The winner will receive both paperback books. USA entries only please.
About the Book
He can’t change the past…
but he can choose his future
Resolved to keep his promise, Lieutenant Nate Marshall returns to
Timber Falls to look after his first love—the widow of his best friend,
who was killed in the line of duty. Grieving mom Adley Wilson is
overwhelmed by her bee farm, her grandfather-in-law who lives with her
and her new baby. But accepting Nate’s help may just be the lifeline she
needs… (Goodreads)
My Thoughts
I am a huge fan of Gabrielle Meyer so I am always excited to read her new stories. I admit that if I had seen this book and just went off the cover, I probably wouldn't have picked up this book. But since Gabrielle wrote it I knew it would be a good one!
While this isn't my favorite by Meyer, I did still enjoy this sweet story. Newly widowed mother Adley is a strong character and my favorite part of this book. I really liked her attitude and I thought her journey between the first and last pages added more depth than most Love Inspired books. This story holds a lot truths on forgiveness and grace.
Four Stars.
Be sure and check out all of Gabrielle Meyers books! You won't be disappointed!
"I received this book from the author for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."
About the Book
Seven-year-old Chellamuthu’s life—and his
destiny—is forever changed when he is kidnapped from his village in
Southern India and sold to the Lincoln Home for Homeless Children. His
family is desperate to find him, and Chellamuthu anxiously tells the
Indian orphanage he is not an orphan, that he has a mother who loves
him. But he is told not to worry as he will soon be adopted by a loving
family in America.
Chellamuthu is suddenly surrounded by a
foreign land and a foreign language. He can’t tell people that he
already has a family and becomes consumed by a single, impossible
question: How do I get home? But after more than a decade, home becomes a much more complicated idea as the Indian boy eventually sheds his past and receives a new name: Taj Khyber Rowland.
It
isn’t until Taj meets an Indian family who helps him rediscover his
culture and family history that he begins to discover the truth he has
all but forgotten. Taj is determined to return to India and begin the
quest to find his birth family. But is it too late? Is it possible that
his birth mother is still looking for him? And which family does he
belong to now?
The Orphan Keeper is a deeply moving and gripping journey about discovering one’s self and the unbreakable family bonds that connect us forever. (Goodreads)
Pre-Order HERE. Available October 4, 2022
My Thoughts
I had no idea what to expect with this book but I was excited that it was the young adult version of this story. The Orphan Keeper is based on a true story and I was totally engrossed once I got three chapters into the book. I don't know what the other version is like but I really enjoyed this one. It is an amazing tale of a young boy who loses and also finds family in a very unexpected way. I loved reading about a different culture from my own and to see American culture through the eyes of a foreigner. There is sadness and disbelief. There is humor and romance all tied together between the pages. It is a well written eye opening story that I won't soon forget.
Highly recommend! Five Stars.
"I received this book from Shadow Mountain Publishers for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review. "
Seaside, England, 1886
Eva
Caldwell is an accomplished and well-known photographer who often works
with the local constabulary to assist in documenting crime scenes, which
means she also often works alongside the handsome and charming
detective, Nathan Winston. She appreciates his intellect and how he
treats her like an equal, but Eva’s heart is still healing from a past
relationship, so, for now, she decides to keep her feelings for Nathan a
secret.
One evening, Nathan arrives on her doorstep asking for a
personal favor. Would Eva be available to photograph his mother’s
legendary, week-long dinner party and matchmaking event? The catch is
that Eva would also have to pretend they are courting in order for
Nathan to avoid the many single women seeking his attention.
Though
wary of the charade, Eva agrees. Spending a week with the two things
she loves most—her detective and her camera—sounds simple enough. And if
she wants to imagine that Nathan’s pretend courtship of her is real,
well, what’s the harm in that?
But when a criminal from Nathan’s
past threatens revenge on the detective, Nathan must be extra vigilant
to keep his mother and the rest of the partygoers safe. He confides in
Eva, and as the two work together to solve the mystery and apprehend the
criminal, they find that they might capture more than they
expected—each other’s heart. (Goodreads)
Pre-Order the book now! It comes out October 12, 2022!
My Thoughts
This is such a fun book! I haven't read many books by this author so I was excited to pick this one up. I did not read the first book and I wish I had! I really enjoyed Eva's character as she lives a life that society looks upon with uncertainty. As a photographer, she experiences many things that a "lady" just shouldn't experience. I love it! Nathan Winston took me a while to warm up to but I so enjoyed him also. There is a bit of a mystery that threads throughout the pages and Nathan and Eva work together to figure out what is going on. Of course there is a week long dinner party, a meddling mother, romance, and someone up to no good. What could go wrong?! The witty banter made this book enjoyable and while there is a mystery element this was a pretty light and fun read.
I highly recommend!
Five stars!
"I received this book from Shadow Mountain Publishing for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."
Book: Lily of the Valley
Author: Sarah M. Eden
Genre: Georgian Romance
Release date: April 11, 2022
Amateur inventor Kester Barrington prefers the peace and quiet of his estate to the bustle of Society. But when his tightknit group of friends, the Gents, descends on Livingsley Hall for their annual gathering, he stoically joins in their activities. It all seems exhausting—until an unexpected addition to the party catches his eye: his new neighbor, the lovely Violet.
Violet Ridley longs to make friends in this new corner of the country, but her family’s fortune was made through investments rather than inheritance, and Society can be fickle. So when tragedy forces her family to shelter at neighboring Livingsley Hall, Violet is delighted to receive a warm welcome from the Gents. In particular, Violet finds herself inexplicably drawn to Kester. The pair is a study in contrasts: Violet, with her sunny disposition, and Kester, with his prickly facade. Their connection is impossible to deny, but both Kester and Violet harbor heavy constraints. As their association becomes increasingly tangled and confused, their only hope of pursuing a life together is to trust one another with the very truths that could tear them apart.
Click here to get your copy!
Sarah M. Eden is a USA Today best-selling author of witty and charming historical romances, including 2020’s Foreword Reviews INDIE Awards Gold Winner for Romance, Forget Me Not, and 2020 Holt Medallion finalist, Healing Hearts. She is a two-time “Best of State” Gold Medal winner for fiction and a three-time Whitney Award winner. Combining her obsession with history and her affinity for tender love stories, Sarah loves crafting deep characters and heartfelt romances set against rich historical backdrops. She holds a bachelor’s degree in research and happily spends hours perusing the reference shelves of her local library.
Research is one of my favorite aspects of writing. Lily of the Valley offered ample opportunities for researching incredibly interesting topics. One main character is an amateur inventor, which tossed me deep into the realm of innovations of the 1780s and 1790s. The other main character has an interest in engineering and mechanics, allowing me to delve into what was known and understood in these fields at the end of the 18th Century. Amongst the supporting cast are a variety of interests, strengths, and passions, all of which saw me pouring over everything I could find from this era on those topics.
A particularly fun area of research I tossed myself into was parlor games played in late 18th Century England. Among my favorites I learned about:
The Three Kingdoms, a game very much like modern-day “Twenty Questions.” The guesser has up to six questions to gain clues about what the others in the group have decided among themselves is the thing the guesser is trying to discover. One twist: the first question is always “To which Kingdom does the item thought of belong? (meaning animal, vegetable, or mineral)
Short Answers, a game of wits and creativity. The group sits in a circle and one at a time, ask the person to their right a question which that person has to answer in only one word. However, the word cannot be repeated during that round. Once someone has answered a question “Yes” no one else can answer with that word until the round is over. A round ends when someone cannot think of a one-word answer to the question they have been asked and is, subsequently, eliminated.
A centuries-old version of musical chairs
A game that involved determining which fabricated crime the various players would pretend to have committed.
Plenty of games involving forfeits of kisses or handkerchiefs or other shows of affection that the very staid rules of Society would have otherwise looked down on.
Discovering more about the historical context of this book was intriguing and delightful. I hope readers will enjoy learning more of this bit of the past, lose themselves in romance, enjoy the delightful friendship between the characters, and perhaps even find a few new games to try.
-Sarah Eden
Inside the Wong Mind, June 6
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 6
Inklings and notions, June 7
Reading with Emily, June 7
For Him and My Family, June 8
Melissa’s Bookshelf, June 8
Texas Book-aholic, June 9
Mypreciousbitsandmusings, June 10
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 10
deb’s Book Review, June 11
Locks, Hooks and Books, June 12
The Book Club Network, June 12
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 13
Pause for Tales, June 13
Connie’s History Classroom, June 14
Sylvan Musings, June 14
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 15
Rachael’s Inkwell, June 16
Wishful Endings, June 16
Through the Fire Blogs, June 17
Britt Reads Fiction, June 18
Labor Not in Vain, June 18
To Everything There Is A Season, June 19
Miriam Jacob, June 19
To celebrate her tour, Sarah is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon Gift Card, print copy of book, and Exclusive Sarah Eden vinyl stickers!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
My Thoughts
I simply can't read enough of the world that Sarah M. Eden has created. I LOVED this first book in this series Forget Me Not and this second book I really couldn't put down. I love the Gents and what I love all the more is reading the back story of all the characters I came to love in her Jonquil series. She ties so many things together throughout many of her books. While this book could be read as a stand alone, I don't recommend doing that. Start with book one and then you will fully understand the many side stories happening. Kester's character is so unique and fun and more relatable to me than many of the other Gents. While there is romance and some predictable aspect to this story, the Gents and their antics make this one stand out. I love the games they play and how different each character is that I can't choose a favorite! I truly can't recommend Eden's books enough and if you haven't read any you simply need to!
Five 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."
About the Book
When Leah Miller's entire Amish family was
murdered ten years ago, the person believed responsible took his own
life. Since then, Leah left the Amish and joined the police force. Now,
after another Amish woman is found murdered with the same MO, it becomes
clear that the wrong man may have been blamed for her family's deaths.
As
Leah and the new police chief, Dalton Cooper, work long hours
struggling to fit the pieces together in order to catch the killer, they
can't help but grow closer. When secrets from both of their pasts begin
to surface, an unexpected connection between them is revealed. But this
is only the beginning. Could it be that the former police chief framed
an innocent man to keep the biggest secret of all buried? And what will
it mean for Leah--and Dalton--when the full truth comes to light?
USA Today
bestselling author Mary Alford keeps you guessing as two determined
souls plumb the dark depths of the past in order to forge a brighter
future--together. (Goodreads)
My Thoughts
This is the first book I have read by Mary Alford and it won't be the last! It was a fast paced read with strong characters and a terrific setting. I couldn't put the book down with the suspense and a serial killer on the loose. I really enjoyed the characters and I thought the plot was well done. Since this is a book about a serial killer be prepared for the creepy vibes. There are some gruesome scenes also but to be expected and they were not overly descriptive. The only thing is that the romance was really thrown in and I almost wish there wasn't that thread of story in this book. I enjoy romance but it seemed too pushy and too fast. It just didn't seem to flow with the story line as well. All that to say, I did love to read how the characters grew and faced their challenges in each chapter. This is a great read and I look forward to more from Alford.
Five Stars.
"I received this book from Revell for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."
Book: Souls Astray
Author: Kellyn Roth
Genre: Historical Women’s Fiction
Release date: April 5, 2022
Adele Collier has sought a carefree lifestyle ever since her tragic childhood. Determined to never allow anyone or anything to control her life or emotions again, she consistently seeks distraction in gaiety. But shaking her ghosts isn’t as easy as she’d like.
Troy Kee has been alone in the world since the Great War took his parents and left him in charge of his younger sister. When she marries, he’s left to seek after his goal of a healthy, complete family. But how can he focus on his dream when trouble plagues his family vineyard?
When Adele and Troy meet, a whirlwind romance begins—but can two lost souls have a healthy relationship?
Click here to get your copy!
Kellyn Roth is a historical romance & women’s fiction author who writes about the empty places where hope has the most room to grow. Her novels include the inspirational Victorian family saga, The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy, and the Kees & Colliers series, which follows a broken family in the tumultuous years of the first half of the 20th century.
Kellyn is a student of the Author Conservatory and a writing coach. When not building her author career, she is likely getting lost somewhere in the Pacific Northwest with her friends, watching period dramas and facetious comedies, or spending time with her husband.
Hello everyone!
First, I wanted to thank you all for checking out this blog tour! In this fast-paced world, the fact that you took a moment out of your day to read this is actually a pretty big honor. I appreciate you checking out my little book and taking the time to read my introduction.
Souls Astray was the book I wrote when my granddad died. We were very close, and at the time he died, I was a lonely teenager, recently graduated from high school and unsure of my next step. I was heartbroken by his death – it felt like the nail in the coffin of my family, and it felt a little like he was the last person who believed in me.
This wasn’t true, but my, did it feel my dramatic self with lots of thoughts! I poured those into the book, writing it all in about three weeks, and then I spent the next few years revising it.
This book (and the other novels in its series) are of a different tone than my usual books. Even though I delve into difficult topics in all my stories – such as grief and loss, miscarriage, assault, serious mental health issues – this story somehow ended up with a tone I don’t think I could replicate if I tried.
This was the story I wrote out of my own grief and desperation, my own feeling that my world was falling apart. It’s like sharing a piece of my own heart to share it. Though Adele and Troy had very different journeys than mine, which is pretty peachy compared to their lives, I still relate to them.
This was also the first book I didn’t dedicate to a real person – the dedication ended up being inspired by a song, actually, which was comforting to me during this time: God Only Knows by For King & Country. “For the lonely, for the ashamed, the misunderstood, and the ones to blame. What if we could start over?”
Thank you again for your time!
Kellyn Roth
Inklings and notions, June 1
Miriam Jacob, June 1
lakesidelivingsite, June 2
Texas Book-aholic, June 3
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 4
Rebecca Tews, June 5
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 5
For Him and My Family, June 6
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, June 7
Locks, Hooks and Books, June 8
deb’s Book Review, June 9
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 10
To Everything There Is A Season, June 10
Connie’s History Classroom, June 11
Splashes of Joy, June 12
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 13
Pause for Tales, June 14
To celebrate her tour, Kellyn is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a paperback 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.
My Thoughts
I had never read anything by this author until picking up this book. I really enjoy historical fiction so I was excited to read this story. The first half of the book is really pretty good. I was engaged and interested in the characters. The story line moves VERY fast and at times I felt like I was reading more of a novella. The second half of the book really confused me and took a complete turn that I wasn't expecting. Other people who have read it comment on how it is similar to some of the older classics. I suppose that is true in a way but I really didn't love this book. It ends on a bit of a cliffhanger and I have no idea where book two might take the story. This book ended up being not at all what I expected and while I don't expect a fairy tale romance, this story just ended with twisted confusion.
Two and a half 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."
About the Book
A book by women, for women, about money management.
More
women than ever have control of capital and are making financial
decisions. Yet not every woman has command of the lingo, the underlying
principles, or the big-picture perspective of money management. If that
describes you, Wise Women Managing Money is here to help.
Written
by a mother-daughter team, this book is uniquely positioned to come
alongside you and provide the financial overview you need. Miriam, the
mother in the duo, has enough real-world experience to give her a
vintage outlook on life. As a long-time counselor, she understands human
needs. And as a widow, she knows what it means to be thrust
unexpectedly into money matters. Valerie, the daughter, is an attorney,
certified financial planner, and an expert in Christian philanthropy.
Together, Miriam and Valerie combine their skill sets to answer your
pressing questions about things like:
Credit cards
Managing debt
Insurance
Loans and contracts
Budget busters
Avoiding fraud
Picking a financial advisor
IRA’s, annuities, & Roths
Kingdom giving
And much more!
Whether
you’re newly involved in money management due to a career or life
transition, or you just want to be more knowledgeable about this
important part of life, Wise Women Managing Money will teach you the
ropes in language anyone can understand. Don’t let all the business
jargon or technical terms intimidate you. Take control of your financial
future and start managing your money in ways that honor God and allow
you to do good with the resources He provides. (Goodreads)
My Thoughts
I am often interested in financial books because I work in that industry. I find it interesting to learn more on the different ways to handle my own money.
This book actually surprised me in a good way! It is laid out in a very easy to read and understand format. It wasn’t super complicated and the two authors break down the information so it isn’t so overwhelming.
It is very clear that this is a financial book that includes the perspective of all that we have is God’s. Plain and simple. Also, that since it is all His, we need to be responsible for what He has given us. So I really appreciated that aspect. There are a couple things I didn’t fully agree with but for the most part I found the authors to be very wise. Some of the verses put in the book I felt like were a bit of a stretch to relate to the topic being discussed. I am sure not all readers will agree but from my perspective, I thought many of their points were spot on, specifically the topics on credit cards, credit, and fraud.
The only thing I thought could have been added to a bit more is the giving aspect of the budget. This SHOULD be something as Christians we really consider. Not as a line item on our budget but that we want to help support our brothers and sisters in Christ.
This is a great overview book from everything from credit to investments. I recommend if this is something you want to dig into a bit more!
Five 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.”
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About the Book
When former Navy SEAL and lifelong bachelor
Ranger Kingston is called upon to take part in a rescue mission to save
his brother Colt, who has been kidnapped by terrorists in Nigeria, he is
shocked to find among the hostages a woman he knows and could never
forget.
Noemi Sutton was attempting to return a young girl to her
family in Boko Haram territory when she and the girl found themselves
taken hostage, along with several others.
And while Ranger
Kingston may be able to get the hostages away from their captors, he'll
need Noemi's help if he ever hopes to get out of Nigeria alive.
Her
solution? Pose as husband and wife. But when her uncle discovers the
union, he insists on a traditional Nigerian wedding--binding Noemi to a
man destined to break her heart. Worse, she's discovered the real reason
she was kidnapped, and anyone around her is bound to be caught in the
cross fire. Including her so-called new husband.
She'll need to figure out a way to leave the man she loves if she wants to save his life.
USA Today bestselling author Susan May Warren throws you into the thick of the action in this high-stakes, globe-trotting romance. (Goodreads)
My Thoughts
I am LOVING this new series by Susan May Warren. I really enjoy most all of her books but this series has been one of my favorites. This book takes us to Nigeria which I loved because I haven't read many books in that setting. I love the fact that Warren's daughter in law helped her with the details on this story since she is from Nigeria. There is non stop action in this story and there are a lot of tie in details to other books that Warren has written which makes it all the better! I love the characters, Noemi is not your typical cookie cutter perfect type gal which I enjoyed. Ranger and his entire family are just a complete delight to read. There is a lot of growth with both Ranger and Noemi as they are both stubborn and carry a lot of past pain and guilt. There is romance, humor, family, and suspense all wrapped up into these pages. While this is book two you could read it as a stand alone but it really would be better to read them in order.
Susan May Warren writes fantastic fiction and I highly recommend this book!
Five Stars.
"I received this book from Revell for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."
Mel Ellis knows that her eating disorder is
ruining her life. Everyone tells her rehab is her best option, but she
can't bring herself to go. Broken and empty in more ways than one, Mel
makes one last-ditch effort to make hers a story worth telling. She will
walk her own road to recovery along the lesser-known trails of the
North American wilderness.
Though she is physically and mentally
unprepared to face the difficulties that lay ahead, she sets off on foot
from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and heads toward Mount Rainier National
Park in Washington State. During the long journey, she meets strangers
with their own stories, as well as ghosts from her past who can no
longer be ignored. But though the land she travels threatens her success
at every turn, it's her own dark thoughts she'll have to overcome in
order to find peace in the life and the body she has been given.
With
pitch-perfect timing and delightfully witty self-awareness, debut
author Autumn Lytle masterfully leads readers on a journey down the hard
path toward healing. (Goodreads)
My Thoughts
I had mixed emotions when deciding to read this book. I am always excited for debut authors but I knew this book could be heavy. Emotionally I knew it would bring back a lot of memories and painful reminders of my past with my own struggles. This partly is what made me all the more curious on how Lytle would handle a story about a woman who struggles with an eating disorder.
This story is not at all what I expected but it is so much better than I could have imagined. Mel Ellis is a unique character that is very real and I think that Lytle did a fantastic job writing her journey. Mel decides to walk from Michigan to Washington State. I love how this book didn't take us on a popular trail. The healing and journey that Mel goes on is realistic as her mindset and thoughts don't change over night. Even by the end of the book the reader understands that while healing can happen, the struggles and mental battles don't just disappear and I appreciate that. One of my very favorite parts of this book is all of the people that Mel meets along her walk. The author does a great job of creating real characters and showing how people live differently. I love that all of these people aren't cookie cutter perfect or even what you would expect. The ending of this book is so well done and I wasn't sure I would like it. I think Autumn Lytle has done a fantastic job and I am eager to read her next novel.
Five Stars.
"I received this book from Revell for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."
About the Book
Sometimes the voices that speak most clearly in the present are those that echo from the past. So it is in this Christian classic by the late pastor and evangelist A. W. Tozer.
Tozer brings the mystics to bear on modern spirituality, grieving the hustle and bustle and calling for a slow, steady gaze upon God. With prophetic vigor and flowing prose, he urges us to replace low thoughts of God with lofty ones, to quiet our lives so we can know God’s presence. He reminds us that life apart from God is really no life at all.
Tozer writes from his knees, a posture fit for presenting the character of God in all its demanding grandeur. "Arise, O sleeper!" is his word to us, and yet if we heed the call, we will see that to arise is not to stand, but to kneel before the God of heaven in humble contemplation. To pursue God is to know Him, and in our knowing be drawn in. (Goodreads)
My Thoughts
This is a challenging book to read. Anything by Tozer I have to read in small snippets. This isn't my favorite book by him but still very thought provoking. There was a section that I had to highlight that was my favorite part of this book. It says "promoting self under the guise of promoting Christ is currently so common as to excite little notice." (pg 51) Also, this chapter is talking about sins of the human spirit. "They are not something we do, they are something we are, and therein lies both their subtlety and their power. To be specific, the self-sins are self-righteousness, self-pity, self-confidence, self-sufficiency, self-admiration, self-love, and a host of others like them. They dwell too deep within us and are too much a part of our natures to come to our attention till the light of God is focused upon them. (pg 51)
I did like this book it just is a lot to digest and read.
Four 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."
Today's TTT is about candles and I just am not a candle person. So I decided to create this post about the books I picked up at random ...
