A Christmas in the Alps

 

How daring are you?  Simone needed that extra push from her friend to take a trip that she never expected to do.  She was afraid to fly but she faced her fear.  And she was so glad she did!!

A sweet story that is extra sweet as it is based around the Christmas season.  Simone was searching for an unknown treasure that her French great-grandmother alludes to in a long lost letter.  

On this journey, she finds much more than she expected to.  Have you ever done anything  that was against your better judgement?  Simone was the last person you would think that would do this.  Sometimes you have to take a chance!

I received this book for free from Revell to give a review.

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books with combined sales of more than six million. She is the author of several books, including the bestselling The Christmas Bus, The Christmas Dog, Christmas at Harrington’s, The Christmas Cat, The Christmas Joy Ride, and The Christmas Angel Project. She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her many books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series and Finding Alice. She and her husband live in central Oregon.

A Winter's Wish for the Cornish Midwife

 

I was ever so excited when I was able to pick this up and have the opportunity to read this wonderful story.  The cover caught my attention at first even though I am reading this on a day that is extremely hot outside!!

I love the show "Call The Midwife".  This often made me think of the show. The Cornish midwives were all compassionate and wonderful in their jobs.  They were a great team.  They all genuinely cared for each other.  But it seemed that Bobby and Toni's secret was threatening all that they have worked so hard to accomplish.

I could have shook Toni many times. She was feeling responsible for things that were way out of her control.   I couldn't stand the thought of what Toni could have lost.  She sacrificed way too much.  Didn't she deserve to be happy? 

I am looking forward to reading more books by Jo Bartlett.  It was a joy to read. 

Biography

I was born a stone’s throw from the English Channel and I still live near the sea in Kent, with my own family – so close to the South Eastern edge of England that we’re very nearly French - and it's probably why so many of my books are set near the sea too. I’ve made up stories for as long as I can remember, but never really took it any further. Concentrating on my career and family, writing went on the back burner until a catalyst called cancer gave me a major kick up the proverbial. I decided I was going to write that novel after all.

Since having my debut novel published in 2015, things have happened quite quickly and I have recently released my nineteenth novel. I’ve been able to fulfil a childhood dream of walking into WHSmiths and buying a book with my name on it and I still find it almost impossible to believe that my books have been bestsellers on Amazon too. I write contemporary women’s fiction, with a focus on love, friendship, family and community, when I’m not knee deep in assignments at the university where I still teach part-time. My first novel from Boldwood Books 'The Cornish Midwife' is now available on Amazon, with the second book in the series 'A Summer Wedding for the Cornish Midwife' available for pre-order.

Having recently signed a twelve-book deal with Boldwood Books, my ambition to drink tea and make stuff up on a full-time basis is ever closer. If you follow me on Twitter, Instagram or my author page on Facebook, I might even say something interesting one of these days… although I wouldn’t hold your breath!

A Warrior's Heart

 Prayers are powerful.  GOD hears our prayers.  Prayers can be said in times of trouble.  Prayers are often said to give thanks.

Brielle and Evan both knew the power of prayer.  GOD was with them at all times.  They felt his presence.  

It was a powerful story that clearly demonstrated faith and loyalty.  Brielle and Evan came from different paths but shared these traits.  This common thread tied them together.

I loved the story.  Misty M. Beller has become one of my favorite authors.  I discovered her books from  Celebrate Lit.  I am always waiting anxiously for her next book.

I received this ebook from Celebrate Lit to give a review.

Mark 11:24 ESV / Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, September 29

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 29

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 30

Jeanette’s Thoughts, September 30

An Author’s Take, September 30

Remembrancy, October 1

Bigreadersite, October 1

lakesidelivingsite, October 2

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, October 2

Joanna Bair, October 2

Inklings and notions, October 3

To Everything There Is A Season, October 3

Reviewingbooksplusmore, October 3

Wishful Endings, October 4

For Him and My Family, October 4

Mary Hake, October 4

deb’s Book Review, October 5

Life of Literature, October 5

Betti Mace, October 6

Blossoms and Blessings, October 6

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, October 6

Blessed & Bookish, October 7

Connie’s History Classroom, October 7

For the Love of Literature, October 8

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, October 8

Connect in Fiction, October 8

Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 9

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 9

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, October 10

Through the Fire Blogs, October 10

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 10

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, October 11

Simple Harvest Reads, October 11 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, October 12

Pause for Tales, October 12

Live. Love. Read., October 12

About the Book

Book: A Warrior’s Heart

Author: Misty M. Beller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: August 31, 2021

Brielle Durand still feels haunted by the massacre that killed her mother a dozen years before. Vowing to never let it happen again, she’s risen to be the key defender for her people’s peace-loving French settlement living in hidden caves in the Canadian Rockies. When a foreigner wanders too near to their secret homes, she has no choice but to disarm and capture him. But now, what to do with this man who looks at her in a strange way and insists he can be trusted?

Hoping to escape past regrets, Evan MacManus ventured into the unknown, assigned to discover if the northern mountains contain an explosive mineral that might help America win the War of 1812. Despite being taken prisoner, Evan is determined to complete his mission. But when that assignment becomes at odds with his growing appreciation of the villagers and Brielle, does he follow through on the promise he’s made to his government or take a risk on the path his heart is leading him down? Either choice will cause harm to someone.

Brielle and Evan must reconcile the warring in their hearts, if they’ve any hope to find the peace the seek.

 

About the Author

Misty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author of 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 children 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.

More from Misty

A secret village living in hidden caves for a century…

One of the fun things about being a writer is letting your imagine run away with itself at times. In general, I’ve never considered myself a creative person. Not like my grandmother, who’s an amazing artist and decorator. She can look at something plain and normal and, with a little paint, create something truly beautiful.

But little by little, I’ve finally learned that just because I don’t feel creative like she is, I still have an imagination that can come up with intriguing ideas.

For example, I was listening to a historical podcast a few years ago that talked about the Vikings and the female warriors who would sometimes gain fame among them. As the hosts talked about the first Viking raids to North America, I started thinking… “What if one of those groups went farther west than any of us thought? What if they found the Rocky Mountains and lived there in a hidden community for centuries?” The thought took hold, and little by little, the idea for the Brides of Laurent series came to life.

I eventually changed the village to be a French settlement named Laurent. The village’s primary warrior was a woman named Brielle Durand, who’d worked hard to win her place as Le Commandant, leader of the Guards and Hunters. I love Brielle’s strength and wit, but also how real her personal struggles became as I wrote her character.

Add in a mountain man spy working for the United States government, and you have the secret for a romance with sparks to light up the mountain sky!

I pray you love A Warrior’s Heart, the first book in this new series. And keep an eye on some of the other characters in the book who might get their own stories soon!

Blessings!

Misty

Giveaway

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

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/11dc9/a-warrior-s-heart-celebration-tour-giveaway

With Gratitude

 I have been blogging book reviews for awhile now.  I have had the privilege of reading books by new authors and for authors I know.  It sure has been a joy reading all the books that I have received.  I couldn't pick a favorite as there has been so many.

Fall will soon be here.  It is a perfect time to read.  I plan to.  Sitting in my recliner, cup of tea on the table next to me with a throw covering my feet.  Want to join me?  Do you need a book recommendation?

A Winter Baby For Gin Barrel Lane

This was my first time reading anything by Lindsey Hutchinson.  I loved the cover and soon discovered I loved the book.  I was pleased to discover that she has quite a few more books that I can lose myself in.

I love anything based in England and historical in nature.  A Winter Baby For Gin Barrel Lane was perfect.  I grew to love the characters.  They were brought to life by Ms. Hutchinson's words. 

Dolly and Jack were blessed.  They shared their blessings with others. They treated everyone with respect and kindness.  They were not judgemental by someone's appearance.  They went out of their way to help their community.

A great book.  

Matthew 25:35 ESV / 

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,

                        

                        

ABOUT LINDSEY HUTCHINSON

• 
  
  I was born and raised in Wednesbury, West Midlands. I am married with two children and three grandchildren. I now live in the Shropshire countryside with my husband, Labrador and our owl. Typing up the manuscripts for my mother (Meg Hutchinson) rekindled my love of story telling and it seems I am destined to follow in her footsteps. Retired now, I continue to teach an evening dance class. I love to read, I enjoy photography, as well as socialising with friends. I also love to holiday in exotic places. I have been fortunate enough to visit Egypt, Turkey, Greece, Russia, China, India, Israel and Thailand.
  I feel truly blessed to have books published; the next, A Winter Baby for Gin Barrel Lane is a follow up to The Children from Gin Barrel Lane and is out on in August 2021, and I'm working on yet another!
  I would like to thank all those who have bought my books and especially those who have taken the time to review them. These reviews are very important to an author so... keep 'em coming please!

Wonders of the Galaxy: A Collection of Cosmic Tales Excerpt Five

Missed Any Excerpts: Excerpt One: https://blossomsandblessings.blogspot.com/2021/08/wonders-of-galaxy-collection-of-cosmic.html Excerpt Two: https://moments-of-beauty.blogspot.com/2021/08/wonders-of-galaxy-collection-of-cosmic.html Excerpt Three: http://montanamade.weebly.com/tell-tale-book-reviews/epic-book-launch-wonders-of-the-galaxy Excerpt Four: https://blissbooksandjewels.com/special-book-feature-excerpt-wonders-of-the-galaxy-a-collection-of-cosmic-tales/ Excerpt Five: http://nannie3.blogspot.com/2021/08/wonders-of-galaxy-collection-of-cosmic.html Excerpt Six: https://hookmeinabook.home.blog/2021/08/26/wonders-of-the-galaxy-a-collection-of-cosmic-tales-epic-book-launch-plus-a-sneak-peek/ Excerpt Seven: artistwriterandstudentohmy.com/posts/wonders-of-the-galaxy-book-excerpt/

Beyond the Tides by Liz Johnson

Megan needed to make some important decisions.  Could she give up what she loved to help her family?  Did she have what it takes to keep her family's lobster fishing business alive?  And what was she going to do about Oliver?  

Oliver had something to prove to himself and yes, to others.  He was determined to make this work. 

The book was easy to enjoy.  It was based in Prince Edwards Island.  It actually made me think of a trip we took to Maine a few years ago.  We went on a lobster boat and was given a short tour of what they do.  It sure isn't easy and you can understand how tired and achy Megan must have felt when she was working on the boat.  In addition, Megan gets sea sick!!!!

Can Megan and Oliver put aside their differences?  

How exciting that this is actually the first book of a new series!  

I received an ebook from Revell to review.  

Biography

By day Liz Johnson works in marketing. She finds time to write late at night and is a Christy Award finalist and a two-time ACFW Carol Award finalist. Liz makes her home in Phoenix, Arizona where she enjoys theater, exploring local history, and doting on her nieces and nephews. She loves stories of true love with happy endings. Find out more about Liz at www.LizJohnsonBooks.com

The Cryptographer's Dilemma

 

Eloise was pulled out of her comfort zone to assist the FBI.  Was she up for the challenge?  

I really enjoyed the book by Johnnie Alexander.  It was quite different than what I usually read.  I love reading about the challenges that women face during the war years.  They not only had to prove that they were up for the challenge but capable of doing the job (or even better than their male counterparts).  

A great story that had you guessing right up to the last page.  I loved it!  

I received this paperback from Barbour Publishing to review.

Hebrews 8:12 (NIV): 12 For I will forgive their wickedness 

         and will remember their sins no more.”

About the Author

Johnnie Alexander creates characters you want to meet and imagines stories you won’t forget in a variety of genres. An award-winning, best-selling novelist, she serves on the executive boards of Serious Writer, Inc. and the Mid-South Christian Writers Conference, co-hosts Writers Chat, and interviews other inspirational authors for Novelists Unwind. Johnnie lives in Oklahoma with Griff, her happy-go-lucky collie, and Rugby, her raccoon-treeing papillon. Connect with her at www.johnnie-alexander.com and other social media sites via https://linktr.ee/johnniealexndr.

The Walnut Creek Wish - Greektown Discoveries Vol. One

 

22 Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

Psalm 55:22 NLT

This book clearly gives an example of GOD and his love for you.  Both Jeff and Rhonda were in emotional and physical turmoil.  Things were not going well for them.  They blamed GOD for not answering their wishes.

GOD patiently waits for however long it takes for us to open our hearts to him.  GOD puts people in our lives for a reason.  Orley and Lois Troyer turned out to be very influential to Jeff and Rhonda.  They knew that when Jeff and Rhonda turned to GOD that they would finally be at peace.  

I enjoyed the storyline and how it turned out.  I won't give it away but GOD does provide.

I received this book from Barbour Publishing as well as from Wanda's Clippity Clop Club to review.

Project Scrooge

 I absolutely love A CHRISTMAS CAROL.  Every year it is a must see during the Christmas season.  This cute novella is based on this classic story.  We are 6 months from Christmas but there are lessons learned from it even in July!!

Forgiveness is not easy for anyone.  When you are hurt by someone, there are scars.  I know.  But the answer is whether or not you allow the scars to heal.  Sanford was going about his life trying to disguise his pain.  The people closest to him knew how much he was suffering and how it negatively spilled over into his life.  

His grandmother and friend were determined to help Sanford reclaim the Christmas Spirit.  Hopefully, Sanford could let go of his anger and see the gifts that GOD set before him not just at Christmas but throughout the year.  

I received this ebook for free from Celebrate Lit to give a honest review.   

About the Book

Can Scrooge find love from a friendship gone cold?

Sanford Stone cut ties with his best friend, Natalie, in favor of the love of his life … a woman who ended up walking out on him just before Christmas. Six years later, Sanford can’t bring himself to celebrate Christ’s birth with any joy. Little does he know, his grandmother and her companions have dubbed him the Scrooge and intend to help him overcome his bitterness and find happiness again.

The only thing that has hurt Natalie Dunivan more than Sanford cutting her out of his life has been watching his long-held grudges slowly destroy the man she has always loved. Together with Ms. Carol, Natalie devises a plan to reach out to Sanford.

Sanford accepts his grandmother’s challenge to celebrate Christmas for 31 straight days, but he didn’t count on her plan involving Natalie. Can his family and friends help their Scrooge see the error of his ways, or will Natalie’s presence only make things worse?

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Besides being an Indie Author, I’m a wife, mother of four, ladies’ Sunday School teacher, sweet tea drinker, history fanatic, romantic, bubbly, lover of broccoli, and a retired cake decorator who has a soft spot for Christmas trees, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

What I’m not is a laundress (or at least not one who keeps up very well), a duster, tall, or patient in a doctor’s office.

 

More from A.M. Heath

Frozen Hot Chocolate Recipes

It’s plenty hot outside but it’s just the right temperature for a tall glass of frozen hot chocolate!

Throughout Project Scrooge, Ms. Carol serves up a new cocoa recipe every day in December. So there was no better way introduce you to the cozy world of Garland, Tennessee and Ms. Carol’s cheery kitchen than by offering you two frozen hot chocolate variations. These are so easy and you likely have the ingredients already in your home.

 

Frozen Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:

¾ cup of milk

3 Tb sugar

2 ½ Tb unsweetened cocoa powder

1 Tb creamy peanut butter

2 cups of ice

 

Frozen Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:

¾ cup of milk

2 Tb sugar

2 ½ Tb unsweetened cocoa powder

1 Tb caramel sauce

pinch of salt

2 cups of ice

 

No matter which recipe you use, the directions are the same.

Directions:

Blend until ice is broken down. Enjoy! Sharing is optional. 😉

 

Which flavor will you try first?

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, July 22

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 23

Simply Susan, July 23

For Him and My Family, July 24

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, July 25

Jeanette’s Thoughts, July 25

Locks, Hooks and Books, July 26

deb’s Book Review, July 27

Kayem Reads, July 27

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 28

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, July 29

Mary Hake, July 29

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, July 30

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, July 31

Vicky Sluiter, July 31

Blossoms and Blessings, August 1

Inklings and notions, August 1

She Lives To Read, August 2

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 3

Cats in the Cradle Blog, August 3

Labor Not in Vain, August 4

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, A.M. is giving away the grand prize package of a paperback copy of Project Scrooge, 1 mug, 3 family sized bags of hot chocolate: Peppermint, Real Deal, and Strawberry!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/1102e/project-scrooge-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Sister-In-Law by Pamela Crane

 

Quite interesting story.  This book is about two women at odds with each other who are related by marriage.  Lane, and his sister, Harper, are very close.  Things change when Lane marries Candace.  

You never knew what was going to happen next as all of their lives became more and more entwined and troubled. Harper and Candace were both suffering from grief.  Instead of pulling together, they were fighting for their lives!!

I enjoyed the book and was more and more surprised as the story progressed.

@williammorrowbooks