by admin | Jun 15, 2019 | Books, Historical, Humor, Romance, Western
MY REVIEW:
I am always ready to read any book by Karen Witemeyer because I find them to be the perfect blend of historical romance, humor, and faith, not necessarily in that order. After reading More Than Meets the Eye, it was a must to read Zach’s story to find out how his life turned out. More Than Words Can Say definitely lived up to its promise.
I can truthfully state that Zach certainly met his match in Abigail. She threw his carefully made plans out the door with her sensible proposal to save her bakery. His overactive sense of protection wouldn’t allow him to let her sacrifice herself to another man who might take advantage of the situation.
It was fun catching up with Zach and meeting Abigail for the first time. Friends and family from the previous novel made an appearance or two that added to my enjoyment. Zach and Abigail’s interactions had a bit more sizzle to them than usual yet the story pretty much remained squeaky clean. Hard feelings from a former friend and escalating threats against the bakery brought added drama and danger to the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed More Than Words Can Say and loved how both Zach and Abigail learned to place their trust in God. It was so encouraging to see how the community came together to help those in need and also the powerful effect the act of forgiveness can have on a person’s life.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
| Book: More Than Words Can Say
Author: Karen Witemeyer
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: May 7, 2019 |
 |
After fulfilling a pledge to a dying friend, Zacharias Hamilton is finally free to live life on his own terms. No opportunities to disappoint those he cares about, just the quiet bachelor existence he’s always craved. Until fate snatches his freedom away once again when the baker of his favorite breakfast treat is railroaded by the city council. As hard as he tries to avoid getting involved, he can’t turn a blind eye to her predicament . . . or her adorable dimples. Abigail Kemp needs a man’s name on her bakery’s deed. A marriage of convenience seems the best solution . . . if it involves a man she can control. Not the stoic lumberman who oozes confidence without saying a word whenever he enters her shop. Control Zacharias Hamilton? She can’t even control her pulse when she’s around him. Once vows are spoken, Abigail’s troubles should be over. Yet threats to the bakery worsen, and darker dangers hound her sister. As trust grows between Zach and Abby, she finds she wants more than his rescue. She wants his heart.
Click here to purchase your copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Winner of the HOLT Medallion and the Carol Award and a finalist for the RITA and Christy Award, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer writes historical romance to give the world more happily-ever-afters. Karen makes her home in Texas, with her husband and three children. Learn more about Karen and her books at www.karenwitemeyer.com.
MORE FROM KAREN:
Settings – Real or Imagined?
One of the key decisions an author has to make before she begins to write is selecting the setting for her story. And the first choice she faces is the question of whether to use a real or imagined location. Roughly half the stories I have written are set in fictional towns. The use of a fictional setting allows an author greater freedom to manipulate the environment of her characters to fit her plot. This provides a great deal of flexibility. However, there is something special about setting a story in a real place. First, readers who are familiar with that place never fail to get excited about seeing a town they recognize in print. Second, if an author can find historical photos and documents, she can add a wonderful layer of authenticity to her setting that might otherwise be missing. Third, an author may turn up fascinating tidbits when studying the history of her setting that find their way into the story and bring a flavor the author never could have supplied on her own. This was the case as I wrote More Than Words Can Say. All of the stories in my Patchwork Family series have been set in real places. Pecan Gap, Texas for More Than Meets the Eye, Honey Grove, Texas for More Than Words Can Say, and coming this fall we’ll travel to Gainesville, Texas for the concluding novella, More Than a Pretty Face. Researching each location brought its own unique discoveries, but I have to admit that researching the small town of Honey Grove brought this history-loving girl a special level of joy. For example, there is a legend about how the town got its name that I knew needed to be incorporated into my story. Legend has it that when Davy Crockett was on his way to join the fight at the Alamo, he stopped in a grove of trees and set up camp. There were so many bees in that in letters to family and friends, he called the place a “Honey Grove.” He carved his initials into one of the trees and intended to return and settle there after the war. Unfortunately, as we know, Crockett did not survive the Alamo and therefore did not return. One of his friends, Samuel A. Erwin, later found the grove and became the first settler in 1839. Many people recall seeing the initials carved into Crockett’s bee tree even into the early 1900s, which led me to believe that this legend was based in truth. It doesn’t play a pivotal role in my story, but if you watch for it, you’ll find it mentioned. Discovering the Honey Grove Preservation League’s website proved a tremendous boon. Their online historical resources are some of the best I have ever come across. Historical photos, newspaper articles, government records—it was like stepping through a time portal every time I visited. And I visited often. Thanks to the Preservation League, I was able to mention real people and places in my novel. Places like the Commercial Hotel, the home of James Gilmer that was built during my time period, Wilkins, Wood & Patteson Dry Goods, and Dora Galbraith Patteson’s millinery shop on the east side of the town square. While Zacharias Hamilton and Reuben Sinclair are completely fictitious characters, there really was a lumberyard located on the corner of Sixth Street and Rail Road. As fiction authors are wont to do, I did take a few liberties with Honey Grove’s history. To my knowledge, there was never any city ordinance banning women from owning businesses in town, which was a key plot point in More Than Words Can Say. In addition, Mayor Chester Longfellow was a complete invention of my imagination. The true mayor of Honey Grove during this time period was J.H. Smith, a man who served in that capacity from 1888-1897. He must have been a well-loved city official to hold office for nearly a decade. I paid brief homage to him by having him step back into office when my fictitious mayor resigned. I hope you enjoy stepping back in time with me into historic Honey Grove, Texas. Zach and Abigail might not have lived there in truth, but I like to believe their tale is a representation of the many amazing love stories have taken place in that sweet little town through the years.
BLOG STOPS:
| The Power of Words, June 15
She Lives to Read, June 15
Real World Bible Study, June 15
Carla Loves to Read, June 15
Baker kella, June 16
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, June 16
EmpowerMoms, June 16
Daysong Reflections, June 16
Through the Fire Blogs, June 17
Genesis 5020, June 17
Lighthouse Academy, June 17
Bigreadersite , June 17
Among the Reads, June 18
All-of-a-kind Mom, June 18
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, June 18
For The Love of Books, June 18
C Jane Read, June 19
Inspired By Fiction, June 19
Mary Hake, June 19
Hallie Reads, June 19
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 20
For Him and My Family, June 20
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 20
Living Life Free in Christ, June 20
Connect in Fiction, June 21
Jeanette’s Thoughts, June 21
Splashes of Joy, June 21
Pause for Tales, June 21
Stories By Gina , June 22 |
Worthy2Read, June 22
Blossoms and Blessings, June 22
Southern Gal Loves to Read, June 22
Christian Chick’s Thoughts, June 23
Connie’s History Classroom , June 23
Vicky Sluiter, June 23
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 23
Wishful Endings, June 24
Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, June 24
Simple Harvest Reads, June 24 (Guest post from Mindy Houng)
Texas Book-aholic, June 24
A Baker’s Perspective, June 25
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 25
amandainpa , June 25
janicesbookreviews, June 25
Britt Reads Fiction, June 26
Quiet Quilter, June 26
Older & Smarter?, June 26
A Reader’s Brain, June 26
LifeofLiterature, June 27
Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner , June 27
Christian Bookshelf Reviews, June 27
Inklings and notions, June 27
Emily Yager, June 28
Lukewarm Tea, June 28
By The Book, June 28
The Becca Files, June 28 |
GIVEAWAY:
To celebrate her tour, Karen is giving away a grand prize that includes More Than Words Can Say, More Than Meets the Eye, and a $20 Panera Bread gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway!
Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/e4f4/more-than-words-can-say-celebration-tour-giveaway
by admin | Jun 15, 2019 | Books, Historical, National Parks, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I have enjoyed Karen Barnett’s Vintage National Parks series so much that I hate to see it end. I supposed it could continue for a few installments because there are more National Parks her readers might like to visit but most series have three books. Whatever the case, I have loved all of this author’s previous books so I am confident that her future books will also be to my liking.
Ever Faithful takes place in Yellowstone National Park and features Elsie Brookes, a ranger’s daughter and Nate Webber, a New York native who travels to Yellowstone as a member of the new Civilian Conservation Corps. Elsie loves the park but dreams of attending college and becoming a teacher. She sees Nate as an intelligent man with a bright future but he is hiding a big secret.
Vivid descriptions of the park’s scenery and structures sparked my imagination. It was fun reading about the history of the park and its early days, particularly the humorous names the park staff had for the different employees. Several unique supporting characters added depth and interest to the story. This historical romance was riddled with danger and suspense, especially in the form of more than one suspicious fire that kept me turning the pages quickly. A subtle message of faith was woven through the narrative and I found the ending to be most satisfying.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the author. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Vibrant historic Yellowstone National Park comes to life in this romantic mystery about a man hiding the truth, braving the west to become something more–and the woman who must confront his deception.
A man who can’t read will never amount to anything–or so Nate Webber believes. But he takes a chance to help his family by signing up for the new Civilian Conservation Corps, skirting the truth about certain “requirements.” Nate exchanges the harsh Brooklyn streets for the wilds of Yellowstone National Park, curious if the Eden-like wonderland can transform him as well.
Elsie Brookes was proud to grow up as a ranger’s daughter, but she longs for a future of her own. After four years serving as a maid in the park’s hotels, she still hasn’t saved enough money for her college tuition. A second job, teaching a crowd of rowdy men in the CCC camp, might be the answer, but when Elsie discovers Nate’s secret, it puts his job as camp foreman in jeopardy. Tutoring leads to friendship and romance, until a string of suspicious fires casts a dark shadow over their relationship. Can they find answers before all of their dreams go up in smoke?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Karen Barnett is the award-winning author of The Golden Gate Chronicles (Out of the Ruins, Beyond the Ashes, and Through the Shadows) and Mistaken. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, two kids, and three mischievous dachshunds. When she’s not writing, Karen enjoys photography, hiking, public speaking, decorating crazy birthday cakes, and dragging her family through dusty history museums. Oregon Christian Writers (OCW) honored her with the Writer of Promise Award in 2013 and a Cascade Award for her debut novel, Mistaken, in 2014. In 2016, she was named Writer of the Year by the prestigious Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. Karen is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Oregon Christian Writers (OCW) and has been published in Guideposts and other national magazines.
Visit Karen’s website HERE.
by admin | Jun 14, 2019 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Humor, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I may as well admit it, I’m officially old – at least Wooing Cadie McCaffrey managed to make me feel my age. Actually, this novel is very well written and witty with a heavy dose of serious real-life situations and faith thrown in for good measure.
Cadie and Will are both immensely likeable people and quite suited to each other but life has gotten in the way. This has left Cadie feeling dissatisfied and determined to end their relationship which leads in turn to a misunderstanding and a big mistake which makes Cadie even more determined to end it. At this point I wanted to shake her and ask “Why now?!” Of course she didn’t listen and I had to continue to observe their sometimes awkward encounters with increasing frustration. Happily everything turned out well by the end of the story.
I applaud the author for tackling some touchy situations with total honesty. The truth is that even Christians make mistakes but God is there to redeem them all if they are truly repentant and continue to follow Him. I feel that this would be an excellent book for older teens, especially if they can learn from Cadie and Will’s mistakes.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
After four years with her boyfriend, Cadie McCaffrey is thinking of ending things. Convinced Will doesn’t love her in the “forever” way she loves him, Cadie believes it’s time for her to let him go before life passes her by. When a misunderstanding leads to a mistake, leaving her hurt, disappointed, and full of regret, she finally sends him packing.
But for Will, the end of their relationship is only the beginning of his quest to figure out how to be the man Cadie wanted him to be. With the dubious guidance of his former pro-athlete work friends and tactics drawn from Cadie’s favorite romantic comedies, Will attempts to win her back. It’s a foolproof plan. What could possibly go wrong?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Bethany Turner is the author of The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck and the director of administration for Rock Springs Church in Southwest Colorado. A former bank executive and a three-time cancer survivor (all before she turned 35), Bethany knows that when God has plans for your life, it doesn’t matter what anyone else has to say. Because of that, she’s chosen to follow his call to write. She lives with her husband and their two sons in Colorado, where she writes for a new generation of readers who crave fiction that tackles the thorny issues of life with humor and insight.
by admin | Jun 13, 2019 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Suspense
Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for Vigilant, the first book of The Night Guardians series by Sara Davison, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
MY REVIEW:
Vigilant is one of those novels that will make its reader think and then probably think some more! Not only is it a well-written nail-biter with a touch of romance but it brings up some very disquieting questions about how far a Christian should go to help the weak and powerless. Should we obey the law without question or are there times when civil disobedience is necessary?
In Vigilant these are some of the questions certain characters must ask themselves when children begin to disappear from their homes. Two brothers who were victims of terrible abuse as children have become advocates for children in similar circumstances but often find their hands tied by the system. A detective and his partner find themselves working overtime attempting to solve the case of the disappearing children. As their paths cross and two of the men fall in love with the same woman, things get a bit complicated.
I enjoyed this book although it was at times difficult to read, especially the incidents of child abuse even though those scenes were not as graphic as they could have been. I was not overly fond of the romantic aspect that involved a love triangle. None of the relationships were developed as well as I would have liked and Nicole was irritatingly indecisive about Gage and Daniel. I felt like she rushed into things without thinking it through. Other than that, the story was very strong with plenty of action and suspense to keep it moving along.
I did not reach any clear conclusions about the questions raised but I do agree that they are legitimate ones. Now that I have rambled somewhat aimlessly, I would recommend this book if you don’t mind a challenge on exactly what your Christian responsibilities should be and where you should draw the line.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by JustRead Tours. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Title: Vigilant
Series: The Night Guardians, Book 1
Author: Sara Davison
Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink
Release Date: June 1, 2019
Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense
She must choose between the man who represents the law and the one who may have taken it into his own hands.
Neglected by her parents for most of her life, Nicole Hunter keeps everyone, especially men, at arms’ length. So when Attorney Gage Kelly walks into the diner where she is waiting tables one evening, she fights her attraction to him with everything she has.
Gage and his brother Holden grew up in an abusive home, and Gage has baggage of his own. But the connection between him and Nicole is too strong to ignore, and Gage manages to convince them both that their relationship is worth the risk.
Then children begin disappearing in the night.
When Detective Daniel Grey starts to close in on the child snatcher, and enlists Nicole’s help, she faces her deepest fear. Everything and everyone she has clung to so tightly could be ripped from her, leaving her completely alone.
Except for one.
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sara Davison is the author of the romantic suspense novel, The Watcher, the romantic suspense series, The Seven Trilogy, and the suspense novel, Vigilant, book one of The Night Guardians Series. She has been a finalist for eight national writing awards, including the Word Award for Best New Canadian Christian author, a Carol, and two Daphne du Maurier Awards, and is a Word and Cascade Award winner. Sara has a degree in English Literature and currently resides in Ontario, Canada with her husband Michael and their three children, all of whom she (literally) looks up to.
CONNECT WITH SARA: Website | Facebook | Twitter
TOUR GIVEAWAY:
(1) winner will receive a copy of Vigilant and $25 Amazon Gift Card!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway will begin at midnight June 4, 2019 and last through 11:59 PM EST on June 17, 2019. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Open to US/CAN residents!
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
by admin | Jun 11, 2019 | Books, Historical, Romance, World War 1
Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White with JustRead Publicity Tours! Follow along with the tour for a special inside peek at how The Number of Love is connected to the author’s previous book from another series, A Song Unheard.
MY REVIEW:
Although I somehow missed this author’s first series, I have been a fan throughout the previous two series and fully intend to catch up on the earlier books as well. They are already on my shelf waiting for me to find the time to read them.
The Number of Love is Roseanna M. White’s first novel in her latest series, The Codebreakers which features members of Room 40, a secret and important part of England’s intelligence network during World War 1. Readers met Margo De Wilde in White’s novel, A Song Unheard, the second book in the previous Shadows Over England series. I loved seeing her in this important role as one of the esteemed codebreakers and learning more about her life and a bit of how her mind worked. Her reluctant romantic relationship with Drake Elton was a welcome bonus as he proved himself a very worthy suitor for her.
I am constantly amazed at the talent of Roseanna White and the magical way she brings her characters to life as well as the depth of her research. History comes to life from her gifted imagination and I find myself learning and wanting to know even more about our past. WWI was given so little time in my high school history classes and because WWII was the “big war” for my parents’ generation, it was the one I knew most about. I so appreciate the way White has filled in some of the gaps in my woefully inadequate knowledge about WWI.
As I have found in all White’s books, The Number of Love was easy-to-read with characters I cared about. It captured and held my full attention from the very beginning with its danger, mystery, action, and romance as well as its profound spiritual truths. This book added one more reason why I am such a fan of this author. All her books are on my keeper shelf. If you are a late comer to her novels, don’t wait any longer and give them a try, especially if you are a lover of history. I don’t think you will be disappointed.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Just Read Tours and am also a member of the author’s influencer team. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Title: The Number of Love
Series: Codebreakers #1
Author: Roseanna M. White
Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: June 4, 2019
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance/Intrigue
Three years into the Great War, England’s greatest asset is their intelligence network—field agents risking their lives to gather information, and codebreakers able to crack every German telegram. Margot De Wilde thrives in the environment of the secretive Room 40, where she spends her days deciphering intercepted messages. But when her world is turned upside down by an unexpected loss, for the first time in her life numbers aren’t enough.
Drake Elton returns wounded from the field, followed by an enemy that just won’t give up. He’s smitten quickly by the too-intelligent Margot, but how to convince a girl who lives entirely in her mind that sometimes life’s answers lie in the heart?
Amidst biological warfare, encrypted letters, and a German spy who wants to destroy not just them, but others they love, Margot and Drake will have to work together to save them all from the very secrets that brought them together.
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | ChristianBook
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself.
Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.
CONNECT WITH ROSEANNA: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
TOUR GIVEAWAY:
Grand Prize: Shadows Over England series, The Number of Love, and the Decrypto board game, plus “Mi Alma” necklace (Necklace is 24″ chain with a 1″ pendant that says “Mi Alma” Spanish for “My Soul”. A term of endearment used throughout the book. Handmade by Bookworm Mama)
(3) additional winners of The Number of Love.
Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight June 3, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm June 17, 2019. US only. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
by admin | May 31, 2019 | Books, Coffee, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for Libby’s Cuppa Joe by Rebecca Waters with JustRead Publicity Tours!
MY REVIEW:
Rebecca Waters is a new author for me and the cover is not the type that usually attracts me either. Nevertheless I chose to read Libby’s Cuppa Joe to review and was pleasantly surprised that I was quickly captivated by the story.
The novel features Sonja Parker who invests her inheritance from her grandmother in a once thriving coffee shop in a small Wisconsin town. She runs into several obstacles that include needed repairs to the building as well as trying to live up to the expectations of the shop’s former customers. Sonja manages to find time for romance but she doesn’t make the best choices and is taken advantage of by a deceptive boyfriend. Sonja is left to pay the price for her poor decisions. Another young man was the perfect hero who saw past Sonja’s mistakes to her caring heart.
Libby’s Cuppa Joe is a clean read despite certain circumstances that take place in the background. I enjoyed the way Sonja’s friends and family rallied around her to help with each and every problem she encountered and how the author managed to weave in a strong message of faith into the story. I was also pleased at how all the loose ends were tied together at the end, especially a surprise for the former owner of the coffee shop.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Just Read Tours. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Title: Libby’s Cuppa Joe
Author: Rebecca Waters
Publisher: Ambassador International
Release Date: March 8, 2018
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Can grace and love be found amongst coffee grounds?
Sonja Parker is about to find out.
Excited to leave her stale life in the big city behind, Sonja takes the money her grandmother left her and purchases Libby’s Cuppa Joe, a thriving coffee shop in a small community in Wisconsin’s Door County. Sonja may have business sense, but is she ready to face the world on her own?
Sonja soon discovers owning a business requires more than offering a good cup of coffee. She must make major repairs to the building as well as major
repairs to her heart. Do the former owners, Libby and Joe hold the answer? As Sonja seeks to make Libby’s Cuppa Joe a viable business, can she also find herself and the God she has abandoned?
Libby’s Cuppa Joe is a riveting tale of second chances, forgiveness, and not living on borrowed faith.
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | ChristianBook
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Rebecca Waters has been a writer most of her life. Her first published work was a story in the school newspaper she wrote in second grade. For many years Rebecca used her stories as illustrations in church settings and to entertain her own three daughters. Her professional writing included educational articles and research.
Following her retirement as a professor of education from Cincinnati Christian University, Rebecca turned her pen to the world of fiction. She has also published several articles in Chicken Soup for the Soul, The Lookout Magazine, and Home Health Aide Digest. Her first novel, Breathing on Her Own, was released in 2014.
CONNECT WITH REBECCA: Website | Facebook | Twitter
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive a print copy of Libby’s Cuppa Joe and (1) winner will receive an ebook copy.
Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight May 28, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm June 4, 2019. US only. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
