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The Beloved Christmas Quilt

10/27/2017

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 "The Beloved Christmas Quilt"
by Wanda E. Brunstetter, Jean Brunstetter, and Richelle Brunstetter

One Quilt Binds Three Generations of Amish Women

Enjoy the gift of a brand new romance from New York Times bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter, along with stories by her daughter-in-law, Jean and granddaughter, Richelle.

For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me. Psalm 31:3
The scripture embroidered on the back of a beloved quilt brings hope to three generations of Pennsylvania Amish women at Christmastime.
 
Luella’s Promise
By Wanda E. Brunstetter
Luella Ebersol has been caregiver for a dying woman and her young son. When Dena Lapp gives Luella her favorite quilt, she makes Luella promise to pass it down to her daughter. But Luella isn’t sure she will ever marry if she can’t find someone with maturity and faith like Dena’s husband Atlee Zook.
 
Karen’s Gift
By Jean Brunstetter
Karen Allgyer and her husband moved to a slow-paced village to raise their children, but Karen longs for the closeness of family to help her through the challenges of managing three girls with one on the way. When life’s pressures rise, will Karen cave to her fears?
 
Roseanna’s Groom
By Richelle Lynn Brunstetter
When the unexpected happens on the day of her wedding, Roseanna Allgyer can’t help blaming herself, despite not understanding why. Then an old friend returns to town, and she battles feeling for him—afraid of being hurt again.
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The Beloved Christmas Quilt by Wanda Brunstetter, Jean Brunstetter, and Richelle Brunstetter

Three stories that cover three generations written by three generations, which all center around a beautiful quilt.  A quilt that bears the verse:  "For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me."  Psalm 31:3.
   The quilt is made by Dena Zook's mother.   Dena is very ill and dying and she gives the quilt to Luella.  Luella takes care of Dena as well as her son and husband.  She makes a promise to Dena that she will continue to do so after she is gone.  But tongues begin to wag and Luella's parents tell her she can't work for the Zooks any more.  But by then Atlee and Luella have discovered that they have feelings for each other, despite the 16 years between them, which is why her parents object.   Will they see the love that Atlee and Luella have for each other and decide that age doesn't matter?

Karen's story is about a young wife and mother who has moved with her new husband far from the family farm.  Karen becomes very homesick and becomes quite desolate.  She tries to convince Seth that life would be better if they could move back home closer to her family.  


All of this is hard on Karen's young husband, his job provides a better  income for his family, than he could back home.  As she holds the quilt in her hands, she discovers the verse on the label and it brings her comfort. Can she trust the verse just as her mother did?

Finally the last story is written by Richelle Brunstetter.  This is the story of a young woman left at the altar by her beloved John.
Her mother Karen wants to pass the quilt on to Rosanna, but she doesn't feel worthy because John did not marry her.  


After weeks of staying home, she finally goes to town and runs into Mark, who just recently moved back to town.  His attention is a healing balm to her heart, after John's rejection.  After staying with his aunt and uncle for a while John returns to try to explain to Rosanna why he left.  But she refuses to listen.  When a tragedy strikes her family, which one will she turn to?  Once more the quilt provides comfort that was lovingly put in with each stitch.  


Three wonderfully written stories by three wonderful authors.  I appreciate the fact that the Brunstetters used the King James Bible for their scripture references.  A delightful book to curl up by the fire and enjoy.
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Jesus Loves You

10/26/2017

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"Jesus Loves You"
by Christine Topjian
God's only son, Jesus, wants you to know that He loves you. He loves you more than you can ever imagine. He watches over you to make sure you are okay and knew you even before He created you. That's how special you are to Him. Won't you spend some time with Jesus today? "Jesus Loves You" is the 2017 winner of the CSPA Book of the Year for Children's Gift Book!!!
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This short story tells us of Jesus' love for all us. Whether you are reading to your kids at bedtime or sharing it with someone who does not know the love of Jesus, this story will be sure to introduce the reader to His wonderful love. There is no limit to Jesus' love and there is no limit to how many people we can share this wonderful news with. So if there is somebody whom you wish to tell of His love but don't know how, then this book could be just what you are looking for to break the ice.

I received a complementary copy of this book from Book Publicity Services in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

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The Oregon Pursuit

10/26/2017

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"The Oregon Pursuit"
​by Jenna Brandt
Surrender to destiny: a window to heart opens, when one door closes.

The Oregon Pursuit (Book 4) After Amelie Leclaire's parents pass away in a tragic accident, she must return home to West Linn, Oregon to take over the family bakery. Amelie was training to be a midwife but must give up her plans in an attempt to provide a stable life for her younger sister. Pierre Girald, the Vidame of Demoulin, is traveling to West Linn on business. A chance meeting at the bakery and Pierre is instantly intrigued by the alluring Miss Leclaire, she on the other hand, is less impressed until she gets to know him. Through many trials and setbacks, will the couple be able to form a lasting relationship or will his past and her financial problems put an end to their potential?

Window to the Heart Saga: a recountal of the trials, adventures and relationships of the family and friends of Lady Margaret. The first three books detail her journey and book four focuses on the cousin of her best friend. The series has compelling themes of love, loss, faith and hope with a supremely gratifying conclusion in book 3 and 4.

Exceptionally sincere and wondrously engaging, The Oregon Pursuit shows the journey between letting go of a troubled past and finding new hope.

This sweet, clean book can be read on its own as a stand alone book or as part of the series. 

Window to the Heart Saga
Book 1: The English Proposal 
Book 2: The French Encounter
Book 3: The American Conquest
Book 4: The Oregon Pursuit
Book 5: The Oxford Challenge (coming early 2018)
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Jenna Brandt is an expert at weaving an intriguing story that will rope you in from the beginning, hold your attention until the end, and leave you wanting more. "The Oregon Pursuit" is no exception. I loved continuing the journey of the Window to the Heart Saga. While this story did mention Lady Margaret(the lead character from the first three books), this story focuses on one of Lady Margaret's friends, Pierre. 

Pierre tried everything that he could to get over and forget Lady Margaret, but nothing worked until he met the beautiful Amelie. She challenges him in a way that nobody ever has before. Pierre really wants to get to Amelie, but she keeps putting up walls to keep him and pretty much everyone else out of her life. Pierre doesn't know what to do. He not only wants to spend time with her, but when her life is in danger, he wants to protect her even though she protests. One major obstacle standing in their way is Pierre's lack of faith. Amelie will not pursue a relationship with anyone who does not believe God. I love the spiritual aspect of this story. The author did an excellent job of showing us that we all need Christ in our life without being preachy or cheesy. This story is very faith and family orientated, and there are many things that we can learn from the characters in this beautiful story. From needing to fully rely on God to never giving up on your family. If you are looking for a good clean read that is both sweet and exciting, then this is definitely the book for you.

I received a complementary e-book copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

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King James Bible: Know the Word Study Bible

10/20/2017

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King James Bible
Know the Word Study Bible
The KJV Know the Word Study Bible offers three easy ways to begin studying Scripture and helps individuals transition from being a casual reader of the Bible to becoming a regular student of the Bible. You can choose to study the Bible book-by-book, verse-by-verse, or topic-by-topic; each path offers powerful insights that will help you develop a daily routine of Bible study. The book-by-book series of notes leads you through the main points of each book of the Bible. The verse-by-verse notes help you to dig deeper into God’s Word. The topic-by-topic articles, which cover 21 theological topics, guide you through a series of insightful notes and give you a thorough biblical understanding of each topic. With the beautiful and timeless text of the KJV translation, the KJV Know the Word Study Bible offers you choices of how to study Scripture and grow in your relationship with Christ.
Features Include:
  • King James Version Bible text
  • Three easy approaches to study the Bible: 1. Book by Book; 2. Verse by Verse; 3. Topic by Topic
  • Insightful introductions for each book of Scripture
  • Words of Jesus in red
  • Beautiful two-color interior page design
  • Comprehensive list of theological notes
  • Concordance
  • Full-color maps
  • 8-point type size
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I love reading my Bible!!!! I have never had a Study Bible before, so I would just do my own Bible Studies. This Study Bible has many helpful insights and suggestions about how to study your Bible. At the beginning of each Book, there is a summary of the Book and suggestions on how to study that particular Book. Also throughout each Book, there are different helpful insights and notes to help you understand what you are reading. I also love the Concordance at the end of the Bible. It has a lot of words with many different verses listed as to where to find that word. Sometimes there are only a couple of words for each letter in a Bible Concordance, but this one has a tone of words which is really helpful. There are also a few maps at the very back of the Bible which is very helpful if you are wanting to kind of visualize where things in the Bible actual took place. Overall this Study Bible is super helpful, and I would definitely recommend it to everyone.

I received a complementary copy of this Study Bible from Litfuse Publishers in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
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Colors of Christmas

10/20/2017

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Click here to purchase your own copy.
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ABOUT THE BOOK

Name of book: Colors of Christmas
Author: Olivia Newport
Genre: Contemporary Christmas
Release Date: October 1, 2017



"Colors of Christmas" 
​by Olivia Newport
Christmas in Blue
Angela just wants Christmas to be over. Instead, she finds herself in charge of the town’s celebration, and everything goes from bad to worse. Can she rescue Christmas for the town—and herself?

Christmas in Gold
When eighty-year-old Astrid moves into an assisted living community and meets a young woman on the brink of despair, she resolves to stir up Christmas hope one more time.
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Two completely different novellas that celebrate the hope of Christmas.  The first  called Christmas in Gold takes place in an assisted living facility, where Astrid finds herself after she has fallen and injured her ankle.  Her children decide she is no longer able to stay by herself and have packed her up bag and baggage, and she is supposed to learn to adjust.  To make things harder it is only 10 days until Christmas.  But Astrid has had many opportunities to learn about adjusting, having grown up in wartime Germany.  She knows all about having neighbors disappear for no reason and even her own father was gone for a long time.  She tries to become adjusted to her new surroundings and becomes interested in why her physical therapist carries a gym bag with her all the time that contains a baseball bat.  She begins sharing her childhood with Carly and Carly learns about faith.  And always when moving something dear always becomes misplaced and this is no exception.  Three gold glass ornaments, all Astrid has left from her childhood are missing.  They had survived the burning of their home and the journey from Germany to America only tobe lost when Astrid was forced to move out of her home.  Will she ever find them?  Will Carly be able to quit running from the guy stalking her and her four year old son?  Will this be a Merry Christmas?

The second story is called Christmas in Blue.  A story about a music teacher named Angela who can't wait for Christmas to be over.  She is mourning the death of her best friend, who had helped her through one of the most difficult times in her life, the death of her young husband, who was killed by a drunk driver.  Now many years later she has no one to help her through the death of her friend Carole.  Carole who always made Christmas come to Spruce Valley,  Carole who loved Christmas.  Angela has inherited Carole's dog named Blitzen and the planning of the town's Christmas celebration, a job she definitely did not want.  It seems as if everyone in town knew about this before Angela, and when she was told she only had 8 days in which to plan. Everything seems to fall apart.  The decorations, which were stored in the church basement, were destroyed by a water pipe leak.  The axle broke on the sleigh, the thousand candles needed for the Christmas Eve service were accidentally placed on a radiator and became a blob of wax.  The lights also were determined to be useless.  The list could go on and on. What was Angela to do now?  Read this delightful story of how Angela brings her resources together and saves Christmas for the town of Spruce Valley, and discovers to enjoy Christmas.

Both stories were very enjoyable.  Even though Christmas is a time of hope,  all things do not go right at Christmas.  But these stories teach us that Christmas is a time of hope and love, because of Whose birthday we are celebrating.  I would appreciated the use of the King James Scripture when the Bible was quoted and because of this I couldn't give this book 5 stars, but only 4. 

I received a complementary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

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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.


GUEST POST FROM OLIVIA NEWPORT
We All Have a Story

I’m younger than most of the people I exercise with. It started when I had a lot of pain in my feet and needed low-impact classes with the option of sitting down and learned I didn’t have to be a senior citizen to take their classes at my gym. Then I discovered how tough most of them are. Years later, though my feet are better, these are still my people.

A couple of years ago, while we waited for the younger and allegedly-but-not-really-tougher crowd to clear out of the group exercise room so we could invade it, a woman I would not have guessed to be 80, because she could out-cardio and out-lift me any day of the week, mentioned she had been widowed since she was 39. And she’d been widowed the first time at 19. And she’d grown up in Germany while Hitler was intent on destroying Europe and life was not easy.

Then the changing of the guard happened and I was left with my mouth gaping. I knew I had to hear this story. The next week after class, we went across the parking lot to Culvers for lunch and I scribbled notes on the backs of a pile of brown napkins while Astrid talked. Later she let me read the account of her life that she had written herself.

Astrid faced so many tragic circumstances, but she would be the first to tell you that God was with her even before she knew how to call on him. Many people with her life story would have found plenty of reason to wallow and stagnate. But not Astrid. Truly she is one of the most hopeful people I know.

Her story was the beginning of Colors of Christmas, which includes two stories. Astrid’s is “Christmas in Gold,” and the other is “Christmas in Blue.” Astrid inspired me to write about hope for a time of year when the Christian message resounds with hope yet so many people struggle to grasp hope for themselves. I pray these stories will help many recover a sense of hope afresh.

Olivia Newport chases joy in Colorado at the foot of the Rockies, where daylilies grow as tall as she is.
Blog StopsBooks N Baubles, October 17
Christian Bookaholic, October 17
Bukwurmzzz, October 17
Janices book reviews, October 18
Singing Librarian Books, October 18
Moments Dipped in Ink, October 18
A Simply Enchanted Life, October 19
G.O. & D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, October 19
Bigreadersite, October 19
Reader’s cozy corner, October 20
Have A Wonderful Day, October 20
Reflections from my bookshelves, October 20
Blogging With Carol, October 21
Just the Write Escape, October 21
Zerina Blossom’s Books, October 21
A Greater Yes, October 22
Mary Hake, October 22
Daysong Reflections, October 22
A Baker’s Perspective, October 23
Ashley’s Bookshelf, October 23
Baker Kella, October 23
Smiling Book Reviews, October 23
The Fizzy Pop Collection, October 24
It’s Storytime With Van Daniker, October 24
Remembrancy, October 24
Carpe Diem, October 25
autism mom, October 25
Bibliophile Reviews, October 25
A Reader’s Brain, October 26
By The Book, October 26
The Power of Words, October 26
With a Joyful Noise, October 27
Pause for Tales, October 27
Splashes of Joy, October 27
Jeanette’s Thoughts, October 28
Christian Chick’s Thoughts, October 28
Karen Sue Hadley, October 28
Reading Is My SuperPower, October 28
Vicky Sluiter, October 29
To Everything a Season, October 29
Pursuing Stacie, October 29
Just Jo’Anne, October 30
Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 30
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 30
GIVEAWAY
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To celebrate her tour, Olivia is giving away a grand prize of a Christmas Bundle Bonanza which includes 7 Jumbo rolls of Christmas wrapping paper, 2 sets of stick-on gift tags, 2 packages of Christmas cards and envelopes, 2 collections of Christmas novellas—18 stories in all, and a signed copy of Colors of Christmas!!
​

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c319
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Bringing Maggie Home

10/13/2017

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Bringing Maggie Home"
by Kim Vogel Sawyer
Decades of Loss, an Unsolved Mystery, 
and a Rift Spanning Three Generations

Hazel DeFord is a woman haunted by her past. While berry picking in a blackberry thicket in 1943, ten-year old Hazel momentarily turns her back on her three-year old sister Maggie and the young girl disappears.

Almost seventy years later, the mystery remains unsolved and the secret guilt Hazel carries has alienated her from her daughter Diane, who can’t understand her mother’s overprotectiveness and near paranoia. While Diane resents her mother’s inexplicable eccentricities, her daughter Meghan—a cold case agent—cherishes her grandmother’s lavish attention and affection.
 
When a traffic accident forces Meghan to take a six-week leave-of-absence to recover, all three generations of DeFord women find themselves unexpectedly under the same roof. Meghan knows she will have to act as a mediator between the two headstrong and contentious women. But when they uncover Hazel’s painful secret, will Meghan also be able to use her investigative prowess to solve the family mystery and help both women recover all that’s been lost?
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Bringing Maggie Home is a story about how past circumstances can mold and shape the lives of future generations.  Hazel DeFord is an 80 year old woman who  has had to live haunted by her past.  Hazel was almost 10 years old when her sister Maggie disappears while in Hazel's care.  The disappearance of Maggie ripped Hazel's family apart, turning her father back to drink and her mother into a bitter woman.  Hazel has lived with the guilt for almost 70 years.  In turn she becomes overprotective of her own daughter Margaret Diane, named after her sister.  Margaret Diane in turn to compensate for her mother's being overprotective and smothering her,  goes to the other extreme and raises her own daughter Meghan without demonstrating love.  Even though Hazel has suffered from such guilt and has never told either her daughter or granddaughter about Maggie,  she hasn't become bitter toward God.  

Meghan is a cold case investigator and when she discovers by accident of her grandmother's missing sister, begins to investigate what happened.  Meghan and her partner Sean discover that Maggie wasn't the only missing child during the same time and location.  Also they had something in common they were all blond and blue-eyed.  Can they find Maggie?  Will Margaret Diane solve her bitter feelings toward her mother?  What about Meghan and her mother will she feel her mother's love at last?  And what about Meghan's handsome partner, who prays before and during every case?  He is determined not to let his feelings for Meghan show because she doesn't believe in God.  

This book shows how circumstances and people's choices can affect the lives of future generations.  We must think not only of ourselves when making decisions but also our children and our children's children.  A very well written novel which spans three generations and 70 years and each was tied together beautifully.  It also showed how God can take what seems like a tragedy and use it for His glory.  I didn't want to put this book down because I couldn't wait to see how it turned out.

I received a complementary copy of this book from Litfuse Publishers in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.


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A Semi-Sweet Summer

10/13/2017

2 Comments

 
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Click here to purchase your copy.
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About the Book:

Name of book: A Semi-Sweet Summer
Author: Jan Elder
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: August 18, 2017
"A Semi-Sweet Summer"
​by Jan Elder
Cassidy Cooper never wanted to set foot in Crystal Falls again. Ten years earlier, she’d given her heart to a boy who’d, in turn, humiliated her deeply. Now, back in town as the sole beneficiary of her sister’s estate, she’s determined to make her sister’s dream of an upscale chocolate truffle shop, come true.
Hunter Gray is very intrigued by his new neighbor. His escape artist cow, Marigold, engineers an introduction…but it’s not quite the first impression he was hoping for. Baffled by the nagging suspicion he’s seen this woman before, he plots to win Cassidy’s heart at every opportunity.
With the object of her unrequited love living within shouting distance, Cassidy prays for strength to forgive and forget. And Hunter? He just wants to get back to his own dream to grow his farm and get to know the pretty girl next door. If she’ll let him.
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Grab your favorite chocolate candy and snuggle in for a sweet and endearing story. From the very beginning I was drawn into this lovely tale of romance, forgiveness, and a bit of comedy. Jan Elder has created an absolutely delightful cast of characters that will have laughing and crying along with them. Hunter is a terrific guy who just wants to serve God and win over the elusive Cassidy. The only problem is he doesn't realize how badly he hurt her when they were in high school. He is so sweet and tries everything that he knows to do in order to get Cassidy to warm up to him. However, Cassidy is so scarred from the past that she does not want to let Hunter in at all. Will Hunter be able to break through her defenses or will Cassidy's "walls" succeed in keeping Hunter at a safe distance? 

I received a complementary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.


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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
​
JAN ELDER is an inspirational romance writer with a passion for telling stories other women can relate to on a deep level. She strives to write the kind of book that will strengthen the reader’s faith, introducing the reader to a loving and forgiving Lord who walks beside us in our daily lives, while also providing an entertaining and engrossing love story.
Happily married for fourteen years to loving (and supportive) husband, Steve, the two live in central Maryland along with Jamie (a chubby black and white tuxedo cat), and Shu-Shu (a willowy tortoiseshell cat). On the weekends, Jan and Steve comb the nearby countryside in search of the perfect ice cream flavor.

GUEST POST FROM JAN ELDER
How did you come up with your premise? Is there a story behind your book? How did the story evolve?
When I first parked myself in front of my laptop, preparing to write A Semi-Sweet Summer, I was waxing nostalgic. Shortly before that, I joined a Facebook group, people from a church I had attended when I was a teenager. Memories flooded through me and a myriad of feelings, some quite strong, rose up to assault me. There were a great many pleasant remembrances, but what I recall the most about being in those “stuck in the middle” years was that there was a great deal of anxiety, the sensation of being so very different—certainly not part of the “in” crowd.
A large part of this book harkens back to my teenage years, my thoughts swinging to a boy I had the biggest crush on in high school. He was three and a half years older (I still remember his birthday) and he was definitely in the “elite” segment of our church youth group—the cool kids I so longed to be a part of. Sorry to say, I followed him around like a puppy, learned all of his favorite foods, chosen hobbies, etc. I try not to think I actually stalked him, but I was very aware of his presence, and searched for ways to be near him.
In A Semi-Sweet Summer, I tried to transfer some of that raging angst into fodder for Cassidy’s discomfort in finding her unrequited love living right next door. Cassidy never really fit in, hardly that enviable cheerleader, not a person that anyone would notice. Rather, she sees herself as sort of an ugly duckling. Now she’s back ten years later and it’s a tough situation. By this time, my characters have grown and changed from the people they were in high school. They are well on their way to the path God has set before them. And by the end, they are very different—kinder, gentler folks who have learned a bit more of what it means to truly love.
I like to think that God can use our experiences to help others through similar situations. Maybe this novel will provide some hope or closure for those who have been in the same boat, and spur them on to get past the pain. And hey, who doesn’t love a good story about baked goods, happy cows, and chocolate truffles?
As for me? The funny thing is, my husband has the same first name as my first love. He even has the same color hair, the same easy grin as that other guy. I guess one could say I am attracted to a certain type. But oh, my sweetheart is so much better. My guy is the man God had waiting for me. The other was only a pale imitation, just practice for the real thing.
Blog StopsA Baker’s Perspective, October 12
ASC Book Reviews, October 12
Have A Wonderful Day, October 13
Avid Reader Book Reviews, October 14
Reflections From My Bookshelves, October 15
Red Headed Book Lady, October 16
Remembrancy, October 16
Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner, October 17
Ashley’s Bookshelf, October 18
A Greater Yes, October 19
Carpe Diem, October 19
autism mom, October 20
Redeemed Hope Dweller, October 21
Inklings and notions, October 22
Quiet Quilter, October 23
Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, October 23
Karen Sue Hadley, October 24
Through the Open Window, October 24
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 25
Reading Is My SuperPower, October 25 (Interview)
GIVEAWAY
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To celebrate her tour, Jan is giving away a 12 piece box of Godiva Chocolates and a Kindle Fire HD Tablet with Alexa (Valued at over $100)!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c1fd
2 Comments

Walk It Out

10/9/2017

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"Walk It Out"
​by Tricia Goyer
Women often pack their lives with family, friends, and faithful service, yet still end up feeling empty and unfulfilled. In Walk It Out, Tricia Goyer demonstrates to women that walking out the mandates of Scripture allows God to spark passion and mission within them.
 
Whether believers realize it or not, God intended for them to do what the Bible says: adopt the orphan, take the gospel into all the world, and care for the needy. These are mandates that point believers down the path of true living and eternal life.
 
Sometimes those steps are easy, but many times they require a move outside of what feels safe or secure. When women stop focusing on their own dreams and purposes, and instead focus on God’s dreams and purposes, everything changes.
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Walk It Out is an autobiographical book of Tricia Goyer's challenge to seek God's will for her life.  She  shares with us how everything changed  when she began focusing on God's will for her life and gave up her own dreams and goals.  God has a will for each of our lives, if we would only yield to it.  We are to take the gospel into all the world, and care for the orphans and the needy.  

This book tells of Tricia's own turning point in her life, when she gave up her own dreams and pursued God's.  She is very pointed and candid when she tells of all the mistakes she has made in her life and how she had to accept God's forgiveness before she could begin to be used by Him.  

To live a Christian life we must read our guidebook and that is the Bible, but we must not only read it we must follow it and do what it says as well.  

I appreciated how transparent Ms Goyer was in relating her past.  God forgives and can use anyone who asked forgiveness and is willing to be used by Him.  I do wish she would have used the King James Bible as her scripture reference and because of this I only gave it 3 stars.

I received a complementary copy of this book from the author in exchange for honest review. All opinions are my own.
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Manuscript for Murder(Part of the Chautona Havig Scavenger Hunt)

10/6/2017

6 Comments

 
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I am very honored to be included in this unique Scavenger Hunt. What makes this Scavenger Hunt unique, you may ask. Well each member of the hunt was asked to read and review a different book by the author. I was privileged to read Manuscript for Murder. So please take the time to check out each stop in the Scavenger Hunt, as each person is reviewing a different book.
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"Manuscript for Murder"
by Chautona Havig
Alexa Hartfield. Author, local celebrity, fashion connoisseur. She chose Fairbury for its close proximity to Rockland, its small-town atmosphere, and its low crime rate.
Then someone made her life a literary cliché. A mysterious accident with a light bulb sparked an interesting idea for her latest novel—and for Fairbury’s new serial killer. The first replication infuriated her. The second left an even worse taste in her mouth. The third blasted more than her self-confidence, and the fourth beat her down so far that she’s considering giving up writing completely.
Who is killing Fairbury’s citizens, and furthermore, why and how are they using her novels to do it?
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The summary of this book really intrigued, so I could not wait to read it. I was not disappointed! The book is cleverly written and has a unique twist to it. The fact the main character is an author and that her plots are coming true before they are even published is pure genius. While I did figure out who the culprit was about half way through the book, the many red herrings that the author throws at us had me second guessing myself a couple of times. With quirky and lovable characters this book is a definite must read, and I cannot wait to read the other books in this intriguing series. While the original series was written several years, the author has a Christmas "Noelle" coming out on October 15. So that is something to definitely keep an out for. If you are looking for a mystery with a different spin to it, then I would definitely recommend this book.

I received a complimentary e-book copy of this book from Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
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About the Author
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Author of the Amazon bestselling Aggie and Past Forward Series, Chautona Havig lives and writes in California’s Mojave Desert. With dozens of books to her name, Chautona spends most of her time writing, but when she takes the rare break, she can be found reading, sewing, paper crafting, or sleeping and dreaming of finishing the dozens of books swirling in her overly-active imagination at any given moment.

BLOG POST FROM THE AUTHOR
​I could see her as plainly as if she sat before me. She looked like a thirty or forty-something rendition of “Miss King” of Pride and Prejudice (1995 A&E version) fame. The girl Lydia calls a “nasty little freckled thing.” I always thought her rather pretty. Add a decade or two, and she’d be the very picture of my Millicent Hartfield.
Millicent would live in a cottage at the end of a cul-de-sac. Great sycamore trees would line the streets and shade the front and back of her home. She’d be hopelessly old-fashioned, always wearing Regency gowns and bowing to modern conveniences only when the alternative proved uncomfortable. So, electricity at night—yes. Candlelight when not reading or writing… double yes! Indoor plumbing? A must. Curling irons? Not so much. A car for out of town trips, but not for daily living.
And a fountain pen instead of quill and ink. She has much writing to do.
I think, and it’s only a vague recollection, I had her as a Regency mystery writer. In fact, I actually think she originally wrote Austen as a detective before that thing was “done.”
Sigh.
Millicent refused to exist. I tried. Truly, I did. But there she was, wearing a 1940’s WAC uniform! And then she put on Margaret Hale’s dress from North & South! What’s up with the jeans and newsboy cap.
And she refused to answer to Millicent.
I changed her name to Annette. And it worked. But out of the blue, young neighbor children called her “Miss Lexie.” Ahem. I tried to correct them, but Alexa, as she insisted on being called, told me to leave them alone.
I deleted Annette and typed in Alexa. She glared at me. No, really. She did. I could see her burning eyes through my laptop screen. I put it back. A self-satisfied smile appeared as if she said, “Now do something with that.”
She’s rather… demanding that way.
I wanted her to stumble over a body. She refused. “Too cliché,” she insisted.
I tried for having one fall through her roof. She threatened to sue me.
Then her idea formed. Someone taking her horror manuscript and playing them out in her town. I mocked her. “You call tripping over bodies a cliché? The copycat murders have been done.”
She eyed me with that look of hers—the one that says, “Oh, yeah? And you can’t do something with it to make it different? You know I’ll be affronted at the idea. Use that.”
Who was I to argue?
I needed means, motive, opportunity. I needed red herrings. Want to know the truth?
 Didn’t have any of it. I just started writing. I got to the end of the story and then I knew who did it. Why. And how. I had to go put all that back in. It took a rewrite like none I’ve ever done.
But as I added that motive, those reasons that the killer did what he did, I had to explore Alexa’s reasons for doing what she does. Why does she write about gruesome murders and horrible people? How does that fit the idea of thinking on “whatever is true, lovely, pure, and of good report?”
Well, there’s more to the Bible than that scripture. As Alexa puts it,
 
“I write about justice. Others write about [mercy,] redemption or love, but the human heart was designed to crave all four. Because in all four, we see a bigger picture of God. I write the one best suited for me. I could do it in other ways, of course, but my talent lies here.”
 
And she perfectly explained why I sometimes write about the uglier sides of life. I don’t do it to glorify those things but to show a broader picture of what Jesus does for us. The Jesus who showed mercy and gentleness to the woman at the well is the same Jesus who drove out the money changers in the temple and crushed the head of Satan. I write different types of books to show that. And sometimes, those books include murder—like Manuscript for Murder.
And yes, I did get a perverse pleasure out of making Alexa a cliché after all the torment she put me through. Okay, so she was right. I admit it. But I don’t have to like it. I still miss Millicent. Poor soul.
On October 15, 2017 a Christmas “Noella” will release in the Mystery of Christmas 2 Novella Collection!  Silenced Knight features Alexa, her Aunt Faye, Joe, and the gang. It takes place about six or seven years after this book and five years after the end of the series.  I really enjoyed exploring Alexa working with Joe on a case—despite his unhelpfulness.

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FEATURED BOOKS
Past Forward— A life lived intentionally. That’s how Kari Finley would describe the world she created on her farm for herself and her daughter, Willow.  But when Willow awakes one morning to find her mother with Jesus, that life changes in ways she never would have imagined.  Past Forward is a serial novel released in six volumes.


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HearthLand— Intrigued by Willow’s lifestyle, Ralph Myner sinks most of his retirement fund into creating an intentional community.  People from all walks of life join together to “live life more deliberately.”

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Ready or Not—When Aggie Milliken’s sister and brother-in-law die from a freak medical accident, the twenty-two-year-old recent college graduate is thrust into the role of “Auntie Mommy.”  One child would have been a challenge, but eight?  Follow her journey from inept babysitter to Mommy in the Aggie’s Inheritance series.

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Speak Now— When Jonathan Lyman met Cara at a wedding, he had no interest in forging a relationship.  Still grieving the loss of his wife, he didn’t know there’d be someone so perfectly suited to help soothe the pain that still gripped him and his children.  But Cara’s gentleness and adaptability proved to be exactly what the Doctor of doctors ordered.

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Discovering Hope— When Jay Brown overhears an epic brush-off, he and the brusher, Hope Senior, forge an unlikely friendship.  He’s an Indian immigrant.  She’s so All-American that her family dates back to the Mayflower. But through Christmas lights, epic laser tag, grief, saris, and a few hundred mistletoe sprigs, they may just form more than the friendship of a lifetime.

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Manuscript for Murder—  When local celebrity, author Alexa Hartfield, finds her next novel played out as if a script for murder of local residents, she’s both grieved and incensed. With the help of a local officer, she’s on the hunt for who could have “dunnit” before the murderer kills another resident and her career.

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Prairie— When Jessa Davidson awakes in the place of her dreams, she finds herself thrust into a world that feels almost too good to be true. Only the new friendships she makes and the lessons the people of Prairie teach her help keep her rooted when her mind insists that none of it can be real.

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Confessions of a De-cluttering Junkie—  Kaye Harper has had it.  No one needs six can openers, four umbrellas per person, or a closetful of games all missing pieces.  So, with her family watching on in horror, and her feline nemesis determined to trip her up at every move, Kaye embarks on a de-cluttering mission that might just become a bit of an obsession.

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Corner Booth—  Who knew you could lose your heart to someone you’ve never spoken to? When a strange girl stops at Dean Sager’s table and asks if she can join him to avoid a line out the restaurant door, he has no idea that this one shared meal will become a weekly ritual. But contrary to his talkative nature, Dean doesn’t say a word that day or any of the following days.  And an experiment in self-control becomes a lesson in really seeing and understanding people.

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None So Blind— Waking up in a house you don’t recognize and with a family hurt that you don’t remember them is hard enough.  But when it feels like you’re forced into a life you didn’t choose, things become almost unbearable.  The only think keeping Ella Weeks from running from it all is the one thing that survived her inexplicable memory loss—her faith.

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Justified Means—  An organization designed to protect people where the law can’t, The Agency prides itself in a decade-long almost perfect record. But after an involuntary extraction, Keith Auger can barely stay ahead of those hunting down the woman under their protection.  It doesn’t make it easy when Erika Polowski is determined to escape from her “captors.”

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Not a Word— We all make mistakes, but Savannah Forrester had no idea that her biggest mistake has ruined the life of the only guy she’s ever really cared about. Todd “Mac” Mackenzie has allowed the town to think what he will of him to protect her reputation. But when she returns to Brant’s Corners, they both have some explaining to do.

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Shadows & Secrets—  In the heart of medieval England, adventure awaits.  Philip Warden has known of “the creature” his entire life, but a chance encounter helps him discover that there’s more to a person than what you see, or don’t see, on the outside. Who knew he and the village pariah would have such great adventures together or become such close friends.

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Legends of the Vengeance— Sebastian Soranzo wants nothing more than a normal life in a village somewhere far away from the pirate ship where he lives with his father.  He can’t understand his father’s thirst for revenge and the drive to help those wronged by their governments. But when an old enemy catches up with them, Sebastian finds himself out in the Atlantic in a ship too small to make it safely to the east.

Guest Post from Chautona Havig
They talked—my favorite Denny’s server and a guy she met. “Shanetta (she can’t get my name right to save her life) writes in booth 14 every night.”
“Writes what?”
Angela gave him a “duh” look. “Books?”
Again, the guy asked, “What genre.”
I’m sure she didn’t know what she was in for when Angela said, “Christian fiction.”
The man’s response? Priceless. “So, what, she makes up lies about Christians?”

As I said in THIS POST, I used to use Christian fiction as a general explanation of what I write but it wasn’t the “simple answer” that I’d expected. So, then I started saying, “Well, this one is…” and I’d fill in the blank. Mystery, romance, suspense, historical, contemporary, youth—you name it, I’ve probably written it. Well, except for erotica. And true sci-fi? Yeah. That probably won’t happen either. Horror? Not my thing.
Once I’ve explained my odd genre choice for this particular book, I tend to point out that most of my fiction follows under the general heading of Christian fiction. Inevitably the question follows, though. “Why Christian?”
It would be easier to answer why not. I could just say, “As a Christian, I find it almost impossible to leave my faith and worldview out of my writing.” It’s true, but I did manage. Once. Even then, if you look deep into the core of that little story, you’ll still find basic Biblical themes and truths. They’re just less overt.
But people never ask why not write something else. They ask why I write Christian fiction. So I tell them. I start with my purpose. “I write stories to point Christians to the Master Storyteller.” I write about Christians for Christians. I don’t write evangelistic fiction, although occasionally someone comes to Jesus in my books. The reason I do this is because I’m writing to encourage the body of Christ. If I wrote to introduce the lost to Jesus, I’d be writing mainstream to whet people’s thirst for the Word and the Lord.
But that’s not my goal. How I achieve my goal is my website’s tagline. “Christian fiction without apology or pretense—lived, not preached.”
In the books featured in this blog tour, you won’t find people, as a general rule, spouting sermons disguised as prayers. I show a faith-filled life lived… or not, as the story requires. I show you why Christians believe things that I may not even agree with. And I hope, that with each word, I create a desire for just one more minute in the Word.
GIVEAWAY
To celebrate the Scavenger Hunt tour the author is giving away a grand prize of all 14 books featured in this tour. Click here to enter.
6 Comments

Deadly Proof

10/6/2017

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Click here to purchase your copy.
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ABOUT THE BOOk

Book title: Deadly Proof
Author: Rachel Dylan
Release date: September 5, 2017
Genre: Legal Romantic Suspense

"Deadly Proof"
​by Rachel Dylan
Tapped as lead counsel in a corporate cover-up lawsuit against Mason Pharmaceutical, Kate Sullivan knows this case could make her career. What really drives her, though, is getting justice for the victims whose lives were ruined by the company’s dangerous new drug. But when a whistleblower turns up dead, it paints a target on the back of everyone involved.
Former Army Ranger turned private investigator Landon James steps in to handle security for Kate. He’s still haunted by mistakes in his past and is determined never to let something like that happen again. But it soon appears someone is willing to do anything–even commit murder–to keep the case from going to trial.
As danger closes in, Landon can’t help but admire Kate’s courage and resolve–but will her determination not to back down become too great of a risk?
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Get ready to fasten your seatbelts and hold on for an amazing ride. "Deadly Proof" is filled with so many twists and turns that you will be kept on the edge of your seat waiting to find out what will happen next. I was immediately drawn into the story and there was no way that I was going to stop reading until I found out how everything was going to turn out. I loved how the author was not afraid or ashamed to have Kate's character be strong in her faith. Sadly a strong Christian element is missing from many Christian fiction books today, so the fact that the author included a strong Christian faith in her book was very refreshing and appreciated. This is an action packed story that any suspense lover will want to read.

I received a complementary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are  my own.


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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rachel Dylan was a litigator in one of the nation’s most elite law firms for over eight years and now works as an attorney at one of the Big Three automobile manufacturers. She is the author of four Love Inspired Suspense novels and lives in Michigan with her husband. She is active on social media, and you can visit her website at www.racheldylan.com.

Q & A with Rachel Dylan

1. The Atlanta Justice series is centered around strong, female lawyers who take on high-stakes cases. What made you want to write their stories?I’d have to say it’s personal! Having been an attorney for eleven years now, I love being able to pour parts of myself into the books. My everyday life as a lawyer isn’t that exciting and is definitely not as dangerous! But I’m able to draw on what I’ve lived through to bring life and authenticity to these characters.
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2. What type of research did you do for Deadly Proof?One of the great things about writing books related to my career is that I know lawyers who practice all different types of law. Deadly Proof focuses on Kate Sullivan, who is a plaintiff’s attorney taking on a big pharmaceutical company. I don’t do this specific type of plaintiff’s work, but I know lawyers who do, and I was able to talk with them. Also, I was able to relate to my characters on the defense side because I’ve done that work for years. It was really fun to write the perspectives of characters on both sides of the case.

3. Is there a reason you chose Atlanta for this series?Yes! I’m from Georgia and lived in Atlanta, practicing law at a large law firm, for eight years. I wanted to pick a setting I was intimately familiar with to give readers an authentic Atlanta experience—sweet tea and all.


4. Where do you think Kate’s passion for her work comes from?Kate truly believes that her life’s work is to help those who have been wronged. I believe a lot of her passion stems from her strong faith that has developed over the years. She’s not a lawyer to make big bucks but to change people’s lives for the better.


5. What is the next book in the Atlanta Justice series about?Book two is about Kate’s friend Sophie Dawson, who we meet in Deadly Proof. Sophie is an Atlanta prosecutor. This story is exciting because it involves a completely different type of legal case than Deadly Proof. But I promise things get just as dangerous!
Blog Stops
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September 26: A Baker’s Perspective
September 26: Book Reviews From an Avid Reader
September 26: Faithfully Bookish
September 27: Reading Is My SuperPower
September 27: Fizzy Pop Collection
September 27: Blogging With Carol
September 28: Fiction Aficionado
September 28: Moments Dipped in Ink
September 28: Genesis 5020
September 29: Just Commonly
September 29: Bukwurmzzz
September 29: D’S QUILTS & BOOKS
September 30: 100 Pages per Hour
September 30: Smiling Book Reviews
October 1: A Reader’s Brain
October 1: Bigreadersite
October 1: Carpe Diem
October 1: Christian Bookaholic
October 2: Karen Sue Hadley
October 2: History, Mystery & Faith
October 2: Black ‘n’ Gold Girl’s Book Spot
October 3: A Simply Enchanted Life
October 3: Avid Reader Book Reviews
October 3: Just the Write Escape
October 4: Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting
October 4: Mary Hake
October 4: Through the Open Window
October 5: The Important Things in Life: God, Books, & Chocolate
October 5: Inklings and notions
October 5: Ashley’s Bookshelf
October 6: Pause for Tales
October 6: Have A Wonderful Day
October 6: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations
October 7: Just Jo’Anne
October 7: Redeemed Hope Dweller
October 7: Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses
October 8: Neverending Stories
October 8: Rockin’ My Mom Jeans
October 8: Cafinated Reads
October 9: Blossoms and Blessings
October 9: His Grace is Sufficient
October 9: Raining Butterfly Kisses
Giveaway
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To celebrate the tour, Bethany House is giving away four Suspense Novels and a $25 Starbucks Gift Card!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4664b04912/
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