Friday, August 23, 2019

About the Book

Book: Meghan’s Choice

Author: Donna L. H. Smith

Genre: Christian Historical Western Romance

Release Date: November, 2017

Meghan Gallagher complies with her father’s demand that she work on her own for a year by choosing to tutor eight children in a wild Kansas railroad town. But she had no idea just how wild it was until she was rescued by a local dance hall the day she arrived, and soon after hit by a stray bullet. In short order, she meets a dark, handsome cowboy and a wholesome, attractive doctor who both vie for her heart. As things heat up around town, Meghan’s love life catches fire as well. Is she scandalous to allow both men to court her at the same time? And—how close a relationship with God does Meghan want? Will she draw near?

Meghan’s Choice (pre-published) was named a semi-finalist in the 2014 Operation First Novel by Jerry B. Jenkins and an honorable mention for the Golden leaf Award in 2015. Since publication, Meghan’s Choice was a Selah Award finalist and also in the Will Rogers Medallion Award.

Published in connection with Hartline Literary Agency, serving the Christian book community. Visit us at www.hartlineliterary.com.

Click here to grab your copy.

About the Author

Donna L.H. Smith is a Kansas prairie girl transplanted to Lancaster County, PA. She is a graduate of Christian Writer’s Guild Craftsman program and holds two college degrees, both B.S. and M.A. in Mass Communication. She’s been married to a wonderful man named Kirby for thirty years. Her debut novel, Meghan’s Choice, made the finals of both the Selah and Will Rogers Medallion Awards. Rose’s Redemption, the sequel, was just released. She blogs, speaks at workshops and retreats and although she is at an age where many begin slowing down, she wouldn’t think of it. Recently, she took on the role of Managing Editor of Almost an Author.com, and serves as ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) Mid-Atlantic Zone Director. She is also a member of AWSA’s Protégé program (Advanced Writers & Speaker’s Association).

More from Donna

Back in 2012, I wrote “Zorro” stories for Fan Fiction. I had an awful lot of fun with them, and people seemed to really like them. So, the thought came, what could I write for ‘real?’ I contemplated, prayed, and after a couple weeks or so, an idea came floating across my brain.

“Gunfight at Hyde Park.” Huh? I thought about it, and realized it was an obscure history lesson from my hometown in Kansas. I had Google it to get the details. I thought, well, I’m not gonna write a Christian romance novel just about a series of gunfights that killed and wounded more people than the OK Corral.

But I did think that the beginning of the gunfights could be the climax of the story.

Now, who should my heroine be? And the hero?

I started with that and took Christian Writer’s Guild’s Craftsman and the novel was completed in 2013—but only published in late 2017.

I’m proud of Meghan’s Choice. Pre-published it made the semi-finals of the last Operation 1st Novel that CWG held and placed in a couple of smaller contests. Last year, it made the finals of the prestigious Selah Awards for published books through the BRMCWC, and the finals of the Will Rogers Medallion Award.

My hope is that you’ll enjoy reading it as much as I loved writing it.

I very much enjoyed reading this book. The story was light and full of wonderful characters. I enjoy reading about the late 1870's and how different it was starting a town. Meghan is a delightful character with a very proper upbringing. It was a challenge for her to go out on her own, but her father wanted her to mature and learn to be more independent. Can you imagine the thoughts running through her head as she takes her first steps into New Boston, Kansas? The sounds of gunfire can be heard and I had to laugh when she couldn't find anyone to bring her trunks to the boarding house till the following day. Meghan must have been taken aback a bit as she suddenly realized she was really on her own.

One of the things I liked about the story was reading about Meghan teaching the children in this town. She has her hands full with little space to teach and children of all ages. She seemed to thrive as a teacher and really connected with them. There was enough supplies for the children but I don't think all the parents were confident of her teaching ability.

She does find herself in a love triangle when the local doctor named Scott and a cowboy named Duncan both fancy her. This part of the story was interesting and I picked my favorite and was cheering him on. Both men have good qualities but for some reason she questions why the Duncan takes her under a tree one Sunday to have church. Her upbringing has taught her that you must worship God in a church setting and she felt uncomfortable not being with others on Sunday. It made me think of how people go to church on Sunday and everyone assumes they must be Christians. In reality you can worship God anywhere and feel close to Him. Just because you carry a bible or attend church doesn't mean you are a christian. It gives food for thought how people perceive things and how we can get legalistic about a building. The author brings up a good subject that I thought was interesting. We all worship God in our own way and Meghan was experiencing something out of her comfort zone.

My favorite character was a young woman who was not exactly what we would call ladylike. Her story is heart breaking and I loved how Meghan reached out to her. This woman was desperate to have a friend and escape her past. I won't say much about her but it is definitely a reminder that we need to look past the sin and see them the way Jesus does.

The story is well written and has a wonderful theme of forgiveness, hope, redemption and a closer relationship with God. I loved Megan's journey to find independence and seek a real understanding of the bible. I wonder who Meghan chooses to be her husband? That is something you will need to find out on your own.

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

Blog Stops

Inklings and notions, August 12

Creating Relationship, August 13

Connie’s History Classroom, August 13

Moments, August 14

For Him and My Family, August 14

Godly Book Reviews, August 15

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, August 15

Emily Yager, August 16

Through the Fire Blogs, August 16

My Devotional Thoughts, August 17

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 17

Jeanette’s Thoughts, August 18

Vicky Sluiter, August 18

Inspired by fiction, August 19

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, August 19

mpbooks, August 20

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, August 20

Pause for Tales, August 21

For the Love of Books , August 21

Older & Smarter?, August 22

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 22

Texas Book-aholic, August 23

A Reader’s Brain, August 24

Real World Bible Study, August 25

janicesbookreviews, August 25

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Donna is giving away the grand prize of a copy of her 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/e5a3/meghan-s-choice-celebration-tour-giveaway

Thursday, August 22, 2019

About the Book

Book: Jewel’s Gold

Author: Caryl McAdoo

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: July 20, 2019

Can a tangled web snare two hearts and point them true north?

A Papa’s girl from the start, Jewel Jones remembers all the things he told her. Wealthy, but far from being a snob, she finds Boaz Branson both irritating and intriguing. How can she know if the handsome confidence man truly turns from his wicked ways, or if his interest only in her gold? Papa said let God’s peace lead her.

Only by God’s grace can Boaz escape the deceptions he plans to perpetrate on the beautiful heiress. While his head wants to flee the entanglement, his heart bids him stay.

Are Jewel and Boaz building on sinking sand, or have they found the golden nugget they seek?

Click here to grab your copy.

About the Author

Award-winning, hybrid author Caryl McAdoo prays her story gives God glory! That is why she writes, why she breathes. Her forty-fourth novel has just launched, joining her best-selling title list! Besides writing, she loves singing the new songs the Lord gives her. (Listen to a few at YouTube.) Ron, her husband of 50+ years shares four children and eighteen grandsugars—life’s best blessings, Caryl says. 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.

More from Caryl

Jewel’s Gold, my July release and book four in the Gold Diggers Collection, begins in San Francisco in 1895 and moves quickly north to Alaska on Troublesome Creek where Jewel’s papa has a gold mine. My husband Ron was on Troublesome Creek in 1993 seeking the Lord. While there, he also did a little prospecting.

To mention gold is to speak of wealth as gold is the most sought-after metal in the world. It’s found on every continent, and I’ve discovered it can be located our bodies as well! Mostly in our blood! Small traces have also been extracted from eucalyptus leaves, a favorite snack of Koala bears!

Jewel Jones is the daughter of Joshua Jones, son of Moses and Lanell introduced in SINS OF THE MOTHERS, book three in the Texas Romance Family Saga. Truth be known, little Joshua was in fact a Wheeler, not as Jones, though Moses reared him as his own son.

His real father was Caleb who married Mary Rachael Buckmeyer and talked her into running off to California. So, this book may also be classified as a ‘Companion Book’ to that highly acclaimed historical romance series.

Ron has always wanted to go back and show me Alaska, and one day we most likely will go north . . . but only in the summer! Who doesn’t love leaving Texas for northern, cooler temperatures in the summer?
This story has a little mystery along with the romance and history. When we drove the Oregon/California Trail last December, we visited the site of Sutter’s Mill where the gold rush of 1849 was born. That last place we went before turning south and east back to Texas was an unexpected stop.

On the American River, the park and museum offered an amazing place to visit, and knowing this book was on the schedule made it all the more interesting! I also believe that place will add to the genuine feel of Jewel’s Gold.

The author never ceases to amaze me with her writing ability. Once again she has written a story that not only draws me closer to God, but uses biblical stories to capture the essence of His love. It was so refreshing to witness Jewel talk about Noah and others from the bible to Boaz. I loved Jewel and her determination to go to Alaska. She is very much grounded in faith and it plays a big part in her decisions. The trip by sea was extremely exciting to read and I could feel the sway of the steamship as it skimmed the ocean. I was so intrigued by the gold Jewel hoped to find and how her journey was not without a bit of mystery.

When Boaz was introduced I started to think of him as a snake. His mother and him have set their eyes on Jewel and scheme to win her trust. He is so confidant of himself that he actually believes he will capture Jewel's heart and with it her wealth. Boaz better watch out. Jewel is a very smart and level headed young woman who is not about to hand over her fortune or is she?

There is a part in the story when Boaz finds out something about his mother that makes him look at her differently. It is a great example of trying to survive when you are alone raising a child. I loved how the author allowed Boaz to examine his heart and try to understand that his mother felt she had no choice in how to provide for her and Boaz. There is a lot of secrets that come out that make this story full of twists and unexpected outcomes. Boaz has a family history of underhanded deals and many he himself has participated in. Will he be able to follow through with this scheme?

The author has given us a look into the bible while telling a story of redemption, forgiveness and renewed faith. Boaz has many challenges along the way and I loved how he spent time reading the bible. I loved the exciting adventure while Jewel and her crew looked for gold. Alaska has always been a place I would love to visit and it intrigued me even more as I read about the beauty of a place that is rich in history. I have come to really feel close with Jewel and Boaz as they face danger, share a love for the bible and remind us that God is a forgiving God. No sin is too great for God not to forgive. Sometimes we believe that our sins are unforgiveable. This story will help readers understand that God loves us and is there with open arms to embrace us.

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

Blog Stops

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 13

Power of Words, August 14 (Spotlight)

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, August 15

Emily Yager, August 16

For Him and My Family, August 17

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, August 18

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 19

Simple Harvest Reads, August 20 (Spotlight)

Blossoms and Blessings, August 21

Texas Book-aholic, August 22

janicesbookreviews, August 23

Artistic Nobody, August 24 (Spotlight)

A Reader’s Brain, August 25

Inklings and notions , August 26

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Caryl is giving away a grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/e71d/jewel-s-gold-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Trial by Patience

Author: Tabitha Bouldin

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Release Date: August 12, 2019

Danny Solomon operates Break Away Acres, an equine therapy center for abused kids and teens. As a former abuse victim, Danny knows how important it is to let these kids know that someone still cares. God has blessed Danny with a gift: the ability to see the past of anyone who meets his eye. The information he is given through this gift allows him to know how he might best help those around him.
Phoenix Nichols is Danny’s new trail guide. Her job is to help with the horses and keep an eye on the kids. With a past more painful than anything Danny has ever encountered, he finds himself unable to resist trying to help. When her past becomes her present, her trust in Danny is the only link she has to finding God…and peace.

Click here to grab your copy.

About the Author

Tabitha is a small-town girl with an oversized imagination. She grew up creating characters and enjoys giving them life through words and pages. Just one year shy of obtaining her Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing, she plans to make sure her characters stand the test of time. When not writing or reading, you’ll find her either homeschooling her two boys or outside digging a new flower bed for her roses.

More from Tabitha

Danny and Phoenix are the main characters in Trial by Patience, but Danny isn’t a new character. As part of The Trials series, Danny is introduced in book 1 as a scrappy six-year-old. Two years after I finished writing book 1, he’s twenty-eight. (Don’t you love how time can be manipulated in the literary world.) Fun fact: When I wrote book 1: Trial by Courage, I had no idea Danny would get his own book. God works in mysterious ways and His sense of humor astounds me. I had a million ideas and half-started manuscripts littered my desk but I had no idea what to focus on next. Within two weeks of Trial by Courage’s release, three people asked me when Danny’s story would be ready. The first time, I blinked slowly and shrugged (I wasn’t about to tell them I had no intention of writing about Danny). Second time, I laughed. Third time, I knew it was an honest question and I started writing. A year later, I typed THE END, had an author copy printed and handed it over to my sister for proofing. Little did I know I wasn’t anywhere near finished. Danny’s story would NOT leave me alone. I was constantly trying to reassure myself that it was done, just minor adjustments…boy was I wrong! Six months ago, I realized I needed to change the ending, which lead to a complete rewrite of the last half of the book and major changes in the beginning chapters. Talk about scary, and exciting, but mostly scary. I even made another copy of the original script in case I changed my mind about this new ending. I shouldn’t have worried. I’m in love with this new copy and every angsty minute that went into making Trial by Patience the book it is today.

This book has been the hardest book I have ever read about abuse. The author does an excellent job of describing the horrible trauma Phoenix and Danny go through. Danny has been fighting his demons for years with flashbacks that cause nightmares. he may be an adult now but he still hasn't escaped the terror he faced many years ago. I loved how he started Break Away Acres. The focus of the place is for abused children and teens to come to the ranch to ride horses. While they are there, they are loved on and feel safe. Danny is a natural when it comes to reaching hurting kids. He knows first hand what it is like to be so scared that he wants to hide.

Phoenix was my favorite character because I could relate to her on a personal level. She has a big chip on her shoulder and an attitude to match. Being hired at Break Away Acres is a means to find safety for her. Her experience with horses helps her get the job as trail boss. Taking a group of children on a trail ride is therapeutic and gives them a place to be a kid with no threat of harm. I loved the way Phoenix relates to the children. She finds herself able to reach a tough as nails young boy which I think surprised her.

The story centers around abuse and the affects it causes. Some may experience nightmares, flashbacks, fear, shame, and not able to trust. The author explores these in a way that not only is hard to read but lets readers know that there is help. Her ability to show how God is there to protect us is a big point in the story. Phoenix is in fear for her life and Danny has a hard time making her feel safe on the ranch. I had tears running down my cheeks as I read the book. I felt the fists as they punched innocent people and I felt anger when the abuser walked away without any remorse. Abusers will prey on the innocent or weak. They know just what to say to gain their victims trust, then pounce on them.

Phoenix has experienced physical and emotional abuse all her life. She has never felt loved or wanted. Fear is a funny thing. It can cause you to run or find freedom. It is hard to trust anyone and I understood her feeling of claustrophobia. She didn't like someone behind her and her eyes darted from side to side all the time. That is not living, but being trapped. There are two very important things I took away from this story. The first one is to surrender to God and allow Him to take your pain away. Find peace and safety in His presence. The other thing is as long as you allow the abuser to continue they have power over you. Danny and Phoenix both with find themselves facing their past in different ways. The ending is action packed and brings forgiveness to someone who many would feel didn't deserve forgiveness. We must forgive as many times as it takes. God wants to set us free and live without fear or regret.

Even though the book was hard for me to read, I am thankful that the author was willing to expose what abuse does and lead readers to answers to heal. It was important for these two characters to share their story with children, because they understood exactly what they have experienced. Hope is there waiting for us. We all need to be more compassionate and help others who feel useless, abused. unloved and hopeless. My hope is that this book will help others who have felt powerless for too long.

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

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, August 22

Retrospective Spines, August 23

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 23

The Christian Fiction Girl, August 24

mpbooks, August 25

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, August 25

Just Your Average reviews, August 26

Books, Life, and Christ, August 27

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, August 27

Godly Book Reviews, August 28

Remembrancy, August 29

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 30

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 31

janicesbookreviews, September 1

A Reader’s Brain, September 2

Inklings and notions, September 3

Emily Yager, September 4

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Tabitha is giving away the grand prize of an eBook copy of her book and $25 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/e685/trial-by-patience-celebration-tour-giveaway

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

About the Book

Book: The Awakening of Miss Adelaide

Author: Linda Brooks Davis

Genre: Historical

Release Date: July, 2019

Orphaned as an infant, Oklahoma heiress Adelaide Fitzgerald has enjoyed every advantage. She possesses a unique gift for music and has excelled on the opera stage in Italy. As a philanthropist, she’s adored from America to Europe.

But Miss Adelaide is about to awaken in a 1918 nightmare. The Great War—and the Great Influenza—knock, and Adelaide finds her uninvited guests more than unwelcome. They threaten her life and alter her identity and purpose.

Snatched from a quiet life in an Italian villa, Miss Adelaide is thrust into conflicts others have created. What battle scars will she sustain? And where will love lead her?

In The Awakening of Miss Adelaide, war and peace, laughter and heartache, love and loss come together to ignite a fresh fire that reveals one woman’s hidden needs and potentials.

What will gaining a fresh understanding of herself require of the Angel of the Opera?

About the Author

Linda Brooks Davis was born and reared, educated, and married in Texas. Her children and six grandchildren were born in Texas. She devoted the bulk of her 40 years as a special educator in Texas schools. But her mother and grandmother hailed from Oklahoma, the setting for Linda’s 2015 debut novel, The Calling of Ella McFarland, which won the 2014 Jerry Jenkins Operation First Novel Award and the 2016 American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award. Linda continues to write from her home in San Antonio, Texas. She and her beloved husband Al worship and minister at Oak Hills Church. Linda enjoys chatting with readers through her website www.lindabrooksdavis.com.

More from Linda

Awakening Miss Adelaide begins with my mother’s cedar chest, which bore an unwritten warning: Hands off! Priceless treasures resided in its depths. My parents’ wedding suits. An old tattered quilt. Mother’s felt hat with a jaunty feather at the rolled-up grim. Bible notes. A stained tablecloth. Equally stained ladies’ handkerchiefs. And old, crocheted, scorched pot holders.

My paternal great-grandmother wrote letters and created intricate, painstaking handwork while she was committed to an asylum in Terrell, Texas. They represent the dearest items in the cedar chest.

Incalculable are the times over the years when a family member would comment Great-granny didn’t appear insane at all. I often wondered how it was she resided at a state mental hospital from 1900 until her death in 1948. How could an insane person write coherent letters and create such handwork?

Mystery shrouds those answers as surely as Great-grandmother herself.

Family legend developed around her. Stories varied from “She wasn’t crazy. Her husband wanted to get rid of her” to “She was an Indian who chose the name McFarland to avoid White bias against the indigenous people.” The truth hides somewhere amid the deadfall of her tragic life.

Sometimes research for a novel can feel like digging up bones. In a way, it is.

One such “bone” I got my teeth around and refused to let go was an article in a 1913 edition of Fort Worth Star-Telegram. It described a murder committed in the lobby of the Metropolitan Hotel. This violent act occurred in connection with an adulterous affair.

Consequently, heightened emotions, lowered common sense, and the control males exerted over females resulted in one man’s murder and the murderer’s acquittal. The “offending” woman’s husband dragged her home kicking and screaming and committed her to a mental asylum for “emotional insanity.”

I wondered if the “offending” man had been treated in like manner. Hardly.

How could I NOT include this morass in a novel?

Someone ought to write a book about that was often said around our family reunions. My interest in doing just that developed little by little over the years. The Women of Rock Creek series deals with some of the ways in which women were denied equal rights when they were denied the vote. Such realities presented an ideal platform for illustrating some women’s plight in the hands of unscrupulous men–inequality in education, the courtroom, and even in mental health care.

With an abundance of love and respect for my great-grandmother; her daughter, my grandmother; and her grandson, my father, I offer this imaginary story. It contrasts two different women: one with a voice heard around the world and the other with no voice at all.

I offer The Awakening of Miss Adelaide to the Lord to do with it as He sees fit. May this story inspired by the agony experienced by my great-grandmother serve to lighten someone else’s load.

One of the best things this author does is write a story that not only has historic details, but allows readers to experience first hand important happenings that defined our country. I loved Adelaide instantly. She is a caring person and has been gifted with a voice like a angel. Adelaide has become well known and it seems her dreams are coming true. I don't know how a person is able to sing opera but it fascinates me . While Adelaide is in Italy a terrible break out of influenza takes many lives.

I found it interesting that the place Adelaide was staying became a kind of hospital for wounded soldiers and a breeding ground for influenza. I don't want to overlook the breath taking scenes the author provides about Italy. I have always dreamed of going to Italy someday and I felt like I was there while reading the story.

Something happens to Adelaide that will change her direction in life. I felt her desperation as she called out to God asking why He gave her a gift and then took it away. We all have been told that there is a reason for everything. If you are like me, you don't always understand what God's plan is and it can be frustrating at times. Finding herself back in the states will have a profound affect on her.

The best part of the story for me was talking about the Women's Suffrage. Oh how I would like to have participated in that movement. There was much going on with women during this time period. What a horrible treatment some women faced by being sent off to asylums for unjustified reasons. It is hard to think about the danger women faced just to be equal to men. We are fortunate today to have the right to vote, to drive a vehicle and work in places that only men were allowed to work.

The author delivers a powerful story of equality, listening to God and a romance that had almost been forgotten. Will Adelaide follow Gods direction? Can she find happiness and peace? It is a great look at a time where war was going on, sickness was abound and a movement for women to take their place as an equal in a world that was in turmoil. The mystery in the story is well worth reading as Adelaide finds herself working in a place where mistreatment goes on. I admired her strength in finding answers for someone special. Can she rescue someone before it is to late? This is one book you must read and enjoy the writing of an author gifted in historical facts that come to life.

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