Tell Tale Book Reviews

Just Read Blog Tour - Expired Return by Lisa Phillips (Giveaway)

2/4/2023

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Expired Return by Lisa Phillips,
hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

She'll give everything to protect her family.
He always knew she was the one.

Veterinary tech Pepper Miller lives a quiet life in Last Chance County. She's watching her niece until her sister shows up…if she ever does. When Victory's father demands he take over her care, Pepper knows something has gone wrong. With a new drug in town, and her sister embroiled in a dangerous bargain, it's up to Pepper to protect the people she loves.

Even if it costs every secret she's ever kept.

Fire Department liaison Allen Frees lives with the injuries he sustained as a police officer in a raid gone wrong. He's put his life back together but getting the truck crew and engine squad to succeed might be his toughest assignment yet. When Victory is nearly kidnapped at a community event, Allen steps in to help Pepper keep her niece safe. The one thing he couldn't fix was the love he lost, but he isn't going to let Pepper walk away this time.

No matter what walls he has to break down.

Last Chance County returns in this blazing
new series from Sunrise Publishing.

Publisher: Sunrise Publishing
Release Date: January 31, 2023
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

PURCHASE LINKS:
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | BookBub

Other Books In The Series

My Review

Review Coming Soon...

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

Lisa Phillips

Lisa Phillips is a USA Today and top ten Publishers Weekly bestselling author of over 50 books that span Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line, independently published series romantic suspense, and thriller novels. She’s discovered a penchant for high-stakes stories of mayhem and disaster where you can find made-for-each-other love that always ends in happily ever after.
Lisa is a British ex-pat who grew up an hour outside of London and attended Calvary Chapel Bible College, where she met her husband. He’s from California, but nobody’s perfect. It wasn’t until her Bible College graduation that she figured out she was a writer (someone told her). As a worship leader for Calvary Chapel churches in her local area, Lisa has discovered a love for mentoring new ministry members and youth worship musicians.

Discover the world of Last Chance Fire and Rescue at https://lastchancecounty.com/lc-fire
Connect with Lisa by visiting www.authorlisaphillips.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Expired Return,
a $10 Amazon gift card, and sticker swag from Last Chance County!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight January 31, 2023 and will last through
11:59 PM EST on February 7, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and
given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject toJustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

1 Comment

Just Read Blog Tour - Ranch Under Fire by Tina Wheeler (Giveaway)

2/2/2023

5 Comments

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Ranch Under Fire by Tina Wheeler,
hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

A witness on the run.
A mission to survive.

Fleeing after witnessing a shooting in her office, Bailey Scott must rely on cowboy Jackson Walker for protection when the gunman turns his sights on her. With a drug ring determined to silence her, Jackson promises to protect her at his ranch. But he’s an undercover DEA agent with secrets he can't reveal. Can he take down the criminals before their pursuers lead them straight into an inescapable trap?

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
Release Date: January 24, 2023
Genre: Christian, Romantic Suspense

My Review

Can they outwit the killers stalking them...?

I always love reading a good Love Inspired Suspense debut novel – especially when the author writes with some skill. Ranch Under Fire may be Tina Wheeler's debut with the imprint but it sure didn't seem like it, no, she fits right in with the rest of the Love Inspired Suspense talent.

Ranch Under Fire was certainly an exciting read. It starts out with murder and the mayhem doesn't let up from there on out. Tina Wheeler kept up the fast paced suspense and didn't give her characters even a moment to stop and breathe. Of course, readers don't get a break either as you can't help but turn those pages like mad to find out who did and why.

As you can tell, I enjoyed Ranch Under Fire. It was a good read from a debut Love Inspired Suspense author and I will certainly be looking for more from Tina Wheeler in the future, hopefully soon...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Ranch Under Fire by Tina Wheeler a 4 Bark rating.

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

Tina Wheeler

Tina Wheeler is a retired teacher and award-winning author. Although she grew up near a desert in Arizona, her favorite place to plot a new story is on a balcony overlooking the ocean. She enjoys spending time with her large extended family, brainstorming with writing friends, discovering new restaurants, and traveling with her husband.

Connect with Tina by visiting authortinawheeler.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

(1) winner will receive an autographed copy of the book and a $15 Amazon card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight January 30, 2023 and will last through
11:59 PM EST on February 6, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and
given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

5 Comments

2023 Birthday Celebration - A Light In The Dark by Jessica R. Patch (Giveaway)

2/1/2023

1 Comment

Deep in the Kentucky hills, three women have been found brutalized and murdered.
But the folks in Night Holler have their own ways and their own laws.
And they’re not talking…

Led to an isolated Appalachian Mountain town by a trail of disturbing murders, FBI special agent Violet Rainwater’s determined to catch a serial killer with a twisted agenda. With locals refusing to reveal their secrets, Violet’s only ally is Detective John Orlando. But even John has an ulterior motive—he’s convinced this case is connected to his wife’s murder.
As they dig deeper, Violet uncovers a link to her own unresolved past. For years she’s worked the cold case of her mother’s abduction, which had led to her birth. The need to look into the eyes of the sinful man who fathered her consumes Violet. Until she can, she’ll never have peace. Because she’s terrified she might be exactly like him.
In this chilling novel, when the present collides with Violet’s mysterious past and John’s tragic loss, they must unravel the warped, sinuous connections before the killer strikes again. But solving the case might not be nearly as terrifying as the possibility that Violet’s finally found her roots…

PREORDER LINKS
https://jessicarpatch.com/book/a-cry-in-the-dark/

Interview with Violet & John from A Cry In The Dark

Heroine: Violet

Are you and introvert or extrovert?
I’m both. I like my privacy but I have no problem with conflict or dealing with people.

Chocolate or Strawberry?
Neither. I don’t eat sugar.

What single thing do you most like about John Orlando and what single thing really drives you crazy?
I like that he doesn’t push me or force me to talk. So far nothing drives me crazy, other than he’s rule follower and it’s going to take getting on these people’s level to get stuff done—and these people are criminals.

What is your favorite Bible verse?
I don’t know the Bible except for one verse when I was a kid. John 3:16.

Hero: John

Are you and introvert or extrovert?
Extrovert. I like people.

Chocolate or Strawberry?
Can I say both?

What single thing do you most like about Violet and what single thing really drives you crazy?
Same thing for both. Courage. It’s amazing but also it’s dangerous.

What is your favorite Bible verse?
Romans 8:28.

Author

What do you hope that people will learn from your story?
That there is no darkness too dark that God cannot, will not, reach down to rescue you from. And that he is always divinely guiding you for your good and his glory.

Where do you hope to be 10 years from now?
I never think that far ahead. I could be gone tomorrow. Hopefully, still writing and teaching the Bible.

What one piece of advice would you like to give readers?
Advice? Don’t waste precious reading time on a book you don’t enjoy. A DNF is okay. But do read all of mine! LOL ;)

Bonus. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart as an author.
Single most important thing—be in the word. Know God’s story. Being Bible illiterate makes you susceptible to false teaching, enemy attacks and eventually falling away from teh faith. If you want to understand your bible and know the Big Picture story, email me: Jessica@jessicarpatch.com I’ll help you get going!

Jessica R. Patch

Jessica R. Patch is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author known for her dry wit, signatures twists, and complex characters. She loves reading true crime books, discussing cold cases over chips and salsa with her girlfriends, and hunting down serial killers in her romantic suspense novels and psychological thrillers.
Jessica loves to encourage and inspire people to forward living through her Forward Friday Blog posts and through her monthly email newsletter. You can join the Patched In community at her website: www.jessicarpatch.com.
She resides in the Memphis area with her husband, two young adult children, and her spoiled tri-color Shetland Sheepdog. Jessica is represented by Rachel Kent of Books & Such Literary Management.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

1 digital copy of A Cry in the Dark

(US and International)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

1 Comment

2023 Birthday Celebration - How It Works

2/1/2023

0 Comments

How It Works

During the month of February we will be featuring some wonderful content from some great authors!
To find a celebration post just look for the phrase
"2023 Birthday Celebration"
at the beginning of the blog post title and the above graphic at the top of the post.
If there is a giveaway associated with that post you will see the word
"Giveaway" at the end of the blog post title.

So, come on over and check out the fun all month long!

You can get started

HERE

Don't forget to enjoy our regular reviews and posts during the month as well!

0 Comments

WORD Wednesday - February 1st, 2023

2/1/2023

0 Comments

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - What I Would Tell You by Liz Tolsma (Giveaway)

1/30/2023

3 Comments

DNA Test Unlocks a Family Mystery

Sephardic Jew Mathilda Nissim watches in horror as the Germans invade her beloved city of Salonika, Greece. What angers her most is the lack of resistance her people put up to their captors. In secret and at great risk to her life, she continues to publish her newspaper, calling her people to action. She doesn’t trust God to help them. When she and her husband find out they are expecting a child, Mathilda may have to resort to desperate measures to ensure her daughter’s survival.

Three generations later, college student Riley Payson and her cousin take a popular DNA test only to discover they don’t share any common ancestors. In fact, the test shows Riley is a Sephardic Jew from Greece. This revelation shakes Riley’s tenuous faith and sends her on a journey to discover what happened to her great-grandmother and how all this relates to her faith and her life today.

Genre: Christian Fiction / Romance / Historical Fiction
Release date: January 1, 2023

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

What are the things you would tell...?

Some books are difficult to read. Not because they are poorly written but because truth isn't always easy to hear, or in this case read. The events surrounding the Holocaust reveal humanity at its worst – and its best. The juxtaposition between hate and hope, cruelty and sacrifice, have never been more in evidence than the facts of history as seen through the fictional eyes of the characters in What I Would Tell You.

I've read secular author Mary Stewart's novels set in Greece so I had the tiniest of inklings of what the Greeks went through during WWII. But not that of the Jewish community. I especially had no idea the devastation and heartbreak of Salonika (Thessaloniki). Liz Tolsma changed that in 320 pages. There were times that I almost felt like I was there under the hot Greek sun...

My favorite thread of the dual timeline of What I Would Tell You was the modern one. Riley's search for her own history and place in her suddenly changed world was something I could certainly understand.

Liz Tolma's latest is a moving story that is both bitter and sweet. It is full of darkness and hope. And it will leave you looking at things a little bit differently once that last sometimes heartrending page is turned...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives What I Would Tell You by Liz Tolsma a 4 Bark rating.

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

More from Liz

Take a Trip to Greece with Me

I was privileged to travel to Greece last year to research my upcoming WWII novel, What I Would Tell You. God orchestrated it so beautifully. Because of Covid, we weren’t sure my daughter would be able to travel there for the summer internship she had applied for. Eight weeks before her scheduled departure, Greece reopened to foreign visitors. Around that same time, I sold What I Would Tell You, which is set in Thessaloniki, Greece, to Barbour Publishing. I had to go and visit!

Greece is a beautiful country. The pictures you see don’t do it justice. And to someone like me, the history is one of the best parts. My daughter and I explored the old city wall, built in the 1400s, many churches that predated the Ottoman Empire, and many excavated Roman ruins that have been dug up in the city’s process of putting in a subway system.

Because this is a WWII book, we also spent a great deal of time learning about the history of the Jews in the city. The Kapani Market, just down the street from our apartment, was a vibrant mix of colorful fruits, fragrant spices, and a cacophony of languages. I could well imagine what this old Jewish market was like prior to the war with people hawking olives, fish, and oregano.

We wasted no time in visiting the Jewish museum. I was shocked by the heavy security presence with armed guards outside of the building. Once inside, we had to show our IDs and were required to turn in our phones. Antisemitism is alive and well in Greece. But what a place. There were displays after displays tracing the history of the Jewish people in Thessaloniki from 1492 until WWII. The most breathtaking was the room with stone-covered walls, the names of all 48,000 Salonikan Jews killed in the Holocaust carved into the marble. There’s an entire scene in the book that deals with this room.

What saddened me most was what we saw when we visited the trainyard where the Jews were herded into cattle cars and shipped to Auschwitz. Before we got to where the station once stood, there was a wall on which someone had pained a mural covered with black-and-white figures in their striped uniforms, their eyes and mouths wide in horror. As if that weren’t difficult enough to view, what sickened me was the blue swastikas someone had painted over them.

We also trekked to the other side of the city to visit what had once been the Jewish cemetery, now the grounds of Aristotle University. All that remains to testify that half a million people were once buried here is a small, ill-kept memorial. There were two dead Christmas wreaths placed there. We visited in August.

In addition to a moving and thought-provoking story, I hope to also introduce you to the amazing city of Thessaloniki and give you a peek into the people and the culture of this amazing place. If you ever find yourself in Greece, plan some time in Thessaloniki. Many Americans miss this gem, but it’s packed with charm and history.

Liz Tolsma

Liz Tolsma is the author of several WWII novels, romantic suspense novels, prairie romance novellas, and an Amish romance. She is a popular speaker and an editor and resides next to a Wisconsin farm field with her husband and their youngest daughter. Her son is a US Marine, and her oldest daughter is a college student. Liz enjoys reading, walking, working in her large perennial garden, kayaking, and camping. Please visit her website at www.liztolsma.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter (@LizTolsma), Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest. She is also the host of the Christian Historical Fiction Talk podcast.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

To celebrate her tour, Liz 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!

https://promosimple.com/ps/23ccb/what-i-would-tell-you-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, January 28
Texas Book-aholic, January 28
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 29
Blogging With Carol, January 29
Genesis 5020, January 30
Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 30
Where Faith and Books Meet, January 30
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 31
For Him and My Family, January 31
Cover Lover Book Review, February 1
Lily’s Book Reviews, February 1
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, February 2
deb’s Book Review, February 2
Betti Mace, February 3
Connie’s History Classroom, February 3
Paula’s Pad of Inspriation, February 4
Locks, Hooks and Books, February 4
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 5
Books You Can Feel Good About, February 5
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 6
Holly’s Book Corner, February 6
Bigreadersite, February 7
Blossoms and Blessings, February 7
Mary Hake, February 7
Labor Not in Vain, February 8
Pause for Tales, February 9
A Good Book and Cup of Tea, February 9
Little Homeschool on the Prairie, February 10
Southern Gal Loves to Read, February 10
Lights in a Dark World, February 10

3 Comments

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - Barking Up The Wrong Tree by Janice Thompson (Giveaway)

1/27/2023

6 Comments

Inquisitive, detail-oriented, Veterinarian Kristin Keller prides herself on winning over any dog. But has this self-proclaimed dog whisperer finally met her match in a Sheltie named Remington who has just won the Texas state agility course competition? The champion pooch is acting out of sorts—almost as if he is not the same dog. Has he, by chance, been switched out with another dog just before the next big competition? Kristin and the other Lone Star employees will do anything to help the Atkinson family figure out this mystery surrounding their beloved Remington.

Genre: Christian Fiction / Mystery / Romance
Release date: January 1, 2023

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

Is he Remington? If not, then who is he?

I have really been enjoying this series! Barking Up The Wrong Tree is the third book in the Gone To The Dogs Mysteries series and they only seem to be getting better with each new addition.

Janice Thompson has once again struck a fun balance between romantic comedy and cozy mystery. The comedy keeps you laughing and the mystery keeps you guessing. From quirky family members to an unexpected results from a blood test there is never a dull moment for either human or canine, and even a feline or two, characters in Barking Up The Wrong Tree. But there is a serious side to the story as well. Janice Thompson really gets you to thinking about the value of helping others, the meaning of kindness, and why compassion is important even when it is hard, or rejected, or taken advantage of.

From the adorable covers to the last page the Gone To The Dogs Mysteries series is not to be missed. Each and every one is a charming read. The mysteries, particularly in Barking Up The Wrong Tree, are fun to try and figure out and you can't help but root for each heroine and her hero. Janice Thompson knows her stuff as she takes her readers to a place that they can quite happily say they have also Gone To The Dogs...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Barking Up The Wrong Tree 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

Barking up the Tree is book three in the Gone to the Dog series. Kathleen Y’Barbo and I are writing six books, in total, and we’re very excited about this series. I happen to be in the dog rescue business. I’ve worked with multiple Houston-based dog rescues over the past five years and have been blessed to care for over fifty dogs in nearly every shape, size, and breed. I am always interested in dog-themed stories.
As a Texan I wanted to place this series in my neck of the woods. Kathleen and I settled on Brenham, Texas, a town not far from where we both live. It’s the home of Blue Bell ice cream (yum!) a favorite here in the Lone Star state. We created a large fictional cast of characters and placed them in a town we know and love.
Along with writing books I’m also a baker and run a baking blog (www.outoftheboxbaking.com). With that in mind I would love to share a recipe from the book. Enjoy!

Nanny’s Coconut Pecan Cake (aka Italian Cream Cake)

Ingredients
FOR THE CAKE:

1 white cake mix
1 yellow cake mix
6 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 stick butter
1 cup water
1 cup milk
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup sweetened coconut (flakes)
2 tsp vanilla
1 small box instant vanilla pudding (powder)

FOR THE FILLING/TOPPING:

Toasted coconut
Toasted chopped pecans

FOR THE FROSTING:

1 cup (two sticks) salted butter (softened)
1 block cream cheese (softened)
1 rectangle Crisco (can omit if you prefer traditional cream cheese frosting)
1 bag (7-8 cups) powdered sugar
Clear vanilla extract

Instructions
MAKING THE CAKE:

Combine all ingredients except nuts and coconut. Mix well.
Work in the nuts and coconut.
Grease and flour three 9” pans.
Divide batter between the three pans and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes (approximately) until cake springs back to the touch.

MAKING THE ICING:

Bring ingredients to room temperature.
Mix butter and cream cheese until soft and creamy.
Add Crisco and continue to beat until incorporated. (You can leave out the Crisco if you prefer traditional cream cheese frosting.)
Add extract and then lower the speed of your mixer to add powdered sugar (more or less to desired consistency).

FILLING AND ICING THE CAKE

Level all three cakes.
Put one cake on your cake board and add a layer of cream cheese frosting.
Pipe a ring around the edge of the cake and add some toasted pecans and coconut.
Continue to stack and fill.
Turn the top cake upside down, so that it’s bottom up.
Ice the cake with a crumb coat and chill.
Once chilled, ice liberally with frosting.
Add chopped (toasted) pecans and coconut to the sides and top then pipe trim or rosettes to add further décor.

Janice Thompson

Janice Thompson, who lives in the Houston area, writes romantic comedies, cozy mysteries, nonfiction devotionals, and musical comedies for the stage. She is the mother of four daughters and nine feisty grandchildren. When she’s not writing books or taking care of foster dogs you’ll find her in the kitchen, baking up specialty cakes and cookies.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

To celebrate her tour, Janice is giving away the grand prize package of
a $25 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/23cc8/barking-up-the-wrong-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, January 26
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 26
Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 27
Remembrancy, January 27
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 28
For Him and My Family, January 28
Texas Book-aholic, January 29
deb’s Book Review, January 30
Mary Hake, January 30
Locks, Hooks and Books, January 31
Cover Lover Book Review, February 1
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 1
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, February 2
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 3
Pause for Tales, February 4
The Book Club Network, February 4
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 5
Blogging With Carol, February 6
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, February 7
Little Homeschool on the Prairie, February 7
Labor Not in Vain, February 8
Divine Perspective, February 8

6 Comments

E-Book Review - Critical Threat by Lynette Eason

1/20/2023

1 Comment

Genre:
Romantic Suspense

Critical Threat
Extreme Measures book 3
by Lynette Eason

-From Goodreads-

FBI Special Agent Grace Billingsley tracks serial killers, using her skills as a psychiatrist and behavioral analyst to get dangerous people off the street and safely behind bars. But prison psychiatrist Sam Monroe knows that just because a killer is incarcerated doesn't mean they're not a threat. His own father, Peter, is a serial killer--in prison but certainly not out of Sam's life, as much as he wishes he was.

When bodies start showing up with Peter's MO, Sam and Grace are both called in to consult. They've met before--and though Grace thought they'd made a real connection, Sam ghosted her. They'll have to get past the awkwardness and mistrust to solve this case--especially because it's about to get personal.

ASIN: B0B6Q42PHH

Can they catch a killer before he gets them...?

I am probably a little dark in my opinion but I enjoy serial killer stories. Well, at least Christian fiction style ones, anyway. But, oh, was Critical Threat a good one! I've enjoyed all of Lynette Eason's Extreme Measures books but this one was probably my favorite.

I was kept guessing, some of them proved to be correct and some not so much, all the way through. Lynette Eason is master at twists and turns and little surprises and that certainly proves true with Critical Threat.

This Book received a 4.5 Bark rating.

Lynette Eason

Author Website

It was easy to get caught up in Grace and Sam's story. Both characters are likable and interesting. They both come with their own baggage, mostly of the family variety, but they are trying work their way through it in a healthy way. However, when you are facing a Critical Threat in the form a serial killer who is hot on your tail, well, you might have to go to Extreme Measures for those you love...

Extreme Measures has proven to be one of Lynette Eason's best series, certainly of the ones that I've read. I have looked forward to each release and they've all proven to be as good as or even better than the one before. You really won't want to miss a one...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Critical Threat by Lynette Eason a 4.5 Bark rating.

1 Comment

Just Read Blog Tour - Beauty From Ashes by Pamela Hart

1/20/2023

8 Comments

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Beauty from Ashes by Pamela Hart,
hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

How far are you willing to go for love?

When Prince Arnion volunteers to infiltrate the prison colony of Gehenna, romance is the last thing on his mind. Rescuing its inhabitants is his only priority. But the corruption in Gehenna runs deep, fueled by the obsessions of its fanatical leader--a king rumored to devour human hearts.

To succeed, Arnion must conceal his identity from the people he's been sent to save, including a young woman he's inexplicably drawn to. And when her life is threatened by two merciless guards, the prince risks everything to stop them.

Afterward, she wants nothing to do with him or his promises of rescue. But she starts to realize there's more to Arnion than meets the eye, and what he's about to unleash on Gehenna will change everything.

ASIN: B0BKTH25BC
Published: October 26th 2022

My Review

Tech gadgets and allegory? Yep!

If allegory is your thing then Beauty From Ashes will be right up your alley. But allegory in a sci-fi setting? Yes, it can be done and it can work. Pamela Hart's book is quite different from anything that I have read recently, more like a long time, really.

I will say that allegory runs through every aspect of this story. It's a parallel that is easy to follow if you know even a little of your Bible. There were places in the story where I felt vaguely unsettled, however, they did make me think and try to analyze why I was uncomfortable.

Where Beauty From Ashes shines is in Pamela Hart's vividly painted settings. One could almost smell the smoke, taste the grit, hear the crying, and feel the despair. But things are not left there. No, it is only when things are at their darkest that the light can come. But first,sacrifices must be made and trust built before hope can come and chains broken.

I would like to note here that this story is better for older teens and adults as it gets a bit dark and gritty in places.

There is a lot in Beauty From Ashes. It is an easy read, not overly long, but I think it may be one of those stories that will mean different things to different people. It may be a concept, a simple thought, or a reminder, but each reader will have to seek for it themselves...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Beauty From Ashes by Pamela Hart a 3.5 Bark rating.

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

Pamela Hart

Pamela Hart is the author of Beauty from Ashes and City of a Thousand Tears. Raised on a steady diet of fantasy, science fiction and anime, she spent most of her childhood failing to acquire a Boston accent. Since then, she has slurped ramen in Ikebukuro, stampeded through flamenco lessons in Granada, and splashed her way across a fishpond for the Milkman Triathlon in Dexter. During her travels, she tends to overpack horrendously, but never regrets cramming her backpack full of books to devour along the way. She wanders the planet with Joe, the love of her life, and her adorably maniacal Boston terriers, Willy and Marvin.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Beauty from Ashes, 2 themed bookmarks,
a $15 Amazon gift card, a book themed tote bag, and a book themed pencil case!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight January 17, 2023 and will last through
11:59 PM EST on January 24, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given
48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Open internationally. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

8 Comments

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - Stepping Stones by Dr. Joelle Suel (Giveaway)

1/15/2023

5 Comments

Do you deeply desire to answer the call of God on your life? Are you seeking divine wisdom for the steps and stops to take in your pursuit? Are you willing to count the cost and do whatever it takes? Join author Dr. Joelle Suel in Stepping Stones: 7 Steps to Achieving Your Divine Destiny as she equips all believers to fulfill God’s purpose for their lives while sharing some of her inspirational journey.

Genre: Christian Personal Growth
Release date: November 30, 2018

Click here to get your copy!

Interview with Dr. Joelle

#1. What was the inspiration behind this book?
The inspiration behind this book was to share with others God’s purpose to use them as they follow their heart’s desires.

#2. Tell us something funny, sad, embarrassing, whatever, that happened involving this book.
Computer crashes caused the loss of my manuscript twice. Each time I almost quit, but each version turned out to be better than the last. The blessing of perseverance!

#3. Did you have a specific demographic in mind while writing this book?
The specific demographic I had in mind while writing this book was Christians who seek to follow God’s will for their lives.

#4. What do you hope your readers will remember after finishing this book?
After finishing this book, I hope readers will remember that, by God’s grace, they can accomplish whatever they set their heart on, from faith to faith.

#5. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. –1 Thessalonians 5:24 NKJV.

More from Dr. Joelle

Dear reader,
God loves us and counts us precious in His sight. We are full-time ministers wherever we are, and through whatever we do. Where our feet stand is where our pulpit stands. We shine the light of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and glorify Him, often without realizing it. God desires to use all of us in and through our daily activities.
My prayer is that this book will encourage and empower you to answer His call, from faith to faith. I trust the Spirit of God will strengthen you to continue what you are currently doing and lead you into additional steps in your divine purpose.
Below, please find a few quotes from the book to bless you today.
He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. –1Thessalonians 5:24 NKJV
Abundant blessings upon you and your family,
Dr. Joelle

What we do portrays a greater message than what we say.
We cannot seek God’s approval and man’s approval at the same time.
The trust in ourselves decreases as our trust in God increases.
When Christ becomes our motive for ministry, doors open for Him, not for us.
Never stop starting.
We cannot expect from others what only God can give.
Humility is the gateway to knowing Him.
What is on the inside comes out under pressure.
We do not complete with others, but we complete one another.
If I criticize who I am, I criticize God Himself.
What we dwell on, we eventually dwell in.
We cannot respect what we don’t value.

Dr. Joelle Suel

Dr. Joelle Suel is founder and Senior Pastor of Glory to Glory Christian Center in Aurora, Colorado; founder and Dean of Glory to Glory Institute of the Holy Spirit; and author of the Institute curriculum and a daily devotion, Today with Dr. J. Her 2018 book, Stepping Stones, equips readers to answer the call of God in their lives. She is in the process of making all of the Institute curriculum available in book format. She earned her Doctor of Ministry degree from the Phoenix University of Theology in 2006. A native of Puteaux, France, she became an American citizen in 2003.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

To celebrate her tour, Joelle 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/23681/stepping-stones-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 6
Texas Book-aholic, January 7
Beauty in the Binding, January 8 (Author Interview)
Christina’s Corner, January 8
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 9
deb’s Book Review, January 10
Locks, Hooks and Books, January 11
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 12
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 13
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, January 14 (Author Interview)
Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 15 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, January 15
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, January 16
Cover Lover Book Review, January 17
Splashes of Joy, January 18 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 19

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E-Book Review - A Winter At The White Queen by Denise Weimer

1/6/2023

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Genre:
Historical Romance

A Winter At The White Queen
Romance At The Gilded Age Resorts book 1
by Denise Weimer

-From Amazon-

In the world of the wealthy, things
are never quite as they appear.

Ellie Hastings is tired of playing social gatekeeper—and poor-relation companion—to her Gibson Girl of a cousin. But her aunt insists Ellie lift her nose out of her detective novel long enough to help gauge the eligibility of bachelors during the winter social season at Florida’s Hotel Belleview. She finds plenty that’s mysterious about the suave, aloof Philadelphia inventor, Lewis Thornton. Why does he keep sneaking around the hotel? Does he have a secret sweetheart? And what is his connection to the evasive Mr. Gaspachi, slated to perform at Washington’s Birthday Ball?

Ellie’s comical sleuthing ought to put Lewis out, but the diffident way her family treats her smashes a hole in his normal reserve. When Florence Hastings’s diamond necklace goes missing, Ellie’s keen mind threatens to uncover not only Lewis’s secrets, but give him back hope for love.

ASIN: ‎B0BL3XW7JM

Can they find love beyond past hurts?

I've read several of Denise Weimer's books over the last few years and each time I start a new one I know that I am in for a good story with a lovely attention paid to historical detail. In short, an enjoyable read. A Winter At The White Queen was another proof of that 'rule'. It's a lovely little novella set in Florida in the early 20th century and features a sweet romance along with a teensy dash of mystery.

This Book received a 4 Bark rating.

Denise Weimer

Author Website

Aside from an entertaining story there were two things that I particularly loved. The first was all of those charming little historical tidbits and terminology that popped up. The second was the inclusion of some turn of the century magic...Now I won't tell you how or what but as a fan of a certain magic show on TV, well, it was right up my alley.

A Winter At The White Queen another wonderful story from Denise Weimer. It's a quick read, perfect for an afternoon spent with a fuzzy blanket and a cup of tea. For me it was the perfect escape from a snowy winter day, I could almost feel that Florida sunshine while I was within its pages...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives A Winter At The White Queen by Denise Weimer a 4 Bark rating.

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Celebrate Lit Epic Book Launch - A Trail So Lonesome by Lacy Williams

12/22/2022

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Spending five months eating trail dust wasn’t Leo Spencer’s first choice. Or his second. He’s not one to run away, but some situations can’t be fixed and his family—two brothers and a sister—needs to start over. Which is how he finds himself on a westbound wagon train.

Evangeline has a secret, one that has sent her on a journey across the plains on the Oregon Trail. When her father is badly hurt and she needs help, Leo is there. A deal is struck and the two unlikely friends form an alliance… that leads to more.

But Evangeline’s secret looms over her… and Leo’s family troubles are far from over.

Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release date: January 12, 2023

Excerpt from A Trail So Lonesome

“That's why you’re the perfect man for the job. The two of us would never suit. There are too many things you don't like about me. And—”
He waited for her to list off all the reasons he wasn't suitable for her, but she remained silent. He stood in the darkness, his face burning.
"I don't know whether or not to be offended," he admitted.
"I didn't mean to offend you," she said quickly. "I only meant—”
He waited. And then waited some more for her to say something. Maybe apologize.
But what she said was, "I'll pay you two thousand dollars to get my family to Oregon.”
That made him clamp his mouth shut. The weight of coins in his hand felt heavier.
“There are more gold coins in a compartment in our wagon. I can pay you five hundred dollars now and the rest when we reach the Willamette valley. I didn't count that, it was dark."
“Two thousand dollars?” he croaked. He’d known she and James were well-off. It couldn’t be more obvious from their fine clothes and brand-new wagon. But a secret compartment? Gold coins?
"Who else knows about the money?” Gossip tended to spread through the wagon train like wildfire.

Lacy Williams

Lacy Williams wishes her writing career was more like what you see in Hallmark movies: dreamy brainstorming from a French chateau or a few minutes at the computer in a million-dollar New York City penthouse. In reality, she’s up before the sun, putting words on the page before her kids wake up for the day. Those early-morning and late-night writing sessions add up, and Lacy has published sixty books in a decade, first with a big five publisher and then as an indie author. When she needs to refill the well, you can find Lacy birdwatching, gardening, biking with the kiddos, or walking the dog. Find tons of bonus scenes and reader extras by becoming a VIP reader at www.lacywilliams.net/vip

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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - Calor by J.J. Fischer (Giveaway)

12/18/2022

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What if you could edit memories with a single touch?

The world-that-was is gone, lost to everything except living memory . . . but remembering comes at a terrible price. Sixty-two years after the apocalypse, a new society has emerged from the ashes of the old world where highly valued memories are traded and nostalgia is worth dying—and even killing—for.

Enslaved by a cruel master, Sephone Winter is forced to use her rare ability to manipulate memories to numb the darkest secrets of the ruling aristocracy.

Then Lord Adamo appears, speaking of a powerful relic capable of permanently erasing memories and recovering Sephone’s own lost childhood. But not everything about the young lord is as it seems, and soon Sephone must choose between helping Lord Adamo forget his past or journeying deep into the land of Lethe, where the truth about who she really is might finally be revealed . . . and a long desired future restored.

Genre: Fantasy
Release date: December 6, 2022

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

Her past and his future are at stake...

I picked up Calor on the strength of my enjoyment of other books that Enclave has published, I've not met one that I didn't like. And this first book in The Nightingale Trilogy was absolutely no exception! Though I have great expectations from Enclave I was still quite impressed by J.J. Fischer's vivid and intense storytelling skills.

There was absolutely nothing to dislike about Calor whatsoever – unless you count that pesky cliffhanger of an ending that has me on the sharpest of tenterhooks until book 2 is released. J.J. Fischer does equally well with her heroine's first person POV as she does with the hero's third person POV. I rather liked the back and forth as it helped define perspectives in each chapter and it highlighted the differences in Sephone and Dorian's personalities.

This book ticked all of the boxes for a good story as the dystopian world of The Nightingale Trilogy was so vibrantly brought to life that it almost leaped right off my ereader's digital page. I was totally immersed in J.J. Fisher's fictional world that is populated by the familiar, the fantastical, and the magical.

If you enjoy fantasy, especially Christian or clean, as much as I do, Calor is a book that you won't want to miss. Whether you are a teen or adult reader I can definitely recommend this first novel in The Nightingale Trilogy. It's an excellent read!

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Calor by J.J. Fischer a 5 Bark rating.

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

More from J.J. Fischer

Have you ever wondered what your life would be like if you could selectively edit your memories with a single touch? What would you choose to erase, if anything? What memories would you spotlight?

What if you could transplant someone else’s memories into your own mind (and yours into someone else’s)? What would you choose to take? What would you choose to give away?

Influencing and transplanting memories is the gift of the female main character of Calor, Sephone Winter. Her gift was inspired by my own career as a clinically-trained psychologist, working with people who frequently have pasts they wish they could forget and who so often struggle to recall the good in their lives amongst all the bad. In neuropsychology we say that our minds stick like Velcro to the negative, but are like Teflon with the positive. And I think that’s very true—it’s hard to be grateful, joyful, positive, and gracious when we live in a fallen world where there’s so much sin, pain, and darkness.

Calor is a fantasy transformation of Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved 1843 tale The Nightingale (with echoes of the myths of Hades and Persephone). If you’ve never read The Nightingale, it’s worth diving into and it’s not a long story—it’s the tale of a nightingale who sings beautifully for the Emperor of China and is admired by all, only to be replaced with a mechanical, bejeweled substitute. Later on, when the substitute breaks and the Emperor lies dying, the flesh-and-blood bird returns and sings so beautifully that Death decides to spare the Emperor, and his kingdom is restored. The Emperor realizes what a great treasure he has possessed.

Calor is set in a futuristic fantasy society where people trade in memories of the world-that-was (essentially, nostalgia) because they can no longer experience it for themselves. They’re either living in the past, craving the “glory days” and immersing themselves in various pleasures, or selectively numbing bad memories, erasing everything which would take them away from the here-and-now, but at the price of their own humanity and self-awareness. You can see the obvious links to Andersen’s The Nightingale—this is a world which has embraced the imitation at the cost of the real. And though this story is fictitious, Calor really holds a mirror up to us as a society because, increasingly, I think that’s what we’re doing in the West. Our pasts are deeply painful and the future is terrifyingly uncertain, so we inhabit the space between—a space devoted to the pursuit of pleasure.

As you read Calor, I want to challenge you to think of all the times in your life when you embrace the imitation or the simulation over the real. No, I’m not talking about using fresh turmeric instead of powdered turmeric in your cooking, or throwing away your camera and basking in the mountain scenery out from behind a lens, but you get the idea. How do you rely on the world to fulfill God-shaped needs and longings? Are you dwelling among echoes of the truth rather than seeking the truth itself? To where (or to whom) does your pain drive you, and how can you let it drive you into the arms of your Creator instead?

Whoever you are, wherever you are, it is my dearest hope that this story entertains you and blesses you and encourages you, and speaks to your soul in the same way that Andersen’s tale first spoke to me.

Cherish the Real,
Jasmine

J.J. Fischer

J.J. Fischer’s writing dream began with the anthology of zoo animals she painstakingly wrote and illustrated at age five, to rather limited acclaim. Jasmine began writing her first proper novel at age fourteen, which eventually became her debut fantasy series, The Darcentaria Duology, which was published in 2021. She is a clinically-trained psychologist but no, she cannot read your mind. When she isn’t killing defenseless house plants, Jasmine enjoys devouring books, dabbling in floristry, playing the piano, and wishing it rained more often. Jasmine is married to David, and together they make their home a couple of hours north of Sydney, Australia.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

To celebrate her tour, J.J. is giving away the grand prize package of
a $25 Amazon gift card, a copy of the book, a signed bookplate, and
four character art cards commissioned especially for the book release!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/23237/calor-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, December 15
Wishful Endings, December 16
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 16
Through the Fire Blogs, December 17 (Author Interview)
Tell Tale Book Reviews, December 18
Inklings and notions, December 19
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, December 20
Blossoms and Blessings, December 21 (Author Interview)
deb’s Book Review, December 21
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 22
Locks, Hooks and Books, December 23
Blogging With Carol, December 24
Rebecca Tews, December 25
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 26
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 27
For Him and My Family, December 28

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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - Judy In Disguise by Jennifer Lynn Cary (Giveaway)

12/18/2022

4 Comments

She wants her history to stay hidden…
…He’s trying to break free of his past
But as they reveal themselves to each other,
can they carry out their covert mission?

Judy Larkin has been shy to show her true self ever since the worst day of her life. Which makes her the perfect target for her Simon Legree wannabe boss. He knows the right buttons to push making noncompliance next to impossible. But is she really the type of person to do this kind of thing? Especially with the boss’s preppy nephew?

Geoff Spooner has let himself be manipulated for too long but coming out from under his uncle’s thumb will cost him. Is he willing to pay the price? Could be this last demand will be the straw that breaks him free, but what will he lose in the bargain? His self-respect?

It’s 1972. Join Judy and Geoff in this quirky misadventure as they go undercover to discover who they really are, what the cardinal in the sycamore has to say, and what they are truly equipped to do.

You will love this sweet, clean tale inspired by the song “Judy in Disguise” because everyone roots for the underdog.

Get Judy in Disguise today.

Genre: Historical Christian Romance
Release date: November 4, 2022

Click here to get your copy!

Interview with Jennifer

#1. What was the inspiration for this book?
I was chatting with my good friend, author Jennifer Crosswhite, and I told her that I loved writing the Weather Girls stories and hated to leave that story world. We’d been discussing how some authors write series that seem to be never-ending. Then I realized I make a series of stand alones but could keep telling stories with Ferguson House and the cardinal and the sycamore tree legend be the one connecting piece that pulled them altogether.
Once I had that, the idea of using songs from the 1960s that had girls’ names in the titles seemed fun. I even asked some readers on Facebook if they could come up with more than I’d thought of—I think we ended up with close to fifty songs. But Judy in Disguise rose to the top of the list. Probably because I have a distinct memory of dancing the Elephant to it with good friends from my junior high days. I can’t help but think fun when I hear that song. And the title gave me the premise for the story. I really enjoyed writing it.

#2. What drew you to write in this particular genre?
The music. Seriously. I’m an oldies fan and have always wondered about the stories behind the songs. The 1970s are key in my memories of Kokomo, where I grew up. I don’t think there are other historicals, sweet romance or romcom type, that have that era in the setting. Though officially historical, I like to call the niche “retro.” Maybe if enough people search for that when choosing books, it will become an actual subgenre. But when you can remember the timeframe, it really puts you into the story as you read it. Very much like contemporary, only it is less technical and maybe even a bit simpler.

#3. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
That’s simple. I want readers to close the book and know God is real, He is for them, He loves them, and they are valuable to Him.

#4. How did you name your characters?
In this book, I didn’t have much say about naming the main character—the song title decided that for me. The love interest, though, was inspired by a guy I remember from college. Couldn’t tell you his last name or anything else about him since I haven’t seen him in over forty years, but I remember liking how he spelled his name and his easy-going manner seemed to fit this character.
Aunt Kay is named for my own Aunt Kay, but that is where the similarities end. Though loving and kind, my Aunt Kay has always seemed to be more sophisticated. But I thought she would get a kick out of the character. Oh, I should mention that I’ve been leaving a few “Easter eggs” in the stories—future character names. If you read a name somewhere and a song comes to mind, that minor character might end up a main character in another book.

#5. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
There’s many reasons a person will stop going to church. Often the hurt is from well-meaning people. But if we drive someone away from a relationship with God by our actions (or inactions) we defeat the Great Commission. In this story, Judy felt invisible. No matter the reasons, the fact that she feels this way puts a separation between her and God. And over time, the divide widens. I believe we need to remind ourselves and those around us that God does see us, He loves us. As Geoff tells Judy, God even knows the number of hairs on our heads. The way my hairbrush fills up, that is a feat. But if He does know us that well—knows me that well—we must mean a lot to Him. He made a way for us to stand in the righteousness of Christ, to be adopted into His family and live with Him for all eternity. To paraphrase Pastor Robert Morris, the price that someone is willing to pay for something determines its worth. God paid the blood of His son for you. That is true worth. You are a child of God.

More from Jennifer

Have you ever been to a party and had so much fun you hated to leave? That’s how I felt when I finished up The Weather Girls. I fell in love with the characters and the memory lane saunter through my hometown of Kokomo, Indiana.

Then, chatting with a good writing friend, I realized I could have a spin-off series where Ferguson House, the business, and of course the cardinal and the sycamore tree all play a part.

The friends from the original series could drop by the stories, but these would be stand-alones. I also wanted to make these stories fun as well as heartwarming.

Then I had the question–where to get the story inspirations?

The same place I got it for Sunny, Stormy, and Windy—the oldies station.

That’s when I Googled song titles from the 60s that had girls’ names in them. When “Judy in Disguise” popped up, I knew it had to be the first of the new Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue series. The story ideas came fast and furious.
I am so excited about this new series, and I hope you will be too as familiar song titles get new plot points. Come join me at the Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue.

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 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. Judy in Disguise is the first book of her spin-off series The Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away the grand prize package of
a $50 Amazon card and an eBook 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/23239/judy-in-disguise-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

Pause for Tales, December 17
Tell Tale Book Reviews, December 18 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 19
Connie’s History Classroom, December 20
Texas Book-aholic, December 21
deb’s Book Review, December 22
Spoken from the Heart, December 23
Cover Lover Book Review, December 24
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, December 25 (Author Interview)
Locks, Hooks and Books, December 26
Stories By Gina, December 27 (Author Interview)
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, December 27
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 28
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 29
For the Love of Literature, December 30 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, December 30

4 Comments

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - A Daughter's Courage by Misty M. Beller (Giveaway)

12/12/2022

3 Comments

Her quest to repair what’s been broken leads to imminent
danger–and soon it’s more than her own life on the line.

After accidentally destroying the intricate chalice her people have treasured for over a hundred years, Charlotte Durand sets out on an expedition in search of a skilled artisan who can repair the damage. What she expected to be a two-day hike becomes much more daunting when a treacherous snowstorm sets in.
The last thing Damien Levette needs in the middle of a mountain blizzard is to tend to another person, but he can’t leave behind the mysterious woman he found half-frozen at the edge of a mountain lake.
As they battle both the elements and each other, Charlotte and Damien must work together to survive the peril of the mountains—or it could be the downfall of them both.

Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release date: November 1, 2022

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

Can they survive the perils of a winter journey?

If there's one thing Misty M. Beller knows how to do well it's a good winter adventure with a small cast of characters. I've come to expect the way that it not only allows the reader to get to know the hero and heroine, but it also amps of the tension of just two people facing the elements, dependent only on each other and God. A Daughter's Courage brings all of that to the forefront just as the previous books in the Brides Of Laurent series have.

I will be honest, Charlotte annoyed me to no end through at least the first half of the book. Her persistent stubbornness to at times stupidity puts them both in danger more than once. On the other hand, Damien is surprisingly patient in spite of everything and seems to only see the best in her.

I have to say that I couldn't have read this cold winter adventure story at a more fitting time. A couple of feet of snow is on the ground and more is predicted. It really brought the icy wind and the biting chill of the water to life. It also made me very glad to be sitting in a warm house with a fuzzy blanket and a cup of hot tea.

A Daughter's Courage turned out to be an enjoyable read as is any Misty M. Beller novel. She's done a great job with her Brides Of Laurent series and you can't help but want to learn more about mysterious small community hidden for a century inside a mountain in the Canadian wilderness. Just make sure you don't miss any of the books in the series...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives A Daughter's Courage by Misty M. Beller a Bark rating.

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

More from Misty

Behind the Scenes of A Daughter’s Courage

I always love stories where the characters are on a journey, and I knew that’s exactly what the characters in this book would be doing. Our heroine, Charlotte, is the younger sister of the heroine in book 1 of this series, and we’ve gotten to know her a little better with each book. Her mother died when she was young, and she’s been the homemaker for their little family for over a decade now, never straying farther from the village than the berry patches in the next valley over. So I knew it would take something big to get her away from Laurent for the journey I had in mind for this story. Something lifechanging.

Our hero is a trapper who left the larger group he’d been traveling with to strike out on his own. I knew it would take a considerable amount of tragedy to make a man seek such complete aloneness. Damien has his trusty mule Gulliver with him, so I guess he’s not completely alone, but he’s definitely hoping to stay far away from people. As I uncovered the pain that brought him to this point, my heart broke for him and all the loss he experienced.

I love the way Charlotte’s need and the fierce mountain snowstorm drew Damien from his grief and gave him new purpose. Watching him come back to life and grasp onto God’s love for him was so inspiring!

Blessings!
Misty

Misty M. Beller

Misty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.
Raised on a farm and surrounded by family, Misty developed her love for horses, history, and adventure. These days, her husband and children provide fresh adventure every day, keeping her both grounded and crazy.
Misty’s passion is to create inspiring Christian fiction infused with the grandeur of the mountains, writing historical romance that displays God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.
Sharing her stories with readers is a dream come true for Misty. She writes from her country home in South Carolina and escapes to the mountains any chance she gets.