Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Dogwood Winter

About the Book

Book: Dogwood Winter

Author: Candace West

Genre: Historical Romance

Release date: August 24, 2021

FC - Dogwood Winter by Candace West - FINAL (1) A Lukewarm Correspondence. A Tattered Reputation. Two Hearts at Odds.

He is walking away while she is fighting to walk.

After a springtime swim, Ella Steen is stricken with a dire illness, leaving her without the use of her legs. Meanwhile, Dr. George Curtis, the man she secretly loves, faces ruin. For over a year, the crusty New York City bachelor and vivacious spinster have exchanged dozens of letters and formed a wary friendship.

Neither are willing to open their hearts completely. Until they face each other. The past looms between them, however. Does George still love another or is his heart completely free?

A trip to Valley Creek holds the answers. Instead, when George and Ella arrive, they encounter obstacles that force other truths to the surface. Is George brave enough to confront what he fled in New York? Can Ella confess why she hates dogwood winters? Will their hearts survive?

If only their pasts would keep out of the present.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Author pic Candace West was born in the Mississippi delta to a young minister and his wife. She grew up in small-town Arkansas and graduated from the University of Arkansas at Monticello. At twelve years old, she wrote her first story, “Following Prairie River.” In 2018, she published her debut novel Lane Steen, book one of the Valley Creek Redemption Series. By weaving entertaining, hope-filled stories, Candace shares the Gospel and encourages her readers. She currently lives in Arkansas with her husband and their son along with two dogs and three bossy cats.

More from Candace

Biscuits and gravy has been a staple for generations in my family. It’s perfect for any occasion or breakfast, dinner, and supper. Yes, in our neck of the woods, dinner is lunch, and supper is—well, supper.

And then, we have biscuits and gravy with a twist. We’ll shove the traditional aside for a bowl of chocolate gravy. That’s right, chocolate.

Now, don’t get grossed out. Some people believe chocolate gravy is this weird, mysterious concoction made with meat grease. It’s the gravy part that boggles their mind, but it’s actually straightforward and easy—not true gravy at all. Trust me, if you like chocolate, you’ll want to try this. When you butter a biscuit and drizzle the chocolate over it, you’ll get a little taste of heaven on earth.

And you’ll get a little taste of the Appalachians and Ozarks.

My grandparents, both raised deep in the Arkansas Ozarks, were raised on “chocolate an’ biscuits” and passed the recipe down to us. Throughout the mountains and in pockets throughout the country, you’ll find this lesser-known treat on kitchen tables and family gatherings.

Every recipe is a little different. Every family has their own special way of making it. My family likes their chocolate gravy a little thinner while my husband’s family wants theirs to be the consistency of pudding.

In Dogwood Winter, my characters would’ve eaten chocolate an’ biscuits. Their corner of the Ozarks is famous for it. I can see Ella and George, along with the Steen family, gathering around a table, saying the blessing, and passing the fare to each other. The only skeptical one in the bunch would be George, a New Yorker who wasn’t raised on it. One bite would make him a believer.

Have you ever eaten biscuits and chocolate gravy? If not, would you try it?

This is our family recipe.

Chocolate Gravy

1 ½ cups sugar

1 tbs Hershey Cocoa powder

2 ½ tbs flour

Mix dry ingredients in a saucepan

Add 1 ½ to 2 cups of milk (depends on the thickness you want)

Bring to a boil and cook until thickened (3 or 4 minutes) Note: Bring to a slow boil and continually stir. Remove from heat then add 2 tbs butter and 1 tsp of Vanilla extract. Pour over buttered biscuits and enjoy!

MY REVIEW

It is hard to describe how I feel right now after reading this story but here goes. The characters gave me hope, purpose and renewed my faith. From the minute I started reading, I knew this story was just what I needed. I have been struggling with my faith lately. Everything seems to be going wrong and I didn’t feel joy anymore. I needed something to shake me up, to show me that miracles still happen and that God is in control.

George is who I related to the most. He is lost, beaten down and feels like he has no purpose. As a doctor, he does everything he can to help his patients. I kept thinking about how God is in control as I cried over the tragedy that George faced. It is easy to blame yourself when sonething goes wrong, but then you are reminded in some way that God is in control of everything. Watching George so beaten and without hope, I sensed his desire to give up.

Ella is a sweet nurturing woman who is handicapped but still finds joy in everything around her. I loved reading the letters between her and George. In the pages are encouragement and hope for a future. She has no idea that George is facing ridicule among people who use to be his friend. I think when he decides to come see Ella, a glimmer of God’s plan was taking place. I admired Ella for never giving up and supporting George as he slowly confesses his past to her. The author illustrated how pride can separate us from others and draw us away from God.

The story is a journey of letting go of the past, healing and most of all finding your way back to God. George must decide if he will stay or move on and run from the pain that has caused him to doubt himself. The people in the town are not always open to strangers but something happens that will stir up the deep faith they have and join together to believe for a miracle.

I am thankful for this story at this moment to remind me that I’m not alone. There is peace, joy and unconditional love surrounding me just as George found when he let go of his pride. The author has written a story that is emotional with flawed characters that blossom as they each surrender their heart to Him.

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

Blog Stops

deb’s Book Review, August 26

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 27

Connect in Fiction, August 27

Inklings and notions, August 28

For Him and My Family, August 29

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 30

Reviewingbooksplusmore, August 30

Connie’s History Classroom, August 31

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, September 1

Texas Book-aholic, September 2

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, September 3

Daysong Reflections, September 4

Britt Reads Fiction, September 4

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, September 5

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 6

Life, Love, Writing, September 7

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 8

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Candace is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a paperback 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/1161b/dogwood-winter-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Secrets in the Mist

Author: Morgan L. Busse

Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy

Release date: August 10, 2021

What’s lurking in the Mist is the least of their worries…

In a world where humanity lives in the sky to escape a deadly mist below, Cass’s only goal is survival. That is, until she finds a job on the airship Daedalus as a diver. Now she explores ruined cities, looking for treasure and people’s lost heirlooms until a young man hires her to find the impossible: a way to eradicate the Mist.

Theodore Winchester is a member of one of the Five Families that rule the skies. Following in his father’s footsteps, he searches for the source of the Mist and hopes to stop the purges used to control overpopulation. But what he finds are horrifying secrets and lethal ambition. If he continues his quest, it could mean his own death.

The Mist is rising and soon the world will be enveloped in its deadly embrace, turning what’s left of humanity into the undead.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Morgan L. Busse is a writer by day and a mother by night. She is the author of the Follower of the Word series and the award-winning steampunk series, The Soul Chronicles. Her debut novel, Daughter of Light, was a Christy and Carol Award finalist. During her spare time she enjoys playing games, taking long walks, and dreaming about her next novel.

More from Morgan

I’m afraid to fly. At first, I tried to ignore it. Then the panic attacks came. And the one time I accidentally grabbed my neighbor’s arm during turbulence, which was really embarrassing. But it was when I was waiting for my flight at the airport and felt like I was going to burst into tears right there at the gate that I knew I needed help.

I didn’t want to stop flying. I love traveling! But the fear of plummeting to the ground scared me, so I talked to my doctor and was given medicine to help me calm down. The problem is it made me really groggy. But hey, at least I could fly again.

Then I started writing Secrets in the Mist. Half of this book is about flying and one third is hang gliding. You know, flying with just a kite on your back. To write realistically about hang gliding, I started studying the sport. I read all the articles I could find, watched a lot of YouTube videos, and in the end spent over 10 hours immersing myself in the sky.

As I first imagined, then wrote each scene in Secrets in the Mist, something started to happen. I started to lose my fear of flying. It wasn’t the first time I tried to read the science behind flight to help me lose my fear of flying, but this time, I was doing it in my head. I was feeling the air and wind, tilting my glider, catching the air drafts, and not just understanding how to fly in my mind, but also with my heart.

I realized a plane couldn’t fall out of the sky just like my character couldn’t fall out of the sky. That an experienced flyer understood what to do in storms and sudden gusts of wind. And should the plane actually lose its engines, the pilot would help it glide to the ground the same way my gliders eased their way to a landing.

Not only that, by creating the exhilarating feelings my character felt when she was gliding began to seep into my psyche. I felt her joy and freedom, her lack of fear, and even more, how she felt more connected to God when it was just her, the wind, and the sky. I saw the beauty of flying through my character’s eyes.

I can fly now. Without medication. I actually enjoy the takeoffs and the feeling of the plane gliding through the air. Will I try hang gliding someday? Probably not, I still hate heights. But I never dreamed that writing about flying would help me overcome my fear of it. This is the power of imagination, and the power of story.

MY REVIEW

With a steampunk theme this story is filled with gliders, flying machines, strange places and a mist that causes many to avoid it. I was very curious about the mist and what kind of power it had. I was hooked by the time Cass had escaped and was wandering the streets alone. She is a very good character with strength that drives her to survive.I loved her spunk and determination to find safety. The world she lives in is dangerous and barely survives on the meager food she steals.I couldn’t wait to see what adventure was in store for her.

It is easy to imagine the world Cass is in with exceptional details the author gives us. I could see the mist as it captured everything in its path. The flying machines were big and powerful as they took people to their towers that were safe from the darkness of the mist. We get a brief glimpse of Theo at the beginning of the book when he has a chance encounter with Cass. Somehow I knew he would become an important part of the story and I was excited to see how the author would fit him into the world that Cass knows.

I don’t know about you, but I do not like to fly at all. I’ve been on a plane a few times and never once was I comfortable. I guess if I looked out the window I could see something to distract me, but all I felt was fear. As I read this story I almost wanted to strap on a glider and feel the wind against my face and travel with Cass. Being a diver is dangerous but I thought it was so intriguing to go through the mist and explore the land below.

The story involves missions to recover items for people and as a diver Cass must go into unknown places where creatures lurk. Teaming up with Cass, Theo thinks he can find the cure for the mist. Their journey is extremely dangerous and I was on the edge of my seat as they ascended down to the place where Theo hoped a long kept family secret could be found. There is a definite divide between the rich and poor in the story as power seems to fuel those who are in control. Theo and Cass will come face to face with something evil that challenges them in a fight to survive.

The ending is spectacular and holds nothing back as this force is determined to stop Theo and Cass. By this time I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Would Cass and Theo survive ? Could they find the answer to make the mist disappear forever? I wish I could answer those questions, but the author cleverly left readers with a cliffhanger. Now we must wait for the next book to see what happens.

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

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 31

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 31

Texas Book-aholic, September 1

Wishful Endings, September 2

Inklings and notions, September 2

Remembrancy, September 3

For Him and My Family, September 3

deb’s Book Review, September 4

Blogging With Carol, September 4

The Christian Fiction Girl, September 5

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 5

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, September 6

Mia Reads, September 6

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, September 7

Rebecca Tews, September 7

Aryn The Libraryan 📚, September 8

Where Faith and Books Meet, September 8

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, September 9

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, September 9

Tell Tale Book Reviews, September 10

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, September 10

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, September 11

Mary Hake, September 11

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 12

Simple Harvest Reads, September 12 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

Through the fire blogs, September 13

Daysong Reflections, September 13

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Morgan is giving away the grand prize package of Steampunk themed basket that includes a signed book, coffee by barnies, a soy candle (so it should be safe for everyone), and a $20 B&N 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/11621/secrets-in-the-mist-celebration-tour-giveaway

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

THE WALNUT CREEK WISH BY WANDA BRUNSTETTER

This story has been so much fun to read I hated to say goodbye to the characters. I feel like I have made new friends and hope to visit them soon. The setting is perfect and I loved being a part of the Amish community and witness their love for God, family and friends.

Rhonda and Jeff are a typical couple living in a nice condo and have high level stressful jobs. They don’t see each other much due to work and this slowly starts to put a strain on their marriage. We discover that they have had some roadblocks that have caused them to be bitter at God. They both want a child so bad but that has not happened yet. They have strained relationships with family members which stems from them not wanting to talk about religion. How sad that they have pushed God out of their lives. Maybe with their new home they have purchased they can spend more time together.

My favorite couple in the story is Orley and Lois. They are funny, full of life and love each other unconditionally. The couple owns a very interesting shop that I would love to visit. Can you imagine walking into their store and seeing memories of toys from your childhood? It’s the perfect place for Jeff to visit as he love to collect antiques. It was no accident that Jeff came to this store because Orley and Lois will be very important to this couple who has lost their way. It was encouraging to see how Orley and Lois offered friendship and spiritual guidance. Oh it may not seem like they were getting through to Jeff and Rhonda but God was working in His loving way to bring them back to Him.

Jeff and Rhonda find themselves going through one crisis after another. You can feel their hopelessness as things start to crumble around them. It is easy to become distant from your spouse when you see them as the enemy. What a mess their lives were becoming yet God was still there watching over them. The last part of the story is where I cried as I wanted Jeff and Rhonda to rekindle their marriage and bring God back into their marriage. The author does an amazing job of using scriptures to show that God never leaves us or forsakes us.

I hope you get your tissues out as you follow Jeff and Rhonda on their journey through loss, anger, forgiveness, learning to fight for their marriage and finding peace within themselves. I loved the lessons the author gives readers about finding joy again and knowing that God has a plan for each of us. He puts people in our pathway for a reason. Orley and Lois were there to encourage and speak God’s Word into their lives. Their gentle spirit helped Jeff and Rhonda begin to see that they needed to make changes in their lives. I’m so glad that the author wrote this story because it reminded me that there are people who care for others and that when we invite Him into our lives we are set free from the things that have caused us to become bitter. This is the best book the author has written.

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

saving faith

About the Book

Book: Saving Faith

Author: Jennifer Sienes

Genre: Christian Women’s Fiction

Release date: July 13, 2021

Saving Faith take 1b Hearts and flowers might pay the bills, but that’s all they’re good for.

Still clutched in the grip of guilt over her youthful indiscretions, Faith Nicholson can’t seem to move past her parents’ disappointment in her—or her disappointment in herself. Determined to make something in her life a success, she focuses on her floral design.

After all, she has quite the past to atone for.

Then her little sister decides to get married, and everyone but Faith chooses her for the job of coordinator. The family florist is the perfect choice. Right? Overruled, Faith agrees.

Enter a widower and his precocious daughter. A friendship with Michael Jacobs becomes more than a refuge in stress of wedding preparations. It becomes a catalyst for her entire life.

Hiding from her past hasn’t worked until now. Perhaps Michael is right. Facing it is exactly what she needs if she has any hope of a real future.

Faith never would have imagined that her grudging agreement to help her sister could become an olive branch between herself and her family—and the Lord.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Jennifer Sienes holds a bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s in education, but discovered life-experience is the best teacher. She loves Jesus, romance and writing–and puts it altogether in inspirational contemporary fiction. Her daughter’s TBI and brother’s suicide inspired two of her three novels. Although fiction writing is her real love, she’s had several non-fiction pieces published in anthologies–two in Chicken Soup for the Soul. She has two grown children and one very spoiled Maltese. California born and raised, she recently took a step of faith with her real-life hero and relocated to Tennessee.

More from Jennifer

Where does inspiration come from? When I wrote Illusions and Providence (books 2 and 3 of my Apple Hill series) it came from real-life tragedies I’d lived through. The characters and stories were pure fiction, but the inspiration was heartfelt and dark—just where I needed my emotions to be in order to write redemption stories. When I wrote Surrendered (Book 1) in the series, the inspiration came from one character that was eventually deleted in the second draft of Providence. Are you confused yet? Just to set the record straight, although Surrendered was the first book published in the series, it was the last one I wrote. Why they were published in the order they were is unimportant.

Saving Faith is unlike any other book I’ve written. It was the first novella I wrote in the series, although it isn’t the first to be published (are you sensing a pattern?) I’ve since written two Christmas novellas, both based on side characters introduced in my novels. All That Glitters released last November starring two characters from Surrendered—Julia and Marty. Wish Upon a Star will release this coming November, and the main characters are Elaina and Ryan from Providence.

But the characters in Saving Faith were created from thin air. Well, mostly. Although Addie Jacobs is a side character, she was inspired by a little girl in my Sunday School class—adorable, precocious, intelligent, and headstrong. Once I had her in place, the rest of the novella came together. It was also the first book I’ve written without plotting it out in advance, which was quite disconcerting for a control-freak like me. It was as if the Holy Spirit introduced me to the story as I wrote it. I’ve heard of those pantsers (they write by the seat of their pants rather than outline the plot), but until Saving Faith, I’ve never been successful at winging it. To be perfectly honest, I wasn’t the main writer; I was just the co-pilot. I believe the story of Faith, Michael, Chloe, and Addie is better for it.

Another first for me was writing a story where romance was the main genre. I write women’s fiction with an element of romance. But Saving Faith is a romance with an element of women’s fiction. This set the bar for my other novellas. It’s these shorter books that allow me to delve into the world of romance, although it’s not the typical boy-meets-girl kind of story. It’s more boy-knows-girl and loves her anyway kind of story. Because truth be told, none of us are loveable without the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

MY REVIEW

I enjoyed this story so much that I didn’t want it to end. It is an easy read filled with characters that you want to be friends with. I liked how the story flowed with faith elements in just the right places. I needed to read a book like this which is not heavy but still has a great message.

Faith is pretty hard on herself at times. She thinks she is being punished by God for sonething that happened in her past. I think we can all raise our hands and say we have thought the same thing. When we are at our lowest that is when the enemy comes in to distract us. Faith represents each of us who struggle with guilt, shame and self esteem. I wanted to tell her that she is not alone, even though it may feel like it at times.

Pastor Michael Jacobs and his daughter are so perfect for this story. I liked how the author shows that even pastors struggle at times. We forget that pastors are just like us and find themselves fighting the enemy at times. Michael has his hands full with his energetic daughter Addie. When he looks at her he thinks about the wife he lost. His wife makes a life changing decision that reminds me of the scripture, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friend.” Her choice was hard to read but I understood why she did it.

The romance in the story is clean and moved at a nice pace. The author allows the characters to get to know each other and learn to trust each other. The moment that Faith decides to go to Michael and share her past was written so well. There was no judgment only guidance of how to forgive and move forward. This was my favorite part of the story. Reading how vulnerable Faith was and allowing someone to minister to her was priceless. The author has given us a story that not only expresses the love that God has for us but also Remi do us that we are forgiven.

“Forgiveness is often like an onion-it comes in layers. Just know that there may be moments when you get angry again, and that’s ok. God’ll get you through it.”

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