Sunday, October 31, 2021

Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway: The Weather Girls: Stormy by Jennifer Lynn Cary

About the Book

Book: The Weather Girls: Stormy

Author: Jennifer Lynn Cary

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: October 4, 2021

She doesn’t want to talk about it…

…He has no idea what he said.

Will these two ever learn to communicate?

Stormy is usually a people person but when her temper flares, it’s obvious she was aptly named. And now her ire has been piqued. Watch out world.

All but the cardinal are giving her space.

Rob is usually the smartest guy in the room, but when he forgot to think about his words, he turned loose a tornado. Now he’s dealing with the aftermath and praying there’s still enough love to save amidst the debris.

How can he convince Stormy they belong together? Could this be the perfect moment for another person to step in?

Or will the cardinal in the sycamore tree prove Rob’s case?

Return to 1970 Indiana with Stormy, the second book in The Weather Girls series for Women’s Lib, drive-ins, and Christian family values.

You will enjoy Stormy because everyone knows that sometimes you’ve just got to shake things up a bit.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts:

Stormy is the second Day daughter and she certainly has a temper like her name. She and her husband Rob are having marital issues and she stormed out on him and the poor man doesn't even really know what he did or said.

This is the second book in a trilogy. I did not read the first book so I do not know if Rob and Stormy's fight is in that story or not, but we start this book with them already living apart. This trilogy takes place in the 1970's.

Stormy was just a little too stormy for me. I get that she was hurt and as the story goes on, we get past the surface issues and into what is really going on behind Stormy's anger, and it is an issue she needs to share with her husband so that he can help her carry the burden.

Rob was such a sweet guy, but he was really clueless on why his wife left him or how he could win her back. He does love her and her volatile nature and I like that he was not going to give up on her or their marriage.

There are other family issues they are facing in their extended family, the stress of a new business and getting customers, and a very jealous woman who sees her chance to not only ruin Stormy but steal her husband as well. This was quite a drama filled novel. I look forward to the third and Windy's story.

I received 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

Jennifer Lynn Cary likes to say you can take the girl out of Indiana, but you can’t take the Hoosier out of the girl. Now transplanted to the Arizona desert, this direct descendant of Davy Crockett and her husband of forty years enjoy time with family where she shares tales of her small town heritage and family legacies with their grandchildren. She is the author of The Crockett Chronicles series and The Relentless series as well as the stand-alone novella Tales of the Hob Nob Annex Café and her recent split-time novel The Traveling Prayer Shawl.

More from Jennifer

What were you doing in 1970? Were you even around? It’s funny how for some that year is crystal clear in their memory and for some it’s chapter out of a history book.

I remember having lunch with a literary agent who’d been a guest speaker for a writer’s conference I attended. He mentioned that it was strange to him that now 1974 was considered historical. Worse, for me, it was the year I was graduated from high school! Talk about making one feel old.

And yet there’s so many wonderful things about setting a story in the late 60s- to early 70s.

The research is amazing—TV broadcasts, the music, fashions, events—all that is easily assessable on the internet. Plus, want some firsthand anecdotes? Plenty of people around to share their memories.

Unlike going back to Colonial, or Victorian, or Civil War eras, this was easy. Sort of. Or overwhelming with so much to choose from. Ha!

So, with Stormy, the second book in The Weather Girls trilogy, I touched on how the Women’s Movement of the day might have and an effect. There was a lot of rethinking of the male and female roles, a shifting of the paradigm. Should he open her door? Should she let him? When was it okay to think traditionally and when did you need to consider your partner might not like a traditional role? The ERA movement was a BIG deal back then.

So, even if you don’t remember it, I hope you will have fun going back to 1970 Kokomo with Stormy and me. I look forward to seeing you there. 😉

Abundant blessings!

Blog Stops

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 29

Blogging With Carol, October 29

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 30

The Author Reads, October 30

Pause for Tales, October 31

Vicky Sluiter, November 1

Connect in Fiction, November 2

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 3

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, November 3

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 4

Texas Book-aholic, November 5

Inklings and notions, November 6

Connie’s History Classroom, November 7

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, November 7

deb’s Book Review, November 8

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 9

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, November 9

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, November 10

Batya’s Bits, November 11

For Him and My Family, November 11

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon card with a 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/12b84/the-weather-girls-stormy-celebration-tour-giveaway

Saturday, October 30, 2021

Review: The Heart of a Cowboy by Jody Hedlund

About:

When he agreed to guard her, he never bargained on having to guard his heart.

Brilliant scientist Linnea Newberry is on the adventure of a lifetime, traveling the Santa Fe Trail with her grandfather, Dr. Howell, on a botanical expedition to Colorado Territory. She longs to be valued for her contributions and not seen as a helpless liability. But at every calamity she faces, her grandfather threatens to send her home.

After watching his ma suffer and die in childbirth, Flynn McQuaid has sworn off women and marriage forever. Headed west to start a new life, he has his hands full not only taking care of his younger siblings but also delivering cattle to his older brother. He doesn't need more complications.

When Flynn rescues Linnea from drowning during a river crossing, Dr. Howell promptly hires Flynn--unbeknownst to Linnea--to act as her bodyguard for the rest of the trip. As Flynn fights against the many dangers of the trail, he soon finds himself in the greatest danger of all--falling for a woman he's determined not to love.

My Thoughts:

Flynn and his younger brother and sister are on there way with their business venture of cattle to meet up with their older brother Wyatt. (Wyatt is from the first book in this series and I gave his story five stars.) But this is Flynn's journey out west after the nightmare they have lived through and his poor attempts to stop his younger brother, Brody, from signing up to fight in the Civil war.

On their way they meet up with a wagon train of scientists who are going out west to study plants. Among them is Linnea Newbury who is also a scientist and knows because she is a woman how hard she must work to keep her position. In a time that this was not the norm for women, Linnea was raised with a forward thinking mother and a loving family. She is traveling with her grandfather, who loves her dearly. She strives to show him and all the men that she can make this trip and be an asset and not a liability.

Unfortunately for Linnea she seems to be accident and danger prone. And Flynn seems to be rescuing her from one scrape or another. There is a secret bargain struck between Flynn and her grandfather that is beneficial to both, however it might just come back to haunt Flynn.

I really liked Flynn and Linnea and their obvious chemistry both try to dance around. Flynn is a loyal and protective man. Not overly so but it is enduring and sweet. Linnea is a woman and she is not ashamed of that. She realizes she is weaker in some ways and she is not headstrong or stubborn that she can't take and heed advice. That was refreshing. They really did treat each other as equals.

I am really enjoying this series and this particular story had a few twists and turns that made for a memorable wagon train out west.

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:

Jody Hedlund (www.jodyhedlund.com) is the bestselling author of more than thirty historical novels for both adults and teens, including Come Back to Me, and is the winner of numerous awards, including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Awards. Jody lives in Michigan with her husband, busy family, and five spoiled cats. She loves to imagine that she really can visit the past, although she's yet to accomplish the feat, except via the many books she reads.

Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway: Wonders of the Galaxy

About the Book

Book: Wonders of the Galaxy

Author: Various Elk Lake Authors

Genre: Speculative Fiction

Release date: September 15, 2021

A series of space tales based on parables from the Holy Bible.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts:

Wonders of the Galaxy is a unique approach to getting the truths or retelling the parables of Jesus in a space opera format. These are nine short tales that also showed me writing styles from all new authors that I have not read before.

I must admit that space opera's are not necessarily a favorite of mine. I do like Star Wars and Firefly, and I have a favorite author who has written a series that I have been reading. This collection pulled me in because I was very interested in how the authors would handle the parables. Sometimes I was not sure that I saw the parable, but it was more that a truth from a particular parable was being shown and how that may play out in life.

This would make a great read especially for young people. I have already recommended my teenage son read this as it sounds like something that would interest him.

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 Authors

Jason William Karpf is a multitalented actor, musician, professor, and Jeopardy champion whose writing runs the gamut from true crime to speculative fiction.

Aaron Gansky is an award-winning novelist and Dungeons and Dragons whiz who lives for his children, coaching football, and watch Marvel movies.

Erica Marie Hogan’s books range from long ago historical dramas to frozen fantasies on faraway planets. Regardless of where the story originates, it comes from the heart—because Erica believes genres are transcendent.

Brett Heaston is the creator of the Message to Kings podcast and the author of The Resilience Awakening. He lives in the Pacific Northwest, a history nerd, and an adventure junkie.

Steve South is a traveler, a karaoke singer, and a profound believer in the power for stories to move people; his first novel, The Queen of Steel and Fire, won the 2019 Minnesota Author Project Award for YA fiction.

L.G. Westlake lives in the “Land of Enchantment,” but also lives a dream life in far-flung galaxies where she regularly charts the unknown; her previous novels have included award-winning fantasies and thrillers.

M B Dahl is a wife, mother, and award-winning author of dystopian adventures. She loves dressing up like a warrior and fighting dragons, imaginary or real.

T.E. Bradford is an international bestselling author, a Selah award finalist, and a self-proclaimed geek who believes her writing is “a little piece of magic” given to her by God.

Travis W. Inman has been a cowboy, a missionary, a soldier, and more in his multi-storied career, and his stories reflect his diverse background. In his spare time, he searches for hidden treasure, both financial and culinary.

More from the Editor

WHY A CHRISTIAN SPACE OPERA?

“What do you like to read,” I asked my seventeen-year-old grandson.

When he said he likes Space Opera, I had to admit I was lost. I love Science Fiction but didn’t know Space Opera was different. After ordering him a book, I started doing some research. Phrases like, “wildly popular” spoke to me.

Christians use a variety of fiction genres to reach their audiences. I wondered if we were losing younger readers because we are not being relevant to what interests them. Could this genre be presented in a way to encourage young readers to see new truths in the Bible?

Space Opera is a subgenre of science fiction and usually emphasizes space warfare, melodramatic space adventures, or chivalric romance. These themes, while occurring in outer space, will feature such elements as faster-than-light travel, futuristic weapons, and sophisticated technology.

Not surprising this genre is popular with kids today whose lives evolve around the latest technological advancement.

The name is a takeoff from “soap opera” because of its melodramatic presentation. Space operas emerged in the 1930s and continue to be produced in literature, film, comics, television, and video games.

As I pondered these concepts, an idea developed to present a Space Opera anthology, aimed at high school level, to use the parables as inspiration behind the stories. When I presented the idea to my publisher, I received an enthusiastic nod of approval. And the rest is history.

We are confident young people will enjoy these highly imaginative stories penned by some of Elk Lake’s best authors. Each story contains a synopsis of the related parable and how the parable is used in the telling of the story. Additionally, each story has an engaging graphic to whet the imagination.

To our knowledge, this is new for Christian publishing. We look forward to our readers’ comments and to Wonders of the Galaxy II in 2022.

Linda Wood Rondeau

Project Manager

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 18

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 18

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, October 19

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 20

Cats in the Cradle Blog, October 20

Texas Book-aholic, October 21

Inklings and notions, October 22

By the Book, October 22

A Reader’s Brain, October 23

For Him and My Family, October 24

April Hayman, Author, October 24

deb’s Book Review, October 25

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 26

Blogging With Carol, October 26

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, October 27

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 28

Blossoms and Blessings, October 28

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, October 29

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, October 30

Pause for Tales, October 30

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, October 31

Giveaway

To celebrate their tour, the Various Elk Lake Authors are giving away the grand prize package of a book from each author in the anthology!! (Format may vary for each 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/122a1/wonders-of-the-galaxy-celebration-tour-giveaway

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Review and Giveaway: Chipper Makes Merry by Kimber Fox Morgan Illustrated by Kim Sponaugle

Join Us for This Tour From October 4 to October 29

Book Details:

Book Title: Chipper Makes Merry by Kimber Fox Morgan
Category: Children's Fictions (Ages 3-7)
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Publisher: Simple Wonder Press, 34 pages
Release date: October 2021
Content Rating: Rated G - Suitable for All Ages

Book Description:

A "Mom's Choice Award Winner"!

Tip toe, tip toe, crackle, crunch!

Chipper the Fox sneaks through the forest to spread cheer to his weary friends. Will his merry making be a success? Or will a smelly fish disaster and a log pile tumble ruin his plans?

“Chipper Makes Merry” takes you on Chipper’s arctic quest filled with lessons of love, kindness and determination.

Buy The Book:
Kimber Fox Morgan ~ Amazon

My Thoughts:

Chipper Makes Merry is an adorable children's book about an artic fox who tries to bring goodness to his friends. He certainly has wonderful ideas that will bring some happiness and cheer to those who are down, hurt, or lacking in some way. Unfortunately for Chipper, even though his heart is in the right place, his plans don't quite go off as planned. But he is Chipper and he does keep trying.

While he still trying to bring some holiday cheer to friends in this cold winter, he also learns a valuable lesson. Sometimes it helps and is best to let others in on the surprise and to help you.

I enjoyed this cute little book about a bleak winter and a happy fox whose heart is in the right place. The illustrations are bright and colorful with lessons for both the old and the young.

I received 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.

Meet the Author:

Morgan is a fun wife, and imperfect mom of 3 crazy kiddos and 2 little lemon (problematic) dogs. She tries to live her strengths the best she can. She likes to say she is creative, not crafty. Morgan is a homemade Halloween costume type of mom. She lets her kids mix the play doh. She bakes fun birthday cakes (cutely, but far from perfection). She loves a homemade valentine and a school project. Chipper the Fox is an extension of Morgan's creative strength. Originally designed as character to create merry during the holiday season, Chipper has grown and developed into a story of determination and love.

connect with the author: website ~ instagram ~ facebook

Tour Schedule:

Oct 4 – Pick a Good Book – book review / author interview / giveaway
Oct 4 - Cheryl's Book Nook – book review / giveaway
Oct 4 - Working Mommy Journal - book review / giveaway
Oct 5 – Cover Lover Book Review – book review / giveaway
Oct 5 - Sandra's Book Club – book review / giveaway
Oct 6 – Rockin' Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
Oct 6 - Splashes of Joy - book review / author interview / giveaway
Oct 7 – A Mama's Corner of the World – book review / giveaway
Oct 7 - Bound 4 Escape - book review / giveaway
Oct 8 – Kam's Place – book review
Oct 12 – The Phantom Paragrapher – book review
Oct 12 - The Book Review Crew - book review / author interview / giveaway
Oct 13 – Older & Smarter? – book review / guest post / giveaway
Oct 13 - The Adventures of a Traveler's Wife - book review / guest post / giveaway
Oct 14 – Wottaread – book spotlight / author interview
Oct 14 - Chit Chat with Charity - book review / guest post / giveaway
Oct 15 – Because I said so -- and other adventures in Parenting - book review / author interview / giveaway
Oct 18 – Sefina Hawke's Books – book spotlight
Oct 19 – Laura's Interests – book review / guest post / giveaway
Oct 20 – Lisa's Reading – book review / giveaway
Oct 20 - icefairy's Treasure Chest - book review / giveaway
Oct 21 – jayme_reads – book review
Oct 21 - I'd Rather Be At The Beach - book review / giveaway
Oct 22 – Books for Books – book review
Oct 22 - Nighttime Reading Center - book review / giveaway
Oct 25 – Writer with Wanderlust – book review / guest post / giveaway
Oct 25 - Reading Authors Network - book review/ giveaway
Oct 26 – I'm Into Books – book review / giveaway
Oct 26 - Westveil Publishing - book review / giveaway
Oct 27 – Pause for Tales – book review / giveaway
Oct 27 - Jazzy Book Reviews - book review / giveaway
Oct 28 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / giveaway
Oct 28 - Rajiv's Reviews - book review
Oct 29 – Literary Flits – book spotlight / giveaway
Oct 29 - @twilight_reader - book review

Enter the Giveaway:

CHIPPER MAKES MERRY Book Tour Giveaway

Thursday, October 21, 2021

Cover Reveal: Of Stars and Shadows by Nicki Chapelway

I am pleased and excited to be part of the cover reveal for Nicki Chapelway's upcoming new story. But first what is it about? Glad you asked, here is the blurb:

My gaze flicks up to Ravven who is resting with his eyes closed, pale and gaunt just a shadow of the former self he was only days ago. “So, what is your plan? I’m assuming that you have a plan.”

“More like a gamble.”

“And I’m part of that gamble? Are you sure that is wise? You know, considering our somewhat twisted history?”

Jaye MacCullagh may be the Fair Assassin now, but her troubles are far from over. Even though she killed the faerie enslaving her brother, she and Thomas are still just as trapped in the Otherworld as before. Only this time by the deceitfully glamorous Sidhe faeries of the Spring Court. Returning home seems like an impossible dream, especially when Jaye discovers that Ravven Crowe, the king of the Spring Court and her soulmate, is still alive… if just barely. Ravven needs Jaye’s help to discover how he survived, and how to stop himself from dying again. He is fading away and somehow Jaye is weakening alongside him. The only hope for either of them is for Ravven to reclaim his immortality by becoming a faerie again.

However, there is only one way for mortals to turn into faeries. They must drink from the well of Stars and Shadow on the night of the Feast of Starlight. Each court has a way to the well, but they guard it fiercely to keep just any human from becoming one of them. With every other way to the well barred, Jaye and Ravven are left with only one option. They must enter a deadly labyrinth created by the Spring Court. If they can survive and if they can make it through to the other side, the well is theirs. But in the faerie world, nothing is that simple. Especially where the Spring Court is concerned. Forced to trust the man who ruined her or risk losing him forever, Jaye struggles with her convoluted feelings toward both Ravven and the faerie world. However, when her family arrives looking for her, Jaye feels further strained. Everything Jaye has ever cared about is at the mercy of the Otherworlds, and she can’t shake the feeling that no matter how hard she fights to win she is going to lose this time.

Link to Add to Goodreads.

Link to Pinterest Board.

Link to Spotify Playlist.

Link to Purchase Book One.

Author's Blog.

And Now for the exciting and beautiful cover:

This is the second in the Of Dreams and Nightmares trilogy. Here they are together:

Monday, October 18, 2021

Review: Since You've Been Gone by Tari Faris

About:

With her vision and his know-how, this thing just might work . . .

Leah Williams is back in the quaint town of Heritage, Michigan, and ready to try again to make her business a success. But blank slates are hard to come by, and a piece of her past is waiting for her there. Heir to the Heritage Fruits company, Jonathan Kensington is the guy who not only made Leah's past difficult, but he also seems determined to complicate her present as well.

In order to avoid forcing a buyout of Leah's building, Jon will have to strike a compromise. Can the two of them work together? Or will their troubled past set the tone for their future?

My Thoughts:

This story seems to have the theme of coming back home and that is where you will find your second chance at love and life. This is the third in the series and we do get visits from previous characters. There were also two couples to watch. Two women came back to Heritage, one being a so called bad girl coming home and the other one trying to open and restore her grandfather's store.

I liked both couples and their stories kept me interested. But Jonathan Kensington was my favorite character. He knew what he wanted, he was determined yet not at all a pushy guy. I just found his character very romantic and yes swoony. He didn't sugar coat things, he said what he said and he meant it. He was very open about his feelings, past and present, with Leah. And Leah pretty much did not believe him at first, but he did not change how he felt or what he said.

Leah was a girl coming back home after trying to find herself elsewhere. She is very creative and she wants to reopen her grandfather's store. Jon plays a very big role in her business decisions and he really does have a head for business. I liked watching them as a team working alongside together and falling in love.

All the characters are doing their best to live life and they have a lot going on individually. We really get to know them and I found this story to be seamlessly told.

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

About the Author:

Tari Faris is the author of You Belong with Me and Until I Met You. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers and My Book Therapy, she is the projects manager for My Book Therapy, writes for learnhowtowriteanovel.com, and is a 2017 Genesis Award winner. She has an MDiv from Asbury Theological Seminary and lives in the Phoenix, Arizona, area with her husband and their three children. Although she lives in the Southwest now, she lived in a small town in Michigan for 25 years. Learn more at TariFaris.com.

Friday, October 15, 2021

Review and Giveaway: My Cat is Blue by Sarah Sommer

Join Us For This Tour From October 5 to October 18

Book Details:

Book Title: My Cat Is Blue by Sarah Sommer
Category: Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7), 36 pages
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Publisher: Mascot Books
Release date: October 2021
Content Rating: G - Children's picture book featuring feelings of sadness and grief (loss of a pet), but no explicit content or language.

Book Description:

When someone you love is feeling down in the dumps, you try everything to help. But sometimes, you don't have the cure, and those blues can even become contagious. It just might be the unexpected that allows you both to shed your blues and move toward a bright and colorful future.

Buy the Book
Mascot Books
Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble
Chapters Indigo ~ Books-A-Million

My Thoughts:

My Cat is Blue is a very touching storybook of a child seeing and grieving with her pet cat at the loss of their pet dog. We lost our almost 10 year old German Shepherd this year and the suddenness of the loss and the heartbreak we felt as humans was keenly felt. However, we have a little teddy bear puppy who never experienced what suddenly she was experiencing. The loss of her best friend. And yes, she was blue and changed.

So we did what this book suggested (before I got this book) and brought her home another companion. Is everything better? No, there have certainly been some hiccups but I am hoping we are on our way. All of my kids read this book, even my adult children and yes it brought tears to all our eyes.

If you or your family have recently lost a pet, this is an excellent story to help understand what a child and even a pet may be going through with some helpful suggestions.

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

JOIN SARAH SOMMER FOR AUTHORS ON ITOUR'S BROWN BAG LUNCH: OCT 8, 12 Noon (EST)

Meet the Author:

Sarah Sommer is an award-winning children's picture book author who blends her love for music, animals, and positivity in her books. Having trained in classical music and performed internationally as a professional clarinetist, rhymes and lyrics are an important part of her writing style. She is an advocate for animals, as seen in her work fostering German shepherds, and as a result, animals are always a central part of her stories. Sarah aims to include encouraging themes, such as helping others, in all of her narratives because we all need a little help sometimes.

connect with the author: website ~ facebook ~ goodreads ~ instagram

Tour Schedule:

Oct 5 – Cover Lover Book Review – book review / giveaway
Oct 5 - Rockin' Book Reviews – book review / giveaway
Oct 6 – Bound 4 Escape – book review / giveaway
Oct 6 - Kam's Place – book review
Oct 7 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book review / giveaway
Oct 7 - Pick a Good Book – book review / giveaway
Oct 8 – Splashes of Joy – book review / giveaway
Oct 8 - Mochas, Mysteries and Meows – book review / giveaway
Oct 11 – The Adventures of a Traveler's Wife – book review / giveaway
Oct 12 – Lisa's Reading – book review / giveaway
Oct 12 - icefairy's Treasure Chest – book review / giveaway
Oct 13 – From the TBR Pile – book review / giveaway
Oct 13 - The Momma Spot – book review / giveaway
Oct 14 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review / giveaway
Oct 14 - Laura's Interests – book review / giveaway
Oct 15 – Locks, Hooks And Books - book review / giveaway
Oct 15 - Pause for Tales – book review / giveaway
Oct 18 – I'm Into Books – book review / giveaway
Oct 18 - Rajiv's Reviews – book review / giveaway

Enter the Giveaway:

MY CAT IS BLUE Book Tour Giveaway

Wednesday, October 13, 2021

Review and Giveaway: Grace Under Siege Not a Love Story by Rene' Voland

Join Us for This Tour from September 27 to October 15!

Book Details:

Book Title: Grace Under Siege: Not a Love Story by René Voland
Category: Adult Fiction 18+, 286 pages
Genre: Psychological Fiction, Psychological Thriller
Publisher: Solomon' s Books Press
Release date: April 2021
Content Rating: Rated G. It has no explicit sex scenes, religious expletives or bad language

Book Description:

Grace, a newlywed in her 30's, discovers that her new life isn't exactly what she expected. Her husband Narcissus is a handsome, former special agent whose puzzling behavior follows a mysterious pattern. Despite Grace's best efforts, she finds it incredibly difficult to build a happy life with him. The ultimate revelation leads to a showdown with Narcissus. Grace believes the well-being of others depend on what she must reveal.

My Thoughts:

Grace is a woman who has been through much trauma on her way to finding a happily ever after. She is attempting to marry for the third time to a man that she wishes she had met from the very start. Her first marriage ended in heartbreak and her second ended with emotional wounds that are going to take a long, long time to heal. As she already feels that she is looking over her shoulder constantly making sure her ex-husband, Narcissus, is not around.

The story was told interestingly. First we are companions with Grace as she sees her counselor and they discuss what happened to her and how she can move forward. Grace not only had poor taste in men, but she also learns she needs to be very careful in the friends she picks as well. As the rest of her story comes out in a very non conventional way.

I was interested in how this story would evolve and it is well written and shows some of the hard, scary truths of being careful of who you trust. Definitely not a love story.

I received 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.

Buy the Book
Amazon
add to goodreads

Meet the Author:

René is an author, playwright, poet and publisher/editor. She is a seasoned business owner, private coach and ministerial leader. Grace Under Siege is her debut novel. She and her spouse live in Georgia. She is a graduate of Georgia State University.

connect with the author: website ~ instagram

Tour Schedule:

Sep 27 – Cover Lover Book Review – book spotlight / giveaway
Sep 27 - Rockin' Book Tours – book review / guest pot / giveaway
Sep 28 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Sep 28 - Viviana MacKade – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Sep 28 - Celticlady's Reviews - book spotlight / giveaway
Sep 29 –Sadie's Spotlight - book spotlight
Oct 1 – Literary Flits – book spotlight / giveaway
Oct 4 – Kam's Place – book review
Oct 4 - I'm Into Books - book spotlight / giveaway
Oct 5 – Laura's Interests – book spotlight / giveaway
Oct 6 – Leels Loves Books – book spotlight / giveaway
Oct 7 – Pick a Good Book – book review / author interview / giveaway
Oct 12 - Splashes of Joy – book review / giveaway
Oct 13 – Pause for Tales – book review / giveaway
Oct 14 - Cheryl's Book Nook - book spotlight / giveaway
Oct 15 – fundinmental - book spotlight / giveaway
Oct 15 – Sadie's Spotlight – spotlight / giveaway

Enter the Giveaway:

Tuesday, October 12, 2021

Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway: A Warrior's Heart by Misty M. Beller

About the Book

Book: A Warrior’s Heart

Author: Misty M. Beller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: August 31, 2021

Brielle Durand still feels haunted by the massacre that killed her mother a dozen years before. Vowing to never let it happen again, she’s risen to be the key defender for her people’s peace-loving French settlement living in hidden caves in the Canadian Rockies. When a foreigner wanders too near to their secret homes, she has no choice but to disarm and capture him. But now, what to do with this man who looks at her in a strange way and insists he can be trusted?

Hoping to escape past regrets, Evan MacManus ventured into the unknown, assigned to discover if the northern mountains contain an explosive mineral that might help America win the War of 1812. Despite being taken prisoner, Evan is determined to complete his mission. But when that assignment becomes at odds with his growing appreciation of the villagers and Brielle, does he follow through on the promise he’s made to his government or take a risk on the path his heart is leading him down? Either choice will cause harm to someone.

Brielle and Evan must reconcile the warring in their hearts, if they’ve any hope to find the peace the seek.

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My Thoughts:

This was quite a different sort of book that takes a look at what a people will do to protect themselves from the outside world. The author takes a fictional look at what if there was a hidden civilization in the Rocky mountains that hid themselves from the rest of the world.

Brielle is a woman warrior who takes protecting her people seriously. They have only really dealt with evil from the outside world so this wanderer who has made a way to their mountain must be dealt with. Wounding her victim she takes him back to their home, in the caves.

For a lot of the story Evan is their prisoner and he is confined to the cave. However, the story unfolds as we get Evan's story for being there, it is the year 1812 and America is in war with England again. We also get the village story and Brielle's as well. There was action that takes place in the latter half of the book. Author Beller is great at atmospheric reads in the wilds of the mountains and you can certainly imagine the cold and the heat.

I found this book interesting as how cut off this people was. They did not even know of the geopolitical changes that had happened to the Americans or the Canadians. This story kind of read like a fantasy as well, though it is not, it was just the difference of the people.

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

Misty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.

She was raised on a farm in South Carolina, so her Southern roots run deep. Growing up, her family was close, and they continue to keep that priority today. Her husband and children now add another dimension to her life, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

God has placed a desire in Misty’s heart to combine her love for Christian fiction and the simpler ranch life, writing historical novels that display God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.

More from Misty

A secret village living in hidden caves for a century…

One of the fun things about being a writer is letting your imagine run away with itself at times. In general, I’ve never considered myself a creative person. Not like my grandmother, who’s an amazing artist and decorator. She can look at something plain and normal and, with a little paint, create something truly beautiful.

But little by little, I’ve finally learned that just because I don’t feel creative like she is, I still have an imagination that can come up with intriguing ideas.

For example, I was listening to a historical podcast a few years ago that talked about the Vikings and the female warriors who would sometimes gain fame among them. As the hosts talked about the first Viking raids to North America, I started thinking… “What if one of those groups went farther west than any of us thought? What if they found the Rocky Mountains and lived there in a hidden community for centuries?” The thought took hold, and little by little, the idea for the Brides of Laurent series came to life.

I eventually changed the village to be a French settlement named Laurent. The village’s primary warrior was a woman named Brielle Durand, who’d worked hard to win her place as Le Commandant, leader of the Guards and Hunters. I love Brielle’s strength and wit, but also how real her personal struggles became as I wrote her character.

Add in a mountain man spy working for the United States government, and you have the secret for a romance with sparks to light up the mountain sky!

I pray you love A Warrior’s Heart, the first book in this new series. And keep an eye on some of the other characters in the book who might get their own stories soon!

Blessings!

Misty