Blog Archives

Just Read Blog Tour - Mountain Storm Survival by Cathy McDavid (Giveaway)

10/31/2023

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Mountain Storm Survival by Cathy McDavid,
hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

A brutal storm. Relentless pursuers.
And more than their lives are on the line…

Helping with youth wrangler camp is how Kate Spencer is atoning for her past. But now she and ranch manager Rand Walkins are trapped in the Superstition Mountains with two girls as illegal miners hunt them down. Rand has every reason not to trust Kate, much less forgive her. But working together is the only way they’ll escape from the danger that threatens them all…

New York Times Bestselling Author

Publisher: Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense
Release Date: October 24, 2023
Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense

My Review

Will an unforgiving landscape spark forgiveness...

As a kid I read lots of treasure stories and articles, so, of course, many of them were about the Lost Dutchman Mine, Weaver's Needle, and the Superstitions. So, to pick up a Love Inspired book featuring just that particular area – with lots of suspense and romantic sparks – was a lot of fun.

I was intrigued by Mountain Storm Survival right from the start. One of the things that I found to be unexpected and different with this story was that as present as the mystery angle was, Cathy McDavid kept her focus more on the characters themselves – their motivations and their journeys to find both forgiveness and physical safety. Honestly, I liked it even better that way.

That being said, Mountain Storm Survival was still an entertaining read and Cathy McDavid kept me on the edge of my seat wondering if the characters could take any more from man and elements alike – not to mention whether there was even one single person that they could trust.

This book was a good quick read and I doubt it will be the last Love Inspired novel that I get my hands on from this author...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Mountain Storm Survival by Cathy McDavid a 4 Bark rating.

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

CATHY MCDAVID

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author CATHY MCDAVID wrote her first book at sixteen. The self-illustrated children’s story featured a young girl whose lack of responsibility nearly resulted in the demise of her pet fish. It’s quite possible the book was an autobiography, but Cathy’s not telling. She wrote her second book, and first romance, at nineteen with the help of a portable Smith Corona typewriter. One never knows how the unrequited crush on a college professor will affect their eventual career. These days, with over 57 titles and 1.6 million books in print, she still incorporates a little of her own life in each story.

A lover of all things western and former avid horsewoman, her stories include riding, ranching, and rodeo because,
well, who doesn’t enjoy a good cowboy romance? Mother of grown twins and married to her own real-life sweetheart,
Cathy is living her dream penning heart-stopping suspense thrillers and heart-touching family dramas for Harlequin.
Connect with Cathy by visiting cathymcdavid.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

(2) winners will win a print copy of both Blizzard Refuge and
Her Surprise Cowboy Groom, a $5 Starbucks gift card and a cowboy coffee mug!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 31, 2023 and will last through
11:59 PM EST on November 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 to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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

6 Comments

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - Voices In The Sanitorium by Amy Lynn Walsh (Giveaway)

10/29/2023

2 Comments

Relocating from Manhattan, teenage Aislyn must adjust to life near the abandoned West Mountain Sanitarium. One night, Aislyn joins new friends in the old ruins — and seems to return home with a different personality. Not long after Aislyn purchases a diary written almost a century ago by Bridget, a young patient recovering from tuberculosis on the sanitorium grounds, strange things begin to happen.

Genre: Historical Mystery, Women’s Fiction
(This is not horror or paranormal. Readers will
have no trouble falling asleep after reading this!)
Release Date: October, 2022

Click here to get your copy!

Interview with Amy

1. What drew you to write in this particular genre?
To be honest, the original story I began writing while teaching online due to COVID-19 was a totally different genre, inspired by a virtual tour of an antique store and by local tuberculosis hospital ruins. The premise was a historical ghost story for middle grades and teens. I was having fun writing Voices in the Sanitarium that way until a Wednesday night Bible study prompted me to change the storyline. I began thinking of the ways children are steered in all different directions but toward God, and I decided I didn’t want to give young readers the wrong idea of what happens in the afterlife.

So then I scrapped most of what I had written and began again. I changed my audience somewhat and geared the novel more towards women in general. I can’t explain why without SPOILING some of the plot, but I changed the genre twice more before I ended up having only a month to write the novel in order to have time for the editing, revising, and formatting process. (while setting up my classroom in a new school.)

This was a hard novel to write because I got so personally attached to the real-life characters during 1931, and their families that still live in the area. I think that made me protective of those who live near the West Mountain Sanitarium, which in turn affected my plotline.

As I created Katherine, the mother and main narrator of the story, I had to delve into all the possibilities of what was happening to Aislyn, just as Katherine would have. What an eye-opener to all that can challenge our modern-day teens, especially those who haven’t been taught to lean on Jesus through hard times.

2. Do you have a favorite character(s) in this book?
I became attached to many characters. However, I wanted to hit some of them over the head with a book or something that wouldn’t do permanent damage but might knock some sense into them. Ha ha!

I have to say the character I came to admire the most was probably Bart Gilroy, the real-life caretaker of the sanitarium grounds for fifty years. Ireland was still devastated by the effects of the Potato Famine and politics when Bart left for America at the turn of the century. He was brawny and witty and therefore obtained a job immediately with the railroad. However, he missed the rolling hills and farming, so every time he had a day off, he’d hike the mountains. He happened to be crossing over Bald Mount and into the Sanitarium potato fields one day and came upon a worker who had just had a minor accident. The man was having a bit of a tantrum over how much he hated farm work. The guy quit on the spot, and Bart immediately volunteered to take his place.

That began decades of Bart taking care of the property and the patients. I could go on and on about all he accomplished out of his love for people and farming. But two that I love most are how he sold surpluses of vegetables, hogs, and chickens to the county jail so he could buy more playground equipment for the sanitarium children, and how he gave up his own salary at times so that the superintendent would take on patients that she didn’t feel they had the funds to take in.

3. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
Characters are complicated. So are we! We have health issues passed down through our genetic code. We have family challenges, belief systems, and circumstances throughout our lives that build who we become. I hope readers take the time to analyze who they are and who they want to be after reading the novel. As my pastor has said many times, life’s challenges can make us better or bitter. I hope to always choose better.

I think I have a particular message for mothers as well. I hope Voices reminds us not to be complacent. To be discerning of the directions we are steering our children. To be on our knees in prayer – especially for our teens. That time between childhood and adulthood can be so painful, for both parents and their children.

Lastly, Voices became very much for Irish folks. I married into an Irish family, and now have three children of my own who have Irish genes. Those genes can be tricky, and through elements of Irish culture, it can become even trickier. I started the novel during the COVID pandemic, and I noticed almost an epidemic of suicide and self-harm among young Irish immigrants in large cities in the US. That played a part in my research for the novel. Why had that group in particular been hit so hard during the isolation of the pandemic? No need to worry, readers, no suicide attempts are made during Voices, but Aislyn’s father does mention some of his theories as to why the Irish are statistically more prone to struggle with certain psychiatric disabilities. Perhaps acknowledging a possible predisposition in any ethnic group can lead to making proactive choices that promote health.

4. Tell us something funny, sad, embarrassing, whatever, that happened involving this book.
I was encouraged by Scranton locals to do a presale on Amazon, which is essentially a contract stating a book will be publication-ready by a certain date. There was great interest in the West Mountain Sanitarium by Westsiders in particular. Many had relatives who had spent time at the tuberculosis hospital. Others had partied in the ruins when they were in high school. And many are interested in urban decay, especially when there are rumors of ruins being haunted.

Well, I never expected the year of the presale to have so many ups and downs. I ended up staying with my grammy during sacred nights of her saying farewell in hospice. I wrote a novel for the Whispers in Wyoming series while she slept. I published a fantasy for middle grades that year, and wrote another novel for the Thanksgiving Books and Blessings series, A Dark Lustre. I also took my first trip to the UK, with Pepper Basham and Laura Frantz’s Lasses in Hats Tour – and ended up being “trapped” in Edinburgh for an extra ten days because I came down with COVID and couldn’t get back into the United States. (I use the word trapped lightly because it was a beautiful place to be ill.) In the meantime, I was also teaching 5th grade, parenting, and wife-ing.

The weeks until Voices had to be ready to go live were dwindling, and I was still dealing with COVID brain fog. My recall and vocabulary were not up to par, plus there were roadblocks in my research. I didn’t know if I was going to be able to get the novel written in time and was considering the alternatives when I decided to call my parents to vent. Well, my dad listened to me whine a bit and then prayed with me over the phone. Within a couple of hours after that prayer, it was as though the plotline straightened itself out – an ending I had never considered “came out of nowhere” and a man from West Mountain I had been trying to reach finally contacted me and was able to give me the information I was missing regarding the West Mountain Sanitarium. I am so grateful for that lesson in the value of prayer and the necessity of asking God to steer my pen.

Not everyone will like the genre, the ending, or even the style of writing I used for Voices in the Sanitarium, but I have no doubt that there is a reason why this novel is out in the world.

5. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, or whatever is on your mind/heart.
There is an epidemic of depression and anxiety amongst our young people today. It breaks my heart to see students in 5th grade already grappling with identity crises and self-hatred. Youth group leaders in churches report that teens fight heavy and dark spiritual battles in percentages they never dealt with before. Our youth seem more fragile and less resilient than ever before.

As men and women of faith, we need to acknowledge and develop an understanding of mental health – and the biological, spiritual, and social components of these challenges. Just like in every other area of life, the TRUTH sets us free. There is healing in investigation, discussion, and confession.

There are key verses that help keep my own mind on the right path, and I love to share these and others with children in my family and when teaching children’s church. 2 Timothy 1:7, Philippians 4:6-8, Proverbs 3:5,6, and James 1:2-5.

More from Amy

Mam’s Apple Cinnamon Scones with Maple Cinnamon Glaze

These are the scones Katherine’s mother makes the morning their new friend Cadence comes for an Irish tea. This time of fellowship marks a turning point in the plot of Voices in the Sanitorium.

The dough:
2 3/4 cups flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 stick of softened butter
1 diced small apple
3/4 cup cinnamon chips (optional)
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup applesauce

For best results, follow the steps below. However, if you are as busy as Katherine is with
four children and a thriving Irish textile business, you can just melt the butter in the
microwave and throw all the ingredients together at once, and these scones will still be delicious.

In a large mixing bowl, mix the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon.
Mix in the butter just until the mixture is crumbly
Stir in the chopped apple and cinnamon chips.
Mix the eggs, vanilla, and applesauce in another bowl, then add these to the dry ingredients.
Make sure you have parchment paper or have floured your baking sheet.
Drop scoops of the dough onto the baking sheet. (about ¼ cup scoops)
Bake for 20 minutes at 425 degrees or until golden brown

Notes:
If pressed for time, Mam just makes drop scones. When guests are coming, she forms the dough into a circle about ¾ inch high, cuts the dough into pie pieces on the parchment paper, then gently pulls the pieces apart and uses her fingers to form them into perfect isosceles triangles.
Sometimes Mam puts the dough into the freezer after forming it on the baking pan. She says freezing dough for a half hour makes them softer. Katherine has never noticed a difference.

Glaze:
1 ½ cup powdered sugar,
1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons melted butter
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
4 ½ Tablespoons maple syrup

If the glaze needs to be thickened, add more powdered sugar. If it is too thick, add more syrup, cream, or milk. You can put it in the microwave for about fifteen seconds if it starts to get firm while you wait for the scones to come out of the oven.

Amy Walsh

Amy Walsh writes historical and contemporary romance, mysteries, speculative fiction, and women’s fiction. She is a 5th-grade writing teacher in an urban public school. Amy and her husband, Patrick, have three children. Amy considers herself greatly blessed in the roles God has given her as an earthling, including aspiring wordsmith, teacher of youngsters, nature appreciator, tea aficionado, avid dessert fan, book fanatic, lover of family and friends, and Christ follower.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

To celebrate her tour, Amy is giving away the grand prize package
of $40 Amazon card, a hardcover copy of the book,
and historical memorabilia related to the West Mountain Sanitarium in 1931!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/28796/voices-in-the-sanitorium-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, October 17
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 18
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, October 19 (Author Interview)
Avid Reader Nurse, October 19
Texas Book-aholic, October 20
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 21
Locks, Hooks and Books, October 22
Connie’s History Classroom, October 23
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 24
Denise L. Barela, October 25
Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, October 26
Blogging With Carol, October 27
For Him and My Family, October 28
Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 29 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, October 29
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 30

2 Comments

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - The Mermaid's Tale by L.E. Richmond (Giveaway)

10/28/2023

4 Comments

A Tail Could Tell a Tale

Locklyn Adair has never fit in. The legs she inherited as a result of her great-great-grandmother’s curse make it impossible for her to belong under the sea. When her niece is also born without a tail, Locklyn is determined to save her from similar rejection by sending her to the only place in the Undersea Realm where legs are acceptable – the Lost Island of Atlantis.
Darin Aalto would do anything to protect his family, even spearheading an impossible quest to find treasure that has been lost for over a hundred years. But when his best friend, Locklyn, joins his crew, his ability to keep her safe—and his shot at winning her heart—comes perilously close to being swept away.
A family curse, lost treasure, unrequited love, and a race against time intertwine as Locklyn and Darin seek to save their family, their kingdom, and eventually the entire Undersea Realm without losing each other.

Genre: YA Fantasy Retelling
Release Date: October 10, 2023

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

There is more under the sea than lost treasure...

Finally a mermaid story that doesn't star the Little Mermaid... Nope, our aquatic heroine has her own story to tell and it's a real doozy! To be honest, I was surprised when I found out that The Mermaid's Tale with it's vividness and complexity is more than just the start of Chronicles Of The Undersea Realm, it is also L.E. Richmond's debut novel. Color me impressed!

Right from the start I loved the way author L.E. Richmond cleverly blended locations in the real world - like the Mediterranean and the North Sea – with her imaginative and colorful Undersea Realm. The mix of the familiar and the magical almost makes you wonder if there is more to the ocean depths than we know... It also makes for some delightful and sometimes intense reading as the fate of the underwater realm falls onto the shoulders of one young mermaid without a tail.

The Mermaid's Tale is a fun adventure filled YA read with many twists and turns. Just when I thought I had it all figured out – I didn't. As much as I love guessing things correctly I also love to simply be surprised by a story now and then. This first Chronicles Of The Undersea Realm book certainly delivered in that department.

There was only one single thing that I didn't like about The Mermaid's Tale...How could by L.E. Richmond leave me hanging like that?! How?! I already wanted to read the next Chronicles Of The Undersea Realm novel but now I am utterly desperate....

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives The Mermaid's Tale by L.E. Richmond a 4.5 Bark rating.

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

More from L.E.

I am a discovery writer, so when I first started The Mermaid’s Tale, I knew only the general plot and that the romance would be between the main character and the older brother of her brother-in-law.

The catalyst for this choice came from a novel published in England in 1815.

Darin Aalto, famous treasure hunting Merman from the Mediterranean, was inspired by none other than Mr. Knightley from Shropshire. He, like Jane Austen’s hero, is kind, experienced, confident, and attentive to the needs of others. On the other hand, my heroine, Locklyn Adair, is not much like Emma Wodehouse, struggling with a lack of confidence rather than the overabundance which plagues the young mistress of Hartfield.

Even though Locklyn differs greatly from Emma in temperament, she shares one marked similarity with her – a deep devotion to her sister’s children. In fact, it is to save her niece from the rejection which legs bring to Mermaids that leads Locklyn to encourage Darin to claim a disputed treasure which in turn leads to hostility from the warrior queen of a neighboring kingdom which leads to a duel to the death which leads to . . . You’ll have to read the book to find out.

L.E. Richmond

L.E. Richmond was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest by an American composition teacher and a German bookseller. Her childhood consisted in a large part of imagining stories for her Playmobil characters and checking out as many books from the library as her family could fit on six library cards. Now she spends her time chasing two blonde baby boys, reading aloud to the hazel-eyed young man who has her heart, and attempting to transfer the stories in her head into words for others. Her passion is for words and stories that thrill the soul and she is continually amazed by the One who crafted the most epic story of all time.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

To celebrate her tour, L.E. is giving away the grand prize package of
a hardcover copy of The Mermaid’s Tale and a $50 Amazon gift card!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/28799/the-mermaid-s-tale-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, October 19
Madi’s Musings, October 19
By the Book, October 20
Locks, Hooks and Books, October 21
Denise L. Barela, October 21
Texas Book-aholic, October 22
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 23
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 24
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 25
Inklings and Notions, October 26
Life, Love, Writing, October 27
Blogging With Carol, October 27
Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 28
Labor Not in Vain, October 29
Holly’s Book Corner, October 30
Simple Harvest Reads, October 31 (Guest Review from Mindy)
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, November 1 (Author Interview)
Of Blades and Thorns, November 1

4 Comments

E-Book Review - Into The Fire by Irene Hannon

10/26/2023

0 Comments

As a former smokejumper, arson investigator Bri Tucker knows her way around fires. But after a mysterious blaze takes the life of a former colleague, Bri inherits a curious puzzle from him that raises questions about several fiery deaths. Someone, however, doesn't want her picking up where he left off in search of answers.

When she teams up with ATF Special Agent Marc Davis to solve the puzzle, the danger escalates. But will they manage to track down the person behind the mysterious deaths before their budding romance--and maybe even their lives--go up in flames?

The bestselling and award-winning queen of romantic suspense is back with a brand-new series that is sure to get your adrenaline pumping as you burn through the pages to discover the truth.

ISBN-213: 9780800741884

My Review

They'll have to pass through fire for answers...

I haven't read as many of Irene Hannon's books as I would like to but I always try to keep up with her new romantic suspense releases. They always entertain and keep me guessing and I enjoy them. Into The Fire is the first book in her Undaunted Courage series, and it has started of this series right. There are new characters to meet and make friends with and new villains to try and figure out...

I will admit that I did figure out the villain's identity somewhat early on in Into The Fire but Irene Hannon had me second guessing myself a few times until most of the way through the book when the revelation rather surprised me. It was an 'ah-hah' moment and then I was beyond curious to find out the why behind the fiery murders.

I actually finished Into The Fire much sooner than I expected as I found myself digging it back out every spare moment – and even some I didn't have to spare. I just had to know where this first Undaunted Courage novel was going, whether I was right or wrong about certain characters (I was both), and, of course, why the killer chose fire...

Irene Hannon has a good – and very exciting – start to this new series and I will most certainly be anxiously awaiting the release of the next Undaunted Courage book...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Into The Fire by Irene Hannon a 4 Bark rating.

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

0 Comments

Just Read Blog Tour - Children of The Shadows by Erica Vetsch (Giveaway)

10/25/2023

9 Comments

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Children of the Shadows by Erica Vetsch,
hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Detective Daniel Swann and debutante Juliette Thorndike once again team up to solve a dangerous mystery--while trying to keep their growing romance secret.

Someone is preying upon the street children of Regency London. They seem to think no one will notice when urchins go missing--and even if they are noticed, who will care?

Daniel needs to do something about the missing children. But with recent revelations about his past and an unexpected, somewhat unwelcome inheritance to deal with, this is a terrible time to dive back into the seedy underbelly of the crime world. Nevertheless, he's still a Bow Street runner, and his partner Lady Juliette is sensitive to the plight of these wayward youngsters. They're on the case, searching shadowed alleys and coal-drenched streets to find the missing.

But the tangle of expectation and the dynamics of power cannot be easily ignored, even if there are children in danger. When Daniel's past threatens to overwhelm his future, he will need a miracle and the help of his friends to both apprehend the villain and unravel his tangled family web. And it may be that his new responsibilities demand that he leave the children of the shadows to their terrible fate--or lose everything.

Erica Vetsch's popular Regency mystery series concludes with a bang, sure to satisfy readers who have hung on every page since book one.

Publisher: Kregel Publications
Release Date: October 23, 2023
Genre: Christian Regency Mystery

More in This Series

My Review

Will this mystery be the end of their romance?

Well, it's hard to believe that Thorndike & Swann Regency Mysteries series is over...I've come to like the characters so I hate having to say goodbye to them. Anyway...

Children Of The Shadows was one twisty-turny mystery! Erica Vetsch had me guessing and second guessing myself all the way through. Which I find utterly fascinating as this third Thorndike & Swann Regency Mystery was also very much a Regency romance with all of the angst and glittering balls that one has come to expect from the genre. Erica Vetsch did a great job blending the mystery and Regency romance genres in a way that allows the spirit of each to shine through.

Another thing that I really enjoyed about Children Of The Shadows – and the rest of the series – is that a few familiar faces from Erica Vetsch's previous Regency mystery series make appearance in some expected and unexpected places...

If you haven't read Erica Vetsch's Thorndike & Swann Regency Mysteries series yet, you are missing out. They are all enjoyable reads, from book one to the exciting conclusion to the series in Children Of The Shadows, they are sure to entertain and intrigue for hours...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Children Of The Shadows by Erica Vetsch a 4 Bark rating.

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

Erica Vetsch

Erica Vetsch is a New York Times best-selling author and ACFW Carol Award winner, and has been a Romantic Times top pick for her previous books. She loves Jesus, history, romance, and watching sports. This transplanted Kansan now makes her home in Rochester, Minnesota.
Connect with Erica by visiting ericavetsch.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

(1) winner will win a complete paperback set of
the Thorndike and Swann series, and a $10 amazon gift card

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 23, 2023 and will last through
11:59 PM EST on October 30, 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!

9 Comments

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - Spoon To Be Dead by Dana Mentink (Giveaway)

10/21/2023

2 Comments

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

Trinidad Jones is starting the festive season with sugary confections and a heaping scoop of worry as her shake shop enters its first Oregon winter. With snow abound and tourists trickling through, she’ll do anything to keep her milkshake dreams afloat, even if it means catering a holiday steamboat party for some new arrivals in town.
But when her good-for-nothing ex crashes through her shop’s door claiming he’s being charged with murder, things go sideways. With clues piling up like whipped cream on a sundae and motives abound, Trinidad and her fellow ex-wives must solve this murder before she’s finally thrown for a scoop.

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

Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release Date: October 31, 2023

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

Ice cream and murder go hand in hand...

I am always up for a good murderous romp to Upper Sprocket and Spoon To Be Dead provides exactly that. Who killed the old bird watcher and what did his parrot see? Very good questions, of course, that Trinidad reluctantly tries to answer after ''the Hooligan'' is directly implicated. The best part is that Dana Mentink takes her readers along for every twist and turn and shocking revelation. Seriously, this third Shake Shop Mystery is not to be missed...

I have been hooked on the Shake Shop Mysteries from the very first book. Dana Mentink has been a favorite author of mine for a few years now and Spoon To Be Dead is proof of why. This book is funny and sweet, poignant and full of mystery, and just an ice cream delight to read.

I had a lot of fun trying to guess the true villain and all of the secrets that popped up to confuse the situation. I had my suspicions as to who was behind all of the murder and mayhem so I flipped those pages as fast as I could read them to find out if I was right...

As I said before, Spoon To Be Dead is not to be missed – and neither are the previous two Shake Shop Mysteries. Dana Mentink has found the perfect recipe for murder in this series and there are even sprinkles on top...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Spoon To Be Dead by Dana Mentink a 4 Bark rating.

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

More from Dana

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

Dana Mentink

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

It's Time For A Giveaway!

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

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

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/285e7/spoon-to-be-dead-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, October 14
Bigreadersite , October 14
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 15
Lighthouse Academy, October 16
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 16
Texas Book-aholic, October 17
Simple Harvest Reads, October 17 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Locks, Hooks and Books, October 18
Mary Hake, October 18
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 19
For Him and My Family, October 19
Betti Mace, October 20
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 20
Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 21
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, October 22 (Author Interview)
Blogging With Carol, October 22
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 23
Blossoms and Blessings, October 23
Labor Not in Vain, October 24
Holly’s Book Corner, October 24
Lily’s Book Reviews, October 25
Splashes of Joy, October 25
Pause for Tales, October 26
A Good Book and Cup of Tea, October 26
She Lives To Read, October 27

2 Comments

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - Terra by Sofia Simpson (Giveaway)

10/16/2023

2 Comments

Elementals don’t mix. They fight over territories constantly and news of their battles is everywhere.

Vela, an Earth Elemental, wants two things: to make it through high school and one day run her very own flower shop. When Linc, a Fire Elemental, strolls into her life, she is immediately thrown into chaos when a bond flares up, connecting them forever. Linc pursues her relentlessly, for connections like this are rare, but Vela wants nothing to do with it or him.

With this news, Vela discovers she and Linc may be a part of an age-old prophecy that could change their world forever by uniting the warring clans. However, a powerful group does not want their pairing to exist, for if it does, the prophecy may come true.

Vela and Linc must keep their bond a secret, for their lives are at risk if it is made public.

Can Vela deny a bond that could unite the battling clans, finally providing peace after centuries of conflict? Will she allow herself to love an enemy?

Genre: Young Adult Christian Fantasy
Release Date: February 14, 2023

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

High school just got even more complicated...

I am one of those people who enjoys a good cover but rarely chooses a book based on that. With Terra, however, that really was what caught my eye to start with. Then I read the back of this first An Elemental Series novel and I was hooked.

Part fantasy, part YA romance, with almost a touch of dystopian, this book was quite the tale and I finished all 400 pages in a day. Sofia Simpson's vivid mix of magic and the real everyday world, the familiar and the strange, had me going right from the start. I also appreciated how she crafted a story that was full of magical elements but there was a definite Christian theme woven throughout.

Speaking of elements, I thought it fascinating how the four elements earth, fire, wind, and water are represented as warring clans who have lost sight of what they were originally meant to do together.

There was no doubt that Terra is a YA book but as an adult I was certainly able to enjoy it and I am really hoping to get my hands on Sofia Simpson's next An Elemental Series book whenever it releases. I really HAVE to know what happens to Vela and Linc and that prophecy...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Terra by Sofia Simpson a 4 Bark rating.

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

More from Sofia

I became a Young Adult Christian Fantasy Author so that I could add clean content to the world of Young Adult books. I love writing a great love story, and here’s one that will meet all your expectations of a great enemies-to-lovers romance without the spice. I love writing a story that mixes faith with fantasy, much like Morgan Busse, Nadine Brandes and Sara Ella. And if you’re wondering if the butterfly on the cover has any significance at all? Why, yes, yes it does. Read Terra to find out why.

Sofia Simpson

Sofia grew up moving constantly. Never in one place more than three years, there was plenty of time to daydream during long car rides. College finally gave her a chance to study what she had always dreamed of doing, writing her stories.
She obtained a B.A. in Journalism, married her handsome husband and had two amazing sons. She’s also the proud mother of a 100-pound red rust Doberman who loves to chase around his sister, a fluffy-not-fat-cat.
A big believer in dreaming big, Sofia loves speaking to youth, encouraging them to find hope no matter what their life looks like. Sofia is a daughter of the Lord first and foremost and finds inspiration with stories like King David and Esther.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

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

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/28433/terra-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 6
Blossoms and Blessings, October 7 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 7
Texas Book-aholic, October 8
Splashes of Joy, October 9 (Author Interview)
Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, October 10
By The Book, October 11 (Author Interview)
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 12
Through the Fire Blogs, October 13 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 14
Guild Master, October 15 (Author Interview)
Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 16
Artistic Nobody, October 17 (Author Interview)
Blogging With Carol, October 18
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, October 19 (Author Interview)
Pause for Tales, October 19

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Just Read Review Blitz - Christmas In The Crosshairs by Lynette Eason, Kate Angelo, Kelly Underwood, Sami A. Abrams

10/12/2023

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It’s Christmastime and love is in the air. But when these three Elite Guardians walk into the crosshairs of trouble, they find themselves fighting not just for justice, but for the lives of the men they love in this riveting thriller collection!

Deadly Holiday Hijack by Kate Angelo

“Come out to Savannah, she says. It’ll be fun, she says. Boss can be in the nativity pageant, she says,” Yeah. Great idea.

Bodyguard Christina Sherman and her fiancé, former spec ops air commando Grey Parker just want to sneak away to beautiful Savannah, attend a Nativity Pageant, maybe set a wedding date. But when a group of terrorists take over the church and the whole thing is live streamed, they find themselves in a hometown version of a Die Hard Christmas movie. But will they make it to the happy ending?

Silent Night Siege by Kelly Underwood

Billionaire Preston Whittaker and bodyguard Laila Rabbinowitz just can’t get a break. Not only are their schedules so crazy they’ve put their relationship on simmer, but on their way to the mountains for much-needed togetherness…yep, their plane crashes. Suddenly they’re stranded on a remote mountainside in freezing temperatures, minimal food, wildlife, and no hope of rescue.

And then, the real danger starts. Someone deliberately caused the wreck, and that person is hunting them through the wilderness.

Now, it’ll take more than togetherness to survive…

Christmas Snowstorm Standoff by Sami A. Abrams

It’s finally time for bodyguard Lizzie Tremaine to tie the knot with the man she’s loved for years—fellow bodyguard Charlie Lee.

But maybe fate is still against them, because on the eve of their big day, a snowstorm hits. And, while it’s kept the guests away, it’s brought trouble in the form of a woman from Charlie’s past. More, she’s on the run from a killer…

A man who will stop at nothing to make sure Charlie and Lizzie never make it to the altar.

Now Lizzie and Charlie must battle the storm, stop the killer, and defeat the doubts that suddenly have them wondering if they are truly meant to be.

Three epic love stories. Three edge-of-your-seat thrillers. Three Christmases caught in the Crosshairs inspired by best-selling author Lynette Eason’s Elite Guardian series.

My Review

Will these 3 couples survive to see Christmas...

I have been really enjoying the Elite Guardians series originated by Lynette Eason so when I found out there would be a Christmas novella collection written by the same three authors who penned each of the previous three books, well, I was pretty excited. Christmas In The Crosshairs turned out to be everything I have come to anticipate in the series.

Kate Angelo, Kelly Underwood, and Sami A. Abrams deliver plenty of drama, danger, and romance for their respective characters and for their readers. Each couple faces a different life changing step; one must set a date for their wedding, one must choose whether to make the altar the next step in their relationship, and the third must decide whether their impending ceremony is where they are supposed to be. Of course, all of them just need to survive long enough to be able to make those decisions.

Christmas In The Crosshairs is a great addition to the Elite Guardians series and I loved how I could sit down and read a complete story in just one fairly quick sitting. It was also fun how each one was independent but at the same time loosely built on each other. Kate Angelo's Deadly Hijack saw the characters anticipating the upcoming wedding that Kelly Underwood's Silent Night Siege were on the way to attend while Sami A. Abrams' Christmas Snowstorm Standoff were waiting for their friends to arrive for the big day.

So, if you are in the Christmas mood for a little faith-filled romantic suspense and you are a fan of the Elite Guardians, may I suggest Christmas In The Crosshairs as your next exciting read...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Christmas In The Crosshairs by Lynette Eason, Kate Angelo, Kelly Underwood, and Sami A. Abrams 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 - The Looking-Glass Illusion by Sara Ella (Giveaway)

10/9/2023

2 Comments

Step through the looking glass. Slay the Jabberwock. Seek the King.

Alice is not prepared to face what awaits beyond the Tulgey Wood. When she and the rest of Team Heart enter the fourth and final Wonderland Trial, it’s up to her to lead them to victory. But this Trial is more than a game. If Alice and the others fail to defeat the Jabberwock and reveal the truth about Wonderland, more than points and fame will be lost.
Chess Shire never believed he’d make it this far. Now he’s stuck navigating a Trial he’s seen but doesn’t remember, all while searching for the brother he left behind. Not everything is as black and white as the game that shares his name. And if Alice discovers his deepest regret? Chess might just lose her too.
Apart, Chess and Alice scour the eight squares of the Heart Trial in search of memories, truth, and an Ivory King who seems more illusion than reality. Will they learn to lead together to face their greatest fears? Or will they remain pawns in a queen’s game, never truly seeing the Wonderland they’ve come to believe in?

Genre: YA Retelling (or dystopian fantasy)
Release Date: September 19, 2023

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

Can they work together even when far apart?

Oh boy! I've been anticipating The Looking-Glass Illusion desperately wanting to know what the Wonderland Trial would throw at Alice, Chess, and the others next. With it being a Sara Ella story I just knew it would be good...

With nothing and no one as they first appear it's impossible to know who or what to trust. Add on the fact that the group is now separated with Alice and Chess on two seemingly different paths. Or are they? This IS Wonderland after all, where all things and nothing may be connected in surprising ways. And, oh, does it make for some fun reading!

I really enjoyed The Looking-Glass Illusion from start to finish. Sara Ella did an excellent job of bringing it all together in the conclusion to her Curious Realities duology in a way that felt complete. Lingering questions from the first book were answered and shocking new revelations come to light. The British spelling also continued in this second book and I absolutely loved the added authenticity of it.

The original Wonderland stories kinda missed the boat with me, I was more of a Narnia and Middle Earth girl, but The Curious Realities duology in all of its YA dystopian glory was right up my alley. And, though they were my first Sara Ella reads I strongly doubt that they will be my last. The one and only thing that I didn't like was having to say goodbye to the characters when I turned that last page of The Looking-Glass Illusion...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives The Looking-Glass Illusion by Sara Ella a 4.5 Bark rating.

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

More from Sara

“Step through the looking glass. Slay the Jabberwock. Seek the King.”

It’s my tagline for The Looking-Glass Illusion, but in truth, I had no idea what those words truly meant until I wrote the ending (and rewrote it several times).

I didn’t fully understand what the looking glass did or did not do—only that Alice had to step through it.

I didn’t know who or what the Jabberwock really was—only that Team Heart had to overcome it.

And I really couldn’t quite figure out this Ivory King character I had introduced in The Wonderland Trials—only that he was real, and that, somehow, the King would reveal himself in the end.

This is my process and it’s rather frustrating not to know what you’re up against. I wish I could outline and have all the answers ahead of time. I wish I knew every intricate detail about my stories. It would certainly make the writing life a lot easier. But I like to think the not-knowing part is God’s way of keeping me humble in all of this. Because I only discover the story and the true underlying theme of it all when He decides to reveal it to me.

So, in the name of revealing things, here are three truths God showed me through the process of writing The Looking-Glass Illusion.

1. Faith is not blind.
I think we can all remember the quote from The Santa Clause with Tim Allen that goes, “Seeing isn’t believing, believing is seeing.” It encompasses the idea that we don’t have to see in order to believe. And while I believe this is true, I also think if we say our faith is blind, we’ve missed the mark.

God gives us every tool we need to base our faith on the truth in the Bible. He doesn’t ask us to walk blindly. He’s given us sight in His Word! And while we don’t know or see everything yet, we do have concrete evidence to stand on that what the Bible says is real.

In The Looking-Glass Illusion, Alice steps through the looking glass not knowing what awaits her on the other side. She does know, however, that The Adventurer’s Almanac her sister gave her has never steered her wrong. It’s guided her along the way, and she holds fast to it as she steps into the unknown.

I didn’t know how this book would end. But I do know that time and time again, God has walked with me through every ending to every book I’ve written. When I hold fast to that truth, I can have faith and the courage to move forward rather than let fear get the better of me. And speaking of fear . . .

2. Fear is a liar.
Anyone who’s listened to Christian radio has probably heard the popular song “Fear is a Liar” by Zach Williams. It’s a great song and I think we all need to hear it from time to time. Alice and her team have a multitude of fears to overcome. Chess Shire in particular has to overcome his fear of facing his past. I won’t spoil anything for those who haven’t read it, but the theme of overcoming fear is an overarching one in this duology. Perhaps I could have made it more complex and profound, but it’s really quite simple: Fear is a liar. And the only way to combat lies is to stand on the truth of what we know is real because . . .

3. The fairy tale is real.
I am often asked why I choose to write fairy-tale-inspired stories. I like to turn back to my author tagline. While my logo and website design and even my bio have changed over the years, my tagline has remained the same: “Happily Ever After is Never Far Away” This is something I have held to from the onset of my author journey. While fairy tales may be but stories, our walk as Christians is in the living breathing fairy tale of God’s Word. Remember that quote from “The Princess Bride?” “Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles! ”That line always reminds me of the Bible. Everything we love about fairy tales can be found within the pages of His #1 Best-Selling Book. And it all really happened! The fairy tale is real, and no matter what dragons (or Jabberwocks) we face in this life, we are promised happily ever after (dare I say, Wonderland?) in the next.

****

Thank you for taking the time to sit a while with me and for sticking with this series through its conclusion. Cheers, and happy reading, Wonders! The true Wonderland awaits!

Sincerely,
Sara Ella

Sara Ella

Once upon a time, Sara Ella dreamed she would marry a prince and live in a castle. Now she spends her days homeschooling her three Jedi in training, braving the Arizona summers, and reminding her superhero husband that it’s almost Christmas (even if it’s only January). Sara is the author of the Unblemished trilogy and Coral, a reimagining of The Little Mermaid that focuses on mental health. Her latest journey into the world of The Wonderland Trials feels like coming full circle after working for Disney. Sara loves fairy tales and Jesus, and she believes “Happily Ever After is Never Far Away.”

It's Time For A Giveaway!

To celebrate her tour, Sara is giving away the grand prize package of a
$25 Barnes & Noble gift card, a $15 Starbucks gift card, and a hardcover 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/282a8/the-looking-glass-illusion-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 30
Texas Book-aholic, October 1
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, October 2
Where Faith and Books Meet, October 2
Locks, Hooks and Books, October 3
Blogging With Carol, October 4
The Book Club Network, October 5
Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, October 5
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 6
Live. Love. Read., October 7
Holly’s book Corner, October 8
Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 9
Raining Butterfly Kisses, October 9
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, October 10
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 11
Simple Harvest Reads, October 12 (Guest Review from Mindy)
Books You Can Feel Good About, October 13
Wishful Endings, October 13

2 Comments

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - She'erah's Legacy by Naomi Craig (Giveaway)

10/6/2023

10 Comments

As tragedy ravages the camp,
can She’erah step up and complete the outpost?

She’erahs is a woman trying to leave her mark in a man’s world. Her vision and ability surpasses her father’s, yet she remains second-in-command as they are tasked to build Pharaoh’s outposts in Canaan. She knows she is worthy of the task, but her clan is skeptical
The last place She’erah expects support is from her charioteer, but Lateef is the lone voice of encouragement. His integrity and steadfastness is a plumb-line in She’erah’s life and she can no longer deny her growing feelings for him.
Acts of sabotage threaten the construction and the shaky foundation of She’erah’s pride. It’s up to She’erah to break generations of rivalry, distrust, and jealousy—if she can learn to rely on the strengths and abilities of those around her to help.

Will she learn to trust God and others before her life’s legacy comes crumbling down around her?

Genre: Historical fiction, Biblical fiction
Release Date: August 15, 2023

Click here to get your copy!

Interview with Naomi

#1. What was the inspiration for this book?
Even though we don’t hear about She’erah and the cities she built til 1 Chronicles 7:20-24, her timeline takes place in between the end of Genesis and the beginning of Exodus. According to my research, She’erah was Joseph’s granddaughter. To set the stage for She’erah to shine, I had to first find out if Joseph’s Egyptian career was mentioned in Egyptian history. There are several viziers speculated to have been THE Joseph, but the most compelling one to me was a man named Imhotep. This foreign vizier was the world’s first recorded polymath (man exceptionally gifted in many areas) and was recorded as building the first pyramid, saving Egypt from a seven-year famine by interpreting Pharaoh’s dream, and many other things that line up with the scriptural Joseph. There is controversy over if he is in the right time period or not, more traditionally, he is much to early, but more recently Egyptologists are thinking documented pharaohs could have overlapped in their reign. That is enough for me to launch this fictional tale.

#2. What drew you to write in this particular genre?
I love finding interesting tidbits tucked away in a list of Genealogies. A left-handed assassin killing an obese king, an ax head floating, a man coming back to life when his body touching a (very) dead prophet’s bones or a woman building three cities (She’erah). I started wondering if one of the unnamed spies Rahab hid in Jericho could have been her future Biblical husband, Salmah.

#3. Do you have favorite character(s) in this book?
I like She’erah’s older brother Thelah (Shuthelah). Even though it seems to She’erah like everything he does is directly against her, he really does try to lead the clan with honor. When She’erah calls him out on a mistake, he admits it and does try to adapt to his sister’s big personality.

#4. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
I hope and pray that the readers will actually turn to the scriptures to check the facts. Specifically with She’erah’s Legacy I would love for readers to find their value in the Lord. He gives each of us gifts, and we need to work together with others to bring out the best in the mission as a whole.

#5. Tell us something funny, sad, embarrassing, whatever, that happened involving this book.
She’erah finds herself confined to her tent after undermining her brother’s authority. In order to make use of her time, she takes up painting. However she only has limited supplies and ends up painting her tent pole with malachite (a green eye makeup Egyptians used). Her charioteer comes in later and because she has done a truly horrible job, he thinks it is fast spreading mold---the kind warned about in Leviticus. What a blow to her “I’m going to do everything perfectly” mentality.

More from Naomi

A woman architect in ancient times?
She’erah’s family is mentioned in five verses in 1 Chronicles 7:20- 24. In this brief detour from the list of genealogy, we learn some interesting facts.
She’erah is the granddaughter of Joseph (yes that Joseph with the coat of many colors, vizier to Pharaoh)
Two of her brothers get themselves killed for cattle rustling.
Her father, Ephraim, goes into deep mourning for his sons.
There is a late-in-life baby (as a result of dad’s mourning)
and She’erah built Lower and Upper Beth Horon and Uzzen She’erah.
Then we are right back to the begats.
Wait, hold on. That’s all we get? What is the story behind her building these towns (two of which are still standing today)? What was the reaction of those around her?
Something I find helpful to remember is that when you know about someone’s family, you in a way know the person. With her grandfather being Joseph, suddenly we have opened a whole new world of what we know. She’erah and the clan would have had access to all of Egypt’s knowledge and resources. Where she still might have gotten backlash from her more Hebrew clan, Egyptian women had more independence, managing their husband’s estates, or even their own.
We also know the generational legacy that was passed down of the younger sibling being favored above the older. Ephraim over Manasseh, Joseph over his ten elder brothers, Jacob over Esau, Rachel over Leah, Isaac over Ishmael. I’m sure sibling rivalry could have been present.
So now we can see She’erah’s picture a little more clearly. A brilliantly minded woman determined to prove herself and her abilities. Raised in Egyptian courts, yet also Hebrew. A strange mix of cultures and dynamics that shape She’erah and nurture her gifts.
She’erah’s legacy is not only the towns she builds for generations to come, but also how she starts the work of unearthing the deep-seated rivalry that is entrenched in her family.
I pray you’ll enjoy She’erah’s adventures, as she learns to trust the Lord and those around her.
Best Regards
Naomi

Naomi Craig

Author of Biblical fiction, avid reader, pastor’s wife, Naomi loves reading the Bible and imagining how things were at the time. When she’s not serving in various areas at church, trying to stay on top of mountains of dishes or convincing her rescue dog, Freeway, to be cute on command for Instagram reels, you’ll most likely find her enjoying a good book and a cup of coffee. Naomi co-hosts #BehindTheStory with Naomi and Lisa, an author interview show on YouTube and your podcast platform of choice.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

To celebrate her tour, Naomi 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/282a4/she-erah-s-legacy-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, September 27
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 28
Texas Book-aholic, September 29
Locks, Hooks and Books, September 30
The Book Club Network, October 1
Connie’s History Classroom, October 2
Artistic Nobody, October 3 (Author Interview)
The Book Nook, October 3
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 4
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 5
Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 6 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, October 7
Simple Harvest Reads, October 8 (Author Interview)
Christina’s Corner, October 8
By The Book, October 9 (Author Interview)
Holly’s Book Corner, October 10

10 Comments

Just Read Blog Tour - Bentonsport: A New Chapter by Lisa Schnedler (Giveaway)

10/5/2023

4 Comments

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Bentonsport - A New Chapter by Lisa Schnedler,
hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

What if you followed your heart—not across distance but across time?

Sarah Peterson never knew how far she would go for love until Thomas Barton walked into her life, they fell in love, and he asked her to join him in his world--a hundred and fifty years back in time. More afraid of losing him than of leaving everything behind, she put her future in God’s hands and awakened in the past. Now, she’s facing a world she’d only dreamed of, and reality is nothing like her dreams.

Thomas Barton never imagined he’d meet a woman like his beloved Sara. Leaving her behind was the hardest thing he ever did. When he discovers she’s followed him across time, he’s ready to spend his life making her decision worthwhile. His friends come up with a plan to convince Bentonsport she’s part of their era, but it’s going to take another miracle to pull this off.

Love was enough to carry them through a hundred and fifty years. Will it be enough to get them through the next weeks and months?

Publisher: Scrivenings Press
Release Date: September 19, 2023
Genre: Christian Romance / Speculative (Time Travel)

PURCHASE LINKS:
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

More in This Series

My Review

Can she make a new life in his era?

After my first adventure in Bentonsport – the modern one that is – I was beyond curious to find out how Sarah would adjust to the historical Bentonsport and Thomas's world...

I will admit that the journey Lisa Schnedler took her characters on was one that I didn't exactly expect – but it was one that I appreciated. More often than not in a time travel book the characters would fall in love in short period of time and the wedding would be imminent. And, while they did fall in love fairly quickly in Bentonsport: A Christmas Story, they actually get the time to come to know each other and the readers get the same chance in Bentonsport: A New Chapter.

I actually like the gentler approach that Lisa Schnedler has taken with both of these books. There is no danger or big adventure to overcome. Getting to sit back and simply enjoy the story for what it is was a nice change of pace and Bentonsport: A New Chapter reminded me in some little ways of (romance) fiction from the era in which this story was set.

Anyway, Bentonsport: A New Chapter is a sweet historical romance and I enjoyed my time spent in Bentonsport. I have no idea where Lisa Schnedler could go next but I wouldn't mind a return visit or two to Bentonsport sometime in the future...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Bentonsport: A New Chapter by Lisa Schnedler a 4 Bark rating.

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

Lisa Schnedler

Lisa Schnedler writes cozy fiction, set in small towns you’ll want to visit, with characters who soon will become your friends!
She has been married to her best friend for 39 years. Together, they have three grown children, who are married to her “additional three kids,” and she has six grandchildren.
She has served as a hospital president for 30 years and is a Certified Christian Life Coach. Lisa likes to cook, travel, and meet new friends.
Connect with Lisa by visiting lisaschnedler.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

(3) winners will win a $15 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 3, 2023 and will last through
11:59 PM EST on October 10, 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!