Wednesday, June 18, 2025

DIAL S FOR SECOND CHANCES TOUR WITH CELEBRATE LIT

About the Book

Book: Dial S for Second Chances

Author: Linda Shenton Matchett

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Release date: July 14, 2023

Can years of hurt and misunderstanding be transformed into a second chance at love?

Jade Williams agrees to be on the high school reunion committee because the-one-that-got-away is out of the country and won’t be home in time to attend the festivities. Now, he’s not only home but joined the committee. Is it too late to back out or can she set aside forty-five years of regret and pretend she isn’t to blame for her broken heart?

One of the downsides of being rich means fielding requests for money and favors. But when an old high school buddy contacts Derek Milligan to be on the reunion committee as just one of the gang, no strings attached, he can’t resist. At the first meeting, he’s dismayed to find himself sitting next to his former high school sweetheart. He should be angry. Instead, he’s attracted. Can he risk his heart a second time?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Linda Shenton Matchett writes happily-ever-after historical Christian fiction about second chances and women who overcome life’s challenges to be better versions of themselves.

A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry (of Star-Spangled Banner fame) and has lived in historical places all her life. She is a volunteer docent and archivist at the Wright Museum of WWII and a former trustee for her local public library. She now lives in central New Hampshire where she explores the history of this great state and immerses herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors.

More from Linda

Dear Reader:

I was honored to be asked to participate in the You’re on the Air multi-author project and jumped at the chance for the letter S because I love a good second-chance romance. Probably because of my own.

Thanks to my dad’s job we relocated numerous times during my growing up years, and to my horror, we got another transfer in the middle of my junior year in high school. Not only would I be leaving friends behind, I was also dating someone rather seriously (spoiler alert – my parents did NOT care for him!). So, a few weeks after we arrived in Maryland when this guy at church asked me out, I stated I was not dating anyone, least of all him.

He finally convinced me to go out with him on a one-shot deal. If I had a terrible time, he’d never bother me again. Drat! I had a great time! J We dated through high school but broke up a couple of times through college. Finally engaged in our senior year, things looked good until they didn’t, and I broke off the engagement two months before the wedding.

His response? “I’ll be here when you’re ready.”

And he was. I came to my senses in September, and we married in October of that year. We celebrated our 41st wedding anniversary last year.

Dial S for Second Chances is about high school sweethearts who reconnect at their 45th reunion, and I had a wonderful time stepping back into the 1970s during my research. Yes, I’d lived the decade, but it had been a while! One of the things we did during high school was attend concerts. My husband-to-be introduced me to the fledgling contemporary Christian music scene, so I created a playlist as inspiration. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGBLgJnORx8&list=PLlRXWNqXm5gxmOm7FIiO-nWyanyIKukeu

Enjoy this blast from the past!

Linda Shenton Matchett

MY REVIEW

Have you ever wished that you had a second chance? In this story we find two people who have lost touch many years ago. In high school they were close until one was hurt emotionally. I remember the crush I had on a boy in ninth grade. I was so sure we would last forever, but it didn’t.

I love how the author creates a scenario where a high school reunion brings memories and rekindles friendships. Jade is a good character who still holds feelings for a certain someone. I kept thinking how she has held onto this hurt for so many years. After all this time she still finds herself having unforgiveness blocking what God has for her.

It was interesting to meet Derek and see how his life has changed in many ways. He had no clue that Jade still feels hurt by something that happened so long ago. He is successful yet he has felt deep loss. As the two work together with others to plan a reunion, old feelings start to surface. I like how the author slowly reveals that they each have issues from their past that need to heal.

The story illustrates how God gives us second chances and a renewed relationship with Him. Giving to others is Derek’s heart and we see a side of him that he has hidden. He is an humble man who has carried the pain of losing his wife for too long. Will he be able to open his heart again? Jade finds herself realizing that she has not forgiven Derek and finds herself searching her heart for grace. A beautiful story awaits readers in this second chance book.

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

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 17

Texas Book-aholic, June 18

Artistic Nobody, June 19 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, June 19

Vicky Sluiter, June 20

Fiction Book Lover, June 21 (Author Interview)

Life on Chickadee Lane, June 22

Simple Harvest Reads, June 23 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 24

Guild Master, June 25 (Author Interview)

Pause for Tales, June 25

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 26

Vicky Sluiter, June 27 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, June 28

For the Love of Literature, June 29 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, June 30

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Linda is giving away the grand prize of a signed paperback edition of the book and a $25 Visa Gift card!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54239

Wednesday, June 4, 2025

About the Book

Book: Saving the Mountain Man’s Legacy

Author: Misty M. Beller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: April 18, 2025

In the wild mountains of the Montana Territory, the Coulter ranch is a place of family, second chances…and a hidden fortune.

Sampson Coulter is determined to undo his disastrous mistake that is jeopardizing his family’s future. Now he’s deeply embedded in the corrupt mining empire of the ruthless Mick McPharland, and has earned the trust of Jedidiah, the brutal right-hand man. The threat reaches much farther than his own family, and he knows he must dismantle the operation from within…or die trying.

Grieving the loss of her mother, Jewel Hampton is shocked to discover a newborn baby on her doorstep. When she seeks help from her father, Jedidiah, she never imagines he’ll force her to marry Sampson Coulter, the kind man who only gave her a ride to town. Though her father has always been willing to pass her off, at least she has Sampson’s promise to protect her and the baby. It doesn’t hurt that he’s the most handsome man she’s ever seen.

Marrying Jedidiah’s daughter adds an impossible complication to Sampson’s mission. It seems he can’t have it all—redemption for himself, justice for the victims of the corruption, protection for the innocent…and a life with the woman and babe he’s coming to love.From a USA Today bestselling author comes the gripping series finale filled with high-stakes danger, a marriage of convenience, an instant family, and love that heals wounded hearts.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Misty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author with over 1 million books sold. She writes 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

Hello Friends!

I’m BEYOND excited to share the finale of the Brothers of Sapphire Ranch series with you! This is Sampson’s story, the black sheep of the family. I thought it might be fun to give you a taste of one of my favorite scenes in the book:

***

Sampson eyed the woman he’d been told to marry. “I’d feel better if you and Ruby weren’t at the mercy of your father. I’d rather give you my name and make sure you have a nice place to live—a safe place. I’ll make sure you want for nothing.” She studied him with furrowed brow. He let his eyes plead with her as he said this last part. “Please consider it. For Ruby’s sake, if nothing else.”

Her expression didn’t change, she simply…stared at him. What thoughts churned in that mind of hers? Did she believe him?

Or did she think he was on her father’s side, trying to manipulate her into giving him control?

Show her the truth, Lord.

At last, her mouth parted as she prepared to speak. Her voice came out hesitant. “Would you expect to…live with us? Like a real husband?”

He shook his head, fighting off the burn in his cheeks at what she really asked. “You can live wherever you like. My family has a ranch a day’s ride from here. You’re welcome to move in there. Or if you want to be on your own, near a town, we’ll find a place you like.” He forced himself to meet her gaze again. They had to be honest with each, and he couldn’t let embarrassment get in the way of anything she needed to ask. “I won’t expect anything from you. Nothing like in a usual marriage.”

Her shoulders sagged a little, as if in relief. But a small furrow remained between her brows. “Why are you doing this? Why would you willingly burden yourself with us?”

He let himself consider her question. Why did he want her to say yes so much? He didn’t owe her anything. She was the daughter of his enemy—kin to the man who stole a year’s worth of sapphires from his family.

But this woman was different. Nothing like Jedidiah. And for some reason, he craved to keep her safe. To protect her from the evil who’d sired her. She didn’t deserve to be at that man’s mercy. Nor did the sweet child.

Sampson could help her so easily. Not only did he have money from his share of the sapphires, which he’d saved for years, he also had his pay from McPharland.

He swallowed as he tried to put all this into words. “I can help you.” His voice graveled with how much he wanted to do that. And then he let himself say the real truth. “And maybe in helping you, I can make up for my own mistakes.”

***

I pray you love Sampson and Grace’s story in Saving the Mountain Man’s Legacy!

Blessings!

Misty

MY REVIEW

If you haven’t read the books in this series, stop everything. Grab book one and settle in for an adventure that follows brothers on their journey to find happiness. Along the way the author highlights each brother and gives readers a look at life where hard work, faith and family are important.

Sampson is such a great character with his work ethics, deep faith and loyalty. I love how he is willing to help others out. When he meets Grace we see a side of him that is endearing. He is not fond of Grace’s father but he knows he needs to help her out. Sampson has been working for Grace’s father who is not an honest man. Will Grace be safe with her father?

Grace is a sweet young woman who finds herself raising a baby alone. She is desperate to start a new life and decides to go see her father. Grace has no idea that her father is not someone she should be around. I liked how she trusts Sampson even when there is danger near. Her desire to know God is refreshing and is illustrated beautifully.

I really like how Sampson’s family is always there for each other. They welcome Grace with open arms and show her that there are good people out there in the world. I kept wondering what his brothers would do once they found out who beat Sampson so badly. They must be wondering about Grace and the baby as well.

I love when Sampson’s older brother tells Grace, “Family is never an imposition.” The shock of seeing Sampson beat up gives Grace pause. Will he tell her who did this to him? His protectiveness of Grace and the baby is nice to witness. The story is a testament to how much we all need Jesus. We can’t “do this alone.” “None of us are good enough.”

A big thank you to the author for an amazing series . I love how the author shared God in a sweet way and weaved His goodness, grace and protection throughout this series. I’m sad to say goodbye but am looking forward to a new adventure with the author.

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

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 31

lakesidelivingsite, May 31

Book Looks by Lisa, June 1

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 2

Simple Harvest Reads, June 3 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

Melissa’s Bookshelf, June 3

Texas Book-aholic, June 4

Betti Mace, June 5

The Important Things in Life: God, books, & chocolate , June 5

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 6

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 7

Holly’s Book Corner , June 7

Cover Lover Book Review, June 8

Devoted To Hope, June 9

Blossoms and Blessings, June 9

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, June 10

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 11

Pause for Tales, June 11

Books You Can Feel Good About, June 12

Jeanette’s Thoughts, June 13

Mary Hake, June 13

Giveaway

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

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54233

Monday, June 2, 2025

About the Book

Book: Warsafe

Author: Lauren Smyth

Genre: YA Science Fiction

Release date: May 6, 2025

Play. Win. Survive.

There’s one building on her island that Halley has never visited: the Mercenary House. Perched atop a mountain, surrounded by unnaturally evergreen foliage, the House is rumored to be a breeding ground for criminals. Mercenaries are liars, cheats, spies . . . and maybe, depending on who you ask, killers.

At the Warsafe headquarters in Seattle, Roscoe is beta testing the company’s new video game. It’s her job to track down glitches—but something is different about this one. Lurking behind the lines of malfunctioning code is a secret that threatens to drag her deeper into the game, forcing her to put her life on the line if she ever wants to come home.

Worlds collide as Roscoe teams up with Halley to uncover the island’s secret and expose Warsafe’s designs. But some mysteries are better left unsolved. As traitor after so-called traitor is revealed to be on their side, they begin to wonder: Could Warsafe’s mission be critical enough to justify its cruelty?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Lauren Smyth is an economics and journalism student at Hillsdale College. Since signing her first publishing contract at age 13, she has written three young adult action/adventure novels, coded two story-based video games, and started a blog enjoyed by readers and writers around the world. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her flying right seat in a Piper PA-30 aircraft, recording episodes of her Grammar Minute writing podcast, or heading upriver on her paddleboard.

More from Lauren

The Mercenary House, where much of Warsafe takes place, quite literally appeared to me in a dream.

By age 12, I’d already watched way too many action-adventure movies. (Did anyone else grow up on Tom Clancy—The Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games?) Most nights, I was hyped on fictional adrenaline, and I was able to lucid dream. So I got to star in highly imaginative and unrealistic versions of my favorite spy stories when I fell asleep.

That night, I found myself trapped in the basement of an eight-story house. Guards patrolled the rooms outside, and somehow I knew I had to sneak past them to reach the top floor. I also knew I was dreaming and in no real danger, which made me brave. So I crawled through air ducts, hid in shadowy corners, and darted behind turned backs. And I escaped.

The dream was so logical compared to others I’d had that it stuck in my mind. Why was I trying to get to the roof? Why did I agree to play this “game?” What was the secret behind that dilapidated, shadowy building where I’d been imprisoned?

A few years later, I started coding video games. My first full-length game featured more than 100,000 lines of code and is probably part of the reason why I’m so near-sighted. I loved the results, but not the process. More than coding, I realized I loved storytelling—weaving together sentences and images and movements that became a world on the reader’s screen.

I hadn’t forgotten my dream, but I didn’t have the Python know-how to turn it into a game. And I’d gotten sick of naming variables. (Somewhere in the source code for that first game, there’s an if-then statement oh-so-creatively named “againagainagainagainagainagainagain.” See also the classic: “help.”) What if, instead of crawling back to my code editing software, I wrote a book?

And what if that book wasn’t just about a fictional video game, but was also an exploration of morality, economics, and politics in a parallel world?

I believe that good books don’t answer questions; they make you ask new ones. They draw you into a situation you’ve never experienced and force you to take sides, rooting for or against characters, judging or supporting their choices. If you could stop a catastrophe by sacrificing a few people, would you do it? If you were offered control over someone’s life, would you take it?

That’s the central dilemma of Warsafe. What you choose, who you agree with is up to you. Like a real video game, Warsafe lets you confront the same choices as the characters and work your way out of the puzzle—if you can do it without compromising your morality.

Remember Warsafe’s motto: Safety requires the many to sacrifice the one.

Disagree?

Enter the Warsafe universe and prove it.

MY REVIEW

This has been an intriguing story that is a young adult science fiction story. My children loved to play video games which I have never been able to conquer. I found it interesting that the author incorporated gaming where reality and fantasy collide. I did like Roscoe and found her to be smarter than she thought she was.

I can’t imagine sitting all day playing a game but Roscoe has been hired to beta test this particular game. The deeper she gets into the game, the more secretive the game becomes. Racing against time she teams up with Halley to discover the secret within the game. With vivid imagination the author brings to life good vs evil hidden where no one was suppose to uncover it.

Clever threads of faith are found in the story and illustrates our purpose and overcoming the tricks that evil uses to steal our thoughts. Great story that has some violence but nothing alarming. It is filled with weapons, etc as the game plays out in real life. Are you confused? Read the book and see how two worlds collide.

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

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 27

Artistic Nobody, May 28 (Author Interview)

CeCe Reads and Sings, May 28

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 29

The Lofty Pages, May 30

Guild Master, May 31 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, June 1

Texas Book-aholic, June 2

Fiction Book Lover, June 3 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 4

Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 5

Simple Harvest Reads, June 6 (Guest Review from Mindy)

For the Love of Literature, June 7 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, June 8

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 9 (Spotlight)

Inklings and Notions, June 9

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lauren is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon card and a signed, hardcover copy of the book!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54229

Sunday, June 1, 2025

About the Book

Book: The Angel of Second Street

Author: Barbara Tifft Blakey

Genre: Christian Fiction/Romance/Historical Fiction

Release date: May 1, 2025

How Can Compassion be Considered Wrong?

When life is weighed down by challenges, pillars of enduring hope and love are always waiting to be discovered.

Ida Dempsey has grown up in a privileged life of luxury thanks to her aunt and uncle. Although Second Street—where women of ill repute ply their wares—is off limits to respectable citizens, her heart of compassion compels her to frequent the area, hoping to make a difference in their lives. Ida has also befriended Qui Shau, a Chinese woman who keeps house for her family, but friendships between the whites and Chinese are taboo in Eureka. Ida tries to keep secret her forbidden compassion, but someone is watching and will use it against her.

When Blaine Prescott meets Ida at a church picnic, his parents warn him away from any relationship with the young lady who has been seen on Second Street in the company of a Chinese woman. But how could such a kindhearted, lovely young woman be anything but good? But when riots break out in Chinatown and Ida disappears, Blaine will do anything to find out where and why she has gone.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Barbara Tifft Blakey lives in the Pacific Northwest on five wooded acres with Terry, her husband of forty-plus years. She is best known for her award-winning, literature-inspired, language arts program, Total Language Plus, which she created over twenty years ago, and is used by thousands of homeschoolers. Barbara teaches Sunday school and enjoys speaking on various topics to Christian women’s groups. She and her husband have four grown children and five grandchildren. She enjoys camping at the ocean and is an avid soccer fan. During the day-light challenged winter months, she reads, crochets, bakes, and plots her next novel.

More from Barbara

As the birthplace of my mother, Eureka, California holds a special charm for me intensified by my grandmother’s stories of the area. Every visit I’ve made has encouraged me to dig deeper, to learn more, to experience this small, coastal town’s magnetism.

Its history includes the Wiyot’s massacre on Indian Island which can be viewed from the harbor and the expulsion of the Chinese population from Humboldt County. Carson’s Mansion is the most photographed Victorian dwelling in California, and possibly the United States, built to keep the lumber baron’s loggers employed during a downturn in the timber industry. Because of the numerous brothels, an entire section of Second Street located in the heart of the community was deemed out of bounds for children.

Both hero and heroine in Angel of Second Street are fictional, but my cast of characters includes real-life people such as Reverend Huntington, David Kendall, and Wei Lum and real historical businesses such as Wells Drug Store and Kitty Farris’s Joy Emporium.

I first wrote a version of this story more than a decade ago, but who can argue with God’s timing? Events that happened over 150 years ago feel current in today’s political climate where fear tactics dominate debates and spur regrettable actions. I didn’t set out to make a political statement, only to tell an engaging, thought-provoking love story, but in the midst of relating historical events, a deeper truth emerged as relevant today as it was in the mid 1800s.

I pray you’ll journey with Ida and Blaine through the turmoil of their times and be enriched to face the trials of today with renewed hope.

MY REVIEW

Oh my is Ida a sweet young lady. There is talk swirling all around about finding a husband for her. I loved when she said , “I want to serve God. I want to share Jesus and talk about Him.” Her heart is filled with her love for God. It will take a special man to capture her heart. Her faith is deep rooted and she continues to pray for God to send her the right man.

Blaine is a good character who wants to marry but she needs to be special. He prays for the right one and then he meets Ida. The chemistry is definitely there as they begin a blossoming friendship. He knows that Ida wants to reach others and share about God, but will he be willing to go with her.

I remember sitting in church today and hearing a message about going out and reaching others. Do we know our neighbors? What about down the road where there may be people who are struggling? Ida inspires me to get out of my comfort zone and be His hands and feet.

I appreciate how the author shows readers how Chinese immigrants were treated. It breaks my heart to know that there are those who shame others. Ida sees past the cruel words spoken to these women and knows that God loves them unconditionally. Ida is determined to reach these women and is not afraid of her reputation being ruined.

A beautiful story of faith, prejudice and unconditional love await readers in this unforgettable illustration of following God. Ida is an inspiration to everyone who seeks God for their calling. Blaine is a man who stands up for what he believes. The ending was so impressive and I can’t wait to read more from this gifted author.

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