Celebrate Lit Tour: The Secrets of Paper and Ink

About the Book

About the Book

Title: The Secrets of Paper and Ink
Author: Lindsay Harrel
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Release date: February 26, 2019

Publisher: Tyndale
Lindsay Harrel presents a powerful story of healing, forgiveness, and finding the courage to write your own story.
A year after the death of her abusive fiancé, domestic violence counselor Sophia Barrett finds returning to work too painful. She escapes to Cornwall, England—a place she’s learned to love through the words of her favorite author—and finds a place to stay with the requirement that she help out in the bookstore underneath the room she’s renting. Given her love of all things literary, it seems like the perfect place to find peace.
Ginny Rose is an American living in Cornwall, sure that if she saves the bookstore she co-owns with her husband then she can save her marriage as well. Fighting to keep the first place she feels like she belongs, she brainstorms with her brother-in-law, William, and Sophia to try to keep the charming bookstore afloat.
More than 150 years before, governess Emily Fairfax knew two things for certain: she wanted to be a published author, and she was in love with her childhood best friend. But he was a wealthy heir and well out of her league. Sophia discovers Emily’s journals, and she and William embark on a mission to find out more about this mysterious and determined woman, all the while getting closer to each other as they get closer to the truth.
The lives of the three women intertwine as each learns the power she has over the story of her life.

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

Lindsay Harrel is a lifelong book nerd who lives in Arizona with her young family and two golden retrievers in serious need of training. She’s held a variety of writing and editing jobs over the years and now juggles stay-at-home mommyhood with writing novels. When she’s not writing or chasing after her children, Lindsay enjoys making a fool of herself at Zumba, curling up with anything by Jane Austen, and savoring sour candy one piece at a time. Connect with her at LindsayHarrel.com.

Guest Post from Lindsay

With every book I write, it seems God has something new to teach me. That certainly was true of The Secrets of Paper and Ink.
Lately, I am learning more and more about the power of our words. I’ve become more conscious of the words I speak over myself as well as what I say to other people. It’s more than “positive thinking”—the words we say ultimately contribute to the stories we weave, and I want my story to be as positive and hope-filled as possible, regardless of my circumstances.
I’ve also become much more aware of the lies that I tell myself—“you are not worthy, you are not enough, you will never achieve what you want to achieve”—and the need to replace those lies with the truths that God says about me. I have listened to Lauren Daigle’s song You Say on repeat lately, and it has become a theme not just of The Secrets of Paper and Ink, but one in the story of my very life.
So while I may not have experienced everything my characters have—I’ve never suffered emotional abuse, or been ostracized by my family, or been orphaned and alone in a world that seems against me at every turn—I have learned alongside them. I set out to write a book that would draw readers closer to the true healer and hope giver, and I ended up being drawn closer myself.
And that, to me, is the true power of story.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 26

The Avid Reader, February 26

The Power of Words, February 26

Carla Loves To Read, February 26

Blogging With Carol, February 27

Inspirationally Ever After, February 27

Kristin’s Book Reviews, February 27

Real World Bible Study, February 28

Caffeinated Christian Raves – N – Reviews, February 28

Carpe Diem, February 28

A Baker’s Perspective, March 1

Andy Carmichael, March 1

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, March 1

Bibliophile Reviews, March 2

The Becca Files, March 2

Just Your Average reviews, March 2

Christian Chick’s Thoughts, March 3

Emily Yager, March 3

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 3

Genesis 5020, March 4

Reader’s Cozy Corner, March 4

Stories By Gina, March 4

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 5

Simple Harvest Reads, March 5 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

Mary Hake, March 5

Remembrancy, March 6

Through the Fire Blogs, March 6

Inklings and Notions, March 6

Just the Write Escape, March 7

Pause for Tales, March 7

Book by Book, March 7

Living Life Free in Christ, March 8

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, March 8

To Everything A Season, March 8

The Lit Addict, March 9

Texas Book-aholic, March 9

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 9

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 10

Janices book reviews, March 10

Bigreadersite, March 10

Henry Happens, March 11

Godly Book Reviews, March 11

All-of-a-kind Mom, March 11

amandainpa , March 11

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lindsay is giving away a copy of Lindsay’s first book The Heart Between Us!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. 

Giveaway

My Thoughts


I wasn’t sure what to expect with this new book. I am a bit more picky when it comes to contemporary novels and this one I started to struggle with about half way through. There are three different story lines going on, which wasn’t an issue. I thought that part was well written and organized. The overall plot was just really slow for me. I liked Ginny’s story line the most, which surprised me but the ending was fairly predictable. I had a hard time connecting with the characters but I LOVED the setting. Any book that has a bookstore setting adds a lot to the reading experience. I really enjoyed this author’s previous book but this one just wasn’t for me. I do think she is a great writer and I look forward to reading her next story.

Three Stars. 

"I received this book from the publisher for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

 

Top Ten Tuesday: Characters I’d Like To Switch Places With

This week is actually pretty tricky. If I think about some of my favorite books, I am not so sure I would want to trade places with the characters. Most of my favorite stories are of broken people in difficult circumstances and I am not so sure I would want all of their trials. BUT I did think of a few that I wouldn't mind trading places with, if only for a day.

Rebekah Carrington

Mandie

Felicity

Elizabeth

Katie

Anna O'Brien

Sophie Menzies

Marie Carrington

Ingrid

Valancy and her imagination.

Daughter's of Northern Shores-A New Bischof Adventure

 

About the Book

Aven Norgaard understands courage. Orphaned within an Irish workhouse, then widowed at just nineteen, she voyaged to America where she was wooed and wed by Thor Norgaard, a Deaf man in rural Appalachia. That the Lord saw her along the winding journey and that Aven now carries Thor’s child are blessings beyond measure. Yet while Thor holds her heart, it is his younger brother and rival who haunts her memories. Haakon—whose selfish choices shattered her trust in him.

Having fled the farm after trying to take Aven as his own, Haakon sails on the North Atlantic ice trade where his soul is plagued with regrets that distance cannot heal. Not even the beautiful Norwegian woman he’s pursued can ease the torment. When the winds bear him home after four years away, Haakon finds the family on the brink of tragedy. A decades-old feud with the neighboring farm has wrenched them into the fiercest confrontation on Blackbird Mountain since the Civil War. Haakon’s cunning and strength hold the power to seal many fates, including Thor’s which is already at stake through a grave illness brought to him as the first prick of warfare.

Now Haakon faces the hardest choice of his life. One that shapes a battlefield where pride must be broken enough to be restored, and where a prodigal son may finally know the healing peace of surrender and the boundless gift of forgiveness. And when it comes to the woman he left behind in Norway, he just might discover that while his heart belongs to a daughter of the north, she’s been awaiting him on shores more distant than the land he’s fighting for. (Goodreads)

About the Author                          Buy Here

My Thoughts

 Joanne is one of my all time favorite authors, each of her novels I highly anticipate. This novel is the sequel to Sons of Blackbird Mountain. If you haven't read book one, really you must in order to understand this story. We get to go back into the lives of Aven and Thor which was delightful to see their characters grow all the more. Haakon is a difficult character to like but in typical Bischof style, she peels back the layers to the heart of this man. The setting is stunning and as you can tell from the cover we are taken from Appalachia to across the ocean, though most of the story is set in Appalachia. I enjoyed this book because it is so beautifully written. I did think the ending was a tad rushed and wrapped up quickly. I really wanted to keep reading about this family but sadly it came to an end. 

If you enjoy historical fiction this is a great series for you to pick up! I highly recommend anything by Joanne.

Five stars. 

"I received this book from BookLook for free. All opinions are my own."

Cold Weather Bucket List

Cold Weather Bucket List: Making the Most of Cozy Nights Inside

With Winter being the longest season, it can feel as though time stops during these months. This time of year may bring gorgeous blankets of snow as well as a sense of peace as everyone begins their hibernation away from the cold. As the days go on and temperatures drop further into single digits, your family may start to stir as they spend yet another night inside.The fun you spend together doesn’t have to be cancelled on account of the weather. Here are some ways to help them make the most of their wintery nights braving the cold!

Make your home a cozy paradise

In order to feel cozy- your home needs to look cozy. Encourage your household to play the part and incorporate some serious cold-weather vibes into your home. If you have a fireplace, get it going to warm things up and throw on your favorite chunky knits and sweaters to protect yourself from the coldest of Winter nights. No fireplace? No problem! Light candles throughout your home (keep them in areas with the most traffic so you can easily keep an eye on them) and turn off all but one or two lamps for a dim ambiance. Keep your chunkiest knit blankets in arms distance for when your family is ready to truly bundle up!

Cook a hearty family meal

Nothing says sweater weather like a hot, home-cooked meal to warm you up from the inside out. Fire up your stove and make some quick, hearty meals that are sure to bring comfort into your kitchen. This is the perfect opportunity to not only share a meal as a family but also cook one! Allowing your children to be hands-on with family meal creation brings about many health benefits, including the promotion of wholesome eating patterns and strengthening your familial bond.

Cozy up with a movie marathon

Sure, the snow can be a blast to jump around in, but by nightfall, your family is going to want to stay inside and safe from the elements. Just because the sun has set, doesn’t mean the fun needs to be over. Put together a movie marathon to give your family something that beats cabin fever while simultaneously providing downtime. There are so many fun Christian movies for your family to enjoy together! Hunker down on the couch with your warm blankets and sweaters, and dish out some binge-worthy movie snacks to bring the at-home theater experience to life.

Send letters to your loved ones

Whether done before, on or after Valentine’s Day, there isn’t really a wrong time to let the people you love know how much you care. Get blank notecards and spend time writing out messages to your friends and family. Challenge your family to get more personal with their messages, striving to customize each one and truly articulate how appreciative they are to have the recipient in their life. They’ll feel good knowing they reached out and you’ll love that they received a lesson in empathy and giving back, even if in a small way.

Build a reading fort

Sometimes the perfect pairing on a snowy day is a hot drink and a good read. Make the reading experience more exciting by building a fort out of sheets and blankets. Sting up white lights in order to keep the environment soft and comforting, and whip up a batch of stovetop hot chocolate to sip on as your family gets lost in stories. If you have little ones, make the experience interactive and read their favorite story books aloud!

Have a picnic

Who says you need to be outside in order to have a real picnic. If you have a blanket, some good food, and even better company, you’ll have everything that you need! To make the occasion really feel like the perfect picnic, place all of your food in a basket or tote bag and eat off of paper plates. Opt for kid-friendly finger foods 

 and mess-free snacks to minimize clean up.

Sleep under the stars

Before you tear down your family’s magical reading fort, make the most out of your tent and white lights by spending the night under the stars. Indoor camping provides the best of both worlds: you get to still have the adventure of snoozing in sleeping bags and chowing down on campfire treats but without the bitter temps that nature can bring. Put on a sound machine to bring nature into your very own living room and unplug for the night in order to keep your household present as they spend time together.

No matter how you choose to spend your time, your family will have a blast simply spending time together!

Celebrate Lit Tour The Seamstress: A New Favorite

About the Book

Title: The Seamstress

Author: Allison Pittman

Genre: Historical Fiction

Release date: February 5, 2019

Publisher: Tyndale

A beautifully crafted story breathes life into the cameo character from the classic novel A Tale of Two Cities.

France, 1788

It is the best of times . . .

On a tranquil farm nestled in the French countryside, two orphaned cousins—Renée and Laurette—have been raised under the caring guardianship of young Émile Gagnon, the last of a once-prosperous family. No longer starving girls, Laurette and Renée now spend days tending Gagnon’s sheep, and nights in their cozy loft, whispering secrets and dreams in this time of waning innocence and peace.

It is the worst of times . . .

Paris groans with a restlessness that can no longer be contained within its city streets. Hunger and hatred fuel her people. Violence seeps into the ornate halls of Versailles. Even Gagnon’s table in the quiet village of Mouton Blanc bears witness to the rumbles of rebellion, where Marcel Moreau embodies its voice and heart.

It is the story that has never been told.

In one night, the best and worst of fate collide. A chance encounter with a fashionable woman will bring Renée’s sewing skills to light and secure a place in the court of Queen Marie Antoinette. An act of reckless passion will throw Laurette into the arms of the increasingly militant Marcel. And Gagnon, steadfast in his faith in God and country, can only watch as those he loves march straight into the heart of the revolution.

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author

Allison Pittmanis the author of more than a dozen critically acclaimed novels and a three-time Christy finalist—twice for her Sister Wife series and once for All for a Story from her take on the Roaring Twenties. She lives in San Antonio, Texas, blissfully sharing an empty nest with her husband, Mike. Connect with her on Facebook (Allison Pittman Author), Twitter (@allisonkpittman) or her website, allisonkpittman.com.

Guest Post from Allison

My dream of being an author began by “finishing” other author’s works, fleshing out the stories of neglected characters. When I read the final books in the Little House series, I was far more interested in Cap Garland than I was in Almonzo Wilder, and I imagined all kinds of stories in which he was the hero.

This, The Seamstress, is one of those stories that came to me in a single burst of thought. I was teaching my sophomore English class, discussing through the final scenes in A Tale of Two Cities, when the little seamstress in those final pages reached out to me. She is a nameless character, seemingly more symbolic than anything. Dickens, however, gives her an entire backstory in a single phrase: I have a cousin who lives in the country. How will she ever know what became of me? I remember pausing right then and there in front of my students and saying, “Now, there’s the story I want to write.”

Now, years later, I have.

While every word of every Charles Dickens novel is a master class in writing, what he gave to me for The Seamstress is the kind of stuff that brings life and breath to fiction. I have to convey the fact that any character on my pages—no matter how much story space he or she is allotted—has a life between them. Every man was once a child; every woman a vulnerable young girl.

So, Dickens gave me the bones of the story. A seamstress. A cousin in the country. A country ripped apart; family torn from family. I did my very best to put flesh on those bones, but no writer can ever bring the life and breath. Only a reader can do that.

Blog Stops

Fiction Aficionado, February 9

The Lit Addict, February 9

The Power of Words, February 9

Jennifer Sienes: Where Crisis & Christ Collide, February 10

Lis Loves Reading, February 10

Maureen’s Musings, February 10

Carpe Diem, February 11

A Baker’s Perspective, February 11

All-of-a-kind Mom, February 12

Emily Yager, February 12

Mary Hake, February 12

Stories By Gina, February 13

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, February 13

The Christian Fiction Girl, February 13

Inspired by fiction, February 14

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 14

Remembrancy, February 14

Through the Fire Blogs, February 15

Seasonsofopportunities, February 15

Inspiration Clothesline, February 15

Books, Books, and More Books, February 16

Inklings and Notions, February 16

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 16

Bibliophile Reviews, February 17

Texas Book-aholic, February 17

Margaret Kazmierczak, February 18

A Reader’s Brain, February 18

By The Book, February 18

Multifarious, February 19

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, February 19

Pause for Tales, February 19

Bigreadersite, February 20

Simple Harvest Reads, February 20

Janices book reviews, February 20

For the Love of Books, February 21

Book by Book, February 21

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, February 21

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 22

To Everything A Season, February 22

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 22

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Allison is giving away a grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card, a hardcover copy of The Seamstress, and this copy of A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Enter below! 

Giveaway

My Thoughts

Oh my goodness this book. I really had no idea what to expect with this novel. I have been reading Pittman's books for years so I know how talented she is as an author. This book is her best work in my opinion. The story flips between two cousins and this was so well done. The history is fascinating and the setting, Versailles and the countryside, are perfection. Having been there it made this book all the better! There are so many layers to this story but I will tell you that it is so well done you won't be able to stop reading.  I loved all of the characters but I warn you, there will be some times when you will be frustrated with them! This book made me feel all the feels and has everything you want in a story line. Pittman did a fantastic job portraying forgiveness, compassion, and Christ's love. There are some difficult issues that some might deem inappropriate for a Christian novel. Nothing is too graphic (in my opinion), but I applaud Allison for acknowledging real life issues instead of skimming over them. I know she got the idea for this story from A Tale of Two Cities, but I also saw a lot of similarities to the themes in Francine Rivers Redeeming Love. I loved this book because I love history and I love reading about broken characters. This is one of the best books I have read in a while! I highly recommend!

Five stars!

"I received this book from the publisher for free. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are my own."

Adorned Book Review

 About the Book

New book from bestselling author Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth!

Known for her wisdom, warmth, and knowledge of Scripture, Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth has encouraged millions through her books, radio programs, and conferences. Now she’s back with a legacy work on Titus 2 and its powerful vision for women.

From Nancy:

"Cross-generational community between women is the biblical antidote for being chronically, hopelessly overwhelmed, as so many of us are.

When older women come out of their protective cocoons to invest themselves in the lives of younger women, whole families and churches feel the blessing. When young moms and singles widen their peer groups to include women who have already braved the same rapids and lived to tell about it, both sides of the relationship are strengthened and grow. We all, in different ways and in different seasons, need to be on both the giving and receiving end of this life-to-life process.

So I invite you to join me as we look to God’s Word for His perspective on the character, commitments, and attitudes of godly women—and His prescribed process for helping us live out these virtues not only today, but from generation to generation."

My Thoughts

I'll be honest in saying this wasn't really the book for me. There were some good chapters but a few just didn't relate with me or perhaps just seemed drawn out as if it was a repeat of what was already stated. This is a very slow read, which I think books like this should be slower. You need time to process what is being said and also use your Bible as a reference. Perhaps it was simply timing but while I got a few good things out of this book, it isn't one that stood out to me to recommend. 

Three Stars. 

"I received this book from Moody Publishers for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

  

Top Ten Tuesaday: Favorite Couples In Books

There were a lot of couples I thought about when doing this post. Here are just a few of my favorites for this weeks Top Ten Tuesday!

Violet and Vance

Drew and Constance

Trevor and Kate

Luka and Tess

Gilbert and Anne

Rebekah and Nathaniel

Lonnie and Gideon

Charlie and Ella

Seamus and Sophie

Michael and Angel

Between Two Shores Review

 

About the Book

The daughter of a Mohawk mother and French father in 1759 Montreal, Catherine Duval finds it is easier to remain neutral in a world that is tearing itself apart. Content to trade with both the French and the British, Catherine is pulled into the fray against her wishes when her British ex-
fiance, Samuel Crane, is taken prisoner by her father. Samuel asks her to help him escape, claiming he has information that could help end the war.

Peace appeals to Catherine, but helping the man who broke her heart does not. She delays . . . until attempts on Samuel's life convince her he's in mortal danger. Against her better judgment she helps him flee by river, using knowledge of the landscape to creep ever closer to freedom. Their time together rekindles feelings she thought long buried, and danger seems to hound their every mile. She's risked becoming a traitor by choosing a side, but will the decision cost her even more than she anticipated? (Goodreads)

My Thoughts

I love reading Jocelyn's books because you really never know what you are going to get. It took me a few days to digest this novel, there is a lot in between these pages and I had mixed feelings at the end. I love the setting and the history is fascinating. Catherine is a very strong character and really who makes the book as good as it is. There is a lot of honesty in how people lived and acted during this time. Jocelyn doesn't sugar coat things in any book she writes and this one is no exception. Which really is best for historical fiction! I struggled with the secondary characters and had a hard time understanding them and how they were going to be used throughout the story.  Some of the people in this book I really disliked and others I wanted to cheer on. This isn't what you would call a happily ever after book. The ending I had to mull over awhile, honestly the last part of the book I had to consider before I decided how I felt on this novel. I think my conclusion is that this story shows how a woman can survive and how strong people can be in the worst of circumstances. I liked reading characters that were independent women and while times have changed, many truths in this book are relevant today. I think Jocelyn Green did an excellent job and I am anxious to read her next book. 

Five stars.
If you are a history fan you will enjoy this book. 

"I received this book from the publisher for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

A Return of Devotion Review

 

About the Book

 

Daphne Blakemoor was perfectly happy living in her own secluded world for twelve years. She had everything she needed—loved ones, a true home, and time to indulge her imagination. But when ownership of the estate where she works as a housekeeper passes on, and the new marquis has an undeniable connection to her past, everything she's come to rely upon is threatened.

William, Marquis of Chemsford's main goal in life is to be the exact opposite of his father. Starting a new life in the peace and quiet of the country sounds perfect until his housekeeper turns his life upside down.

They've spent their lives hiding from the past. Can they find the courage to face their deepest wounds and, perhaps, find a new path for the future together? (Goodreads)

My Thoughts

I was eager to read Daphne's story after reading the first book in this series. While not necessary, I do recommend you start with book one to get a better idea of what is going on in this book. So this book starts off right about where I thought it would. I loved the characters, even the secondary ones are well written. The story line I struggled with just a bit. The first part of the book really drags on for quite awhile, not really much happens and it is just a waiting game. The last part of the book is what had more to it and sped things up a bit. I like the back story of Daphne and honestly I am really curious where the next book will take all of these lovely characters. I appreciate that Kristi tackles more difficult subjects in her fiction and I believe that is why I consider her books must reads.

Four stars. 

"I received this book from the publisher for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."