Search This Blog

Monday, June 1, 2020

Made in Hollywood

About the Book

Book:  Made in Hollywood
Author: Michelle Keener
Genre:  Christian Contemporary Romance
Release Date: March 10, 2020
thumbnail_MadeinHollywood_Cvr-24JANWhen a pastor’s son saves her life, can a prodigal daughter dare to believe in second chances?
Noah Shaw is almost thirty and he still doesn’t know what he wants to be when he grows up. Torn between running his business as a limo driver for Hollywood’s elite, and feeling called to ministry, he prays for direction. But he never expects that direction to include finding a woman near-death on the front steps of his father’s church.
Hannah left her family and her faith when she moved to Hollywood looking for adventure. Instead of finding fame in the movies, she was lured into the life of an exotic dancer. Hopeless and ashamed, suicide seems like her only escape. Until the night Noah saves her life.
The Shaw family welcomes her into their home and gives her a chance to start over. When the shadows of her former life threaten to expose her past, she must choose between running away or fighting for the new life she’s built and the man she’s grown to love.

Click here for your copy.
 MY REVIEW
With an emotional heart I write this review. It amazes me how a book can teach you so many lessons. The author has woven a story much like the Prodigal Son  but with more intensity. The emotions run deep  in this unforgettable story of redemption. I loved reading about Hannah and her quest to find unconditional love. There is no need to retell the story in my review. That is waiting for  readers to experience. I want to express just how powerful this story is. Hannah could be anybody who has been running from their past. Many of us think we have done so many unforgivable things, that God would never welcome us home. 
What I found in this story was compassion that helped a young woman feel important. Being tossed on a deserted parking lot of a church was definitely a divine appointment for Hannah that night. Noah is so forgiving and is the hands and feet of God.  He reached out and showed grace to someone who had given up. Noah’s family not only takes a stranger in but welcomes her with open arms. To witness her surrender to God is a very heart wrenching scene. I remember when I felt ready to give up. In that moment I could feel arms wrapped around me as I cried out to God. Hannah experiences much the same as she cries tears of healing at the altar of forgiveness. 
No matter where we are , not matter what we have done, God is waiting with open arms. Hannah faces danger as her past catches up with her. The author does  a great job of letting Hannah face her enemy surrounded by those who love her. The ending will require tissues as the author leads us to the beginning of a new chapter for several characters. I am hoping the author will continue the series with a story filled with redemption, forgiveness and letting go of the chains that keep us from God.
“The mistakes of our past can become our greatest testimony if we surrender them to God and let Him redeem them.”
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion. 

About the Author

Michelle KeenerMichelle Keener is a wife, mom, and the author of five books. She lives in Southern California with her retired Marine husband, their two children, and one spoiled dog. When she isn’t writing, she is busy homeschooling, teaching creative writing workshops, or baking something involving chocolate.

More from Michelle

The Story of a Prodigal Daughter

Made in Hollywood is the sequel to my first Christian romance novel Mission Hollywood. It’s the story of Lily’s brother Noah and his search for love and direction. In the book, Noah meets a young girl who has been through some truly dark and terrible places. She’s been wounded, abused, and she’s lost hope. She’s worried that her past is too much for God to forgive, and that she’s fallen too far and doesn’t deserve God’s grace. She is a prodigal daughter lost on the streets of Hollywood.

One of the reasons I wrote Made in Hollywood (aside from the fact that I just adore Noah) is to be a reminder that God never gives up on us. Just like the story of the Prodigal Son, if we turn back to God, He will run to us and bring us home.

There is no place so dark that God light can’t reach.

There is no sin, no mistake, no circumstance that can separate us from the love of God. His arms are always open to us. His love is unchanging, unending, and unfailing. His amazing grace reaches the lost and restores what was broken. His love binds our wounds and heals our past. What the enemy intended for evil, God will turn to good. It’s a truth Hannah had to learn. It’s a truth I had to learn. And it’s a truth God wants His people to share. God’s love never fails.
I hope you enjoy Made in Hollywood!

Blog Stops

Quiet Quilter, May 31
Artistic Nobody, June 7 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Michelle is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
Posted by at 2 comments:

Sunday, May 31, 2020

WELCOME TO THE EDGE OF TRUTH REVIEW PROMO BLAST
PRESENTED BY CELEBRATE LIT


The DEA sends two of its best agents, Kara Nelson and Jeff Clark, to Central Oregon, to shut down a major drug ring. Kara and Jeff usually work alone, but Operation Trail Ride throws them undercover together in a way neither of them expected.
A notorious Miami drug lord wants Kara dead. Can these agents pull off the greatest acting job of their lives—and manage the sparks flying between them?
Or will they die trying?
Edge of Truth is the first book in the Law Enforcement Heroes series. A romantic suspense series with nail biting suspense and a splash of romance. If you like engaging characters, small-town antics, and page turning suspense, then you’ll love Kimberly Rose Johnson’s Law Enforcement Heroes series.
https://amzn.to/2IwGKXG

Kimberly Rose Johnson is the 2018 Faith Hope and Love Reader’s Choice winner for short contemporary novel. She’s married to her college sweetheart and lives in the Pacific Northwest. From a young child Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing. She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance and romantic mystery that warms the heart and feeds the soul.
Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.
Kimberly’s hobbies include reading, watching chick flicks, playing the piano, long walks with her hubby and their yellow lab, drinking coffee and eating dark chocolate.

MY REVIEW


I have not listened to an audio book before and I’m glad this is the one I was able to try out. I loved listening to the story and hearing the different emotions in the readers voice. This story is packed with  danger at every turn. Kara has her cover blown and now must lay low to make everyone think she is dead.  Working  as a DEA agent is dangerous but I admire those who put their lives on the line to clean up our streets from drugs that seem to be everywhere.

This story takes place in a small town that Kara went to high school at. I found it fascinating that she was sent there with a partner to uncover a drug ring. I though Kara and Jeff made a great team. Jeff I think had a very hard time being back at his step-brothers ranch. It isn’t easy to investigate a family member. One of the things I really liked about Jeff was his determination to keep Kara safe. She has gone through several close calls and I was beginning to think her body couldn’t take much more damage.

I loved hearing  about the undercover operation and how strategic the plan needed to be in order to capture the dealers who were running drugs across the border. Jeff knows something strange is going on at the ranch. The investigation takes several twists that put Kara and Jeff in harms way. I liked how the author used Jeff to reassure Kara that God loves her and that she needs to trust him. Get ready for an adventure into the world of undercover work that exposes the ugly side of drugs.

I received an audio copy from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion. 






Posted by at No comments:

About the Book

Book:  The Socialite
Author: J’nell Ciesielski
Genre:  Historical Romance
Release Date: April 14, 2020
Glamour, treachery, and espionage collide when an English socialite rushes to save her sister from the Nazis.
As the daughter of Sir Alfred Whitford, Kat has a certain set of responsibilities. But chasing her wayward sister, Ellie, to Nazi-occupied Paris was never supposed to be one of them. Now accustomed to the luxurious lifestyle that her Nazi boyfriend provides, Ellie has no intention of going back to the shackled life their parents dictate for them—but Kat will stop at nothing to bring her sister home.
Arrested for simply trying to defend himself against a drunken bully, Barrett Anderson is given the option of going to jail or serving out his sentence by training Resistance fighters in Paris. A bar owner serves as the perfect disguise to entertain Nazis at night while training fighters right below their jackboots during the day. Being assigned to watch over two English debutantes is the last thing he needs, but a payout from their father is too tempting to resist. Can Barrett and Kat trust each other long enough to survive, or will their hearts prove more traitorous than the dangers waiting around the corner?

Click here to get your copy!
MY REVIEW

The story blew me away with his details and historical facts.   The story is rich in history and the author transported me  back to when Hitler was in control. The man is pure evil and the thought of  what he did to people is hard to comprehend. Everywhere you looked, his presence was known by the violence he loved to cast on others. 

 Kat was so determined to bring her sister back home that she will risk her life. I loved her spirt of family and how she would do anything to rescue her sister from the evil clutches of Eric. As I got to know Kat I soon saw that deep down in her heart she desired to have her father proud of her. Her mission to bring Ellie home was out of unconditional love for her sister and the need to have her father say he was proud of her.

 Ellie was a real handful at times. She is so blind to Eric’s underhanded treatment of people that she finds herself like a puppet to him. She made me mad as she so willingly let him dictate her every step. Ellie is happy to see her sister but Ellie is stubborn and won’t believe that Eric is bad for her. I loved reading about  how Hitler came into power and the struggles many people faced when he took everything from innocent people. The story is very detailed about the war and the fallout it had on the Jewish community. 

 There is so much going on in the story that at times I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. The character I liked the most was Barrett. Oh my what a man of integrity he is. He will risk his life to protect Kat and Ellie. There were several scenes when Kat and Barrett clashed that I found to be frustrating. Kat is so determined to do things on her own which ends up putting her, Ellie and Barrett in grave danger. Barrett is willing to lay his life down in order for Kat and Ellie to find their way home to freedom. 

 I enjoyed reading the story and think it made sone interesting points. Courage comes from within and to never give up hope. Trust your instincts and follow the path that leads to the truth. The story shows how easy someone can be manipulated when they want to be loved so badly. The ending is an epic adventure that will have you on the edge of your seat. If you love history this book is a must read. As I end my review I wonder if we would be brave enough to stand up for what we believe in? 

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

About the Author

With a passion for heart-stopping adventure and sweeping love stories, J’nell Ciesielski weaves fresh takes into romances of times gone by. When not creating dashing heroes and daring heroines, she can be found dreaming of Scotland, indulging in chocolate of any kind, or watching old black and white movies. Winner of the Romance Through the Ages Award and the Maggie Award, she is a Florida native who now lives in Virginia with her husband, daughter, and lazy beagle. Learn more at www.jnellciesielski.com.

More from J’Nell

I blame Pinterest. Too many hours are spent chasing rabbit holes of glorious pictures of fashion from eras gone by, Highlanders in kilts, WWI ambulances, and fairytale castles. One day I was browsing something super important (or possibly escaping from the actual work I was supposed to be doing, er, we’ll never know) and stumbled across a black and white picture of six beautiful girls. Who are these lovely ladies? I wondered. A quick search brought up the Mitford sisters. Six gorgeous daughters born into an aristocratic English family, each girl with a different passion: Diana the fascist, Jessica the communist, Unity the Hitler lover, Nancy the novelist, Deborah the duchess, and Pamela the poultry connoisseur. Whoa. You know dinner time around their family table was interesting. How could such different personalities belong in the same family? What would you do if your sister got moon-eyed over Hitler??
Bam. An idea was born.
In the beginning, my little rebel Ellie was going to be a full-fledged Nazi ideology lover, but she quickly informed me that it wasn’t so much the Nazis or their crazy ideas she loved, but one man in particular. One twisted Nazi who had fallen completely under her spell, and she under his. The ideas of love can often be more difficult to break as Kat finds out when she tries to rescue her naïve sister. Luckily, she has a hunky Sottish bartender to help her while providing a few romantic intentions of his own. With everyone hiding past hurts and true identities, how will they ever hope to find the love they each long for when war rages under the bright lights of Paris? Guess you’ll have to read to find out 😉

Blog Stops

Emily Yager, May 22
Simple Harvest Reads, May 25 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)
Livin’ Lit, May 26
Betti Mace, May 27
Genesis 5020, May 28
Remembrancy, May 28
Mia Reads, May 29
Rebecca Tews, May 30
Moments, June 2
Andrea Carmen, June 3
Hallie Reads, June 4

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, J’nell is giving away the grand prize of a book and a book sleeve!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
Posted by at 2 comments:

Saturday, May 30, 2020

WELCOME TO LEAF ME ALONE REVIEW PROMO BLAST PRESENTED BY 
CELEBRATE LIT


A long lost child . . . and secrets that insist the lost remain lost! Word spreads through town about the genealogy researches of Shannon, Bailey, and Jessica. So far, it’s been a fun hobby and an eye-opening experience as they helped to solve two murders. But when old Mrs. Perkins, their Bible study leader, wants to hire Shannon and her husband Jayden to find her long-lost nephew, the couple soon learns that moving forward along the Perkins family tree may leave them dangling out on a limb . . . and someone is holding a saw!








Freelance writer, award-winning author, and professional speaker, Julie B. Cosgrove leads religious retreats, workshops for churches and writer groups, and Bible studies. She writes regularly for several devotional publications and is on staff with Campus Crusades of Canada’s Power to Change digital ministry as editor and writer for The Life Project. Their websites help to lead thousands of people worldwide to know Christ, one mouse click at a time. Her own blog, Where Did You Find God Today? has readership in 52 countries.

Julie has published three Bible studies, a devotional, two inspirational guides, and has fifteen faith-based fiction novels published or contracted, including two cozy mysteries series, The Bunco Biddies Mysteries and the Relatively Seeking Mysteries. All can be viewed on her website: www.juliebcosgrove.com.

Awarded one of the 50 Writers You Should Be Reading by the Author’s Show in 2015 and 2016, and Best Religious Fiction 2016, Best Cozy Mystery 2017 by Texas Association of Authors, Julie was also an INSPY semi-finalist and a Grace Awards Finalist in 2016. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and the Christian Authors’ Network. She achieved the highest public speaking level in Toastmasters International, the Advanced Communication Gold, in 2015.

Julie is widowed and lives in Fort Worth, Texas where she is involved in mission and women’s ministries. She is a murder mystery aficionado—especially British ones—and loves word games.

Social media:
Tweets:
#Amreading, #mystery, Shannon hunts a long lost nephew with a possible murderer on her trail. https://amzn.to/392yNor
#Christian #fiction #mystery  Searching for long-lost relatives can be dangerous. https://amzn.to/392yNor
#mystery #Christian Is someone really killing hospice patients? https://amzn.to/392yNor

Book link:

https://amzn.to/2v8lxAg



MY REVIEW

I can’t believe I haven’t heard of this author before . The story is so captivating that I blocked everything out and delved into the book. Each character is intricate to the story as the author delivers a touching and intriguing story.  Mrs. Perkins became so real to me  that I wanted to visit her in Hospice and confirm her. She has a sweet spirit around her. When she asks for help in finding someone before she passes, I cried my eyes out.

Shannon and her husband are determined to find Mrs. Perkins relative before it is too late. The story takes readers across country as time is running out to honor their promise to Mrs. Perkins. I appreciate the author talking about homeless people and how they need help like everyone else. I liked the many lessons in the story. God wants all His children to feel loved. I wonder how many times we have seen a homeless person and judged them? We don’t know why they are on the streets but they each have a story. I won’t say what happens in this story but I will say I cried many tears as I read the book. The faith element in the story touched me and I wanted to ask God to forgive me for ignoring the lost, the homeless and  the unloved.

There is a secondary story that became a race against time. Having a loved one in Hospice is heartbreaking. The author does  a good job of allowing readers a glimpse into a world most have  never experienced. A mystery surrounds the place Mrs. Perkins is staying at. I held my breath each time a tragedy occurred there. It will take some  snooping and instinct to unravel the mystery. The story is very emotional and shows how unconditional love can bring families back together. I recommend having tissues handy as you read this moving story of hope, trust, forgiveness and God’s mercy.

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





Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)