Thursday, July 29, 2021

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

JohnnieAlexander 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.

Monday, July 26, 2021

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.

Saturday, July 24, 2021

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

Amazon Scrooge 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

AMHeath 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

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

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

Sunday, July 18, 2021

The Seeds of Change by Lauraine Snelling

On a camping trip and was excited to open this new book by Lauraine Snelling. I finished this book and enjoyed it immensely!!

The Nielson family left all they knew for a new life in the West. Could they find what they were looking for?

The title had many meanings. The family wanted to plant a flower garden in memory of their mother. But to me it also demonstrated the progression of life and the families' growth on their journey.

A wonderful story! Excited that there will be more to come!

Luke 8:11 ESV Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God

Catch Me If You Can by Carole Brown

Catch Me if You Can Epic Book Launch

About the Book

Book: Catch Me If You Can

Author: Carole Brown

Genre: Romantic Suspense with a touch of quirkiness

Release date: August 5, 2021

The big cat sat on the oversized rock, ears pointed toward the sky, every muscle taut, every sense at the ready.

“S-s-shut up and f-f-forget it. You’ve s-seen nothing and know nothing. I won’t warn you again. G-g-got it?”

The cat’s head swiveled, his ears twitching as if catching the hint of threat in the whisper. A soft hiss slid from his open mouth and reinforced the overtone of evil pressing in upon the scene. Within hours, lies and dark secrets are slithering all over the campground.

Coaxed into finding the animal killer at Jamieson’s Outfitters, Tara Layne, with her sidekick, Boet, is welcomed by a threatening whisper and the unfriendly eyes of a rugged and devastatingly handsome manager. Wesley Clarke, both interesting and frustrating, holds an attraction for Tara that is primitive and exasperating.

Intermingled with her search, Tara deals with her own heartbreaking buried secrets. When a strange old Native American probes into the recesses of her heart, he encourages her to face her bitter feelings.

As Tara closes in on her search, she finds herself—and Boet—the target of someone who’s determined to outrun and outsmart her. Someone determined not to get caught.

His theme:

Run as fast as you can, you can’t catch me.

The question:

Can Tara run fast enough to catch this real live Gingerbread boy

before he decides to get rid of her and Boet?

BOOK EXCERPT

It took her a moment to realize he’d straightened. Her heart steadied, and the breath returned to her body. Her face flushed with sudden heat. She trusted few people, kept everyone at a distance. Was she so desperate for male attention? How could she melt like a chocolate kiss when someone she hardly knew paid her a simple compliment? Disgust at herself and her traitorous weak thoughts flooded her mind.

“Please get your hands off me.” She hated her wobbly voice.

Wesley’s hands fell from her shoulders. He stepped to the door then looked back at her. “Are you sure you didn’t bump your head? There was nothing out there.”

It would have been a relief to argue with him, to put him in his place—wherever that was—but he gave her no chance to speak. The amusement in his voice set her teeth into the habit every dentist warned against. Gnashing.

“We only have people here at Jamieson’s, Tara. No ghosts. No goblins. No blobs."

Purchase Link:

amazon.com/Catch-Me-If-You-Can/dp/1941622674/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=Catch+me+if+you+can+by+carole+brown&qid=1625272098&sr=8-2

MISSING EXCERPTS:

One: https://happywhenreading.wordpress.com/2021/07/16/catch-me-if-you-can/

Two:

https://blissbooksandjewels.com/special-book-feature-excerpt-catch-me-if-you-can-by-carole-brown/

Three:

https://hookmeinabook.home.blog/2021/07/17/catch-me-if-you-epic-book-launch-and-except/

Four:

https://splashesofjoy.wordpress.com/2021/07/17/catch-me-if-you-can-epic-book-launch-for-carole-brown/

Five:

https://lakesidelivingsite.wordpress.com/2021/07/17/catch-me-if-you-can-by-carol-brown-epic-book-launch/

Six:

http://amandanicolle.blogspot.com/2021/07/catch-me-if-you-can-excerpt.html?m=1

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. An author of thirteen full-length, best selling and award winning books (with a novella in an anthology), she loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. She has found that the traveling and ministering has served her well in writing her novels. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?

Sunday, July 11, 2021

The Chase

This was my first time reading a book by Lisa Harris. I was surprised how quickly I got into the story due to the fact the main characters were introduced in an earlier book - The Escape.

It had everything I look for: romance, mystery and action! The characters were realistic and easily liked. Jonas not only sounds like a good guy but good looking. Madison is beautiful and intelligent. They make a good team. But can it go beyond a working relationship? They each have a past they can't forget. Do they have a future?

I will be looking for the next book as I know this story can't just end like it did. It better not!

I received this book for free from Revel Books to give a honest review.

About Lisa Harris

USA Today and CBA bestselling author LISA HARRIS is a Christy Award finalist for Blood Ransom and Vendetta, Christy Award winner for Dangerous Passage, and the winner of the Best Inspirational Suspense Novel for 2011 (Blood Covenant) and 2015 (Vendetta) from Romantic Times. She has sold over half a million books. She and her family have spent over sixteen year working as missionaries in Africa where she runs a small non-profit organization that works alongside their church-planting ministry. The ECHO Project. promotes Education, Compassion, Health, and Opportunity and is a way to "speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves...the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice." (Proverbs 31:8)

When she's not working she loves hanging out with her family, cooking different ethnic dishes, photography, and heading into the African bush on safari. For more information about her books and life in Africa visit her website at www.lisaharriswrites.com

Order Now

Other Books in "US Marshals"

The Escape

The Catch

Monday, July 5, 2021

The Nature of Small Birds by Susie Finkbeiner

An interesting story that is told by the members of the family. The story is told in the present as well as in the past.

I was intrigued by the title and the cover. That is why I picked up the book in the first place. But the story drew me in! As a mother, I could relate to the mother in the story. I can remember watching my children grow up and leave the "nest". They were ready for the world but was I ready to let them go?

A family is a group of people who love you and supports you. The members don't have to share a bloodline. Linda and Bruce were ready to adopt. They expected a baby boy. Mindy was in need of a home and their arms and hearts were open.

The book explains the difficulties they experience adopting a child from another country. Mindy was from Vietnam. It also talks of how Mindy felt and her journey of discovery.

I enjoyed the book. I had to make sure to keep track at the beginning of the chapter of what year it was and whom was talking or you could get confused.

I received this book to give a honest review from Revell.

Author Bio

Susie Finkbeiner is the CBA bestselling author of All Manner of Things, which was selected as a 2020 Michigan Notable Book, and Stories That Bind Us, as well as A Cup of Dust, A Trail of Crumbs, and A Song of Home. She serves on the Fiction Readers Summit planning committee, volunteers her time at Ada Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and speaks at retreats and women's events across the country. Susie and her husband have three children and live in West Michigan.

Friday, July 2, 2021

Catch Me if You Can Excerpt Seven

About the Book

Book: Catch Me If You Can

Author: Carole Brown

Genre: Romantic Suspense with a touch of quirkiness

Release date: August 5, 2021

The big cat sat on the oversized rock, ears pointed toward the sky, every muscle taut, every sense at the ready.

“S-s-shut up and f-f-forget it. You’ve s-seen nothing and know nothing. I won’t warn you again. G-g-got it?”

As Tara closes in on her search, she finds herself—and Boet—the target of someone who’s determined to outrun and outsmart her. Someone determined not to get caught.

His theme:

Run as fast as you can, you can’t catch me.

The question:

Can Tara run fast enough to catch this real live Gingerbread boy

before he decides to get rid of her and Boet?

BOOK EXCERPT

“Please get your hands off me.” She hated her wobbly voice.

Wesley’s hands fell from her shoulders. He stepped to the door then looked back at her. “Are you sure you didn’t bump your head? There was nothing out there.”

“We only have people here at Jamieson’s, Tara. No ghosts. No goblins. No blobs."

Purchase Link:

amazon.com/Catch-Me-If-You-Can/dp/1941622674/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=Catch+me+if+you+can+by+carole+brown&qid=1625272098&sr=8-2

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I'd love to connect with readers at:
Personal blog: http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaroleBrown.author
FB Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/183457429657732/
Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/38Ukljnhttps://amzn.to/38Ukljn
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/carole-brown
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/browncarole212/?hl=en
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sunnywrtr/boards/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5237997-carole-brown

Saturday, June 26, 2021

The Birds of Bachelor Lane by Hannah McNiven

With the name of Wren as one of the characters I knew I was in for a treat! I was eagerly looking forward to reading this book by an author as I have read one of her books before. I had no clue how wonderful this was going to be.

The story was about this small village and the drama that goes on behind the walls of a few families. I felt like I was watching a PBS drama. I couldn't wait for the next chapter (episode).

The drama that was played out had me on the edge of my seat. I actually felt like I was part of the story. I had to warn Wren about Bertie. I wanted to shake Lili. I loved Ewan and the way he treasured and loved his wife.

A beautiful story that easily could be adapted into a movie. I would buy a ticket.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

About Hannah McNiven

Hannah grew up on a farm in rural Ireland where she spent her childhood riding horses and chasing or being chased by many other animals (mostly cows). Thanks to her parents and siblings, she became a voracious reader. From reading novels by the Bröntes to Evelyn Waugh to Phillipa Gregory, Sebastian Faulks and Pat Barker (there was plenty of Enid Blyton too), Hannah has developed a love of historical and literary fiction which has influenced her own writing. She has an especial interest in stories that occur around the time of, and during, World War One and Two. She sometimes feels that she was, perhaps, born in the wrong era but then remembers how useful the internet is when it comes to researching her work. She is also proud of her Scottish and Irish heritage, believing that there is nowhere more beautiful on Earth than the verdant hills and rugged countryside of these places which are the perfect setting for her work.

Sunday, June 20, 2021

Faith in the Mountain Valley by Misty M. Beller

Colette and French- separated for years but are they destined to be together? What does GOD plan for their future?

GOD was with Colette every step of the way. He guided her. He protected her. He led her to the decision she had to make. Colette listened when HE spoke to her.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5, 6).

Colette and French were fortunate enough to be surrounded by people that became their family. They were not related in any way. They were from different cultures and races. But they were there for each other especially in their time of need.

Do you have friends that you can call family? I am fortunate enough to have friends that I call family. With families living in different locations from each other, friends are so important.

I have loved every book by Misty B. Beller. She paints a picture with her words. Her characters become real to me. She truly has a gift.

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

About the Book

Book: Faith in the Mountain Valley

Author: Misty M. Beller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: June 15, 2021

This epic journey is the only way to leave her secrets behind.

After eleven years spent looking for the girl who stole his heart, Jean-Jacques Baptiste—better known as French to his friends—is tempted to give up. Until the day he spotted the flaxen-haired stranger traveling the wooded path with Blackfoot Indians. He never imagined he’d find his childhood friend masquerading as a man in this Rocky Mountain wilderness, hundreds of miles from the Canadian town where he last saw her. No matter her reasons, he can’t let her go this time.

Colette Mignon’s life has become a cacophony of lies, including the fact that her Blackfoot Indian companions believe she’s a man. She’s willing to live the taxing life of a trapper in these desolate mountains as long as it keeps her secrets hidden. When her childhood friend and first love discovers her, his determination to help might put everything at risk.

As the worst of her past threatens to catch up with her, the hope for Colette’s new life shatters. But no matter what, she must protect the one good thing that came from all her mistakes. Though French is determined to stay at her side, she can’t let him become entangled in the perilous consequences of her actions. If only it wasn’t so painful to push him away. The danger pressing in may leave her only one choice—leave everything behind…again.

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_headshot 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.

Click here to get your copy!

More from Misty

Ever Played Dress-up?

I’ll bet most of us played “Let’s Pretend” when we were kids. Maybe you dressed up as a princess, or a knight, or a soldier. When we were little, my grandmother had a secondhand wedding dress she let us play with. It had the long train and veil that dragged several feet behind a grown woman. We spent so many fun hours dressing up and pretending. And of course, there were all the times my older brother and I played cowboys as we rode our horses.

With so much experience playing dress-up and “let’s pretend,” I thoroughly enjoyed writing the story of a heroine who pretended to be a man! And not just a fellow around town. She joined up with a group of five Blackfoot braves and attempted to pass herself off as a man for weeks while she lived in their camp, trapping alongside them!

She had a good reason for attempting the ruse, and you can find out if she pulls it off in Faith in the Mountain Valley. This might be my favorite of all the books in the Call of the Rockies series. I pray you enjoy it too!