Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Book Review: A Second Chance by Walt Mussell

About the Book:

Kira Sakamichi is a career-driven woman, trying to achieve success before her mother’s constant interference sentences her to a relationship. But when a grudging drive to meet her mother’s latest “selection” ends in a lake accident, Kira wakes up lost in the past, the concubine of a sixteenth-century samurai and mother to his six-year-old son. When actions in battle lead to the samurai’s condemnation, Kira learns that she and her son will share the same fate. Only by understanding the importance of duty and family in both time periods can they survive.


My Thoughts:

At around 100 pages, A Second Chance by Walt Mussell offers a short, time travel story filled with unique family dynamics and life-and-death danger. The author’s talent shines as he offers a complete, unhurried tale in so few pages. With perfectly balanced character dialogue and setting descriptions, the narrative seamlessly transitions from modern day to 16th century Japan.

I found A Second Chance highly entertaining. The historical setting felt fresh and interesting. I learned a bit about Japanese history, the samurai, and 16th century Buddhist monks. Although Kira holds to the American Christianity of her upbringing, some of the historical characters subscribe to Buddhism. Both religions are treated respectfully, without dogmatism or conflict.

I loved the ending of A Second Chance by Walt Mussell, and I was pleased to read in the author’s acknowledgements that Kira will appear in future stories. A Second Chance is suitable for readers of Christian fiction or general market fiction. Although the “d-word” is used twice, it didn’t hamper my reading enjoyment. I must also give a trigger warning as the historical storyline includes suicide as an honorable act and Kira as a concubine (nothing sexual/erotic on page). Neither are pleasant to read about, but appear as practices of that time.

 


Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.


Monday, December 27, 2021

Book Review: The Making of Biblical Womanhood by Beth Allison Barr

About the Book:

USA Today Bestseller
Christianity Today 2022 Book Award Finalist 
(History & Biography)

"A powerful work of skillful research and personal insight."--Publishers Weekly

Biblical womanhood--the belief that God designed women to be submissive wives, virtuous mothers, and joyful homemakers--pervades North American Christianity. From choices about careers to roles in local churches to relationship dynamics, this belief shapes the everyday lives of evangelical women. Yet biblical womanhood isn't biblical, says Baylor University historian Beth Allison Barr. It arose from a series of clearly definable historical moments.

This book moves the conversation about biblical womanhood beyond Greek grammar and into the realm of church history--ancient, medieval, and modern--to show that this belief is not divinely ordained but a product of human civilization that continues to creep into the church. Barr's historical insights provide context for contemporary teachings about women's roles in the church and help move the conversation forward.

Interweaving her story as a Baptist pastor's wife, Barr sheds light on the #ChurchToo movement and abuse scandals in Southern Baptist circles and the broader evangelical world, helping readers understand why biblical womanhood is more about human power structures than the message of Christ.

Contents:

Introduction
1. The Beginning of Patriarchy
2. What If Biblical Womanhood Doesn't Come from Paul?
3. Our Selective Medieval Memory
4. The Cost of the Reformation for Evangelical Women
5. Writing Women Out of the English Bible
6. Sanctifying Subordination
7. Making Biblical Womanhood Gospel Truth
8. Isn't It Time to Set Women Free?

Read an excerpt from The Making of Biblical Womanhoood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth by Beth Allison Barr on the publisher's website.


My Thoughts:

I read through The Making of Biblical Womanhood by Beth Allison Barr quickly. The author’s education and expertise shined as she related historical context for traditions practiced in the modern church. I found learning about the past highly interesting, but my favorite parts of the book were the first few chapters where she dives into canonized Scripture.

Beth Allison Barr, unlike some authors, does not deny the divinity of Scripture or attempt to minimize the Apostle Paul’s letters. Rather, she draws on her education as a college professor of history and offers alternative interpretations to misogynistic church traditions. She backs up her interpretations with highly convincing evidence, perhaps better than any other author I’ve read on this subject. I am not a Biblical scholar, but I have steeped in church tradition for at least 30 years, and I was amazed how many legitimate interpretations there can be for a passage.

The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth by Beth Allison Barr is a fantastic read that I recommend to any Believer interested in this topic, male or female. The author’s tone is not political and lacks the angry smears and cheap shots that often appear in books dealing with hot topics. I appreciated the educational and kind tone of the author and will read any other book she writes.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.


Sunday, December 26, 2021

Author Interview & Giveaway: The Next Fithian by Rick Barry



About the Book



Book: The Next Fithian

Author: Rick Barry

Genre: YA Christian Science Fiction

Release date: September 14, 2021

Was this a new life — or a death sentence?

When Rankin Johnson boards a flight to Israel, he expects an adventure in archeology. But the airplane comes under attack and explodes in midair. Rankin shouts, “God, I’m yours!” Instantly, he’s in some other place. An angel informs Rankin the Lord is pleased to accept his offer. He dubs Rankin “the next Fithian” — a messenger from God, not to Earth, but to planet Zemna in the alternate dimension. What happened to the previous Fithian? “He was killed,” the angel says before vanishing.

On Zemna, Rankin finds a perplexing, violent world. Futuristic technology mingles with primitive ways. Also, a bizarre symbol—the Intersection of All Things—has appeared on his left palm. It’s a tool to aid his mission, but how? Rankin is supposed to share God’s message with this planet. Instead, he becomes a slave. What he really wants is a trip back to Earth.

With the aid of Prahv and Theena, a brother and sister who become his best friends, Rankin escapes. He hopes to fulfill his mission and return home as fast as possible. But now there’s a price on Rankin’s head. More than one Zemnan would rather kill him for the reward than hear what he has to say.

Click here to get your copy!


About the Author


Rick Barry has climbed mountains, jumped from perfectly good airplanes, toured World War 2 battlefields, and visited Eastern Europe over 50 times in Christian ministry. He has a degree in teaching foreign languages and speaks Russian. His fiction and non-fiction have been published by Kregel Books, Focus on the Family, JourneyForth Books, Answers in Genesis, and others. His previous novels are Kiriath’s Quest, Gunner’s Run, The Methuselah Project, and Methuselah Project S.O.S.


More from Rick

Years ago, I received an unexpected phone call. Michael Ross, then-editor of Focus on the Family’s Breakaway magazine, asked me to brainstorm a big, bold adventure for teens: “Maybe fantasy. Maybe science fiction. Maybe both mixed together. I don’t know. Just make it big!”

Such an intriguing challenge! I accepted the assignment and developed a 3-part Christian sci-fi story, The Next Fithian. Those three installments reaped enthusiastic reactions from readers. However, after Part 3, that assignment was done. I moved on.

As years passed, my Fithian characters refused to let me forget them. They kept coming to mind, urging me to create an exhilarating, novel-length adventure for them. At first, I refused. I was giving priority to my novels about World War II airmen.

However, whenever I attended homeschool conferences to sign books for shoppers, teens visited my table to talk. What were those teen guys and girls wearing? T-shirts portraying the Avengers, Spider-Man, Captain America, the Hulk … It was obvious what kinds of adventures captivated these young adults. I wondered—what kind of uplifting novel could I pen for Christian fans of the Marvel universe?

In reply, my thoughts jumped back to The Next Fithian, a story brimming with action, adventure, danger, faith—plus a positive role model. This time, I yielded and began brainstorming ways to extend the original 5,400 words into an 80,000-word sci-fi novel with a Christian worldview. I didn’t want simply to create a gripping adventure. I wanted to give readers something unique. I wanted to touch their emotions, to make them laugh, to make them cry, to inspire them, and make them ponder things they had never considered before. I also wanted to transport them to another world where they might see better how to live in our own real world.

Responses from volunteer readers give me hope that The Next Fithian: An Ordinary Teen on a Strange, New World will appeal to diverse readers, both teens and adults. One teen, Kaden E. wrote, “WOW! I just finished the book, and boy was it fantastic!” Another teen, Victoria S. declared, “Rankin is exactly the kind of protagonist we need—he’s mentally, emotionally, and spiritually mature; intelligent; and compassionate.” Adult test reader Marali S. emailed, “I enjoyed this! You must write more!” Another, Jude U., wrote, “I pronounce excellence! The ‘romance’ was sweet and just enough.”

A mix of other test readers gave similar encouragement. So, even though my target audience is young adults, I hope adults will also enjoy it, just as adults enjoyed 17-year-old Katniss Everdeen of Hunger Games fame.

Christian sci-fi might not be your style, but pause and think—maybe you know a young adult who might benefit from such a story?


Author Interview with Rick Barry


Q: What was the inspiration behind this novel?
Rick: The inspiration was two-pronged. First, while driving across Illinois I noticed an exit sign for two cities. Stacked one above the other, the names were Rankin and Fithian. Immediately I thought, “Rankin Fithian—what a cool name for a character in a story!” I jotted those words on a scrap of paper. Twelve months later, editor Michael Ross phoned me from Focus on the Family. I had already written stories for their Breakaway magazine. Michael urged me to dream up something fresh, something big and bold. He gave me carte blanche for genre, so long as the story was “big.” What a vague, intriguing assignment! Eventually an idea took shape—to take an American teen and transport him to a perplexing violent world where he doesn’t want to be. At last, the name Rankin Fithian had a storyline!


Q: How long did it take you to write this novel?
Rick: The original tale was three short stories of 1,800 words apiece, and I wrote each installment within thirty days. But after that job was over, I set aside it and worked on several World War 2 novels. Over time, though, the idea of resurrecting “The Next Fithian” and fleshing out the story as a full sci-fi novel kept coming back to me. Eventually I yielded and commenced working on it in my spare time. That took five or six months. But even after I finished the first draft, I left it untouched on the computer for quite a while as I worked on other projects. The story needed time to ripen in my mind before I revised and polished it.


Q: What was the most surprising thing you discovered while researching and writing this novel?
Rick: Because most of the story happens on an alternate world, it required far less research than my novels about World War 2 airmen. The plants, animals, people, and culture sprang from my own imagination. However, let me mention that, on the new planet with his new title, Rankin receives a special emblem on the palm of his left hand—the “Intersection of All Things.” It’s the mark of a Fithian and a tool to aid him in his mission. But how? He doesn’t know, and neither did I! The emblem comes with no user manual. As the story unfolds, Rankin and I discovered together how that emblem can interface with objects on the alternate world. It’s a key part of the story, and I thoroughly enjoyed discovering its abilities as the story progressed.


Q: Do any of the novel’s characters hold a special place in your heart?
Rick: Definitely the protagonist, Rankin. He carries regrets from past actions; he’s an orphan; and since he’s seventeen there’s a lot he needs to figure out about life and himself. But throughout the story, Rankin repeatedly steps up to plate and faces his fears armed with trust in God. The hardships compel him to grow and mature in his Christian faith.


Q: Do you have a favorite quote from this novel?
Rick: Various moments in the story give birth to spiritual insights. At one point, Rankin expresses frustration. He wants to leave a city called Quel-Tel-Palarim, but the city rulers won’t permit it. They don’t trust him and restrict his movements. Theena, his conversation partner says, “The Creator knows where we are. He knows where you are. He must have a reason for confining you to Quel-Tel-Palarim even when our personal plan seems so much better…. Shouldn’t we trust His omniscience as much as His love, Rankin?”


Q: What do you hope readers take away from this novel?
Rick: To trust God and live pure lives according to His will no matter where we find ourselves.


Q: If the novel was made into a movie, who would like you to see play the main characters?
Rick: Recreating this sci-fi novel on film would require the budget of a Marvel Studios movie. But if a producer wanted it, I’d like an actor somewhat like Tom Holland (Spider-Man) to play Rankin.


Q: Would you share something about yourself that most readers wouldn’t know?
Rick: For many years, I worked full-time in the office of a Christian ministry to Eastern Europe. I still assist them from a distance by translating Russian correspondence and reports and creating newsletters, etc. However, for the past couple years I’ve been the caregiver for my mom. That has affected life quite a bit.


Q: In what setting do you enjoy writing the most? 
Rick: I’ve written at home, in libraries, in my car under shade trees, on park picnic tables, aboard airplanes, and in other settings. Probably my favorite place would be in the corner of a coffee shop. Writing can be a lonely profession. When I’m in a coffee shop, I’m not “with” the patrons around me, but simply being around fellow humans keeps me from feeling like I’m in solitary confinement. I tune them out, but it’s still nice to have real life flowing around me. At home I generally write without music, but sometimes I’ll play something light in the background to ward off the deathly silence.


Q: What are you reading now?
Rick: Don’t laugh. I just finished Book #7 in the children’s Artemis Fowl series. It’s different, quirky. Not something I’d write myself. Yet, there’s a lot of humor and imagination in these tales. Occasionally, reading something different from usual is refreshing. It stimulates the brain.


Q: How many bookshelves are in your home?
Rick: Before becoming a caregiver, I lived in my own home with several tall bookcases. Now, though, most of my personal possessions are boxed and in storage while I care for Mom in her home. That situation is a bit limiting, but that’s life right now. (See again Rankin’s lesson from question #5!)


Q: Who is an author you would recommend to anyone and everyone?
Rick: Anyone and everyone? That’s a vast audience! One author who comes to mind is Walter Lord. He wrote non-fiction accounts of big events by interviewing scores of actual participants and weaving their memories together into fascinating fast-flowing books. For instance, his A Night to Remember is the best true record of the Titanic sinking that I’ve ever read. His other books include Day of Infamy (the bombing of Pearl Harbor) and The Miracle of Dunkirk. Even if you normally prefer fiction, these books hold your attention!


Q:  What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?
Rick: Writing is a strenuous mental process. When not writing, I like to balance that with physical exercise, being outdoors, and also running. I haven’t run a race in years, but I always feel better when I run two or three times a week.


Q: Where can readers find out more about you and your novel?
Rick: My website reveals more about me and all my books. It’s rickcbarry.com. One particular blog post goes into more detail about The Next Fithian. That link is https://rickcbarry.com/2021/07/27/the-next-fithian-the-story-behind-the-story. Thank you for the interview!


Blog Stops


Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 13

Texas Book-aholic, December 14

Inklings and notions, December 15

For Him and My Family, December 16

deb’s Book Review, December 17

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 18

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, December 19

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 20

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, December 21

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, December 21 (Author Interview)

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, December 22

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, December 23

Simple Harvest Reads, December 24 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 25

Beauty in the Binding, December 26 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, December 26


Giveaway



To celebrate his tour, Rick is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and signed 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.

Friday, December 24, 2021

Book Review: The Wish Book Christmas by Lynn Austin

About the Book: 

From the bestselling author of If I Were You comes a nostalgic and endearing holiday story that reminds us that sometimes the most meaningful gifts are the ones we least expect and don’t deserve.

Best friends Audrey Barrett and Eve Dawson are looking forward to celebrating Christmas in postwar America, thrilled at the prospect of starting new traditions with their five-year-old sons. But when the 1951 Sears Christmas Wish Book arrives and the boys start obsessing over every toy in it, Audrey and Eve realize they must first teach them the true significance of the holiday. They begin by helping Bobby and Harry plan gifts of encouragement and service for those in their community, starting by walking an elderly neighbor’s yellow Lab—since a dog topped the boys’ wish list for Santa. In the charming tale that follows, Audrey and Eve are surprised to find their own hearts healing from the tragedies of war and opening to the possibility of forgiveness and new love.

Read an excerpt from The Wish Book Christmas by Lynn Austin on the publisher's website.


My Thoughts:

The Wish Book Christmas by Lynn Austin follows Audrey Barrett and Eve Dawson from If I Were You. The author recapped just the right amount of information from If I Were You to refresh my memory. I recommend reading the books in order as The Wish Book Christmas felt like a beautiful continuation of If I Were You.

In many ways, The Wish Book Christmas deals with personal growth. Eve, Audrey, and their sons work through expectations, ideals, and thought patterns. As the characters developed, the story gained a depth that is rare for Christmas novellas. When the plot introduced certain ideologies, I questioned where each character would land in the end, but continued reading. Turns out, I liked the outcomes even though I would not embrace some of Eve and Audrey’s parenting methods. 

The Wish Book Christmas is perfect for fans of Lynn Austin’s books, including If I Were You. I read this as part of a ladies book club and we had plenty to discuss.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.


Thursday, December 23, 2021

Epic Book Launch: Time After Tyme by Kay DiBianca

ABOUT THE BOOK

Time After Tyme
is a fun and thought-provoking mystery about secret codes, university intrigue, and two young girls who fancy themselves 21st-century Nancy Drews.

When strange, coded messages turn up in the chapel prayer box at Bellevue University, the minister suspects a recent campus death may have been murder, so he enlists the help of amateur sleuths Kathryn Frasier and Cece Goldman to decipher the codes and solve the mystery. But when a couple of young girls get wind of it, they decide to find the killer on their own. Almost everyone on campus has something to hide, and the story fluctuates between the rational search for the truth by the adults, and the occasionally misguided, but surprisingly perceptive, insight of the children.

Set on the campus of a modern university, Time After Tyme is both a joyful romp through a cozy mystery and a serious look at the search for truth. The book reminds us of the seasons of our lives, from the irrepressible curiosity of youth to the treasured experience of maturity.


BOOK EXCERPT (#2)

“Hello, girls. I haven’t seen you since school got out.” Her voice is high and crisp. Every word seems important. I guess they teach them that in librarian school. “I’m glad you’re here now. Reen, I have some new mystery novels you’re going to like.”

“Thanks, Miss Culberson, but I don’t have time for pleasure reading anymore.”

“Oh? And what are you so busy with?”

There are two kinds of adults in the world. The kind that doesn’t pay you any attention and the kind that pretends they’re interested in what you have to say. You know, the ones that give you a little half smile that means You’re just a kid and don’t know anything, but I’m going to be nice to you so I don’t ruin your psyche. Miss Culberson is definitely the second kind, but I like her anyway.

“I’ve decided to become an investigative reporter,” I said with a sharp nod of the head to add emphasis.

LINKS TO ALL EXCERPTS


Excerpt One: https://janemouttet.wordpress.com/2022/01/14/epic-book-launch-time-after-tyme/

Excerpt Two: https://moments-of-beauty.blogspot.com/2021/12/epic-book-launch-time-after-tyme-by-kay.html

Excerpt Three: http://www.simpleharvestreads.com/posts/time-after-tyme-epic-book-launch/

Excerpt Four: https://nannie3.blogspot.com/2021/12/after-tyme-epic-book-launch-about-book.html

Excerpt Five: https://splashesofjoy.wordpress.com/2021/12/22/time-after-tyme-epic-book-launch/

Excerpt Six: https://musingsbymaureen.blogspot.com/2022/01/celebrate-lit-presents-time-after-tyle.html

Excerpt Seven: https://www.artistwriterandstudentohmy.com/posts/time-after-tyme-book-excerpt/


ABOUT THE AUTHOR



Kay DiBianca is an award-winning author who loves to create literary puzzles in the mystery genre for her readers to solve. Her characters come to life as they struggle to solve murders and create relationships amidst the ongoing themes of faith and family. Her first novel, The Watch on the Fencepost, won an Illumination Award for General Fiction and an Eric Hoffer Award for Mystery. The second book in the Watch series, Dead Man’s Watch, was a Silver Falchion Award finalist.

Kay is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, Sisters in Crime, and the Collierville Christian Writers Group. An avid runner, she can often be found at a nearby track, on the treadmill, or at a large park near her home. Her background in software development fuels her fascination with puzzles and mysteries, and her dedication to running helps supply the endurance and energy she needs to write about them.

Kay and her husband, Frank, live, run, and write in Memphis, Tennessee. You can connect with Kay through her website at https://kaydibianca.com.


Clean Romance for Christmas: Grand Finale

On tour with Prism Book Tours
 
We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops, you can
see snippets and the link to each full post, as well as the giveaway below . . .
 
December 7th: Launch


December 8th: Nancy Campbell Allen - The Matchmaker's Lonely Heart


Follow the Author: Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter
Find the Book: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Target 

Snippet from the Guest Post (find the full post here):
 
Et voila! A new Victorian series was born, featuring three cousins who live in London and are determined to become modern Women of Independent Means. My books almost always feature a healthy dose of mystery along with the romance, and I believe people who have enjoyed my work in the past will not be disappointed here!
 
December 9th: Rachael Anderson - Five Kisses


Follow the Author: Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Bookbub
Find the Book: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Snippet from the Excerpt (find the full post here):
 
The dark-haired man pushed away from the bookcase and pointed to the shelf above her head. “I’m guessing you used the stack of bibles as a stool to reach this shelf here.” He patted the place where Frankenstein once stood. “Is there a book I can get for you so you can climb down from your perch? People are beginning to stare, and I doubt the proprietress would appreciate seeing any book, especially a bible, being used as a stool.” 
 

December 10th: Sarah M. Eden - The Merchant and the Rogue


Follow the Author: Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Instagram | Bookbub
Find the Book: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Target 

Snippet from the Guest Post (find the full post here):
 
I set this story, a mystery filled with creepy scenery and disconcerting characters, in the real-life Museum of Natural History in Dublin, Ireland. This museum was opened in 1856 in a stately Dublin building, and very little about it has changed since. It is often described as “a museum of a museum.” Walking through this piece of Dublin history is like stepping back in time. And it is one of the most wonderfully creepy places I have ever had the joy of visiting.
 

December 11th: Arlem Hawks - Georgana's Secret


Follow the Author: Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Bookbub
Find the Book: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Target 

Snippet from the Excerpt (find the full post here):
 
She wiped the moisture from her eyes and watched the bright moon above them. He
ignored the moon and the way it tripped across the waves. Tonight he forgot the ocean. He
watched her.
 
His heart pounded between his ribs, and he nearly let it push him forward to kiss that
contented smile. How would it feel to have Georgana Woodall’s soft lips caressing his own? To
be wanted by someone like her would be a wondrous thing.


December 12th: Jess Heileman - The Nabob's Daughter


Follow the Author: Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Instagram | Bookbub
Find the Book: Goodreads | Amazon

Snippet from the Excerpt (find the full post here):
 
My palms were clammy within my gloves, and I mindlessly rubbed them against my middle. Did I truly have the tenacity to enact such a preposterous scheme? It wasn’t too late to simply comply with Papa’s demands and marry Lord Denhurst’s son. I wavered between two seemingly detestable options. Then an image of India filled my mind’s eye. If I abandoned my plan now, I would likely never see my home again. Once Papa was in England, he would see me married, just as he said he would. That would not do. No, I needed to convince Lord Denhurst to revoke his offer, thus adhering to Papa’s admonition that I would not make him break his word, and to be on my way home before Papa arrived.  


December 13th: Krista Jensen - Miracle Creek Christmas


Follow the Author: Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter
Find the Book: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Snippet from the Guest Post (find the full post here):
 
Miracle Creek Christmas was originally titled, "Hold on Forever" after the song by Rob Thomas, who I adore. The song so perfectly expresses the way Riley and Mark come to feel about each other--"Lay down all your troubles end to end, they could reach up to the stars. So many roads, you don't know where you've been, but you still know who you are . . . Just fall apart if you need to. I'm here and I won't leave you now. Don't look down. Hold on forever..." Such a great song for these two.  


December 14th: Jen Geigle Johnson - A Christmas Kiss


Follow the Author: Website | Goodreads | Facebook
Find the Book: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Snippet from the Excerpt (find the full post here):
 
Evaline carefully wrapped a black band around her arm. “Remy, could you help me tie it tight enough that it will stay?”
“Certainly, my lady.” Her loyal lady’s maid cinched it and applied a pin at the back for good measure.
“Excellent. Mother deserves longer than the small three hundred and sixty five days of mourning no matter what Father or Aunt say.”
 

December 15th: Josi S. Kilpack - Love and Lavender


Follow the Author: Website | Blog | Goodreads | Facebook | Instagram | Bookbub
Find the Book: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

Snippet from the Guest Post (find the full post here):
 
Josi's Top 10 Christmas list, in very particular order:

10. The Christmas Season
9. Singing Christmas songs at church
8. Wrapping presents
7. October 15th, when I buy all the presents online . . .
 

December 16th: Carla Laureano - Discovered by Love series


Follow the Author: Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

Snippet from the Guest Post (find the full post here):
 
Romance novellas are short and sweet, and they focus exclusively on the falling-in-love butterflies between the main couple, without much distraction from outside plot or secondary characters. Setting adds a necessary texture and interest to an otherwise straightforward story, and it can either act as a main feature in the couple’s burgeoning romance or as a source of conflict that threaten their happiness. So with that kind of importance in the story, why not make it a great one? 
 

December 17th: Sarah L. McConkie - Meet Me Under the Kissing Bough


Follow the Author: Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Instagram | Bookbub | LinkTree

Snippet from the Guest Post (find the full post here):
 
This book is a retelling of A Christmas Carol. Most of the character's names are some kind of spin-off of the original, or found somewhere in the book. It was fun figuring out a way to make past, present, and future work through letters and not ghosts!
 

December 18th: Carol Ross - His Hometown Yuletide Vow


Follow the Author: Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | BookBub

Snippet from the Excerpt (find the full post here):
 
“I didn’t even know you were participating in the auction until I saw the program tonight. Before I could find you myself, a friend introduced me to Todd, and Todd asked if I’d be willing to meet you...” Derrick’s mouth pulled up on one side like he was trying not to smile. He was all boyish innocence and every bit as appealing as Anne remembered as he added, “He, uh, he actually asked me if I’d flirt with you a little.”

Anne choked out a surprised laugh. “Thank you for sparing us both that awkwardness.”

Grinning, he assured her, “It wouldn’t be awkward for me.”
 

December 19th: Nichole Van - Brotherhood of the Black Tartan series


Follow the Author: Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Instagram | Bookbub | Pinterest

Snippet from the Excerpt (find the full post here):
 
“Dinnae mock a fine kilt, Peter. The kilt swish is no’ tae be underestimated.”
“The kilt swish?” Lady Jane’s tone dripped with scorn.
“It’s a well-known fact that the lasses appreciate watching a man’s passion pleats swish as he walks.”
“Particularly from the backside,” Kieran helpfully clarified.
 

December 20th: Anneka R. Walker - Brides and Brothers


Follow the Author: Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Instagram | Bookbub | Pinterest

Snippet from the Excerpt (find the full post here):
 
It didn’t bode well if thoughts of dating again had distracted him to the point of nearly burning down his house. While he loved living in a bachelor pad with his brothers, a guy could only live off frozen food for so many years before he cracked. If getting married could change this, dating might be worth it. With a sigh of disgust, he rinsed the charred hot pad under water. He let it drip dry before he opened the drawer next to the oven and threw it in. 
 

December 21st: Camron Wright - Christmas by Accident


Follow the Author: Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Bookbub
Find the Book: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

Snippet from the Guest Post (find the full post here):
 
In the story I pay subtle homage to many Christmas classics, perhaps borrowing a line of dialogue from one or including an obscure quotation from another. While some references are obvious, others are subtle. A fun game as you read is to see how many you can find.
 

December 22nd: Julie Wright - A Captain for Caroline Gray


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Snippet from the Guest Post (find the full post here):
 
Women really did cross oceans to finds husbands. They were called the Fishing Fleet women. The Fishing Fleet began at the end of the seventeenth century when the East India Company began shipping women from England to India to marry their officers. The title of “Fishing Fleet women” is used as an insult as it was used to refer to women who had to go out “fishing” for husbands.


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Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Clean Romance for Christmas: A Captain for Caroline Gray by Julie Wright


On Tour with Prism Book Tours

A Captain for Caroline Gray
By Julie Wright

Historical Romance
Paperback & ebook, 291 Pages
March 2, 2021 by Shadow Mountain

Caroline Gray would rather be daring and intelligent than demure and insipid, which is why she is still unmatched after her third season in London. Her family’s threadbare finances leave Caroline with only one choice to secure her future: sail with the Fishing Fleet to India, where the son of a family friend is willing to consider an engagement to her.

Captain Thomas Scott loves the open sea as much as he despises the three-month, twice-yearly trip his ship makes as he ferries young English girls across the ocean. He can’t imagine what family would allow an innocent young woman to be matched up with the Englishmen of questionable reputation who work and live in India.

But when Miss Gray boards the HMS Persistence, all of Captain Scott’s plans are upended. Miss Gray’s fiery spirit can’t be contained, and he is shocked and secretly delighted at her boldness—and her beauty. But the rest of his passengers aren’t so kind.

Caroline finds herself an outcast among her peers, but Captain Scott becomes an unlikely ally. They share the same passions and interests, creating an undeniable attraction. But they both know any relationship between them is impossible. After all, Caroline has obligations to fulfill in India.

Caroline has until the end of the voyage to decide if she is going to marry a man she has never met or be brave enough to love a sea captain who just might break her heart.

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Guest Post: 7 Random Facts on Research, Characters, Plot and Author


1. Women really did cross oceans to finds husbands. They were called the Fishing Fleet women. The Fishing Fleet began at the end of the seventeenth century when the East India Company began shipping women from England to India to marry their officers. The title of “Fishing Fleet women” is used as an insult as it was used to refer to women who had to go out “fishing” for husbands. By the time of this fictional setting of 1820, the East India Company had removed itself from the business of finding husbands for their officers, but women still made the journey when their prospects at home were slim. There is a lot to admire about a woman with the courage to leave home and country to find her future in a distant land.

2. Working on this book required a lot of nautical know-how. My naval-captain-father, Walter Peterson (who plays the character of Lieutenant Peterson), was only too happy to impart his knowledge on a grateful daughter. Anything that might be wrong in regards to the ship is not the fault of the captain, but of the author.

3. There is a hidden Nathan and a hidden Alison in every book I write. Sometimes they get big characters to play and sometimes they only get a single mention. It’s always fun to hide the Nathan and Alison and to get feedback from readers when they find them.

4. A Captain for Caroline Gray is the first regency novel I’ve ever written, but I have been an avid fan of the genre for many years. I loved being able to move into the time and language in a setting that is not often used in the regency genre!

5. Living on a ship makes for tight quarters, but they sure do utilize every inch of space they are given! They even have a carpentry shop and a doctor’s cabin for when repairs of ship and crew were necessary.

6. Caroline’s ability with art allows her to get into spaces a lady would not normally be allowed which gave her opportunities to become friends with members of the crew and allows the reader little glimpses into those lives that are sometimes not thought about in the regency time.

7. Captain Scott might seem gruff and unrelenting when it comes to a person’s word by modern day standards, but this is at a time when one’s word was their honor and one could be challenged to a life-threatening duel over something as “trifling” as a man’s word. Not saying that deceptions didn’t occur, because of course they did. These are people we’re talking about here, but there is something admirable about a person who values the honor of their word.


About the Author



Julie Wright has written 25 novels, is a two-time Whitney Award winner for best romance, and is a Crown Heart recipient. The American Library Association listed “Glass Slippers, Ever After, and Me” in their 2020 top ten best romances and A Captain for Caroline Gray in their 2021 top ten best romances. She loves writing, reading, traveling, hiking, playing with her kids, and watching her husband make dinner.



Tour Schedule

(Posts go live on the day they're scheduled.)

December 7th: Launch
December 8th: Nancy Campbell Allen - The Matchmaker's Lonely Heart
December 9th: Rachael Anderson - Five Kisses
December 10th: Sarah M. Eden - The Merchant and the Rogue
December 11th: Arlem Hawks - Georgana's Secret
December 12th: Jess Heileman - The Nabob's Daughter 
December 13th: Krista Jensen - Miracle Creek Christmas
December 14th: Jen Geigle Johnson - A Christmas Kiss
December 15th: Josi S. Kilpack - Love and Lavender
December 16th: Carla Laureano - Discovered by Love series
December 17th: Sarah L. McConkie - Meet Me Under the Kissing Bough
December 18th: Carol Ross - His Hometown Yuletide Vow
December 19th: Nichole Van - Brotherhood of the Black Tartan series
December 20th: Anneka R. Walker - Brides and Brothers
December 21st: Camron Wright - Christmas by Accident
December 22nd: Julie Wright - A Captain for Caroline Gray
December 23rd: Grand Finale
 

Tour Giveaway



One winner will receive a $75 (USD) Amazon E-Gift Card

Open internationally
Ends December 29, 2021




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Monday, December 20, 2021

Book Review: Never Leave Me by Jody Hedlund

About the Book:

Facing death takes courage. Facing life takes even more.

In the last stages of a genetic disease, Ellen Creighton has decided to live out her remaining days at the estate of her longtime friend Harrison Burlington. Though he's never allowed himself to get serious in a relationship due to his paralysis, Harrison cares deeply for Ellen and is desperately trying to save her life by finding the holy water that is believed to heal any disease--the same substance Ellen suspects is responsible for the deaths of her father and sister.

But Harrison is not the only one seeking the holy water. Dangerous criminals are mere steps behind, and Ellen soon learns they will go to any lengths to get the powerful drug--including sending her back into the past to locate it for them.

Bestselling and award-winning author Jody Hedlund plunges you into the swiftly flowing river of history in this second breathtaking Waters of Time story.

Read an excerpt from Never Leave Me by Jody Hedlund on the publisher's website.


My Thoughts:

I devoured Never Leave Me by Jody Hedlund. This easy-to-read story combined romance, danger, and time travel to hold my attention from beginning to end. I slightly favored the medieval intervals over the contemporary times, but the characters and narrative slipped seamlessly between the two periods. 

Ellen and Harrison’s friends-to-lovers romance sizzles from the first chapter to the last. There’s flirting, kissing, and desire. Yet, underlying this newfound romance is Harrison’s devotion to Ellen. He’s consistent. He’s willing to give Ellen space. He’ll do anything to save Ellen’s life from the genetic disease killing her. He sacrifices repeatedly for the woman he loves and makes a wonderful hero. I liked Harrison instantly and warmed up to Ellen as the story progressed.

Never Leave Me lands as the second installment in Jody Hedlund’s Waters of Time series. Several months have passed since I read Come Back to Me (book one) and Never Leave Me had just the right amount of refresher material to provide need-to-know information and remind me how the time travel worked. I recommend reading the novels in order. The series would make an epic binge-read session. Can’t wait for book three! 4.5 Stars!

 


Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.