Liz Tolsma - The Silver Shadow

 

I felt like I was watching one of my favorite mystery tv shows on PBS.  I feared for Polly's safety and that no one would get hurt in their hunt for the The Silver Shadow.

I enjoyed this book as I got to know and better understand the main characters' background stories.  It explained how and why they became the adults they were.  I am a social worker so it was right up my alley.

Polly desparately wanted to please her father. She felt a need to prove to him she was worthy. It is literally impossible to please everyone.  As a firstborn child, I was driven to make my parents proud.  I think that I wanted to be the best daughter, the best student, etc.  I strived hard to not disappoint them.  It is not easy to keep this up as we are not made perfect.  It adds pressure to your life that is not needed.

At some point, you realize that your parents love you unconditionally.  It might take years for some to get to that realization. GOD loves us unconditionally.  He knows we are only human.  He created us.  He knows we make mistakes.  He gave his only son to die on the cross for our sins. 

Polly and Edwin had to accept their limitations and strengths just as we do.  GOD is always by our side.  He lifts us up.  He gives us strength.  

Deuteronomy 31:6  New International Version Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

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

Courage in the Mountain Wilderness by Misty M. Beller

 Otskai, a mom and a woman who is trying to do the best in her life.  She never feels she is worthy and is always doubting her decisions.  Does this sound familiar to any of you?

A beautiful written story of how GOD impacted the lives of people of all different races and cultures.  

Misty M. Beller can paint a picture with her words.  I find myself in the mountain wilderness with Caleb, Otskai and River Boy.  There are dangers in the wilderness.  Can Caleb survive the danger he encounters?  Can Otskai find the the courage to face the danger she encounters? 

I will continue reading every book Misty M. Beller publishes. Her books brings me enjoyment with every page.  

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

About the Book

Book:  Courage in the Mountain Wilderness

Author: Misty M. Beller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: April 6, 2021

Keeping her son safe on this epic journey may be harder than she imagined.

Caleb Jackson is on a journey. And not just the mission he and his friends have embarked on to fetch the Nez Perce chief’s runaway daughter. Maybe someday, he could also find God’s plan for his life. He’d once thought being a small town minister was the Lord’s will for him, but he’d proved a failure at living under the scrutiny of his congregation. Yet the chief’s niece and her feisty toddler accompanying them on this expedition make him feel like he might be able to make a difference yet.

Otskai is eager to take on a challenge. She’s lived under the shelter of other’s choices her entire life, especially when she was betrothed to one of the village braves at the tender age of eight. Now with her husband dead, she’s finally found the freedom she always craved—even with a two-year-old to raise. She’s built her camas root harvest into a thriving trade to provide all she and her son need and more, yet she can’t seem to keep her active child safe. When she agrees to accompany her new friends on a trip to bring back her wayward cousin, she knows she’ll have her hands full managing her boy.

The journey turns out nothing like Otskai expects, and for the first time in her life, she’s thankful to have others around to help. Especially Caleb, whose gentle attentions captivate her son and occupy him for hours at a time. But as the danger escalates and her worst fears come to light, she must find the courage to choose between freedom and a love more liberating than she imagined possible.

From a USA Today bestselling author comes another epic journey through breathless landscapes and adventure so intense, lives will never be the same.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

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

 

Mom Guilt—it’s real, no matter what your race or tribe.

One of the things I love about writing the Call of the Rockies series is the cast of characters that covers almost more races than I can count on all my fingers! From Spaniards, to Frenchman, to Southern Americans, to Blackfoot, to Nez Perce, to Salish, to Shoshone. And let’s not talk about the various sectors within some of the tribes (Peigan Blackfoot, Blood Blackfoot, Pikunin of the Nez Perce…oops, we weren’t going to talk about those!).

But what I love the most about so many people groups represented is learning how much we really are alike, down deep in our cores! Sure, some are introverts, some are extroverts. Some like to swim, some hate to swim. Some like to cook, some like to play with the kids (okay, maybe most like to play with the kids!).

Yet there are common threads that connect us all. As I was writing Courage in the Mountain Wilderness, I discovered a new thread that I have in common with Otskai, the Nez Perce hero of the story.

Mom guilt.

Yep. Our situations are a little different—I’m married with four kiddos, and she’s widowed with one very energetic two-year-old son. But we both struggle with that same push and pull. That same set of conflicting longings. When I’m with my kiddos, sometimes I just desperately want time alone. Time to actually get things done. But then at night when they snuggle close at bedtime, wrapping their sweet arms around my neck and not just saying, but showing, how much they love me, I can’t imagine how I could ever want to do anything but spend time with these sweet little ones God has trusted me with.

Thus, the guilt.

Maybe Otskai and I are the only ones who’ve ever experienced that particular strain of Mom Guilt. But I’ll bet there are other ways you can relate—both to these very real fictional characters who may or may not be the same race as you. And also to the very real real-life characters you meet every day.

The great news is that God loves each and every one of us, Mom Guilt and all.

Blog Stops

lakesidelivingsite, April 6

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, April 6

Blossoms and Blessings, April 6

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, April 7

reviewingbooksplusmore, April 7

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, April 8

cats in the cradle blog, April 8

Betti Mace, April 9

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 9

For the Love of Literature, April 10

deb’s Book Review, April 10

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 11

Jeanette’s Thoughts, April 11

Texas Book-aholic, April 12

Maidens for Modesty, April 12

Inklings and notions, April 13

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, April 13

Older & Smarter?, April 14

Blessed & Bookish, April 14

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 15

Splashes of Joy, April 15

Wishful Endings, April 16

Mary Hake, April 15

For Him and My Family, April 16

She Lives To Read, April 17

Connie’s History Classroom, April 17

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 18

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 18

Adventures Of A Travelers Wife, April 19

Simple Harvest Reads, April 19 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

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/10a1f/courage-in-the-mountain-wilderness-celebration-tour-giveaway

Everything Will Be Okay by Dana Perino

 I am not a young woman.  According to my granddaughter, I am old.  But this book was informative with advice worth listening to.  Unfortunately, this was not written when I was starting my career and actually, my life.  

Ms. Perino shares words of wisdom from her experiences in the White House and in her career.  I really enjoyed the book. Any age group would appreciate the book.  I highly recommend this as a gift for any young woman starting her adult life and future career.

Thank you for giving of yourself in mentoring young women.  You are gift to many.

The Shell Collector by Nancy Naigle

I just spent a few days with the residents of Whelk's Island.  I loved spending time with each one of them.  Nancy Naigle created a town with residents we would all love to have as neighbors.

Amanda moved to Whelk's Island to start a new life and to heal.  She couldn't have picked any place better. It was evident that GOD had a plan for her and her children.

Maeve was a lifetime resident of the town.  She was loved by many.  She was a good friend to all.  Maeve and Amanda became friends by meeting on the beach.   Both gained so much from their friendship.

I will admit I cried some.  There is no way you couldn't but it was so worth it.  I loved the story.  It clearly demonstrated how a small gesture of kindness can make significant changes to others and for you.

I will be on the lookout for future releases from Nancy Naigle.  

I received this for free from WaterBrook and Multinomah   to give a honest review.

Love at First Flight

 One night and I finished it!  I couldn't put it down.  Will Evelyn fulfill her dream?  Will Jasper get his wish?

I enjoyed reading about WWII and the part the women played in fighting this war.  They not only were fighting the enemies but had to prove their worth.  Not all the women stayed at home on the home front.  Evelyn was an example of the women who joined the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron. I never heard of this group of women.  It sure sounded dangerous.  I can imagine that the men in their lives frowned upon them doing this.  

Evelyn dreamed of flying planes.  She would do anything to see this come true.  But was it worth what she gave up? Jasper couldn't forget the last time he saw Evelyn. They are brought together after not seeing each other so many years ago.  Was this GOD's plan?  Was this their chance of rekindling what they lost?

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Evelyn was determined and not looking for romance.  It was a joy to read a character who was intelligent and beautiful.  Jasper was intelligent, kind and handsome.  They could be a perfect couple.  

I received this for free to review from Celebrate Lit.

About the Book

Book:  Love at First Flight

Author: Linda Shenton Matchett

Genre: Christian Historical  Romance

Release date: September 15, 2020

Can two people emerge from the clouds of past hurt to find a silver lining of love?

Evelyn Reid would rather fly than do anything else, so when war engulfs the U.S., she joins the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron. One of the program’s top pilots, she is tapped for pursuit plane training…the dream of a lifetime until she discovers the instructor is her ex-fiancé, Jasper MacPherson.

Collecting enough points to rotate stateside, fighter pilot Jasper MacPherson is assigned to teach the WAFS how to fly the army way. Bad enough to be training women, but things take a turn for the worse when his former fiancée shows up as one of his students.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Linda Shenton Matchett writes about ordinary people who did extraordinary things in days gone by. She is a native of Baltimore, Maryland and was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry. Linda has lived in historic places all her life, and is now located in central New Hampshire where her favorite activities include serving as a volunteer docent and archivist for the Wright Museum of WWII, exploring historic sites, and immersing herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors.

 

More from Linda

Dear Readers:

 

It’s all I can do to parallel park my car…well, actually I can’t. I’m terrible at that sort of thing, which is why I’m so impressed with the Women’s Air Service Pilot who served during World War II. Created in August 1943 by merging the Women’s Flying Training Detachment and the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron, the WASP was a civilian organization that came under the authority of the Air Force and freed male pilots for combat or other duties. Their leader was the intrepid Jacqueline Cochran, an award winning pilot who set and broke numerous records during her career.

 

Qualifications for the program were stringent, and of the more than 25,000 women who applied, only 1,800 were accepted. Of that number, 1,074 completed the program. These women flew over sixty million miles and transported every type of military aircraft from the ninety-nine foot long B-29 Bomber that weighted over 100,000 pounds to the P-51 Mustang that could fly at over 400 miles per hour.

 

The WASP also towed targets for live anti-aircraft gun practice, simulated strafing missions and transported cargo. Thirty-eight WASP members lost their lives and one disappeared while on a ferry mission, her fate still unknown. Disbanded in December 1944, the WASP did not receive military status or benefits for their service. However, after nearly three decades its members were granted veteran status, and in 2009 they were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.

 

It is my hope that Love at First Flight honors these brave women in some small way.

 

Blessings,

Linda Shenton Matchett

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 24

Texas Book-aholic, March 25

Genesis 5020, March 25

Inklings and notions, March 26

Betti Mace, March 27

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, March 27

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, March 28

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, March 29

Jeanette’s Thoughts, March 29

Hebrews 12 Endurance, March 30

For Him and My Family, March 31

Connect in Fiction, March 31

She Lives To Read, April 1

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 2

deb’s Book Review, April 2

Connie’s History Classroom, April 3

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 4

Blossoms and Blessings, April 4

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 5

CarpeDiem, April 6

A Novel Pursuit, April 6

  .

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Linda is giving away the grand prize package of an autographed paperback edition of Love at First Flight, eco-friendly reusable shopping bag with image of Women’s Air Service Pilots, stuffed WASP bear, Norman Rockwell notecards, VJ Day book mark, and I {heart} Spam socks!!

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/109d2/love-at-first-flight-celebration-tour-giveaway

Karen Kingsbury- A Distant Shore

A new book by Karen Kingsbury will always be on my must read list.  I was looking forward to this one.  The cover drew me in.  This was a page turner and I finished it one night.  

This book is a little different than her regular books.  I found this one being a little difficult to read.  It was about child trafficking.  The topic alone is hard to read about but necessary.

The characters, Jack and Eliza, were two young people who were determined to conquer evil.  What was behind their determination?  The book explores this and what is needed for them to heal from their loss and pain.

Each chapter started with a Bible quote.  I found this to be uplifting and encouraging.  There were many that were my favorites. This is the one that I have held onto all my life.

Jeremiah 29:11

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

A Distant Shore is a must read.  I received this book for free from Simon &  Schuster to give a honest review.  

About the Author

Karen Kingsbury, #1 New York Times bestselling novelist, is America’s favorite inspirational storyteller, with more than twenty-five million copies of her award-winning books in print. Her last dozen titles have topped bestseller lists and many of her novels are under development as major motion pictures. Her Baxter Family books are being developed into a TV series slated to debut soon. Karen is also an adjunct professor of writing at Liberty University. She and her husband, Donald, live in Tennessee near their children and grandchildren.

 https://youtu.be/y2F-ikBvRJk

Painted Memories by A.M. Heath

 Quite a touching story of GOD'S love and that he is a waster of none.  Olivia and Grady had everything planned out.  But GOD had a different plan.  

I really liked Olivia and felt so terrible for her.  How do you let go of all the dreams you had?  How do you grieve?  No one can tell you how to do it.  Grieving is personal.  Olivia took tiny steps to healing.

Many lessons learned in reading this story.  I thought of thIs one while reading Painted Memories.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

I didn't expect the book to end like it did.  It was touching and brought a tear to my eye.  But it ended just like GOD intended it to be.  

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

About the Book

Book:  Painted Memories

Author: A.M. Heath

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: March 8, 2021

She moved on when the love of her life died in the war, but what will happen when she finds out he’s alive?

Olivia Jernigan never thought she’d get over Grady. But three years after his death, she’s on the verge of marrying Kenneth Wade when she receives a new painting by her deceased fiancé. Olivia flees home to learn what really happened to the man she thought died in the Korean War. The man she thought loved her enough to come home for her.

Grady Barnes woke up three years ago in a hospital room with no knowledge of his identity. The only memory to resurface is the image of a woman he can’t stop painting. When she suddenly shows up at his painting class, she may help him discover where he really belongs or she may disrupt the life he was building for himself.

Olivia and Grady have a history. But now, they wonder if they still have a future … or perhaps, their love is just a painted memory.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Besides being an Indie Author, I’m a wife, mother of four, children’s 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

The Blessing of Unexpected Research

 

With any novel, there’s always a measure of research involved. While historical novels are more in-depth, even contemporary novels need research when the characters are involved in a job or a setting the author isn’t familiar with. Research can feel so random at times. It’s almost comical the strange topics you end up spending an hour or longer digging into online.

 

As I sat down to write Painted Memories, I was already well into the first drafts of Dance With Me and Yesterday’s Christmas, so the 1950s setting wasn’t as foreign to me as it once had been. But there were newer aspects involved.

 

For example, I recently found myself researching long-distance calls during the 1950s. And I often look up commonly misspoken phrases/words.

 

One of the ways I love to research is to imagine myself in the character’s shoes. Sometimes I have opportunities to play pretend. Maybe a little red lipstick or a new hairstyle to help me get into character. Visiting a historical home to get a feel for the lifestyle from long ago. A walk in the rain might be an opportunity to imagine the weary march of a soldier. A bad case of strep was once inspiration for a character on their death bed.

 

But, by far, the most memorable research experience was given to me by surprise. It was one of those things that I didn’t ask for and I wasn’t thrilled with when it happened but, even at that moment, I couldn’t help noticing the timing of it all and the big way God would use it for good.

 

I forgot the PIN to my debit card.

 

We all forget things from time to time. But this was a PIN that I used multiple times a week for nearly twenty years.

 

YIKES!

 

I was standing at the register when “poof” the code disappeared from my brain. I remember standing there in panic because nothing came to mind. I punched in a couple of combinations but neither was correct.

 

I spent the next couple of weeks trying to remember it but I never did.

 

It was confusing and scary. I remember searching my brain but there was only empty darkness. Yet, I could feel it. I could practically sense it right on the edge of my mind, but I never could bring it any closer.

 

I was amazed at my sudden connection to Grady. When I wrote for him, I put myself in his shoes and imagined what it would feel like. But when a small piece of my memory suddenly disappeared, I had a new understanding. When I wrote his scenes where he talks about sensing a memory close by but never being able to bring it any closer, I wrote that from experience. That’s exactly how it felt for me.

 

I had started the first draft about 2 weeks before I forgot my PIN. So instead of being angry, I couldn’t help being grateful. I thanked God and put my experience to good use. It was all I could do.

 

Sometimes we’re not dealt with the easiest hand. But if we’re willing to let Him, God can still use it for our good and His glory. In the book, Grady and Olivia talk about how God redeemed the time they thought was lost. That time when they thought everything was ruined and nothing was going right, God was using in a subtle but remarkable way.

 

The Christian life is often like that. We tend to think that something has lost all purpose but God is redeeming it and making it into something beautiful.

 

I’d love to hear from you. Is there a moment in your life when it seemed that all was lost but looking back you can see how God was using it for good?

Blog Stops

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, March 9

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, March 10

Purposeful Learning, March 10

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 11

Texas Book-aholic, March 12

Blossoms and Blessings, March 12

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 13

Inklings and notions, March 14

Batya’s Bits, March 14

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 15

deb’s Book Review, March 16

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, March 16 (Author Interview)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, March 17

For Him and My Family, March 18

Jeanette’s Thoughts, March 18

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 19

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 20

Mary Hake, March 20

Adventures Of A Travelers Wife, March 21

Connie’s History Classroom, March 22

Live. Love. Read. , March 22

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, A.M. is giving away the grand prize package of a Grace is Sufficient mug 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/108d6/painted-memories-celebration-tour-giveaway