Review and Giveaway: I Celebrate My Voice by Nonku Kunene Adumetey Illustrated by Mary K. Biswas

 

Join Us for This Tour from February 14 to March 4!

Book Details:

Book Title:  I Celebrate My Voice by Nonku Kunene Adumetey
Category: Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7),  37 pages
Genre: Children's Book
Publisher:  Nonku's Corner Publishing 
Release date:  February, 2022
Content Rating:  Rated G. Suitable for everyone

 

 

 Book Description:

I Celebrate My Voice is a fun and lovely introduction to what it means to use your voice. With breathtaking illustrations, this book shows young children how limitless their voices are. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from – you have a voice and it matters.

 

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ B&N
BookBub
add to goodreads​

My Thoughts:

Children are sometimes looked over, because they are kids and require supervision, etc., and sometimes they may feel like they are not ever heard and maybe even sometimes not seen for who they are, unique individuals. In I Celebrate My Voice, children are shown that they are heard, and they can even express themselves in different, helpful ways.

Whether it is singing, dancing, playing, or even swimming- children are unique and each one is expressive in their own ways. The first half of the book shows all the ways a kid can express his/her voice and also compares that with animals and their uniqueness in how they express who they are as well.

The later pages of the book explores how a child might use his voice in helping others and the world, while still being themselves. The artwork is bright and expressive and there are a couple of pages to color included and even make this book extra special.

In a time of much noise, this book shows that it is ok for a child to be who they are made to be and to express that in ways that make them joyful and in tasks that they can even excel at. Even bringing some goodness to others.

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

 

Meet the Author:

Nonkululeko Kunene Adumetey (also known as Nonku) is an award-winning author, loving wife and devoted mother of two happy toddlers. Her children both love singing, story time, and tasting home-cooked cuisines. When Nonku tastes delicious food, she hums a blissful tune, which she never realized until both her children started humming along.

Nonku was born in the Kingdom of Eswatini, where she lived until she was 16. She left to complete high school in Canada and later moved to the United States to pursue her college education.

Her passion is to inspire her children and all children to celebrate who they are, understand their differences are beautiful, know their diversity is a strength, and believe their voices are should be heard.

Her hero is her late father, Themba Micah Kunene, a man from humble beginnings who worked tirelessly to provide a full life for his eight children. Her father’s unconditional love, wisdom, selflessness, and work ethic inspire the core of Nonku’s principles and life mottos. One of his favorite mottos was "umtsentse uhlaba usamila”, a saying about a strong grass that gets deeply rooted during its early stages of development. The essence of this saying embodies the core of early intervention and teaching young minds early so that they grow up strong and informed about the world. This is what inspires Nonku to write children’s book, to inspire and empower young minds for a greater future.   

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

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Tour Schedule:

Feb 14 – Cover Lover Book Review – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 15 – Rockin' Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
Feb 15 - A Mama's Corner of the World – book review / giveaway
Feb 16 – Splashes of Joy – book review / guest post / giveaway
Feb 16 - The Phantom Paragrapher – book review / giveaway
Feb 17 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
Feb 22 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / giveaway
Feb 22 - Lisa Everyday Life – book spotlight
Feb 23 – Lamon Reviews – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Feb 23 – fundinmental – book review / giveaway
Feb 24 – icefairy's Treasure Chest – book review / giveaway
Feb 24 - Older & Smarter? – book review / guest post / giveaway
Feb 25 – Pause for Tales – book review / giveaway
Feb 25 - Reading is My Passion – book review
Feb 28 – Kam's Place – book review
Mar 1 – Westveil Publishing – book review / author interview / giveaway
Mar 2 – bujos_n_books – book review / author interview / giveaway
Mar 2 – Literary Flits – book spotlight / giveaway
Mar 3 – @twilight_reader – book review
Mar 4 – Lisa's Reading – book review / giveaway
Mar 4 - Books for Books – book review
 

Enter the Giveaway:

 

I CELEBRATE MY VOICE Book Tour Giveaway

 

 

Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway: The Struggle for Love by Marilyn T. Parker

 

 

About the Book

Book: The Struggle for Love

Author: Marilyn T. Parker

Genre: Biblical Fiction

Release date: November 2, 2021

Two sisters married to the same man. A man who loves only one.

Leah didn’t want a marriage without love. A strong and capable woman, she had determined to live a life of service as a midwife, bringing other women’s children into the world, allowing her father to breach tradition and betroth her beautiful younger sister first. But that was not to be.

Forced by her father to pose as her sister, Leah goes to Jacob’s wedding bed. When Jacob awakens to find Leah instead of the beautiful Rachel, he tells Leah that he will provide for her and do what a husband must, but she will never have his love.

Rejected by her husband and her relationship with her beloved sister broken, will Leah be able to keep her faith in the God of Abraham through the tragedies to come? Will Jacob see Leah for the woman she truly is? Will these two wives of the patriarch mend their relationship before it’s too late?

Enjoy this beautiful story of a woman overlooked by history but not by God. In Genesis 29:31 the scripture says, “When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved—” God was watching over Leah. And He’s watching over you.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

My Thoughts:

The story of Leah from the Old Testament was one in which my heart always went out to. The woman who was not loved by her husband and overlooked because of the beauty of her sister. But God saw her, and He gave her the blessings of children.

I really felt the author did justice to her story. We know Leah was unloved, forced by her father do deceive Jacob, to constantly be in odds with her sister, and to have to share her husband with Rachel. All of this plus knowing Jacob did not love her. The author does take some fictional liberties but dives deeper into more of the emotional ramifications of what may or may not have happened. It was a very good 'what if' story and I think we can all agree Leah was certainly not one to be envied.

We are given various characters point of views, especially Leah's and Jacob's. All the major happenings are in the story and the story grows from there. What was Leah feeling, what was Jacob feeling, and what in the world was going on in their minds? Could God have brought all of His promises about without all the deceit? Yes, yes, I believe He could, but unfortunately people are going to be people. 

I enjoyed this very detailed fictional account of Leah, her walk-in life, her love for her husband, her sister, the other concubines, her sons, and her daughter Dinah. Hers was not an easy or necessarily happy road, but she walked it in faithfulness and let God use her for His greater glory.

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

Marilyn has worn many hats in her life: school teacher, pastor’s wife, mother of four God-loving children, and best of all—Grammy! She is presently the older member of a mother/daughter blogging duo with her wonderful daughter, Rebecca. They co-author Persevering Women, a blog full of inspiration to help women live above their circumstances.

Four years after becoming a widow, Marilyn married Peter Parker. Yes! She’s Mrs. Spiderman! Marilyn says she is truly married to her superhero.

When Marilyn and Peter are not traipsing around the country in their RV, they reside in Buckeye, Arizona with their monster dog, Mimi (don’t let the cute name fool you!). Marilyn’s greatest desire is that her work bring glory to God.

 

More from Marilyn

When I was seven or eight years old, I entered a writing contest for elementary students sponsored by the local newspaper. I won! Actually, I won two years in a row. I still remember some things about those stories. I remember that one was about a little girl who was so poor, she had to use fall leaves to make Christmas cards. Uh, kind of got my seasons mixed up there—but the storyline must have been good! That was the beginning of my writing career!

 

So why do I write biblical fiction?

 

Can’t people just read their Bibles? Yes. Of course. But years ago, when I was reading through the book of Genesis, studying the lives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, one of Jacob’s wives caught my attention.

 

Genesis 29:31 When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved—

 

God was watching Leah. Can you imagine it? The God of the Universe leaning over the portal of heaven to get a better view of an unloved woman! I was hooked on the story right then. The scriptures were scant, but the story was hiding there in subtle hints. As I fleshed out Leah’s life from the Word, I fell more in love with the God who originally wrote her story. The Great Storyteller who knew both Leah and me before He laid the foundation of the earth, and who wrote our stories with love, promising us the best of all happy endings with Him.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 15

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 15

Girls in White Dresses, February 16

Texas Book-aholic, February 17

Blogging With Carol, February 17

Inklings and notions, February 18

For Him and My Family, February 19

Breny and Books, February 19

deb’s Book Review, February 20

Batya’s Bits, February 20

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, February 21

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 22

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 23

Pause for Tales, February 23

Connie’s History Classroom, February 24

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, February 25

Mary Hake, February 25

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 26

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, February 27 (Spotlight)

Spoken from the Heart, February 27

Lights in a Dark World, February 28

Genesis 5020, February 28

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Marilyn is giving away the grand prize package of a $100 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/1a45f/the-struggle-for-love-celebration-tour-giveaway

Cover Reveal: A Matter of Curiosity by Nicki Chapelway

It is time for another amazing cover reveal for author Nicki Chapelway. First things first here is a little bit about the book:

Blurb:

It has been nearly a year since the events that put her mother in a coma. Since her grandfather and Dante were imprisoned in the Unrealm. Since she’s last stepped foot in Amar. Trying to put heartache and broken promises behind her, Alicia attempts for the first time in her existence to actually live a regular life with the help of her cousin Olivia who is determined to forget everything that ever happened in Amar. But as cracks begin appearing everywhere, showing glimpses into the other worlds, Alicia realizes that “normal” has always been helplessly out of her reach.

Marius is fighting to break free from his prison, and reality is tearing at the seams to try to hold him in. The only way to save the four realms is for Alicia to find a way to stop her grandfather once and for all. But how does one defeat an immortal? Alicia offers him a bargain. Play a game against her, winner takes all. The stakes are her future, her mother’s life, and the freedom of the boy she loved—and still possibly might. Only the most powerful mage in all Amar will walk away. But in order to win, Alicia must become like her grandfather and be willing to use her friends as pawns. People have betrayed her, but that’s just an occupational hazard, right? What goes around comes around doesn’t it? Anything is fair game when the fate of everything is involved.

In this twisted world trust, safety, and sanity are all just an illusion. And sometimes reality doesn’t deserve to be saved.

 

My story ended with the word, “Run.”

One tiny, little, three letter word, and it all came to a crashing final halt.

......

Sometimes I like to imagine six impossible things and make them real.

Impossible thing one: I freed Dante

Impossible thing two: I will defeat Marius

Impossible thing three: I will prove to Dante that he loves me

Impossible thing four: I will prove to Olivia that she loves Eugene

Impossible thing five: I will find a way to help my mother

Impossible thing six: I can do all of these things at no personal cost to myself

.....

And now the cover reveal...

 

Isn't she pretty?!

 

Here the series is together...

Review: Mischief, Mayhem, and Marriage by Rebecca Connolly

 

About:

One good scandal deserves another...

Lady Alexandrina Lawson has never minded her widowhood. After the disaster that was her first marriage, she found it rather enjoyable, despite the pity she received. What the public saw as devoted mourning to a respected man was, in fact, a complete disinterest in participating in anything Society could offer her ever again. When an invitation to a cousin's London event proves disastrous for Alexandrina, her reputation, and that of her child, her choice becomes simple: rescue or ruin.

Enter Taft Debenham, Earl of Harwood.

Taft could not have less interest in Lady Lawson or her cold manner, but neither could he stand by and let her suffer a forced marriage to a drunken idiot. Sacrificing himself on the altar of Society, thinking how his own reputation might benefit, he provides a rather clever solution: marry the woman himself, and claim outrage for the offenses against her. Over the protests of his bride, and those of his own sanity, Taft begins the greatest scheme he could ever imagine. Nothing surprises him more than beginning to discover that his wife has a heart beneath her icy exterior.

And that he would do almost anything to claim it.

My Thoughts:

What another delightful read from the pen of author Connolly. This one was a bit of a "shot gun" forced marriage, (by Taft himself) and a marriage of convenience all rolled up in one. Taft and his bride to be, Alexandrina, who I will refer to as Alex as he does, do not really like each other. Not so much in an enemy way, they just don't find the other appealing.

Taft is much too jovial and good-looking of a guy about town who has the most popular house party that everybody whose anybody wants an invite. He for the most part has an easier life than Alex, as he is a man, and a rich one at that.

Alex has already been married once, and her late husband has pretty much shattered any happily ever after's she thought she might have. His family, especially her mother-in-law has shattered Alex's peace of mind and taken something most precious to her. So, with much weighing on her shoulders, Alex comes off as an unhappy person. Not jovial and carefree. The sad truth is she is not. Her role as a widowed woman in society with her mother-in-law lording over her would make anyone unhappy. And poor Alex has not only had her heart broken but I think her spirit as well.

Enter one inconvenient night and Taft, acting as a hero, is now betrothed to Alex. Both tried every which way out of it, but nothing was going to work that would not destroy the rest of what Alex had. Taft was too much of a gentleman for that and so they marry.

What a marriage! Two seemingly opposites learning about one another and falling in love with each other, even with their differences that ended up complementing each other. Their wit was priceless, and the ending was superb. They really were a pair made in paradise.

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.

Review: Lumberjacks and Ladies by Jennifer Lamont Leo, Naomi Musch, Candice Sue Patterson, and Pegg Thomas

 

About:

Lumberjacks and Ladies Work Together to Build America

Struggling to remain independent in the 1800s, four women reluctantly open up to help from lumberjacks—and love.

 

All That Glitters by Candice Sue Patterson

1851—Maine

Winifred finds herself running the family lobstering business when her father and brothers join the California gold rush. Will she stubbornly reject help from a local lumberjack?

 

Winter Roses by Pegg Thomas

1865—Michigan

Elizabeth cooks for a logging crew, spurning the men’s advances, until reoccurring gifts capture her attention. Will she heed her mother’s warning about “shanty boys”?

 

Not for Love by Naomi Much

1881—Wisconsin

Widowed, Maggie seeks a husband—in name only—from the logging camps, but the man who answers her letter is a surprise. Can she open her heart to love again?

 

Undercover Logger by Jennifer Lamont Leo

1890—Idaho

Carrie will not sell her timberland and allows the banker’s nephew to sign onto her logging crew to ferret out the reason she is losing money at an alarming rate. Will truth be revealed to her forlorn heart?

My Thoughts:

Just look at this cover. It is so atmospheric, and it really pulled me into the scenery as I went along on the adventures and loves that these four ladies and their lumberjacks would experience.

I do believe I have only read one of these authors, though I have been eyeing up some of the author's other stories. Author Musch has especially been on my radar for a while now and now the others are going in my wish list as well. This was a really nice little niche of stories as we go through different years and times in the logging communities. The stories are short enough for a quick read and also gives a good sample of the author's style.

From a lumberjack who has to kiss the lady to keep her from panicking, that was unexpected and a bit romantic with a bit humor, to a marriage of convenience, to women trying to keep their dreams alive in a man's world and an unforgiving land, I enjoyed all of these stories and the life and times the characters lived and struggled to survive in.  I highly recommend these novellas for a quick escape.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. All views and opinions are my own.

Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway: Treasure Atop the Mountain by Tonya L. Matthews

 

About the Book

 Book: Treasure Atop the Mountain

Author: Tonya L. Matthews

Genre: Faith-based Christian Fiction

Release date: August, 2019

Broken by the unfathomable. Frightened of the future. And unaware of God’s hand at work. Gracie grew up working in her grandfather’s ice cream shop in the small Kentucky town of Ridgewood. Ridgewood is a quiet town known for little but a 20-year-old rumor that treasures are hidden somewhere in its hills. But when misfortune strikes, Gracie is faced with challenges no 11-year-old should have to bear. She has to learn to continue to live now that nearly everything about her life has changed. The losses are so devastating that still years later she fights the nightmares. Yet folks in the town in their own unique way watch out for their little girl as she matures into a young woman. This is a story about Gracie Howard and how she finally found healing in a message that her grandfather shared with her as a little girl and from a town with hidden treasure.

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts:

Gracie is a young eighteen-year-old woman who has seen her fair share of tragedy in her young life. Surviving a devastating fire that took the rest of her family and her hand, she now lives with her sweet grandfather who is also still reeling from the tragedies they experienced. Taking place in the 1960's in a small town rumored to have treasure hidden somewhere, we are brought into her life and some of the lives of those townsfolk and given the unfolding saga of that town.

In comes Ben Kade, a young man, drifter, who has experienced enough of the world's relentless ways as well. His own sad family background and the search for his remaining family bring him and Gracie together in a tangible way as they both understand one another's pain and they begin to fall in love. A young love that is frowned upon in some ways. But as tragedy hits Gracie again, she needs Ben much more than ever before.

This is a story of life, young love, and pursuing what matters most when the whole world seems conspired against your happiness and well-being. I cheered for Ben and Gracie from the start.

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

Tonya grew up on a family farm in Riverside, Kentucky. Her father recognized early on that hoeing tobacco and running hogs weren’t in her skill set. He opted to send her to college. Graduating from Western Kentucky University with honors, Tonya went on to support the business community for two decades as an executive for the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce where she served a primary role in the organization’s multiple national honors.

Tonya has found writing to be a healthy escape and effective therapy in tough seasons throughout her life. Tonya began writing Treasure atop the Mountain 15 years ago when she and her husband were trying to start their family and encountered multiple disappointments. Ultimately, they signed up to be foster parents and adopted.

Tonya’s been married to Todd Matthews for 25 years. They have two grown daughters. In August 2019, she published Treasure atop the Mountain—a fiction novel based on real-life emotions that can be related to by many. Tonya’s second novel in the TREASURE series, Roxie Applesauce, released in August 2021. She’s currently writing the series’ third book, Get Will. Additionally, in 2022, she will debut the first two books in her children’s book series.

 

More from Tonya

HOW THE BOOK CAME ABOUT

Treasure atop the Mountain provided for me a glimpse of hope that I needed at the time I wrote it. In the book, Gracie experiences misfortune no young girl should have to bear. Yet, in the end, she witnesses all the broken pieces come together and is overwhelmed by God’s hand in it.

When Todd and I got married in 1996, we didn’t try starting our family right away, and when we decided that we were ready, it didn’t come easy. We struggled for several years through disappointment after disappointment. I’d get home from work at the end of a long day and lean against the kitchen door facing, drop to the floor and breathe for what felt like the first time that. I was hurting and doing my best to hide it.

My sister and my two sisters-in-law were pregnant, and I was covering three positions at work for people on maternity leaves. I really needed an escape because there was not a conversation I could have with family, friends at church, or at work that didn’t involve their lives moving forward when mine wasn’t in that area. I literally just sat down in the back room of our house with our computer on a card table and just started writing. I ran the emotions I was dealing with through the characters and wrote the book that I needed to read. Eventually, we adopted two girls from foster care and with our careers, life was busy, but I never let go of the book. Over the years friends and family read rough drafts and provided feedback.

 

Since publishing Treasure atop the Mountain in August 2019, I’ve met so many precious people. I love to hear when people are encouraged and relate to the message in the book. We all know fear, anger, and disappointment. And we all need reminded that we will feel joy again. Since I’ve written the second in the Treasure Series. Roxie Applesauce is on tour in March. The third in the series, Get Will, will launch in 2022. A series of children’s books will release in 2022.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 9

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 10

Texas Book-aholic, February 11

Mary Hake, February 11

Inklings and notions, February 12

For Him and My Family, February 13

deb’s Book Review, February 14

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 15

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 16

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, February 17

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, February 18 (Spotlight)

Pause for Tales, February 18

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, February 19

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 20

Where Crisis & Christ Collide, February 21

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 22

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Tonya 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/1a5c9/treasure-atop-the-mountain-celebration-tour-giveaway

Review and Giveaway: Pen Pal Gals Friends Forever by Julie Thiessen Illustrated by Vaness Alexandre and Julie Thiessen

 

 

Join Us for This Tour from February 1 to February 21!

Book Details:

Book Title:  Pen Pal Gals: Friends Forever by Julie Thiessen
Category: Middle-Grade Fiction (Ages 8-12),  64 pages
Genre: Juvenile Fiction/Early Chapter Book
Publisher:  Mascot 
Release date:  February 1, 2022
Tour dates: February 1 to February 21, 2022
Content Rating:  Rated G. Suitable for everyone

 

Book Description:

​Meet Reese and Addie―two girls, one great friendship. It’s summer break! Reese is on her way to vacation at Camp Lake Shore with her family. When Reese meets a new friend, Addie, the two immediately connect and form a lasting friendship. Swimming, boating, laughing, and soaking up the sun are just a few highlights of their summer vacation. The girls become best friends. When their vacation comes to an end, Reese realizes she may never see Addie again. Determined to stay in touch forever, can Reese and Addie find a way to continue their friendship and share their adventures?

My Thoughts:

Friends Forever was a cute little chapter book filled with colorful illustrations about two girls who meet one special week at a lake campground and have the best of times. They have so much fun together, getting to know one another, that they realize that they have become the best of friends. However, Reese and Addie have not really realized time has slipped by and it is time for them to go back to their homes.

This does not seem like such a big deal for Reese as her family comes to the lake every weekend in the summer. Not so for Addie as she lives too far away. What can they do as both girls are heartbroken? Well, Reese comes up with the idea of writing to one another and that they put into motion, even sending little gifts along the way until they can meet up again next summer.

This book was such a lovely tale of days that seem simpler. Of summers that seemed endless and friendships that felt like they would last forever. I liked the simplicity of the story and that the girls took to writing letters, not texting or anything like that. There is just something most precious about the written word, especially from someone you care about.

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.

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ B&N ~ Walmart
BAM ~ Target ~ Mascot
add to goodreads

Meet the Author:

​Julie Thiessen always had a passion for creativity, design, and adventure, but above all, she values her lifelong friendships. With her bachelor's degree in graphic design and the inspiration of her daughter Reese, she created and branded Pen Pal Gals for all to share the gift of an everlasting friendship. Thiessen lives along the beautiful Central Coast of California with her husband, two daughters, and son.

connect with the author: website ~ facebook ~ instagram

 

Tour Schedule:

Feb 1 – Cover Lover Book Review – book review / giveaway
Feb 1 - Rockin' Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
Feb 3 – Splashes of Joy – book review / giveaway
Feb 4 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 7 – @twilight_reader – book review / giveaway
Feb 8 – A Mama's Corner of the World – book review / giveaway
Feb 8 - My Journey Back – book review / giveaway
Feb 9 – The Momma Spot – book review / giveaway
Feb 9 - The Phantom Paragrapher – book review / giveaway
Feb 10 – Pick A Good Book – book review / author interview / giveaway
​Feb 10 – She Just Loves Books – book review / giveaway
Feb 11 – Writer with Wanderlust – book review / guest post / giveaway
Feb 14 – Kam's Place – book review
Feb 15 – fundinmental – book review / giveaway
Feb 15 - Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / giveaway
Feb 16 – Literary Flits – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 16 - icefairy's Treasure Chest – book review / giveaway
Feb 17 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review / guest post / giveaway
Feb 17 - Older & Smarter? – book review / guest post / giveaway
Feb 18 – Pause for Tales – book review / giveaway
Feb 21 – Reading is My Passion – book review
Feb 21 - Lisa's Reading – book review / giveaway
 

Enter the Giveaway:

 

PEN PAL GALS FRIENDS FOREVER by Julie Thiessen Book Tour Giveaway

 

Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway: Coercion at the Cow Place by Caryl McAdoo

 

About the Book

Book: Coercion at the Cow Palace

Author: Caryl McAdoo

Genre: Historical Romantic Mystery

Release date: January 12, 2022

There’s more than a hundred witnesses in the room, but no one sees who shot the newspaper reporter. If not for an offhanded bet, Morgan and Charity would never have gotten involved; he’s not one to let a friend down. The truth of who and why DeeDee’s big engagement is wrecked might never be known if they hadn’t, and it still may not be if the Lowells can’t get the right man elected governor of Texas. Crooked civil servants and politicians who think they’re above the law thwart their every effort. It’s a historic mystery wrapped in redemption, love, politics, and coercion at the Cow Palace.

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts:

Charity and Morgan Lowell are thrust into another murder mystery, due to the fact that one of their dear friends made a bet and couldn't keep his mouth shut. Now he wants their help to solve a murder that happened in front of over a 100 people at a birthday party, but no one saw who pulled the trigger.

Charity is looking at this whole situation as another promising book for her and Morgan to work on together. Morgan keeps telling Charity he doesn't want to write anymore, but she has a way about her to get what she wants. We even see this as she tries to get the information out of the witnesses. 

There are many pieces of the puzzle, and we are given a front row seat to see how all of this is going to come out. Was this a love story gone bad or was there greed and money pushing the agenda? Morgan and Charity will figure this out with the help of their friends. And some characters will even see that they are worth so much more in the eyes of God then they thought.

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

Award-winning author Caryl McAdoo prays her story brings God glory, and her best-selling stories—over sixty published—delight Christian readers around the world. The prolific writer also enjoys singing the new songs the Lord gives her; you may listen at YouTube. Sharing four children and twenty-one grandsugars (three are greats), Caryl and Ron, her high-school-sweetheart-husband of fifty-three years, live in the woods south of Clarksville, seat of Red River County in far Northeast Texas. The McAdoos wait expectantly for God to open the next door.

 

More from Caryl

I have so enjoyed writing these mystery stories with Morgan and Charity Lowell—from several books, but primarily LEAVING TEXAS, book four in the “Cross Timbers Romance Family Saga—as the wise and apt investigators! Of course, I have to throw in a little romance. I just can’t help it!

In COERCION at The Cow Palace, we take a little jaunt from Dallas over to Fort Worth and its Hell’s Half Acre. The city was incorporated in 1873, the year COERCION is set, but already acted as a hub for all the cattle drives coming north through Ft. Worth to the Kansas Railways.

I grew up in Dallas and really hadn’t known that much of Fort Worth’s history, so the research proved so exhilarating! Army General William Worth proposed a string of forts to protect Texas’ new settlers but died with cholera before seeing this come to fruition. His successor named the fort for him thirty years before our story.

It had a booming population of over five thousand—plus almost another thousand slaves—before the Civil War. Afterwards, during the reconstruction, its citizenship dwindled to less than two hundred in the 1860s, but the following decade with the arrival of the railroad in 1976 firmly established “Cowtown, ” Fort Worth’s famous nickname.

I loved setting these characters in this famous Texas town. It’s been said that  Fort Worth was where the West began! I say, “Let the fun begin as we figure out along with the Lowells who done it!”

Blessings, y’all!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 4

For Him and My Family, February 5

Texas Book-aholic, February 6

Through the Fire Blogs, February 7 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 7

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 8

Inklings and notions, February 9

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 10

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, February 10 (Author Interview)

deb’s Book Review, February 11

Connie’s History Classroom, February 12

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, February 13 (Spotlight)

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, February 14

A Baker’s Perspective, February 15 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 16

Pause for Tales, February 17

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Caryl is giving away the grand prize of a $25 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/19bc4/coercion-at-the-cow-palace-celebration-tour-giveaway

Review and Giveaway: Bentley's Best Birthday Ever by Claire Eckard Illustrated by Anne York

 

 

Join us for this tour from January 31 to February 18, 2022!

Book Details:

Book Title:  Bentley's Best Birthday Ever! by Claire Eckard
Category:  Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7),  32 pages
Genre:  Children's Picture Book
Publisher:  Mill City Press, Inc
Release date:   September 28, 2021
Content Rating:  G for everyone.

 

Book Description:

Bentley’s Best Birthday Ever!

Bentley is back, and it’s his birthday! Bentley is excited to share his special day with his new friends, but they are nowhere to be found. Meanwhile, Bentley meets Bella, a lost dog whose family has recently moved to Bentley’s neighborhood. Tia, Bentley’s Fairy Dogmother, and the Dog Pack have a BIG secret! They are planning a surprise birthday party for Bentley, and when Tia is around there is always some magic. Wait till you see Bentley’s reaction to his surprise party, and especially to the special guest that Tia brings!

This book once again highlights Bentley's kind nature, and also shows that moving to a new neighborhood can be fun! Beautifully illustrated by Anne York, Bentley fans will not be disappointed as they follow Bentley's latest adventure. 

My Thoughts:

Bentley is back and it his birthday. He is very excited to share his special day with his friends, but they are nowhere to be found. This makes him very sad, and as he wanders around, he meets Bella a new dog to the neighborhood who is also very sad. She is lost and really missing her old home and friends. But under Bentley's care Bella is helped and her family and home are found which happens to be right next door to Bentley's home.

Meanwhile, Bentley's friends have not forgotten him at all. They are just busy planning an amazing surprise birthday party for him. They are decorating and finding the very best gifts they can find for their special friend. And surprise, Bentley realizes he was never forgotten. This really is the best birthday for Bentley as he has his friends, and a new one, and Tia the dog fairy has an especially special gift for Bentley.

This was a cute puppy story book for kids that has really good lessons on what we think are our disappointments but can really turn out to be blessings in disguise.

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

Buy the Book:
Claire Eckard
Amazon ~ B&N ~ IndieBound
add to goodreads

 

Meet the Author:

Claire Eckard is an animal lover and believes in volunteering to give back to her community, especially to the homeless animals that need to find their forever homes. Her animals often inspire her writing, weaving their way into the stories that she writes, blending reality and fiction to entertain, teach, enlighten, and share the joy that animals bring to our lives! Claire is an author, poet, songwriter, wife, mother and grandmother! She lives in Arizona, splitting her time between her home in Yuma, Arizona and her ranch in the mountains of Prescott. Claire has three dogs, eight horses, and a miniature mule!

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

 

 

Tour Schedule:

​Jan 31 – Rockin' Book Reviews – book review / giveaway
Jan 31 - Because I said so adventures in parenting – book review / giveaway
Feb 1 – Splashes of Joy – book review / giveaway
Feb 1 - The Momma Spot – book review / giveaway
Feb 2 – Bound 4 Escape – book review / giveaway
Feb 2 – fundinmental – book review / giveaway
Feb 3 – A Mama's Corner of the World – book review / giveaway
Feb 3 - @twilight_reader – book review
Feb 4 – Sandra's Book Club – book review / giveaway
Feb 7 – Lynchburg Reads – book review / giveaway
Feb 8 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / giveaway
Feb 8 - Westveil Publishing – book review / giveaway
Feb 9 – Reading is My Passion – book review
Feb 9 - The Phantom Paragrapher – book review / giveaway
Feb 10 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review / giveaway
Feb 11 – Chit Chat with Charity – book review / giveaway
Feb 14 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book review / giveaway
Feb 14 - Sefina Hawke's Books – book spotlight
Feb 15 – She Just Loves Books – book review / giveaway
Feb 15 - Literary Flits – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 16 – Pause for Tales – book review / giveaway
Feb 16 - Kam's Place – book review
Feb 17 – @jayme_reads – book review / giveaway
Feb 18 – Pick A Good Book – book review / giveaway

 

Enter the Giveaway:

 

Bentley's Best Birthday EVER! Book Tour Giveaway

 

Review: In Search of a Prince by Toni Shiloh

 

About:

It seems like a dream come true . . . until it forces her to question everything.

Brielle Adebayo is fully content teaching at a New York City public school and taking annual summer vacations with her mother to Martha's Vineyard. But everything changes when her mom drops a bombshell--Brielle is really a princess in the island kingdom of Ọlọrọ Ilé, off the coast of Africa, and she must immediately assume her royal position, since the health of her grandfather, the king, is failing.

Distraught by all the secrets her mother kept, Brielle is further left spinning when the Ọlọrọ Ilé Royal Council brings up an old edict that states she must marry before her coronation, or the crown will pass to another. Brielle is uncertain if she even wants the throne, and with her world totally shaken, where will she find the courage to take a chance on love and brave the perils a wrong decision may bring?

My Thoughts:

What an absolute delightful read this was. I haven't read a princess story in quite some time and this one brought back all the feels of a couple of stories I read in the past and to this day they are some of the most memorable I have read. This one is no exception and I enjoyed not only getting to know the characters, but also the island nation and its people even though they are fictional.

Brielle is just an ordinary woman, a schoolteacher, a daughter, until she finds out she is not. Her mother has been keeping a pretty big secret from her. She is a princess to an island nation off the coast of Africa and her grandfather needs her desperately. Brielle understandably is in shock and has a little bit of bitterness grown in her towards her mother. I certainly understood her feelings, however bitterness needs to be rooted out before it grows any larger and destroys more of the relationship. Her parent's story was sad, and my feeling was that her mother suffered enough.

We walk along with Brielle and her best friend Iris as they get to know the rules, the island, the people, and her grandfather. There is some family and political drama going on and there are those who are not happy about these new circumstances. The romance, though, not dominant at first does pick up and is quite swoony and loving. I hope to visit there more in the future.

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:

Toni Shiloh (www.tonishiloh.com) is a wife, mom, and multi-published Christian contemporary romance author. Her novel Grace Restored was a 2019 Holt Medallion finalist, and Risking Love was a 2020 Selah Award finalist. As a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Toni loves connecting with readers and authors alike via social media.