The Roaming Adventurer ~ Review

 

The Roaming Adventurer
Colter Sons #2
Karen Baney

Boone Colter has finally decided to open his own office as a surveyor and needs to hire a crew. Time is of the essence as he has a job that needs to be done as soon as possible, routing a new railroad line. When Jack Bennett applies for the job, he seems a perfect fit with his experience. There's just one problem "Jack" is actually Jaclyn.

Jaclyn's plan is working perfectly, and her disguise has fooled everyone. Until she gets hurt and her secret is revealed. With Jaclyn's reputation ruined, Boone does what he can to protect her by offering to marry her. 

Marriage wasn't something either Boone or Jaclyn was contemplating when suddenly it was thrust upon them. Can they make it work, or will the entire situation make them resent one another and their marriage?

The Roaming Adventurer is the second book in the Colter Sons series, and it picks up a couple years after The Reluctant Cattleman. It is interesting to revisit the Colter family and see how it has changed. The relationship between the brothers is definitely a tangled mess, and one has to wonder just what makes them each the way they are. Overall this is a good story with emotional peaks and valleys as life unfolds. 

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

About the Book:

Prescott, Arizona Territory, in 1890–1891.

Boisterous Boone Colter settled into his career as a surveyor when his older brother approached him to survey a route for a new railroad. When Boone hires Jack Bennett, he never expected to be forced to choose between his desire for independence and protecting Jack. Will he rise to the occasion? Can he find a way to strike a balance? 

Jaclyn “Jack” Bennett spent the last six years apprenticing as an assistant surveyor under her father. When her father asks her to give up her dreams, settle down, and get married, Jaclyn disguises herself as a man and flees to Prescott, Arizona. Except she never thought through how her choice would destroy the lives of those around her. Will she find a way to reconcile broken relationships?

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

Exclusive Q and A with Rachel Hauck

Today, I'm pleased to share with you my recent interview with author Rachel Hauck.

1) If you had to pick another format for your books to be shared, what would it be -
musical, movie, public readings, serial release(a chapter at a time like Vella), or
graphic novel? 

RH: So glad you asked! I’ve always thought my Nashville book, “Nashville Dreams,”
should be a Broadway Musical. 

2) Who (or) what is your favorite comfort-read author or genre? 

RH: Believe it or not, I don’t have a fav author or genre. I just love a good, well-
told story. I’ll read romance, chick lit, contemporary, or general fiction, historical,
you name it, well, except fantasy or sci-fi, maybe, but you could convince me, if
the story is appealing.

3) What one author, past or present, would you like to mentor you? 

RH: I’d love to sit at the table with the Inklings, which included C.S. Lewis and Tolkien.
Or perhaps Stratford-on-Odeon which included Hemmingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald. I
think writers mentor writers when they talk the craft and business together. The world of
publishing has changed from the Inklings’ days, but the concept of fellowshipping
together is timeless.

4) How do you develop your setting (a photo, a trip, a random comment)? 

RH: Setting is such a key part of every story that I try to use real-life places to set a
story or to base a fictional town. I usually have an idea in my head of what I want a
fictional town to look like then I google similar towns to make sure I have all I need to
make my town seem real.

5) What one book would you recommend that everyone read? 

RH: Of course, everyone should read The Best Summer of Our Lives, but I’d also
recommend Growing In Prayer by Mike Bickle. Prayer is so important, yet it’s a difficult
discipline despite all good intentions. Growing In Prayer sets vision, and gives reasons and
motivations based on Scripture to help Believers grow in prayer. It’s been a game-changer for me.

6) Do you have a favorite author that you would recommend? 

RH: I don’t have favorite authors so much, but I do love a good story. However,
some talented authors I’d recommend are Susan May Warren, Beth Vogt, Melissa
Tagg, Tari Faris and Lisa Jordan. Courtney Walsh is a talented storyteller as well.

7) If you could share a cup of tea (or coffee) with anyone, who would it be? 

RH: I’d love to have tea with the Queen. I know she’s gone now, but if I could, I’d attend
tea with Queen Elizabeth II. Or Princess Katherine. She seems very real.

8) Who is your favorite character (or two) in The Best Summer of Our Lives? 

RH: Ah, that’s like choosing a favorite kid. Since it’s an ensemble cast – four main
characters—I love all of them, but Summer was a favorite. In the end, I wanted to be
her! I also loved Snow. My publisher created a fun survey for readers to see which
Season they were most like and when I took the test, I was the most like Snow. That
really surprised me. Autumn was the big sister of the crew and I’m the “big sister” in my
family, so I related to her. Spring was the beauty queen from a well-off, well-positioned
southern family. While that was so not me, I understood her moral dilemma. I never
faced what she faced, but I could relate to her turmoil.

9) Do you have a favorite book that you have written? If so, why that book?

RH: They’re all favorites in one manner or another, but I’ve always been partial to Softly
and Tenderly with Sara Evans. I’m also a fan of The Best Summer of Our Lives!

10) What do you most like about this genre that you are writing in?  

RH: I’ve kind of morphed through genres, starting with chick lit to romance to split time
to contemporary. I sometimes wish we didn’t have genres but just “good stories.”
(Smile.) I love writing about complex characters who go on a life-changing adventure.
 
11) What one question do you wish you would be asked and how would you answer
it?

RH: When were you born again? I’d answer: November 1967 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. My
father was a youth pastor at a Methodist church and during a Sunday school lesson,
when the teacher told us about Jesus, I knew He was real and true. I don’t remember
her name or face, or what she said that stirred a six-year-old’s conviction, but I went
home and told my mom, “I need Jesus in my heart.” We went to church that night and
when the altar call came – it always did back in those days – I looked up at her like,
“Let’s go.” I knelt at the altar and begged Jesus to forgive me and come into my heart.
And He did! Life changing. I don’t know who, what, or where I’d be today without Him.

Shattered Reaction ~ Spotlight

Today I'm featuring Shattered Reaction by Madisyn Carlin. This is the second book in The Shattered Lands series, published by Maplebrook Publishing and released on June 27, 2023.

War darkens the horizon…

Purchase at: https://amzn.to/43SVLev #ad

In the wake of his village’s decimation, revenge drives Arioch en Kyrida to hunt down the man responsible. His search leads him to a town where secrets lurk in every corner. Arioch cares little for the rumors of approaching evil until he is forced to help protect one of his most recent nemeses. If Anthi Klarkson doesn’t drive him insane—and if he manages to keep her alive—they may be able to stop the war. But someone wants Anthi dead, and they’ll do anything to achieve that.

Trust must mend what was once shattered and courage must be found as a second war threatens to decimate the six lands.

Genre: New Adult Christian Fantasy (Fairy tale retelling)

Cover Reveal ~ Steal the Morrow

Today I'm taking part in the cover reveal of Jenelle Leanne Schmidt's Steal the Morrow.

The book is the third book in the A Classic Retold series and will be released on September 29th.

Steal the Morrow is available for preorder now.

BLURB:

The city may be dangerous, but it holds his only hope…

Abandoned on a remote highway after bandits murder his parents, young Olifur finds safety with Fritjof. The gruff woodsman teaches him and other orphans to live off the land. When Fritjof falls ill, Olifur will risk everything to save his mentor—even travel to far-off Melar seeking a doctor.

However, the city of Melar is more perilous than Olifur imagined, and doctors aren't cheap. His quest leads him first to a hazardous job working on the elevated trains high above the city. But the dangers in the clouds are nothing compared to those on the ground. Olifur soon finds himself ensnared in a web of professional thieves, and he must think fast if he is to survive the day and bring the much-needed aid to Fritjof before it is too late.

Schmidt reweaves Charles Dickens' "Oliver Twist" into an exciting tale of integrity and perseverance in this gaslamp-fantasy adventure.

COVER REVEAL

AUTHOR BIO: 

Jenelle first fell in love with stories through her father’s voice reading books aloud each night. A relentless opener-of-doors in hopes of someday finding a passage to Narnia, it was only natural that she soon began making up fantastical realms of her own. Jenelle currently resides in the wintry tundra of Wisconsin —which she maintains is almost as good as Narnia — with her knight-in-shining armor and their four hobbits. When she is not writing, she homeschools said hobbits and helps them along on their daily adventures... which she says makes her a wizard.

Find on Goodreads or connect with her online

With Every Memory ~ Review

With Every Memory

By Janine Rosche

Ten months ago, Lori Mendenhall's life stopped, she didn't die, but she was in an accident that put her in a coma and stole years of memories from her. And it cost her the life of her son Austin. When she awakes, she struggles to make sense of the life she now lives from the one she remembers.

But as her memories slowly return in small pieces that are out of order, she begins to realize that the life she lost might not have been the one she was expecting. Worse, she senses that a lie has made its way into her family. A lie that could rip them apart if she remembers it. But when one's mind, one's brain has been damaged, how do you know which memories you can trust? 

With Every Memory is an exploration of family, love, and commitment. When one's life has been drastically altered, how does one deal with it? And when one has been betrayed by the very person you've given your heart to, what do you do next?   

Ten months ago, Lori Mendenhall's life stopped, she didn't die, but she was in an accident that put her in a coma and stole years of memories from her. And it cost her the life of her son Austin. When she awakes, she struggles to make sense of the life she now lives from the one she remembers.

But as her memories slowly return in small random pieces, she begins to realize that the life she lost might not have been the one she was expecting. Worse, she senses that a lie has made its way into her family. A lie that could rip them apart if she remembers it. But when one's mind, one's brain has been damaged, how do you know which memories you can trust? 

As Lori deals with everything, her husband Michael and daughter Avery are also dealing with all that has changed over the last year. Can they all come together again and become the family that they need to be? Or have the losses been too drastic? 

This is a book that deals with difficult issues, ones that could be triggers. Considering this, I feel the author did a good job in presenting them while allowing the characters to deal with the emotions each could elicit. Overall this was a good read that tackled everyday life.

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:

Is the Life She Can't Remember One She'd Rather Forget?

One year after her family was in a tragic car accident that killed her teenage son, Lori Mendenhall returns home with a traumatic brain injury that has stolen the last eight years of memories from her. She is shocked that the life she led before the accident is unrecognizable. Her once-loving husband, Michael, is a distant workaholic she isn't sure she can trust, and her once-bubbly daughter, Avery, has spent the last year hidden away in her room.

For Avery, life stopped when she lost her twin. If she wants to graduate high school, she'll have to accept help from Xander Dixon, her brother's best friend and the boy who relentlessly teased her for years. And if Lori wants to reconnect with her husband, she'll have to grapple with information her brain is trying to keep secret. With every memory that returns, she can't help but wonder if the life she can't remember is one she'd rather forget.

Committing to the Cowgirl ~ Review

Committing to the Cowgirl 

Colorado Cowgirls #1

By Jody Hedlund

In the Colorado Cowboys series, we were introduced to Astrid Nilsson, a young girl whose only hope of living was to move to Colorado. Well, Astrid is now all grown up, and she is a doctor. When she hears of an opening for a doctor to join an existing practice in Fairplay, she knows she has to apply. She needs to return to the clean, healing air of Colorado, hoping to fight back against the consumption trying to gain hold of her again.

Years ago, Logan Steele left Fairplay and Astrid Nilsson behind. He never expected to see Astrid again, but his mother's health brought him home. Logan knows he's not going to stay in Fairplay, but he doesn't want to leave the town without a doctor. He never expected a woman, much less Astrid, to apply. Fairplay isn't ready to accept a woman doctor, but Logan is desperate to make his mother's final weeks happy, and until he is married, or at least courting, she won't be. 

When Astrid is confronted with the narrow-mindedness of Fairplay's residents, she reluctantly agrees to Logan's offer. Neither Astrid nor Logan expected everything to get out of hand. Soon everyone thinks the two of them are unofficially engaged. Could a fake engagement rekindle their long-ago feelings into something more? Or will the secret Astrid has been keeping prevent them from having a tomorrow?

Committing to the Cowgirl is the first book in Jody Hedlund's newest series, the Colorado Cowgirls. It's interesting to see Astrid all grown up. And even more interesting is comparing her in this book to Falling for the Cowgirl, book 4 in the Colorado Cowboys series. Just saying it is interesting. Astrid is a determined and compassionate young woman with a heart for healing. But the culture of the day looks down on or with suspicion on someone who doesn't fit the expected mold. And Astrid is her own person, the suffering she experienced has given her a unique perspective as a patient.  

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:

After years away, Astrid Nilsson has returned home to Colorado, hoping to become Fairplay’s second doctor . . . and to find healing for her reoccurring consumption. Spirited and independent, Astrid doesn’t want her illness to be a burden to those she loves, so she has resisted getting serious about any man.

As the current doctor of Fairplay, Logan Steele is seeking to hire a male physician to take over his clinic after he goes back East. When Astrid, his childhood sweetheart, insists that she’s the one for the job, he offers her a bargain she can’t refuse: pretend to court him to appease his mother and he’ll give her the doctor position on a trial basis.

Astrid accepts the arrangement even though she’s reluctant to be in a sham relationship with a man who’d once broken her heart. She tries to keep herself from falling for Logan again but soon finds herself getting much more than she bargained for. With the clock ticking for both of them, can they commit to real love before it’s too late?

Pretend courtship
Fake engagement
Childhood sweethearts
Meddling mother
Co-workers in proximity
Bargain benefits both

The Colter Sons Series ~ Review

Welcome to the Blog Tour for the 

first three books of the Colter Sons series by Karen Baney, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

The Reluctant Cattleman
Colter Sons #1
By Karen Baney

All his life Sam Colter has felt like he doesn't belong and that he's a disappointment to his parents, especially his father. And when he invites EM Thatcher to the family's ranch in his father's name, he knows he's messed up. 

Ellie Mae Thatcher moved to Prescott to further her career as a newspaper journalist, and interviewing the Prescott Pioneers is on her list of articles. There's just one little problem when she contacted the Colters, she did it under her professional name EM Thatcher. She knows presenting herself as a woman will hinder her career and judging by the reception she received from Sam Colter, she was right. Soon Ellie Mae is making a name for herself, all while getting closer to Sam. 

The Reluctant Cattleman is the first book in a series that focuses on the children of Hannah and Will Colter. This book is mainly Sam's story, a story that finds him confronting the past while hoping for a future that offers him the feeling of belonging he has long sought.  The book is presented so that the reader is experiencing it through Sam and Ellie Mae's eyes. Often the same event is shared through both of their unique perspectives. This first-person presentation allows one to more fully immerse in the story and connect with the characters. There are moments of joy and grief, love and despair. Overall an excellent series starter that will make one want to read book two.

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 Books

Title: The Reluctant Cattleman
Series: Colter Sons #1
Author: Karen Baney
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Publisher: Desert Life Media

Release Date: August 19, 2022

A Love at First Sight Christian Historical Cowboy Romance. Coming of age story set in Prescott, Arizona in 1887. 

As Sam Colter takes on more responsibilities at the family ranch, he believes he is a disappointment to his father. He feels like the misfit of the family. When a journalist shows up to interview his mother, secrets from the past threaten his fledging sense of security. Can he overcome his fear and doubts to accept his role as a cattleman and rancher? Will he allow himself to love the woman who turned his life upside down? 

Ellie Mae Thatcher moves to Prescott to start her career as a writer. When she misleads the Colters about her identity, she hurts the man she is falling in love with. Can she win back his trust and his heart?

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

Title: The Roaming Adventurer
Series: Colter Sons #2
Author: Karen Baney
Publisher: Desert Life Media
Release Date: October 21, 2022
Genre: Christian Historical Romance

A Shotgun Wedding, Main Character Disguise Christian Historical Cowboy Romance. Set in Prescott, Arizona Territory in 1890 – 1891.

Boisterous Boone Colter settled into his career as a surveyor when his older brother approached him to survey a route for a new railroad. When Boone hires Jack Bennett, he never expected to be forced to choose between his desire for independence and protecting Jack. Will he rise to the occasion? Can he find a way to strike a balance? 

Jaclyn “Jack” Bennett spent the last six years apprenticing as an assistant surveyor under her father. When her father asks her to give up her dreams, settle down, and get married, Jaclyn disguises herself as a man and flees to Prescott, Arizona. Except she never thought through how her choice would destroy the lives of those around her. Will she find a way to reconcile broken relationships?

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

Title: The Railroad Magnate
Series: Colter Sons #3
Author: Karen Baney
Publisher: Desert Life Media
Release Date: December 2, 2022
Genre: Christian Historical Romance

A Love at First Sight Christian Historical Cowboy Romance. Set in Prescott, Arizona Territory in 1891 – 1893.

James Colter was a successful entrepreneur and businessman in the railroad industry. As he watches his younger brothers marry and start their families, his loneliness deepens. He has everything, except the one thing he longs for the most:  a wife and family of his own. When he dances with the daughter of an older friend, was it love at first sight, or will he put his personal dream on hold again to pursue his professional aspirations? 

Keri Glassman wants to follow in her parents’ footsteps. She dreams of becoming a contract attorney. When a handsome suitor invites her on a train ride, the course of her life is rewritten. Like her mother, she wants it all, a career, a loving husband, and a family. Can she find her own way or will her desire to please her parents threaten to destroy her hope for a lasting love?

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

More Books in This Series

   

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About the Author

Karen Baney is passionate about writing stories full of flawed characters. She enjoys weaving together stories of second chances, redemption, and overcoming personal trials. As a transplant to Arizona in the late 1990s, she loves researching the state’s history and finding ways to seamlessly incorporate real history and real settings into her novels. In addition to writing and speaking, Karen works as a Software Development Manager for a Christian ministry.

Her faith plays an important role both in her life and in her writing. Karen and her husband, Jim, make their home in Gilbert, Arizona, with their two dogs, Bella and Daisy. Both Jim and Karen are active at Rock Point Church in Queen Creek, Arizona. 

Connect with Karen by visiting karenbaney.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each win all 6 books in the Colter Sons series (winner picks paperback or ebook)!

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

Enter Giveaway

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