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Saturday, July 30, 2016

Through Raging Waters Banner
 Purchase your copy here.

About the Book




RagingWaters copy
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If Mother Nature has her way, Timber Springs will never be the same…
A warm spring and early rainstorms melt the snowpack. Spring runoff compounded by the storm of the century sends Timber Springs into a tailspin.
Tossed into the role of rescuer, local pharmacist Paul Fitzgerald must face his past before the whole world falls apart. While he fights to contain the beast around him, he finds his steadfast control slipping through his fingers. And life…everyone’s life…hangs by a thread…once again.
She isn’t a hero. Melissa Hampton has her own demons to battle. After she learns of her mysterious beginnings amidst her mother’s keepsakes, she faces more than just the river rushing outside her door. Now, she must discern friend from foe…but as waters rise and tension climbs within Timber Springs, she needs to rise to the challenge or lose the only man she’s ever loved.
Can two people find each other through raging waters?

About the Author

Renee Headshot BH (3)Renee Blare’s nose has been buried in a book for as long as she can remember. Raised in Louisiana and Wyoming, she started writing poetry in junior high school and that, as they say, was that. After having her son, a desire to attend pharmacy school sent her small family to the University of Wyoming in Laramie. She’s been counting pills ever since. While writing’s her first love, well, after the Lord and her husband, she also likes to fish and hunt as well as pick away on her classical guitar.
Nestled in the foothills of the Wind River Mountains, she lives in Wyoming with her husband, crazy dogs, and ornery cat. She serves her beautiful small town as a pharmacist while penning her stories about struggling Christians as they travel along the journeys of their lives. She loves to interact with readers and invites you check out her website, blog, and social media.

Guest Post from Renee Blare

I Wrote a Book
Five years ago, I wrote a book…and then I wrote another and another and another. Many said that the words flowed like a river onto the page. Or I painted a picture with letters.  As for me? I simply write what I see so you can see it too. What about you? Do you want to write a book?
If so, there’s one thing I’d like you to know. A book’s like a child. It starts out small or simple with garbled language…often repetitive and indistinguishable. Kind of like when a baby babbles “dada” over and over. And then that moment comes when you rejoice because you hear him say “mama.” That’s the growth every book…writer…reader…yearns for.
Different stories float around inside an author’s mind, flowing in a way much like labor. Some authors plot, others don’t. And still others combine the process in a convoluted method. But like birth, no matter how the words eventually find their way to the page, the development of a book doesn’t stop with its first dawn. It takes time, energy, and growth.
Take my first release, To Soar on Eagle’s Wings. Five years ago, I wrote it, my very first book, in three months. And it was awesome! I couldn’t believe it. God brought the plot together in a phenomenal way. But publication wasn’t the next step. I had a lot to learn before that could happen.
My latest release, Through Raging Waters is the example of a writer’s growth, but also her soul. I learned that I had to leave more than my knowledge and my heart on the page. I needed to leave a piece of my soul. When you read Paul’s struggles, you read mine. Melissa’s fear and confusion? Yes, they’re mine. The anger, the pain . . . the trials, the lessons learned are scriptural but also first-hand, taught by my Father.
Writing is more than a job. It’s more than a hobby. It’s sharing your knowledge, your hope with the world. So if you want to write a book. Do it. Then take that next step, and the next. You’ll get there. Oh, and I can’t wait to read it!

Review.jpg

At the beginning of the story , the action starts with a roar. I thought maybe I had missed some pages at first because the story started so abruptly.  However  I must say it was very powerful as the author describes in vivid details of the rain rushing down through the mountains. Will the town be saved from this threat? The townspeople come together to try to outwit a storm that seems to have its bullseye on the town.

There were a lot of characters in the story which were  confusing at times. I had a hard time remembering who was related to who and what their purpose was. But as the story develops it all comes together in a great way as they deal with trust, forgiveness and most of all faith. There is a dangerous rescue that takes place where the author had me on the edge of my seat. I could hear the helicopter overhead as people on board were desperate to rescue those in danger. I was a bit upset with Melissa. That girl just does not listen at all. When she is asked to stay back as the team is trying to do a mission, she ignores them and follows them anyway. I really wanted to tell her to stay put and pray. The author does a good job of keeping the suspense in high gear and enticing readers with little snippets of secrets that make the story so intriguing.

I loved the exceptional way the storm was described which I thought made the story come to life. It was intense, scary and a definite page turner as the storm is determined to cause havoc. Will everyone survive the storm? Can they save the church before it is overcome by raging waters?

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit for an honest review.

Blog Stops

July 19: Pause for Tales
July 24: A Greater Yes
July 25: bigreadersite
July 26: Splashes of Joy
July 29: Quiet Quilter
July 31: Bukwurmzzz
August 1: Carpe Diem

Giveaway

ThroughRagingWatersGrandPrize
To celebrate her tour, Renee is giving away a wonderful package that includes a $20 Cabelas gift card, a set of her series paperbacks (books 1 and 2), and fleece blanket. Click here to enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/9f08

Thursday, July 28, 2016


THE SADDLE MAKER'S SON by KELLY IRVIN

The third installment in The  Amish of Bee County is a story that is unforgettable. It gives us a glimpse into the world of immigration, sacrifice, hope and freedom. I loved how the author wrote about a subject that is at the forefront today. We sometimes forget about the innocent children that are trapped between lands looking for freedom.

Rebekah is a hard working school teacher who discovers two young children hiding. They are scared, lost and look hungry and tired. The language barrier is a challenge but Rebekah is able to communicate with them. Her heart goes out to them and decides that she will help them. I loved how the author gave Rebekah the ability to see these children as helpless and needing someone they could trust. Will Rebekah be able to help them find their father ? Can the community come together and accept them with open arms?

Tobias and his family have  come to town to start their saddle business in hopes it will be successful. They make saddles and also train horses. Tobias is hard working and has a heart of gold. He is comfortable around children and helps Rebekah try to find help for the children she found hiding. As they begin to see each other more will an attraction between them develop? Is there something holding Tobias back from having feelings for Rebekah? Can Rebekah find time to open her heart to Tobias?

I loved the way the author described how a saddle was made. The details were written so vividly that I could picture the saddle as it was being formed and the smell of saddle soap that lingered in the air. I love how   the author used the illustration to relate to how God molds .  He takes those rough edges away and replaces them with a smooth touch that helps us become  closer to Him. What  a beautiful way to give us a picture that demonstrates what God's handiwork can do.

I loved how the author wove into the story about sacrifice. Some of the characters made sacrifices to help their family in need. It reminds me of the ultimate sacrifice that was done for each of us. Jesus died for us so that we would be free. Is is hard for you to make a sacrifice for someone so they can find happiness ? The story is written with a great message about hope, heartache, loss, sacrifice and love. Are you ready to be His hands and feet ?  This is one story you will remember long after the last page has been read.

"With each new trial, God teaches us something new. We learn to see the blessings in what we have . We learn to be content in what we have. We learn to step out in faith , knowing He has our best interest at heart."

I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild for an honest review.

Tuesday, July 26, 2016


HOME TO CHAPEL SPRINGS by ANNE MULLIGAN

Buy the book ! Buy the book! Oh sorry I was busy shouting to the world to buy this amazing unforgettable book that is so gracefully written I want everyone to read it. The town is so picturesque and quaint that I want to live there. How fun it would be to sit in the local hangout and talk about the town while being surrounded by friends.

Carin is a well known author and her husband , Wick, is a famous race car driver. They have a son and it seems like the perfect life. That all changes when Wick does something that causes Carin to leave with her son and move into the house her nana left her . She packs up and heads to Chapel Springs. Will Carin ever be able to forgive her husband? What adventure awaits her in Chapel Springs?  I'm excited to go back to the town and revisit some of the characters from the other books in this great series. They are funny, mysterious at times and down right stubborn other times. I'm glad to come back to visit Chapel Springs.

The story is very well written and flows smoothly. There is mystery, surprises, heartache and love just waiting for those who visit this beautiful town . I laughed at some of the sayings in the book. It made me think of the good old days, when people sat on their front porch, sweet tea in their hand and a warm smile for everyone who passed by. I don't want to give anything away because readers need to experience this story one page at a time. It is a hard book to put down and there may be a few tears shed, but the story is filled with Gods love and a lesson in forgiveness.

We don't get to choose our family, but the book reminds us that we do get to choose who to love. Sometimes it might be hard to love someone, but through love comes forgiveness and acceptance. It's time to sit back and read a story that will make you smile, cry, and laugh but most of all feel at home. Don't forget to look at the great recipes at the end of the book and look over the discussion questions. I hope to visit Chapel Springs again very soon.

"Home is where you decide it is, you make a decision to put down roots and make friends."

I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review.

Monday, July 25, 2016


THE BABEL CONSPIRACY by SYLVIA BAMBOLA

This is one outstanding thriller that is written with such depth and explosive action, I couldn't put the book down. The characters are extremely well developed and make the story seem real. The author does an excellent job of keeping the action going with intensity .

We are all aware of the threats we face against terrorism and this book brings that to the surface with an intriguing plot. Trisha is one of the key characters in the book. I love how she was portrayed as an intelligent young woman who has a deep relationship with God. She will be tempted by something that could cause her to sin. Will she take the bait? She finds herself working on a very top secret project that will put her in harms way. Can she trust God to keep her safe?

Audra is also working on the project with Trisha. She is smart but finds herself looking for something that only alcohol can help her with, or so she thinks.  She begins a spiral of destruction that causes her to not trust anyone. She has made it known that she doesn't believe in God. Will she turn to Him in her weakest moment?

The story takes us on a journey of espionage , deceit,  greed , power struggle , test of faith and an ending that will be unforgettable. The author writes with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing till the end. I loved how the author put scriptures throughout the story in perfect spots that shows us how important relying on God is.

"If my people will....turn from their wicked ways...then will I forgive their sin , and heal their land.

I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review.