Saturday, May 13, 2023

About the Book

Book: Gold Rush Bride Tegan

Author: Linda Shenton Matchett

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: February 25, 2022

Tegan Llewellyn has always been different than her adopted family, except Grandmother Hannah, a prospector during the 1829 Georgia gold rush. Now, seventy years later there are reports of gold in Nome, and the opportunity is too good to pass up. But Tegan doesn’t count on the dangers that strike from the moment she steps off the steamer, including the threat of losing her heart.

Elijah Hunter has prospected for gold all over the US and Canada and likes being on the move. The last thing he expects to find on his latest search is a lady miner who proves to be nothing but trouble. Can he convince her that leaving is for her own good before it’s too late…for both of them?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Linda Shenton Matchett writes about ordinary people who did extraordinary things in days gone by. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry (of Star-Spangled Banner fame) and has lived in historic places all her life. Linda is a volunteer docent and archivist for the Wright Museum of World War II and a former trustee for her local public library. She now resides in central New Hampshire where her favorite activities are exploring the state’s historical sites and immersing herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors.

More from Linda

Dear Reader,

I am constantly amazed at the extraordinary things women did over the course of history (mostly done in dresses and skirts until about eighty years ago!). When I stumbled on the fact that women were involved during the gold and silver rushes that occurred in the US and its territories, I knew I had to tell their story.

A significant number of women followed husbands, brothers, or fathers, but an intrepid few set out on their own to find their fortune for as many reasons as there were women. Some went to escape difficult (or abusive) situations at home and others because they felt they had no choice. But there was a small percentage who made their way across thousands of miles for the sheer adventure.

The Nome Gold Rush started 175 years ago in 1898, and was different than previous rushes in that much of the gold was on the beach and could be plucked from the sand without any need for a claim. Later, claims were required to mine gold from the Snake River, and this is when things got dirty.

Initially, the courts upheld original claims, but after some of the “claim jumpers” offered to share proceeds from their invalid claims, a few crooked judges and politicians decided this was a great opportunity to line their pockets. Already guilty of stealing votes and voter intimidation, Alexander McKenzie, National Committeeman for North Dakota headed the pack and created an elaborate scheme with the help of Judge Arthur Noyes. It would take nearly two years for the men to be arrested and brought to trial. I included a fictionalized version of this situation in Gold Rush Bride Tegan.

I visited Alaska before writing Tegan and was overwhelmed by its majestic beauty. The photos I’d seen before the trip didn’t do justice to the reality of the state’s glaciers, mountains, rivers, and forests. Wildlife is so abundant that it literally walked or flew through town giving us “up close and personal” experiences with moose, wild sheep, eagles, and more.

Because of the inaccessibility of much of the state, one in fifty Alaskans hold a pilot’s license as compared to the national average which is one in seven hundred. However, in 1898, prospectors didn’t have that luxury, instead making their way to San Francisco by rail and then either going overland with wagons and mules or up the coast on schooners, either choice a difficult and arduous journey.

It is my hope that Gold Rush Bride Tegan honors the stalwart women who left all they knew for the chance of a lifetime.

Blessings,

Linda Shenton Matchett

MY REVIEW

I am big fan of this author because her stories are so realistic that I want to travel back in time and enjoy the characters more. Her description of Alaska is breathtaking and I loved learning more about panning for gold. People had dreams of making it rich but our main character had another reason for going off on this adventure.

It is not very likely that Tegan will be welcomed panning for gold. After all, men think women should leave the hard tasks to them. They don’t know Tegan though. She has this fire within her that she is determined to prove that women are capable of doing many things. She is strong and I admired her independence and how she wanted everyone to believe she didn’t need anyone protecting her.

Elijah is a gentleman who is there along the shore with everyone else looking to strike it rich. He isn’t very impressed with Tegan and her friend being there but he does treat them with kindness. When someone attacks Tegan he steps up to help. Their relationship is funny to read as they have this love/hate encounter going on. He needs to keep a watchful eye out because someone is trying scare the women away.

Greed slithers its way into the story as someone is stealing claims and causing chaos among many. The author is gifted in details and helps readers feel emotions of the characters. Tegan is feeling that she doesn’t quite fit in with her family back home. I loved how Elijah explains that we are all different in some way. Her parents chose to adopt her because they loved her. Jesus loves each of us and knows that we are priceless. If only Tegan can see how cherished she is then she can bring down that wall she has built around herself. Patience is very evidently needed by Tegan as she wants to rush things that are important to protect her claim. How many of us have a problem with patience? We want to rush ahead of God thinking we know better than He does. I love how he gently disciplines us and helps us see where we need to ask for help.

Thank you to the author for writing a story that illustrates how we need to trust God and allow Him to direct our paths. As Tegan grows spiritually she learns that there are good people out there who want to show her unconditional love. We all need to remember to ask for help and not try to do things on our own.

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

Blog Stops

Sylvan Musings, May 10 (Author Interview)

Lily’s Book Reviews, May 11

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 12

Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 13 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, May 14

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 15

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, May 16 (Author Interview)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, May 16

Connie’s History Classroom, May 17

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 18

By The Book, May 19 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 19

Books Less Travelled, May 20

For Him and My Family, May 21

For the Love of Literature, May 22 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 23

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Linda is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 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/25f59/gold-rush-bride-tegan-celebration-tour-giveaway

Thursday, May 11, 2023

About the Book

Book: Stormy Encounters

Author: BJ Howe

Genre: Teen/YA Action Adventure

Release date: March 14, 2023

When the biggest bully in town has you in his crosshairs, you can run, or you can dig deep inside and discover who you really are. Steven Carlson finds himself saddled with an unexpected debt he cannot afford, changing his plans for a summer of fun to one that forces him to places he never wanted to go.

There are storms on the horizon and equally daunting storms of the heart. With a father he doesn’t understand and a mother he can’t remember, Steven’s sixteenth year launches him on a journey that will forever alter his world.

In one unforgettable season, Steven Carlson is pushed to the edge of disaster and forced to confront his prison of self-doubt.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Barb (B J) Howe has enjoyed entertaining others with stories since she was a child. As an adult, she used storytelling techniques to communicate in various workplace settings before exploring the art of memoir writing and fiction.

Stormy Encounters is her first significant work of fiction. Writing about teenage boys and lightning fast cars was inspired by her grandson, who at age four attempted to drive her car, and at age ten reminded her that he was a mere five years away from a driving permit. He is now entering his teen years.

Howe resides in Chanhassen MN with husband, Dave Howe, author of Live Pure and Free: The 90-Day Game Changer. She is on staff with Christian Grandparenting Network, and has contributed to several publications including: Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse Jr. Magazine and Guideposts. Her desire in writing this book is to encourage young adults to mature in their integrity and pursue a personal relationship with Christ.

More from Barb

Getting through those teenage years is an adventure. Ask anyone who’s been there. The challenges are real, the outcomes, let’s just say unpredictable. Today’s young generation seems to have more than a fair share of confusing messages roaring at them, and far more outlets than any previous generation to access them. This can make the journey to adulthood far more daunting.

Too many of the books found at public libraries and book stores carry dark messages with little hope. Stormy Encounters is about smokin’ hot cars, swaggering bravado, and, of course, girls. You know, the things that get young guys’ engines revving in high gear. This approach cruises into their world and shows how to work through difficulties without getting preachy. That’s the kind of thinking that first enticed Howe to speak to teens through fiction.

Face it. No matter who we are, we all share at least one thing in common: every day we make hundreds of choices. Some of those choices affect the rest of our lives. Stormy Encounters is all about helping teens, especially teen boys, make the kinds of choices that bring positive results. The pace is fast enough to be exciting, steady to drive interest. Don’t worry; it’s all clean. Maybe these are the reasons teen girls and adults also enjoy reading Stormy Encounters.

Howe’s writing career began with corporate and freelance writing. But it was the nuances of memoir writing that led to fiction. They’re both centered around human interactions. With Stormy Encounters, readers get to see how three different generations come together with all their individual quirks in one complex story that explores the emotions of grief, happiness, love, sadness, and hope. We can all use a big dose of hope.

When not writing, Howe enjoys urban hiking (a.k.a., neighborhood walks), bicycling through the countryside, and baking bread. Try this wild rice bread recipe. It positively screams Minnesota, the state where Stormy Encounters takes place.

Minnesota Wild Rice Bread

Ingredients:
¼ cup wild rice, raw
2 cups water
1 package dry yeast
1/3 cup warm water
2 cups milk, scalded
2 tablespoons melted butter
½ cup honey
2 teaspoons salt
½ cup rolled oats, uncooked
½ cup rye flour
1-1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
½ cup bran
3-1/2 cups unbleached flour, plus up to 1 cup (if needed)
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon water
¼ cup hulled sunflower seeds

Directions:

1. Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add rice, cover, and cook over very low heat until rice is tender, approx. 45-60 minutes. Allow to cool.
2. Stir yeast into 1/3 cup warm water and let stand 5 minutes. Stir in milk, butter, honey, salt, and oats. Add cooled rice mixture to milk mixture.
3. Using a wooden spoon, stir together rye flower, whole-wheat flour, bran, and 3-1/2 cups of unbleached flour. Add to milk and yeast mixture, stirring until soft dough forms. Add more unbleached flour, as needed, until dough is easy to handle.
4. Turn dough onto a floured board and knead until soft and elastic, about 10 minutes. Place dough in an oiled bowl and turn so the top is oiled. Let rise 2 hours.
5. Punch dough and shape into two loaves. Place in 2 greased 9-1/2 x 5-1/2-inch pans. Let rise again, about 1 hour. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
6. Bake 45 minutes. During the last 15 minutes of baking, brush loaves with 1 beaten egg mixed with 1 tablespoon of water and sprinkle with sunflower seeds.

MY REVIEW

This is a good book that explores how two teenage boys find that disobeying can lead to consequences. I thought the story was a great lesson in falling into making wrong decisions and what happens when your life starts to spiral out of control. The boys wanted to be popular and race cars at night but when something happens, they find that their punishment was not worth it.

I liked how we see that peer pressure is something everyone deals with and how hard it is to walk away. There are many storms that we have to overcome in our lives and the boys find that doing the right thing has better results. It is also a good lesson on helping others even if you don’t like them.

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

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 8

An Author’s Take, May 9

Lots of Helpers, May 10

Girls in White Dresses, May 10

Texas Book-aholic, May 11

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 12

The Life We Build, May 12

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 13

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 14

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 15

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, May 16

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, May 17 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 17

For Him and My Family, May 18

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, May 19

A Reader’s Brain, May 20

Blogging With Carol, May 21

Holly’s Book Corner, May 21

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, B.J. is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of Stormy Encounters!!

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/263d1/stormy-encounters-celebration-tour-giveaway

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

THE LONG MARCH HOME BY MARCUS BROTHERTON AND TOSCA LEE

Jimmy Propfield joined the army for two reasons: to get out of Mobile, Alabama, with his best friends Hank and Billy and to forget his high school sweetheart, Claire.

Life in the Philippines seems like paradise--until the morning of December 8, 1941, when news comes from Manila: Imperial Japan has bombed Pearl Harbor. Within hours, the teenage friends are plunged into war as enemy warplanes attack Luzon, beginning a battle for control of the Pacific Theater that will culminate with a last stand on the Bataan Peninsula and end with the largest surrender of American troops in history.

What follows will become known as one of the worst atrocities in modern warfare: the Bataan Death March. With no hope of rescue, the three friends vow to make it back home together. But the ordeal is only the beginning of their nearly four-year fight to survive.

Inspired by true stories, The Long March Home is a gripping coming-of-age tale of friendship, sacrifice, and the power of unrelenting hope.

MY REVIEW

A gripping story of three friends who face a war that brings them face to face with danger. I did like that we go from past to present and read how these four grew up together and how different their backgrounds were. Several times I felt like crying as one of them faced the loss of a parent. The emotional journey is deep in this story as the authors slowly open each character with a look at their family life and how they changed as they went off to war.

As we move forward to their time fighting against the enemy, we discover the pain of watching those they serve lose their lives. There were days when there was very little food to go around which made it difficult to keep their strength up. Can you imagine having to stand guard all night knowing that at any minute the enemy could take you out. I was surprised at how young most of them were. Parents back home were desperate for letters from their boys but the mail was sparse at times. I could hear the continuous bullets in the air and planes that were able to destroy areas in minutes.

I did find the book hard to read at times with graphic details of what they ate to survive. In dark times, they had to eat to keep up their strength but it was hard for me to get that picture out of my head. I have to say that war is not pretty and this book does a good job of showing readers the truth of how it could be during this war that claimed many lives. Survival was the most important thing in those moments when faced with the enemy staring right at you. The research done for this book is evident as details reflect what we have read in history books.

The book does bring attention to what many people suffered as they became prisoners of war. The three friends are determined that they will all come home alive. Their journey is filled with pain, determination and hope. The authors give us a story that is realistic and a theme of never giving up.

I received a copy of this book from Revell Reads. The review is my own opinion.

Monday, May 8, 2023

About the Book

Book: Coming Home to Mercy

Author: Michelle De Bruin

Genre: Inspirational Historical Romance

Release date: August 14, 2021

A society woman leaves her comfortable lifestyle so that she can help her daughter adjust to the arrival of twin sons in a small town where the courageous doctor teaches her about taking risks.

Wealthy and sociable Margaret Millerson has always thought of her brother’s Chicago mansion as her home. But when she receives the telephone call that her daughter has given birth to twins three weeks ahead of the expected due date, Margaret must leave her comfortable home, her family, and her friends to travel out of state. While she is helping her daughter care for the infants, Margaret becomes reacquainted with the town’s doctor, Matthew Kaldenberg.

Dr. Matthew Kaldenberg stays busy caring for the health of the citizens of his small town. His profession offers him daily practice in defeating death, his greatest enemy. During the twenty years since losing his own wife and baby in childbirth, Matthew has saved his money for the purchase of a flying machine. But when Matthew takes Margaret for flights on his biplane, he learns that his dreams of rising above the griefs and losses of his past come with a cost. He doesn’t want to lose the trust of the people he cares about most, or the chance at a relationship with Margaret.

Both Matthew and Margaret must make difficult decisions to hold on to the love they have discovered. Will Matthew’s heart recover from sorrow? Will Margaret find her true home?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Michelle De Bruin lives in Iowa with her husband and two young adult sons. She has a bachelor’s degree in Religion with a Christian Ministry emphasis, and in Music. Michelle serves as a Chaplain for Pella Regional Health Center. She writes inspirational historical romance about people who live in rural communities. Characters that bring to life the delights of farm and small-town living, whispers of Dutch heritage, and Christian faith make Michelle’s stories distinct. A romantic at heart, Michelle is always on the lookout for glimpses of God’s love through the window of a good story.

More from Michelle

Coming Home to Mercy is the first in a trilogy of books set in a small Iowa town during the years 1913 through 1918. This is the second series of books I have written. The Tomorrowseries is the first set, and if you’ve already read it, you will recognize characters that appeared in Hope for Tomorrow, Promise for Tomorrow, and Dreaming of Tomorrow.

This book is a graceful story of two people who thought faithful, committed love could only come into their lives once. But they both discover that they get another chance to experience it again.

I wrote Coming Home to Mercy to show what healthy marriages and healthy families are like. I trust this story gives us a glimpse of how true love works, what faithfulness means, and what compassion can do; not only in one person’s life, but in the daily workings of an entire community.

The hero in this story has a sad, broken heart at the beginning. As the story unfolds, he heals and gains a deeper understanding of God’s work in his life. Dr. Matthew Kaldenberg finds love and peace as his belief grows that God truly does work all things together for good.

Thank you for joining me on this tour. I hope you enjoy the blog posts and enter the drawing for the giveaway. Follow me on social media and subscribe to my newsletter at https://michelledebruin.com/.

Grace and peace,

Michelle De Bruin

MY REVIEW

I love this tine period and how the author gives us a wonderful story with details of an historical era. Who can forget the famous Wright Brothers? Their claim to fame made it possible to fly in the sky with ease. The author does a good job of incorporating this monumental mark of history with a character who I thought was the star of the book.

Matthew is the town’s doctor and many people adore him. His selfless time given to his patients makes him endearing. He has been without happiness it seems since he lost his family years ago. It is hard for him at times being alone but he has put his trust in God to heal his broken heart. His dream to own a bi-plane and is soon to be a reality when he decides to follow through and purchase one. Those moments he first gets in the air are what makes him happy. I can see him grinning and having the best time of his life.

Margaret has come to town to help her daughter with new born twins. She does hope to run into Matthew while she is there. They did have a moment a short time ago and their feelings for each never left them. I appreciate how Margaret was willing to drop everything to come help with her grandchildren and loved every moment she was with them. The story shows how she fights her feelings for Matthew but she can’t quite let go of what could be her future.

The books is a nice look at healthy marriages and how the couples stand together through difficult times. Matthew and Margaret struggle at times when they realize their deep feelings for each other. I think Margaret sees how happy her daughters are and wants the same for herself. The author examines how faith can heal relationships and shows how important it is to give mercy to others.

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

Blog Stops

lakesidelivingsite, May 6

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 7

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 8

Texas Book-aholic, May 9

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 10

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 11

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, May 12 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, May 12

Connie’s History Classroom, May 13

Cover Lover Book Review, May 14

Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 15 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 16

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, May 17 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, May 17

Blogging With Carol, May 18

Sylvan Musings, May 19 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Michelle is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card & 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/25ca6/coming-home-to-mercy-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Persuade Me Not

Author: Joanne Markey

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release date: April 4, 2023

Forgiveness is only a prayer away… or is it?

As the oldest daughter at Kellynch Station, Elizabeth Elliot prides herself on her exemplary public image. In fact, women could learn a thing or two by following her example—her public example.

There are things Liz doesn’t want known, and she guards them closely. In fact, keeping everyone except her best friend from ever seeing the truth behind her impenetrable facade is the only thing she can control.

Enter Michael Page. Unassuming and too stubborn for his own good, Mick bucks trend by bringing sheep back to cattle country. Just a small flock at first, but their numbers are growing. There’s just one problem to deal with now. Liz Elliot.

With all her airs and fancy ways, and the unreasonable demands she makes of the town and its people, Liz is a walking antagonism. Maybe he should’ve stayed home after that first meeting, but something keeps bringing him back. If nothing else, someone has to foil her outrageous attempts to do who-knows-what with the town.

Then a carefully worded slip of the tongue hints at a mystery that might be worth digging into.

As the truth comes to light, and Liz’s carefully crafted world comes crashing down, who can either of them trust?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Originally from Australia, Joanne Markey now lives in Ohio with her husband and seven children. When she’s not reading or writing, you might find her wandering the property with her kids in search of whatever seasonal treasure they’re trying to find.

More from Joanne

I don’t remember exactly when it was that I first started thinking about writing Persuade Me Not. I know I was still writing Persuade Me, the first book in the Daughters of the Bush series. At the time I started writing, I only planned to write one book in that setting. However, the more I wrote, the more I thought about the other characters. And somewhere along the way, I started thinking that, if Liz ever got her happily-ever-after, it would have to be with someone unexpected.

That idea slowly took hold. It would have to be a man as unlike her father as it was possible to be. Someone humble and down-to-earth. Someone with both the integrity to dig deeper to find the truth, and the stubbornness to knock down all the walls Liz had put up.

Right about then I came across an interesting coffee table book about old shearing sheds in Australia. Being an Aussie living in the US and finding that book on the shelves in a store here meant I instantly bought it. And after flicking through the pages, another idea started to form…

At one point in time, Clermont—the town where my book is set—had a substantial wool industry. Which meant sheep. Which meant it could theoretically be possible for there to be a run-down shearing shed on one of the cattle stations in that area. And, to Walter Elliot, what could be worse than running sheep in cattle country?

As far as Walter Elliott is concerned, he is a cattleman with a long and illustrious heritage. Therefore, only those who emulated his lifestyle would be worthy of the attention of his daughter. (Obviously, no other man would rise to the heights of perfection as he, but they could try.)

I don’t know if there are any sheep in the Clermont area now, but if there are, they’re not a big thing. I don’t remember ever seeing any when I lived there as a kid. It was cattle country, and sheep were something we saw when we were driving to visit my grandparents in Victoria (south of the dingo fence, in other words).

With all of that in mind, if, for the sake of the story, one man brought sheep back… and that one man ended up being stubborn and determined to uncover the truth… we’d have a book.

And that is how Persuade Me Not came to be.

MY REVIEW

This book is for those who have been betrayed, lied to, hurt, shamed, or felt not good enough. This book is also for those who want to know how they can have a relationship with Jesus, be forgiven and find hope. What is most important is that this book is for everyone. It illustrates how a parent can be full of pride and bitterness that they use their own child as a way to belittle them, keep them trapped away from everyone and use them to gain recognition and prestige in the community.

I loved how the author draws readers into this story with emotions that tug on your heart. The lie Liz has been told has kept her captive in a world will money and appearance is everything. What would you do if you found out that your father had blackmailed you for years and now wants to see you dead? Liz faces a hard road after an accident almost kills her. There is little doubt who was at fault but he can’t be found.

Mick and Liz don’t get along well but somehow they seem to be cordial to each other. The story takes us to Australia where we explore the beautiful land and how hardworking Mick is. He is determined to raise sheep while most are raising cattle. He has to work long hours to make his dream come true. I loved his compassion for God and how he took time to explain scriptures to Liz to help her know who Jesus is.

The story is not without suspense as lies are exposed. Liz becomes a target and Mitch decides to help Liz by finding a safe place for her to stay. I did like their banter at times when they acted like they didn’t like each other. Mitch is a good guy and stands strong on not wanting a relationship with someone who is unequally yoked. What a great example he is to young men and women who desire to follow God and not be tempted to fall into sin.

I loved how this book is a healing tool for some who have broken relationships with family and how they reach out to reconcile. As the author peels away the emotional scars that Liz has been given by her father we see a woman who is broken. She wants to believe that someone will love her but first she needs to allow God to heal her heart and let her experience unconditional love. The story is a beautifully written journey of being set free and finding your worth in Jesus.

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