12 Days at Bleakly Manor by Michelle Griep

The cover made me think of Charles Dickens type of stories.  So I was excited to read this Christmas tale of intrigue, love and murder.  It was a delight to read and I was not disappointed.  It left me guessing and surprised by the ending.

Things aren't always what they seem.
 Clara and the guests of Bleakly Manor
all wanted something and they believed that staying at the Manor would grant them their wishes.

 Christmas at Bleakly Manor gave them much more than what they wished for.

I loved taking a step back in time reading this book.  Michelle Griep gave me an early Christmas gift.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Colors of Christmas by Olivia Newport

Loss is difficult at anytime of the year but at Christmas it is extremely so.  These stories are examples of how our faith guides us through these moments and makes us stronger.

The book includes two stories. Both are about loss but also about helping others.  While helping others, you are healing yourself.

The first story is how Astrid  could have drowned in her loss but saw someone in need and reached out.

The second is about loss but also how you can heal through honoring the one you lost.

GOD is a healer.  He never leaves our side.  He is with us every step of the way.  He hears our cries.  He hears our prayers.

I enjoyed these two Christmas stories even though they are not typical Christmas stories.

I received this book for free to review.

Giveaway:

https://promosimple.com/ps/c319

About the Author

Olivia Newport’s novels twist through time to find where faith and passions meet. Her husband and twentysomething children provide welcome distraction from the people stomping through her head on their way into her books. She chases joy in stunning Colorado at the foot of the Rockies, where daylilies grow as tall as she is.

Straight Flies The Arrow by Sydney Tooman Betts

I have never read anything of this type.  I really didn't know what to expect.  I was blown away by the historical richness in the book and how the author added so much detail in each and every page.  I fell in love with this story and the characters who came to life to me through her words. How heart wrenching  was when the men went to battle and the women were preparing  what to do if they don't return.  Can you even imagine? -the grief they must have felt.

 Thank you, Sydney Tooman Betts, for adding Biblical readings at the end of each chapter.  It was a treasure to read this.

The Blessing I take with me after finishing the last page:
Trust In GOD with All Your Heart.  He Is there with you at all times.  He knows The plans He has for you.  

A rich and beautiful story.


I received this free to review.

About the Author

Sydney Tooman Betts and her protagonist-husband currently reside near the extensive cavern system that inspired the setting for several early chapters of this book.

While single, Ms. Betts (B.S. Bible/Missiology, M.Ed) was involved in a variety of cross-cultural adventures in North and Central America. After marrying, she and her husband lived in Europe and the Middle East where he served in various mission-support capacities. Her teaching experiences span preschool to guest lecturing at the graduate level and serving as the Sunday School Superintendent, Children’s Church Director, or Women’s Ministries facilitator in several evangelical denominations.

Before penning her first novel, A River too Deep, she ghost-wrote several stories for an adult literacy program.

GIVEAWAY

To celebrate her tour, Sydney is giving away a $25 Amazon gift card and a signed, soft-back set of The People of the Book trilogy!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!https://promosimple.com/ps/c202

Merry & Bright by Debbie Macomber

New book by Debbie Macomber...I'm in!! I look forward to every one of her books and I have never been disappointed. Her Christmas theme books are delightful and this one delivered.

How could you not love a character whose name is Merry and be based at Christmas time? Then you add a character whose last name is Bright... match made in heaven, right? Well, maybe, not.

I recommend this book for an enjoyable adventure of love and discovery. Merry and Jay learn the true meaning of the holiday season and the gift of giving to not only each other but to others.

My Heart Belongs in Shenandoah Valley- Lily's Dilemma by Andrea Boeshaar

I love everything historical and this looked just what I would love to read.  I was right.  This brought me back to the vacations I had to Williamsburg, Yorktown, Boston and Greenfield Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.

This story had romance, intrigue, a villian, a hero and a lady in distress.  Lily was strong and determined.  She was responsible to save her family.  They relied on her to make the right decisions.  She had to fight for those she loved.  She knew what her heart was telling her but was it safe to listen?

I was lost in 1816 and I was in no hurry to escape this sweet tale.  I have never read any of the My Heart Belong series.  I need to look for more.  I received this free to review.

Waiting For Butterflies - Karen Sargent

What a beautiful story!  I can't begin to tell you how this book touched me.  I just put it down but it's message will stay with me forever.  

It appears that Sam and Maggie have it all.  But one accident changed everything.  Can life ever be the same again?  What needs to happen so the family can heal?  With forgiveness comes healing.....

What an appropriate title- WAITING FOR BUTTERFLIES 

Butterflies represent new life-rebirth.  This is the journey that Sam, Rachel and Olivia must take to navigate their "new" normal without Maggie.  Maggie can not be set free as a butterfly until she knows her family will be ok.

The characters in this book became so real to me.  This shows how well Karen Sargent wrote this book.  

So thankful that I was given this to read for free for a review.  Very emotional and touching story.  

About the Author

Karen Sargent creates characters whose imperfect faith collides with real-life conflicts, taking readers on a journey through grace and redemption to discover enduring hope. A romantic element is woven within each story. In addition to writing inspirational novels, she blogs at The MOM Journey…where moms aren’t perfect and that’s perfectly okay. Her writing has been featured in Guidepost’s Angels on Earth magazine and on ForEveryMom.com. When she is not writing, she teaches high school and college English in the beautiful Arcadia Valley where she resides with her husband and two daughters. Visit her at KarenSargentBooks.com.

Promotion Giveaway - https://promosimple.com/ps/bef1

The Beloved Christmas Quilt

I received this free to review.  I was thrilled to get this and held on to it for a few weeks as I knew that it would be a fast read and an enjoyable one.  It was and I can't wait to share this with my Mom.  This was written by Wanda Brunstetter, her daughter-in-law, Jean Brunstetter and her granddaughter, Rochelle Brunstetter.  A family collaboration.  Wonderful job to connect the three stories.

I loved that the stories were three generations of the same family.  It shows that life goes on.  Everyone has trials and tribulations but God will get us through those tough times.  GOD does hear our prayers.

Every family has traditions or heirlooms of some kind or another.  I wear the wedding ring of my maternal grandmother.  She gave it to my Mom and my Mom gave it to me to wear.  I treasure it.  One day I'll pass this on to my daughter.  I wear it in her memory. She had her own trials and tribulations.  She survived World War II.  She immigrated to America from England on The Queen Mary in the 1950s.  Her strength was passed on to my Mom.

I look forward to seeing if these very talented ladies write together again.  Thank you for the early Christmas gift.

ALL SHE LEFT BEHIND by Jane Kirkpatrick

What a wonderful read!  I took the step back in time and was part of Jennie's world.  I cried when she cried.  I cheered when she conquered her fears.

She had dreams and desires.  She felt insecure and had guilt.  She sounds like so many wives and mothers I have met.  She felt responsible for her husband and son's misdeeds when she had nothing to do with them.

Jennie suffered a tragedy.  But with this tragedy, she was given the gift of renewal.  She was given the chance for making her dreams come true.

I was finishing this book late at night.  I didn't want to put it down.  And as I was turning the page....I turned to my husband and said " I'm not liking this".  I was quite surprised at the ending.

Wonderful story.  I had no idea that this was based on a real woman.  So interesting.

 I received this free to review.

Chief of Sinners by Caryl McAdoo

What a total mess Buddy made of his life and the impact of his sins on others!  I turned page after page hoping he would learn from his mistakes.  How Could He?  What?  Oh, No!!!

GOD is always present.  We only have to ask for His deliverance.  Just because you love someone doesn't mean it is good.  Buddy and Sandy's love or lust for each other was destructive, dangerous and deadly.  So sad to see what happened to the people they touched.

Was Buddy "THE CHIEF OF SINNERS"?  GOD'S grace is greater than sin.  There is always hope and salvation.

At times, I just cringed throughout the book.  I wanted to shake Buddy and Sandy back to reality.  What are you doing?

I received this for free to review.

This is part of a series.  I didn't read any of the others.  This book stood on it's own.

Promotion Giveaway:
https://promosimple.com/ps/bfd5

About the Author

Caryl McAdooprays her story brings God glory, and a quick scroll through her novels’ rankings by Christian readers attests to the Father’s faithfulness. She loves writing almost as much as singing the new songs He gives her—look her up on YouTube to hear a few. Her high school sweetheart husband won her heart fifty-one years ago, now they share four children and seventeen grandsugars. Ron and Caryl live in the woods south of Clarksville, seat of Red River County in far Northeast Texas, waiting expectantly for God to open the next door.

The Christmas Blessing By Melody Carlson

Amelia found herself in a terrible predicament.  She knew what she had to do but it was at a cost. Could she do this for her son?  Would she regret her decision for the rest of her life?

As I read this story, I couldn't help to think about Jesus and the ultimate sacrifice he made for us. Jesus knew what he had to do to save us from our sins.

I read this quickly and enjoyed every page.  I was quite surprised by the ending.  It wasn't what I expected!

I have read a few of Melody Carlson's books and they were all great.  What a treat!  Her book "The Christmas Blessing" was a blessing to me.

I received this free to review.

About Melody

Melody Carlson is the award-winning, best-selling author of more than 200 books for women, teens and children. She and her husband live in the Pacific Northwest.

Find out more at www.melodycarlson.com.

ALL OF YOU BY SARAH MONZON

Picking up a book by an author you have never read can be daunting.  Will I like it?   Will it be a waste of time?

  Or just maybe it could lead to a fantastic discovery of a new favorite author.  Fortunately for me this book was a delight.  I opened the page not knowing what to expect.  By the time I finished, I was looking to see what else Sarah Monzon has written.

I was thrilled that the leading man was Michael. He was far from perfect.  He needed to learn a valuable lesson before he could accept his circumstances and find love.  Thanks to his Mom.  

Jack was not looking for romance after her previous disastrous relationship.  But thanks to her brother, love came walking into her garage.

I loved the throwback to Alice during World War II.  She was a brave and pretty daring woman.  You need someone like her in your side.

Great book.  Enjoyed the story.  I will be looking for more by this talented author.

I received this book free to review.

Five stars!

About the Author

Sarah Monzon is a Navy chaplain’s wife and a stay at home mom to the two cutest littles in the world. Playing pretend all day with them isn’t enough, she spends the evenings after their heads hit the pillow to create her own imaginary characters. When she isn’t in the world of make believe, she can be found in the pine forests of western Washington taking care of her family, fostering friendships, and enjoying all the adventures each day brings.

Her debut novel, The Isaac Project, skyrocketed to Amazon bestseller status while her Sophomore book, Finders Keepers, won the 2017 Selah award for contemporary romance.

 GIVEAWAY:

https://promosimple.com/ps/bd52