Category: June 2022

Throwback Thursday - June 9th, 2022

6/9/2022

Is it the perfect or the worst time for the kingdom to…change?

The nation of Diachona rejoices as the king’s daughter and heir, Constance, turns twenty. Yet, not everyone approves of Constance’s desire to sit on the National Council: a Council run solely by men.

What’s more, oppressive threats from a neighboring, powerful empire are rousing the people’s fears. Amid rumors of war and personal doubts about her future, Constance suspects that her growing love for one Commander Alexander may be ill-timed. Especially if this is the end of the kingdom as they know it…

ASIN: B00F0SI07M

My Thoughts

A few years ago I finally decided to bite the bullet and try to read a little more fantasy, well, beyond the C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkein, and some kids fantasy that I had been reading up until then. The Movement Of Crowns was one of the earlier titles that I found. This little gem, and I say little because it is under 120 pages, was such an enjoyable read! Along with a fascinating new realm I also discovered a new author that I liked. Clean enough for middle/older kids to read but adults can appreciate it just as much. It's perfect for anyone in need of a quick and easy fantasy read with a little adventure and a little romance...

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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - Vivid by Ashley Bustamante (Giveaway)

6/8/2022

9 Comments

Danger Lurks Behind Every Color

When Ava Locke was five years old, she began a journey to join the Benefactors—the leaders of the magical continent of Magus. Twelve years later, she unwittingly started down the road to betray them.

On Magus where colors fuel magical abilities, yellow is banned in an effort to protect people from its mind-controlling capabilities. When a rogue Yellow magic-user named Elm escapes imprisonment Ava becomes innocently fascinated with his story. Once this mysterious Elm shows up at her school, Ava pushes her interest to the next level by helping him evade the Benefactors. Ava grows increasingly conflicted as her intrigue leads her down a dark road of secrets about her world. As she learns more about Yellow magic’s potential to control its victims, Ava now must question whether her rash decisions are all her own or if someone else is pulling the strings.

Genre: YA Fantasy
Release date: May 17, 2022

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

Just one tiny step into forbidden color...

Over the last couple of years or so I've really gotten hooked on Enclave's YA fiction, mostly fantasy like this one, but even a few sci-fi books to change things up a little. Honestly? I decided to read Vivid based on the publisher first and then after reading the back cover blurb I was even more convinced that it was going to be a book that I really wanted to read.

I'm pleased to say that the first Color Theory book more than lived up to my anticipation! Reminiscent of The Story Peddler by Lindsay A. Franklin and Nadine Brandes' Fawkes, Ashley Bustamante's skill with this genre is undeniable and her world-building is impeccable. Magus is as amazingly familiar as it is completely different. One thing that I really noticed was the simply structured world and magic system that worked so well together that they simultaneously made it seem complex and yet delightfully readable. Every aspect was detailed in a way that only seemed to excite the imagination even more.

I have a small confession to make...I was partway through the story before I realized that red, blue, and yellow are, what? Yeah, the colors that make up light. Yep, it was a definite 'duh!' moment for me!

I loved Vivid and will most certainly be back for more of Ashley Bustamante's magical Color Theory series. I always appreciate a good clean/Christian fantasy tale that can be enjoyed by fantasy fans of all ages, not just the target demographic. So, what are you waiting for? A little yellow mind control planting the idea into your mind that you need to read this book, perhaps?

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Vivid by Ashley Bustamante a 4.5 Bark rating.

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

More from Ashley

Vivid is a great example of how something small can turn into something big with a little faith and a lot of work!

The idea for Vivid came from a dream (which later became part of Chapter 5) that I just couldn’t forget. A dream about a charming young man in a top hat and a young lady in a yellow dress. I won’t give away the whole scene, but what stood out to me was the complicated feelings of the young lady. She was left so conflicted and dazed by her encounter with this roguish stranger. She knew she shouldn’t have spent time with him, and yet it was exciting. The thing she wanted more than anything was for him to come back, and yet that was also the thing that terrified her the most.

This scene and these characters would not leave my head. I wanted to know the rest of their story and it was all I could think about. Finally, I wrote it all down. How could I not? I made some adjustments, and soon I was plotting. Soon I had names. Places. A magic system. A chapter. Two chapters. Ten chapters. Within a month, I had my first draft written.

The road forward wasn’t easy as I was met with rejection after rejection. But through it all I could feel my Heavenly Father cheering me on, encouraging me to grow the talent he had given me. At once point I almost shelved the project, but that little nudge kept me going and eventually led me to my publisher. All the little pieces that came together over the years to lead me there is a story in and of itself.

I hope you will enjoy Vivid and come to love Ava and Elm as much as I do. It is my privilege to have this opportunity to share them with you.

Ashley Bustamante

Ashley Bustamante has created stories from the moment she could scribble and staple sheets of paper together. She simply cannot recall a time when writing was not a force in her life. When not running through lines of dialogue in her mind, she enjoys taking photographs and spending time with her husband, three children, and any furry, feathered, or scaly creature she can find. She currently works at Arizona State University.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

To celebrate her tour, Ashley is giving away the grand prize package of
a $50 Amazon gift card and a signed hardback 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/1e382/vivid-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

Library Lady’s kid Lit, May 31
A Baker’s Perspective, June 1 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 1
Texas Book-aholic, June 2
Inklings and notions, June 3
deb’s Book Review, June 4
For Him and My Family, June 5
Locks, Hooks and Books, June 6
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 7
Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 8
Adventures of a Travelers Wife, June 9 (Author Interview)
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 9
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, June 10
Blogging With Carol, June 11
Labor Not in Vain, June 12
Inside the Wong Mind, June 13

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E-Book Review - The Perfect Mail-Order Bride by Regina Scott

6/7/2022

0 Comments

Genre:
Historical Romance

The Perfect Mail-Order Bride
Frontier Matches book 2
by Regina Scott

-From Goodreads-

Close to perfection

Ada Williamson lived her whole life in the shadow of her charismatic, capricious sister. But when the beautiful Melinda decides to jilt her mail-order groom on the way to meet him in Seattle, Washington Territory, Ada’s conscience demands that she continue the journey and tell Thomas Rankin the truth. After all, she wrote most of the letters the couple exchanged, and she’s already halfway in love with the man herself. Yet somehow, one look at Thomas and the future he offers, and the truth never comes out. Suddenly, Ada finds herself not only out of the shadows, but living the life meant for her sister.

After making his fortune on the goldfields, Thomas “Scout” Rankin found he could buy almost anything he wanted, including the perfect mail-order bride in a territory where women are still few and far between. But past betrayals have left him wary, so he immediately notices that the woman who claims to be his mail-order bride doesn’t quite act the part. Still, someone wrote those letters that spoke to his heart. If getting to know Ada better will reveal the truth, he’s willing to try, even if he must protect his own secrets along the way.

But someone knows both their secrets and aims to use them to advantage. Can Thomas and Ada discover the truth, about their enemy, about their pasts, and about the love they both yearn to share?

If you like warm, witty historical romances, then you’ll love this frontier historical romance by an award-winning author that continues her popular Frontier Bachelors series.

ASIN: B09TX8DVXX

This Book received a 4 Bark rating.

Regina Scott

Author Website

She's the wrong girl but is he Mr. Right?

I had just finished a rather heavy read when I picked up my The Perfect Mail-Order Bride on my ereader. I was seriously in need of something sweet, on the lighter side, and was craving a truly happy ending. And there, waiting for me was Regina Scott with the start to her new historical romance series, Frontier Matches.

The Perfect Mail-Order Bride was exactly what I had been looking for! Historical romance with just the right touch of humor – I wasn't exactly ready for true comedy mind you. It also had just the slightest dash of suspense that kept the plot moving forward quite nicely. But, Regina Scott is truly a master of just that balance as all of her series that I've read can attest to.

If you are up for a new historical romance series from Regina Scott check out the first Frontier Matches novel, The Perfect Mail-Order Bride. You'll find some old friends and make some new. Learn a little about some of Seattle's colorful history. But, mostly you'll be in for some nice and enjoyable reading time...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives The Perfect Mail-Order Bride by Regina Scott a 4 Bark rating.

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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - A Promise Engraved by Liz Tolsma (Giveaway)

6/5/2022

5 Comments

Can Promises Made in Times of Struggle Endure 200 Years?
Visit historic American landmarks through the Doors to the Past series. History and today collide in stories full of mystery, intrigue, faith, and romance.

Young, spirited Josie Wilkins life is about to take a turn when faced with political turmoil and forbidden love in San Antonio of 1836. John Gilbert has won her heart, despite being a Protestant preacher who is forbidden to practice his faith in Texas. Will either of them survive an epic battle for liberty to create a legacy of love?

Nearly 200 years later, Kayleigh Hernandez takes breaks from her demanding job as a refugee coordinator working with Mexican migrants to attend flea markets where she has found a uniquely engraved ring. Enlisting the help of appraiser Brandon Shuman, they piece together a love story long forgotten. But will dangers linked to Kayleigh’s work end her own hopes for leaving a legacy built on hope, faith, and love?

Genre: Christian Fiction/Historical Fiction/Romance
Release date: May, 2022

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

Can the pain of the past be redeemed?

This is the Doors To The Past novel that I have been eagerly anticipating for months. Like millions of others I have long been fascinated by the story of the ill-fated Alamo. I've watched the John Wayne movie, listened to the Marty Robbins song, and read the Dear America book... That story of a small group of people making a stand for freedom, a cause that they felt was worth fighting and even dying for...

I knew with Liz Tolsma for an author A Promise Engraved would be a good story and well worth the reading time spent on it. It did live up to those expectations and I even finished it faster than I had anticipated. For me it was the historical thread that really captured my attention, though I liked the modern mystery thread as well. The modern and historical aspects were both well done and the author did and excellent job of interconnecting them, each layer building on the previous one, and releasing the right amount of clues and information at just the right time.

The thing that I probably appreciated the most about A Promise Engraved was Liz Tolsma's portrayal of the historical part of the story. In recent years there has been tendency to villainize and even deliberately misconstrue the events surrounding the Alamo and the war for Texas independence. And,while people are not infallible and shouldn't be placed on pedestals, it is never a good idea to rewrite history to fit current (and always changing) conceptions. Liz Tolsma avoids both pitfalls with skill in this eighth Doors To The Past novel making it equally as enjoyable, entertaining, and surprisingly educational.

If you are interested in the Alamo or just love a good dual timeline story, A Promise Engraved from the Doors To The Past series is too good to miss out on!

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives A Promise Engraved 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

The Story of Susannah Dickinson, Alamo Survivor

When asked how many died at the Alamo, many would answer that everyone did. While it’s true that all fighting on the side of Texas independence perished, there were survivors, all women and children and one slave. The only white woman (the rest were of Mexican descent) was Susannah Dickinson, along with her daughter Angelina. Susannah had followed her husband, Almaron, to Mexican Texas in 1831. They had married two years before when Susannah was just fifteen. She never learned to read or write.

She and the other women hid in the sacristy of the church, one of the surviving buildings in the mission and what we now think of as the Alamo. Her husband died, but Mexican General Santa Anna found them and spared their lives, sending them to Sam Houston with $2 each and a blanket.

She married again the following year but divorced him almost immediately on the grounds of cruelty. She married a third time the following year and was married for five years until her husband died of alcoholism. A fourth marriage occurred in 1847, but she divorced again in 1857, this time allegedly because she was having an affair. That same year, she married for a fifth time. This marriage lasted until her death in 1883.

Susanna Dickinson*

The ring in A Promise Engraved is based on a cat’s eye ring supposedly given to Angelina by William Travis before the battle. Angelina was Susannah’s only child. She married and had three children, but that marriage ended in divorce. She gave the ring to a man she’d become involved with in New Orleans. She married again and had one more child but died in 1869 from a uterine hemorrhage.

Today there are many descendants of Susannah Dickinson. If you visit the Susannah Dickinson house in Austin, you’ll see a quilt that is signed by many of her living descendants.

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 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/1e37a/a-promise-engraved-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 28
Bigreadersite, May 28
The Write Escape, May 28
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 29
Christina’s Corner, May 29
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 29
lakesidelivingsite, May 30
Texas Book-aholic, May 30
Rebecca Tews, May 30
Inklings and notions, May 31
Blogging With Carol, May 31
Splashes of Joy, May 31
Betti Mace, June 1
Southern Gal Loves to Read, June 1
Genesis 5020, June 2
Daysong Reflections, June 2
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 2
Remembrancy, June 3
Books, Books, and More Books, June 3
For Him and My Family, June 3
Older & Smarter?, June 4
Locks, Hooks and Books, June 4
Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 5
deb’s Book Review, June 5
Mary Hake, June 5
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, June 6
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 6
Blossoms and Blessings, June 6
Connie’s History Classroom, June 7
Life of Literature, June 7
Back Porch Reads , June 7
Bizwings Blog, June 8
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 8
For the Love of Literature, June 8
Through the Fire blogs, June 9
Pause for Tales, June 9
Labor Not in Vain, June 9
A Good Book and Cup of Tea, June 10
Melissa’s Bookshelf, June 10
Little Homeschool on the Prairie, June 10

*Susanna Dickinson (Texas State Library & Archives Commission.)

5 Comments

Just Read Blog Tour - Wildfire Threat by Cathy McDavid (Giveaway)

6/1/2022

6 Comments

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Wildfire Threat by Cathy McDavid,
hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

As flames race toward her ranch
She must rely on an old enemy…

An out-of-control blaze has single mom Rayna Karstetter scrambling to protect her little boy, grandparents and their cattle. Forest ranger Aden Whitley offers his help, but Rayna doesn’t want to accept. Her feelings for Aden haven’t gone away…and neither has the sting of his betrayal. But when the wildfire forces an evacuation order, can they work together in order to survive?

Release Date: May 24, 2022
Genre: Romantic Suspense, Christian

(*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.)

My Review

With fire on the horizon comes sparks of romance...

If there is one thing that people in the western United States (Canada, too) are familiar with, it would be the threat of wildfires. The very thought of them sends a cold chill down a person's spine. I had more than one of those chills while reading Wildfire Threat. Author Cathy McDavid is one skilled storyteller because I could almost smell the smoke and see the flames...

Cathy McDavid is a new-to-me author but I was intrigued by the title and cover of Wildfire Threat, plus I'm a Love Inspired fan so it was an all around win-win-win for me.

I had a hard time with Rayna for quite awhile, she seemed so determined to believe the worst about Aden based on his past and no matter the present evidence to the contrary. But, then again, how many times do we do that in real life? Probably a lot more than we should...

One thing I will touch on was the realistic but gently sympathetic portrayal of an old character facing cognitive decline and the fallout as the family members try to cope with the changes and the gradual slipping away. It's something you don't see often in fiction, though it's a reality millions face each day, and I really appreciated its inclusion in the storyline.

Full of danger and excitement that will keep you on the edge of your seat and poignant moments about life that cause a tear, Wildfire Threat was quite the read and I'm glad that I'm no longer a stranger to Cathy McDavid and her Love Inspired fiction...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Wildfire Threat 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

CONNECT WITH CATHY:
Website | Facebook |
Instagram | Twitter

In the third grade, NY Times, USA Today, and Amazon bestselling author Cathy McDavid made it her goal to read every Black Stallion book ever written. Who knew such an illustrious ambition would eventually lead to a lifelong love of all things western, owning a stagecoach pulled by six mules, and a career writing contemporary romances for Harlequin? With over 55 titles in print and 1.6 million books sold, This “almost” Arizona native and mother of grown twins is married to her own real-life sweetheart. After leaving the corporate world eight years ago, she now spends her days penning stories about handsome cowboys riding the range, busting broncs, and sweeping gals off their feet — oops, no. Make that winning the hearts of feisty, independent women who give the cowboys a run for their money.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

(2) winners will receive a print copy of A Secret Christmas Wish and Her Cowboy
Sweetheart, a cowboy coffee mug, a $5 Starbucks gift card, and author bling!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked
below. Giveaway began at midnight May 31, 2022 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on
June 7, 2022. US only. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given
48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

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