Tuesday, September 24, 2024

A killer on the loose
A K-9 keeping watch.

Police constable Izzy Tremblay knows her father’s death was no accident, so when she finally discovers a lead and is immediately attacked, her suspicions are confirmed. The ambush leaves her in the hospital with three hours of crucial memory missing, which she knows holds the key to finding her father’s murderer. For protection, she takes refuge with her ex-partner, Austin Murray, on his K-9 ranch while she races to uncover the truth. But with danger still lurking, can they stay alive long enough to take down a killer.

MY REVIEW

Sometimes when I write a review I will say that the author’s writing reminds me of a well known best selling author. However this author is in a league of their own. She develops her characters with precision and helps readers be able to relate to each one of them. Her caliber of writing is one of the best I’ve read for intrigue. The story grabs your attention right away with danger. I love how K-9 dogs are featured and how well trained they are.

Izzy is on a mission to prove that her father’s death was done by someone who must be brought to justice. As she starts to investigate she is attacked. Three hours have been erased from her memory due to sustaining a concussion. I began to wonder what happened in those hours that someone hopes she never remembers. The adrenaline rush keeps Izzy fighting and at times she doesn’t trust anyone. I can understand her hesitation when it seems like her dad’s death was never a really priority to investigate by the police.

I loved when Austin was introduced. He is strong, level headed and has a back story with Izzy. Can they put their past behind them and work together? The author delivers a great conflict between the two main characters at times which illustrates how important trust, forgiveness and seconds chances are. Austin has a smart dog who stole the show several times. This dog is very protective and has a keen sense of when danger is near. I loved the bond Izzy made with the dog.

The story is fast paced with danger, surprises and twists that will have readers on the edge of their seats. Will justice prevail? Can Austin keep Izzy safe and finally get close to her again? What really happened to Izzy’s dad? Find out the answers to these questions when you grab a copy of this book.

I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. The review is my own opinion.

About the Book

Book: Ronnie

Author: Jennifer Lynn Cary

Genre: Sweet Romcom

Release Date: June 12, 2024

She’s literally stuck in her engagement…

…He’s trying to keep her there.

But when you take the couple out of Texas, is the romance lost too?

Ronnie Webb has broken her engagement to the love of her life, Carlos (Cal) Garcia, or would have if the stupid ring would come off her finger.

To find the space to get over him and the rest of what is going wrong in her life, she leaves her dad’s Texas ranch to visit her aunt and family in Kokomo, Indiana.

But hanging out with the Weather Girls, especially with their cardinal in the sycamore legend sending out strong vibes, Ronnie’s love life may not be as dead as she thinks.

Carlitos can’t believe the letter Ronnie left him right before Christmas—his last one at home before his enlistment starts. However, his broken wrist might just be the break he needs to get Ronnie back before it’s too late.

But what does this native Texan know about mid-western Hoosier romance?

And can he learn, or is this the end?

Ronnie: A Sweet, Quirky Romantic Yarn is book five in the Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue series. Inspired by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons’ 1960’s song of the name, this charming tale with a bit of western influence finishes off 1972 and brings you into the New Year in Kokomo, Indiana.

You will enjoy this sweet and wholesome romcom with a touch of western flavor because everyone dreams of their own cowboy romance.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Historical Christian Romance author, Jennifer Lynn Cary, likes to say you can take the girl out of Indiana, but you can’t take the Hoosier out of the girl. Now transplanted to the Arizona desert, this direct descendant of Davy Crockett and her husband of forty plus years enjoy time with family where she shares tales of her small-town heritage and family legacies with their grandchildren. She is the author of The Crockett Chronicles series, The Relentless series, and The Weather Girls trilogy as well as the stand-alone novel, Cheryl’s Going Home, her novella Tales of the Hob Nob Annex Café, and her split-time novels The Traveling Prayer Shawland The Forgotten Gratitude Journal. Her current spin-off series, The Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue, contains standalones with a common thread.

More from Jennifer

In the first chapter of Ronnie, Carlitos comes home to his mom making his favorite, Pozole. It is a Mexican soup, and the first time I had it was at my neighbor’s house. She has given me her recipe and permission to share it with you all. Two things to keep in mind: first, she and I had to work to translate this from Spanish to English. We did our best, but if you don’t understand something, just give it your best shot—or ask me. I might be able to figure it out. Maybe. Two, she usually makes big batches of this, and she cut it back for a “normal” size. So feel free to adjust as needed.

A Most of all, though, enjoy!

Pozole Recipe by Araceli Estrada (my amazing neighbor and friend)

Ingredients:

For meat pot-

4 lbs. of bone-in pork loin

½ white onion–diced

1 head of garlic—clean off the paper

2 bay leaves

1 T oregano

1 T ground cumin

1 T powdered chicken bouillon

1 large can of hominy

For chili sauce-

10 chili pods

10 Ancho chilis

10-15 black pepper corns

4 cloves of garlic

For garnish—

Shredded cabbage

Diced onion

Sliced radishes

Chopped cilantro

Chunked avocado

Lime wedges—to squeeze over

Directions:

Place in a Dutch oven, the pork loin, the half onion, the head of garlic, the bay leaves, the oregano, and cumin. Add enough water to cover up to ¾ of pot. Bring to a boil and then heat. Simmer for 2 hours stirring often and skimming off the foam.

Slice open chilis and remove seeds and membranes. In a second pot, add chili pods and Ancho chilis. Cover with water and bring to a boil. After two minutes, turn off heat and allow chilis to rest in hot water for at least ten minutes. The chilis should feel soft and pliable.

Remove from water and put into blender with black peppercorns, 4 cloves of garlic, and a cup of water. Add water a little at a time, careful to not add too much. Puree until smooth. Then pour through a strainer into the meat pot.

Strain the hominy and add it plus the chicken bouillon to the meat pot. Salt to taste. Allow to simmer while preparing the garnishes.

Set garnishes out so guests can choose. Serve with warm tortillas.

(From Jenny: Not sure home much this will serve, but it is so good!)

MY REVIEW

I could read this story over and over again. It is nice to be back with this series and getting to know new characters. Before I go further I have to talk a bit about the time period. Set during the time when the draft was gearing up I remember how parents worried that their sons could be drafted any minute. The author does an amazing job of bringing me memories such as Formica tables and rice cereal as I called it. Oh the smell of cinnamon sugar and butter mixed with milk and rice sure would hit the spot now.

Now let’s move on to this sweet story about Ronnie and Carlitos. Ronnie is having doubts about marrying Carlitos and wants the engagement ring off her finger for now. What led her to this decision is a lot of miscommunication, lack of trust and faith. There are some funny moments in the story when the ring comes up missing. Let’s just say cookie dough has an appearance which leads to a bunch of explaining to do. Her heart says she loves Carlitos but what is holding her back?

Carlitos is a great character who travels many miles during Christmas break to see Ronnie and have her explain her actions. He can’t figure out why she is upset but maybe it could have something to do with a decision he made without talking it over with her. The story shows how important communication is as these two try to work things out. It doesn’t help when some girl flirts with Carlitos and Ronnie misinterprets what she saw.

I appreciate how easy it is to relate to the characters and sympathize with them. I’m rooting for them to rely on their faith and learn to trust God with their future. I won’t share anymore details so readers can enjoy how the story ends. Be sure and grab your copy and travel back to the sixties with Ronnie and Carlitos.

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

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, September 18
Blossoms and Blessings, September 19 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, September 19
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 20
Artistic Nobody, September 21 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 22
Guild Master, September 23 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, September 24
A Reader’s Brain, September 25 (Author Interview)
Locks, Hooks and Books, September 26
Back Porch Reads, September 27 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 28
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, September 29 (Author Interview)
Pause for Tales, September 29
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 30
Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 1 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5444

Monday, September 23, 2024

About the Book

Book: The End Begins (Rerelease)

Author: Sara Davison

Genre: Dystopian Romantic Suspense

Release Date: July 15, 2024

WHICH OF THEM IS THE PRISONER AND WHICH ONE IS FREE?

Bookstore owner Meryn O’Reilly and Army Captain Jesse Christensen are on opposite sides of a battle. After a series of terrorist attacks in 2053, martial law has been declared in Canada and the military has taken over. When a radical Christian group claims responsibility, Jesse and his platoon are sent to Meryn’s city to keep an eye on the Christians and ensure they are not stepping outside the confines of the law.

Fiery and quick-tempered, Meryn chafes under the curfew and other restrictions to her freedom. Jesse is equally amused, intrigued, and terrified by her spirit, knowing she could end up in prison if she shows defiance to the wrong soldier, namely Lieutenant Gallagher.

Jesse watches out for Meryn when possible, although she wants nothing to do with him. His worst fears are realized when she commits a crime he cannot protect her from. Now they both face an uncertain future and the very real threat of losing everything, including their lives.

With time running out, Jesse works feverishly to convince the authorities to show leniency—and to convince Meryn that love can overcome any barrier that lies between them.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Sara Davison is the author of The Night Guardians, The Rose Tattoo, two sparrows for a penny, and In the Shadows series, as well as the standalone, The Watcher. A finalist for more than a dozen national writing awards, including the Christy Award, Davison is a Cascade, Word, and two-time Carol Award winner for romantic suspense. She lives in Ontario with her husband, Michael. Like every good Canadian, she loves coffee, hockey, poutine, and apologizing for no particular reason.

More from Sara

Most, if not all, great fiction begins with the question, “What if?” This is likely truer for The Day Draws Near Series (formerly The Seven Trilogy) than for any of my other stories.

The seeds for this series were planted as I worked my way through a study on Revelation at our church. Each of those seeds represented a what if question.

What if the Bible was outlawed and taken away from believers? What if restrictions such as a curfew or being forced to wear an identity bracelet were placed on Christians? What if the consequences for not following those restrictions became serious, even deadly? What if publicly declaring that you were a follower of Jesus Christ made it harder to buy or sell items? What if the churches were closed and believers forced to meet underground? What if teaching your children from the Bible meant you risked having them taken away from you? What if all this happened in Canada and the US in the very near future?

And the big question the entire series asks is: What if we are not ready?

Those seeds grew into the characters and storylines that make up the dystopian romantic suspense books The End Begins, The Darkness Deepens, and The Morning Star Rises.

The Day Draws Near Series is a revised and updated-with-new-content version of The Seven Trilogy, originally released in 2015 and 2016. While I don’t for a moment claim these books are prophetic, between their original release and now, many of the things that happen in the series, including a global pandemic, have since come to pass.

My hope and prayer for each book in this series is that readers will be left with a deeper awareness that time is short and that we are living in a society increasingly hostile to Christianity and in a world of darkness that hates the light. However that hostility and hatred plays out, life will become more difficult for Christians in the future, as the Bible clearly claims.

However, the tone of the book and what I pray readers will take with them is one of peace and hope. The most powerful message these stories convey is that there is no need to be afraid. God’s ultimate plan of redemption and reconciliation is playing out in front of our eyes. Nothing can thwart that plan. Nothing can happen that God does not allow.

Above all, every believer can know with absolute certainty that, whatever happens in the future, we will never face it alone. God will be with us, watching over us and giving us the strength and the courage to endure to the end.

MY REVIEW

The story is set in the future which I found very intriguing. The what ifs in the book will have us asking what would we do in situations. Meryn runs a bookstore and is visibly upset about how soldiers patrol the city making sure citizens are abiding the law. Can you imagine living in a world where your freedom is gone and your every step is being watched? What would you do if Bibles were banned?

Faith is a big factor in this book as we see characters struggle to stand up as a Christian. Are we strong enough to stand up for our faith? Meryn faces that question as she starts to see changes around her. I did like the connection between her and Jesse. Her tries to protect Meryn but at times they do clash. This is a great story about forgiveness, standing strong in faith and never taking anything for granted.

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

Blog Stops

The Lofty Pages, September 19

For the Love of Literature, September 20 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 20

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 21

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 22

Through the Fire Blogs, September 23 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, September 23

Life on Chickadee Lane, September 24

Betti Mace, September 25

Artistic Nobody, September 26 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 27

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, September 28 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, September 29 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Beauty in the Binding, September 30 (Author Interview)

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, October 1

For Him and My Family, October 2

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Sara is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon card and a paperback copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5445

Saturday, September 21, 2024

About the Book

Book: Collision Course

Author: Millie Norwich Inman

Genre: Historical Fiction

Release date: January 17, 2024

The shocking death of the popular Prince of Wales launches his young heir from innocent childhood into a roiling caldron of jealousy and intrigue. Set in all the glory of eighteenth century England, the young crown prince is urgently prepared for his aged grandfather’s throne. Under the wing of his godly mentor, the prince staggers through a minefield of hazards.

Parallel to the prince’s journey, is the story of a down-and-out firebrand statesman, considering retirement from the House of Commons because he’s under the the king’s extreme disfavor. An alliance between the two ensures the prince’s safe ascension. It also renders his godly mentor and the statesman, the two most powerful men in Great Britain. Then, in the face of escalating war, a shocking twist changes everything.

Collision Course is a slice of real history with real people fleshed out and facing the real challenges of living in a fallen world. It shatters stereotypes as it treks through England’s finest gardens and dines with kings and statesmen all the while peering into the universal nature of the human soul and the heartbeat of corrupted constitutional government. This is the true, untold story of alliance, ambition, betrayal, war, loss, and recovery that set the world stage for the American Revolution.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Millie Norwich Inman holds a Bachelor of Arts cum laude from Washington University in St. Louis. She taught school and raised a family before dabbling in freelance for periodicals. A fair measure of success added to profound sorrow over the loss of Western Civilization culture and history, launched her into extensive research for for this engaging slice of pre-American Revolution history. On two trips to England she read at the British Library and Richmond Records Office, and traipsed through fabulous architecture and scrumptious gardens. At home in Texas, she took advantage of the Trinity University, Rice University, and University of Texas San Antonio Libraries, as well as the amazing Inter-Library Loan System from her hometown Boerne Library. Similar to the research style of NYT bestseller, America’s First Daughter, some of the wittiest dialogue in Collision Course has been lifted and adapted from original letters.

More from Millie

Collision Course is a walk in the park to smell the roses compared to an all-nighter-adrenalin-rush. And the third Earl of Bute is a reluctant hero-protagonist. He’s far more interested in creating calming garden vistas than in jumping into the heart of a rough-housing political fray.

Lord Bute is John Stuart (b. 1713), a descendant of the Stuart kings of Scotland on his father’s side and the powerful Campbell Clan on his mother’s. Branches of the Campbell Clan were still known as the fiercest of highland fighters when Bute was in his twenties. The Highlanders identified as Catholics but knew little of Jesus, and I dare say, never seemed to have heard of the Bible. So, their war-like tendencies really went berserk, after the Bloodless Revolution of 1688. Whenever the banished Catholic heir, the debauched “Bonnie Prince Charlie,” felt sufficiently resentful to sail back from France and contend for the crown, he’d swing by Scotland and enlist belligerent Highlanders. On these occasions, the Campbells would take a respite from murdering the MacDonalds and bludgeoning Lowlander Presbyterians, to gleefully enlist for a bloody tromp into England.

However, by the third “Bonnie Prince” invasion in 1745, Lord Bute’s branch of the Campbell Clan had experienced a come to Jesus. Godly education had become a family priority. Since Lord Bute’s godly father had died when he was nine, his godly mother had tucked him under the wings of her two godly Campbell brothers. Bute’s Campbell uncles were entrenched in the Edinburg intelligentsia. Intellectuals were Christians. Enlightenment academics followed Christians. Bute’s Campbell family branch were Scotland’s civic leaders, innovators in banking, business, jurisprudence, and republican statesmanship in addition to their stellar reputations in science, theology, medicine, and literature.

Lord Bute’s Campbell uncles, along with his Stuart father, were instrumental in the forming the United Kingdom and in installing Protestant royalty, to act in the interest of all their subjects, on the throne of England. The value of the common man was a novel idea. Bute’s uncles ran the elections for nineteen Scottish representatives to Parliament in Westminster. So, it’s really no wonder, that in the third invasion of Prince Charlie tyrants, three contingents of militia from the Campbell Clan fought for British liberty under George II’s favorite son, the Duke of Cumberland. Campbells fought Campbells.

It was in this third invasion that the young protagonist prince’s uncle, the Duke of Cumberland, became feared as “The Butcher.” After Cumberland led the government’s final victory, and as the “Bonnie Prince” slipped away on his ship back to France, the Duke of Cumberland ran a genocide campaign of the most war-like Highlanders (30 something Campbells). That ended the north Britain invasions and turned thoughts to a walk in the park-like gardens. Let Collision Course begin.

MY REVIEW

The story is filled with historical facts that at times overwhelmed me. It felt more like a history lesson than a fiction book. It struck me how jealousy and greed was deep rooted in the story. As soon don’t care for the new Prince it opens the door for secrets, danger and threats to overshadow the crown.

The struggles that the young Prince had was difficult at times as he tried to find someone who would give him a chance. His mother was a blessing as her faith was grounded. Throughout the story I saw how royalty was almost like an idol. I did find that the author did amazing research which gave the story a much needed lesson on how this helps us understand how Great Britain operates. Wars, threats, greed and secrets sprinkle the book with a variety of different characters.

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

Blog Stops

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 20

Simple Harvest Reads, September 21 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, September 21

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 22

Artistic Nobody, September 23 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 24

Fiction Book Lover, September 25 (Author Interview)

Lots of Helpers, September 25

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 26

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, September 27 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, September 28

Vicky Sluiter, September 29 (Author Interview)

Betti Mace, September 30

Blossoms and Blessings, October 1 (Author Interview)

Beauty in the Binding, October 2 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, October 3 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Millie is giving away the grand prize of a copy of the book and a $75 gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5446

Thursday, September 19, 2024

November Knight Kick-Off Package

About the Book

Book: November Knight (Justice Montana Series Book Three)

Author: Debbi Migit

Genre: YA

Release date: November 28, 2023

When kidnappers take her friend, Sierra Gallagher, Jess Thomas is determined to find her. But a simple clue reveals a threat Jess never saw coming, plunging her into a life-threatening confrontation.

Meanwhile, former Army Ranger Levi Cooper is now a valuable task force member searching for the missing girls. But when he encounters Sierra, Levi discovers he has another mission.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Award-winning author and speaker Debbi Migit lives in central Illinois, surrounded by pumpkin patches and cornfields. Her first book, Child of Promise, is the true love story of a family formed through adoption. After ten years of infertility, Debbi and her husband Phil were just months from adopting from adopting when God said, “Not this way.” Child of Promise is the story of audacious faith resulting in multiple miracles. It encourages readers to remember their own promises and believe again.

Debbi has won multiple awards and contests, writing stories that are filled with faith and hope. She loves to share personal anecdotes about God’s faithfulness, infusing her talks with authenticity and humor. Debbi and Phil are the adoptive parents of Alex, Ethan, and Kate. The God-ordained spacing of their children offered the unique opportunity to parent a teen and two toddlers–at the same time. This is the season Debbi fondly calls the TNT years!

Debbi’s hobbies include reading, writing, and avoiding arithmetic. Her favorite color is turquoise, and she collects Trixie Belden books and typewriters. If playing Candy Crush was a paying gig, she would be rich.

Debbi’s Justice, Montana series begins with September Shadows, released in February, 2021. After the mysterious death of their parents, Jess Thomas and her sisters are determined to stay together and make a new life for themselves, which includes faith-testing danger, adventure, and romance.

October Outlaw was released in the fall of 2021, followed by November Knight in November 2023.

The series will conclude with December Dreams, and January Justice in 2025

More from Debbi

November Knight features a real-life abandoned gold mining town located in Bannack State Park near Dillon, Montana. Bannack appears in all of the Justice, Montana books, but it is an exciting part of November Knight. Read more about the history of Bannack here: https://westernmininghistory.com/towns/montana/bannack/

MY REVIEW

I enjoyed the intrigue and twists in the story. Jess is determined to help solve the case of a kidnapping . The more she digs into the case, the more danger surrounds her. I liked how faith was spread throughout the story but I didn’t care too much for the different view points such as each chapter a different character takes center stage.

The story does keep my interest though, and I found the author to do a good job of moving the story at a good pace. Friendships are tested in this action packed story that had me wondering how the story would end. This is the third in a series which can be read as a stand alone. The illustration of God being there in the darkest moments helps readers understand how faithful God is.

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