Sunday, August 4, 2024

About the Book

Book: The Women of Wynton’s

Author: Donna Mumma

Genre: Mystery/Christian Fiction

Release date: July, 2024

Mid-Century Glam Meets Murder Mayhem

Get swept away to the glamor of a 1950’s department store where four women’s loyalties, vanity, friendship, and detective skills are put to the test.

Audrey Penault once led a glamorous life as a model but now works as devoted secretary to Mr. Wynton. To her fellow employees, she is too vain and uppity.

Mary Jo Johnson, a wife and mother, longs to find her worth in the cosmetics department, but it may take a while for the shy housewife to discover her voice.

Vivian Sheffield owns and runs the bridal salon within Wynton’s. She is proud of her accomplishments and won’t let anyone take them away.

Gigi Woodard dislikes her job as waitress in the store’s lunchroom, but she is determined not to let her secret shortcomings cause her to lose the position.

These four women have much to dislike about each other, but they unanimously agree that Mr. Wynton is the best of employers and must be protected at all costs from someone who seems determined to see him gone for good. When other employee deaths occur, can the women band together to solve the murders, or will they discover it is one of their own bent on destroying Wynton’s from within?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Donna Mumma perfected storytelling in her first grade classroom, spinning tales exciting enough to settle a roomful of antsy six-year-olds. She is an award winning author who loves to blend history, mystery, and a dash of hope in stories that explore ordinary people who learn extraordinary life lessons. Donna is an active member of Word Weavers International, serving as president for the Tampa chapter as well as a men featuring devotions written for writers by writers. An avid believer in education, Donna earned her M. Ed in elementary education and writes educational blogs and articles to assist teachers overseas for the International School Project. A native Floridian, she loves sharing life with her husband and her energetic collie, Duke.

More from Donna

Two models posed in red, flowy iconic 50’s dresses, white gloves, and classy hats. Perfect makeup and hair. Years ago, this picture hung in the dressing rooms of my favorite clothing store.

I was hooked.

Every time I entered the store, I’d walk to the dressing rooms to stare at the picture whether I had something to try on or not. There was something about that image that drew me in.

A few years later, I happened upon the same picture from the store on a social media page I’d joined featuring fashions from the 1950’s. I discovered my beloved photo came from a cover of Vogue magazine issued in 1955.

Then my imagination started churning. Every movie I’d watched with Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, and Kim Novak came to mind. I pictured four women, wearing the classy, tailored suits, full-skirted dresses, and the beautiful gowns from the 50’s. They were going to work in a department store because I grew up on a dairy farm, way out in the country of central Florida, and the big department stores like Burdines, Maas Brothers, and Robinsons were the most glamourous, luxurious places I’d ever seen.

These women were going to have to deal with a few murders. And the fact they don’t care much for each other.

As I researched, departments stores, history, fashion, and life in Florida in the 1950’s these characters came alive. First was Audrey, a former fashion model and the personal secretary to the owner of Wynton’s Department Store who may be the most hated woman around town. Miss Vivien, the owner and designer for Wynton’s bridal salon, who fights being set aside because she’s growing older. Mary Jo, a young wife and mother who longs to be at home but must take a job at Wynton’s to save her family. Lastly, Gigi, a girl who’s tired of the tough breaks in her life and hopes a new job at Wynton’s will bring her better fortune.

I wanted their experiences in the story to be true-to-life for that period and drew from stories and memories my own mother shared with me when I was growing up. I had so much fun writing about The Women of Wynton’s as they worked their way through mayhem, murders, and a Christmas parade, but also learned much about the women in this period of history. It is my hope my readers will too.

MY REVIEW

Welcome to the 1950s where department stores were fast becoming popular. Everyday the stores were in pristine condition awaiting their customers. I remember my grandmother talking about elevator operators whose job was to push the button for each floor and tirelessly work long hours. I loved reading about the fashion of this time period when women dressed in heels and went shopping in the latest style.

The story features four women with different backgrounds who we discover will join together to help out their boss. It was interesting to find out more about each one. I loved how the author brings these four together in a story that is filled with jealousy, greed and a mystery. I was shocked when the first tragedy happened. Poor Mr. Wynton is beside himself as he faces the loss of a family member. The store is shocked as they wonder what is going on behind the scenes at the store.

We do see a bit of history of how people of color are treated as their wages are lower than everyone else’s. The discrimination is hard to understand but it was very much alive during this time period. The author does a great job of illustrating this topic with grace while allowing readers to see what it was like for some.

The mystery is quite good and I had a hard time figuring out who the guilty person was. That ugly word greed sure does stand out in this story as we discover who is desperate enough to kill for money and power. Don’t miss this great story that is a step back in time where a group of women join together to help their boss and catch whoever wants to harm him.

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

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, August 2

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 2

Stories By Gina, August 3 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 3

Pause for Tales, August 4

Texas Book-aholic, August 4

Inspired by fiction, August 5

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 6

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 7

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, August 7

Happily Managing a Household of Boys , August 8

Books You Can Feel Good About, August 9

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

Paperbacks and Throwbacks, August 10

Book Looks by Lisa, August 11

Cover Lover Book Review, August 12

For Him and My Family, August 13

Lights in a Dark World, August 14

Jeanette’s Thoughts, August 14

Labor Not in Vain, August 15

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Donna is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon e-Gift card and a print 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/2d090/the-women-of-wynton-s-celebration-tour-giveaway

Friday, August 2, 2024

About the Book

Book: The Nightmare Virus

Author: Nadine Brandes

Genre: YA Science Fantasy

Release date: July 16, 2024

Some viruses go after the body. But the Nightmare Virus goes after the mind.

When dream technology goes wrong, a virus spreads across the globe,trapping people in a universal dreamscape. They call it the Nightmare Virus.Cain Cross is determined to find a cure . . . if he can decipher his brother’s chicken-scratch formula notes. But when he gets infected, he has only 22 days until he’s trapped in the mental prison forever. Now, every time he falls asleep, he must fight in a Nightmare Arena until he earns his freedom to live in the “new world” that exists only in the mind.

Then he finds a way to manipulate the Nightmare—to change it by mere thought.

Forced to navigate a world of nightbeasts, mistblades, and half-truths, Cain turns his focus to survival. When the Emperor offers him a LifeSuPod—and access to a cure—in exchange for a dangerous favor, Cain thinks he’s found a way out. But Cain’s new power threatens to take him on paths that jeopardize his very soul.

Will he continue searching for a cure, or will he swear allegiance to the Nightmare? And the bigger question might be . . . will he even have a choice?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Nadine Brandes has been known to do wild things (like ride a sleeper train across Russia) in the name of book research. She’s the four-time Carol Award–winning author of seven young adult books and has been a professional fiction editor for over a decade. She is passionate about Jesus, motherhood, and creating with the Creator. When she’s not busy inventing worlds and magic systems, she’s adventuring through Middle Earth with her Auror husband and their four Halfling children.

More from Nadine

“Really, God? Now?” That was my reaction when He told me it was time to sign a contract for The Nightmare Virus less than two years after a global pandemic. “No one wants a book with the word “virus” in its title.”

That was the first of many moments that revealed this book was not my choice to write or publish or even title, but was instead the Lord’s. I’d had the idea for over a decade. And while it had nothing to do with the 2020 pandemic it arose from the concept that this world is not our home. This world is temporary and yet, during our time in it, we—as Believers—know the path to freedom out of darkness.

It was a story I was waiting and waiting to write and share with the world and yet when God said “Go” I argued with Him. I was convinced this was the worst time to try and publish this book. I told Him I’d have no time to write it (as a mama of 3 children in 3 years with another one on the way at the time.) Yet God said, “I’ll make the time.” And He did. He paved the way for this book—both in my imagination and in my practical life—and that’s the best road an author can walk, one where her King has gone before her.

This book is unlike anything I’ve ever written and I know that can be either a very good thing or a very bad thing, haha. But God has made it evident that He has a purpose for this story, not the least of which was to draw me closer to Him while writing it.

As I prepared this blog post I thought I could talk about the characters or themes or plot…but you’ll encounter all of those things when you read it. Instead I chose to share the heart journey behind it. Readers may pick it up because of the title or perhaps they’ll pick it up in spite of the title. No matter how the story finds its way into their hands, I know that it is the Lord who got it there. And I can’t wait to see what sort of sparks come from it.

MY REVIEW

If you are looking for a story that demands attention into a world we have perhaps seen a glimpse of, this book is for you. The title tells me that evil is trying to manipulate the world through the minds of the characters. The enemy loves to feed us lies and cause us to panic, fear or run from the One who can save us.

There are parts of the story that were graphic which I didn’t like. However to be fair I will say the author uses it to show how desperate people can be when death tries to overtake them in a way that is painful and violent. I did like how the author takes readers inside the mind and how it can be manipulated to survive.

We find Cain in a situation where he must fight to get out of the virus. The question he faces is how far is he willing to go to be free? Will he give up his beliefs in order to live? Can power feel his mind with thoughts that are a danger to his very existence? One thing Cain knows is that we have free will. We alone can choose our path. He is given a message by Crixus that says, “ if you want to survive here, you’ll do what I say.” The feel of Roman soldiers there to fight to survive awakens something in Cain.

The virus takes Cain into a Dreamscape where he has to fight within himself to escape. Have you ever had a dream that seemed real. Now imagine that this dream continues for hours or days in a place where Nightmare takes over. In his waking hours that become fewer as time passes, Cain must find a cure.

The imagination of the author is brilliantly illustrated in the story that kept me glued to the pages. I wanted to know more about this virus and how it holds people captive until death takes over. Weakness is not allowed in this place and Cain will have to battle in order to stay alive. Chaos is evident in this book as it causes nothing but bitterness, greed and power.

I hope that everyone will give this book a try. It is filled with subjects that are not easy to read, but in reality just what the enemy will try to use to cause division. I won’t give anything away in hopes that readers will grab a copy. There is hope, faith and redemption found throughout the pages which we all need to grasp.

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

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 31

The Lofty Pages, August 1

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 2

Through the Fire Blogs, August 3 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, August 3

Blogging With Carol, August 4

Blossoms and Blessings, August 5 (Author Interview)

Inspired by fiction, August 6

Guild Master, August 7 (Author Interview)

Faery Tales Are Real, August 7

Live.Love.Read., August 8

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 9

Fiction Book Lover, August 10 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, August 11 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, August 12

Denise L. Barela, August 13

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Nadine is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a 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/2d08f/the-nightmare-virus-celebration-tour-giveaway

Thursday, August 1, 2024

About the Book

Book: But In Mount Zion (Companion Study for Knowing Obadiah)

Author:April W. Gardner

Genre: Bible Study for Women

Release date: October, 2023

But in Mount Zion is a companion study for the commentary Knowing Obadiah.

This workbook offers an interactive and reflective experience for readers to engage with the commentary and dive deeper into the book of Obadiah.

Through thought-provoking questions, exercises, and group discussion prompts, the workbook provides readers and teachers the tools to apply the lessons from Obadiah to their own lives. It also includes suggestions for further study, making it an excellent resource for Bible study groups or individual study.

Whether you’re a seasoned Bible scholar or a new believer, this set will help you deepen your understanding of Obadiah and its message.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

APRIL W GARDNER is an indie author whose great passion is historical romance with themes of Native American and Southeastern U.S. culture. Copyeditor, mother of two grown children, and non-trad college student, April lives in South Texas with her husband and two German Shepherds. In no particular order, April dreams of owning a horse, learning a third language, and visiting all the national parks.

More from April

How close are you to your Bible? I don’t mean the distance from you to the nightstand where it’s resting. Or the amount of warm-and-fuzzy you feel toward it. Or the number of heartfelt notes you’ve scribbled sideways into the margins. I mean, how close is your connection to the Bible’s people and places?

Are you here in the twenty-first century while it’s there in some unknown BC year? Are you here in your comfy chair re-reading old Bible stories while prophets and priests are therebattling against idolatry, while apostles and saints are there suffering for Jesus?

Or are you here and there, backside in a plush chair but feet planted in the hot sands of the Negev, body existing in the twenty-first century, but heart and mind connected to every message and mission given in Scripture?

The story of the Bible isn’t a three-act play: Old Testament characters and plot, New Testament characters and plot, present-day characters and plot. From Genesis 1 to today, it’s all the same act. We are all players in God’s Great Story. If we’re Christians saved by Christ’s sacrificial death, we’re all joined by the same Scarlet Thread. From Adam through Joshua, Obadiah, Esther, Lydia, Stephen, and all the rest to you and me.

It’s my hope that as you go deeper into the study of Obadiah, its origins, prophecy, and fulfillment, that you’ll place yourself at the center of its Before-Christ settings, that you’ll feel Esau’s grief, Jerusalem’s terror, and Judah’s righteous anger, and that you’ll look to God’s stage where His Story is playing out and say to yourself, “These are my people. This is my story. I am a player.”

So. Let’s get playing.

MY REVIEW

I enjoyed this Bible study because it allows readers to really examine their spiritual walk and understand that we all have a call on our lives. One calling is not more important than another but if we don’t work in unity division can happen. We will experience trials and sometimes feel like giving up. But there is hope and as I began the study I couldn’t put it down. It asks questions that are hard at times but it helped me hunger for His Word like never before.

Whatever is stopping you from moving forward in your walk, grasp a new focus and take that first step to fulfill your mission that Hod has called you to. I liked when I discovered that Obadiah means “ servant of Yahweh.” Instead of promoting himself to get recognition for the work he was doing, he became humble so that God could be glorified. One question really stopped me. The author asks, “could you work toward a God-given mission if it meant that in the end no one would know anything about you?” That sure made me take a look at myself. I know that sometimes pride gets in the way and we desire to be recognized, but my prayer is that God will remove that from each of us so and be fully committed to Him and what He has called us to do.

I found the study to be challenging and loved reading each scripture and trying my best to be honest and open when answering the questions. This would be a great tool for a small group to use. I did like that I was able to spend time by myself as I worked through the study. Be ready to find your purpose and allow God to heal any wounds that are holding you back from the call on your life.

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

Blog Stops

Inspired by Fiction, July 29

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 30

Lots of Helpers, July 31

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 1

Texas Book-aholic, August 2

Artistic Nobody, August 3 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, August 3

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 4

Guild Master, August 5 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 6

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 7

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, August 8 (Author Interview)

Divine Perspective, August 8

Batya’s Bits, August 9

Lights in a Dark World, August 10

Fiction Book Lover, August 11 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, April is giving away the grand prize package of a $30 Amazon gift card and a paperback set of the A Fire and a Flame series!!

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/2d08c/but-in-mount-zion-celebration-tour-giveaway

A Summer at The Niagara of the South Kick-Off Package

About the Book

Book: A Summer at The Niagara of the South

Author: Denise Weimer

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: June 28, 2024

She came to the resort to heal her voice, only to discover her heart needed healing more.

Breaking under the stress of being a rising star, opera singer Grace Galveston travels to Tallulah Falls in search of reprieve. With its multiple waterfalls, spectacular gorge and mountain scenery, and lavish resorts, “The Niagara of the South,” seems the perfect place to do just that. Even amid the crowds and excitement of an aerialist’s attempt to cross the gorge, Grace hopes to find peace.

Daniel Monroe basks in that peace as minister of a local church. He’s the perfect tour guide for Grace during her visit—until his heart gets entangled with the red-haired beauty with an angel’s voice. The trip sheds light on the secret pain in Grace’s heart. And does she even share the faith that’s so vital to his ministry? Can the blessing of friendship and the possibility of love guide her toward healing, or will the call of her life back in New York mean even greater heartbreak?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

North Georgia native Denise Weimer has authored over a dozen traditionally published novels and a number of novellas—historical and contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and time slip. As a freelance editor and Acquisitions & Editorial Liaison for Wild Heart Books, she’s helped other authors reach their publishing dreams. A mother of two daughters, Denise always pauses for coffee, chocolate, and old houses.

More from Denise

A Vanished Gilded Age Resort on the Edge of a Gorge

I first discovered Tallulah Gorge in Northeast Georgia when I was a student at Toccoa Falls College, only a couple years before the area was designated a state park. It was considered a perfect place for a day out hiking, tracing whatever faint trail one could find to an overlook into the thousand-foot-deep canyon or down to the series of waterfalls below. The more daring (or crazy) would jump off the rock cliffs into the pools—without a clue that the dangerous currents feeding the rapids had whisked many an adventurer to their death.

As a young mom, I moved to Habersham County and learned that over twenty lavish resorts had clung to the rim of the gorge during Gilded Age and Edwardian times. In fact, Tallulah Gorge with its series of six spectacular falls had drawn people from all over the nation and been dubbed “The Niagara of the South.” To power the city of Atlanta, Georgia Power Company dammed the river and constructed a large hydroelectric facility at the site in 1912, greatly reducing the amount of water flowing through the gorge. In 1921, a fire destroyed most of the hotels and brought an end to the glamorous tourist era.

The idea of recreating on the page something lost to history has inspired many a story idea for me. I had set aside my quest for publication with the birth of my daughters, but Tallulah Falls called to me. I soon penned my first published novella, Redeeming Grace, set during the summer of 1886 when tightrope walker Professor Leon crossed the gorge before a crowd of around six thousand. (The stunt was repeated in 1970 by Karl Wallenda.) That little book was a tiny initial stepping stone on my journey to becoming a multi-published author and editor.

Another more recent novella of mine, A Winter at the White Queen, set at Hotel Belleview in Florida, kicked off Wild Heart Books’ Romance at the Gilded Age Resorts Series in January 2023. It took quite a while for it to dawn on me that after being released from its original contract, Redeeming Grace was pretty much gathering digital dust—and with a light edit and new cover and title, it could perfectly bookend the series. So we give you A Summer at the Niagara of the South, the story of a New York opera singer breaking under the stress of newfound stardom, and the Tallulah Falls minister who doesn’t dare to dream she could fit into his humble world.

MY REVIEW

This book is one that grabbed my attention right away. With the vivid description of the place we would be visiting it was easy to transport myself back in time. Everything around me was tuned out as I was intrigued by Grace. She is a very proper lady who wants to get away for some much needed rest. Nestled in a quaint area Grace discovers Tallulah Falls. It offers a breathtaking look at water that cascades down with a soothing sound .

I loved the little shops that Grace and her aunt discovered in the town. I soon found myself wanting to join them at the soda shop as they indulged in strawberry sodas. When the mention of a new drink that was sure to be a big hit , I laughed. Coca-Cola was just hitting the soda shops and boy did it take me back to when buying a Coca-Cola in a bottle or from a fountain in a shop was something my mother talked about a lot. I could tell that this story would be full of historical facts and an adventure I would not soon forget.

Daniel is a preacher who is humble and very devoted to his faith. When he walked into the church late, Grace had no idea that he would be delivering the sermon that morning . His message that morning stirred something inside many. “What is holding you back from God?”, he asked the congregation. He reminded everyone that God has given each of them gifts to use to glorify God. Getting to know Daniel better was a nice addition to the story.

When talk about slavery and war are brought up at a luncheon , Grace is somewhat upset. Talk about faith and how “God can use even the most disastrous of events”, sets the stage for Grace to search her heart. A stirring within her leads her to examine her relationship with her father? Is her heart bitter towards him?

I loved the addition of an aerialist in the book which gives us a historical look at an event that thousands came to see. I can’t imagine the danger this man faced as he took his first step onto the rope. The book delivers not only historical facts but a beautiful look at two people who examine their faith and trust God to show them the direction their lives should take.

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