The Art of Us ~ Review

The Art of Us 

By Julie Wright

This book is timely as more people find themselves homeless. It is told from the perspective of a high school student who has lost her mom and been abandoned by her father. 

Ireland Raine seems to have it all. At least, she's doing a really good job of hiding just how bad her life has become. She sleeps in a sleeping bag by night in a freezing, out-of-the-way public bathroom (little more than an outhouse). Her clothes, well washing is not possible. And food? She gets a meal at school. She just needs to hold on for a little longer to avoid foster care. When she turns 18, everything will be different; she won't have to hide anymore. She can get a job, get into college, and live the rest of her life.

That is until everything falls in on her. But before it does, she makes friends with her crush, Kal Ellis. Things seem great until the truth of her situation becomes known. But should some secrets be kept secret? Or is it better to reveal the truth, though it is initially hurtful? This choice is more fully fleshed out and has a more significant impact on readers. What is the correct answer? What would you choose?

This sensitively written book allows tweens and teens to glimpse the harsh realities of life for those without a home. I appreciate its educational qualities. I feel this is a book that schools and public libraries should have on their shelves. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

*Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection*

About the Book:

Falling in love is complicated when you’re both keeping secrets.

On the surface, everything seems perfect for high school senior Ireland Raine. She’s intelligent and artistically talented, and her natural beauty and quiet charm are enviable. However, Ireland harbors a secret she’ll guard at any cost—she’s homeless.

When her crush, Kal Ellis, invites her on a date, she seizes the opportunity. Ireland has never had a boyfriend before, and Kal is not just a guitarist for the local band, he’s also an artist. Their connection is instantaneous, and he suggests they collaborate on the school mural. Working and laughing alongside Kal, Ireland can momentarily forget her problems.

However, when someone exposes her secret, Ireland ends up in a foster home alongside her most despised adversary, Mara Washington. To make matters worse, Ireland discovers it was Kal who revealed her secret.

Furious, Ireland must decide if she has the strength to forgive the boy who stole her heart or if she is better off alone.

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Dangerous Christmas Investigation ~ Review

Dangerous Christmas Investigation 

Lone Star Defenders #1

By Virginia Vaughan

Deputy Sabrina Reagan is on a mission, and nothing is going to get in her way. She will bring down the man she blames for her brother's overdose, and threats won't stop her. Her grief and anger turned against the man she loved and planned a future with. Now Detective Jake Harris is back in town working undercover to bring down the same man that Sabrina is after.

But there is a little secret between them, a four-year-old son that Jake never knew about. Jake's reaction is understandable - shock, anger, and loss. But if the two of them can't work together and get past their feelings of betrayal, they may not live to see what the future holds for them.

Dangerous Christmas Investigation is the first book in Virginia Vaughan's Lone Star Defenders series. If you have read her in the past, you won't be disappointed in this newest offering. I have to be honest; Sabrina annoyed me. Her whole attitude was just out of proportion concerning Jake. She took risks and allowed herself to be blinded to other matters of importance in her drive to get justice. I do get it: grief made her respond in a certain way, and then she was left to live with the consequences of those moments. Overall, this was good series debut.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

An undercover mission…

turns into a fight for survival.

Agreeing to take his late twin brother’s place in an undercover DEA operation reunites detective Jake Harris with a familiar face—and throws him into the line of fire. After he and his ex-girlfriend, Deputy Sabrina Reagan, survive a drive-by shooting, they’ll have to work together to capture a merciless drug trafficker. But when a price is placed on her head, Jake discovers Sabrina has a secret—his four-year-old son. With armed criminals out for blood, can Jake dismantle this drug operation to protect the family he didn’t know he had?

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

Lone Star Defenders

Tea With Elephants ~ Review

Tea With Elephants

Suitcase Sisters #1

By Robin Jones Gunn

"If you want to travel fast, go alone. If you want to travel far, go together." This quote which is from the back cover so perfectly sums up this book. As besties Fern Espinoza and Lily Garden fulfill a longtime dream of taking a trip to Kenya, a trip that lasted only a week, but was life changing.

Fern's life is in a state of upheaval at the time and with the support of her husband and Lily, she is determined to enjoy the experience. For both Lily and Fern the time in Kenya allows both to see the world and their lives through a changed perspective. It is amazing what one week can do in a person's life.

I loved the scenes where the safari part of the trip took place. With a title like Tea With Elephants, one gets a visual in one's head and it is always nice when such an expectation is met. I've read Robin Jones Gunn's books in the past and was not disappointed in this series debut. And fun bonus there are a couple of recipes to try out.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

When longtime friends Fern and Lily get the chance to fulfill their dream of going on safari in Kenya, they welcome the break from their complicated worlds back home. But the journey will provide more than a change of scenery; it just might give them a new perspective on the lives they’ll return to. 

The Color of Home ~ Review

The Color of Home

By Kit Tosello

Audrey Needham is counting on getting a promotion, but on the day of her big presentation, Murphy's Law struck, and she didn't even see it coming. With her past and present about to meet, she's dealing with all the pain that she's tried to leave behind. Her great-aunt Daisy needs her help, and from what Audrey can see, she's needed it for some time as great-uncle Dean's Alzheimer's becomes too much to handle alone anymore.

But Charity Falls, Oregon, is more than Daisy's home; it is also where her father lost his life in a tragic fire. A fire that chases Audrey in her sleep, hiding her happy memories. Could this be just what she needs to confront the pain of the past and find her true place?

Change is never easy and when it involves the past, pain, and family it is doubly hard. But sometimes all you need is to hear or share another part of the story.  Different perspectives can change the colors we view our life through.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Audrey Needham, Bay Area interior designer to the rich and pretentious, is down to her last nerve. Her boss is impossible to please, her future is in jeopardy, and her great-aunt Daisy needs support as her husband descends into Alzheimer's.

When Daisy enlists Audrey's help preparing for a move to assisted living, Audrey risks her career to return to the idyllic small town of Charity Falls, Oregon, the summer stomping grounds of her childhood. But Charity Falls was also the place that broke her heart when her father was killed in a tragic fire at the Sugar Pine Inn thirteen years ago.

Despite Audrey's intent to avoid emotional entanglement, the pull of home is hard to resist. Something should be done about the deteriorating inn. A local girl with an incarcerated father needs a friend. And handsome local do-gooder Cade Carter is coloring Audrey all shades of uncertain.

Join award-winning writer and debut novelist Kit Tosello in this lyrical and often humorous exploration of how God redeems brokenness and draws us to the life we're meant to find.

A Token of Love ~ Review and IG Giveaway

A Token of Love

By Carrie Turansky

A Token of Love is a standalone title and a perfect introduction for anyone who has never read Carrie Turansky's work. It is a split-time story centered around London's Foundling Hospital. The two stories are over a hundred years apart, set in 1885 and 2023.

In 1885, Lillian Freemont has been championing the cause of women and their need for education and respectable, well-paying employment. When she learns that her niece was placed in the Foundling Hospital, she attempts to reclaim her. But lies and secrecy have hidden the truth of Alice's whereabouts. And what Lillian learns is more than a little alarming and she needs help. And the help she gets is from investigative reporter Matthew McGiven who just happens to be investigating missing young women.

In 2023, Janelle Spencer is acting director of the Foundling Museum having to work with a filmmaker hired to create a documentary of the museum's history. Jonas Conrad is determined to make the best film he can, his future depends on its success. But when his research leads to some unsettling history it could derail the entire project and hurt the museum. 

Jenelle and Jonas then conduct more extensive research into the history of the Foundling Hospital and here is where our two stories come together. Alice's story is at the heart of everything, and it is an interesting story. And with everything there are two sides to every story that drive it forward and the author does a wonderful job bringing it to life in both time periods. This is a search for truth and justice. 

This book will appeal to those who enjoy Historical Fiction, Victorian-Era Fiction, Split-time Fiction, or a mystery.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Be sure to enter the giveaway on Instagram! 

Enter at https://www.instagram.com/p/C_cWGDkCVXK/

About the Book:

Separated by centuries, the lives of two women intertwine through their shared pursuit of love, truth, and justice.

In 1885 London, Lillian Freemont embarks on a treacherous journey to reunite with her long-lost niece, Alice, who was abandoned at the Foundling Hospital eight years ago. Fueled by her sister's plea and armed with the gold token that identifies her niece, Lillian teams up with investigative reporter Matthew McGivern to expose the grim reality of the shadowed streets of London. As Lillian and Matthew unravel the mystery of Alice's disappearance, their partnership blossoms into one of shared purpose and undeniable attraction.

In present-day London, Janelle Spencer finds herself unexpectedly running the Foundling Museum. When filmmaker Jonas Conrad arrives to document the museum's history, their collaboration takes a surprising turn as they uncover articles from the past that shed light on a haunting connection to the present. As Janelle becomes caught between exposing the truth and protecting the museum's reputation, she must decide if she can risk everything for what she believes.

About the Author:

Carrie Turansky is the award-winning author of twenty-one inspirational novels and novellas and a winner of the Carol Award, the International Digital Award, and the HOLT Medallion. She loves traveling to England to research her Edwardian novels, including No Journey Too Far, No Ocean Too Wide, Across the Blue, and the Edwardian Brides series. Her novels have been translated into several languages and have received starred reviews from Christianbook.com and Library Journal. 

Learn more at carrieturansky.com.

Coming July 4, 2024 ~ True Love's Wish & Other Short Stories

 I thrilled that you can soon read True Love's Wish & Other Short Stories.

Just a little about the stories.

There are three - True Love's Wish, The Decorator, and Forever Yours.

I loved writing each of these short stories, but (drops voice to a whisper)

don't tell the other stories but Forever Yours is my favorite.

Here is a short blurb for each story and a small snippet from each:

True Love's Wish:
With her brother about to propose to her best friend, Ashley makes a wish on the Christmas star for her own true love. What follows is a sweet story about finding love where we least expect it. Has all the good feels of a Hallmark movie without the snarky leading lady.

The Decorator:
Bri loves her job as a decorator, but this job has a winter surprise in store for her.

Forever Yours:
In a Cinderella/Sleeping Beauty retelling mashup, Ella lives a hundred years in the hope of awakening her prince. But the curse that has held a kingdom in an endless slumber isn't so easily defeated.

Available to preorder at Amazon

A Cameo for a Cowgirl ~ Review

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for 

A Cameo for a Cowgirl by Carolyn Miller, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

A Cameo for the Cowgirl
Three Creek Ranch #1
By Carolyn Miller

Cassie James is burning her candle at both ends and in the middle, so when newly hired actor Harrison Woods shows up on the set of As the Heart Draws and makes some complaints, she's less than pleased to meet him.

It sounds like a match made in nowhere, right? But 

Cassie's first impression of Harrison as a spoiled, ego-driven star isn't quite right. And his impression of her being a cowgirl wannabe is so far from the truth that these two need to have a do-over and start fresh. But it is not as easy to do in real life as it is in front of a camera.

The longer Cassie is around Harrison, the grumpier she gets; she just can't understand her feelings. But those on the outside of the drama have a sneaking suspicion. But the biggest drawback to Harrison, in Cassie's opinion, is his lack of faith. Now, Harrison isn't completely in the dark about God, but he doesn't need a God who is anything like his father. No thank, no how, no way, count him out. 

As the quiet, simple setting of the period drama works on him, Harrison begins to think about things in a different way. Some of the people he meets at Three Creek Ranch and on the set of As the Heart Draws have a powerful effect on him, including a grumpy cowgirl. 

It is interesting to get into Cassie's mind and see all she is feeling and her confusion about her own attitude. I was glad Harrison's internal debates counterbalanced it. It made the story more compelling to see where each was coming from in the course of their verbal exchanges; not all were argumentative. Both seem eager to prove themselves in what they are doing, seeking worth in their deeds and accomplishments. Overall, this was a good read, and I enjoyed getting to know the James family more. (Read Fire and Ice for their intro.)

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book

Title: A Cameo for the Cowgirl
Series: Three Creek Ranch #1
Author: Carolyn Miller
Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date: June 14, 2024
Genre: Christian Romantic Comedy

Welcome to Three Creek Ranch, home of the James family for over a hundred years, complete with its own Western movie set. 

Franklin James might be a famous pro hockey player, but just because he's Cassie's older brother doesn't mean she wants to step into the limelight. She's too busy helping her dad run the ranch and managing the ranch's movie set, and negotiating with the giant egos of movie stars like Harrison Woods, who's supposed to be filming the new TV series of As The Heart Draws. And while his TV hero characters might be hugely popular, Harrison's real character seems anything but noble. Cassie is convinced he's hiding something, and that this diva's nice guy moments are just an act. 

Can she remind him what being a true hero is all about?

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

Also Available

   

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About the Author

Carolyn Miller is a bestselling Australian author of historical and contemporary romance. A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English Literature, and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. Her Regency novels include the Regency Brides and the Regency Wallflowers series. Her contemporary novels include the Original Six and Northwest Ice hockey romance series, the Muskoka Shores romance series, and those in the Independence Islands series. Her stories have been described by Publishers Weekly as "a winsome exploration of life, love and faith" and witty "with snappy repartee that rockets off the page" (Library Journal). Readers enjoy these books that are humorous yet also deal with real issues, such as dealing with forgiveness, the nature of really loving versus 'true love', and other challenges. Her novels can be considered 'inspirational', and may appeal to readers of Christian fiction, who want stories of hope and redemption - with a twist of Aussie humour.

Connect with Carolyn at carolynmillerauthor.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win 

a print book (US only) 

or ebook (where available) 

copy of A Cameo for the Cowgirl 

plus a $20 Amazon gift card!

The full tour schedule is linked below. 

The giveaway begins at midnight on June 12, 2024, 

and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 19, 2024. 

The winner will be notified within 2 weeks of the giveaway's close 

and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of the prize. 

The giveaway is US only for print. 

Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

The giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

You're the Reason ~ Review

You’re the Reason 

Home to Heritage #1

By Susan May Warren 

       and Tari Faris

Seth Warner needs a job and knows he can get one from his cousin. He's hoping for a chance to rebuild his life, but with a felony attached to his name returning to Heritage is the only way he can see to go forward. But visiting the past was not something he wanted to do. He was changed, but somethings aren't easily forgotten or forgiven. And he never expected to see Grace Howell.

Grace needs to recover if she has any hope of dancing again, and she needs to rediscover her passion. Her parents' push for perfection has pushed it out of her heart. Can she find it in Heritage?

 

When a bit of a snafu finds Grace and Seth sharing the same piece of real estate it makes for an interesting conundrum; logistically speaking.                    

 

 

And the situation allows them the chance that their teen years and her parents didn't.  But can they let go of the past and all the its pain to achieve their heart's desire?

 

This is a book of second chances and new beginnings but it will never happen if they can't step back and examine their lives from a different perspective. I have to say Grace rubbed me the wrong way when the book first started, she had an attitude of I'm better than all this - I'm a dancer, I don't teach. But as the story went on I think fear was her motivation. And Seth had my sympathy from the very beginning. He just seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time way too much. This was a good read for anyone looking for a new Contemporary Christian Romance to add to their TBR list.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Release Date: June 25, 2024

About the Book:

 How could she ever love the man blamed for her brother’s death? A novel of Redemption, Forgiveness, and Unrequited Love in this Home to Heritage novel.

She never intended to return to Heritage.

When an injury sidelines her, Grace Howell leaves her life as a ballerina and returns to Heritage, Michigan, to heal. Teaching dance is just a temporary gig, until she finds herself unexpectedly charmed by small-town life and her growing attachment to Seth Warner, a man from her past with a troubled history of his own.

He’s back in Heritage as a changed man.

The last place Seth thought he’d return is Heritage, but a felony record has narrowed his options, compelling him back to a community that hasn’t forgotten his transgressions. Dreams of starting a Ninja Gym give him purpose, yet it’s his entanglement with Grace—the woman he once let slip away—that ignites his desire to stay. Is this his chance at redemption and to live out the love he’s always harbored?

But can they forget the past?

When Grace’s old ballet company offers her a chance to come back, she’s faced with a heart-wrenching decision: pursue the dream she’s always known or stay with the community and man that have captured her heart, even as that love is put to the test.

But has Seth really changed?

Seth’s world is rocked by a confrontation that threatens to pull him back into the world he’s tried so hard to escape. He must fight to clear his name and protect his future with Grace, proving that his commitment to change is more than just talk.

With their happiness hanging by a thread, the decisions they make will define their fates and the heart of Heritage itself.

Unforgiven ~ Review

Unforgiven

Shelley Shepard Gray

One hears about the forgiving spirit of the Amish community and the dislike of anger and violence, Unforgiven paints a far different story for those who live within the community and stray from the dictated way. 

Seth Zimmerman made a mistake when he accidentally killed a man while protecting someone else. But his actions put him in jail, allowing English influences to change him. And if certain rumors are to be believed, he wasn't as innocent as he claimed, nor was the young woman he aided.

Tabitha Yoder was the community's schoolteacher until her husband demanded that she give up the position. When she filed for divorce after she was abused, it didn't elicit sympathy. Rather, she was expelled from the community. After all, her husband deserved a second chance and she didn't give it to him.

Two people are judged for doing what they felt was right. Victims are re-victimized. And forgiveness is withheld from themselves. For both Seth and Tabitha yes their own community didn't step up and support them as they should but both were also driven by their own guilt in the incidents that marked their lives. 

This book explores tragic events and the impact they have on the lives of those involves years later. This book explores the guilt we carry for what at the time seemed like a simple right or left question and the consequences were so much larger. This is a well-written book that makes one think and I love books that make me think. This isn't your typical Amish read, but something much better.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Ex-con Seth Zimmerman has spent the last three years making amends by helping the vulnerable in his former Amish community. Lately, this mission includes calling on Tabitha Yoder, whose divorce from her abusive husband has isolated her from the community. Even though she never comes out of her house to talk to him, Seth knows she watches him from the window while he chops wood, clears her driveway, and drops off food.

An uneasy friendship is just starting to take hold between them when small gifts begin to appear at Tabitha's home--gifts that can only be from her ex-husband. Seth might be Tabitha's only hope at maintaining her hard-won freedom from the man whose violent outbursts had almost cost her life. But coming to her rescue might mean he ends up behind bars once again.

Get swept up in this emotional story of two outcasts who may be each other's only hope for happiness and redemption from New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray.

Texas Ranch Cold Case ~ Review

Texas Ranch Cold Case
Cowboy Protectors #4
By Virginia Vaughan

The mystery of her mother's disappearance has defined Ally Fulton's life. The need to know the truth is driving her to discover it. Rumors say she ran off, abandoning Ally. If only Ally could remember what happened—she knows her mother is dead and somewhere on the Harmon family ranch. She blames the Harmon family for protecting their secrets and hiding the truth about what happened that day twenty years ago. 

Tucker Harmon never wanted to return to the family ranch. Not after his grandfather refused to help him and his mother, leaving him to the abusive hand of a step-father. Unfortunately, he's also avoided his cousins. But now he has no choice but to face the past.

As Tucker aids Ally in her quest for the truth, they discover that someone doesn't want the truth to come out. Worse, this elusive someone will silence her, and they don't care who else they must eliminate to keep the past firmly in the past.

But the deeper Tucker digs the more questions that are raised. Someone is lying, and until they know why, they will have to keep looking over their shoulders. Could the suspected murderer be someone they know? Or was it someone drifting through the area? Because if Ally is to be believed, her mother never left the Harmon ranch. 

This is the final book in the Cowboy Protectors series, which features the four Harmon cousins—cousins who all lost their fathers and were abandoned by their grandfather, Chet Harmon. This book touches on Chet's death and the secrets he took to the grave. This book offers plenty of suspense as the truth dangles in front of them just out of reach.  

If you love Romantic Suspense that isn't over-the-top in graphic anything (romance or violence), you'll want to read Virginia Vaughan's Texas Ranch Cold Case. This book is the perfect length for a HOT Summer weekend. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Solving a decades-old crime

will leave no place safe…

Twenty years after her mother vanished, Ally Fulton returns to Harmon Ranch—the last place she was seen—and barely makes it out alive. Someone doesn’t want Ally digging up the truth. With a target on her back, she reluctantly accepts protection from Officer Tucker Harmon. Can he keep Ally alive—and right his family’s wrongs—before she’s silenced for good?

From Love Inspired Suspense:
Courage.

Danger.

Faith.

Cowboy Protectors
Book 1: Kidnapped in Texas
Book 2: Texas Ranch Target
Book 3: Dangerous Texas Hideout
Book 4: Texas Ranch Cold Case

Hidden in the Night ~ Review

Hidden in the Night
Missing in Alaska #3
By Elizabeth Goddard

Ivy Elliot is the one Nolan Long let get away. But when the opportunity arises to maybe win her heart, everything is put on hold when she turns up in Alaska, hunting for a rare manuscript by Jack London.

But Ivy isn't the only person interested in this manuscript. In fact, someone is willing to kill for it. And when a young woman goes missing while in possession of the manuscript, Ivy's short stint in Alaska becomes longer. She can't turn her back on a young woman in need of help. 

When an attack leaves the Alaska State Troopers down an officer, Nolan's vacation is postponed. And as Ivy and Nolan continue investigating, they start to find unexpected links in their cases. Is it just a coincidence, or is something more sinister at play?

Hidden in the Night is the third and final book in the Missing in Alaska series, and it is full of page-turning suspense as the clock, the weather, and a determined killer work against them. Will Ivy and Nolan have a chance at determining the future where their hearts are concerned? Or will a killer end their romance before it begins?

This is an all-nighter, so plan on reading over a weekend and let everyone know you will be unavailable for the foreseeable future. Set your cell phone on silent, grab your favorite drink, snuggle into your reading corner, and delve into the frozen Alaska wilderness; I highly recommend reading the first two books before starting Hidden in the Night, though the title can be read as a stand-alone title.   
                                                                                                                                                                        I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

About the Book:

In this breathtaking race for the truth,

Not everyone will get out alive.

At the behest of her ailing mother, former FBI special agent turned rare-book collector Ivy Elliott arrives in Alaska to secure an unpublished Jack London manuscript kept secreted away for decades. But when she arrives, she learns the manuscript is gone--taken by the granddaughter of the woman who possessed it. Ivy sets off in pursuit, not just to save the manuscript but to save the vulnerable girl, who was previously trafficked and has no idea what she's getting herself into.
 
Joining forces with Alaska State Trooper Nolan Long, Ivy must battle a blizzard, sabotage, and the worst of an Alaskan winter as the search goes on. But every answer they find only raises more questions--and the danger to their lives and to the missing girl may only be the tip of the iceberg.
 
Don't miss this breathtaking race for truth set amid the glorious--and deadly--Glacier Bay from USA Today bestselling author Elizabeth Goddard.

A Summer to Remember ~ Review

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for A Summer to Remember by Lisa Phillips, Andrea Christenson, Rebecca Reed, Gina Conroy, Angela Ruth Strong, Carrie Padgett, Tabitha Bouldin, and Bell Renshaw, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

A Summer to Remember is a two-book series, each featuring four stories. The first book, Bright Lights, includes stories by Lisa Phillips, Andrea Christenson, Rebecca Reed, and Gina Conroy. 

I really enjoyed Finally Home by Lisa Phillips, which has a fun link back to her Last Chance County books.  Ashley Monroe has been working for the Police Commissioner and has a reputation for being an Ice Queen. So when Ashley plays a bit of defense, keeping someone out of the commissioner's office, everyone is more than a little surprised, and she becomes the hot gossip topic around town.

Ashley's new notability brings her to the attention of Fire Chief Greyson Frayer, who has his own issues to deal with following an on-the-job injury that left him with scars. 

With a loving aunt on the scene, could these two hurting people find a lasting and healing happily ever after in their futures? Or will the hurts of the past keep them from stepping outside of their comfort zone?

A contemporary romance that will delight anyone who enjoys Hallmark's Romance movies.

Starry Nights is the second book in the A Summer to Remember series, and it features contemporary romances by Angela Ruth Strong, Carrie Padgett, Tabitha Bouldin, and Bell Renshaw.

Angela Ruth Strong's Out of Play finds single mom Rebecca, aka Bex, Lemaire scrambling to find a coach for her 8-year-old daughter's soccer team after she's forced out as a coach. She did a big no-no; her team won by more than 7 points! Yikes and double yikes when the proverbial playbook is thrown at her, and she's out of a volunteer coaching position. 

When Skylar Hayes agrees, reluctantly, to take over coaching the Ladybugs for their 5-week season, he's sure Bex is a fan who wants to make it big on social media by getting a selfie or something. 

News Flash: She has no idea who he is. She just wants to make the coach who kicked her off the team pay by losing again to the Landybugs. When Bex's presence keeps all the other selfie-crazed soccer moms at bay, she is offered the job of assistant coach. Who wouldn't say YES!

But all too soon, Bex learns she and Skylar have different goals for the season ahead - he wants to have, and she wants to win. Do these two opposites attract or repel like magnets? You'll have to get this book to find out. But it was a fun read, and the megaphone Bex pulled out was a fun touch for someone who takes her soccer way too seriously; I mean, these kids are eight years old!

So if you'd like to book the next eight weekends of your summer - this series is the perfect option. One story every weekend equals good reading ahead.

I was provided complimentary copies of these two book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Books

Eight summer novels across 2 volumes.
From Christian fiction’s hottest contemporary romance authors.

Title: Bright Lights
Series: A Summer to Remember #1
Authors: Lisa Phillips, Andrea Christenson, Rebecca Reed, Gina Conroy
Publisher: Two Dogs Publishing, LLC
Release Date: May 16, 2024
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Finally Home - Lisa Phillips 

Ashlynn Monroe knows she has a reputation as the Ice Queen, but being the police commissioner's assistant that rep serves her just fine thank you. When her Aunt Ruby comes to visit from Last Chance County on the anniversary of Ashlynn's mom's death, neither realizes it's a week that will alter both their lives in ways they never imagined. 

 Fire Chief Greyson Frayer followed in his father's footsteps. Saving lives is who he is, but the burn scars he earned along the way seem to have kept him from the life he wants...until he sees a familiar face as if for the first time. Is Ashlynn the future he's been looking for? 

With a romance brewing between Russ and Ruby in the background, Adelynn and Greyson discover the future they've always wanted. And the chance to finally come home.  

Summer at Trillium Lake - Andrea Christenson 

Privileged Athena Vassos is banished to the family’s lake property near Sunset Falls, WI, to “think about” her place in the family’s multimillion-dollar business. She isn’t sure what she wants with her life now that she has finished her graduate degree. 

At the rustic Trillium Lake Bible Camp, Sean Campbell is overwhelmed. He was only supposed to be the deputy director, not much more than a glorified handyman, not running the whole show. 

When a devastating tornado rips through the camp, Sean and Athena need to work together despite their differences.  

Loving the Rodeo Queen - Rebecca Reed 

Quinn Mulroney, former rodeo queen, lost it all. Now, she’s dreaming of becoming a veterinarian while caring for her daughter. She’s never forgotten the one man she called hero. 

Tiago Vargas is seeking his passion, hoping to prove himself to his exacting father. When fate brings Quinn back into his life, he sees a second chance at his first love and offers her a job. 

But she’s not the same woman he rescued. She carries a secret, and if Tiago discovers it, will he still be her hero, or will her hidden life destroy her last shot at happiness?  

Anxious for Love - Gina Conroy 

Event planner Charlee Lovelle, with a talent for creating perfect moments, except her own, is fed up with online dating games. Australian dating coach Maxwell Adams just wants to help people find love and take his business to the next level, not play the dodgy Love Doctor. Both frustrated with the superficiality of modern relationships, Charlee and Maxwell engage in an emotional game of tug-of-war as they embark on separate paths of self-discovery. In a whirlwind of humor, heart, and unexpected connection, they navigate the complexities of romance and relationships, but will they recognize the pull towards each other or will their own inner struggles keep them apart?

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

Title: Starry Nights
Series: A Summer to Remember #2
Authors: Angela Ruth Strong, Carrie Padgett, Tabitha Bouldin, Bell Renshaw
Publisher: Two Dogs Publishing, LLC
Release Date: June 6, 2024
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Out of Play - Angela Ruth Strong 

When single mom Bex Lemaire is asked to step down as her eight-year-old daughter’s soccer coach for getting too competitive, she’s hoping the new coach will let her assist. Former child star Skylar Hayes agrees to take over the team as research for his comeback role. At first, he mistakes Bex for a raving fan but eventually realizes she's only crazy about soccer, which gives her the skills needed to train him. She's all work, while he likes to play, but together, they just might win.  

Lauren's Second Chance - Carrie Padgett 

Lauren’s Second Chance is a contemporary romance for readers who love sun, sand, and satisfying endings. Lauren and Mason were each other’s first loves, until life broke them apart. A decade later, when the opportunity arises to appear with Mason on a reality show, Lauren is conflicted. She needs this show for what it means to a project near to her heart. But can she keep that heart safe from the man who broke it once? Grab your shades and SPF 30 sunscreen to dive into a reality television dating show story where first love is also forever love.  

Her Cowboy Champion - Tabitha Bouldin 

It’s true that money can’t buy happiness. No one knows that better than Sage Rhett after her boyfriend steals her photography business and leaves her penniless. Heartbroken, faith shattered, she returns to Apple Creek–the last place she called home. 

Maverick Pierce is used to people seeing him for the money attached to his family name. As a Pierce, he’s afforded anything that money can buy, but the one thing he wants can never be bought. 

When Sage accepts a job working at the Pierce ranch, Maverick discovers he never stopped loving the fiery cowgirl who broke his heart when she left twelve years ago. If he wants to win her over, he’ll have to do more than flash a little money. This second chance, rags to riches, cowboy romance pits love against responsibility as Sage and Maverick struggle to overcome their history and trust God for a happily ever after. 

Love in the Lyrics - Bell Renshaw 

Liberty “Libby” Taylor has maxed out on space for her equine therapy business. The best way to gain the capital she needs in order to expand requires a bit of subterfuge, but that will also mean pulling one over on her new boss. 

Singer and songwriter Harland Grey left LA for Winter, Montana in the hopes of finding peace from the demons of his not-so-distant past, but purchasing Melody Ranch may not hold the answers he’s looking for. 

Thrown together, sparks fly between the two, but will the secrets kept between them finally be what tears them apart?  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon

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About the Authors

 

Lisa Phillips is a USA Today and top ten Publishers Weekly bestselling author of 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.

Connect with Lisa at authorlisaphillips.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

Andrea Christenson lives in a Minneapolis, MN suburb with her husband and two daughters. When she is not busy homeschooling her girls, she loves to read anything she can get her hands on. She believes that a great loaf of artistic bread can turn a meal into a masterpiece. Andrea’s prayer is to write stories revealing God’s love.

Connect with Andrea at andreachristenson.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

 

Rebecca Reed loves adventure. From riding race horses to sampling the world's ice cream flavors to writing tales of identity and purpose, she sees obstacles as challenges. You might find her listening to audiobooks on her rural Indiana farm. A wife, mother, and grandmother with a huge, fruit-eating canine, her dream is to bring God glory through fiction that delights readers with compelling, flawed characters whose search for identity and purpose reveals God's truth.

Connect with Rebecca at rebeccareedwrites.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

Born and bred in New York, Gina Conroy now lives in the Midwest where she splits her time, and sometimes her personality, as a writer, teacher, and life balance coach. Whether writing fiction or real life stories, Gina infuses faith with fun and hopes her readers take away a satisfying read that delves just beneath the surface.

Connect with Gina at ginaconroy.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

 

Angela Ruth Strong works as a flight attendant, survived breast cancer, and uses her own crazy life experiences as inspiration for the stories she writes. Her books have earned TOP PICK in Romantic Times, been nominated for a Christy, won the Cascade Award, and become Amazon bestsellers. She and her husband also got to play extras when her novel Finding Love in Big Sky was adapted for film. To help aspiring authors, Angela started IDAhope Writers where she lives in Idaho.

Connect with Angela at angelaruthstrong.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

Carrie Padgett has lived in every part of California, and currently writes from her office with a view of the Sierra Nevada. She thinks nuts take up room where chocolate ought to be and chips and dip should be its own food group. She and her husband have been married for far longer than most reality shows last. She has two daughters, two sons-in-law, and six grandkids who call her Grammie.

Connect with Carrie at carriepadgett.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

 

Tabitha Bouldin has a bachelor's degree in creative writing/English from Southern New Hampshire University. She is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author and an avid reader. When she's not homeschooling her kids, you'll find her curled up with a book. Tabitha's genre of choice is Contemporary Christian Romance which she describes as: Adventure with heart.

Connect with Tabitha at tabithabouldin.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

Bell Renshaw is a pen name for Emilie Haney. She grew up in the Pacific Northwest and has a love for the outdoors that matches her love for the written word. She turned her passion for stories toward writing at an early age, finding entertainment and adventure in made-up worlds fed by the books her parents read to her as a child. Now, she's still getting lost in those worlds but they are of her own making.

She believes that—no matter what—love fights for what's right. 

Connect with Bell/Emilie at emiliehaney.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each win paperback copies of both Bright Lights and Starry Nights.

(4) additional winners will each win ebook copies of both Bright Lights and Starry Nights.

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight June 3, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 10, 2024. 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 for print copies. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

Love on a Whim ~ Review

Love on a Whim

Cape Cod Creamery #3

By Suzanne Woods Fisher

First off I have to say I just love the cover of this book - the cake, the pastel colors of sunrise (or sunset) it just drew me to the book. Yes, I know don't judge a book by it cover but it can certainly be the first step towards picking out a book. And this cover does the book justice as the author takes us back to Cape Cod for a third visit. This time Dawn Dixon's BFF Brynn Haywood is the central character.

Brynn has done something totally out of character - she got married to a man she met hours before. Yikes! And that's exactly how she's now feeling. And Dawn, being Dawn, wants to fix everything, even if it means ignoring everything Brynn wants. Because Dawn knows best, even if everyone else thinks she basically a control freak. 

But Brynn's arrival in Cape Cod couldn't have come at a better time as Linc Hayes, the Dixon family friend, estranged family is "in town" for Linc's daughter's wedding. Can you see where this is going? Yeah, everyone is going to have to pitch in to pull off this wedding, because there is a mom-zilla of the bride thing going on. And all the while Brynn is trying to figure out just where she wants her life to be headed.

This is the final book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone title if you haven't read the previous books. It was actually really good and it was interesting to see Dawn in action again. I have to admit I would not want her for a friend - I can just imagine what she'd find wrong with my life (inner cringe) and want to fix. I love how Cape Cod brought changes to the lives of so many, by visiting they were able to take a look at their lives from a different perspective and "reset" their lives so to speak. And did I mention I love the cover!

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Brynn Haywood's impulsive marriage to a man she'd known less than 24 hours leaves her with deep regret. She flees to Cape Cod, finding refuge with her loyal friend, Dawn Dixon. As Brynn grapples with her emotions, Dawn acts swiftly, eager to help secure a lawyer for her through her mother Marnie's good friend, Lincoln Hayes. However, Lincoln's preoccupation with his daughter's lavish wedding brings unexpected challenges.

The arrival of Lincoln's estranged son, Bear Hayes, stirs the waters further. Alarmed by his father's extravagant generosity toward the Dixon family, Bear ignites friction between Marnie and Lincoln. As the wedding day arrives, Lincoln vanishes--and an unwelcome guest makes a surprise appearance.

Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher delights with this sweet story of love, family, and the unpredictability of life.

Hidden Mountain Secrets ~ Review

Hidden Mountain Secrets

Tunnel Creek #3

By Kerry Johnson

A mysterious death.

    A secluded mansion.

        This investigation could be fatal…

Brielle Holt was just supposed to handle the dispersal of the estate's antiques. Instead, she finds herself the target of a killer and she has no idea why. She'll need the help of Lucas Scott, CSI agent, and childhood friend if she hopes to stay alive long enough to figure out why. And she is not crushing on her former teenage crush, nope absolutely not, well maybe just a little. (He did save her life.)

Lucas is back in Tunnel Creek investigating a suspicious death. When his case seemingly crosses with the attack on Brielle, he is more than willing to help protect his best friend's little sister. What he didn't expect was to have feelings for her, a BIG NO-NO. She's his best friend's little sis, and he knows Jasper would object. 

But as the danger draws closer and the killer remains just out of reach Lucas will do everything to keep Brielle safe. He can't lose another woman he loves on his watch.

Hidden Mountain Secrets is a clean Romantic Suspense offering from Love Inspired Suspense. There isn't graphic anything so no late-night sleeplessness from nightmares just the excuse of one more chapter. After all one needs to know the who and why behind the attacks on Brielle. And whether or not Lucas and Brielle have the chance at a tomorrow together. Overall a good read, that, though this book 3 in a series, can easily be read as a standalone title.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own. 

⇒ Instagram Giveaway – (1) winner will receive a copy of the book and a $30 Amazon gift card!

TO ENTER

⇒ LIKE, SAVE, and SHARE this Instagram post

⇒ FOLLOW me @Bloomingwbooks, @kerryjohnsonauthor , and @justreadtours

⇒ TAG a friend (up to 3x per post).

⇒ VISIT each Instagram-hosted post of this tour for more entries. Schedule at @justreadtours. (US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics. Instagram is not affiliated with nor responsible for this giveaway. The giveaway ends at 11:59 PM EST on May 21, 2024.)

Purchase Links – LoveInspired.com    Amazon

About the Book:
Release Date: May 21, 2024
Genre: Romantic Suspense (Clean)

A mysterious death. 

A secluded mansion.

This investigation could be fatal…

Antique dealer Brielle Holt uncovers more than just priceless relics when she overhears a secret that puts a target on her back. Caught in the crosshairs of a deadly family feud, Brielle has nowhere safe to hide…until CSI agent Lucas Scott steps in to protect her. With assailants following their every move, Lucas and Brielle must stay one step ahead of someone desperate to hide the truth…and bury them with it.

Chapter 5 is Available to Read!

 Chapter 5 of Yours, Mine and Hours is now available

It's time for the next chapter in our Story of the Month Club series - Yours, Mine, and Hours!
This month is Phoebe's POV and you can read it for free at Chapter 5 - Yours, Mine, and Hours

I'm so excited to share this with you. If you have not yet read chapters 1-4 no worries you can read them here read them here. I hope you have as much fun reading Phoebe's newest chapter as I did writing it. 

And we get more Cocoa and Tiger in this chapter. 

Have any questions or comments just leave them below.