Season of Hope Kick-Off Package

About the Book

Book:  Season of Hope

Author: Carol James

Genre:  20th Century Christian Historical Romance

Hope Stockton’s life is dead, frozen in a winter of guilt, deceit, and fear. When a handsome young pastor, Josh Lewis, comes to serve in her church, she wonders if she can trust him with her past. Will he be able to help her find the answers to the questions that have been buried in her heart for years? Or will his own secrets drive them apart and prevent him from helping Hope find her spring of forgiveness?

Set in small town Texas in the years during and following the Vietnam war, Seasons of Hope is a story of forgiveness and restoration.

Click here to get your copy!

 MY REVIEW 

This has been a very emotional journey as two people struggle with their past. I found the characters to be very easy to relate to. Hope is a sweet woman who is raising her son alone. I loved the setting of the story in a small town during the late 1960s. The Vietnam War saw many young men enlist with hopes of coming home safely. In Hope’s heart she felt that her son’s father had been killed during the war, but she never gave up  on him. 

Josh was definitely my favorite character. He has followed God’s direction and finds himself a pastor of a small church in the town where Hope lives. Their first encounter was really funny and I applaud the author for her creativity. I kept thinking how God works in mysterious ways. Hope is in for a huge surprise when she gets to church. 

The story explores a son who in his eyes has disappointed his father. Josh has tried to reconcile with his dad but each time they end up further  apart. I really liked how the author slowly gives us a look in Josh’s past. It explains the reason his relationship with his father is strained. He has lived with overprotective parents and it has been hard for him to go out on his own. At first I didn’t like Josh’s dad but as the story continues, something changes my mind. 

Hope frustrated me at times because she liked Josh but found reasons to keep her distance from him. She lacks trust and it is causing her to be so clingy towards her son that Josh notices it. There are a few snags along the way that cause misunderstandings between them. The story is definitely faith based and I loved how they both turned to God for answers. The author illustrates trust and forgiveness in a story that made me cry. They were happy tears as I could sense them releasing things from their past. To surrender your pain to God is a door opening to unconditional love. 

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

About the Author

Carol James is an author of inspirational fiction. She lives in a small town outside of Atlanta, Georgia with her husband, Jim, and a perky Jack Russell “Terrorist,” Zoe.

Having always loved intriguing stories with happy endings, she was moved to begin writing to encourage others as she’d been encouraged by the works of other authors of inspirational fiction.

Her debut novel, Rescuing Faith, has been a number one best seller on Amazon.

Carol enjoys spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren, traveling with friends, and serving in the production department at her church. And most days, in the late hours of the night or the wee hours of the morning, she can be found bringing her newest novel to life.

More from Carol

Overcoming the Darkness

The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5

I’ve read or heard this verse hundreds, maybe thousands, of times. But I remember exactly the moment I truly understood the picture it paints.

I sat in church one Sunday morning. For weeks, I’d been elbow-deep in crafting a manuscript set in the years following the Vietnam war. The title was Season of Hope.

In the squeaky voice our congregation loved, Pastor Buddy read this scripture and then asked a simple question. “Have you ever thought that light always overcomes darkness?”

Of course I’d thought that. I knew The Light was Jesus. I knew through His perfect sacrifice, He overcame the darkness of sin and death to give us life and light.

But then, in his folksy manner that would sneak up on you and drop the truth right in your lap, Buddy’s sermon began to paint a poignant illustration. 

You can walk into a dark room with any amount of light, no matter how small—a candle flame, a flashlight beam, or even the illumination from the face of your phone—and the light will always…always…invade the darkness. 

But the opposite is never true. No matter how great the darkness and how small the light, darkness never prevails. Never overcomes the light. 

And what little you manage to see in the darkness is distorted, not an accurate representation of reality. Because darkness hides reality. It shows us only colorless, indistinct imitations. Light, however, shows us beauty and truth.

Simple, right? Maybe. But like so many truths in the Bible, the idea is rich and full of meaning when you meditate on it. 

When I left church that day, I knew my heroine’s battle was to be a clash between light and darkness, truth and lies. 

In Season of Hope, Hope Stockton’s heart is frozen in the dark winter of her past. She’s spent so many years hiding her failures and fears from the light of truth, she questions whether her heart will ever feel the warmth of spring again. 

Then she meets Josh Lewis, and she wonders, can she entrust him with the dark secrets that have been buried in her heart all these years?

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, August 6

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 7

Artistic Nobody, August 8 (Author Interview)

Inklings and notions, August 9

For Him and My Family, August 10

deb’s Book Review, August 11

Simple Harvest Reads, August 12 (Author Interview)

CarpeDiem, August 13

SusanK. Beatty, Author, August 14 (Author Interview)

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, August 15

Musings of Sassy Bookish Mama, August 16

Sodbuster Living, August 17

Batya’s Bits, August 18

Blossoms and Blessings, August 19 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Carol is giving away the grand prize package of a digital copy of Season of Hope and a $40 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/fe97/season-of-hope-celebration-tour-giveaway

ROMANCING NADINE by AMY LILLARD

I absolutely adored this story because  it is written by one of my favorite authors. She never disappoints me with her gift for satisfying my need for stories that have faith, unconditional love and inspiring characters. I cheered when I realized this would be about an older woman. Yes I can relate to the character’s age and I felt a calmness come over me as I became acquainted with Nadine.

Nadine has had her share of heartaches in the love department. Can she find a way to allow God to show her that there was someone out there for her? I could tell right away Nadine was going to be hard to crack in the love department. Poor Amos. He has his hands full trying to win Nadine’s heart. As you get older you get set in your ways and Nadine was definitely a stickler for having things her way.

Amos is so kind and patient. Love can do that to a person. You don’t see any faults  only the love that you have for that special someone. I wanted to go to Nadine at times and tell her that she was being stubborn and needed to loosen up a bit. The author gives us a few laughs in the story as Nadine and Amos get to know each other. I thought of the awkward moments I had getting to know my husband. The story is a wonderful look at romance through the eyes of the older generation. It is filled with laughs, love and a wonderful ending.

I received a digital copy through the author and Netgalley. The review is my own opinion.

About the Book

Book:  Dual Power of Convenience

Author: Chautona Havig

Genre:  Christian Contemporary Romance

Release Date: July 28, 2020

When Richard Danforth inherits the family estate on Merriweather Island, he doesn’t have time to deal with it—especially not from halfway across the globe. He’s too busy working to become the world’s newest billionaire and avoiding the women who would detract him from his goals.

Enter Lyla Santana. Fresh out of Oxford University with a degree in antiques and a relationship that nearly killed her to leave, she’s eager for the isolation and treasure trove that is Danforth Hall. Lyla also is determined to avoid men at all costs. Forever.

It was supposed to be a match made on paper. With him halfway across the globe, they’d never have to see each other again.

So, what’s Richard doing on Merriweather just weeks after the wedding? And how will his arrival test Lyla’s faith, not to mention stretch their so-called relationship?

In a twist on billionaire romance and marriage of convenience, this “Merriweather book” kicks off a new series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

The Independence Island Series: beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore.

 

 

Click here to get your copy!

MY REVIEW 

 Let me take a few minutes to just swoon over this book. I know the author has said that she doesn’t really like to write romance books. Well I will have to disagree with her thought process. This story is one of the best written romance books I have read. It oozes with emotions and clearly is a perfect read for those who like clean books. The storyline is believable and would make a great movie on dare I say The   Hallmark Channel. Oh it’s not sugary sweet but just the right touch of Godly attraction between a man a woman. 

Lyla is so down to earth and like able that I could picture her as my friend. I loved her enthusiasm as she sets out on a new adventure. The place she is going to work at  is an historical mansion.  I can see all the art work, furniture and unexpected treasures she will find by the vivid pictures the author uses with words. The author does a great job of describing the house and its historical background. It would be easy to explore the place and never get tired of the hidden gems that Lyla discovers. 

Richard is a very wealthy man who needs someone to take care of a place he has inherited. Enter stage right we have the connection between Lyla and Richard. I loved reading how they communicated by text or phone while continuing a business arrangement. Lyla is very detail oriented so the match was perfect for both. 

Now I could go on and tell you more but that  would spoil the joy you will find as you read this wonderful example of God working in mysterious ways. Oh he knows what Lyla and Richard both desire for their lives. God has a way of getting our attention in subtle ways at times. Lyla’s past is something I knew  was holding  her back from trusting. The author examines that in a way where you can feel her pain and want to tell her that God has  a plan. Richard is a man who anyone would fall for. He is Godly, honest and respectful. The journey that Lyla and Richard take is one that is full of hope, faith and an ending that I cried at. Yes I cried because I fell in love with these characters who became real to me. Well done Chautona. You have captured the true meaning of love and trust in a story that I will not forget. 

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

About the Author

Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her on the web and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.

 

More from Chautona

Did I Really Agree to Write a Romance Series?

When my fledgling little idea for a single book transformed into a series that then transformed into a SERIES, I kind of missed the part where I agreed (and likely suggested, if truth be told), that the books should be contemporary romance.

I mean, beach reads.  Romance.  Duh.

There’s just one problem?  I rarely write a straight-up romance.  And if I do, it’s usually a short novella in a collection—often at Christmas.

Why?

Isn’t it obvious?

Despite nine kids and being married for almost thirty-two years, I am THE most unromantic woman on the planet. No habla amor.  Or something like that.

So there I was, toodling down the 395 (a treacherous bit of road between my house and the publisher’s) when all of what I’d agreed to exploded in my brain.  I’m still scraping brain matter off the windshield and trying to stuff it back in. I need every last one of those “little gray cells,” thank-you-very-much!

Romance.  My heart sank.  Boy meets girl.  They like each other.  They fight.  They get back together.  They live happily ever after.

It’s a thing, folks.  A formula.  And if you deviate, true romance readers get annoyed.  What was I going to do?  I didn’t want to write romance.  Not really. I had ideas.  The prequel book had been all about trying to bring a young woman back to the Lord.  That’s more my speed, okay?

The wheels began churning.

The ones in my head, I mean.  The tires still rolled along the ground. Fortunately, my cranial explosion hadn’t caused an accident or anything.  Just in case you were curious.

I considered making each one loosely related to a fairy tale retelling.  I’d have a Cinderella story, a Beauty and the Beast, a… nope. That made it that far and I just couldn’t.  The minute we got to Sleeping Beauty, I’d have my readers in comas.  No. Thanks.

Next came Rom-com.  We’d make it funny.  All the stuff that happens in beach romances gone wrong.  Why not?  We live once!

I was yawning before the thought finished forming.

Right about then, I think, is when I wondered what kind of tropes I needed to consider.

See, romance tropes are a thing.  I even talk about them on my podcast.  The tingling sensation that comes when a good idea is brewing happened.  A grin formed.

Tropes. I’d play with tropes.  I’d take all those familiar things and twist them somehow.  Why not?  It would be fun.

And it was.

Right about then is probably when I began recording my ideas.  Creosote and sage whizzed past at breakneck speeds (let me dream.  I’m not a speed demon, but c’mon… for the sake of poetic license and all?). And the ideas whizzed faster (no license needed.  They really did).

Book 1.  Marriage of convenience.  I mean, those are always fun, right?  So why on earth would someone need to get married?

Every idea I came up with has been done… and done again.

That’s when I upped the stakes. Authors do that, you know. We come up with a way to torment our characters, and then we say, “Okay, now how can I make this worse?  Nope, I need it even worse.  Oh, and…” Bam!  The story goes from interesting to can’t-put-it-down.  All because we’re not afraid to be cruel to non-existent people. Score!

How’d I do it with this one? I added in another trope. One I personally just can’t “get.”  People love the things, and I’ve got no idea why.  But it answered my first question of why someone might need a marriage of convenience or… as my gal puts it… “a paper marriage.”

My guy became the world’s newest billionaire.

Yep, you read that right. I wrote a “billionaire romance.”  Sort of.  Now, if I could figure out how on earth I’d take two people on opposite sides of the world and get them together.

*insert hands rubbing together in fiendish delight*

Oh, yeah.  I did it.  And even more than that, I love it.  I made my characters do some stupid things. I really did (you know, like how two Christians didn’t even pray about their marriage decision?  Like how they didn’t even ask if the other person was saved?  Why should they?  They’ll never see each other again… they said.  Ha!  The Lord had other ideas.  Sorta.  This is fiction, right?  Oops! I suddenly feel like that crazy Kathy Morningside in Miss Congeniality).

From Adelanto to Kramer Jct., I planned out that first book—Dual Power of Convenience.

(the title gives away that reason for marrying, no?  Also, links may be affiliate links that provide a small commission at no extra expense to you.)

It was almost too easy.

Then I started playing with the next ones, and the series became a reality to me.

– Dual Power of Convenience—when a woman too afraid of men goes to work for a man who is too busy making money to want anything to do with that whole marriage and family thing.

– Bookers on the Rocks— This couple’s marriage is on the rocks (that’s the trope, of course), and neither of them has a clue. They’ve been married for twenty-five years, neither is having an affair, no one wants a divorce, life is good, so why is it on the rocks?  You’ll see…

– Directing Hearts— The Crawforths got tricked into allowing a reality matchmaking show film on their islands. Brooks Crawforth tangles with the director until their verbal battles turn into a different kind—a battle for their hearts (enemies to “lovers”)

– Just a Memory— In this one, Mallory Barrows (who makes appearances in all of the books) comes across an old journal that tells a story she’d never heard. It’s the old Patti Paige song “Go On with the Wedding” but over forty years later!  Mallory knows something that might just create a (here comes the trope) second chance at romance.

–Printed on Her Heart— After being instrumental in so many couples’ relationships, it’s Mallory’s turn in this dual-trope story.  In this one, we get a mashup of friends to more and love at first sight.  Can’t wait to share it.  Squee!

Okay, that’s the deal.  Yes, I really did agree to write a romance series.

And yes, it probably was my idea.

I might deny it to my dying day, but it is also a whole lot of fun… so far.

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, August 5

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 5

Inklings and notions, August 6

lakesidelivingsite, August 6

deb’s Book Review, August 6

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, August 7

Rebekah Jones, Author, August 7

For Him and My Family, August 7

Artistic Nobody, August 8 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, August 8

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 9

Ashley’s Bookshelf, August 9

21st Century Keeper at Home, August 9

She Lives To Read, August 10

Simple Harvest Reads, August 10 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, August 11

Adventures of a Traverlers wife, August 11

Emily Yager, August 12

Stories By Gina, August 12

CarpeDiem, August 12

cultivating us, August 13

Connect in Fiction, August 13

Livin’ Lit, August 13

Read Review Rejoice, August 14

Quiet Workings, August 14

Blossoms and Blessings, August 14

Just Your Average reviews, August 15

Rebekah Reads, August 15

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, August 15

Lis Loves Reading, August 16

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, August 16

Splashes of Joy, August 16

Pause for Tales, August 17

Captive Dreams Window, August 17

Spoken from the Heart, August 17

Lots of Helpers, August 18

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, August 18

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Chautona is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book (winner’s choice of eBook or paperback format)!!

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/ff14/dual-power-of-convenience-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book:  Love’s Mountain Quest

Author: Misty M Beller

Genre:  Historical romance

Release Date: June 30, 2020

After losing her husband in the Rocky Mountain wilderness, young widow Joanna Watson is struggling to make a new home for her five-year-old son, Samuel, in the little mountain town of Settler’s Fort. When she returns home from work to find Samuel and the woman watching him missing–and the sheriff dead–she enlists a man she prays has enough experience in this rugged country to help.

Isaac Bowen wants nothing more than a quiet, invisible life in these mountains, far away from the bad decisions of his past. But he has a strong suspicion of who’s behind the kidnapping and murder, and if he’s right, he knows all too well the evil they’re chasing.

As they press on against the elements, Joanna fights to hold on to hope, while Isaac knows a reckoning is coming. They find encouragement in the tentative trust that grows between them, but whether it can withstand the danger and coming confrontation is far from certain in this wild, unpredictable land.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

MY REVIEW  

About the Book

Book:  Fierce Wholeness

Author: Robin Meade

Genre:  Nonfiction

Release Date: March 5, 2020

When the Bible talks about the third- and fourth-generational curse, that’s so true. If the curse is not broken by you, then who will stop it dead in its tracks? Dealing with forgotten pain, things you stuff down just to survive, is serious business. But that’s what Robin Meade did. Growing up, she was criticized, put down, and stomped on—by her own family. She chose to bury her pain.

Fierce Wholeness: Finding Myself after Childhood Emotional Trauma is Robin’s story—in all of its raw and messy but authentic and beautiful transparency as she unpacks the trajectory of her life from childhood to adulthood and seeks to repair the dam that had been busted, the riverbed that had been washed away, the landscape that had been obliterated by her family of origin.

Readers who grew up in the clutches of the branches of emotional abuse will be empowered by Robin’s story because of the freedom that Jesus gives. Robin’s story is raw and authentic, and readers will be encouraged by how they too can find fierce wholeness in Christ.

Click here to get your copy!

 MY REVIEW 

I wanted to rush through this book as fast as I could. I didn’t want to read about abuse or even have to think about it. God knew there was a reason this book was in my hand and so my journey began. I could relate to the author in ways I had forgotten about. I grew up in a very violent , abusive home. My oldest brother and father inflicted physical and emotional pain on me on a daily basis. What I blocked out was the extreme emotional abuse my mother had inflicted on me. As the author talked about how her mother controlled every aspect of her growing up, I also knew how difficult it was for her to endure this injustice. 

It’s funny how the author talks about her religious beliefs growing up because my dad was a pastor. Like the author, I was there every time the church doors opened. I questioned how you dad the pastor could speak such love and compassion, then come home and abuse his daughter. The author’s mother seemed to set the tone for the family and she was quite verbal in her dislike of things . 

It was sad to read how the author’s parents were concerned about how they were perceived by others and expected their children to act a certain way. Oh how well I know the secrets that were hidden in our family so the church would never know the truth.  The author’s family was certainly dysfunctional and as time went on that way of life would come to affect her adult life. Her relationships never lasted, her self esteem was at its lowest and she was spiraling out of control. 

This part of the book is where I wanted to finally be able to breathe. I wanted our similar backgrounds to find a way to feel freedom. The only way to find that was through God. Yes at times I also thought God had abandoned me. Did he care that I was a shell of myself? The answer is simple. Yes He cares and the author gives us a look at the steps she took to get back her most important relationship. The author’s experiences with churches seems to be a common thing today. I also had several bad experiences at churches which I used to explain why I didn’t want to go anymore. 

The book is encouraging and I enjoyed reading a story that was transparent, healing and guiding readers to God. Forgiveness is a hard subject for us   but at some point forgiveness needs to happen. When we choose to forgive, we are set free from hurt. I appreciate how honest the author was with her struggles and I hope at some point I can purchase the workbook that goes with this book. 

“No matter where you are or what situation you’re in, God doesn’t want anyone to remain in relationships that are harmful.”

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

About the  Author

Robin Meade grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, but now she walks with God in the beautiful suburbs of Chicago. For nearly five years she has led and taught as part of the women’s ministry team at New Life Brookfield Church. She loves her dog and great food, but mostly she loves Jesus, and strives to encourage people to experience God’s restorative healing and for God to be glorified through it.

More from Robin

There’s a level of ‘fierce’ that we all need to reach in our journey with Christ; to be real about the journey.  When you experience abuse as a child, there is a ‘normal’ way of perceiving your surroundings that’s set, and if not corrected, stays with you into adulthood.  My desire for this book is that people who have suffered childhood emotional abuse know they are not alone, that they can experience of healing through a relationship with Jesus Christ.  The Bible talks about being ready to give an account and running the race striving for first place and working out our salvation with fear and trembling – some of that has been lost in our Christian culture.  Jesus isn’t a wimp or a doormat because he is kind and forgiving and neither should we be.  I hope my story will be a blessing to many in their faith walk, to get to their level of ‘fierce’.

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, August 3

My Devotional Thoughts, August 4 (Author Interview)

Genesis 5020, August 5

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 6

Blossoms and Blessings, August 7 (Author Interview)

deb’s Book Review, August 7

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 8

For Him and My Family, August 9

Simple Harvest Reads, August 10 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, August 11  (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Ashley’s Bookshelf, August 12

For the Love of Literature, August 13 (Author Interview)

Inklings and notions, August 14

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

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, August 16 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Robin is giving away the grand prize package of a basket with a signed copy of the book, the Fierce Wholeness Companion Journal, and $10 gift cards to Joann’s, Starbucks, Amazon and a stuffed moose!!

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/fe95/fierce-wholeness-celebration-tour-giveaway