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Saturday, June 12, 2021

 

DUSK’S DARKEST SHORE

ABOUT THE BOOK 

How can a meek wallflower help a returning war hero whose dreams are plunged into darkness?

Mary Bloomfield has no illusions. Her chances for matrimony have long since passed her by. Still, her circumstances are pleasant enough, especially now that she has found purpose in assisting her father with his medical practice in England’s beautiful Lake District. Even without love, it’s a peaceful life.

That is until Adam Edgerton returns to the sleepy district. This decorated war hero did not arrive home to acclaim and rest, but to a new battle against the repercussions of an insidious disease. Mary’s caring nature cannot stand to see someone suffer–but how can she help this man see any brightness in his future when he’s plunged into melancholic darkness, his dreams laid waste by his condition?

Adam wants no charity, but he’s also no coward. If this gentle woman can work hard, how can he do less? Together they struggle to find a way forward for him. Frustration and antipathy slowly develop into friendship and esteem. Then a summer storm atop a mountain peak leads to scandal–and both Mary and Adam must search the depths of their closed hearts for answers if they hope to find any future path with happiness at its end.

Best-selling author Carolyn Miller is back with a fresh series that will not only thrill readers eager for more of her work, but bring in new fans looking for beautiful writing, fascinating research, deftly woven love stories, and real faith lived out in the Regency period.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carolyn Miller is an inspirational romance author who lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia with her husband and four children.

A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English Literature, and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. She enjoys music, films, gardens, art, travel and food.

A longtime lover of Regency romance, Carolyn’s novels have won a number of RWA and ACFW contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers. 


Learn more about Carolyn at www.carolynmillerauthor.com or find her on Facebook (Carolyn Miller Author)Instagram (@CarolynMillerAuthor), and Twitter (@CarolynMAuthor)

MY REVIEW 

It is so easy to fall in love with these characters because the author writes them so vividly. I loved getting to know Mary . She is a delightful woman who many depend on. Her gift to help others is known by many. Her latest task to help a war hero may be a bit of a test for her. I loved  her heart that was compassionate and how devoted to her faith she was. I know Mary longs for a family of her own, but God is in control and  she dedicates herself to seeing to others needs.

Everyone was excited to welcome Adam the war hero home. Oh how I was sad when I read what Adam was now facing. Going off to war you have hope that you will come back safely, but for Adam his life is forever changed he thinks.  The emotions run high  in the story as we witness two people who face challenges and rely on God to help them. Mary is willing to work with Adam but she won’t let him feel sorry for himself. It was nice to have her support him but be firm when he becomes discouraged. I loved reading how their relationship  developed. 

The author takes  us on a journey to becoming stronger in faith, seeing someone the way Jesus  sees them and finding peace in the midst of despair. I think this is the author’s best book to date. She has a way to capture your attention and place you in the center of each story she writes.  

I received a copy of this book from Read With Audra Blogging Program. The review is my own opinion.

Book Giveaway


 

Emiline and Journey

About the Book

Book:  Emeline – A Journey with the My Journey companion Journal

Author: Kathy J. Perry

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction Adventure

Release date: November 1, 2020

emelineEmeline:

I can’t ask Pa; I must decide for myself.

What do I really want?

Set in 1890, a period of no phones or refrigerators, thirteen-year-old Emeline has lost both parents and must travel through ten states to reconnect with family in Boston.

On the way, she encounters many people and trials. Some characters are unsavory, ruthless, and violet, wanting only her money and possessions, caring nothing for her life. But all is not bleak: good folks make her trip memorable, giving her help as they are able.

Will she make it, and if she does, will she stay?

Will the events of her journey redefine her life?

This Christian historical fiction adventure will educate, entertain, and inspire young readers.

my journeyMy Journey:

You Are Unique

What do you believe?

What motivates you?

What are your thoughts, hopes, and dreams?

Find a quiet place and contemplate the questions inside. Journaling is a great way to understand yourself and work through emotions.

Who knows? You might surprise yourself!

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

kathyAfter the passing of my parents, I evaluated at what I was doing with my life and my contribution to others. I’ve always had a heart for teaching kids. I’ve been a classroom teacher, a homeschool mom, a tutor, and a substitute for many years. I’ve written, illustrated, and published the Bandana Acres series of Early Reader Chapter Books with solid moral lessons that fill a genre gap between picture and chapter books. Fellow teachers say, “Great! Keep it up. We need more of these.”

As a twelve-year-old, I identified with a fictional orphaned girl and was so impressed with her cleverness and honesty that I wanted to be like her. It was this story that inspired me to write Emeline – A Journey — a story that will educate, encourage, and inspire your tween or teen to find their way as a confident young adult.

A companion book, a consumable guided journal entitled My Journey, will challenge your young adult to important questions and give them lots of room to process their thoughts, hopes, and dreams.

 

More from Kathy

Research for Emeline’s story gave me such joy. It amazed me how much I learned about life in 1890 from internet searches, YouTube videos, and library books. Some topics, however, were more difficult than others. I purchased a book about 1800s printing for lithography details. I later gifted this beautiful book to my printer brother-in-law.

 

With new technology bursting at the seams of the fabric of our lives, could your young adult have an interest in such a time as 1890? Fantasies and futuristic books claim attention and provide an escape from our time and place. But the 1890s was a fascinating time, too, with inventions that would change how we live forever — inventions that we take for granted today. Regardless of the external factors, people then had the same personal issues. People remain people, no matter when or where they live.

 

I hope that from reading or listening to this book, your tweens and teens will internalize the important character qualities vital for confident, successful adulthood. The companion book, My Journey, follows the same values shown in Emeline’s book and provides a place for personal evaluation and self-discovery.

MY REVIEW 

I really enjoyed this book and found it be filled with historical information. It is hard to imagine living during this time period.  I have always loved stories centered around the 1800s and loved the adventure that Emeline had. What a brave young girl to travel so far to meet her grandfather. There is no way that I could travel on horseback for weeks at a time. Emeline runs into some trouble while out there all alone and I worried about her safety on her long trip. It is very nice to read about a young person who sticks to her word. She made a promise to her  pa before he died and was determined to keep it.

I loved how she met people that took her in and gave her a place to stay when she needed it most. I laughed when she found out about a toilet because we take things like that for granted. I can see her eyes widen as she discovers indoor plumbing. The author does a great job of weaving faith throughout the story. Emeline keeps a journal about her travels and fills it with scripture and prayer. 

This has been a fun book to read and I would recommend this to anyone who likes to read about this time period. The journal  along with the book would make a perfect gift. Im going to save this for my granddaughter and read it to her when she is older. 

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

Blog Stops

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 7

Labor Not in Vain, June 7

Inklings and notions, June 8

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, June 9

Connie’s History Classroom, June 10

Library Lady’s Kid lit, June 10

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 11

Texas Book-aholic, June 12

For Him and My Family, June 13

Mary Hake, June 13

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 14

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 15

Lots of Helpers, June 16

deb’s Book Review, June 17

She Lives To Read, June 18

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 19

Splashes of Joy, June 20

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kathy is giving away the grand prize of a hardcover copy of Emeline, a softcover copy of The Journey, and a $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/10d09/emeline-a-journey-and-my-journey-celebration-tour-giveaway

 

Every Window

About the Book

Book:  Every Window Filled with Light

Author: Shelia Stovall

Genre: Contemporary Women’s Christian Fiction

Release date: April 2, 2021

Welcome to Weldon, Kentucky, where the only things the locals love more than fried pies are gossip and match-making.

Librarian Emma Baker, a young and childless widow, believes her dream to build a family is over. It’s been two years since a student accidentally stabbed Emma’s husband to death, and her grief has stifled any interest in romance—until she meets Pastor Luke Davis. But when Emma learns Luke is counseling her husband’s killer fresh out of jail, her temper gets in the way.

Meanwhile, Emma discovers twelve-year-old Harley, abandoned by her drug-addict mother, hiding in the library, and takes the girl in as her foster mom. Then a young mother is made homeless by an apartment fire, and Emma opens her home again. One person and one prayer at a time, Emma begins to discover hope.

If Emma can yield and offer forgiveness to her husband’s killer, perhaps she’ll be able to piece together the broken parts of her heart…and the broken people who enter her life…to form a new family and maybe even have a second chance at love.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Shelia Stovall is the director of a small-town library in southern Kentucky, where only strangers mention her last name, and the children call her Miss Shelia.

Shelia and her husband Michael live on a farm, and she enjoys taking daily rambles with their three dogs to the creek. Spending time with family, especially her grandchildren, is her all-time favorite thing. The only hobby Shelia loves more than reading uplifting stories of hope is writing them.

 

More from Shelia

When I was younger, I daydreamed about becoming an author, but it wasn’t something I pursued. I wrote a few short stories for fun, but I poured my time and energy into my children and career.

In the summer of 2011, I participated in a Bible study called Jonah by Priscilla Shirer. One evening, our facilitator asked us to meditate on the question, What does God want you to do that you don’t want to do.  I sat feeling smug as the others prayed. I’d already signed up for a short-term mission trip to Africa, which I hadn’t wanted to do. But as I sat in the quiet, God spoke to me. Write a book for me. My heartbeat quickened as God gave me the opening and the ending of the story. I envisioned a large two-story yellow Victorian home with every Window filled with light.

God’s request filled me with panic, and the workbook page remained blank. The thought of someone reading God’s request made my face hot. Who was I to think I could be an author? Finally, I made a feeble attempt, but it was too hard.

My Ninevah was Africa. I turned my thoughts and efforts to preparing to go to Niger in December 2011. After the trip, all I could think about was returning to Africa. Our translators were visiting the US. It thrilled me when they accepted my invitation to stay overnight in my home. While preparing for their visit, I discovered my laptop under the bed covered in dust. I gulped as I remembered God asking me to write a book. With trepidation, I opened the computer and read the first few pages of the story I’d started. It wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t great. I whined to God. I don’t have the skills or the talent. I don’t know how to write a book.

Then, I received an email in my work email account promoting a Christian writers’ conference. To this day, it is still the only email I’ve received at work advertising a writers’ conference. I could hardly breathe as I read the email promoting the writers’ workshop to be held at East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, TX—a long way from Kentucky. I shared everything with my husband, and he encouraged me to go even though we didn’t have the money. He reminded me we had a travel credit in our airline account because of connection problems during our first trip to Africa, and so, I packed my bags.

When I attended the conference, two instructors, New York Times best-selling author Lisa Wingate and Judy Christie, changed my life when they encouraged me to finish the story. Judy asked me to commit to writing one hour a day, and she predicted I’d finish the first draft by Thanksgiving if I’d stick with it. The conference was held in October, and I thought her expectations impossible. I didn’t meet her goal, but I finished the first draft on 12/12/12. I’ll never forget that morning. It’s a good thing I had no idea of the work ahead of me.

Judy was kind enough to give me the email address of her award-winning editor Jamie Clarke Chavez. I sent the first three chapters to Jamie, and my mouth dropped open when she agreed to work with me. Today, she is someone I consider a dear friend. Writers have asked me, How did you get Jamie Chavez to work with you. She must have taken pity on me. I cringe as I remember those first chapters. I consider Jame a gift from God.

Through the years of hard work, God has been faithful to provide me with encouragement and help along the road to publication. If there is anything good in Every Window Filled with Light, it is from Him and the people he sent to aid me. The best blessings of the writing journey are the friendships I’ve made along the way.

I hope you’ll read Every Window Filled with Light or give it to someone who needs an uplifting story of hope. If there’s a person you know who doesn’t know Christ and doesn’t want to listen to a witness, this is a book you can share. I hope the reader will be so drawn into the story they won’t realize they are being exposed to God’s salvation plan until it’s too late.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about why I wrote Every Window Filled with Light. Has God ever asked you to do something you didn’t want to do?  I’d love to hear your story.

Warm regards,

Shelia

MY REVIEW 

This is one of those books that will stay with you for a long time. The author has written such an emotional story that I found myself crying during parts of it. It is an incredible journey of forgiveness, trust and family. The lead character Emma has such a giving heart it is hard not to like her. When she opens her home to a young girl in need, they both find  themselves yearning for acceptance. Emma has this big house and her desire has always been to fill it with people. When her husband is tragically killed, she starts  to feel lonely and bitter. I liked walking with her as she allows God to help her through her anger at the person responsible for her husband’s death. 

Harley is a young girl in desperate need of someone to love her. I cried when I read about her home life. Her mother has been caught up in drugs and Harley finds herself on the receiving end of her mother’s bad choices. I liked the part where Harley ends up in Emma’s care. They both need each other and this brings hope to both of them. Harley may be hard to handle at times but she will need to learn to trust before she can let her guard down. Can you imagine being on your own at such a young age? 

I loved how the author gives readers a realistic look at people with a past that many have dealt with. I’m sure we all have a family member  or friend that has suffered with drug abuse or physical abuse. The author doesn’t sugar coat anything but gives us a lesson on turning to God in our darkest moments. There is a definite feel of faith in the story as scriptures and prayers are scattered throughout the book. There is a bit of romance in the book, but it is not the focal point of the story.  I look forward to reading more from this author. 

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

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 10

The Avid Reader, June 10

Through the Fire blogs, June 11

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 11

Texas Book-aholic, June 12

Cats in the Cradle Blog, June 12

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 13

For Him and My Family, June 14

CarpeDiem, June 14

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 15

Inklings and notions, June 16

Just Writing, June 16

Older & Smarter?, June 17

Rebecca Tews, June 18

deb’s Book Review, June 18

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 19

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, June 20

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 20

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 21

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 22

Mary Hake, June 22

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, June 23

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Shelia is giving away the grand prize package of a themed gift basket from Habegger’s Amish Market!!

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/10d52/every-window-filled-with-light-celebration-tour-giveaway


Thursday, June 10, 2021

 

About the Book

Book:  Ruth

Author: Caryl McAdoo

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: May 3, 2021

The Lord works in mysterious ways.
Fleeing heartache, shame, and betrayal, Ruth finds all her plans are thwarted until the untimely death of a goat that gives her hope! Hired as a wet-nurse for Logan’s orphaned son, she rejects his marriage-of-convenience proposal, hoping to find true love at the trail’s end. Going West (in what was later called the Great Migration of 1842) satisfies the widower’s wanderlust, and even though she turns him down, he determines to prove his love is true. Come along on this infamous journey of love and adventure.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Award-winning author Caryl McAdoo prays her story brings God glory, and her best-selling stories—fifty-nine published—delight Christian readers around the world. The prolific writer also enjoys singing the new songs the Lord gives her; you may listen at YouTube. Sharing four children and twenty-one grandsugars (three greats), Caryl and Ron (her high-school-sweetheart-husband of over fifty years) live in the woods south of Clarksville, seat of Red River County in far Northeast Texas. The McAdoos wait expectantly for God to open the next door.

 

More from Caryl

I’ve loved the premise of RUTH for seven years now, that’s when the beginning of this story was first written, way before its time! Its title was Evelyn’s Redemption back then, but I’ve since had a favorite character named Evelyn in COVERING LOVE and MIGHTY TO SAVE (books eight and nine in the Texas Romance Family Saga series), so my heroine needed a new name.

 

Ruth was my maternal grandmother’s name and Mama’s middle name  (Naomi Ruth), and though Ron doesn’t like me to name characters after family members, he let me have my way . . . as my heroes usually let my heroines. 😊 So, she became Ruth.

 

I pulled up the ten thousand words already written back in 2014, caught up-to-date to refresh the story in my mind, then took off writing! In a month and a day, I finished this story that I just love! Never knowing where it’s going—or exactly how it will end when I start—I so enjoy the tale as I write it just as you do when you read it! God gives me the most awesome stories I’m so thankful for!

 

My hero’s thirteen-year-old daughter Hannah is one of my favorites in this story. Her great character created such an example of taking up an offense that is hard to put down. I think we’ve all been there, and to me, it’s especially hard to forgive and get over it when the offense is taken up on behalf of someone we love. The loved one like gets extra grace to forgive, but not so for the offended-on-their-behalf!

 

I love that God helps me weave scriptural lessons into my stories, lessons that I’ve learned in walking with Him for more than sixty years—and I’ve learned a lot! Besides praying my stories give Him glory, I also pray they help those who read them draw closer to Him—or learn ways to live more purely for Him.

We serve a mighty God indeed, and it’s my honor to help advance His Kingdom here on earth through writing these stories! Also, I enjoy singing the new songs He gives me! Check out ‘Caryl McAdoo’ on YouTube! I have a few songs up there and need to video more.

So, have a blessed day, y’all, and may God’s joy and peace encompass you everywhere you go!

Blessings!

MY REVIEW 

Before  I get started on  my review I have to mention the cover of this book. When I received it in the mail, I couldn’t stop looking at it. It is a beautiful cover and fits perfectly for this book. I just wanted to give a shout-out to whoever did such a phenomenal job. Now on to the review.

I loved the time period and especially reading about traveling the Oregon Trail. The author describes the terrain ,danger and weather so vividly that I felt like I was sitting  in the wagon. It must have been so difficult to travel this way with all your belongings. For those who had children it was more difficult as they had to make sure they were safe and comfortable while trying to keep them happy. 

Ruth is a wonderful young woman who does a selfless act in order to save a baby. I loved how she didn’t hesitate to offer her assistance. It was an answer to prayer for her as she was needing to find a way to support her and her own  baby. It was the  perfect solution for her and the ones she  was helping. The author gives us glimmers of Ruth’s past and shows us how  she is having a hard time forgiving someone. She is afraid to love again because she doesn't want to get hurt. I couldn’t wait to see how the author would guide readers to a lesson in forgiveness and believing in yourself. 

Logan is a handsome man who is traveling  with an infant son and older daughter. His character is honest, God loving and fiercely protective of those he loves. When Ruth joins up with him the adventure really begins. There were hard times ahead for them as their destination was a very long one. I loved being back on the wagon trail as our characters learn how to work together and slowly develop a relationship with each other. There was a small problem though. Logan’s daughter is not happy with Ruth and becomes very rude to her. I think she needed a time out for awhile. What I liked about her character was how desperate she wanted a mother but wanted to be sure her dad didn’t get hurt. There is a lot of pain that these three main characters must work through. I loved how each one  learn to let go and let God. 

The story is a wonderful look at the Oregon Trail as families travel for new beginnings. I loved the faith element that caressed each page. The lessons are plentiful in the story as we learn about forgiveness,  taking up an offense, being bitter, trusting God to direct your path and loving unconditionally. As always this author writes a story that is rich in faith and draws me closer to Him. 

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

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 9

Just Writing, June 9

KarenSueHadley, June 10

lakesidelivingsite, June 10

Texas Book-aholic, June 11

Inklings and notions, June 12

For Him and My Family, June 13

Vicky Sluiter, June 13

deb’s Book Review, June 14

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 15

Blossoms and Blessings, June 16

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 16

Connie’s History Classroom, June 17

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 18

Splashes of Joy, June 18

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, June 19

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 20

Simple Harvest Reads, June 20 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Girls in White Dresses, June 21

Pause for Tales, June 21

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 22

Cats in the Cradle Blog, June 22

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Caryl is giving away the grand prize of a $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/10d50/ruth-celebration-tour-giveaway