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Reclaiming Hope by Carolyn Miller

by admin | Jan 24, 2022 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance

MY REVIEW:

The latest Hooper Island adventure is one of those romances between totally opposite personalities. Reclaiming Hope is a fun story featuring Kai and Callie who are definitely opposites. Callie is a person who loves to make lists and check the items off one by one. She tends to be a workaholic but that is mostly to fill the empty spaces of her lonely life. On the other hand Kai is an adventurer who is 100% comfortable in his own skin – at least it appears that is the case. A famous surfer who has thousands of Instagram followers, Kai is the last person Callie would expect to be attracted to someone like her.

I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting Hooper Island and getting to know Callie better. It was also great catching up with Sam and Max as well as other friends from previous books in the series. The steady plot, frequent witty dialogue, real life obstacles, a strong message of faith and forgiveness, and a sweet romance combine to made Reclaiming Hope a delight to read.

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

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Book: Reclaiming Hope

Author: Carolyn Miller

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release date: December 7, 2021

Click here to get your copy!

Callie Steele might be a bit… focused on work, but despite what her employers say, she enjoys her well-ordered, productive life.

When she’s sent to meet the owners of an estate requiring post-hurricane landscaping, Callie meets their son, Kai Brody, a super-chilled pro surfer, who is as opposite from her as they come. Though initially smitten, Callie knows a relationship with Kai is a bad idea—a very bad idea.

Kai, however, can’t help but be intrigued by someone who challenges him to make something of his life again. He’s determined to pursue her, if she’ll give him half a chance.

The more time they spend together, negotiating the challenges of work, illness, and family, the more their opposing outlooks clash and connect. What do these unlikely friends really want from life? Is it best to focus on work or recreation?

As Kai and Callie answers from the Lord, they also must consider if such complete opposites have enough in common to make a relationship last.

Reclaiming Hope concludes the Hooper Island stories of the Independence Islands Series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

The Independence Islands Series: beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Carolyn Miller is an Australian author of inspirational romance, particularly that of the Regency era, and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds where flawed people can grow in faith, hope and love through stories that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives.

MORE FROM CAROLYN:

For Reclaiming Hope, my next book in the Independence Islands series, I was thrilled to finally turn the spotlight onto Callie Steele, whose sassy attitude and words of wisdom in earlier books have made a mark on the other employees at Greener Gardens – and has already endeared her to readers who have been begging to read Callie’s story.

Callie needed a special someone who could help this hyper-organized checklist-loving woman see that there is more to life than meeting a deadline. Enter Kai Brody, a super-chilled and laidback surfer whose enviable travels around the world broaden Callie’s horizons, and watch sparks fly. I consider Reclaiming Hope to be one of my most humorous books yet, as these two trade banter as opposites who attract – but can they last?

And yet Reclaiming Hope isn’t merely froth and sea-foam, bigger questions concerning family, identity and whether God’s plans can be considered good when people are forced to live with the consequences of poor choices. I really enjoy writing fiction like this, fiction that is grounded in truth, with realistic, flawed characters who are on God journeys to find faith, freedom, and hope.

I’m so glad people are really enjoying my new contemporary books, where I can bring my love of gardens (& my horticulturalist hubby’s expertise!) to a new audience. Check out my website www.carolynmillerauthor.com to see what’s growing in my garden here in my corner of Australia.

If you enjoy stories of hope, heart and humor, then you’ll be sure to enjoy this novel about a workaholic and the broken surfer as together they find renewed hope for their hearts.

Happy reading!

Carolyn

BLOG STOPS:

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 21

Blossoms and Blessings, January 21

lakesidelivingsite, January 22

Texas Book-aholic, January 22

Inklings and notions, January 23

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, January 23 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, January 24

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 24

Daysong Reflections, January 25

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, January 25

Aryn the Libraryan, January 26

Lots of Helpers, January 26

deb’s Book Review, January 27

Blogging With Carol, January 27

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 28

Simple Harvest Reads, January 28 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 29

Older & Smarter?, January 29

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, January 30

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, January 30

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, January 31 (Spotlight)

Lis Loves Reading, January 31

SusanLovesBooks, January 31

She Lives To Read, February 1

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, February 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 2

Kayem Reads, February 2

Splashes of Joy, February 3

Connect in Fiction, February 3

GIVEAWAY:

To celebrate her tour, Carolyn is giving away the grand prize package 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/186ba/reclaiming-hope-celebration-tour-giveaway

Redeeming Love – The Film

by admin | Jan 19, 2022 | Books

ABOUT REDEEMING LOVE:

Based on the bestselling novel by Francine Rivers, REDEEMING LOVE is a powerful story of relentless love and perseverance as a young couple’s relationship clashes with the harsh realities of the California Gold Rush of 1850.

Angel expects only pain from those around her. Sold into prostitution as a child, Angel survives with hatred towards herself and the men that use her. She meets Michael Hosea, a farmer who believes God wants Angel to be his wife. Dire circumstances force Angel to accept his proposal, but when Michael defies her bitter expectations, her wounded heart begins to mend.

As Angel encounters a love unlike anything she ever experienced, feelings of unworthiness and shame cause her to run from a life she doesn’t think she deserves. As Michael sets out to find her, Angel discovers there is no brokenness that love can’t heal.

REDEEMING LOVE is a life-changing story of the power of unconditional and all-consuming love. The film is coming to theaters January 21, 2022!
You and your friends will walk away impacted by the perfect, relentless love of the Father after watching the film.

Go see Redeeming Love in theaters starting January 21st!

Purchase tickets HERE.

#RedeemingLoveMovieMIN #RedeemingLoveMovie #Momentum-InfluencerNetwork

MY REVIEW:

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers is one of the most memorable books I’ve ever read – and I’ve probably read thousands over the sixty plus years I’ve been reading. As most other fans of the book, I’ve eagerly anticipated the release of the film since I first heard the news about it. It has seemed to be a long time coming but release day is finally here tomorrow. I would not be surprised if ticket sales are record setting. I was one of the fortunate ones who were given an advance screening opportunity. I will attempt to share my thoughts here without any spoilers.

As most people know by now, Redeeming Love is the fictional retelling of the Biblical story of Hosea and Gomer set against the background of Gold Rush California. By the time Michael Hosea is prompted by the Lord to take her as his wife, Angel has become the most sought after prostitute in the local brothel. She has been a part of that lifestyle in one way or another since the death of her mother when Angel was just a child. Needless to say, Angel’s story is a dark one that is often relived through flashbacks during the course of the movie.

Anyone familiar with Hosea’s story in the Bible will quickly guess that Michael feels that he is to make Angel his wife and he sets out to do just that but meets with scorn and resistance to his efforts. When he is finally able to rescue her from the brothel, he marries her and takes her to his farm where he patiently woos her yet her lack of self-worth keeps her running away from him.

Redeeming Love is sometimes difficult to watch as the degradation and violence experienced by Angel and the other women are vividly played out in front of your eyes. The scenes with children are particularly heart wrenching. Obviously pedophiles and human trafficking are nothing new. In view of the subject matter, most of the scenes were tastefully done yet there will be viewers who might be offended or triggered by them. This is definitely not a film young children should be taken to see. That being said, I feel that it was necessary to present just how bad Angel’s life was in order to illustrate the contrast between it and the hope and redemption Michael’s patient and pure love gradually brought to Angel’s life. Lauren Daigle’s song Rescue was the perfect ending for this powerful story.

Disclosure:
Many thanks to Universal for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions
are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

Now That I Know You by Olivia Newport

by admin | Jan 10, 2022 | Books, Colorado, Contemporary Fiction, Geneaology, Historical, Romance, Split Time

MY REVIEW:

Oh how I hate to see this series end! I have thoroughly spending time in the mountain town of Canyon Mines, Colorado with Jillian Parisi and her opera loving (and singing) father as well as their delightful friends and neighbors. I loved the homey small town atmosphere where everyone knew their neighbors and were all prepared to support their needs.

In this final installment of the series, Jillian has found a cousin from her late mother’s mostly unknown relatives. As excited as she is to have a cousin near her age, Jillian is afraid that Cate may want more from her than she is prepared to give. Nevertheless, in her true style, Jillian finds herself in the middle of Cate’s problems and as they research Cate’s project, they find family history no one knew and also some unexpected connections between them and others in their lives.

Now That I Know You was a joy to read and I especially enjoyed learning a few interesting yet tragic historical facts from Colorado history. I find the genealogical aspect of this series to be of special interest and would love to read more books of this type.

Characters are quite realistic and I would love to know most of them. The romantic element is perfect and occupies just the right amount of the story. Faith is an important factor that also blends into the plot unobtrusively.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book as well as the entire series. It could be read on its on but I suggest reading each book in order to get the most from the series.

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

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Book: Now That I Know You

Author: Olivia Newport

Genre: Split-Time Contemporary/Historical

Release date: Fall, 2021

Click here to get your copy!

Cate Butler is the distant cousin genealogist Jillian was so certain she wanted to find—and the only connection she has to her deceased mother’s Parisi family tree. So why does she wish Cate would stop pestering her? And why can’t Jillian find a paper trail proving Cate is who she says she is?

Cate wants something for her own career that Jillian can’t give, but she also holds the key to family history Jillian can’t bring herself to walk away from. Nolan, Jillian’s father, steps in when Cate’s chronic career chaos requires legal rescue. Drew, the man who holds Jillian’s heart, has a surprising past with Cate. The truths Jillian, Cate, and Drew find while untangling these knotted threads tie them back together in remarkable ways none of them ever would have imagined.

Now That I Know You is Book 5 in the Tree of Life series, exploring and celebrating unforgettable family stories in Canyon Mines, the mountain town that invites you back again and again.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Olivia Newport’s novels blend the truth of how our pasts carry us into where we find ourselves now. Curiosity about history seems to creep into everything she does. Her books include Amish, historical, and contemporary stories that span the centuries from before the Revolutionary War right up to the present moment.

She chases joy in stunning Colorado at the foot of Pikes Peak. Visit www.olivianewport.com.

MORE FROM OLIVIA:

I’ve wanted to write Now That I Know You for nearly 20 years—at least the historical story part of this split-time novel.

When my son was a freshman in high school, he joined the mock trial team, and my husband and I entered the league of parents who watched versions of the same competition over and over. he state bar association selects a case and provides every team with the same documents to study as the basis of preparing both prosecution and defense. Team members play roles of attorneys and witnesses.

That first year, the case was trying a particular individual in connection with his role in events that culminated in the 1914 “Ludlow Massacre,” which is featured in Now That I Know You. My son played a witness for the prosecution. My proudest moment was when one of the scoring judges—who are actual court judges—singled him out for his skill in recognizing and dodging the opposing counsel’s interrogation strategy. Somebody hold me in my chair, because you really are not supposed to jump and cheer at mock trial!

Since I heard the case several times, the history wormed its way into my heart and mind. The injustice and tragedy of the story weighed heavy, but so did the legacy of the events and their eventual impact on history that affects us even today. People often ask where book ideas come from. Sometimes they germinate inside me for a long time before the moment is ripe to put them on the page in the lives of characters who have grown around them. This is one of those stories.

—Olivia Newport