by admin | Jun 7, 2020 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
When I learned that Driftwood Dreams was book two in The Carolina Coast series, I purchased a copy of the first book, Beach Haven so I would be sure to be up to speed when I began reading. I did discover that Driftwood Dreams can easily stand on its own merits but I am also happy that I read the first book first. It was fun catching up with familiar characters as well as getting to know Josie a little better.
Josie is a fixer and although she doesn’t actually acknowledge it, she operates as though God needs her help taking care of everyone else. She has always had a thing for August Bradford but tends to become tongue-tied whenever he is around so she usually avoids him as much as possible. It hasn’t been too difficult while he was out of town for several years but now that he is back for good, Josie cannot seem to avoid him.
Driftwood Dreams was a fun to read novel filled with interesting and sometimes quirky characters. I frequently found myself laughing at some of their antics only to encounter a sweetly tender scene on the next page. I loved how August patiently wooed Josie, giving her space when she needed it yet constantly encouraging her to follow her dreams and exhorting her with the truth. I admired Josie’s loyalty to her father and her generous spirit toward her friends and others in need, especially one precious but eccentric old lady.
In my opinion, Driftwood Dreams is a gem of a story and I recommend it to all, especially those who enjoy Southern fiction. I would also recommend Beach Haven and I am looking forward to the next installment.
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: Driftwood Dreams
Author: T.I. Lowe
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: June 1, 2020
Click here to get your copy!
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Josie Slater has allowed the circumstances anchoring her in Sunset Cove to become a life sentence. Since her mother’s death years before, she’s spent most of her waking hours helping her dad run the Driftwood Diner. As her best friends, Opal and Sophia, make their dreams come true, Josie watches her own art school aspirations drift on by. But when a French-speaking Southern gentleman from her past moves back from Europe, Josie is launched into a tizzy of what-ifs and I-sure-do-hope-sos.
August Bradford left Sunset Cove six years ago to sow some life oats and conquer his ambitious career goals. Finally ready to lay down some roots, the successful artist is back in town and determined to win Josie’s heart. When he enlists Josie’s help in the preparations for a children’s art camp, Josie finds herself unleashing her artistic side in a way she hasn’t since before her mother’s death. August hopes to convince Josie to paint a life with him, but the problem is convincing her to let go of her apprehensions and give him—and her dreams—a fair chance.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tonya “T.I.” Lowe is a native of coastal South Carolina. She attended Coastal Carolina University and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she majored in Psychology but excelled in Creative Writing. In 2014, Tonya independently published her first novel, Lulu’s Café, which quickly became a bestseller. Now the author of 12 published novels with hundreds of thousands of copies sold, she knows she’s just getting started and has many more stories to tell. She resides near Myrtle Beach with her family.
READ AN EXCERPT:
Josie’s reverie came to a screeching halt as the screen door squeaked open and ushered in not only a briny breeze, but also a vision from her past.
With a pronounced air of confidence, August Bradford walked over to the counter and halted in front of a dazed Josie. Her heart jolted at the sight of him, something only this man could elicit. He spoke—or at least his lips moved—but she couldn’t hear anything over the roar suddenly residing in her eardrums.
The Knitting Club’s table kicked up in volume, sounding like a bunch of hens clucking away, but there was no focusing on what they were clucking about either. She knew the answer anyway and had a feeling their timing wasn’t coincidental. All Josie could do was just stand there and stare, as if looking into his silvery-blue eyes had turned her to stone. With a hint of purple near the center, those uniquely hued eyes were made to belong to an artist such as August Bradford. The thick fringe of black eyelashes only emphasized their beauty. It was enough to spawn jealousy in Josie, her own fair lashes barely visible, but it didn’t. It only tempted her to stand there and stare unabashedly. Mouth agape, that’s exactly what she did.
“Are you okay?” A throaty voice penetrated the roar in her ears as a hand waved in front of her face.
Oh, my . . . that voice . . .
The words simply wouldn’t come—only pitiful squeaks of breaths escaped—so Josie did the only thing to come to mind. She hightailed it into the kitchen.
BLOG STOPS:
| Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 27
The Power of Words, May 27
Batya’s Bits, May 28
CarpeDiem, May 28
Through the Fire Blogs, May 29
Back Porch Reads , May 29
Livin’ Lit, May 30
Hallie Reads, May 30
Adventure of a Travelers Wife, May 31
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 31
She Lives To Read, June 1
Soulfully Romantic, June 1
Remembrancy, June 2
Mypreciousbitsandmusings, June 2 |
Texas Book-aholic, June 3
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 3
Just the Write Escape, June 4
deb’s Book Review, June 4
Inklings and notions, June 5
For Him and My Family, June 6
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 6
Artistic Nobody, June 7 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Simple Harvest Reads, June 7 (Guest review from Joni Truex)
Locks, Hooks and Books, June 8
Daysong Reflections, June 8
Cultivating Us , June 9
Pause for Tales, June 9 |
GIVEAWAY:
To celebrate her tour, T.I. is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 gift certificate to the bookstore of his or her choice and one copy of Driftwood Dreams!!
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/fd05/driftwood-dreams-celebration-tour-giveaway
by admin | Jun 6, 2020 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Split Time
MY REVIEW:
I have thoroughly enjoyed Olivia Newport’s entire Tree of Life series thus far but I believe When I Meet You is probably my favorite. I love the way the author takes her readers back in time to meet earlier members of the family tree being researched by Jillian. I also enjoy reading about the relationships formed with her clients as Jillian researches their family. It’s also a bit fun when Jillian cannot stop herself from getting just a bit more involved in her work than it requires.
Jillian definitely gets more involved in her current research project and manages to ruffle a few feathers while she’s at it. And it it just possible that she may have met a potential romantic interest during this case? Somehow a simple assignment of finding possible descendants of the owner of a long abandoned trunk becomes quite personal to Jillian and she can not rest until she learns the truth.
I too found myself wanting to know what happened to the owner of that trunk. As I read the account of the original owner I hoped against hope that she did not meet with foul play. Her story played out at just the right pace with just enough details shared to keep the suspense building.
I also love Jillian’s relationship with her father and other members of the community. This author truly makes me want to visit and possibly stay in the make believe town of Canyon Mines. My only complaint is that all the talk about food makes me hungry!
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: When I Meet You
Author: Olivia Newport
Genre: Christian fiction
Release Date: May, 2020
Click here to get your copy!
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Book 3 in the Tree of Life Series: A Father-Daughter Genealogy Team Link Faith Journeys on Family Trees
A trunk abandoned at Denver’s Union Station more than a century ago leads Jillian and Nolan to untangle the mystery of its contents—including correspondence with the head of Pinkerton’s National Detective Agency Denver office. While Nolan digs into the legalities of the findings, Jillian searches for the descendants of a stolen identity who might not be who they think they are on Colorado ranch land. When Drew seems anxious to hear what Jillian has to say but his Great Aunt Min slams the subject closed—twice—Jillian is all the more determined to find out what happened to the woman who never claimed her luggage, why Min doesn’t want to talk about it, and what will happen for Drew if he gets the answers he seeks.
When I Meet You is the third book in the Tree of Life series by Olivia Newport. You’ll want to return to the lovely Colorado mountain town of Canyon Mines again and again to explore and celebrate unforgettable family stories that will inspire you to connect with your own family histories and unique faith journeys.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Olivia Newport’s novels twist through time to find where faith and passions meet. Her husband and twentysomething children provide welcome distraction from the people stomping through her head on their way into her books. She chases joy in stunning Colorado at the foot of Pikes Peak.
MORE FROM OLIVIA:
Stolen Identity or Stolen Secrets?
Years ago I made a business trip to a country in Asia. Somehow I managed to pack for two weeks in carry-on luggage. This was before everyone started carrying electronic devices that required a bag of their own, and the impoverished area I visited had only intermittent electricity anyway.
When it was time to come home, my luggage met the requirements to keep it with me as I traveled halfway around the world through several airports. But at the boarding gate, a woman pushed a cart stacked with six oversized and overstuffed suitcases, insisting she had to take all of them on the plane. Her argument was that she couldn’t risk losing her personal belongings. She was moving back to the States, this was everything she owned, and she just wasn’t having this nonsense about abiding by the same limitations as the other 300 people in line or that none of those bags would fit in an overhead compartment anyway. The airline staff began waving people around her to get the large aircraft boarded on time for an international flight. She was one of the last people to take her seat—without her bags.
I admit I prefer keeping my bags with me and getting in and out of airports quickly. And once my bags didn’t come off the same plane I did, and it took a few hours for them to be delivered to me.
But what happens to truly unclaimed baggage? One-half to one percent of baggage that goes through American airports is never claimed. Airlines will try for ninety days to find the owners. If they can’t, they have to do something with it. Generally it’s sold, sight unseen, to the Unclaimed Baggage Center in Alabama. There it is opened and sorted into what can be cleaned and sold in their store, what might be donated, and what has no value and is disposed of as trash. They find some pretty interesting things!
But my brain goes back to the curious question of why the baggage is unclaimed in the first place.
It’s not just because the airline lost it. We’ve all seen the lines of suitcases that baggage handlers remove from the circling conveyer belt because they’ve been around enough times that it’s obvious no one is there to pick them up after the flight. People got off the plane and left the airport without their bags. Why?
My new book, When I Meet You, raises the same question about travel in the railroad era. A trunk abandoned at Denver’s Union Station more than a century ago surfaces, leading genealogist Jillian and her lawyer father, Nolan, to untangle the mystery of its contents—including correspondence with the head of Pinkerton’s National Detective Agency Denver office. While Nolan digs into the legalities of the findings, Jillian searches for the descendants of a stolen identity who might not be who they think they are on Colorado ranch land. When Drew seems anxious to hear what Jillian has to say but his Great Aunt Min slams the subject closed—twice—Jillian is all the more determined to find out what happened to the woman who never claimed her luggage, why Min doesn’t want to talk about it, and what will happen for Drew if he gets the answers he seeks.
When I Meet You is the third book in the Tree of Life series. Return to the lovely Colorado mountain town of Canyon Mines again and again to explore and celebrate unforgettable family stories that will inspire you to connect with your own family histories and unique faith journeys.
Visit www.olivianewport.com or find me at www.facebook.com/OliviaNewport.
BLOG STOPS:
| Through the Fire Blogs, May 28
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 28
Texas Book-aholic, May 29
deb’s Book Review, May 29
For the Love of Literature, May 30
Lighthouse Academy Blog, May 30 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)
A Reader’s Brain, May 31
Blogging With Carol, May 31
Older & Smarter?, June 1
CarpeDiem, June 1
Inklings and notions, June 2
All-of-a-kind Mom, June 2
Hallie Reads, June 2
Betti Mace, June 3
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 3
For Him and My Family, June 4 |
Bigreadersite, June 4
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 5
Worthy2Read, June 5
Pause for Tales, June 5
Just the Write Escape, June 6
Inside the Wong Mind, June 6
Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 7
Connect in Fiction, June 7
Daysong Reflections, June 7
She Lives To Read, June 8
Read Review Rejoice, June 8
A Baker’s Perspective, June 9
Mary Hake, June 9
Remembrancy, June 9
Moments, June 10
With a Joyful Noise, June 10 |
GIVEAWAY:
To celebrate her tour, Olivia is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon Gift Card and a 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.
https://promosimple.com/ps/fa0b/when-i-meet-you-celebration-tour-giveaway
by admin | Jun 3, 2020 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
One disadvantage to reading a series backwards is knowing the culprit when you begin reading the second book shortly after reading the third one. Fortunately The author did not provide an excessive amount of details and therefore my enjoyment of Shattered by Death was not particularly hindered. This is the primary reason I always recommend reading a series in order if at all possible.
In this installment, Josie not only discovers the bodies of her murdered husband and the other woman, she is the primary suspect in their deaths. As she does everything she can to find the true murderer, evidence seems to stack up against her as more bodies are discovered.
Shattered by Death is a suspense filled, sometimes gritty and disturbing thriller with a somewhat deranged killer who will stop at nothing to destroy Josie and those she cares about. As a fairly new Christian, Josie is attempting to learn to depend on the Lord to guide her through impossibly difficult days and to trust in His protection.
I did enjoy this book and am looking forward to reading the first one in the series as well as the soon-to-be-published fourth one. If you enjoy Christian suspense, you might want to give this series a try.
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: Shattered by Death
Author: Catherine Finger
Genre: Thriller/Suspense/Mystery
Release Date: June 2016
Click here to get your copy! |
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When Josie’s abusive soon-to-be-ex-husband had an affair with another woman, Josie could have murdered them. When someone does, Jo is the prime suspect and the only one who can solve the case.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Catherine Finger loves to dream, write, and tell stories. Recently retired from a wonderful career in public education, she celebrates the ability to choose how to spend her time in a new way during the second half of life. So far, she chooses to write books, ride horses, serve others, and generally find her way into and out of trouble both on the road and at home. She lives in the Midwest with a warm and wonderful combination of family and friends.
Capsized by Death, the fourth novel in her Jo Oliver Thriller series, will be released by Elk Lake Publishing in November 2019. Anchored by Death, the third of her Jo Oliver novels, was a Bronze Medal winner at the 2018 Independent Publisher Book Awards; a 2018 Selah Awards finalist; and a finalist for the National Indie Excellence Awards. Her second Jo Oliver Thriller, Shattered by Death, was a finalist in the International Book Awards and the National Indie Excellence Awards. Catherine and her novels have been featured on radio stations, blogs, and in numerous articles—all posted at www.CatherineFinger.com.
Catherine loves to interact with her readers at www.CatherineFinger.com Follow her on Facebook at Catherine Finger, Author, and on Twitter at CatherineFinger@BeJoOliver.
MORE FROM CATHERINE:
“If you could kill someone and get away with it, what would you do? How would you do it?”
Having posed this question over dessert during a really good first date several years ago—to my surprise and delight my date proceeded to share a story about an international cosmetic gone badly awry. I was so taken with this story, that I couldn’t wait to get home and start writing. And I did. That night I sat down to write a scene between two powerful women, intending one to toy with the other by playing with a jar of deadly moisturizer as they interacted.
As I wrote that night, an unexpected scene involving spiritual warfare popped into my head and onto the screen. The edgy, scary, lock-your-doors-before reading story I called Shattered by Death was born.
While the moisturizer scene didn’t ultimately stay in the book, the idea of powerful women pitted against each other did. I strive to create antagonists that are as strong—or stronger—than Jo Oliver. When I feel the tension of wondering whether or not Josie is going to make it out alive—that’s when I know I’m in the middle of a great story.
I hope you think so too.
Enjoy the read!
Catherine
BLOG STOPS:
| Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 26
My Devotional Thoughts, May 26
deb’s Book Review, May 27
Blogging With Carol, May 27
Texas Book-aholic, May 28
Betti Mace, May 29
Emily Yager, May 29
Older & Smarter?, May 30
Bigreadersite, May 30
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 31
Inklings and notions, June 1
Rebecca Tews, June 1
Locks, Hooks and Books, June 2 |
Soulfully Romantic, June 2
For Him and My Family, June 3
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 4
Daysong Reflections, June 4
For the Love of Literature, June 5
Pause for Tales, June 5
Through the Fire Blogs, June 6
April Hayman, Author, June 6
Christian Bookaholic, June 7
Splashes of Joy, June 7
amandainpa, June 8
Genesis 5020, June 8 |
GIVEAWAY:
To celebrate her tour, Catherine is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/fb4f/shattered-by-death-celebration-tour-giveaway
by admin | Jun 2, 2020 | Books, Contemporary Fiction
MY REVIEW:
The Heart of a Hero is book two in Susan May Warren’s Global Search and Rescue Mission series. Featuring Jake Silver and Aria Sinclair from book one, this fast-paced tale is filled with heart-pounding danger and action that kept me anticipating yet dreading what was to come on the next page. Yes, this book is definitely a page-turner!
Riding out a killer hurricane in an abandoned hospital on Key West, Florida, Jake and Aria face one crisis after another. Along with several others, they must find food and attempt to keep everyone alive until rescue can come for them. As others are added to their scraggly crew, it is not easy to determine if they are who they claim to be. After all there are a number of armed, escaped prisoners roaming the island as well.
Another great book from this author, The Heart of a Hero was well written with convincing characters and a strong yet believable Christian message. The requisite romance and crisis of faith are included and combined with the other elements make for one exciting tale. I look forward to reading Ham’s story soon.
I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by Just Read Tours. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Jake Silver may not be able to put the memories of his time as a sniper and Navy SEAL behind him, but at least he can put his skills to use as a part of the Jones Inc. rescue team. Saving the life of pediatric heart surgeon Dr. Aria Sinclair on Denali helped too. Now he can’t get her out of his head, and when he hears she is in the path of a hurricane down in Key West he can’t help but jump on a plane to rescue her.
Aria has dedicated her life to helping children born with defective hearts. After all, she was one of those children. Now driven to succeed, she lives a lonely, stressful life. One she would have lost on Denali if it hadn’t been for Jake. Jake is exciting and handsome, but he’s also dangerous, and she’s already lost one person she loves. She can’t bear it again.
It’s not until she finds herself trapped in the middle of a category 4 hurricane that she can admit she needs Jake desperately. With their very survival in the balance, can they hope for a second chance at life . . . and love?
READ AN EXCERPT HERE
PURCHASE A COPY HERE:
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Christianbook
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling, Christy and RITA award-winning novelist of over sixty-five novels. An eight-time Christy award finalist, a three-time RITA Finalist, she’s also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award, and the ACFW Carol Award. A seasoned women’s events speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: The Story Equation. She is also the founder of MyBookTherapy.com, and Novel.Academy, a school for aspiring novelists.
CONNECT WITH SUSAN: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
TOUR GIVEAWAY:
(1) winner will receive a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card and a heart-shaped hematite necklace!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway will begin at midnight June 1, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on June 8, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
