Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for The Queen’s Cook by Tessa Afshar hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: The Queen’s Cook
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Baker Publishing | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub
Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for The Queen’s Cook by Tessa Afshar hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
Title: The Queen’s Cook
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Baker Publishing | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub
Tessa Afshar's award-winning biblical fiction has been on Publishers Weekly, CBA, and ECPA bestseller lists and has been translated into twelve languages. Born in the Middle East, Tessa spent her teen years in England and later moved to the United States. Her conversion to Christianity in her twenties changed the course of her life. Tessa is a devoted wife, a mediocre gardener, and an enthusiastic cook of biblical recipes.
Connect with Tessa by visiting tessaafshar.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
Book: To Choose the Longshot
Author: Lisa M. Prysock
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release date: November 5, 2024
In a world where wealth and status reign, can true love prevail?
Miss Delia Lyndon, a young woman born into the prestigious Spencer-Lyndon family, is initially enamored with Thaddeus, the son of a prominent local stable owner, when he begins vying for her hand in marriage. She is keenly aware of how a union between the two families would seal their status as one of the most beloved couples from Lexington. However, when Jake, a handsome and charming newcomer, arrives on the scene, he catches her attention, casting doubts and fears in Delia’s heart. Torn between two suitors, Delia must navigate societal expectations, family pressure, and her own desires. Will she choose the man who seemingly has it all – wealth, charm, and a shared background in Kentucky’s elite circles – or will she follow her heart to the humble yet captivating Jake?
Jake Williams is determined to prove his worth in the competitive world of horse racing. Despite his humble beginnings as a farmer, he refuses to be intimidated by his rival’s malicious attempts to sabotage his chances, both on the racetrack and in winning Delia’s affections. With his trusted steed, Horizon, by his side, Jake faces each challenge head-on, guided by his unwavering faith.
When mysterious events begin occurring leading up to the annual Phoenix Stakes horse race, Delia must look beyond appearances and uncover the truth that lies beneath.
Click here to get your copy!
My Thoughts:
Delia Lyndon is a woman of the Gilded Age. She is quite content to bow down to society whims and expectations. Yet deep down she decides to run away on her wedding day, already at the altar, with everyone in attendance. That is what happens in the first few pages of this story. As we enter the meat of this story, it is now ten months later.
Delia has worked hard to earn back the love of her rejected groom, Thaddeus. After other ups and downs, they both have talked to one another and things seem to be on the mend. Until one day when Delia helps out three little girls from danger. Their Uncle Jake is quite relieved and thankful.
Jake Williams does not come from a prestigious family. He is also the caretaker of his three orphaned nieces. He has moved to town to get into the horseracing business. He never intended to try to win Delia's hand away from her beau.
In this story of social classes at the turn of the century with a bit of a love triangle, Delia has some long hard decisions to make. Thaddeus, she knows what to expect, of does she? and Jake has opened her eyes to new possibilities she never thought possible.
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.
Kentucky inspires her writing and is home. Happily married to her husband of more than 24 years, she homeschooled two of their five children, now grown. When she isn’t writing, she likes to cross stitch, crochet, sew, scrapbook, read, swim, dance, take walks, travel, explore historical homes, garden, cook for her family, learn to play the piano and violin, and read great books.
Hello Celebrate Lit Friends and Readers! I’m back to share a looksie at Book 2 from Kentucky Debutantes of the Gilded Age. I’ve really enjoyed my deep dive into all things Kentucky Derby and the world of horseracing in To Choose the Longshot.
Most of us have heard of Churchill Downs and Lexington’s Keeneland. But before Keeneland was the Lexington Association Racetrack. The annual spring race generally opened each year on that course with a featured race known as the Phoenix Stakes. It dates as far back in history as 1831! You can take a peek at the fascinating horse names of all the winners from 1831 to 2012, here. Of course, I’ve fictionalized names of winners and many events around the races in my series, but it’s fun to peek at real-life history when crafting our stories.
Leading up to and through the Gilded Age, the time period and setting of this series, the Phoenix race was generally sponsored by the Phoenix Hotel in Lexington. And more than Kentucky horseracing history, in Book 2, readers will get to come along for a glimpse at another course located in Baltimore, Maryland when the story takes our main characters to Pimlico. They referred to this track as the Old Hilltop in the early days of American horseracing history.
And atop Pimlico sits the famed weathervane. Did you know that painting the Preakness Stakes weathervane is a grand Pimlico tradition dating to 1909? The vane style is unique, commissioned by the Maryland Jockey Club, bearing the shape of a thoroughbred and jockey ever since the original arrow-shaped one was struck down by lightning. The new vane was christened by the colors of the silks carried by that year’s winner, Effendi.
I had a great deal of fun writing To Choose the Longshot starting with the very first page. The novel opens with a runaway bride! It’s always a wonder what makes a bride runaway, and my imagination went to work at once creating the situation that causes this bride so much consternation.
Readers get to learn more about Veronica’s sister in Book 2, Miss Delaney Lyndon. Everyone calls the shy and demure middle sister, Delia. And all of Lexington expects one of the Lyndon sisters to marry into the Sullivan family, since these two families are “Kentucky horseracing royalty.” But who will Delia choose to marry? Will she marry her handsome, wealthy, and daring beau, Thaddeus Sullivan, or will a rugged newcomer and underdog in their midst from the Adirondacks, Jake Williams, turn her head?
I cannot fail to mention that the beloved character of Aunt Mae from Book 1 makes an appearance in Book 2. She certainly has her hands full attempting to help Delia reach a decision about who she should marry, knowing it will impact the future of Velvet Brooks Farm for generations to come. But if anyone can help steer Delia to a decision, it’s Aunt Mae. As our heroine grapples with perceptions and tries to balance expectations with what’s in her heart, find out what happens next with a deeper look at the world of horseracing, sure to give horse enthusiasts plenty to cheer about.
Happy reading!
Blessings!
Lisa
Babbling Becky L’s Book
Impressions, November 19
lakesdielivingsite,
November 20
Holly’s Book
Corner, November 20
For Him and My
Family, November 21
Texas Book-aholic,
November 22
Locks, Hooks
and Books, November 23
Debbie’s
Dusty Deliberations, November 24
Labor Not in
Vain, November 25
Abba’s Prayer
Warrior Princess, November 26
Truth and Grace
Homeschool Academy, November 27
Stories By Gina,
November 28 (Author Interview)
Devoted
To Hope, November 28
Happily
Managing a Household of Boys, November 29
Books
You Can Feel Good About, November 30
Simple Harvest
Reads, December 1 (Guest Review from Donna)
Pause for
Tales, December 2
Leslie’s
Library Escape, December 2
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54102
About:
About:
About:
Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Rediscovering Christmas by Mindy Obenhaus hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
Title: Rediscovering Christmas
Series: Hope Crossing #6
Author: Mindy Obenhaus
Publisher: Love Inspired
Release Date: November 26, 2024
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance
She feels she’s lost everything…
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Harlequin | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub
Best-selling author Mindy Obenhaus is passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. She lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, two sassy pups, countless cattle, deer and the occasional coyote, mountain lion or snake. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, cooking and watching heartwarming romance movies.
Connect with Mindy visiting mindyobenhaus.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
Author: Misty M. Beller
Genre:Christian Historical Romance
Release date: November 19, 2024
In the wild mountains of the Montana Territory, the Coulter ranch is a place of family, second chances…and a hidden fortune.
Determined to find his missing brother and catch the elusive mastermind behind the theft of his family’s precious sapphires, Gil Coulter embarks on a solo mission to the remote town where the criminal is rumored to reside. As Gil scours the surrounding wilderness for the thief’s hidden lair, he crosses paths with a captivating young woman who harbors secrets of her own.
Jess McPharland has spent her life hidden in the mountains, doing her best to stay separate from her family’s business. Yet the secret she’s just discovered will change her life forever. She offers a silent prayer, pleading for a man to help her conceal the truth she’s only just discovered. As if in answer, Gil Coulter rides through the trees, seeking the very criminal Jess calls Father. Now she must find a way to ask this stranger for the ultimate favor—to pose as her husband and shield her from the consequences of a change she won’t be able to hide much longer.
As Gil and Jess navigate the treacherous landscape and the greater danger from her father and his cronies, they find themselves caught in a web of danger, deception, and unexpected attraction. With each passing moment, the stakes grow higher, and the line between pretense and truth blurs. Will the love growing between them be enough to protect Jess’s secret and lead them to the justice Gil seeks, or will the truth shatter everything they’ve risked their lives to build?
From a USA Today bestselling author comes a mountain saga filled with high-stakes adventure, a pretend marriage, a secret baby, and love that heals wounded hearts.
Click here to get your copy!
My Thoughts:
In this continuing saga of the Coulter brothers, Gil has set out to find younger brother Sampson and their mined sapphires that has been stolen. Little did he realize what type of criminal organization he would be stepping into and that his heart would also be in danger when he agrees to the scheme the criminal boss's daughter has cooked up.
Jess is a woman who is truly trapped in her father's criminal world. She wants freedom and she is scared above all. She has tried to escape only to be hunted down and brought back under the thumb of her father's rule and the watchful eye of his henchman. Her father has plans for her to marry someone of his choosing. However, Jes has a secret that she can no longer keep hidden and needs an out fast. That is when Gil Coulter steps into her life and agrees to save her, get his brother, and the jewels.
I could feel the trepidation coming off of Jess as she tried so hard to please her father and stay in the shadows. That was not living. The caves and caverns with which the men worked, lived, and secrets were hidden gave a very different atmosphere to the story. Almost dark and brooding at times, as if danger lurked around every bend and corner.
I look forward to continuing this series.
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.
Raised on a farm and surrounded by family, Misty developed her love for horses, history, and adventure. These days, her husband and children provide fresh adventure every day, keeping her both grounded and crazy.
Misty’s passion is to create inspiring Christian fiction infused with the grandeur of the mountains, writing historical romance that displays God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.
Sharing her stories with readers is a dream come true for Misty. She writes from her country home in South Carolina and escapes to the mountains any chance she gets.
In Pretending to be the Mountain Man’s Wife, the heroine and her father live in a cave which is part of an intricate catacomb hidden inside Montana mountain.
I LOVED researching cave systems, especially those in Montana, and I was amazed at how many extensive tunnels and caverns have been discovered!
One of the most well-known is Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park, located between Butte and Bozeman. This spectacular limestone cave system features a series of caverns adorned with incredible rock formations. These days, visitors can take guided tours to marvel at the intricate stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and helictites that have formed over thousands of years. The cave is also home to several species of bats.
Another notable cave system is the Bighorn Caverns, situated in the Pryor Mountains south of Billings. This complex network of caves extends for over 14 miles, making it one of the most significant cave systems in the state. Experienced cavers can explore winding passages, underground streams, and vast chambers with unique mineral formations.
The Bighorn Caverns are very similar to how I imagine the cave system was that Jess lived in. As amazing as the tunnels are to explore, I’m not sure I’d want to live in such darkness. What about you?
I pray you enjoy Gil and Jess’s story in Pretending to be the Mountain Man’s Wife! J
Blessings!
Misty
Babbling Becky L’s
Book Impressions, November 22
Melissa’s
Bookshelf, November 22
Pause for
Tales, November 23
Debbie’s
Dusty Deliberations, November 23
Texas Book-aholic,
November 24
Blossoms
and Blessings, November 24
Lighthouse
Academy Blog, November 25 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)
lakesdielivingsite,
November 26
Locks, Hooks
and Books, November 27
For Him and My
Family, November 27
Devoted
To Hope, November 28
Happily
Managing a Household of Boys, November 29
Jeanette’s Thoughts,
November 29
Truth and Grace
Homeschool Academy, November 30
Book Looks
by Lisa, December 1
Holly’s Book
Corner, December 1
Betti Mace,
December 2
Library Lady’s
Kid Lit, December 3
Cover
Lover Book Review, December 3
Books
You Can Feel Good About, December 4
Life on
Chickadee Lane, December 5
Mary Hake,
December 5
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 extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54105
Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for The Queen’s Cook by Tessa Afshar hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours ! About the Book Titl...