A Sprinkle in Time Kick-Off Package

About the Book

Book: A Sprinkle in Time

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre: Cozy mystery (general market)

Release date: May 24, 2022

It’s Alpenfest in Upper Sprocket! Yodelers are congregating in the square, tourists flocking to the town, and Trinidad Jones is scooping up some fall flavors at her Shimmy and Shake Shop.

The cherry on the sundae is her upcoming feature in Go Westmagazine. She’s determined to serve up the perfect interview, but it won’t be easy, thanks in part to her meddling Cuban grandfather Papa Luis who has decided to make Sprocket his home for the foreseeable future. Papa Luis has set himself up as a taxi driver in his classic 1951 Buick.

But things take a turn when Papa Luis tells her he’s found a corpse in his trunk. Upon closer investigation, they realize the body has disappeared. With the assistance of Juliette and Bonnie (her sisterhood of exes) and the way too handsome nut farmer Quinn Logan, Trinidad must solve the mystery of the disappearing corpse, before her father is up to his neck in a murderous mess.

 

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, 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.)

 

More from Dana

Who wouldn’t want to visit Upper Sprocket? Sure there’s the odd corpse that turns up, but it’s a charming place, complete with a rail riders excursion business and the Shimmy and Shake Shop, run by the determined Trinidad Jones. It’s fall in Sprocket and the locals are hosting a series of Alpenfest events with everything from yodeling performances to sausage cook offs. Papa Luis, Trinidad’s grandfather is happy to shuttle people around in his classic Chevy Bel Air until a body turns up in his truck. But other than that, Sprocket is an idyllic place with a newly opened train car inn operated by Bonnie, one of three women who were married at various times to the same rapscallion of a man. Oh, and then there’s Noodles, Trinidad’s senior Labrador retriever who has learned how to operate the windshield wipers which comes in handy as stormy weather approaches. Trinidad, Papa, Bonnie and Noodles along with other Sprocket residents are going to have their hands full as Alpenfest kicks off and gruesome items begin to pop up around town. Come along on the adventure as Trinidad wades knee deep into the sticky mess.

Railriding research with my sister!

MY REVIEW

In the second installment of the author’s new series we once again get to hang out with Trinidad and her dog Noodles. I love that she owns Shimmy and Shake Shop which is the perfect setting for this story.  I would  love to be there sipping on one of her famous Freakshakes.   The shop is going strong and Trinidad hopes to drum up more business with her mobile shop at an upcoming event. 

Everything gets off to a good start until rumors start spreading through the town about a body in a trunk. Poor Trinidad is going to have her hands full when her papa  is the one who discovered the body in his trunk. The shenanigans kick into high gear when the body disappears from the trunk. Did it get up and walk away? Where it is found is suspicious and who it is is going to cause trouble for the town. 

As the festival starts up in town rumors start flying about the body that was found. Poor Trinidad is trying to enjoy herself but something happens to her that causes suspicion to travel to several people. A name from thirty years ago keeps coming up, and somehow I knew it would be significant. It is never good when secrets are exposed and boy does this story have its share. 

If you love lighthearted cozy mysteries with a small town setting, a character that is smart, funny and seems to have a knack for solving crimes, then I recommend you grab a copy of this book. 

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 21

The Write Escape, May 21

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 22

She Lives To Read, May 22

Daysong Reflections, May 23

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 23

Texas Book-aholic, May 24

Pause for Tales, May 24

Inklings and notions, May 25

Blossoms and Blessings, May 25

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 26

For Him and My Family, May 26

deb’s Book Review, May 27

Blogging With Carol, May 27

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 28

Christina’s Corner, May 29

Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 29

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, May 30

Simple Harvest Reads, May 30 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 31

Labor Not in Vain, May 31

Bigreadersite, June 1

Vicky Sluiter, June 1

Genesis 5020, June 2

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 2

Lighthouse-Academy, June 3

A Good Book and cup of Tea, June 3

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a signed 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/1df1a/a-sprinkle-in-time-celebration-tour-giveaway

 

All That the Locusts Have Eaten Kick-Off Package

About the Book

Book: All That the Locusts Have Eaten: God’s Redemption Through Loss and Heartache

Author: Chuck Carr

Genre: Narrative Nonfiction, Christian Inspirational

Release date: August 22, 2020

Are you suffering from loss? Confused? Do you feel like the world is set against you? Inspiring, this dynamic narrative non-fiction read tells the true story of how one man journeyed from the pit of despair to the purpose filled life God intended him to live. Mingled with poetry, scripture, and literary allegories, this artistically crafted masterpiece is sure to breathe life into even those in the deepest struggles.

Chuck Carr was raised on a farm by Christian parents and attended church each Sunday. Right after graduation, he married his college sweetheart and lived a life of fulfilled dreams.

Until it all fell apart.

In the true story of All That the Locusts Have Eaten, Chuck recounts how tragedy after tragedy struck his life, nearly destroying him. Depressed, desolate, and devastated, Chuck leaned into his faith in God to find answers.

Interwoven in this raw and personal account, Chuck shares intimate journal thoughts and asks hard-hitting questions designed to make the reader think. In a hero’s journey applicable to us all, he reveals how he found restoration after years of heartbreak, and how God put his life back together.

All That the Locusts Have Eaten will encourage readers who have suffered any type of loss. If you have struggled with overwhelming difficulties, you are not alone. Like Chuck, you, too, can discover hope for the future once again.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

As a former youth pastor, Chuck Carr has influenced hundreds of people throughout his life. Author of The Convergence, Navigating Grief, All That the Locusts Have Eaten, and Wonders In The Deep, he desires to help others live effectively despite hardships, as his testimony proves that sufferings can be changed into blessings. Losing a spouse in 2008, he strives to help those hurting from the same pain. While working on the family dairy farm, a life altering accident in 2018 left him with a traumatic brain injury, and his vision and life goal has been refocused to help others heal from devastating traumas. Now remarried to a woman of shared life goals, he has chosen to live with purpose despite his injuries, being an inspiration to others. He currently continues writing books and blogging and can be found at www.Chuck-Carr.com.

 

More from Chuck

Sometimes life hits you unexpected, and when it doesn’t let up, you might feel a bit bewildered.  That was me, when time after time I kept getting up, only to get knocked right back down again.  I couldn’t understand why bad things kept happening to me, a good person, a good man.  I was doing things the right way, so I thought.  I married a God-fearing woman.  I was using my life for God’s purpose.  I had devoted my life to teaching the next generation as a youth pastor.  Everything should have been smooth and easy, right?  Amid a dark storm, nothing seemed easy.  Why hardship hit so relentlessly was a mystery to me.  Things didn’t seem fair.  And when nothing made sense, I was reeling, searching, and found myself on the backside of the wilderness screaming to a God who only seemed to have a deaf ear turned my way.  Sound familiar?  In this book, I take you on a great journey to find answers when most answers seemed bleak, if not non-existent.  Take God’s hand with me, he’s there, I promise.  I’ll show you how his voice is so clear and distinct, even when we have trouble seeing which way is up.  All That the Locusts Have Eaten is a testament to how God can bring us through, and that, in unexpected ways.

MY REVIEW 

Many of us have experienced loss and seek comfort from others. The author says, “Sometimes Christians can be the most difficult people to be around when you are really hurting .” It could be that we as  Christians can be judgmental when we should be showing compassion. Sometimes what a person who is grieving or having a hard time needs is  a hug and a listening ear. Guilt is  a big part of what people go through and we need to be careful that we are not making people feel guilty for their struggles. 

The author gives us an overview of his life growing up. He has a stable family life and a good relationship with God. While he was in college he fell in love with Becca. Their life together was nice and happy as they welcomed two boys into their family. The couple was very involved at church and respected by others. Sounds like a great life doesn’t it? In a blink of an eye everything started to change. Slowly Becca began to have symptoms that could not be explained. When the diagnosis did arrive it was shattering to both of them. I do not like the C word and it is hard to read what Becca went through. The author explains the treatment his wife went through along with the rising faith they had. We want to believe that God will heal us and try to not let our faith waver. It can be hard when you are faced with a diagnosis that can be cruel and unforgiving.  

One of the hardest challenges is praying and waiting for God to answer. We learn that He does answer them in His own time and in His own way. I have heard people say that someone either was holding  on to sin or didn’t have enough faith and that is the reason God didn’t heal them. How sad that we have placed blame on the sick when they are suffering. We need to search our hearts and remember God is in control. The incident the author talks about when he and his wife went to a healing service gave me chills. I have seen the services where healing is being prayed for and the sincerity those people praying have. I have also witnessed the false prophets who seek recognition and money. I don’t know what happened that night but I do know that God warns us about false prophets. If you feel uncomfortable about something, the best thing to do is ask God for guidance. 

I liked the different topics the author shared and found encouragement from His faith and hope. One topic that grabbed my attention was divorce. God hates divorce and desires for marriage to be a lifetime commitment. There are incidences when divorce happens and I have always been the type to not judge those who follow through with divorce. Everyone’s circumstances are different and  it is important to never make someone feel shame about a decision they have  made. 

My favorite chapter was about depression. It is not uncommon to have depression these days and many of us including me deal with it daily. It can be debilitating and cause people to shut off the world. We become untrusting and often don’t seek help for fear of rejection. The author points out that in the Bible there were men and women who were depressed. I didn’t know that fact and was glad that he included passages to reference. 

The book is filled with references about Job’s life as well as others from the Bible. The author shared his story with clarity and honesty. His transparency is refreshing and speaks of his faith to continue to trust God. We all have been in a place where life can become overwhelming, “Sometimes the enemy might be trying to discourage us from following through with what the Lord has in store.” Sometimes you have to go with what God is whispering to you, the thing that you can feel in your spirit.”

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

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, May 23

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 24

Simple Harvest Reads, May 25 (Author Interview)

Inklings and notions, May 26

For the Love of Literature, May 27 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, May 27

deb’s Book Review, May 28

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 29

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 30

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, May 31

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 1

Beauty in the Binding, June 2 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 3

Splashes of Joy, June 4

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, June 5 (Author Interview)

Miriam Jacob, June 5

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Chuck is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card & signed 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/1df1b/all-that-the-locusts-have-eaten-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Miracles in the Middle

Author: Debbie Milam

Genre: Christian Living, Inspirational

Release date: December 8, 2021

Do you need a miracle? You are not alone.

Some seasons of life can be so difficult. You may be in the middle of uncertainty, loss, grief, or anxiety.

You and your loved ones may be in the middle of chronic illness, financial issues, relationship struggles.

Whatever you’re struggling with, God knows.

And in the middle of your circumstances, God is there and He’s still creating miracles.

Miracles in the middle of fear.
Miracles in the middle of grief.
Miracles in the middle of unwellness.
Miracles in the middle of relationship struggles.
Miracles in the middle of suffering.

Most people talk about seeing God’s miracles when they have a breakthrough, receive healing, are freed from an addiction, or are victorious on the mountaintop. But what about the miracles that happen in the valley, in the middle of your storm, to in your difficult situation?

That’s where God does extraordinary work. That’s where God’s greatness amazes us when we need it the most.

In my newest book, Miracles in the Middle: I invite you to witness the astonishing miracles that happen in both seasons of blessings and in the depth of suffering. These true stories of God’s presence, power and love will reignite hope and help you develop a deeper intimacy with the Lord.

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Debbie Milam is an award-winning occupational therapist, author and past syndicated columnist for United Press International’s Religion and Spirituality Division.

She is the author of Miracles in the Middle, Overtaken by Grace, And God Said and Lord Show Me You Are Here.

Debbie’s ground-breaking work has been featured in First for Women, the Miami Herald, Elle, and Ladies Home Journal, and on the Hallmark Channel, PBS, and WebMD.

Through her 501(c)3 Grace Love Well Foundation, her mission is to inspire people to the beauty, love, power, and presence of God. As an organization we have donated thousands of books to churches, missions work, prisons, pastoral counselors and prayer teams.

For more resources to deepen your intimacy with God and find peace in His presence, visit us online at gracelovewell.org or YouTube/Debbie Milam

More from Debbie

January of 2020, I began a journey of catastrophic health issues as I faced four life-threatening infections, including COVID, which led to being placed on Hospice care. While facing my mortality, I cried out to God and experienced one miracle after another.

 

Although my body was growing weaker and weaker, my faith, relationship with God, and desire to bring hope to others grew stronger and stronger. While battling severe health issues, I was able to publish this book by God’s grace and a great publishing team.

 

So many Christians are battling hopelessness, anxiety, and overwhelm. I understand all these feelings and I invite readers to witness the astonishing miracles that happen in both seasons of blessings and the depth of suffering. My true stories of God’s presence, power, and love will reignite hope and help readers develop a deeper intimacy with the Lord.

MY REVIEW

This book made a very important  statement during the introduction that I found to be very helpful. We hear people say all the time , “Why did God allow this to happen?” The author answers that question with great compassion. She says , “I don’t believe that God caused these catastrophes, but I do believe He allowed them because He knew the good that would come out of these circumstances.” I loved her statement and have experienced tragedies in my own life that made me question God. I didn’t know at the  time that God already  had  a plan to turn what was meant for bad into good. 

The author’s story of how she came to know Christ and have a deep relationship with Him is very inspiring. Never underestimate the power of prayer. It warmed my heart as she walked into the Bible study and was welcomed by ladies who had prayed  with her sister-in-law for her salvation  fourteen years ago. God is so good and this is a great example of never giving up when you are praying for someone.  

The book is filled with uplifting stories that showed how God gives us divine appointments  and does things we can only be in awe of. I loved the chapter about the young mother and baby at church. Her obedience to God to give her last twenty dollars turned into a miracle for her. God blessed her abundantly more than she thought possible. I love how the author encourages us to be His hands and feet and look for those moments where you can pray with someone. As you pray God will show you what He has planned for you. The author not only prayed for the woman but was prompted to take her shopping. The woman experienced a true miracle that day. 

This would be a great book to gift to someone who may be struggling and needs an uplifting message. I decided that I would use this book as a devotional for each day. What better way to get excused about God then to read miracles that He has done. I loved when the author said, “He gives us free will out of love, because love without freedom is control.” We chose who we want to serve and who we want to follow. God doesn’t force us to do anything  because He loves us. 

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

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 19

Inklings and notions, May 20

For Him and My Family, May 21

Texas Book-aholic, May 22

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 23

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, May 24

deb’s Book Review, May 25

Splashes of Joy, May 26 (Author Interview)

Miriam Jacob, May 26

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 27

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 28

Christina’s Corner, May 29

Blossoms and Blessings, May 30 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 31

Spoken from the Heart, June 1 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, June 1

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Debbie 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.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1df19/miracles-in-the-middle-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Bride of the Rockies

Author: Angela Breidenbach

Genre: Historical Romance

Release date: January 1, 2022

For botanist, Bettina Gilbert, mining is an offense against God’s green earth. With the shortage of women in Montana, Luke travels to Chicago to manage the Montana mining exhibition hoping to also find a wife. Only that pretty botanist keeps disrupting his mining presentations … and his chances of meeting the right woman! A city girl who despises his way of life would be the worst choice for a miner’s wife, wouldn’t she?

Uplifting, wholesome romance set in the Gilded Age during Chicago’s World Fair. Written by bestselling author and professional genealogist, Angela Breidenbach. Accurate to history while entertaining, inspiring, with a lovely ambiance of hope.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Angela Breidenbach is a professional genealogist, media personality, conference speaker, bestselling author of eighteen books, and screenwriter. Angela lives in Montana with her hubby and Muse, a trained fe-lion, who shakes hands, rolls over, and jumps through a hoop. Surprisingly, Angela can also. Catch her show and podcast, Genealogy Publishing Coach!

More from Angela

Rabbit trails. The paths that draw a writer away from her planned research. That’s what happened when I started researching Queen of the Rockies. I hopped down a rabbit trail that took me into an entirely different story. Here I was writing about the beginning of Montana as a state, the real people, and the unusual stories of the Gilded Age. Then a thread of the Chicago World’s Fair kept popping up like little bunnies in the middle of the field that darted here and there.

Well, those little rabbit trails captured my fascination. I couldn’t stop chasing them. I wanted to know more about why people who were busy carving out a new state would want to travel halfway across the country and live in Chicago for five months. Why would they care? What were their goals? Who were these unusual people? So, I did the smart thing. I started a new document to think about writing a later story.

The more I researched the first book in this series, Queen of the Rockies, the more I found tidbits of names that reappeared in newspapers. Then I followed a few of those names just to see what had become of them. I found a lot more than I expected. From the social pages in newspapers to club minute books to journals the stories of some really interesting women came to light. Their goals were much more than for one family or one town. These people found a cause bigger than themselves. They found a bond in forging a state that held respectability in the world’s eyes. These people were tired, and offended, of the constant slur — the Wild West. And they were going to change that erroneous misconception!

The rest of civilization didn’t understand how modern, elegant, and valuable Montana was in the 1890s. But the people of Montana were about to prove their infant state was the shining star on the American flag. She was no infant. This beautiful state, whose capitol was fully electric already, could hold her own among the elegant countries slated to be at that fair in 1893.

Come turn the pages of Bride of the Rockies and find out what these people, and especially the women, did to put Montana in the world headlines. See why they stunned with never before seen discoveries displayed in their pavilion during the Columbian Exposition. Can you imagine being given 10% of the budget while the men had 90%, in essence set up as the underdog, and blowing the world away with what you do with it?  Walking away with the win? Not just one win…seven!

Bride of the Rockies took me on a fabulous rabbit trail of research. I hope this story will be fun for you, too!

MY REVIEW

What makes this book so good is the historical details at the beginning before the story starts as well as history scattered throughout the book. I found this very interesting and couldn’t wait to see where the author would take us on this journey to Montana. If you have never been to Montana, you are missing  out on beautiful landscape as well as historic sights. 

Bettina is a young woman on the cusp of science moving forward. What would it be like to discover plants that are healing and can be used to enhance food? I was so excited as Bettina asked questions that filled her with ideas of how to improve on the discoveries before her. Her mind is intriguing as she contemplates how to tackle hunger, childhood diseases and much more. I don’t think I will ever look at a blade a grass the same after Bettina described it as much more than just a blade of grass we step on. Traveling down memory lane with Bettina was fun as she tasted Cracker Jacks at the fair. I remember getting a box and shaking it around to find the surprise. 

Luke surprised me with his quick attention to Bettina. He seems a bit smitten with her but I’m not sure they have the same goals in mind. He is a mine owner who also happens to be looking for a wife. It was funny to have three older women who were determined to help him find the perfect wife. I was curious as to what they would stir up as Luke is drawn to Bettina. The author does an excellent job of the old favorite “opposites attract” term. These two are so different I didn’t see what they would find in common.

I really enjoyed the banter between Bettina and Luke as he does his presentation. The questions fly as Luke tries to defend working the mines for silver  and gold. Bettina is beside herself as she makes sharp comments at Luke’s answers. I so wanted her to calm down a bit and perhaps look at his side with an open heart instead of a judgmental attitude. The sparks fly as these two battle it out in front of the audience. I wonder who will realize they need to be more understanding and less trying to prove a point?  

The book  not only gives us a few laughs with a trio of matchmakers but highlights the importance of women who discovered new plant life. With their knowledge they showed that the plants could help in medical ways as well as feeding people. It must have been exciting for these women to walk away from the fair with seven medals. I have to say how much I adore these women who never gave up, searched long hours in the heat and conquered new discoveries that benefited many. 

The story was fun to read and very educational at the  same time. Do our main characters end up together? Grab a copy of this book to find out for yourself. 

“ You don’t have to chase the same dream to help the other reach theirs.” 

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 17

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 17

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 18

An Author’s Take, May 19

Blogging With Carol, May 19

Betti Mace, May 20

Texas Book-aholic, May 21

Mary Hake, May 21

Inklings and notions, May 22

For Him and My Family, May 23

Pause for Tales, May 23

deb’s Book Review, May 24

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 25

Blossoms and Blessings, May 25

Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 26

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, May 27

Spoken from the Heart, May 27

Bizwings Blog, May 28

Connie’s History Classroom, May 29

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 30

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Angela is giving away the grand prize of a pair of beautiful opal earrings set in fair trade sterling silver!!

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/1db54/bride-of-the-rockies-celebration-tour-giveaway