Sunday, November 26, 2017

21 Days of Christmas

Christmas is coming sooner than we think.  So many of us are busy trying to prepare for the holiday season running here and there.  But I highly recommend that you pick up 21 Days of Christmas!  

This book contains 21 short stories celebrating Jesus' Birth.  Every one of the 21 stories has a message to share.  Each story touched me in some way.  It is a wonderful collection.  I plan to begin a new tradition.  Every year I am going to take this off my shelf and revisit the wisdom shared between the pages.

I was amazed that a 17 year old girl named Esther G. Seim wrote Home For Christmas!  I predict she has a wonderful Dr ahead of her.

Linda Bonney Olin's The Last Ember makes the point that reaching out to others makes a difference.

A Violet Christmas by Summer Robidoux makes you realize what is important.  

A lovely collection - a treasured gift that I will read year after year to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas!

I received this free to review.

Five Plus Stars!!!!!

GIVEAWAY:

https://promosimple.com/ps/c3c2


More About Kathy Ide

Kathy Ide-square_300x300Kathy is the editor/compiler of the Fiction Lover’s Devotional series (www.FictionDevo.com) and author of “Proofreading Secrets of Best-Selling Authors” (http://secretsofbestsellingauthors.com). She has also written numerous articles, short stories, devotionals, play scripts, and Sunday school curriculum. She has ghostwritten ten nonfiction books and a five-book novel series.
She is also a full-time freelance editor, working with aspiring, new, and experienced authors as well as publishers.
Kathy speaks at writers’ conferences across the country.
She is the founder and coordinator of The Christian PEN: Proofreaders and Editors Network (www.TheChristianPEN.com) and the Christian Editor Connection (www.ChristianEditor.com).
For more about Kathy, visit www.KathyIde.com.

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Christmas Admirer by Laura V. Hilton

There is something about Amish fiction that gets me every time.  I love to read about their family relationships and their struggles in the world we live in. 

 Susanna has loved Benaiah all her life.  She longed for the day she would be his wife.  Benaiah wanted to make this happen but he had responsibilities to his family and he wasn't sure how it would work out.

  Prayer and patience were needed.  Will things work out for them?  Susanna was told to trust in The LORD.  Only then would she learn HIS plans for her. 

 I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I was so upset at Susanna's father but saw that he also had plans for her.  Great book.  Christmas is in the title but this book is for all seasons.   



I received this free to review.

About the Author

Laura HiltonAmish fiction lovers responded positively and immediately to Laura V. Hilton’s debut novel, Patchwork Dreams, when she burst on the scene in 2009 with her unique series, The Amish of Seymour, set in the tiny town of Seymour, in Webster County, Missouri. Fans of the genre immediately recognized Hilton’s insider knowledge, not only of the Webster County community, but Amish culture in general. Her natural speech and writing patterns, she says, are uniquely “Amish,” acquired from her Amish maternal grandparents. The Amish of Seymour, includes Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts, and Promised to Another. Her second series, The Amish of Webster County, is comprised of Healing Love, Surrendered Love, and Awakened Love. A stand-alone title, A White Christmas in Webster County, was released in September 2014. The Amish of Jamesport includes The Snow Globe,The Postcard and The Birdhouse. In spring 2016 she released The Amish Firefighter with the setting in Jamesport, MO, the same as for The Amish Wanderer.
Laura is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a professional book reviewer. Laura and her husband, Steve, have five children, whom Laura homeschools. The family makes their home in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas.

Giveaway

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In honor of her tour, Laura is giving away
Grand Prize Package: The Christmas Admirer, “Unto Us a Child is Born” painting on decorative serving plate by Donna White, The Hearthside Collection, Inc., and commemorative Whitaker House/Anchor Distributors coloring book (not in photo).
1st Place Package: The Christmas Admirer and The Very First Christmas by Juliet David with interactive illustrations by Pauline Siewert (children’s book).
2nd Place Package: The Christmas Admirer and “The Woman Who Honors The Lord Shall Be Praised” myrrh-scented candle from abba Jerusalem!
Click the link to enter! https://promosimple.com/ps/c16f

Sunday, November 12, 2017

11/13/2017: Love's Thankful Heart

1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is GOD's will for you in Christ Jesus.

This Bible verse comes to mind after reading this collection of stories based around Thanksgiving.  The three stories are wonderful examples of giving thanks and the miracle of prayers.

Gingerbread Wishes
Thanksgiving Strangers
The Thanksgiving Frolic 

I enjoyed reading all three.

In Gingerbread Wishes we revisit Becca Troyer.  She was in a previous book by Laura V. Hilton. This story was wonderful.

Thanksgiving Strangers -
What more can be relevant at Thanksgiving than providing a free meal to all that needs one?  Faiths Beiler, with her giving heart, pours God's love and grace into Crist.  Touching story.

The Thanksgiving Frolic-
Monroe as well as his family needed to learn some valuable lessons.  Rosemary, Monroe's girlfriend, opened their eyes to see the true meaning of Thanksgiving.

I loved Rosemary's grandfather.  We could all learn so much from someone like that.  

I am so grateful these three authors got together and wrote this book.  Happy Thanksgiving to them for sharing these "feel good" stories.

I received this for free to review.



Giveaway

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To celebrate the tour, Celebrate Lit Publishing is giving away a Kindle Unlimited 6 month Subscription!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!https://promosimple.com/ps/c403

About the Authors

Laura pictureLaura V. Hilton is an award-winning, sought-after author with almost twenty Amish, contemporary, and historical romances. When she’s not writing, she reviews books for her blogs, and writes devotionals for blog posts for Seriously Write and Putting on the New.
Laura and her pastor-husband have five children and a hyper dog named Skye. They currently live in Arkansas. One son is in the U.S. Coast Guard. She is a pastor’s wife, and homeschools her two youngest children.
When she’s not writing, Laura enjoys reading, and visiting lighthouses and waterfalls. Her favorite season is winter, her favorite holiday is Christmas.

rachel goodRachel J. Good grew up near Lancaster, PA, the setting for many of her Amish novels. Striving to be as authentic as possible, she spends special time with her Amish friends, doing chores on their farm and attending family events. Rachel is the author of several Amish series, including Sisters & Friends (Charisma), Love & Promises (Grand Central), and two books in the Hearts of Amish Country series (Annie’s Book Club). In addition, she has twoAmish Quilts Coloring Books as well as stories in several anthologies, including Springs of Love(CelebrateLit).

Thomas NyeThomas Nyewrites novels about horses and Amish life, with a touch of romance, and a foundation of faith in Christ. He and his wife, Shari, live on her family farm where they raised five children. Their six grandchildren love to visit Karma and Karla, a team of draft horses which Thomas purchased from an Amish friend. Walking a mail route for the U.S. Postal Service keeps Thomas close to nature and affords him many quiet hours which he uses to dream up novels. Over three decades of friendships with Amish neighbors has revealed a simple wisdom that he weaves into his writing. To find out more, visit:amishhorses.blogspot.com

Monday, October 30, 2017

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.

Friday, October 27, 2017

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 NewportOlivia 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.



Monday, October 9, 2017

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

SydneyToomanBettsSydney 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

Sunday, October 8, 2017

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.

The Pick-Pocket Orphans

  A sad but inspiring story of two young people who made the best of their unfortunate circumstances. Alice couldn't live with her fathe...