Thursday, January 13, 2022

Strength in the Storm

Strength in the Storm Epic Book Launch

About the Book

Book: Strength in the Storm

Author: Laurel Blount

Genre: Amish Romance

Release date: February 22, 2022

In this touching Amish romance, a brokenhearted woman and a steadfast man discover that the safest place to weather tragedy is in each other’s arms.

After the murder of both her parents, Emma Hochstedler returns to the small community of Johns Mill, hoping to resume her quiet existence. Reclaiming her place proves harder than expected—especially now that a movie is being made about her family’s loss. But then, an old friend offers her a lifeline that gives her new purpose.

Amish builder Samuel Christner is the biggest—and the strongest—man in town. In fact, the gentle giant has only one weakness—Emma. Even though she broke his heart, he won’t let his childhood sweetheart face her troubles alone. He hires Emma as a nurse for his elderly aunt…and finds himself falling for her all over again.

But while romance blooms, storm clouds gather. And when darkness falls, it will take all Sam’s strength—and all their love—to see them through.

BOOK EXCERPT

Strength in the Storm Excerpt 3

"Ja, it was." Emma's lips curved at the memory. "It wasn't mine, so I was happy enough to pass it off to her, once Mamm said I could. They're a messy job, the chickens, but Miriam never minded. She knew all the hens' personalities, and she liked to name them after our friends. Mamm fussed about that. She didn't think it sounded kind when Miriam would suggest we stew Mahlon's Betty for supper because she'd started pecking eggs."

Naomi laughed, but Emma's answering smile halted half formed. Her twin brother, Caleb, had laughed, too, and Daed had smothered a smile. Now Mamm and Daed had passed, and Caleb-well, Caleb was lost to them, too.

Naomi stepped fully onto the porch and shut the kitchen door. "Emma," she said, lowering her voice, "I think we should ask Miriam to take the chickens over again. A job like that, something she used to enjoy so much, it might be a way to coax her outside of the house."

Emma shook her head, alarmed. "Not yet, Naomi. Yesterday she couldn't even step out to get the mop you needed, and it was just beside the door on the back steps. She'd never manage to go all the way across the yard, and it would upset her to try. It's all right, truly. I don't mind doing the outside chores until she's better."

Excerpt One: https://carolkeen.blogspot.com/2022/02/strength-in-storm-epic-book-launch.html

Excerpt Two: https://storiesbygina.wordpress.com/2022/02/03/strength-in-the-storm-epic-book-launch/

Excerpt Three: https://nannie3.blogspot.com/2022/01/strength-in-storm.html?m=1

Excerpt Four: https://splashesofjoy.wordpress.com/2022/02/03/strength-in-the-storm-epic-book-launch/

Excerpt Five: https://englishmysteriesblog.blogspot.com/2022/02/strength-in-storm-spotlight-book-tour.html

Excerpt Six: https://coverloverbookreview.blogspot.com/2022/01/strength-in-storm-epic-book-launch.html

Excerpt Seven: https://musingsbymaureen.blogspot.com/2022/02/celebrate-lit-presents-strength-in.html

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Award-winning author Laurel Blount writes inspirational romances full of grit and grace—with characters who’ll walk right off the page and into your heart! She lives on a farm in Georgia with her husband, their four fabulous kids, and an assortment of ridiculously spoiled animals.

A enthusiastic multi-tasker, Laurel writes for both Berkley/Penguin Random House and Love Inspired/Harlequin. She’s the recipient of ACFW’s Carol Award, The New England Reader’s Choice Award and GRW’s Maggie Award. She’s represented by Jessica Alvarez of Bookends Literary Agency.

Strength in the Storm is Laurel’s seventh book—and four more stories are in the works! Stay tuned!

Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Finding Love at Hedgehog Hollow

You never know where life might lead you. Sammie never imagined what was in store for her when she met Thomas, an elderly and grouchy man. This meeting changed her whole life.

It made me think of a time many years ago. I was getting a divorce. Naturally I was upset and felt that I was not ever going to meet anyone that was a keeper. I hoped I would. I prayed I would. Seven years later, when I least expected it, I met the love of my life.

Sammie was in the same situation. She just about gave up on love. Hedgehog Hollow opened the door for Sammie. She learned to love and live again!

Thursday, January 6, 2022

Life Flight by Lynette Eason

What an exciting story! Each chapter had me holding my breath. What more can happen? I loved Penny and her determination to do her job and to do it well. She showed her bravery in the times that she could have easily fall apart. Plus Penny's job as a helicopter pilot is very unique and quite cool!!

I don't want to reveal anything to spoil the book. But there were times, I thought Penny put herself in risky situations when she knew that she was already in danger. I was yelling at her, "No, don't". But she didn't listen to me!

I will continue looking for anything written by Lynette Eason. It was exciting and a page turner.

I received this book to review from Revell Books.

Lynette Eason is the best-selling, award winning author of over fifty books including the Women of Justice series, the Deadly Reunions series, the Hidden Identity series, the Elite Guardians series and the Blue Justice series. She writes for Revell and for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line. Her books have appeared on the CBA, ECPA, and Publisher’s Weekly bestseller lists. She has won several awards including the Carol Award, the IRCC award, the Selah, and the Christian Retailing’s Best 2017 Award. She placed in the top ten in the James Patterson 2016 co-writer contest. The movie, Her Stolen Past, based on Lynette’s novel with the same title, aired February 2, 2018 on the Lifetime Movie Network.

Lynette is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Romance Writers of America (RWA), Mystery Writers of America (MWA), International Thriller Writers (ITW), and Faith, Hope, and Love (FHL) chapter of RWA as well as the Kiss of Death (KOD) chapter. Lynette lives in Simpsonville, South Carolina with her husband and is the mother of two grown (ack! How can that be?) children. She can be found online at www.lynetteeason.com and www.facebook.com/lynette.eason and @lynetteeason on Twitter.

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

A Heart Adrift

I love Williamsburg and the Yorktown area. I have been wanting to visit there again to explore the rich history that it shares with you. I can not thank Laura Frantz enough to give me a taste of what it would be like if I was there in the 1700s. I am quite impressed with the research that was required to write this glorious story of Henri and Esmee'.

I'm from Michigan and we do have lighthouses along with the shores of the Great Lakes. Esmee' desire and eagerness to work the lighthouse was a surprise to me as well as others in the storyline. She wasn't raised to do such a task. She knew that she wanted to do more than carry on her mother's ambition. Esmee' "Heart" was adrift until she found what it desired.

A great book that kept me up until the late hours this week.

I received this book from Revell Reads to review.

#AHeartAdrift

Laura Frantz is a Christy Award winner and the ECPA bestselling author of eleven historical novels, including The Frontiersman’s Daughter, Courting Morrow Little, The Colonel’s Lady, and The Lacemaker. When not reading and writing, she loves to garden, cook, take long walks, and travel. She is the proud mom of an American soldier and a career firefighter. When not at home in Kentucky, she and her husband live in Washington State. Learn more at www.laurafrantz.net.

Thursday, December 23, 2021

TYME AFTER TYME

Time After Tyme Epic Book Launch

About the Book

Time After Tyme is a fun and thought-provoking mystery about secret codes, university intrigue, and two young girls who fancy themselves 21st-century Nancy Drews.

When strange, coded messages turn up in the chapel prayer box at Bellevue University, the minister suspects a recent campus death may have been murder, so he enlists the help of amateur sleuths Kathryn Frasier and Cece Goldman to decipher the codes and solve the mystery. But when a couple of young girls get wind of it, they decide to find the killer on their own. Almost everyone on campus has something to hide, and the story fluctuates between the rational search for the truth by the adults, and the occasionally misguided, but surprisingly perceptive, insight of the children.

Set on the campus of a modern university, Time After Tyme is both a joyful romp through a cozy mystery and a serious look at the search for truth. The book reminds us of the seasons of our lives, from the irrepressible curiosity of youth to the treasured experience of maturity.

BOOK EXCERPT

“Now, what do you want to know?”
I decided to use the element of surprise. You know, throw something out unexpected-like
to see their reaction. I locked my eyes onto her face. “What do you know about Mr. Tyme’s
death?”
Her pale face went completely white, her eyes got big and round, and her spectacles fell
down onto their bungee cord. I guess there’s a first time for everything. She sat straight up in her
chair and moved a few more books around. I thought maybe she was buying time so she
wouldn’t have to answer me. Sometimes when I bother her, she’ll suddenly remember she has
some books to reshelve, but that didn’t happen. She put her glasses back on and looked at me
again. “Mr. Tyme?” Her voice shot up about an octave. “Why are you asking about him?”
“He died. And I’m going to find out what happened.” There. I said it out loud. I thought maybe
she’d scream and run out of the room.

Excerpt One: https://janemouttet.wordpress.com/2022/01/14/epic-book-launch-time-after-tyme/

Excerpt Two: https://moments-of-beauty.blogspot.com/2021/12/epic-book-launch-time-after-tyme-by-kay.html

Excerpt Three: http://www.simpleharvestreads.com/posts/time-after-tyme-epic-book-launch/

Excerpt Four: https://nannie3.blogspot.com/2021/12/after-tyme-epic-book-launch-about-book.html

Excerpt Five: https://splashesofjoy.wordpress.com/2021/12/22/time-after-tyme-epic-book-launch/

Excerpt Six: https://musingsbymaureen.blogspot.com/2022/01/celebrate-lit-presents-time-after-tyle.html

Excerpt Seven: https://www.artistwriterandstudentohmy.com/posts/time-after-tyme-book-excerpt/

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kay DiBianca is an award-winning author who loves to create literary puzzles in the mystery genre for her readers to solve. Her characters come to life as they struggle to solve murders and create relationships amidst the ongoing themes of faith and family. Her first novel, The Watch on the Fencepost, won an Illumination Award for General Fiction and an Eric Hoffer Award for Mystery. The second book in the Watch series, Dead Man’s Watch, was a Silver Falchion Award finalist.

Kay is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, Sisters in Crime, and the Collierville Christian Writers Group. An avid runner, she can often be found at a nearby track, on the treadmill, or at a large park near her home. Her background in software development fuels her fascination with puzzles and mysteries, and her dedication to running helps supply the endurance and energy she needs to write about them.

Kay and her husband, Frank, live, run, and write in Memphis, Tennessee. You can connect with Kay through her website at https://kaydibianca.com.

Monday, December 20, 2021

Snowflakes Over The Starfish Cafe

Isaiah 41:10. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Hollie and Jake. Two people who were shaped by fear. Everyone has something in their lives that we are afraid of. Some can not let it go. Others learn a way to deal with it and move forward.

I, for one, felt that I had no choice but to move forward. Hollie's Mom left her a precious gift. She gave her the permission to move forward, to dance. But will Hollie listen?

I really enjoyed the book. It expressed the importance of friends. Friends are family even a dog named Pickles can be a valued family member.

#loveBoldwoodBooks

Pick up a copy and give it a read during the holiday season!!

JESSICA REDLAND

Jessica Redland writes emotional but uplifting stories of love, friendship, family and community. Her Whitsborough Bay books transport readers to the stunning North Yorkshire Coast where she lives with her husband, daughter and sprocker spaniel. Her Hedgehog Hollow series, set in a hedgehog rescue centre, takes readers into the beautiful rolling countryside of the Yorkshire Wolds.

Saturday, December 11, 2021

Jody Hedlund- Entwined

Pretty cold outside. Perfect weather to start the continuing adventure of a series written by Jody Hedlund. I always am excited to get my hands on one of her books. I have to support a fellow Michigander.

This book- Entwined- takes me to movies such as Labryth. It is a fantasy story with characters that are strong and true. Loyal to a fault, Sir Ansgar must find a way to save the King. He will do what he must. Even if it costs him his life.

Is there anyone like this out there anymore? Who goes out on the limb for anyone despite the cost? The first I thought of was the police and firefighters. They risk their lives to help save others. They sure don't receive many thanks for their efforts. They don't get paid a huge amount. So why do they do it?

This book really took me on an adventure. I was captivated by Lis and Ansgar. They were a couple ENTWINED together.

*****

I received this ebook as I am a member of the Jody Hedlund bookclub. It's a great way to get to know her, enter contests and become influencers of her new releases. Check it out on Facebook:

JODY HEDLUND is a bestselling and award-winning author who loves fairy tales and happily-ever-afters. She makes her home in Midland, MI, with her husband and five children. When she's not writing another of her page-turning stories, you can usually find her sipping coffee, eating chocolate, and reading.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/jodyhedlundsreaderroom/?ref=share

Saturday, December 4, 2021

Protecting Annie

I am with you; do not be anxious: I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. ~Isaiah 41:10 (NAB) the Book

A sweet story with a very important message. GOD is with you always. In bad times, we need to hold on to get us through. In good times, we need to give thanks and acknowledging GOD'S blessings.

Annie had no friends or family. She thought she was alone. Josh carried a terrible burden. His guilt was eating him up. GOD was waiting patiently for them to acknowledge his presence.

I was divorced and felt so alone. I was embarrassed and felt angry that this could happen to me. During this time, I can remember feeling that GOD let me down. It didn't take long for me to know that GOD was there and he gave me the strength and courage to carry on. I was never alone. He didn't let me down. He was there carrying me and holding me up the entire time.

The Story had some unexpected twists and turns. How could you not love Wolf, the dog? Wolf wasn't the beast he was made out to be.

I received this ebook from Celebrate Lit to review.

Book: Protecting Annie

Author: Jodie Wolfe

Genre: Western Historical Romance

Release date: November 12, 2021

9781522303558 After twenty years living along the trail as a deputy U.S. Marshal, Joshua Walker takes a job as sheriff in Burrton Springs, Kansas so he can be closer to his sister. Only problem is, she no longer requires his protecting.

After the death of her father, Annie McPherson needs a change. She accepts a position as schoolmarm hoping her past won’t catch up with her. Life is good, except for the pesky lawman who creates confrontations at every turn and continually questions her ability to adjust to life in the west.

When the irritating schoolteacher’s past and present collide, dragging Josh into the turmoil, he has to decide who he’s willing to defend.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Jodie Wolfe creates novels where hope and quirky meet. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Faith, Hope & Love Christian Writers, and COMPEL Training. She’s been a semi-finalist and finalist in various writing contests. A former columnist for Home School Enrichment magazine, her articles can be found online at: Crosswalk, Christian Devotions, and Heirloom Audio. When not writing she enjoys spending time with her husband in Pennsylvania, reading, walking, and being a Grammie. Learn more at www.jodiewolfe.com.

More from Jodie

I’ve always been fond of reading mail-order bride books. Not that I would have ever had the courage to do something so brave. 🙂 But it’s fun writing and reading them. I also love perusing historical journal entries of women who decided to marry a complete stranger. Sometimes it worked out great, other times, not so much. In most cases, the heroine traveled across country to arrive in the west to meet her potential groom. Often they had no idea what each other looked like before they met for the first time. Not that looks matter.

At times the woman was given the opportunity to get to know the fella for a while before they actually married. Other times, they tied the knot as soon as the potential wife arrived at their destination. Some women fled desperate situations in the east, hoping for a better outcome only to find themselves embroiled in another bad position. All of the different scenarios I’ve read about helped to prime the pump for Protecting Annie.

In book one of my Burrton Springs Brides series, Taming Julia, I had the heroine’s brother, Josh set Jules (Julia) up as a mail-order bride. As I was writing that story, I knew it would be fun to change things up in book two and have Jules return the favor by ordering a mail-order bride for Josh. That’s the premise for this new story. Josh isn’t exactly thrilled to learn of his sister’s interference in his life and decision to remain single.

I hope you’ll enjoy the story of two unlikely people who are thrown together.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 30

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 30

Texas Book-aholic, December 1

Inklings and notions, December 2

For Him and My Family, December 3

deb’s Book Review, December 4

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, December 5

Jeanette’s Thoughts, December 5

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 6

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, December 7

Bizwings Blog, December 7

Connie’s History Classroom, December 8

Mary Hake, December 8

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, December 9

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, December 10

Stephanie’s life of Determination, December 10

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, December 11

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 12

Vicky Sluiter, December 12

Labor Not in Vain, December 13

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jodie is giving away the grand prize of an audio CD of 12 historical novels and novellas. Stories of chivalry, adventure and romance!!

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/13cfe/protecting-annie-celebration-tour-giveaway

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Behind Love's Wall

Negative thoughts can become a reality. The more we think negative, the more it becomes true.

I am from Michigan. One of our favorite places to go on vacation is Mackinac Island. Reading this book was taking me on that vacation. I was staying at The Grand Hotel without leaving my home. I could picture the places that Carrie Fancett Pagels wrote about. Her research was spot on.

Lily and Willa lived in different centuries but shared similarities. They both were guarded and had secrets. Both were afraid that if their secrets came out it could change everything they knew and loved.

I loved the book. It had intrigue, romance and so much more!! This book is part of a series called Doors To The Past. This book invited me in that door and gave me a chance to visit this wonderful part of Michigan once again.

I received this book from Celebrate Lit and Barbour Books to review.

About the Book

Book: Behind Love’s Wall

Author: Carrie Fancett Pagels

Genre: FICTION/ Christian/Romance

Release date: November 1, 2021

9781636090696 (2) Two successful women, a hundred-and-twenty-years apart, build walls to protect their hearts. Modern-day Willa, a successful interior decorator, is chosen to consult for the Grand Hotel’s possible redesign. She discovers a journal detailing the struggles of a young woman, Lily—which reveals dark secrets. The renowned singer wasn’t who she pretended to be. As Willa reaches out to Lily’s descendant, a charismatic and prominent landscape artist, she lets down her guard. Should she share the journal with him, or once again erect a wall as she struggles to redesign both the Grand and her life?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

ECPA-bestselling author Carrie Fancett Pagels, Ph.D., is the award-winning author of over a dozen Christian historical romances. Twenty-five years as a psychologist didn’t “cure” her overactive imagination! A self-professed “history geek,” she resides with her family in the Historic Triangle of Virginia but grew up as a “Yooper” in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Carrie loves to read, bake, bead, and travel – but not all at the same time! You can connect with her at www.CarrieFancettPagels.com.

More from Carrie

Why I Wrote This Novel

I got a chance to write another novel set on Mackinac Island!!!

I’m the author of over twenty published stories. I have many books, both novel and novella length, set at the Straits of Mackinac including Maggie Award winner and Romantic Times Top Pick My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island. In the summer, I go up to the area and I’m blessed to sign books at the Island Bookstore—sometimes hundreds of books which is such an amazing thing I can’t tell you! Now that MHBoMI is out of print, Barbour has been helping by doing limited print runs for while I am up there.

My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island was originally part of a full series that I pitched but it didn’t get picked up for all three stories. MHBoMI got picked up as part of the My Heart Belongs series that Barbour put out a few years ago. The second book in my original Brides of Mackinac series was heroine Sadie’s story, which was published as a novella “His Anchor” in First Love Forever collection. So I had two of my book babies delivered out into the world and Lily’s story sat there for a while.

In the Covid summer of 2020, I arrived in my home state of Michigan and over dinner with a close friend I learned that the folks at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island were having legal trouble with their previous long-time designed Carlton Varney suing them. I’d been disappointed that the Mussers, who’d owned the Grand for generations, had sold the hotel but this new development really bugged me. While I was in the Upper Peninsula, I finished an Indy book, Dogwood Plantation, which only figures since I often write my Michigan stories while I am in Virginia and vice versa! I knew the only other book I wanted to work on was to complete my Brides of Mackinac trilogy (not exactly since they aren’t all in one series!) with Lily’s story. I also had a manuscript about 70% done that was my very first contemporary Women’s Fiction novel. When my agent encouraged me to submit a Mackinac Island story set at the Grand Hotel to Barbour’s Doors to the Past series, I knew immediately that the only story for historical I wanted to write was Lily’s. That meant that I needed, for this dual-timeline series, a contemporary story. That wasn’t just a chance sharing at dinner—I believe the info about the lawsuit was meant to be passed on to me one of those God-incidences. My modern-day heroine then became an established resort designer who had a trunkful of issues just like Lily did.

Was I ever glad that I had finally written my first contemporary Women’s Fiction (Butterfly Cottage) because that skill set came in very handy in writing the modern-day 2020 story of Willa in Behind Love’s Wall! This was the most difficult novel to write that I have done so far as I write in character and going back and forth between the 1895 and 2020 timelines could be draining. I tried to write each character and setting on separate days but that couldn’t always be managed.

I pray that this story will touch readers’ hearts. I pray that someone, like the young waitress I meant on Mackinac Island who had been spiritually moved by My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island (she read her grandmother’s copy after her grandma passed away!), will read this book and feel that connection to our Maker. That’s what Christian Fiction is all about!