Jody Hedlund's Enamored

 I'm old.  I know.  But as I entered the world of Elinor and Maxim I thought of the classic movies of the 1930s and 1940s.  I pictured Maxim as Errol Flynn and Olivia DeHaviland as Elinor.  Can't you? 

Maxim makes me swoon with his love and devotion for Elinor.  Elinor couldn't do any better if she selected Maxim as her husband.  So what's stopping her?  The expectations and restraints in her society are dictating the choices she can make.  

Have you ever made a decision that goes against everything you were taught or told?  Did it turn out well?

Jody Hedlund has written another book that entertains and gives us something to think about. 

 I received a complementary copy of this book from the author. My opinions are my own.

AUTHOR:

Jody Hedlund is the author of over thirty historicals for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Award.

Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. Although Jody prefers to experience daring and dangerous adventures through her characters rather than in real life, she’s learned that a calm existence is simply not meant to be (at least in this phase of her life!).

When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.

A Season on the Wind

 Psalm 46:10

New International Version

10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;(A)
    I will be exalted(B) among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

Do we ever spend the time to really listen?  We can learn so much by being still and listening to what is around us.  The other day I was walking and I purposely did not put in my earphones.  I did not block out the sounds of the area around me.  I listened.  I could hear the wind blow.  I could hear the birds.

This book talks about listening and observing the beauty around us.  We so often live our lives in a hurry.  We don't enjoy the gifts that GOD gives to us.

Ben Zook was a famous author who wrote about birdwatching.  He was so involved in capturing their images.  But what did he miss out of when viewing the birds through a lens?

I enjoyed the book as you got to really know the characters that Suzanne Woods Fisher brings to life.  Each character had a gift/talent to share with others if they just stopped and took the time to listen.

I am never disappointed when I read one of Ms. Fisher's books.  There is always something that I take with me after I finish the book.  I need to listen more.  

I received this book to review from Celebrate Lit and Revell Reads.

GIVEAWAY:

https://promosimple.com/ps/126b3/a-season-on-the-wind-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

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Southern Gal Loves to Read, October 24

Artistic Nobody, October 25 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

For Him and My Family, October 25

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 26

CarpeDiem, October 26

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 26

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, October 27

Inklings and notions, October 27

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, October 28

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, October 28

Blogging With Carol, October 28

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 29

Texas Book-aholic, October 29

deb’s Book Review, October 30

Simple Harvest Reads, October 30 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Jeanette’s Thoughts, October 30

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 31

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, October 31

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, November 1

SusanLovesBooks, November 1

Mary Hake, November 1

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, November 2

Blossoms and Blessings, November 2

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, November 3

Splashes of Joy, November 3

Pause for Tales, November 3

By The Book, November 4

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, November 4

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, November 5

Spoken from the Heart, November 5

Vicky Sluiter, November 5

About the Book

Book: A Season on the Wind

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Genre: Amish Fiction

Release date: October 5, 2021

Ben Zook had only two loves in his life: books and birds. In a stroke of good fortune, he’d stumbled onto a way to cobble together those two loves into a career, writing books about rare birds. He was as free as a bird–until a chase for a rare White-winged Tern takes him to the one place on earth he planned to never return: his Amish home in Stoney Ridge.

Desperate for photographs of the elusive tern, Ben hires a local field guide, Micah Weaver, and boards at Micah’s farm, planning to “bag the bird” and leave Stoney Ridge before anyone recognizes him. But he neglected to plan for Micah’s sister, Penny. One long-ago summer, Penny had introduced Ben to birding, even sharing with him a hidden eagle aerie. That eagle became his spark bird–the one that inspired his lifelong love.

Ben. He was Penny’s spark bird. That was when she knew true love. She’d always hoped Ben would come back to Stoney Ridge. Back to his Amish roots. Back to her. The only problem? Ben has absolutely no memory of Penny.

About the Author

With over one million copies sold, Suzanne Woods Fisher is a bestselling, award winning author of over 30 books, ranging from novels to children’s books to non-fiction. She is a Christy Award finalist, a Carol and Selah award winner, and a two-time finalist for ECPA Book of the Year. She writes stories that take you to places you’ve never visited—one with characters that seem like old friends. But most of all, her books give you something to think about long after you’ve finished reading it. Suzanne lives with her very big family in northern California.

PAGES

Christmas Wishes at the Chocolate Shop : A Tale of Two Christmases

Who doesn't love chocolate especially when you add the season of Christmas and romance?  This story had it all.  I loved having the opportunity to read this book by Jessica Redland.  I never heard of her until I received an email asking if I would like to review this book.  I am so glad I did.  

It was the story of Charlee and a "Tale of Two Christmases".  I can remember two Christmases I had back to back in the the early 2000s.  I was in a stupid relationship that should have ended years before.  Yep, I stayed with the wrong guy for 4 years.   Fast forward to the next Christmas, I was in love with the love of my life soon to be engaged. You never know what is around the corner.

Charlee's story is one where the unimaginable happened.  It was magical.  It was unpredictable.  But it happened!

I loved this story. I will certainly keep my eye out for any past and future books by Ms. Jessica Redland.  

  I received this from Boldwood Books to review.  

  

                                      

I was born in Teesside but now live in Scarborough on the stunning North Yorkshire Coast. My home inspired the creation of the fictional seaside town of Whitsborough Bay where I set many of my books although the Hedgehog Hollow series takes readers to a gorgeous new countryside setting in the Yorkshire Wolds.

I live with my husband, our teenage daughter and sprocker spaniel, Ella. I'm a self-confessed stationery addict with a ridiculously large collection of notepads who loves chocolate (although it doesn't love me), hedgehogs, 80s music, collectible teddy bears and lighthouses.

Other than a career detour into retail to set up and run my own teddy bear shop (the inspiration for novel Bear With Me), I've always worked in HR, specialising in resourcing, coaching and L&D. Writing always had to take a back seat to the day job until June 2020 when I left the world of HR to become a full-time author. I'm so very grateful to anyone who has bought or borrowed my books in whatever format, helping me fulfil a long-held dream of writing full-time. I still can't believe I get to spend every day chatting to my fictional friends and making stuff up. 

Follow Jessica Redland

​

Website: https://www.jessicaredland.com/
Blog: https://jessicaredlandwriter.wordpress.com/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jessica-redland
Mailing list sign up: http://bit.ly/JessicaRedlandNewsletter

 

A View Most Glorious by Regina Scott

 Cora was determined to prove a point.  This determination changed her life.  She had her life mapped out.  She knew that after she climbed Raniar that she proved women can do anything! 

What she didn't plan on was meeting a man like Nathan.  He was not like anyone else she had met before.  Did GOD have a different plan for Cora?  

I loved the location of this book.  The descriptions were so realistic that I could smell and feel the mountain air.  God's creations are beyond miraculous.  They are breathtaking!  Once you travel and see what GOD has created you are never the same.  

Cora was so caught up in her goal that she didn't realize what she would gain on the journey. 

I was given the opportunity to receive this book from Revell to review.  

Luke 2:14

New International Version

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

• About the Author

  Regina Scott is the author of more than fifty works of warm, witty historical romance, including A Distance Too Grand—named one of the top ten romances of 2020 by Booklist—and Nothing Short of Wondrous. She was twice awarded the prestigious RT Book Reviews best book of the year in her category. A devotee of history, she has learned to fence, driven four-in-hand, and sailed on a tall ship, all in the name of research. She and her husband of thirty years live south of Tacoma, Washington, on the way to Mt. Rainier.

Labyrinth of Lies

 

Undercover police work is dangerous. You have to be alert at all times.  You can never let your guard down.   Your life was at stake.  Cate knew the consequences of taking on this assignment.  But she wasn't prepared of the risks and complications of working with Zeke. 

It's an interesting story with two criminal cases to be solved.  Was there a connection?  

Cate and Zeke had a history.  Was there a future? Would Cate allow Zeke another chance?

It was sure was an exciting read.  A page turner.  I couldn't put it down. 

I received this complimentary ebook to review from Revell Reads.

Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Irene Hannon

Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of more than sixty novels, including the long-running Hope Harbor series, as well as Labyrinth of Lies, Point of Danger and the Code of Honor, Private Justice, and Men of Valor suspense series, among others. Her books have been honored with three coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, and she is a member of that organization's elite Hall of Fame. Her many other awards include National Readers' Choice, Daphne du Maurier, Retailers' Choice, Booksellers' Best, Carol, and Reviewers' Choice from RT Book Reviews magazine, which also honored her with a Career Achievement Award for her entire body of work. In addition, she is a two-time Christy Award finalist. Learn more at www.irenehannon.com.

The Heart of a Cowboy

 

I love when I find a great western story that takes me on an adventure in another time and place.  This book does just that.  I was on that journey with Flynn and Linnea.  Both had different reasons to be on the Santa Fee Trail but with time they discovered what they were both looking for.

Certain characters stood out for me more than others.  I loved Ivy and her pure joy in life.  She had no filter and said what came to her mind.  She was usually right on target with her observations.  Judd, the ranch hand, was one whom shared his words of wisdom.  Thank goodness, Flynn listened to him.

Linnea held on to her faith in good times and bad.  She prayed and gave thanks throughout her ordeals.  Flynn struggled and questioned his faith. 

I can truly say that I loved the story and look forward to the next installment about Brody.  

Matthew 17:20 

New International Version
He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

                                  

            I received this ebook free to give a review.

                                About Jody Hedlund

Jody Hedlund is the author of over thirty historicals for both adults and teens and is the winner ofJody Hedlund is the author of over thirty historicals for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Award.

Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. Although Jody prefers to experience daring and dangerous adventures through her characters rather than in real life, she’s learned that a calm existence is simply not meant to be (at least in this phase of her life!).

                                                            

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The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery by Amanda Cox

What a powerful story!  I loved every minute reading about THE SECRET KEEPERS OF OLD DEPOT GROCERY. It had a powerful message to me personally.  My grandmother kept a secret until her death.  A secret that today would be no big deal.   This secret haunted her everyday but she was silent.  This silence  was costly.

Three generations of women who lived their lives quietly keeping secrets from each other.  Their secrets dictated the choices they made. It changed how they lived life and how they related to others.

"Mistakes were a part of each person's story." Did you just read this?  I immediately wrote this down so I would remember it.  We all have made mistakes. But what we do after the mistakes can alter our lives forever.

The characters were so very real to me.  They weren't just characters in a book. They could have been my family.  My favorite was Clarence.  He was a gentle and caring man. I couldn't figure out why he married like he did.  I am assuming he was lonely.   He made such a difference in everyone's lives including the people in the community.

Happiness is finding the Beauty in little things."  I found a little bit of happiness between the covers of this very touching story.

I received this complimentary book from Revell to give a honest review.

St. Francis of Assisi: Make me an instrument of your peace

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen.

—St. Francis of Assisi

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Amanda Cox

Amanda Cox is the author of The Edge of Belonging. A blogger and a curriculum developer for a national nonprofit youth leadership organization, she holds a bachelor's degree in Bible and theology and a master's degree in professional counseling, but her first love is communicating through story. Her studies and her interactions with hurting families over a decade have allowed her to create multidimensional characters that connect emotionally with readers. She lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with her husband and their three children. Learn more at AmandaCoxWrites.com.