Wednesday, October 18, 2023

About the Book

Book: Over the Horizon

Author: Penny Zeller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: July 18, 2023

A most unusual proposal…

Alone in 1870s Idaho Territory, Paisley Abbott has nowhere to turn. With no other options, she finds herself consenting to an unconventional, but mutually beneficial agreement.

During an unplanned return to his family’s farm, prodigal Tyler Shepherdson inherits three orphans. When Tyler finds a woman hiding in the back of his wagon, an idea begins to form and he makes a rash decision that results in perhaps one of the most spontaneous marriages of convenience ever.

Despite an unorthodox beginning to their marriage, will Paisley and Tyler trust God as they forge ahead to create a home for three children? Will love arise from a desperate situation?

In the first book in the Horizon Series, travel to the late 1800s to the town of Horizon in the Idaho Territory with a cast of unforgettable characters, journeys of faith, and abundant humor.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Penny Zeller is known for her heartfelt stories of faith, love, and humor and her passion to impact lives for Christ through fiction. While she has had a love for writing since childhood, she began her adult writing career penning articles for national and regional publications on a wide variety of topics and is now the author of nearly two dozen books. Penny is also a fitness instructor and resides with her husband and two daughters in small-town America.

More from Penny

When I was a child growing up in a small farming community, one of our highlights was cramming into my aunt’s “White Machine”, her old, white, 1980s Mercury Monarch that sunk low in the back and higher in the front—all six, sometimes seven, of us, along with my mom and aunt. It was a crowded affair, with those of us who were oldest (me included) on the bottom, and the youngers piled on top, sometimes stacked three-high so we could all fit. My two siblings, along with my three, sometimes four, cousins looked forward to this event. We didn’t have a lot of money in those days, so scraping up the necessary funds proved challenging at times.

We’d cruise up to the local fast-food restaurant, and for twenty cents, my mom and aunt would treat us to ice cream cones, and they would order Tab sodas. The woman at the drive-thru had it memorized so she knew exactly what flavors and how many of each.

I was always one of the vanillas. The three boys (my brother and two cousins) had eating, or rather, inhaling contests, to see who could eat their ice cream the fastest, along with a brain freeze included at no extra charge.

Ice cream makes an appearance in Over the Horizon. My novel takes place in the 1870s in the Idaho Territory, and during my research, I discovered that a man named J. Easley owned an “Ice Cream Saloon and Confectionery Shop” in Idaho City in 1868. His advertisement provided inspiration for the fictional O’Dell’s Soda Fountain and Confectionery in the book.

Some other things I recently discovered about ice cream:

Ronald Reagan signed into effect National Ice Cream Day.

According to the International Dairy Foods Association, the top three favorite types of ice cream are chocolate, cookies n’ cream, and vanilla.

Most folks enjoy pizza and ice cream, but they may not like the combined flavors. Yes, there is pizza-flavored ice cream.

The ice cream cone was invented in 1904 by Syrian, Ernest E. Hamwi.

Over the Horizon includes a memorable cast of characters, all with their own distinct personalities. As such, it was fun to create a short character quiz, featured below, that includes a question about ice cream. I’d love to hear from you about which character you are most like, so be sure to take the quiz and let me know in the comments!

MY REVIEW

Two people each running from something find their way to each other in this emotional story. Paisley finds herself in a situation which calls for desperate measures as she stows away on Tyler’s wagon. I was so glad she was able to avoid someone who was wanting to use her to get her land. Now when she is discovered she must decide whether to trust this stranger. I can’t imagine the rest she must have felt being alone with no family or place to go. I liked when Tyler asked her why she was running. Her response was, “I am running because I have nowhere to go.” I have felt that way at times but know that God is still right there beside me. We can’t hide from Him and He will never leave us.

Tyler is feeling lost as well which makes him feel alone at times. He wants a place to settle down , marry and raise children. A plan forms in Tyler’s mind that may solve both of their problems. Now he has to convince Paisley that it is a good solution. A marriage of convenience can be good for both of them but I can see Paisley’s mind spinning around. Is this what God wants her to do? Marry a stranger and take care of his siblings is a big responsibility so she needs to really seek God’s direction. Tyler is hopeful that this arrangement will help them both.

The story is a look at how hard times were during this tine period. It shows how Paisley and Tyler trusted God and allowed Him to help them in their marriage. I liked watching their relationship grow and how they grew to care for each other. It is also a beautiful reminder that opening your heart to children who need a family brings many rewards.

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

Blog Stops

She Lives To Read, October 9

Exploring the Written Word, October 9

Madi’s Musings, October 10

lakesidelivingsite, October 11

Alena Mentink, October 11

Lighthouse Academy Blog, October 12 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 13

Mary Hake, October 13

Vicky Sluiter, October 14

Cover Lover Book Review, October 15

EmpowerMoms, October 15

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 16

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 17

Pause for Tales, October 17

Texas Book-aholic, October 18

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, October 19

For Him and My Family, October 20

Connie’s History Classroom, October 20

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 21

Holly’s Book Corner, October 22

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Penny is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift!!

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/285e2/over-the-horizon-celebration-tour-giveaway

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

THE AMISH MATCHMAKERS BY BETH WISEMAN

Widowed sisters Esther and Lizzie are the town innkeepers—and the town matchmakers. But when a new tenant moves into a guest cottage at their Peony Inn, the sisters are shocked to discover that maybe this time, one of them might finally find a match of her own. Retired dentist Dr. Benjamin Stoltzfus has signed a six-month lease at the cottage—and gentle Esther and spirited Lizzie are in a surprising competition for the kind doctor’s affections. Dr. Stoltzfus doesn’t appear to be Amish, but his last name and his mysterious background have the sisters guessing—and open to the possibility of finding love again.

Things really heat up when Benjamin’s granddaughter, Mindy, comes to visit. Escaping her big-city life in Texas, Mindy has moved to Amish country to be closer to her grandfather and to embrace the simpler life she has longed for. But she’s unprepared for what happens when an attractive young Amish man, who spends time at the inn helping out the widows, runs his lawnmower right into her little red sports car. Sure, Gabriel is cute and funny and nice—but can a romance between an Englisch girl and an Amish boy end well?

As Mindy and Gabriel find themselves thrown together time after time, they forge a friendship and start making matchmaking plans of their own. Which sister would be better for Mindy’s grandfather—Esther or Lizzie? And as the two young people put their energy into playing Cupid, it looks like love and the life they’ve both dreamed of might also be finding them.

Charming Amish romance featuring a later-in-life love triangle
Stand-alone novel, but returning to the world of The Amish Inn series
Includes discussion questions for book clubs

MY REVIEW

What a wonderful story with laughs, adventure and a sweet look at romance from young adults to older adults. I was so happy to read about my new friends Esther and Lizzie again. It is not a secret that they love to play matchmaker. The sisters are so different but they have one thing in common. They love the idea of romance and enjoy matching couples together. I loved how we get to see a bit more of their personalities and how much they look out for each other.

When a retired dentist moves in to the cottage near their Bed and Breakfast he causes quite a stir among the sisters. I laughed at one moment in the story when Lizzie thinks that Ben is dead. What she does to see if he is alive is almost like a I Love Lucy moment. The author brings humor to the story as both sisters seem to like Ben . They each are trying to play matchmaker for the other which leads to misunderstandings and a tinge of jealousy. I would love to be their neighbors because they are sweet , caring and full of life.

There is another little romance brewing between Ben’s granddaughter and an Amish young man. How they meet is a series of accidents that find Mindy and Gabriel pushed together. Oh it is so nice to see these young people get acquainted. They are from different backgrounds but that doesn’t stop them from having feelings for each other. It was nice to discover where the author would take the characters as she illustrates the importance of family, faith and love.

Lizzie and Esther have a close bond and are always looking out for each other. Ben does the same for his granddaughter. The family relationships are well defined in the story and I loved how this was used to show that families are to love each other unconditionally. They prefer each other and are an example of how God loves us.

There are some very emotional moments in the book as the author addresses a sensitive subject. My heart began to beat a little faster as I was so worried where the story would go. I loved the journey with these wonderful characters as I laughed and cried throughout the book. It is evident that God played a big part in this story and brought happiness and hope to many. This story will always be my favorite from this author. It touches on finding love again as we become older and to never give hope no matter what doctors say . My review will never give this book the recognition it deserves. I can’t express into words how much this story has touched me. Thank you Beth for giving me peace as I grow older and go through challenges that older people face. I will always remember Lizzy and Esther and their unconditional love for each other. Their hearts to help others find love is humbling and remind me of the scripture, “ No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for a friend.”

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

About the Book

Book: Spoon to Be Dead

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Release Date: October 31, 2023

A murder for the holidays is about to shake things up!

Trinidad Jones is starting the festive season with sugary confections and a heaping scoop of worry as her shake shop enters its first Oregon winter. With snow abound and tourists trickling through, she’ll do anything to keep her milkshake dreams afloat, even if it means catering a holiday steamboat party for some new arrivals in town.

But when her good-for-nothing ex crashes through her shop’s door claiming he’s being charged with murder, things go sideways. With clues piling up like whipped cream on a sundae and motives abound, Trinidad and her fellow ex-wives must solve this murder before she’s finally thrown for a scoop.

The third book in the Shake Shop Mysteries following Trinidad Jones who makes sweet confections and solves sticky situations in her small town!

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Dana Mentink is a USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author as well as a two-time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, and the recipient of a Holt Medallion for excellence in mystery/suspense. She was honored to receive the Author of the Year award from West Coast Christian Writers. A California native, she’s written over fifty titles for the general and Christian markets in the suspense, lighthearted romance, and mystery genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense and Poisoned Pen Press. You can connect with Dana via her website at danamentink.com if you’d like to learn more.

More from Dana

It seems like just yesterday that I was dreaming up decadent freakshake recipes for book one in the Ice Cream Shop mysteries and here we are in book three! It’s Christmas time in Upper Sprocket and there’s a wedding in the works, but most surprising of all is the appearance of Gabe Bigley, the cheating ex of Trinidad and her two besties. You can imagine there is going to be a hefty helping of murder, mayhem and merriment in this next installment in the series. Hope you love book three as much as I do!

MY REVIEW

This is probably not a big secret but I absolutely love this author’s creative talents. This cozy mystery is fun, intriguing and filled with surprises. I’m glad to be back in this quaint little town with Trinidad and her friends. The concoctions she makes with ice cream wants me to run to the store and find her products.

If you have missed the first two in this series I highly recommend grabbing them so you don’t miss out on a spectacular series. The mystery this time involves several people including an ex husband and a famous athlete . There is some underhanded deals going on and revenge on one person’s mind. I loved following the clues and being surprised several times when I was so sure I knew who the guilty person was.

The stars of the story for me was Noodles and Scooter who become best friends. They lend comic relief to the story with their friendship. Two unlikely pets who show us that friends can be opposites but still find a bond. I would love to take them both home with me if Trinidad would let me. Trinidad is once again on the hunt for the killer and is hit with a big secret from one of her friends.

Get ready to grab a bowl of ice cream, maybe a mug of hot chocolate as well and enjoy this fun story that will keep you guessing. Now I’m off to go grab my favorite peppermint ice cream and find another book from the author to enjoy.

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

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, October 14

Bigreadersite , October 14

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 15

Lighthouse Academy, October 16

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 16

Texas Book-aholic, October 17

Simple Harvest Reads, October 17 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 18

Mary Hake, October 18

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 19

For Him and My Family, October 19

Betti Mace, October 20

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 20

Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 21

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, October 22 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, October 22

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 23

Blossoms and Blessings, October 23

Labor Not in Vain, October 24

Holly’s Book Corner, October 24

Lily’s Book Reviews, October 25

Splashes of Joy, October 25

Pause for Tales, October 26

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, October 26

She Lives To Read, October 27

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

(If the winner is outside the U.S., then he or she will receive an eBook.)

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/285e7/spoon-to-be-dead-celebration-tour-giveaway

Monday, October 16, 2023

About the Book

Book: LoveMORE: Your 30-Day Devotional to learn to love like Jesus

Authors: Marta E Greenman and Maureen H Maldonado

Genre:Christian Devotional

Release Date: April, 2023

The Bible tells believers to love one another, yet the world’s definition of love greatly differs from what God teaches. Come join us and explore how God’s love transforms our thinking and actions. You can begin to apply these methods to your own life and become a vessel God can use to show His love to all in need.

LEARN:

Loving Like Jesus can be difficult at times.
The individual Hebrew and Greek meanings of love in Scripture.
How to apply God’s strategies to our everyday life to LoveMORE.
Love is an action, not a feeling.

This 30-Day Devotional gives an in-depth look at Scripture and how to love God’s way. Join us today.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Authors

Marta left corporate America in 1998 to become a staff missionary with a church-planting organization known today as e3Partners. She led American churches in planting new ones with international church partners. During this period, Marta spent much of her time in the field on evangelism and discipleship, traveling to Colombia, Mexico, Moldova, Peru, Romania, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe. She also had the privilege of leading women’s conferences in biblical training.

Marta began teaching inductive Bible studies in 1997 at her home church, where she taught faithfully for fifteen years. Debbie Stuart, the former women’s ministry director, said, “Marta Greenman is a master teacher, weaving biblical principles, personal stories, and clear application with every lesson. She walks in truth, loves the Word, and has dedicated her life to teaching that truth to women.”

After seven years on the mission field in Romania, Marta began to write Bible study curriculum. Her first study, Bound to Be Free, was published in 2011. Marta founded Words of Grace & Truth in May 2011, a ministry devoted to teaching God’s Word to the nations and teaching others to do the same, using curriculum God birthed through her teaching ministry. Since then, Leaders, Nations, and God and ACTs420NOW have been published. Her fourth book is a thirty-day devotional entitled FearLESS, co-authored with Maureen H. Maldonado. LoveMORE: Your 30-Day Devotional to learn to love like Jesus is also co-authored with Maureen H. Maldonado. She continues to write additional biblically-based materials.

Marta’s latest ministry venture is GraceAndTruthRadio.World (GTRW), a global radio station outreach with God’s message of grace and truth. Her program Under God, with co-host Maureen Maldonado, airs on GTRW Mondays at 3:30 p.m. CST. Marta’s passion, regardless of the nation where she may be, is teaching God’s Word and equipping others to teach. She is a gifted teacher, speaker, and expositor of God’s Word. Marta lives in the Dallas–Fort Worth area of Texas with her husband of almost thirty years.

Maureen is the second of seven children. Growing up in a home where worldly wealth was a foreign concept, she always felt treasured by her parents and knew she was rich in love. Maureen married young and raised two amazing daughters. Her grandchildren are a blessing beyond anything she could imagine. Recently, she was able to add a granddaughter-in-love who adds joy

to the mix.

Maureen has a master’s degree in education from California State University and spent her career as a teacher, vice-principal, and principal in elementary education. Maureen never planned to leave California or the education system, but God had other plans. After Maureen’s husband was transferred to Arizona in 2006 and then to Texas in 2011, she spent several years teaching Just Moved, a Christian-based ministry program developed by Susan Miller for women who are moving home due to life changes (https://justmoved.org). God used her teaching education and experience as a training ground to begin teaching for Him. Involved in Bible studies in California, Arizona, and Texas, Maureen grew exponentially in her faith, love of God, and His Word. The culmination of these experiences led her to co-host the radio program Under God on GraceAndTruthRadio.World, where God’s Word is taught to the

nations. Maureen’s first book FearLESS was co-authored with Marta E. Greenman. LoveMORE is Maureen’s second book, also co-authored with Marta.

Today Maureen is using her new-to-her method of studying the Bible and her long-applied teaching methods to teach the next generation of believers. Her prayer is for others to gain as much insight into God’s transformational Word as she has received. She describes it as “opening the shades and letting in all the sunlight on a gloomy day.” Maureen feels honored and humbled to be a part of Words of Grace & Truth and asks others to join in prayer for this needed ministry and for the church, our country, and our world. Maureen and her husband, Raymond, reside in Texas, where they have transplanted almost their entire family from California.

More from Marta and Maureen

Marta and Maureen’s second Devotional LoveMORE: Your 30-Day Devotional to Learn to Love like Jesus, is the second of a planned series of twelve devotionals. Today we live in a world of divisiveness. We, as believers, need to learn to love like Jesus loved. Only then will we be able to reach people who are lost and in desperate need of Him. Jesus is the one who can transform them from the inside out. Before we can be His mouthpiece, or His hands and feet, we have to have His heart.

MY REVIEW

This devotional has been such a joy to be part of. I opened the pages and found how much God loves each of us. He wants us to love each other and share His word with others. I began day three and had to stop for a moment. These words made me openly cry; “ Today, there is a generation that does not know God, who He is, or how much He loves them!” I know that to be true on a very personal level. My heart breaks for this generation who has been deceived and turned their backs on God.

I love how the authors give us questions to answer that make you dig deeper and let the truth set you free. Some questions were hard for me, but I am in a season where I am fighting for one of my children. I am in a battle and this book has given me hope and shown me to continue to love , pray and trust Him. I also love how the authors share personal stories that allow us to see that we are not alone. We all go through storms but be if good cheer because God is tight there beside each of us.

This devotional is an excellent tool for a small group or can be used for individual use. Let me encourage you to take your time doing this devotional and answer each question with honesty. As you go through each day be reminded that God loves you unconditionally.

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

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 13

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 14

Cover Lover Book Review, October 15

Texas Book-aholic, October 16

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 17

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 18

Its Mama Safe, October 19

Lily’s Book Reviews, October 20

The Book Club Network, October 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 22

Simple Harvest Reads, October 23 (Author Interview)

Real World Bible Study, October 23

Lights in a Dark World, October 24

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 25

Stories By Gina, October 26 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, October 26

Giveaway

To celebrate their tour, Marta and Maureen are 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/285e6/lovemore-celebration-tour-giveaway

Saturday, October 14, 2023

About the Book

Book: Ragabones

Author: Daniel Tweddell

Genre: Fantasy YA

Release Date: June 27, 2023

As if Josh having his memory stolen by an over-protective mother wasn’t enough, his older brother, Pete, wins every trophy and never lets him forget it. And oh yeah, Mom’s an ex-god of the underworld, so it’s no surprise their family has enemies.

Maybe that’s why Dad’s missing. Maybe that’s why ragged scars crisscross Josh’s throat. It’s definitely why Josh accidentally sprung the trap – the one that opened a portal and released the demon who now hunts them.

Turns out there’s another world; one with castles and dragons, and prisons that dangle into hell. That’s the world where Josh and Pete find Dad turned to stone, the world with entire cities enslaved by the demon. As the brothers race to undo Josh’s colossal mistake, Josh’s mysterious past comes to light, and Josh must choose between the fate of the world and the lives of his family.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Hi, I’m Daniel Tweddell. I grew up in the Bornean and Philippine jungle as a missionary’s kid. My neighbors had monkeys for pets. Just behind the tree line, “ex”-headhunters slipped through the shadows with spears and six-foot blow guns. It was the perfect incubator for a kid’s imagination. As an adult, I did a lot of things from writing high-octane video games with my friends to having my own companies. But I always loved castles, wizards, and monsters the best. So now I write white-knuckle stories about magic woven with truths from my life’s journey. I live in San Diego with my wife and 3 kids.

More from Daniel

I had a visual of a soapbox derby with the cars lined up from worst to best. The worst was made of cardboard with garbage can lids for wheels. The best was polished mahogany, with chrome wheels and velvet seat covers. Can you see the kids’ faces? One brushes old coffee grounds off his hood. He can’t face the crowd. Another polishes a gleaming fender and waves to his fans. I realized the difference between these cars isn’t the kids … it’s the time they spent with Dad.

I’m fraught with blind spots, bad habits, and shortcomings. I also barely have enough time, energy, or insight to manage my own life. How do I have enough for the lives around me who are so hungry for something more? I realized I live in a 5-loaf/5000-mouth world. I’ll never be enough, but I don’t need to be. Instead, I asked God to make this life and this book a father/son project.

Although I’ve dreamt of writing this story for decades, I had to be destroyed before I could honestly portray this hero’s journey. The truths about facing fear, about God making everything OK even when there is no way it can ever be, as well as courage, hope, and finding your destiny, they’re all written from my journey through the depths of an utterly shattered heart to a life so good it feels like a fantasy novel. Whatever you might be going through, I hope the story encourages as well as entertains you. If you haven’t already, you might even meet Magic for yourself.

MY REVIEW

The beginning of the book brings fantasy enthusiasts a chance to go into another world where magic, creatures and danger awaits. The creativity of the author is evident throughout the book as unexplained things start happening that kinda scared me. I appreciate the imagination that makes this book that fans of this genre will appreciate.

The relationship between Josh and his brother Pete is very strained. How do you compete with a brother that wins trophies after trophies? It is a wild story that delivers spine chilling thrills as we go deeper into a place that wants to cause harm. I didn’t care too much for the chants the creatures said or the magic that seemed to continue throughout the book.

There were some good scenes in the book that emphasizes how important it is for the brothers to work together. After being somewhat distant from each other, they must join forces in order to get out of danger. The story does have twists and unexpected creatures that keep readers wanting to read faster. There are parts of the story that deal with grief and other emotions that I did like. I thought the author handles certain topics well and could be used as learning tools .

Overall I thing fantasy readers will enjoy this story. For me I couldn’t overlook how much talk of magic was in the story which I don’t care for. As always this is just one readers opinion. I do encourage readers to form their own opinion and give the book a chance .

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