Friday, April 29, 2022

Review: All That it Takes by Nicole Deese

 

About:

When the ever-cautious Val Locklier moves cross-country with her son for a secure job, everything she'd planned unravels within the first week. After Val reluctantly agrees to rent an apartment from her best friend's brother, an unexpected chance at an elite filmmakers' mentorship ignites fresh hope for a dream career. But as Val's community begins to expand, so do her insecurities, especially those heightened by her growing attraction to a certain friendly landlord. 

Pastor Miles McKenzie returns home from a short-term mission trip to discover that not only does he have an intriguing new tenant living upstairs, he's also been reassigned to a local ministry on life support. Disillusioned and restless, he distracts himself by throwing his energy into a host of new projects--not the least of which is pursuing Val--without stopping to consider the future. 

As Val struggles to stop hiding behind the camera and Miles wrestles with shattered expectations, they'll find that authentic love and sacrifice must go hand in hand.

My Thoughts:

Miles and Val's story and journey was one that was eye opening and heart tugging. Both of these characters were sincere people, wanting to do what was right, help others, make the most of their lives, and to move on from past disappointments and mistakes.

Val is a woman with a profound limp, suffered from a careless act when she was ten, and she has been living with the consequences and feelings since then. She is also a single mother raising her little boy the best she can. She has made a big life change. She has moved away from her parents to start anew on her own. A new job and a new state, but nothing goes quite right, and then Val is offered something that could possibly be so much better.

Miles is an outreach pastor, who has had his wings clipped and his ministry defunded. He is not happy, nor does he understand all that is going on. Forming his own assumptions and looking for a way out to further his own dreams, he is looking for an escape. But as Miles learns, sometimes not all is what it seems and God can use us anywhere, if we are but open to His call.

I really liked Val and Miles. They were two mature characters just trying to find their way in the world. Like I said earlier, they are sincere and genuine people, not out for their own gain, just trying to survive in a world that seems to want to take away from them. Their journey together was beautiful to watch and has enough life lessons for all of us to take heed of in our own lives.

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:

Nicole Deese's (www.nicoledeese.com) eight humorous, heartfelt, and hope-filled novels include the 2017 Carol Award-winning A Season to Love. Her 2018 release, A New Shade of Summer, was a finalist in the RITA Awards, Carol Awards, and INSPY Awards. Both of these books are from her bestselling Love in Lenox series. When she's not working on her next contemporary romance, she can usually be found reading one by a window overlooking the inspiring beauty of the Pacific Northwest. She lives in small-town Idaho with her happily-ever-after hubby, two rambunctious sons, and princess daughter with the heart of a warrior.


Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Review and Giveaway: The Rancher's Wyoming Twins by Virginia McCullough

 


On Tour with Prism Book Tours


The Rancher's Wyoming Twins
(Back to Adelaide Creek #1)
By Virginia McCullough
Clean Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages
March 29, 2022 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Her worst enemy...
Could bring her heart home

Heather Stanhope wants to despise the man who now owns the ranch her family lost. But Matt Burton is raising his late sister’s adorable twins, loves horses, and is known for his loyalty and honesty. Sneaking into Adelaide Creek for her friend’s wedding, Heather hopes to avoid Matt, but fate and family have them crossing paths. Heather knows falling for Matt means risking her heart, but it’s a risk she can’t resist.

(Affiliate links included.)
 
My Thoughts:

Home. It is a place of safety, warmth, and especially family. But for Heather, home is also a place of sadness and losses. Not ever wanting to step back in her hometown, Heather has come back to be her best friend's bridesmaid. This visit will not be easy, especially after the death of her parents, the loss of their generational ranch, and the estrangement of her brother. Heather is a lost soul without any real anchor.

Matt and his mother are raising his late sister's twins. Their story is one of loss and grief as well. Matt is also the purchaser of the ranch that Heather and her family lost. He also knows the pull and importance of home. And as he meets Heather again, likes her, and begins to pursue her, he wants to give her a home and a family back. Maybe his. And maybe the home she lost.

This was a sweet and endearing story of family and love in a small Wyoming town that the author brought to life with her storytelling. I hope there will be more stories told there.

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


Born and raised in Chicago, Virginia McCullough has been lucky enough to develop her writing career in many locations, including the coast of Maine, the mountains of North Carolina, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and currently, Northeast Wisconsin. She started her career in nonfiction, first writing articles and then books as a ghostwriter and coauthor. She’s written more than 100 books for physicians, business owners, professional speakers and many others with information to share or a story to tell.

Virginia’s books feature characters who could be your neighbors and friends. They come in all ages and struggle with everyday life issues in small-town environments that almost always include water—oceans, lakes, or rivers. The mother of two grown children, you’ll find Virginia with her nose a book, walking on trails or her neighborhood street, or she may be packing her bag to take off for her next adventure. And she’s always working on another story about hope, healing, and second chances.


Tour Schedule


Tour Giveaway


One winner will receive a $25 Amazon e-gift card & a $25 Etsy e-gift card (INT)

Ends May 4, 2022

 
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Saturday, April 23, 2022

Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway: Flower of the Rockies by Angela Breidenbach

 



About the Book


Book: Flower of the Rockies

Author: Angela Breidenbach

Genre: Historical Romance

Release date: December 1, 2021

Helena MT, 1892-95 ~ Can you leave your past behind?
Flower of the Rockies, the 4th book in the Queen of the Rockies series set in picturesque Helena MT at the end of the Gilded Age. No one knows the real Emmalee Warren, or the sacrifices she’s made for love. An infamous soiled dove of no consequence turned miner’s widow. Men are coming out of the woodwork to stake their claim on her and the mine she inherited. They wanted her body before. Now they want her money, and they’ll do anything to take it. But love and acceptance seem out of the question for Emmalee.

Society wants nothing to do with her regardless of her changed ways. Who can she turn to when her inheritance and chance at a future is at risk? Will she be forced back into the brothel to survive? Hiring a lawyer, Richard Lewis, to save her from financial ruin might let her start over somewhere else — if he can save a little of her finances from her husband’s partner. She’ll go anyplace else where no one knows Miss Ellie’s name. Anywhere to leave the scorn behind. Becoming an unknown is the only way to freedom…or is it? Can she leave her past and build a new future?

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts:

Flower of the Rockies continues in Montana's beginnings as a state, and this story is about the choosing of the state flower. Wrapped around this story is a deeper one of a former prostitute whose husband bought her out of the life she led, only to leave her a widow a few years later. Emmalee was forced into her line of work at a young age when an orphanage would not take her, and she could not read or write. So, saying goodbye to her little brother and sister, she went on her way to survive the best she could.

Now years later she finds herself a widow and should be a wealthy one except she has suspicions of her late husband's partner. Tired of living a life where she is judged for her former past, Emmalee along with her housekeeper just want to leave Helena, Montana and start over where no one knows of their pasts. However, she needs her money to do that.

In steps Richard who agrees to be her lawyer and see her estate reestablished. But Richard sees a woman who is quickly stealing his heart with her warmth and goodness, even knowing her past. Can Emmalee see that not everyone is not as judgmental and prejudice as she has experienced, or could the pain of her past put her in a unique future possibility? Will Emmalee forget the past and forge a new future, one in which she knows for certain she is loved by the One who created her?

This was another great addition to the Queen of the Rockies series. 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


Angela Breidenbach is a professional genealogist, media personality, conference speaker, bestselling author of eighteen books, and screenwriter. Angela lives in Montana with her hubby and Muse, a trained fe-lion, who shakes hands, rolls over, and jumps through a hoop. Surprisingly, Angela can also. Catch her show and podcast, Genealogy Publishing Coach!

 

More from Angela

Flower of the Rockies is one of my favorite stories. I didn’t realize when I started writing about the Montana state flower that I’d be digging into a deeper part of myself. A part I didn’t want to remember.

Stumbling on the women’s club that worked so hard to create symbolism for the state of Montana sparked a story idea. Then that idea needed a character help me tell the story. Then she told me she didn’t know how to read. Okay, I can run with that… But I’m a really good reader. So how do I connect to this widow who needs to learn to read to stop her husband’s partner from cooking her books and stealing everything she has left?

It hit me. She and I had a lot in common. As a kid, I was awkward. I didn’t connect well because I couldn’t read people. Ironically, I read books to learn about people. But it took getting out and being with people to begin really connecting and communicating.

Emmalee doesn’t want to be around people because she’s been rejected for her past and ridiculed publicly. Who wants to be friends with a soiled dove? But, she’s lonely. I suddenly connected on an even deeper level with her. I understood her need for love and acceptance. Her desire to become someone respectable.

On a bigger scale, that’s what the women of Montana were trying to prove, too. That their state fit in with the other states, had something special, something symbolic that showed she was accepted and respected. She had a flag, a state flower, and people who mattered.

Come join me in the Flower of the Rockies. I think you’ll like Emmalee and her journey toward acceptance. There are a lot of layers to the story’s symbolism. I wrote it and have been amazed at how God keeps revealing those layers to me in one short book. Let me know what is revealed to you.

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, April 18

Inklings and notions, April 19

Spoken from the Heart, April 19

Betti Mace, April 20

Slyvan Musings, April 21

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 21

deb’s Book Review, April 22

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 23

Pause for Tales, April 23

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 24

Simple Harvest Reads, April 25

For Him and My Family, April 26

Blossoms and Blessings, April 26

Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 27

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 27

Connie’s History Classroom, April 28

Mary Hake, April 28

Blogging With Carol, April 29

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 30

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 1

 

Giveaway



To celebrate her tour, Angela is giving away the grand prize of a pair of iolite and sterling silver earrings!!

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/1cc83/flower-of-the-rockies-celebration-tour-giveaway


Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway: Peace in the Mountain Haven by Misty M. Beller

 



About the Book

 

Book: Peace in the Mountain Haven

Author: Misty M. Beller

Genre: Christian historical romance

Release date: March 15, 2022

This epic journey is her best chance to find the family she and her daughter long for.

Watkuese is desperate to return across the Rocky Mountains before winter sets in. Time is running out for her to get her adopted daughter back to the familiar surroundings of the Shoshone village before the grief of her parents’ death causes irreparable damage.

Hugh Charpentier has spent his life watching over his siblings, which meant also ensuring his brother’s widow and babe are settled well into their new life. Now he’s asked to help shepherd a woman and child he barely knows across the mountains. As hard as it is to keep up with a six-year-old in the treacherous Rockies, it’s not nearly as dangerous as risking his heart to a woman and child who may not ever be his.

From a USA Today bestselling author comes another epic journey through breathless landscapes and adventure so intense, lives will never be the same.

 

Click here to get your copy! $3, $15, $30

My Thoughts:

Watkuese is bound and determined to get her and the daughter of her heart back to their home before winter sets in. Pop-pank is only six years old, but the loss of her parents is weighing heavy on her young mind and soul, and Watkuese will do anything to make her burden lighter. However, Pop-pank is not making things easier with her sullenness and bad temperament and her constant running away in the dangerous mountains.

Hugh and his brother Louise were on their way up the mountains as well and were tasked with helping bring this mother and daughter back to their home. What none of them expected was an opening of their hearts and the facing and coming to terms with their past.

Set against the backdrop of the magnificent yet treacherous Rocky Mountains, this group face dangers of nature and man in trying to get to and to find home again. And maybe, just maybe, something new and wonderful will come of their rugged journey.

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


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.

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.

 

More from Misty

What do you love most about this genre?

I tend to be a bit of a sentimentalist, so Historical Romance is perfect for me! My favorite period is between 1800 – 1880, when the west was still an extreme frontier. I love the simpler life, where there’s no rat race. Just hard work, plenty of alone time (can you tell I’m an introvert?), and a strong family unit.

Are readers always promised a “happily ever after” in your novels? Why or why not?

Absolutely! I read as an escape, so that happily ever after is important to me. I know my characters will face challenges after the story ends, but I want to finish the book knowing they’ve grown through the story and will be able to meet future struggles with God’s strength and the support of each other—as well as family and friends!

 

How can readers connect with you?

I love to connect with readers! One of my favorite ways is through my newsletter, and readers can get a free copy of my book, A Pony Express Romance, when they sign up for the newsletter. Here’s the link for that: https://mistymbeller.com/freebook

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 7

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 8

Miriam Jacob, April 8

Texas Book-aholic, April 9

Inklings and notions, April 10

Mary Hake, April 10

For Him and My Family, April 11

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, April 12

deb’s Book Review, April 12

Betti Mace, April 13

Bizwings Blog, April 13

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 14

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 15

Connie’s History Classroom, April 16

For the Love of Literature, April 16

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 17

Splashes of Joy, April 18

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 18

Blossoms and Blessings, April 19

Pause for Tales, April 20

Jeanette’s Thoughts, April 20

Giveaway



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 nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1c94c/peace-in-the-mountain-haven-celebration-tour-giveaway


Monday, April 18, 2022

Review: An Unfamiliar Duke by Sian Ann Bessey

 

About:

At eleven years of age, Rosalind Ainsworth was convinced that Sebastian Lumley, the future Duke of Kelbrook, was the most odious young man she’d ever met. And ten years later, after having had no contact with the nobleman in the intervening time, her opinion of him has not changed. Unfortunately, neither has the marriage contract their fathers signed soon after her birth.

As Rosalind’s twenty-first birthday and the appointed wedding day approaches, Sebastian makes a rare appearance in London. His first meeting with Rosalind since childhood goes less than perfectly, but Sebastian has a compelling reason for honoring their marriage contract―a reason outlined in a document kept behind his workshop’s locked door. 

After a quick wedding, the new couple relocates to Finley Park, where their acquaintanceship slowly blossoms into affection. But when Sebastian’s secretive work threatens their fledgling relationship and Rosalind’s life is placed in jeopardy, Sebastian finds himself forced to choose between the man he has pledged to help and the woman he has come to love. 

My Thoughts:

This was a sweet, arranged marriage of convenience story (my favorite trope) between a young couple who were betrothed by their fathers since they were young children. When Rosalind becomes twenty-one, that is when her marriage is said to take place. She is to marry Sebastian, a future duke, but she barely knows him. Her previous encounter was when she was a young girl and he, being a young boy, naturally would not let her in his treehouse. This set off an instant distaste for him in her young mind that only grew to more loathing as her twenty-first birthday approaches. Especially as she has not had one word from him for years. She felt abandoned.

Now her father and his parents have passed on and she has requested to be let out of this arrangement. Sebastion had tried to give her her request, but there was no way out. They were to be married anyway.

What plays out is a young couple, hardly knowing each other, but trying their very best to manage this new marriage. Through some ups and downs, we see both mature and their marriage solidify to what they both need. I liked going on this journey with them and seeing that they did not abandon one another but continued to cherish this marriage, treating it with the respect it deserved, and maybe just finding out how right their fathers had been about their future happiness.

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

Saturday, April 16, 2022

Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway: Sweet Rivalry by Terri Gillespie

 



About the Book


Book: Sweet Rivalry

Author: Terri Gillespie

Genre: Women’s Contemporary/ Christian Romance/Family Life Fiction

Release date: October 27, 2021

Just an ordinary morning for Sarah Sweeting—watching her favorite baking show, Cupcake Rivalry, getting ready for work at her Granny’s small-town bakery. All that changes when Sarah spots a contestant who looks like her, sounds like her, moves like her.

Was this her twin sister? The twin her mother ran away with twenty years ago? Were hers and Granny’s prayers finally being answered?

When Granny confirms Sarah’s shocking discovery, Granny suffers a heart attack.

Raven Souwer’s morning began at a frenzied pace—incessantly ringing phones and a Beverly Hills’ bakery full of customers. All because everyone wants to catch a glimpse of the Cupcake Rivalry contestants—Raven and her best friend, Will Durning.

But a phone call from an excited woman who claims to be Raven’s long-lost sister—a sister Raven has no memory of—informs Raven that a grandmother she never knew was in the hospital.

The call changes the course of Raven’s life and brings up the pain she thought she’d overcome.

Will Sarah and Raven finally be united, or will other rivalries separate them again?

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts:

Sarah Sweeting and her grandmother have been looking for her lost twin sister and their mother for a very long time. Then while watching a baking show, she hears someone who sounds just like her. If she had shorter and darker hair. After confirming with her grandmother, that that is her twin, her grandmother ends up in the hospital with a heart attack. Things really couldn't get any worse or better, or could they?

Family secrets begin to unravel and the truth is finally pushing it's way through. This story is about family, braving the barriers that separate us, and loving anyway. These sisters have many ups and downs and I like that they stick together to find out the truth. They are not the only ones hurting, their Granny is as well. Throw in some romances and baking and you have a story with a lot of heart.

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

Award-winning author and beloved speaker, Terri Gillespie writes stories of faith and redemption to nurture women’s souls. Her novels, devotionals, and blogs have drawn readers to hunger for a deeper relationship with their Heavenly Father.

Life is a journey. Terri lived in fear most of her life. Stories helped her see life through the lens of adventure and God’s abiding love. Those stories were the seeds that changed her perspective. They empowered her to be brave. She hopes her stories will do the same for you.

She is the author of critically-acclaimed women’s devotional Making Eye Contact with God, the award-winning novel She Does Good Hair, CUT IT OUT!, Really Bad Hair Day, and award-winning novel, Sweet Rivalry.

 

More from Terri

Where do stories come from? Oh, so many places. Sweet Rivalry began over ten years ago with an idea called the “cupcake sisters.” Two sisters who worked in a small hometown bakery trying to be true to family recipes and not get overrun by the food chains. Not much more than that. Boring, right?

The other day, I ran across my notes written years ago with other ideas for the sisters. No plots could carry an interesting enough story to get the creative juices going.

A dear friend—and amazing author—gave me a life-sized cupcake candle. The vibrant colors and glittery icing were meant to inspire me to develop the idea and write the book. It sat on my inspiration shelf for years. At first every time I looked at it, I would smile.

But, as the years went by the sun faded the candle, as did my hope of finding the right story for the cupcake sisters.

Then, during COVID I got hooked on those reality shows about long-lost families being reunited after decades of separation. Some of the families had no idea the other family member existed.

Each episode meant a fist of soppy tissues. Yet, even with the dramatic music, professional editing, and big build-up, some families’ smiles didn’t quite reach their eyes.

I wondered, what happens to these people after the camera crews leave? After the emotional reunions, the excitement subsides and reality settles into their respective homes? How do these people from very different histories become a family? Do they even try? Do they want to face the secrets that separated them?

Some of the “long-lost” family members were children from affairs. Most were children given up through adoption. Others abandoned. One man found his birth mother, only to learn he was the result of a rape. How do they navigate the choppy and complex psychological waters?

These interesting stories became delicious ingredients for the Sweet Rivalry novel. Twin sisters separated as toddlers by a troubled mother. One sister, Sarah was raised by her loving, Christian grandmother who owned the local Sweet’s Bakery.

The other sister, Raven was raised by her addicted mother, in crack houses. Still, Raven manages to become a celebrated pastry chef.

How do twins with completely different childhoods become a family? How does the sister raised in a loving, stable, Christian environment form a relationship with the sister who has seen the worst of society and had to pull herself from a terrible background all on her own? Who now blames God for the horrific things that happened to her?

And a grandmother that hides a terrible secret?

Now, throw into the mix three handsome men vying for the twins’ affections, then bake with the emotional investments into the lives of these women, and you’ve got quite a recipe for a delectable story.

With humor and passion and delicious recipes, Sweet Rivalry will satisfy the hungry reader looking for a unique story of hope.

You know, Sweet Rivalry’s journey proved to me once again, that creativity can’t be forced, and GOD’s timing is always the best—even if it is a ten-year wait.

 

How about a recipe?

Raven’s Dr. Pepper Chocolate Cupcakes with Fritos Frosting

The Recipe That Almost Won the Cupcake Rivalry competition for Raven and Will.

Raven’s cupcake recipe:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup unsalted butter softened

1 cup granulated sugar

½ cup brown sugar packed

2 eggs room temperature

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup Dr Pepper

½ cup buttermilk

Will’s Fritos Cream Cheese Frosting

4 cup powdered sugar

½ cup unsalted butter softened

6 oz cream cheese softened

4 T Dr Pepper to taste

Original, Regular flavor Fritos (up to 1 cup)—Don’t use the scoop type

Instructions:

Raven’s Chocolate Dr Pepper Cupcakes

  1. Preheat the oven to 350o F. Prepare 2-12 count muffin tins with cupcake cup liners (22-24 total).
  2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, and cocoa powder. Set aside.
  3. Using a stand mixer (or a hand mixer and large bowl), add in butter, granulated and brown sugars, eggs, and vanilla. Beat on low until fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  4. Keeping mixer speed on low, add half of the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix in the Dr Pepper.
  5. Add the other half of the dry ingredients as well as the buttermilk. Mix until just combined—do not overmix. Batter should be thick and fluffy.
  6. Pour cupcake batter into prepared muffin tin, filling cups 2/3 full. Tap the tin on the counter a few times to level the batter.
  7. Bake cupcakes one batch at a time for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  8. Place muffin tin on a wire cooling rack to cool for 5-10 minutes, then remove cupcakes and allow to finish cooling on wire rack.
  9. Wait until cupcakes are completely cooled before applying the frosting.

 

Will’s Fritos Cream Cheese Frosting

  1. Use a clean stand mixer (or a hand-mixer & large bowl) on high speed beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy, roughly 2 minutes.
  2. Drop speed to low and slowly add the powdered sugar. May be clumpy at this stage—don’t worry.
  3. Keeping speed on low, slowly beat in softened cream cheese. Will recommends cutting the cream cheese into 4-5 pieces and mixing in one piece at a time.
  4. Finally, add in the Dr. Pepper. Now if you want more Dr. Pepper flavor, you can add more, and you can add up to a cup more of powdered sugar, but after that, you lose the great cream cheese flavor.
  5. Finely ground ½ cup of Fritos. Almost as fine as coffee grounds. Fold in by hand into frosting.
  6. Frost the cupcakes.
  7. Remaining Fritos you can either roughly ground and sprinkled on top, or Will likes to leave one Frito curl nestled on top, right before serving.
  8. Eat immediately—I mean, who would wait?

 

More recipes can be found at: https://authorterrigillespie.com/terri-gillespie-recipes/

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, April 6

Miriam Jacob, April 6

Genesis 5020, April 7

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 8

Splashes of Joy, April 8

For Him and My Family, April 9

Texas Book-aholic, April 10

deb’s Book Review, April 11

Inklings and notions, April 12

Aryn The Libraryan, April 13

Mary Hake, April 13

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, April 14

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 15

Vicky Sluiter, April 15

She Lives To Read, April 16

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 17

Pause for Tales, April 17

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 18

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 19

Spoken from the Heart, April 19

 

Giveaway



To celebrate her tour, Terri is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon Gift Card, signed copy of Sweet Rivalry, Sweet Rivalry Coffee Mug, Sweet Rivalry bookmark, and a Hand-poured Cupcake Candle!!

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/1c94b/sweet-rivalry-celebration-tour-giveaway


Thursday, April 14, 2022

Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway: Beneath a Star-Lit Sky by JL Crosswhite

 




About the Book


Book: Beneath A Star-Lit Sky

Author: JL Crosswhite

Genre: Christian romantic suspense

Release date: February 21, 2022

Small town girl looking to mend her broken heart…

…Small town boy needing to repair his reputation.

Who knew those simple goals could unearth life-threatening danger?

Holcomb Springs has a wild past, and the wilderness outside its borders hides a treacherous present.

Teacher Ella Sommer is ready to forget about her broken engagement and escape from running into her ex. An overnight hiking trip on the Pacific Crest Trail offers what she needs to clear her head and breathe out under the stars.

Ex-military Reese Vega left Holcomb Springs with a bad boy rep, but has returned wiser, longing for a fresh start in his hometown. His hiking tour business offers that opportunity, especially when he can get into the great outdoors and let his past evaporate into the mountain air.

When Reese and Ella are thrown together on the overnighter, what starts as a simple trek ends up being filled with danger when they stumble across something they weren’t supposed to see.

Can they put aside their history and use their wits to get out of this situation?

Or will it be too late?

You’ll love Beneath a Star-Lit Sky because while the wilderness can’t be tamed, the human heart can.

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts:

Schoolteacher Ella Sommer is ready to do something slightly different than her usual stay-at-home self. Especially after her ex-fiancé accuses her of not being very exciting. After many starts and stops, she decides on an overnight hiking trip into the mountains. Why not? It is only one night, and she needs to prove this to herself.

Reese Vega is ex-military and has gone through a traumatic experience. So, he has come back home to heal and help his brother out with the family business, as hiking guides. Reese just wants to stay hidden, but little does he know that a blast from his past, Ella and he are going to go on quite an adventure. You see Reese is the guide, and Ella and Reese not only get romantically closer on this trip, but they get really close to getting killed.

There is something not right in the usual peaceful mountains. A man has gone missing, and evil is lurking. Throw in a lonely lady sheriff and a widower pastor who make quite a team and you have yourself a well-rounded romantic thriller that is hard to put down. The best part is this is book one, so more to look forward to.

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.

About the Author

JL’s favorite thing is discovering how much there is to love about America the Beautiful and the great outdoors. She’s a mom to two, navigating the young adult years while battling her daughter’s juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, exploring the delights of her son’s autism, and keeping gluten free. A California native who’s spent significant time in the Midwest, she’s thrilled to be back in the Golden State. Follow her on social media to see all her adventures and how she gets inspired for her books!

 

More from JL Crosswhite

What does writing a book have in common with…

Compost?

I’ve got a new series with the first book releasing this month. The series is called Holcomb Springs Small Town Romantic Suspense, and the first book is Beneath a Star-Lit Sky. I like how this series and this book show how long the creative process can end up being for me.

Before when I’ve talked about where I get my book ideas, I mention that I call it the compost pile. Any of you gardeners know about the magic of compost. You take a bunch of unrelated kitchen scraps—coffee grounds, carrot tops, egg shells, lettuce that went bad, rotten oranges—and throw them in your compost pile. With the magic of decomposition, in about a year you have something wonderful for your plants.

The creative process is a lot like that for me. I get bits and pieces of ideas from all over the place—things I’ve experienced, places I’ve visited, a news story that stuck with me—and I toss them in my mental compost pile. When something has come together enough to actually be a story idea, it gets its own file.

The germination of Beneath a Star-Lit Sky began at least ten years ago. I remember being on a long drive and talking to my dad on the phone and somehow getting on the topic of criminals in the wilderness, particularly the Sidney Poitier movie, Shoot to Kill. A lot of things can go wrong in the wilderness, and having a bad guy after you just makes it worse.

As I was writing and finishing up the previous series, In the Shadow, I had been wanting to write a series set in a small town. I liked the idea of all the characters continuing to run into each other and being a part of one another’s lives, for good or for ill.

My previous books had been based in the Southern California beach town of Laguna Vista (which also exists only in my imagination). But if you’ve read any of the In the Shadow books, you might have noticed that they made frequent visits to the Southern California San Bernardino mountains.

Since I grew up at the base of these mountains and spent a lot of time up there, I wondered if I might figure out how to create a small town in the mountains. There are some up there, but I like creating my own so I can take liberty with things and not feel like I’m insulting any real town.

There was an old gold mining town—Belleville—that used to exist in an area called Holcomb Valley. I imagined what would have happened if that boomtown had continued on to become a resort town similar to Big Bear or Lake Arrowhead. I liked the idea of having a small town on the edge of the wilderness with all of the problems and possibilities it can bring. And it was within driving distance of Laguna Vista, so all of our old friends could come up and visit.

So the compost pile came together to truly cause my story idea to flourish and blossom into a full-fledged book! Toss in a few previous characters, and I had a ton of fun thinking about all the possibilities while keeping in touch with old characters who have become like friends. I hope you enjoy what’s to come. It’s going to be an adventure!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, April 4

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 5

Texas Book-aholic, April 6

For Him and My Family, April 7

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, April 8 (Author Interview)

The Sacred Line, April 8

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 9

deb’s Book Review, April 10

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 11

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 12

Inklings and notions, April 13

Guild Master, April 14 (Author Interview)

Pause for Tales, April 14

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 15

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, April 16 (Author Interview)

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

Giveaway



To celebrate her tour, J.L. is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and 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/1c575/beneath-a-star-lit-sky-celebration-tour-giveaway


Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Review and Giveaway: Bunster, An Easter Story by Christine Hwang Panzer

 



Join Us for This Tour:  April 5 to April 15, 2022
 
Book Details:

Book TitleBunster, An Easter Story by Christine Hwang Panzer
Category:  Children's Fictions (ages 0-3), 16 pages
Genre:  Children's Picture Book
Publisher:  Mascot
Release date:   April 5, 2022
Content Rating:  G -Suitable for everyone. 
 

Book Description:

Join Bunster as he finds friends in unlikely places as a celebration of Easter!

BUY THE BOOK:
Mascot
Amazon ~ B&N ~ Target
add to goodreads

My Thoughts:

Bunster is a storybook for little children in a board book style. It wouldn't take very long to read, less than a minute, and the watercolor illustrations are lovely and cute at the same time. This says it is an Easter story, but I am not sure why, whether it is due to the bunny or the chocolate bunny, but I would not consider it for only Easter. It is a story about friendships and possibly about spring.

The story is a simple one and like I said, this is more of a story about meeting new friends. The squad of ducklings and the gang of hedgehogs were a cute addition to the tale. Reminiscent of Beatrix Potter, Bunster is a little more modern and maybe not quite as mischievous as Peter Rabbit. Overall, this was a nice 'barnyard' tale. 

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:

Christine is an artist that dabbles in storytelling and enjoys working in different mediums including marker, ink, watercolors and colored pencil. She enjoys drawing fantasy creatures, anthropomorphic animals, and kids. She lives with her husband, Ian and sweet black kitty, Kida in the Bay Area, California and likes to take walks, go out driving, and play video games and board games with her friends.

connect with the author: instagram ~ goodreads

Tour Schedule:
 
April 5 - Working Mommy Journal – book review / giveaway
April 5 – A Mama's Corner of the World – book review / giveaway
April 5 - Cover Lover Book Review – book review / giveaway
April 5 - Rockin' Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
April 5 – fundinmental – book spotlight / giveaway
April 6 – Character Madness and Musing – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
April 6 - Kam's Place – book spotlight
April 6 - Library Lady's Kid Lit – book review / giveaway
April 6 - Triquetra Reviews – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
​April 6 -
 Literary Flits – book spotlight / giveaway
April 7 – Older & Smarter? – book review / guest post / giveaway
April 7 - Gina Rae Mitchell – book review / guest post / giveaway
April 7 - She Just Loves Books – book review / giveaway
​April 7 –
 Bound 4 Escape – book review / giveaway
April 8 – My Reading Getaway – book review / author interview / giveaway
April 8 - Writer with Wanderlust – book review / guest post / giveaway
April 8 - Westveil Publising – book review / giveaway
April 11 – Splashes of Joy – book review / giveaway
April 11 - Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / giveaway
April 11 - Lisa's Reading – book review / giveaway
April 12 – Reading is My Passion – book review
April 12 - Chit Chat with Charity – book review / author interview / giveaway
April 12 - Book Vue – book spotlight
April 13 – Pause for Tales – book review / giveaway
April 13 - The Phantom Paragrapher – book review / giveaway
April 14 - I'm Into Books – book review / giveaway
April 14 - Lamon Reviews – book review / author interview / giveaway
April 14 - Ravenz Reviewz – book review / guest post / giveaway
April 15 – Captive Dreams Window – book review / giveaway
April 15 - Sefina Hawke's Books – book spotlight
April 15 - Jazzy Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
April 15
Faith And Books - book review / giveaway
 
Enter the Giveaway:
 

BUNSTER: AN EASTER STORY Book Tour Giveaway


 

Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway: Strength in the Storm by Laurel Blount

 



About the Book


Author: Laurel Blount

Genre: Amish Romance

Release date: February 22, 2022

In this touching Amish romance, a brokenhearted woman and a steadfast man discover that the safest place to weather tragedy is in each other’s arms.

After the murder of both her parents, Emma Hochstedler returns to the small community of Johns Mill, hoping to resume her quiet existence. Reclaiming her place proves harder than expected—especially now that a movie is being made about her family’s loss. But then, an old friend offers her a lifeline that gives her new purpose.

Amish builder Samuel Christner is the biggest—and the strongest—man in town. In fact, the gentle giant has only one weakness—Emma. Even though she broke his heart, he won’t let his childhood sweetheart face her troubles alone. He hires Emma as a nurse for his elderly aunt…and finds himself falling for her all over again.

But while romance blooms, storm clouds gather. And when darkness falls, it will take all Sam’s strength—and all their love—to see them through.

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts:

The Hochstedler family have had more than their fair share of family tragedy. This is the second book in the series and picks up after the tragic events that ripped this family into pieces. This is the first one I have read, and it did well with getting me caught up with the details.

Emma's parents were murdered by a young man who thought a little bit more of Emma than she did of him. He was an Englisher, a very troubled one. Emma has not really forgiven herself for feeling sorry for him and bringing this evil upon her family. She is also very beautiful and has for years attracted men. But hardly any of this is her fault. Her family knows this, but she needs to see it. As she has come back home and is trying to help her younger sister cope, she seems to be much more of a hinderance, and trouble seems to keep following her. Especially now that a movie is being made about her parent's murder. As if things couldn't get worse.

In steps Sam Christner longtime friend and one time boy she was going to marry. He is big in size and feels it is his duty to protect Emma. I really felt for Emma because it seemed she could go nowhere or do anything without drawing attention. Both good and bad. Sam also felt the same way. Sam is also dealing with his only sad family situation, but he and Emma strike a bargain.

Everything seemed to be going well until another 'storm' hits. After a bit of struggle, Emma and Sam weather this new set of problems and come out on the other side much stronger. If you like drama filled stories, this one is chock full of it.

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

Award-winning author Laurel Blount writes inspirational romances full of grit and grace—with characters who’ll walk right off the page and into your heart! She lives on a farm in Georgia with her husband, their four fabulous kids, and an assortment of ridiculously spoiled animals.

A enthusiastic multi-tasker, Laurel writes for both Berkley/Penguin Random House and Love Inspired/Harlequin. She’s the recipient of ACFW’s Carol Award, The New England Reader’s Choice Award and GRW’s Maggie Award. She’s represented by Jessica Alvarez of Bookends Literary Agency.

Strength in the Storm is Laurel’s seventh book—and four more stories are in the works! Stay tuned!

 

More from Laurel

A word from Laurel:

Oh, I can’t wait for you to meet Emma and Sam—they’re one of my all-time favorite story couples! And what an intriguing combination they are: a gentle man known far and wide for his physical strength…and a heartbroken woman—his boyhood sweetheart—who’s his one and only weakness.

Don’t you just love a good second chance romance? I know I do! There’s something so satisfying about seeing a broken love story beautifully mended. Of course, it won’t be easy.  Emma and Sam’s story is mixture of joy and sorrow, laughter and tears—lots and lots of bumps on the road for these two. But they’re about to discover that love and faith shine their brightest in life’s darkest moments—and that trouble only makes a hard-won “happily ever after” even sweeter!

Blog Stops

lakesidelivingsite, April 1

Bigreadersite, April 1

The Avid Reader, April 2

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 3

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 3

Texas Book-aholic, April 4

SusanLovesBooks, April 5

Lighthouse Academy Blog, April 5 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Inklings and notions, April 6

Writing From the Heart Land, April 6

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, April 7

Remembrancy, April 7

deb’s Book Review, April 8

Miriam Jacob, April 8

Bizwings Blog, April 9

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 9

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 10

Mary Hake, April 10

Books I’ve Read, April 11

I luv the books, April 11

For Him and My Family, April 12

Maureen’s Musings, April 12

Connie’s History Classroom, April 13

Pause for Tales, April 13

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 14

Giveaway



To celebrate her tour, Laurel is giving away the grand prize package of a $75 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/1c570/strength-in-the-storm-celebration-tour-giveaway


My Thoughts and More on The Queen's Cook by Tessa Afshar

  Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for The Queen’s Cook by Tessa Afshar hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours ! About the Book Titl...