Anything But Plain

Lydie felt she didn't belong.  She was told that she was different. But she learned later that being different is ok.

Lydie and Nathan were trying to find their way.  Both were not sure if staying in Stoney Ridge was possible.  Both lacked confidence.  

It only takes one kind word to change your outlook.  A pat on a back or an acknowledgement can change your life.  Lydie was lucky to have her Aunt.   She made a difference.  Nathan had the support of the community.  

I received this book from Celebrate Lit to review.  

I enjoyed revisiting some characters from earlier books.  This book was ANYTHING BUT PLAIN.  

Jeremiah 1:4-5 “Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

About the Book

Book: Anything But Plain

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Genre: Amish fiction

Release date: October 4, 2022

It’s not easy being the bishop’s daughter, especially for Lydie Stoltzfus. She’s not like other Amish girls, as much as she wishes she were. The only thing she does well is disappoint others. Leaving her family and church seems unbearable, but staying might be worse.

Knowing Lydie is “between” jobs, the local doctor asks her to fill in at the front desk for a few months. To Lydie, this is a boon. It gives her time to figure out how she’s going to say goodbye to her neighbor, Nathan Yoder–the main reason she needs to leave Stoney Ridge. Nathan claims he’s in love with her, but she knows she’s not good enough for him. If in doubt, Nathan’s father reminds her frequently.

As Dok spends time with Lydie, she recognizes symptoms of an uncommon disorder among the Amish. She offers treatment for Lydie. But will it be enough to make her stay? Or has help come too late?

 

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Suzanne Woods Fisher is a Christy finalist, a Carol Award winner, a two-time ECPA Book of the Year finalist, and the Publishers Weekly, ECPA, CBA, bestselling author of more than thirty books. Her genres include contemporary and historical romances, Amish romance, and women’s fiction. She and her husband live in a small town in California, where everyone knows everyone else, knows what they are doing and why. Most folks act a little nervous around Suzanne because they usually wind up in one of her novels. She has four grown children and enough grandchildren to keep her young. Visit Suzanne at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com

One of the takeaway lessons of this book is to “walk the beans” of technology’s role in my life. So…I’ve been working on a few strategies. When I practice, I see a difference. Life is calmer. More manageable.

So…I wanted to pass these tips along to you. (If you have little children, these might not work for you. Not when your little ones are awake, anyway.) Hopefully, you’ll find them to be useful, and maybe spark some strategies of your own.

• Make a plan. I start the day with an index card and write down the day’s priorities. And I check off tasks as I finish them!
• Go off-line. Create an environment that helps you stay focused. Turn your cell phone to silent. If working on the computer, close your email app. Put yourself in distraction-free mode until you’re accomplished what you need to do
• Finish one task before moving on to the next. Even little tasks.
• Distractibility is at its peak during transitions. Build in margin. For example, arrive a few minutes early instead of rushing in a few minutes late.
• When distractions are high, make tasks smaller and break down your large projects into smaller tasks to help you concentrate and give you a sense of accomplishment and progress.
• When I’m facing a big task, I’ll break it down into smaller, more manageable pieces.
• Set a deadline for a task. Beat the clock! Use a timer.
• Rewards! When I beat the clock, I’ll take a break from computer work and pop up to the garden, text a friend, walk the dog. Something that feels good.

• Blog Stops

  The Avid Reader, October 7

  Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, October 7

  She Lives To Read, October 8

  The Write Escape, October 8

  Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 9

  Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 9

  Vicky Sluiter, October 9

  lakesidelivingsite, October 10

  Texas Book-aholic, October 10

  Lighthouse-Academy, October 11

  Simple Harvest Reads, October 11 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

  Locks, Hooks and Books, October 11

  Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 12

  Inklings and notions, October 12

  Southern Gal Loves to Read, October 12

  Library Lady’s Kid Lit, October 13

  Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 13

  Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 14

  Blogging With Carol, October 14

  Elly Gilbert, October 14

  deb’s Book Review, October 15

For Him and My Family, October 15

Holly’s Book Corner, October 15

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, October 16

Jeanette’s Thoughts, October 16

Splashes of Joy, October 16

Empowermoms, October 17

SusanLovesBooks, October 17

Mary Hake, October 17

Bigreadersite, October 18

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, October 18

Blossoms and Blessings, October 18

                                             Cats in the Cradle Blog, October 19

Pause for Tales, October 19

Spoken from the Heart, October 19

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, October 20

Cover Lover Book Review, October 20

The Adventures of a Travelers Wife, October 20

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

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/21e05/anything-but-plain-celebration-tour-giveaway

Body of Evidence

Grace thought she was safe especially in rural Missouri.  But she was wrong.  Nate thought he could protect her.  Was he wrong?

I picked up this ebook and read it in one night.  I loved the characters.  I knew them from reading an earlier book in the series called The Code of Honor.  This Book Three.

A mystery that is bound to surprise you at the end.  I was.  I won't give it away.  You have to pick this up.  Entertaining.  

I received this from netgalley to review.

Irene Hannon-

Award winning author, Irene Hannon is well-known for writing romantic-suspense novels that leave readers on the edge of their seats. She has more than 50 romantic suspense and contemporary romance women’s fiction novels. She is a seven-time finalist & three-time winner of the RITA award as well as the Daphne du Maurier award, a Carol award, three HOLT Medallions, a National Readers’ Choice Award, a Retailers Choice Award, a Booksellers’ Best Award and two Reviewers’ Choice awards from 'RT Book Reviews' magazine.

Irene holds a B.A. in psychology and an M.A. in journalism, juggled two careers for many years until she gave up her executive corporate communications position with a Fortune 500 company to write full time.

Favorite Verse: Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.

The Me I See In You

 

The Me I See in You Epic Book Launch

About the Book

Book: The Me I See in You

Author: Angeles Echols

Genre: Inspirational Nonfiction

Release date: November 7, 2022

Take a peek into the eyes of our future…and be encouraged.The Me I See in You is a testament of the commitment, dedicated educators and caring communities have in changing the trajectory of young lives. In it, you’ll meet graduates with incredible stories and extraordinary outcomes, thanks to the academic, emotional, and social resources provided by EYM and a caring core base of teachers, mentors, family, friends, funders, and the EYM board of directors.“When asked what I see on the horizon for our youth, I see in my youth the essence of what it is “to be human,” to dream, do the work, to love, and forgive with grace. Through tears, triumphs, disappointments, successes, failures, inequities, biases and racism, I see a world full of hope because our youth with guidance and support will not waiver. They will continue to strive to be and share their best selves with unlimited potential.I think not only of these former students but each child that has come across my path and the me I see in each of them!” –Angeles EcholsYvette, a little chocolate beauty who was once teased, but now with an MD and Master's degree, is a role model for young Black women and girls.LaShia, who rolled her neck and eyes at me and adamantly told us what she was and was not going to do at EYM... I smiled and asked her mom to leave the room. (What was said in that room, we will never tell)Todd, who sat at my desk and reviewed EYM’s online programming, discovered flaws, said “Don’t cry, Ms. Echols, I can fix this,” and built EYM’s online interactive platform, Access/No Excuse (ANE).Adam, who built the teacher/student online tutorial component of (ANE) while attending Cal Tech and teaching at EYM part-time.Ashley, whogave me a hug and said, “Take my credit card and get what you need for EYM. I will bring my team and design the landscape for EYM.” Shot during a drive-by, she’s forgiving and, refuses to be bitter.Rob, seeking that street credit as a teen, now a film producer and director, reminds me frequently that EYM saved his life. I then remind him that he saved himself, with God’s grace and the support of his family and village!Themba, reminds me that the potential of an EYM graduate is without boundaries. Never giving up or giving in, he passed the California State Bar and continued to reach back to help others, producing the first EYM golf tournament!Suha,a gentle soft spoken EYM graduate,now in Medical School, who became a tutor at EYM and quietly showered me with love and encouragement as an adult.When you look upon a child whose eyes have already begun to dim due to deferred hope don’t speculate on how long it will take before the light is completely extinguished—find a way to set it ablaze.

BOOK EXCERPT

The Me I See In You Excerpt 6

Some came with attitudes and complaints because they did not want to come until it was time for their child to go home, others came with a hug, patience and a thank you. But everyone came with a meal and waited in their cars. Eventually, everyone learned to come with patience, grace, and love, determined to see their child succeed, and when they did, word spread. EYM continued to grow by word of mouth. Mentored, and disciplined academically and emotionally, students were taught to respect themselves and one another. The expensive rent in Korea Town was challenging but it was a safe place for my students. Eventually we realized no one wanted us there. The rent continued to increase for EYM as other tenants entered the building paying much less. 

Again, my faith anchored in prayer, with grace and commitment, the next EYM location on Crenshaw, formerly known as the Sojourner Truth Industrial Club…. became our home. My church, FAME AME became our landlord and one of our biggest supporters under the direction of Pastor J. Edgar Boyd.

So, for more than thirty years, EYM has been a consistent beacon of light and continuity for so many families in need. Fully engaged and with total dedication, I have taught, designed programs, provided resources, and nurtured collaborations needed to shape human destiny without compromising my own. Finding success, love, and peace in both business and at home with my husband Richard and strengthening my relationship with God, have proven to be my greatest accomplishments.

With the support and guidance of EYM’s executive board and staff, the intelligent, talented, compassionate young men, and women you are going to meet were encouraged to dream without reserve, to do the work with commitment and purpose, and to have faith without apology, embarrassment, or shame.

Excerpt One: https://travelerswife4life.com/the-me-i-see-in-you/

Excerpt Two: https://janemouttet.wordpress.com/2022/10/19/the-me-i-see-in-you-epic-book-launch-excerpt/

Excerpt Three: https://www.artistwriterandstudentohmy.com/posts/the-me-i-see-in-you-epic-book-launch-excerpt/

Excerpt Four: https://guildmaster97.wordpress.com/2022/10/20/the-me-i-see-in-you-epic-book-launch-excerpt/

Excerpt Five: https://catsinthecradle.blog/2022/10/17/the-me-i-see-in-you-epic-book-launch/

Excerpt Six: https://nannie3.blogspot.com/2022/10/the-me-i-see-in-you.html

Excerpt Seven: https://splashesofjoy.wordpress.com/2022/10/05/the-me-i-see-in-you-by-angeles-echols-epic-book-launch/

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Angeles LaRose Patricia Echols was born in Memphis, Tennessee. She graduated from Cornell University, where she earned her B.A. in psychology, with an emphasis in child development and human behavior. While attending Cornell, Angeles discovered a love for the arts and teaching. In Ithaca’s downtown community centers and in the local Baptist church. After much prayer and soul searching, the path was chosen for her. She would become an advocate for children: an educator and mentor, empowering children, parents, and families.

​​

Angeles founded Educating Young Minds Tutorial Program, reaching at-risk children and their families, channeling their energies toward achieving excellence. She accomplished this by linking high expectations with socio-academic improvement, proven teaching and learning strategies and activities for students with varied needs, skills and abilities.

The truest testament to Angeles’ work is the young men and women who graduate from EYM, succeed at college, and then return to their communities as role models and as leaders.

Her new book, "The Me I See In You" highlights some of the students that have graduated from EYM, accomplished many of their academic and professional goals and have come back to support EYM in various ways. You will be encouraged by their stories.

​

This is not Angeles Echols' first foray into writing. She is the author of interactive bio- Ray Charles, The Man. The Music, The Legacy (commissioned by the Ray Charles Foundation).

Angeles lives in California with her husband. When she is not running her business or writing, Angeles travels with her husband. 

The Bride of Blackfriars Lane

 Don't you just love a fiesty woman who is the main character?  Kit is pretty fiesty.  Has Jackson met his match?  Or is she more than even he can handle?

Jackson and Kit are like "chalk and cheese", different in so many ways.  They both have the special ability to solve crimes even though their methods may be different.

I enjoyed the banter between the two.  I'm sure their marriage would be anything but dull.  I can just imagine all the adventures they would find themselves in. 

I recommend this book to any reader that loves a mystery, a love story and anything based in Victorian times.

I received this free from Celebrate Lit to review.

About the Book

Book: The Bride of Blackfriars Lane

Author: Michelle Griep

Genre: Christian/Romance/Historical

Release date: September, 2022

Detective Jackson Forge can hardly wait to marry the street-sly swindler who’s turned his life upside down. Kit Turner is equally excited to wed the handsome detective, and what better way to show her love than providing him with a gift any man of the law would love? She determines to bring to justice the men who years ago maimed his brother—despite Jackson’s warning to leave the past in the past. As she digs into the mystery of what happened, she unwittingly tumbles into her own history and endangers her future happiness with Jackson.

 

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She is the Christy Award-winning author of historical romances: A Tale of Two Hearts, The Captured Bride, The Innkeeper’s Daughter, 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, The Captive Heart, Brentwood’s Ward, A Heart Deceived, and Gallimore, but also leaped the historical fence into the realm of contemporary with the zany romantic mystery Out of the Frying Pan. If you’d like to keep up with her escapades, find her at www.michellegriep.com or stalk her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

And guess what? She loves to hear from readers! Feel free to drop her a note at michellegriep@gmail.com.

More from Michelle

A Visit to Borough Market

Whenever I skip across the pond, I make it a point to stop at the Borough Market for some great meals. This area was—and is—a popular place to shop and an absolute must-see for food lovers. From grocers, fishmongers, cheese sellers, and butchers to all kinds of ethnic eats, it’s hard not to want to sample everything. My personal favorite are the buddha bowls.

Believe it or not, Borough market has been in operation for the past thousand years. Yes, you read that correctly. It actually began as a bridge, constructed in 990. But let’s fast forward to the Victorian era, shall we?

 

In the nineteenth century, a railway viaduct was constructed through the middle of the market, which brought in more people—but also brought in more noise, soot, disruption, and crime. In such a hotbed of activity, it’s easy to imagine cutpurses and pickpockets of all sorts.

And that’s the perfect scene for a certain con-artist turned investigator to meet with an informant. In The Bride of Blackfriars Lane, Kit Turner is up to her old shenanigans, much to Jackson’s chagrin. You can visit Borough Market along with her in this wild ride through Victorian London. It’s just one of the many stops in a city that never gets old.

Blog Stop

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, September 27

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 27

Life of Literature, September 27

All-of-a-kind Mom, September 27

Texas Book-aholic, September 28

Book Looks by Lisa, September 28

Bigreadersite, September 28

Betti Mace, September 29

Genesis 5020, September 29

Remembrancy, September 29

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 30

Christina’s Corner, September 30

A Baker’s Perspective, September 30

She Lives to Read, October 1

Inklings and notions, October 1

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 1

For Him and My Family, October 2

Blogging With Carol, October 2

Daysong Reflections, October 2

Hallie Reads, October 2

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, October 3 (Author Interview)

Where Faith and Books Meet, October 3

deb’s Book Review, October 3

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 4

Jeanette’s Thoughts, October 4

Holly’s Book Corner, October 4

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, October 5

Bizwings Blog, October 5

Back Porch Reads, October 5

Connie’s History Classroom, October 6

Books I’ve Read, October 6

Blossoms and Blessings, October 6

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 7

Splashes of Joy, October 7

Simple Harvest Reads, October 7 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

The Write Escape, October 8

Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 8

Vicky Sluiter, October 8

Through the Fire Blogs, October 8

Pause for Tales, October 9

Cover Lover Book Review, October 9

Labor Not in Vain, October 9

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, October 10

Melissa’s Bookshelf, October 10

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, October 10

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, October 10

Giveaway

 

To celebrate her tour, Michelle is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon e-gift card and a copy of The Bride of Blackfriars Lane!!

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/21aab/the-bride-of-blackfriars-lane-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Soldier's Daughter

I have a love for historical books.  If it is based in Great Britain, I love it even more.  I was thrilled getting the ability to read this book by Annemarie Brear.

Sophie was willing to give up her happiness for others.  She was the Soldier's Daughter.  She was determined to carry on through the toughest time. 

I really enjoyed the story.  I thought Sophie made a few poor decisions that nearly cost her her life.  

I recommend the book.  It was a page turner.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

AnneMarie Brear was born in a small town in N.S.W. Australia, to English parents from Yorkshire, and is the youngest of five children. From an early age she loved reading, working her way through the Enid Blyton stories, before moving onto Catherine Cookson’s novels as a teenager. 

   Living in England during the 1980s and more recently, AnneMarie developed a love of history from visiting grand old English houses and this grew into a fascination with what may have happened behind their walls over their long existence. 

   Her enjoyment of visiting old country estates and castles when travelling and, her interest in genealogy and researching her family tree, has been put to good use, providing backgrounds and names for her historical novels which are mainly set in Yorkshire or Australia between Victorian times and WWII. 

   A long and winding road to publication led to her first novel being published in 2006. She has now published over twenty-seven historical family saga novels, becoming an Amazon UK best seller and with her novel, The Slum Angel, winning a gold medal at the USA Reader's Favourite International Awards in 2019, and a silver medal for The Market Stall Girl in 2021. Two of her books have been nominated for the Romance Writer’s Australia Ruby Award and the In’dtale Magazine Rone award.

AnneMarie now lives in the Southern Highlands of N.S.W. Australia with her husband and her family.

AnneMarie Brear

aka Anne Brear

Annemarie Brear is an author of historical women's fiction and several short stories.

Genres: 

 

Love & Cherish

This is a continuation story of an Amish family adjusting to all the changes in their lives.

It is clear that an Amish family has the same struggles that an Englisher has.  Cherish is adjusting to her new marriage with Malachi.  She was so focused on being his wife that she didn't think how much she would miss her family.

Her sister, Sadie, is trying to adjust living with her in-laws.  She is at wits' end on what to do.  How much longer can she tolerate her living conditions?

I think it is important to read the books in order as you get to know the characters.  I didn't but I was able to catch on.  Samantha Price always ends her book with you wanting more.   The book is quite enjoyable.  I love this series.  

I received this ebook from the author to review.

Samantha Price is a USA Today bestselling author of Amish romance books and cozy mysteries. She was raised Brethren and has a deep affinity for the Amish way of life, which she has explored extensively with over a decade of research.
She is mother to two pampered rescue cats and a very spoiled staffy with separation issues.