Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Author Interview & Giveaway: Forgotten Memories by Penny Zeller

Forgotten Memories JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Forgotten Memories by Penny Zeller, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Forgotten Memories

Series: Wyoming Sunrise #1

Author: Penny Zeller

Publisher: Maplebrook Publishing

Release Date: August 30, 2022

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Some memories are best forgotten…

The Wyoming Territory is rife with lawlessness and disorder, something Annie Ledbetter and her parents discover when their wagon train is robbed. Seven years later, Annie settles into her lifelong dream as a teacher in the small town of Willow Falls. When she meets handsome rancher Caleb Eliason through a humorous misunderstanding, she is quickly drawn to his kind heart and charming smile.

Former outlaw Caleb Eliason embraces his chance at a fresh start. Gone are the days of robbing stagecoaches and wagon trains. When he falls in love with the new Willow Falls teacher, he doesn’t realize they’ve met before—under much different circumstances. When his past comes to light, will it put the growing love between them at risk?

Can forgiveness and redemption heal two broken hearts or will the past keep them from sharing a future?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Penny Zeller is known for her heartfelt stories of faith and her passion to impact lives for Christ through fiction. While she has had a love for writing since childhood, she began her adult writing career penning articles for national and regional publications on a wide variety of topics.

Today Penny is a multi-published author of numerous inspirational books. She is also a homeschool mom and a group fitness instructor. Her desire is to assist and nurture women into a closer relationship with Christ.

When Penny is not dreaming up new characters, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters and camping, hiking, canoeing, biking, reading, running, gardening, and playing volleyball.

She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and loves to hear from her readers at her website.

Connect with Penny by visiting pennyzeller.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Q: What was the inspiration behind Forgotten Memories?

Penny: The idea for Forgotten Memories came from reading a real-life story about a mail-order bride named Eleanor who inadvertently made plans to marry a criminal. The story did not have a happy ending because Eleanor recognized him at the last minute as the one who had robbed her stagecoach.

After reading Eleanor’s story, my imagination wandered and “what-ifs” filled my mind. What if something similar happened to a character who, years later, fell in love with a man who robbed her? What would happen when the truth was discovered? Was there any hope for a happily-ever-after? Thus, Annie and Caleb’s story was born.

Q: How long did it take you to write this story?

Penny: I believe it took approximately three months for the first draft.

Q: Do you have a favorite quote from this book?

Penny: I actually have two favorite quotes: “When love finds you, you don’t run from it.” And “No one had ever died choking on ice cream. Or at least, she hoped not. And she had no ambition to be the first.”

Q: What do you hope readers take away from Forgotten Memories?

Penny: For me, writing is a calling and a ministry. I write character-driven novels with faith-filled elements and tender romance. I also include plentiful humor (I, myself, love to laugh!) and memorable characters.

Forgotten Memories is no exception when it comes to faith and abundant humor. The thing I want readers to take away from it is that we truly are new creations in Christ when we put our faith and trust in Him, just as my main character, Caleb Eliason, discovers. (And a warning: do have a box of Kleenex nearby toward the end of the book).

Q: Would you share something about yourself that most readers would not know?

Penny: Such a fun question! I would say something about myself that most readers would not know is that I was the hula-hooping champion in fifth grade P.E.

Q: What are you reading now?

Penny: My family surprised me with the latest book by Janice Cantore titled Code of Courage, which I will begin reading soon.

Q: How many bookcases are in your home?

Penny: Two and they are jam-packed. 😊

Q: What do you like to do when you are not writing?

Penny: I love spending time with my family. I’m a very active person, so I enjoy camping, hiking, canoeing, bicycling/cycling, reading, running, gardening, and playing volleyball.

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of Forgotten Memories and a $25 Amazon gift card.

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight August 30, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 6, 2022. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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

Monday, August 29, 2022

Book Spotlight & Giveaway: Escape Route by Tanya Stowe

Escape Route JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Escape Route by Tanya Stowe, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Escape Route

Author: Tanya Stowe

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense

Release Date: August 23, 2022

Genre: Christian, Romantic Suspense

Exposing a gang’s leader…

is the only way out of danger

While flying above the Texas border, helicopter pilot Tara Jean “TJ” Baskins witnesses a brutal murder. Now a deadly arms-smuggling gang wants her out of the way. To stay alive, TJ must work with border patrol officer Trace Leyton—her old friend and the man who once betrayed her—to catch the ringleader. But when the search leads to Trace’s family, can TJ trust him to save her? From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

EXCERPT

Redbeard took aim. TJ pushed the control stick of the helicopter down and headed straight for him. Red Beard didn't ease up or move away. Agent Belter leaned back and pushed his feet into the front of the helicopter like he was stepping on brakes that weren't there. He yelled something. TJ ignored him As the helo dipped lower. It was a game of chicken as TJ pointed the nose of the helo down and Red Beard aimed up. Her family was in danger. She wasn't going to back down.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tanya Stowe is a Christian Fiction author with an unexpected edge. She is a Publisher’s Weekly Bestselling Author who fills her books with the unusual…mysteries and exotic travel, even a murder or two. No matter where Tanya takes you…on a train down a mountain or a suspenseful journey packed with danger…be prepared for the extraordinary.

Connect with Tanya by visiting tanyastowe.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Escape Route and $25 Amazon gift card. (2) additional winners will receive a print copy of Escape Route.

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight August 29, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 5, 2022. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

Book Review: Nightshade by Ronie Kendig

About the Book:

After a tour of duty in a war-torn country, embattled former Navy SEAL Max Jacobs finds himself discarded and alienated from those he loves as he struggles with war-related PTSD. His wife, Sydney, files a restrain order against him and a petition for divorce. Max is devastated.

Then a mysterious man appears. He says he's organizing a group that recycles veterans like Max. It's a black-ops group known as Nightshade. With the chance to find purpose in life once again, Max is unable to resist the call of duty and signs on.

The teams handles everything with precision and lethal skill--until they're called upon to rescue a missionary family from a rebel-infested jungle and avoid a reporter hunting their identities.

Will Max yield his anger and pride to a force great than him--love?

My Thoughts:

I didn’t read Nightshade by Ronie Kendig in a single sitting, but I could have. This highly entertaining story held my attention from start to finish. The plot packs in danger, romance, and suspense in exotic locations. Max’s personality and personal drama added to the intensity of the story. I absolutely loved his second-chance romance with his almost ex-wife, Sydney. Their relationship was spot on and I loved how things played out between them.

Nightshade by Ronie Kendig kickstarts the Discarded Heroes series. There are some overarching situations that must continue through the series, but the main relationships and situations had satisfying closure. I’ve already ordered book two, Digitalis, and I can’t wait to read more about this amazing group of men and their romances.

Monday, August 22, 2022

Book Spotlight: Life's Journey Our Greatest Test by Marshalee Patterson

About the Book

Title: Life’s Journey our Greatest Test

Author: Marshalee Patterson

Genre: A Contemporary Christian Novel

Release Date: October 3, 2021

Purchase at: Amazon: https://amzn.to/3pnRrkN ┃Kobo: https://bit.ly/3wkVlgU

Synopsis

When Brady lost his brother, John, he felt his entire world crumble. All their plans went up in smoke, and soon his life took a turn for the worst; one he had not seen coming.

When his uncontrollable rage landed him in the Lexington Prison, he lost all will to live. However, his grandmother Ruth, being the devoted Christian woman that she was, never gave up on him and kept praying for him.

Walking around town shortly after his release from Lexington, Brady was pleasantly surprised when he stumbled upon Sara in a partially burnt abandoned building. Thinking that being a good Samaritan to her, could help him make right with God for all the wrong he had done in his life, he later discovered Sara was more of a blessing to his tortured life than he was to her.

Will this unlikely union bring them peace and seeing God’s promises fulfilled in their lives?

An Excerpt

Sara stepped inside as the sight of the memory-filled room enchanted her. Brady’s grandmother sure knew how to preserve family moments, she thought. Staring at all the photos, she did not have to guess too hard to tell who was who. Each one was arranged in the order in which they were taken. It was such an inviting family room; it reminded her of her home when everything was good and everyone happy.

Sara’s eyes soon caught sight of the very thing she loved more than anything—a piano. It was a beautiful white grand and still looked brand new. Before she knew it, she sat in front of it and had her fingers running over the keys with a big grin on her face.

She played each key, familiarising herself with their sounds until she was lost in a beloved melody—which for years, she thought was lost. Now, sitting once again in front of a piano, made it come right back.

From upstairs, Brady heard the piano playing and smiled, knowing Sara was making herself at home. He was unsure of what she liked since she had not really opened up about herself yet. Hearing her play made him content, knowing that she found comfort in at least something in his house. She played well, and he presumed that she must have had many years of training.

Sara sat, playing for nearly an hour, then felt she wanted to test the river waters that Brady bragged about so much. She ran upstairs into her room, picked out a pair of shorts and a blouse to swim in. She laid the dress she wanted to wear later on the bed and put everything else away in the dresser. She didn’t feel comfortable wearing a swimsuit around a man she was still getting to know. Sara walked out of her room, strolled over to Brady’s room, and knocked on the door.

“Brady,” she called.

Getting no response, she tried the knob and found it unlocked. She pushed the door and glanced inside, then closed it when she didn’t see him. A door that stood ajar on the opposite side to both her room and Brady’s piqued her curiosity.

Sara walked across the hallway to the door and peeped inside. Brady sat, painting. He looked so consumed in what he was painting, which looked very foreboding. There was not one ounce of colour on the canvas. Her heart softened to what must be buried inside him. She wondered how he managed to maintain a sense of calmness around her yet hold such darkness inside.

Could his past be even worse than mine?

About the Author

When Marshalee Patterson left high school and started working, she thought she was cursed. She would look at her life and compare it with some of her high school friends who seemed to be achieving the things she wanted. That is—marriage and kids.

That desire led her to seek things her own way and not wait on God and it resulted in many shameful and painful experiences that she hid from everyone. She struggled to forgive herself and to also embrace God’s mercy, thinking she wasn’t deserving because of her weakness to the flesh. She felt cheap and not good enough.

Years later God revealed his plan for her life and it was to write books; books that would bring healing and deliverance to people’s lives. Each book she wrote she realized had a theme and that they were drawing from her own past experiences- the same past she wanted to stay hidden and buried. But as she wrote each book she saw herself healing from whatever trauma mentioned in that book. It was then that she realized, as shameful and painful as her past was, that God had a plan for it.

They were the blueprint for her stories, experiences readers can relate to and the process through which God carried her to find healing and deliverance was how her readers would as well.

Marshalee Patterson is a Christian Fiction Author of life-changing books that have spiritual warfare and romance. Her goal is to see her readers gain the advantage of how to be victorious against Satan’s tactics and exposes some of the devices he uses.

She is a lover of nature and its tranquillity. She finds nature refreshing and peaceful. She loves different cultures, especially Spanish, which she feels make us learn to appreciate ours a little more in areas where we have been ungrateful or unappreciative. She loves salsa music very much and dances it well too. She is a proud Jamaican.

Connect with Marshalee

Website: https://bit.ly/3P6FlaI

Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/3QGOpDK

Add to GoodReads: https://bit.ly/3wjJhfM

Add to Bookbub: https://bit.ly/3dlrVtw

Pinterest: https://bit.ly/3C5xpTwv

Instagram: https://bit.ly/3A0EuSD

Blog Tour Stops

August 22nd - Beauty in the Binding (https://moments-of-beauty.blogspot.com)

August 23rd - Emily Kopf (https://emily-kopf.com)

August 25th- Reading is my super power (http://readingismysuperpower.org)

August 27th- Lock, Hooks and Books (www.amybooksy.blogspot.com)

August 28th- Marshalee Patterson (https://marshaleepatterson1.wixsite.com/christianbooks/blog/categories/book-updates)

August 30th - Felix Felicitated (https://felixfelicitatedblog.wordpress.com)

August 31st- Wall to wall Books (https://wall-to-wall-books.blogspot.com/p/authors.html)

September 1st- Britt Reads Fiction (https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.com)

September 2nd- Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama (www.musingsofasassybookishmama.com)

September 3rd- Cats in the Cradle Blog (https://catsinthecradle.blog)

September 4th- Batya's Bits (https://batyasbits.home.blog)

Friday, August 12, 2022

Book Review: Love's Fortress by Jennifer Uhlarik

About the Book:

When Dani Sango’s art forger father passes away, Dani inherits his home. Among his effects is a book of Native American drawings, which leads her to seek the help of museum curator Brad Osgood to decipher the ledger art. Why would her father have this book? Is it just another forgery?

Brad Osgood’s four-year-old niece, Brynn, needs a safe home, and Brad longs to provide it. The last thing he needs is more drama, especially from a forger’s daughter. But when the two meet “accidentally” at St. Augustine’s 350-year-old Spanish fort, Castillo de San Marcos, he can’t refuse the intriguing woman.

Broken Bow is among seventy-three Plains Indians transported to Florida in 1875 for incarceration at ancient Fort Marion. Sally Jo Harris and Luke Worthing dream of serving God on a foreign mission field, but when the Indians arrive in St. Augustine, God changes their plans. Then when friendship develops between Sally Jo and Broken Bow and false accusations fly, it could cost them their lives.

Can Dani discover how Broken Bow and Sally Jo’s story ends and how it impacted her father’s life?

My Thoughts:

Love’s Fortress by Jennifer Uhlarik holds two timelines with vastly different content. I enjoyed both storylines and stayed interested throughout the novel. The questions from the timelines unraveled with perfect pacing that showed the author’s ability to precisely craft a story. The ending wrapped up things with a bit of “telling not showing”, but I still liked the book.

Love’s Fortress tackled the historical actions of removing Native Americans from their tribes, detaining them in Fort Marion (now Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, Florida), and teaching them the white man’s culture. The novel handled the situation carefully and gave it a hopeful spin while still showing the understandable distaste for the white man’s ways through Broken Bow’s perspective. Reading about these happenings made me wish that United States history hadn’t happened the way it did.

Love’s Fortress by Jennifer Uhlarik is part of the Doors to the Past series from Barbour Publishers, but reads as a standalone novel. Recommended for fans of Christian fiction who enjoy a tightly crafted story with interesting historical detail. I adored the beautiful Gospel presentation to Broken Bow. I read Love’s Fortress with my local book club and there was 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.

Book Spotlight & Giveaway: Shoal Waters by Normandie Fischer

Shoal Waters JustRead Blog + Review Blitz

Welcome to the Blog + Review Blitz for Shoal Waters by Normandie Fischer, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Shoal Waters

Series: Carolina Coast Stories #6

Author: Normandie Fischer

Publisher: Sleepy Creek Press

Release Date: June 14, 2022

Genre: Inspirational/Clean Women's Fiction

Dementia, mad gunmen, and a yearning for something more make life difficult for the Beaufort folk in this series finale.

Georgie's mind threatens to go walkabout, and she'd better get help soon if she's to stop her daughter from taking over. Enter granddaughter, Jeminy, a songwriter from L.A., and Eric, her lawyer.

Jeminy hates herself and is pretty sure God does, too. There’s that huge unforgiveable sin, plus the boyfriend/manager who dumped her and lost her a music deal. Her mistakes. Her fault.

When Mother plots to tuck Nana Georgie neatly into a nursing home to gain access to Nana’s money, Jeminy hightails it out of L.A. and back to Beaufort. God may still hate her in North Carolina, but at least she’ll be on hand to protect her beloved grandmother.

Enter Eric, the lawyer hired to help Georgie protect herself--and possibly Jeminy, too. But Eric just rescued his orphaned stepson from Social Services, and while he’s adept at legal briefs and courtroom dramas, classrooms and angry second graders are brand new territory.

Guitar in hand, Jeminy tries to write songs to jumpstart her flagging career, but when someone threatens her life, she has to ask why. Could it have to do with the money missing from her bank accounts (and maybe her unstable ex)? If she prays for help, will God even listen to someone with her baggage?

With the help of the Beaufort crew, a new father and a terrified musician struggle to safeguard everyone they love, but it’s going to take more than good neighbors to show each of them the true meaning of grace.

MORE BOOKS IN THE SERIES

EXCERPT

Jeminy Chapter 5

Jeminy didn’t—wouldn’t—care that her life had been reduced to a moderate savings account and the plans she now had to make. Nana’s call precipitated her decision to move out of Los Angeles, and that was no bad thing. It was past time.

This place of promise and glitter had captivated her until she’d looked more closely at its underbellies, from enclaves peopled with the untouchable elite to Skid Row’s un-helped homeless. Many of those living in between stumbled around on the verge of bankruptcy as they clawed toward access to the gated communities. Once upon a time, she’d been on the fringes of money and fame.

She didn’t—wouldn’t—care about the trappings of her big-city life she’d be leaving, not the BMW she’d thought hers, not this apartment.

…Tomorrow, it would be off with the old and on with the new, whatever that was and wherever it would take her and her guitar. A few more hours and this place would be on the way to being forgotten.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Normandie Fischer had the best of several worlds: a Southern heritage, access to schooling in the DC area (which meant lots of cultural adventures), and several years of sculpture studies in Italy. It might have been better for her if she'd used all these opportunities more wisely, but it's possible that the imperfect and the unwise also add fodder for the artist and the writer.

Her life changed radically when she married the love of her life at an age when some would have said she was over the hill and way past her prime. (Clichés often speak the truth, don't they?) A lifelong sailor, she was delighted to find that Michael also longed to cruise lovely waters, which is what they did from Northern CA to Mexico, spending too-few years in the incomparable Sea of Cortez. Sea Venture, their 50' ketch, is back home in North Carolina now because Normandie's mama needed care. Still, it's gorgeous there, too, and she can write from home as easily as she could on the boat.

Her two grown children and two step-sons are handsome (or gorgeous, as the case may be), talented, and a delight. And now there's a granddaughter and grandson in the mix--woohoo! She just wishes they lived a lot closer to home.

Connect with Normandie by visiting normandiefischer.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card and one signed book written by Normandie Fischer (winner's choice)!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight August 10, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on August 17, 2022. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Sunday, August 7, 2022

Book Review: A Tenuous Betrothal by Jen Geigle Johnson

About the Book:

Rhianna Davies is well-acquainted with heartache after the painful loss of her parents. At the arrival of her ghastly uncle, she is brought even lower: Rhi has been banished from her family’s estate home and must rely on the kindness of her tightly knit Welsh miners for help. Without the protective love of her parents, Rhi has no illusions that hers will be a happy ending—until an addendum to her father’s will arrives in the hands of a prince.

Marc Wilhelm, Prince of Oldenburg, is in Wales with one purpose: to claim his betrothed. A long-ago promise between their fathers forges an indelible link between Rhi and Marc, but there remains just one problem: neither wants to marry a stranger. With no remaining ties to Wales, Rhi agrees to accompany Marc to Oldenburg, where he will forfeit their betrothal so she may have her pick of husbands. But their journey takes them down unexpected paths, from the depths of a Welsh mine to the marriage mart of London to a warm reception in Oldenburg. Rhi and Marc discover that their connection and their challenges run deeper than either anticipated, but whether from their own hesitations or from danger that threatens without, the couple might be thwarted before they can even begin the happily ever after they so richly deserve.

My Thoughts:

Reading A Tenuous Betrothal by Jen Geigle Johnson gave me a calm respite from life. It’s the type of sweet romance novel that makes me root for the characters without feeling desperate to gobble up their story. It’s relaxed and fun and pleasant. In other words, it’s a classic Jen Geigle Johnson novel.

I liked that A Tenuous Betrothal held story tension without the main characters acting as adversaries. Rhianna’s natural leadership skills give her the necessary stubbornness and strength she needs to do good for her hometown. Marc is a born leader with a bent for protecting others, but these two characters partner together throughout the novel. Whether it’s finding a spouse or bettering the lives of others, Marc and Rhianna respect each other and willingly support the other’s goals. Although their romance felt a tad angsty as they rehashed their reasons to not be together, Rhianna’s uniqueness, plus the strong partnership between her and Marc, kept me turning pages until I finished this agreeable story.

A Tenuous Betrothal lands as book three in Jen Geigle Johnson’s Royal Regency Romance series. I read book one, but not book two, and A Tenuous Betrothal worked fine as a standalone story. Though the events involving Napoleon and France take a backseat to the characters’ relationships, that background setting does carry over from book to book. I suggest reading the novels in sequence to see how these six royal brothers navigate political happenings and personal romances.

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.

Friday, August 5, 2022

July 2022 Reading Recap & August 2022 TBR

My July 2022 Reads:

Love and the Dream Come True by Tammy L. Gray - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.

The Bound Heart by Dawn Crandall - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.

Vying for the Viscount by Kristi Ann Hunter - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.

The Captive Imposter by Dawn Crandall - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Love's Fortress by Jennifer Uhlarik - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.

A Tenuous Betrothal by Jen Geigle Johnson - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.

The Cautious Maiden by Dawn Crandall - ⭐⭐⭐ - Read my mini-review on Goodreads (with spoilers).

Enchanting Nicholette by Dawn Crandall - ⭐⭐⭐

Florida: A Pictoral History by Hampton Dunn - ⭐⭐⭐ - Mixed feelings on this one. Lots of history, but could have been organized better. Also, a product of it's times - POC are almost completely ignored and women are frequently objectified. But yes, lots of fascinating history.

Best. State. Ever: A Florida Man Defends His Homeland by Dave Barry - ⭐⭐ - Had some legitimately funny parts, but would have been better without the raunchy content.

Expected August 2022 Reads:

Since I almost completely disregarded last month's TBR list, my current TBR is largely the same! 🤣

Every Word Unsaid by Kimberly Duffy - My local book club's selection for August. I read this novel when it released and I'm looking forward to experiencing it again! Read my review.

Winning the Gentleman by Kristi Ann Hunter - Currently reading.

The Hidden Prince by Tessa Afshar - I'm super excited about this one. Tessa's novels are always excellent!

Prayer Without Pretending by Angela Ashwin - I'm currently reading and loving this book. Wish I had read it years ago!

Suncoast Empire: Bertha Honore Palmer, Her Family, and the Rise of Sarasota by Frank A. Cassell - I've been interested in Bertha Honore Palmer since I read about her as a side character in Jocelyn Green's Veiled in Smoke. I love visiting her estate, Historic Spanish Point, which is about 45 minutes away. Looking forward to learning more about her and her family.

Nightshade by Ronie Kendig - This book has been on my want-to-read list for a long time. Looks like I'm finally going to get to enjoy it! 🎉

What will you read this month?

Wednesday, August 3, 2022

Book Review: Love and the Dream Come True by Tammy L. Gray

About the Book:

The Anticipated Series Finale to the 2021 Carol Award-Winning Novel, Love and a Little White Lie.

Their faith will face its toughest test yet.

Four years after getting the biggest break of his life, Cameron Lee's music career has taken a nosedive, leaving him two options: become a sellout or give up on his lifelong dream. He reluctantly returns home for his sister's wedding, hoping to avoid his past and find his love for music again.

Single mom Lexie Walters has suffered her fair share of tragedies and setbacks, but she has finally scraped together the money to achieve her dream of going into business with her cousin as an interior designer. When Lexie's life is at an all-time high, she runs into her teenage crush, Cameron Lee.

Lost in the emotional turmoil of failure, Cameron is immediately drawn to Lexie and her infectious smile and optimistic spirit. Moreover, he adores her mouthy, no-holds-barred daughter. But fantasies only last so long, and soon Lexie and Cameron must face the real world, the one fraught with heartbreak, disappointment, and questions that sometimes can only be answered by a leap of faith.

Read an excerpt from Love and the Dream Come True on the publisher's website.

My Thoughts:

Love and the Dream Come True by Tammy L. Gray delivers up Cameron Lee’s long-awaited love story (since book one in this series). I adored the romance between Cam and Lexie. Their relationship sizzles, but the tension does not obscure the story. In one another, they each find a partner that challenges and encourages personal growth. A satisfying love story that I could easily reread right now.

Cam’s exploration of the how’s and why’s of his life made him the shining character in Love and the Silver Lining. His deep emotions gave authenticity and depth to the plot without it feeling heavy or slow. Opposite to him, I cringed at some of Lexie’s mindsets and ideas. Though her character development takes longer to arrive, I like how things wrapped up.

Love and the Dream Come True lands as book three Tammy L. Gray’s State of Grace series. The narrative provides background information, but this novel has major carry over from book two, Love and the Silver Lining. While reading Love and the Dream Come True, I felt like I needed to reread book two in order to really grasp everything. As such, I recommend reading the entire series in order. All the books earned either four or five stars for me and I recommend them to fans of inspirational contemporary romance.

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.

Tuesday, August 2, 2022

Author Interview & Giveaway: Overtaken by Grace by Debbie Milam

About the Book

Book: Overtaken By Grace

Author: Debbie Milam

Genre: Christian Living, Inspirational

Release date: May 15, 2017

Are you weary, wounded, or worried? Does grief weigh heavy? Do burdens feel too great to bear? Then you are perfectly positioned for a miraculous move of God. Overtaken by Grace is a transparent read, grounded in scripture and alive with hope. It depicts how God epically shows up and shows off and gives you the tools to experience His hope, healing, and miracles. Join Author Debbie Milam as she guides you on an adventure, diving deep into the bible to see what it says about:

God’s Presence in Our Lives
God’s Love in Our Relationships
God’s Peace in Our Emotions
God’s Power in His Word
God’s Joy in Our Gratitude
God’s Hand in the Miraculous

Haven’t you struggled long enough. God is waiting with open arms for you to let go and be overtaken by His grace. He is inviting you on the undertaking of a lifetime.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Debbie Milam is an award-winning occupational therapist, author and past syndicated columnist for United Press International’s Religion and Spirituality Division.

She is the author of Miracles in the Middle, Overtaken by Grace, And God Said and Lord Show Me You Are Here.

Debbie’s ground-breaking work has been featured in First for Women, the Miami Herald, Elle, and Ladies Home Journal, and on the Hallmark Channel, PBS, and WebMD.

Through her 501(c)3 Grace Love Well Foundation, her mission is to inspire people to the beauty, love, power, and presence of God. As an organization we have donated thousands of books to churches, missions work, prisons, pastoral counselors and prayer teams.

For more resources to deepen your intimacy with God and find peace in His presence, visit us online at gracelovewell.org or YouTube/Debbie Milam.

More from Debbie

Through the profound joy and sorrow life brings and by His grace I have seen signs and wonders, experienced miraculous healings and came to know how alive the Lord is. Our gracious God supernaturally healed me from a 10 year life altering brain injury and post traumatic stress disorder, comforted me from the deep grief after the loss of more loved ones than I can count, and blessed me in more ways than I can imagine. The same God who did this for me is right there for you too. The full story of these miracles is detailed in my book Overtaken by Grace. I would love to share the hope of Christ with your readers.

Author Interview with Debbie

Q: Do you have a favorite quote from this book?

Debbie: Breathe, dear one. Rest in His love and His Word, and know this too shall pass. Just as day turns to night and night back to day, circumstances also change. In the middle of uncertainty we crave certainty, yet the only thing to be completely certain of is God’s infinite love and His promises over your life. He knows you are hurting and He is your comfort.

Q: What do you hope readers take away from your book?

Debbie: That God loves them so deeply and profoundly. I want to encourage them to see their life and their circumstances through a lens of grace. To help them to experience God’s power by showing them expanded possibilities with reflective questions like:

What if that challenge—the one we cannot make go away, the one that overwhelms us—is a precious treasure, a gateway to God, to know His mercy, love, and grace? What if we begin to believe that His strength is made perfect in what we cannot do alone, and that we can, as Philippians 4:13 says, do all things through Christ who gives us strength?

What if in the valley we truly believe in our victory? What if all is well—not because circumstances change but because of His love and goodness? Then will we fall into His grace, knowing that if we are experiencing a challenge, God invites us on the undertaking of a lifetime.

God’s invitation is for a deeper, more love-infused walk than we can imagine. In whatever trials we find ourselves, God is right beside us, His Holy Spirit alive within us. He knows how much we hurt and how confusing our circumstances often are. He sees our tears and knows our fears. Then His Word whispers, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you” (Isaiah 41:10, NLT).

Life is an adventure filled with various seasons and multiple peaks and valleys. Our family has rejoiced in the harvest of profound joy, love, healing, and blessing; weathered the uncertainty of trauma and physical and emotional illness; deeply grieved the losses of more loved ones than I can count; and stood in awe at the continuous resurrection power of Christ in our lives. Life is a beautiful, messy, blessed, and sometimes broken glory road paved with love, tears, and faith.

Besides the book that is laden with hope and grounded in scripture I’ve also included a Bible study that can either be done as personal reflection or in small groups.

Q: Are you working on another book now?

Debbie: Yes, it is called God’s Way to Stress Less. It is based on an online course that I released in 2019. In these ever-changing times of uncertainty now more than ever we need to apply God’s word to our lives. Being an occupational therapist and resiliency coach, I share evidence-based stress reduction principles that align with God’s word. After living through a season of PTSD and complex grieving, I have so much compassion and empathy for those who feel overwhelmed, anxious, and grieved. Through practical strategies, personal stories, experiential activities and personal reflection my prayer is that others will have what they need to experience God’s great peace.

Q: Would you share something about yourself that most readers wouldn’t know?

Debbie: I write my books not as an expert. I write as a fellow traveler who is wildly in love with the Lord, radically blessed and ridiculously challenged. The physical struggles of living with severe immune deficiency/autoimmune issues and grieving the loss of over 40 loved ones showed me the relentless love of God. The challenges became a gateway to experience so many blessings. I share openly, honestly and compassionately about the joys and sorrows of loving God and loving people. Here are two other fun facts. I have 83 adorable immediate family members and I am a Christian with Jewish roots.

Q: Where can readers find out more about you and your book?

Debbie: Readers can learn more at my website Gracelovewell.org. The website is filled with free resources, online courses, audio and video.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 22

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 23

Texas Book-aholic, July 24

Inklings and notions, July 25

For Him and My Family, July 26

deb’s Book Review, July 27

Locks, Hooks and Books, July 28

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, July 29

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

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 31

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 1

Beauty in the Binding, August 2 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, August 2

Cats in the Cradle Blog, August 3

Splashes of Joy, August 4 (Author Interview)

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, August 4

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Debbie is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

Link for giveaway: https://promosimple.com/ps/1f7f9/overtaken-by-grace-celebration-tour-giveaway

Monday, August 1, 2022

Epic Book Launch: Reunion in Saltwater Beach by Julie Carobini

About the Book

Book: Reunion in Saltwater Beach
Author: Julie Carobini
Genre: Inspirational Romance/Women’s Fiction
Release date: June 22, 2022

From the author of Walking on Sea Glass ... He's a big city lawyer. She's the small town beach girl who broke his heart. Any hope for a second chance expired twelve years earlier ...

Jax Cooper returns to Saltwater Beach but has no plans to stay any longer than necessary. Once his mother's estate is wrapped up, he'll be on a plane back to Chicago—and hopefully to a future as the youngest law partner in his firm.

Addi Barrett never left the small beach town of Saltwater. She chose instead to dote on her ailing mother, help her father's business, and find new friendships in old places. That didn't mean she never had dreams of her own ...

When a Cooper family member goes missing, a foster dog needs some lovin', and a long-hidden secret bubbles to the surface, Jax and Addi find themselves thrown together over and over again.

Can they find their way to a second chance at love? Or will past hurts rise up to make happily-ever-after impossible?

BOOK EXCERPT (#4)

The last thing she wanted to do today, on this solemn occasion, was to redirect the attention to her.

Her gaze caught Jax entering his mother’s place. He pulled Lily into an embrace, holding her to him for several seconds. Addi had never had a sibling of her own and wondered what it would be like to have someone share some of her family’s burdens.

Jax towered over his sister, as he always had, yet his arms had filled out over the years, muscles now in places where they hadn’t been previously. He looked strong. And commanding. Addi sensed a shift in the home at his arrival, as if this family mourning the loss of their mother had just received some desperately needed support.

Their brother Lucky approached, saying something she couldn’t quite make out. She turned her head away. Eavesdropping was so rude! She attempted to make herself look busy, when, in truth, the ability to look away didn’t last long.

Addi peered at Jax one more time, watching as he swept the room with one long glance, and yet did not appear to notice her. She blinked. She was invisible to him—just like old times. That sense of rejection she had experienced as a young adult with stars for dreams returned as if those old feelings had never left. She turned them over in her gut, working hard to tamp them down.

Addi backed away from the table. If only she hadn’t volunteered to help Lily. She could have begged off or found a replacement. How she wished she could curl up with a book right now. Or bake something.

Can they find their way to a second chance at love? Or will past hurts rise up to make happily-ever-after impossible?

LINKS TO ALL EXCERPTS

Excerpt One: https://travelerswife4life.com/reunion-in-saltwater-beach/

Excerpt Two: https://janemouttet.wordpress.com/2022/08/06/epic-book-launch-reunion-in-saltwater-resort-excerpt/

Excerpt Three: https://blossomsandblessings.blogspot.com/2022/08/reunion-in-saltwater-beach-by-julia.html

Excerpt Four: https://moments-of-beauty.blogspot.com/2022/08/epic-book-launch-reunion-in-saltwater.html

Excerpt Five: https://guildmaster97.wordpress.com/2022/08/07/reunion-in-saltwater-beach-epic-book-launch/

Excerpt Six: https://www.amoderndayfairytale.net/2022/08/reunion-in-saltwater-beach-epic-book.html

Excerpt Seven: https://storiesbygina.wordpress.com/2022/08/06/reunion-in-saltwater-beach-epic-book-launch/

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JULIE CAROBINI writes inspirational beach romances. She is the author of 22+ books across two names and is known for spunky heroines, charming heroes, quirky friends, and the secrets they keep. Her bestselling titles include Walking on Sea Glass, Runaway Tide, Finding Stardust, The Christmas Thief, and more. Julie has received awards for writing and editing from The National League of American Pen Women and ACFW, and she is a double finalist for the ACFW Carol Award. She lives on the California coast with her husband, Dan and their rescue pup, Dancer. Grab a free eBook here: www.juliecarobini.com/free-book