About the Book

Book: Elsie Whitmore

Author: Amy Lynn Walsh

Genre: Contemporary Sweet and Clean

Release date: March 16, 2021

Elsie Whitmore, a teacher from the small town of Oak Hills, Pennsylvania, is shocked when one of her YouTube videos goes viral, drawing the attention of the famous actor Graham Thurston. When Thurston seeks to cast her in a film that he is directing, Elsie is conflicted: Should she give up teaching, a career she finds deeply fulfilling, for her childhood dream of becoming an actress? Join Elsie Whitmore as she travels down the bumpy road of being cast in a film production and falling in love with a movie star while being homesick for her family, friends, and students back home in Oak Hills. Will Elsie return to teaching and her close-knit community, or will she pursue her love for Graham Thurston and acting for Proscenium Studios in the Brooklyn Navy Yard?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Amy Walsh is a 5th-grade teacher who loves teaching children about what she loves to do herself: reading and writing. She enjoys outdoor activities, especially hiking and camping with her Scouts BSA Troop. Amy also appreciates opportunities to share her faith through singing, teaching and writing for her church family. Amy and her husband, Patrick, have three children: Bree, Spencer, Liz, and a son-in-law, Kyle. Amy and her family love to spend time together celebrating special occasions, listening to great music, swimming and kayaking, and having occasional ping pong tournaments.

 

More from Amy

The Creation of Elsie

Elsie Whitmore came into being on Election Day 2020.  I needed a little escape from the reality of being an urban public school teacher in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic and all the political turmoil in the United States.  I decided it was time to take on a big writing project.

Wanting to create a “happy escape” for both myself and readers, I put the best of two worlds that I love into the settings of the novel: farm life in northeastern Pennsylvania and drama in New York City.  I created a character who had already overcome childhood anxiety, and in the process of conquering her painful shyness, she had grown strong, wise, and firmly grounded in what she considers important.  Elsie had also long ago given up her dream of becoming an actress in order to pursue the more “realistic” career of teaching, which she finds quite fulfilling.  But sometimes life has some unexpected twists and turns….

Mrs. Whitmore’s Upsidedown Apple Sticky Toffee Cupcakes Recipe

Graham is so determined that Elsie will give him and his film production a chance that he pulls out all the stops with a lovely dinner after her day of screen tests at Proscenium Studios in the Brooklyn Navy Yard.  He even goes so far as to google the most delicious dessert in the world so that his housekeeper can create the perfect end to the meal:  English Sticky Toffee Pudding.    

    Eventually Elsie’s mother puts her own Pennsylvanian spin on this delicious dessert in an Oak Hills sequel.  She substitutes apples for dates, adds some molasses and ginger, and makes them into smaller portions perfect for a church concession stand at the county fair.  

    Here is her recipe:

1. Dice apples and place them in the bottom of a greased muffin pan. (You may prefer to slice the apples for a fancier look, but that will increase baking time.)
2. Heat ¼ cup of salted butter, ¾ cup of brown sugar, ½ tsp of ground cinnamon, and 1 tsp of vanilla extract.  (Mrs. Whitmore just throws everything into a frying pan, quickly stirs once everything has melted, and then turns off the stove as soon as the mixture begins to bubble.)
3. Cover the apples with the hot mixture.  (Mrs. Whitmore uses a gravy ladle to scoop the  toffee sauce into the muffin pan.)
4. Melt 1 stick of salted butter in a mixing bowl.
5. Add 1 and ½ cup of flour, 1 tsp baking powder, ¼ tsp baking soda, ¾ cup of light brown sugar, 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract, 2 eggs, 3 tbsp of molasses, ¼ tsp ground cinnamon, ½ tsp ground ginger.
6. Mix the ingredients with a spoon like you would mix pancake batter — no need to beat.  The consistency will be more like biscuit or cookie dough than cake batter.
7. Put a scoop of the dough on top of apples and toffee in the muffin pans.
8. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 – 25 minutes.  (The top of the cake should look dry.)  If you are using regular cupcake pans, you can make 12 and they should be done in 15.  If you are using larger muffin pans, you can make 8 and they need to bake for about 20 minutes.  If you are baking multiple items in the oven, it will take closer to 25 minutes.

Sometimes the toffee comes up the sides of the cake, so it is best to put a larger tray on the rack underneath or line the bottom of the oven with foil.  (Elsie forgot to do this the first time she followed her mother’s recipe.  Graham, being a bit over-protective, made her evacuate due to the smoke coming from the oven.)

1. Immediately after taking out of the oven, turn the muffin pan upside down on a tray, waxed paper, or cookie sheet.  Tap the top of the pan and then lift up.  Mrs. Whitmore uses a small spatula to collect any apple and toffee still in the pan and puts it on the cakes.
2. Serve while still warm, with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Sometimes, Mrs. Whitmore makes a smaller batch and then puts the rest of the dough in a bread pan to bake.  She warms this up the following night and serves with warm lemon pudding and whipped cream — which is very much a northeastern Pennsylvania county fair treat.

MY REVIEW 

After  finishing the book, I am amazed at much depth there is to the characters. I absolutely loved Elsie and applaud the author for giving us a character that loves her job as a teacher. Elsie makes a definite impact on her students and is  always there to give them encouragement. Elsie hasn’t always been confident like she is now. She had a very bad case of being shy which caused anxiety. I wonder if the drama teacher had been more willing to give the young Elsie a chance, would her life be different? 

I won’t go into details of how Elsie gets to be in a movie but I will mention that she takes on this new direction in her life with grace. Working with Graham tests her patience at times. She is not impressed with his status and I think that made him take a step back from his ego. It is a  world wind of an adventure as Elsie takes on the role of her life starring against the famous and handsome Graham. 

The author gives us behind the scenes look at how a movie is made and shows us parts of the not so glamorous people who are jealous of Elsie’s new movie role. There are some  tense moments during filming that Elsie handles with grace and compassion. I couldn’t wait to find out more about the movie and how much of an impact it would have on people. The author gives us characters that are flawed and recognize they have areas to grow in. This is  a nice, clean story that features a woman who is gifted as a teacher who sees her childhood dream come true. Will Elsie stay humble as she becomes a star? Can Graham and Elsie be professional and lay side their feelings for each other? Most importantly will Elsie return to her love of teaching or will the acting bug entice her to walk away from her students? 

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

Blog Stops

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 22

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 23

Texas Book-aholic, January 24

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 25

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, January 26 (Author Interview)

deb’s Book Review, January 26

Inklings and notions, January 27

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 28

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, January 29

For Him and My Family, January 30

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, January 31 (Spotlight)

Pause for Tales, January 31

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 1

Wishful Endings, February 2 (Author Interview)

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, February 3

Stories By Gina , February 4 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Amy is giving away the grand prize package of $50 Amazon gift card along with the eBooks of three novels, A Cursed Enchantment, A Misplaced Beauty, and Elsie Whitmore: A Star from Oak Hills!!

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/186bb/elsie-whitmore-celebration-tour-giveaway

 

About the Book

Book: Abbie’s Woods: Defending the Nest

Author: Susan Thogerson Maas

Genre: Middle Grade

Release date: December 15, 2021

Twelve-year-old Abbie Keegan loves spending time in the woods behind her house and watching the silly-looking baby robins as they grow. The woods are a retreat from her parents’ constant bickering and from her sweet, but needy, little brother.

Then Abbie sees two boys breaking pop bottles in the pond. She refuses to allow such harm to “her” woods. However, every attempt she makes to stop the boys only provokes them to greater destruction. Her retreat becomes a place of fear instead of peace. A feud is born, and Abbie feels helpless to stop it. At home, her parents seem close to divorce and her brother’s asthma is getting worse. How can Abbie protect the people and places she loves?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Susan Thogerson Maas grew up in the rainy, green state of Oregon. She loved to wander through the woods, discovering new wildflowers and birds. Her second favorite place was the cool grass of the front yard, lost in a book about nature or faraway lands. She still loves camping and hiking, as well as traveling to places she’s never seen before. Life should always be an adventure.

 

More from Susan

Abbie’s Woods: Defending the Nest, in its original version, was the first book I ever wrote. Although I had sold a number of short articles and children’s stories, it was my first attempt at a whole book. Being a busy mother and volunteer (den leader for seven years, Sunday school teacher, etc.), homeschooling our boys, growing a big garden for freezing and canning, and all that kept me busy. But my dream since third grade had been to write children’s books. My sweet aunt had paid my way to summer writing conferences, and my shelves were filled with books on writing.

So I began, one slow chapter at a time. I set the story in the woods that lay behind our property when I was a child. “The Wonderful Woods” I called it in the first article I ever sold—sent by my sixth grade teacher to The Horn Book. My book was filled with details about the plants and birds of the woods. I added in symbolism because this would be my masterpiece. After maybe three years, the book was complete. And it was terrible. I showed it to a couple of editors, but the responses told me it was not ready. I was not ready.

I put Abbie’s Woods aside and wrote two chapters books, which now sleep peacefully in old files on my computer. Then came Picture Imperfect, published in 2015 by Ashberry Lane. (now owned by WhiteFire Publishing) After years of study, practice, and critique groups, I finally wrote a book good enough for publication. It even won a couple of awards. And so I thought, why not give Abbie’s Woods another try? I began all over again, changing the characters, adding subplots, and dropping the stilted symbolism. And now here it is!

What do I like most about Abbie’s Woods? Well, for one thing, the woods. That woods is now preserved as part of the Springwater Corridor in the Portland, Oregon area. I learned to identify plants there, including the first flower whose scientific name I learned: arenaria macrophylla. I have no idea how I can still remember that! I especially loved the birds. As a teen, I often roamed the woods with binoculars around my neck and bird book in hand. I learned to recognize bird calls: the Steller’s jay’s screech, the cheerful chickadee’s call, the “chweee” of the towhee as it scratched for seeds in the undergrowth. And the robin’s song, so peacefully filling the air on warm summer evenings. Robins were always special, and robins play an important role in Abbie’s Woods.

But the book is about more than nature. It’s about a girl trying to preserve her little world, only to learn her best efforts often backfire, that many things are not under her control. Can she learn to let go of her pain and forgive those who hurt her? And can she learn to trust God for the things she cannot control? Abbie’s struggles are not so different from those many people face, whether children or adults. I have certainly acted in ways I thought would make things better, only to find the opposite result. I have also tried to control things that are better left in God’s hands. Although the story is entirely fictional, in many ways Abbie is also me, trying to follow God but often getting lost along the way.

Yet, for Abbie as for me, no matter how dark the day, there is always light behind the clouds, always the hope that tomorrow will be better. That hope is the foundation of my faith and a thread through everything I write.

MY REVIEW 

If you are looking for a good story for middle aged children this is the perfect book for them. It has great characters who many kids can relate too. I like how the author tackles a tough issue about a family that is going through problems. Abbie is a kind young girl who is having a hard time dealing with her parents fighting every night. She tries to help her little brother but he doesn’t understand why his parents can’t get along. 

The time that Abbie spends in the woods is her sanctuary. There she can listen to the birds and enjoy nature. She finds peace among the trees and talks to God. It was so sweet to hear  her ask God to help her family. The author does a great job of showing how prayer and forgiveness are important. I loved spending time with Abbie in the woods and seeing through her eyes the beauty God created. 

It was interesting how Abbie and her brother Patrick come up with ideas to raise money to send their parents on a getaway. It was definitely a God moment that they met a very wise man as they go on  their endeavor to raise money. Walking dogs can be fun, but Abbie finds that the owner of the dog is kind and shares thoughts with her that help her grow in her faith. I really  liked Mr. Jackson and how big his heart was for others. 

The story also deals with making friends with someone that is not nice. We never know what is going on in someone’s life and this part of the story illustrates that we need to always show grace to others and  allow God to help us forgive. As Abbie struggles with what is going on at home, she finds someone who is hurting as well. It is a wonderful story that teaches all of us about forgiveness, trust and hope. 

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

Blog Stops

Bigreadersite, January 19

Lots of Helpers, January 19

Inklings and notions, January 20

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, January 21

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 22

Texas Book-aholic, January 23

Mary Hake, January 23

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 24

For Him and My Family, January 25

Girls in White Dresses, January 26

Cats in the Cradle Blog, January 26

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 27

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, January 28 (Spotlight)

Lights in a Dark World, January 28

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, January 29

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 30

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, January 31

Splashes of Joy, February 1

deb’s Book Review, February 1

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Susan is giving away the grand prize package of $50 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/186b6/abbie-s-woods-defending-the-nest-celebration-tour-giveaway

 

About the Book

Book: Reclaiming Hope

Author: Carolyn Miller

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release date: December 7, 2021

Callie Steele might be a bit… focused on work, but despite what her employers say, she enjoys her well-ordered, productive life.

When she’s sent to meet the owners of an estate requiring post-hurricane landscaping, Callie meets their son, Kai Brody, a super-chilled pro surfer, who is as opposite from her as they come. Though initially smitten, Callie knows a relationship with Kai is a bad idea—a very bad idea.

Kai, however, can’t help but be intrigued by someone who challenges him to make something of his life again. He’s determined to pursue her, if she’ll give him half a chance.

The more time they spend together, negotiating the challenges of work, illness, and family, the more their opposing outlooks clash and connect. What do these unlikely friends really want from life?  Is it best to focus on work or recreation?

As Kai and Callie answers from the Lord, they also must consider if such complete opposites have enough in common to make a relationship last.

Reclaiming Hope concludes the Hooper Island stories of the Independence Islands Series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

The Independence Islands Series: beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Carolyn Miller is an Australian author of inspirational romance, particularly that of the Regency era, and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds where flawed people can grow in faith, hope and love through stories that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives.

 

More from Carolyn

For Reclaiming Hope, my next book in the Independence Islands series, I was thrilled to finally turn the spotlight onto Callie Steele, whose sassy attitude and words of wisdom in earlier books have made a mark on the other employees at Greener Gardens – and has already endeared her to readers who have been begging to read Callie’s story.

Callie needed a special someone who could help this hyper-organized checklist-loving woman see that there is more to life than meeting a deadline. Enter Kai Brody, a super-chilled and laidback surfer whose enviable travels around the world broaden Callie’s horizons, and watch sparks fly. I consider Reclaiming Hope to be one of my most humorous books yet, as these two trade banter as opposites who attract – but can they last?

And yet Reclaiming Hope isn’t merely froth and sea-foam, bigger questions concerning family, identity and whether God’s plans can be considered good when people are forced to live with the consequences of poor choices. I really enjoy writing fiction like this, fiction that is grounded in truth, with realistic, flawed characters who are on God journeys to find faith, freedom, and hope.

I’m so glad people are really enjoying my new contemporary books, where I can bring my love of gardens (& my horticulturalist hubby’s expertise!) to a new audience. Check out my website www.carolynmillerauthor.com to see what’s growing in my garden here in my corner of Australia.

If you enjoy stories of hope, heart and humor, then you’ll be sure to enjoy this novel about a workaholic and the broken surfer as together they find renewed hope for their hearts.

Happy reading!

Carolyn

MY REVIEW 

I love this series so much and am always excited when a new book is released. This one brings back old friends and allows us to catch up on their lives. The focus of this story is Callie. She is very organized and has a great job that keeps her busy. Well the job is not that demanding but Callie works late because she is lonely. I loved reading how she is such a good friend and always available when someone needs help. I have always liked Callie and am so excited that readers get to follow her on this beautiful journey. 

When Kai and Callie meet at his parents vacation home, there was just enough spark between them to get this readers attention. There couldn’t be a more chill person than Kai. He is very handsome, sincere and a world renowned surfer. I laughed when I read what he did because he is so far from Callie’s type that this was going to be an adventure. You know what they say;”Opposites attract.” 

There is so much I want to share but I can’t because then the story is spoiled for everyone. Let’s see what I can say that just gives readers enough to run grab a copy for themselves. Kai’s mother is simply a mean person. Her dislike for Callie is obvious. What really got to me was the way she spoke to others. Her attitude was horrible and she never seemed to support her son. But wait, there will be a point in the story that will show how God can change someone and help them heal from something in their past. 

The story is more than opposites attract. The author shares how two people can find common ground, learn to accept each other, forgive and trust that God will work out everything. I enjoyed how the author gives us authentic, flawed characters who are relatable. Grab a copy of the book and follow Callie and Kai as they  try to fix a fractured relationship.

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

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 21

Blossoms and Blessings, January 21

lakesidelivingsite, January 22

Texas Book-aholic, January 22

Inklings and notions, January 23

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, January 23 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, January 24

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 24

Daysong Reflections, January 25

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, January 25

Aryn the Libraryan, January 26

Lots of Helpers, January 26

deb’s Book Review, January 27

Blogging With Carol, January 27

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 28

Simple Harvest Reads, January 28 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 29

Older & Smarter?, January 29

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, January 30

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

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, January 31 (Spotlight)

Lis Loves Reading, January 31

SusanLovesBooks, January 31

She Lives To Read, February 1

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, February 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 2

Kayem Reads, February 2

Splashes of Joy, February 3

Connect in Fiction, February 3

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Carolyn is giving away the grand prize package 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/186ba/reclaiming-hope-celebration-tour-giveaway

 

About the Book

Book: Searching for Home

Author: Jill Weatherholt

Genre: Inspirational Romance

Release date: December 28, 2021

Can three little matchmakers lasso a cowboy father?
When injured professional bull rider Luke Beckett returns to his hometown to recover, he doesn’t expect his B and B host and physical therapist to be his first and only love, Meg Brennan. He’s also unprepared for Meg’s adorable triplets to steal his heart. Luke’s past has him doubting he’s good enough for Meg and the children, but they might be just what the doctor ordered to help him heal…

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

By day, Jill Weatherholt works for the City of Charlotte. At night, and on the weekend, she writes contemporary stories about love, faith and forgiveness for Harlequin Love Inspired.

Raised in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., she now resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, but her heart belongs to Virginia.

She holds a degree in Psychology from George Mason University and Paralegal Studies Certification from Duke University.

She shares her life with her real-life hero and number one supporter. Their relationship grew on the golf course, and now they have one in their backyard.

Jill believes in enjoying every moment of this journey because God has everything under control.

 

More from Jill

It happened in slow motion.

I was traveling on the interstate at 65 mph, in the far-left lane. The traffic was heavy but moving.

Then the unthinkable happened. A wheelbarrow fell off the back of a pickup truck in front of my car.

Swerving to my right lane wasn’t an option, it was full of cars. The left shoulder was narrow and led to a steep drop off.

I gripped the wheel and had a split second to weigh my options. If I maintained my course, the wheelbarrow would burst through my windshield. If I went to the right, I could cause a multi-car pileup. There was a tractor trailer close behind me, so I couldn’t hit my brakes.

I prepared myself for the worst. Then I prayed to God to help me.

Moments later, when I was safely off the interstate, I burst into tears. I was still alive. No one was injured. But how? I couldn’t recall how I got to the exit ramp. How was I able to guide my car around the wheelbarrow?

Later, I realized that God was truly in control of my life. Growing up in the church and listening to my grandmother, I had always known God loved me. But that day, I felt His love more than I ever had my life. He wanted me to live. But why?

I’d like to think that He wasn’t quite finished with me. That maybe He had better things in store for me. Perhaps He blessed me with a gift to weave together a story that can give a person hope. A story that can bring a little light into what is sometimes a dark and scary world. After all, I didn’t grow up wanting to be a writer. Like that day on the interstate, it’s all God’s goodness.

MY REVIEW 

This story is a look at second chances while dealing with the past. I absolutely adored the triplets . Children deal with loss different ways. These poor children  were abandoned by both parents at such a young age. Tucker seems to be having the  hardest time. He blames himself for them leaving. He thinks if he wasn’t so shy or maybe if he did better at things they wouldn’t have left. My heart went out to him as he carries such a big burden. 

Meg steps up to take care of her nieces and nephew. Now she faces raising them on her own, running the B&B the parents abandoned and digging herself out of financial debt. I liked that she never once regretted her decision and shows the children unconditional love. Her plate is full and then someone checks into the B&B that will change everything. I’m sure she is not prepared for the new guest especially since it is someone from her past. 

Luke is a well known bull rider who has come back to his hometown to recover from an injury. The book goes  into more about his relationship with Meg so I will leave that  for readers to discover on their own. I like how Luke steps up to help Meg fix up the B&B and spends time getting to know the children. Tucker seems drawn to Luke and they form a special bond. I did worry what would happen when Luke decides to go back to Colorado. 

I loved how the author lets  us see what children go through when they lose a parent. For them it was hard to understand why their parents chose to leave them. These moments in the story are emotional and tug on your heart as the children yearn for a family. The faith element is good as Tucker continues to ask God for a family. The ending is sweet and shows how forgiveness heals broken hearts. 

“Love is never complicated when you follow your heart.”

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

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 20

Labor Not in Vain, January 20

Texas Book-aholic, January 21

By the Book, January 21

Inklings and notions, January 22

For Him and My Family, January 23

Splashes of Joy, January 23

deb’s Book Review, January 24

Lighthouse Academy Blog, January 24 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 25

Through the Fire Blogs, January 25

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 26

Kayem Reads, January 26

Older & Smarter?, January 27

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 27

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, January 28

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, January 28

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, January 29 (Spotlight)

SusanLovesBooks, January 29

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, January 30

Blossoms and Blessings, January 30

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 31

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 1

Pause for Tales, February 1

She Lives To Read, February 2

Vicky Sluiter, February 2

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jill 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/186b9/searching-for-home-celebration-tour-giveaway