Monday, March 9, 2020

About the Book

Book: An Amish Picnic

Author: Amy Clipston, Kelly Irvin, Kathleen Fuller, and Vannetta Chapman

Genre: Amish; Christian Romance

Release Date: March 3, 2020

From bestselling authors in the Amish genre come four sweet stories about picnics and romance.

Baskets of Sunshine by Amy Clipston

Kevin Weaver has lived with his brother’s family since his parents passed away when he was young, but he craves a home and family to call his own. Freeman Kurtz owns a successful brick mason business, and Kevin takes the job as Freeman’s apprentice to pursue his own financial freedom.

Phoebe Kurtz is helping her sister with her booth at the marketplace when she notices Kevin, her father’s employee. Their friendship grows, but Kevin is convinced that the difference in their ages makes a relationship between them impossible. Amidst summer outings, Kevin and Phoebe must decide if taking a chance on love is worth the risk.

Candlelight Sweethearts by Kelly Irvin

Esther Marie Shrock loves her job at Valley Grocery Store where she’s worked for four years. Despite a stutter that has plagued her since childhood, she thrives filling orders from a steady stream of customers. Still, at 25, she and her family wonder if romance is in her future.

Jasper Cotter isn’t good with people, but he’s found himself obligated to take over day-to-day operations of the family owned grocery store—a store he doesn’t have the first clue how to run. Thrown together, Esther Marie and Jasper don’t exactly see eye to eye. One night, the store loses power, and the candles aren’t the only things shooting off sparks. Esther Marie and Jasper are suddenly forced to discover common ground when it matters most, and they might be surprised with love along the way.

Reeling in Love by Kathleen Fuller

Nina Stoll and Ira Yoder are just friends. Just friends and fishing buddies. Every Saturday afternoon, they have a picnic at their favorite fishing hole and see who can out fish the other. Until Nina starts to wonder if there’s more.

Her plans to share her feelings go awry, and circumstances seem destined to keep Nina and Ira apart. With both Nina and Ira confused and hurting, it’s going to take courage, some help from the community matchmakers, and a little bit of divine intervention for Nina and Ira to realize they’re each other’s perfect catch.

Picnics and Prospects by Vannetta Chapman

Faith Troyer is claustrophobic, and David Lapp builds tiny houses. They went on a date years ago with disastrous results. Now that they’re in their late twenties, their families and friends are beginning to wonder if either will ever find that special someone. When a picnic outing is diverted by the discovery of a package of letters dating back to the 1970s, they take it upon themselves to find answers to a mystery that causes them to rethink their past and consider their future.

Click here to get your copy!

MY REVIEW

It is with great honor that I introduce a book filled with hope, forgiveness , trust and unconditional love. These amazing authors have gathered to bring four stories that weave emotions throughout the book as readers fill their hearts with encouragement and joy. I love reading books where author‘s collaborate to give readers a taste of different writing styles. I loved reading about the different places the characters had a picnic at and the delicious selections of food. Now it’s time to sit back, get comfy and enjoy your adventure to Amish country.

Baskets Of Sunshine by Amy Clipston

I loved following Phoebe and Kevin as they start to get to know each other. The author explores how two young people learn to trust a God as they make decisions about their relationship. It was interesting to see how Kevin struggled with the age difference even though I didn’t find it to be such a big problem. Kevin is guarded around Phoebe which cause a little friction as they develop a relationship. I loved the picnic they went on and all the fun activities they joined in as Kevin slowly starts to open his heart to love.

It’s funny how two people who like each other can have such bad communication between them . It is so easy for us to think someone doesn’t like us and allow thoughts to push us away from them. Kevin and Phoebe’s story is sweet and filled with hope.

“We’ll take everything step by step and in God’s time.”

Candlelight Sweethearts by Kelly Irvin

I fell in love with Esther Marie right away . Having a speech problem makes her shy and uncomfortable. Oh how I wanted her to find courage and strength to know she was loved by God. I couldn’t wait to see where the author would take us as the story unfolded.

Jasper finds himself helping out at the deli when his father becomes ill. He sure seemed a little on edge with customers and Esther Marie. This story made me chuckle because Jasper really likes Esther Marie but is a bit scared to say it. His pride and stubbornness is going to get in the way of happiness if he is not careful. I liked how the author emphasized that looks aren’t as important as a pure heart. The story is a wonderful look at trusting God and letting go of insecurity.

“God was made strong in His weakness.”

Reeling in Love by Kathleen Fuller

Oh how nice to realize that you are in love with the young man you always were friends with. Nina and Ira have a standing date to go fishing together every Saturday. They have been friends forever and enjoy each other’s company. Something changes one day and it hits Nina how much she cares for Ira. Nina is feeling a little uncomfortable as she realizes she is not like most Amish girls. She would rather be fishing than baking or cleaning like most her age like to do. Is that why Ira doesn’t want to court her?

Nina has big plans Saturday as a surprise picnic has been planned so she can tell Ira how she really feels about him. Well you know the saying, “the best laid plans.” Nina is in for a big shock as she goes to their favorite fishing spot. The author does a great job of sharing how a misunderstanding can lead to heartbreak. Nina’s heart is broken and her conversation with her Grandmother is very special as she shares that God will mend her broken heart. It is a great lesson in not giving up and realizing how important you are to God.

“What seems impossible can be possible with God.”

Picnics and Prospects by Vannetta Chapman

A good way to feel old is to be a chaperone to those younger than you. That is just what Faith and David find themselves doing in this fun story about picnics, mystery and romance. I couldn’t wait to find out what is the package they found as they rescued a puppy while on an outing. I loved the addition of the dog and how it fit so well into Faith’s life.

The author really piqued my interest in the letters that were found. What I really liked was how those mysterious letters find Faith and David spending time together as they try to figure out who the letters from 1970 belong to. Faith’s anxiety about closed in spaces has caused her to shy away from going places. Perhaps with a mystery to solve she will find confidence to let go of her fear and learn to trust others as well as God. The story is full of surprises and I loved learning about Tiny Houses. They play a big part in the story as well as the letters. It was wonderful to read about lost love and finding hope.

“God has designed us in His image.”

I really enjoyed the stories and learning new things about the Amish. I think I will plan a picnic with my husband and make memories to last forever.

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

About the Author

Amy Clipston is the award-winning and bestselling author of the Kauffman Amish Bakery, Hearts of amy-clipston

Lancaster Grand Hotel, Amish Heirloom, Amish Homestead, and Amish Marketplace series. Her novels have hit multiple bestseller lists including CBD, CBA, and ECPA. Amy holds a degree in communication from Virginia Wesleyan University and works full-time for the City of Charlotte, NC. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, and four spoiled rotten cats. Visit her online at AmyClipston.com; Facebook: AmyClipstonBooks; Twitter: @AmyClipston; Instagram: @amy_clipston.

Kelly Irvin is the bestselling author of the Every Amish Season and Amish of Bee County series. The Beekeeper’s Son received a starred review from Publishers Weekly, who called it a “beautifully woven masterpiece.” The two-time Carol Award finalist is a former newspaper reporter and retired public relations professional. Kelly lives in Texas with her husband, photographer Tim Irvin. They have two children, three grandchildren, and two cats. In her spare time, she likes to read books by her favorite authors. Visit her online at KellyIrvin.com; Instagram: kelly_irvin; Facebook: Kelly.Irvin.Author; Twitter: @Kelly_S_Irvin.

With over a million copies sold, Kathleen Fuller is the author of several bestselling novels, including the kathleen-fuller

Hearts of Middlefield novels, the Middlefield Family novels, the Amish of Birch Creek series, and the Amish Letters series as well as a middle-grade Amish series, the Mysteries of Middlefield. Visit her online at KathleenFuller.com; Instagram: kf_booksandhooks; Facebook: WriterKathleenFuller; Twitter: @TheKatJam.

Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. She is the author of sixteen novels, including the Pebble Creek Amish series, The Shipshewana Amish Mystery series, and Anna’s Healing, a 2016 Christy Award finalist. Vannetta is a Carol award winner and has also received more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She was a teacher for fifteen years and currently resides in the Texas hill country. Visit Vannetta online: VannettaChapman.com, Twitter: @VannettaChapman, Facebook: VannettaChapmanBooks.

Read an Excerpt

Read an excerpt here.

Blog Stops

The Power of Words, March 6

Batya’s Bits, March 6

The Avid Reader, March 6

Older & Smarter?, March 7

For Him and My Family, March 7

For the Love of Literature, March 8

Bigreadersite, March 8

Texas Book-aholic, March 9

deb’s Book Review, March 9

Quiet Quilter, March 10

Through the Fire Blogs, March 10

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, March 11

Girls in White Dresses, March 11

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, March 11

Inklings and notions, March 12

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 12

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 13

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, March 13

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 14

The Collaborative Press, March 14

Splashes of Joy, March 15

janicesbookreviews, March 15

She Lives To Read, March 16

Jeanette’s Thoughts, March 16

Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner, March 16

Blossoms and Blessings, March 17

Books, Life, and Chrst, March 17

Artistic Nobody, March 18 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Southern Gal Loves to Read, March 18

EmpowerMoms, March 18

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 19

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, March 19

*No Giveaway for this Celebration Tour

About the Book

Book: Why Can’t We Trust God?

Author: Thomas Wise

Genre: Non-Fiction/Personal Growth

Release Date: January 17, 2020

So you think God turned his back on us?

Why else would this world be so miserable?

While this world is spinning out of control, we are left with the tough questions:

Why is this happening to me?

Why won’t God stop this?

Why am I in pain?

Why did my child die?

Why do they hate me?

WHY CAN’T WE TRUST GOD?

Well, at the time my wife and I were suffering financially due to her loss of a good job. We wondered how we would pay our bills but chose to continue to trust in God as we paid our tithe and held our breath, hoping my income would cover our bills each month. We prayed for relief but never expected the answer would include the total destruction of everything we owned. The tornado crashed through the town, causing death and destruction to everything in its path.

After the grief subsided at the loss of life suffered by our neighbors, we came to realize that we also lost all of our debts and the decay of the older home we owned. We received so much more than we lost.

Click here to get your copy.

MY REVIEW

The word trust makes me quiver at times. It has been a struggle for me all my life. I have often questioned why God would allow such horrific things to happen if He loves us. How do you explain to someone that God has a reason for taking a loved one or having you go through a traumatic event? In this book I found many scriptures that help explain questions I have had and examples that show how much He loves me.

I am one of those people who takes notes as I read. I want to remember things I find significant and speak to me. It is important to tell readers that this book should be read with an open mind and study the scriptures carefully. Some books I can read and gather my thoughts about it quickly. With this book I wanted to slow my pace down and really soak in what the author was saying.

I can’t say I agreed with every point the author makes in the book but I did appreciate him showing another way to look at the word trust. As children we grow up to trust certain people in our lives. When they hurt us, we lose trust in them. I did like the part about God using the unlikely to “do His work.” The scripture, “My Grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness,” really hit home. When we are at our weakest , He is there to give us strength. When we hurt God is there to comfort us and show His unconditional love.

I have taken many notes from the book and plan to reread it as I ask God to help me grow stronger in my faith and to learn to trust Him more.

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

About the Author

Tom and Nancy Wise are award-winning authors. Their first novel, The Borealis Genome, is the grand-prize winner of the Chanticleer Book Reviews Dante Rossetti 2013 Award for YA Novels and 2014 Cygnus Award Lab Lit Category.

Thomas grew up in a military family moving from base to base as the child of a Marine, living the life of an officer’s brat in times of war while Nancy was raised the youngest child of a WWII veteran. When not working together on their novels, Tom teaches at University and authors articles on project management topics and nonfiction books published by Gower Publishing in the UK.

More from Tom

“Why Can’t We Trust God?” reflects my struggle with the purpose of suffering. I identify with Jacob, wrestling with God, holding on to my pain and anger, determined to find God’s blessing in compensation for a life that didn’t seem to meet my expectations. I dug my feet in, refusing to be moved, and I was determined to find some confirmation of why life hurts, why I suffer from failure, health, setbacks, and the meaning of life.

“Why Can’t We Trust God?” published by Zion Press, a CrossLink Publishing imprint, describes my exploration of the word WHY in relation to God’s more excellent plan for life on earth.

Why did I write the book, “Why Can’t We Trust God?” Because we need answers.

Blog Stops

A Reader’s Brain, March 6

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 7

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 8

Texas Book-aholic, March 9

Lots of Helpers, March 10

Inklings and notions, March 11

For Him and My Family, March 12

deb’s Book Review, March 13

All 4 and About Books, March 14 (Author Interview)

Coast and Anchor, March 14

Mary Hake, March 15

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 16

She Lives to Read, March 17

Andrea Christenson, March 18 (Author Interview)

Livin’ Lit, March 19

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Thomas is giving away the grand prize of an Amazon Kindle!!
(Please note: Kindle may be different than one pictured.)

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/f6d5/why-can-t-we-trust-god-celebration-tour-giveaway

Sunday, March 8, 2020

About the Book

Book: Killer Harvest

Author: Tanya Stowe

Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense

Release Date: March, 2020

Can she stop a deadly crop virus from ending up in the wrong hands? Biologist and single mom Sassa Nilsson just witnessed her mentor’s brutal murder by environmental extremists. Now she’s the last link to a deadly pathogen they plan unleashing—and their number one target! But can handsome border patrol agent Jared De Luca shield Sassa and her baby long enough to find a cure…before the entire world faces the unthinkable consequences?

Click here for your copy.

MY REVIEW

The book starts right off with danger and the characters hit the ground running. Sassa is in deep when her boss is murdered before her eyes. This isn’t just your run of the mill mystery . It is top level secret with biotechnology that could cause chaos if it lands in the wrong hands. The tension is thick as Sassa tries to figure out what is going on. She must find a way to protect both her and her baby from the extremists group . I could feel the uneasiness as Sassa deciphers who to trust.

Jared De Luca joins the story in hopes of shielding Sassa and her baby from danger. There is a brief moment when he isn’t sure Sassa is revealing everything she knows. I liked how strong and determined Sassa is and her intelligence will prove to be very valuable. I loved how these two unlikely people team up and face danger head on.

It was nice to see how Sassa is faithful and trusts God to help keep her safe. Jared is struggling in his faith and with the help of Sassa maybe he can let go of why he is angry at God. The backstory on Jared’s mother is very important to why he doesn’t have faith in God anymore. I loved really how he opens up and begins to bare his soul to Sassa. There are some very tense moments in the story which heightens the level of security around Sassa and her daughter.

The author is very gifted in writing a suspenseful story that keeps us on the edge of our seats. I found myself squeezing the chair as Sassa starts to get close to finding out what these men are after. The author weaves faith in the story that brings one person hope and restores faith to another.

Don’t miss this exciting adventure into secrets, danger, twists and an ending you don’t want to miss.

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

About the Author

Tanya Stowe is a Christian Fiction author with an unexpected edge. She is married to the love of her life, her high school sweetheart. They have four children and twenty-one grandchildren, a true adventure. She fills her books with the unusual…mysteries and exotic travel, even a murder or two. No matter where Tanya takes you…on a trip to foreign lands or a suspenseful journey packed with danger…be prepared for the extraordinary.

More from Tanya

As a teenager, I spent my summers water-skiing on the King’s River in Central California. Even though we lived on the coast and the ocean, we traveled inland to the smooth river waters every other weekend for our sport. We camped on a sandy beach, skimmed over the water all day long and at night sat under a sky full of brilliant stars and listened to the sound of the water rippling past. Since we lived on the coast with a heavy marine layer, the amazing sky always fascinated me. Surrounded by massive cottonwood trees, with the smell of ripe fruit drifting toward us, my river experiences were different from home and more than memorable. On some nights we’d hear the splash and laughter as teenagers, somewhere across the river, came down to swim. I always wondered what it would be like to live in the nearby small, neat-as-a-pin town, to know the same people all of my life and to be able to drive down to the river with my friends on any given night. I envied those teenagers and always knew I’d someday write a story about central California. I didn’t know it would involve biological warfare and crazed killers…but that transition is another story all its own! I’ll stop here and hope you enjoy Killer Harvest!