Sunday, April 9, 2023

About the Book

Book: Perfectly Matched

Author: Liana George

Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction

Release date: April 4, 2023

Nicki Mayfield is getting married!

Three days after deciding to marry so she can adopt the little girl who has captured her heart, Nicki Mayfield is heading to Texas to become Mrs. Ben Carrington. However, as the unlikely pair prepares to say “I do”, a shocking revelation threatens their plans to become a family.

Searching for the answers to the mystery that’s holding her future hostage, Nicki must also figure out how to keep Ms. O’Connor’s legacy alive at New Hope while simultaneously navigating a relationship with a guy she barely knows. None of which are proving to be easy tasks to manage.

Sacrifices will have to be made. Challenges overcome.

Can beloved organizer Nicki Mayfield succeed at building the unconventional family she wants or will circumstances beyond her control keep her from being perfectly matched in work, life, and love?

Find out as the final chapter in the Hopeful Heart Series comes to a conclusion!

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Liana George is a sought-after speaker, blogger, and author. Before pursuing a career in writing, she was a professional organizer and the former owner of By George Organizing Solutions in Houston. Her first two books in the Hopeful Heart Series, Perfectly Arranged and Perfectly Placed (Scrivenings Press), are based on her experiences as an organizer and her time living abroad in China. The third and final book in the series, Perfectly Matched, will release in 2023. In addition to penning novels, she is also the Co-founder and Creative Director at The Author’s Write Hand, a marketing/platform building/virtual assistance agency for Christian authors as well as a co-host of the Uncluttered podcast. When she’s not putting things in order or scribbling away, you can find her reading, traveling, or watching tennis.

More from Liana

Nicki Mayfield’s Guide to Preparing for the Unexpected

At the beginning of Perfectly Matched, Nicki Mayfield and Ben Carrington are about to tie the knot AND adopt a toddler. Being a wife and a mother are foreign concepts to Nicki, who never dreamed she’d be either. Especially not within such a short timeframe!

However, just as Nicki and Ben began to move forward with their new family, a shocking revelation threatens their happily ever after and throws their perfectly arranged plans out the window. Thankfully, being a professional organizer Nicki knows how to prepare for a surprise or two.

Here are Nicki’s five best tips for preparing for those unexpected moments in life:

Don’t panic. That usually only makes things worse! Take a few deep breaths, pray, and see if you can get a clear understanding of what’s going on so you can get a handle on the situation.
Devise a temporary plan. Knowing that things are not going according to plan doesn’t mean you have to jump ship completely. See if you can come up with an alternate plan to carry you through the next few hours, days, or weeks until you can get back to your original agenda.
Stand together, not divided. Don’t let the unexpected cause division – either mentally, relationally, physically, or spiritually. Now more than ever you and your friends/family/significant other need to band together. Find ways to make that happen—even if it might be costly—because you’ll need all the support you can get during those turbulent times.
Don’t make assumptions and give up. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment, assume the worst, and be tempted to quit. Don’t! Keep the faith and keep fighting until you’re absolutely certain there are no other options left.
See the unexpected as a blessing rather than a curse. While we may not enjoy the interruption of an unexpected circumstance, it might just be part of God’s divine plans. If it is, then you can expect a blessing to come from it, regardless of how dim the situation may look at the moment.

See how well Nicki follows her own advice and handles all the unexpected twists and turns she faces in Perfectly Matched, book three in the Hopeful Heart Series, releasing April 4, 2023.

MY REVIEW

The cover of the book grabbed my attention and I knew this was going to be an emotional read. I liked learning more about China and how difficult it can be to adopt a child from there. I have read about how there were at one time laws about having a certain amount of children and how heartbreaking it is for the parents when one is taken away. This story takes us on a journey rich in emotions and God moments.

I loved both of the main characters and thought that their sacrifice to marry in order to adopt a child was good. We follow them as they travel to China to unravel the challenges they face as it seems they continue to get bad news. What is encouraging throughout the book is how faithful they were to God.

For both Nicki and Ben they face hard decisions as a life threatening illness finds them praying for God to save this precious young girl. I liked how the author shows that some children are taken from their families and then placed in orphanages. This part of the story was hard to read and appreciate how the author handled this in a good way.

The story is filled with stumbling blocks as Nicki and Ben try to do what is best for the child. There are a few surprises along the way and I loved how the illustration was presented of how much a mother’s love is. Without giving anything away, this was a good example of sacrifice for someone who loves unconditionally. It does have a happy ending and reminds us that we should trust God in all situations. Sometimes we must give up someone we love up in order for them to have a better life.

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

Blog Stops

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 8

Pause for Tales, April 9

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 9

Texas Book-aholic, April 10

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 11

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 12

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, April 13

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 14

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, April 15

Blogging With Carol, April 16

Cover Lover Book Review, April 17

Susan K. Beatty, Author, April 18 (Author Interview)

Christina’s Corner, April 18

The Sacred Line, April 19

For Him and My Family, April 20

Splashes of Joy, April 21

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Liana is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card & 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/25498/perfectly-matched-celebration-tour-giveaway

Saturday, April 8, 2023

About the Book

Book: A Country of Their Own

Author: Hope Bolinger

Genre: YA Contemporary Romance

Release date: April 4, 2023

THE NOTEBOOK meets SEVENTEEN AGAIN

Priscilla is an old soul. Carter can’t wait to leave Florida, a haven for the elderly.

Together they’re forced to do community service at a retirement home. But all the residents look like teenagers. Are they meant to bring together the lovable residents Scarlett and Paul—who are actually 80 years old? Or is it too late for them to find love?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Hope Bolinger is a Managing & Acquisitions Editor at End Game Press and the Founder of Generation Hope Books.

More than 1400 of her works have been featured in various publications ranging from Writer’s Digest to Keys for Kids to HOOKED to Crosswalk.com.

She has worked for various publishing companies, magazines, newspapers, and literary agencies and has edited the work of authors such as Jerry B. Jenkins and Michelle Medlock Adams.

Twenty-one of her books are under contract or out now with traditional publishers, and she hopes more of her stories will find a home soon. She has also contributed to twelve other books.

More from Hope

Can you write a book based on a photo series.

I did. I stumbled across this photo series in my college days and it never let me go: https://digitalsynopsis.com/design/reflections-of-the-past-tom-hussey/

It made me think about how all people, young and old, are young at heart and wise beyond their years. In the publishing industry, I have experienced a great deal of ageism. You can seldom go to a conference without someone telling you something along the lines of, “Wow. I had no idea that you were so wise. I assumed because you are young that you know nothing.”

And I know that many of my fellow writers who are older have experienced ageism to the same degrees.

So I wanted to write a book that would level the playing field.

I wanted to have two teen main characters who end up good friends with two characters who are well into their 80s—who simply look like teens thanks to the funhouse mirror effects of Country Acres (a retirement home in which the 80-year-old characters are residents).

What made the book hit even closer to home was that I wrote it right after my grandma passed away—and right as the COVID shutdown took effect in 2020.

Grandma had played a huge role in my writing. She and I read my first book together. She owned a bookstore in which, when I was eight, I helped her to run the cash register. And she always supported me in my publishing dreams.

I am sad that she and Grandpa passed long before they could read this. But this book also encapsulates them. That my grandma tap danced well into her eighties, and that my grandpa would ride the waves on a boogie board.

We’re all young, we’re all wise … let’s listen to one another.

MY REVIEW

This book should have a warning label on it that says, “must purchase tissues with book.” I cried so much in this story that my eyes were red when I finished. It is a story that brings young and old together in a beautiful way. I loved Priscilla and her quirkiness. I love old movies and vintage clothes like her. Her respect for the elderly is nice and I loved how she wanted to be around them. There is something to be said for the older generation. They have many stories to tell and wisdom that the younger generation can learn from.

Carter is not sure he wants to be at the retirement center volunteering but once there he starts to really find himself being able to interact with the people. He and Priscilla have this unspoken attraction for each other that I found sweet. As they volunteer together they get to know each other better. Insecurities come out and I think they both found healing from their past.

The heroes of this story are Scarlett and Paul. Two older people who fall in love while at the retirement center is something to celebrate. Scarlett is someone I could spend hours talking to. She is full of life and wants others to find happiness. There is sadness in her but she doesn’t let it show much.

Paul is a romantic and is determined to get Scarlett’s attention. With the help of Carter they devise a plan to have Paul woo Scarlet. It was fun to read what ideas they come up with. Little do Carter and Priscilla know but there is something going on in the background to get them together.

I adored this story and how we witness second chances, forgiveness, new beginnings and helping a woman see her dream come true. There won’t be any dry eyes at the end of this story. The author has honored her grandmother in an emotional story that illustrates how we can learn from each other and find hope in difficult moments.

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

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, April 7

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 8

Texas Book-aholic, April 9

Guild Master, April 10 (Author Interview)

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, April 11

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, April 12

Artistic Nobody, April 13 (Author Interview)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 13

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 14

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 15

For the Love of Literature, April 16 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, April 17

Holly’s Book Corner, April 18

Beauty in the Binding, April 19 (Author Interview)

Deb’s Book Review, April 19

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 20

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Hope is giving away the grand prize package 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/25497/a-country-of-their-own-celebration-tour-giveaway

Friday, April 7, 2023

About the Book

Book: Under an Indigo Moon

Author: JL Crosswhite

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release date: December 28, 2022

It was supposed to be a fresh start for her…

…He’d never expected to find love again.

Will they find a second chance or will small-town secrets spell disaster?

Former big-city architect and single mom, Carissa Carver, found just enough to hope to begin a new life with her boys in Holcomb Springs. She dropped all her savings into a vacant Victorian in an online auction, hoping to flip it and build a better life.

However, it didn’t take long to learn nothing was as promised, including a chocolate Lab that came with the house, who adopted her son with Asperger’s. Could her boys handle being uprooted one more time?

But when things go missing, her house is vandalized, and she finds human bones in the basement, she wonders what she’s really gotten them into. Is this one more bad decision or something truly dangerous?

Deputy Jonas McCann came to Holcomb Springs to heal after the death of his wife and daughter. The last thing he needs is matchmaking by the meddling librarian, even if Carissa and her boys stir something long dormant in his heart.

As more strange things happen, he is drawn further into his desire to protect her and the boys he’s come to have a heart for. Can he solve the mystery before they get hurt? Does it have anything to do with the missing teenager? Or are those just ghost stories and small-town rumors? Especially the ones about the indigo blue moon.

Author JL Crosswhite will have you on the edge of your seat, unable to turn pages fast enough.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

JL Crosswhite‘s favorite thing is discovering how much there is to love about America the Beautiful and the great outdoors. She’s an Amazon bestselling author, a mom to two navigating the young adult years while battling her daughter’s juvenile arthritis, exploring the delights of her son’s autism, and keeping gluten free. Learn more about her adventures and how she gets inspired for her books at JLCrosswhite.com

More from JL Crosswhite

It may surprise you, but I actually started writing Under an Indigo Moon about fourteen years ago (my books can germinate for a long time!). It started out as a women’s fiction book called Under the Blueberry Sky. It even finaled in the Frasier contest for first chapters in 2011.

But as I began planning the Holcomb Springs series, I knew I wanted to tell Carissa and Jonas’s story. While there are parts of me in all of my characters, Carissa has a unique place in my heart as the mom of a special needs kid. Her six-year-old son, Jayden, is based a lot on my experiences with my son who’s on the autism spectrum.

Because I had written much of the early part of the book a long time ago when I was closer to those long and difficult days, re-reading and writing those scenes took me back. My son is a young adult now, and I was amazed at how much I had forgotten about the day-to-day challenges of living with someone who sees the world so differently. And now I can look back and see how far he has come.

Jonas McCann was a bit of a mystery to me. Because my original envisioning of this book was as women’s fiction, there wasn’t a romance thread. So I had to create one. I’m fortunate to have law enforcement officers in my family to draw from. But as I got to know Jonas, he became as beloved to me as all of my characters (They feel like my children; I can’t pick a favorite!).

One of the highest compliments I received was from a book-coaching client (my day job) who read Beneath a Star-Lit Sky, the first book in the Holcomb Springs series. Her husband is a small-town sheriff, and she felt I really captured the role. That meant a lot to me. Even though I write fiction, I want my characters to feel like real people with real problems and challenges.

Under an Indigo Moon takes place in a fictional world—Holcomb Springs—that already has a lot of threads and tie ins. It’s book 2 in the Holcomb Springs Small Town Romantic Suspense series, but it ties in with the two previous series I’ve written—Hometown Heroes and In the Shadow. I don’t know about you, but I love seeing characters from previous books pop up again in later books.

You can certainly enjoy the book without knowing about all the “Easter eggs” hidden inside, but isn’t it more fun to be in on the jokes? So make sure you grab Claire and Alex’s story in Inn at Cherry Blossom Lane (grab it here for free) and the short story that introduces us to the Holcomb Springs group in “An Evening to Remember” (grab it here). There are clues in the story that play out in the book.

I hope you enjoy Jonas and Carissa’s journey as much as I enjoyed writing it—a story of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances.

MY REVIEW

I loved getting to know Carissa and her children as they set out to start a new life. Carissa is trying so hard to do things on her own since she has no one else to help her. Little does she know that moving to Holcomb Springs will bring her new friends and a new beginning. Taking on the job of redoing an old Victorian home will prove to be a big challenge . The house is in need of TLC and Carissa has dreams of how to bring the house back to life. I liked how the author talked about autism in the story and showed how a child with autism can do things with help and encouragement.

Jonas is a good character who befriends Carissa and helps her start to feel welcomed in the town. There is a saying in the town , “that we help our own.” That statement will be shown in action many times in the story. Jonas is the local deputy so he has known about the rumors of the house Carissa has bought. He wants her to know that she is safe but soon mysterious things start to question her safety. Strangers lurking around the house, missing items and a devastating loss will bring danger to Carissa and her sons.

I loved how the author brings intrigue into the story with something that happened in the house a few years ago. When something is discovered in the house, everyone is on high alert . I liked how the author slowly unravels the mystery while also bringing a little romance to the story. The story is a clean read with faith elements scattered throughout. I will be looking to read more books from this author.

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

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, April 6

By the Book, April 7

Vicky Sluiter, April 7

Texas Book-aholic, April 8

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 9

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 9

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 10

Daysong Reflections, April 11

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 11

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 12

Book Looks by Lisa, April 13

Lily’s Book Reviews, April 14

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, April 15

For Him and My Family, April 15

Blogging With Carol, April 16

The Sacred Line, April 17

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, April 18 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, April 18

Betti Mace, April 19

Where Crisis & Christ Collide, April 19

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, J.L. is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a signed 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/25496/under-an-indigo-moon-celebration-tour-giveaway

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

About the Book

Book: The Neighbor Renovation

Author: Grace Worthington

Genre: Sweet Romantic Comedy

Release date: March 30, 2023

My perfect summer just got ruined by a brunette in a tool belt.

This was my summer to get away from it all. Live like a hermit. Fix up my family’s vacation home.

Until Ella arrived.

My infuriating neighbor has returned for beach season.

Ever since our families bought summer homes next to each other, that was the beginning of our neighbor war.

Now I have to see her every. single. day.

When I let it slip that I’m making a few home improvements, she jumps at the chance to help. She’s an interior designer who needs work. I’m a man who loathes shopping. Any mention of the words color palette makes me want to break out in hives.

We’re the dynamic duo for this fixer upper.

There’s only one problem: the more time we spend together, the more attracted I am to her. Now our on-the-job flirting is veering into dangerous territory.

Because if there’s one thing I know, Ella and I are not meant to be together.

I’m emotionally unavailable. She’s sworn off relationships. And our families hate each other.

I know my future is at stake. But I can’t seem to tear myself away from this project…or her.

So I tell myself:

I most definitely will not fall for my neighbor.

But you know what they say about promises you can’t keep? Don’t make them.

Like most home projects, I’m learning that nothing ever goes according to plan.

Especially when it comes to love

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Grace Worthington is the author of sweet romance and sweet romcom novels. She loves quaint small towns and the beach is her happy place, which is why you’ll find both in her books. She’s obsessed with chocolate, romcom movies from the 80’s & 90’s, and goldendoodles. Get a free book sweet romcom at graceworthington.com

More from Grace

I love home renovation shows, because they make it look so easy to magically turn your home into something amazing in only a half-hour. (If only that worked in real life.)

But what if two people who were enemies worked on renovating a home together? Would they survive the renovation? Could it even bring them together?

I love all the tropes, but enemies to lovers is one of the most satisfying for me, especially in romantic comedy. The huge payoff is seeing two very opposite people come together quite magically. In the end, I’m always rooting for the couple who overcomes the odds.

It’s also been my experience that no matter how much you prepare for a home project, it never goes according to plan. This sets the stage for lots of hilarious scenarios as things go wrong and the couple learns to navigate these unexpected detours together.

But in The Neighbor Renovation, it’s not just about the physical home. There is a deeper metaphor of what happens in their lives as they learn to overcome past wounds and take a chance on love. Just like the home renovation shows, the renovation that happens in their hearts is almost miraculous.

So if you like HGTV, sweet romantic comedies, grumpy sunshine couples, and second chance love stories, then you’re going to enjoy The Neighbor Renovation: A sweet romantic comedy.

–Grace Worthington

MY REVIEW

What a fun story this has been to read. It is a mixture of home remodeling, a feud between two families and healing from the past. I loved how the author delivers a story filled with laughs along with a great lesson in accepting your past. It illustrates how we need to overcome our hurt and allow healing to begin.

I loved both Ella and Grant. They each have a reason not to be around each other but somehow they find a way to overcome the fight between their families. I laughed at what the feud was over and could tell it all had to do with pride. With these two people finding a way to work together maybe they can break down the walls between families and allow forgiveness to happen.

It was exciting to read how Ella was chosen to be on a show that could help her get her own name known as an interior decorator. The laughs start as Grant agrees for Ella to redo his Granny’s place. It is quite outdated and sure needs help and a lot of it. I don’t know about you, but I love going to Target. They have so many great products to look at for home decorating. Poor Grant has no idea what he is in for once he walks in the store with Ella. She is bursting with ideas and pink may be in his future.

There is also an emotional side to the store which captivated my heart. Grant is broken from losing his fiancé and isn’t interested in letting anyone else get close to him. Ella is not confident in herself and allows her aunt to belittle her. We get to see how they each realize they need to allow theirselves to grief and open their hearts to a new chapter in their lives.

The ending is wonderful and wraps up the story in a nice way. Finding love when you aren’t looking for it is exciting and these two will begin to see how much they belong together. I love happy endings and especially when there is a lesson for all of us. Never give up, believe in yourself and it’s never too late to forgive.

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