Friday, January 31, 2020

Celebrate Lit Presents: Lone Star Ranger by Renae Brumbaugh Green

 

About the Book

Book: Lone Star Ranger
Author: Renae Brumbaugh Green
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction
Release Date: January 21, 2020

Lone Star Ranger Final 

Elizabeth Covington will get her man.
And she has just a week to prove her brother isn’t the murderer Texas Ranger Rett Smith accuses him of being. She’ll show the good-looking lawman he’s wrong, even if it means setting out on a risky race across Texas to catch the real killer.
Rett doesn’t want to convict an innocent man. But he can’t let the Boston beauty sway his senses to set a guilty man free. When Elizabeth follows him on a dangerous trek, the Ranger vows to keep her safe. But who will protect him from the woman whose conviction and courage leave him doubting everything—even his heart?

Click here to get your copy.

About the Author

renae green 
Renae Brumbaugh Green is a city-girl-turned-country-diva. She’s married to a handsome country boy named Rick, and she’s mom to four nearly-perfect, nearly-grown children, two rowdy dogs, and some ducks. They live in rural Texas where Renae wears overalls, western boots, and bubblegum pink nail polish. She’s a bestselling author of over 30 books, an award-winning humor columnist, and an online English teacher. In her free time, she can be found leaping tall buildings and rescuing kittens from trees. Or, she’d like to do those things, if she had free time.

More from Renae

I’ve been a fan of historical romance from the moment I graduated from The Babysitter’s Club. A friend of mind introduced me to the Love Comes Softly series by Janette Oke, and I was hooked. In college, between exams and extracurricular stuff, I read those books like they were M&Ms. That’s why, when I started writing grown-up fiction, I knew historical was my genre.
But there’s another reason—perhaps a more compelling reason—why I had to write The Texas Rangers series. See, my granddaddy was a Texas Ranger. Not the baseball player kind. The gun-toting, cowboy-hat-and-badge-wearing kind. As far as I know, he was not a master of any kinds of martial arts, so if you’re a fan of Walker, Texas Ranger, I’m sorry to disappoint.
And he was not alive during the late 1800s, as are the characters are in this series. Grandaddy died in 1980 when I was 12 years old. He was a good man, known for rescuing puppies and bringing small gifts and toys to children in stressful situations—i.e. when their parents were arrested. My favorite memory of him is sitting on his lap, falling asleep to the sound of his big, round pocket watch ticking. I have a picture of myself, age three, sitting on his knee while he typed up his reports. I love that typewriter picture, and find it significant since I’m now a writer.
Grandaddy was Robert Everett Smith, and Grandmother (yes, I called her that—she was very formal, but also very sweet) was Ellie Marie (Edgar) Smith. The two lead characters in Lone Star Ranger are named Rett (Everett) and Elizabeth, in their honor.
Like Grandmother, Elizabeth is refined and formal, yet strong headed, with her own lady-like brand of spunk. She hails from Boston, and is a little overwhelmed at the grit and gravel of Texas lawmen. But she’s not intimidated—not even by handsome Texas Ranger Rett Smith.
Thanks so much for sharing in my cherished family memories. I hope you enjoy the story as much as I enjoyed writing it!
—Renae Brumbaugh Green

Blog Stops

Among the Reads, January 21
Pause for Tales, January 21
deb’s Book Review, January 24
Texas Book-aholic, January 25
Becka Jimenez, January 26
Betti Mace, January 30
Wishful Endings, January 30
Maureen’s Musings, January 31
Older & Smarter?, January 31
Hallie Reads, February 3

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Renae is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.


My Review





The author has placed this story in old Texas and this is a rather rough lawless time, and the local sheriff and Texas Rangers are kept busy.
A brother and sister still reeling from the recent death of their beloved father are taking a trip to help find closure.
Then the unthinkable happens, and makes you wonder how often things like this really did happen?
Thus, the story is born and you really don’t know if the truth will arrive in time, and or if all will survive, and we face some tough terrain and people, but I loved the faith of these folks!
This is a very fast read, and it quickly became a page-turner, I needed answers!

I received this book through Celebrate Lit, and was not required to give a positive review.

Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Shall We Dance? by Shelley Shepard Gray






At twenty-seven, Shannon Murphy has just discovered that she has two sisters she never knew. Now, through Shannon's loving persistence, the three of them are moving in together above her dance studio in Bridgeport. Shannon is excited to make a home with her sisters and to grow her budding business. Then she meets her newest client--he has all the right muscles, a perfect smile, and a lot of attitude. Will Shannon be able to keep things professional with this charming stranger?

Dylan Lange has a lot on his mind. He's just been assigned a new partner at his job with the Bridgeport Police, and while he's busy striving to protect and serve his town, he's also trying to keep his baby sister out of harm's way while she heals from her own trauma. And on top of everything else, he's gone and lost a bet with his buddies, forcing him to take dance lessons. But when he walks into the dance studio to meet his instructor, a young and beautiful brunette with a sweet southern drawl is the last person he expected to find.

Get ready to fall in love again as Shelley Shepard Gray takes us back to Bridgeport, Ohio, where nobody gets left behind and a powerful community helps ordinary men and women to find extraordinary strength inside themselves.


Amazon 


About The Author




 Shelley Shepard Gray has published over seventy novels. She currently writes Amish romances for Harper Collins, Kensington, and Simon & Schuster and contemporary women’s fiction for Blackstone Publishing.

Her novels have been Holt Medallion winners and Inspirational Readers Choice and Carol finalists. Shelley’s novels have appeared on both the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists.

Her novels have been highlighted in the Philadelphia Enquirer, Washington Post, Time Magazine, and USA Today. She has also been interviewed on NPR as well as numerous regional radio stations.
Before writing romances, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned both her bachelor’s degree in English literature and elementary education and later obtained her master’s degree in educational administration. She currently lives in Colorado Springs and writes full time. Shelley is married, the mother of two young adults, and always has a dachshund by her side. She is an active member of her church, on Facebook and on Twitter. She also has a website, www.shelleyshepardgray.com



My Review




Today’s technology of DNA, what a remarkable tool, not that long ago one we couldn’t even conceive, now lost family members are being found and secrets are being reveal. Loved how the author used this tool to bring three sisters together, and then they decide to live together for a year.
This is a series that I have read previous books in, and this is the start of a new one, but you will not be lost to read this one, it really can stand alone.
What a joy these sisters are, and so different, and love their personalities, and compassion.
We are given a bit of romance, a few new friends, and one new one whose life is being threatened, as we follow this family finding one another.
I really enjoyed this story, and it felt like something that really happened!

I received this book through Net Galley and Blackstone Publishing, and was not required to give a positive review.  

Friday, January 24, 2020

The Outcast Girls by Shirley Dickson

An utterly heartbreaking tale of two young girls, worlds apart, who are thrown together when they have lost everything. Fans of Wives of War, Before We Were Yours and Diney Costeloe will absolutely love this poignant and moving World War Two novel.

England, 1937: After a devastating childhood at Blakely Hall Orphanage, fifteen-year-old Sandra is released. She finds work as a housemaid, finally able to put her past behind her. But the start of World War Two throws the country into turmoil, and her brother Alf is sent away to fight, leaving her completely alone.

Germany, 1939: Eleven-year-old Frieda is about to board a ship bound for England with her brother, Kurt. Life at home is perilous, with synagogues set alight and innocent lives lost to the Nazis. They have no choice but to flee, with only their identity cards and a small suitcase. But at the last moment, as Frieda stands on the deck crammed with frightened children, she spots her brother jumping off, back to land.

England, 1943: Joining the Land Army, Sandra is sent to a farm in the remote countryside where she meets evacuee Frieda. The girls are grappling with their own tragedies – Sandra fretting over whether Alf, flying a bomber in the heavens, will see tomorrow, and Frieda distraught that Kurt abandoned her, uncertain whether he is alive.

Sandra and Frieda form a friendship that sees them through the darkest of days, but in times of war heartbreak is always just around the corner. Will the girls ever be reunited with their loved ones? And will the relationships they have fostered amidst the terror of war survive? 



Amazon


About The Author






Shirley Dickson is the author of The Orphan Sisters, her debut novel.
She lives under the big skies of Northumberland with her husband, family and lucky black cat.

She wrote her first short story at the age of ten for a childrens' magazine competition. She didn't win but was hooked on writing for a lifetime.

For many years she wrote poetry and short stories and got many rejection slips.
Shirley decided to get serious about writing novels when she retired.

She signed with Bookouture in 2018 for a two-book deal. She has written two stirring World war two historical novels.
Shirley says she is a prime example of 'never give up on your dream.'

Follow Shirley on her Facebook 'Shirley Dickson Author' page.



My Review

I was quickly absorbed in this read, and it soon became a page-turner.
We journey from Germany to England, from an evil permeating Europe to living as a refugee, and being bullied. Yes, kids will be kids, but I can’t imagine what this young girl was going through, and her family was in so much danger.
Enter a young woman, girl, who has spent most of her life in an orphanage, and then in service, but she has a bright spot in the cook in the home she works. Love how God puts people in your path, and both these young women receive this blessing.
The author gives us a chance to walk in each of these survivor’s shoes, and we get to really care about each of them.
I just wished that there had been an epilogue at the end, I wanted more information about Frieda’s family, but I did enjoy this story, saw how these people worked so hard on the home front!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bookoutour, and was not required to give a positive review. 






Wednesday, January 22, 2020

The Solicitor's Son by Rachael Anderson

 
Happy Release Day!! The Solicitor’s Son by Rachael Anderson At the end of her third season, Miss Sophia Gifford is firmly on the shelf, and she’s determined to accept her current suitor—a man she likes but cannot love. When her sister decides to throw an impromptu summer house party, Sophia reluctantly agrees to help. What she doesn’t realize is that her sister has plans of her own—plans that would bring a certain childhood friend back into Sophia’s life. It’s been nearly a decade since Sophia has seen Hugh Quinton. He’s grown into a handsome, charming, and successful—yet completely unacceptable—tradesman. Her mother looks down on him, her father detests him, and society would snub him in an instant. Sophia shouldn’t even consider him. But her heart doesn’t listen to reason, and before long, she finds herself wondering how much she is willing to sacrifice for love.


      Release Day Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal Cash Ends 2/2/20 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from Clean Wholesome Romance and is sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

From Sky to Sky by Amanda G. Stevens







Zac Wilson can’t die.

Daredevil Zac Wilson isn’t the first celebrity to keep a secret from the world, but his might be the most marvelous in history: Zac doesn’t age and injuries can’t kill him. What’s more, he’s part of a close-knit group of others just like him.

Holed up in Harbor Vale, Michigan, Zac meets two more of his kind who claim others in their circle have died. Are their lifetimes finally ending naturally, or is someone targeting them—a predator who knows what they are?

The answers Zac unearths present impossible dilemmas: whom to protect, how to seek justice, how to bring peace to turmoil. His next action could fracture forever the family he longs to unite. Now might be the time to ask for help. . .from God Himself. But Zac’s greatest fear is facing the God he has run from for more than a century.


Amazon


About The Author







As a child Amanda G. Stevens disparaged Mary Poppins and Stuart Little because they could never happen. Now she writes speculative fiction. She is the author of the Haven Seekers series, and her debut Seek and Hide was a 2015 INSPY Award finalist. She lives in Michigan and loves trade paperbacks, folk music, the Golden Era of Hollywood, and white cheddar popcorn.

Website


My Review






I had a hard time really getting into this read, at times I felt a bit lost, but what a concept living forever, longevities. Maybe starting with the second book in this case is not a good idea.
I did like the concept of trying to help a child, but could not imagine outliving all of my children.
What a plot, you can survive a fall that would kill anyone else, you feel pain, but in a couple of days you are your old self, tongue in cheek on the “old”.
This book is a Christian Sci-Fi and we have immortal people, but what if they become mortal? For me I loved the idea here, but I was missing something!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Barbour, and was not required to give a positive review.

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

The Words I Never Wrote by Jane Thynne


A chance discovery inside a vintage typewriter case reveals the gripping story—and heartbreaking secrets—of two sisters on opposite sides of World War II in this captivating novel for readers of Lilac Girls and The Women in the Castle.

New York, present day: On a whim, photographer Juno Lambert buys the 1931 Underwood typewriter that once belonged to celebrated journalist Cordelia Capel. Within its case she discovers an unpublished novel, igniting a transatlantic journey to fill the gaps in the story of Cordelia and her sister’s loving yet tempestuous relationship.

England, 1936: Cordelia’s socialite sister, Irene, marries a German man from a powerful family who whisks her away to Berlin. Cordelia remains in England to pursue the writing career she cherishes, but in the male-dominated world of journalism, she can only get hired as a typist. The sisters exchange letters as politics begin to boil in Europe and tensions come to a head when Cordelia discovers Irene’s husband is a Nazi sympathizer. Does that make Irene one by proxy? With increasing desperation, Cordelia writes to Irene, seeking to understand her loyalties. But the sisters’ letters don’t tell the whole story. So Cordelia decides to fill in the blanks by sitting down with her Underwood and—finally—writing the truth.

When Juno discovers the trove of letters the two exchanged, a vivid portrait of Berlin in the devastating years during and after the war comes into focus. In this moving novel, Jane Thynne offers an intimate glimpse into a lesser known side of World War II.


Amazon


About The Author







Jane Thynne was born in Venezuela and educated in London. She graduated from Oxford University with a degree in English and joined the BBC as a journalist. She has also worked at The Sunday Times, The Daily Telegraph and The Independent, as well as for numerous British magazines. She appears as a broadcaster on Radio 4 and Sky TV. Jane has three children and lives in London.

Website


My Review




As the book begins we are at the wedding of the older sister Irene’s, as her life is about to begin with her new husband, she is marrying a rather well to do man who is from Germany and we are in the 1930’s.
The author also gives us a younger sister Cordelia, and we follow her as she goes about her life to become a journalist.
What put the story together, well, we are given a young woman who happens to buy a beautiful vintage typewriter, how I would love one! With the typewriter is a partial novel about the owner and that happens to be Cordelia.
We get up close and personal into the lives of these woman, their loves and losses, their daily lives, and just the survival during these horrible times.
The author puts faces on these people, and we walk in each sister’s shoes with the help of Juno, an aspiring photographer who now has the typewriter and now wants the rest of the story,

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Ballantine Books, and was not required to give a positive review.



The Protective One (Walnut Creek #3) by Shelley Shepard Gray






From a “skilled storyteller who reminds the reader that faith can help us survive the ups and downs in life” (RT Book Reviews), Shelley Shepard Gray weaves a moving and unforgettable exploration of love and friendship.

The tragic and untimely death of an old friend has made Elizabeth Anne rethink not only her priorities but her courtship with David, her longtime neighbor and suitor. Though he’s Mennonite like herself and has her parents’ approval, she feels that a spark is missing. Desperate for a change, she breaks things off—wondering if, perhaps, she’s the one who’s missing a spark.

When her family becomes upset with her decision, E.A. turns to her friends for support. One of them is Will, a man with a good heart who has always been there for her. As the two bond over their shared struggle to navigate a future that everyone else seems to have figured out, they are surprised to realize that they have feelings for each other.

But E.A.’s world takes a sudden turn when she realizes that she’s not the only one struggling—Marta, one of her sewing students, is in desperate need of protection. With the aid of Will and several other friends, Elizabeth Anne begins a journey that is more difficult and rewarding than she could have ever imagined...one that ultimately enables her to find everything she’s been searching for.

In this latest installment in the Walnut Creek series that “both delights and surprises” (Leslie Gould, bestselling author), Shelley Shepard Gray pens a powerful and poignant tale of friendship, courage, and love.


Amazon


About The Author







Shelley Shepard Gray has published over seventy novels. She currently writes Amish romances for Harper Collins, Kensington, and Simon & Schuster and contemporary women’s fiction for Blackstone Publishing.

Her novels have been Holt Medallion winners and Inspirational Readers Choice and Carol finalists. Shelley’s novels have appeared on both the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists.

Her novels have been highlighted in the Philadelphia Enquirer, Washington Post, Time Magazine, and USA Today. She has also been interviewed on NPR as well as numerous regional radio stations.
Before writing romances, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned both her bachelor’s degree in English literature and elementary education and later obtained her master’s degree in educational administration. She currently lives in Colorado Springs and writes full time. Shelley is married, the mother of two young adults, and always has a dachshund by her side. She is an active member of her church, on Facebook and on Twitter. She also has a website, www.shelleyshepardgray.com



My Review




Now this is the third book in this series, and these people have become friends to me, but if you are reading this one as a first, don’t worry you really won’t be lost. The author keeps you updated as to what has happened I the past, and we learn more about these friends of eight.
This is Elizabeth Anne’s and Will’s story, and a side story of Marta, a woman in need.
Will Elizabeth Anne and Will overcome obstacles, namely David and family, and there are many chuckles here!
I love the faith of these folks, a group of Amish, Mennonite, and English, all there for one another, no matter what the circumstances. Wouldn’t we all want friends like this?
You might just want to go and pick up the other two books, they are equally as good!

I received this book through Net Galley and Gallery Pocket Books. and was not required to give a positive review

Sunday, January 19, 2020

Collision of Lies by Tom Threadgill






Three years ago, a collision between a fast-moving freight train and a school bus full of kids led to devastation and grief on an unimaginable scale. But a fresh clue leads San Antonio police detective Amara Alvarez to the unlikely conclusion that one of the children may still be alive. If she's correct, everything law enforcement believes about the accident is a lie.

With time running out, Amara must convince others--and herself--that despite all evidence to the contrary, the boy lives. And she will do everything in her power to bring him home.

A fresh voice in suspense, Tom Threadgill will have you questioning everything as you fly through the pages of this enthralling story.


Amazon


About The Author



Tom Threadgill turned his love of a good tale into a full-time profession. His books have a distinct focus on clean, suspenseful action with strong character development. He is a member of the International Thriller Writers (ITW) and American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). In his downtime, Tom enjoys woodworking, riding his Harley, and chasing the elusive Yard of the Month award. He currently resides with his wife in rural western Tennessee and can be reached through his website at TomThreadgill.com.


My Review




Once you turn the pages on this one you are hooked. What a mind this author has, I can’t even imagine the scenario given here, and I don’t really want to! Horrible!
We are given a tough woman detective with the San Antonio police department, she is looking to move to homicide and I don’t she could have foreseen the case she ends up working on.
We get to see banter between these officers, and some chuckles, we eat and travel on stake out, and wonder if all will be there by the end of the story. We also get some very big surprises, so you will soon be page turning and hoping for the best.

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Revell, and was not required to give a positive review.

Tuesday, January 14, 2020

The Innkeeper's Bride (Amish Brides of Birch Creek #3) by Kathleen Fuller






Bestselling author Kathleen Fuller returns to the Amish community of Birch Creek, where an inn provides the perfect backdrop for romance.

Levi Stoll moved to Birch Creek with his widowed father, sister, and grandmother to run a much-needed inn in the small town. Within this thriving community Levi has found his purpose and joy in the new inn. It doesn’t hurt that the move also provides him a fresh start, leaving behind some mistakes he’d much rather forget.

Selah Ropp has returned to Birch Creek after trying to outrun her own unhappiness. Genuinely glad to be back with old friends, Selah starts to work at the inn and can’t deny the sparks that fly between her and the handsome innkeeper. He’s like no man she’s ever met.

But Selah has a past, and she knows Levi will reject her if he discovers it. What she doesn’t know is that Levi is overcoming his own past mistakes while trying to ignore his attraction to his employee.

With Kathleen Fuller’s trademark humor and memorable characters, The Innkeeper’s Bride reminds us all that with God’s grace, the past is forgotten and love will reign supreme.


Amazon


About The Author





With over a million copies sold, Kathleen Fuller is the author of several bestselling novels, including the Hearts of Middlefield novels, the Middlefield Family novels, the Amish of Birch Creek series, the Amish Letters series, the Brides of Birch Creek series, the upcoming Mail Order Brides of Birch Creek, as well as a middle-grade Amish series, the Mysteries of Middlefield. She has also contributed to numerous novella collections.

She and her husband James live in Arkansas and have three adult children. When she’s not writing, Kathleen is avidly crocheting, reading, and traveling, sometimes all at the same time. She runs the Facebook group Books & Hooks, which combines her love of books, crochet, and collecting recipes that she’ll never have enough time to make.

Website


My Review





I loved that the author gives us a story with a young woman dealing with depression, often swept under the rug, but with Selah and her trying to go on with her life, we get a glimpse into what she has to deal with.
Then we have a young man that is quickly given more responsibility than he anticipated, and finds out he needs to learn to trust his faith.
Can these two unlikely individuals form a relationship?
Now, I have been a read the other two books in this series, and I love that old characters that I care about are brought back in this book, and we are updated!
We also have Amish match makes at their finest!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Zondervan. and was not required to give a positive review.

Thursday, January 9, 2020

Celebrate Lit Presents: Forget Me Now by Alana Terry

Forget me now FB BannerAbout the Book

Book: Forget Me Now
Author: Alana Terry
Genre: Christian Mystery and Suspense
Release Date: July 19, 2019
Forget me NowShe’s forgotten everything … including who it is that wants her dead.
Mia’s trapped in a nightmare inside her own mind. After a brain injury leaves her unable to form new memories, all she knows is that entire months of her life are missing. Those closest to her are dead, and someone’s on their way back soon to finish the job.
Heart-gripping, page-turning Christian suspense from the author whose books are called “intense,” “life-changing,” and “impossible to put down,” Forget Me Now is a psychological thriller with enough twists to keep you reading … and guessing … late into the midnight hours.
Download your copy today for a fast-paced adrenaline rush you’ll never forget.

Click here for your copy.

About the Author

alana terryAlana is a pastor’s wife, homeschooling mom, self-diagnosed chicken lady, and Christian suspense author. Her novels have won awards from Women of Faith, Book Club Network, Grace Awards, Readers’ Favorite, and more. Alana’s passion for social justice, human rights, and religious freedom shines through her writing, and her books are known for raising tough questions without preaching. She and her family live in rural Alaska where the northern lights in the winter and midnight sun in the summer make hauling water, surviving the annual mosquito apocalypse, and cleaning goat stalls in negative forty degrees worth every second.

More from Alana

I love writing Christian fiction suspense. I have multiple series for sale and one of the things my readers have grown to appreciate is how many of their favorite characters show up in more than one series. Another aspect of my books that readers’ enjoy is the mystery, intrigue, and twists and turns involved as they reach the final page.
My new novel, Forget Me Now, has all the favorite elements mentioned above, but includes a new psychological thriller element that I hope readers will love as much as I loved bringing it to them. This novel asks the question, “What would you do if you woke up to find three months of your memory entirely gone? Who would you turn to for answers during that confusing time … and how would you react if you began to question the ones you turned to for the truth?
Read all about how Mia handles a predicament just like this (except even more dangerous) in Forget Me Now, complete with all the thrills and gripping suspense you’ve grown to love from Alana Terry novels as well as the reminder that God is always in control.
If you want, let me know your thoughts after you’ve had a chance to dive into this thriller that is truly unforgettable by emailing me at alana@alanaterry.com.

Blog Stops

Back Porch Reads, December 28
Rebecca Tews, December 28
Blogging With Carol, December 29
Mamma Loves Books, December 29
Betti Mace, December 30
Genesis 5020, December 30
Emily Yager, January 3
Quiet Quilter, January 5
Texas Book-aholic, January 6
Bigreadersite, January 7
janicesbookreviews, January 8
Mary Hake, January 9

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Alana is giving away the grand prize of a $30 Amazon Gift Card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

My Review



As I’m reading this quick read, I kept hoping that things are really different, and why did this happen?
On the cusp of life, a young girl, plans for college, a boyfriend she loves, and now a senior trip!
Rather like the movie “Ground Hog Day”, you feel like you are with Mia in a time warp! Will she ever wake up, and then what? You hope it is all a nightmare!
I loved the Pastor’s wife, and what a compassion she has for this young lady, and we get to see the part she plays in Mia’s life.
You won’t be able to put this fast pace book down, I know I read it all at once, I had to have answers!

I received this book through Celebrate Lit. and was not required to give a positive review.






Celebrate Lit Presents: Bartholomew Squire Of The Subway by Carol L. Lester

About the Book

Book: Bartholomew: Squire of the Subway
Author: Carol L. Lester
Genre: Children’s
Release Date: December 2019

Bartholomew, an intelligent iguana with brown-and-green mottled, scaly skin, loves riding the New York City subway. The underground railroad, which clatters and whooshes before it takes off, teems with people, but Bartholomew doesn’t mind. He enjoys his escape from his life in a museum exhibit and spends the morning observing other passengers.
On his ride, Bartholomew watches several Regulars and learns about their similarities, their differences, and how they interact or don’t interact with others. Bubbly Becky radiates joy, and she even sits next to Bartholomew. Fred always wears a bright scarf and sometimes hums, but he keeps to himself. Mrs. Hatmer keeps her four children organized, but some passengers are annoyed by the kids. By the end of Bartholomew’s ride, he learns about the value and uniqueness of each person.
Bartholomew, Squire of the Subway includes questions in the back to encourage young readers to explore the lessons Bartholomew learns. Carol Lester’s children’s books spark discussions with adult and school-aged readers alike. With each book, Lester seeks to influence and shape lives, young and old.

Click here to get your copy.

About the Author


Carol L. Lester is a published author and has taught secondary English / language arts for over thirty years. She holds teaching certificates in three states with degrees in education and sport psychology. Carol lives in San Antonio, Texas, and enjoys her role writing children’s stories that educate and delight. She previously published Roo, the Kangaroo Cat.


More from Carol 

I am so very thankful for all opportunities I have experienced thus far in my life, and they have been varied! As an Air Force brat, I traveled the globe and experienced languages and cultures about which other people only dream. I have embraced those times of travel in my adult life as well. For instance, I chaperoned 54 high school students to Europe one summer, and I have served as a missionary in both Ukraine and Kenya. In years past I have taught aerobic dance classes and sign language classes, but I owned my own jewelry business for ten years, too. That involved training other jewelers and marketing and selling my line of accessories. With all those experiences, I have served people from all walks of life.
I am definitely a sports enthusiast, but college basketball is my passion, especially when it comes to the University of North Carolina Tarheels! (I am a Carolina alumnus and was actually named after the university.) I was blessed to serve as sole caregiver for my aging parents and now look forward to serving others in a new capacity as author and “coach.”
I enjoy serving as a member of the Oak Hills Church Singers, but I have been a pianist and percussionist for over 50 years. (I served as the drummer and back-up vocalist for Keith Henderson Presents Elvis in the late 1970s!) My “claim to fame,” as it were, is that I was the first female drumline captain in the Atlantic Coast Conference (1976-78).

Blog Stops

Book of Ruth Ann, January 7
Mamma Loves Books, January 7
A Reader’s Brain, January 13
Texas Book-aholic, January 14
Mary Hake, January 16
janicesbookreviews, January 17
Lighthouse Academy Blog, January 18 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Carol is giving away the grand prize package of an autographed copy of both of her books, ROO and Bartholomew, plus a $25 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.


My Review




At first glance my little niece loved the bright colors of this book. Once we started to read this, she was quickly absorbing facts about iguanas, and she was pointing at what our now friend was talking about.
As we journey on the NY City Subway, we meet all types of people, and my little one was quickly observing and pointing things out. Some are friendly, others busy working, some hum, another was juggling, wow!
I loved that the author offers a cute story, along with how many different people travel and we get to observe. It is now a favorite go to book!

I received this book through Celebrate Lit, and was not required to give a positive review.



 


Tuesday, January 7, 2020

Collateral Damage (Danger Never Sleeps, #1) by Lynette Eason


Honorably discharged from the Army after an explosion nearly killed her, former military psychiatrist Brooke Adams has set up shop to help others--but her days of helping military personnel are over. She's got her own battles to fight from her time overseas, and she's not equipped to take on more. Former Army Special Ops Sergeant First Class Asher James could handle anything that war sent his way--terrorists, bombs, bullets. The only thing that scares him now is sleep. As the shadows close in, the nightmares begin.

Finally convinced that he needs help, Asher makes an appointment with a counselor, and Brooke is pressed by her boss to take him on. When he arrives at her office she isn't there--but a dead body is. Brooke is devastated when she walks in, and Asher is a conveniently strong shoulder to cry on. But she can't take him on as a client after sharing such an intimate and unprofessional moment, can she? And he's not sure he can handle sharing his deepest fears with such a beautiful woman.

When it becomes clear that Brooke was the real target of the attack--and that her secrets go even deeper than his own--Asher vows to protect her no matter what.

Bestselling author Lynette Eason is back with a new series that spans the globe and will have your heart working overtime.


Amazon


About The Author







Lynette Eason grew up in Greenville, SC. She graduated from the University of South Carolina, Columbia, and then obtained her masters in education from Converse College. Author of twenty inspirational romantic suspense books, she is also a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA). In 1996, Lynette married "the boy next door" and now she and her husband and their two children make their home in Simpsonville, South Carolina."

Website


My Review






This book quickly became a riveting read, and hard to put down, but will also lingering with you. At first, I was asking myself how what seems to be two different stories, what relates them?
When the answers begin to unfold it will make you sick, how much evil and greed there is and any anyone is expendable!
The author gives us a several women with a lot of compassion, and with what they have been through, you marvel at how they are there for their fellow man.
We are also given some good men, and without them the outcome of this story would surely have a different ending.
If you like Christian suspense this one will keep you right to the end, and then some!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Revell. and was not required to give a positive review

On Wings of Devotion (The Codebreakers, #2) by Roseanna M. White






All of England thinks Phillip Camden a monster--a man who deliberately caused the deaths of his squadron. But as nurse Arabelle Denler watches the so-dubbed "Black Heart" every day, she sees something far different: a hurting man desperate for mercy. And when their paths twist together and he declares himself her new protector, she realizes she has her own role to play in his healing.

Phillip Camden would have preferred to die that day with his squadron rather than be recruited to the Admiralty's codebreaking division. The threats he receives daily are no great surprise and, in his opinion, well deserved. What comes as a shock is the reborn desire to truly live that Arabelle inspires in him.

But when an old acquaintance shows up and seems set on using him in a plot that has the codebreakers of Room 40 in a frenzy, new affections are put to the test.


Amazon 


About The Author





oseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. She and her family make their home in the beautiful mountains of West Virginia. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.


My Review





This story grabbed and held me from page one to the end, I loved getting lost in England during the first World War.
This is the second book in this series of Code Breakers, and this one can be read alone, but what a job to do, I think I would love solving these necessary puzzles.
This book does take on more than code breaking, and my heart was in my throat wondering what was going to happen, especially after the arrest.
The author gives us colorful people as spies, but we don’t want them to win, and their evil preserved. We are also given some characters that love the Lord and they live their lives as Christians, and see them rewarded for their beliefs.
You don’t want to miss this one, I wanted it to go on and on!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review. 
  

End Game (Capital Intrigue, #1) by Rachel Dylan






When elite members of the military are murdered on the streets of Washington, DC, FBI Special Agent Bailey Ryan and NCIS Special Agent Marco Agostini must work together to bring the perpetrator to justice. Unfortunately, all evidence points to a Navy SEAL sniper whom Bailey refuses to believe is guilty.

When Bailey and Marco start to connect the dots between the victims, including a link to a powerful defense contractor, they wonder if there's a deeper cover-up at play. Then Bailey is targeted, and it becomes clear that someone is willing to kill to keep their dark secrets.

With the stakes getting higher by the moment in a twisted conspiracy, there's a rush against the clock to determine whom they can really trust. As allies turn to enemies, the biggest secret yet to be uncovered could be the end of all of them.


Amazon


About The Author





Rachel Dylan is an award-winning and bestselling author of legal thrillers and romantic suspense. Rachel has practiced law for over a decade including being a litigator at one of the nation's top law firms. She enjoys weaving together legal and suspenseful stories. Rachel writes the Atlanta Justice Series which features strong, female attorneys in Atlanta. Deadly Proof, the first book in the Atlanta Justice series, is a CBA bestseller, an FHL Reader's Choice Award winner, a Daphne du Maurier Finalist, and a Holt Medallion Finalist. Rachel lives in Michigan with her husband and five furkids--two dogs and three cats. Rachel loves to connect with readers. You can find Rachel at www.racheldylan.com.


My Review




The author begins this book with us wondering what is going on, and when independent government agencies come together, you know this is something big happening here.
When more tragic victims are put down, the team is attacking all different leads to bring down the culprits.
When facts start to be revealed, I wondered if this isn’t a true story, but I sure hope not.
Evil perpetrates more evil here, but we hope justice will prevail, and with the hit squad trying to take out our agents, well, we hope all will survive.
We are offered non-stop action, and a real page turner for answers, and maybe throw in a little romance, but this one is a winner!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House and was not required to give a positive review.


 

Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours Presents: Fast Times, Big City by Shelly Frome

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