Friday, June 23, 2023

AMISH ALWAYS BY KELLY LONG

1933

New England

"You buried my husband four years ago."

In the filtered light of a spring funeral, Amish Rob Avery stills his shovel to stare at the beautiful woman in front of him. He knew her words to be true. He was, after all, the caretaker of the local cemetery, and he remembered her well. Such beauty is impossible to forget.

However, Rob is conscious of the social barriers that would keep him from romantically pursuing Flora Matthews. But when their lives begin to intertwine, things become complicated. Rob receives a letter naming him as sole guardian of his deceased brother’s three young children. As his feelings for Flora grow, he longs for her to accompany him into a new life.

Flora Matthews, a widowed heiress, has spent four years as a lonely woman and believes that she will never love again. Then she meets a kind Amish man. Rob Avery makes her feel alive to new possibilities. As she shares her mansion with visits from Rob and his new family, she grows to trust God’s Word as He leads her onward. When a devastating fire touches Flora’s life, Rob teaches her that even ashes can hold beauty. She comes to discover more about herself through her blossoming relationship with Rob and the children. Although she is Englisch, she reminds Rob what it means to be Amish, and together, they attempt to write the poetry of a life lived through Christ.

But will the classism of a small town threaten the life Flora and Rob seek? Will God bring Rob's life full circle as Flora reminds him that his Spirit has been . . . Amish Always?

REVIEW

This is a nice sweet short novella that shares hope, beauty from ashes and a new beginning. I loved getting to know Flora and her mother-in-law. Sweet Flora has taken on the job of caring for her dear mother-in-law and has noticed her mind not being as sharp as it use to be. Flora misses her husband and feels lonely without him. It is not by accident that she runs into Rob as he works in the cemetery.

Rob is a hard worker and is determined to pay his family’s debt off. I admired him for working any job that was available. When he receives news that his nephew and nieces are coming to live with him after their parents death, he seeks God for help. He is barely making it on his own but now he has three children to care for as well.

I loved how Flora and Rob get to know each other and you can tell that God brings them together for a reason. Come join them as they discover new love, how God brings beauty from devastation and a new beginning filled with love.

I received a copy of this book from the author. The review is my own opinion.

Thursday, June 22, 2023

WITH EVERY MEMORY BY JANINE ROSCHE

After a tragic accident robs her of the last nine years of memories, Lori Mendenhall comes home to a family completely different than she remembers. As her memory returns and past secrets resurface, it will take all of them to repair what's been broken and find a new future together.

MY REVIEW

A great emotional journey to rediscover what was once lost. The topics in the book are sensitive so some readers may have triggers from it. The author tackles losing a child, divorce, trauma and memory loss in a way that is graceful yet powerful. The opening pages set the tone as we follow a family through a traumatic loss. Lori has many hurdles to overcome as she is finally released from the hospital. I can’t imagine what it would be like to have your memory erased and go home with strangers. The doctors assure her that her memory will come back but she faces each day struggling to understand what has happened.

I liked the dynamics of the family and how each one dealt with the tragedy in different ways. For Avery losing her brother is painful and at times seems to go to extremes to deal with her grief. The one constant in her life is Xander who also happens to be her brother’s best friend. I think Xander with his patience and unconditional love helped Avery maneuver through her struggles and helped her cope.

Lori realizes that her marriage is not as happy as she thought it was. She is convinced that Michael is hiding something and her fear starts to take over. It’s funny how our mind plays tricks on us. We become convinced that a situation happened and start to mistrust and place blame. Michael surprised me with his support of Lori even though I thought he was guilty. The way the author slowly unveils their life is good and allows us to see how the enemy can slither in and take over when we are not at our best. Lori’s recovery is slow but I liked how she never gave up. The chaos in the house at times was sad because three people all have one thing in common. They are each searching for healing.

This is a great story that shows us how tragedy can turn into healing and learning to trust. The story is light on faith but does give good illustrations of letting go of the past, forgiveness and cherishing memories.

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

Monday, June 19, 2023

About the Book

Book: Unassailable

Author: K.J. Rowe

Genre: Teen/Young Adult

To be picture perfect on the outside can cause people to think you have it all together on the inside. Which is exactly the case for Hope Meyer.

Stuck in a dead-end job with no vision for her future, parents arguing at home and newly-single under terms she bitterly objects to, Hope puts on a brave front in the face of friends. Only, she’s not as subtle as she thinks. Called out on her pretense by a close friend and, drawn into a mission project that causes her to question everything she’s been led to believe, Hope finds herself floundering.

Until recently, the perfect hair, manicured nails, a wardrobe straight out of a fashion magazine and a handsome suitor by her side had defined her. Now seeing those things as insignificant, and understanding why her boyfriend left, Hope turns to her youth minister for help; with one burning question in mind:

Who was she?

Set on a path of self-discovery, Hope finds her day to day both unraveling and piecing together like a jigsaw as her perception begins to alter.

Will she embrace how God defines her and ultimately learn what true happiness is?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Since I could hold a pencil, I’ve be writing.

In primary school, I wrote stories about my pets, my own version of princess stories, a classroom crush…

In high school, I wrote stories about horses, adventures, my sister…

However, as strong as the writing hobby was, I still pursued a career in Veterinary Nursing.

It wasn’t until God intervened and moved me out of the city and into a small country town to be a farmer’s wife, that he resurfaced the writing desire – and gave me the stories. So was born my debut series, each book holding a part of my own testimony, Casts of Silver.

It is my prayer that you enjoy the journey these stories take you on, and that they challenge, encourage and inspire you.

More from K.J. Rowe

Since I could hold a pencil, I’ve been writing.

In primary school, I wrote stories about my pets, my own version of princess stories, a classroom crush…

In high school, I wrote stories about horses, adventures, my family members…

However as strong as the writing hobby was, I still pursued a career in Veterinary Nursing.

It wasn’t until God intervened, moved me out of the city and into a small country town to be a famers wife, that He resurfaced the writing desire and gave me the stories. So was born my debut series, each book holding a part of my own testimony, Casts of Silver.

It is my prayer that you enjoy the journey these stories take you on and that they challenge, encourage and inspire you.

MY REVIEW

This book would be a great tool for youth leaders. It focuses on the struggles of a youth leader and how she desired to be a good example to the teens she was ministering to. I think all of us can relate to Hope as she tries to juggle being perfect, dealing with peer pressure and being called a hypocrite. Are we the same at church as we are out in the world? Hope goes on an emotional journey where she comes to a point where her life starts to spin out of control.

I liked how the author takes readers inside a youth group and shows us what teens think as they listen to the leaders. It is hard to reach everyone but what if you are pretending to be a Christian and one of the teens see you in a questionable place? It is hard for me to express how I felt after reading this book without crying. I know exactly how Hope felt. My dad was a preacher so of course my brothers and I were expected to be perfect. We were far from that and the enemy destroyed our family.

Hope starts hearing rumors about herself and starts to seek counsel to get back on the right path. The enemy knew her weakness and tried to turn her away from God. The moment she steps in to the homeless shelter as a volunteer makes a impact on her. There she saw people in need who wanted to be reassured and to find grace. Her heart breaks when she sees someone she didn’t expect to be there.

I appreciate the author writing a story that hits home for many of us. Are we part time Christians? Do we represent God in our everyday walk? These questions should wake us up and make us look around at who we are following. I don’t want to be the reason someone turns away from God. Hope seeks help and finds her answers when she asks for forgiveness. It was a bold move for her to confess to the teens her mistakes. Her testimony helped others see they can turn away from the worldly things and get right with God.

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

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, June 17 (Author Interview)

For the Love of Literature, June 18 (Author Interview)

Through the Fire Blogs, June 19 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 19

Texas Book-aholic, June 20

Blossoms and Blessings, June 21 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 22

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, June 23

Artistic Nobody, June 24 (Author Interview)

Splashes of Joy, June 25 (Author Interview)

Lily’s Book Reviews, June 25

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, June 26 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 27

Beauty in the Binding, June 28 (Author Interview)

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, June 29

Guild Master, June 30 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, K.J. is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon voucher and a 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/2659b/unassailable-celebration-tour-giveaway

Sunday, June 18, 2023

About the Book

Book: The Pursuit of Miss Parish

Author: Grace Hitchcock

Genre: Historical Romance

Release date: May 31, 2023

Love’s gentle promise becomes nothing more than a withered dream.

With dreams of love and a hope for belonging, shy Belle Parish leaves her position as a maid in Charleston to travel to New Mexico with her best friend to become mail-order brides. Colt Lawson’s letters hold great promise and while his devilishly handsome face matches his picture, something does not add up. Discovering his lie only moments before they wed, Belle flees the church and straight into the Castañeda Hotel Harvey House. Giving up the prospect on ever marrying, she dons her nun-like uniform and focuses on her role as a Harvey Girl waitress until a strong, former Texas Ranger rides into her life.

Colt Lawson didn’t want to send that letter to Belle Parish in the first place, but her first response had all but captured his heart. When he is left standing at the altar alone, he is left with two choices—either release his dream of a love marriage, or attempt to win her heart. Wooing her would be a lot easier if that Texas Ranger wasn’t back in town. Who wants a dusty rancher with a past when she could have a shining knight in a Stetson?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Grace Hitchcock is the award-winning author of multiple historical novels and novellas. She holds a Masters in Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in History. Grace lives in the New Orleans area with her husband, Dakota, sons, and daughter. Connect with her online at GraceHitchcock.com.

More from Grace

Questions from READERS for Grace Hitchcock

Q: As a mom, how/when do you find time to write?

Grace Hitchcock: I used to walk around the block to my favorite coffee shop in New Orleans, writing with a delicious latte and scone beside me, headphones in with the perfect soundtrack playing waiting for the muse. . . and now days, I write during Sofia the First episodes blaring in the background for my toddler while the baby sleeps and my Kindergartner is in half-day school.

On the days when I can’t get the word count down during those tiny moments, my husband takes the babies for an hour in the evenings and tells me to go write! When I’m on tight deadline with days left to go, the house usually isn’t the cleanest and Laundry Mountain, in all its splendor, may just fall on top of us. Sometimes while on deadline, I get the urge to pause and clean, but if I ignore the impulse long enough, the feeling generally passes. Once the book is in to my editor, it’s time to clean.

Q: What is your favorite source of inspiration for creating the characters in your stories?

Grace Hitchcock: For main characters, I use Names Through the Ages to figure out their names based on their background and once I know a character’s name, it’s as if the heroine/hero stroll into my writing room and I get to know their personality, the story closely following.

For the supporting characters, I have a need/plot point that they need to fill and I build their personality around that need. Not quite as exciting haha but they serve a purpose. But, I always remind myself to try to fill them out because they do not know they are not the main characters.

Q: When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

Grace Hitchcock: One of my earliest memories is writing stories in my little diary in my closet. (Remember the diaries with the locks on them that were super easy to pick, but still dreamy to have a book with a lock on it.)

I started taking my desire to write seriously when I was a senior in high school. I was homeschooled and my mom let me write a novel for my senior English project to test that theory if I wanted to write. It was so fun to write, I knew that’s what I wanted to do, so I got my Masters in Creative Writing and I’ve been typing away ever since 

Q: What is your writing process like?

Grace Hitchcock: I usually begin with a spark of an idea that I at once research to see if it would work with the eras I enjoy writing (Gilded Age and Regency England). From there, I do a deep dive into writing out a chapter by chapter plot, which generally takes about a week to ten days.

Once I have my plot down, I do about a week or two more of basic research and begin the first very, very rough draft that I usually finish at 50,000 words after 3 months of writing.

Then, I research any spots that needed improving in the first draft and go full editing mode, pausing throughout the book to research spots that need more description and historical accuracy, which is about two months and then, I do a third round of edits and research while doing a line edit, which takes a month.

By the time I get to the 6-month mark, I am more than ready to have a break haha and I send my 75,000/80,000 word novel off to my publisher/editor who does a content edit, sends it back to me for three weeks, another editor does a line edit, sends it back to me for three weeks, then another editor does a copy edit and sends it to galleys (where they format the book) and send it back to me to proof one last time for two weeks! Then, it goes to press at usually 75,000-100,000 depending on the novel. So long story short, 6 months to write and about 2 months to edit!

Q: Do you have any tips for aspiring authors?

Grace Hitchcock: In this business, just about every author gets a rejection from a publisher . . . even by publishers who later accept them!

When I began sending out one of my first manuscripts, I thought it was pristine, but after about 15 rejections, I put it on the shelf and focused on a new manuscript with fresh eyes and new goals based on some of the industry professionals’ suggestions. Six months after I shelved that first manuscript, I went back and looked over it . . . the professionals were right. It wasn’t ready and it would require a lot more love (aka bleeding edits) before I attempted to send it out again. Sometimes, time is what you need to get a fresh perspective.

But it is also important to remember that when you get a rejection letter, they are not rejecting you. They are rejecting the work. And as much as you see it as a work of art, the publishers see it as a product. They are there to sell a product and if the product isn’t ready, it won’t sell well, so take heart and “hone your craft” and focus on any feedback you received that has merit.

That critique was very hard for me to hear haha but it helped push me to keep learning, attending writer conferences, and following my dreams. Over the years, I have had novels rejected by Barbour, Bethany, and Kregel, but I tried again and again and eventually signed with each publishing house! So keep it up! You can do it!

MY REVIEW

There is something that sparks my excitement when I read a story about the Harvey House Girls. These young women work very hard and always treat each customer with compassion. It is not easy to be chosen as a Harvey Girl, but oh my how they are respected by all. I loved learning more about them in this story. The author does an excellent job of delivering historical details that make readers feel like they are seated at a table being served. The menu is impressive and the service is perfection.

Belle has come to town thinking she is going to be a mail-order bride. The letters she has received from Colt over the last few months has given her hope that she will be happy as his bride. Things don’t exactly turn out the way Belle had hoped for and finds herself being hired as a Harvey Girl. She is upset that she found out that Colt has lied to her and can’t trust him at all.

Poor Colt is left at the altar and shocked that Belle won’t give him a chance to explain things. He does have a tainted past and his brother Grant is an unsavory character but he just needs a chance to explain to Belle what is going on. I liked the intrigue that involved Colt and a certain Texas Ranger. It is a dangerous place Colt has put himself in, but he is trusting God to help him.

The author gives us quite an adventure when the a deadly gang is out there robbing trains, taking people’s valuables and killing those who get in the way. Belle gets caught in the middle as the gang finds out she has been eavesdropping on them. Her life is in danger when they kidnap her. Will Colt be able to save her? Get ready for a story that has danger, robbers, faith, second chances and redemption that make his book a must read.

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

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions , June 16

Vicky Sluiter, June 16

Melissa’s Bookshelf, June 17

She Lives To Read, June 17

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 18

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 18

Texas Book-aholic, June 19

Alena Mentink, June 19

All-of-a-kind Mom, June 20

Bigreadersite, June 20

Connie’s History Classroom, June 21

Books You Can Feel Good About, June 21

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 22

Betti Mace, June 23

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 23

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 24

Karen Baney Reviews, June 24

Blogging With Carol, June 25

For Him and My Family, June 25

Labor Not in Vain, June 26

Mary Hake, June 26

Cover Lover Book Review, June 27

Holly’s Book Corner, June 27

Splashes of Joy, June 28

Pause for Tales, June 28

Jodie Wolfe -Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, June 29

Lights in a Dark World, June 29

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Grace is giving away the grand prize package of an autographed copy of The Finding of Miss Fairfield AND The Pursuit of Miss Parish with bookmarks and book magnets, and 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/2658d/the-pursuit-of-miss-parish-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Ava

Author: Caryl McAdoo

Genre: Historical Christian Romance

Release date: May 3, 2023

And a child will lead them.

Even if she’s a seventeen-year-old, raven-haired bear slayer though? Ava May, head strong, fetching, and true of soul grew up wise in the ways of swamp living while so naive concerning the outside world. Gold for her ma to pay off her dead father’s debts and the promise of great adventure transport her from her backwoods Louisiana cabin to Montana’s big sky county to marry a stranger. However, love threatens to thwart all the plans made for the mail-order bride before the wagon train’s wheels stop rolling. Enjoy your journey with Ava and the other brides under Miss Lottie’s care on the Oregon Trail, living though temptations, dangers, and the harrowing trek.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Award-winning, Christian author Caryl McAdooprays her story brings God glory. Of her best-selling novels, readers love her historical Christian romance family sagas most, but also enjoy their contemporary cousins, Caryl’s Biblical fiction, her historical mystery series, and tales for young adults, mid-grade booklovers, and pre-K through 2nd grade picture books.

The majority of reviewers award her stories five-stars and praise Caryl’s writing style, citing her extensive research and the depth of her characters.

The prolific writer loves singing the new songs God gives her almost as much as penning new novels—hear a few at YouTube! She’s been married to Ron fifty-five years, and they share four children and twenty-five grandsugars. The McAdoos live in the woods south of Clarksville, seat of Red River County in far Northeast Texas, waiting expectantly for God to open the next door.

More from Caryl

2023 is the fifth annual Prairie Roses Collection, and I’m so excited to add AVA to my contributions for this multi-author, covered-wagon-stories project! The sojourners of these grueling treks fascinate me, willingly suffering such hardships and walking two thousand miles for a fresh start.

In fact, Ava May Harley never wanted to leave her home, a log cabin her father built in Skeeter Bottoms. She was born there, but with her Pap gone, for her family’s sake . . . The Word says if we don’t take care of our own, we are worse than an infidel, right?

What have you sacrificed for the sake of your family?

What immediately comes to my mind is the time we gave up our “golden years” and put off our empty-nest for fourteen years to take in four precious grandsugar-sons when we were fifty-two. They were six, four, three, and three-days-old.

Had we not, CPS was going to remove them from our family and spread the brothers out among strangers. Ron and I couldn’t let that happen and asked them to leave the boys with us. Of course, we thought it would only be for a few months.

We assumed their parents would attend the required classes and ‘get clean’ Figured we could do anything for a couple of months, right? The short months turned into years. Each boy left when the graduated high school, except the baby. When the third brother left, he asked to go with him to the other grandmother’s. He was fourteen then.

When people asked how we did it, there was an easy answer. “Only by the mercy and grace of God.” The boys are grown now. The oldest is a fire fighter, and the youngest is a Marine. Ron and I have enjoyed our empty nest since 2017 (at 67 years of age), but we miss our fellers!

In AVA, my sweet heroine was only seventeen when a cousin dangled gold coins in front of her broke and bereft mother. Ma could buy a proper gravestone for her dead husband and pay off his debts if she would only send her firstborn off to marry a stranger in Montana.

My brave and independent character made her own decision to make the journey for the betterment of her family and count it a great adventure. As the miles piled on top one another, taking her farther and farther from her life in the Louisiana swamps, the only home she’d ever known, she doubted her decision more than once.

Her strong faith in God worked with her naivety and kept her on the Oregon Trail, moving ever toward her future. When a person knows God has a plan, and believes they are on that very path, there’s no reason to be afraid or worry. She knew God would never leave her or forsake her.

She knew how completely trustworthy He is.

I fell in love with this precious character, and I hope you will, too. I hope you will enjoy going along with AVA on the harrowing journey!
How involved have you gotten with a book character in the past? Share the character’s name and the book’s title if you will in your comments below!

BLESSINGS!

MY REVIEW

This story takes us along as we get to know Ava. Oh how I loved this character. Ava is strong, able to hunt with precision, faithful and at times stubborn. I liked her sacrifice for her mother and twin brothers. It was hard to say goodbye to them, but she wanted to make sure they were taken care of.

Ava agrees to be a mail-order bride but her morals are steadfast. She is determined to find a husband who is Godly and treats her with respect. Being on the wagon train was long as they traveled the terrain where wild animals roamed. Ava quickly catches someone’s attention with her beauty and gift of hunting.

Noble is definitely smitten with Ava but when he tells her he isn’t sure he believes in God she knows they can’t be together. I loved the scriptures used in the story and the deep faith that continues throughout the book. At only seventeen Ava is very wise and I think Noble may be in over his head.

The author gives us characters that are flawed but Ava is not afraid to share Jesus with the women she travels with. I loved when one young woman prayed with Ava and knew that she was clean from sin. What a glorious moment for celebration. Now let’s see if Ava can convince Noble that God exists.

I enjoyed reading about Ava and how she prayed for God to send her the right husband. It is always exciting to see your friend find Jesus and Ava is right there when Chloe surrenders to God. These women who have been through so much in their lives and been treated with disrespect realize that they are worthy and loved. God loves all of us and forgives us of our sins. This book reminds me of how people treated women who were soiled. They shunned them but Ava was the example of how we are to love each other. We help them find Jesus and surround them with compassion and grace. Do Ava and Noble get married? Does Noble surrender himself to God? These answers can be found as you read this book and see the transformation that is made when you trust God and give Him your heart.

As always after reading a book from this sweet author I feel closer to God and find my faith grow deeper.

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