Friday, December 21, 2018

WELCOME TO THE BOOK BLAST OF SABOTAGED CHRISTMAS written by
CAROLE BROWN and PRESENTED by CELEBRATE LIT

Toni DeLuca, the Italian owner of DeLuca Construction, finds herself confronted with doubts about her father and his possible deceptions—all because of the mysterious pink notes she's been receiving.

Relations with Perrin Douglas who has a troubling history—but the first man in years who's interested her—is building to a peak. Yet Perrin's own personal problems and his doubts about women and God, keep getting in the way.

Gossip, a Spanish proposal, an inheritance, and a sabotaged construction business may ruin Christmas for Toni's employees as well as her own happiness.

Will a mysterious person succeed in pulling off the biggest scam Appleton, West Virginia has ever seen? And will this culprit destroy Toni's last chance at happiness with the man of her dreams?

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. An author of ten books, she loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?

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Personal blog: http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/

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Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Carole-Brown/e/B00EZV4RFY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1427898838&sr=8-1

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Buy Link:

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I really enjoyed the book and the wonderful characters. Toni is a very likable character. She has taken over as boss of Deluca Construction when her dad passed away. She has big shoes to fill since her father is gone. There is something really fishy going on when Toni gets threatening letters at the office. There are materials missing and jobs being sabotaged as well. Who is trying to destroy Deluca's reputation?

Perrin has just moved to town and decides to hire Deluca Construction but is having second thoughts. He has heard some rumors that don't look favorable to the company. I think he may also have a problem with a woman being the owner. Perrin has been through a lot and his trust in women has vanished. Will he give Toni and her company a chance?

I loved the description the author gave about construction being a type of art. I never really thought about it, but construction is an image that someone designed and built. The materials used are carefully selected and the crew sets to work to bring to live a form of art. I would hire Toni just because of how passionate she is about her job.

My favorite character in the story is Blake. His father Perrin has discouraged him from going to church but you can tell the hunger he has for a better relationship with God. Blake seems years older than twelve and has a heart of gold. I liked the closeness he had with Toni. As Blake opens up to Toni about his mom's death, we get a glimpse into how hurt his dad has been. Blaming yourself for an accident can cause you to not trust, become bitter and lose sight of your faith. The story is a wonderful example of how to surrender to God and learn to love again. It's a great lesson in forgiveness and a wonderful mystery all rolled up in a wonderful book. You don't want to miss the ending and find out who has been behind all the mysterious accidents and threats against Toni.

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

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

About the Book

Book: I Know the Plans

Author: Melissa Wardwell

Genre: Romance

Release Date: October, 2018

All the plans Tiffany and Brad made for their lives as individuals were thrown to the wind the moment they met. Now, after almost a decade of marriage, they spend more time apart than together. Though plans remain unfulfilled, their hearts seek to remain steadfast and connected.

After Brad returns from his latest tour in Afghanistan, it is evident that the man Tiffany married is no longer the same. As Brad struggles with reacquainting himself with his life, Tiffany questions how it could be part of God’s plan. Have the sins of their past finally come back to haunt them? No matter how much support they have in their family and friends, the choice is still theirs. Will they continue to trust God with their lives or will they choose their own course?

About the Author

Melissa Wardwell resides in the quant town of Owosso, Michigan with her husband and their three teen aged children. She began her writing journey in August of 2014 with her debut novel “What God Brings Together”. She decided to give writing a try after she shared a story that nagged at her with a friend. Unsure in her own abilities to craft a story she plunged ahead anyway. After reading the first draft of that first book, she then understood that God had a much bigger plan. “God does not give his children a desire just so that it can go to waste.” Since then, she has added three more novels and taken part in two anthologies. Melissa also has a review blog and is a contributing blogger for Heart”wings” Blog.

Being a mother and wife herself, Melissa understands the importance of taking care of yourself from time to time. So, all her stories revolve around women who are mothers: single mothers, widowed mothers, young mothers, married mothers, and even women who have a mother’s heart but no children of their own.

To see the full list of her work, visit www.melissawardwell.com

Guest Post from Melissa

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV) “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

This verse has been my “Go To” verse since the day I married. It is a constant reminder that no matter what struggles I endure, God has a plan. I may not be able to see through the fog, I may not like or understand the journey, but it is all part of a plan. All I can do is trust God’s design for my life and be willing to move when He tells me to.

God used the writing process of “I Know the Plans” to remind me that He has a plan for me and book and I need to just trust the process. This book has taken me over a year to complete. If it wasn’t one thing to keep me from committing to it, then it was another. I don’t begrudge the events that kept me away, but as soon as I would begin to grumble to God about not having the energy or the brain power to write, I would get this preverbal reminder that I was not the one in control. If I am going to write faith lessons in fiction, I need to trust the Master Author.

In “I Know the Plans”, Sergeant Bradley Jones and his wife, Tiffany, are hit with one whopper of a plot twist that leaves them wondering if they can get through some major medical issues, PTSD, and infertility in one piece. Their family and friends do their best to support the couple but sometimes, trusting God’s plan is all they can do. Something we all try to learn to do in our own lives.

Due to the military thread in this book, I asked my veteran friends what charity they hold in high esteem. Almost every single one of them suggested “Wounded Warrior Project” and offered rave reviews of their humanitarian efforts in the military community. So, a portion of my royalties from this book will be going to “Wounded Warrior Project” in honor of their service and the service of thousands of others.

https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org

There is another group of people I wanted to honor. Those who fight with infertility. I know many who have fought the battle to have children of their own. Some eventually find success, while other have not. Some have even taken the route of adoption and have saved the lives of young ones who needed all the love in the world. Then there are some that just choose to embrace the fact that children of their own was not going to happen and have given all their love to others. All of these groups of people fight a battle that is riddled with pain, confusion, endless medical procedures, and thousands of dollars. There isn’t one group or anther that could support these people as much as our love, prayers, and thoughtful kindness can. So, I encourage you to embrace those around you and shower them with love. Sometimes what they need is just a friend that will listen and not try to mix the problem. Just as you have received the Father’s love, now you can give it away.

Finally, I want to thank the CelebrateLit blog team for signing up for this tour. I am honored that they choose to read this story and offer their honest opinions on this book. As always, I pray it ministers to the readers as much as it ministered to the author. “You all are amazing!”

Blessings,

Melissa Wardwell

This book is filled with compassion and God's love. I believe this is the author's best book to date. She addresses some tough issues like infertility and PTSD. I loved getting to know Tiffany and Brad. They seemed to have a good life but things quickly change when they deal with a devastating loss. My heart hurt as I read the pain they went through. There are so many people that suffer from infertility and miscarriages. The author does an excellent job of walking us through the lives of one couple who face heartbreak that no couple wants to go through.

I loved that Brad was in the service and how dedicated he was to being a part of protecting our country. He has been away for awhile and there is a time that Tiffany wonders if she will ever see her husband again. I don't want to tell the whole story but I will say that Tiffany and Brad will face one of their most difficult trials when he comes home. I live with PTSD and everyday is a challenge for me and my family. Like me, Brad has flashbacks that consume him at times. What happens when Brad comes home with no memory of who he was? Tiffany cries for the husband she used to know.

When I read this part in the story as Tiffany is broken before God, I cried for her pain and hurt to go away. She cries out to God saying, " What have I done to deserve this? Why have you taken everything I dreamed of from me? God, I don't understand." This is one of the best scenes in the story. Tiffany has come to a point where she can't go on. I have been there. I have blamed God for the suffering I have and still do go through. The author reminds us through beautiful words that God does have a plan for our lives. We can't see the other side of pain, but God is right there. I loved every word written in this book. I'm thankful that I read this story that showed me how much I have slipped away from God. I think I became so wrapped up in my own little world, I forgot to invite God back in.

I won't say how the story ends because readers need to experience this moving story on their own. Tiffany and Brad could be anyone of us and they are easy to identify with. Marriage is not always easy, but as long as you communicate with each other pray together and allow God to be part of your marriage, you can get through anything.

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

Blog Stops

Christian Author, J.E.Grace, December 13

Real World Bible Study, December 13

Connect in Fiction, December 14

Inklings and notions, December 14

Godly Book Reviews, December 15

Blogging With Carol, December 15

Blossoms and Blessings, December 16

Mary Hake, December 16

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, December 17

Carpe Diem, December 17

Maureen’s Musings, December 18

All-of-a-kind Mom, December 18

Texas Book-aholic, December 19

Christian Bookaholic, December 20

cultivating us, December 20

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 21

Bibliophile Reviews, December 22

A Baker’s Perspective, December 23

Simple Harvest Reads, December 24 (Guest Post from Mindy Houng)

Janices book reviews, December 25

The Becca Files, December 26

Bigreadersite, December 26

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Melissa is giving away a grand prize that includes an “I know the plans” coffee mug and print copies of books 1, 2, & 3 from the Promises From Above 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/d76f/i-know-the-plans-celebration-tour-giveaway

Sunday, December 16, 2018

About the Book

Book: Shadows of Deception

Author: Ashley Dawn

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: May 1, 2018

“Get to work cowboy or you’ll be too late to the table to get any pie.”

A short getaway to a nice Texas ranch isn’t why Tiffany is at Colorado’s home. She is a seasoned LA PI and used to the fast paced life. The problems on the ranch are different from what she is used to but she is determined to solve them one way or another. There is one slight problem—a tall dark and handsome cowboy distracting her and occupying more and more of her thoughts.

“…I would hate for anything to happen to remove you from my favor…or organization.”

Danger on the ranch is real and escalating quickly. Colorado doesn’t know who to trust or what is coming next. The thing he does know is Tiffany Reiley is the woman he wants for the job.

Thinking the case will be quick and easy to solve, Tiffany doesn’t anticipate the depth of the horrors she has stepped into.

As Colorado and Tiffany’s attraction grows, the danger gets closer. Will God guide them to the answers they are so desperately searching for?

About the Author

Author Ashley Dawn was born and raised in rural Arkansas where she developed her love for writing while helping in her parent’s office. She graduated with an accounting degree from the University of Central Arkansas but is currently working as a legal assistant.

Ashley has been writing professionally for the past twelve years and has four published books. Her Shadows Series include Shadows From The Past, Shadows of Suspicion, Shadows of Pain, and Shadows of Deception. She is currently working on multiple projects including the fifth in her ‘Shadows’ series entitled “Shadows in Black and White” and also a standalone suspense titled ‘One of Their Own’. She and her family make their home in Texas.

Guest Post from Ashley

Shadows of Deception was a fun book to write.

I love writing my Shadows books because the characters have become so ‘real’ for me. The Reiley family is a large, close family. Each of the siblings is their own person with their own life, but they will always be there for each other.

Deception focuses on Tiffany Reiley. Tiffany loves her family completely, but in such a big family, feels like she has to prove herself. She isn’t looking for a man, and certainly not a man like Colorado. Her story honestly didn’t unfold as I had planned, I wrote it one way but it felt forced and like I was making my characters do things that didn’t fit their personalities. Letting the story just ‘flow’ and the characters be themselves was scary and thrilling at the same time.

There is a touch of difficult subject matter, but for me the story is more about how God is in our lives no matter what. God is always there and His love for us, even when we don’t feel loveable or deserving is ours for the taking. When we don’t understand why things are happening, He does. My hope is no matter what someone gets from the book, they see God’s love through it.

This is another standout book in a series that is intense and gets better as each book is released. Tiffany is not your typical PI and I loved her gutsy attitude. When she is hired by the handsome Colorado Wiley to find out what is going on at his ranch, I knew there would be trouble. If she thought for one moment that being at a ranch was going to be a vacation she is very wrong. Unexplained fires, mysterious sightings of someone creeping around in the dark and a very damaged vehicle put Tiffany on high alert.

Tiffany stumbles upon something on the ranch that is horrific and must call in family members to help her out. I didn't see this part of the story coming and that is what makes the author so gifted at mysteries. She lulls you in a sense of calmness and then blasts you with an unexpected curve ball. The closeness Tiffany has with her family is special and I liked how they look out for each other.

The chemistry that Colorado and Tiffany feel for each other was not a surprise at all. I think that is my only real complaint is why do the two main characters have feelings for each other so fast? I would like to see their relationship grow slowly and allow to solve the mystery and then deal with their feelings after the crisis is over. To me its a bit distracting for Colorado to be so overprotective of Tiffany who he barely knows.

One of the things I really liked about the story was how Tiffany questioned how God could allow horrible things to happen. I know I have questioned Him myself when I see that a child has been killed or one of my friends dies . The author reminds us in a beautiful scripture about a promise God has made to us. "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." One of the hardest things Tiffany struggles with is trusting God. I think we all have that problem sometime in our life.

The book is a great read and I love how the author tackles a very hard subject with grace. Some of the content in the story is hard to read, but it shows how evil lurks around corners. Will Tiffany be able to solve the mystery at the ranch? I can't wait for the next book in this series.

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