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Saturday, September 26, 2020

About the Book

Book:  Miss Tavistock’s Mistake
Author: Linore Rose Burkard
Genre:  Clean and Wholesome Regency Romance/Romantic Comedy
Release Date: June 4, 2020
Can Miss Tavistock’s mistake ever be undone?
Young Miss Tavistock is promised in marriage to Captain Rempeare by the wish of her dearly departed papa. But the captain’s been at sea for a decade. When she finally meets him, tempestuous sparks fly, and she impulsively adopts a daring false identity. Going by “Lady X,” she vows never to marry such an infuriating man.
Captain Gabriel Rempeare is prepared to fulfill his duty and marry Miss Tavistock—if only he can clap eyes on her. One circumstance or another keeps them apart, though he cannot seem to avoid the maddeningly lovely Lady X. When fate throws them together in London, Miss Tavistock discovers the real nature of the captain, and regrets her subterfuge. But can such a noble man forgive deceit? Or has her mistake already cost her everything?

Click here to get your copy!
 MY REVIEW 
I am welcomed back to the Regency period with a delightful story that was quite intriguing. I couldn’t help thinking about this saying as I began to dig into  the story. “ Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we  practice to deceive.” What was Miss  Tavistock thinking when she pretended to be someone else? I think perhaps she is trying to prove a point but I laughed as she tried so hard not to think of the dashing Captain. It became comical that the Captain was always in her thoughts and dreams. Oh Miss Tavistock dare I say “ the lady doth  protest too much.” 
The author does a good job of presenting the time period with accuracy. I liked the articulation of the language and the protocol of royalty. There were times I wanted to join the characters just so I could listen to their banter with each other. The story is a mixture of misunderstandings, deceit and a road to redemption. It is indeed easy to see that Miss Tavistock is playing a game that will have consequences. I was exasperated with her at times and felt the need to shake some sense into her. 
I was curious why Miss Tavistock never received letters from the Captain that he insisted he wrote. Oh my how the lies start to unravel as characters start to show their ugly side. There was something that one person said that absolutely floored me. Why would someone say, “You must do the pretties for us both, love. When you tell me he’s ready to  kick, then I’ll come along.” The author really grabs my attention with the unkind feelings of some who have revenge on  their mind. It’s that word  “jealousy” that starts to rear it’s nasty head in this story. 
The ending is quite a journey and I loved the lesson on lying. The story has a great feel of royalty and delivers an enchanting tale that I read in one day. I did enjoy the history at the end of the book which explains a very important banquet. I found it to be very interesting and helped me understand the time period. 
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion

About the Author

Linore Rose Burkard is a serious watcher of period films, a Janeite, and hopeless romantic. An award winning author best known for Inspirational Regency Romance, her first book opened the genre for the CBA. Besides historical romance, Linore writes contemporary suspense (The Pulse Effex Series, as L.R. Burkard), contemporary romance (Falling In), and romantic short stories. Linore has a magna cum laude English Lit. degree from CUNY which she earned while taking herself far too seriously. She now resides in Ohio with her husband and family, where she turns her youthful angst into character or humor-driven plots.

More from Linore

Miss Tavistock experiences a frightening crush at the Prince Regent’s palace (Carlton House) toward the end of the book which leads to a romantically pivotal scene. But many readers don’t know that what happened that day at the palace really happened.
Here’s the scoop:
    The fete in June of 1811 was the Prince of Wales’ first real chance to celebrate his becoming Regent in February of that year in the lavish style he loved.
    Like Miss Tavistock, many in the haut ton anxiously coveted invitations. At first reserved only for the peerage and their offspring, by the time of the event, more than 2,000 invitations had been issued to all classes. The details in the story regarding the enormous preparations really happened, and much, much, more.
    Since our heroine was not able to garnish an invitation to the actual grand banquet, the extraordinary magnificence of the décor, food, and costume of that night had to be excluded from the book. But it was an unprecedented display, and both amazed and perplexed the guests.
     The prince was so happy with his lavish spectacle that he wished to share it with the public. The unruly crowd described in the book happened on the third day following the banquet. It was reported that more than 30,000 people tried to crowd their way in that day. Men and women lost hats, bonnets, coats, shawls, shoes, and even their under clothing. London papers afterwards claimed there were great tubs at Carlton House filled with all the lost items.  Our beleaguered heroine escapes with only her shoes and bonnet missing, but her stockings and gown are torn. Perfect situation to be rescued from!
    Contemporaries both praised and harshly criticized the affair. It was described as “an assemblage of beauty, splendor and profuse magnificence,” by admirers, but as  one of the princes’ “greatest follies and extravagances,” by detractors.3
If you’re not previously familiar with the Prince Regent (later George IV), this might give you an idea as to why I sometimes find him too irresistible a figure to leave out of a Regency novel. His extravagance, flamboyance and tempestuous lifestyle are just too ripe  fodder to ignore. Though he doesn’t appear in Miss Tavistock, I have numerous scenes in my first Regency series where he interacts with Phillip Mornay, ‘the Paragon,’ and hero of the books.
NOTE: This post is an abbreviated account of the event, which is included in more detail at the back of the book.
Question: Have you ever been trapped in a crowd? What was it like?

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, September 26
Rebecca Tews, September 26
Inklings and notions, September 27
Sara Jane Jacobs, September 28
Genesis 5020, September 28
Worthy2Read, September 29
For Him and My Family, September 30
Betti Mace, September 30
Remembrancy, October 1
Artistic Nobody, October 2 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)
Labor Not in Vain, October 2
The Book Chic Blog, October 3
Simple Harvest Reads, October 5 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
CarpeDiem, October 5
HookMeInABook, October 6
Splashes of Joy, October 7
Godly Book Reviews, October 8
As He Leads is Joy, October 9

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Linore is giving away the grand prize of a $30 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

About the Book

Book:  White Stick
Author: Jacqueline Middler
Genre:  Memoir
Release Date: May 13, 2020
When a positive pregnancy test upends her carefree coed life, Jacqueline Marie decides to end the life of her unborn child. That abortion and the one that followed not only destroyed two lives but also wrecked Jacqueline’s soul.
Unprepared for the emotional wounds abortion inflicts, Jacqueline turns to drugs and alcohol to mask her pain, but nothing she does assuages her deep-seated guilt. When staying with relatives in Florida—intended to give her a fresh start—she hears the gospel message, and while reading the creation story and promises of God, she encounters a God who loves her despite her choices.
As she experiences God’s grace and forgiveness, Jacqueline is able to finally forgive herself. Now a doula and a voice for the unborn, she shares her story to help other women who have had abortions know that healing and redemption are possible through Jesus.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

An avid reader and devoted mother of three, Jacqueline Marie gives voice to the women who have had abortions and live with the regret and shame of that decision. White Stick is her debut work, birthed from the years-long journey to healing and redemption and her desire open the eyes of the world to the harm this choice brings to women. She has a degree from Johnson & Wales in marketing, with concentrations in English and psychology.

More from Jacqueline

White Stick was written in hopes of freeing women from the bondage of shame and guilt that comes with the choice of Abortion. This book’s purpose is to shed light on the after effects of what this choice does to a women’s soul and life. This choice is not the quick decision or the “easier choice” that the media portrays but can effect every one of your choices after for the rest of your life. Only Gods love and Jesus’s grace can free you. I was a Christian many years before I was able to forgive myself. Until you forgive yourself it is hard to walk in the plans God has for you. You the reader are able to walk with me through my abortion to redemption. This is a raw honest look at the devastation this choice brings.
MY REVIEW 
I write this review with tears streaming down my cheeks. My heart is filled with grace as I express how much I appreciate the openness and raw emotions that penetrated throughout the  book. It is not easy to share something you know was wrong, broken inside and desperate for forgiveness. The author talks about a very hard subject that causes discord among people. Judgment and shame followed the author as she exposes the sin that turned her life upside down. 
It is not an easy book to read but one that I believe will help someone who is dealing or has dealt with abortion. Her life was a mess and it continued to spiral out of control. I understood her need to feel wanted and loved. The Biblical story she shares hits home for her. That moment as God spoke to her through His Word , she knew she needed to change her life. One of the things she needed to do was not only ask for forgiveness, but to forgive herself. 
The author’s journey takes  her through many hurtful conversations until she realizes that God forgives her. He has a plan for her and her voice will share love and compassion. I loved the scriptures and questions at the end of the book.  My desire is to meet the author one day and give her a hug. I want to tell her how powerful her testimony is and through her transparency others will be able to take the first step to forgiveness. 
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Blog Stops

Artistic Nobody, September 22 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)
Rebecca Tews, September 23
My Devotional Thoughts, September 24 (Author Interview)
Maureen’s Musings, September 24
Texas Book-aholic, September 26
Inklings and notions, September 27
For Him and My Family, September 28
Stories By Gina , September 29 (Author Interview)
deb’s Book Review, September 29
Locks, Hooks and Books, September 30
Sara Jane Jacobs, October 3
Pause for Tales, October 5

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jacqueline is giving away the grand prize package of a $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.

Friday, September 25, 2020

Wish Upon A Star FB Banner

About the Book

Book:  Wish Upon A Star
Author: Tabitha Bouldin
Genre:  Holiday Fiction
Release Date: December 1, 2018
wish Upon a StarBryce Masters had everything he needed…or so he thought. His six-year-old daughter, Anna, would disagree. They were going home, moving back to Jingle Junction where Bryce would take over the local bookstore just in time for Christmas. Losing his wife, Molly, during the birth of their daughter six years ago was tragic, but Bryce has no idea just how much it weighs on young Anna’s heart until she confesses her deepest wish. What Anna wants for Christmas is a mother, but Bryce’s heart is not ready to love again. Only God can give Bryce the desire to make Anna’s wish come true. Only He can heal the hurt and open Bryce’s heart to the power of love. But Bryce will have to be willing to listen. And when the perfect woman reveals a secret that could devastate them all, will Bryce be able to look beyond what was and accept what might be?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Tabitha bouldinTabitha Bouldin has a Bachelor’s in creative writing from Southern New Hampshire University, where she graduated with honors. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and has been published with Chicken Soup for the Soul. When she’s not homeschooling her kids, you’ll find her curled up with a book. Tabitha’s genre of choice is Contemporary Christian Romance which she describes as: Adventure with heart.

More from Tabitha

Wish Upon a Star owes its existence to Hallmark’s Christmas movies. I could, and often do, watch their Christmas movies all through the year. Doesn’t matter how cheesy the storyline, I love them all. While I wanted to bring that sense of fun and feel-good romance, I needed a little oomph. So, I took some inspiration from “The Christmas Shoes” by NewSong. For the record, I love Hallmark and NewSong equally, so putting the two together was a natural fit.
The intention wasn’t to make a sad Christmas story, but there’s some pain Bryce has to manage while learning to love again. The best things come from overcoming that thing you never thought you could do. When you press on, with God’s guidance and with His approval, anything is possible. Bryce needs this reminder that even in the darkest nights, God is there.
Wish is part of the funky town I created and dubbed Jingle Junction, a place where it’s all Christmas all the time. Jingle Junction has only a few rules. First off, you can have any business you want, as long as the business name is an alliteration. Second, community is the name of the game. When someone’s in need, everyone pitches in to help.
For this story, I wanted to highlight homecoming. To do that, I needed Bryce to have a reason to come back to Jingle Junction. That’s where the song came in. If you don’t know the song, it’s about a little boy who wants only one thing for Christmas, and that’s a pair of shoes for his dying mother. I listen to “The Christmas Shoes” at least a dozen times a year. It’s heartbreaking but wonderful. It has that bit of hope I needed for Wish. For my story, Bryce’s daughter, Anna, lost her mother when she was born. The only thing she wants is the one thing she’s never had: a mother. It’s also the one thing Bryce cannot give.
The plan had always been to return to Jingle Junction. Bryce wants to raise Anna in the hometown where he was born, and he’s finally gotten the opportunity to make good on the plans he and his wife made when they first learned of her pregnancy. It took him six years to make good on his promise, and he’s not sure he’s made the right decision.
Wish Upon a Star is one of those books where I wanted to challenge myself by writing only from the male point of view. Although I always write alternating point of view in my romances, Wish has always been Bryce’s story. A story of coming home.
MY REVIEW 
I could read Christmas stories year round and never tire of them. This is a short story but it sure has a powerful message. Bryce and his daughter have been on their own for six years. They suffered a great loss which has affected Bryce in many ways. I liked how he always tried to make his daughter happy. Her Christmas wish this year is something he isn’t sure he can make happen though.
I adored the name of the town Bryce moved back to. Jingle Junction is a perfect name for a small town. I could already see the decorations pop up on every store and knew it was the perfect place for Bryce to raise his daughter. Anna is a delightful little girl who brings joy to everyone. Her energy is contagious and I was excited for her as she embraces her new home. 
The story is filled with happiness and hope. Bryce will need to face his past in order to move forward. Can he let go of grief and allow someone to capture his heart again? Don’t miss this story that teaches us to trust God and follow His direction. 
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Blog Stops

deb’s Book Review, September 24
Texas Book-aholic, September 25
Inklings and notions, September 26
For Him and My Family, September 27
CarpeDiem, September 27
Locks, Hooks and Books, September 28
Older & Smarter?, September 29
lakesidelivingsite, September 29
Artistic Nobody, September 30 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)
Batya’s Bits, September 30
Emily Yager, October 1
She Lives To Read, October 2
Pause for Tales, October 3
Sara Jane Jacobs, October 4
Connect in Fiction, October 4

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Tabitha is giving away the grand prize package 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.

Thursday, September 24, 2020

About the Book

Book:  Jack
Author: Chautona Havig
Genre:  Historical Western Romance
Release Date: January 26, 2016
Women are trouble—lying, cheating, untrustworthy bundles of trouble.
Jack Clausen doesn’t need anyone but his horse and a boss who won’t interfere in his personal life—or lack of one.
Sure, he’s a lonely cowboy, but better lonely than brokenhearted.
If only he hadn’t met a girl who made him hope that honest and true women do exist. Maybe he wouldn’t be riding off into a snowstorm with a fresh determination to avoid women—indefinitely.
When Hazel Meissner sees a cowboy risk life, limb, and horse to save a child, she knows he’s someone special. When he finally gives her his heart, she considers herself the most blessed woman alive.
However, when he rides off without a word, she wonders if her heart will survive the loss.
One broken man. One trusting woman. One orchestrated misunderstanding that tears them apart. What’ll it take to bring Jack home again?
It’s Shakespeare’s Much Ado about Nothing mashed up with the old ballad, “Cowboy Jack.”  Don’t miss a cast of characters inspired by the Bard himself—especially Dirk and Deborah (Benedick & Beatrice).
Jack: a lot of hullaballoo on the prairie.

Click here to get your copy!
 MY REVIEW 
If I could find a way to make this book into a movie I would. Yes it is that good. The hero of the story had my heart as soon as he spoke. Jack is a man who has carried around a gut wrenching feeling that he was never wanted. His mother holds the key to his hardened heart and his mistrust of women. What I liked was that he was broken inside but still treated everyone with respect. The author does an amazing job of giving us a character who admits his flaws and seeks to be better. I loved that he was a cowboy who worked hard and asked for no handouts. I would say he was a little prideful, but that is something he will be working on. 
Hazel was someone I liked but I think she fell hard for Jack a bit too soon. Was it because of his charm or that she liked the idea of being in love? I did like that she accepted Jack for who he was and never looked down on him. She has her heart set on a man who is fragile in his feelings and has one foot out the door if he feels rejected or wronged. Her steadfast faith brings a breath of fresh air to the story. She sees past the person and finds his worth deep inside. 
The story is good and I especially liked finding out about Jack’s past. I can’t imagine going through life not knowing how to read or write. The one thing that spoke to me the most in the story was about forgiveness. Jack has carried around anger and bitterness because of his mother for so long. His eyes are blinded to a woman who is good and kind. The misunderstanding they have is proof that Jack doesn’t trust women. He never gives Hazel a chance to explain but jumps on his horse and leaves. This is where I believe God wanted him to be at this point in his life. God has a plan and a divine appointment for Jack. 
Through a series of events Jack searches his heart and knows that forgiving is the key to freedom. Those precious moments in the book  make this a powerful lesson we can all learn from. Don’t wait till it’s too late to ask for forgiveness. Jack represents each of us who are prideful and want to hold on to bitterness. The author allows us to witness “that God never leaves us nor forsakes us.” 
I loved the book and wanted to have the story continue. There are a few funny moments in the story where characters remind me of fumbling bumbling I  don’t know what I’m doing people. I think they need to rethink having a new sheriff in town. The ending is wonderful and I wouldn’t mind a revisit to see how Jack and Hazel are doing. 
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion. 

About the Author

Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her at chautona.com and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.


More from Chautona

The Inspiration I Hate to Love

The plaintive notes of a ballad filled the living room. People sat on couches and chairs or stood in the doorway, listening. Three steps up the staircase, out of view of most of the room, a little girl sat, chin in her hands, listening.
If you looked close, you’d see freckles dotting her nose and crooked teeth that never were too large for her mouth like most children’s were. Just a bit closer, and you’d see wide, hazel eyes riveted to the man with the guitar seated on the hearth. To his right, a cup of coffee and sometimes a shot of whiskey.
With a voice like Jim Reeves (the non-twangy Reeves, mind you), the songs told stories, like all ballads do—a little blind girl praying for her father’s future happiness, a girl of thirteen who barely escaped a massacre in 19th century Wyoming. “Hazel eyes,” the man called her. California Joe—he was a real man, although not as good of one as the song made out.
Sometimes the man sang happier songs, but most of them were slow, western ballads that could keep Nicolas Sparks writing for decades.
And the little girl loved them all—especially California Joe and one about a cowboy who left his sweetheart alone on the prairie after a quarrel. One called “Cowboy Jack.”
As you’ve probably surmised, I was the little girl, and that man who sang and stirred the hearts of our family at nearly every gathering was my father.

How I miss those days.

For years, I wanted to give Jack a happier ending. See, the song goes like this. A lonely cowboy (with a heart so brave and true) meets and falls in love with a maiden (with eyes of heaven’s own blue). Alas, as with all good romances, the couple quarrel and Jack rides away. He finds a new band of cowboys and would have been just fine, but someone asks him to sing a song to “drive all cares away.” Alas, the song he devises is one about a “lonely maiden who waited for her Jack.”
Of course, he rides off to ask forgiveness. It’s all his fault. He arrives too late. She died of a broken heart on the “lonely prairie where skies are always blue.”
After I began writing, the idea came to me to turn those songs Dad sang—old ones that had been passed on and down through many different versions—into novels. I’d write all the subtext the songs left out.

I’d give them happy endings.

Of course, that’s easier said than done. One by one, I figured out how to do it, but Jack… well, I didn’t want to change the stories. I just wanted to leave on hope instead of despair
Shakespeare to the rescue!
I was watching Kenneth Branagh’s Much Ado about Nothing adaptation, and the answer came to me so clearly. It had the solution I needed. So, I smooshed the song and the play together. Inside, you’ll find the characters Shakespeare created (including Dirk and Deborah and their biting repartee—they steal the show!) in the setting and with the elements of the ballad, too.
Dad’s older now. His hands are gnarled with age, swollen with arthritis. His mind is slipping away. Today, you’ll find his guitar at my house. My son now owns it, but he doesn’t know the songs I heard played on the old Goya. Still, when I take it out of the case, tune it up, and pluck the strings, everything shifts. Suddenly, I’m nine years old again, sitting on my uncle’s stairs, just out of sight, watching. Listening. Heart breaking.
See, I’ll never hear my father play again, and I can’t play either. So, the songs will have to live on with stories of Mary, Jethro, Maggie… and of course, Jack.

Blog Stops

deb’s Book Review, September 22
Bigreadersite, September 23
Texas Book-aholic, September 24
lakesidelivingsite, September 24
Inklings and notions, September 25
Sara Jane Jacobs, September 25
For Him and My Family, September 26
Reviewingbooksplusmore, September 26
Locks, Hooks and Books, September 27
Hookmeinabook, September 27
Artistic Nobody, September 29 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)
Ashley’s Bookshelf, September 30
Lots of Helpers, September 30
She Lives To Read, October 1
Mary Hake, October 1
Godly Book Reviews, October 2
Simple Harvest Reads, October 3 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Pause for Tales, October 4

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Chautona is giving away the grand prize package of a paperback copy of the book and a $25 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.