About the Book

Book: The Golden Touch

Author: Carole Brown

Genre: Romantic Cozy Mystery

Release date: April 30, 2021

Not again.

Ryle Sadler stared down at the financial statement lying on his desk. His investment firm had just sent him another record of overwhelming success. Time to sell his share in this stock.

Ryle came from the poor side of the tracks, but that had no bearing on his success in life—which he kept hidden from everyone, especially those in Appleton, West Virginia. But when he buys the local, rundown bed and breakfast, mysterious revelations from beneath the site are suddenly threatening to ruin his good standing with the citizens.

Then along comes Jazzi Sanderson. Jazzi has a reputation of being wild, but Ryle sees more than is on the top layer of this woman. Beneath that tough, wild streak lurks a woman who wants to be loved by the right person, a woman who is tender-hearted and who is just finding out that God is real.

Is Ryle and Jazzi’s worlds too far apart or can their differences help them solve the mystery that lies beneath Ryle’s bed and breakfast? Will the evil person behind it all be able to silence them, or can Ryle’s golden touch prevail in this too?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

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

 

More from Carole

Discovering the Emotional Touch

 

 

 

When beginning the story of THE GOLDEN TOUCH, Book Five of the Appleton, WV Romantic Mysteries, I needed a KEY factor

 

Here’s what I knew:

• the protagonists: Jazzi (Jazmine) Sanderson and Ryle Sadler, their careers and/or past, their personalities,
• the basic plot: mystery, suspense and the romance
• the setting
• the first chapter

 

But I still didn’t have that thing—that emotion or feeling—the characters were searching for…until I, unknowingly hit upon it. What Jazzi and Ryle were both seeking, although unknown to either, was a place that felt like HOME. The place that makes a person feel content, relaxed and at peace, even when trouble is brewing, even when you’re still searching for that one person who makes the world go ’round for you.

 

Where was it? Appleton, West Virginia. The small town where everyone knew everyone and their business, or at least assumed they knew. Where friends were friends for life, even when that small town held secrets, trouble and problems.

 

Ryle, who was rich, innovative and smart, living in a big town and traveling across the country for work was happy, or thought he was. But when he chanced upon Appleton, West Virginia, small, friendly, clean and sometimes a nosy place, but where friends were loyal and ready to help in any way they could, Ryle realized he’d found that spot that felt like home. Adding that to solving the mystery and finding love, was the answer his heart had craved, even though he didn’t know it.

 

As for Jazzi, wild, beautiful young lady that she was, felt unloved by her adopted parents, and flew the coop from Appleton as soon as she was of age. What she didn’t realize, that instead of blaming others for her unhappiness, it was of her own making. It wasn’t until she returned to Appleton, more mature now, accepting of her own mistakes, and finding a meaning for her life, that her heart grasped the one place that could ever feel like home. Appleton.

MY REVIEW 

Nestled in a quaint little  town called Appleton is where out story takes us. I loved reading  about the B&B that Ryle was renovating. He has been successful in his business adventures, so he was sure this would be a  good investment. Ryle is a good hearted person who likes to give people second chances.  As he progresses  in his venture strange things start to happen around the B&B. Someone doesn’t want him to open the new place and their tactics become dangerous. 

Jazzi was my favorite character because she seemed like a lost soul who desperately wanted someone to give her a chance. There are glimpses of her past that she tries to forget but  it looks like someone is out to get her. She is so excited when Ryle hires her as his manager. You can feel her excitement as she starts a new life and begins to trust Ryle. I couldn’t wait to see where the author took their relationship. 

The mystery in the book is really two fold. There are the men who are after Jazzi and a mysterious discovery on the land where the B & B is. The author does a great job of leaving little crumbs for readers to follow as threats are made, strange noises are heard at the B&B  and unfamiliar people start showing up. Ryle is determined to keep Jazzi safe but it could cost him his life if he doesn’t follow the demands that are given to him. 

There are tense moments throughout the story that had me reading  as fast as I could. The author surprised me a few times as the twists caught me off guard. With information about the B&B from years ago, I was fascinated by the unexpected discovery that will affect many lives. I have enjoyed my time in Appleton and hope the author will return to the town to update us on the people we have come to care about. 

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

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, December 6

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 6

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 7

Betti Mace, December 8

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 9

Bigreadersite, December 10

Texas Book-aholic, December 11

Inklings and notions, December 12

For Him and My Family, December 13

Blogging With Carol, December 13

deb’s Book Review, December 14

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 15

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, December 16

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 17

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, December 18 (Spotlight)

Mary Hake, December 18

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, December 19

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Carol is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 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/1419a/the-golden-touch-celebration-tour-giveaway

 

About the Book

Book: The Thin Space

Author: Dann Stouten

Genre: Speculative Fiction

Release date: May 28, 2021

When Psychologist Rocky Devos lost his wife to cancer, he also lost his faith in the fairness of God. For over a year, he lived in the thin space between his love for God and his hatred for what he believed God did. Each night, he banged on heaven’s gate demanding an explanation.

“Why Rachel, Lord? Why would you let her suffer like that? Why didn’t you do something? Why didn’t you give us a miracle?”

The longer his prayers went unanswered the more frustrated he became. Eventually, he meets God’s silence with a silence of his own. But then, a year and four months later, the answer arrives disguised as a homeless vagabond who claims to be the apostle Paul. Clearly, Rocky believes he was delusional. But in their court-appointed sessions, he finds a kindred spirit. As Paul unpacks the pain of losing his wife in childbirth the two men connect. Rocky believes he’s there to help Paul. Paul believes the opposite.

The book explores the thin space between faith and doubt. Rocky’s questions are our questions. At some point we will all lose someone we love. When we do, we will find comfort in the company of those who have walked the path of suffering before us. Rocky invites us to join him on his journey of redemption. His conversations with Paul will not only change the way he thinks about God, they may do the same for you as well.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

DANN STOUTEN (DMin, Western Theological Seminary) is the pastor of Leadership and Teaching at Christ Memorial Church in Holland, Michigan. Dann has always been a lover of stories. He believes if we write about hope, it’s because we have found hope. If we write about tragedy, it’s because we have experienced tragedy. If we write about love, it’s because we have been loved well or want to be. If we write about faith, it’s because we have wrestled with our doubts and come out on the other side. Doubt is the enemy of faith and nothing stirs up doubt like death.

When we lose someone we love, our faith is either strengthened or strangled. That death will drive us closer to God or drive us farther away. We find ourselves in The Thin Space between wanting to believe and wondering if we do. For a time, faith and doubt play tug-o-war with our souls. In the end, whether we chose to believe or not is often decided by the stories we’re told. My prayer is that my words might bring people comfort and bring them closer to God.

 

More from Dann

There is a thin space between faith and doubt, and when we lose someone we love, the lines can sometimes get blurred. Unanswered prayers hang heavy on our hearts, and grief can even cause us to question God. In those moments of uncertainty, we often find comfort in the company of those who’ve walked the path of suffering before us. Their story and our stories intertwine. The Thin Space invites us to walk alongside of Rocky DeVos as he tries to navigate life’s most challenging moments. It is honest, comforting, and dares ask the questions we so often are afraid to explore. It will challenge the way you think about God and is a must read for anyone who’s lost someone they love.

MY REVIEW 

This is a book that intrigued me and made me want to dig deeper in the Bible. Rocky has a devastating loss that causes him to question God. Anyone that has lost someone has probably asked these questions? Why didn’t you save them God? Why did they have to die? I remember when my brother died I was in shock. I believed that he would be healed and was angry when he passed away. 

I’m not sure what I would do if someone told me that they were the Apostle Paul, but I liked the way Rocky handled the situation. Hearing the story of Paul from the beginning was like traveling back in time and walking beside him as he told his story. There are many emotional moments as Rocky listens to Paul. I began to wonder if this was a divine appointment for Rocky. Did God send this person to Rocky to help him grieve the loss of his wife? 

The book is filled with insights into the grief process and reminds us that God has not abandoned us. “Don’t mistake God’s silence for His absence.” I loved that sentence so much. He does know what we need but sometimes it is hard for us when we feel hurt and alone. The story is beautifully written as Rocky shares his love for his wife. It was hard for Rocky to accept her death, but maybe in the midst of everything he found his way back to God. 

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

Blog Stops

Inklings and notions, December 8

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, December 9

Texas Book-aholic, December 10

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 11

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, December 12 (Spotlight)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 13

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 14

Beauty in the Binding, December 15 (Author Interview)

deb’s Book Review, December 15

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, December 16

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, December 17

For Him and My Family, December 18

Splashes of Joy, December 19 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, December 19

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

Spoken from the Heart, December 21 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Dann is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a 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/1482a/the-thin-space-celebration-tour-giveaway

 

About the Book

Book: Exposing the Spiritual Roots of Diabetes

Author: Dr. Henry W. Wright

Genre: BODY, MIND & SPIRIT / Healing/Prayer & Spiritual/HEALTH & FITNESS / Diseases/Diabetes

Release date: December 7, 2021

A Pathway of Healing  

Are you in a battle with type 1 or type 2 diabetes? Did you know that over 30 million Americans suffer from diabetes (90 percent of them with type 2) and the ill effects it can cause their bodies? This disease has become a plague in our anxiety-filled and often overweight society. Thankfully, God created the human body, and He has a unique and loving plan for your health. You can discover principles for moving from your illness to His pathway of healing.

Exposing the Spiritual Roots of Diabetes reveals the unseen forces that trigger disease from within and how we can overcome them. Dr. Henry Wright’s teachings, based on medical findings and powerful biblical truths, affirm that it is God’s will for you to be healthy and whole—in your spirit, soul, and body. If you think you’ve read all you need to know about healing and disease prevention, it’s time to take another look!

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Dr. Henry W. Wright (1944–2019) was the president and founder of Be in Health Global. He was exposed to the power of God’s healing at an early age when his mother was miraculously cured of terminal cancer and a fatal tumor that was wrapped around her jugular vein. Wright was committed to the belief that human problems are fundamentally spiritual, with associated physical and psychological manifestations. With his insights into the medical as well as the spiritual aspects of disease, he brought a fresh perspective to the process of ministering to the sick. He presented conferences worldwide and across broad denominational lines for over twenty-five years and was a frequent guest on many well-known television and radio programs. Be in Health continues to carry on Dr. Wright’s vision and ministry, hosting the world-renowned For My Life Retreats in Thomaston, Georgia.MY 

 

More from Whitaker House

This book reveals the unseen forces that trigger disease from within and how we can overcome them. Dr. Henry Wright’s teachings, based on medical findings and powerful biblical truths, affirm that it is God’s will for you to be healthy and whole—in your spirit, soul, and body. If you think you’ve read all you need to know about healing, it’s time to take another look!

MY REVIEW 

This book is one that I have been interested in reading  since I saw the title. I know several people who have diabetes and I wanted more information about it. The author is very informed  about the disease and has done a lot  of research on the subject. I like how he uses scriptures throughout the book and emphasizes that God can heal you. Having diabetes can be scary and I always  hear  that there is no cure for it. But we must remember that God is out healer  and nothing is impossible for Him. 

It was interesting to read the types of spiritual roots that we may be harboring. I never thought about forgiveness in the way that the author illustrates it in relation to illness. There are some things in the book that I’m not quite sure I agree with. I did have to really take my time reading this book because it has many examples of healing and  I wanted to do my own research in the Bible for this subject. 

When the author talked about his findings dealing with Type 2 Diabetes he got my attention.  “Over the years, I have found a very specific spiritual root associated with type 2 diabetes. In almost all cases that I see, the person struggles with a fear of failing others.” That seemed like such a bold statement and I’m not sure I can agree with this. I do know that stress can cause physical pain and illness . The author does give sound advice about keeping your immune system healthy. 

Overall the book is filled with ways to overcome illness like diabetes in spiritual ways. Focusing on the body, soul and mind can help your health. I did like some of the information given but at times I didn’t like the case studies and the references he used about being recommended by people to help them in their battle with an illness. Our mind loves to tell us things that go against the Word of God and in that respect I agree with the author. The enemy wants us to be anxious, fearful and hopeless. God is our healer and it is important to keep ourselves grounded in the Word. 

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

Blog Stops

Daysong Reflections, December 7

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 8

Texas Book-aholic, December 9

deb’s Book Review, December 10

Inklings and notions, December 11

For Him and My Family, December 12

Artistic Nobody, December 13 (Spotlight)

The Author Reads, December 13

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 14

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, December 15

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 16

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, December 17 (Spotlight)

Cats in the Cradle Blog, December 17

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, December 18

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 19

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 20

Giveaway

To celebrate their tour, Whitaker House is giving away the grand prize package of a $20 Starbucks gift card and a 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/1419e/exposing-the-spiritual-roots-of-diabetes-celebration-tour-giveaway

 

About the Book

Book: Home for Christmas

Authors: Chautona Havig, Toni Shiloh, Cathe Swanson, Jaycee Weaver

Genre: Contemporary Christian Christmas Romance

Release date: October 21, 2021

Settle in with your favorite beverage, a Christmassy snack, and get ready for all the feels with these four heart-warming, military-honoring Christmas novellas.

The Christmas Lights Collection is back, and this year’s collection is better than ever. Full of love, joy, and hope, this year’s collection offers the celebration of freedom, sacrifice, and the greatest Gift ever given.

These novella features two veterans and two active servicemen and their stories.

The Stars of New Cheltenham (Chautona Havig): When a woman arrives at the Marine recruiting center, livid that her brother is ready to sign up tomorrow, the recruiter takes her on a journey through Rockland in hopes of showing her why her brother wants to serve.

Most Wonderful Time–  Gabe loves Christmas, so when he discovers that his new co-worker Shanée wants nothing to do with the season, he makes it his mission to show her the true meaning. But he never expected feelings to develop for the Air Force veteran. Will he take a chance that she feels the same way or miss the best gift of all?

The Road Home: ally has tried to leave her military history far in the past, but she’s not ready to go back to her former life, either. Can an old army buddy help her find a new road home?

Now and Forever Christmas: The past eight years as a professional musician for the US Army prepared Tobin McGhee for his new job as high school band teacher. They didn’t prepare him for how he’d feel seeing an old girlfriend again. This time, though, he won’t make the same mistakes. Can they make holiday music together and rekindle the friendship they once had, or will romance ruin everything… again?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Authors Chautona Havig, Toni Shiloh, Cathe Swanson, and Jaycee Weaver are about as different geographically and personally as you can get—except where they’re not. What they all share is a love of books, writing, and Jesus. Their great diversity is what makes their books so complementary and what makes the Christmas Lights Collection an eagerly-anticipated set each year.

 

More from Chautona

Picture it. Sweaters, fuzzy socks, a gas fireplace, and laptops. Cathe Swanson and I had been invited to join author Brenda Anderson for a writing retreat at her timeshare in the Wisconsin Dells. So, I flew out (and arrived in Minneapolis in the middle of riots! EEEP!) and we drove over to the Dells. There we were both determined to get a ton of writing done. And we did.

While Cathe worked on Home Run, (and I sneaked peeks at her recent release, Long Shadows), I finished up Penelope’s Pursuit and wrote a significant amount of Adoring April.

I also had a genius idea while I was there. I kind of freaked out poor Cathe a bit, running into the room where she was working and blurting out all the idea-ness (for a video of that, go HERE), but still… guys! Military! Woohoo!   Here’s a video of us brainstorming:

It was perfect on so many levels. So, Cathe zipped messages off to Jaycee and Toni, and we all began planning what we’d do to honor our military in this collection.

Look, it’s been a hard year for our military families. Folks are grieving and there’s just so much uncertainty. So, all of the authors of the Christmas Lights Collection would like to dedicate this collection not just to the men and women who have and are currently serving in our armed forces, but also to the families who make their own sacrifices in giving up time (often years) with their service men and women.

In this collection, you’ll find a Marine recruiter, a struggling veteran, an Army musician, and an Air Force veteran now working a nice prosaic bank job! See how each author ties Christmas and these heroes together!

MY REVIEW 

Whenever I find a book that is a collection of stories from several authors I get excited. Each author beings their unique style of writing where readers can experience the gift each author has.This collection has some of my favorite authors and I couldn’t wait to start reading. The theme this year is perfect and honors the military.

 The Stars of New Cheltenham by Chautona Havig

I enjoyed reading about Avie and Gareth and how they grew in their relationship. Avie is such a great character and her unconditional love for her brother stands out. It is scary for  her to think about her brother enlisting to serve his country. Gareth taking Avie on a journey that includes her favorite books was genius. We get to explore the various books while enjoying how Gareth continues to try to convince Avie that her brother is making a good decision. 

There is humor in the book that only the author can achieve as the characters try to dissuade each other from proving their point.  I couldn’t wait to see if Gareth would win Avie over or would she persuade her brother to find another  career that didn’t involve combat. The dates they go on are adventurous and filled with laughter and literature. 

The best part of the story for me was when Max and Avie talk, I mean really talk. Max shares how he has always felt like a misfit and needed this chance to fit in somewhere . Serving in the military is very important to him. Thanks to the author we are reminded how important it is to support our military. 

Most Wonderful Time by Toni Shiloh

I liked the way the author showed us what happens when someone is injured and has to retire from the military. Even though the accident wasn’t from  an official battle it still forced Shanée to retire. It is easy to understand how angry she is and not too happy about her new career. Getting to know her was nice and I loved seeing how Gabe brought a smile to her face. She is trying so hard not to like him, but he is a charmer. 

Gabe is a great character with a big heart. I sensed that he isn’t really satisfied working at the bank with his father but for now he is just coasting by. I love his siblings names and how close the family is. I adored his parents and their love for family and each other. Gabe is my favorite character in this story because he is caring and always wants to make everyone feel welcome. He may be a bit shy of relationships but I have a feeling he may just find what he has been looking for soon. 

It broke my heart to here that Shanée  thinks that God doesn’t care about her. I could see Gabe’s face as she said those words. I loved how the author used people from the Bible to illustrate how they suffered but learned that with God anything is possible. As I write this review I am sitting here in pain from my back as well. I have a big hurdle ahead of me to overcome this issue but with God it is possible. The author delivers a wonderful story about trust, healing and  showing that our friendship helps others to know that God cares. I loved how forgiveness is explained in the story in a way that leads you to understand about God’s unconditional love for each of us. Do Gabe and  Shanée  start  dating? Well that will be for readers to discover in this beautifully written story. 

The Road Home by Cathe Swanson 

This story is one that I really was anxious to read. You don’t hear much about women who were nurses in the military during WWII. Iris has seen a lot in her years but now that she is older she misses the days when she was always busy taking care of wounded soldiers. I loved getting to know her better. 

Tally was a medic in Afghanistan and now lives with Iris. Tally had a rough couple years when she returned from duty but maybe there is a reason she found a place to stay with Iris. After all they do have similar backgrounds and I’m sure they have stories to share about their deployments. 

When Christopher was introduced in the story I knew we would soon find out more about Tally. Something happened when they were both stationed together and now Talky seems to want to hide from everyone. Having PTSD is difficult to deal with and Tally has found ways to avoid  dealing with it mostly. 

The setting of the story is nice because it highlights community shelters and how they help anyone in need. I loved how the author brought several people together that share a history of serving in the military. My curiosity was getting the best of me and I couldn’t read fast enough to get my questions answered. The ending is so good and I cried as I finished the last page. 

Now and Forever by Jaycee Weaver

What a great story to end this book about the military. Can you remember your first crush you had? Oh I remember mine so well. He was this cute guy with curly blonde hair with sky blue eyes. We were a couple all the way until high school when he moved away. CJ and Tobin remind me so much of those days and I fell in love with their characters. 

Tobin was in the army and served also in the military band. Now he teaches high school band where he runs into someone who know CJ. How would she react seeing him after all these years? Would there still be a spark between them? Poor Tobin has no idea why they broke up so long ago. He still has this problem with being accepted by others. I thought it was interesting that his dad was never proud of him. 

This story is filled with past hurts and misunderstandings. When CJ and Tobin finally have a very serious talk, the pain that CJ has been carrying stumbles out in tears and words. The emotional scars that  she has endured by someone has taken a toll on her. Tobin has such a compassionate heart and is there to comfort CJ as she starts to reveal her past. I loved how the author talked about emotional abuse and allowed readers to see that there is hope for those who feel unwanted. Does  Tobin get his girl in the end? Pick up a copy of the book for the answer. 

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

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 8

Texas Book-aholic, December 9

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 10

Batya’s Bits, December 10

Inklings and notions, December 11

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, December 12

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, December 13 (Spotlight)

Joanne Markey, December 13

Older & Smarter?, December 14

For Him and My Family, December 14

deb’s Book Review, December 15

Blossoms and Blessings, December 15

Kayem Reads, December 16

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, December 16

By the Book, December 17

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 17

lakesidelivingsite, December 18

Blogging With Carol, December 19

Cultivating Us, December 19

She Lives To Read, December 20

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 21

Mary Hake, December 21

Giveaway

To celebrate their tour, the Christmas Lights Authors are giving away the 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.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1482c/home-for-christmas-celebration-tour-giveaway