Tell Tale Book Reviews

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - The Gamekeeper's Reluctant Bride by Elva Cobb Martin (Give.away)

10/5/2024

She fled from a gilded cage, only to find
herself trapped in a marriage of obligation.

Helena Allston had it all—wealth, beauty, and a life of luxury on her family’s plantation. But when her father arranges a marriage to a man she despises, Helena takes matters into her own hands, fleeing on horseback, only to find herself half-drowned and memory-less in a simple cottage. And when her memory returns, Helena ends up back where she began—arranged to marry, this time to the handsome gamekeeper who rescued her.
Could there be more than obligation to this marriage? Or is he only after the Windemere Plantation her father promised him?
Gideon Falconer is at a loss when it comes to the stubborn, beautiful woman he rescued from the Ashley River. His predicament only worsens when he returns her to her family’s plantation, where her father shocks him with a demand that Gideon marry his daughter to prevent a scandal. As a man new to his faith, he feels compelled to do the right thing, but his own secrets and the past left behind in England threaten to complicate matters further.

In a marriage that began as a mere obligation, can Helena and Gideon find the strength to let love and trust conquer all, despite a determined enemy’s schemes to wreck their hope?

Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release date: September 10, 2024

Click here to get your copy!

Interview with Elva

1) What drew you to write in this particular genre?
I love to read historical romance novels! It’s a great escape to usually a simpler time. And the Christian authors of American historical romances often show how God has intervened in our history so many times. This is a goal in my writing, too, for God has intervened in major events in our history to help found and then save America again and again. I think He’s intervening now in the 2024 election for godly leaders and unity and as we pray for America’s great awakening and vote Biblically pro-life and gender.

2) What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
I pray readers will have an exciting and satisfying time reading Gideon’s and Helena’s story, The Gamekeeper’s Reluctant Bride, and see in action the theme of faith is not faith without corresponding actions of love for God and our fellowman. In short, we must be born again and spend time in prayer and in the Word of God, and serving with our gifts and talents versus just depending on our name being on a church roll somewhere.

3) Tell us a little about yourself, your family, friends.
I am a mother and grandmother, a former school teacher, and a retired minister of the gospel. My high school sweetheart Dwayne became my hero/husband and we’ve been married sixty-one years. We live in upstate South Carolina with an energetic chiweenie named Priscilla. Our one son Tim is a law officer and our grandson Sam just began the 11th grade. We are active in a local congregation with great friends. I am also a serious intercessor, and I coordinate an internet prayer task force for America’s awakening through intercession and action alerts, like signing petitions for upcoming legislation that will foster Biblical standards for families and our nation. My hobbies include baking and growing roses. Readers can learn much more about me and my books on our website at http://www.elvamartin.com Here they can also sign up for my newsletter to hear book news and freebies. If any reader would like to be added to our Internet Prayer Task Force, please contact me through my website. Feel free to send me any prayer request you might have. I will be happy to agree in prayer with you.

4) If you could change one thing in your life, past or present, what would it be?
I have to confess I would have had more children! In my child-bearing years I was too busy working full-time and getting further education, ministering, and trying to build a secure financial future and a lovely home. When our one son was a teenager, I did suffer a miscarriage, and we thought the Lord did it and meant we shouldn’t have more children. That was all we knew about God at the time. NOW we know it’s the enemy who comes to steal, kill and destroy, not our loving God. Children are so important and fill our lives with joy. If anyone reading this has only one child by choice, I urge you to reconsider. Children need siblings and your later years will be so much fuller and more blessed. The enemy of our souls hates children who are made in God’s image. Satan promotes our abortion culture, and it’s the same demonic spirit which in the Old Testament demanded sacrifice of little ones to false gods. Children are a blessing from God, and He will always provide for their needs as you pray. If anyone reading this has had an abortion, let me quickly tell you God will graciously forgive if you ask Him. Don’t live in shame and regret.

5) Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
Psalm 103:1-5 is my most shared and prayed promise, and I consider my life verse.

Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all His benefits. Who forgives
all your iniquities and heals all your diseases. Who redeems your life
from destruction and crowns you with loving kindness, who satisfies
your mouth with good things and renews your youth like the eagle’s.

More from Elva

In The Gamekeeper’s Reluctant Bride, I planned to develop a rich, spoiled heroine who had everything she wanted—beauty, wealth, reputation, an important Charleston family name, and even membership in a popular church of her day but who had no real relationship with Jesus Christ. Isn’t that like so many in America today with our many blessings and freedom but no real love for Christ, his written Word, or his love for the unborn and his biblical plan for marriage and gender? Yet our name may be on some church roll and we call ourselves Christian. I believe our Mighty God is calling America back to him in faith and obedience to the Bible. I believe He is calling forth godly leaders who will stand for truth and righteousness, but we must go to the polls and help raise them up. America has a mighty history and a covenant cut with God by our founders. Focusing our hearts and minds on Christ gives us courage and confidence, and we can look to the future with hope in our hearts.

Here’s part of a scene showing the “before Christ” Helena with her pride and arrogance after Gideon rescued her from drowning in the river:

Gideon ducked his head at her icy voice. “Look, young woman, I dragged you from the Ashley River and walked miles carrying you in my arms, to this cottage. You were soaked through and through and unconscious.”
She interrupted him. “I don’t want to hear any more of your wild story. Go from my presence and shut the door while I dress.” She pointed to the cabin door, then reached up and touched the lump on her forehead and groaned. “Why did you strike me, sir?” These words came from between gritted teeth.
Gideon’s nostrils flared. “Miss or ma’am, whichever you are, I did not strike you. You must have hit your head on your horse’s neck or a rock when you two jumped into the Ashley. For your information, all I did was save your life, if you’d like to thank me for that.”

Here’s part of Helena’s epiphany:

Captive on the pirate ship, Helena dropped to her knees beside the bed and cried out to God. Her life paraded before her, and tears blinded her eyes. The privileged life she’d led as a wealthy planter’s daughter now seemed frivolous and meaningless. She had never lacked for a thing and had not even imagined there could be such people as the pirate captain who now had her under his control, threatening to sail to the Barbary Coast and sell her to a sultan. Would Gideon and her father ever be able to rescue her before the ship sailed away? A chill rose from her heart to her fingertips. Slavery! Would she end up in slavery? Why had she never considered the poor slaves who met all their needs on the plantation? Ever since she was a child, slaves had done everything to make her family’s life easy and pleasant. Was she now to find out what it would be like to be a slave and at the mercy of someone else’s desires and moods?…Lord Jesus, please forgive me for my proud, selfish, unthankful life. If you’re real, come into my heart, deliver me, help me come to know Your plan and purpose for me.

Like Helena, we can cry out to God in humble repentance and return with our whole heart, and He will always answer. We are never out of the reach of God’s eyes or hand. Here is a simple prayer I invite you to pray for yourself and our nation in this election year:

Father God, I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son you sent to
save me from my sins. I repent and turn from them to You
and Your Word. Please forgive me and come into my heart,
be not only my Savior, but my Lord and director of my
decisions, especially my vote for righteous leaders. Help
me find a Bible-preaching church family and do my part in
bringing America back to You. I believe You are working
mightily in my life, family and nation, and I give You praise. Amen

Elva Cobb Martin

Elva Cobb Martin is a wife, mother, and grandmother who lives in South Carolina with her husband and a mini-dachshund. A life-long student of history, her favorite city, Charleston, inspires her stories of romance and adventure. Her love of writing grew out of a desire to share exciting stories of courageous characters and communicate truths of the Christian faith to bring hope and encouragement.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

To celebrate her tour, Elva is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon card!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5455/

Blog Stops

Stories By Gina, October 1 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 2
For the Love of Literature, October 3 (Author Interview)
Pens Pages & Pulses, October 3
Texas Book-aholic, October 4
Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 5 (Author Interview)
Locks, Hooks and Books, October 6
Beauty in the Binding, October 7 (Author Interview)
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 8
Guild Master, October 9 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 10
Back Porch Reads, October 11 (Author Interview)
Devoted To Hope, October 12
Fiction Book Lover, October 13 (Author Interview)
Holly’s Book Corner, October 14
Pause for Tales, October 14

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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - Ronnie by Jennifer Lynn Cary (Give.away)

10/1/2024

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She’s literally stuck in her engagement…
…He’s trying to keep her there.
But when you take the couple out of Texas,
is the romance lost too?

Ronnie Webb has broken her engagement to the love of her life, Carlos (Cal) Garcia, or would have if the stupid ring would come off her finger.

To find the space to get over him and the rest of what is going wrong in her life, she leaves her dad’s Texas ranch to visit her aunt and family in Kokomo, Indiana.

But hanging out with the Weather Girls, especially with their cardinal in the sycamore legend sending out strong vibes, Ronnie’s love life may not be as dead as she thinks.

Carlitos can’t believe the letter Ronnie left him right before Christmas—his last one at home before his enlistment starts. However, his broken wrist might just be the break he needs to get Ronnie back before it’s too late.
But what does this native Texan know about mid-western Hoosier romance?

And can he learn, or is this the end?

Ronnie: A Sweet, Quirky Romantic Yarn is book five in the Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue series. Inspired by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons’ 1960’s song of the name, this charming tale with a bit of western influence finishes off 1972 and brings you into the New Year in Kokomo, Indiana.

You will enjoy this sweet and wholesome romcom with a touch of western flavor because everyone dreams of their own cowboy romance.

Genre: Sweet Romcom
Release Date: June 12, 2024

Click here to get your copy!

Interview with Jennifer

#1. What drew you to write in this particular genre?
That’s a great question. I started out writing historicals, but God dropped a story in my lap (after six months of praying). He inspired me to write the story of Ruth only to set it in 1968 Viet Nam and Indiana. That really has been the biggest catalyst for every book since. I decided to name all the chapters in Relentless Heart with song titles from the era.
That led to listening to Oldies music more often.
Then came the day that they played “Sunny” followed by “Stormy.” It tickled me, and I thought if there was a third one, it would make a great trilogy. Then I remembered the song “Windy.” That was the beginning of The Weather Girls.
I set their story back in my hometown of Kokomo, Indiana and wrote about it the way I remembered it in 1970. It was such fun that I hated it to end. So, I started a spin-off series, The Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue.
As for labeling the genre, I’ve tried. It’s sort of historical, but too many “officials” say it’s not old enough. It’s sort of a romcom, but it’s not in first person POV like most romcoms. I tried calling it Retro. I think that’s good, only it hasn’t caught on—I’m not exactly a trend setter. 😉 So, I bow to the powers that be, and stick it in with the sweet and wholesome/inspirational romance. Only that doesn’t sound funny enough to me. Oh, well.

#2. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
There is no fear in love because perfect love casts out fear. It’s not about being punished. It’s always about His love.

#3. Tell us something funny, sad, embarrassing, whatever, that happened involving this book.
I got stuck. Really stuck. I’d had a rough time getting that first scene right. So now I’m finally into the second chapter, and I knew what Carlitos had to do, but I didn’t know how to make it a full scene. I started messaging with a friend and told her my problem. She volunteered to brainstorm with me. By the time we were done, I was laughing, and the scene had come together.
I love animals as characters in stories. 😉

#4. Tell us a little about yourself, your family, friends.
I am a retired teacher, married to the same sweet farm boy for over forty years (44 this fall). We have three lovely daughters, three handsome sons-in-law, and three amazing grandchildren I call Stinkerbelle, Stinkerpoo, and Stinkerella. You can find photos of us all on my website. www.jenniferlynncary.com (I also have three siblings. So does my hubs. Funny how that goes.)
As for my friends, I treasure the fact that I’m blessed with many from several different parts of my life. There are longtime friends from grade school, high school, and college. Friends from church, especially those in my Bible study group (we’ve been meeting together for a decade I’m sure) and in the Prayer Shawl ministry group (another one that’s been together for a good decade). Friends from my teaching days—colleagues, parents, and students. And of course, my author friends who really understand this crazy life. I thought I’d retired so I could have fun with my hobby. Now my hobby is my second career.

#5. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
I’ll leave you with these verses. Isaiah 41:10 and 13. I discovered this after having read verse 13 and then tried to find it again a little later.
If you read the verses carefully, you’ll notice that though they are similar—both speak of God holding hands with us—they are different in a profound way.
In verse 10, He holds with His right hand.
In verse 13, He takes hold of our right hands.
He can wrap His arm about us as He walks with us, He can train us to use the Sword of the Spirit as He stands behind us, guiding our efforts. He can dance with us, comfort us, carry us, and more. All because His right hand holds our right hands.
This thought brings me great joy. I hope it does the same for you.

More from Jennifer

In the first chapter of Ronnie, Carlitos comes home to his mom making his favorite, Pozole. It is a Mexican soup, and the first time I had it was at my neighbor’s house. She has given me her recipe and permission to share it with you all. Two things to keep in mind: first, she and I had to work to translate this from Spanish to English. We did our best, but if you don’t understand something, just give it your best shot—or ask me. I might be able to figure it out. Maybe. Two, she usually makes big batches of this, and she cut it back for a “normal” size. So feel free to adjust as needed.
Most of all, though, enjoy!

Pozole Recipe by Araceli Estrada (my amazing neighbor and friend)

Ingredients:
For meat pot-
4 lbs. of bone-in pork loin
½ white onion–diced
1 head of garlic—clean off the paper
2 bay leaves
1 T oregano
1 T ground cumin
1 T powdered chicken bouillon
1 large can of hominy
For chili sauce-
10 chili pods
10 Ancho chilis
10-15 black pepper corns
4 cloves of garlic
For garnish--
Shredded cabbage
Diced onion
Sliced radishes
Chopped cilantro
Chunked avocado
Lime wedges—to squeeze over

Directions:
Place in a Dutch oven, the pork loin, the half onion, the head of garlic, the bay leaves, the oregano, and cumin. Add enough water to cover up to ¾ of pot. Bring to a boil and then heat. Simmer for 2 hours stirring often and skimming off the foam.

Slice open chilis and remove seeds and membranes. In a second pot, add chili pods and Ancho chilis. Cover with water and bring to a boil. After two minutes, turn off heat and allow chilis to rest in hot water for at least ten minutes. The chilis should feel soft and pliable.

Remove from water and put into blender with black peppercorns, 4 cloves of garlic, and a cup of water. Add water a little at a time, careful to not add too much. Puree until smooth. Then pour through a strainer into the meat pot.
Strain the hominy and add it plus the chicken bouillon to the meat pot. Salt to taste. Allow to simmer while preparing the garnishes.

Set garnishes out so guests can choose. Serve with warm tortillas.

(From Jenny: Not sure home much this will serve, but it is so good!)

Jennifer Lynn Cary

Historical Christian Romance author, Jennifer Lynn Cary, likes to say you can take the girl out of Indiana, but you can’t take the Hoosier out of the girl. Now transplanted to the Arizona desert, this direct descendant of Davy Crockett and her husband of forty plus years enjoy time with family where she shares tales of her small-town heritage and family legacies with their grandchildren. She is the author of The Crockett Chronicles series, The Relentless series, and The Weather Girls trilogy as well as the stand-alone novel, Cheryl’s Going Home, her novella Tales of the Hob Nob Annex Café, and her split-time novels The Traveling Prayer Shawl and The Forgotten Gratitude Journal. Her current spin-off series, The Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue, contains standalones with a common thread.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

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

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5444

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, September 18
Blossoms and Blessings, September 19 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, September 19
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 20
Artistic Nobody, September 21 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 22
Guild Master, September 23 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, September 24
A Reader’s Brain, September 25 (Author Interview)
Locks, Hooks and Books, September 26
Back Porch Reads, September 27 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 28
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, September 29 (Author Interview)
Pause for Tales, September 29
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 30
Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 1 (Author Interview)

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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - Crack The Stone by Emily Golus (Give.away)

9/27/2024

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I am Valshara, the black stone born of fire.
Break me, and my edges turn into knives.

Condemned to a slave camp for her crimes, goblin convict Valshara Sh’a makes a death-defying escape to freedom. But navigating Vindor’s treacherous cavern system is only the beginning of her troubles. An encounter with a rogue king turns her world upside down, and a bargain with fairy tricksters leaves her with a human child she doesn’t know how to care for.

As she tries to smuggle the boy through the walls of a barricaded city, Valshara can’t let down her guard. Because somewhere in the darkness behind her, a bounty hunter rises—relentless as nightfall and merciless as death itself.

Emily Golus re-imagines Victor Hugo’s beloved Les Misérables as an epic fantasy adventure about suffering, redemption, and the extraordinary power of love.

Genre: Fantasy
Release Date: September 22, 2023

Click here to get your copy!

Interview with Emily

1. How long did it take to finish writing this book?
It took exactly one year from the day I was first approached about joining the A Classic Retold series to writing “The End” on the first draft. The book then went through several months of editing and proofreading—so in all it took about 22 months.

It’s actually the fastest I’ve ever completed a book. Mists of Paracosmia took a little over two years to write, and my debut novel, Escape to Vindor, took (mumbles sheepishly) about thirteen years.

2. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
Crack the Stone is a retelling of Les Misérables, which is at its core about redemption. I really wanted this theme to shine. I want readers to see the contrast between cold, rule-following traditionalism and genuine (and sometimes shocking) divine mercy and love, which changes a person from the inside out.

3. How did you name your characters?
I put a lot of thought into giving my characters names that fit their personalities, but also sound like they come from whatever fantasy culture they hail from. The cast of Crack the Stone is pretty diverse, so names were adapted from Japanese, Arabic, Greek, Latin, Igbo and Yoruba (the latter two being principal languages of Nigeria). Other names approximate an imaginary language (such as Goblin).

With Crack the Stone, I also decided that characters that corresponded to people in Hugo’s original novel would have names that also sounded roughly similar.

So:

Jean Valjean became goblin Valshara Sh’a (note the similar repetition of syllables)
Fantine became Fatima
Cosette became Makozi (Kozi for short)
Éponine became Etsuko
Marius became Mareso

and so forth.

The exception is my villain (Javert), whose actual name is never given. We only know him by his bounty hunter nickname, the Faceless.

4. Tell us something funny that happened involving this book.
When you write an adventure plot, you want to make things as difficult as you can for characters to reach their goals—that way it’s so much sweeter when they succeed. So I took pains to establish that the mud walls of B’jeme (my West-African inspired city) are impossible to climb, have a single guarded door, etc.

At one point in the story, I had Valshara get stuck on one side of the wall in a very dramatic way, which worked well for the plot. But then I realized in her next scene she was supposed to be on the other side—and I had spent chapters establishing there was absolutely no way for her to get there. I had literally written myself into a corner! So I had to figure out alongside Valshara a creative way to get out of this predicament—which took the plot a new and interesting direction.

5. If you could change one thing in your life, past or present, what would it be?
I grew up in church, but I really didn’t understand the Gospel. I knew Jesus had done something to save me, but thought the impossible task of keeping God happy remained on my own shoulders. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I came to understand that Jesus truly did atone for ALL my sins and shortcomings, and my standing with God is based on His merit, not my own. That’s when my crippling anxiety and fear started to subside and I became a more secure and peaceful person.

I sometimes wonder how much better my teen years would have been if I had grasped this truth sooner. So that’s why I write what I do. My first book, Escape to Vindor, deals directly with the Love-based solution to insecurity. Crack the Stone shows the difference between who I used to be (a judgmental rule-follower who could never keep up with the exhausting hamster wheel of religion) and who I am now (an imperfect person who has been forgiven and lives in grateful response to Jesus’ grace in my life).

More from Emily

Crack the Stone is a fantasy re-spinning of Victor Hugo’s redemptive masterpiece, Les Misérables. I’ve taken the major themes and characters of the original novel and recast them within the fantastical world of Vindor. The heart of the story is the same—a stone-hearted convict on the run from the law finds unexpected redemption—but there are new twists and turns along the way.

The Jean Valjean character—now a fierce goblin warrior named Valshara Sh’a—finds herself fleeing through treacherous caverns, an ensnaring forest, and a West African-inspired city under siege. Her pursuer, an expert bounty hunter who has never failed to catch his quarry, is dead-set on returning her to slavery.

Complicating everything is the human boy Valshara rescues from a fairy ring. The precocious and chaotic child not only jeopardizes the goblin’s escape, but starts to melt her obsidian heart.

Crack the Stone focuses primarily on Hugo’s themes of scandalous redemption, legalism, and the transforming love between a mother and child. Other elements of the novel—lovesick Éponine, the red revolution flag, the barricade, the Elephant of the Bastille—have been remixed in unexpected ways to support the redemption arc.

If you’re a fan of the book (or the musical!) you’ll enjoy the fun Les Mis “Easter eggs” throughout. But even if you’re not familiar with the original, you can still get swept up in Crack the Stone’s epic story of suffering, love, and light in the darkest places.

Emily Golus

Emily Golus is an award-winning fantasy author with nearly 20 years of professional writing experience. Golus aims to engage, inspire, and show how small acts of courage and love create meaningful change. Her books feature diverse cultures, authentic characters, and cinematic fantasy settings.
Her first novel, Escape to Vindor, won the 2018 Selah Award for Young Adult Fiction, and a spin-off novel, Crack the Stone, won the 2024 Kudos Award for Fiction. Golus lives in Greenville, S.C., with her husband, Mike, who is her greatest supporter. They have two active little boys and enjoy hiking, making Thai food, and exploring small towns in the Carolinas.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

To celebrate her tour, Emily is giving away the grand prize of a paperback copy
of Crack the Stone, an obsidian arrowhead pendant, two Vindor stickers,
a Vindor mini-map, a Vindor bookmark, and a $25 Amazon gift card!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5447

Blog Stops

The Lofty Pages, September 21
Vicky Sluiter, September 22 (Author Interview)
Locks, Hooks and Books, September 23
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, September 24 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 25
For the Love of Literature, September 26 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, September 26
Tell Tale Book Reviews, September 27 (Author Interview)
Through the Fire Blogs, September 28 (Author Interview)
Blogging With Carol, September 29
Guild Master, September 30 (Author Interview)
A Reader’s Brain, October 1 (Author Interview)
Back Porch Reads, October 2 (Author Interview)
Just Your Average reviews, October 3
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, October 4 (Author Interview)
Denise L. Barela, October 4

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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - The Burning Tree by Helen Dent (Give.away)

9/25/2024

5 Comments

There’s a secret growing in the woods.

In Ellie Caster’s town of Bishop’s Gap, the Casters and the powerful Levy family have been feuding for generations. The families share just one thing in common—they both dread the mark, a scorch that appears at random on their doors, bringing a curse from the Burning Tree. When the mark hits Ellie’s door, her sister Jean falls into a coma. Ellie knows the Burning Tree is to blame, and desperate to save her sister, she braves the forbidden woods to confront it. But this choice ignites a chain of unintended consequences, forcing her to work with her nemesis, Charlotte Levy.

Together, they must complete an impossible task, uncover the ancient secret of Bishop’s Gap, and end the curse before time runs out for their entire town.

Genre: YA Fantasy
Release Date: September 10, 2024

Click here to get your copy!

Interview with Helen

#1. Do you have favorite character(s) in this book?
The main character of The Burning Tree, Ellie, is my favorite. She’s loyal and determined and also curious, a combination that can (and does) get her into trouble. I also love her great-aunt, Ruby, who can cut to the heart of a problem with one sharp sentence, but who’s also fiercely kind. I wish her house were real so I could stop by for an actual visit . . . something wildly unexpected would be sure to happen.

#2. How did you name your characters?
That’s a great question — I’ve never really thought about that aspect of character development. When a character appears in my imagination, they usually arrive named, but of course that name has to come from somewhere!
Here’s my theory. I have a good friend who describes the imagination as a compost pile . . . all our experiences and hopes and fears and what we’ve read and watched go in and get all jumbled together, and that becomes the soil for our creativity. The books To Kill a Mockingbird and Tuck Everlasting are definitely in the creative background of The Burning Tree, and the names of the main families in my town — Levy, Caster, and Finch — remind me of character names in those books. (In fact, Scout Finch is the main character of To Kill a Mockingbird.) I didn’t plan that, but the story worlds are similar in some significant ways, and that’s probably why the names sounded right!

#3. Tell us something funny, sad, embarrassing, whatever, that happened involving this book.
One Saturday morning, I read the first chapter of The Burning Tree to my son and asked what questions he had about it. He was just at the age to read the book and I thought his feedback would be helpful. Two dozen questions and the rest of the morning later, he’d helped me find and fix major gaps in my world-building, aspects of the town I’d never even thought to consider. Needless to say, I always have him read my chapters now, and that Saturday morning remains one of the funniest and most rewarding experiences I had while writing this book.

#4. What one piece of advice would you like to give readers?
I’d give other readers the advice I keep having to give myself: there are so many fantastic books on my To-Be-Read list that I sometimes find myself racing to get through one after another instead of focusing on enjoying each book. Now, I’m a big fan of checklists, and I like to record the books I’ve read, but I also have to remind myself that the checklist isn’t the goal; reading is! Along the same lines, re-reading favorites is valuable too. It doesn’t make “progress” in the checklist sense, but I gain so much from a second or third or twentieth reading — I just see different details and understand situations from a different life perspective.

#5. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
I’ve been struck lately by the realization that when Paul writes to Timothy that God has given us all things to enjoy (1 Tim 6:17), that includes good stories. Creativity is one of his gifts to us, and though it can be twisted, it can also be used in His service in powerful and transformative ways.

More from Helen

“‘Oh, Trees, Trees, Trees,’ said Lucy (though she had not been intending to speak at all). ‘Oh, Trees, wake, wake, wake.’
. . .
Though there was not a breath of wind they all stirred about her. The rustling noise of the leaves was almost like words.” – C.S. Lewis, Prince Caspian

This scene of the enchanted trees in C.S. Lewis’s Narnia sparked my imagination the very first time I read it. As a child, like Lucy, I could picture how the trees in my own backyard might look as wood-people, what they might say if they spoke. Even now, when I walk through woods, they still hold an enchanted quality for me. I want to follow all the footpaths . . . to a meadow, maybe, rich in wildflowers . . . or a haunt of bats . . . or an ancient, lightning-struck tree.

There’s a particular wood near my house that I walked week by week during a difficult season in my life. Flowers bloomed, birds nested. The light changed. Leaves fell, then budded again. It was a comfort to wander under the sheltering trees – and that comfort wasn’t just the peace of being out in nature.

Each rustle of the trees carried an echo of a much greater story.

It’s always struck me as particularly beautiful that there are individual trees at the beginning and end of the Bible: the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in Genesis, and then the tree of life again in Revelation, this time described as having “twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations” (Revelation 22: 2b ESV).

So every walk in the woods reminds me that brokenness isn’t the end of the story. Death isn’t the end of the story.
It’s probably no surprise, then, that I set my book, The Burning Tree, in an enchanted forest. where the trees have been twisted into something destructive, but where there’s always the possibility of a different outcome . . . just waiting to be unlocked.

Helen Dent

Helen Dent’s career as a writer began at age nine, when her grandfather paid her a dollar a page for what turned into quite a lengthy story. She studied monster theory (among other things) in graduate school, taught English at a Chinese university, and toured the Scottish Hebrides in a car with a needy radiator. Now she lives in Texas with her husband, kids, a cat, and a hamster. She belongs to the DFW Writers Workshop, the Fort Worth Poetry Society, and Art House Dallas.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

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

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5442

Blog Stops

Inspired by Fiction, September 14
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, September 15 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, September 15
Stories By Gina, September 16 (Author Interview)
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, September 17 (Author Interview)
Locks, Hooks and Books, September 18
Guild Master, September 19 (Author Interview)
A Reader’s Brain, September 20 (Author Interview)
Back Porch Reads, September 21 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 22
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, September 23 (Author Interview)
Fiction Book Lover, September 24 (Author Interview)
Tell Tale Book Reviews, September 25 (Author Interview)
Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, September 25
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 26
Through the Fire Blogs, September 27 (Author Interview)

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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - Bloom In Your Winter Season by Deborah Malone (Give.away)

9/16/2024

3 Comments

Deborah’s latest book, Bloom in Your Winter Season, encourages women that God can use them and their strengths, talents, wisdom, and knowledge in their mature season of life. Written with twenty-four different authors, also in their silver season, Deborah created a unique concept that combines scripture reading, reflection and application questions. Previous books in the series are Blooming in Broken Places, and Bloom Where You Are Bible study.

Genre: Bible Study
Release Date: April, 2024

Click here to get your copy!

Interview with Deborah

#1. What was the inspiration behind this book?
I wrote “Bloom in Your Winter Season,” because I’m in my winter season😊 I felt there was a need “seasoned” women to see examples from the Bible where God used “seasoned” women in mighty ways. Anna, Elizabeth and Lois are just a few examples we have. As my friend and mentor, Babbie Mason says, “God did not stamp an expiration date on our forehead.” He can and will use us until our last breath. I wanted to encourage other women to be mighty Winter Warriors for God!

#2. How long did it take to finish writing this book?
My book “Bloom in Your Winter Season” is a compilation of authors, so it involves a total of 24 authors including myself. It was a process getting all the devotions together and formatting the book. It was probably close to a year before everything came together.

#3. What part of the writing process do you like the least?
Putting my bum in the chair and writing😊 I love the research part, but the actual writing part takes a bit of discipline – something I don’t always have.

#4. What new or interesting things did you learn while researching for this book?
Studying the women of the Bible who I presented in my book “Bloom in Your Winter Season” was eye-opening. I’d heard of all the names of these faithful ladies but did not know them up close and personal. After studying them more intimately I grew to know them on a deeper level. This helped me to grow in my winter season as well.

#5. Tell us something funny, sad, embarrassing, whatever, that happened involving this book.
I can’t think of anything that sticks out particularly, but I find it amazing how God brought all these women together to make up “Bloom in Your Winter Season.” Including myself there are a total of 24 authors involved from all over the United States. And icing on the cake is that the Debbie Macomber gave an endorsement for “Bloom in Your Winter Season.”

6. What drew you to take on this topic through non-fiction versus fiction?
Let’s just say it chose me. I had been writing fiction for years. I had six Christian Cozy Mysteries and was working on my seventh when I was led to write my story, “Blooming in Broken Places.” I’d been asked over the years to write it, but I wasn’t ready at the time. During the writing of my seventh mystery, I received a “gentle nudge” to write Blooming. I had never written non-fiction and was literally afraid to try. I put the word out for someone to co-write it with me. The lady I chose told me I needed to write it because it was my story but that she would help mentor me. Julie Morris was true to her word and helped me every step of the way. I went from being afraid to write non-fiction to winning Georgia Author of the Year 2018 in Inspiration Category. God was with me!

#7. What people influenced you the most while writing about this topic?
Anne George, who was a Southern Cozy Mystery writer, influenced my mystery writing early on. Then I discovered Christian Fiction and there were many of the Christian Mystery writers who influenced me. As far as my Bible Studies, I’d say Babbie Mason, Liz Curtis Higgs, and Lisa Harper are a few who had an influence on my writing.

#8. How has writing about this particular topic changed your own life?
Studying the women of the Bible who I presented in my book “Bloom in Your Winter Season” was eye-opening. I’d heard of all the names of these faithful ladies, but did not know them up close and personal. After studying them more intimately I grew to know them on a deeper level. This helped me to grow in my winter season as well.

#9. Did you have a specific demographic in mind while writing this book?
My goal was to reach women of any age (because we will all be winter warriors one day) but specifically women from 50 up. I wanted “seasoned” women to see examples of women from the Bible that were in their winter season and God used mightily. As my friend and mentor, Babbie Mason says, “God did not stamp an expiration date on our foreheads.”

#10. What do you hope your readers will remember after finishing this book?
That God can and will use them (us) until their last breath! I love these verses in Psalm 92: 12-15:

But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the
cedars of Lebanon. For they are transplanted to the Lord’s own
house. They flourish in the courts of our God. Even in old age
they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green. They will
declare, “The Lord is just! He is my rock! There is no evil in him.”

#11. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
See above answer.

More from Deborah

Deborah’s latest book, Bloom in You Winter Season, encourages women that God can use them and their strengths, talents, wisdom, and knowledge in their mature season of life. Written with twenty-four different authors, also in their silver season, Deborah created a unique concept that combines scripture reading, reflection and application questions.
Welcome to the Winter Warriors club. A club made up of “seasoned” women who have a desire to give their heart to Abba even during the phases of their winter season. Maybe you’ve been going through changes that have you discouraged and ready to throw in the towel.
Change is inevitable: hearing aids, eyeglasses, and a knee replacement are just a few I’ve already experienced. Not to mention the changes to my body shape and style – yikes! Maybe you’ve been through some of these changes, too. If we dwell too long on the inevitable, it can be easy to get discouraged and want to just sit down and give up.
In this study you will be treated to twenty-four devotions by “seasoned” authors who continue to be active for the Lord in many ways – large or small – it is all for God’s glory.
You will hear me saying often: “God did not stamp an expiration date on our forehead.” While studying these women from the Bible, you will discover that God can and will use you even in your winter season.
As my friend Beth says, “There’s only one alternative to growing old.” And we all know what that is – something we will all have to face eventually, but until then, let’s make a pact to grow old as “seasoned” women being Winter Warriors for our Abba!

Deborah Malone

Deborah Malone received Georgia Author of the Year Award 2018 in Inspiration Category for her book Blooming in Broken Places. Her companion workbook, Bloom Where You Are, was runner-up in the prestigious Selah Awards 2023 in Bible Study Category. Deborah is a certified Advanced Writers and Speakers Association Power Speaker. She is a member of the Georgia Writers Association, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and American Christian Fiction Writers. Deborah lives in the North Georgia mountains with her husband, Travis.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

To celebrate her tour, Deborah is giving away the grand prize package of
a $30 Amazon gift card and the winner’s choice of one of Deborah’s books!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5434

Blog Stops

Godly Book Reviews, September 7
Divine Perspective, September 8
Artistic Nobody, September 9 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 9
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 10
Girls in White Dresses, September 11
Life on Chickadee Lane, September 12
Blossoms and Blessings, September 13 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, September 13
Locks, Hooks and Books, September 14
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 15
Tell Tale Book Reviews, September 16 (Author Interview)
Cover Lover Book Review, September 17
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 18
A Reader’s Brain, September 19 (Author Interview)
She Lives to Read, September 20

3 Comments

Book Review - Lightshed by Crystal D. Grant

9/15/2024

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Published: September 3, 2024 by Quill and Flame Publishers

ASIN: B0DB3BXTCD

My Review

Their choices will change everything....

I have been looking forward to Lightshed ever since I turned the last page of the first book in The Gateway Trilogy. Crystal D. Grant's characters and worldbuilding caught my attention and I was ready for more...

As hoped, Lightshed proved to be just as good as its predecessor. The worldbuilding was as vivid as ever and I felt like I could almost see it. The magic system is fleshed out even more in this second Gateway Trilogy book as Crystal D. Grant blends it pretty much seamlessly with a Christian perspective.

Lightshed has all of the things that you want to see in a good older-YA fantasy novel. From sword fights to betrayal to sacrifice to budding romance. The characters are also quite good as one can't help but love Seria Gayle and root for Mason to finally discover the truth before it's too late. Key themes of learning to trust God no matter what, doing the right thing even when it is beyond hard, and forgiveness as both good guys and bad guys make mistakes are central to the story.

I sincerely enjoyed reading the middle Gateway Trilogy novel and, just like the last time, I am champing at the bit to dive back into Crystal D. Grant's exciting fictional realm and find out what happens next to Seria, Mason, and the others...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Lightshed by Crystal D. Grant a 4 Bark rating.

(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - Tracking Tilly by Janice Thompson (Give.away)

9/14/2024

1 Comment

Who Stole Tilly from the Auction Block?
Breathe in the nostalgia of everything old red
truck in book one of a new cozy mystery series.

The Hadley family ranch is struggling, so RaeLyn, her parents, and brothers decide to turn the old barn into an antique store. The only thing missing to go with the marketing of the store is Grandpa’s old red truck, Tilly, that was sold several years ago. Now coming back up on the auction block, Tilly would need a lot of work, but RaeLyn is sure it will be worth it—if only she can beat out other bidders and find out who stole Tilly after the auction ends. Hadley finds herself in the role of amateur sleuth, and the outcome could make or break the new family venture.

Genre: Mystery/Christian Fiction
Release Date: August 2024

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

Just how much trouble can one old truck be...?

I am always up for a good cozy mystery from Janice Thompson. They make me laugh and it's fun to try and figure out who did it. That meant I was pretty excited to find out about Tracking Tilly and I had to get my hands on this first Little Red Truck Mystery.

Tracking Tilly was every bit as good as I had hoped and maybe even a little better. The imaginative heroine and her quirky family kept me chuckling all the way through and I loved the smalltown Texas setting. I also loved the antique vehicle thread that made up some important and fun scenes.

The mystery aspect of this first book in The Little Red Truck Mysteries series was exactly what you like to see in a Christian cozy mystery. Janice Thompson did a great job layering the clues and revelations within the story as our heroine learns a thing or two about letting go of past hurts in order to see the possibilities and new beginnings right in front of her.

Tracking Tilly is an entertaining, fun, and enjoyable read from Janice Thompson. I finished it much faster than even I expected and now I am really looking forward to reading more Little Red Truck Mysteries whenever they release....

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Tracking Tilly by Janice Thompson a 4 Bark rating.

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

More from Janice

Welcome to Mabank, Y’all!

Some stories are written out of a passion for the characters. Others are written out of an idea for a unique and engaging plot. And some—like my new book, Tracking Tilly—are written out of pure love and devotion for a location.

We writers love to set our books in unique places. And because I’m a Texas gal, I usually set my stories in South Texas, often along the Gulf Coast. This time, however, I wanted to take a trek a little farther north, to the town of Mabank Texas.
Don’t know where Mabank is? No worries! It’s right next to Gunbarrel City, which is nestled next to Cedar Creek Reservoir, a gorgeous body of water that provides excellent fishing, boating, and camping. This neck of the woods is known as East Texas territory, and it’s unique from where I live in the Houston area—both in terrain and culture.

My familiarity with this region goes back to the early 1980s, when my mother remarried and moved to a 63-acre ranch with my step-dad. Though I hailed from Texas, I’d never been to this particular region. Turns out, I’d been missing out on a lot! Picture beautiful ranch-lands, perfect for raising horses, cows, goats, and chickens. Now imagine small-town churches, restaurants, and specialty shops. Add to that the beauty of a fabulous lake, one dotted with fishing boats, kayaks, and swimmer. Talk about beautiful. . .and perfect for a book series filled with the unexpected twists and turns found in most cozy mysteries.

Tracking Tilly is the first in a three-book series from Barbour called The Little Red Truck series. I used the ranch as the setting for my main character (RaeLyn Hadley) to live. And boy, does the story ever explore those beautiful Texas backdrops, all through her eyes! Tracking Tilly is set in the springtime, when bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrushes are in full bloom. I didn’t even have to research to know what those look like!

I loved setting this fun cozy mystery in mama’s hometown, and not just for nostalgic reasons. Sure, a quaint small town and a rustic 63-acre ranch provide the perfect backdrop for a mystery, but even more than that, I loved getting to know RaeLyn and her family. Plunking them down in my mama’s house allowed me to re-visit the location in my own imagination and to envision how RaeLyn would see it.

My mom passed away in 2017 and I rarely get back to Mabank and Gunbarrel City these days. But once I decided to set Tracking Tilly in this area I knew I had to make one more trip. So, I asked a close friend to join me and we made a day trip out of it. Over the river and through the woods, to my mama’s old house we went.

And while we were there, we drove by her church (First Baptist, Mabank). Oh, and we had to stop off at one of her favorite restaurants. Mostly, though, I wanted to see the lake. As I got out of my car at the water’s edge I was flooded with memories of driving over that lake on my way to visit mom when my kids were little. We spent nearly every holiday on that beautiful property.

As you read Tracking Tilly, I hope you find yourself captivated by the setting, but I also hope you see a little of yourself in RaeLyn. She’s an adventurous, inquisitive gal, loaded with zeal for life and a passion for her family. More than anything, I hope you discover a renewed sense of purpose in your own family’s story.

Thanks for reading, y’all!

Janice Thompson

Janice Thompson hails from south Texas. She is a Christian author and mother of four grown daughters. Janice has written over forty books.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

To celebrate her tour, Janice is giving away the grand prize package of
a $25 Amazon e-Gift card and copy of the book!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5433

Blog Stops

Lighthouse Academy, September 6
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 7
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 8
Pause for Tales, September 9
Texas Book-aholic, September 9
The Avid Reader, September 10
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions , September 11
Locks, Hooks and Books, September 12
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 13
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 14
Tell Tale Book Reviews, September 14
Lily’s Corner, September 15
She Lives To Read, September 15
Devoted To Hope, September 16
Lights in a Dark World, September 16
Book Looks by Lisa, September 17
Labor Not in Vain, September 18
Stories By Gina, September 19 (Author Interview)
Holly’s Book Corner, September 19

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Movie Review - God's Not Dead: In God We Trust (Give.away)

9/12/2024

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‘God's Not Dead' is the Most
Successful Faith Franchise of All Time

God’s Not Dead: In God We Trust is in theaters
September 12th in association with Great American Pure Flix and Fathom

In a time of profound political, civil, and spiritual turmoil, Reverend David Hill grapples with a crucial question: Does God still have a place in politics? Following the unexpected death of a favored congressional incumbent, David feels compelled to enter the race, challenging the increasing efforts to remove religious influence from public policy. Facing off against state senator Peter Kane, a formidable opponent determined to create greater division by pushing religion out of the public square, David must navigate the treacherous waters of modern politics, where his faith, optimism, and principles are put to the ultimate test. As he confronts adversaries from his past and faces relentless scrutiny, David’s campaign becomes a beacon of hope for many who yearn for spiritual and moral leadership in a divided nation. God’s Not Dead: In God We Trust explores the enduring relevance of faith in public life and the fight to keep religious values at the heart of governance.

This film is more crucial than ever, especially during this election year. Be part of the conversation that’s igniting hearts and minds everywhere. This is more than a movie; it's a movement!

Get your tickets starting September 12th

WEBSITE

TICKETS

My Review

As the tides change it is time to stand up for America....

I've been voting since I turned 18. But I can honestly say that in the nearly 2 decades since then the ever worsening political climate rife with corruption has gotten me discouraged and wondering if there is any hope left for our country. Like pretty much everyone I am well aware of the growing animosity towards faith and Christianity in particular. We are told to put our beliefs in our back pockets and not let it influence how we conduct our business, ourselves, and how we vote. But, not only did this God's Not Dead movie turn that lie right on its head – and a lie it surely is – it also was a good reminder as to why I DO choose to vote.

I found it quite ironic that I watched God's Not Dead: In God We Trust literally right before some of the very tricks used by the 'bad guy' in this film played out in real life right in front of me in the news. As I watched the movie and then real life events unfold I found myself thinking about how important it is to stand up for the truth, for life, for morality, and for our beliefs no matter how strong the opposition is nor how much power they think they have. The title of the film is also a good reminder; He isn't dead and in Him we do trust.

A fun FYI; “In God We Trust” first appeared on the 2¢ coin in 1864 during one of America's darkest times – The Civil War. I have my own 2¢ piece from that year because of just how important that short phrase really is.

For those who wish to know: the film is very well made and is probably one of the best in the franchise. I found myself caught up in the story from start to finish.

Anyway, definitely go out and see God's Not Dead: In God We Trust in theaters. Take your entire family to see it as the message of courage and faith is so important. And, when the time comes in a couple of months do not pass your God given and blood earned right away . Go out and vote. And when you step into that booth pray for God to guide your choices as you prove that God's Not Dead: In God We Trust....

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives God's Not Dead: In God We Trust a 5 Bark rating.

(Disclosure: Many thanks to Pinnacle Peak Pictures for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.)

It's Time For A Giveaway!

1 winner will receive a $10 Amazon giftcard!

(USA ONLY)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

#InGodWeTrustMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

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Epic Book Launch - Wonderfully, Marvelously, Brown by Xochitl Dixon

9/12/2024

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Wonderfully, Marvelously Brown, follows a young boy on a joyously affirming adventure that celebrates all shades of brown, from the darkest to the lightest.

From new school desks to freckles and moles, from fresh pastries to cedar canoes, brown is everywhere around us. God created and used brown to color the giant California redwoods, the Grand Canyon walls, busy beavers building dams, great horned owls hoo-hooing, and his image-bearers.

Everywhere that I go
I’m searching to see
something wonderfully, marvelously
brown—just like you and like me!

Illustrated by Pura Belpré Honor Award artist Sara Palacios and written by Xochitl Dixon, Wonderfully, Marvelously Brown takes kids on a tour of the U.S. to seek and find all the brilliant and beautiful shades of brown--from ivory to ebony--that God created. Readers will be encouraged to love the skin tone God chose for them as they observe how the spectacular shades of brown are reflected in their communities and the world around them.

Genre: Children’s picture book, fiction, ages 3-8
Release date: October 1, 2024

Excerpt from Wonderfully, Marvelously Brown

A poignant line in the book states that God made many colors, “each a beautiful hue,” and rejoices that He chose brown when He made “me and you.” The verse you shared after this final line is Genesis 1:31, “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” Would you please share the heart behind these powerful end statements and why you chose to place them together?

When readers realize that God used the same color to create our skin tones, from the darkest to the lightest shades of brown, He can tear down the lies that divide us and help us celebrate every skin color as good, beautiful, and God-given. I pray this scientific and biblical truth will help eradicate the ignorance and insecurity that has caused the divisions, stereotypes, prejudice, colorism, and racism that have led to false senses of superiority and inferiority.

Xochitl Dixon

Xochitl (So-Cheel) Dixon, author of Waiting for God: Trusting Him for the Answers to Your Prayers, is a regular contributor for Our Daily Bread, the bestselling God Hears Her compilations and blog, and Tyndale’s NLT Go Bible for Kids (September 2024). Equipping readers to grow closer to God while nurturing an authentic loving community, she shares biblical encouragement, celebrates ethnic diversity, and advocates for disability awareness with her beautifully diverse family and her service dog, Callie, featured in the 2021 ECPA Christian Book Award Children’s Book Finalist Different Like Me, Diferente como yo, What Color is God’s Love? and Wonderfully, Marvelously Brown. She connects with readers on Instagram, Facebook, and at www.xedixon.com.

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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - Heavenly Rescues And Answered Prayers by Andrea Jo Rodgers (Give.away)

9/6/2024

5 Comments

Powerful Stories of Life’s Emergencies

For more than 35 years, veteran EMT Andrea Jo Rodgers has been helping people in their most terrifying and vulnerable moments—and bearing witness to the miraculous power and handiwork of God.
In this new collection of unforgettable stories, Andrea shares more heart-pounding accounts of rescues and interventions from her vast experience as a first responder. Whether it’s a boy fallen through thin ice into freezing water, an old woman and her walker stuck at a railroad crossing, or a loyal dog playing guardian angel for his incapacitated owner, join Andrea as she responds to incredible scenarios that testify to God’s power and love.
Not only will you be astounded by the courage exemplified by Andrea and other first responders, but you will also be inspired by her faith, empathy, and hope—even amid the most daunting circumstances. These powerful stories will encourage you and deepen your awe for God’s amazing mercy and grace.

Genre: Christian Inspirational
Release date: June 4, 2024

Click here to get your copy!

Interview with Andrea

#1. What was the inspiration behind this book?
I’ve been a volunteer emergency medical technician (EMT) on my town’s first aid and rescue squad for over 35 years, responding to more than 9,600 emergency calls. Along with my fellow squad members, I’ve been called to help those suffering from many different kinds of medical emergencies such as cardiac arrest, near-drownings, and overdoses as well as victims of trauma. Writing about these events has helped me to better realize how blessed we are to serve as instruments of God, acting as cogs in the wheel of heavenly orchestrated interventions. As an EMT, I’ve observed firsthand how God carefully puts together all the pieces to create jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring rescues. I wanted to share these inspirational stories with others.

#2. How long did it take to finish writing this book?
It took me a year to write this book. Like most authors, writing is not my full-time job, so it takes a backseat to being a physical therapist and mother. Once I start a writing project, I work on it every spare minute that I can find. Sometimes, this means scratching down notes before one of my children’s sporting events begins, during my lunch break, or when I should be sleeping.

#3. What part of the writing process do you like the least?
My favorite part of the writing process is proofreading. I love being close to the finished product, continuing to mold it and tweak it.

#4. What drew you to take on this topic through non-fiction versus fiction?
Choosing to take on this topic through nonfiction rather than fiction was an easy choice for me, since the stories are based on my own personal experiences as a volunteer EMT. I changed the name of or town, the patients, our squad members, and locations to protect privacy.

#5. What do you hope your readers will remember after finishing this book?
As an EMS volunteer, I meet people at their most vulnerable moments, when a seemingly ordinary day can suddenly morph into one that is dark and sinister, challenging their faith and calling into question an ongoing earthly existence versus transitioning to eternity with God. In these times of profound crisis, people turn to God for help. I know He hears our prayers, for I’ve seen them answered in ways that defy logic. His loving hand pulls us literally or figuratively to safety in ways that cannot be written off as mere chance.

#11. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--
and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--
Ephesians 2:8

I think this Bible verse perfectly captures the essence of many of the stories in Heavenly Rescues and Answered Prayers, for it highlights that God in His infinite mercy and grace saves us in our time of need.

More from Andrea

Have you ever wished you could keep yourself and loved ones safe from danger? Perhaps you envision placing a protective bubble around the newest driver in the family or maybe figuring out a way for germs or cancer cells to bounce off those closest to you. For some, the desire may be not for physical protection but for safeguarding the hearts and minds of family members or friends during periods of personal difficulties.

I’ve been a volunteer emergency medical technician (EMT) on my town’s first aid and rescue squad for 37 years, responding to more than 9,700 emergency calls. Along with my fellow squad members, I’ve been called to help those suffering cardiac arrest, victims of trauma from accidents, near-drownings, people suffering from drug overdoses, and a variety of other medical emergencies. We’re blessed to be able to serve as instruments of God, acting as cogs in the wheel of heavenly orchestrated interventions. In my capacity as an EMT, I’ve observed firsthand how God carefully puts together all the pieces to create jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring rescues.

“Wow, that was a lucky save!” some might say. I believe it’s not luck at play but rather God’s saving grace. The orchestrator of miracles, He puts all the pieces in motion to create occurrences that are truly beyond mere coincidence. In Heavenly Rescues and Answered Prayers, I share my firsthand accounts of the ways God works to protect and save us. If we open our minds and hearts to the quiet presence of God in our lives, we’ll be able to recognize these heavenly rescues.

Andrea Jo Rodgers

Andrea Jo Rodgers holds a clinical doctorate in physical therapy and has worked as a physical therapist for 30 years, specializing in women’s health, oncology rehab, and ALS. She has served as a volunteer emergency medical technician on her town’s rescue squad for 37 years and has responded to more than 9,700 first aid and fire calls. She lives with her family on the east coast. She enjoys reading, writing, day trips, and savoring a slice of avocado toast along with a cup of green tea. Andrea’s latest book, Heavenly Rescues and Answered Prayers, shares more inspirational stories based on her experiences as a volunteer EMT.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

To celebrate her tour, Andrea is giving away the grand prize package of
a $25 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of the book!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5427

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 29
Artistic Nobody, August 30 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 31
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, September 1 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, September 2
Locks, Hooks and Books, September 3
For the Love of Literature, September 4 (Author Interview)
Lots of Helpers, September 4
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 5
Tell Tale Book Reviews, September 6 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 7
A Reader’s Brain, September 8 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, September 8
Dee S. White, September 9
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, September 10 (Author Interview)
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, September 11

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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - Silent Stars by Brett Armstrong (Give.away)

8/28/2024

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AD 2040: Barely eighteen, things have become much harder for Elliott. Reeling from the losses during the confrontation that brought Project Alexandria to a halt, Elliott feverishly hunts for the original files needed to finish it off. Finding only dead ends, he instead stumbles upon something dire: messages about the Babel Initiative. Conceived as a successor that would make Project Alexandria’s manipulations seem tame, this new threat once again forces Elliott into alliances with morally grey programmers known as siegers. Beset by continual setbacks and defeats, many siegers abandon the cause and go underground to survive the dangers ahead. The bleak reality that Elliott and those closest to him are almost certain to die in the fight against Dr. Almundson begins to set in. But Elliott isn’t ready to give in. He knows the cost of such a silent surrender will be humanity itself.

Genre: Christian dystopian, science fiction
Release date: September 26, 2023

Click here to get your copy!

Interview with Brett

#1. What drew you to write in this particular genre?
I've been a fan of futuristic sci-fi and dystopian stories for as long as I can remember, which certainly played a role in it. I think more than that though is the compelling way in which dystopian stories strip away noise and distractions and set a distilled version of what our current reality is like and can become if we do not act to change course from that future. Even more than that, Christian dystopia has the possibility of showing something more. Instead of merely painting a bleak picture on a dark canvas and leaving readers in dread, Christian dystopia can point to a country beyond all of the brokenness when and where everything is made whole again and we are with the Lord. So, even if we do face a dark tomorrow, at the edge of that tomorrow is a brighter tomorrow ever fair.

#2. Do you have favorite character(s) in this book?
I really enjoyed writing just about all of the characters in Silent Stars. That isn’t always the case and I didn’t necessarily like the turn some character’s arcs took or the roles they had to play, but they were all interesting to write and felt pretty vibrant and unique. Most of the cast is returning from earlier entries and over the years I haven’t said enough how much I enjoyed writing Elliott and Lara’s characters. They balance each other really well and their commitment to each other, stopping Project Alexandria, and the Faith never felt forced. Whenever I would have to take a break from writing Tomorrow’s Edge and then come back to it, I tended to come back to scenes with them in it, because they really helped make that world come alive for me and kind of welcome me back into it all.

#3. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
Hold onto hope. “Ask, seek, and knock” as the Lord exhorts us to. Remember that He is with is in the darkest hours of our lives when everyone else seems to turn their backs on us and it looks like there is no possible way out, no possible way forward. One of my favorite moments in the book echoes with the reminder that He makes a way in the wilderness*. If he can part the Red Sea, bring down Jericho's walls, turn water to wine, feed 5000+ from a boy's lunch, walk on the waves, and rise from the dead after enduring the punishment for our sins; He can make a way, a road through the hardships we face that leads us straight to Him. So, no matter how bleak or dark the world and events around us grow, hold onto the hope of the better land, the better tomorrow, we are promised with and in Him.
* Isaiah 43:19

#4. How did you name your characters?
A lot of Tomorrow’s Edge involves the dynamics within the McIntyre family and I drew some of that from experiences with my own family. So, some of the character names came from family too, though the names didn’t really match with the influences on personality. John is named after my grandfather and since the family is Scots-Irish, I thought it would make sense for Grandpa McIntyre’s name to be Ian (which is a Scottish transliteration of John). Others got their names just from trying out what sounded good or in the case of the villain, Dr. Victor Almundson, a little menacing. The most fun naming approach in the whole series was using car manufacturers to name some characters who were siegers (hackers) who boost cars and retrofit them to help sneak people around the country. They do that because all of the cars in Tomorrow’s Edge operate autonomously under the control of centralized operating systems. That kind of set up makes it hard for certain types of people to get around unnoticed otherwise. That makes those characters serious targets for the authorities, so they go by aliases which are the make of car they tend to work on. Nissan, Ford, and Chevy are the characters who have the biggest impact on series out of that group.

#5. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
I think since this is the final book in the series it’s appropriate to share the first Bible verse that appears in the series.

“Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.”

Every chapter in the Tomorrow’s Edge series starts with a quote. Most of it is from Shakespeare’s works, because of the significance of the book Elliott’s grandfather left him in Day Moon. But the very first quote in Chapter 1 in book 1 is the verse above, Proverbs 23:23. That verse very succinctly sums up a core theme and truth of the series. Often we allow the noise of the world to distract us. In time, distraction gives way to a numbness and that numbness leads us to missing those moments when something that is against the Truth (1) enters our lives, often bundled in the very noise we become calloused to over time. The Truth is worth more than anything, His Kingdom is the “pearl of great value” (2) and a treasure that is worth giving everything for (3) and yet we sometimes find ourselves giving away bits of truth that would be a “light to our feet and a lamp to our path” (4). It’s hard enough to stand against the noise, against the current pulling us away from the shores of the homeland we are to strive for (5), and that’s in part what Tomorrow’s Edge is about. Encouraging each of us, myself included, through the story of Elliott’s struggles and perseverance, to stand firm. To not barter away the precious truths that help us to “keep our eyes fixed on Jesus the Author and Perfecter of our faith…”(6) and to “press on toward the high calling” (7) we have in Christ, no matter what we face.
1. John 14:6
2. Matthew 13:45-46
3. Matthew 13:44
4. Pslam 119:105
5. Hebrews 11:13-16
6. Hebrews 12:2
7. Philippians 3:14

More from Brett

Dystopian stories remind me of Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol. In it, Ebenezer Scrooge is heartbroken for Tiny Tim and asks the Ghost of Christmas Present if the boy will live. The ghost, to paraphrase, says that if the shadows of the things present are not altered the child will not live. Dystopian stories show us the shadows of things that if left unaltered, if not safeguarded against, can bring dire consequences. Years ago, I began writing the Tomorrow’s Edge series because I was concerned. Looking at headlines and articles about everything from the latest tech developments to the weakening links in western society’s integrity, I could understand why so many people fear the future. For me, it was fear for a tomorrow that is the fulfillment of every dystopian nightmare to us, but because it is so gradual so innocuous in coming, those in the future living that dystopia won’t even see it.

Our hold on reality is tenuous in the modern digital world—particularly with AI deepfakes, virtual reality, augmented reality, and the metaverse increasingly edging into our daily lives. And when combined with post-modernist philosophy’s denial of objective truth it makes for a serious existential threat. So, I wrote a story about some teens living in the near future where it is very nearly too late to come back from that edge. Teens who are gifted a glimpse of truth and reality and now can’t turn back from pursuing it. I hope it isn’t a stretch already to see that a story like that is layered. The gripping, fast paced surface narrative has beneath it an adjuration and encouragement for those of us who follow Christ to cling to the Truth and the Creator of all reality, no matter what may come. Silent Stars takes that story arc to its conclusion and in writing it I discovered there was an even more potent symbolic meaning to “Tomorrow’s Edge” than us being on the precipice or a dangerous dystopian tomorrow. It was one of the most rewarding discoveries I’ve had as a writer and I hope you enjoy uncovering it as well.

Brett Armstrong

Brett Armstrong has been exploring other worlds as a writer since age nine. Years later, he still writes, but now invites others along on his excursions. He’s shown readers haunting, deep historical fiction (Destitutio Quod Remissio), scary-real dystopian sci-fi (Tomorrow’s Edge series), and dark, sweeping epic fantasy (Quest of Fire). Every story is a journey of discovery and an attempt to be a brush in the Master Artist’s hand. Through dark, despair, light, joy, and everything in between, the end is always meant to leave his fellow literary explorers with wonder and hope. Always busy with a new story, he also enjoys drawing, gardening, and spending time with his wife and son.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

To celebrate his tour, Brett is giving away the grand prize package of
a $50 Amazon gift card, a copy of Silent Stars, and an illustrated
print featuring a scene from the Tomorrow’s Edge series!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5421

Blog Stops

Stories By Gina, August 22 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, August 23
Vicky Sluiter, August 24 (Author Interview)
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, August 25 (Author Interview)
For the Love of Literature, August 26 (Author Interview)
Locks, Hooks and Books, August 27
Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 28 (Author Interview)
Through the Fire Blogs, August 29 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 29
Artistic Nobody, August 30 (Author Interview)
The Lofty Pages, August 30
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 31
Beauty in the Binding, September 1 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 2
Guild Master, September 3 (Author Interview)
Blogging With Carol, September 4

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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - Winter's Maiden by Morgan L. Busse (Give.away)

8/22/2024

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Warrior. Survivor. Daughter of the North.

From the moment she is born, Brighid fights to survive in the wastelands of Nordica as a clanless one. But when a new power arrives offering a trial to join the Nordic warriors, Brighid enters, hoping to rise above her station. Soon she becomes one of their fiercest fighters and joins the war against the south.

Kaeden carries the blood of the ancient Eldaran race in his veins but turns away from his heritage after the death of his parents. Years later, he is called back to his homeland and invited to be a healer for the southern forces. With the help of an old mentor, the power inside of him starts to awaken. However, his life is turned upside down when a mighty warrior of the Nordic forces is captured.

As Kaeden interacts with the enemy, he discovers there is a darkness behind the Nordic Wars, one that is manipulating the people of the north. But who will believe him? And is there a power strong enough to break the hold of this hidden adversary? Or will the world burn in the flames of war?

Genre: Adult Viking Fantasy
Release date: August 6, 2024

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

Her story will be epic....

Morgan L. Busse is one of those authors that, regardless of genre, I will pick up and read as soon as I see her name on the cover. Honestly, I didn't even read the back cover blurb for Winter's Maiden, I just got my hands on a copy as soon as I could. When I discovered that it is the start of a new series, The Nordic Wars, I was even more excited than before.

Winter's Maiden proved to be another spellbinding tale from the ever talented pen of Morgan L. Busse. The harsh and dramatic landscapes, the Nordic culture that felt both familiar and fantastical, and the well written characters made this story every bit as delightful to read as I had anticipated.

Over the years I've really come to expect a lot from Morgan L. Busse and her vivid storytelling. No matter the genre, from fantasy to steampunk with a touch of dystopian, she always delivers a story that fully immerses the reader within that particular world and totally invests them in the characters' lives.

There is absolutely nothing to dislike about Winter's Maiden except having to wait what feels like practically forever for the next Nordic Wars book to release....

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Winter's Maiden by Morgan L. Busse a 5 Bark rating.

(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

More from Morgan

A long time ago when I wrote Daughter of Light (the first book in my Follower of the Word series), I mentioned the Nordic Wars and how it changed people’s perspective on beings with power. It was a side comment to answer my main character’s question, but I was intrigued with the idea and knew someday I wanted to write about it.

Now almost twenty years later, here is that story.

Some questions I’m asked when people realize Winter’s Maiden ties in with Daughter of Light is do they need to read my first series? The answer is no. Winter’s Maiden takes place 400 years before the events in Daughter of Light. It involves a country and culture I never explored in my previous series, not to mention the world looked different back then. However, fans of my first fantasy series will appreciate seeing familiar places, races, and what happened back then to create the world in Daughter of Light.

So, what do new readers have to look forward to? Here are a few: a Viking-Inspired culture with my own twist, a female character who is strong but doesn’t need to prove that, a healer who is built like a berserker but is actually a pacifist, a power that allows a person to see inside the soul of another, battles that don’t read like a historical textbook, and deep questions I’m known to explore in my novels.

In the end, I love that I was able to revisit a world I created over twenty years ago and write a story that’s been on my heart for almost as long. I consider it one of my best books yet and cannot wait for readers to finally get to read Brighid’s story.

Morgan L. Busse

Morgan L. Busse is a writer by day and a mother by night. She is the author of multiple series including The Ravenwood Saga and Skyworld series. She is a three-time Christy Award finalist and won the INSPY, Selah, and Carol Award for best in Christian speculative fiction. During her spare time she enjoys playing games, taking long walks, and dreaming about her next novel.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

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

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

https://promosimple.com/ps/2d973/winter-s-maiden-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

The Lofty Pages, August 15
Madi’s Musings, August 15
By the Book, August 16
Texas Book-aholic, August 17
Inklings and notions , August 18
Where Faith and Books Meet, August 19
Locks, Hooks and Books, August 20
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 21
Simple Harvest Reads, August 22 (Guest Review from Mindy)
Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 22
Blossoms and Blessings , August 23
Stories By Gina, August 24 (Author Interview)
Romances of the Cross, August 24
Labor Not in Vain, August 25
Hannahbandanarama, August 26
Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, August 26
Wishful Endings, August 27
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 28

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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - Joann by Donna Jo Stone (Give.away)

8/21/2024

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One cookbook connects them all…
Joann ~ Book Five in a string of heartfelt
inspirational stories, featuring different women
throughout the decades from 1920 to 2020.

Twenty-four-year-old Joann Kincaid’s life ambition is to one day run the family’s general store in Pecan Grove, Louisiana. It’s 1965 and the times may be a-changing, but Joann’s father is stubbornly hanging on to old-fashioned views about what he wants for his daughter. She’s just as determined to prove she’s a capable businesswoman.

In the past, she entertained romantic dreams alongside her vision for the store but discarded those notions when her high school sweetheart, Nathan, left for college. Now he’s back to reestablish his family’s farm—and a relationship with Joann. She still loves him but isn’t sure she can trust him.

As the conflict in Vietnam escalates, there’s a real possibility Nathan could be drafted. Should Joann pursue her lifelong dream to continue her family’s legacy? Or give Nathan a chance to prove he’ll be her true and committed love before it’s too late for them?

Genre: Inspirational Historical (1960s) Romance
Release date: May 15, 2024

Click here to get your copy!

Interview with Donna

#1. What was the inspiration for this book?
The Apron Strings Series is a multi-author inspirational women’s fiction (with romance) series organized by Jenny Knipfer. She came up with the idea of a single cookbook passed down every decade to a different woman from 1920 to 2020. The cookbook, Mrs. Canfield’s Cookery Book, plays a part in every story. When she told me about the concept, I thought it was a great idea. My book, Joann, is book five in the series and takes place in 1965. There were several elements and places that were the inspiration for this novel.

The music of the 1960s provided a little bit of a backdrop for the story. Joann wants to bring her family’s general store, Kincaid’s Mercantile, into the new decade by selling music. I’d already decided this before I found out that in 1965, Shreveport had a woman-owned recording studio, RAM. I didn’t use the real person or studio, but my fictional person and studio were inspired by RAM. Joann lives in Pecan Grove, a fictional small town outside of Shreveport, so it all came together nicely.

Near the East Texas border, there’s an old-time store, the oldest continually operating general store in Texas, T.C. Linsey and Co. This store served as the inspiration for Kincaid’s Mercantile. I loved visiting the store and imagining what life in the past could have been like for the people who worked and shopped there. T.C. Lindsey is more of a museum these days, although visitors can buy gift items, snacks, and souvenirs.

As I began to create the character of Joann, I found myself thinking more and more of my big sister. Joann is practical, responsible, kind, a hard worker, and a nurturer. My older sister is all of those things. The sister relationship in the story developed as I was writing. The sisters have a close bond, as sisters often do.

My mother also played a part. When I first set up housekeeping, my mother gave me a beautiful picture that had a Bible verse on it, Proverbs 3: 5-7. This verse was the inspiration for the scripture application in my book. I thought often of the verse, the picture, and my mother as I wrote Joann’s story.

#2. How long did it take to finish writing this book?
From conception to edit, I believe Joann took a little over six months. Up to this point, it was the fastest I’ve ever produced a book. I credit the tremendous amount of support within the Apron Strings Author Group for this. Having a deadline didn’t hurt! It kept me on track.

Because Jenny had provided the idea for the series to be connected by one cookbook and had set perimeters, many of the initial decisions were already made. This was extremely helpful to me. As a former nonfiction freelance writer, I work well within guidelines, so this project felt like a perfect fit.

#3. What drew you to write in this particular genre?
I am a fan of both historical and contemporary fiction, but have a special affinity for southern fiction. I grew up in the south among storytellers, and it seems the very environment is full of wonderful tales. As a Christian, all of my writing reflects a Christian worldview. I write both inspirational and general, market fiction, but all have that underpinning. I don’t see how I could write a story without it.

#4. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
I always want my readers to come away after reading my work with a sense of hope, something that encourages them. My stories are about flawed people facing common challenges. While I try to write entertaining fiction that brings laughter and tears, I want to them be encouraged and uplifted.

#5. What one piece of advice would you like to give readers?
Read the books you want to read, not only the books that you think are good for you, although try to read some of those as well. Enjoy yourself. Find friends you can talk to about what you’re reading. Let reading feed your mind and soul!

More from Donna

Joann: Apron Strings Book 5 is part of the Apron Strings series, a multi-author project. When Jenny Knipfer, the organizer behind the project, approached me about joining the lineup of authors, I was immediately intrigued. An old cookbook passed down each decade to a new character? Small towns? Romance? Sign me up!

The books in this inspirational series are connected by one single cookbook, Mrs. Canfield’s Cookery Book, as it passes from character to character. The cookbook contains more than recipes. Through time, women have penned encouraging words, quotes, and scriptures in the margins. There are eleven books in the Apron Strings series—one for every decade from 1920 to 2020. My novel, Joann, takes place in the 1960s.

One of Joann’s specialties is a popular 60s favorite, Jello with Dream Whip. No recipe needed there. Joann uses recipes from Mrs. Canfield’s Cookery Book, but she would’ve relied on a cake mix every now and then, such as in the recipe at this link, Joann’s Easy Blueberry Pound Cake. https://donnajostone.wordpress.com/2024/04/24/from-the-apron-strings-kitchen-joanns-easy-blueberry-pound-cake/

Another name for this should be Disappearing Blueberry Pound Cake, because that’s what happens when I make it! This cake has become a family favorite. As far as how Joann’s cooking attempts using Mrs. Canfield’s Cookery Book come out, you’ll have to read the novel to see. In the back of my novel there’s another recipe, one that would’ve appeared in Mrs. Canfield’s Cookery Book. All of the Apron Strings books have a recipe or two (or more) in the back.

Parts of Joann’s story are fun and lighthearted, but she also faces serious issues during uncertain times. I hope readers enjoy reading Joann, but also hope they come away from her story with a deeper understanding of the comfort that comes from trusting God with the future.

Donna Jo Stone

Donna Jo Stone writes southern-flavored novels for the inspirational and general market. Her stories are often about people facing tough times. Not all of her books have romance but when they do, the romances are sweet. No graphic language, sex, or violence, just plenty of heart-tugging emotion with endings that leave readers with a sense of hope.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

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

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

https://promosimple.com/ps/2dda6/joann-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 14
Stories By Gina, August 15 (Author Interview)
Mornings at Character Cafe, August 15
Texas Book-aholic, August 16
Simple Harvest Reads, August 17 (Author Interview)
Locks, Hooks and Books, August 18
For the Love of Literature, August 19 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 20
Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 21 (Author Interview)
Connie’s History Classroom, August 22
Blossoms and Blessings, August 23 (Author Interview)
She Lives To Read, August 24
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, August 25 (Author Interview)
Pause for Tales, August 25
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 26
Guild Master, August 27 (Author Interview)

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Book Review - Meeting Her Match by Jen Turano

8/15/2024

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Miss Camilla Pierpont, a renowned matchmaker and influential member of the New York Four Hundred, has vowed never to marry after suffering a devastating heartbreak during her debut years ago. However, when she is nearly abducted along the Hudson River, she finds herself rescued by an annoyingly outspoken, albeit fascinating, gentleman who challenges her in a manner she wasn't expecting.After learning that Camilla Pierpont has enjoyed success with taking wayward young ladies in hand, Mr. Owen Chesterfield travels to the Hudson River Valley determined to convince Camilla to sponsor his sister, who is in desperate need of social rehabilitation.Knowing her life is in danger, Camilla agrees to Owen's proposition and travels with him to West Virginia, finding herself charmed by the less-than-formal attitude of his small hometown, as well as by Owen himself. But danger waits in the shadows, disrupting what she knows would be the most spectacular match she's ever made--her own.

ISBN-13: 9780764240225

My Review

West Virginia isn't quite ready for her....

I always need to carve out a block of time whenever I read a Jen Turano book. I know that I am in for a real treat and some very delightful reading, which, in turn means that I won't be able to put it down. I've enjoyed The Matchmakers series from the start so I definitely had to block out some time for just me and Meeting Her Match...

As most eagerly anticipated, Meeting Her Match was everything that I had hoped for and everything that I've come to expect from The Matchmakers series and Jen Turano. I loved every minute of the tale and found myself by turns laughing out loud, shaking my head, and falling in love with the characters – though there were certain ones that I wished to give a well deserved sock in the nose. Once again, the four-legged and furry characters captured my heart – and my funny bone.

There is absolutely nothing that you can't love about Meeting Her Match and I highly recommend it, the rest of The Matchmakers series, and any book by Jen Turano. They always make you laugh, leave you feeling good about having read them, and knowing that you can't wait until the next one. So, dive into the best blend of historical romance and romantic comedy that you can find....

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Meeting Her Match by Jen Turano a 4.5 Bark rating.

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

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Epic Book Launch - Justice Delayed by Sarah Hamaker

8/11/2024

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Journalist Brogan Gilmore had been a rising star when an unethical shortcut on a story leads to his fall from grace. A chance encounter with convicted murderer Melender Harman a few months after her release from prison provides Brogan with a chance for career redemption—if he can land an interview with her.

After serving her 17-year sentence, Melender has one objective: To uncover the truth about what happened to her cousin the night the toddler disappeared. When Brogan pursues her for an exclusive story, she reluctantly agrees if he’ll help her reexamine the original investigation into Jesse’s presumed kidnapping and murder.

While re-investigating the case, Brogan struggles to keep his objectivity as he begins to believe Melender is innocent of the crime—and starts to envision a possible future together. Then a hocking discovery throws their relationship—and investigation—into turmoil.

As Brogan and Melender come closer to solving what happened to Jesse, will their budding relationship survive the truth?

Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: May 15, 2024

Excerpt from Justice Delayed

Mr. Patel craned his neck to keep an eye on the teens. “My son, Veer, working both times. He filling in for worker who called in sick.”
The tingle increased. “Is that spelled V-E-E-R?”
“Yes.” Mr. Patel greeted one of the teens, who set down a large slushy and a giant candy bar.
Brogan waited while the owner rang up the remaining purchases of the group. It could be a coincidence that Mr. Patel’s son had been working during the two robberies. Still, at the risk of offending the man, Brogan had to follow up. “Was Veer working last night?”
“He was. He usually works overnight shifts on weekend to let me spend time at home with my wife.”
Definitely something there, but Brogan let the subject of Veer Patel drop for now. “But you were here last night. Why was that?”
Mr. Patel shrugged. “I was waiting until jackpot numbers were called at midnight. People buy lottery tickets in cash.”
“Did you see the robber?”
“Yes, but he wore werewolf mask.”
“Like a Halloween mask?”

Sarah Hamaker

An award-winning and best-selling author of inspirational romantic suspense, Sarah Hamaker loves writing books “where the hero and heroine fall in love while running for their lives.”

She’s an AWSA certified writer and speaker coach, and podcaster of “The Romantic Side of Suspense.”

Sarah lives in Virginia with her husband, four children and three cats.

Blog Stops

Excerpt One: https://www.artistwriterandstudentohmy.com/posts/justice-delayed-epic-book-launch/
Excerpt Two: http://kid-lit.library-lady.blog/epic-book-launch-and-excerpt-justice-delayed-romantic-suspense/
Excerpt Three: https://montanamade.weebly.com/tell-tale-book-reviews/epic-book-launch-justice-delayed-by-sarah-hamaker
Excerpt Four: http://www.simpleharvestreads.com/posts/justice-delayed-epic-book-launch/
Excerpt Five: https://musingsbymaureen.blogspot.com/2024/07/celebrate-lit-presents-justice-delayed.html
Excerpt Six: https://blossomsandblessings.blogspot.com/2024/07/justice-delayed-by-sarah-hamaker-epic.html
Excerpt Seven: https://storiesbygina.com/2024/08/11/justice-delayed-epic-book-launch-with-celebrate-lit-publicity/

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Interview with Elva

Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all His benefits. Who forgivesall your iniquities and heals all your diseases. Who redeems your lifefrom destruction and crowns you with loving kindness, who satisfies​your mouth with good things and renews your youth like the eagle’s.

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Excerpt from Wonderfully, Marvelously Brown

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“Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.”

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Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all His benefits. Who forgives
all your iniquities and heals all your diseases. Who redeems your life
from destruction and crowns you with loving kindness, who satisfies
your mouth with good things and renews your youth like the eagle’s.

‘God's Not Dead' is the Most
Successful Faith Franchise of All Time

It's Time For A Giveaway!

It's Time For A Giveaway!