Tuesday, August 25, 2026

A Contrary Betrothal Tour & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: A Contrary Betrothal

Author: Denise Farnsworth writing as Denise Weimer

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: August 18, 2026

A Cherokee lieutenant, a colonel’s daughter, and a desperate fight to protect both land and love.

Sam Hicks may be the educated son of a Cherokee chief, but his command of multiple languages and diplomatic skills can’t erase the prejudice he faces as a mixed-blood warrior. When he’s tasked with guarding Colonel Moore’s spirited daughter, Susanna, at a wilderness fort, he never expects to lose his heart to a woman he can never have.

Susanna Moore dreams of making her own way on the frontier like her Cherokee stepmother. The last thing she wants is an arranged marriage to the fort’s stuffy doctor—especially after she meets the noble and intelligent Sam Hicks. When she’s captured by a turncoat warrior during a Creek uprising, Sam risks everything to save her.

Their shared values and growing love give them hope—but with the Creek War raging and cultural pressures mounting, can a Cherokee lieutenant and a colonel’s daughter overcome the loyalties and prejudices set against them?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

North Georgia native Denise Farnsworth, formerly Denise Weimer, has authored over twenty traditionally published novels and 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 wife and mother of two adult daughters, Denise always pauses for coffee, chocolate, and old houses.

More from Denise

The seed idea for A Contrary Betrothal came from another author a number of years ago. She proposed a collection of stories in which the heroes were all Native Americans who served their country in different wars. I still love the idea even though it never came to pass! In fact, I loved it so much, I went ahead and wrote my story. And that story became Bent Tree Bride, first published with Smitten Romance. Now, it’s joining my Scouts of the Georgia Frontier series as book six.

Many people are unaware that the Cherokees fought alongside American troops under Andrew Jackson during the Creek War or Red Stick War, a portion of the War of 1812 that occurred in present-day Alabama. The Creek people were allied to the British, as the Cherokees themselves had been during the American Revolution. The motivation for this was, of course, to keep their land. Their warriors were so valuable to Jackson that they broke the ineffective cannonade on the town of Tohopeka, swimming across the river from behind and making the victory possible that ended the war at Horseshoe Bend.

Sam Hicks, the hero of A Contrary Betrothal, is a mixed-blood Cherokee lieutenant with the head of a scholar and the heart of a warrior. His struggle to intermingle the old ways and the new ways proves reflective of the metamorphosis of his people. Even though he’s been educated as the wealthy son of a chief, he knows his white colonel’s daughter, Susanna Moore, is out of his reach. But when he’s assigned to guard her and her little brother at a wilderness fort, he can no longer deny his attraction to the feisty young woman who’s determined to convince her father she can survive on the frontier as well as her Cherokee stepmother.

A Contrary Betrothal will resonate with readers who enjoy stories by authors like Laura Frantz, Shannon McNear, Michelle Griep, and Lori Benton. The forbidden love and fish out of water tropes create plenty of angst, and the battlefield scenes echo Last of the Mohicans. When people have asked me which of my books would translate well onto the big screen, in fact, this is one I think of. I invite you, dear reader, to be swept away by the action and romance of my final book of the Scouts of the Georgia Frontier.

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, August 25

lakesidelivingsite, August 26

Books, Books, & More Books, August 27 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, August 27

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, August 28

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 29

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 30

Cover Lover Book Review, August 31

Jeanette’s Thoughts , September 1

Books You Can Feel Good About, September 2

Connie’s History Classroom, September 3

Simple Harvest Reads, September 4 (Guest Review from Donna)

Blossoms and Blessings, September 5

Life on Chickadee Lane, September 6

Holly’s Book Corner, September 7

Pause for Tales, September 7

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Denise is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

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

https://gleam.io/7zfBE/a-contrary-betrothal-celebration-tour-giveaway

Monday, August 24, 2026

THE LAST NOEL

This group of three stories has everything a reader wants when it comes to adventure, second chances and faith that pop across the pages. I love how each author delivers a story surround by a holiday where joy and family memories are found. Each story has a theme that illustrates second chances, faith and a bit of mystery.

DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE BY Sara Hamaker

Oakleigh receives a stranger call from her foster sister she has not heard from in awhile. She is requested to meet her and needs help. To her surprise she finds out her foster sister is in danger and needs Oakleigh to take her two children and protect them. This is where I would be shaking my head wondering what I just got myself into. Hang on to your seats as Oakleigh pairs up with an old flame called Joseph to help her get to a safe place for the children. There are some tense moments as danger starts to surround them in this suspenseful story. Be sure to pay attention as subtle hints are given to help solve the mystery. Nice light romantic suspense story that will be liked by those who love a good ending,

DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR BY Jayna Breigh

It’s Christmas time and Elise is all ready to set sail on a fabulous cruise. You know how it is. Things don’t always turn out like you want. A phone call from her boss finds her vacation cancelled with last minute legal documents that must be filed. So much for a sweet relaxing vacation. Did I forget to mention that Elise’s ex-fiancé shows up. What could possibly go wrong now?

Thank you Elise and Jack for many sweet memories of Christmas like making cookie houses and taking time to realize you may still have a chance to reconnect. Better get those cookie houses built before the contest is over. The story takes on a twist when Elise and Jack discover that Elise’s legal case hits home for Jack.

Nana is the most endearing character I’ve ever read about. She loves to take care of others and secretly is pushing to get Elise and Jack back together. With Christmas carols everywhere they go, lights and tress glowing in homes and stores they must feel that Christmas is filled with miracles. Nana reminds Jack that, “ Jesus is in the forgiving business.” Will Jack take Nana’s words to heart and ask Elise to forgive him? Can Elise get this very important case tied up in time? Don’t miss the action in this story and witness how Jesus shows what forgiveness can bring in a new beginning to two deserving people.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT I KNOW? BY Kimberly Woodhouse

Oh how I love cooking shows. The funny thing is I can’t cook. Opening to read this story gave me excitement as we are witnessing a cooking contest being broadcast live. Faith is nervous but comfort food is sure to win the judges over. With no room to move around she has to concentrate as cameras are intruding on her space.

Gabe is a very skilled chef with hopes of winning the contest he is in. It was so fun to read about the skills he and Faith had as chefs with a culinary background in Louisiana cooking. There is nothing better than southern cooking. As the time starts to tick away an accident happens which will change the course of Faith and Gabe’s future.

A great story about pride and how it can destroy relationships and dreams you may have had. I really liked how the author illustrated forgiveness and reminds us we need to forgive ourselves as well. Set against the Alaskan backdrop you will find two flawed characters who face trials and turn to faith for help.

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

https://mybook.to/lastnoel

#LastNoelNovel

Sarah’s Search Tour & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Sarah’s Search

Author: Jodie Wolfe

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: June 30, 2026

All her life, Sarah McBride has gone along with whatever her guardian dictates. Now on the verge of graduating from the Shippensburg State Normal School, she questions her ability to teach in a classroom when her heart isn’t in the profession. What she wouldn’t give to pursue her heart’s desire of becoming a writer instead of following what’s expected. But how can Sarah defy her guardian’s plans?

Everything has been a hardship for Ezekiel Stouffer ever since his wife died giving birth to their second child. The last thing he needs is the responsibility of monitoring the new schoolteacher while still maintaining his farm. But when their paths entangle, he can’t help but notice the way his children respond to her tender concern. After his loss, Zeke doubts he’ll ever search for love again, but maybe friendship is an option.

Can two searching hearts find the same path?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

JODIE WOLFE loves writing historical fiction after years as a homeschooling mom. She enjoys spending time with her husband in Pennsylvania, reading, knitting, and walking. Jodie creates novels where hope and quirky meet.

More from Jodie

Almost ten years ago, a big Victorian house was for sale. I had the pleasure of touring it and taking photos of the exterior and interior. I knew I would eventually set a story there. Fast forward to spring of this year, and it was finally time to write about the setting in Shippensburg, PA. The house has changed very little through the years, so it’s easy to imagine life in 1878 along Normal Avenue. The house is located at the bottom of the hill where the Cumberland Valley State Normal School started in 1873*. It soon changed its name to Shippensburg State Normal School and eventually Shippensburg University.

Since I have my heroine living in the old house at the start of Sarah’s Search, she also attends the normal school and graduates before she becomes a teacher in Newburg, PA at the Mount Jackson one-room schoolhouse.

It is no longer in Newburg, but is on the grounds at Shippensburg University and set up as it would have looked when used many years ago.

I love when I can envision history coming to life by visiting places like the house, normal school, one-room schoolhouse, as well as the local churches and towns that were around in the time period that I used in my recent book. I had the distinct pleasure of finding three local historians. Two with expertise in the two different towns I wrote about in Sarah’s Search, along with one who was a former archivist at Shippensburg University. What a treasure they’ve been to me.

As you read Sarah’s Search, I hope you’ll enjoy stepping back in time as much as I did while writing it.

*The cornerstone was laid May 31, 1871.

MY REVIEW

What a lovely story that finds two people both struggling with trusting God. Sarah has such big dreams, however her uncle has other plans for her. He is demanding and controlling . I like that Sarah honors her uncle while still believing that God has a plan for her. I wonder if she made the right decision when an offer of a job comes her way? Will she continue to strive for her dream and allow God to direct her path?

Zeke sure has his hands full raising his children after his wife passed away. Being on the school board has its challenges which Zeke will soon encounter. His heart is still grieving for his wife when Sarah enters his life in an unexpected way. I wasn’t expecting the turn of events for both characters but it really adds a depth of relying on God.

The author delivers a special story that allows us to watch characters who struggle with courage, trust and following God’s direction. There were a few moments in the story where I could feel how each of them were not quite sure they were making right decisions. A small town story where family come together to support each other is waiting for readers to enjoy.

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

Blog Stops

Pause for Tales, August 20

Simple Harvest Reads, August 21 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, August 22 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, August 23 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 23

Texas Book-aholic, August 24

Fiction Book Lover, August 25 (Author Interview)

The Bookish Ledger, August 26 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, August 27 (Author Interview)

For the Love of Literature, August 28 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, August 28

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 29

Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 30 (Author Interview)

Blossoms and Blessings, August 31 (Author Interview)

Stories By Gina, September 1 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, September 2

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jodie is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

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

https://gleam.io/FXNuc/sarahs-search-celebration-tour-giveaway

Saturday, August 22, 2026

A Guided Gratitude Journal Tour & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: A Guided Gratitude Journal

Author: Donna Wyland

Genre: Nonfiction/Christian Guided Journal

Release Date: September, 2025

What would you change in your life if you could? Scientific and faith-based research prove that gratitude is the key! 5 minutes a day/7 days a week/7 weeks. CHANGE YOUR MINDSET. CHANGE YOUR LIFE. Let today be the day your new life begins!

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Donna Wyland is an award-winning author of fiction, nonfiction, and picture books. Her most recent gift book, Last Best Year – A Short Guide to a Grateful Life – is a Golden Scroll Award Winner, and her picture books, ‘Twas the Night Before Jesus and Psalms in Rhyme for Little Hearts were both Readers’ Choice Award Finalists.‘Twas the Night Before Jesus also won the Illumination Award Silver Medal and Psalms in Rhyme for Little Hearts was the Christian Indie Award winner for picture books.

Though she began a career in financial planning, God interrupted those plans and called her to write more than twenty years ago. Donna responded, “Yes, Lord,” and today has numerous books, essays, and blogs attributed to her name.

In the future, Donna hopes to continue writing guided journals to encourage and inspire people’s faith and confidence in God and themselves. As a Certified Christian Life Coach, Donna learned the value of asking powerful questions. Through her guided journals she hopes to lead readers to greater clarity, peace, and purpose as they read, consider, and reply to the questions asked.

Donna is grateful for her husband, four grown daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren. She and her husband currently live in Southwest Florida, but her passion for travel frequently takes her to other states and countries around the world. Only God knows where she will live in five years. Thankfully she has a husband who says he will follow her wherever she goes.

More from Donna

What would you change in your life if you could? Scientific and faith-based research prove that gratitude is the key! 5 minutes a day/7 days a week for 7 weeks could change your life. Let today be the day your new life begins!

This journal was inspired by God and written as a result of many personal losses in my life. As I tried to move toward healing, I felt like I was still walking under a dark cloud each day, faking happiness and joy as I went about my responsibilities as a wife, mother, and grandmother. I was still hurting and desperately wanted to know why. That’s when I did a deep dive on the topic of gratitude and discovered its tremendous power to heal.

I pray that this journal becomes a legacy of readers’ journeys to joy, emotional and physical health, peace, and a thankful way of life. God knows you and sees you. He is excited to hear your praise and watch you grow into a gratitude-filled man or woman of God who lights the world on fire simply by being your wonderful, beautiful, joyful self.

MY REVIEW

Am I the only one who gets excited when I find a new journal ? To say I was thrilled to review this is very accurate. I opened the book and began to slowly slip away into my secret place. There God had my full attention as I started my journey.

The journal is about gratitude which I think we forget about sometimes. We say we are thankful but do we express it enough? One definition of gratitude is, “an emotion of happiness and thankfulness for the good things in life.” I want to be grateful in the bad and good times. In seasons of trials, gratitude will help us grow and understand how much God loves us.

What are you grateful for? The list would be too long for me to write, but one thing for sure is I’m grateful that God loves me unconditionally. In this journal the author has divided chapters into different ways to show gratitude and how to appreciate everything. There are questions to answer with a place provided to write. God has a plan for each of us and as we become more grateful, the plan will start to be easier. Have you ever heard of “growing pains?” As Christians we grow spiritually each day. It may not always be easy as we grow and yes it can be painful. The reward is worth every trial we go through.

I’m grateful that I can come to my Father when I need help or just want to soak in His presence. No matter where you are, God is right there. That is something to be grateful for. We can always count on Him no matter what. Let’s learn to be grateful at all times.

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

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 22

Texas Book-aholic, August 23

Simple Harvest Reads, August 24 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 25

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 26

Its Mama Safe, August 27

Guild Master, August 28 (Author Interview)

The Vine and The Branch, August 28

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, August 29

Fiction Book Lover, August 30 (Author Interview)

Book Looks by Lisa, August 31

Cover Lover Book Review, September 1

Devoted to Hope, September 2

Mary Hake, September 2

Artistic Nobody, September 3

Life on Chickadee Lane, September 4

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Donna is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a copy of the book!!

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

https://gleam.io/tkOYA/a-guided-gratitude-journal-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Darling’s Daughter Tour & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: The Darling’s Daughter

Author: Sydney Schmied

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: August 4, 2026

A woman chasing the truth. A man running from his past. And a secret that threatens the fragile trust between them.

Searching for answers about her mother’s suspicious death, artist Angelica Woods takes a job painting backdrops at the Majestic Theater—the very place her famous actress mother warned her to avoid. When she discovers cryptic notes and bloody evidence of an old murder, Angie realizes her mother’s warning may have been meant to protect her from a deadly secret.

Architect Trace Ackerman has worked hard to build a quiet, respectable life far removed from his former mistakes. Renovating the Majestic is meant to be a fresh start—until Angie awakens feelings he never planned to risk again. Drawn to her courage and vulnerability, Trace offers his protection as rumors swirl and danger edges closer. But the past he’s worked so hard to outrun threatens to surface, and Trace fears the truth could cost him Angie’s trust—and the future he longs to build.

With a killer determined to silence them both, Angie and Trace must decide if uncovering the truth about her mother’s death is worth risking their own lives—and hearts. Set against the backdrop of a historic theater in 1912 Ohio, this romantic suspense weaves together murder, betrayal, and the redeeming power of faith and forgiveness.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Sydney Schmied writes sweet and intriguing historical romantic suspense stories with a whole lot of faith. She is a 2023 ACFW First Impressions Contest finalist and a 2024 Genesis Contest Semi-finalist, as well as a two-time Scrivenings Press Get Pubbed Finalist. When she is not writing, she enjoys reading, painting, and sipping on a classic London Fog.

More from Sydney

Theaters tell so many stories, and in The Darling’s Daughter, The Majestic Theater itself has been shaped by the people who have passed through its doors. While it was known as The Masonic Opera House from 1853 to 1915, The Majestic has stood through nearly 173 years of history. I can’t help but wonder about all the individuals who walked its halls, performers, musicians, and attendees alike, and what stories they might tell about how their lives once intertwined with the Majestic.

In my research, I came across so many real accounts of people who visited theaters like this one, and I was able to glimpse bits and pieces of that connection. For Angie, the heroine in The Darling’s Daughter, The Majestic becomes a place of reckoning and reconciliation. Her mother was her only family, and even that relationship was strained. Angie carries a deep loneliness as she peels back the complicated layers of her late mother’s life, wrestling with questions of worth, belonging, and whether she is truly loved.

For Trace, The Majestic offers both a meaningful project and a chance to rebuild. Unfortunately, his identity has been constructed atop the fragile foundation of guilt, and that foundation begins to crack as his past resurfaces.

Just as The Majestic has stood strong through seasons of change and still stands today, Angie and Trace are refined through their struggles as everything around them begins to shift. Neither of them are defined by the broken parts of their story, but by their hope in Christ, even when that hope feels uncertain and their faith is shaky. If this resonates with you, I hope you’ll join Angie and Trace in The Darling’s Daughter and find encouragement in their journey.

MY REVIEW

I like how this story takes a look at what theater life was like during a time period that shaped many lives. With vivid descriptions readers are introduced to entertainment that many loved to go see. What would it be like to be a famous actress with adoring fans? Angie’s mother was that person who many flocked to go see on stage. As a mother-daughter relationship goes it was very strained. Angie’s mother had little time for her. As the years passed Angie was left longing for a mother who put her first.

What I was intrigued by was the deep desire that Angie wanted to prove that her mother’s death was not accidental. It was important for Angie to preserve her mother’s image and have her legacy be remembered in a loving way. I could relate to Angie yearning for a mother’s love and how painful it is when you never receive it. That emptiness in your heart causes you to be weary of relationships.

Trace was a breath of fresh air for Angie even though she had doubts about him at first. He is a very dedicated architect and loves to see his vision come to life. Remodeling The Majestic Theater brings Trace a sense of accomplishment. On the outside he gives this aura of confidence, however he has secrets he tries to hide.

The author delivers a great story with mystery that will find Angie and Trace in a battle to unearth truth while trying to stay one step ahead of danger. As they grow closer to each other, trust becomes a big stumbling block for them. Will Angie let go of the past and find a way to open her heart to allow someone to show her how valuable she is? What secrets will be discovered in the mansion filled with her mother’s memories?

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