Saturday, May 20, 2023

About the Book

Book: A Season at the Grand

Author: Sherri Wilson Johnson

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: May 9, 2023

Can the perfect picture reveal the truth before it’s too late?

Photographer Amelia Harris has had enough of her aunts’ meddling matchmaking. So when The Photographic Times commissions her to spend the summer on Mobile Bay taking portraits of the elite and capturing nature for penny postcards, Amelia happily accepts. But this job is not as simple as it appears, and Amelia must defend against naysayers if she’s to ever gain respect in a man’s world. And that doesn’t leave any room for romance.

Point Clear Resort General Manager Titus Overton never wanted the position he inherited when his cousin passed away. If it were up to him, he would be traveling with the Audubon Society to far-off places, enjoying the solitude of nature instead of providing relaxation for his guests. And now he has to deal with the big-city photographer stomping her way through sand dunes that house the migratory birds nesting there. But when she reveals an admiration for his feathered friends, it reawakens a longing in his heart he’d buried after the death of his fiancé.

When threats arise against Amelia and the other resort guests, Titus knows he must step in to help. But she insists they trust God for deliverance. How can he turn to a God who took away his first beloved?

As the danger closes in, he must find the courage to overcome his past before someone gets hurt—especially the woman he’s come to love.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Sherri Wilson Johnson is an Inspirational Romance novelist, graphic designer and lover of all things book related. She’s always been a sucker for a good love story—whether it’s real life or fiction (both historical and contemporary). Completing her first novel at the age of eighteen, and later burning the only copy in the fireplace, she continued learning the craft of writing and now writes Contemporary Romantic Suspense and Historical Romance with a splash of suspense and/or mystery. When not writing, she’s usually assisting other publishing professionals or helping authors realize their dreams of becoming published. Sherri and her husband are empty-nesters and live in Georgia with their two dogs. She loves spending time with family, vacationing at the beach, curling up with a good book or working on her current work-in-progress. She dreams of a second home on some beach somewhere some day, where she can plot and write romantically suspenseful novels.

More from Sherri

A Season at the Grand is set in Point Clear, Alabama on Mobile Bay, because it is one of my favorite vacation spots. I adore sitting on the dock and watching dolphins while birds of all types fly overhead. I am always inspired by the ocean, and many stories have come out of my time in the Mobile Bay area.

Point Clear is also the setting of my novella, Bayside Betrayal, which also involves the Grand Hotel but under a fictitious name. Bayside Betrayal is the launching story of my Jeopardized Reunions series, which is a series filled with contemporary reunion romantic suspense stories. Why am I telling you about this series? Well, book five, which I am writing now, holds a special attachment to A Season at the Grand because one of the characters is a descendent of the couple in the story. I’m so attached to this setting that I think I may have to keep writing stories set there for years to come. I hope you’ll check out A Season at the Grand and my other books too.

I’d love it if you’d follow me on social media and join my subscriber list. I’m always excited to hear from readers!

MY REVIEW

This has been a very enjoyable book to read with a bit of intrigue, romance and faith blended to make a story that will keep you glued to the story. I really liked getting to know Amelia and her ambition to be a photographer which was almost unheard of during this time period. The mindset for some were that women should be at home and not out working a job meant for men. Her determination to succeed is guided by her strong faith. She is kind but also will stand up for what is right. Her journey takes her to a beautiful resort where adventure awaits her.

Titus is the general manger of the resort and attends to his guests needs with grace and careful attention. He is not completely happy with his job because he really wants to be out there in nature where he feels peace. He has struggled with his faith for awhile and also isn’t sure he could ever commit to a woman again. Tragedy has taken his joy and he is bitter at times with God.

I liked how he and Amelia don’t hit it off right away because it leads to some moments where trust will come into play. The author slowly develops a relationship between the two which for me was just the right amount of time span so it wasn’t focused all on them getting together.

I didn’t expect the danger in the story at all but the author does a great job of exposing how racism still existed during this time period. One man is against anything that takes away from his wealth and he will stop at nothing to get his agenda approved by others. It is a reminder that greed and pride follow each other as threats start coming at not only Amelia but other guests as well.

The ending was not without tragedy as a man’s need for revenge is taken out on people at the resort. We witness a true hero as Titus steps up to protect Amelia and others at the resort. But for me the best part of the entire story is when Titus has a talk with God. I could feel his joy return and the bitterness he has lived with so long disappear. When Amelia explains certain scriptures to him, I loved how the author shows that it is never too late to ask for forgiveness.

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

Blog Stops

Pause for Tales, May 12

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 13

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 14

An Author’s Take, May 15

Books You Can Feel Good About, May 15

Connie’s History Classroom, May 16

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 17

She Lives To Read, May 18

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 19

For Him and My Family, May 20

Texas Book-aholic, May 21

Blossoms and Blessings, May 22

Cover Lover Book Review, May 23

Holly’s Book Corner, May 24

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, May 25 (Author Interview)

Sheila’s Reading Corner, May 25

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Sherri is giving away the grand prize package 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/25f5b/a-season-at-the-grand-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: The Ghost of Darwin Stewart

Author:LG Nixon

Genre: Young Adult Fiction/Religious/Christian Fantasy/Mysteries & Detective Stories

Release date: October 15, 2021

It’s all fun and games until a smelly ghost, and a terrifying shape-shifting entity follows Lucy home. When a malevolent spirit learns Lucy is the keeper of the artifact he has been searching millennia to find, everyone she loves is placed in danger. With several other magical artifacts which were in the trunk she purchased from the vendor at the flea market, Lucy finds she has access to powers she never knew existed.

The Spectrescope has shown her a beguiling other world reality filled with magic, spirits, wizards, and daemons. The artifact is the key to unlocking many secrets. Secrets, that if not kept, would mean destruction for the world beyond the portal, and possibly her own. Whether she likes it or not, she must decide. Will she protect the artifact? Or will she give it up to protect herself?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Meet LG Nixon, author, coffee connoisseur, motorcycle enthusiast, and collector of strange artifacts. With her zany imagination, she fuses a page-turning fantasy with a haunting theme and turns it into a spirit filled adventure with quirky and likable characters. After a long career, she left the workplace behind and turned to writing. Her stories are lighthearted but carry an underlying message of the importance of a Biblical worldview. She researches and writes full-time from her home in Michigan where she prowls the night star gazing and watching for a supernatural event. LG loves to ski, ride motorcycles, travel, and fly small planes; but no bungee jumping, thank you very much.

More from LG Nixon

I’ve always had zany and quirky imagination. Growing up in a creaky old house with a grandmother who told stories of ghostly visitations, I was curious. As a child, I filled journals with mystery and detective stories.

These days I write about ghosts and spirits to entertain, and use scripture as dialogue to portray God’s love and forgiveness, our hope of redemption, and the reality of a supernatural dimension just beyond our perception.

Why would a Christian author write about ghosts? Because scripture is filled with ghosts and spirits, angels, and demons along with some amazing creatures. God uses incredible imagery to capture our imagination and draw us deeper into His word. I love to study scripture because I always find new truths that go beyond the scope of imagination.

My writing has grown from my love for Jesus and a desire to share my faith with hope and encouragement. The Issachar Gatekeeper series is designed to show young adults in a fun, adventurous way the impact Christian principles can have on their lives and to deepen their understanding of the world around them.

Our heroine, Lucy, has a wonderful neighbor, Mrs. McGoo, who always comes through to save the day with her delicious chocolate chip cookies. Lucy’s best friend, Schuyler Williams, says, “A really good chocolate chip cookie is nearly a spiritual experience, don’t you think?” So, we are sharing this recipe with you so you can sit, relax, and share some with a friend. Enjoy!

MY REVIEW

This book has a feel of Nancy Drew with a twist on spiritual warfare. It is a different kind of story that not everyone will like. I think it would be suited best for young adult to adults. I love the mystery in the story and how the author is able to combine ghosts, strange creatures and secrets to give readers plenty of action and a look at how evil can slip in and trick people.

“When a person allows strong feelings to rob them of joy and happiness , their spirit slowly withers away.” This is something Lucy and her friend will find important to remember. Lucy is strong and seems to be able to grasp what she is learning to keep her grounded. But she must always be on guard, because darkness is always close by.

After Lucy finds interesting items at a flea market such as a bracelet and something called a Spectrescope, strange things start happening. Why does someone want the Spectroscope and what value does it have? With her friend Schuyler, the adventure begins with strange spirits that could be dangerous. I was very intrigued by Iam who is there to give Lucy advice and keep her eyes focused on good and not evil.

The story did creep me out at times because I don’t like ghosts at all. The author however doesn’t go into much detail of what they look like so that helps somewhat. I did feel like I was part of the story as Lucy and Schuyler investigate what is after them. Does the house Lucy lives in have secrets? We will soon see what Lucy will face as evil is closing in.

The story is very much an illustration of spiritual warfare and putting on the armor of God. Iam reminds Lucy to trust and when she does she see that the enemy flees. We have free will and need to choose wisely. The enemy is always out there waiting for a way to slip into your thoughts. I look forward to the next book n this series.

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

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, May 20

Simple Harvest Reads, May 21 (Author Interview)

Christina’s Corner, May 21

Where Crisis & Christ Collide, May 22

An Author’s Take, May 23

Where Faith and Books Meet, May 24

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 25

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 26

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, May 27

A Reader’s Brain, May 28

Blogging With Carol, May 29

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 30

Girls in White Dresses, May 31

Artistic Nobody, June 1 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

For Him and My Family, June 2

Holly’s Book Corner, June 2

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, L.G. is giving away the grand prize package of a custom printed canvas tote bag including a signed copy of the book, mug and coaster, book light, bookmarks, and other goodies!!

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/26076/the-ghost-of-darwin-stewart-celebration-tour-giveaway

Friday, May 19, 2023

About the Book

Book: Murmur in the Mudcaves

Author: Kathleen Denly

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: May 16, 2023

He came to cook for ranch hands, not three single women.

Gideon Swift, a visually impaired Civil War Veteran, responds to an ad for a ranch cook in the Southern California desert mountains. He wants nothing more than to forget his past and stay in the kitchen where he can do no harm. But when he arrives to find his employer murdered, the ranch turned to ashes, and three young women struggling to survive in the unforgiving Borrego Desert, he must decide whether his presence protects them or places them in greater danger.

Bridget “Biddie” Davidson finally receives word from her older sister who disappeared with their brother and pa eighteen years prior, but the news is not good. Determined to help her family, Biddie sets out for a remote desert ranch with her adopted father and best friend. Nothing she finds there is as she expected, including the man who came to cook for the shambles of a ranch.

When tragedy strikes, the danger threatens not only her plans to help her sister, but her own dreams for the future—with the man who’s stolen her heart.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Kathleen Denly lives in sunny Southern California with her loving husband, four young children, and two cats. As a member of the adoption and foster community, children in need are a cause dear to her heart and she finds they make frequent appearances in her stories. When she isn’t writing, researching, or caring for children, Kathleen spends her time reading, visiting historical sites, hiking, and crafting.

More from Kathleen

The Making of a Hero

Picture in your mind the typical male rancher or cowboy. Can you see him? If we’re going for the full stereotype, you’re looking at a tall, handsome man who is, above all, strong. Particularly in the nineteenth century, it takes strength to build a house, install fencing, chop wood, haul water, heft hay bales, and most of all manage cattle. Not to mention the 101 other things it takes to start and keep a ranch running.

Now consider the aftermath of the American Civil War. Many men never returned from the battlefields, and those who did often returned with injuries that would remain with them the rest of their lives. Some would suffer chronic pain until the day they died.

In considering whose story I wanted to tell next, I wondered about that last group of men in the context of running a ranch. How could a seriously injured man, suffering chronic pain, keep his ranch going in an era where able-bodied men were more difficult to find? And what about those whose ranches were too new and small to support the cost of hiring help?

This was the beginning of my inspiration for Gideon Swift–a Civil War Veteran still struggling daily with the consequences of having gone to war, ten years after his injuries sent him home.

Raised to believe true men were strong and weak men were next-to useless, Gideon’s identity is shattered when an explosion leaves him with brain damage that causes recurring migraines with aura and the loss of periphery vision in one eye. For those unfamiliar, a migraine with aura is a severe headache preceded or accompanied by sensory disturbances called aura. Examples of such disturbances include flashes of light, blind spots, general blurry vision, and blurry or shimmery lines in vision. There can also be speech or language difficulty, muscle weakness, and/or numbness or tingling in one side of a person’s face, one hand, or one limb. Gideon experiences most of these at different times, but his most common sensory disturbance is a curled shimmery line that appears in his vision.

He is further humbled by a series of tragic losses partially triggered by his medical condition. These are the events that send him to California, determined never to work with cattle again, and never to marry.

I am often asked how much of myself I put into my characters. In Gideon’s case, I modeled his pain partially after my own. While I have no peripheral vision loss, nor brain damage, I do have recurring migraines. In my case, these are brought about by my menstrual cycle and only occasionally involve aura symptoms. Still, these severe headaches have lasted from a mere hour, up to nearly a week, and are frequently beyond anything my medications can alleviate. Too often, this pain leaves me unable to function. If I’m lucky I can sleep through it. If not, I lay awake in a darkened room for hours with pain preventing me from drifting into blissful unconsciousness. Nauseousness, foggy thinking, dizziness, and exhaustion are frequently parts of my experience. I have also experienced one-sided tingling numbness and the same curly, shimmering line that Gideon experiences. Yet, I know others who have far worse migraines. So, in describing Gideon’s episodes, I combined my own experiences with those of family and friends whom I have witnessed suffering.

Through Murmur in the Mud Caves, we see how God works in Gideon’s life and heart to remind him of where his true value and strength come from. It is my hope that his journey will touch the hearts of readers and encourage them in whatever trials they may be facing. We are never alone. Whatever God brings us to, He will bring us through. He loves us and has a good purpose for everything we endure in this life, even when we cannot understand His reasons.

MY REVIEW

The book is filled with adventure as we travel to the rough terrain where ranching is hard work and women were thought to not be strong enough to run a ranch alone. I liked how the author gives us characters that are flawed and broken. Gideon is a great example of what it was like after fighting in a war. He came back alive but with an impairment that causes him not to be able to do things other men can do. His strength is not there and because of vision problems and debilitating headaches he feels useless.

Biddie is on the brink of seeing her dream of owning her own bakery when she gets word that her sister needs help. I liked how Biddie dropped everything to go help even though they have not spoken in a long time. What she discovers when she arrives breaks her heart. Her sister’s ranch has been destroyed and she is bitter and prideful. I admired Biddie for sacrificing her dream to help someone who needed to see what unconditional love feels like.

Ginny was my favorite character because I could relate to her in many ways. Growing up around an abusive father has made her dislike men and her lack of trust is evident. She knows her sister is there to help but Ginny is angry because her sister has never had to do without like her. I sometimes wondered if she would ever surrender to God or allow the enemy to continue to destroy her life.

The story illustrates how hard it was to start over after experiencing a loss. Ginny is determined to get her ranch back to where it was but she will need to swallow her pride and let go of bitterness. Gideon who thinks he isn’t valuable has a hard road ahead as he struggles with his faith.

I loved the message of who you are in Christ and how easy the enemy can whisper lies to you that allow you to become discouraged. The book delivers a strong message of trusting God and letting go of bitterness. If you are looking for a book with danger, rustlers, flawed characters and faith this is the perfect story.

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

Blog Stops

lakesidelivingsite, May 17

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 18

Books You Can Feel Good About, May 18

Texas Book-aholic, May 19

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 20

For Him and My Family, May 20

Melissa’s Bookshelf, May 21

Connie’s History Classroom, May 21

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 22

Betti Mace, May 22

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 23

Madi’s Musings, May 23

Pause for Tales, May 24

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 25

Kristina Hall, May 25

Vicky Sluiter, May 26

Blossoms and Blessings, May 26

Blogging With Carol, May 27

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, May 28 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 28

Cover Lover Book Review, May 29

Holly’s Book Corner, May 30

Karen Baney Reviews, May 30

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kathleen is giving away the grand prize package of 1 set of beautifully engraved, metal measuring spoons, 1 pouch of “Baking Day” potpourri, 1 Cat and Mouse kitchen timer, 1 vintage wooden sign with Christian encouragement message, 1 Cowboy Hat cookie cutter with recipe for Cowboy Sugar Cookies, 1 Kitchen towel that reads, “This Home is our Happily Ever After”, and 1 Kathleen Denly engraved pen!!

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/2606f/murmur-in-the-mudcaves-celebration-tour-giveaway

Wednesday, May 17, 2023

About the Book

Book: Heart of Gold

Author: Lacy Williams

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: May 11, 2023

They survived a harrowing near-death experience. Can a poignant family Christmas bring them together?

Ida needs a quiet Christmas at home to rest and find her footing again. But her boisterous family is anything but quiet and things only get worse when her U.S. Marshal brother brings home a prisoner for the holiday—the same outlaw that saved her life.

Tom Seymour discombobulates her. He’s arrogant and unrepentant. But when she’s forced to nurse his injuries, she realizes that his persona is all a facade. The man underneath is wounded and kind and in need of redemption.

But Tom must make a choice between his old life and the chance to make a new one with Ida. Can she trust the man he is becoming or will he betray her?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Lacy Williams wishes her writing career was more like what you see in Hallmark movies: dreamy brainstorming from a French chateau or a few minutes at the computer in a million-dollar New York City penthouse. In reality, she’s up before the sun, putting words on the page before her kids wake up for the day. Those early-morning and late-night writing sessions add up, and Lacy has published sixty books in a decade, first with a big five publisher and then as an indie author. When she needs to refill the well, you can find Lacy birdwatching, gardening, biking with the kiddos, or walking the dog. Find tons of bonus scenes and reader extras by becoming a VIP reader at www.lacywilliams.net/vip .

More from Lacy

Do you like “stranded together” stories as much as I do? Being stuck in an airport, a snowstorm, a wedding weekend… Yes, please, to all of the above.

But has it ever happened to you in real life?

Twenty-plus years ago, when I was a freshman in college and before I started dating my handsome hubby, I dated this other guy.

We met at a mixer during the first few days of the semester and hit it off pretty quickly. Classes started, we saw each other a few times socially.

He was pledging a fraternity and invited me to go with him to a co-ed overnight trip.

And then when we got there, he sort of just… disappeared. For hours. I finally found him and then followed him around… until I finally got the hint. Sometime in the days between when he’d invited me to the float trip, and when we arrived, his feelings changed.

It was SOOO awkward for the rest of the night and then the next day. Not the place and time I wanted to be ghosted. And it was worse because I’d ridden down with a mutual friend and had no way to get the two-plus hours home until the next day.

It wasn’t a romantic or fun time. More like a disaster.

A disaster is exactly what my heroine Ida thinks about being stuck with ex-bad guy Tom for Christmas. They get snowed in with her family (and her deputy older brother) and at first it is awkward.

And then… it’s not awkward anymore.

By the time the snow melts, Ida has caught feelings for Tom.

You can read this story free in KU or win a copy through this giveaway! Ida and Tom’s love story is called Heart of Gold.

-Lacy

MY REVIEW

This is not only a story about second chances but of redemption. I loved the setting and how the author gives us a glimpse into the way it was when outlaws were ready to rob, steal and harm innocent people. Ida has been through a harrowing experience and just wants to be back home with her family. She can’t forget that she was saved by one of the outlaws. Now she finds herself facing this man in her own home.

Tom has done a lot of bad things in his life but now he faces prison unless he can figure a way out of the mess he is in. He is shocked that he has been brought to the house where Ida is until he can get transferred to jail. There were times I really felt sorry for Tom. He has longed to have someone care about him even as a young boy. He puts on this bad guy attitude around Ida but inside he is desperate for someone to accept him. Can he convince others that he is a changed man?

I liked how the author slowly gets Tom to start opening up and little by little we see that he wants to change. The story is a quick read but packs a powerful message of redemption. I loved the ending and how the author delivers a nice clean story.

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