Phoebe’s Light Guest Review & Giveaway

About the Book

Phoebe's Light-Book Cover

Title: Phoebe’s Light

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Genre: Historical romance

Release Date: February 6, 2018

Phoebe Starbuck has always adjusted her sails and rudder to the whims of her father. Now, for the first time, she’s doing what she wants to do: marrying Captain Phineas Foulger and sailing far away from Nantucket. As she leaves on her grand adventure, her father gives her two gifts, both of which Phoebe sees little need for. The first is an old sheepskin journal from Great Mary, her highly revered great-grandmother. The other is a “minder” on the whaling ship in the form of cooper Matthew Marcy, a man whom she loathes.

Soon Phoebe discovers that life at sea is no easier than life on land. Lonely, seasick, and disillusioned, she turns the pages of Great Mary’s journal and finds herself drawn into the life of this noble woman. To Phoebe’s shock, her great-grandmother has left a secret behind that carries repercussions for everyone aboard the ship, especially her husband the captain and her shadow the cooper. This story within a story catapults Phoebe into seeing her life in an entirely new way—just in time.

In this brand-new series, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher brings her signature twists and turns to bear on a fascinating new faith community: the Quakers of colonial-era Nantucket Island.

Click here to purchase your copy!

Guest Review from Mindy Houng

“Matthew, one more thing I ask of thee. Walk in the Light of God.” Bewildered, he blurted out. “How do I walk in the light when I only see darkness?” She gave him a soft smile before her eyes fluttered shut. “Then trust God in the dark.”

I don’t normally read Quaker-themed books (nor Amish-themed books, for which the author is well-known) and this is the first book by Suzanne Woods Fisher I’ve read, but now I can understand why she’s such a celebrated and beloved author. This book was indeed a powerfully moving book. The writing was engaging and transported me to Nantucket in 1767 amidst the Quakers. The sights, sounds, smells, tastes and daily activities of the whaling community were all so tangible and real. The plot contained many twists and turns that kept me turning the pages and the layer of suspense and mystery was just enough to keep me on the edge of my seat. As each layer of the plot unfolded, I couldn’t contain the gasps of surprise! The plot, of course, was spearheaded by wonderful and memorable characters who will remain my friends for a long time. The faith aspect of the storyline was incredibly well-crafted and flowed naturally with the characters and their personalities. And there was quite a bit of unexpected dry humor thrown into the writing, especially through Great Mary’s journal, that had me bursting out laughing at times.

Phoebe is merely eighteen, an immature child who thinks she knows what she wants out of life and stubbornly persistent in obtaining it. That one goal is to marry an older widower who is Captain Foulger. Phoebe is intelligent, resourceful, full of sparkles and laughter and optimism, and faithful though she is flawed and makes mistakes. The recounting of her conversion story is beautiful and so hopeful.

Matthew is a barrel maker, trying to climb out of debt that his family incurred after their whaling ship got destroyed and his father and brother were killed. He’s always been cynical and skeptical and has been disowned by the Quaker society due to his insolence. Yet he is loyal and compassionate and smart and kind. His return to God is full of angst, heartbreak, and tears.

I really enjoyed the dual timeline of sorts that occurred through the reading of Phoebe’s great-grandmother Mary’s journal. What an incredible woman Mary was.

I am thankful I had the opportunity to read this book, though it’s outside of my usual genre. I learned a lot about the history of Nantucket as well as whaling and about the Quakers. Anyone who enjoys a well-written historical fiction will love this book.

I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher via Celebrate Lit Tour. I was not required to write a favorable review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

About the Author

Suzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than two dozen novels, including Anna’s Crossing, The Newcomer, and The Return in the Amish Beginnings series, The Bishop’s Family series, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and The Heart of the Amish. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Twitter @suzannewfisher.

Guest Post from Suzanne Woods Fisher

A Stroll down Petticoat Row

Thirty years ago, I talked my sister into going on a trip to Nantucket Island. It’s one of those places that had always intrigued me. As a girl in the 1930s, my mother’s family vacationed in Nantucket; she even has a lightship basket to show for it. I expected the island to be interesting and beautiful, and it certainly did not disappoint. But something else happened as I walked down Centre Street one morning. This island captured my imagination in a way that’s hard to put into words. At the risk of sounding a tiny bit sun touched, I could practically see 19^th century people on the roads, hear the “thee’s and thou’s” in their speech, even smell the strong scents of a bygone century—the musky perfume of rendered whale oil, the burning wood of the blacksmith, all mingled with the bracing sea air.

Centre Street has a local nickname: Petticoat Row. It comes from the 1800s, when men were at sea for long periods and women stepped into their shoes to keep businesses going. Nantucket women gained a reputation for being strong and capable. Their competence was encouraged by the Society of Friends (Quakers), the island’s dominant religion, which believed in the equality of men and women in all aspects of life. That hasn’t changed. Today, half of all Nantucket businesses are run by women.

Petticoat Row stuck in my mind, and eventually became the hook to contract a series of historical fiction with Revell Books. The ‘Nantucket Legacy’ series covers the rise and fall of Nantucket’s whaling period, when it became the wealthiest port in the world.

First up is Phoebe’s Light, releasing in February 2018, a novel about a spirited young woman who seeks her fortune only to find out she already had it.

After reading about Phoebe, I hope you’ll consider planning a trip to Nantucket (though try to go off-season. The population swells five times in the summer!). When you go, include a stop at the Petticoat Row Bakery (35 Centre Street)—the very location where Phoebe grew up, albeit a few centuries ago. Don’t leave the island without trying the Morning Glory Muffins, an island favorite. So worth the trip!

Nantucket’s Famous Morning Glory Muffins

Ingredients:

1 ¼ cup sugar

2 ¼ cup flour

1 tablespoon cinnamon

2 tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

½ cup shredded coconut

½ cup raisins

2 cup grated carrots (4 large)

1 apple, shredded

8 oz. crushed pineapple, drained

½ cup pecans or walnuts

3 eggs

1 cup vegetable oil

1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

Sift together sugar, flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl. Add the fruit, carrots and nuts and stir to combine.

In a separate bowl, whisk eggs with oil and vanilla. Combine with dry ingredients and blend well.

Spoon batter into cupcake tins lined with muffin papers. Fill each cup to the brim. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 35-40 minutes. These muffins needs 24 hours to ripen their full flavor. They freeze extremely well.

Recipe courtesy of Pamela A. McKinstry, Sconset Café

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Giveaway

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To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away a grand prize of a Kindle!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c9e0

A Sweetwater River Romance Guest Review

A Little About the Book….

A Sweetwater River Romance A Christian Historical Romance novel. Taking flight from their quiet Pennsylvania town seems like the only way for Tori Boyd to protect her dearest cousin’s virtue. And the success of their escape may now depend on the man she’s been writing letters to for over a year now in the vast wilds of the Wyoming Territory. Ezra Reid has finally stepped out from under the shadow of his older brother and sister, now having full responsibility to man the Rocky Ridge Stage Stop through the winter. The success or failure of the stage and telegraph contracts falls squarely on his shoulders, and he’s entirely focused on the work – at least until his mysterious correspondence partner shows up on his doorstep. As Ezra takes on the search for a proper situation for Tori and her cousin, there seem to be no good options for the ladies. Especially since Tori won’t even discuss the one option that might succeed – marriage. When the danger chasing the women takes on a form none of them anticipated, how far will Ezra have to go to keep the Tori and her cousin safe? It’ll take a lot more than luck to ensure his heart is the sole casualty.

Click here to purchase your copy.

A Little Bit About the Author….

Misty Misty M. Beller writes romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love. For a limited time, you can get her bestselling novel, The Lady and the Mountain Man, FREE here: http://eepurl.com/bGt1er She was raised on a farm in South Carolina, so her Southern roots run deep. Growing up, her family was close, and they continue to keep that priority today. Her husband and daughters now add another dimension to her life, keeping her both grounded and crazy. God has placed a desire in Misty’s heart to combine her love for Christian fiction and the simpler ranch life, writing historical novels that display God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters. Writing is a dream come true for Misty. Her family–both immediate and extended–is the foundation that holds her secure in that dream. Learn more at www.MistyMBeller.com.

Guest Review from Mindy Houng….

It is another great read from Misty Beller. This book has her trademark writing style that is easy to follow, a beautifully stark landscape of Wyoming Territory in winter of the late 1860s, a hint of suspense, a tender and sweet romance, lovable but imperfect characters, a good-paced plot, and a natural, believable faith thread that introduces the main character Tori to God who is loving and holds out redemption and salvation. Anyone who enjoys Christian historical romance would love this book.

Tori is a broken woman with an abused past. She doesn’t trust men and relies on her grit and determination to keep her cousin Opal and herself safe as they flee their home in Pennsylvania for the wilderness of the Wyoming Territory. She is feisty but gets in trouble because of her impulsiveness. Ezra is a kind, loyal, thoughtful, honorable, faithful man operating a stage coach stop and telegraph office. His patience and commitment to see both women safely employed are commendable.

I can’t wait to read the next book in the series, Mountain Christmas Romance, to see what becomes of Opal.

I was given a copy of this book by author/publisher via Celebrate Lit Tour. I was not required to write a favorable review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

21 Days of Love Guest Review & Giveaway

21 Days of Love Template copy

About the Book

21 Days of Love

Title: 21 Days of Love

Compiled by: Kathy Ide

Genre: Non-fiction, Devotional

Release Date: January 1, 2016

Love can be found in many treasured relationships: boyfriend-girlfriend, husband-wife, parent-child … with a special friend, teacher, or pet … in the kindness of a stranger. We even have a national holiday to celebrate love.

The greatest love ever known is God’s abundant love for us, His children. And He often demonstrates that perfect love through imperfect people.

These stories represent all kinds of love. Woven through each story is the sustaining hand of our loving heavenly Father. On Valentine’s Day—and every day—whether your life is chocolates and flowers or loneliness and pain … let these stories fill your heart with hope, peace, and most important, love.

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

Kathy Ide-rectangle (1) Compiler and editor KATHY IDE has been a published author since 1989. She has written fiction and nonfiction books and is the author of Proofreading Secrets of Best-Selling Authors. She has ghostwritten ten nonfiction books and a series of five novels. She also writes columns of writing and editing tips for blogs and newsletters. Kathy makes her home in Orange County, California.

Guest Review from Mindy Houng

This book is an interesting compilation of 21 very short stories focused on different aspects of love. Each fictional story is written by a different author and contains life applications at the end of each chapter along with Scripture. I’ve never read a complication of stories or devotionals presented quite this way before and it was refreshing to read this book. The topics and life applications range from providing comfort to others with Christ’s love to having hope for the future despite disappointments. These applications are infused with God’s promises and his unfailing and unwavering character.

I received a copy of this book from the authors/publisher via Celebrate Lit Tour. I was not required to write a favorable review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

Guest Post from Kathy Ide

Kick off the new year with love!

21 Days of Love: Stories that Celebrate Treasured Relationships, book 3 in the Fiction Lover’s Devotional series, contains short fiction stories about all kinds of love. Boyfriend-girlfriend. Husband-wife. Parent-child. Teacher-student. Even love for pets and showing love to strangers. Since the greatest love ever known is God’s abundant love for us, His children, the sustaining hand of our loving heavenly Father is woven throughout. Each story is written by a different author and is followed by a brief Life Application in which the author shares how the fictional story relates to our day-to-day lives.

21 Days of Love has chapters written by well-known, best-selling novelists, including Susan May Warren, Sherry Kyle, Renae Brumbaugh, and New York Times best-selling author Cindy Woodsmall. There are also stories by writers you may not have heard of. At the end of each chapter is an author bio that gives some background information about the author. So if you really like a story you read, you can find out what else that author has written. You may just find some new names to add to your favorites list.

And if you haven’t read much Christian fiction, this devotional will give you a small taste of several different authors and genres, without having to commit to reading an entire novel. You might just discover that you actually love Christian fiction!

21 Days of Love, a finalist in the 2017 Selah awards, makes a perfect Valentine’s Day gift for friends and loved ones.

Blog Stops

Bibliophile Reviews, February 10

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Mary Hake, February 14

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Janices book reviews, February 16

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Reading is my Super Power, February 17 (Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, February 18

Carpe Diem, February 19

A Baker’s Perspective, February 20

Simple Harvest Reads, February 21 (Guest post from Mindy)

Pursuing Stacie, February 22

proud to be an autism mom, February 23

Giveaway

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To celebrate her tour, Kathy is giving away a

2 Grand Prizes of a full set of the 21 Days Hardback books
3 first place prizes of a hardback copy of 21 Days of Love
4 second place prizes of an eBook copy of 21 Days of Love!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c8e3

What Dreams May Come Guest Review & Giveaway

About the Book

Title: What Dreams May Come

Author: Alana Terry

Genre: Christian Romance

Release Date: October 24, 2017

She’s got her heart set on becoming a missionary. He’s determined to recruit her for the job.

But is it possible to fall in love with someone you’ve never even met?

Susannah’s convinced that God has called her to the mission field. That’s why she’s serving him with single-minded focus in Orchard Grove, waiting for the day when she can leave her small town to take the gospel to the nations.

Is falling in love with her missionary recruiter part of God’s plan for her life or a distraction from the real goal?

Scott loves his life. Traveling the globe, offering spiritual support to missionaries around the world offers enough excitement that the loneliness hardly ever gets to him …

Until he receives an application from a young girl with a heart for the mission field as large as his own, a young girl he finds himself falling for even before they get the chance to meet face-to-face.

Unfortunately, a promise Susannah made to her family may tear her and Scott even farther apart than the miles that separate them.

Book one in an inspirational sweet romance series by award-winning Christian author Alana Terry, who has won awards from Women of Faith, The Book Club Network, Grace Awards, and several others, What Dreams May Come is based off of the author’s own experiences falling in love with (and eventually marrying) her missionary recruiter.

Click here to purchase your copy today!

About the Author

alana terry Alana is a pastor’s wife, homeschooling mom, self-diagnosed chicken lady, and Christian suspense author. Her novels have won awards from Women of Faith, Book Club Network, Grace Awards, Readers’ Favorite, and more. Alana’s passion for social justice, human rights, and religious freedom shines through her writing, and her books are known for raising tough questions without preaching. She and her family live in rural Alaska where the northern lights in the winter and midnight sun in the summer make hauling water, surviving the annual mosquito apocalypse, and cleaning goat stalls in negative forty degrees worth every second.

Guest Review from Mindy Houng

This is the first book written by Alana Terry that I have read and it’s so appropriate that I started reading it on Valentine’s Day and the story is a retelling of her love story with her husband! The book is definitely geared towards the Christian reader and has wonderfully encouraging Scripture as well as prayers liberally sprinkled throughout the story. The writing focuses on the heartache of two devoted Christians who fall in love but are kept apart due to life circumstances. The main characters’ doubts, cries of grief and sorrow for love perceived to be lost, struggles to understand God’s bigger plan, and striving for peace and contentment even when submerged in confusion are all so real and touchable.

Susannah is barely an adult at almost twenty but has a heart for international missions and for reaching the lost. She is gentle, loving, diligent, and patient. Scott is in his thirties, already an experienced world traveler as a support personnel to the international missionaries. He’s “a missionary to the missionaries.” He is devoted, kind, thoughtful and loving. The book starts out with the first few chapters recounting their “courtship” via phone calls and emails and dwells a bit in the past to catch the reader up to what’s actually happened to keep the two apart. Then the book switches back and forth from Susannah’s world in tiny town of Orchard Grove in Washington and Scott’s world in Massachusetts. I really enjoyed their attending Urbana Missionary Conference together since I have wonderful memories of that conference when I attended.

The book was enjoyable and made me reflect upon my own thought processes and prayers during difficult situations that broke my heart.

I received a copy of the book from the author/publisher via Celebrate Lit Tour. I was not required to write a favorable review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

Guest Post from Alana Terry

The cat’s out of the bag! Back in 2016, I wrote What Dreams May Come, a novel that was based on the way my husband and I fell in love … fourteen months before we ever met! It wasn’t until just before Christmas that I told Scott the romance novel I’d been writing was actually our true-to-life love story, and he was even more surprised than I hoped he’d be! Watch the video to see his reaction.

Blog Stops

A Baker’s Perspective, February 8

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A Greater Yes, February 17

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 17

Janices book reviews, February 18

Jeanette’s Thoughts, February 18

Carpe Diem, February 19

margaret kazmierczak, February 19 (Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, February 20 (Guest post from Mindy)

Pursuing Stacie, February 20

God is Love, February 21

Joy of Reading, February 21

Giveaway

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To celebrate her tour, Alana is giving away a $50 CBD gift card!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c600

No Small Storm Guest Review and Giveaway

About the Book

No Small Storm

Title: No Small Storm

Author: Anne Matteer

Genre: Historical/Historical Romance

Release Date: August, 2017

September 1815, Providence, Rhode Island

Thirty-year-old Remembrance “Mem” Wilkins loves her solitary life running the farm and orchard she inherited from her father and has no plans to give up her independence. Especially not for the likes of Mr. Graham Lott. But when Mem is unable to harvest the apples on her own, she accepts the help of the man she despises.

Fresh off a boat from Ireland with his four-year-old son in tow, Simon Brennan secures a building in which to ply his trade as a cobbler. Still healing from the grief of his wife’s death a year earlier, he determines to focus only on providing a good life for his son. But when he intervenes in an argument on behalf of the intriguing Miss Wilkins, sister-in-law of the tavern owner who befriends him, he suddenly finds himself crossways with his landlord, Mr. Lott, and relieved of his lease and most of his money.

With no means of support, Simon takes a job helping Mem with her harvest, relieving her of the need of Lott’s help. But their growing attraction to each other makes them both uneasy. Mem gladly escapes to town when her sister begins labor, and Simon, believing it best to distance himself from Mem, takes his son and leaves.

But neither anticipates the worst gale New England has ever seen—or that the storm will threaten all they hold dear.

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

Anne Mateer has loved reading and writing stories since childhood. She is the author of 4 historical novels, 1 historical novella, and a few contemporary short stories. Anne and her husband of 30 years, Jeff, love to visit their grown children and tour historical sites. They are currently living an empty nest adventure in Austin, TX.

Guest Review from Mindy Houng

“She refused to be undone by a well-appointed face.”

This is the first book by Anne Mateer I have read and it is delightful. It is relatively short with a fast-paced storyline, lovely characters, and a nicely orchestrated theme of second chances, trust, and forgiveness with God as the Healing Physician. Anyone who enjoys historical romance will enjoy this book.

Remembrance, or Mem, operates an apple orchard by herself after her father’s passing. She yearns for love and family of her own but cannot get past the betrayal of a previous suitor nor the fact that the men want only her land that her father left her. Mem is capable, strong-willed, hard-working but also loving and loyal to family. Simon is a recent immigrant from Ireland, fleeing the grief of his wife’s death and the condescending, control-wielding father-in-law. He has a four year old son to raise and protect and finds himself in Mem’s employ. His gentle kindness, loyalty and faithfulness, thoughtfulness and compassion all stir Mem’s heart like no one else has. They must fend off an older suitor who only wants Mem’s land and must survive the storm that blows through their town of Providence, Rhode Island.

The storm, which was an actual event, felt so real in the book. I could taste the salt in the air and feel the rising tides as the water and wind shredded the town. What a frightening disaster to live through!

Mem and Simon’s realization that they need to depend on God and God alone was a sweet spot in the story. We all have that epiphany kind of moments in our spiritual walk, don’t we?

I received a copy of the book from the author/publisher via Celebrate Lit Tour. I was not required to write a favorable review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

Guest Post from Anne Mateer

I’m always up for a good historical story. It’s what I enjoy reading. It’s what I enjoy writing. But I find that my pleasure in any historical fiction increases exponentially when the story at hand is based on at least a kernel of historical fact. All four of my full-length novels share this trait. So it stood to reason that when turning my mind to a historical novella I would seek the same grounding in truth I’ve sought before.

So what historical fact inspired No Small Storm? It was a combination of them, actually. Which I think always makes for the best tales!

I like an overarching historical event to help frame a story. Things like war or economic crisis or natural disaster. Situations in the historical record which required courage or resilience or sacrifice from the people who lived through them. When I stumbled upon the Great Gale of 1815, which hit Providence, Rhode Island particularly hard, I knew it could provide obstacles for my characters to overcome.

As I began to read about this event—a hurricane before such storms were commonly called hurricanes—I happened upon some first hand accounts of that day. Fascinating remembrances about a storm arriving without much preamble, then departing and leaving bright sunny skies with which to view the destruction.

And destruction there was! Not only from wind and water, but also the fact that both of those things unleashed the ships moored in the harbor and sent them sailing down the main street of town! Can you imagine looking out of the second or third story window of a building which was likely flooded on the ground floor and seeing a ship coming at you?

That, in itself, was dramatic enough. Especially when coupled with the fact that those ships often broke apart, whether from wind and waves or from contact with the buildings and bridges they encountered on land. Then I considered the in those ships? What happened to them? Many were flung into the water, searching for purchase.

It was just such a circumstance that brought one man to the window of a young woman. She helped him inside. They were later married. And if finding such a story that isn’t a romance writer’s delight, I don’t know what is!

Finally, as I continued to read about the destruction in the area, I discovered a few lines about area orchards. The hanging fruit was found covered with a dusting of white. When tasted, it was discovered to be salt. Salt from storm surge and sea spray. Salt that saturated, even miles inland. Water and wind—and they salt they carried—ruining fruit crops ready for harvest. What could be more devastating to a farmer than that?

And so No Small Storm was born, with Remembrance and Simon each trying to make a good life for themselves, each trying to trust God as they work hard. Each keeping careful watch over their heart. But sometimes circumstances take things we don’t want to give. And give things we never imagined possible.

Historical fact and spiritual truth. Characters who are a product of their times as well as universal in their struggles and desires. It’s the kind of story I love to read. And the kind of story I’m proud to write.

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, February 6

Carpe Diem, February 6

Reflections From My Bookshelves, February 7

Reading Is My SuperPower, February 7

The Power of Words, February 8

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 8

Inklings and notions, February 9

Blossoms and Blessings, February 9

Kathleen Denly, February 10

History, Mystery & Faith, February 10

Bukwurmzzz, February 11

Views From the Window Friend, February 11

By The Book, February 12

Maureen’s Musings, February 12

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, February 13

Mary Hake, February 13

proud to be an autism mom, February 14

Connie’s History Classroom, February 14

A Greater Yes, February 15

Janices book reviews, February 15

Jeanette’s Thoughts, February 16

A Baker’s Perspective, February 16

Bibliophile Reviews, February 17

Margaret Kazmierczak, February 17 (Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, February 18 (Guest post from Mindy)

Bigreadersite, February 18

Pink Granny’s Journey, February 19

Pursuing Stacie, February 19

Giveaway

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To celebrate her tour, Anne is giving away a grand prize of a reader bag of goodies—including a Pride and Prejudice fleece throw, a “reading” charm necklace from Storied Jewelry, a Secret Garden litograph tote bag, and a $25 Amazon gift card!!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c604

This Treacherous Journey Guest Review & Giveaway

About the Book

Title: This Treacherous Journey

Author: Misty M. Beller

Genre: Christian historical romance

Release Date: February 6, 2018

Widowed and with child, Emma Malcom is fleeing from the reward offered for her arrest. She’s innocent of the dirty dealings her deceased husband orchestrated, but the angry townspeople didn’t stop to listen to her defense before she narrowly escaped with her life. Now, she and her twin brother, Joseph, must battle the mountain wilderness of the Rockies to reach Canada and the clean start she craves. But when a fall from the rocky cliff leaves Joseph wounded and weak, could the strange mountain man they encounter be God’s gift to see them to safety?

Simeon Grant makes bad choices. His deceased wife and twin babies are lost to him now because of his reckless decisions, and the penance he pays by living alone in this mountain wilderness is only a small piece of what he thinks he deserves. When a city woman, heavy with child, appears on his doorstep with her injured brother, her presence resurrects the memories he’s worked so hard to forget. And when she asks for his help to travel deeper into the mountain country, he can’t help wonder why God would force him to relive the same mistakes he’s already suffered through. Or maybe taking these two to safety could be the way to redeem himself.

But when their travels prove more treacherous than he imagined, Simeon finds himself pressing the limits of his ability to keep Emma and her brother safe. Can he overcome the past that haunts him to be the man she needs? Will Emma break through the walls around Simeon’s heart before it’s too late, or will the dangers of these mountains be the end of them all?

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author

Misty Misty M. Beller writes romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.

She was raised on a farm in South Carolina, so her Southern roots run deep. Growing up, her family was close, and they continue to keep that priority today. Her husband and daughters now add another dimension to her life, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

God has placed a desire in Misty’s heart to combine her love for Christian fiction and the simpler ranch life, writing historical novels that display God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.

Writing is a dream come true for Misty. Her family–both immediate and extended–is the foundation that holds her secure in that dream. Learn more at www.MistyMBeller.com.

Guest Review from Mindy Houng

“There is a melody that pulls me. A tune that haunts my waking moments.”

This is the first book by Misty Beller I have read and I am thrilled to have found this wonderful historical romance author. The book is well-written, the plot is engaging, the characters are achingly beautiful and lovable, the story moves at a good pace, and the redemptive love of God is evident in the book. The beauty of the Rocky Mountains along with the harsh and rough conditions during the winter in the mid 1850s is thoroughly infused into the story that I felt like I was with the characters as they travelled from Montana to Canada. Anyone who enjoys historical romance, especially set in the mountains of the West, would love this book.

The story opens up with Simeon’s heart-wrenching loss that makes Simeon into who he is by the time Emma meets him. Simeon is steeped in sorrow, grief, and guilt and remains a recluse as a self-imposed punishment. Yet, even in his brokenness, he is surprisingly gentle, honest, protective, loyal, kind, and loving though he can be gruff at times. His vulnerability is so raw and heart-breaking. Emma is a fugitive, running away from the townspeople in eastern Texas who would harm her for her deceased husband’s illegal and wrongful dealings. She is accompanied by her twin brother Joseph, as they try to make their way to family in Canada. Joseph’s injury brings them to Simeon’s cabin in Montana. Although unwilling at first, Simeon agrees to escort them through the mountains in the middle of winter and Emma, with her loving, loyal, gentle, patient, faithful, and stubborn ways, slowly thaws the ice Simeon has built up around himself against love – love from a woman, love from family, and love from God. Emma’s reminder that “even when we are lost, we aren’t lost from God” helps Simeon rethink his life and his choices.

Now I must go and read Misty Beller’s previous books!

I was given a copy of this book by the author/publisher via Celebrate Lit Tour. I was not required to write a favorable review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

Guest post from Misty M. Beller

The Treasure of Family

I’m an old-fashioned girl. Always have been. And growing up on the family farm, with grandparents in the old farmhouse next door and cousins living all around us, I can’t imagine my life without family. Now that I’m married with three daughters of my own, I treasure my family even more—both immediate and extended!

In my books, I tend to weave the importance of family into each story somewhere, and This Treacherous Journey is no exception! I first wrote the prologue as a standalone short story, the account of the birth of the hero from another of my books (Reuben Scott from The Lady and the Mountain Call).

It was the story of a father, grieving the loss of his wife and feeling as if he has no choice but to give his newborn twins to another family to raise. I wrote this part of the story a week after my third daughter was born, and I cried buckets through the writing! The story has an even stronger emotional connection for me, because my younger brother and sister were both adopted into our family. I can’t imagine their birth parents having the courage to give them up for adoption unless they knew without a doubt it was the best choice for those sweet babies.

So, as you read This Treacherous Journey, it’s my prayer that you’ll take a moment to cherish your own family. Remember all the special moments. Spend extra time with those you love. Relish the treasures God placed in your life!

Blog Stops

Bibliophile Reviews, February 3

Christian Author, J.E.Grace, February 3

History, Mystery & Faith, February 4

A Greater Yes, February 4

margaret kazmierczak, February 4 (Interview)

Kathleen Denly, February 5

Blogging With Carol, February 5

Faithfully Bookish, February 6

Books n baubles, February 6

Mommynificent, February 7

Connie’s History Classroom, February 7

Reading Is My SuperPower, February 8

The Fizzy Pop Collection, February 8

proud to be an autism mom, February 9

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 9

Mary Hake, February 9

Blossoms and Blessings, February 10

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 10

Texas Book-aholic, February 11

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, February 11

Zerina Blossom’s Books, February 12

Bigreadersite, February 12

Kat’s Corner Books, February 13

Janices book reviews, February 13

Jeanette’s Thoughts, February 14

Carpe Diem, February 14

A Baker’s Perspective, February 15

Karen Sue Hadley, February 15

Pursuing Stacie, February 16

Simple Harvest Reads, February 16 (Guest post from Mindy)

Giveaway

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

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c8e4

The Mayflower Bride Review

More about the book…..

Can a religious separatist and an opportunistic spy make it in the New World?
A brand new series for fans of all things related to history, romance, adventure, faith, and family trees.

Mary Elizabeth Chapman boards the Speedwell in 1620 as a Separatist seeking a better life in the New World. William Lytton embarks on the Mayflower as a carpenter looking for opportunities to succeed—and he may have found one when a man from the Virginia Company offers William a hefty sum to keep a stealth eye on company interests in the new colony. The season is far too late for good sailing and storms rage, but reaching land is no better as food is scarce and the people are weak. Will Mary Elizabeth survive to face the spring planting and unknown natives? Will William be branded a traitor and expelled?

Join the adventure as the Daughters of the Mayflower series begins with The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse.

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author….

Kimberley Woodhouse is the best-selling and award-winning author of more than a dozen books. She is a wife, mother, author, and musician with a quick wit and positive outlook despite difficult circumstances. A popular speaker, she’s shared at more than 2,000 venues across the country. Kimberley and her family’s story have garnered national media attention for many years including ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, The Montel Williams Show, Discovery Health channel’s Mystery ER, The Hour of Power, The Harvest Show, and over 1,000 other TV appearances and radio interviews. She lives and writes in Colorado with her husband of twenty-five years and their two amazing kids. kimberleywoodhouse.com

My two cents……

This is my first experience reading Author Kimberly Woodhouse. I am really looking forward to reading future books! This book was well written, clearly researched, and engaging from the beginning.

I always enjoy a well-written story, but to read a book and walk away with something to apply to your life is even better! There were two themes in this story that really made me think – Faith and trust in the Lord. The people in the story went through leaving their home, great loss, and more yet still still trusted the Lord. This inspired me!

Be sure to pick up your copy of The Mayflower Bride – it will be sure to inspire you!

I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars. Any reader who enjoys historical fiction and enjoys seeing faith in action will enjoy this novel.

I received a copy of this book to be considered for review. No compensation was given and all opinions expressed are my own.

Stay tuned for The Mayflower Bride to be featured on our Coffee with a Book chat and giveaway on February 16! To join be sure to follow the Celebrate Lit Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/CelebrateLit/

Returning Home Guest Review

More about the book….

ReturningHomeFinal Jo Ellen Baker is shocked to find out that the boy who teased her mercilessly throughout high school, has returned to their hometown of Freedom Lake, and he’s missing a leg. When his mother asks her to renovate their carriage house to give him a place to gain his independence back, she wants to say no. But one look at him brings a rush of forgotten feelings.

Evan Carter can’t believe he has to return home and live with his parents. Every hope and dream he ever had dissipated in a car crash that cost him his leg. Stuck in a wheelchair, he’s forced to reexamine his relationship with God and the local carpenter, Jo Ellen Baker.

Will renovating his home open the door for a mended relationship, or are some wounds too deep to heal from?

More about the author…..

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Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and Christian fiction writer.Once she understood the powerful saving grace thanks to the love of Christ, shewas moved to honor her Savior. She writes to bring Him glory and to learn moreabout His goodness.

Get your copy for only 99 Cents!

Guest review from Mindy Houng….

I really enjoyed Toni Shiloh’s Buying Love and Finding Love, but this book tops the previous ones I’ve read. This contemporary inspirational romance highlights some of the issues in our current world through the lens of faith and prayer. And the romance? Sigh….it’s slow, tender, and oh-so sweet.

The author’s writing flows well and is easy to follow. Her town of Freedom Lake is lovely and the secondary characters that inhabit that small town really bring another layer of depth to Jo Ellen and Evan’s story. The struggles that the characters face are so very real and their commitment to Christ (when it happens) is wonderfully heartfelt and genuine.

Jo Ellen, as the heroine, took a good quarter of the book to engage me. Her world is a cocoon of hurt, misplaced pride and blame, and self-absorption. She does get past these things, though, and by the end of the book I felt like I personally supported her through her emotional and spiritual growth. Jo’s compassion and her tender heart shine through, even when she’s grieving and hurting.

From page one, I was Team Evan. Physically, emotionally, and spiritually battered, Evan comes a long way in the first few chapters of the book to cement himself as a hero, even when he does some stupid things later on in the book. His tenacity is admirable and his willingness to admit fault and ask for forgiveness is a great character trait. The author did a good job of explaining an amputee’s fears, questions, pain, and daily struggles.

I also enjoyed getting to know Darryl and Chloe through this book. Perhaps book #2 will be about them? And I’m still holding my breath for Guy and Michelle! I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for these friends!

I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit Tour. I was not required to write a favorable review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

Her Good Girl Guest Review and Giveaway!

Her Good Girl copy

About the Book

Title: Her Good Girl
Author: Elaine Stock
Genre: Family Life, Contemporary fiction, Coming-of-age story of a whole family

Release Date: January 22, 2018
Sometimes digging deep frees you to bloom.
Sadie Tremont’s will to survive is killing her. Almost 18, she’s battled one

mysterious illness after another. Tara-Lynn, her mom, insists she’s the only one with the ultimate cure. Sadie can’t depend on her dad to help when his only interest is underground caving. Her grandmother too easily counts on God to help, but Sadie has stopped waiting for miracles. Callie, a café owner and new friend, might help but can she be trusted?
Then there’s Sky, Sadie’s new boyfriend who offers a sliver of joy, peace, and self-respect. When he schemes that the only way for Sadie to be happy is to escape with him from her native West Virginia hills by killing Tara-Lynn, she’s trapped.
She can’t partner with Sky to hurt the mom who has hurt her for years . . . or can she?
When tragedy strikes and threaten Sadie’s dad’s life and the shaky ground the Tremont family stands on, will they pull together or give in to the weakened earth beneath their feet?

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author

Elaine Stock is the author of Always With You, which released in January 2016 and has won the 2017 Christian Small Publishers Association Book of the Year Award in fiction. And You Came Along, a novella, released in December 2017. Her novels fuse romance, family drama and faith in a clean fiction style. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, and Women’s Fiction Writers Association, and contributes to the international “Happy Sis Magazine” and “InD’tale Magazine.” In addition to Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads, she hangs out on her active six-year-old blog, Everyone’s Story, dedicated to uplifting and encouraging all readers through the power of story and hope.
Born in Brooklyn, NY, Elaine has now been living in upstate, rural New York with her husband for more years than her stint as a NYC gal. She enjoys long walks down country roads, visiting New England towns, and of course, a good book.

Guest Review from Mindy Houng

This is the first book by Elaine Stock that I have read. It is a well-written book though not an easy read. The book held raw emotions, written in a no-nonsense, no holds barred style. The mental illnesses described rang true but it was difficult to read about them all at once.

Sadie is a teenager trapped in a dysfunctional family, unsure of how to get away from the trap. Her mom Tara-Lynn has undiagnosed mental illness and issues passed down from her mother and grandmother. Adam is Sadie’s dad and he also has multiple issues that have remained unaddressed, which only serve to perpetuate the tension at home. Callie is the voice of reason and God’s love who befriends Sadie.

The story is told from Sadie’s first person point of view and alternates with Callie and Adam’s third person point of view. It was an interesting way to present the story but it didn’t resonate with me and I found myself needing to go back every once in awhile to make sure I knew whose point of view I was reading.

The story was heart-wrenching and highlighted awareness for mental illness, particularly for Munchausen Syndrome. It was crafted well with multiple memorable characters. Unfortunately I couldn’t connect completely with any of the characters, though their pain and suffering clearly came through.

The grace and redemptive love of Christ was portrayed poignantly throughout the book.

I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher via Celebrate Lit Tour. I was not required to write a favorable review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

Guest Post from Elaine Stock

How to Bloom Against the Odds by Elaine Stock
Show tunes warm my heart and create a happy buzz in my mind. Ever since I can recall, I adored musicals, whether live performances or movies. Throw in amazing choreography and I’m definitely a happy camper! Hmm. I’m thinking you’re probably wondering why I’m kicking off a blog tour about my novel, Her Good Girl, a coming-of-age story about a whole family against the odds, chatting about actors belting out foot-tapping songs?

Here’s another favorite of mine: Liza Minnelli. Remember her from the movie Cabaret? A few months back I ran across this quote from her: Reality is something you rise above. These words hit home, zinged my soul. Life is not about what you’re dished out, but what you do with it instead. See, I was born into a troubled family. My mother slipped deep into the prison of mental illness; my father worked 8 days a week. Throw in a few other dysfunctional barbs and… well… that was my beginning. Is it my present? Will it be my future?
In Her Good Girl, centers on Sadie, a girl on the cusp of becoming a woman. Her life revolves around her mother’s abusive Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MBP) until Sadie discovers a way out… or is it an escape to something deeper and worse by the hands of someone else?
This is what I wrote in the “Author’s Note” section of Her Good Girl:
I first became aware of Munchausen By Proxy (MBP) several years ago when I read an article about what I thought was an emotional disturbance. Research shows that this is maltreatment (abuse and/or neglect) when a person—usually a parent—seeks emotional fulfillment by inflicting an illness on another, often one’s child, and often resulting in death. Recent cases such as the 1996 arrest of Kathy Bush for making her then nine-year-old daughter, Jennifer sick; the 2014 death of five-year-old Garnett by his mother Lacy Spears, and the recent Baby Jax case of a woman, Jessica Valik, who tampered with her son’s feeding tube, are one too many. Yet, I have not written about this type of tragedy and sadness to become a sensationalist.
Stories about the complexities of families draw my attention. I strive to tell stories that inspire others that, through the love and grace of God, one can move forward, families can heal, that there is hope, and that there is no reason to go back. Goodness can, and does, happen to troubled families.
While my mother didn’t suffer from MBP, she was controlled by the terrors of paranoid schizophrenia (I touched upon this as well in Her Good Girl, although, again, it was not autobiographical). I didn’t know about my mother’s condition until I turned 18 and she was first diagnosed at that time. However, what I did know during my childhood was that this was my family’s “normal.” Yet, it still didn’t feel right.
I wanted to rise above this emotional feeling that felt like a trap.
Enter God.
Actually, God and I clicked when I was six (that’s as far back as I can remember His grasp on me). But, it wasn’t until I was baptized into the Christian faith in my early 20s did I start feeling as if I was indeed beginning to rise above my circumstances.
Without Him, my life would be empty and meaningless.
Now, I feel as if I have a future to look forward to. All my novels will not necessarily be reflective of mental illness, but I hope my readers will see in Her Good Girl that by holding God’s hands tightly a family can heal and one can move forward, can live. Or, as one of the major themes of the novel emphasizes: Sometimes digging deep frees you to bloom.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Elaine is giving away a grand prize of 1 Tote + 1 print (US only) or eBook of Her Good Girl, Always With You, and And You Came Along.

Three others will win 1 eBook of Her Good Girl each!!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c6d0

Ain’t Misbehaving Review & Giveaway

About the Book

Title: Ain’t Misbehaving

Author: Marji Laine

Genre: Contemporary Inspirational Fiction

Release Date: January 16, 2017

True, Annalee’s crime amounted to very little, but not in terms of community service hours. Her probation officer encouraged her with a promise of an easy job in an air conditioned downtown environment. She didn’t expect her role to be little better than a janitor at an after-school day care in the worst area of town. Through laughter and a few tears, Annalee finds out that some lessons are learned the hard way, and some seep into the soul unnoticed.

Carlton Whelen hides behind the nickname of CJ so people won’t treat him like the wealthy son of the Whelen Foundation director. Working at the foundations after-school program delights him and annoys his business-oriented father. When a gorgeous prima donna is assigned to his team, he not only cringes at her mistakes, but also has to avoid the attraction that builds from the first time he sees her.

Click here to purchase your copy!

Guest Review from Mindy Houng

What an incredibly captivating contemporary romance! This is my first novel by Marji Laine and I’m so glad that her book found me. The story is well-written, the plot is intricately planned, the dialogue is so real and engaging, the characters are wonderful, the faith component of the storyline is seamlessly integrated, and the book moves at a great pace with lots of twists and turns.

Annalee is such a beautiful heroine, inside and out. Granted, she’s the baby daughter of a rich attorney running for the mayor seat in Dallas but she’s different from the high-society women. Annalee is sweet, compassionate, loving, down-to-earth, selfless, artistic, creative and so in need of approval and belonging. Yet she has trouble trusting men because of her past experience. CJ is the sole heir to the Whelan empire who has rejected all of his father’s demands to serve as the director for a children’s after-school center in a low income area of the city. He is devoted, loyal, kind, compassionate, hard-working, but he himself has trouble trusting women. Circumstances bring them together but so many incidents and accidents try to keep them apart, especially a particular secret CJ keeps from Annalee. Their slowly blooming friendship and romance is achingly sweet and often tear-filled.

CJ’s faith is amazingly solid and yet he still makes plenty of mistakes, clearly showcasing his need for the Savior and grace. Annalee’s receptive heart and sincere prayers are touching and quite inspirational.

Anyone who enjoys a well-written contemporary inspirational romance novel would absolutely love this book. I was given a copy of the book by author/publisher via Celebrate Lit Tour. I was not required to write a favorable review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

About the Author

Marji Laine has completed seventeen years of homeschooling with the surreal notion that

she’ll now have time on her hands. But that’s unlikely. Her publishing company, Write Integrity Press, keeps her extremely busy. In her spare time, she teaches a high school and college Bible Study, leads a Sunday morning high school fellowship group, directs a children’s choir, and sings in her church’s adult choir.

She enjoys road trips with her family and friends, photography, scrapbooking, and participating in musical theater. Her favorite past time is game night with her family and her kids’ extended collection of friends.

Guest Post from Marji Laine

AIN’T MISBEHAVING delves into the depth of life from the perspective of a shallow, sheltered woman. Annalee Chambers has been raised to pay attention to all aspects of society, particularly the appearance of success. Being cultured and socially-educated, she’s not really prepared to work in one of the poorest sections of town. And she’s really not expecting to find such joy intertwined with such poverty.

Having my story set in my hometown has some fun aspects. I got to handpick the homes for the main characters and the locations for the after-school program. And even now when I drive past some of those places, I get all excited about the story again.

For instance, I chose a particular building downtown to be CJ’s (the hero’s) condo. It’s in One Arts Plaza. This condo was for sale when I was writing the book so I was able to download actual pictures of the place including the view from its southeast facing patio. You’ll laugh, but I don’t drive by that building without looking up to the 18^th floor and half expecting to see CJ standing there.

AIN’T MISBEHAVING goes much deeper than only the setting, though. It was written a number of years ago, so many that I barely remembered the storyline. But when I started editing, I was moved to tears again and again. These characters are so real, and I would love to meet them!

I hope you’ll enjoy AIN’T MISBEHAVING and watch for Annalee and CJ to have an extra special cameo part in Book 2 of the Dallas Duets, PUTTIN’ ON THE RITZ.