Friday, June 25, 2021

About the Book

Book: Bridge of Gold

Author: Kimberley Woodhouse

Genre: Christian Historical

Release date: June 2021

Repairs on the Golden Gate Bridge Uncover a Century-Old Murder

Walk through Doors to the Past via a new series of historical stories of romance and adventure.

Underwater archaeologist Kayla Richardson is called to the Golden Gate Bridge where repairs to one of the towers uncovers two human remains from the late 1800s and the 1930s. The head of the bridge restoration is Steven Michaels, who dives with Kayla, and a friendship develops between them. But as the investigation heats up and gold is found that dates back to the gold rush, more complications come into play that threaten them both. Could clues leading to a Gold Rush era mystery that was first discovered during the building of the bridge still ignite an obsession worth killing for?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Kimberley Woodhouse is an award-winning and bestselling author of more than twenty fiction and nonfiction books. A popular speaker and teacher, she’s shared her theme of “Joy Through Trials” with more than half a million people across the country at more than 2,000 events. Kim and her incredible husband of twenty-five-plus years have two adult children. She’s passionate about music and Bible study and loves the gift of story.
You can connect with Kimberley at: www.kimberleywoodhouse.com and www.facebook.com/KimberleyWoodhouseAuthor

More from Kimberley

BRIDGE OF GOLD was a blast for me to write. Not only do I love writing dual-timeline stories, but the present-day hero and heroine are named after my daughter and her husband. Steven and Kayla in the book are fictitious, but there are a few things in the book that do mimic their real-life namesakes.

One of them is food.

My son-in-law Steven in real life is six-foot-four and active military. The man can eat. It’s amazing to me how many calories it takes just for him to survive! Then there’s my daughter, Kayla. She was an elite swimmer for many years along with her brother. I could never keep them fed when they were at the height of their swimming careers. In fact, I joked that all I did was cook and load the dishwasher during those years.

To celebrate the release of BRIDGE OF GOLD, I’m going to give out a recipe that I created almost thirty years ago. It went through many revisions the first few months as I perfected it and now you get a special treat because I do not give this recipe out. In fact, one of my dearest friends begged for it when our kids were little. I gave in but made her promise to close her eyes while she made it (LOL) and to never, ever give it to anyone else.

Enjoy! And thanks for joining us on the tour for BRIDGE OF GOLD. I hope you love it.

Kim’s Chocolate Chunk Cookies – recipe by Kimberley Woodhouse

2 cups King Arthur all-purpose flour

½ tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. kosher salt

¾ cup melted/browned butter (this is important! Don’t skip this step)

2 Tb. Hot chocolate mix

1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

½ cup white sugar

1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk

1 – 12 ounce package mega morsels (I use Ghirardelli milk chocolate chips)

Directions: combine the first three dry ingredients and mix well. In a small saucepan on the stove, melt and brown the butter. Medium heat is recommended but you’ve got to watch it so it doesn’t burn. You want a beautiful caramel color. Set aside and allow to cool to around 100 degrees F before continuing. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Once the browned butter is cool, add the hot chocolate mix to it. Transfer to a stand mixer and blend the butter mixture with the sugar. Whip it until well combined and frothy about 2 mins. Gradually add eggs and flour mixture, beating on low just until blended. Stir in chocolate chips. Using a cookie scoop, drop heaping TB scoops 2 inches apart on parchment paper lined cookie sheets. Bake at 325 degrees for 12-14 minutes, watching carefully. Allow to cool on cookie sheets for 5 minutes and then transfer to cooling racks. Enjoy!

For other fun tidbits about BRIDGE OF GOLD make sure you check out my blog at – kimberleywoodhouse.com

MY REVIEW

I am adding this book to my list of favorite books for 2021. I love dual time-line stories and this book is one of the best I have read. The author delivers a tale where we are introduced to a wonderful journey of gold, sunken ships and a mystery that spans several generations. I was so fascinated by the diving that went on in the different time periods. I can’t imagine wearing bulky head gear and depending on someone to make sure you had an air supply.

It’s hard to say which time period I liked the most because they each were a puzzle piece that connected together to bring us a wonderful story of hidden treasures below the sea. The waters were murky and dangerous for Luke and his friend George. They worked long hours trying to help get the bridge built. Who knew they would discover a remarkable relic while diving? I liked Luke and knew his heart was in the right place. He wasn’t greedy and wanted only the best for his future bride. There are great characters in the story, but I have to say Luke was my favorite. His love for God was wonderful to read and it sets the stage for the next time period.

Kayla has a fascinating job and I loved following her beneath the sea where she uncovers a mystery that spans many years. The way the famous bridge comes into play is an historical lesson that has made me do more research on the subject. The author has done a great job of delivering a story rich in facts that enhance the book. With her ability to take me along with Kayla as she dove under water speaks volumes about her creativity. As Kayla teams up with Steven to do some work for the Mayor , they find themselves deep in mystery as the dark surrounds them under the murky water. Steven is a good character who continues to show Kayla that he can be trusted. The struggle Kayla has with something from her past hinders her from concentrating on her job at times.

The story is definitely a thriller and will keep you on the edge of your seat. What do Kayla and Steven discover that threatens them? Can they solve a mystery from long ago and set the record straight for a family? I loved the lessons on trust, greed, forgiveness and allowing God to help you through past hurts.

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 24

The Sacred Line, June 24

The Write Escape, June 24

lakesidelivingsite, June 24

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 25

HappyWhenReading, June 25

Reflections From My Bookshelves, June 25

Through the Fire Blogs, June 25

Texas Book-aholic, June 26

Bigreadersite, June 26

Pause for Tales, June 26

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, June 26 (Author Interview)

Inklings and notions, June 27

Christian Bookaholic , June 27

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 27

For the Love of Literature, June 28

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, June 28

All-of-a-kind Mom, June 28

Where Faith and Books Meet, June 28

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 29

Bliss Books and Jewels, June 29

Lis Loves Reading, June 29

For Him and My Family, June 29

deb’s Book Review, June 30

Simple Harvest Reads, June 30 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Livin’ Lit, June 30

Remembrancy, June 30

Older & Smarter?, July 1

Lighthouse-Academy, July 1

Tell Tale Book Reviews, July 1

Genesis 5020, July 1

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, July 2

Betti Mace, July 2

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, July 2

Locks, Hooks and Books, July 3

Inspiration Clothesline, July 3

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, July 3

Live.Love.Read., July 3

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 4

Mamma Loves Books, July 4

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, July 4

Mary Hake, July 4

Blossoms and Blessings, July 5

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, July 5

Blogging With Carol, July 5

Connie’s History Classroom, July 6

Life of Literature, July 6

A Baker’s Perspective, July 6

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, July 7

To Everything There Is A Season , July 7

KarenSueHadley, July 7

Splashes of Joy, July 7

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kimberley is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and copy of the 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/10e03/bridge-of-gold-celebration-tour-giveaway

Thursday, June 24, 2021

Gold Rush Bride

About the Book

Book: Gold Rush Bride, Hannah

Author: Linda Shenton Matchett

Genre: Historical Romance

Release date: May 18, 2021

GoldRushBrideHannah Recently widowed, she’s doesn’t need another man in her life. He’s not looking for a wife. But when danger thrusts them together, will they change their minds…and hearts?

Hannah Lauman’s husband has been murdered, but rather than grief, she feels…relief. She decides to remain in Georgia to work their gold claim, but a series of incidents make it clear someone wants her gone…dead or alive. Is a chance at being a woman of means and independence worth risking her life?

Jess Vogel never breaks a promise, so when he receives a letter from a former platoon mate about being in danger, he drops everything to help his old friend. Unfortunately, he arrives just in time for the funeral. Can he convince the man’s widow he’s there for her protection not for her money?

Gold Rush Bride: Hannah is the first book in the exciting new series Gold Rush Brides. Steeped in romance, intrigue, and history, the story will keep you turning pages long into the night.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Linda Matchett Head Shot Linda Shenton Matchett writes about ordinary people who did extraordinary things in days gone by. A volunteer docent and archivist for the Wright Museum of WWII, Linda is a former trustee for her local public library. She is a native of Baltimore, Maryland and was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry. Linda has lived in historic places all her life, and is now located in central New Hampshire where her favorite activities include exploring historic sites and immersing herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors.

More from Linda

Dear Readers,

Have you ever heard the quote about Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers that says, “Sure he was great, but don’t forget that Ginger Rogers did everything he did, backwards…and in high heels?” Originally seen in a 1982 Frank and Ernestcomic strip, the line has been used by many people from comedians to politicians.

A slight twist on the statement can be made about women in the centuries before modern attire allowed them to wear slacks…they did everything men did, but in floor-length skirts (to say nothing of when they had to wear corsets!). A few examples include cooking over an open hearth, hauling water before the invention of pumps and indoor plumbing, farm work such as milking cows or gardening, and riding a horse.

One of my favorite aspects about writing is developing the characters, especially the female protagonists. Mine are typically…well, untypical. The gals in my books are war correspondents, mechanics, spies, doctors, pilots, and midwives, just to name a few. While thinking about what to write next, I stumbled on an article about female prospectors, and I knew I had my story.

I continued to dig and was delighted to find journals and diaries of these stalwart women who either followed their husbands, brothers, or fathers to the gold field or actually set out on their own. Instead of setting my novel during the well-known California gold rush of 1849, Gold Rush Bride Hannah takes place two decades earlier in northern Georgia where more than one million dollars of gold was unearthed.

The few images I found confirmed my suspicion. These women prospected alongside the men, swirling their pans of silt hour after hour…all while wearing a dress.

I hope you enjoy Hannah’s story.

MY REVIEW

This has been a nice story to read and I really liked the main characters. I loved the time period and learning about panning for gold. It sounds like very hard work and dangerous at times. As people found out that others had found gold, they needed to be aware of their surroundings. Times were tough in those days and it wasn’t unusual for someone to be killed for their fortune.

Hannah was a very strong, determined young woman. Losing her husband was devastating but she sure had determination to keep her gold claim safe. I was glad the author touched on the subject of how women were not treated fairly during this time. Men were not happy to see Hannah continue in her search for gold. I laughed when she wore pants and not a long , hot, uncomfortable dress to go hunting for gold in the water. I did pick up a few things about her in the story. She is angry with God, doesn’t like anyone to help her and she definitely has a pride issue.

Jess is an honorable man who comes to help his friend when a letter arrives asking him for help. Finding out he is too late, he decides to stay because of a promise. I love people who have integrity and Jess is a perfect example of that. Working beside Hannah he knows he may be in over his head. I loved the way he was always so supportive and patient with Hannah. When danger closes in on her, Jess steps up to protect her. There is a little intrigue in the story which I found to be well written. Overall a great book about pride, trusting and forgiveness. I look forward to the next book in this exciting new series.

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

Blog Stops

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, June 22 (Author Interview)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 22

deb’s Book Review, June 23

For Him and My Family, June 24

Texas Book-aholic, June 25

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, June 26 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 26

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 27

Connie’s History Classroom, June 28

Inklings and notions, June 29

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 30

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, July 1

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, July 2

Artistic Nobody, July 3 (Author Interview)

Reviewingbooksplusmore, July 3

Splashes of Joy, July 4 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, July 5

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Linda is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Visa Gift Card and signed copy of the 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/10e00/gold-rush-bride-hannah-celebration-tour-giveaway

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

blood room redemption

About the Book

Book: Blood Moon Redemption

Author: Judy DuCharme

Genre: Christian suspense

Release date: October, 2018

book BMR An ancient relic, a puzzling prophecy, and a young woman tied together through the ages . . .

It was just a relic, and hers, just a name. Who knew what time it really was?

The blood moons were always surrounded by great persecution and great provision, great trial and great triumph.

When the Jews were expelled from Spain and traveled with Columbus, only a tassel from a prayer shawl remained with them to signify their faith. That tassel, handed down, stolen, and hidden, became a marker of God’s protection and now is the focus of a terrorist scheme and a young woman’s destiny.

Blood Moon Redemption is an end-times thriller that will keep you riveted until the very last moonrise.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

CK4A9886 Judy DuCharme grew up with Lake Huron next to her back yard and has always loved the water. She, her husband, daughter, and son moved to Door County in 1984. After teaching 5th Grade at Gibraltar School for 22 years, Judy followed the calling that tugged at her all her life to write. Blood Moon Redemption is her 6th or 8 published books and she is the recipient of numerous awards. She also writes for Guideposts Magazine. If you visit Door County, you may find her hiking in the woods, jet skiing on the bay, worshipping at her church, teaching a Bible study, cheering for the Green Bay Packers, playing with her amazing grandson, or sitting outside enjoying the beauty around her.

More from Judy

My brother, a lawyer, is a voracious reader and likes to write reviews. When he wrote of Blood Moon Redemption, he stated: ‘Most novels have pacing that gives you natural places to stop for the night but this one runs right through the stop signs.’ Current, Historical, and Prophetic, Blood Moon Redemption is a riveting novel following the suspenseful and gripping journeys the characters must travel to find their true destinies. My hope is that you are intrigued enough by all the prophecies, history, and stories here-in, that you will further explore the amazing truths that Tassie, her friends and family discovered.

MY REVIEW

I hope that someone will turn this book into a movie. Yes it is that good and needs to be on screen so many people can witness the journey that the author captures. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect but I am overwhelmed by the way the author writes. The story seems so real that I felt like I was reading something straight from the front page of a newspaper.

I loved learning more about Israel and the Jewish faith. What really fascinated me was the story behind the artifact . To have something from so many years ago be preserved and make prophecies come to light is hard to imagine. I loved the end time story and how it kept me glued to my spot.

Tassie is a wonderful character who will discover her family history that changes the world. Her taste in men is not so good and Omar proves to be a big disappointment. His charm gets him places and fools many people. He is definitely someone to watch out for in the story. I couldn’t believe how evil someone can be but the author shows how people can be deceived by power.

The story travels back in time to set the stage for what the relic represents and the meaning behind Tassie’s name. I did find myself going through my Bible several times. What does the Bible say about end times? That was the question I had to see for myself. The way the author ties a well know historical figure to this story is quite intriguing and made me want to read even faster.

This has been a very well written story with danger, adventure and a message that resounds throughout the book. Do you know Jesus? That is what many will need to answer as the end draws near.

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