Archives | Daysong Reflections

Blackberry Beach by Irene Hannon

by admin | Apr 27, 2021 | Books

MY REVIEW:

I thoroughly enjoy my visits to Hope Harbor through the pages of Irene Hannon’s books. Although the town is fictional, I feel like I get a glimpse of life on the Oregon coast where my daughter lives. Sometimes I even have to stop myself from asking if she has ever visited Charlie’s taco stand. I would actually love for her to have an encounter with Charlie and his down-to-earth wisdom.

Speaking of Charlie, I am convinced he might just be an angel or one of God’s messengers at the very least. It always makes me smile when he and the seagulls, the white seal, and the dolphin all make their appearance in every book of the series. I love seeing how their subtle actions have an undeniable affect on the latest residents of Hope Harbor.

In Blackberry Beach, Katherine Parker plans to spend time alone at Hope Harbor, hoping to recover from an unexpected scandal back in Hollywood. She is on the verge of reaching her dreams of stardom but at what cost? She has already learned that fame demands a higher cost than she might be willing to pay. Zach Garrett is the owner of a popular coffee shop in Hope Harbor and is much more content there than in the fast-paced business world he has departed. Of course it is inevitable that Katherine and Zach will meet and that sparks will fly but it is always fun to observe all the ups and downs of the journey to happy-ever-after.

I always enjoy books by Irene Hannon, both her suspense and romance. I especially find the Hope Harbor series to be a fun and relaxing way to end the day.

I voluntarily reviewed a digital 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:

Her lifelong dream is in sight, but does a new–and better–future await in Hope Harbor?

Katherine Parker is on the cusp of having everything she ever wanted–fame, money, and acclaim. So why isn’t she happy? In search of answers, she comes incognito to Hope Harbor on the Oregon coast for some R&R. Maybe in her secluded rental house overlooking the serene Pacific she’ll be able to calm the storm inside.

Coffee shop owner Zach Garrett has found his niche after a traumatic loss–and he has no plans to change the life he’s created. Nor does he want to get involved with his reticent new neighbor, whose past is shrouded in mystery. But when Katherine and Zach are recruited to help rehab a home for foster children, sparks fly. As their lives begin to intersect, might they find more common ground than they expected . . . and discover that, with love, all things are possible?

Come home to Hope Harbor–
where hearts heal . . . and love blooms

Read an excerpt HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of more than sixty novels, including the long-running Hope Harbor series, as well as Point of Danger and the Code of Honor, Private Justice, and Men of Valor suspense series, among others. Her books have been honored with three coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, and she is a member of that organization’s elite Hall of Fame. Her many other awards include National Readers’ Choice, Daphne du Maurier, Retailers’ Choice, Booksellers’ Best, Carol, and Reviewers’ Choice from RT Book Reviews magazine, which also honored her with a Career Achievement Award for her entire body of work. In addition, she is a two-time Christy Award finalist. Learn more at www.irenehannon.com.

Downsizing by Lin Stepp

by admin | Apr 9, 2021 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Downsizing by Lin Stepp, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

MY REVIEW:

Downsizing may be just the book for those readers who complain that most Christian romance novels feature young, beautiful women. Mary Pat is a wife who has paid her dues. She has raised her children well, taken care of her home and husband, and participated in various community organizations during her marriage. When her husband of thirty-four years comes home with the unexpected announcement that he wants a divorce because she has become boring and has gained too much weight, Mary Pat is shocked. The icing on the cake is that she must vacate their home because he has already sold it. Fortunately he has signed over to her the family vacation home near Gatlinburg where she grew up.

A well written story that takes the reader through a multitude of emotions along with Mary Pat, Downsizing is ultimately a tale of forgiveness, hope. and second chances as well as overcoming obstacles in one’s life. I could easily identify with Mary Pat’s weight problem because it is one I have struggled with most of my life. I do wish I could overcome it as easily as Mary Pat seemed to do it. It was encouraging to observe how the relationship between Mary Pat and her children improved, especially the one with her daughter. Faith is an important component of this story but was not overpowering. I also liked how the title described both Mary Pat’s weight loss and her living circumstances. I would recommend this book to those who prefer more mature primary characters.

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: Downsizing

Series: Mountain Home Books #2

Author: Lin Stepp

Publisher: Mountain Hill Press

Release Date: April 1, 2021

Genre: Clean/Sweet Contemporary Romance

Forced to suddenly downsize her life, and not by choice, pushes Mary Pat Latham to give up all that is familiar, to reexamine her life in every area, and to eventually open her heart to new beauty and purpose, instead of only looking back in regret.

At midlife, Mary Pat Latham has an almost perfect life—a successful husband, a beautiful home, four fine grown children, and a wealth of meaningful activities and social clubs to fill her days—so it’s a total shock when her husband walks in one day and says he wants a divorce. As if hearing a stranger talking in her own kitchen, Mary Pat listens to Russell’s reasons for wanting to abandon their long marriage and to his plans, already in place, to sell their home and move on. What will she do? Where will she go? She hasn’t worked since the children were born, her life wrapped up in home and family. Stunned, Mary Pat heads to the small mountain home she and Russell bought from her parents years ago, too shocked and humiliated to face her friends or anyone she knows right now.

Owen McCarter knew he’d need to stop by the old Jennings place, on some pretense or other, after Wheeler told him he’d seen a woman up there acting sick. After all, the house was next door to his at the end of Highland Drive. When he knocked on the front door later, it took him a minute to recognize Mary Pat, weeping and so different from the girl he’d known in childhood and fallen in love with. Owen reached out in friendship, of course, seeing Mary Pat so upset, but he felt surprised at the old memories that touched him, too. Hearing her problems and learning why she’d come to the mountains, Owen knew it unlikely she’d stay for long after the more lavish life she’d known. But he couldn’t help wishing she would.

Another Lin Stepp novel set in the Smoky Mountains … with a special “Downsizing Diet” available free to readers as a book supplement.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

MORE BOOKS IN THIS SERIES:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

?Lin Stepp is a New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and Amazon best-selling international author, A native Tennessean, businesswoman, and former faculty member at Tusculum College, Lin has twenty-one published books, including her beloved Smoky Mountain and Mountain Home novels, all set in different Tennessee and North Carolina locations, plus a novella A Smoky Mountain Gift in one of Kensington’s Christmas anthologies.

Stepp’s latest novels, set around the Smoky Mountains, are Downsizing (2021) and Happy Valley (2019). Lin also has three novels set on the South Carolina coast in her Edisto Trilogy: Claire at Edisto (2019), Return to Edisto (2020) and Edisto Song (2021). Lin and her husband J.L. also write regional guidebooks, including a Smoky Mountain hiking guide and two state parks guidebooks for Tennessee and South Carolina.

Lin’s title Claire At Edisto was the 2019 Best Books Award Winner in Fiction: Romance, sponsored by American Book Fest, her novel Welcome Back a finalist in the 2017 Selah Awards, and Lin and her husband’s guidebook Discovering Tennessee State Parks a 2019 Best Books Award Finalist in Nonfiction: Travel Guides with American Book Fest.

Lin enjoys hiking and exploring out of doors and she loves speaking for events, festivals, libraries, and book clubs and sharing about her work and interests through her monthly blog and newsletter, both on her website at: www.linstepp.com

CONNECT WITH LIN: Website | Facebook | Twitter

TOUR GIVEAWAY:

(1) winner will receive a Tennesee gift pack including a print copy of Downsizing by Lin Stepp, The Afternoon Hiker and Discovering Tennessee State Parks by J.L. & Lin Stepp, and a Great Smoky Mountains National Park pocket guide!

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight April 5, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 12, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

No Unturned Stone by David James Warren

by admin | Apr 7, 2021 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Law Enforcement, Time Travel

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for No Unturned Stone by David James Warren, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

MY REVIEW:

No Unturned Stone is the second book in a series of six co-written by a collaboration of three authors, two of them very well known for their own books. I agreed to review this book without having read the first one in the series and that was a mistake. For the first several chapters I was lost as the proverbial goose so please start with book one if you read this series. Fortunately as the narrative moved ahead there was enough background information for me to discern most of what was going on.

Those who love time travel, law enforcement, and suspense novels should love No Unturned Stone. Rembrandt Stone is an admirable character who has received a mysterious watch from his former boss and finds himself taken back in time where he has a chance to solve cold cases. Unfortunately everything he does in the past affects the future and he is clueless about what he should and shouldn’t do to prevent the lives of those he cares about from being irrevocably changed.

Despite not having read the first book I was soon caught up in Rembrandt’s story and did not want to put the book down until I reached its end. As can be expected with such talented authors the novel is very well written and engaging with a unique plot, excellent character development, plenty of action and suspense, and multiple surprises. The ending left me eager to know what would happen next so I can assure you that I plan to read the rest of this fun series but only after I go back and read book number one.

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:

The continuing adventures of Rembrandt Stone from the creative minds of James L. Rubart, Susan May Warren, and newcomer David Curtis Warren, writing collectively as David James Warren.

Title: No Unturned Stone

Series: The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone #2

Author: David James Warren

Publisher: TriStone Media

Release Date: April 6, 2021

Genre: Time Travel Detective Series

The One Rule Is, Don’t Mess With The Past

But he did, and now ex-detective Rembrandt Stone is reaping the devastation of ignoring those words when he traveled back in time to solve the one case that had haunted his dreams.

Yes, he solved the crime. Yes, he saved lives. But Rembrandt returns to find the unthinkable has happened and his life has shattered.

There’s only one answer: break the rule again. Go back in time once more, fix what went wrong, save what went right, and yeah, in his spare time solve another brutal crime.

But it’s not so easy to change time, especially when time turns you into a target. And of course there’s the strong possibility if he goes again, he’ll never get back.

Get ready for your mind to be blown in Book 2 of the time-travel suspense series, The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

BOOKS IN THIS SERIES:

CONNECT WITH REMBRANDT STONE: Website | Instagram

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

James L. Rubart is 28 years old, but lives trapped inside an older man’s body. He’s the best-selling, Christy Hall of Fame author of ten novels and loves to send readers on mind-bending journeys they’ll remember months after they finish one of his stories. He’s dad to the two most outstanding sons on the planet and lives with his amazing wife on a small lake in eastern Washington. More at http://jameslrubart.com/

CONNECT WITH JAMES: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling, Christy and RITA award–winning author of more than eighty novels whose compelling plots and unforgettable characters have won acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. The mother of four grown children, and married to her real-life hero for over 30 years, she loves traveling and telling stories about life, adventure, and faith.

For exciting updates on her new releases, previous books, and more, visit her website at www.susanmaywarren.com.

CONNECT WITH SUSAN: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

David Curtis Warren is making his literary debut in these novels, and he’s never been more excited. He looks forward to creating more riveting stories with Susie and Jim, as well as on his own. He’s grateful for his co-writers, family, and faith, buoying him during the pandemic of 2020, and this writing and publishing process.

CONNECT WITH DAVID: Instagram

GIVEAWAY:

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Cast the First Stone & No Unturned Stone!

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight April 6, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 13, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Cold Case Takedown by Jessica R. Patch

by admin | Apr 5, 2021 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Love Inspired, Romantic Suspense

MY REVIEW:

Jessica Patch is back with a brand new series! Cold Case Takedown is book number one in her Cold Case Investigations series and if it comes even close to predicting the rest of the series, readers are in for some intense and suspense filled reads.

I’m not a football fan myself but those who are will get an extra bonus with this tale that also includes a second chance romance. Nearly every page is filled with action as the danger ramps up with surprises around every corner. I could easily identify with Georgia’s anxiety issues and was quite happy that I was not in her shoes.

This author is a master at creating realistic characters and placing them in virtually impossible situations yet somehow they manage to develop a believable romantic relationship in the midst of it all. That’s what I call talent. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next installment!

I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by the author. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Exposing a murderer is a deadly game.

When cold case podcast host Georgia Maxwell’s investigation into her friend’s decade-old murder unveils corruption in small-town football, she’s thrust into a deadly conspiracy. And it’s put her on the radar of Colt McCoy—cold case unit chief and her high school sweetheart—who wants her help solving the crime. But every clue brings them one step closer to someone who will kill to keep the truth hidden…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jessica R. Patch is known for her dry wit and signature twists whether she’s penned a romantic suspense or small-town romance. When she’s not hunched over her laptop, you can find her cozy on the couch in her mid-south home reading books by some of her favorite authors, watching movies with her family, and collecting recipes to amazing dishes she’ll probably never cook. Sign up for her newsletter “Patched In” at www.jessicarpatch.com.

The Indebted Earl by Erica Vetsch

by admin | Apr 2, 2021 | Books, Historical, Regency, Romance

MY REVIEW:

I certainly did not expect The Indebted Earl to begin so sadly but the opening chapters set up the situations that drove the rest of the book quite nicely.

Captain Charles was positively endearing! Having know nothing but the sea since a boy he finds himself totally out of his element on land, especially as an earl. Now that is a position he never hoped to have! But Charles was nothing if not an honorable man and honorable men take care of their duties no matter how unwanted they might be. Along with an unwanted title, Charles has found himself with several other responsibilities and although he is befuddled about how to take care of them all, he gives it his best shot. I loved his interactions with his three young unexpected charges and how dedicated he was to finding a solution for their needs. And then there was dear Sophie, the intended of his departed friend Rich whose last wish was for Charles to take care of her. Now everybody know what that means!

The Indebted Earl is another delightful tale from one of my favorite authors. Appearances by well loved characters from the previous two books of the series were a welcomed bonus. Charles and Sophie complemented each other well and their developing romance was entertaining. A bit of intrigue, mystery, and suspense along with touches of humor, faith, and a few surprises blended well and kept me completely involved with the story until its very end.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Blog Tours by Audra Jennings. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Can Captain Wyvern keep his new marriage of convenience all business–or will it turn into something more?

Captain Charles Wyvern owes a great debt to the man who saved his life–especially since Major Richardson lost his own life in the process. The best way to honor that hero’s dying wish is for Wyvern to escort the man’s grieving fiance and mother safely to a new cottage home by the sea. But along the way, he learns of another obligation that has fallen on his shoulders: his uncle has died and the captain is now the Earl of Rothwell.

When he and the ladies arrive at his new manor house in Devon, they discover an estate in need of a leader and a gaggle of girls, all wards of the former earl. War the new earl knows; young ladies and properties he does not. Still wishing to provide for the bereaved Lady Sophia Haverly, Charles proposes a marriage of convenience.

Sophie is surprised to find she isn’t opposed to the idea. It will help her care for her betrothed’s elderly mother, and she’s already fallen in love with the wayward girls on the Rothwell estate. This alliance is a chance to repay the captain who has done so much for her care, as well as divert her attention from her grief. When Wyvern returns to his sea commission, she’ll stay behind to oversee his property and wards.

It sounds so simple. Until the stalwart captain is arrested on suspicion of smuggling, and Sophie realizes how much he’s come to mean to her. Now she’ll have to learn to fight, not only for his freedom but also for his love.

Click here to read an excerpt.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Erica Vetsch is a New York Times best-selling and ACFW Carol Award–winning author. She is a transplanted Kansan now living in Minnesota with her husband, who she claims is both her total opposite and soul mate.

Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum and cheering on her Kansas Jayhawks and New Zealand All Blacks.

A self-described history geek, she has been planning her first research trip to England.

Learn more about Erica Vetsch and her books at www.ericavetsch.com. She can also be found on Facebook (@EricaVetschAuthor), Instagram (@EricaVetsch) and Pinterest (Erica Vetsch).

GIVEAWAY: