Monday, September 27, 2021

A Deep Divide - Secrets of the Canyon Book One


 Emma Grace was determined not to be found.  She has been running for years.  She finally found a place that she could call home.  

I have visited the Grand Canyon once a long time ago.  It can take your breath away.  It is majestic.  I experienced the beauty once again while reading this story about Emma Grace and the people she encounters there.  

GOD created this masterpiece.  He also created you. We are his masterpiece.  He has great plans for each one of us.  Emma Grace slowly realized that she needed to trust GOD.  He was with her every step of the way.  With GOD, she could open her heart and live her life the way GOD intended her to.

I loved the location of this book as well as the characters.  Emma Grace found her family at El Tovar Hotel.

I received this book for free from Bethany House Publishers to review.


   Ephesians 2:10

10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. 

About Kimberley Woodhouse

Kimberley Woodhouse is the best-selling and award-winning author of more than two dozen books. She is a wife, mother, author, and musician with a quick wit and positive outlook despite difficult circumstances. A popular speaker,   she's shared at more than 2,000 venues across the country. Kimberley and her family's story have garnered national media attention for many years including ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, The Montel Williams Show, Discovery Health channel's Mystery ER, The Hour of Power, The Harvest Show, and over 1,000 other TV appearances and radio interviews. She lives and writes in the Poconos with her husband of thirty years. kimberleywoodhouse.com

Find Kim on twitter and facebook:

twitter.com/kimwoodhouse

author fan page Kimberley Woodhouse


El Tovar Hotel- 


Sunday, September 26, 2021

Dinah's Dilemma

 "Two people come to the relationship carrying their hurts and fears and bad experiences, and those things impact every word and deed."

How true is this? This is especially true when it is not the first relationship you are in.  Certain words and actions from your current partner can take you back to a previous relationship.  This usually is not intentional.  Communication between partners is crucial for the relationship to survive.  


Dinah and Nathan were brought together without really getting to know each other.  As time goes on, they must tackle the ups and downs of building a relationship.  Can Nathan love again?  Can he trust Dinah?  Can Dinah trust Nathan when she tells him the truth?  What future do they have together?  If any?  


I received this ebook from Celebrate Lit to review.  

About the Book

Book: Dinah’s Dilemma

Author: Linda Shenton Matchett

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: August 15, 2020

Will she have to run from the past for the rest of her life?

Dinah Simpkins has no chance of making a good marriage. Her outlaw brothers and her father’s gambling addiction have ruined the family’s reputation. Then the Westward Home and Hearts Matrimonial Agency provides an opportunity for a fresh start. After Dinah arrives in Nebraska, she discovers her brothers played a part in the death of her prospective groom’s first wife.

As a former Pinkerton detective Nathan Childs knows when someone is lying. The bride sent by the matrimonial agency may be beautiful, but she’s definitely hiding something, and he has no intention of marrying her until he uncovers the truth. But an easier solution may be to send her packing. Then his young daughter goes missing. He and Dinah must put aside their mutual hurt and mistrust to find her.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Linda Shenton Matchett writes about ordinary people who did extraordinary things in days gone by. A volunteer docent and archivist for the Wright Museum of WWII, Linda is a former trustee for her local public library. 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 exploring historic sites and immersing herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors.

 

More from Linda

Dear Reader,

 

As a novelist, I write about ordinary people who did extraordinary things in days gone by. And to me, nothing is more extraordinary than leaving all that you know to travel a great distance (often thousands of miles) to marry a man you’ve never met. Don’t you agree?

 

During the initial settlement of the American West, the population was primarily composed of men. Men who went in search of gold, to seek new opportunities in farming and ranching, or to make a fresh start where land and resources seemed unlimited. Eventually, loneliness set in for those who were single, yet there was a dearth of suitable women to marry.

 

The conundrum for the men was how to meet and court a woman without leaving for fear of someone taking their land or claims. Some of the bachelors wrote home asking friends and family for referrals to single women who would make a good wife. Courtship would take place via correspondence until the couple decided they were suited to marry. The more common scenario was that of mail-order brides.

 

Ads were placed by the men in eastern newspapers. They would tell a bit about themselves and what traits they were seeking in a wife. Interested women would reply, and the advertiser would respond to the applicant he thought was a good fit. As with those men who wrote home to find a mate, the process was much the same with courtship occurring through letters.

 

Most of the time, the marriages went smoothly, with the couple falling in love, resulting in a long and happy relationship. However, there are stories of marriages that did not survive because of abandonment, abuse, death, or the discovery of a still-living spouse. A few incidents are recorded about mail-order brides whose groom paid her railway passage, only for her to marry someone else because he seemed a better prospect. Fortunately, those instances seem to make up a small percentage.

 

I hope you enjoy Dinah’s Dilemma: A Mail-Order Bride Romance.

 

Blessings,

Linda Shenton Matchett

Blog Stops

Blossoms and Blessings, September 14

Mary Hake, September 14

Labor Not in Vain, September 15

Texas Book-aholic, September 16

Inklings and notions, September 17

For Him and My Family, September 18

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 19

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 19

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 20

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, September 21

Connect in Fiction, September 22

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, September 22

deb’s Book Review, September 23

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 24

Vicky Sluiter, September 25

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, September 25

Connie’s History Classroom, September 26

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, September 27

Jeanette’s Thoughts, September 27

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Linda is giving away the grand prize package of a Book Journal, Floral Book Plates, Bookjigs Bookmark, a $25 Visa Gift Card, and an autographed paperback edition of Dinah’s Dilemma!!

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/11826/dinah-s-dilemma-celebration-tour-giveaway


Thursday, September 16, 2021

The Hat Girl from Silver Street


 I always have loved anything that has come from the British Isles.  My Mom is from Luton, England.  She immigrated to USA in the 1950s.  I have visited a few times to England.  Luton is known for making hats back in the day.  I was told my Nannie worked at one when she was younger.  So naturally I was drawn to this book just because of the title.

What a story!  Ella was the "hat girl".  She had a tough life but she was determined to make her life better.  Her talent was in designing and making hats.  

I enjoyed the book and landed up reading it in one night.  But I will be honest, I was really upset with the ending.  It surprised me.  I wasn't expecting it to end the way it did.  I would love to read a sequel to this book and further follow Bella's journey.


tL Lindsey HutchinsoLLLindsey

Lindsey Hutchinson
Lindsey Hutchinson
I was born and raised in Wednesbury, West Midlands. I am married with two children and three grandchildren. I now live in the Shropshire countryside with my husband, Labrador and our owl. Typing up the manuscripts for my mother rekindled my love of story telling and it seems I am destined to follow in her footsteps. Retired now, I continue to teach an evening dance class. I love to read, I enjoy photography, as well as socialising with friends. I also love to holiday in exotic places. I have been fortunate enough to visit Egypt, Turkey, Greece, Russia, China, India, Israel and Thailand. I feel truly blessed to have books published; the next, A Winter Baby for Gin Barrel Lane is a follow up to The Children from Gin Barrel Lane and is out on in August 2021, and I'm working on yet another! I would like to thank all those who have bought my books and especially those who have taken the time to review them. These reviews are very important to an author so... keep 'em coming please!

I was About Lindsey Hutchinson

I was born and raised in Wednesbury, West Midlands. I am married with two children and three grandchildren. I now live in the Shropshire countryside with my husband, Labrador and our owl. Typing up the manuscripts for my mother (Meg Hutchinson) rekindled my love of story telling and it seems I am destined to follow in her footsteps. Retired now, I continue to teach an evening dance class. I love to read, I enjoy photography, as well as socialising with friends. I also love to holiday in exotic places. I have been fortunate enough to visit Egypt, Turkey, Greece, Russia, China, India, Israel and Thailand.


I feel truly blessed to have books published; the next, A Winter Baby for Gin Barrel Lane is a follow up to The Children from Gin Barrel Lane and is out on in August 2021, and I'm working on yet another!


I would like to thank all those who have bought my books and especially those who have taken the time to review them. These reviews are very important to an author so... keep 'em coming please! and raised in Wednesbury, West Midlands. I am married with two children and three grandchildren. I now live in the Shropshire countryside with my husband, Labrador and our owl. Typing up the manuscripts for my mother (Meg Hutchinson) rekindled my love of story telling and it seems I am destined to follow in her footsteps. Retired now, I continue to teach an evening dance class. I love to read, I enjoy photography, as well as socialising with friends. I also love to holiday in exotic places. I have been fortunate enough to visit Egypt, Turkey, Greece, Russia, China, India, Israel and Thailand.


I feel truly blessed to have books published; the next, A Winter Baby for Gin Barrel Lane is a follow up to The Children from Gin Barrel Lane and is out on in August 2021, and I'm working on yet another!


I would like to thank all those who have bought my books and especially those who have taken the time to review them. These reviews are very important to an author so... keep 'em coming please!

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

A Convenient Risk


A Convenient Risk Epic Book Launch

MISSED EXCERPTS:



A Convenient Risk Excerpt Three
“She’s busy getting things ready for you and the boys. I couldn’t bother her. ‘Sides, I get around just fine.”
Brandon shook his head. The man leaned even more on his nephew. His body was worn. Too many years abusing it. If he took another fall…Brandon would rather not think about it.
They reached the dining table at last, and Brandon shifted his uncle’s weight into one of the chairs. 
Uncle Owen let out a sigh. Surely the man could not deny that it was becoming more difficult for him to get around the house.
The front door opened, and Brandon’s ranch hands trailed in, dirty and dusty as ever. They were a misfit group indeed.
“Whatever Cook’s got stewin’ smells mighty good,” Cutie, the smallest of the men, said as he turned his chair around backward and straddled it.
Brandon furrowed his brow. Cook wouldn’t like that one bit.
Cutie glanced the other way.
Slim, who was tall and well built, not at all slim, cocked his head at Brandon. “Any idea when the new cattle are coming in?”
Brandon ran a hand through his thick brown hair. How was he going to answer? He had neither the money nor the means to procure more cattle.





About the Book

Book: A Convenient Risk

Author: Sara R. Turnquist

Genre: Clean Historical Romance

Release date: October 26, 2021

He never imagined her heart would be so hard to reach.

 

Forced into a marriage of convenience after her husband dies, Amanda Haynes is determined she will never love again. Not that it bothers Brandon Miller. He needs her husband’s cattle. She needs financial stability and long-term support for her son and herself. But she never expected to care so much about the running of the ranch.

 

Butting heads over the decisions of the ranch, only adds to her frustration. Her wellbeing is soon threatened as their lives become entangled with Billy the Kid and his gang.

 

What has she gotten herself into? What kind of man has she married? Is there any way out?






ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sara is a coffee lovin’, word slinging, clean Historical Romance author whose super power is converting caffeine into novels. She loves those odd little tidbits of history that are stranger than fiction. That’s what inspires her. Well, that and a good love story.

 

But of all the love stories she knows, hers is her favorite. She lives happily with her own Prince Charming and their gaggle of minions. Three to be exact. They sure know how to distract a writer! But, alas, the stories must be written, even if it must happen in the wee hours of the morning.

 

Sara is an avid reader and also enjoys reading clean Historical Romance when she’s not traveling. Her books range from the Czech lands to the American Wild West and from ancient Egypt to the early 1900s. Some of her titles include The Lady Bornekova, Hope in Cripple Creek, The General’s Wife, Trail of Fears, and the Convenient Risk Series.


Monday, September 13, 2021

Under the Texas Mistletoe

 


It has been a hot summer.  The last few days have been extremely uncomfortable.  So the best thing I can do is stay inside and read this delightful collection of Christmas Novellas.  Yes, Christmas!  But these stories can be read anytime, anywhere.  
There are three stories included: two were new and one was previously published.  I loved all three but my favorite was "Gift of the heart".  It was a beautiful tale that was heartwarming and so lovely.  Ruth had to start over in a new town.  She arrived with her young daughter and was overwhelmed with kindness and even love by all members of the community.  But one caught her attention more than the others.  They both had the chance to give a " Gift of the heart" to each other.
i loved the collection. The cover really caught my eye.  The stories were touching and a joy to read anytime of year.  Karen Witemeyer never disappoints.  Her books are always on my make sure to read list!
I received this free book to review from Bethany House.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warm-hearted historical romances with a flair of humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. A transplant from California, Karen came to Texas for college, met a cowboy disguised as a computer nerd, married him, and never left the state that had become home. Winner of the HOLT Medallion, ACFW Carol Award, Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, National Reader's Choice Award, and a finalist for both the RITA and Christy Awards, Karen is a firm believer in the power of happy endings. . . and ice cream. She also loves to reward her readers. Every month she gives away two inspirational historical novels to someone from her newsletter list and offers substantial bonus content on her website. To learn more about Karen and her books, or to join her subscriber list, please visit www.karenwitemeyer.com.

Friday, September 10, 2021

Save The Date

A sweet collection of stories that touch on subjects much more than just the obvious: weddings.

Each story had a message to share.  I was touched by all.  I was familiar with some of the authors but I was introduced to new ones, too!  That is always a plus!!!

Countdown to Her Cowboy's Christmas Wedding was the last story in this collection.  I was surprised in the story of the serious subject matter.  So often Christian Fiction doesn't go where this story takes you.  I was feeling Kate's pain and praying that she could forgive herself as well as Jay.  

This book is one that can be read any time of the year.  I enjoyed it.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7   Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.


I received this ebook set for free to review from Celebrate Lit.



About the Book

Book: Save the Date

Author: Hallee Bridgeman  (Author), Kari Trumbo  (Author), T.K. Chapin  (Author), Chautona Havig  (Author), Shoshanna Gabriel  (Author), Dori Harrell (Author), Liwen Y. Ho  (Author), Lisa M. Prysock (Author), Camy Tang  (Author), Jan Thompson  (Author), Marion Ueckermann  (Author), Jaycee Weaver  (Author)

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Release date: June 2021

Save the Date coverWeddings for every season and occasion. Adventures, mishaps, and dream destinations—this collection has it all!
As our guest of honor, you’re cordially invited on a journey through twelve heartwarming and inspirational novellas that will take you from small-town America to romantic Paris, from the sunny shores of Hawaii to New Zealand. Office romances, friends-to-lovers, second chances, and more await you in these stories full of forgiveness, redemption, laughter, and love.
Say “I do” and claim your copy of this limited-time anthology by your favorite USA Today and bestselling Christian romance authors!
January Hope by Kari Trumbo
Clothing historian Cleo goes on the hunt for an 1880s fashion magazine wedding dress. Discovering it’s part of a museum collection, her biggest obstacle is handsome curator Lowel. Unfortunately, his no-touch policy just might put a stop to her hunt and her heart.
A Valentine for Veronica by Lisa Prysock
Veronica purchased her dream wedding dress though she’s single. When an encounter with a former peer—now a wedding magazine photojournalist—entices her into doing a special feature, the pressure is on to find a husband. Will Veronica’s pride be her downfall, or will her faith lead to love?
I Take You by Marion Ueckermann
Since childhood, Kaia has dreamed about her fairy-tale wedding. But when her father’s choices crush Kaia’s dreams, her fiancé is left scrambling for a solution to their dilemma. Kaia doesn’t want to delay their wedding, and neither does Leo. He’s waited a lifetime to make Kaia his wife.
Adoring April by Chautona Havig
Whoever heard of a church expecting an incoming minister to marry their only single member as a condition for employment? Legality aside, what kind of woman would possibly agree to such a crazy idea? What’ll it take for Jesse to go from avoiding April to adoring April?
A Change of a Dress by Hallee Bridgeman
Belle struggles to bury the past and grasp her elusive future. Scarred by an incredible act of heroism, combat veteran Vince longs to courageously walk the road less traveled as an army chaplain. The two unknowingly cross paths time and again until meeting changes everything.
Time for Me by Jan Thompson
When Sheryl tries to get a world-famous sculptor to display his artwork in her gallery, she doesn’t expect him to fall in love with her in this friends-to-more romance.
The Wedding Dress by T. K. Chapin
Alexa Anderson doesn’t want to wear her mother’s wedding dress when it’s time to marry the love of her life, Brad Jackson. Little does she know, the wedding dress has a story of its own to tell…
The Wedding Kimono by Camy Tang
A tomboy massage therapist and her boss discover a mysterious message hidden in her grandmother’s wedding kimono. Can her family legacy help her to see her inner beauty and open herself up to love?
One Vow for September by Liwen Ho
She’s a writer with an unconventional assignment, he’s the jaded coworker playing her husband; together they’re one odd couple about to find out how real love is.
Braver with You by Jaycee Weaver
She’d follow her childhood sweetheart anywhere, but first they’ll need all her courage and all his support to make it through the wedding their mothers have planned.
Grateful for You by Dori Harrell
Jeans-only Libby hasn’t spoken to lawman Jamie since she turned down his proposal. But when she sees a frothy gown in a store window, she knows he’s the guy for her. But winning him back might mean landing herself in jail.
Countdown to Her Cowboy’s Christmas Wedding by Shoshanna Gabriel
A handsome rancher. The girl next door. A childhood promise comes due that could change their lives… for better or worse. When their Christmas wedding preparations bring out painful memories of heartbreak, will Kate be able to forgive Jay—and herself—so they can finally be together?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Authors

The authors of Save the Date joined together for this limited-time collection as an opportunity to bring their readers an excellent reading experience. From California to Kentucky, South Africa to Idaho and everywhere in between, these authors live and write the stories on their hearts to touch the hearts of their readers.

 

More from Chautona

Why One Epic Wedding Set Is about More Than “Just” Romance

“Oh, they say when you marry in June… you’re a bride all your life…”

When my kids were little, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers was a favorite movie, although they used to call it “Dah-dah-dump-dum.” If you’ve never heard “Goin’ Courtin’” then that won’t make sense, but what can I say? Kids. Considering I had seven daughters, it’s no wonder that my kids loved that song sung by girls wearing pantaloons and camisoles the most. My boys never seemed to get that they were watching girls dancing around in their underwear. Much to my relief.

But you know, I’m a desert rat and not a fan of June weddings. Summer weddings are… HOT. I love outdoor weddings and receptions, and they’re miserable here in June, July, August, May… September… To be fair, there are maybe six whole weeks of the entire year that wouldn’t be—too hot, too cold, or just blasting with wind.

The authors of Save the Date all chose their months for different reasons. December, June, and February were obvious favorite choices, but I had three options that called to me. Either April, May, or June. Why? Well, my book title. I needed a woman’s name!

In this collection, you’ll find a couple of marriages of convenience, a friends-to-more, a destination wedding… you name it, we’ve got it. Each author has a meaningful story around the wedding dress, and through the course of each one, we have something especially beautiful.

Love.

I’m not speaking just of love between two characters. In sets like this, beautiful friendships are forged as we write, share, and celebrate. There’s a camaraderie that fills the group with every idea, every milestone, and every frustration.

You’ll also witness one more kind of love—love of craft. See, authors do the long, hard, sometimes tedious work of writing for a reason. We love the creation of characters, settings, and stories that weave all three into a picture that stirs the heart and feeds the soul. You could argue that they are a cheap imitation of the stories God writes on our lives, but because they are an offering to the Lord, they are also beautiful, rich, and a “sweet savor,” or so we hope.

We pray you’ll enjoy your time among the brides of Save the Date. We hope you’ll be blessed.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 4

Texas Book-aholic, September 5

Inklings and notions, September 6

By the Book, September 6

For Him and My Family, September 7

deb’s Book Review, September 8

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 9

Back Porch Reads, September 9

Connect in Fiction, September 10

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, September 11

Jeanette’s Thoughts, September 11

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, September 12

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, September 13

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, September 14

CarpeDiem, September 14

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, September 15

She Lives To Read, September 16

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 16

Simple Harvest Reads, September 16 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, September 17

Giveaway

To celebrate their tour, the Save the Date authors are 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/11816/save-the-date-celebration-tour-giveaway

Monday, September 6, 2021

A Christmas in the Alps

 

How daring are you?  Simone needed that extra push from her friend to take a trip that she never expected to do.  She was afraid to fly but she faced her fear.  And she was so glad she did!!

A sweet story that is extra sweet as it is based around the Christmas season.  Simone was searching for an unknown treasure that her French great-grandmother alludes to in a long lost letter.  

On this journey, she finds much more than she expected to.  Have you ever done anything  that was against your better judgement?  Simone was the last person you would think that would do this.  Sometimes you have to take a chance!

I received this book for free from Revell to give a review.


Melody Carlson
 is the award-winning author of over two hundred books with combined sales of more than six million. She is the author of several books, including the bestselling The Christmas Bus, The Christmas Dog, Christmas at Harrington’s, The Christmas Cat, The Christmas Joy Ride, and The Christmas Angel Project. She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her many books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series and Finding Alice. She and her husband live in central Oregon.



Thursday, September 2, 2021

A Winter's Wish for the Cornish Midwife

 

I was ever so excited when I was able to pick this up and have the opportunity to read this wonderful story.  The cover caught my attention at first even though I am reading this on a day that is extremely hot outside!!

I love the show "Call The Midwife".  This often made me think of the show. The Cornish midwives were all compassionate and wonderful in their jobs.  They were a great team.  They all genuinely cared for each other.  But it seemed that Bobby and Toni's secret was threatening all that they have worked so hard to accomplish.

I could have shook Toni many times. She was feeling responsible for things that were way out of her control.   I couldn't stand the thought of what Toni could have lost.  She sacrificed way too much.  Didn't she deserve to be happy? 

I am looking forward to reading more books by Jo Bartlett.  It was a joy to read. 


Biography

I was born a stone’s throw from the English Channel and I still live near the sea in Kent, with my own family – so close to the South Eastern edge of England that we’re very nearly French - and it's probably why so many of my books are set near the sea too. I’ve made up stories for as long as I can remember, but never really took it any further. Concentrating on my career and family, writing went on the back burner until a catalyst called cancer gave me a major kick up the proverbial. I decided I was going to write that novel after all.

Since having my debut novel published in 2015, things have happened quite quickly and I have recently released my nineteenth novel. I’ve been able to fulfil a childhood dream of walking into WHSmiths and buying a book with my name on it and I still find it almost impossible to believe that my books have been bestsellers on Amazon too. I write contemporary women’s fiction, with a focus on love, friendship, family and community, when I’m not knee deep in assignments at the university where I still teach part-time. My first novel from Boldwood Books 'The Cornish Midwife' is now available on Amazon, with the second book in the series 'A Summer Wedding for the Cornish Midwife' available for pre-order.

Having recently signed a twelve-book deal with Boldwood Books, my ambition to drink tea and make stuff up on a full-time basis is ever closer. If you follow me on Twitter, Instagram or my author page on Facebook, I might even say something interesting one of these days… although I wouldn’t hold your breath!

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...