Friday, February 16, 2024

About the Book

Book: A Cherished Betrothal

Author: Denise Weimer

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: January 23, 2024

He rescued her once, but a chance at love will require the ultimate sacrifice.

Alexander Morris bears the childhood scars of the Long Canes massacre that killed his brother and father. Forced by his dark past into the lonely life of Georgia Ranger, Alexander joins the bordering South Carolina Rangers in their revolt against the Crown. When he’s posted to the fort erected to defend the community once decimated by the massacre, duty demands he court the loyalty of his sworn enemies, the fierce Cherokee warriors.

Elspeth Lawrence never forgot the boy who sacrificed himself for her at Long Canes—any more than she forgot the younger sister taken captive. She’s learned not only to forgive, but also to help minister to the Cherokees at her father’s mission. When Alex Morris arrives at nearby Fort Charlotte, Elspeth finds her memories—and her emotions—stirred. He doesn’t even remember her…or the long-ago attack. But the bitterness that simmers just beneath his stoic exterior—as well as her courtship by a local landowner—challenge their undeniable bond.

When Alex uncovers a long-held secret and a plot to sabotage patriot talks with the Cherokees, he must choose between his desire for revenge and his love for the girl he rescued long ago.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

North Georgia native Denise Weimer has authored over a dozen traditionally published novels and a number of novellas—historical and contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and time slip. As a freelance editor and Acquisitions & Editorial Liaison for Wild Heart Books, she’s helped other authors reach their publishing dreams. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise always pauses for coffee, chocolate, and old houses.

More from Denise

That Event That Changed You Forever: The Backstory Catalyst of A Cherished Betrothal

Most of us can pinpoint it—a moment in time that forever altered us and the course of our lives. Maybe it was a place. Or a person. For good or bad, we can never go back to who we used to be. The good or bad depends on how we react to that moment, place, or person, doesn’t it? Whether we allow God to make us more like Him because of it.

Both the hero and heroine of my third novel in the Scouts of the Georgia Frontier, A Cherished Betrothal, live with such a moment. Experts in book plotting say our characters should have a dark moment in their backstory. For Alex Morris and Elspeth Lawrence, the Long Canes Massacre of 1760 is that dark moment. Together, they survived the attack of around a hundred Cherokee braves on a group of settlers fleeing across the South Carolina border into Georgia. Alex lost his father and brother, Elspeth her mother while her younger sister was taken captive. With the resilience of the Scots-Irish who formed a barrier between the colonies and the Native Americans, the Long Canes settlers returned to the border of South Carolina later that same year.

A Cherished Betrothal actually begins in 1775, with the South Carolina backcountry on the brink of revolution. Since the childhood attack, Alex has lost his sense of home. He draws his identity from his service as a Georgia and South Carolina Ranger (yes, this tale veers over the border into South Carolina and the fascinating history around the town of Ninety Six) and waits for the opportunity for revenge. He keeps his anger carefully banked, just as Elspeth hides her fear—especially when she has to face warriors who visit the mission for Cherokee children she runs with her minister father. She’s forgiven her enemies, but she can no more prevent her knees knocking upon sight of the braves than she can forget the boy who saved her life fifteen years ago.

It seems God has answered her prayers when Alex shows up at nearby Fort Charlotte. Only…he doesn’t remember her…or the dark moment that shaped both of their histories. Between Elspeth’s not-so-gentle pressure, a Cherokee boy Alex can’t shake as a shadow, and his commanders’ determination to court the Cherokees as allies for the Patriot cause, Alex is forced to look his past in the eye.

Pivoting between Fort Charlotte, the mission school, and the town of Ninety Six where Elspeth’s wealthy Loyalist admirer helps stir conflict, including the first battle of the Revolution in South Carolina, A Counterfeit Betrothal is a tale of unshakeable love and soul-deep healing. I loved this story so much when I was writing it, I wanted to move into Colonial Ninety Six. I hope you will too!

MY REVIEW

Great story with wonderful characters. Loved the time period and the historical facts that made it more realistic. The emotions are raw in the story and draw readers to understand them better. Good story that features Native Americans. I did like the struggle that was felt very strongly when faced with a traumatic event by one of the characters. Her pain was real as she struggled with trying to move forward.

It was difficult to understand how this person could have forgotten the pain he caused and there were moments where anger may have come over the victim. It is a book that illustrates how people looked upon others in a way that was unkind. I think it is important to note that during this time period battles broke out between people from different backgrounds. Forgiveness was hard to deal with as one of the characters still carried bitterness. Overall good story.

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

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 13

Blossoms and Blessings, February 14

Pause for Tales, February 15

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 15

Texas Book-aholic, February 16

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 17

Holly’s Book Corner, February 18

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, February 19 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, February 19

Life on Chickadee Lane, February 20

lakesidelivingsite, February 20

Cover Lover Book Review, February 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 22

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 23

Books You Can Feel Good About, February 24

Simple Harvest Reads, February 25 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

For Him and My Family, February 26

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Denise is 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/2a0cd/a-cherished-betrothal-celebration-tour-giveaway

Thursday, February 15, 2024

About the Book

Book: Dial V for Valentine

Author: Linda Shenton Matchett

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release Date: February 14, 2022

Valentine’s Day is perfect for a wedding. If only the bride will agree.

Being part of the military is not just a job for Fergus Rafferty, it’s a calling. He’s worked his way up the ranks and doing what he loves best: flying Apache helicopters. The only thing that will make his life complete is marrying Celeste. After he transfers to a unit scheduled to deploy in three months, he’s thrilled at the idea of marrying before he leaves so they can start their new life. Except Celeste wants to wait until he returns. Can he convince her to wed before he leaves?

Celeste Hardwicke has just opened her law practice when she finally accepts Fergus’s marriage proposal. Not to worry. She has plenty of time to set a date, then plan the wedding. Until she doesn’t. But a quickie wedding isn’t what she has in mind. Besides, why get married when the groom will ship out after the ceremony? When she stumbles on her great-grandmother’s diary from World War II, she discovers the two of them share the same predicament.

At an impasse, Celeste and Fergus agree to call into WDES’s program No Errin’ for Love. Will DJ Erin Orberg’s advice solve their dilemma or create a bigger divide? One they’ll both regret.

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 historical places all her life. She is a volunteer docent and archivist at the Wright Museum of WWII and a former trustee for her local public library. She now lives in central New Hampshire where she explores the history of this great state and immerses herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors.

More from Linda

My mom was born on February 14th, so when I was growing up, Valentine’s Day wasn’t about romance and falling in love. Instead, it was a celebration of my mother. When I was asked to participate in the multi-author project, You are on the Air, I was hesitant to accept because of having little connection to the holiday and the books in the series are contemporary romance. I primarily write historical romance. But I loved the concept: the stories revolve around couples who call into a Christian radio station for relationship advice. I spent about two weeks mulling over (and discarding) ideas, then I realized the plot was right in front of me.

I had just finished putting together an exhibit with the curator at the museum where I volunteer. One of the display items was a wedding gown made from a parachute. Included with the dress was a photograph of the couple, and their names and wedding date, but nothing else. The lack of information got my mind going, and I wondered about their story. Why did they wait until the end of the war to marry? Why not wed before the groom shipped out? Did they regret waiting? I realized that members of today’s armed forces might deal with the same situation and decided to combine the two plot lines. (See? I can’t leave my historical roots behind!)

In Dial V for Valentine, Celeste and Fergus struggle with the sacrifice that comes with true love. Not the you-can-have-the-last-cookie kind of love, but a love that puts another’s needs and wants above one’s own. What they learn is that we can only love successfully when we understand that love comes from God. We are capable of loving (mates, significant others, friends and the unlovely) because “He first loved us.” Love is an emotion, but it is also an act of obedience.

MY REVIEW

The story is a nice look at a young couple trying to decide when to marry. Celeste has just opened a very promising law practice and is content to wait to marry her fiancé Fergus. It all seems to be falling into place until Fergus gets orders from the army that he is being shipped out for a period of time. Celeste doesn’t want to rush into a marriage because she has always dreamed of a big wedding. That takes time to plan and besides she is very busy getting her practice started.

I liked when they decide to call into a radio station for advice on what they should do. The advice is quite simple the radio personality explains. “Have you prayed about it.” Such a simple solution yet they never thought to do that. I loved watching this couple work together to make a decision with God’s guidance. Problems may seem overwhelming until we seek God.

When Celeste finds her great-grandmothers diary, it was so endearing to read along with her. Their lives parallel each others as they both were to marry men in the service. What will the diary reveal that will help Celeste and Fergus make the right decision for both of them? This part of the story was very well written as we see faith play a big part in the story.

A beautiful sweet story perfect for those who like characters with grace, faith and trust in God. Did Celeste and Fergus get married? What happened with Celeste’s great-grandmother and her fiancé? Grab a copy of this book, find a comfy place to read and discover the answers to these questions.

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

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 14

Texas Book-aholic, February 15

Simple Harvest Reads, February 16 (Author Interview)

She Lives To Read, February 17

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 18

Artistic Nobody, February 19 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, February 19

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 20

For Him and My Family, February 21

Fiction Book Lover, February 22 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, February 23

Back Porch Reads, February 24 (Author Interview)

Karen Baney Reviews, February 24

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 25

Where Crisis & Christ Collide, February 26 (Author Interview)

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, February 27 (Author Interview)

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/29db9/dial-v-for-valentine-celebration-tour-giveaway

Sunday, February 11, 2024

About the Book

Book: Lacey’s Star: A Lady Pilot-in-Command Novel

Author: Kay DiBianca

Genre: Christian Mystery and Romance

Release Date: October 23, 2023

Private pilot Cassie Deakin lands in the middle of an unwanted adventure when she discovers her beloved Uncle Charlie has been attacked and seriously injured by thieves.

But Cassie has a problem. She doesn’t know who she can trust. Still, she’s determined to solve the mystery behind the assault on her uncle, so she reluctantly agrees to team up with Deputy Frank White, a man she definitely does not trust, to find the culprits.

But as Cassie and Frank peel back the layers of one mystery, they uncover a deeper and more sinister crime: the murder of an eight-year-old girl decades earlier. Armed with only a single, cryptic clue to the death of young Lacey Alderson, Cassie makes a crucial discovery that lands her in the crosshairs of a murderer.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Kay DiBianca is a former software developer and IT manager who retired to a life of mystery. She loves to create webs of intrigue for her characters to untangle as they search for the truth while dealing with the ongoing challenges of faith and family.

In addition to her latest book, Lacey’s Star, Kay has three published novels in The Watch Mystery Series: The Watch on the Fencepost, Dead Man’s Watch, and Time After Tyme. Her published short stories include Lady Pilot-in-Command, The Clutter Busters, and The Money Tree.

Kay is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, Sisters in Crime, and the Collierville Christian Writers Group. She is an instrument-rated pilot and a regular contributor to the Kill Zone Blog. An avid runner, she can often be found at a nearby track, on the treadmill, or at a large park near her home

Kay and her husband, Frank, live, run, and write in Memphis, Tennessee.

Enjoy an Excerpt!

I do not like handsome men. Not that I have much experience with them, but in my opinion, they’re self-absorbed and untrustworthy. Like the one sitting in the passenger seat of my Cessna 172 while I did the run-up prior to takeoff. Frank White.

Frank and I have shared only two experiences in the short time we’ve known each other. In the first one, I saved his life. In the second, he invited me to dinner and stood me up.

Now I’m not generally a person to hold a grudge, but being stood up is on my short list of unforgivable sins. So, when the company I worked for informed me I had to fly Frank to a meeting at my uncle’s farm a couple of hundred miles away, I turned my face into stone and took the assignment.

If Frank noticed my icy silence as I did the pre-flight check, he didn’t let on. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the little smirk on his face while he scrolled on his phone, his dark hair hanging down on his forehead. He needed a haircut.

The Newton Airport tower called down. “Cessna Three One Four Bravo Charlie, you’re cleared for takeoff on runway three-six.” After a brief pause, he added, “Have a nice flight, Cassie.”

Frank adjusted his headset when he heard the call from the tower and winked at me. I gave him a look I reserve only for the lowest forms of human life and focused my attention back on the flight panel.

“Roger that,” I said and repeated the instructions back to the air traffic controller. Then I added power and maneuvered Scout onto the end of the runway. Scout is the name I use for the little blue and white Cessna that was my father’s pride and joy. He taught me how to fly when I was a young girl, and he left the plane to me when he died.

My frustration evaporated as my aircraft responded to full power and accelerated down the runway. When we reached sixty knots, I gently pulled back the yoke, the nose lifted, and in one breathless moment, we were free from the earth.

This was a feeling I could never get enough of—the thrill of release as I watched the ground drop away. We climbed over the end of the runway, and meadows of goldenrod waved goodbye as we soared into blue heaven.

MY REVIEW

Cassie is kind of hard to like at times. She seemed too sure of herself and has this wall built around her. How will she uncover what happened to her uncle if she won't trust anyone to help her? She is almost like a Lone Ranger at times. However along comes someone who can go toe to toe with her. Frank is a great addition to the story and adds a bit of softness to the story. With many twists in the story I definitely started to understand Cassie better. In the end I was very surprised and hope the author does a follow up book.

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

Blog Stop

Book Reviews From an Avid reader, February 6

Pause for Tales, February 7

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, February 8 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 8

Betti Mace, February 9

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 10

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 11

Texas Book-aholic, February 12

An Author’s Take, February 13

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 14

Life on Chickadee Lane, February 15

Blogging With Carol, February 16

For Him and My Family, February 17

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, February 18 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, February 18

Lily’s Corner, February 19

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kay is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and an eBook 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/2a0c6/lacey-s-star-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Small Town Secrets

Author: Lillian Duncan

Genre: Christian—Romantic Suspense

Release Date: October 13, 2023

On the surface, Shady Valley looks like the ideal all-American place to live with beautiful flowering trees lining both sides of the street as you enter the picturesque town. Neighbors help neighbors. Doors are often left unlocked.

Serious crimes are practically nonexistent— almost but not quite!

But like all small towns, everyone knows everyone, which means everyone knows everyone’ s business, and not everyone in Shady Valley is what they appear to be. Some have secrets— deadly secrets— that they hide behind the masks they wear.

When Angie McVey disappears on her wedding day, rookie officer Cami Martine is determined to find her best friend, but there are no leads to follow. Angie seems to have disappeared into thin air.

If Cami is to bring her best friend home, she will need to discover the deadly secrets of her friends and neighbors to find the one who wears the biggest mask.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Lillian Duncan… turning faith into fiction.

For years, my tagline was “stories of faith mingled with murder & mayhem” since I wrote Christian suspense and mystery novels.

In 2012, I heard the words, “you have bilateral brain tumors.”

I had no idea how much those words would change my life, but they did. When life changes for a writer, their writing changes as well. So I wanted my tagline to reflect

the new me. I still love to write suspense and mystery novels but also have branched out into other genres.

In spite of being diagnosed with bilateral brain tumors and a rare genetic disease (Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2), God continues to strengthen me and give me peace and joy as well as the blessing to be able to continue to write.

I’m a multi-published author who lives in the middle of Ohio Amish country with my husband and a menagerie of pets. After more than 30 years working as a speech pathologist for children, I believe in the power of words to transform lives, especially God’s Word.

My goal is to write stories that entertain but also demonstrate God’s love for all of us.

More from Lillian

Small Town Life VS. City Life

I spent most of my growing up years in the country, then I moved to a larger city for college and then an even larger city for much of my adult life. And then I slowly made my way back to the area I grew up in. I’ve spent the last twenty-two years living in the quaint little town of Shreve, Ohio.

Shreve has two gas stations, one stop light and zero fast-food restaurants! I love living in Shreve. Is there a difference between small town life and city life? Absolutely.

Big cities have a lot to offer. You won’t get any argument from me about that. Museums, your choice of restaurants, plays and concerts. But small towns have a lot to offer as well. Neighbors that know each other’s names a sense of community, peace and quiet, and low crime. Oh, and did I mention peace and quiet?

I know people love living in big cities, but I’ll stick to small town life. And that’s why most of the books I write are set in small towns—not always but most of the time.

My latest book, SMALL TOWN SECRETS, is based in the fictional small town of Shady Valley, but definitely resembles my hometown of Shreve, Ohio. Except nothing this exciting happens in Shreve–which is a good thing. That’s why I like living there.

But nothing happening would make for a boring book so Shady Valley has a few secrets–secrets that could kill!

On the surface, Shady Valley seems to be the ideal all-American place to live with beautiful flowering trees lining both sides of the street as you enter the picturesque town. Neighbors help neighbors. Doors are often left unlocked.

Serious crimes are practically nonexistent—almost but not quite!

When Angie McVey disappears on her wedding day, rookie officer Cami Martine is determined to find her best friend. Unfortunately, there are no leads to follow.

Angie seems to have disappeared into thin air.

But not everyone in Shady Valley is what they appear to be. Some have secrets—deadly secrets—that they hide behind the masks they wear. If Cami is to bring her best friend home, she will need to discover the deadly secrets of her friends and neighbors and find the one who wears the biggest mask.

SMALL TOWN SECRETS is a fast-paced mystery and suspense novel that will keep you turning pages past your bed time. By the way, the book will also be available as a Large Print book as well.

MY REVIEW

This story has so many twists I wasn’t sure who to believe. A small town that seems to be a great place to live suddenly becomes a sequence of violence. The title fits the story perfectly as secrets keep the story intriguing. Cami is my favorite character because her faith is strong and she never gives up. When her best friend disappears right before she is to be married, Cami knows someone is not who they seem to be. Lies, jealousy and greed fuel the story with danger. I loved the constant action and how the author keeps readers on the edge of their seat.

Just when one crime is wrapped up another pops up. For a small town it sure has its share of criminals. The people you least suspect are the ones to watch out for in this action packed story. It wasn’t until the end that I finally realized who one of the suspects was. Great writing with faith throughout the story makes this a must read book.

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