Blog Blitz: The Sleuth's Dilemma by Kimberly Rose Johnson

Welcome to the Blog Blitz and Giveaway for The Sleuth's Dilemma by Kimberly Rose Johnson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: The Sleuth's Dilemma
Series: The Librarian Sleuth #2  
Author: Kimberly Rose Johnson  
Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink  
Genre: Cozy Mystery  
Release Date: February 1, 2019  

Anna loves her job as a high school English teacher until everything goes sideways. The one bright spot in her life is Titus Gains, the school counselor, who is there for her at every turn.

Titus’ boss complicates his ordered world when she tasks him with running a meeting that changes everything. How had he not noticed Anna earlier? Someone is out to destroy her, and he can’t let that happen.

As the head of the English department, part of Luke Harms’ job is to make sure everything runs smoothly. Things went haywire when Anna was put in charge of the big writing contest. Entries are missing, Anna appears to be in danger, and her job is on the line. Luke is investigating and wants to make things right for this woman he’s starting to care about.

Can a trio of school officials along with Nancy Daley, the town sleuth, stop the saboteur before it’s too late? And will Anna choose the right man, or lose them both?  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

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Excerpt from Chapter Two of The Sleuth’s Dilemma

NANCY DALEY LOCKED UP THE LIBRARY and set out on foot for home. Spring in Oregon wasn’t always this sunny, and she intended to enjoy every minute even if there was something weird going on at the library. A dog barked, drawing her attention. “Well, if it isn’t Freddy.” She waved toward her friend and neighbor, Anna. “Are you headed home?”

“We are. Looks like we’ll get that walk in after all.”

Nancy came into step with the duo. “Seems so.” Although it wouldn’t be the power walk they normally did. “What brings you and Freddy downtown?” “The park.”
Nancy raised a brow. “That’s not normal, is it?” “Not really. It sounded like a good idea today though. As it turned out, a guy from work was there with his dog.”

Something in the tone of Anna’s voice put Nancy on alert. Could the confirmed bachelorette have finally met a man she was interested in—not likely, but something was different about her friend. “A teacher?”

“No. The new guidance counselor. I suppose he’s not new anymore, but this is his first year. Do you know Titus Gains?”

This must be the Mr. Gains she’d overheard a couple of high school girls talking about in the magazine section. “No, but I heard he’s cute.”

“Cute? Hardly.” Anna shook her head. “He’s too...manly to be cute.” A twinkle lit her eyes.

“You like him.” Nancy grinned. “I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t have to.”
“I work with him.”

“So?”

“So, it’s...it’s—”

“It’s what?” Nancy teased.

“It’s a bad idea to go there.”

“I don’t see why. He’s a single man. You’re a single woman. He’s manly. You’re a doll. What’s the problem?”

Anna giggled. “Oh, stop it. I’m not a doll, and he’s not interested.”

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Award winning author Kimberly Rose Johnson married her college sweetheart and lives in the Pacific Northwest. From a young child Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing. She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance and romantic mystery that warms the heart and feeds the soul.

Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.

You can sign up for Kimberly's newsletter via her website at: https://kimberlyrjohnson.com/  

CONNECT WITH KIMBERLY: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | BookBub

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will win:

• $15 Amazon gift card

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight March 26, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm April 2, 2019. Open internationally as long as winner can accept gift card from US Amazon. Void where prohibited by law. 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.

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

First Line Friday: Grit & Grace: Devotions for Warrior Moms

Happy Friday!

First Line Fridays is hosted by Hoarding Books and participants share the first line from a nearby
book.

Today I'm sharing the first line from Grit & Grace: Devotions for Warrior Moms by Suzanne Hadley Gosslin and Gretta Kennedy:

"I was having one of those mornings."

I've been reading this book for over a month now. It is my go to for a short devotional thought. Highly recommend to new moms or moms of littles. My full review is available here.

What are you reading this weekend?

Have a great weekend! Happy reading!


About the Book:

Hang in There, Mama!

For those moments when you think you’ll never live up to the Supermoms around you—when you’re elbow deep in the grind of diapers and laundry and peanut butter sandwiches—you need a good dose of Grit and Grace.

This refreshing collection of 90 daily devotions comes from two moms who’ve found themselves face-to-the-floor in need of encouragement and now offer it to you. Through humor and vulnerability, these short messages of truth remove the filters of perfection clouding your vision and bring clarity to your purpose as a mom. As you read the Scripture and prayer that accompany each day’s message, you’ll discover more fully who you are in Christ and how to raise your children to reflect His love to the world.

In giving yourself grace, you will find you have even more grace to give from the One who is present in your life right now and in every moment.

Book Review: Catching The Wind by Melanie Dobson

About The Book:

What happened to Brigitte Berthold?

That question has haunted Daniel Knight since he was thirteen, when he and ten-year-old Brigitte escaped the Gestapo agents who arrested both their parents. They survived a harrowing journey from Germany to England, only to be separated upon their arrival. Daniel vowed to find Brigitte after the war, a promise he has fought to fulfill for more than seventy years.

Now a wealthy old man, Daniel’s final hope in finding Brigitte rests with Quenby Vaughn, an American journalist working in London. He believes Quenby’s tenacity to find missing people and her personal investment in a related WWII espionage story will help her succeed where previous investigators have failed. Though Quenby is wrestling her own demons—and wary at the idea of teaming up with Daniel’s lawyer, Lucas Hough—the lure of Brigitte’s story is too much to resist. Together, Quenby and Lucas delve deep into the past, following a trail of deception, sacrifice, and healing that could change all of their futures.

A 2018 Christy Award finalist!

My Thoughts:

Catching the Wind by Melanie Dobson is a well-written time-slip novel. Unlike other time-slips I have read, I had no confusion as to the time period or how much time had passed. The time was clearly noted as needed and the narrative explained event progression in both time periods. The novel captured my attention from the beginning. A natural coupling of mystery, mild suspense, and a few plot twists carried my interest until the end.

I loved the theme of redemption that is woven into this story. Without giving any spoilers, I will say that Quenby must dig up the past (in more than one aspect), search for and learn the truth, decide to make healthy choices, and step boldly into God-given opportunities. Quenby, Daniel, Brigette, and Hannah all experience a degree of redemption of their personal pasts. As Quenby says on page 370: “It's not about exhuming [the past]. It's about redeeming what has been lost.” I also appreciated the subtle messages about the power of friendship and the necessity of forgiveness, both of which support the magnificent theme of redemption.

Catching the Wind is the first novel I've read by Melanie Dobson. I probably would not have chosen to read it on my own, but the local book club I attend picked it for our March reading. It made an excellent selection as we discussed it's themes, the character's perspectives, and modern-day heroes. I liked it much more than I expected and I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with an engaging mystery, modest suspense, and gentle romance. Five stars!

Read an excerpt from Catching the Wind by Melanie Dobson on the publisher's website!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy through the My Reader Rewards Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Reading Journals: Out with old, in with the new!

A few years ago, my thoughtful sister-in-law gave me the My Bibliofile reading journal. It has all kinds of cute prompts in it, recommending reading lists, and space for jotting notes about books read. Prior to My Bibliofile, I used only GoodReads for keeping track of what I'd read. I recently finished off My Bibliofile with an entry for Sweet on You by Becky Wade.

Since I love being able to flip back and peruse the books I've read, it was a no-brainer to continue on with another journal. I chose this tan and beige Paperworks journal. It feels sturdy and I expect it to be durable. It has a bookmark, which is always a plus, for me. It's a bit bigger than the My Bibliophile and the lined pages provide more space for writing my notes.

I've found that jotting down notes while reading a book or directly after finishing makes it easier for me to write a thoughtful, quality book review.

So, how about you? Do you keep a reading journal? What attributes do you look for in a journal?

And here's a bonus:

This is my box of unused journals. Current count is 22. I haven't bought journals in years, but my family and friends know I like them and give them to me as presents.

Book Review: GraceFull by Dorena Williamson

About the Book:

Hope and Anna love seeing each other at church. When a Sunday grace offering is collected to help lift up Anna’s homeless family, Hope begins to ask questions and has a unique opportunity to learn what grace looks like, both for her and for Anna’s immigrant family. This touching story teaches children that God showers grace that is meant to be shared—allowing us all to be GraceFull!

In this follow up to her first two books, ColorFull and ThoughtFull, Dorena Williamson opens a dialogue on the tough subjects of poverty and homelessness and offers children encouragement to show God’s grace and love to others whose home life or homeland might look very different than their own.


My Thoughts:

My girls are always excited to receive a new book and GraceFull by Dorena Williamson was no exception. As is the case with most of their books, my daughters were first intrigued by the colorful illustrations, but they also enjoyed the story line. Having previously read ColorFull and ThoughtFull by the same author, they recognized Ahanu (from ThoughtFull) immediately and were delighted to see him again.

I recommend GraceFull: Growing a Heart that Cares for Our Neighbors by Dorena Williamson and illustrated by Geneva B to anyone with a child ages 3-8 in their life. My younger daughter asks me to read this book almost every day. She says her favorite thing about the book is Anna and Hope at the Chen House because they are nice to each other. My older daughter asks for it less, but reads it herself.

GraceFull's main theme centers on the effects of God-given grace. The premise is that when we receive this grace, it overflows out of us to others. Supporting themes of generosity, kindness, inclusion, and racial diversity are laced throughout the story. GraceFull reminds the reader, child or adult, to look beyond our own needs and wants so that we can give compassion and grace. As a mother of young ones, I appreciate resources such as GraceFull that help instill the values I hope my daughters will one day embrace for themselves.

Read my review of ThoughtFull.

Read my review of ColorFull.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

First Line Friday: The Lady of Tarpon Springs by Judith Miller

Happy Friday!

First Line Fridays is hosted by Hoarding Books and participants share the first line from a nearby
book.

Today I'm sharing the first line from The Lady of Tarpon Springs by Judith Miller:

"Zanna Krykos closed her eyes and offered a silent prayer for God's direction."

Have you read this book? It's been on my TBR stack since last September.  I was supposed to read it with my local book club for our October pick, but never did. Eek!

What are you reading this weekend?

Have a great weekend! Happy reading!


About the Book:

Much to the dismay of her Greek family, Zanna Krykos makes a living as a lawyer in Tarpon Springs, Florida. When her friend Lucy needs legal advice about the business she inherited upon her father's passing, she ends up asking Zanna to run the business instead so she can focus on her medical career.

Nico Kalos is a Greek diver who has worked on sponging boats in the Aegean Sea since the age of 14, giving him a vast knowledge of the trade. When he hears of an opportunity to lead a group of spongers to the United States, he seizes it. But his excitement is quickly quelled when he arrives only to discover that a young woman with no experience in the business will be in charge of the new crews.

But as Zanna and Nico face even more complications than they could have imagined, they must learn to work together or risk everything they've worked so hard for.

First Line Fridays: The Memory House by Rachel Hauck

Happy Friday!

First Line Fridays is hosted by Hoarding Books and participants share the first line from a nearby
book.

Today I'm sharing the first line from The Memory House by Rachel Hauck:

"She was never afraid of the dark. But the light? Now that terrified her."

Have you read this book? What are you reading this weekend?

Have a great weekend! Happy reading!


About the Book:

Embracing the future means remembering the past . . .

When Beck Holiday lost her father in the North Tower on 9/11, she also lost her memories of him. Eighteen years later, she’s a tough New York City cop burdened with a damaging secret, suspended for misconduct, and struggling to get her life in order. Meanwhile a mysterious letter arrives informing her she’s inherited a house along Florida’s northern coast, and what she discovers there will change her life forever. Matters of the heart only become more complicated when she runs into handsome Bruno Endicott, a driven sports agent who fondly recalls the connection they shared as teenagers. But Beck doesn’t remember that, either.

Decades earlier, widow Everleigh Applegate lives a steady, uneventful life with her widowed mother after a tornado ripped through Waco, Texas, and destroyed her new, young married life. When she runs into old high school friend Don Callahan, she begins to yearn for change. Yet no matter how much she longs to love again, she is hindered by a secret she can never share.

Fifty years separate the women but through the power of love and miracle of faith, they each find healing in a beautiful Victorian known affectionately as The Memory House.

Book Review & Giveaway: Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan with JustRead Publicity Tours! We continue the Becoming Mrs. Lewis celebration on social media starting March 14.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Title: Becoming Mrs. Lewis 

Author: Patti Callahan  

Publisher: Thomas Nelson 

Genre: Historical Fiction  

Release Date: October 2, 2018

From New York Times bestselling author Patti Callahan comes an exquisite novel of Joy Davidman, the woman C. S. Lewis called “my whole world.”

When poet and writer Joy Davidman began writing letters to C. S. Lewis—known as Jack—she was looking for spiritual answers, not love. Love, after all, wasn’t holding together her crumbling marriage. Everything about New Yorker Joy seemed ill-matched for an Oxford don and the beloved writer of Narnia, yet their minds bonded over their letters. Embarking on the adventure of her life, Joy traveled from America to England and back again, facing heartbreak and poverty, discovering friendship and faith, and against all odds, finding a love that even the threat of death couldn’t destroy.

In this masterful exploration of one of the greatest love stories of modern times, we meet a brilliant writer, a fiercely independent mother, and a passionate woman who changed the life of this respected author and inspired books that still enchant us and change us. Joy lived at a time when women weren’t meant to have a voice—and yet her love for Jack gave them both voices they didn’t know they had.

At once a fascinating historical novel and a glimpse into a writer’s life, Becoming Mrs. Lewis is above all a love story—a love of literature and ideas and a love between a husband and wife that, in the end, was not impossible at all.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository | Christian Book | iTunes

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MY THOUGHTS:

I enjoyed reading Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan. Though the story was long, the beautiful writing style had me so invested in the characters that the plot didn't drag. The detailed descriptions of England, particularly Oxford, made me want to visit.

Joy is a complex and authentic character, perhaps a bit too realistic for some readers. She is flawed and didn't always make wise decisions. I did not care for Joy's blatant sexual desire for Jack (C. S. Lewis) as it was over done. Though there is no erotica, I started cringing after a bit at the repetitious statements about wanting him. Joy does have insights about her behavior and desires later on in the story, but I'm not sure it fully redeems the past actions and intentions. It's reality and life experience portrayed authentically on the page.

I did like the author's treatment of the characters' faith journeys. Both Joy and Jack have this organic faith that is full of honesty about life's struggles, spiritual doubt, and searching for peace with God. Joy's heart, in particular, is laid bare throughout the story and one of my favorite moments was Chapter 44 when she has a great insight and prays, “I know now, Lord, why you utter no answer. You are yourself the answer. Before your face questions die away.” Toward the end, Jack seems to become more philosophical, but as this book covers at least a decade, perhaps that simply reflects life's changes.

Though I've read lots of Christian fiction in the last ten years, I've not read any books by C. S. Lewis. I do know that he is a revered figure in Christianity for his non-fiction books and the Christian themes in his fiction. Other than the author's note at the back, I have no knowledge as to how closely Becoming Mrs. Lewis adheres to the reality of their relationship. This novel does not sanitize him as some have perhaps done. There is frequent drinking and smoking in the novel. Mild, but unnecessary, profanity is occasionally present, no f-bombs.

I recommend Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan to readers interested in Joy Davidman, C. S. Lewis, or their relationship. It is a biographical fiction novel with lots of spirituality, but a bit saltier than standard Christian fiction so I do recommend it for adults only.

 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Patti Callahan (who also writes as Patti Callahan Henry) is a New York Times bestselling author. Patti was a finalist in the Townsend Prize for Fiction, has been an Indie Next Pick, twice an OKRA pick, and a multiple nominee for the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA) Novel of the Year. Her work has also been included in short story collections, anthologies, magazines, and blogs. Patti attended Auburn University for her undergraduate work and Georgia State University for her graduate degree. Once a Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, she now writes full time. The mother of three children, she lives in both Mountain Brook, Alabama, and Bluffton, South Carolina, with her husband.  

CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR: website | facebook | twitter | instagram

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TOUR GIVEAWAY:

(2) winners will each win a hardcover release copy of Becoming Mrs. Lewis. 

Be sure to check out each stop on the Blog and Takeover tours for more chances to win. Full tour schedule on this tour shown below. Giveaway began at midnight March 12, 2019 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 19, 2019. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Due to shipping cost, only US mailing addresses valid. For our giveaway rules and policy, click HERE.

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

AND

Be sure to stop at the following tours for more chances to win!

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Book Spotlight: Begin Again by Crystal Walton

Begin Again by Crystal Walton

 A 2017 Readers' Favorite Gold Award Winner and Kindle Book Review Award Semi-finalist. Escape to the beach and enjoy a laugh-out-loud clean romance.

What happens when a free-spirited artist from big-city New York collides with an uptight business owner from small-town Ocracoke? Fireworks. The kind neither saw coming.

 A single call is all it takes to drive artist Ti Russo into what she does best. Run. But hey, lying low in a beach town for a while isn’t so bad. Thanks to the distraction of playing consultant to a guy she’s determined to crack, she can almost forget about the past stalking her back home. But she never counted on the real danger being a picket-fenced life she has no business falling for. 

Focus and self-preservation have gotten single dad Drew Anderson through the last nine years. With the threat of his shop’s foreclosure jeopardizing his daughter’s health care, the last thing he needs is a distracting hippie chick swooping in to shake up what he’s fought to protect. Including himself. The bank’s deadline adds enough pressure without re-risking feelings better left buried. But as sparks flare and secrets escalate, the race against time propels Ti and Drew into a choice neither’s ready to make: Find the faith to surrender their past or forfeit their only chance to begin again.

Download Begin Again and escape into a sparks-flying, opposites-attract contemporary clean romance full of small-town charm, broken characters, and deep undertones of grace that’ll win your heart. For fans of Gilmore Girls, you’ll love Drew and Ti’s sparring relationship, along with Begin Again’s small-town setting, quirky characters, and family bonds.

  



A 2017 Readers' Favorite Gold Award Winner and Kindle Book Review Award Semi-finalist. "Love, Love, Loved spunky Ti and the banter between her and Drew. I didn't want to stop reading. Great character development and the characters are engaging and interesting." - Amazon Review

 "This book was well written, the characters were relatable and refreshing and the plot flowed quickly...Grab this book and her others and be prepared to be wowed! You will quickly discover that you have found a hidden gem of an author!" - Nerd Girl Official

 "The prose is excellent and her narrative voice so powerful and clear that it will have readers hooked throughout the entire ride. This is a character-driven story that will have you entertained, reminding you of some of the finest emotions you have experienced." - Readers' Favorite



 



Inside, conversations coming from a small den to the right competed with laughter and music trailing in from a sliding door leading to a pool. Drew took one look at both options and headed into the kitchen instead. Other than the faint sound of a girl singing nearby, only the churn of the ice maker filled the quiet room.

He leaned against the counter, closed his eyes, and massaged his temples.

“You shouldn’t try so hard.” From behind a cute pair of glasses, blue eyes met his. A blonde in an off-the-shoulder, white cotton dress and an unabashed gaze stood in front of him.

Where’d she come from? Drew glanced behind him. To what, the wall? Of course she was talking to him.

When his vocal cords caught up, he cleared his throat. “Excuse me?”

A lot of good unclogging his voice did. If it got any more pubescent, he’d take that windpipe right out and knock some sense into himself with it.

She reached for his hand and lowered it from his throbbing temple. “De-stressing. You’re trying too hard.”

Drew stared at her warm fingers against his. “I’m sorry, and you are?”

“Ti Russo.” A series of bracelets jingled down her arm. “Pleasure.”

He’d never met a girl who went by an initial.

Looking down, she ran the back of her bare foot along her calf. Waiting.

Now would be the appropriate moment for southern hospitality. Or at a minimum, basic manners in returning the introduction. Yet Drew just stood there like a washed-up piece of seaweed languishing under a sunrise he couldn’t look away from.

She was probably a few years younger than him. Twenty-eight at best. But her eyes carried the experiences of someone twice her age, along with an artistic flair he knew better than to entertain.

“Thanks, but I’m fine.” He strode to the opposite counter.

“If you really want to work on something, you might try honing your lying skills.”

Drew turned, jaw slack. If the girl’s accent wasn’t enough confirmation she was from the Big Apple, her lack of a filter just eliminated any doubt. Unbidden, thoughts of New York triggered memories that’d been festering beneath the surface all day. He tamped them back down where they belonged.

Ti dipped her head in front of his, brow raised as if waiting for him to divulge his inner thoughts. Like that was happening.

“Don’t you have a hot yoga class to go to or something?” He scanned the kitchen for a drink. Or maybe a pail of ice to dump over his head.

“What do you know about hot yoga?"

Way to open himself up for that one.

 



Author Crystal Walton

Crystal received her bachelor of arts from Messiah College in PA, married her exact opposite in upstate NY, and earned her master of arts from Regent University in VA, where she currently resides with her husband, David and son, Ryder. She writes modern clean romances with humor, broken characters, and emotional plots full of grace and hope. Her popular Home In You series includes Write Me Home, a 2017 RONE Award finalist, and Begin Again, a 2017 Readers' Favorite Gold Award winner. When her hands aren't full with her very active, little blue-eyed hero, she's delving into the wonder of words, supporting her Starbucks habit, or laughing over movie quotes with her husband.











 

Giveaway Details

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway Ends 3/27/19.  Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from Clean Wholesome Romance and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


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Book Review: Of Fire and Lions by Mesu Andrews

About the Book:

Survival. A Hebrew girl first tasted it when she escaped death nearly seventy years ago as the Babylonians ransacked Jerusalem and took their finest as captives. She thought she'd perfected in the many years amongst the Magoi and the idol worshippers, pretending with all the others in King Nebuchadnezzar's court. 

Now, as Daniel's wife and a septuagenarian matriarch, Belili thinks she's safe and she can live out her days in Babylon without fear--until the night Daniel is escorted to Belshazzar's palace to interpret mysterious handwriting on a wall. The Persian Army invades, and Bellili's tightly-wound secrets unfurl with the arrival of the conquering army. What will the reign of Darius mean for Daniel, a man who prays to Yahweh alone? 

Ultimately, Yahweh's sovereign hand guides Jerusalem's captives, and the frightened Hebrew girl is transformed into a confident woman, who realizes her need of the God who conquers both fire and lions.

My Thoughts:

After reading Of Fire and Lions by Mesu Andrews, I will never read the Book of Daniel the same way again. It.brought to life Daniel's story in a way I had never imagined it before and explained how the Biblical events might have occurred. While Daniel's prophecies are included and applied in certain situations, this novel doesn't tackle explaining the end-time prophecies in the book of Daniel.

Of Fire and Lions captivated me from the beginning with family tension and Belili's mysterious past. The story jumps between different times in Belili's life and sometimes that jump threw me off, but it did serve to stir questions and heighten my interest.

Abigail/Belili, my favorite character, is brilliantly written. Belili's narrative voice differs with age – not only in her perception of events around her, but also in her outlook on life. She develops and grows, changing and learning through experiences. The changes she embraces and even those she fights, ring with authenticity. Themes about Yahweh's never-ending love and His inexhaustible forgiveness play out as Belili wrestles with her circumstances and questions. Her faith journey is life-long, just like ours.

Of Fire and Lions by Mesu Andrews boasts an eye-catching cover, but the stunning story inside reaches beyond the page to touch the reader's heart with it's themes. I highly recommend this Biblical fiction novel. My husband also read and enjoyed it, so it's appeal is not limited to women.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

March 2019 Book Giveaway!

Wasn't it just Christmas? The days are flying by so fast lately!  I totally missed doing a book giveaway in February. Oops! So, I'm giving away two paperbacks to one lucky winner! The books are: My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge: Laurel's Dream by Pepper Basham and the Mother's Wedding Dress novella collection by Kristin Billerbeck, Colleen Coble, Gina Fields, and Cathy Marie Hake.

Both books have been read before. My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge looks almost perfect. Mother's Wedding Dress novella collection was published in 2006 and the pages/inside covers show some yellowing from age.

About My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge:

A British missionary meets a chilly welcome in a remote Appalachian community.

Laurel McAdams is well acquainted with trouble, but her dreams keep her hopeful that life can improve on her mountain in the Blue Ridge. Still, trouble does come in the form of an outsider.

Having failed his British father again, Jonathan Taylor joins his uncle's missionary endeavors as a teacher in a two-room schoolhouse. Laurel feels compelled to protect the tenderhearted teacher from the harsh realities of Appalachian life, even while his stories of life outside the mountains pull at Laurel's imagination.

Faced with parents angry over his teaching methods, Laurel's father's drunken rages, and bad news from England, will Jonathan leave and never return, or will he stay and let love bloom?

Journey into North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains of 1918 where a young woman's dreams are held captive by rugged landscape and long-held traditions.

About Mother's Wedding Dress Novellas:

Four short stories:

Button String Bride by Cathy Marie Hake.

Wedding Quilt Bride by Colleen Coble.

Bayside Bride by Kristen Billerbeck.

The Persistent Bride by Gina Fields.

About the Giveaway:

Enter using the Rafflecopter. Must be a resident of the US, 18 years of age, and legally able to enter. Books will be shipped via Media Mail. No purchase necessary.

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Book Spotlight: The Fiance's Secret by Kimberley Montpetit

The Fiance's Secret by Kimberley Montpetit 

He's a successful entrepreneur who almost has it all. She's the long-ago crush—the girl who got away. When they meet again, fireworks explode once more. But will a buried secret steal their second chance at a happy ending? 

Troy Thurlow let the girl of his dreams get away fourteen years ago, back when he was a high school football star. Now he’s a highly successful executive with a life most people only dream of. Still, he's never stopped thinking about Jasmine, and wondering what would have happened if he'd ever had the courage to ask her on a date. When he meets her by chance on a New York business trip, he's determined to take this second opportunity and run with it. That is, if his past doesn't catch up with him first . . . 

 Jasmine Cervantes does “happily ever after” for a living, arranging dream-destination honeymoons for the fabulously rich and famous. But, so far, her own fairy-tale ending has eluded her. That is, until the boy she couldn’t stop dreaming about in high school barges unexpectedly into her office one day. When the two start a whirlwind romance they begin to see that fate is giving them a helping hand. Until Jasmine ends up on Italy’s most romantic coast without him. Missing him desperately, she begins to believe that Troy is truly “the one.” But he's hiding something that could change everything . . .

 

“I have a confession to make,” she said, kicking up the sand with her toes.

“You—confessions?” Troy teased, but he seemed to tense as if unsure what she was about to tell him.

“I heard rumors that you were living out of the country. I figured I’d never see you again.”

“So why didn’t you come to our ten-year reunion?”

“I was on an important honeymoon trip right then. With Standing Ovation,” she quickly added with a laugh. “Not my own.”

Troy chuckled, but she thought she saw his jaw clench a little. “I figured that’s what you meant.”

“October in the South Pacific is very nice. That’s when the reunion was, right? At that point, the couple who wanted to honeymoon in Bali was our biggest client we’d ever had so I couldn’t tell my VP no.”

“I guess our lives weren’t meant to cross right then. Extended business trips that sometimes kept me away for a few months. Especially at the beginning of the founding of DREAMS. We were hustling like crazy. All of us keeping insane schedules.”

“That makes sense. Assumptions are often not true. Isn’t that human nature?”

They paused at the shoreline, warm waves tickling Jasmine’s ankles. She wrapped her other arm around Troy’s waist, snuggling into him tighter while he put his other arm around her, while they stood staring out at the Atlantic.

“You feel fantastic, Jasmine,” Troy whispered, brushing his lips against her hair.

“I was just thinking the same thing about you,” she whispered in return, her voice barely above the sound of the rushing ocean.

The water was black, but under the starlight, the waves were a soft, frothy white breaking along the shore.

Troy turned so that they faced each other, and Jasmine snuggled into his chest, his body warming hers in a perfect fit. She was dizzy with his closeness, longing for more.

“I can hear your heart pounding,” she told him, gazing up into his face.

“My heart’s going crazy because I’m overcome by the most beautiful woman in the world. If I go into cardiac arrest, just kiss me and I’ll come right back.”

“Like Sleeping Beauty kissing the prince instead of the other way around?”

 

The Executive's Secret is FREE today, March 9th!

Author Kimberley Montpetit

 When she was in Paris, Kimberley Montpetit spent most of her souvenir money at the La Patisserie shops with their beautiful and delicious pastries. She grew up in the fabulous city of San Francisco, loves all things chocolate, and now lives in a small town along the Rio Grande with her engineer husband and three sons. She once stayed in the haunted tower room at Borthwick Castle in Scotland and didn't sleep a wink, sailed the Seine in Paris, rode a camel in the ancient world wonder of Petra, shopped the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, and spent the night in an old Communist hotel in Bulgaria. Kimberley also writes Award-winning Middle-Grade novels with Scholastic and epic Young Adult novels with Harpercollins under the name, Kimberley Griffiths Little.

 

Giveaway Details: $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway Ends 3/28/19.  Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from Clean Wholesome Romance and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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