-13 (Lauren Carr's books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!

"The plot is twisted. The characters are full of depth, with many hiding secrets. Mackade's two dogs and Greyson's cat are not only smart, but have attitude with a capital A.  I don't want to spoil anything, so all I am going to say is the cat is the hero who deals with one personal threat."  Marilyn R. Wilson, Author, Speaker, Book Reviewer, review of THE PRIME SUSPECT

"Lauren Carr is among my favorite mystery writers. She knows how to write a fun tale while keeping readers engaged. ..." - Amy Campbell, Locks Hooks and Books

"I am, bottom line, amazed at the giant step that places Carr comparable to significant authors whose name slips off our tongues like, for instance, Nora Roberts. Watch this author--she's moving quickly to where her goals are headed..." - review by Glenda Bixler, Book Readers Heaven

Lauren Carr is a master storyteller who combines the humor of Janet Evanovich and the investigative skills of Patricia Cornwell. She is always at the top of my reading list." - review by Sherry Fundin, Fundinmental, As Eye See It

---

Book Description:

Two murders with one common denominator. Both victims betrayed Bryce Greyson. How could she not be the prime suspect?

Four years after Bryce’s cheating husband is gunned down, her boyfriend-stealing former roommate’s remains are found buried under a statue at her alma mater.

Declared the prime suspect by both detectives and the media, Bryce has no choice but to hire someone to clear her name.

Enter Sam MacKade, private eye.

To solve two murders, the former police K-9 officer and his canine partners must sift through the clues and the lies to reveal the true prime suspect.

Buy the Book:

(available for pre-order)

Amazon 

add to goodreads

Meet the Author:

Selling over half a million books worldwide, Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, Thorny Rose, Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries, and Nikki Bryant Cozy Mysteries—thirty titles across five fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor. 

The owner of Acorn Book Services and iRead Book Tours, Lauren is also a publishing manager, consultant, and virtual book tour coordinator for independent authors.  

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and author panels at conventions. 

She lives with her husband, and two spoiled rotten German shepherds on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV. 

connect with the author:  website ~ amazon ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ twitter 
~ pinterest

Enter the Giveaway:

THEPRIME SUSPECT by Lauren Carr Spotlight Tour Giveaway

My Thoughts:

This is the start of a new series by author Carr. A few things I can always expect from her stories are the loveable animal friends, companions, or even detectives themselves. Also, a mystery that is so tied up in knots that our characters need figure out where to start to unravel and get to the bottom of the murders.

In Prime Suspect Bryce Greyson is the suspect of two murders that have happened years apart. The first one is the disappearance of one of her college roommates seventeen years prior. After all this time and due to an accident by some college kids they have found the missing roommate's body. Why then are the police shifting the blame on Bryce? Well, because just four years ago, Bryce's husband had been gunned down on his way home from work. Bryce has not really been cleared of being a suspect in her husband's murder, even though she has a pretty good alibi. The police have never really looked anywhere else.

To top it off there had been another suspicious suicide that wasn't really a suicide that tied the victim to this most recent murder. Bryce claims she is innocent, so she hires Sam Mackade -a law enforcement officer turned private investigator due to taking a bullet to his knee to save his canine partner- to clear her name. A name that has been maligned for at least four years.

So, this was a twisty, turny mystery with at least three possible murders. I also found it interesting how the pandemic was mentioned in the story. Yes, it happened, I was not sure if I ever wanted to read about it in my fiction, but the author makes it work. And it gives us a good timeline basis. I also loved that Sam's dogs actually would carry his groceries in his house and put them away for him. If only I could train my dogs to do that. 

Another great series starter with more memorable characters. I look forward to more. Please note there is some language, not excessive though.

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.

THE PRIME SUSPECT by Lauren Carr Book Review Tour Giveaway

My Thoughts and More on A Courageous Betrothal by Denise Weimer

 

About the Book

Book: A Courageous Betrothal

Author: Denise Weimer

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: November 7, 2023

A wounded lieutenant, a woman fierce enough to protect her family, and an American Revolution with everything at stake.

Red-haired, freckle-faced and almost six feet tall, Jenny White has resigned herself to fame over love. Possessing the courage and wits to guard her younger siblings against nature, natives, and loyalists in Georgia’s “Hornet’s Nest” gives life meaning until she meets scout, Caylan McIntosh.

From the time Jenny nurses the young lieutenant back to health after the Battle of Kettle Creek, she can’t deny her attraction to the vexing Highlander, who seems determined to dismantle her emotional armor. But when Georgia falls to the British and Caylan returns to guide Jenny’s family on a harrowing exodus into the North Carolina mountains, will his secrets prove stronger than his devotion? Or will their love be courageous enough to carry them through the battles ahead.

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts:

Although this a novella, and shorter one at that, this story packs a punch with the danger and romance while a young country fights to keep its independence. I also enjoyed the author's notes on how the heroine was based on a real historical character.

Jenny White is a woman who is taller than most and certainly not as pretty as her younger sister, who gets all of the male attention. Jenny is usually ok with that and has resigned herself to not ever marrying, for whoever would want her? Well in walks Highlander Caylon McIntosh who is a warrior and staunch Patriot. Georgia is in danger as the British are trying to take that state back over, the year is 1778. 

Many dangers, sickness, and sadness visit upon Jenny's family. A lot of it is most heartbreaking. She carries a heavy load as she is the oldest sibling. Can she see her family through these harrowing times? And after all that they have been through, can she give her heart to her Highlander warrior?

Calan has an uphill battle to fight, for Jenny, her family, her heart, her love, and her safety. This was a story that swept me up and kept me enthralled till the very last page.

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. 

About the Author

North Georgia native Denise Weimer has authored over a dozen traditionally published novels and a number of novellas—historical and contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and time slip. As a freelance editor and Acquisitions & Editorial Liaison for Wild Heart Books, she’s helped other authors reach their publishing dreams. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise always pauses for coffee, chocolate, and old houses.

 

 

 

 

More from Denise

Welcome to the Hornet’s Nest…the setting for A Courageous Betrothal. In my Scouts of the Georgia Frontier Series, we started with my September release, A Counterfeit Betrothal, in 1813. We’ve moved backward in time to middle Georgia, where the conflict between Patriots, Loyalists, and Native Americans became so intense during the American Revolution the area was dubbed “the Hornet’s Nest.” Little is known about this portion of the war, but it’s not just the setting that makes A Courageous Betrothal unique.

If the story sounds faintly familiar, that’s because it was originally Across Three Autumns of Barbour’s Backcountry Brides (2018). That’s why it’s a short novella instead of a full-length novel. The story became a free agent just in time to join my Scouts of the Georgia Frontier. It was a perfect fit not only because of the subject matter but also because some of the real people and places show up in this story as well as the novels of the series.

Another thing that sets A Courageous Betrothal apart is its heroine. As authors, we occasionally create characters who take on life and burst off the page. That’s Jenny White. Maybe because she was based on a real person, Nancy Hart. Six feet tall, red-haired, pock-marked, and a crack shot, Nancy was called “Wahatche” or “War Woman” by local Indians. She spied for Colonel Elijah Clark and captured Loyalists and British soldiers on more than one occasion. Her exploits are echoed in Jenny’s.

So are her insecurities, which make her relatable. Jenny’s given up on the notion of finding love. Men always prefer women like her dainty younger sister. And then she meets Caylan McIntosh, a scout for Colonel Clark whose Highland heritage makes him an ardent admirer of Jenny’s strength. Her doubts—along with the shorter word count and the time needed for love to grow between wartime encounters—are a reason I chose to write the novella solely from Jenny’s POV.

By no means does Jenny outshine Caylan. He’s still probably the most swoon-worthy hero I’ve written. Here’s a little snippet of him persuading Jenny to dance.

 

The unseen fiddler took his cue. The notes anchored themselves inside Jenny’s chest, with invisible strings tugging her toward the sound. Caylan and presumably several other Scots started a jig. From his fancy footwork and agile leaps, the lieutenant appeared dead sober. She found herself propping the pitchfork against a wall and drifting closer in the shadows, her mother’s previous warning drowned out in the waterfall of lilting notes.

When the musician warbled into “Soldier’s Joy,” a woman faced off with her husband. As they greeted and turned, two frontiersmen leapt up to join them. Caylan looked around as though searching for a partner and noticed Jenny standing just outside the circle of light. He came toward her, hand outstretched.

“Come, lass, will ye dance with me? Ye know this one.”

Indeed, she did. She had seen settlers perform the steps on the Yadkin River. Before Jenny had time to think, Caylan whirled her into the circle, and a man dancing a female part grabbed her for a ladies’ chain. She caught a brief glimpse of Gabriel’s alarmed face as she whizzed past.

Delighted with the actual women who joined them, the men paid courtly attention that caused Jenny’s face to flame. But none more than the sensation of Caylan’s eyes, warm amber in the firelight, fixed on her every time they met. The roughened strength of his large hand made hers feel small.

When the song changed, Jenny gave an awkward curtsy and tried to back away, but her partner caught her arm. “’Tis just a Cumberland Reel.”

“I know no Cumberland Reel. Remember, we do not dance.”

“Oh. I did forget that.” But Caylan’s smirk hinted otherwise. “Seems to me Wahatchee would not grow lily-livered at a wee promenade. See, ’tis only a skip step, toe to heel?”

Jenny turned her lips down. “Wahatchee has a mother.”

Caylan threw his head back and laughed. “What? That slip of a woman has a Highland princess like you all a’cower?”

“I am English, sir.” She clasped her hands behind her petticoats.

“Well, pardon me, my lady,” he retorted with mock offense, “but yer regal bearing and coloring beg otherwise. I wager some hint of Celtic besmears the White family past…far back in the recesses of time, no doubt.”

The “regal coloring” went up in flames. Jenny repeated what she’d heard her mother proudly state many times. “We come from pure English stock.”

“Well, then, I dare ye to prove a proper English lady has no fear of a Cumberland Reel.”

“Those are break teeth words, McIntosh. If I chose, I could dance until daybreak, and still be dancing long after you collapse.” So saying, Jenny stalked to the tail of the reel and waited for the laughing Scotsman to follow her.

Just like firing a gun, riding a horse, clearing brush, and swimming, dancing provided no challenge. Jenny did all physical things well and with endurance. What she had not expected, however, was the way Caylan’s obvious approval made her feel. It answered a craving deep inside that she had attempted to discredit for years. Not to mention the brush of his fingertips, the pressure of his hand on her waist, spread the bonfire to her bones.

From that moment to Jenny nursing Caylan back to health after the Battle of Kettle Creek, through the climactic, real-life exodus of civilians from Georgia to the mountains of North Carolina, Caylan fights for Jenny’s trust with as much determination as he fights the British. I hope you’ll be swept away by their romance amid the dangers of the Hornet’s Nest. And if you like Scottish characters, stay tuned for book three of the Scouts Series, coming in January and set in 1775 on the border of Georgia and South Carolina.

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, November 8

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, November 8

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 9

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 10

Blossoms and Blessings, November 11

Books You Can Feel Good About, November 11

Simple Harvest Reads, November 12 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 13

Lighthouse Academy Blog, November 13 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

lakesidelivingsite, November 14

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 15

Pause for Tales, November 16

Life on Chickadee Lane, November 16

For Him and My Family, November 17

Cover Lover Book Review, November 18

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 19

To Everything There Is A Season, November 19

Holly’s Book Corner, November 20

Connie’s History Classroom, November 21

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Denise 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/28d33/a-courageous-betrothal-celebration-tour-giveaway

My Thoughts and More on Settlers and Toffs by Caryl McAdoo

 

About the Book

Book: Settlers & Toffs

Author: Caryl McAdoo

Genre: Historical Romance

Release Date: August 23, 2023

New and old collide in SETTLERS & TOFFS as Ambrose Lee and Blaire build a hotel and a new life together with a remnant from the wagon train he captained in ’49. Settling in Auburn, California, they deal with the gold rush boom town’s growing pangs while the next Earl of Farnsworth, William Cromwell, voyages home to England with his intended Clara and her family. Though separated by a country and an ocean, troubles and trials plague them all. Revisit old friends from Book One WAGONS WEST and meet new ones in this second novel of the New Beginnings Family Saga! This story has been previously published on Kindle Vella with the same title as episodes for Season Two. Season Three, ANSWERING THE CALL episodes are now available at Kindle Vella now.

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts:

This is book two in a series following a wagon train and its occupants as they reach their destination in California. This book focuses on the ones that stayed in California and built up a hotel and other businesses. It also focuses on part of the family that leaves by ship to go to England with a future earl and to begin a new life there. We get to catch up with familiar characters and we meet new ones as well.

This is ultimately a story of family. Of the ups and downs, good decisions and bad ones. There is a lot of characters involved. There is a glossary in the back of the book to help keep everyone straight. I have read the first book a while ago so looking over the glossary helped when I couldn't remember a character or how they were related. The author also gives brief descriptions of them as well.

This story is rather fast paced as we frequently switch from California to the travelers to England, even to Chicago as another wagon train starts up. The only thing connecting some of the family is the letters that they write to one another. All of their lives are full of adventure. Danger comes in many ways to them, physical and of the heart. This one ends on a cliffhanger, so I am looking forward to the future installments.

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

About the Author

Award-winning author Caryl McAdoo prays her story brings God glory, and her best-selling tales—coming up on seventy titles now published—delight readers all around the world. The prolific writer also enjoys singing the new songs the Lord gives her; you may listen to those at her YouTube channel.

She loves working in the yard at The Peaceable, her home tucked away on twenty acres, mowing and planting flowers. She lives there with Ron, her high school sweetheart and husband of fifty-five years, five dogs, two dairy goats she milks daily, a flock of chickens, and a plethora of barn cats.

The couple shares four children and twenty-seven grandsugars, six are greats. Caryl and Ron love their quiet, country life in the woods south of Clarksville, seat of Red River County in far Northeast Texas and wait expectantly for God to open the next door so they may do His will.

 

More from Caryl

I started writing “episodes” for Kindle Vella the first month they opened the new format with WAGONS WEST, season one in the New Beginnings Family Saga Season One. For those who don’t read at Kindle Vella, after the ”season” has been up thirty days, the author can create a book!

The episodes become chapters and WAGONS WEST debuted last November 2022! The SETTLERS & TOFFS story is “Season Two” and I’m tickled pink with it! Book One in the series was an epic wagon train story that ended when they got to the gold fields around Auburn California.

In Book Two, the characters spread out across the globe, and we follow them all. Some of those who arrived in covered wagons began to build the pioneer town of Auburn, making a new home for themselves. Some panning for gold and others building hotels and businesses the miners need.

Some travel to merry old England where one of the wagon train sojourners has been called home after his older brother’s death to be the future Earl of Farnsworth. Having fallen in love, he couldn’t bear to leave Clara behind, so arranges for her family to accompany him. So many of the main characters sail away cross the seas.

The third storyline in SETTLERS & TOFFS becomes another wagon train when the scout in book one decides with his wife to go and bring another group of settlers to the new land—a very lucrative business venture for the captains who knew the way.

There are plenty of characters who come in and out as the story progresses. I’ve come to love the primary ones. There are struggles at every turn. Trials and tribulations fill many of their days, but there are those joyous ones as well!

Through it all, the Lord—still on the throne and in control in 1850—helps His children overcome and blesses them beyond measure . . . just as He does today. He is the Rewarder of those who diligently seek him and obey His commandments—then and now.

My author’s motto is “Praying my story gives God glory!” I also pray that its readers will be drawn into a closer walk with the Almighty as they walk alongside these awesome, stalwart folks who settled the West! They had it rough, but God . . . PRAISE HIM!

They sure do! And so do I!

BLESSINGS!

Blog Stops

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 3

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 4

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 5

Texas Book-aholic, November 6

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 7

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, November 8 (Author Interview)

Books You Can Feel Good About, November 9

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 10

Beauty in the Binding, November 11 (Author Interview)

The Lit Lady, November 11

For Him and My Family, November 12

For the Love of Literature, November 13 (Author Inteview)

Exploring the Written Word, November 13

Holly’s Book Corner, November 14

Cover Lover Book Review, November 15

Pause for Tales, November 16

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Caryl is giving away the prize of a $50 Amazon 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/28b2c/settlers-toffs-celebration-tour-giveaway

My Thoughts on Shadows at Dusk by Elizabeth Goddard

 

About:

A missing person. A murder victim. And two hurting people seeking justice, connected in ways they could never imagine.

Montana Detective Trevor West is desperate to learn what happened to his sister, who went missing in Alaska over a year ago, leaving nothing but a few photographs as clues to her whereabouts. At the advice of Police Chief Autumn Long, Trevor enlists the help of an experienced bush pilot. If Carrie James can't help him find the places in the photographs, no one can.

But Carrie has her own agenda. Grieving the death of her closest friend and the only person she could trust, Carrie will help Trevor find his sister on one condition--that he help her track down her friend's killer.

My Thoughts:

This story is a wow. It starts out with a push, that has our heroine, Carrie running for her life and starting over in Alaska. There she finds herself as a bush pilot living a relative peaceful life with her neighbors. Until one day, Trevor West, a Montana detective shows up asking for her help in locating his sister who has been missing for over a year. Carrie is reluctant to get involved but does so planning to do so only temporarily.

Well, things are not going well for these two and things go from bad to worse real quick. Carrie finds herself in way too many dangerous situations. Is it because of her past, or the questions she and Trevor are asking about his sister? Neither of them knows and when death comes to someone Carrie loves, well Carrie is convinced it is murder. So, she makes a deal with Trevor.

This was a fast-paced thriller that took place in the Alaskan skies and on Alaska land. Both situations have become very personal and dire for Carrie and Trevor. Will they find the answers they both seek? Is Trevor's sister still alive like he hopes? And what about these budding romantic feelings?

All in all, I really enjoyed this adventure, so grab something warm to drink and a blanket to wrap up in as this story gets a little dicey and chilly.

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

About the Author:

Elizabeth Goddard is the USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of more than 60 novels, including Cold Light of Day and Shadows at Dusk, as well as the Rocky Mountain Courage and Uncommon Justice series. Her books have sold nearly 1.5 million copies. She is a Carol Award and Reader's Choice Award winner and a Daphne du Maurier Award and HOLT Medallion finalist. When she's not writing, she loves spending time with her family, traveling to find inspiration for her next book, and serving with her husband in ministry. Learn more at ElizabethGoddard.com.