Thursday, May 31, 2018

Together Forever Celebrate Lit Tour and Review

Together forever copy

About the Book

Together Forever
Title: Together Forever, Orphan Train Book 2
Author: Jody Hedlund
Genre: Inspirational historical romance
Release Date: May, 2018
Determined to find her lost younger sister, Marianne Neumann takes a job as a placing agent with the Children’s Aid Society in 1858 New York. She not only hopes to offer children a better life, but prays she’ll be able to discover whether Sophie ended up leaving the city on an orphan train so they can finally be reunited.
Andrew Brady, her fellow agent on her first placing-out trip, is a former schoolteacher who has an easy way with the children, firm but tender and friendly. Underneath his charm and handsome looks, though, seems to linger a grief that won’t go away–and a secret from his past that he keeps hidden.
As the two team up, placing orphans in the small railroad towns of Illinois, they find themselves growing ever closer . . . until a shocking tragedy threatens to upend all their work and change one of their lives forever.

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author

Jody hedlundJody Hedlund is the author of over a dozen novels, including Love Unexpected, Captured by Love, Unending Devotion, The Preacher’s Bride, and A Noble Groom, winner of the 2014 Carol Award for historical romance. She received a bachelor’s degree from Taylor University and a master’s from the University of Wisconsin, both in social work. She lives in Michigan with her husband and five children. She loves hearing from readers on Facebook and on her blog at www.jodyhedlund.com.



Guest Post from Jody Hedlund

30,000 Abandoned Children
By Jody Hedlund
Imagine a city where 30,000 abandoned and homeless children live on the streets.
Sounds like something from a futuristic dystopian novel, doesn’t it? Or something that might happen after a war or apocalypse or major disaster, right?
This exact thing actually happened in the 1850’s. And the city was New York City.
It’s hard to believe, but an estimated 30,000 homeless children roamed the dirty city streets and alleys of New York City.
30,000. Children. Let that sink in for a minute. That’s the size of a town.
Historians look back on that time and try to make sense what led to such horrific conditions for children. Of course, the influx of immigrants was at an all time high. Jobs and housing were scarce. Diseases were rampant. Hunger and poverty became a norm. (Orphan Train Depot)
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As more and more people became aware of the enormous problem within the crowded slums, courageous heroes rose up and attempted to do their part to make a difference.
While we may not always agree with the methods that were used to save the thousands of homeless children, we can admire the men and women who could no longer sit idly by.
The Children’s Aid Society was started by Charles Loring Brace as one such attempt to help the hordes of homeless children. His “Emigration Plan” is better known today by the term “Orphan Trains.”
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My latest series tackles various elements of the orphan train movement. Together Forever, releasing in May, highlights the placing agents, those devoted people who rode the trains with the orphans. The agents spent weeks and months on the road caring for the children, all the while trying to place them in loving homes.
(If you’d like to try out the series, start with my FREE novella, An Awakened Heart.)
Like the brave men and women who came before us, may we always strive to do our part to make a difference!

Blog Stops

By The Book, May 22
Genesis 5020, May 23
Radiant Light, May 26
Mary Hake, May 27
Carpe Diem, May 27
Simple Harvest Reads, May 28 (Guest Post from Mindy Houng)
Bigreadersite, May 30
Vicky Sluiter, June 2


Giveaway

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To celebrate her tour, Jody is giving away a grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card!!




 MY THOUGHTS
Jody Hedlund has been one of my favorite authors since I read her first book years ago. I have loved every single one of her books, and I highly recommend them! This orphan train series has been really interesting, especially on the historical side of things. I have read a few books set during this time and event but it is always good to think about what it must have actually been like. This book takes you into the background of the people that went with the children to place them, and the lives of the kids themselves. I have had a hard time totally getting into the characters in this new series. I really don't know why but they just haven't been my favorite of Jody's books. While still good, something just seems a little different in the writing. That being said, I am excited to read the next book and see where Jody takes us next! 

Four stars. 


"I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All opinions are my own."










Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Blind Betrayal Review




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 About the Book

U.S. Marshal Casey Quinn is tasked with escorting a reporter to testify before a grand jury regarding a missing environmentalist. At first, the assignment seems routine. But when it becomes dangerously clear that there's more to the story than anyone knows, Casey and two other marshals--one a man from her past--will have to do whatever it takes to survive. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts

I haven't read a book by Nancy Mehl in quite some time. I didn't read the first books in the series but I didn't feel completely out of the loop. This book starts with a bang and I was curious to see what the characters were all about. Some things in the story line were terribly obvious and while moments were suspenseful, this book didn't have me on the edge of my seat. I had a difficult time loving Casey and I think that made this book difficult for me to love. The other characters were okay and the story went along but I would call it a quick mystery type read. 
Three stars. 



"Thanks to Bethany House  for the opportunity to read this book. All opinions are my own."







Monday, May 21, 2018

Becoming the Talbot Sisters Review


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 About the Book

Twin sisters Waverly and Charlie Talbot have drifted far apart as they pursue opposite dreams of stardom and service to the poor. On an astonishing journey across Central Europe, they must come together to face their fears, find their courage and fight for what they love.
Celebrity chef Waverly Ross has built a successful career with her home-entertaining show Simply Perfect. Yet she and her husband, Andrew, have never been able to realize the true desire of Waverly’s heart: to become a mother. Meanwhile Waverly’s twin sister, Charlie Talbot, buries her bitter disappointment and shattered idealism beneath a life spent serving others as an international aid worked in Budapest, Hungary.
When the beloved aunt who raised them passes away, Waverly and Charlie come together in their grief after living years on separate continents. Struck by a fierce desire to bridge the distance between them, Charlie offers Waverly and her husband the selfless gift of surrogacy.
But soon the sisters find they are each in danger of losing their jobs, seemingly putting their dreams on hold once again. When Waverly shows up unannounced in Budapest with a plan to rescue Simply Perfect, the sisters embark on an adventure across Central Europe that could save them both from occupational hazards. Though the twins haven’t had to rely on each other since childhood, an unforeseen dangerous turn in their journey across Europe forces them to stand together to save their careers, the baby, and each other.




My Thoughts

This book started off with me totally engrossed in the story line. I loved the cooking show aspect and the traveling part of other sister. I think the characters were pretty strong I just really struggled with the second half of the book. The story line takes a turn that I didn't love. There were a few things thrown in that I didn't think were necessary and took away from the book. Once again, this publisher (Christian publisher) toes the line on what I would call general fiction. I understand that it simply says fiction and that is the category. BUT if it is published under a Christian publisher it should hold to those values in every way. Aside from that this just wasn't my favorite book. Some things I loved, some things just weren't for me. 


"Thanks to the publisher for giving me a free copy. All opinions are my own." 










Tuesday, May 15, 2018

The Accidental Guardian Tour With JustRead Tours



ABOUT THE BOOK


Title: The Accidental Guardian
Series: High Sierra Sweethearts, Book 1
Author: Mary Connealy
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Release Date: April 3, 2018
Genre: Historical Romance / Western
+To Read: Goodreads 

She's the Only Witness to a Wagon Train Attack. Keeping Her Safe, Though, Means His World Is about to be Turned Upside Down.

When Trace Riley finds the smoldering ruins of a small wagon train, he recognizes an attack by the same group who left him as sole survivor years ago. Living off the wilderness since then, he's finally carved out a home and started a herd--while serving as a self-appointed guardian of the trail. He'd hoped the days of driving off dangerous men were over, but the latest attack shows otherwise.

Deborah Harkness saved her younger sister and two toddlers during the attack, and now finds herself at the mercy of her rescuer. Trace becomes an accidental guardian when he offers the only shelter for miles around and agrees to take them in until they can safely continue their journey. His simple bachelor existence never anticipated kids and women in the picture and their arrival is unsettling--yet enticing. 

Trace and Deborah find themselves drawing ever closer as they work together to bring justice to the trail and help the group survive the winter--but every day closer to spring means a day closer to leaving the mountains forever.


PURCHASE A COPY*

The next book in the series, THE RELUCTANT WARRIOR 
will be released later this year in October, 2018!



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Photo courtesy of
Ginger Murray Photography
Mary Connealy writes "romantic comedies with cowboys" and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She has more than half a million books in print. She is the author of the popular series Wild at Heart, Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Lassoed in Texas, Sophie's Daughters, and many other books. Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero.

CONNECT WITH MARY: website,  facebook,  twitter,  instagram

You can also find Mary at these sites: Seekerville and Petticoats & Pistols




GIVEAWAY



(1) Winner will win: 
  • The Cimarron Legacy by Mary Connealy (all 3 print books)
  • The Accidental Guardian by Mary Connealy (print)
(US/Canada Mailing Addresses Only) Full terms & conditions noted on Rafflecopter form.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
For the full tour schedule for more giveaway entries, head to JustRead's Launch Page HERE (or click on the Tour Banner below).


AccidentalGuardian Blog
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.





My Thoughts

I have read multiple books by Mary Connealy and I was thrilled to see the covers of this new series. These are by far the best covers for her books so far and I hope the publisher continues in that direction! While this book was very predictable there were some great characters that really pulled the story together. The start of the book starts with a bang and I really liked Trace. It is always fun to see some kids in a story and also a situation when people are thrown together and have to figure out how to survive together. I look forward to the next book in the series! 

"Thanks to Bethany House and Just Read Tours for the opportunity to read this book. All opinions are my own."




Friday, May 11, 2018

Storm Front Book Review



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 About the Book

A tornado has destroyed a small Minnesota community and among the missing are not only a group of students but PEAK Rescue team leader Chet King. Ty Remington will stop at nothing to rescue his mentor, not even when the girl he loved--and lost--walks back into his life. But Brette needs his help more than he knows, despite her stubborn determination to push him away. And when he gets a second chance, loving her just might cost him more than he can imagine.

A blogger for Vortex Storm Chasers, Brette Arnold didn't expect her adventures to land her in the same place as Ty, the guy who she walked--no, ran--from over a year ago. She had her reasons--good ones. The kind that tell her that falling for him again would only lead to heartache. But Ty isn't the kind of man to give up--not on the missing students, or on her.

Life and love hang in the balance in Susan May Warren's breathless story of holding on to hope during a deadly summer of storms. (Goodreads)


My Thoughts

Susan May Warren continues on in this fun series full of adventure! The characters stories continue, so I do recommend starting with book one! I'll be honest in saying this wasn't my favorite book in the series for a few reasons. I hate anything that has to do with a tornado. It doesn't excite me, it makes me want to hide in the basement. But it does make for some excitement in a story. Also, the love story in this particular book wasn't my favorite that she has written. That being said, I still loved "catching up" with all of the characters and being left with another cliff hanger ending. Susan is a wonderful author and person (I met her last year and had a hard time keeping it together without freaking out in excitement). So if you haven't read any of her books, you really should!! 

Three Stars. 

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











 

Sunday, May 6, 2018

The Theory of Happily Ever After Review


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 About the Book

According to Dr. Maggie Maguire, happiness is serious science, as serious as Maggie takes herself. But science can't always account for life's anomalies--for instance, why her fiancé dumped her for a silk-scarf acrobat and how the breakup sent Maggie spiraling into an extended ice cream-fueled chick flick binge.

Concerned that she might never pull herself out of this nosedive, Maggie's friends book her as a speaker on a "New Year, New You" cruise in the Gulf of Mexico. Maggie wonders if she's qualified to teach others about happiness when she can't muster up any for herself. But when a handsome stranger on board insists that smart women can't ever be happy, Maggie sets out to prove him wrong. Along the way she may discover that happiness has far less to do with the head than with the heart.

Filled with memorable characters, snappy dialogue, and touching romance, Kristin Billerbeck's The Theory of Happily Ever After shows that the search for happiness may be futile--because sometimes happiness is already out there searching for you. (Goodreads)


My Thoughts

Having read Kristin Billerbeck's writing before this book, I sort of knew what to expect with this story line. I'll be honest in saying it fell short of her typical enjoyable stories. I love humor in books but this story was so difficult for me to get into and care about the main characters. The flow didn't really go anywhere and by the end of the book I was just plain disappointed. Now Kristin can write some great moments and some hilarious situations but it is difficult for me to get humor when I don't care much for the main characters. That being said I will continue to read Kristin's books this story just fell flat for me.  


"Thanks to Revell for giving me this book for free. All opinions are my own."









 

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

The Hidden Side Review



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 About the Book

New York, 2016
Natalie Abbott offers answers for hurting listeners on her popular radio program. But she struggles to connect with her teenagers, with her daughter in an unhealthy relationship and her son uncommunicative and isolated. When one member of the family commits an unspeakable act, Natalie is forced to uncover who she truly is under the façade of her radio persona.

New York, 1776
Mercy Howard is shocked when her fiancé, Nathan Hale, is arrested and hanged as a spy. When she’s asked to join the revolutionary spy ring in Manhattan, she sees an opportunity to avenge Nathan’s death. But keeping her true loyalties hidden grows increasingly harder as the charming Major John Andre of the King’s Army becomes more to her than a target for intelligence.

Mercy’s journals comfort Natalie from across the centuries as both women struggle with their own secrets and shame, wondering how deep God’s mercy extends. (Goodreads)


My Thoughts

Wow. This book. As I started flipping pages I realized how much this book was not what I was expecting, it was better! This is a dual timeline, which I love! The modern day story line was the one I really got into, though both are good. This story takes you right into the middle of the mess of a school shooting and the family of the shooter. Holy goodness this was a difficult read! I had really never thought about how the family must feel if their own child was the shooter. This was dealt with so well and it really made me think. I finished this book a few days ago and it is still sticking with me. This book could also bring up interesting conversation. I loved how the characters grew and while it wasn't an easy read it was well worth it. The historical aspect was difficult for me to love so that makes me give this book a four star rating. 

Four Stars. 

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


















Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Things I Never Told You Review



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 About the Book

It's been ten years since Payton Thatcher's twin sister died in an accident, leaving the entire family to cope in whatever ways they could. No longer half of a pair, Payton reinvents herself as a partner in a successful party-planning business and is doing just fine--as long as she manages to hold her memories and her family at arm's length.

But with her middle sister Jillian's engagement, Payton's party-planning skills are called into action. Which means working alongside her opinionated oldest sister, Johanna, who always seems ready for a fight. They can only hope that a wedding might be just the occasion to heal the resentment and jealousy that divides them . . . until a frightening diagnosis threatens Jillian's plans and her future. As old wounds are reopened and the family faces the possibility of another tragedy, the Thatchers must decide if they will pull together or be driven further apart. (Goodreads)




My Thoughts

This is such a great book on so many levels. The writing is superb and the many characters add so much depth. There is a lot going on in this book, but it is so well written that it flows nicely. I loved the dynamic between the sisters and the whole family. I love books with family and a family with issues at that. I really could go on but I so enjoyed this book. I am eager to read the next in the series and if you haven't read any books by Beth Vogt you MUST! 


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