Thursday, February 16, 2023

About the Book

Book: Priscilla’s Piggy

Author: Marisa Masterson

Genre: Sweet Historical Romance

Release date: Febraury 10, 2023

This marriage needs something more than a pig to hold it together—

Jack Dixon knew his mother was right. It was time he married. He’d go along with whatever she writes in the letter to the matchmaker.

Priscilla Pringle fell in love with the man who wrote such a tender letter. Too bad that the man she meets in Missouri is his opposite. She’d leave and go home except for the little piggy she is bottle feeding.

Will she stay after the piggy is weaned? Is Jack the only one who needs to change

to make a marriage work?

Read to find out.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

The smiling teacher. That’s what her students called her. How did this dedicated teacher end up as an author? A spinal cord injury took her out of the high school classroom. After seven years of healing, she asked the Lord what He had for her. Now, thirty-seven books later, Marisa is still enjoying the direction He sent her when God opened the door for her to begin writing.

Marisa’s sweet romances often are set in her home state of Wisconsin. Growing up, she loved hearing stories about her family who pioneered in that state. Those stories, in part, are what inspire ideas for her books.

Though she’s from Wisconsin, Marisa and her husband of thirty-four years live in Saginaw, Michigan. They have two grown children and a precious three-year-old granddaughter, Hunny Junebug. She’s been Marisa’s best physical therapy and keeps her moving.

More from Marisa

As a girl of about ten, I remember holding a glass 7-Up bottle for the orphaned piglet. My grandpa attached a black rubber nipple and had me feed it—just like Fern in Charlotte’s Web. Unlike Fern, I knew not to name it or grow attached. It would be sold when it reached 40 pounds.

That memory came in handy with Priscilla’s Piglet. I wondered what I could add to keep my heroine at the farm after she decides the hero is not her perfect match. The memory prodded my brain. Who doesn’t love a baby that is in need—even if it’s a baby pig! It seemed the perfect fit for this story.

MY REVIEW

This was a nicely written story about a young woman who becomes a mail order bride. Priscilla is desperate to get away from her father and jumps at the chance to become someone’s wife. She has no idea what she is getting into, but she knows that she is safer away from her father. Her father was a preacher but he treated his daughter with anger that sometimes would be frightening to her. The letter she received from her intended was sweet and gave Priscilla hope.

I don’t think Jack makes a good impression on Priscilla when they first meet. What happened to that kind hearted man who wrote such an endearing letter to her? Jack isn’t all that thrilled with Priscilla but will marry her to make his mother happy. Looks like there will be a time of getting to know each other before they should marry.

I loved piggy wiggy and thought how nice it was for Priscilla to have her help adjust to her new home. The poor little runt needed extra attention and this gives Priscilla a reason to stay. The author uses this time to explore the two main characters and find out that they both have this need to be wanted. Jack becomes very protective of Priscilla when she explains that someone may come looking for her. Jack is having problems adjusting being home from the war. They both find themselves growing closer to each other as they get accustomed to their new lives.

The author adds a bit of danger to the story which exposes how pride can get the best of someone. This part of the story was intense and added an illustration of forgiving, understanding , unconditional love and allowing God to soften your heart. The ending is nice and I hope piggy wiggy makes another appearance in a book soon.

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

Blog Stops

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 12

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 13

Stories By Gina, February 14 (Author Interview)

Girls in White Dresses, February 15

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, February 16 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, February 17

Tell Tale Book Reviews, February 18 (Author Interview)

deb’s Book Review, February 18

Pause for Tales, February 19

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 20

For the Love of Literature, February 21 (Author Interview)

Connie’s History Classroom, February 22

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 23

Artistic Nobody, February 24 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, February 24

For Him and My Family, February 25

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Marisa 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/242ae/priscilla-s-piggy-celebration-tour-giveaway

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

About the Book

Book: A Not So Persistent Suitor

Author: Sandra Merville Hart

Genre: Christian historical romance

Release date: Febraury 14, 2023

He’s fighting for his career…She’s bent on achieving her own goals…Will their love survive a second chance at happily ever after?

Cora Welch dreams of a future teaching kindergarten, which is in its infancy, and marriage to Ben Findlay, her beau and her twin brother’s best friend. But she returns to college from summer break to learn of Ben’s unwise choices in pursuit of his career—choices that destroy her trust in the man she thought she knew and loved.

Ben is working hard toward his dream to become the best reporter in the city. He’s no stranger to fighting for a goal against all odds, ever since he was orphaned at age thirteen. Even though Cora has captured his heart, he makes the mistake of escorting the boss’s daughter to a fancy banquet to further his career—with far-reaching repercussions. Now he’s hurt Cora and botched his career goals.

Winning Cora’s trust again proves harder than Ben expects, especially as they both face struggles of their own. When events spiral out of their control, catapulting them into hardship and even danger, only God can restore their dreams—though the outcome may look far different than either of them planned.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Sandra Merville Hart, award-winning and Amazon bestselling author of inspirational historical romances, loves to discover little-known yet fascinating facts from American history to include in her stories. Her desire is to transport her readers back in time. She is also a blogger, speaker, and conference teacher. Connect with Sandra on her blog, https://sandramervillehart.wordpress.com/.

More from Sandra

I have wanted to write a story set in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the 1880s for several years. It seems to me that it was on my heart to write while I was still working as a Programmer Analyst and writing was but a dream.

Twins Cora and John had been living on their family’s farm before moving to Cincinnati to attend college. John went rogue on me (he does that in Book 3 too ) and got a job at a newspaper working with Ben, and decided not to go to college. Meanwhile, Ben begins to court Cora.

When our story begins, Cora is in her second and final year at the Cincinnati Kindergarten Training School. Kindergarten is still in its infancy in 1883, when our story begins. In fact, the demand for kindergartens grew in the 1870s. There were about four hundred kindergartens by 1880, and the need to train teachers for them was a natural part of that growth.

A training school in Cincinnati was organized in March of 1880. At first, kindergarten students (aged four – six) learned the 3 R’s –reading, writing, and arithmetic. Before long, principals in higher grades complained that kindergartners also needed a basic knowledge of music, drawing, and manual training.

This led to greater training for kindergartener teachers, who learned teaching tools that included games, songs, and handwork.

I imagine that incorporating games, songs, and activities engaged the children’s interest in a new and fun way for them.

Part of my research included The Songs and Music of Friedrich Froebel’s Mother Play by Fro. Bel. Friedrich. Early training schools used Friedrich Froebel’s writing extensively in their training so I mentioned his Mother Play book within the story.

Though demand for kindergartens was growing, most schools didn’t address the needs of these four to six-year-old children by providing a kindergarten class. Cora has to fight for a local school to start a new class to open the fall after she graduates.

Another fun thing about this novel is the places I’ve included that the modern reader familiar with Cincinnati will recognize:

Fountain Square, the Suspension Bridge, St. Peter’s Cathedral, and the Zoological Gardens to name a few.

Follow characters you’ve grown to love in A Not So Convenient Marriage, Book 1 in the “Second Chances” series into A Not So Persistent Suitor, Book 2!

MY REVIEW

The author captured the time period so well that I pictured myself walking the town and visiting Cora at the shop where she works. Her dream is to be a kindergarten teacher and I loved following her on her journey to fulfill her dream. She is sweet, kind and has a gift for reaching children. I found it interesting that the author gave us a character that wanted to teach children at a young age and give everything to this vocation.

Ben was so endearing and I loved his flawed character. He seemed so realistic and his emotions could be felt through the pages. He wants to be the best news reporter and finds himself having to prove himself to his boss. There is someone in the office that is jealous of Ben and tries to sabotage him at every turn. I thought Ben handled this well and showed how he wouldn’t fall for the lies that were being spread about him.

The story is very entertaining and I especially liked the two big news stories focused on devastation of a city and a murder trial that sets off riots in the city. When the author described the floods I could see the water rising and the hopelessness people felt. Cora decides that while she can’t attend school right now, she will volunteer to help those who have been displaced due to the flood. I loved this part because it shows how we should help others in need. The riots were vivid and I felt tension in the air as people wanted to take the law int9 their own hands.

The best part of the story for me was when Ben sees his father after many years. There is anger in Ben’s heart and he has a hard time seeing his father. The author uses this as an illustration of forgiveness. All those years Ben wasted turning away from God because he was angry has caught up with him. As he and his father begin a new relationship there is hope.

The ending is beautiful and wraps up the story with a new beginning for some, forgiveness and letting go of the past and finding unconditional love. I loved how the author uses each character to teach us about faith and never giving up.

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

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 15

Blossoms and Blessings, February 15

Texas Book-aholic, February 16

deb’s Book Review, February 17

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 18

Writing from Walsh Mountain, February 18

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 19

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, February 20

Connie’s History Classroom, February 21

Holly’s Book Corner, February 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 22

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 23

Simple Harvest Reads, February 24 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

For Him and My Family, February 25

lakesidelivingsite, February 26

Christina’s Corner, February 26

Cover Lover Book Review, February 27

Pause for Tales, February 28

Mary Hake, February 28

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Sandra 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/24516/a-not-so-persistent-suitor-celebration-tour-giveaway

Tuesday, February 14, 2023

About the Book

Book: Ellie’s Escape

Author: Linda Shenton Matchett

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: March 25, 2022

She’s running for her life. He needs a trophy wife. They didn’t count on falling in love.

Ellie Wagner is fine being a spinster school teacher. Then she witnesses a bank hold up and can identify the bandits. Fellow robbery victim Milly Crenshaw happens to run the Westward Home & Hearts Matrimonial Agency so she arranges for Ellie to head West as a mail-order bride. But her groom only wants a business arrangement. Can she survive a loveless marriage?

Banker Julian Sheffield is more comfortable with numbers than with people, but he’s done well for himself. Then the bank president tells him that in order to advance further he must marry in six weeks’ time. The candid, unsophisticated woman sent by the agency is nothing like he expected, but time is running out. When her past comes calling, does he have what it takes to ensure their future?

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 volunteer docent and archivist for the Wright Museum of WWII, Linda is a former trustee for her local public library. She is a native of Baltimore, Maryland and was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry (of Star-Spangled Banner fame). Linda has lived in historic places all her life, and is now located in central New Hampshire where her favorite activities include exploring historic sites and immersing herself in the imaginary worlds created by Sheffield is more comfortable with numbers than with people, but he’s done well for himself. Then the bank president tells him that in order to advance further he must marry in six weeks’ time. The candid, unsophisticated woman sent by the agency is nothing like he expected, but time is running out. When her past comes calling, does he have what it takes to ensure their future?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

More from Linda

Dear Reader,

One of my favorite tropes to use in a story is the proverbial “fish out of water,” so when it came time for me to brainstorm the idea for Ellie’s Escape, I made a list of situations that would be uncomfortable for my protagonists (see what we writers do to our poor characters?).

As a result, I sent my female protagonist from the crowded city of Boston, Massachusetts (population 362,000) to the remote reaches of Gunnison, Colorado (population 888) where because of its location in the Rocky Mountains is one of the coldest places in winter in the United States. Compared to Boston’s elevation of 141’, Gunnison’s elevation of over 7,700 feet had to seem dizzying to my poor girl. The research into Gunnison was very fun, and I was able to use my boss as a subject matter expert because he’d lived there for several years before moving to New Hampshire. I gave my painfully shy male protagonist a gregarious mail-order bride that he doesn’t quite know what to do with.

Here are a few fun facts about Gunnison:

The Gunnison River drops an average of forty-three feet per mile through Black Canyon which is SIX times more than the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.
Standing at 2,250 feet from river to rim, Black Canyon’s Painted Wall is the tallest cliff in Colorado, and nearly twice as tall as the Empire State Building.
The town is named for a man who only stayed for three days – explorer John W. Gunnison who was searching for a route for the transcontinental railroad.
A little-known site for gold and silver mining, Gunnison and the surrounding area produced a reported 130,000 ounces of gold.
Gunnison residents isolated themselves during the Spanish Influenza epidemic of 1918. All highways were barricaded near the county lines, and train conductors warned passengers that if they got off the train in Gunnison, they’d be arrested and quarantined for five days.

Comment and name a fun fact about where you live for your chance to win the grand prize.

Blessings,

Linda Shenton Matchett

MY REVIEW

I enjoy reading mail order bride stories because they are fascinating. It is hard to believe that a woman would travel to places where she knows no one and marry a stranger. During this time period it seemed to be very popular and many women signed up hoping to find the perfect husband.

Ellie is happy with her life being a teacher and what some refer to her as a spinster. It didn’t seem to matter to Ellie much what others thought of her. I liked how she has such a sweet spirit around her. When she witnesses a bank robbery and sees the face of one of them, she quickly leaves town to hide from them. Looks like she is now going to be a mail order bride. Will she find true love?

Julian for some reason reminds me of a stuffy man who demands everything to be in proper order. Working at the bank he has a certain image to maintain. He must find a bride in order to impress the bank president. He is matched up with Ellie and thus our adventure begins.

I adored how the author places these two people together and slowly allow them to get to know each other. Ellie is gifted with children and decides to help with the children at church. It was nice to see Julian stop by and help her out. Julian begins to have this desire to know God more and I loved how Ellie was there to encourage him.

Their friendship with the pastor and his wife are just what this couple need. They share how they met and how God helped them to have a more meaningful and loving marriage. The author uses scriptures to show what God says about marriage and how to have a deeper relationship with Him.

The story does have a little adventure at the end which I wasn’t expecting. It was a great illustration to show how God protects us and to trust Him in all situations. I really enjoyed the story and look forward to reading more from this author.

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

Blog Stops

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 8

For Him and My Family, February 9

Betti Mace, February 10

Vicky Sluiter, February 11

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, February 12

Christina’s Corner, February 12

Book Looks by Lisa, February 13

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 14

Texas Book-aholic, February 15

deb’s Book Review, February 16

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 17

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 18

Connie’s History Classroom, February 19

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 20

Mary Hake, February 20

Holly’s Book Corner, February 21

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/242a2/ellie-s-escape-celebration-tour-giveaway

Sunday, February 12, 2023

About the Book

Book: A Wedding in Wild Harbor

Author:Grace Worthington

Genre:Clean Romance

Release date: September 29, 2022

She needs a hero to save her beloved bookshop. He needs a girlfriend to satisfy his mother’s dying wish.

Can this grump and sunshine pair work out the perfect deal for a happily ever after?

If Cassidy Woods could make one dream come true, it would be to save her struggling bookshop from closing its doors. So when wealthy investor Liam Henry announces he is shutting down her store, Cassidy will do anything to

A Wedding in Wild Harbor Kick-Off Package

About the Book

Book: A Wedding in Wild Harbor

Author:Grace Worthington

Genre:Clean Romance

Release date: September 29, 2022

She needs a hero to save her beloved bookshop. He needs a girlfriend to satisfy his mother’s dying wish.

Can this grump and sunshine pair work out the perfect deal for a happily ever after?

Liam Henry is running out of time. His mother’s final wish is that he’d meet the girl of his dreams before it’s too late. But Liam doesn’t stand a chance without some kind of help. No woman can see past his grumpy exterior to discover if he has a beating heart under his designer suit.

When his mother advertises his search for a girlfriend, Liam makes the best and worst plan of his life: ask Cassidy to become his fake girlfriend. Too bad she’s his gorgeous employee who’s about to get axed from her job.

Cassidy’s sunshine is the perfect opposite to his grump, forcing Liam to make an outrageous trade off he’s destined to regret.

Now everybody’s happy, except the mismatched couple who are headed toward a bumpy road that unravels every tightly constructed argument they’ve put up against love. In the end, only one of them can win.

When they’re thrown together in a race against time, will a plot twist they didn’t see coming ruin everything?

Or will they discover that in fooling everyone, the only person who’s fallen for it is themselves?

A delightful sweet romance with a grumpy boss and plucky heroine, both who are determined to save the day even if that means teaming up in a fake engagement to do it.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Author of sweet romance and sweet romcom novels. Grace Worthington loves quaint small towns and the beach is her happy place, which is why you’ll find both in her books. She’s obsessed with chocolate, romcoms from the 80’s & 90’s, and doodles. Find out more at graceworthington.com

More from Grace

If I could send you anywhere on vacation to relax, I’d send you to Wild Harbor. It’s the perfect spot to fall in love and raise a family–the type of town you’ll never want to leave once you visit.

A Wedding in Wild Harbor is set in this fictional town on Lake Michigan, a place where you can sink your toes in the sand, let the waves lull you to sleep, and marvel over the gorgeous sunsets.

I created the fictional town based off of the quaint small towns along Lake Michigan that look like they belong in a Hallmark movie. It’s the quintessential small town with meddling neighbors, quirky townsfolk, and a coffee shop where everyone knows you by name.

The Wild Harbor sweet romance series follows the stories of four siblings–three sisters and one brother–and their journey to find love. Each story is a standalone and they don’t have to be read in order, though characters reappear in each book.

I hope the sweet love story and charming town give you a needed escape from your fast-paced life.

MY REVIEW

This is a nice story that I enjoyed reading. I loved the setting of a quaint little town that promises rest, friendly people and beautiful scenery. Well almost all that is true until someone swoops in to mess up Cassidy’s life. She loves working at the bookstore and her special reading program for children. To her surprise the owners are selling the store and she needs to find a new place to work.

Liam isn’t exactly excited to be in town but he has just bought the bookstore and needs to decide what to do with it. He has a funny nickname which suits him most of the time. He and Cassidy have already met in an unpleasant situation so when she finds out he is the new owner of the shop, she isn’t thrilled.

There are a few triggers in the book for some such as cancer and epilepsy. Liam’s mother is very ill and wants to see her son happy before she dies. The scheme Liam and Cassidy come up with certainly have flaws. I loved reading how these two try so hard to get along, but what gets in the way is trust. Cassidy learns something about Liam which upsets her. Just as they were starting to really like each other, she finds out that she can’t trust him. How do you build a relationship on lies and mistrust?

The author gives us a sweet story with flawed characters. Their heart is in the right place, but they must learn to communicate and trust each other. When Cassidy’s ex shows up he causes friction between our two main characters. The author does a good job of showing how important it is to not give up on your dreams. It is also important to share your feelings before it is too late. Being stubborn causes Liam and Cassidy to have a big disagreement. Will they find happiness?

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