Wednesday, December 7, 2022

About the Book

Book: Oddball Ornaments: The Story of Forgiveness

Author: Terry Overton

Genre: Children’s (Young chapter book, middle grade reader) Christmas Story

Release date: July 25, 2022

Every Thanksgiving, the Oddball Ornaments are pulled out of the attic and hung on the tree to enjoy the holiday season with the humans. Last Christmas, the Oddballs learned that “Turkey Day” and “Box Day” weren’t about them but about a special Baby. This Christmas, the Oddball Ornaments can’t wait to learn more about this special holiday. But when a new ornament is hung on the tree, they find themselves left with even more questions than before. What does a drummer boy have to do with Christmas? In this heartwarming story for children of all ages, the Oddball Ornaments will see how Christmas is all about love and forgiveness and how God can take a broken family and heal hurting hearts.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Terry Overton obtained her Ph.D. in Psychology and her Ed. D. in special education. She taught in public schools and was a school psychologist and a professor before retiring in 2016. She began her second “career” after retirement and now writes Christian fiction books and devotionals and hopes to share the Christian worldview through her writing. Her novels, middle grade readers, and picture books seek to entertain readers through the travel experiences and characters included in her books. She currently resides in Laguna Vista, Texas, near the Texas-Mexico border. She enjoys Biblical history and general Bible studies, writing, and enjoying family and friends. She has seven grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

More from Terry

This is the second book of the children’s Christmas series: Oddball Ornaments. The whole idea came to me while looking at the ornaments of my tree one year and wondering, “If they could talk to each other, what would they say?” In both books, the ornaments are alive and can hear their humans, but the humans cannot hear the ornaments talk. It was fun to write these characters and to help teach these imaginary friends lessons about Christmas and forgiveness.

MY REVIEW

This is the perfect story to help young children understand about the birth of Jesus. The author brings the story to life with the oddball ornaments. They each have unique personalities and bring joy to each other. I could picture them on the tree talking and watching the family as they placed decorations around the tree.

This year the oddball ornaments are excited once gain to be out of their dusty boxes in the attic and displayed on the Christmas tree. It is fun to read how the ornaments talk to each other and are curious about Christmas. I loved how the author explained about traditions that different families have during Christmas. The ornaments were excited to learn all this new information.

The story explores forgiveness and gives examples of how forgiveness is for everyone. There is a part in the story that made me cry. I won’t give that part away but it is a great example of true forgiveness. The ornaments were shocked at first but when the Angel explained they rejoiced. A great story of the birth of Jesus, celebrating Christmas and learning bout forgiveness.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, December 7

For Him and My Family, December 7

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 8

Inklings and notions, December 9

deb’s Book Review, December 10

Mary Hake, December 10

Cover Lover Book Review, December 11

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, December 12

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 13

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

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 15

SK Bell, December 15

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 16

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, December 17

Cats in the Cradle Blog, December 18

Bookzone Reviews, December 18

Lights in a Dark World, December 19

For Him and My Family, December 20

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Terry is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/23055/oddball-ornaments-the-story-of-forgiveness-celebration-tour-giveaway

Monday, December 5, 2022

About the Book

Book: There’s No Plan Like No Plan

Author: Steve Searfoss

Genre: Middle Grade Fiction

Release date: February 23, 2022

Chance & Addie are back for a new adventure. Riding high off of the success of their first business, they decide to launch a new venture, this time shoveling snowy driveways in the winter. They are full of confidence: they have a team of kids, a shed full of shovels, repeat customers, and, best of all, a great plan. But sometimes the perfect plan can get in the way of adapting to something as fickle as the weather. Will they learn to be flexible and figure how to make this new venture work? They’re losing money fast as new challenges pile up faster than the falling snow. Perhaps a curious new partner can show them the way.

KidVenture stories are business adventures where kids figure out how to market their company, understand risk, and negotiate. Each chapter ends with a challenge, including business decisions, ethical dilemmas and interpersonal conflict for young readers to wrestle with. As the story progresses, the characters track revenue, costs, profit margin, and other key metrics which are explained in simple, fun ways that tie into the story.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

I wrote my first KidVenture book after years of making up stories to teach my kids about business and economics. Whenever they’d ask how something works or why things were a certain way, I would say, “Let’s pretend you have a business that sells…” and off we’d go. What would start as a simple hypothetical to explain a concept would become an adventure spanning several days as my kids would come back with new questions which would spawn more plot twists. Rather than give them quick answers, I tried to create cliffhangers to get them to really think through an idea and make the experience as interactive as possible.

I try to bring that same spirit of fun, curiosity and challenge to each KidVenture book. That’s why every chapter ends with a dilemma and a set of questions. KidVenture books are fun for kids to read alone, and even more fun to read together and discuss. There are plenty of books where kids learn about being doctors and astronauts and firefighters. There are hardly any where they learn what it’s like to run small business. KidVenture is different. The companies the kids start are modest and simple, but the themes are serious and important.

I’m an entrepreneur who has started a half dozen or so businesses and have had my share of failures. My dad was an entrepreneur and as a kid I used to love asking him about his business and learning the ins and outs of what to do and not do. Mistakes make the best stories — and the best lessons. I wanted to write a business book that was realistic, where you get to see the characters stumble and wander and reset, the way entrepreneurs do in real life. Unlike most books and movies where business is portrayed as easy, where all you need is one good idea and the desire to be successful, the characters in KidVenture find that every day brings new problems to solve.

More from Steve

My kids are very curious and are always asking how things work. Whenever they’d ask about something related to business or economics, I’d create imaginary scenarios where they were the business owner so they could understand better what was going on. For example: why one business would partner with another; why they would choose to sell a product at a loss; why the price of something changes; and so on.

And then one day it occurred to me to write one of these scenarios down as a story. And that’s how KidVenture started. When I was working on the first draft, whenever I told someone I was writing a book for kids to teach them about business, they would frequetnlty tell me it was something that is needed.

There aren’t a lot of books out there for kids about being an entrepreneur and running your own business; and yet, it’s something that kids like learning about because they have a sense it’s important. Not everyone is going to grow up to be a farmer or doctor or airline pilot, but knowing how to manage money and negotiate is something most kids understand they should know more about because they see it every day.

I hope kids who read KidVenture books feel inspired to be more entrepreneurial. It doesn’t necessarily mean they start their own little business. It could mean they feel empowered to negotiate, to not reflexively take the first offer they’re given. I noticed that after reading the book with them, my kids started negotiating a whole lot more. Sometimes that would drive me crazy, but even as it did, I was proud of them for advocating for themselves.

KidVenture hopefully teaches kids to be problem solvers and inspires them to learn from experience. The characters in the story have a lot of learning to do, but it’s not book learning. It’s more…adventurous than that. They learn from trial and error. By making offers and counter-offers. By making a decision and then observing what happens. And they learn by talking to customers and picking their brains. It’s the way you learn as an entrepreneur: by doing. And failing. And trying again.

One thing I really love about the story is the relationship the main character, Chance, has with his parents. Now that I’m a parent, I wanted to write a story that, first of all, my kids could relate to, and second, that was edifying. There are plenty of books and movies about dysfunctional families. KidVenture is different.

I love that at key junctures in the story, Chance turns to his parents for advice. And their style is very different. The dad in the story is playful and sarcastic and doesn’t just give Chance the answers right away. It’s more like he gives him clues to follow. There is a dynamic where the son at times wants to impress, and even best, his father; and at other times, he turns to his dad for advice when he hits a dead end.

But while there’s a competitiveness to his interactions with his dad, there is a sweetness to Chance’s relationship with his mom. He’s able to be vulnerable with her, so when he faces an ethical dilemma in the story, he turns to her. And she’s very savvy and gentle in how she asks questions that get Chance talking and reasoning through the solution himself.

MY REVIEW

This is a good story for children to learn how to run a small business. I like how the author shows Chance once again wanting to make money even though it is winter. The idea to shovel snow sounds profitable and Chance along with his sisters start their new venture.

Along the way, they learn valuable lessons about making decisions and taking responsibility when things go wrong. At the end of each chapter are questions to answer which will help children understand the ins and outs of business. Each one on the team brought something that helped the business be successful. Chance was always doing charts and broke down how much was made, materials used and salary. This was helpful to see where they needed to improve. One of the biggest lessons Chance learned was to take responsibility when an accident happened at one of their customer’s houses. It was not his fault, but as the leader he did the right thing and showed the other children about integrity and doing what was right.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 5

Texas Book-aholic, December 6

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 7

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, December 8

SK Bell, December 8

Vicky Sluiter, December 9

Cover Lover Book Review, December 10

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, December 11

deb’s Book Review, December 12

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 13

Lots of Helpers, December 14

Inklings and notions, December 15

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 16

Blogging With Carol, December 17

Mary Hake, December 17

For Him and My Family, December 18

Bookzone Reviews, December 18

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Steven is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/22ec9/there-s-no-plan-like-no-plan-celebration-tour-giveaway

Saturday, December 3, 2022

About the Book

Book: Christmas Crime Cover-Up

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre:Inspy Suspense

Release date: November 29, 2022

From USA TODAY bestselling author Dana Mentink…

A violent attack

Isn’t the homecoming she expected.

When an ATV tries to run her down in Death Valley, animal rescuer Nora Duke knows it’s a sign she never should have returned. Now she’s stuck on Seth Castillo’s ranch until Christmas with a pregnant donkey—and a criminal desperate to silence her. Facing her past is as terrifying as uncovering a killer’s twisted plan. But can Seth convince her to stay…if they live through the holidays?

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

Desert Justice

Book 1: Framed in Death Valley
Book 2: Missing in the Desert
Book 3: Death Valley Double Cross
Book 4: Death Valley Hideout
Book 5: Christmas Crime Cover-Up
Book 6: Targeted in the Desert

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Dana Mentink is a USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author as well as a two-time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, and the recipient of a Holt Medallion. She’s written over fifty titles in the suspense, lighthearted romance and mystery genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Harlequin Heartwarming and Poisoned Pen Press. You can connect with Dana via her website at danamentink.com, on Facebook, YouTube (Author Dana Mentink) and Instagram (dana_mentink.) Her monthly newsletter features plenty of goodies, gab and giveaways. https://www.subscribepage.com/b8q0y5

More from Dana

Well here we go! Book five in the Desert Justice series features Nora (Chief Jude’s estranged sister), a wild donkey who needs rescuing, and a crime from the past that intrudes into the present. Twisty, right? I was inspired to write this story after visiting Death Valley and learning about the feral donkeys which inhabit the region. They’re cute, visitors love them, but the burros can encounter health problems and cause environmental damage if they aren’t settled into a safe area. It’s amazing to me that wild donkeys are adept at detecting underground water sources. They dig “wells” which can benefit many thirsty animals. Fascinating, right? Hope you’ll enjoy meeting Bubbles the donkey and the helpful humans who rescue her in this novel. God bless and thanks for reading!

MY REVIEW

When I’m looking for a book that is inspirational with suspense and great characters this author is my go to. I have never been disappointed with her books and this one is one of my favorites from her. I love the setting of the series and have come to be intrigued enough to do some research on Death Valley.

In this installment we find a collection of characters that have something in common. They know each other but there are feelings of anger, pride and not letting go of the past that pushes this story to the limit. I loved the rescue that Nora and Felicity were part of. Bubbles is by far one of the best animal characters I’ve read. Who wouldn’t love to be around a donkey who wants to be loved and cared for? I wonder if I can talk my husband into getting a donkey?

The danger starts immediately when someone tries to run down Nora and Felicity as they are on a rescue to save Bubbles. It is not everyday you see an ATV in the desert at night, so who is out to do harm? The author gives us an adrenaline rush as Nora seems to be unwelcome at her home town. There are frictions between her brother, mother and herself which adds tension to the story . I can’t forget to mention that Nora hasn’t been back home in awhile and all those insecurities she had are coming back.

I enjoyed Seth and am happy to see him front and center in this story. He helps with the rescue which finds more drama than he wanted. Trying to keep Nora and her friend safe becomes a full time job. I liked his patience and his desire to see Nora reconcile with her family. Seth adds a layer of comfort to Nora which will become very important in the story.

Surrounded by a mystery the story is well written and I especially loved the theme of forgiveness and coming to terms with your past. Even though this book is in a series, it can be read alone and enjoyed without feeling that you are missing parts of a story. The ending is good and I was surprised at who was behind everything.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, December 3

deb’s Book Review, December 3

Through the Fire Blogs, December 3

Texas Book-aholic, December 4

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, December 4

Betti Mace, December 5

Genesis 5020, December 5

Bizwings Blog, December 6

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 6

Bigreadersite, December 7

Inklings and notions, December 7

Daysong Reflections, December 8

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 8

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 9

Empowermoms, December 9

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, December 10

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 10

Pause for Tales, December 10

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 11

For Him and My Family, December 11

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, December 12

Holly’s Book Corner, December 12

Blogging With Carol, December 13

Vicky Sluiter, December 13

For the Love of Literature, December 14

Lily’s Book Reviews, December 14

Cover Lover Book Review, December 15

Simple Harvest Reads, December 15 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Blossoms and Blessings, December 16

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, December 16

Labor Not in Vain, December 16

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

(If the winner is outside the U.S., then he or she will receive an eBook.)

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/22ec8/christmas-crime-cover-up-celebration-tour-giveaway

Friday, December 2, 2022

About the Book

Book: A Daughter’s Courage

Author: Misty M. Beller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: November 1, 2022

Her quest to repair what’s been broken leads to imminent danger–and soon it’s more than her own life on the line.

After accidentally destroying the intricate chalice her people have treasured for over a hundred years, Charlotte Durand sets out on an expedition in search of a skilled artisan who can repair the damage. What she expected to be a two-day hike becomes much more daunting when a treacherous snowstorm sets in.

The last thing Damien Levette needs in the middle of a mountain blizzard is to tend to another person, but he can’t leave behind the mysterious woman he found half-frozen at the edge of a mountain lake.

As they battle both the elements and each other, Charlotte and Damien must work together to survive the peril of the mountains—or it could be the downfall of them both.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Misty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.

Raised on a farm and surrounded by family, Misty developed her love for horses, history, and adventure. These days, her husband and children provide fresh adventure every day, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

Misty’s passion is to create inspiring Christian fiction infused with the grandeur of the mountains, writing historical romance that displays God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.

Sharing her stories with readers is a dream come true for Misty. She writes from her country home in South Carolina and escapes to the mountains any chance she gets.

More from Misty

Behind the Scenes of A Daughter’s Courage

I always love stories where the characters are on a journey, and I knew that’s exactly what the characters in this book would be doing. Our heroine, Charlotte, is the younger sister of the heroine in book 1 of this series, and we’ve gotten to know her a little better with each book. Her mother died when she was young, and she’s been the homemaker for their little family for over a decade now, never straying farther from the village than the berry patches in the next valley over. So I knew it would take something big to get her away from Laurent for the journey I had in mind for this story. Something lifechanging.

Our hero is a trapper who left the larger group he’d been traveling with to strike out on his own. I knew it would take a considerable amount of tragedy to make a man seek such complete aloneness. Damien has his trusty mule Gulliver with him, so I guess he’s not completely alone, but he’s definitely hoping to stay far away from people. As I uncovered the pain that brought him to this point, my heart broke for him and all the loss he experienced.

I love the way Charlotte’s need and the fierce mountain snowstorm drew Damien from his grief and gave him new purpose. Watching him come back to life and grasp onto God’s love for him was so inspiring!

Blessings!

Misty

MY REVIEW

The author does an amazing job of taking readers back in time to 1817. There we can picture snow covering the mountains as a harsh winter has come. I loved Charlotte and desire to help her father around the village. While cleaning one day she damages a precious item that is treasured by her and the village. She was so afraid to confess to her papa that she runs away determined to find someone to repair it. I don’t think she was thinking clearly when she finds herself in weather that was unbearable to endure. She will find a lesson waiting for her in the story which we all can use sometime. Charlotte learns to trust her father and lean on others when she is in trouble. We can’t do everything by ourselves and Charlotte finds out God has sent someone to help her.

Damien was my favorite character because he was humble, strong and searching for happiness. After losing his sister he seems to be lost and not sure what to do next. When he and Charlotte meet it is under circumstances that force them to join up in order to survive the dangers in the wild. It did take a bit of time for both of them to warm up to each other. I liked how Damien became protective of Charlotte and treated her respectfully.

The author allows these two characters to slowly get to know each other and I liked the pace of their relationship. As they start to trust each other they face danger on their journey. The author described the weather so well, I grabbed a blanket as I read the book. I loved how Damien came to understand that God loved Him. We sometimes think we disappoint others or God, but we need to remember that God is pleased with us. He loves us and delights in us. I loved the illustration that shows when we feel discouraged , God is there to lift us up.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.