About the Book

Book: When Dignity Came to Harlan

Author: Rebecca Duvall Scott

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release date: January 17, 2021

I made up my mind right then and there that I would just have to wade into this move like wading into a pond or lake I’d never seen before – slow and steady, feeling around for my footing and trying to avoid the sharp edges at the bottom that you never see coming.

***

News of what really happened to me – to us – spread through town like wildfire. It caught from one dry gossip tree to another and burned them to the ground with shame.

***

“Y’can do this, child – show ’em why I call y’Dignity,” my old friend winked at me.                 

Skillfully written and sure to draw you in to its pages, When Dignity Came to Harlan is set in the early 1900s and follows twelve-year-old Anna Beth Atwood as she leaves Missouri with her family dreaming of a better life in the coal-rich mountains of Harlan County, Kentucky. Anna Beth’s parents lose everything on the trip, however, and upon asking strangers to take their girls in until they get on their feet, Anna Beth and her baby sister are dropped into the home of Jack and Grace Grainger – who have plenty of problems of their own. Anna Beth suffers several hardships during her time in Harlan, and if it wasn’t for her humble and wise old friend who peddles his wisdom along with his wares, all would be lost.

Based on a true family history, this is a story of heartbreak and hope, challenges and perseverance, good and evil, justice and merciful redemption. It exemplifies the human experience in all its many facets and shows what it means to have real grit.

Take the journey with us and see how, with the unseen hand of God, one girl changed the heart and soul of an entire town.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Rebecca Duvall Scott is an award-winning author with titles holding #1 bestseller within her publishing companies long after release. Her first work was self-help memoir, Sensational Kids, Sensational Families: Hope for Sensory Processing Differences, which she wrote in the years following her son’s sensory processing disorder diagnosis and their family’s successful treatment plan. While her special-needs advocacy helping parents, teachers, and professionals better understand individuals with SPD has a large part of her heart, her roots have always been in historical fiction. Her long-awaited Christian historical fiction novel, When Dignity Came to Harlan, was based on her great-grandmother’s childhood, and Teaching Dignity continues the tender and heroic story. She looks forward to writing more in both the Dignity and Sensational Kids series.

In addition to writing, Rebecca enjoys family, church, educating her children at home, painting, and directing a local homeschool cooperative organization where she works hard to accommodate all special needs.

 

More from Rebecca

From the time I was a little girl, my grandmother would gather me around her kitchen table – usually with homemade peach pies – and tell me stories of our forebears. I found the experiences of those who came before me to be both tragic and joyful, but most of all I found them worthy of being told and never forgotten. When I was 16, I started taking notes on everything my grandmother could remember about her mother (one of the humblest and most heroic of my ancestors) and as a senior in college, I turned in the first 70 pages of the manuscript based on her childhood, When Dignity Came to Harlan. I’ll never forget how on graduation day, my creative writing teacher shook my hand and said, “Rebecca, please finish the story.” It took years to finish my debut novel… I think because I had to grow up and develop a deep enough emotional well to do it justice… but finish the story I did. Little did I know, however, this bestselling and award-winning book, the one I was always meant to write, would be the starter of a new, yet powerfully old-fashioned, Christian historical fiction series!

MY REVIEW 

I love reading historical fiction and thought this book was extremely well written. The story is set in the early 1900s when families were struggling to survive. Anna Beth is such a wonderful character. She seems so much older than twelve with her ability to help her mother with her younger sisters. I loved her deep compassion for her family and how hard she worked. It is never easy to move away from the place you grew up around but Anna Beth trusts her parents. Their decision to pack up their meager belongings and travel to Kentucky was hard on everyone. The author does a great job of giving us a glimpse of what it was like traveling in a wagon for a long period of time. The hope of a brighter future kept their spirits up. 

The heartbreaking decision Anna Beth’s parents make when they arrive in Harlan County, Kentucky shocked me. They thought it was the only way to have a chance to make a better life for everyone. I can see the tears stream down Anna Beth’s face as she and her baby sister were left at a strangers farm. She and her little sister are now all alone with people who promised her parents they would take care of them. 

The story is hard to read at times as Anna Beth begins to notice that Mr. Grainger  isn’t very kind. He expects her to work from dawn to dusk doing hard labor. His attitude towards Anna Beth sent shivers down my spine. Through fights between Grace and her husband, it is clear he is not happy that Anna Beth and her sister are still there longer  than expected. This brings Anna Beth to believe that no one wants her as she tries to understand why her parents have never come back for her.

I was horrified at what happened to Anna Beth and was shocked that no one believed her. Why would an adult do  such an unthinkable act on a child. I wanted to hug Anna Beth and tell her that God would vindicate her. I loved the elderly man who befriends Anna Beth and takes her to a place where she is safe. This special place is where we have a front row seat to see how a young girl finds freedom and unconditional love. She understands that she is important and wanted as God’s presence surrounds her. 

I have some unanswered questions as the story ended too soon for me. I love how we are exposed to the redemption of a character who has felt lost and alone. The question still lingers in my mind about her parents. Do they come back to reunite the family? How will they take the news of what their daughter has gone through? I appreciate the questions at the end of the book. It will make for a great discussion to use in a book club. As I finish my review I think about a young girl who was brave and lived her life with dignity. 

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

Blog Stops

deb’s Book Review, February 12

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 13

Inklings and notions, February 14

Texas Book-aholic, February 15

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 16

For Him and My Family, February 17

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 18

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, February 18

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, February 19 (Spotlight)

Jeanette’s Thoughts, February 19

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, February 20

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 21

Connie’s History Classroom, February 22

Lots of Helpers, February 23

Elly Gilbert, February 23

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 24

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 25

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Rebecca is giving away the grand prize package of signed copies of When Dignity Came to Harlan and Teaching Dignity, a handmade ornament, and popular early 1900s candy!!

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/1a45d/when-dignity-comes-to-harlan-celebration-tour-giveaway

 

About the Book

Book: Solomon’s Porch

Author: Janet Morris Grimes

Genre: Christian Mystery/Suspense

Release date: August 10, 2021

Time.

Solomon is running out of it.

A broken and forgotten man fighting the demons of dementia, he longs for the past when both he and his beloved military town of Ginger Ridge once thrived.

When his stooped body collides with the hardened realities of the present, Solomon lies in a coma as an unidentifiable victim of a hit-and-run accident in a faraway city.

With nothing to keep him going but flashbacks of relationships from his past, Solomon has no idea what a difference he will make on the future …

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Janet may not have realized she was a writer at the time, but her earliest childhood memories were spent creating fairy-tale stories of the father she never knew. That desire to connect with the mysterious man in a treasured photograph gave her a deep love for the endless possibilities of a healing and everlasting story.

A wife of one, mother of three, and Tootsie to four, she currently writes from her quiet two-acre corner near Louisville, Kentucky. She’s spent the last few years preparing to introduce her novels and children’s stories to the world.

 

More from Janet

• – I’d have to say my inspiration for the character of Solomon Thomas came from my precious father-in-law. When we lost him almost ten years ago, we were inundated with countless stories of simple, behind-the-scenes acts of kindness he offered over many decades. I’m not sure he realized what a difference he made in the lives of others.

 

The same is true for my main character, Solomon Thomas. He comes from such a place of deep tragedy. Once he lost everything, he had nothing left to offer but himself. So he did.

 

There are many themes running throughout this story. A lost sense of home. Running out of time. Redemption and second chances. But more than this, connection and community. Sometimes, we are so trapped by our own brokenness, we don’t know how to let others in. But what if we did?

 

Solomon learned to do just that. Show up for people, and let them into his world as well. And over time, it was enough to breathe new life into his beloved town of Ginger Ridge.

 

What happens next? Solomon deserves a sequel, so I’ll be working on that very soon.

MY REVIEW 

This is one book that I think everyone should read. With an emotional and powerful story I couldn’t stop crying as the characters became real to me.  The town where the story takes place is very small and little by little is becoming almost like a ghost town. It needs a breath of fresh air and people who care about each other to rebuild and help each other out. 

Solomon is a man with a heart filled with love, grace, wisdom and compassion. He reaches out to those who need help or perhaps a listening ear to guide them to forgiveness and find hope.  His story is filled with loss but he never lets that hinder him from helping others. I adored Solomon and would love to sit with him on his front porch in the swing. He reminds me so much of my granddad. He was a quiet man who spoke softly and never had a harsh word for anyone. 

Each character in the book has a connection to Solomon in some way. Harper was especially touched by Solomon’s kindness and I loved how her story was shared with flash backs. The author addresses some difficult subjects with grace and shows how important it is to accept responsibility for your actions. The lessons are many in this moving story. I think it is important to understand how we can each make an impact on others if we take the time to really listen without judging. 

The ending is bittersweet and I loved how we witness a homecoming for two special people who are finally reunited. We never know what tomorrow will bring so take each day and make a difference. Never let a day go by without telling others how important they are to you. I close this review by honoring the Solomon’s of the world; “Well done thy good and faithful servant.”

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

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 10

Rebecca Tews, February 11

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 12

A Reader’s Brain, February 13

Texas Book-aholic, February 14

The Author Reads, February 14

Inklings and notions, February 15

For Him and My Family, February 16

Blogging With Carol, February 17

deb’s Book Review, February 17

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 18

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 19

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, February 20

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, February 21 (Spotlight)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 21

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, February 22

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 23

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Janet is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card, a Solomon newsboy cap, and a paperback 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/1a454/solomon-s-porch-celebration-tour-giveaway

 

About the Book

Book: The Gatekeeper’s Descendants

Author: Johanna Frank

Genre: Christian/Fiction/Fantasy

Release date: September 2021

ONCE UPON A TIME, THERE WAS A CURSE

Hesitant to enter the kingdom, spirited and stubborn Pipiera grudgingly accepts a task to save a fledgling earth-dwelling boy, Matthew, from sabotaging his own future. Challenged with the pull of an obsessive emotion from her past life, she’s unequipped to handle the mission, let alone discern the perplexing interference from a rebel–an unearthly soul who takes great interest in both she and the boy and who relentlessly seeks to capture their affection.

As Matthew’s world spins throughout the cosmos, his mother’s world churns at his bedside while she awaits an unknowing outcome.

Who overcomes?

Who ends up cursed forever?

The Gatekeeper’s Descendants is an easy-to-read, thought-inspiring fantasy. The story weaves together adventure in the afterlife with growing faith and family drama.

BEAUTIFUL…   TWISTED…   LIVELY…

 

Click here to enter the giveaway!

 

About the Author

To Johanna Frank, retirement means the freedom to do what she simply loves—bringing family and friends together with good food. But even better is the space to pen creative, inspirational fiction; stories she hopes will touch the lives of her readers.

Johanna lives in the Waterloo Region of Ontario, Canada with husband, Joe, cherishing and watching their children and their families as they churn through life and develop into their own wonderful characters.

At the time of publishing, Johanna’s The Gatekeeper’s Descendants was declared a Winner of The Word Guild’s 2021 Word Awards.

The Gatekeeper’s Descendants is Johanna Frank’s debut novel.

 

More from Johanna

Hey, hello! It sure is a pleasure to be here 😊.

I’ve always believed it’s a gift when others just happen to come into our lives. Sometimes it’s like a drift and ever so brief, maybe even digital. But always, I like to think anyway; it is for a reason. Sadly, we simply don’t see it that way.

That was just one premise for The Gatekeeper’s Descendants. There is so much more to our life journey than what we see and, therefore, what we could possibly appreciate.

According to some translators of ancient Greek (yes, I google the internet a great deal), the term we so often use today to explain chance happenings, coincidence, is derived from the word synkyrian – a combination of two words: sun and kurios. Sun reported as meaning “together with” and kurios reported as meaning “supreme in authority.” So, a chance happening, meeting someone along one’s path in life? …not an accident. The question becomes why.

As far as the story in The Gatekeeper’s Descendants goes, sure, I had a plot in mind. But those wonderful fictional characters came first, and I quickly discovered they had much to say about their own decisions and paths. Important to me was to incorporate realisms: personality traits, emotional challenges, tough situations and simply, life in general. And then place all such realities alongside characters from an ethereal and lively kingdom. Of course, what would a kingdom be without its rebels? This fantasized world in charge of intervening to make chance happenings actually happen, or, interfering to disrupt the course of one’s path? Well, what fun! I totally loved the adventure of writing this novel. But please, be rest assured. Faith is central in my life, and I did my utmost to treat it with great and utter respect.

And you are part of this equation. That is the most exciting part for me: your experience with the read. One reader told me how grateful she was after reading The Gatekeeper’s Descendants for the hope it gave, particularly as it came at such a perfect time—weeks following the loss of a parent. Another said it brought to her imagination the child she lost at infancy and the absolute joyous wonder of her lively existence now. Yet another felt the appreciation of having a chance at feeling a troubled teen’s point of view and the potential of very real battles that are not always visible. As one reviewer put it, “this is a story that has something to impart to even the most cynical among us.”

Without readers, writers simply wouldn’t have much purpose. So, a heartfelt thank you. I hope you will give The Gatekeeper’s Descendants a chance even if it is a diversion from your normal genre.

I would absolutely love to connect and hear your experience with the story!

And may you journey well!

Johanna Frank

MY REVIEW

There is much to find in this fantasy story that will have a lasting impact for many readers.  I like that the author focuses on a teen boy and shows us the emotions he goes through. I will say there are a few times that the language was a little off putting. It wasn’t really bad words just on the edgy side for me. I don’t think I will be able to describe what Matt sees as he travels through space but I can say that the lessons learned are for each of us at some point. Trust becomes a big issue in the story as Matt is asked to do something that seems far fetched but could give him his life back. Really  I think it was a matter of seeing what you have and being thankful for it.  

What is important to note is how Matt, like most of us hold our grief inside. The death of his father has changed him but he has never really let his feelings show. The author does an excellent job of giving readers a moment to take in Matt’s grief and perhaps help us heal as well. I don’t know if you can ever get over losing someone, but there are moments when you need to allow yourself to show your feelings by crying or talking to someone. 

The story follows several characters who interact with each other in ways that explain how important family, trust and acceptance is. Those that like fantasy books will enjoy this story with a good faith element and a look at a fight for good to win over darkness. 

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

Blog Stops

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 11

Texas Book-aholic, February 12

By the Book, February 12

Tell Tale Book Reviews, February 13

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 14

For Him and My Family, February 15

Inklings and notions, February 16

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 17

deb’s Book Review, February 18

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, February 19

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 20

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, February 21

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, February 22 (Spotlight)

Through the Fire Blogs, February 22

Blogging With Carol, February 23

Wishful Endings, February 24 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Johanna is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a signed hardcover 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/1a459/the-gatekeeper-s-descendants-celebration-tour-giveaway

 

About the Book

Book: Treasure Atop the Mountain

Author: Tonya L. Matthews

Genre: Faith-based Christian Fiction

Release date: August, 2019

Broken by the unfathomable. Frightened of the future. And unaware of God’s hand at work. Gracie grew up working in her grandfather’s ice cream shop in the small Kentucky town of Ridgewood. Ridgewood is a quiet town known for little but a 20-year-old rumor that treasures are hidden somewhere in its hills. But when misfortune strikes, Gracie is faced with challenges no 11-year-old should have to bear. She has to learn to continue to live now that nearly everything about her life has changed. The losses are so devastating that still years later she fights the nightmares. Yet folks in the town in their own unique way watch out for their little girl as she matures into a young woman. This is a story about Gracie Howard and how she finally found healing in a message that her grandfather shared with her as a little girl and from a town with hidden treasure.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Tonya grew up on a family farm in Riverside, Kentucky. Her father recognized early on that hoeing tobacco and running hogs weren’t in her skill set. He opted to send her to college. Graduating from Western Kentucky University with honors, Tonya went on to support the business community for two decades as an executive for the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce where she served a primary role in the organization’s multiple national honors.

Tonya has found writing to be a healthy escape and effective therapy in tough seasons throughout her life. Tonya began writing Treasure atop the Mountain 15 years ago when she and her husband were trying to start their family and encountered multiple disappointments. Ultimately, they signed up to be foster parents and adopted.

Tonya’s been married to Todd Matthews for 25 years. They have two grown daughters. In August 2019, she published Treasure atop the Mountain—a fiction novel based on real-life emotions that can be related to by many. Tonya’s second novel in the TREASURE series, Roxie Applesauce, released in August 2021. She’s currently writing the series’ third book, Get Will. Additionally, in 2022, she will debut the first two books in her children’s book series.

 

More from Tonya

HOW THE BOOK CAME ABOUT

Treasure atop the Mountain provided for me a glimpse of hope that I needed at the time I wrote it. In the book, Gracie experiences misfortune no young girl should have to bear. Yet, in the end, she witnesses all the broken pieces come together and is overwhelmed by God’s hand in it.

When Todd and I got married in 1996, we didn’t try starting our family right away, and when we decided that we were ready, it didn’t come easy. We struggled for several years through disappointment after disappointment. I’d get home from work at the end of a long day and lean against the kitchen door facing, drop to the floor and breathe for what felt like the first time that. I was hurting and doing my best to hide it.

My sister and my two sisters-in-law were pregnant, and I was covering three positions at work for people on maternity leaves. I really needed an escape because there was not a conversation I could have with family, friends at church, or at work that didn’t involve their lives moving forward when mine wasn’t in that area. I literally just sat down in the back room of our house with our computer on a card table and just started writing. I ran the emotions I was dealing with through the characters and wrote the book that I needed to read. Eventually, we adopted two girls from foster care and with our careers, life was busy, but I never let go of the book. Over the years friends and family read rough drafts and provided feedback.

Since publishing Treasure atop the Mountain in August 2019, I’ve met so many precious people. I love to hear when people are encouraged and relate to the message in the book. We all know fear, anger, and disappointment. And we all need reminded that we will feel joy again. Since I’ve written the second in the Treasure Series. Roxie Applesauce is on tour in March. The third in the series, Get Will, will launch in 2022. A series of children’s books will release in 2022.

MY REVIEW 

What a beautiful story about forgiveness, family and acceptance. The setting of a small town is one of my favorites. Living in a small town Gracie feels secure. Her life hasn’t always been easy, but I love that she has her grandfather to watch out for her. Their relationship is very special and reminds me of how important  family is.  Gracie is a very sweet and caring person. She works hard with her grandfather at the ice cream shop. It was a special place where you found homemade ice cream and a friendly smile. 

Although Gracie may have a disability, it never stopped her from working hard. She is a little self conscious of her disability but I liked that the author doesn’t use it in a way that takes away from Gracie’s ability to do anything she sets her mind to. She is well liked by everyone in the town and they all look out for her. She did seem a little naive at times and especially when she met Ben. I was surprised how quickly they started seeing each other. 

Ben was rough around the edges and a chip on his shoulder as he found his way to the little town where Gracie lives.  Not really  having a family has caused him to never put down roots anywhere. He is a wanderer who is looking to belong somewhere and wanting someone to care for him.  His past definitely has made him not trust many people and you get the sense that he doesn’t want to show how vulnerable he really is. In some ways Ben reminded me of a character from The Gilmore Girls. 

The author gives us a story that explores trust, family and overcoming your past. There is one part of the story that was uncomfortable to read but the author does a good job of not being  too descriptive. It is used to show how others can take advantage of someone who is placed in a vulnerable position. I always try to think of one character that really stands out to me in a book. In this one I will have to keep it a secret. This character surprised me and made me understand what “a treasure really is.”

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

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 9

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 10

Texas Book-aholic, February 11

Mary Hake, February 11

Inklings and notions, February 12

For Him and My Family, February 13

deb’s Book Review, February 14

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 15

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 16

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, February 17

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, February 18 (Spotlight)

Pause for Tales, February 18

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, February 19

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 20

Where Crisis & Christ Collide, February 21

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 22

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Tonya 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/1a5c9/treasure-atop-the-mountain-celebration-tour-giveaway