Author Interview: Unseen by Traci Hunter Abramson

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Unseen by Traci Hunter Abramson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Unseen
Series: Guardian #7
Author: Traci Hunter Abramson
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Release Date: August 15, 2023
Genre: Clean Romantic Suspense

Laura’s work as a nurse practitioner has pushed her to her breaking point. A trip abroad to visit her grandmother in Honduras promises a few days of relief, but when her abuela falls ill, Laura finds herself walking the halls of a hospital once more. Still wearing her scrubs, she could easily be confused for a local healthcare worker―and it’s a mistake that happens almost immediately. After a recent shootout, the local gang needs a doctor, and they don’t ask for what they want―they take it. In a split second, Laura is captured in a deadly case of mistaken identity. The outlook is dire until a mysterious rescuer appears, launching the pair on a desperate flight to freedom. 

As a member of the ultraclassified guardian program, Manuel is responsible for protecting US assets in Central America. But when a job in Honduras goes terribly wrong, his skills are pushed to the limit as he races to get Laura out of the country alive. What begins as a connection forged in a shared ordeal quickly deepens, and Manuel and Laura must learn to trust their instincts―and their hearts―if they hope to survive.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub

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Excerpt

Laura’s mind raced as she replayed her captors’ most recent conversation. At times like these, she wished her hearing weren’t quite so keen and that she didn’t speak these men’s language. Surely, it would be better not to know they intended to kill her. She had liked it better when all they’d talked about was where something was hidden. She wasn’t sure what they were searching for, nor did she care if they found it. What mattered was how long these men planned to let her live.

Her entire body tensed at the future she wouldn’t have, at the opportunities she hadn’t taken. She had so looked forward to exploring new areas in Honduras and spending more time with her abuela and reconnecting with her Latin culture. The scenery, the food, the language, the friendships. She had hoped to experience it all, but she had waited too long.

She soaked in her current surroundings: the dingy walls in need of a fresh coat of paint; the scent of cooked chicken wafting from the kitchen, along with the underlying stench of the garbage that needed to be taken out; the bird squawking outside; voices in the next room. This was most certainly not what she had envisioned when she’d booked her flight.

A new determination and sense of urgency pulsed through her. She was trained to handle high-stress situations. She faced death every day. Not her own, certainly, but still, she couldn’t just sit here and wait for these men to carry out their plans. She had to get out of here, with or without the man she was currently treating.

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About the Author

Traci Hunter Abramson was born in Arizona, where she lived until moving to Venezuela for a study abroad program. After graduating from Brigham Young University, she worked for the Central Intelligence Agency, eventually resigning in order to raise her family. She credits the CIA with giving her a wealth of ideas as well as the skills needed to survive her children’s teenage years. She loves to travel and recently retired after twenty-six years coaching her local high school swim team. She has written forty-five best-selling novels and is an eight-time Whitney Award winner, including 2017 and 2019 Best Novel of the Year.

Connect with Traci by visiting traciabramson.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Author Interview

Q: What was the inspiration behind Unseen?

Traci: I don’t know that there was a specific moment or idea that inspired this book. I really just started with the idea of how Manuel came into the guardian program and let the story unfold from there.


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

Traci: This book took longer than usual because I was the state meet director for the two highest division in high school swimming while writing it. At the same time, I was also chairing a writers conference in Kansas City. From the first word written until I finished the rough draft, it took me about four months.


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

Traci: “…she had put all of her trust in a man who wouldn’t even tell her his name.”


Q: What do you hope readers take away from Unseen?

Traci: I hope Unseen gives readers a new appreciation of both the people who work so diligently to protect others as well as the beauty of Honduras, both its scenery and its culture.


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

Traci: Whenever possible, I travel with a blender so I can make a smoothie for my breakfast. I know it’s strange, but I feel better if I can eat the way I’m used to while on the road.


Q: How many bookcases are in your home?

Traci: My children keep stealing my bookcases, so I think I’m down to about ten.


Q: How long ago did you start writing?

Traci: I started writing when I was a senior in college, but I didn’t complete my first novel until about seven years later, right about the time I was leaving the CIA. From there, it took me another six or seven years to hone my craft enough to create anything that was publishable.


Q: What is your favorite thing about being a writer?

Traci: The people. I love being able to get to know other authors, people who think it’s normal to have fictional characters running around in your head and demanding your attention. I also love meeting readers who love to get lost in those fictional worlds.


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

Traci: Traveling is one of my favorite past times, but when I’m at home, I also enjoy baking and gardening.

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will win a $20 Amazon gift card, a print copy of Unseen, and a swag pack!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight August 30, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 6, 2023. 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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

Book Spotlight: Hero Debut by Angela Ruth Strong

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Hero Debut by Angela Ruth Strong, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Hero Debut
Series: Love Off Script #2
Author: Angela Ruth Strong
Publisher: Kregel
Release Date: August 29, 2023
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

"Another sparkling feel-good romance, brimming with perfect doses of heart and heat!"-- Bethany Turner, award-winning author of The Do-Over 

Gemma Bennett is the leading lady of her own life, and her true love is writing screenplays. With her trusty pink notebook in hand, she signs up for the Citizen's Safety Academy to research her newest blockbuster hope, a rom-com with a police officer as the hero. And the fact that the handsome and heroic Lieutenant Karson Zellner is the one leading the training? Well, who can blame her for wanting to spend evenings with the man she swooned over months ago when he responded to a call at her apartment? 

Karson already has his fair share of problems before Gemma shows up, and he's not exactly a fan of the ditzy blonde who can't seem to stay out of trouble. The last thing he needs is a damsel in distress to rescue; there are plenty of people in real need of his help. The fact that she seems to think his job makes him a superhero is just one more strike against her. This isn't a movie, and he feels like the furthest thing from a leading man. 

Gemma can't seem to stop doing the worst, most embarrassing things at just the wrong time. And as time goes on, Gemma begins to realize that the scripts for a perfect screenplay and a real-life happily-ever-after are two very different things. Can she step out of her own way to find the hero her story needs?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop | BookBub

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Excerpt

Charlie steps in front of me. “She didn’t actually rob a Dairy Queen. It wasn’t even a real gun.”

My roommate blocked Karson’s face from my sight, which is probably a good thing. I can’t imagine his statement caused a positive expression.

“What gun?”

I peek around Charlie.

Does Karson seriously not know about the gun?

The set of his jaw tells me he’s even more serious than usual. If he doesn’t know about my almost-arrest for armed robbery, then what could my warrant possibly be for?

“No gun,” I rush to explain. “I was acting in a robbery scene and someone called the police.”

“It wouldn’t be the first time,” Kai quips.

Charlie holds up a finger. “Actually that was the first time. The duct-tape scenario was the second time.”

Karson rubs his temples. I may be giving him a headache, but that’s not illegal.

(page 30)

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About the Author

Angela Ruth Strong is an expert on Write That Book, blogs on inspyromance.com and How to Write a Novel, and is the founder of IDAhope Writers. She is the author of the Resort to Love series and the CafFUNated mysteries. Angela lives in Meridian, Idaho

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

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive signed copies of Husband Auditions & Hero Debut and some book-themed items that play a role in the plots of each book!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight August 28, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 4, 2023. 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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

Author Interview: Sky of Seven Colors by Rachelle Nelson

About the Book

 

Book: Sky of Seven Colors

Author: Rachelle Nelson

Genre: YA Fantasy

Release Date: August 8, 2023

In a strange part of the forest, the divide between worlds grows thin.

After the accident, Meg would do anything to wake her best friend from his deadly coma. At least, that’s what she whispered into the woodland shadows. She never imagined her wish would trap her in a gray other-earth, void of any color.

Meg’s vibrant humanity is a priceless artifact in the gray kingdom, coveted by the royal court. All she wants to do is find a way back home. Until she discovers the other-earth contains healing powers that can save her friend. But only if Meg becomes what the gray people need—a human bride for Kalmus, the powerful king of the capital city.

With her heart torn between earths, Meg’s choices may cost more than she knows.

Click here to get your copy!

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About the Author

Rachelle Nelson grew up reading fantasy novels and getting her clothes muddy in the pine forests of Idaho. These days, she still loves hiking through mountains and libraries, though she is a bit less fond of mud. She doesn’t write true stories, but she writes about truth. When Rachelle is not reading and writing, she sings in a band with her talented husband, who makes her happier than should be legal. If you like adventures, good food, and honest conversations, you are her favorite kind of person.

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Interview with Rachelle

Q: What was the inspiration behind this novel?

Rachelle: Growing up, thick tomes of Grimm's, Anderson's, and Arabian Nights always sat on my nightstand. Then, around the time I turned thirteen, my love of YA fantasy began and somehow never ended.

Sky of Seven Colors was inspired by all my daydreams of fairytales. There are many stories of magical creatures entering our earth. What if a human was considered a magical creature in another earth? I wrote about that place, and a human who travels there.

I have also been a youth mentor for more than a decade, and I’m often heartbroken by destructive messages in popular young adult novels.

Like the message that love is an uncontrollable force, excusing all toxic behavior. We see it in romanticized love triangles. The characters choose to explore feelings and desires over care and concern for everyone involved.

So I wanted to write about the difference between desire and love. Real love. The kind that puts others first. The kind that is hard.

In my story, Meg is transported from our world into a colorless other-earth, where her humanity is a priceless artifact. She is desired. But is she loved? And the other-earth contains healing powers that could save Meg’s dying best friend. She may never see him again if she never returns home. What is she willing to sacrifice for him to be healed?


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

Rachelle: Sky of Seven Colors is the first thing I ever wrote. I know, I know, you’re not supposed to publish your first book, but I fell deeply in love with my gray earth and I couldn’t give up on it. I wrote the first draft in three months, then spent almost two years learning about story-craft and revising my work.

My next book should go much faster. I’m anticipating a book per year, with breaks for pitching and marketing.


Q: What was the most surprising thing you discovered while researching and writing this novel?

Rachelle: I did a deep dive into color science. I wanted to make sure my magic system worked within the laws of reality.

Here’s a little bit of what I discovered. Color doesn’t come from the surface we see it on. Color is in the light shining on that surface. Certain molecular structures reflect different colors from the light. Prisms refract the full rainbow.

So, in the gray other-earth, there must be color in the light. But nothing in that earth has the ability to reflect or refract that color, except for things from our earth, like Meg.

Meg’s color contains certain properties that are priceless to the gray people. She allows them to access a power in their own light that they would otherwise be oblivious to.

Of course, none of the science is discussed in the book. But it had to make sense to me so I could write the story.

Q: Do any of the novel’s characters hold a special place in your heart?

Rachelle: I don’t want to spoil anything for you, so I won’t give any names. There is a character in Sky of Seven Colors who is a combination of all the nerdy guys I have known and loved. He talks too much, he chews with his mouth open, and he has a know-it-all answer for everything. (The know-it-all part is a bit from me as well, unfortunately.)

And he has a beautifully heroic story arc.

I didn’t mean for him to be a hero. He was meant to be a comedic source of information. But he became important to me, and incredibly important to Meg as the story developed.

I think that’s how relationships work in life too. You can’t always tell which people will end up being dear to you. It’s often the ones you least expect, especially the annoying ones.


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

Rachelle: A friend recently sent me this quote, and I had forgotten about it, but I needed to hear it.

"The greatest among us are not the most gifted. They are the ones who listen to their purpose, no matter how small.”

I also am partial to my first couple of lines.

“On my seventeenth birthday, I hiked into a forest. It was Andrew’s idea. The hike, not the disappearance.”


Q: What do you hope readers take away from this novel?

Rachelle: I want to give them courage to face the hard things in their lives. And I want them to know God can work anything for good. Even our own mistakes.

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More from Rachelle

Sky of Seven Colors is a story, in part, about beauty. I wrote it for my younger self, and for all the women I love.

When I was twelve years old, the girls in my neighborhood frequently weighed themselves and ended up forming an “under-100-club”. I have no idea why the arbitrary measurement of one hundred pounds was chosen, but I do know I was the first to outgrow the standard. A fact that was made known to the neighborhood boys during a driveway basketball game.

A chant began. “One hundred, one hundred.” And I didn’t play basketball again for the rest of the summer.

At the time, I didn’t know I would soon grow to my full height of 5’9” and would always be “bigger” than the other girls. I was convinced I could never be beautiful if I was the biggest, and I desperately wanted to be beautiful. You will probably think I was vain if I tell you I prayed every night before bed that God would make me prettier.

Now, as a woman well into her thirties, I am much more comfortable with the body God gave me. I have been a youth mentor for over a decade, and while getting to know some amazing teens, I have come to appreciate that every girl wants to be beautiful.

And they are.

I’m not just saying that in the “everyone is pretty in their own way” sense. I mean it. It’s an indisputable truth.

Femininity is beautiful.

Youth in and of itself is beautiful.

And powerful. You don’t have to look far in the world to see that these things are desired, commodified, admired, sometimes cherished, and more often exploited. And every girl possesses them.

I have watched as generations of girls desperately long to be something they already are. They diet and compare and shop for anything to help them look their best. In our youth, we blindly walk out the perils and the gifts of beauty.

In my debut young adult fantasy novel, Meg travels to a colorless other-earth where she is the only human in a royal city of strange, gray people. The elites of society prize Meg’s color for its rare traits, and seek to control it, even pressing her into an ancient, binding agreement with their king.

Her color is intrinsic, like all of our bodies, not something she chose. And it is what everyone sees when they look at her. The color puts her in danger, and it is a gift she carries. But she must decide who she will be in spite of that gift, and also because of it.

Just like all girls must choose to respond to a world that sees them for their bodies.

The Bible has something profound to say about the connection between our outer and inner selves in this verse from 1st Peter:

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self….”

Meg is a very flawed character and doesn’t make all the right choices along the way. (I don’t know many people in life who fully have, even if we’re trying.) But she does come to understand that being desired and being loved are two different things, a truth I want every girl in my life to grasp deeply. And if Meg’s identity comes from within, she will have to choose the path of loving others, even when it seems impossible.

Especially then.

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Blog Stops

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, August 17

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 18

Texas Book-aholic, August 19

Through the Fire Blogs, August 20 (Author Interview)

Christina’s Corner, August 20

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 21

Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 22

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, August 23

The Book Club Network, August 24

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 25

Blogging With Carol, August 26

Labor Not in Vain, August 27

Simple Harvest Reads, August 28 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

Beauty in the Binding, August 29 (Author Interview)

Raining Butterfly Kisses, August 29

Of Blades and Thorns, August 30

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Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Rachelle is giving away the grand prize package of a hardback copy of Sky of Seven Colors, a $50 Amazon gift card, a signed bookplate, a set of 3 bookish themed waterproof stickers, and a bookmark with exclusive Sky of Seven Colors character art!!

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/2716b/sky-of-seven-colors-celebration-tour-giveaway

Book Review: Voice of the Ancient by Connilyn Cossette

 About the Book:

As the eldest son of a Levite and a Philistine, Avidan is torn between his duty to his family legacy and the desire for something more. After an enemy attack strikes close to home, he takes the opportunity to fight with his cousins for the newly crowned King Saul. But when one of the cousins goes missing during the battle, Avidan refuses to leave him behind.

Keziah is the daughter of one of the most powerful clan chiefs in the territory of Manasseh. On the brink of a forced marriage to a loathsome man decades older than her, she has no choice but to run, hoping to find sanctuary with her mother's family.

United during their journeys and battling to survive the dangers that surround them, Avidan and Keziah make a pact to travel together. As challenges pile up, they must not only rely on each other to stay alive but also learn to trust the true and eternal King of Israel to guide their every step.

Read an excerpt from Voice of the Ancient by Connilyn Cossette on the publisher's website.

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My Thoughts:

With happy anticipation of an engrossing story, I cracked open Voice of the Ancient by Connilyn Cossette. The plot held an ebb and flow of danger that kept my attention without being too intense. Both main characters, Keziah and Avidan, were in their late teen years and retained some youthful naivete that lent a young adult feel to the novel. As events progressed, both characters matured in ways that created depth in character and story. I particularly liked Avidan’s coming-of-age progression as he learned to find his calling and embrace his Levite heritage.

The romance between Avidan and Keziah added a layer of sweetness to the overlaying danger in Voice of the Ancient. Avi’s integrity and kind treatment of Keziah endeared him to me. Some of the situational juxtapositions and statements about how the Israelites valued their wives and daughters seemed to be a bit of a stretch to me. (I’m certain many of them did, but in the patriarchal society of the Old Testament females were often chattel.) The slow-burn romance created a relationship built on a communion of minds and hearts that made me smile.

Voice of the Ancient laid a foundation for The King’s Men series by Connilyn Cossette as Avidan and his cousins appear together in a way that we may not see again until the end of the series, if then. Mentions or cameos of characters from Cossette’s The Covenant House series appeared fairly often, and I found myself wanting to reread that duology, but Voice of the Ancient works fine as a standalone. I recommend Voice of the Ancient to readers who enjoy coming-of-age stories with danger and romance in a Biblical-era setting.

 

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.

Author Interview: Legacy of Love by Kathy Mills

About the Book

Book: Legacy of Love

Author: Kathy Mills

Genre: Christian Nonfiction

Release Date: January 31, 2023

Legacy of Love is a heartfelt memoir that delves into the author’s personal journey of facing troubles and finding peace in the midst of adversity. Drawing from the powerful scripture of John 16:33, the author shares her experiences of praying for protection and blessings, only to realize that God’s answer may not always come in the way she expects.

When her husband Brad is diagnosed with cancer, the author’s faith is put to the test. She grapples with questions and doubts about God’s love, but eventually comes to understand that God’s presence and strength can be found even in the midst of difficulties. Through prayer and praise, she learns to rely on God in critical moments, discovering the true heart of God and experiencing His peace that surpasses all understanding.

Legacy of Love is a story of hope and courage, reminding readers that God’s love never wavers, even when faced with trials and tribulations. It encourages readers to shift their hearts from the temporal things of this world to the eternal love of God, and find peace in His unwavering presence. This memoir will inspire and uplift anyone who is going through challenges, reminding them that overcoming is possible through faith in God’s enduring love.

Click here to get your copy!

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About the Author

Kathy Mills is a former Flight Attendant who started her flying career at age 19 and flew for nearly 33 years before retiring in 2005 with US Airways. Traveling is still one of her favorite things to do.

Kathy is a member of Kempsville Christian Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where her husband Brad served as their church’s worship minister until his death in 2008.

To those who know her best, she’s an eternity-minded daughter of the King, who loves to share her message that with Jesus, there is nothing this world can do to a child of God, that God can’t use to empower them to bring Glory to God.

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Author Interview

Q: Please give us a little introduction to your book. 

Kathy: My book Legacy of Love begins with the telling of a beautiful love story between my husband Brad and me. In the midst of what seemed like a perfect life together, Brad is diagnosed with cancer. The story then moves forward to the time when after a long remission, his cancer unexpectedly returns. It is here where my narrative uses the emails I sent and received in order to give the reader a “realtime” glimpse into not only what was happening with Brad’s health but with me too. It is also even more so about God’s faithfulness, provisions, and devoted love in the times his answer was a “no” to my many pleading prayers. These emails are broken into chapters where I introduce them so as to give the reader a glimpse of the person I am today.


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

Kathy: “My life will surely bear the scars of my sorrow, but it is my prayer that they will one day be a blemish of beauty that God will use.”- Chapter 18


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

Kathy: I hope readers will take away how God not only helped me and my husband endure the uncertainty and pain of his illness, but how God was faithful to speak truth into my pleas and show me his love is greater than I had ever imagined. He wasn’t asking I understand his will, but he asked that I trust it. I hope those who read my book will know He will do no less for them.


Q: What do you like to do when you aren't writing?

Kathy: I love to travel! I also love going to the theater and concerts or just enjoying an evening with friends.


Q: Who is an author you would recommend to anyone and everyone?

Kathy: Francine Rivers. Her books are always a fabulous read!

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More from Kathy

Comfort is found in God’s Love and Promises.

My longing for more time with Brad is as strong today and will remain in me until I see Him again. I have not experienced one day since Brad’s death that I have not had at the least a moment (usually many moments) of longing for Brad to be with me still. I find comfort in knowing that God who knows my heart understands.

As Believers, we are blessed to have Jesus who understands firsthand the pain of separation that death presses into our souls. I have often felt Jesus sit alongside of me and just grieve with me when I am overcome. I believe Jesus hates death more than we do. I like knowing this. In fact, I need to know this; it comforts me. Our Father is always at work…and He has purposed for good to come from even the most heartbreaking losses. I would never say Brad’s death is good. Yet from the amazing and most gracious love of God, He lifts me up from my anguish and invites himself into my sorrow with His unique joy and transforms me.

God has brought good out of my sorrow. It took my sorrow for the good to be done. I wouldn’t have planned it this way, but I trust God’s plans more than I trust my ways. God will do no less with your sorrow. It’s one of His promises, and God keeps all His promises.

“He heals the brokenhearted. And binds up their wounds [healing their pain and comforting their sorrow].” Psalms 147:3 (AMP)

God’s love tells us this: I have my heart set on you.

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Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 18

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, August 19 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 20

Texas Book-aholic, August 21

Splashes of Joy, August 22 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 22

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 23

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, August 24

Beauty in the Binding, August 25 (Author Interview)

The Book Club Network, August 26

Blossoms and Blessings, August 27 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, August 27

Cover Lover Book Review, August 28

Artistic Nobody, August 29 (Author Interview)

Lots of Helpers, August 30

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 31

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Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kathy is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a copy of the book!!

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

Link for giveaway: https://promosimple.com/ps/27326/legacy-of-love-celebration-tour-giveaway

Book Spotlight: A Father for Her Boys by Danielle Grandinetti

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for A Father for Her Boys by Danielle Grandinetti, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: A Father for Her Boys
Author: Danielle Grandinetti
Publisher: Love Inspired
Release Date: August 22, 2023
Genre: Inspirational Contemporary Romance

A family scarred by tragedy… 

Will find hope in an unlikely gardener 

A summer escape to the quaint little town of River Cove is just what auntie turned mom Sofia Russo—and her troubled, energetic nephews—needs. It’s a chance to heal from grief and her broken foot. But a surprising friendship with compassionate gardener Nathaniel Turner shows Sofia just how much she’s been missing…and how much she stands to lose when summer ends.  

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop | BookBub

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Also Available

 

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Excerpt

Eileen ran her hand down Sofia's arm, compassion in her eyes. "How long have you been their caretaker?"

"Since Thanksgiving. It's been tough. I thought I was at least managing, until two weeks ago. I had just fractured my foot when they were caught shoplifting. My little nephews. It's one of the reasons we came here. To get away from the friends who egged them on.”

"Mmm-hmm. You know there are stores here where children can shoplift? And friends who are both good influences and bad."

"Are you trying to make the city seem safer?"

“Oh, no, my dear.” No smile, not teasing or joking. "I'm showing you that it doesn't matter the location. Dangers and temptations will always be there for our sons. Our job as mothers is to guide and pray. A lot." Now she chuckled.

Mothers. Pray. "But I'm not their mom.”

“I know. But you are the one loving them and praying for them just like a mother would."

Sofia blinked away the tears that pressed against her eyes. She did love her nephews, so very much. But maybe she wasn't praying as much as she ought. “How do you combat the worry?"

Eileen looked over at the house, as if she could see through it to where Nathaniel had gone. "I'm not sure you ever will defeat it, no matter how old your boys get. Instead, use it as a reminder to pray. In that way, you can turn your worry into faith.”

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About the Author

Danielle Grandinetti is an inspirational romance author fueled by tea and books, and the occasional nature walk. A 2023 Finalist in the FHLCW Reader’s Choice Award, she has also won the UNW Distinguished Faith in Writing Award and the CROW National Excellence in Story Telling Award. Originally from the Chicagoland area, she now lives along Lake Michigan’s Wisconsin shoreline with her husband and their two young sons.

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

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a paperback of A Father for Her Boys & a $15 Amazon Gift Card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight August 23, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on August 30, 2023. 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Book Review: Wake Up to Wonder by Karen Wright Marsh

About the Book:

In her quest to live a vibrant spiritual life, Karen Wright Marsh had a revelation: she didn't need to find and follow the perfect plan; she needed people she could follow.

In Wake Up to Wonder, Marsh introduces you to those people--faithful yet oh-so-human Christians from across centuries and cultures. Inspired by their example, she offers playful, simple practices that bring deeper meaning and purpose to everyday life.

In the company of diverse spiritual companions, you'll journey through physical health, prayer, activism, Scripture reading, creativity, and beyond. Each chapter includes hands-on invitations such as writing prompts, space for personal reflection, and "Try This," a collage of spiritual and personal experiments anyone can do.

As you wake up to wonder, you'll discover what these twenty-two historical figures already knew: that a life of spiritual depth, amazement, and connection is within reach--today and every day.

Read an excerpt from Wake Up to Wonder by Karen Wright Marsh on the publisher's website.

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My Thoughts:

Reading Wake Up to Wonder by Karen Wright Marsh felt like a conversation with a kind, wise mentor. The content focused on living life with intention and wonder, making it more of a practical self-care book than a devotional book. I admit that I was sold on the book when I read the first invitation (aka daily reading) because it discussed the benefits of journaling (a hobby near and dear to my heart). Other invitations in Wake Up to Wonder included singing, gratitude, examining the day, and solitude. Wake Up to Wonder also recommended the common sense practices of proper nutrition, daily walks, and short rests which are easily skipped over in the rush of life.

Wake Up to Wonder cited many works by Christian thinkers as the book’s premise was that the author sought to learn from reputable people of faith. I enjoyed the mini-biographies of Martin Luther, Margery Kempe, Augustine, Brother Lawrence, Fannie Lou Hamer, Dorothy Day, and many more. The author drew together historical documents/information, Scriptures, and her own story/thoughts. Often, she included questions for reflection or suggestions on how to implement the ideas presented. My list of want-to-read books grew as almost every book Marsh recommended sounded like something I would learn from or like to read for enjoyment.

I thoroughly enjoyed Wake Up to Wonder by Karen Wright Marsh. Five 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.

Book Review: Under the Blue Skies by Elly Gilbert & Tricia Goyer

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Under the Blue Skies by Elly Gilbert & Tricia Goyer hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Under the Blue Skies 

Series: Big Sky Amish #3 

Authors: Elly Gilbert & Tricia Goyer 

Publisher: Sunrise Publishing 

Release Date: August 8, 2023 

Genre: Contemporary Amish Romance

Thomas Smucker moved to West Kootenai for a fresh start—one where he could make his own decisions and build a life away from his deceased father’s harsh reputation. But when a tragedy occurs, he finds his five-year-old niece in his care. Now, he has to build a life he didn’t want and face a past that he longed to escape.

Lovina Graber dreams of a husband and family of her own, but a lifelong limp and disfigured face have her doubting it will ever happen. Instead, she’s content working as a scribe for The Budget and spending her days helping her parents and the less fortunate in her community. Well, mostly content. And then there’s that secret anonymous column she’s been writing too … 

When a newly arrived bachelor becomes an instant father, Lovina feels compelled to come to the rescue, helping Thomas care for his Englisch niece as he works toward gaining custody. Although Thomas and his niece clash at every turn, Lovina finds herself building a bond with the girl. Could this be the family she’s longed for? 

Afraid he’s too much like his anger-driven father, Thomas has no plans to ever marry or have children, despite the sparks between him and Lovina, and his growing fondness for his niece. When he finds out Lovina’s secret—and believes she’s perhaps not the person he thought—he strikes out in caring for Emily on his own. 

But when his custody is threatened, he must do what’s best for his niece. The only problem is he’s not sure what that is. Can he and Lovina work together to fight the lies they’ve believed all their lives—and fight the system to get back their girl? 

Find out in this third installment of the Big Sky Amish Collection.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | Christianbook | BookBub

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Excerpt from Under the Blue Skies

Monday, July 24

Right now, all Thomas Smucker wanted was a nice, warm bed. Well, maybe a quick, hot shower too. Grime covered every inch of his body. A two-day train ride from Pittsburgh to Whitefish would do that to a man.

Instead, he had to make polite conversation with strangers.

And yes, one of those strangers might have the prettiest brown eyes he’d ever seen on a woman, but Thomas wasn’t here for love.

He was here to work. To find peace. To escape.

But first . . . sleep.

Just not yet. He sighed.

As Wyatt helped Miss Graber out of the van, Thomas stole a long look at the energetic, nearly elfin woman. The headlights of the van illuminated her slight five-foot frame. Like him, she had to be in her mid-twenties. Frizzy spirals of brown hair dared to escape from her kapp. The dark expressive eyes he’d noticed earlier remained lowered, and her jaw clenched tightly, as if she concentrated on each movement.

And along the left side of her face ran a puffy, purplish scar.

She trudged toward the house, and he noticed a limp. Initially, he believed she was having trouble balancing her bags while keeping her long dress from dragging in the mud, but the farther away she walked, the more obvious the limp became. He couldn’t help but wonder if the limp and the scar were connected.

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My Thoughts: 

As a contemporary Amish romance, Under the Blue Skies by Elly Gilbert and Tricia Goyer rests beyond my normal reading zone. Feeling brave and spontaneous, I signed up to read the story, planning to have an open mind. The novel adhered faithfully to Amish-romance-novel structure with some predictable plot points and the setting of a close-knit community living together in the Plain lifestyle. Though West Kootenai calls itself a progressive Amish community, I still struggled with the normal things that push me away from Amish fiction: forgiveness without healthy boundaries, all male leadership, and humans as high spiritual authority. Readers who love Amish fiction will likely not be as put off by these things as I was.

Obviously, I am not the ideal reader for Amish fiction, including Under the Blue Skies by Elly Gilbert and Tricia Goyer. However, I did like the novel’s strong theme about how the words of others can plant lies within one’s mind. Lovina and Thomas both had to learn to embrace the truth as a means of refuting the embedded lies. At times, both main characters demonstrated immaturity and angst that made them seem more like teenagers than mid-twenties adults and this particular theme supplied some needed character growth.

Under the Blue Skies by Elly Gilbert and Tricia Goyer read fine as a standalone novel though it is the third installment in the Big Sky Amish series. This isn’t a book I would read again, but fans of Amish romance will likely enjoy it more than I did.

 

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.

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About the Authors

Elly Gilbert lives in central Kentucky with her husband, daughter, and twin sons. A lifelong bookworm, she finds joy in reading and writing inspirational fiction and devotions for adults and teens. When she’s away from her desk, you can find her scoping out the nearest nacho joint with her family or snuggled up with her rescue dogs, Gus and Bella. She adores leopard print, never turns down dessert, and believes that when it comes to earrings, bigger is always better.

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

Tricia Goyer writes out of her passion for God and her love for family and others. The author of more than 70 books, she writes both historical fiction and nonfiction related to family and parenting.

This USA Today best-selling author has won a two Carol Awards and a Retailer’s Best Award. She was also an ECPA Gold-Medallion Nominee and a Christy Award Nominee and won Writer of the Year from the Mt. Hermon Christian Writers Conference. 

Tricia’s contemporary and historical novels feature strong women overcoming great challenges. She is a beloved author of Amish fiction, having written the Big Sky and Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series.

Whether for fiction or nonfiction, Tricia’s writing style is vivid and heartwarming, allowing readers to take home more than engaging stories, but also messages that inspire faith and hope. Her goal is to write stories that matter. 

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

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Under the Blue Skies and a $10 Sunrise Shop gift voucher!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight August 16, 2023 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on August 23, 2023. 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

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Book Spotlight: Mountain Abduction Rescue by Darlene L. Turner

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Mountain Abduction Rescue by Darlene L. Turner, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Mountain Abduction Rescue
Series: Crisis Rescue Team #3
Author: Darlene L. Turner
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
Release Date: August 22, 2023
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

A wildfire threat…

becomes a missing person search. 

A serial arsonist is out for revenge in the Canadian Rocky Mountains—and kidnaps park warden Hazel Hoyt’s son and his camping troop. Now Hazel must team up with the man who broke her heart, firefighter Mitchell Booth, to find the missing boys as wildfires blaze around them. But someone has no intention of letting the pair get off the mountain alive… 

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop | BookBub

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Excerpt

Had Jackson led the boys up there? If so, it wouldn’t have been by choice. They had either gotten lost or they’d been forced by gunpoint.

And that thought scared her to the core.

Lord, I don’t understand. Why haven’t You shown me where they are?

Mitchell sat beside her and nudged her leg. “What are you thinking?”

His compassionate tone revealed the kindness she remembered from years ago. His closeness played on her emotions, sending her heart’s rhythm into overdrive.

Dare she share her true thoughts? He’d only just come back into her life today. He hadn’t wanted to talk about God earlier, so would her doubts tear him further from his faith?

She looked away, biting her lip. “I’m scared you’ll judge me as a hypocrite.”

He squeezed her hand. “Never.”

“I just don’t understand why God isn’t showing me where my son is after I’ve pleaded with Him all day.”

“I’m no expert on God, but I remember my mom saying once that sometimes we may not understand His silence, but He will answer. In His timing.”

She let out a staggered breath. “But what if I don’t like the answer?”

“Then He will give you the strength to endure the storm.” His pregnant pause thundered in the forest. “At least, that’s what my mom told me.”

Was it really that simple?

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About the Author

Darlene L. Turner is an award-winning author and lives with her husband, Jeff in Ontario, Canada. Her love of suspense began when she read her first Nancy Drew book. She’s turned that passion into her writing and believes readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message. You can connect with Darlene at her website where there’s suspense beyond borders.

Connect with Darlene by visiting darlenelturner.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(4) winners will win a $25 Amazon egift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight August 14, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on August 21, 2023. 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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