Cover Reveal ~ Raise the Dead

Today I'm taking part in the cover reveal of Nina Clare's Raise the Dead, a retelling of Jane Eyre. This is the fifth book in the A Classic Retold series and will be released on October 13th.

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Blurb:

Would you go into hell to rescue the one you love?

After long years of hardship Jane Rochester is now a young bride settling into

a quiet life with the man she loves. But a mysterious stranger at the door

resurrects old troubles, unearths buried secrets, and revives a family curse;

the past will not leave them in peace.

A malignant force is tearing Jane’s new family apart, and she will have to

journey into the very mouth of hell to seek to break it, with no ass urance of

ever returning home to the living world.

Nina Clare re-imagines Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre in a fantasy quest

through the supernatural realms of heaven and hell.

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Now for the cover reveal:

AUTHOR BIO: 

When she’s not writing stories or thinking up stories or reading other

people’s stories, Nina likes to paint and collage pictures, get taken for long walks by her

adorable dogs, and cook all things plant-based. She also does other things, like office

work, but that’s the boring bit. She lives very happily in rural Cornwall, England with her

family.

Connect online via website and add book to Goodreads

Preorder now at Amazon

How Sweet It Is ~ Review

Welcome to the Blog Tour for 

How Sweet It Is by Andrea Christenson, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

How Sweet It Is

Fox Family #1

By Andrea Christenson

Return to Deep Haven, Minnesota, and meet a new cast of characters who call the place home. And some long-time favorites will let you know you're where you want to be.

Robin Fox is living the life - working in a gourmet bakery in Paris until she realizes just what a lousy boss she has. She knows it's temporary when a call from home brings her back to Deep Haven to temporarily fill in at her grandparents' bakery.  In a few weeks, she'll return to Paris to recapture her dream after she finds a new job. But she's got talent and is not worried.

She wasn't worried until she was left in charge of the Fox Bakery with strict instructions from her grandmother to not change anything! What's a girl to do when things start breaking, and there aren't funds to cover the repairs? Um, there is just one option make changes and have cake! Or, in Robin's case, make the cake. And a little help from her former classmate Sammy Johnson is more than a little appreciated. She just needs to be sure her heart remembers she is heading back to Paris in six weeks.

When he comes across his former friend needing a helping hand, Sammy is more than willing to help. Since the accident two years ago that altered his life, he's been just picking up odd jobs here and there. And reconnecting with Robin is an added bonus, as are the cupcakes he's getting paid with.

How Sweet It Is is a sweet read. Sammy and Robin were never a couple in high school though they were good friends. Now 10 years later, with their lives not quite how they envisioned them, they have a chance at something more. But will long-held dreams stand in the way of a chance at happily ever after? This is a book about second chances. But how do you know what is the chance that you should pursue? This is the question both Robin and Sammy must answer for themselves. And when you have options that take you in opposite directions, which one do you pursue? I love how we are offered another visit to Deep Haven with this new series and a new cast of main characters. Welcome to a warm Midwest town, even though the setting is in winter. I mean, who doesn't want to live someplace where if not everyone, a vast majority of the residents know your name and are glad to stop and say, "Hey!" 

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: How Sweet It Is 
Series: Fox Bakery #1
Author: Andrea Christenson
Publisher: Sunrise Publishing
Release Date: July 18, 2023
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Sometimes the sweetest moments in life are made from the most familiar and ordinary ingredients. 

Robin Fox is living out her dreams of working in a gourmet bakery in Paris. She thought she’d live there forever, but when her relationship with her boss sours, those dreams crumble. She finds herself back home in Deep Haven, Minnesota, caring for her grandparents’ rundown bakery while they’re away. But she vows that when they return in six weeks, she’ll trade this ordinary life for the one she left behind. 

Sammy Johnson has never gotten traction in any area of his life. This hasn’t improved in the almost two years since the accident which nearly killed him. Although his heart is still beating, it contains little passion for the life he’s living in Deep Haven. But that begins to change when he offers to help his former high school friend, Robin. 

Working together to keep Fox Bakery from going under, they find more than friendship is simmering between them. But when the six weeks are up, will Robin follow her old dreams back to the glamor of Paris or will she discover how sweet it is to be loved in Deep Haven? 

Return to Deep Haven with the Fox Family, where Robin and Sammy find that small town life isn’t ordinary after all.

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

Also Available

     

     

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About the Author

Andrea Christenson lives in the Midwest 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, bake bread, eat cheese, and watch Netflix—though not usually all at the same time. Andrea’s prayer is to write stories revealing God’s love.

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

 

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win a paperback copy of How Sweet It Is and a $10 Gift Card to the Sunrise Shop!

The full tour schedule is linked below. 

The giveaway begins at midnight on July 17, 2023, and 

will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 24, 2023. 

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

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

US only. 

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!

Fire and Ice ~ Review

Welcome to the Blog Tour for 

Fire and Ice by Carolyn Miller, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

 

Fire and Ice

Northwest Ice Division #1

By Carolyn Miller

Hannah Wade has always loved sports, especially hockey. With her dreams of professional playing shattered along with her ankle. But not wanting to leave her love of sports in the dust, Hannah has pursued the one option left to her - sports analyst. Unfortunately, such a career is believed to be better handled by men in the opinions of many. And Hannah's first live interview goes very wrong, seemingly proving the naysayers correct.  

Franklin James is Calgary's newest addition, who is glad to be returning to his home. When an interview goes wrong, he does what he can to help fix the situation. There is something about Hannah that he connects with, he just didn't realize that he had once met her years ago when she was a teenager.

Fire and Ice gives one a glimpse not only into the world of professional hockey but also the world of sports reporting. As Hannah finds her place in her chosen career, she faces public and private opinions that women don't belong in such a world. Her years of experience as an athlete aren't given the weight they deserve because she's just a woman. No matter that she has more playing experience than her coworkers.  

But Fire and Ice is more than a sports book that explores the world of hockey. No, this book also delves into matters of the heart. And no, I don't mean romance, though there is the possibility of that. No, I'm referring to the spiritual heart, the reawakening of her faith when she most needs it.

This is an enjoyable read, and I'll admit it I'm not a hockey fan, so I found this to be an informative read too. I've read a few of the author's works before, but most of them have been her historical offerings rather than contemporary ones. I found the characters to be relatable; most are likable, though there were a small handful that were just Ugh! But all came across as realistic and reminded me of people one would meet in one's own life. A well-written and engaging story that could make me watch, on occasion, a hockey game. Maybe from home.

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: Fire and Ice

Series: Northwest Ice Division #1

Author: Carolyn Miller

Publisher: Independently Published

Release Date: July 10, 2023

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Hannah Wade loves sports, so when injury is swiftly followed by an opportunity to be one of Calgary's first female sports analysts, she jumps at the chance. Trouble is, some of the old dinosaurs she works with thinks she's nothing but a fluff-piece, there to add ratings and stir controversy among the fiercely loyal hockey fans. She longs for the chance to prove herself, so when an opportunity comes along to interview newly traded defenseman Franklin James, she meets him, with disastrous effect. 

Growing up with three sisters means Franklin thought he knew something about women, but nothing had ever prepared him for the sparkling firecracker that is Hannah. And yet her vibrant personality holds a sweetness and soft side, something that draws his interest and protectiveness when an interview goes south

Can these two overcome prejudice and see a way forward? And what has faith - or the lack of - got to do with anything? Fire and Ice is the first book in the new Northwest Ice hockey romance series, a sweet and swoony, slightly sporty, Christian contemporary romance series that continues the legacy of the Original Six, and is perfect for fans of Becky Wade, Courtney Walsh and Susan May Warren.

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

Also Available

     

     

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About the Author

Carolyn Miller lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. A longtime lover of romance, Carolyn loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. Her bestselling, award-winning Regency and contemporary novels are stories that offer hope, heart, and a twist of Aussie humour.

Connect with Carolyn by visiting 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 $25 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. 

The giveaway begins at midnight July 10, 2023,

 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 17, 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!

JustRead Rendezvous

Gather with fellow readers and authors at JustRead Rendezvous 

to celebrate Christian fiction and sweet reads. 

Who else wants to attend this reader/author event organized by 

JustRead Publicity Tours?!

~ You are Invited ~

Join fellow readers and authors at the inaugural JustRead Rendezvous in the St. Louis metro area on November 17, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST. The event will celebrate Christian fiction and sweet reads with food, games, giveaways, and books and will be held at the Holiday Inn St. Louis SW on Route 66. 

Rendezvous will feature speaker sessions, author panels, small group discussions, and author signings. This event aims to sweeten reading and storytelling experiences with fellowship and encouragement. Keynote speakers are Jocelyn Green and Pepper Basham, 2022 finalists of The Christy Award. Additional participating authors will be announced at a later date. 

 

JustRead will also host a Meet and Greet event and Watch Party for The Christy Award Winners Gala webcast at the same location on November 16 from 5:30 p.m. until the webcast conclusion. The Christy Award honors and promotes excellence in Christian fiction and is a program of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association.

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Registration Information

The JustRead Rendezvous is open to registered attendees only. Author registration will open on July 14 for $88 and Reader registration will open on July 21 for $110 online only (Eventbrite will apply an additional payment processing fee and any applicable taxes). The meet-and-greet watch party is an optional add-on for $30. 

Connect with other attendees and hopefuls in the Rendezvous Roomies & Logistics ’23 private Facebook group to explore possible experience and cost-sharing opportunities. Subscribe to email updates on the JustRead Rendezvous website.

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About JustRead 

 

JustRead Publicity Tours, LLC provides readers with a steady stream of promotional and reading selections from Christian, wholesome, and clean reads genres plus exclusive participant giveaway opportunities! By equipping readers with tools and support to create positive, impactful bookish content, JustRead advocates spreading the word (aka buzzing) about books that inspire and are written from a Christian perspective.

Connect with JustRead by following on social media @justreadtours, visiting justreadtours.com, or subscribing to host or blog post email newsletter updates.

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JustRead Giveaway

Only a few days remain!

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Drawn by the Current by Jocelyn Green and Hope Between the Pages by Pepper Basham!

The giveaway began at midnight July 7, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 14, 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.

JustRead Rendezvous Announcement Giveaway

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Visit JustRead Rendezvous for more information!

 

Cover Reveal ~ Unearth the Tides

 Today I'm taking part in the cover reveal of Alissa J. Zavalianos's Unearth the Tides: a retelling of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. This is the fourth book in the A Classic Retold series and will be released on October 6th.

Blurb:

𝐁𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬

𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮

Huxley Krew Gannon III always knew he would be a royal guard; defending the Crown is in his blood. And coming from a long line of Gannons, that means the job is to be taken seriously at all costs.

When tragedy strikes, Huxley is framed for treason, and his only option is to flee to Braka’s most feared place: The Wasteful Tides.

It’s rumored a monstrous beast haunts those waters, but what Huxley encounters is even worse: an elusive captain, magical herbs, a beautiful lady, and unearthed truths that could change the course of history.

Unearth the Tides is a fantasy retelling of Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Filled with mystery, found family, and themes of truth and forgiveness, Unearth the Tides is perfect for those who love the coziness of the classics and the thrill of adventure.

Now for the Cover Reveal

Preorder through Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CB6PS85K

Submit receipts for preorder swag here:

Preorder signed copies here (All books in series)

Jane Austen’s Little Book of Wisdom ~ Review

Jane Austen’s Little Book of Wisdom: 

    Words on Love, Life, Society, and Literature

By Jane Austen

Compiled by Andrea Kirk Assaf

Who hasn't heard of Jane Austen? Read a book she's written? Or watched a movie or miniseries based on one of her books? I would hazard a guess that there are few who have access to any of the aforementioned media who have no knowledge of her. I know that my first introduction to Jane Auster was when my great aunt sent our family an illustrated children's edition of this book because it too had 5 sisters whose last name was Bennett.

This book would be a lovely gift for someone new to the works of Jane Austin or one who's very familiar with her writing. I love the compact size of this book, it's perfect for slipping into a pocket or a purse, so it is readily available when you need to refer to Jane's wisdom. 

I found the following quote to be extremely appropriate, "She always travels with her own sheets; an excellent precaution." Having one's own sheets would provide excellent assurances that the strange bed one is using is indeed a fresh change. Though it would require additional luggage, to be sure. For it is, "Better to be without sense than to misapply it..."

I love how the various quotes are taken from her published works and letters she exchanged with her sister. These quotes are then divided into eight sections based on the feelings that they project or elicit. Keep this close at hand, it is sure to a conversation starter.

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.

  Quick Facts About the Book:

Title: Jane Austen’s Little Book of Wisdom: Words on Love, Life, Society, and Literature
Author: Jane Austen
Compiled by: Andrea Kirk Assaf
Genre: Literary Quotes, Self Help, Gift Books
Publisher: ‎Hampton Roads Publishing (March 1, 2023)
Length: (400) pages
Format: Trade paperback and eBook 
ISBN: 978-1642970494

 Tour Dates: July 10-24, 2023

About the Book:

The ultimate companion for the Jane Austen fan filled with her penetrating
insights and humor on life, love, and death.

Jane Austen is one of the most popular female writers in history, best known for her
stories of love, loss, and hope, which are cleverly intertwined with her witty insights into
the traits and expectations of English Georgian society.

 

Here, in this stunning little book, you will be able to read hundreds of individual quotes
from her famous works—from Pride and Prejudice and Emma to Persuasion and Sense
and Sensibility—each prompting an emotional response, thoughtful musing, or even a
little snigger at the wise and shrewd perceptions that Austen had of the world around
her.

Utterly charming and very profound, fans of Jane Austen can revel in these much-loved
quotes, while a new audience will be introduced to the joys that her books have
provided since their publication many years ago. With each chapter focusing on a
different theme—from Love and Longing to Female Strength—this gorgeous gift book is
the perfect compilation of Austen’s funny, moving, and thought-provoking words.
 

Content of themes:

❤️ Love and Longing
❤️ Friendship
❤️ Society
❤️ Female Strength
❤️ Life and Death
❤️ Faith
❤️ Art and Literature

Praise for Jane Austen’s Little Book of Wisdom

~ “A valuable resource for any Austen lover to use for quick reference or to read
through.” —Library Journal

~ “It’s a lovely way to spend a little time each day revisiting and reflecting on
Austen’s beloved works without embarking on a full reread—and also to test your
ability to peg each isolated quote to specific events in its respective story. Feel
free to invite your fellow Austenites over and turn it into a full-fledged trivia
game.” —Mental Floss

~ “For Austen fans and lovers of wise words, Jane Austen’s Little Book of Wisdom:
Words on Love, Life, Society, and Literature compiled by Andrea Kirk Assaf,
provides a genuine treasure trove. Assaf has curated a wonderful collection here,
her other works encompassing popes and saints, precisely in line with the
reverence Austen deserves.” —NewPages.com

~ “This lovely book will provide a daily diet of Austen sensibility every day of the
year. My vote: 4 out of 4 teacups.” —JaneAustensWorld.com

Purchase Links:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Bookshop | Goodreads | Bookbub

Author Bios:

Jane Austen was an English novelist known primarily for her six major novels, which
interpret, critique and comment upon the British landed gentry at the end of the 18th
century. Austen's plots often explore the dependence of women on marriage in the
pursuit of favourable social standing and economic security.

Andrea Kirk Assaf is an editor, journalist, and translator who divides her time between
Rome and Michigan.

The Railroad Magnate ~ Review

The Railroad Magnate
Colter Sons #3
By Karen Baney

Early on James Colter knew he wanted to be involved with the railroad and trains. Ranching wasn't for him. His path became successful, but it was a lonely one. As his work with the industry grew, his younger brothers began having families of their own, something he himself wanted. But no woman ever caught his eye, though they tried. No woman until the day the saw Keri Glassman.

Keri was only sixteen years old when she caught the eye of James Colter, and he asked her to dance. The ten-year difference in their age seemed too much. But she never was too far from his thoughts.

Following in her parents' footsteps, Keri became an attorney with a focus on being a contract attorney. When her skills save James's railroad company hundreds of thousands of dollars, she finds herself working with James.

But nothing is ever easy and when an economic crisis threatens the railroad industry, everyone's future is in flux. Can they weather the storm that could destroy everything James has spent the last ten years sacrificing for?

When an opportunity to visit the Chicago World's Fair comes, James and Keri are about to face a choice that could change their lives. But pleasing her parents or following her heart could be a decision that Keri is not willing to make. Who is she willing to disappoint? 

This is the third book in the Colter Sons series, and it follows the family as they deal with a changing world. Some changes are easier than others, but others could break the bonds of family when differences arise. I would recommend reading the series in order, but this book could be enjoyed on its own. This is an enjoyable clean historical read. The characters are relatable, and one can empathize with the various viewpoints and concerns of each. 

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:

Prescott, Arizona Territory, 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?

Publisher: Desert Life Media
Release Date: December 2, 2022

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

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