Friday, December 16, 2022

About the Book

Book: Waiting on the Tides

Author: Tabitha Bouldin

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release date: November 29, 2022

People are more than the sum of their mistakes.

After a life lived in her older brother’s shadow, Abby Solomon is ready to take on the world—or at least a teaching position that puts her face to face with the one guy who thinks she’s nothing more than an immature nuisance.

When his daughter’s mother abandoned them, Christian Johnson swore off women and the trouble they bring. No wife—no drama. Just how he likes it. But as Christian struggles to juggle his job as a cop with raising his daughter and tracking down a runaway teen, he’s forced to ask the one woman who reminds him of his wife for help.

Abby is thrilled with the opportunity to show Christian that there’s more to her than what he thinks. But just as Christian begins to trust Abby, she makes a colossal mistake that threatens to ruin everything.

She just wanted to be accepted.

He wanted to be left alone.

It’ll take a runaway teen to show them that love is not measured by a single mistake.

This Breakers Head novel is Tabitha Bouldin’s final book in 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

Tabitha Bouldin is a student at Southern New Hampshire University, where she is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s in Creative Writing. As a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), she works with critique groups and provides endorsements for other authors. Tabitha’s genre of choice is Contemporary Christian Romance which she describes as: Adventure with heart. Tabitha spent ten years working as a Medical Assistant before God opened the door which allowed her to become a stay-at-home-homeschooling-mom and author.

More from Tabitha

I knew by the second story I wrote for the Independence Islands series that Christian needed his own book. I put him off until the end because we had a lot to unpack with his character. He’s a single dad who will do anything to keep his daughter from feeling the sting of abandonment. He’s also determined not to allow another woman into his life out of fear that she’ll leave them and break his daughter’s heart. He’s not worried about his own, since he considers himself too calloused to care.

I needed a heroine who was strong and fearless, and a little bit of sunshine to his grump. She also needed to push against the constraints Christian made in a way that by the time he figured out he cared it was too late to go back. Nothing could ever be the same for him.

Enter Abby.

Some of you may remember her from book one, Mishaps off the Mainland. Zeke’s little sister is fresh out of college with all of the world before her, and all she wants is to make a difference for the children she teaches. When the child most in need of her attention happens to be Christian’s daughter, sparks fly.

Writing Abby and Christian’s story was equal parts humor and angst, but I love the message running under the romance. Expectation is not reality. What you think you know about someone because of their age or the way they look is not truth. Truth lingers in the details, in the actions and the small, everyday things that are often overlooked.

Christian had to learn to look deeper, and in the writing of his character, so did I.

MY REVIEW

I think this book is my favorite from this author because she knows how to slowly unpack a character layer by layer. Both of the main characters have been in an earlier book but now we get to really know them on a deeper level. The gift of making a reader invest in characters is priceless. As I began my last journey in this series from this author I knew I would be emotional and filled with a hope and excitement .

Lets begin with Christian first. He is a great dad even though he thinks he fails in that area. He has a big heart that shows especially when he is on the job with his K-9. Christian is hoping to advance at his job but it could cause some issues with his daughter’s care. His emotional state is shaky at times and stays away from any hint of a relationship with a woman. It is hard for him to let his guard down, but perhaps someone can show him that he can trust again.

Abby oh my did I like her. Working with children is a wonderful career and she seems to just have this spark that makes children feel at ease. Meeting Christian’s daughter really opened doors for her and Christian. Well maybe not in a good way at first. They both are sensitive and feelings get hurt easily between these two. I kept thinking of kindred hearts, or two ships that pass in the night. Well you get what I mean. They just need to break down the walls and allow themselves to trust and feel accepted.

I love when the author gives us a great lesson about how we can impact someone’s life. We may never see the outcome but the seed we planted God will grow. Abby has this idea that she doesn’t matter to others but she has no idea the impact she has made on so many people. At this moment in time, God has placed her and Christian together for a reason.

The ending is everything I hoped for and more. We witness forgiveness and second chances that bring happiness and a place where people feel welcomed. I love stories about second chances and this one is especially good because not one but several people get a second chance.

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

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 13

lakesidelivingsite, December 14

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, December 14

By the Book, December 15

Texas Book-aholic, December 16

Sylvan Musings, December 16

She Lives To Read, December 17

Inklings and notions, December 18

Holly’s Book Corner, December 18

deb’s Book Review, December 19

Sodbuster Living, December 20

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 20

Aryn the Libraryan, December 21

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, December 22

Blogging With Carol, December 22

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 23

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 24

Simple Harvest Reads, December 24 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

For Him and My Family, December 25

Blossoms and Blessings, December 26

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 26

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.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2305a/waiting-on-the-tides-celebration-tour-giveaway

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

About the Book

Book: Calor

Author: J.J. Fischer

Genre: Fantasy

Release date: December 6, 2022

What if you could edit memories with a single touch?

The world-that-was is gone, lost to everything except living memory . . . but remembering comes at a terrible price. Sixty-two years after the apocalypse, a new society has emerged from the ashes of the old world where highly valued memories are traded and nostalgia is worth dying—and even killing—for.

Enslaved by a cruel master, Sephone Winter is forced to use her rare ability to manipulate memories to numb the darkest secrets of the ruling aristocracy.

Then Lord Adamo appears, speaking of a powerful relic capable of permanently erasing memories and recovering Sephone’s own lost childhood. But not everything about the young lord is as it seems, and soon Sephone must choose between helping Lord Adamo forget his past or journeying deep into the land of Lethe, where the truth about who she really is might finally be revealed . . . and a long desired future restored.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

J.J. Fischer’s writing dream began with the anthology of zoo animals she painstakingly wrote and illustrated at age five, to rather limited acclaim. Jasmine began writing her first proper novel at age fourteen, which eventually became her debut fantasy series, The Darcentaria Duology, which was published in 2021. She is a clinically-trained psychologist but no, she cannot read your mind. When she isn’t killing defenseless house plants, Jasmine enjoys devouring books, dabbling in floristry, playing the piano, and wishing it rained more often. Jasmine is married to David, and together they make their home a couple of hours north of Sydney, Australia.

More from J.J. Fischer

Have you ever wondered what your life would be like if you could selectively edit your memories with a single touch? What would you choose to erase, if anything? What memories would you spotlight?

What if you could transplant someone else’s memories into your own mind (and yours into someone else’s)? What would you choose to take? What would you choose to give away?

Influencing and transplanting memories is the gift of the female main character of Calor, Sephone Winter. Her gift was inspired by my own career as a clinically-trained psychologist, working with people who frequently have pasts they wish they could forget and who so often struggle to recall the good in their lives amongst all the bad. In neuropsychology we say that our minds stick like Velcro to the negative, but are like Teflon with the positive. And I think that’s very true—it’s hard to be grateful, joyful, positive, and gracious when we live in a fallen world where there’s so much sin, pain, and darkness.

Calor is a fantasy transformation of Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved 1843 tale The Nightingale (with echoes of the myths of Hades and Persephone). If you’ve never read The Nightingale, it’s worth diving into and it’s not a long story—it’s the tale of a nightingale who sings beautifully for the Emperor of China and is admired by all, only to be replaced with a mechanical, bejeweled substitute. Later on, when the substitute breaks and the Emperor lies dying, the flesh-and-blood bird returns and sings so beautifully that Death decides to spare the Emperor, and his kingdom is restored. The Emperor realizes what a great treasure he has possessed.

Calor is set in a futuristic fantasy society where people trade in memories of the world-that-was (essentially, nostalgia) because they can no longer experience it for themselves. They’re either living in the past, craving the “glory days” and immersing themselves in various pleasures, or selectively numbing bad memories, erasing everything which would take them away from the here-and-now, but at the price of their own humanity and self-awareness. You can see the obvious links to Andersen’s The Nightingale—this is a world which has embraced the imitation at the cost of the real. And though this story is fictitious, Calor really holds a mirror up to us as a society because, increasingly, I think that’s what we’re doing in the West. Our pasts are deeply painful and the future is terrifyingly uncertain, so we inhabit the space between—a space devoted to the pursuit of pleasure.

As you read Calor, I want to challenge you to think of all the times in your life when you embrace the imitation or the simulation over the real. No, I’m not talking about using fresh turmeric instead of powdered turmeric in your cooking, or throwing away your camera and basking in the mountain scenery out from behind a lens, but you get the idea. How do you rely on the world to fulfill God-shaped needs and longings? Are you dwelling among echoes of the truth rather than seeking the truth itself? To where (or to whom) does your pain drive you, and how can you let it drive you into the arms of your Creator instead?

Whoever you are, wherever you are, it is my dearest hope that this story entertains you and blesses you and encourages you, and speaks to your soul in the same way that Andersen’s tale first spoke to me.

Cherish the Real,

Jasmine

MY REVIEW

This is a very unique concept for a book which fascinated me so much I had to see what road we were traveling down. The author does a great job of creating a world where only memories avail. What would it be like to feel memories that gave you happiness and a yearning for a simple life? These memories are so valuable that people would kill or die to have them. I thought how powerful that control was and it kinda made me nervous.

Sephone has a gift where she can see and twist memories of others. Others seek her out but she has an agenda of her own as well. In less than two weeks she has been promised a memory that she has waited a long time for. Would this memory be everything she has hoped for? The world she lives in is cold, dreary and to me at times unforgiving. The setting is vivid with the author’s beautiful descriptions.

Lord Adamo has a connection to Sephone from long ago. He seems to not remember but Sephone has never forgotten him. Now he is in need of Sephone’s gift. He wants a certain memory erased from him forever. It is an impossible task but Lord Adamo will not take no for an answer and devises a way for Sephone to help him. Thus begins an adventure to find a relic that will help achieve what he wants. Would you want every memory you had of someone you loved erased so you didn’t have to relive the pain of their death over and over? I had to think about that. Yes the pain of losing someone at times is unbearable but I don’t think I would want to erase them from my memory forever ;like I never knew them.

Sephone has been offered something if she helps Lord Adamo. She will get her memory that she has wanted so long for and Lord Adamo will forget his forever. It seems simple, but lurking about are those who want to stop this from happening. One of those who seeks harm to others is known as Lord Draven. Sephone should use caution around him. What she knows about him, will send Lord Adamo into a certain anger that he may not control.

I liked how the author lays a foundation in the story and build on it as deceit, danger and hope is just ahead for our main characters. They seem so realistic and I was intrigued by them. There is evil near and I couldn’t wait to see if Sephone and Lord Adamo would achieve their goal. The ending delivers a lot of action as well as sone emotional moments. I will be eagerly awaiting the next book in this story for I must follow Sephone and Lord Adoma on their quest .

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

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, December 15

Wishful Endings, December 16

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 16

Through the Fire Blogs, December 17 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, December 18

Inklings and notions, December 19

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, December 20

Blossoms and Blessings, December 21 (Author Interview)

deb’s Book Review, December 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 22

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 23

Blogging With Carol, December 24

Rebecca Tews, December 25

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 26

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

For Him and My Family, December 28

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, J.J. is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card, a copy of the book, a signed bookplate, and four character art cards commissioned especially for the book release!!

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/23237/calor-celebration-tour-giveaway

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

GIFTS, GLAMPING, & GLOCKS BY TONYA KAPPES

Welcome to Normal, Kentucky, a small town in the Daniel Boone National Forest and Happy Trails Campground, where the annual Christmas activities are in full swing. But behind the twinkling lights and festive cheer lies a sinister secret.

When a local delivery driver is found murdered in Seymore’s Candy Cane Factory, suspicion quickly falls on the eccentric cast of characters who call Normal home. From the grumpy old man who own’s the candy cane factory, to the bubbly town fiddle player, Otis Gullett, who is secretly in a rendezvous with the factory owner’s wife. No one is above suspicion.

As the investigation heats up, the town's residents begin to turn on each other, and the killer's true identity becomes more and more elusive. As the body count rises, Mae West and the Laundry Club Ladies must race against the clock to uncover the truth before the killer strikes again.

With a southern twist and plenty of red herrings, Gifts, Glamping, & Glocks is a holiday thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

MY REVIEW

I love this series so much that when a new book comes out, I stop everything I’m doing. I want to live in Normal, Kentucky and stay at Mae’s camp. I will invite myself into the Laundry Club Ladies group and become a detective. The excitement never ends as another murder creeps up in the town. We know who the victim is, but we don’t know why or who did it. Let’s gets ready to follow Mae as she starts her investigation.

It was very interesting to read how candy canes are made and I could smell the peppermint as we toured the factory. One of my favorite things is peppermint. I love it in cake, ice cream , hot cocoa or just by itself. The description of the process it takes to make candy canes captivated me. This is the perfect story to cozy up with as we get ready for the holidays.

The author doesn’t miss a beat as laughter is scattered throughout the story with a mixup of a robe. Oh I fell in the floor visualizing Hank in this get up. I guess he was in such a hurry to get to a call that he grabbed whatever was close by. After everyone calms down, they try to figure out who was trying to break into the B&B at this hour of the night. With a suspect on the loose, an unexplained fire at the campground, Mae has her hands full trying to solve the case. This is a story that has excitement, laughs, a bit of danger and a cast of characters sure to keep any reader entertained. Don’t miss the recipes and camping hacks at tge end of the book.I think I need to go get some candy canes now.

Monday, December 12, 2022

About the Book

Book: The Ghost You Can’t See

Author: L.G. Nixon

Genre: Young Adult Fiction/Religious/Christian Fantasy/Mysteries & Detective Stories

Release date: November 1, 2022

Lucy is a ghost hunter, and she uses magical artifacts. Now she is experiencing a new level of spirit hauntings designed to bring her to a halt. Deceptive and nefarious beings are playing mind games, and she begins to doubt the love her family and friends. She must learn to see beyond the obvious and discern the hidden truths. Lucy discovers an ancient plot to overthrow the High King and destroy the beautiful city of Ascalon. Darnathian, the dark prince, is getting closer to finding the location of the Life Tree, and Lucy may not be able to stop him.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Meet LG Nixon, author, coffee connoisseur, motorcycle enthusiast, and collector of strange artifacts. With her zany imagination, she fuses a page-turning fantasy with a haunting theme and turns it into a spirit filled adventure with quirky and likable characters. After a long career, she left the workplace behind and turned to writing. Her stories are lighthearted but carry an underlying message of the importance of a Biblical worldview. She researches and writes full-time from her home in Michigan where she prowls the night star gazing and watching for a supernatural event. LG loves to ski, ride motorcycles, travel, and fly small planes; but no bungee jumping, thank you very much.

More from LG Nixon

I’ve always had zany and quirky imagination. Growing up in a creaky old house with a grandmother who told stories of ghostly visitations, I was curious. As a child, I filled journals with mystery and detective stories.

These days I write about ghosts and spirits to entertain and use scripture as dialogue to portray God’s love and forgiveness, our hope of redemption and the reality of a supernatural dimension just beyond our perception.

Why would a Christian author write about ghosts? Because scripture is filled with ghosts and spirits, angels, and demons along with some amazing creatures. God uses imagery to capture our imagination.

My writing has grown from my love for Jesus and a desire to share my faith with hope and encouragement. The Issachar Gatekeeper is designed to show young adults in a fun, adventurous way the impact Christian principles can have on their lives and to deepen their understanding of the world around them.

MY REVIEW

The book is very imaginative and takes us inside a place where ghosts, demons and danger lurks. I could already feel my skin crawl as Lucy encounters something that not only tries to deceive her mind but destroy something important. It was interesting to read that Lucy was protected by the High King while in the house. What happens if she goes beyond the boundary of the house? The mention of Lucy always wearing her armor reminds me of the Armor of God that we need to put on each day to protect us.

Lucy has to adjust to living and help running the B&B with her mother. Does her mother know that Lucy has a big secret? The word vanquishing is used throughout the story which bothered me. It reminds me of something that makes me feel very uncomfortable. Then as I started to read more I got the reference the author was taking about. In the story the High King separates the fallen angels forever. Now I was starting to catch on to the story.

Lucy and her friend are determined to fight against evil and know that The Dark Prince loves confusion and chaos. He lies and tries to divide people but with Lucy she knows that there is something stronger that can defeat the enemy. Lucy is very concerned about Mathias and wants to help him before he skips into darkness. Lucy learns many lessons in the story and we can see her faith grow as she fights to keep the evil whispers from destroying her. It is a fight to the end with fantasy, danger and lessons that show us to always have our armor on and trust that He is always with us.

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

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, December 12

Texas Book-aholic, December 13

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 14

deb’s Book Review, December 15

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 16

Inklings and notions, December 17

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 18

Simple Harvest Reads, December 19 (Author Interview)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, December 19

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 20

Denise L. Barela, Author, December 21

A Baker’s Perspective, December 22 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, December 22

Blogging With Carol, December 23

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, December 24 (Author Interview)

Cover Lover Book Review, December 25

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, L.G. is giving away the grand prize package of a custom printed canvas tote bag including a signed copy of the book, mug and coaster, book light, bookmarks, and other goodies!!

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/23059/the-ghost-you-can-t-see-celebration-tour-giveaway

Sunday, December 11, 2022

About the Book

Book: These Simple Gifts

Author: Jennifer Sienes

Genre: Christian Christmas Contemporary Romance and Southern Fiction

Release date: November 8, 2022

This year, Annalee has more ugly to deal with than you can find at a Christmas sweater party.

After eighteen years of living in the shadow of danger, shame, and regret, preschool teacher Annalee Prichard just wants to keep life safe and simple. It’s worked so far, but her best friend has other ideas and guilts Annalee into helping with a Christmas charity event. When the event’s entertainment backs out, it’s up to Annalee to convince her high school crush, Nick Daniels, to step up and step into the gig.

Nick Daniels has never been accused of having but one oar in the water, and he learned the hard way that pride truly does come before a fall. He sacrificed everything to achieve the fame he desired above all else. But after hitting rock bottom, he returned home to Bedford County, clinging to a mustard-seed-sized faith.

That’s when homely Annalee Pritchard shows up, convinced he’ll be willing to flirt with fame once again—all in the name of Christian charity.

Nick’s friendship has Annalee grinning like a fool. Could there be more to life than shame and shadows? Could this be her most blessed Christmas ever?

Little does Annalee know that her fearsome past is about to rear its ugly and perilous head and drag her and Nick down together.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Jennifer Sienes holds a bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s in education, but discovered life-experience is the the best teacher. She loves Jesus, romance and writing–and puts it altogether in inspirational contemporary fiction. Her daughter’s TBI and brother’s suicide inspired two of her three novels. Although fiction writing is her real love, she’s had several non-fiction pieces published in anthologies–two in Chicken Soup for the Soul. She has two grown children and one very spoiled Maltese. California born and raised, she recently took a step of faith with her real-life hero and relocated to Tennessee.

More from Jennifer

Who doesn’t love a good redemption story? The bad boy (or girl) gone good. My husband and I have recently started watching the television show Nashville. Yes, I’m aware it’s probably considered a prime-time soap opera, and it certainly wouldn’t come close to passing as “clean” television, but we were hooked from the very beginning. Why, you might be asking? First and foremost, the talent on this show is absolutely amazing. Take it from someone who can’t carry a tune to save her life, I am enamored with people who can sing like the actors in this show. The second reason we enjoy it is because it was basically filmed in our backyard. We live an hour south of Nashville, and it’s always a treat to recognize your own surroundings on television. I remember my mom was a big fan of The Streets of San Francisco back in the day, because she worked in this city and the scenery was familiar. I don’t think the fact it starred Michael Douglas hurt either.

How does this connect to a redemption story? One character in Nashville, named Avery Barkley, starts out as someone that’s hard to stomach. Self-centered, arrogant, and immature. He reminds me of Nick Daniels in These Simple Gifts and Night Songs. So much so, had I been watching the show before I wrote Night Songs, I would’ve believed that I based Nick off of Avery. However, that wasn’t the case.

And just like Avery in Nashville does a 180-degree (albeit slow) switch in his character, so it is for Nick Daniels in These Simple Gifts. Redemption is every bit as attractive to me as romance. I love that we are all just broken jars of clay that the Lord shapes for our good and His glory, if we’re sensitive enough (and broken enough) to recognize it.

I didn’t care much for Nick when I created him—and neither did my readers. More than one church lady-fans gave me an earful about how much they didn’t care for him. But if I know one thing it’s that no one is all good or all bad. We are a combination of our upbringing and choices (both right and wrong). And until we leave this earth, God isn’t done growing our character. I like to believe anyone can be redeemed given the right circumstances and a heart toward the Lord. Even Nick Daniels.

MY REVIEW

The book is a good story that illustrates redemption and forgiveness. I liked the two main characters and thought they were both intriguing. Annalee was definitely easy to identify with. I understand her reason for dressing the way she does. I tend to wear baggy clothes a lot especially when I was younger. What happened to Annalee could be a trigger for some readers so be mindful when reading. All these years she has carried shame, regret, guilt and insecurity.

Nick is known as a bad boy in the country music world. His life spun out of control and now he is finding his way back to God. I love that he is using his gift by being on a worship team at church. He says he doesn’t want to be in the lime light again after the mess he made of his marriage. But God has a different plan for him and I was excited to see if Nick would obey the calling.

There is a bit of suspense in the story which was handled well. Someone from Annalee’s past has come to get revenge. This causes alarm to her and her family. Having Nick as her friend now will hopefully help her feel safe.

I enjoyed that the author did a great job of showing how people can change and get a second chance. She also gives us an example of healing from the past and allowing yourself to move on. Don’t miss this story that has suspense, lessons that we can learn from and the unconditional love God shows us when we need Him.

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