THE CURSE OF MISTY WAYFAIR by
JAIME JO WRIGHT

The author has captured a story that intensifies with each page. I absolutely love the way she weaves the story from the past to the present. She has a way of making the story flow with ease while grabbing the readers full attention. The details in the story pop off the pages and I really felt like I was a part of the story watching it unfold.

Thea is a wonderful character who didn't have a great life. Growing up in an orphanage was very hard and its easy to see how someone would feel abandoned. I love the time period set in 1908 with Thea on a journey to find   her mother. Her job as a postmortem photographer really sent shivers down my spine. Such a creepy thing to have to do, but I guess people wanted to remember their loved ones even in death. The asylum was very intriguing and I felt darkness and despair through the hallways of such a sad place.  The treatment of the patients at the asylum is deplorable and oh how I ached for them. When one of the characters describes the asylum  as, "Hell cannot be much worse than being banished to a place such as this,"  the author painted a picture that I will never forget.  Thea encounters a curse that seems to have been placed on a family called the Coyles. Just reading about the curse made me want to run and hide. Can you imagine unexplained deaths in your family and sightings of a ghost of a woman who was murdered? Thea has to continue her journey even if it puts her in danger or if she crosses path with the mysterious ghost.

When we travel to present day, we encounter Heidi who has wants  to find out why a strange letter from her mother has been put in Heidi's hands. They certainly haven't  had the best relationship. As her mother slips more in to dementia , will Heidi find out why her mother is so desperate to see her? Heidi does seem to run when things get to hard for her so I wasn't sure how long she would stay in town. The connection between Thea and Heidi is written with such deep history and really made me want to help them both.

One of the things the book talks about is mental illness. It is a subject many people are uncomfortable discussing. The author handles it in a compassionate way .  I'm glad the author brings to the surface about this issue and how we need to be more caring and understanding of someone going through a mental issue. The stigma of mental illness seems to not have changed much, but there is always hope.

Thea and Heidi are both trying to find out about their path and seek confirmation that they were not a mistake. The faith elements in the story are strong and give people hope that God is always right there with you in good times and bad. When I hurt I shut down just like one of the characters did. I get worried that I will be made fun of or feel inadequate. All this stems from my childhood , just like the characters. Will Thea and Heidi find the answers they need to heal from their past? The story is beautifully written and I loved how it emphasized that we are all important.

 Mental illness is something that has been misunderstood for centuries, but as I read this book I soon discovered that really its the unknown that scares us. We need to keep our eyes fixed on God and let Him guide us. The ending of the book is filled with compassion and ties up all loose ends very gracefully. This story has opened doors to mental illness and shined a light on how easy a person can feel unwanted, lonely and scared. The author has written her best story to date in this intriguing journey of faith and hope.

I received a copy of this book from the author and Bethany House. The review is my own opinion.


" We weren't created to find our identity in life. We were created to discover our Creator . In doing so, our identity is defined."

About the Book

Title: Texas my Texas

Author: Caryl McAdoo

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: February 11, 2019

He who puts his trust in God will possess the land and inherit the blessings.

Scripture tells a husband to love his wife, but what if she loves the memory of a dead man? Lured to the Texas frontier by more free land than they could ever buy, four families struggle to carve a home and a living out of the wilderness. And though love isn’t always easy coming, like bees to sweet flowers, a neighbor and his partner swoop in hoping to steal the hearts of the clan’s two young beauties. Will their infants spoil the ointment? Wild animals, Indians on the warpath, and living hand-to-mouth never make it easy, but my oh my—Texas my Texas! What a land!

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

Caryl McAdoo prays her story brings God glory which is what she lives to do. Her award-winning, best-selling novels enjoy a lion’s share of 5-Star ratings from Christian readers around the world. With thirty-eight titles, it’s obvious she loves writing almost as much as singing the new songs the Lord gives her—listen to a few at YouTube. She and high school sweetheart Ron celebrated fifty years of marriage in June 2018; they share four children and eighteen grandsugars. The McAdoos live in the woods south of Clarksville, seat of Red River County in far Northeast Texas, waiting expectantly for God to open the next door.

Guest Post from Caryl

It’s always good to give thanks. And I’m thankful for you! I appreciate you stopping by my awesome Celebrate Lit Blog Tour! I’m thankful for each of the bloggers who signed up to participate in the tour for my January release Texas My Texas, book two in my new Cross Timbers Romance Family Saga series! And I’m so thankful the Lord is blessing Celebrate Lit as Sandy Barela blesses so many Christian authors! She is deserving of all God’s best!

In Book One, Gone to Texas, I got seventeen souls to their new home in the Republic. Texas My Texas has all the same pioneers with a few new added as they establish hearth and home in the wooly, untamed Trinity River Bottoms of North Central Texas—which later in history, becomes the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. They’re settling in what now is Irving—my home for fifty-plus years.

Only a few months has passed for my characters, Book One ends in November, Book Two picks up in March, 1841. In real life, it’s been just that long since Book One launched, too! It debuted in September and Book Two launching now is also four months! Isn’t that fun? Originally, I’d planned a different January title but pushed it back a couple of months to release Texas My Texas on the heels of Gone to Texas.

In this new story, the two young women—Gabrielle and Isabel Harrell—elicit the attention of suiters who come calling even in the wild west territory. Thomas Baldwin (a neighbor introduced in Gone To Texas) has an eye for Gabrielle and uses many excuses to visit, including taking his friend Monroe Humble to the clan’s little settlement to meet the lovey, hardworking Isabel.

But Gabrielle is pining hard for her love back home and deals with pretty severe melancholy—what they called depression back in those days. In Texas My Texas, readers will spend time with the characters they came to love in Gone To Texas. As always, I pray my story gives God glory! And that readers will enjoy the new even better than the old! BLESSINGS!

I am always excited when I get to read a book from this author. She has a gift of writing that spreads across the pages with grace and compassion. Her characters are always well developed and she makes you feel part of the story . I love the title but it could be because I am a Texan. Texas is a wonderful place filled with lots of land and people that make you feel at home. This story takes place in March 1841. The author captures the dialect of the time period perfectly. 

Gabrielle is so sure the man she loves is coming back to her. Poor thing doesn't realize he may have run scared and abandoned her. My heart went  out to her as days went by and she still held out hope for a man that may never return.  There is little time to think as Gabrielle has a son to care for and chores that never end. It was so hard to keep herself together each day and I began to wonder if she would give up hope. She is a very unhappy person , just longing for the man she loves. It hurts when your loved one is gone. Can Gabrielle find happiness?

Isabel is a wonderful character and kind of reminds me of a spitfire. She has a baby to care for . Now where did the father of the baby get off to? Isabel has her eyes on someone and she better be careful that she doesn't get ahead of herself.  Isabel catches herself day dreaming about a certain young man and her thoughts are starting to overtake her. She steps up to help Gabrielle when she notices how unhappy Gabrielle is. 

I loved reading about the dangers around the clan  with wild animals and how hard they worked everyday to keep the crops growing and enough food for everyone. I wasn't familiar with some of the things they ate but it did make me want to know more about the food they had back in the 1840s. We have it so easy today. If we are hungry, we go to the store or fast food place and there is food choices galore. As I read the story I really started to appreciate all the food and shelter that God provides for us.

I loved how the author said , " A person can waller like a hog in self-pity and regret til they make themselves sick, or they can choose to put the past behind them and look forwards instead." It made me think how much we wallow in our own misery and forget to call out to God for help. 

 The story is filled with adventure, heartache and danger.  I loved following each character and reading about how their lives took different turns.  The hero in my eyes is Thomas in this story. He is a true gentleman with kindness and patience. I realized that Thomas made me think of my husband. He is kind, gentle and oh so patient with me.  The author has given readers a  glimpse into long ago days with beauty, faith, adventure and most of all the importance of God and family.

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

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, January 12

The Mimosa Blossom, January 12

Inklings and notions, January 13

Jennifer Sienes: Where Crisis & Christ Collide, January 14

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, January 15

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 15

Moments, January 16

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 16

Captive Dreams Window, January 17

Robin is Bookish, January 17

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 18

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 19

Bigreadersite, January 19

My Devotional Thoughts, January 20

Bibliophile Reviews, January 20

Texas Book-aholic, January 21

Janices book reviews, January 22

Margaret Kazmierczak, January 23

Carpe Diem, January 24

A Baker’s Perspective, January 25

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Caryl is giving away

Grand Prize – $50 Gift Amazon Card,

1st Prize – Signed, Paperback copy of CHOICE of all my books,

2nd Prize – Signed copy of Texas my Texas,

3rd Prize – eBook copy of Texas My Texas,

4th Prize – eBook copy of CHOICE of all my books,

5th Prize $5 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/d941/texas-my-texas-celebration-tour-giveaway

WHO I AM WITH YOU by
ROBIN LEE HATCHER

I love how the author takes readers on a journey traveling from  the depression era to the present. It flows so easily and I had a hard time wanting to leave each time period. I would get so engrossed in the story, I didn't want to travel to the other time period. I did wonder how I would be able to read quickly enough to get back to the other couple. The author sure had me hooked on the characters.

Jessica is trying to deal with a big loss in her life while pregnant. She had a great marriage until her husband shocked her with words she never expected to hear  from him. Have you ever had an argument and then the person walked away? That is just what happened to Jessica, only tragedy struck and she finds herself grieving the loss of two very special people. Can she learn to trust again? 

Ridley has moved next to Jessica for the summer to get away from the medial. He is hurt and trying to grasp the lies that have been told about him. What would you do if someone was spreading lies about you? Ridley is a very caring person and I liked how he reached out to Jessica with no expectations. Two lonely people dealing with forgiveness and trust will take readers on a journey that touch your heart.

I can't forget to mention Andrew and Helen. We meet them slipping back in time to the depression era. I loved how the author described the time period and how hard it was during that time for people to find work and food. Andrew will be faced with a hard truth that will find him asking for God's help. Andrew was my favorite character in the book because he has such a compassionate heart and forgives easily. He reminds me so much of my grandfather and it made me smile to have that memory of such a great man.

The story is strong in faith and scriptures that helped pull the story together in a beautiful and seamless way. The author writes with eloquence and her characters are very easy to relate to. Its a strong lesson in faith, trust and forgiveness. Everything happens for a reason, and in this story that statement is very true. Four people looking for guidance, forgiveness and happiness. This is one story that you will need to have tissues handy. I loved every minute of the story and hope you will too. Come take a journey and find out if these people will trust God. The title is perfect for this story because it made me think of who I am with my husband. With him beside me I am content, secure and know I am loved unconditionally. He is a great example of being Christ-like.

For these two broken hearts, the first step toward love will be a huge leap of faith. Jessica Mason isn’t looking for love when she meets Ridley Chesterfield. Instead she is still reeling from the tragic, unexpected loss of her husband and daughter—and awaiting the arrival of her unborn child. Harboring the secret of her husband’s betrayal, her pain is deeper than anyone knows. Ridley Chesterfield is hiding out in Hope Springs, Idaho, avoiding a political scandal and the barrage of false media headlines that have tarnished his good name. The last thing Ridley wants is a relationship—but when fate leads Ridley to form a friendship with his reclusive and pregnant neighbor, he wonders if this small-town hideout might be more of a long-term destination.  When Jessica begins to read her great-grandfather’s Bible, she finds a connection with a man she never knew. Somehow the verses he marked and the words he wrote in the margins open her heart to healing. And as Ridley and Jessica help each other forgive the people who have broken their hearts, they must decide if the past will define them or if they will choose to love again. Who I Am with You weaves together a modern-day romance with Jessica’s great-grandfather’s story from the 1930s, reminding us that some truths can cross generations and that faith has the power to transform families forever. Who I Am with You is the first book in Robin’s new “A Legacy of Faith” series.

About the author

Robin Lee Hatcher is the author of over 75 novels and novellas with over five million copies of her books in print. She is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. Robin is an ACFW Carol Award winner and an eight-time finalist and has won two RITA Awards and been a finalist eleven times. Her numerous other awards include the Christy Award, the HOLT Medallion, the National Reader’s Choice Award, and the Faith, Hope & Love Reader’s Choice Award. She is also the recipient of prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards from both American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. When not writing, she enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, Bible art journaling, reading books that make her cry, watching romantic movies, and decorative planning. A mother and grandmother, Robin and her husband make their home on the outskirts of Boise, sharing it with a demanding Papillon dog and a persnickety tuxedo cat. For more information, visit www.robinleehatcher.com, Facebook: robinleehatcher, Twitter: @robinleehatcher and Instagram @robinleehatcher. I love how the author takes readers on a journey traveling from  the depression era to the present. It flows so easily and I had a hard time wanting to leave each time period. I would get so engrossed in the story, I didn't want to travel to the other time period. I did wonder how I would be able to read quickly enough to get back to the other couple. The author sure had me hooked on the characters. Jessica is trying to deal with a big loss in her life while pregnant. She had a great marriage until her husband shocked her with words she never expected to hear  from him. Have you ever had an argument and then the person walked away? That is just what happened to Jessica, only tragedy struck and she finds herself grieving the loss of two very special people. Can she learn to trust again?  Ridley has moved next to Jessica for the summer to get away from the medial. He is hurt and trying to grasp the lies that have been told about him. What would you do if someone was spreading lies about you? Ridley is a very caring person and I liked how he reached out to Jessica with no expectations. Two lonely people dealing with forgiveness and trust will take readers on a journey that touch your heart. I can't forget to mention Andrew and Helen. We meet them slipping back in time to the depression era. I loved how the author described the time period and how hard it was during that time for people to find work and food. Andrew will be faced with a hard truth that will find him asking for God's help. Andrew was my favorite character in the book because he has such a compassionate heart and forgives easily. He reminds me so much of my grandfather and it made me smile to have that memory of such a great man. The story is strong in faith and scriptures that helped pull the story together in a beautiful and seamless way. The author writes with eloquence and her characters are very easy to relate to. Its a strong lesson in faith, trust and forgiveness. Everything happens for a reason, and in this story that statement is very true. Four people looking for guidance, forgiveness and happiness. This is one story that you will need to have tissues handy. I loved every minute of the story and hope you will too. Come take a journey and find out if these people will trust God. The title is perfect for this story because it made me think of who I am with my husband. With him beside me I am content, secure and know I am loved unconditionally. He is a great example of being Christ-like. I received a copy of this book from Read with Audra Blogging Program. The review is my own opinion. http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/8b3c91bb3/

Tour schedule

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader 1/14/2019 Christian Bookaholic 1/14/2019 Genesis 5020 1/14/2019 Positive Grace 1/14/2019 Beautifully Broken 1/15/2019 Jen around the world 1/15/2019 Living Outside the Lines 1/15/2019 Meagan Davenport 1/15/2019 Mother of Three 1/15/2019 Savings in Seconds 1/15/2019 sunny island breezes 1/15/2019 The World As I See It 1/15/2019 A Christian Writer's World 1/16/2019 A Nest in the Rocks 1/16/2019 Kcreatives 1/16/2019 Beauty in the Binding 1/17/2019 Book by Book 1/17/2019 Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer 1/17/2019 Seasons of Opportunities 1/17/2019 Singing Librarian Books 1/17/2019 Texas Book-aholic 1/17/2019 Vickie's Kitchen and Garden 1/17/2019 Cara Putman 1/18/2019 Daysong Reflections 1/18/2019 Janicesbookreviews 1/18/2019 Labor Not in Vain 1/18/2019 Mini Van Dreams 1/18/2019 Pause for Tales 1/18/2019 Southern Gal Loves to Read 1/18/2019 Splashes of Joy 1/18/2019 Through the Fire 1/18/2019 View from the Birdhouse 1/18/2019 Christian Chick's Thoughts 1/19/2019 Everyday Shortcuts 1/19/2019 Inspired by fiction 1/19/2019 Seadreamfoto.blogspot.com 1/19/2019 Edits and Reviews by Leslie 1/20/2019 Gccbookworm 1/20/2019 Lighthouse Academy 1/20/2019 Milk & Honey Meadows 1/20/2019 Remembrancy 1/20/2019 The Christian Fiction Girl 1/20/2019 2014 and Beyond 1/21/2019 A Modern Day Fairy Tale 1/21/2019 More Of Him 1/21/2019 Writing to Inspire 1/21/2019 Mocha with Linda 1/22/2019 My Journey Back-The Journey Back 1/22/2019 Radiant Light 1/22/2019 Two Girls and a Book 1/22/2019 Smart Mom Smart Ideas 1/23/2019 A Room Without Books is Empty 1/24/2019 God's Peculiar Treasure Rae 1/24/2019 Homemaking Organized 1/24/2019 What's She Reading? 1/24/2019 I am believing God 1/25/2019 Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic 1/25/2019 Red Headed Book Lady 1/25/2019 Vicky Slutier 1/25/2019 The Forgiven Former Feminist 1/25/2019