Friday, May 31, 2019

Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway: On a Summer Tide by Suzanne Woods Fisher


About the Book


Book: On a Summer Tide
Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher  
Genre: Christian Fiction Romance  
Release Date: April 30, 2019

Sometimes love hurts—and sometimes it can heal in the most unexpected way. 

Camden Grayson loves her challenging career, but the rest of her life could use some improvement. “Moving on” is Cam’s mantra. But there’s a difference, her two sisters insist, between one who moves on . . . and one who keeps moving. 

Cam’s full-throttle life skids to a stop when her father buys a remote island off the coast of Maine. Paul Grayson has a dream to breathe new life into the island—a dream that includes reuniting his estranged daughters. Certain Dad has lost his mind, the three sisters rush to the island. To Cam’s surprise, the slow pace of island life appeals to her, along with the locals—and one in particular. Seth Walker, the scruffy island schoolteacher harbors more than a few surprises. 

With On a Summer Tide, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher begins a brand-new contemporary romance series that is sure to delight her fans and draw new ones.  

Click here to purchase your copy.  

My Thoughts:


I am so ready for summer time and author Fisher’s latest book certainly put me in the mood for quite walks along the beach.  This was a sweet read about a father, three sisters, one grandson, and an island that is in desperate need of revitalization.

Due to an unusual case of laryngitis, Paul Grayson has been unable to return to his career as a sportscaster. So unbeknownst to his three grown daughters, he sells their childhood home and buys an island, the same one where he met their late mother years ago. This was a quite a shock to all three of them and Paul secretly hopes that this project will bring them all back together to the close knit family his wife always dreamed of.

We get quite a bit of story from all three sisters viewpoints as well as their father’s and I really think that helped round out the story. All three sisters couldn’t have been more different, and they each have their own preconceived ideas of each other and the way life should be lived. All have some sort of issues that they are trying to fix, ignore, or run away from and all three are as stubborn as can be.

As the story progressed, however, the island and its people begin take hold of each of them in different and surprising ways. From a restaurant lady who can’t cook to the island’s very attractive school teacher, to the home itself. I really enjoyed watching as each daughter used her God given gifts and talents to work on bettering the camp and their relationships. I look forward to more of their stories as the series continues.

I received 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 an award-winning, bestselling author of more than thirty books, including Mending Fences, as well as the Nantucket Legacy, Amish Beginnings, The Bishop’s Family, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series, among other novels. She is also the author of several nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and The Heart of the Amish. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Facebook @SuzanneWoodsFisherAuthor and Twitter @suzannewfisher.  

More from Suzanne


Oh-So-Maine Blueberry Buckle    

Summer in Maine means plump, tart blueberries are everywhere. Here’s a family recipe that is nearly fool-proof….and so delicious! Especially with a scoop or two with vanilla ice cream.   Ever wonder how it got the name Blueberry Buckle?

While the batter rises as it bakes, but the blueberries and crumb topping weigh it down. This causes the surface of the cake to buckle…hence the name.    

Batter:
¾ cup sugar
¼ cup soft butter
1 egg
½ cup milk
2 cups sifted flour
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 cups drained blueberries

Crumb Topping:
½ cup sugar
½ cup flour
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ cup softened butter

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Mix sugar and butter with egg. Stir in milk Sift together and stir in flour, baking powder and salt. Carefully blend in blueberries. Put on topping before baking. Pour in a greased and floured 9” square pan.

Bake 45-50 minutes.    


 


Blog Stops

Carpe Diem, May 24
Mary Hake, May 25
C Jane Read, May 26
Empower Moms, May 27
Remembrancy, May 27
Hallie Reads, May 29
Quiet Quilter, June 3
By The Book, June 3
 

Giveaway



To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away a 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/e540/on-a-summer-tide-celebration-tour-giveaway

Saturday, May 25, 2019

Weekend Briefing from the Agency

Welcome back, agents. Ready to get this party started? Even if it's not actually a party, and if it were, it would be a work party, so the fun has a limit.

  1. Anyway...


You can still get a copy of Fists of Injustice  to read for free if you sign up now (and if you want, you can also get a copy of Mind of Darkness). Click Here to Get a Piece of the Action

  1. Also...


Heart of Steel won another prize! It tied second place in the Wattpad Butterfly Awards. Unfortunately, that means Alex gets to share his cover with a butterfly, and he isn't happy about that. Click Here to Tease Him And/Or Read for Free



  1. And....




Both Summers of Yesteryear One: At Summer's End (Coming soon to both Wattpad and Swoonreads) and Intergalactic Witness Protection (Coming soon to Wattpad and Mission Head's 100 for 100 project) have had some artwork released on Wattpad.







  1. At last...



Agents Adam and Eve has been nominated for the TCK 2019 Reader's Awards, so if you are a fan of Mission Head's writing, feel free to stop by and show your support with a vote. Using Hypnosis to Make You Click Here





  1. A quick update...


We are still experimenting with the Agency of Books and Spies, so this week's schedule will be:

  • Monday, book review (Kasie West)
  • Tuesday, devotional series part two
  • Wednesday, writing series part two
  • Thursday, relationship series, part two
  • Friday, excerpt from Intergalactic Witness Protection.

What do you think, agents? Which Wattpad story are you looking forward to the most? Which blog series are you enjoying the most? What else would you like to see from the agency?

Comment Below!





Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway: Act of Valor by Dana Mentink


About the Book



Book: Act of Valor  
Author: Dana Mentink  
Genre: Inspirational romantic suspense  
Release Date: June 1, 2019

A True Blue K-9 story …When airline employee Violet Griffin encounters several suspicious passengers, she’s thrust into the crosshairs of a drug smuggling operation. NYPD officer Zach Jameson and his drug detection beagle, Eddie, can tell this is no small-time threat. Someone’s gunning for Violet, and after recently losing his brother, Zach refuses to lose her, too…especially now that she’s gone from friend to the woman he’s falling for.  

Click here to purchase your copy. 

My Thoughts:


Act of Valor was a hard to put down thriller especially with a drug dealer intent on killing Violet, the witness to his smuggling crimes. And he would not stop. Violet happened to witness some shady business at the airport terminal where she worked but before she could do anything about it, she had a target on her back. These guys were ruthless. 

Childhood friend and the man whom she secretly loves, is NYPD officer Zach Jameson and his partner, Eddie the beagle, are intent on keeping Violet safe. Zach is already reeling from his brother’s murder and his faith has taken a hard hit. Zach was bitter and cold when it came to thinking about or addressing his tattered faith, and even though that was hard to read, it was realistic. I am glad that even though his questions may never be answered, at least he does develop a better perspective throughout the story. 

Watching Violet and Zach just keeping dancing around their relationship with one another made the tensions in this book even higher. Not wanting to face having a broken heart in public or ruin her friendship with Zach, she puts on a tough girl act that makes things a bit dangerous for her when she is marked for murder. Both her and Zach could be frustrating at times but I did enjoy his ever faithfulness to protect her no matter what. I am looking forward to more stories of this family of cops.

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


Dana Mentink is a two time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award and a Holt Medallion winner. She is a national bestselling author of over forty titles in the suspense and lighthearted romance genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Barbour, and Harvest House. Dana was thrilled to be a semi-finalist in the Jeanne Robertson Comedy With Class Competition. Besides writing, she busies herself teaching third grade. Mostly, she loves to be home with Papa Bear, teen bear cubs affectionately nicknamed Yogi and Boo Boo, Junie, the nutty terrier, and a chubby box turtle. You can connect with Dana via her website at danamentink.com, on Facebook, YouTube (Author Dana Mentink) and Instagram (dana_mentink.)  

More from Dana


Cops and killers and beagles, oh my! It was a ton of fun writing the second book in the new True Blue K-9 Continuity series. First of all, I had the honor of working with some AMAZING authors. (It’s challenging creating a world together and keeping all those details straight!) I had the privilege of following the amazing Lynette Eason, so that’s always a plus! Second, I learned all about the astonishing world of beagles! Those critters are just amazing. For instance, the original beagles were tiny, only 8 inches tall and could be carried in a pocket, which is why they called them Pocket Beagles. I need one of those! The name beagle comes from the French, which is translated “wide throat” or “loudmouth.” This is well earned by Eddie in my story, who will occasionally let loose with the trademark baying. The beagles small size, general friendliness, and ferocious scent drive, make it the perfect dog to sniff around airports and get into compact spaces. Eddie enjoys doing just that with Zach, his handler and best friend. He earns those gourmet treats that Zach bakes up for him. Best of all, Eddie was rescued from death before he became a canine cop star! It’s just awesome when you can twine fact with fiction to come up with a tail wagging suspense story! I hope you enjoy the second installment in the series!


Blog Stops

Genesis 5020, May 16
Multifarious, May 17
EmpowerMoms, May 20
Remembrancy, May 21
Simple Harvest Reads, May 22 (Guest post from Mindy Houng)
Hallie Reads, May 22
Moments, May 23
Bigreadersite, May 27

Giveaway


 
To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away a grand prize of a print copy of the book, a beagle coloring book, and an 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/e012/act-of-valor-celebration-tour-giveaway