Thursday, September 5, 2019

Book Spotlight: Sweet Melody by Heidi McCahan #SweetMelTour


On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Sweet Melody
(Seabrook Romance #1)
By Heidi McCahan
Christian Contemporary Romance
Paperback and ebook, 242 Pages
August 1st 2019

When a struggling bakery owner is rescued by a wannabe songwriter with hidden culinary talents, they discover they can make sweet harmony … if they can only learn to work together.

Rhett Foster longs to change the world with his music, yet he can’t even finish writing one song. Battered by a string of failures and disillusioned, he returns home to Portland, Oregon. While he desperately wants to create a chart-topping hit, his dad mandates a new mission: move to coastal vacation hotspot Seabrook, Washington and expand the family’s successful restaurant chain.

In danger of destroying her late parents’ legacy if she doesn’t diversify her menu, Lindsay Carmichael will try anything to save her bakery. But with a tiny budget and an injured employee who can’t work, she has no choice but to sink the last of her savings into buying a dilapidated food truck and hiring Rhett as a part-time barista. What she doesn’t know is that the handsome songwriter has a secret … one that could destroy her business and her heart.

(Affiliate links included.)

Excerpt from Sweet Melody


The front door opened, and a twenty-something guy came in, wearing a tight-fitting black T-shirt, ripped jeans and black work boots. Huh. Definitely not a local. With his brown hair swooped upward and classic handsome features, he looked like a front man for a band. Or the cover model for a romance novel. His caramel-colored gaze found hers, so intense. A delicious tingle swept across her neck then danced around to her cheeks. She couldn’t look away even if she wanted to.

“Hi.” She squeaked out a greeting.

Quinn’s eyes widened.

“Hey.” He moved closer, his gait easy and confident. “Do you know where I might find the owner or manager?”

Lindsay couldn’t stop a frown. Did she not look qualified to be in charge? Granted, she probably seemed younger than twenty-four, in jeans and frilly apron over her yellow T-shirt. Still, he didn’t have to jump to conclusions.

“I’m she. I mean, this is her.” Oh brother. Maybe she was too young. Or he was too good-looking.

The register spat out a receipt and she tore it off then handed it to Quinn. “Will you sign this, please?”

“Sure.” Quinn scrawled her signature across the narrow slip of paper.

Lindsay shifted her attention back to the flawless stranger. “This is my bakery. How may I help you?”

“First, I’d like some coffee, and I have a few questions about the sign you’ve posted. I hear you need a barista?” He jerked his thumb over his shoulder toward the window.

Wow. That didn’t take long.

“If you’ll have a seat, I’ll be right with you.” She angled her head toward the empty cafĂ© area.

“Sweet. Thanks.” He flashed a killer smile then sat down at one of the small round tables nearby.

Mercy. Lindsay tore her gaze away. She nudged the cake a little closer to Quinn. “Please tell Noah I said happy birthday.”

“Will do.” Quinn scooped up the box, gave Lindsay a wink, then turned toward the door.

Lindsay ignored Quinn’s subtle recognition of her flustered state and tried to pull herself together with Mr. Perfect still watching her. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and skirted the counter.

He stood and extended his hand. “I’m Rhett Foster.”

“Lindsay Carmichael.” His palm was warm against hers. Hopefully he’d overlook the clamminess of her grip.


About the Author


Heidi secretly dreamed of writing a book for most of her childhood, but a particularly painful rejection letter in middle school convinced her to tuck that dream away. Instead, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Medicine from Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington and a Master’s Degree in Athletic Training from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. After a brief career as a Certified Athletic Trainer, Heidi married her husband Steve, then she dusted off her big dream of becoming a published author and launched her first contemporary romance into the world in 2014. A huge fan of coffee, dark chocolate, and happily ever after, Heidi currently lives in North Carolina with Steve, three active boys and one amazing Goldendoodle.



Tour Schedule



Bookstagram Tour



Tour Giveaway



One winner will receive a signed paperback with bookmark, $10 Amazon gift card, Sticky Fingers Strawberry Scone mix and a Seabrook Sea, Salt and Surf 100% soy wax candle from Hometown candle company.

US only
Ends September 18, 2019


Grab Our Button!

Book Spotlight: Chronic Love by Brooke Bartz



Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Chronic Love by Brooke Bartz, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK


 
Title: Chronic Love: Trusting God While Suffering with A Chronic Illness 
Author: Brooke Bartz  
Publisher: Ambassador International 
Release Date: September 1, 2019  
Genre: Christian Living, Health and Wellbeing

Suffering is inescapable in this world. 

Jesus told us we would face perilous trials and that even our bodies would feel the effects of the Fall. For women dealing with chronic illness, most books offer quick-fix counseling or devotional verses taken out of context, helpful only for momentary encouragement.

For true and lasting comfort we must dig deeper into God's Word and the context in which those much-used passages were written.

In Chronic Love, Brooke Bartz reveals a deeply raw and descriptive account of life with a chronic and debilitating illness, and she shares with readers how comfort and strength can be found through the Truth in God's Word.  

Specifically designed for women who daily battle chronic illness, Chronic Love's goal is to provide solid Scriptural encouragement for the fight.
 
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook


BOOK EXCERPT


He will carry you. He will wrap his invisible wings around you and rock you, put peace over your war, sing over your fragmented heart, and hold you up as you try to slink down and retreat. He will supernaturally do this through the peace that passes all understanding in Christ. 

He gives answers to questions in such a way we just don’t understand as humans; yet this kind of help He gives protects our heart and mind.“ I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints” Ephesians 1:18.

The pain might still be there, but you will find His peace, courage, and strength as you disclose your many prayers and petitions without any fear or trepidation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


 

Brooke Bartz is a stay-at-home wife and mom who lives daily with a chronic disease, knowing firsthand the daunting, gnawing physical and spiritual pain it causes. Yet disease was not always her close companion; in the years before her diagnosis, she grew up playing sports and earned a full scholarship to play volleyball at the University of Mary Hardin Baylor. Not yet a Christian, she transferred colleges and attended an event for an on-campus ministry; as the Lord had planned, she heard the Gospel and He saved her. Soon after and while still in college, she married her childhood crush and began a volleyball coaching career.

Living with rheumatoid arthritis and gastroparesis, Brooke desires for women to know the truth about the God who loves them and is with them each day as they face disease and disability; she shares the Truth of the Bible as their ultimate healing. Brooke’s passion is spurring on the women God leads to her sphere of influence, inspiring their hearts to keep their strength and hope at the foot of the cross, to trust in the Great Shepherd to one day heal them completely in glory, even though for now they are suffering on earth.  

CONNECT WITH BROOKE: Instagram

GIVEAWAY


(1) winner will receive a print copy of Chronic Love, a Chronic Love T-shirt, a Chronic Love coffee mug, a copy of Trusting God Even When Life Hurts by Jerry Bridges and the workbook for Trusting God Even When Life Hurts!





Be sure to check out each stop on these tours for more chances to win. Full tour schedule on this tour shown below. Giveaway begins at midnight September 3, 2019 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 10, 2019. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Due to shipping cost, only US mailing addresses valid. 

For our giveaway rules and policy, click HERE.

 


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

cropped-justread-logo.png


*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Tuesday, September 3, 2019

Book Review: The Rescue by Tanya Eavenson

About the Book:

Upon the death of her mother, Rosalind Standford’s life shatters. She is forced into a betrothal to a cunning banker close to her father’s age. Cowboy Trent Easton, Rosalind’s childhood friend, returns to his roots in Boston society to find her engaged to another. Though she once rejected him, when Trent learns she’s in danger, he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe—even taking her to the altar in the black of night. But will his name and the remote wilds of his Texas ranch be enough to protect her? Or will freedom cost them their lives?




My Thoughts:

At first, I didn’t think I would like The Rescue by Tanya Eavenson. Near the beginning, the characters’ conversations sometimes felt unnatural and I wished certain scenes had been fleshed out more. I wanted to linger in the moment to read more about what the characters were thinking and feeling, but it moved on quickly.

However... it turned out that I loved reading The Rescue by Tanya Eavenson! There’s danger, romance, and a good storyline. With ease, the novel held my attention. While I found the villain’s actions to be predictable, danger lurked constantly and the plot’s suspense built up to the end. I enjoyed the swoony romantic tension between Trent and Rosalind as well as watching their relationship deepen as circumstances changed. Rosalind’s desperate situation advanced her character development as she learned God’s truths. I felt like the theme about forgiveness played out too quickly to feel legit. However, I did appreciate the author including such a theme.

I recommend The Rescue by Tanya Eavenson to fans of historical romance who also enjoy suspense. In spite of its flaws, it’s the kind of book I would read again.

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

Monday, September 2, 2019

August Reads and Expected September Reading

My August 2019 Reads:

Today I'm sharing a bit about what I've been reading and what I hope to read. In August, I finished:
  1. Play to Their Strengths by Analyn and Brandon Miller. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.

  2. With This Pledge by Tamera Alexander. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.

  3. The Words Between Us by Erin Bartels. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.

  4. Protecting Your Child From Predators by Beth Robinson and Latayne C. Scott - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.

  5. Shame Off You by Denise Pass. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.

  6. Where Dandelions Bloom by Tara Johnson.. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.

  7. The Rescue by Tanya Eavenson. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Review to come soon.

  8. Confident Moms, Confident Daughters by Maria Furlough. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Review to come soon.
My favorite book this month was...... The Words Between Us by Erin Bartels! Check out my review here. I'm pretty sure it will end up in my top ten favorite reads for 2019!


Expected September 2019 Reads:

In September, I expect to read:

1. One Final Breath by Lynn H. Blackburn - A new-to-me author!

2. Shadows of Ladenbrook Manor by Melanie Dobson - This is my local book club's selection for September.

3. One More River to Cross by Jane Kirkpatrick - I've heard how great Jane Kirkpatrick's books are, and I'm looking forward to reading one for myself.

4. Woe Is I by Patricia T O'Connor - Yeah, still working on this one....

5. Midnight on the River Grey by Abigail Wilson. - I have both of Abigail Wilson's books sitting on my TBR stack, but I think I'll start with her newest release.

6. The Devotional Poetry of Donne, Herbert, and Milton by Leland Ryken. - I started this last month. It's a short book, but it's a slow read as I never make it through more than two or three poems per day.

7. Tate by Susan May Warren. - I've fallen behind on the Susie May's Montana Marshall's series and I need to catch up ASAP from all the good buzz I hear about it.

8. How to Survive a Shipwreck by Jonathan Martin. - Currently reading!





 What will you read this month?

Saturday, August 31, 2019

Book Review: The Words Between Us by Erin Bartels

About the Book:

Robin Windsor has spent much of her life under an assumed name to avoid association with her infamous parents. She thought she'd finally found sanctuary running her used bookstore in quiet River City, Michigan. But when she receives an eerily familiar book in the mail on the morning of her father's scheduled execution, Robin is thrown back to the summer she met Peter Flynt, the perfect boy who ruined everything. Why would Peter be making contact now? And why does she have a sinking feeling that she's about to be exposed all over again?

With evocative prose that recalls the classic novels we love, Erin Bartels pens a story that shows that words--the ones we say, the ones we read, and the ones we write--have more power than we imagine.



My Thoughts:

The Words Between Us by Erin Bartels is a bibliophile’s dream. A brilliantly written novel with numerous references to literary classics, it celebrates novels and poetry of old while exploring the power that words have in our lives whether they are spoken, read, or written.

Dual timelines in The Words Between Us created a captivating storyline. The novel held my attention from beginning to end with its unfolding mystery, intense personal struggles, and romantic tension. At times, each chapter felt like a mini-cliffhanger and I struggled to put the novel down! I would have loved a few more chapters or an epilogue to tie up the minor loose ends of the story, but the ending still satisfied.

As far as content, The Words Between Us has threads of Christianity and its values. Honesty, forgiveness, and a search for truth are embedded within the story. There is a supporting character whose actions (drinking and partying) may or may not offend more conservative readers. I wasn’t bothered by her, just giving a warning.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Words Between Us by Erin Bartels and recommend it to readers who enjoy contemporary fiction that mixes romance, difficult issues, and fascination with books. Five stars!

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

Friday, August 30, 2019

First Line Fridays: A Glitter of Gold by Liz Johnson

Happy Friday!

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

Today I'm sharing the first lines from A Glitter of Gold by Liz Johnson:

"Anne Norris knew two things for certain. Some things could be forgiven. And some things most certainly could not."

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel when I read it last month and you can find my full review here. Have you read this story?

What are you reading this weekend?

Have a great weekend! Happy reading!


About the Book:

Discover a treasure worth more than all the pirate gold in the world.

Anne Norris moved to Savannah, Georgia, for a fresh start. Now her pirate-tour business is flagging and paying the rent requires more than wishful thinking. When she discovers evidence of a shipwreck off the coast of Tybee Island, she knows it could be just the boon she needs to stay afloat. She takes her findings to local museum director Carter Hale for confirmation, but things do not go as planned.


Carter is fascinated with the wreck, the discovery of which could open the door to his dream job at a prestigious museum. But convincing Anne to help him fill in the missing pieces of the puzzle is no easy task. And working with Carter means that Anne will have to do the one thing she swore she'd never do again: trust a man.



First Line Fridays hosted by Hoarding Books