Thursday, May 7, 2020

Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway: Oh, Gracious! by Chautona Havig


About the Book


Book:  Oh, Gracious!
Author: Chautona Havig
Genre:  Christian fiction, contemporary Romance, woman’s fiction
Release Date: March 31, 2020

Life is too short to settle for just anyone.

Grace gave her whole heart to Jesus, but now he wants a part of it.

All she ever wanted was to be a homemaker.

Sure, she has a degree in physics.  Yes, she could have a lucrative job in Rockland, but Grace Buscher enjoys her life as a single homemaker. As they say, it’s her choice.

As a successful business owner, a handsome guy, and heir to a small fortune, it’s no wonder Nolan Burke is one of Rockland’s most eligible bachelors. The problem is, he hasn’t met anyone who isn’t looking for a “trophy husband.”

Don’t family-centered women exist anymore?

Grace isn’t exactly eye candy. Nolan is a bit blind. So when an “accidental meeting” forges an unlikely friendship, it becomes obvious to everyone that it’s likely to become more.

But is Grace ready to give up the life she loves for the man she loves?

Find out in this completely updated, revised, and improved version of Chautona Havig’s first novel, Noble Pursuits.

Click here to get your copy!


My Thoughts:


This was a sweet little (okay, big) romance with all the usual author Havig charm. Somehow she pulled off having a love story that is quite unlike others I've read, while also being so realistic it felt like I was watching mutual friends fall in love. The main characters were quite interesting- she is a professional homemaker... of her own home, and he is an eligible bachelor fleeing from forward women. Together, they become the best of friends.
The secondary characters are also fun, from the heroine's overprotective brother and his wife, to her pretty but shy friend, the annoying guy in church, and his nice brother, to the hero's father's business partner and family. It was fun watching them all interact with each other as they dealt with the ups and downs of life together.


Overall, this was a delightful read to watch a man realize there is more to women than the outside, and a woman learn that there are spiritual benefits in a temporal relationship.

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.

Reviewed by Jes

About the Author


Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her at chautona.com and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.

More from Chautona


Wow, My Beloved First Book Was a Hot Mess

On my blog, I sometimes answer readers’ questions, and one of the earliest ones was, “Since you zip out your books so fast, do you ever later wish you had done something differently with them?”

My answer today is the same as back then—usually.  No.  Yes, I sometimes regret not being able to tell a supporting character’s story because the book has given away that person’s past and/or future.  Still, most of the time, I tell the story as I want it.

But in that post about “regrets,” I said that as I learn, I definitely wish to improve sentences here, and others there.  I did this already with Argosy Junction, the second book that I published. The first two or three books were experiments where I made many serious mistakes.  Took bad advice. Didn’t know the right things to research. All the mistake-ness.

Total transparency here. I chose Argosy Junction to revise first because I made fewer mistakes on it.  Still lots, but not as many as my first book, Noble Pursuits.

Bad editing advice, horrible cover design (twice), and just basic writing craft stuff that I didn’t know when I started this whole journey all culminated in a book I both loved (the story) and hated (the final result). Many reviewers said the same thing, too.  That poor book has the worst reviews of all of my books combined.

And for good reason.

But it’s a good story—one I love, as I said—and it has some strong fans.  Some readers were able to look past the problems and see the heart of what I tried to do with it.  And that was a beautiful thing.  Those readers, actually, are the ones I’ve rewritten this book for.

Yes, I rewrote Noble Pursuits. While every sentence isn’t completely rewritten, enough are that I considered it a new book, not just a revised one.

A few readers have panicked to see the title changed, the story rewritten. They’ve asked if I took out this or even that.  I took out and added nothing that 99.9% of readers would ever notice. And it’s a better book for it.

I am updating the original Noble Pursuits file with the new text.  I’m doing this in hopes that those who already own that book can go into their digital content on Amazon and get the updated version.  I don’t know if it will work, but I pray it does.

Meanwhile, for those who’ve asked why they can’t buy the first book on my Suggested Reading Order list,  well… now you can!

Oh, Gracious! has been a long time coming, but she’s here with a new title, rewritten content, and even a lovely new cover by the brilliantly talented Perry Elizabeth. It took what seems like forever to settle on a title, but we finally did. Why we chose Oh, Gracious! however, is a story for another day.

Blog Stops

Among the Reads, April 24
Wishful Endings, April 24
Cultivating us, April 29
Emily Yager, May 4
Artistic Nobody, May 7 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Giveaway


To celebrate her tour, Chautona is giving away the grand prize package of one paperback copy of each of the 3 fully revised novels: Oh, Gracious, Argosy Junction, and Thirty Days Hath…!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
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Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway: The Governess of Banbury Park by Julie Matern

About the Books




The Governess of Banbury Park

Genre: Regency, Romance Publisher: Cedar Fort Publication date: April 14, 2020

At the reading of her father's will, Sophia Cavanaugh learns that she is suddenly destitute. Impoverished, grief-stricken and alone, she sees only one course open to her - becoming a governess. With little experience and no references, securing a position proves more difficult than expected until she finds a champion in the dashing and well-connected Charles Mortimer. he quickly captures her heart but are the feelings mutual? Sophia is provided a position by his meddling mother and the two are parted, but fate thrusts them back together. Will Sophia risk her heart and confess her love? 

GOODREADS | AMAZON (this is an affiliated link, feel free to make it your own)

About the Author

matern-julie-author-photo_2

This is the second regency romance by Julie and the third is well underway. Julie was born and raised in London, England and still visits often to see family, wander around her old haunts and order cream teas with scones full of clotted cream and jam and a big cup of hot chocolate. She loves all things Jane Austen as well as mysteries, photography, chocolate, shoes, pickle ball and ...chocolate. 

10 Behind the Scenes Facts About the Book


1. Originally, Sophia was going to work for three different families - each showing a dark side of arranged marriage. The book turned out a little more suspenseful than was right for this audience so, at the editor’s suggestion, I removed the first third of the book! (to be used at a later time) That is a huge rewrite! It was very overwhelming and I had a very limited time in which to do it. I was able to salvage some of the characters and move them to this story, but some are still hidden away in my files. 

2. Sophia had to be lacking in street smarts so that the reader sympathizes with her plight. Hence she is raised by doting parents in a small, safe community. 

3.When I first crafted the Biggs twins, I had them actually finishing each other's sentences mid-sentence. The editor felt that this was too confusing for the reader so I had to modify this so that they finished each other’s conversations instead. Personally, I preferred it the other way - it was more comedic. 

4. Of course the Reverend Hale is modeled after Mr. Collins. I hope that I succeeded in creating a spindly, balding, awkward man in the minds of the reader. 

5. Charles Mortimer is more of a Bingley than a Darcy but finds his spine in the end. Since the characters in Haversham House were so good looking, this time, I set out to create a man who was attractive in a non-traditional way - his hair is a mess and his nose is too big. His other characteristics - his humor, care of his sister, tenderness - are what make him so appealing rather than his physical appearance. 

6. I am not a fan of plots that take a good man and show that he has a dark side - as so many television shows do. However, I needed Sophia’s father to have made the mistake of not saving money for the future. I hope that this is a failing that is common enough that it does not demonize her father. He was simply a righteous man who procrastinated. 

7. My grandmother had to go to an asylum for a short while when I was young. It was nothing like the one described in the book but it was very institutional with lots of odd noises. I remember visiting when I was a pre-teen and it was a rather chilling experience. I drew on some of those memories as I wrote that scene. 

8. We live in a world of social media and influencers. Many people secretly hoping that their video or post will go viral and give them their fifteen minutes of fame. I think this mindset helps us appreciate Mrs. Mortimer’s desperation to climb the social ladder. She will do anything to keep rising. 

9. Don’t you just love the Burleys? I imagine we all know people like them - salt of the earth, kind, friendly people who you can always count on to help. As a religious person I want to bring God into all of my books, to show His presence in our everyday lives. Meeting the Burley’s was not by chance - it was God answering Sophia’s prayer. In turn, she answered theirs and becomes the adopted daughter they have hoped and prayed for. 

10. Weddings were not quite the same then as they are today. The editor was worried that some of the things I had put in the original wedding scene were anachronistic - a big word that means ‘something that is not in its correct historical time.’ I did some research and modified a few things to make it more historically accurate. Readers can be very critical of such mistakes. For example, it was not standard for a bride to be walked down the aisle but I did find that in many cases the bride could choose to have her father do this. 

Snippet


On the final day, the whole company, including Sophia and Emily, was taking a walk around the estate after lunch when the redoubtable Mrs. Mortimer hung back. Sophia viewed her approach with dread and slowed her own progress, but Mrs. Mortimer, it appeared, was determined and stopped completely, waiting for Sophia to draw near. “You appear happy here, Miss Cavanaugh,” she began, touching her perfectly coiffed hair. “You must be most indebted to our family for finding you such an agreeable situation.” Sophia feared a verbal trap was being sprung and simply nodded. “Is it not then a poor show of appreciation to dally with my son’s affections?” she glowered. Sophia was caught off guard by such a direct reproach. Usually the gentry were much more discreet in their conversations. She must be absolutely furious. “I . . .” she began. “Do not deny it!” Mrs. Mortimer spat out, eyes narrowed to slits. “Let me explain how the world works for you. There are distinct social principles that divide the classes. Under no circumstances should these be crossed!” Sophia stepped back. “Charles is destined for great things, and as my only son, certain conduct is expected of him. My grandchildren must be the progeny of both a mother and father of the highest bloodline to honor our family’s good name and standing in society. The children of a governess will not do! Do I make myself clear?” She waited for no response before ploughing on. “Charles is weak when it comes to matters of the heart, and you are a distraction. He does not know his own mind and is easily persuaded by a pretty face. It is his duty to marry a woman of fortune and title, and therefore his history must not be besmirched by a dalliance with a servant. If you care for him at all, you must relinquish him.” She stopped and planted herself directly in front of Sophia. “Do I have your promise to give him up?” Righteous indignation had swelled during this scolding and now rose like a genie from a bottle within Sophia, knowing as she did the heritage of the woman berating her. She was torn between calling Mrs. Mortimer out as the worst of hypocrites, which would cause Charles more grief, or agreeing with her to smooth his path. Though she felt the flame of shame burning on her cheeks, her discomfort did not deter the woman or appeal to her sympathies. Rather, Charles’s mother bore down with all the authority she could muster to pressure her into compliance. The challenge merely emboldened Sophia, though she decided that she would keep her counsel on Mrs. Mortimer’s ancestry for Charles’s sake.

Review


First off, the cover is so gorgeous and reminds me so much of spring. It is also very innocent looking. This story does not overly romanticize the era in which it is written. The author excels at giving us a story that distinctly shows the division of the upper and lower classes and the prejudices that went along with that in England.

We are also treated to a little thread that is a bit gothic in nature. Also showing the complete adherence and support that women had on their fathers and husbands of the time. But what if your father made no allowance for you or your husband was a cruel manipulator? Also to add insult to injury you were considered chattel by your own family, maybe to save or gain a fortune, title, or respectability for your own mother or father's selfish gain. And at no thought to your future happiness or good. 

I really enjoyed this story and the way it was written. All the little threads that seemed to have no relation are tied neatly together at the end. I do believe this was a very realistic view of life through the eyes of a poor governess who due to her station and sex still pursued her happily ever after and to rise above her circumstances.

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.

Giveaway


TGOBP Tour Giveaway

-(2) winner's will receive a $10 Amazon Gift Card (open Int.) -(1) winner will receive an ebook copy of The Secret of Haversham House (open Int.) -(1) winner will receive their choice of a print copy of one of Julie's books (US only)
Enter the giveaway HERE.

Tour Schedule


Follow along with the tour over on SLB Tours.
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Monday, May 4, 2020

Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway: Anchored by Death by Catherine Finger


About the Book


Book:  Anchored by Death
Author: Catherine Finger
Genre:  Christian Mystery/Thriller
Release Date: June, 2017

Police Chief Jo Oliver needed a little time to herself. But when her escape to Wisconsin turns deadly, she teams up with FBI agent Nick Vitarello, hoping to catch the Bow Tie Killer. Their romantic past and complicated present leads them into uncharted territory as they match wits with a psychopath bent on destroying everything they hold dear.

Click here to get your copy!


My Thoughts:
This was a pretty quick read for me and very hard to put down. I was drawn in to care about these characters as their lives are threatened by a serial killer. First, I will say that this is the third book in the Jo Oliver Thriller series, and the second one I read. The fourth was the first book I read so for some reason I am reading the series backwards. It has been interesting but I do not recommend it. I will be reading the first two soon as well. I hope to read the first one next, and then continue on.

So besides reading them going backwards, I am really enjoying getting to know Jo and Nick, and even more of her comrades. I do like how each of the books open, almost like watching a TV series so you get a little blurb of what happened in the previous book. I do recommend these books to suspense fans and I like that there is just enough danger and romance to keep me satisfied. I look forward to reading book one.

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



Catherine Finger loves to dream, write, and tell stories. Retired from a wonderful career in public education, she celebrates the ability to choose how to spend her time in a new way during the second half of life. So far, she chooses to write books, ride horses, serve others, and generally find her way into and out of trouble both on the road and at home.  She lives in the Midwest with a warm and wonderful combination of family and friends.

More from Catherine


Thank you for your interest in the Jo Oliver thriller series. Today we celebrate Anchored by Death—book three in the series. The basic plot for this book came as a result of an FBI workshop I attended on how profilers track killers. A particular method was presented that really stuck with me. As I thought it over, I had the idea to combine a map of Wisconsin with the tracking technique I had learned, and I actually built the crime scenes around the theory. I then created a killer who would do the sorts of things I had mapped out, and in that order. This was a satisfying challenge for Josie and I enjoyed my research jaunts throughout Wisconsin while writing the chase and takedown scenes.

When Josie’s off the clock and spending time with family and friends, you can catch our heroine in the kitchen. Ever since her infamous Flourless Chocolate Cake appeared in Anchored by Death, fans have requested the recipe. For the epicurean readers, here is the recipe she used when preparing this special treat:

Ingredients:
12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
1 ½ sticks butter
¼ salt
6 eggs, room temp
1 ½ cups sugar (white granulated or brown will do)
Confectioner’s sugar and cocoa powder for dusting top and cake stand



How To:



Heat oven to 325 degrees. Prepare springform or regular round pans with nonstick spray or butter and flour.



Melt chocolate, butter, and salt—microwave will work in a pinch—or add all to heatproof bowl and place over small saucepan of simmering water to melt without burning. Set aside to cool
Beat eggs and sugar until light and thickened, around 6-8 minutes. Fold in melted chocolate mixture until completely combined.



Pour batter into buttered and floured cake pan—springform or regular round—and bake at 350 degrees for approximately 90 minutes, until a toothpick comes out wet but relatively clean.



Allow cake to cool completely before removing from pan. Dust with confectioner’s sugar and cocoa—Jo used a stencil for a quick and pretty design.



Thanks again for celebrating Anchored by Death—and know that I appreciate you. Readers are a special breed. As a lover of the written word and an author, I invite you to enjoy the read.

Blog Stops

Betti Mace, April 27
Holly Jo Morris, April 27
Older & Smarter?, April 28

Giveaway


To celebrate her tour, Catherine 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.
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Saturday, May 2, 2020

Cover Reveal: At Summer's End by Jes Drew

Hello and welcome back to another cover reveal. This time it is for author Jes Drew's At Summer's End. Please also check out her site at: At Agency of Books and Spies for more in depth information.

 And without further ado, here it is!

The world is reeling from the near-apocalypse of the Dystopian Takeover that was only just averted by a motley crew of teenagers, including Violet Strokes. 

Violet now finds herself recruited by a special opps team- Code Name Peacemakers- to train to prevent future takeovers from ever happening along with some of the other teenage heroes. Which would be a lot easier if she weren't struggling to hide her emotional and physical wounds of the last takeover, or if everyone else on the team weren't spoiled rich kids (minus one mild-mannered superhuman named Tim).

 It certainly doesn't help that one of the other teenagers on the team is her long-lost childhood friend- and the son of the villains of the Dystopian Takeover- Alexander Franklin III, who is insistent that they rekindle their friendship. On top of it all, every turn she takes, she seems run into another boy from her past- with what may be an even more sinister family legacy...

Somehow, though, Violet, Alex, and the rest of the team need to figure out how to work together to protect the world from itself. That is, if Violet can stop the takeover that is going on in her very mind...

Coming June 1!


($0.99 Pre-Order Coming soon to Amazon)
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Review: Sand Creek Serenade by Jennifer Uhlarik

To Purchase
About:
One woman with a deep desire to serve and help. One brave who will stop at nothing to save his people. Each willing to die for their beliefs and love for one another. Will their sacrifice be enough?

As a female medical doctor in 1864, Sadie Hoppner is no stranger to tragedy and loss. While she grapples with the difficulties of practicing medicine at a Colorado outpost, she learns that finding acceptance and respect proves especially difficult at Fort Lyon.

Cheyenne brave Five Kills wants peace between his people and the American Army. But a chance encounter with their female doctor ignites memories from his upbringing among the whites … along with a growing fondness for the one person who seems to understand him and his people. As two cultures collide with differing beliefs of right and wrong, of what constitutes justice and savagery, blood spills on the Great Plains. When the inevitable war reaches Fort Lyon, the young couple's fledgling love is put to the test.


My Thoughts:

This was a romance story that takes place in a time when a white woman and a Native American man's love would have been forbidden. This is also a time of tentative peace between the US government and the Native American tribes. Based on the massacre that happened at Sand Creek, the author takes us right into that conflict, where evil men decided to take vengeance for themselves.
Sadie Hoppner is a doctor who is working along side her doctor brother at a military fort. Not everyone accepts her, but she strives to prove herself as every bit of a competent doctor as her brother is.
Five Kills is half white and Native American. He knows languages and so he has a very important job as translator. He catches sight of Sadie and he knows deep down he wants to get to know her more and her books. However, there is political upheaval in the military ranks and not everything is as it seems, which leads up to this devastating massacre in history.
I like that we had a romance to root for as the atrocities of this event were hard to read about, and I know we didn't get every detail. If ever the author wanted to, I would very much like to read more about Sadie and Five Kills. I very much enjoyed watching these two fall in love, while seemingly battling the world, and finding true faith. Five Kills knew he needed help that was beyond him and the author did a good job telling his faith journey.
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.


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My Thoughts and More on Sparks of Hope by Avrie Swan

  About the Book Boo k: Sparks of Hope Author: Avrie Swan Genre: Christian Historical Romance Release Date: September 1, 2026 A woman rebuil...