About the Book

Book: Dream of Kings

Author: Sharon Hinck

Genre: Fantasy

Release date: October 11, 2022

The Future Never Sleeps 

In the glacial nation of Norgard, Jolan the Dream Teller serves every seeker, whether peasant or high lord. Though she loves using her gift, she struggles to navigate the corrupt and dangerous court and the jealousies of the Guildagard.

When an old man’s nightmare imparts a dire warning, Jolan realizes her entire nation is in danger. But before she can sound the alarm, she is betrayed by the guilds and sold into slavery in a rival kingdom far to the south. As a slave in a foreign land, at first Jolan can’t see beyond her singular focus: return home to warn Norgard of the coming calamity. After facing new dangers, making new friends, and forgiving old wrongs, she must fulfill the purposes the Provider has set before her.

Only then can she face a decision that could cost her the man she loves, her calling, and her freedom—all to save a people who abandoned her.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Sharon Hinck writes “stories for the hero in all of us,” novels praised for their strong spiritual themes, emotional resonance, and imaginative blend of genres. She earned an MA in Communication (with a major in theatre and thesis in dance) from Regent University and spent ten years as the artistic director of a Christian dance company. That ministry included three short-term mission trips to Hong Kong to teach and choreograph for a YWAM dance/evangelism team. She taught classical ballet and liturgical dance for twenty years, and led workshops on dance in worship. She’s been a church youth worker, a dancer/choreographer, a church organist, a homeschool mom, and an adjunct professor of Creative Writing for MFA students. One day she’ll figure out what to be when she grows up. When she’s not wrestling with words, she enjoys speaking at churches and conferences and has taught at Minnesota Christian Writer’s Guild, the national conference of the American Christian Fiction Writers, and Realm Makers. A wife, mom of four, and grandmother of three, she lives in Minnesota and is a member at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church. She loves visitors at sharonhinck.com.

 

More from Sharon

Have you ever found yourself in a place you didn’t belong, through no choice of your own? When I began writing Dream of Kings, I was caring for my mom as she dealt with Alzheimer’s. The whole world was stuck in lock-down because of the pandemic. And I was facing limitations caused by health challenges. So it’s no wonder this story question arose for me: how do we respond when we are in painful, unfair, and unfamiliar places? Is there room for God to bring good from difficult circumstances?

 

Jolan the Dream Teller has already experienced heartache before the book opens, and perhaps believed it was time for an easy road. Instead, she faces betrayal and the loss of everything she holds dear—her calling, her friends, her nation. Everything familiar is ripped away. But the Provider shows up in unexpected places and through unexpected people.

 

The question that began my brainstorming led to an adventure I didn’t fully expect. Dream of Kings became a celebration of the purposes of God and how they unfolded in one woman’s life. Courageous adventures, unselfish compassion, and unexpected romance fill Jolan’s journey.

 

As NYT bestselling author Tosca Lee described it: “An epic fantasy and absorbing page-turner, Dream of Kings has it all—intrigue, romance, and characters as interesting as they are endearing.”

 

But while Jolan navigates foreign kingdoms and the halls of power, she represents every one of us who find ourselves in a place of struggle. My longing is for this story to stir courage and inspiration for every reader grappling with a difficult road or a dark valley. I am so excited for readers to join Jolan on her journey!

 

Blessings!

Sharon Hinck

MY REVIEW

With gifted authors like Sharon I am becoming a fan of  fantasy. I like the way she brings new worlds to life and surrounds us with vivid images. I immediately liked our main character Jolan. Having a gift of telling others what they dreamed and the meaning behind  it,  she is sought by powerful people. She uses her gift to warn and also give hope but someone wants to use her for their own selfish gain. Will she survive being kidnapped? 

Jolan is in a dire predicament when she is unable to completely tell what she sees and this puts her in danger. Something is holding her back from seeing everything but what is it? Being accused of pitting the Duchess against her husband  stirs up a threat to Jolan. The author definitely had my attention as the drama takes shape in the form  of revenge. The action really starts when Jolan finds  herself  befriending the king. As news of a plot to poison the  King is averted Jolan knows  that more chaos will happen. Someone wants the king out of power and Jolan is in the middle trying to interpret dreams to keep the King and herself from harm. If only she could find a way back to  her home, she would finally be safe. 

Throughout the story we see mention of the Provider. I liked how it reminds me of God and how He wants to protect His people like Provider does. We see Jolan many times asking for help from the Provider. We do the same when we pray and ask guidance from God. I couldn’t wait to see if Jolan would be able to help her people and keep the King from harm. Danger follows around every corner and it is hard to figure out who to trust at times. 

The adventure in the  story takes us to a place where deceit is close and Jolan risks everything to expose who is responsible for trying to start a war and take over. I can’t overlook the  fact that trusting was a big part of this story. We all find ourselves at times trying to trust someone. Jolan relied on the Provider to direct her path and show her who to trust. I liked how the story directs us to be faithful and let God show us the direction to follow in our lives.

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

Blog Stops

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 31

For Him and My Family, November 1

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 1

Texas Book-aholic, November 2

Inklings and notions, November 3

deb’s Book Review, November 4

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, November 5

Through the fire blogs, November 6

Mary Hake, November 6

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, November 7

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 8

Blogging With Carol, November 9

Lily’s Book Reviews, November 9

Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 10

Worthy2Read, November 11

Labor Not in Vain, November 12

Simple Harvest Reads, November 13 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

The Book Club Network, November 13

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Sharon is giving away the grand prize package of an autographed Hardcover copy of Dream of Kings, the e-book of Devotions for Dreamers, bookmarks from my other two series (Sword of Lyric, and Dancing Realms), Quoca Tea (from the book) and 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/2244c/dream-of-kings-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: A Not So Convenient Marriage

Author: Sandra Merville Hart

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release date: November 8, 2022

A spinster teacher…a grieving widower…a marriage of convenience and a second chance with the man she’s always loved.

When Samuel Walker proposes a marriage of convenience to Rose Hatfield so soon after the death of his wife, she knows he doesn’t love her. She’s loved him since their school days. Those long-suppressed feelings spring to life as she marries him. She must sell her childhood home, quit her teaching job and move to a new city.

Marrying Rose is harder than Samuel expected, especially with the shadow of his deceased wife everywhere in his life. And he has two young children to consider. Peter and Emma need a mother’s love, but they also need to hold close the memories of their real mother as they grieve her loss.

Life as Samuel’s wife is nothing like Rose hoped, and even the townspeople, who loved his first wife, make Rose feel like an outsider. The work of the farm draws the two of them closer, giving hope that they might one day become a happy family. Until the dream shatters, and the life Rose craves tumbles down around them. Only God can put these pieces back together, but the outcome may not look anything like she planned.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Sandra Merville Hart, award-winning and Amazon bestselling author of inspirational historical romances, loves to discover little-known yet fascinating facts from American history to include in her stories. Her desire is to transport her readers back in time. She is also a blogger, speaker, and conference teacher. Connect with Sandra on her blog, https://sandramervillehart.wordpress.com/.

More from Sandra

There are some stories that must be told. A Not So Convenient Marriage is one of them for me.

I don’t know what it is about this story, but once I began writing it over a dozen years ago, the characters wouldn’t leave me alone.

I wrote the first draft of this book a few years before my first book—another book, A Stranger on My Land—released, so I was still learning about the writing journey. I’m certain that my first draft of A Not So Convenient Marriage wasn’t ready for publication because it was rejected.

But the characters in my imagination wouldn’t allow me to let this one go. I edited and reedited, using skills I learned at writing conferences. Then I tried again with another editor. Another rejection.

Discouraged, I worked on other writing projects and met with a little success. When my first Civil War romance published, I decided to follow my heart and continue writing about that turbulent time period.

This book was set aside.

Still, every morning I woke up thinking about the characters in A Not So Convenient Marriage. In my mind, I’d rewrite a scene from the book as I lay, trying to sleep, in the middle of the night. Or the story would haunt me before falling asleep at night, keeping me awake an hour or two.

This happened almost daily for years.

Finally, I pulled up the manuscript again. It had been written in my early days so it required a lot of modification. I asked my agent to begin showing my updated proposal for the book. She was happy to do this because she always believed in this book. In fact, she decided to represent me after reading for proposal for it.

By the way, the story was still keeping me awake as I waited to sign a book contract.

Last year, I was thrilled when Misty Beller, Wild Heart Books, offered me a contract for a three-book series for this novel. Not only that, she also gave me a three-book contract for my “Spies of the Civil War” series, that published this year. (I invite you to read the whole “Spies of the Civil War” series beginning with Book 1 Avenue of Betrayal, Book 2 Boulevard of Confusion, and Book 3 Byway to Danger.)

Misty told me that she cried when reading my manuscript for A Not So Convenient Marriage—the first time that had ever happened for a submission. That touched my heart.

I’m happy to say that scenes from the book no longer keep me awake at night…for now the story will be told.  

MY REVIEW

I always find stories about marriages of convenience interesting. This book especially touched me because it was written with emotion  that  is felt deep in your soul. However unless you read the book  you will miss out on how God works to restore a family who was broken hearted to a family that was able to build a new life. The lessons in the  book are ones  we all need as we face difficulties in our own lives.

It isn’t  easy to lose a spouse and Samuel is finding that  out as he struggles raising  his children on his own. Grieving the loss of his wife has left  him in despair and watching his children become shells of themselves hurts him to the core. As the title implies he decides to remarry to find someone to help him with the children, clean  house and cook meals. I don’t think he was ready to take on a wife but in his mind he was doing it for his children. 

Rose is one of the best characters I’ve had the pleasure of reading about. Her compassion for children is evident and her grace is abundant. When Samuel asks her to marry him, she understands her place in the family. Perhaps she has had dreams of having a beautiful wedding and a husband who adores her, but  for now she feels led by God to help Samuel out. 

There are moments in the story where we witness Rose yearning to be loved and finding people in the community shunning her. Samuel’s first wife was loved by  many and they seem to judge Rose unfairly. The hardest part for me to read was when Rose felt there was no way for her marriage to work. Samuel always reminds her that he is to have all the say in the children  and leaves her out of moments where she felt that her presence would help everyone grow closer. Her tears flow with hopelessness as she contemplated what to do.

I loved how God was the center of this story and how he worked on both Rose and Samuel. Rose is a little bitter and decides to leave instead of communicating her feelings to Samuel. Rose thought she was not wanted and allows herself to believe everyone would be better off if she was not part of the family anymore. Samuel hasn’t let go of his feelings for his first wife. He thinks he is being disrespectful to her memory and can’t admit his feelings for Rose. 

The ending is more than just forgiving and starting over. It represents what God meant for marriage to be. Two people who love each other unconditionally, willing to communicate, trust and honor each other and  put God first is the foundation for a marriage. 

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

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, November 1

For Him and My Family, November 1

lakesidelivingsite, November 2

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 3

Holly’s Book Corner, November 3

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 4

deb’s Book Review, November 5

Blossoms and Blessings, November 5

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 6

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 7

Inklings and notions, November 7

Connie’s History Classroom, November 8

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, November 9

Through the Fire Blogs, November 9

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 10

Pause for Tales, November 11

To Every BOOK There is a Season, November 11

Bizwings Blog, November 12

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 13

Mary Hake, November 13

Vicky Sluiter, November 14

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Sandra 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/2244d/a-not-so-convenient-marriage-celebration-tour-giveaway

 

About the Book

Book: A Doctor in the House

Author: Linda Shenton Matchett

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: October 15, 2020

This story was previously part of The Hope of Christmas collection.

They’re supposed to be allies, but mutual distrust puts this pair on opposite sides.

Emma O’Sullivan is one of the first female doctors to enlist after President Franklin Roosevelt signs the order allowing women in the Army and Navy medical corps. Within weeks, Emma is assigned to England to set up a convalescent hospital, and she leaves behind everything that is familiar. When the handsome widower of the requisitioned property claims she’s incompetent and tries to get her transferred, she must prove to her superiors she’s more than capable. But she’s soon drawn to the good-looking, grieving owner. Will she have to choose between her job and her heart?

Archibald “Archie” Heron is the last survivor of the Heron dynasty, his two older brothers having been lost at Dunkirk and Trondheim and his parents in the Blitz. After his wife is killed in a bombing raid while visiting Brighton, he begins to feel like a modern-day Job. To add insult to injury, the British government requisitions his country estate, Heron Hall, for the U.S. Army to use as a hospital. The last straw is when the hospital administrator turns out to be a fiery, ginger-haired American woman. She’s got to go. Or does she?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Linda Shenton Matchett writes about ordinary people who did extraordinary things in days gone by. A volunteer docent and archivist for the Wright Museum of WWII, Linda is a former trustee for her local public library. She is a native of Baltimore, Maryland and was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry. Linda has lived in historic places all her life, and is now located in central New Hampshire where her favorite activities include exploring historic sites and immersing herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors.

More from Linda

Dear Reader:

 

As a long-time Human Resources professional, I’m fascinated by the history of women in the workforce, especially during the World War II era when many filled jobs previously held by men. A Doctor in the House came about when two bits of information collided with me on the same day.

 

I’m an avid fan of the BBC mystery show “Foyle’s War” about a detective chief superintendent located in Hastings, England. He’d rather be “doing his bit” for the war effort, but he continues to be assigned to regular police work. One of the episodes takes place in a huge country home that was requisitioned by the British government for use as a hospital.

 

Research turned up the fact that the British government took over people’s homes (whether or not the inhabitants were willing to give up the house). Later that day I was creating “this day in history” posts for my social media account and one of the events was Dr. Margaret Craighill becoming the first commissioned officer in the US Army Medical Corps. Previously, women were not afforded this opportunity.

 

I dug into Dr. Craighill’s story, and there were several references to difficulties she encountered by people who didn’t think women belonged in the military or in officer positions within the military. I thought the combination of a man who isn’t happy to have lost the use of his home with an American female doctor in charge of the hospital had the makings of a fun story. I hope you agree!

 

Blessings,

Linda Shenton Matchett

MY REVIEW

This is a quick and easy book to read. I enjoyed learning about what went on during the war and how women were able to play an important part in caring for the injured men. Most people don’t expect to see a woman as a doctor, but Dr. Emma O’Sullivan is good at her job. You can tell she has a little issue of being pointed out that she is a woman and shouldn’t be a doctor. It was nice to see how the author illustrated Emma’s devotion to being a doctor and how educated she is in her trade. Her compassion for her patients are encouraging and her  faith helped her through the trying days she had treating the wounded. 

Archie Heron is a Duke but not like people think of one. His family has come  on hard times and he is barely able to keep the estate running. He is invaded by American soldiers and none other than Dr. Emma O’Sullivan. With the British government commissioning him to open his home to the doctor he has no choice but to cooperate. 

The story shows a struggle of pride between both Archie and Emma and this makes for  an interesting  read. I love how this is an enemy to relationship story where both of the main characters find  themselves fighting their feelings for each other. After a disagreement, Archie shows Emma that he does care about the soldiers and provides for them. It is a nice story of how two people through faith are able to work together to help others. Along the way, they find themselves maybe wanting to think of a future together. Will they end up being together? Grab a copy of the book and find out. 

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

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From 4an Avid Reader, October 29

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 30

Texas Book-aholic, October 31

Inklings and notions, November 1

deb’s Book Review, November 2

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 3

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, November 4

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 5

Connie’s History Classroom, November 6

Betti Mace, November 7

For Him and My Family, November 8

Holly’s Book Corner, November 9

Mary Hake, November 9

Splashes of Joy, November 10

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 11

Books I’ve Read, November 11

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Linda is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Visa Gift Card and 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/2244b/a-doctor-in-the-house-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: The Bookshop of Secrects

Author: Mollie Rushmeyer

Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction (Christian)

Release date: October 25, 2022

A collection of lost books holds the clues to her family’s legacy…and her future.

Hope Sparrow has mastered the art of outrunning her tragic past, learning never to stay anywhere too long and never to allow anyone control over her life again. Coming to Wanishin Falls in search of her family’s history already feels too risky. But somewhere in the towering stacks of this dusty old bookshop are the books that hold Hope’s last ties to her late mother—and to a rumored family treasure that could help her start over.

Only, the bookshop is in shambles, and the elderly owner is in the beginning stages of dementia and can’t remember where the books lie. To find the last links to the loved ones she’s lost, Hope must stay and accept help from the townsfolk to locate the treasured volumes. Each secret she uncovers brings her closer to understanding where she came from. But the longer she stays in the quaint town, the more people find their way into the cracks in her heart. And letting them in may be the greatest risk of all…

 

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Mollie writes contemporary fiction with a heart for history. What does this mean exactly? She loves to write inspirational fiction in contemporary settings with fascinating historical elements, people, objects, and stories woven throughout.

A modern girl herself– She wouldn’t want to go a day without modern plumbing and central air! But she’s always felt a special connection to the past. The legacies and lives left behind are like gifts waiting to be unwrapped, and she’s excited to share this blend of history and contemporary living with readers.

A born and bred Midwestern gal, Mollie Rushmeyer, makes her home in central Minnesota with her husband and two spunky, beautiful daughters. She is not only a bibliophile (the dustier the better, in her opinion), she’s a true anglophile at heart. Tea and coffee fuel her travels, by Google maps at least, and her passion for the written word.

 

More from Mollie

Since childhood, opening up a book unlocked a whole new world for me. Of possibilities and adventure, and made me care for people and places that didn’t exist. Like stepping through the wardrobe into Narnia, books transported me. It was like magic.

As I began dreaming up The Bookshop of Secrets in its early stages, I knew I wanted to create a character who loved books and was in awe of their transformative and transportive power as much as I am. Thus, Hope Sparrow, a human trafficking survivor and ultimate book lover, was born. I also wanted to honor my grandpa, who planted the seed—love of the written word—in my heart from the time I was very young. And so, Ulysses, the owner of Dusty Jackets Bookshop in the story, is based on my sweet grandpa who has since passed away. But I know he’d love this homage to all things literary.

Afterward, I didn’t know if I’d ever write again and I was more terrified of that than not gaining back the full strength of my left arm.

In the middle of writing this book, in 2018, I had a stroke. As with most medical emergencies, it was quite unexpected. I had a hole in my heart (that has been repaired, thankfully). Afterward, I didn’t know if I’d ever write again and I was more terrified of that than not being able to fully move my left arm again. My brain had to make new connections and it was so difficult, still is some days, to be creative. To find the right words.

But God. In the way that only He can, He brought this forgotten story, this project’s finish line that seemed to be at the summit of an insurmountable mountain within reach. I thought I had something to prove to myself. I begged God not to forget my dream to write. Like He could. But in the end, I just had to trust like my character Hope. Trust that He is good even when life hurts and is uncertain.

“Do you know what the opposite of fear is?”

“Bravery? Peace?” Dare she say her namesake, hope?

“The true counterpart of fear is faith. It takes faith to walk into the future, the unknown, with confidence. Secure in the love of the One who created you and those around you outweighs any hardship, real or imagined, that lies on the path ahead.”

I hope following Hope’s journey of healing and love in The Bookshop of Secrets truly blesses you.

MY REVIEW 

If you are looking for an easy, feel good book this is not for you. However if you want a book that is emotional, digs deep into the truth and exposes the evils of this world, then grab a copy and get ready for an adventure unlike anything you have ever experienced. The topics such  as PTSD and human trafficking in this story could be triggers for some. The author deals with these issues in a sensitive and realistic way. It is also a healing for our main character that I was impressed by. 

Hope has long had flashbacks of a past that she tries to erase from her mind. A sound, smell or even a voice can trigger her thoughts.  I understand how she was a wanderer because she didn’t want to be found. She changes her name and keeps to herself. Oh but her love for books is what keeps her grounded. She is on a mission to find a treasure of books her mom has left for her. Her journey takes her to Dusty Jackets to start her search. I have to say how much I like the name of the bookstore. Visions of old books and stories yet to be discovered filled my mind. 

The people she meets in the small town of Wanishin Falls are fascinating and will become  important to the story. I liked that Ronan wanted to help Hope, but she is hesitant. She can’t risk anyone  knowing who she really is and trusting others is difficult for her. She is reminded that “we can get so lost in the depths of our circumstances, we forget to look up.”  How true it is for Hope to continue to fight her past but forget there is someone there waiting to save her. 

As Hope looks for the books her mother left her she encounters interesting people. I liked her visit with Ethel. The older lady gives her wise words that penetrate her deepest hurts. “Even the most desperate places inside of us just need light in order to heal and grow.” How will Hope find a way to overcome the pain from getting past and walk in freedom? 

This is a beautiful story of redemption where one character broken into pieces finds their  way to becoming whole again. The author has impressed me with how she is able to get right to the fragile place we find ourselves and helps us find our way home.

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

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 27

lakesidelivingsite, October 27

Inklings and notions, October 28

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 28

Simple Harvest Reads, October 28 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

An Author’s Take, October 29

The Write Escape, October 29

deb’s Book Review, October 29

Texas Book-aholic, October 30

Rebecca Tews, October 30

Blogging With Carol, October 30

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 31

Inspired by fiction, October 31

Life of Literature, October 31

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, November 1

Lily’s Book Reviews, November 1

Cover Lover Book Review, November 1

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 2

Losing the Busyness, November 2

For Him and My Family, November 2

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, November 3

Holly’s Book Corner, November 3

Mary Hake, November 3

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, November 4 (Author Interview)

Paula’s Pad of Suspense and Detection, November 4

Blossoms and Blessings, November 4

Sylvan Musings, November 5

Lily’s Book Reviews, November 5

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, November 5

A Reader’s Brain, November 6

Book Looks by Lisa, November 6

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 7

Truth and Grace Homeachool Academy, November 7

Story Craft, November 7

Through the fire blogs, November 8

Pause for Tales, November 8

Labor Not in Vain, November 8

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, November 9

To Everything There Is A Season, November 9

Lights in a Dark World, November 9

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Mollie is giving away the grand prize package of a eBook or signed paperback copy (paperback U.S. Only) of The Bookshop of Secrets and 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/226c7/the-bookshop-of-secrets-celebration-tour-giveaway