Fresh Scars ~ Review with Giveaway

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Fresh Scars by Donna Mumma, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Fresh Scars

By Donna Mumma

Asia Butler and her older sister Ivy are returning to their childhood home, a place neither ever wanted to return to ever again. But their mother Veronica has once again managed to get her way. Veronica wasn't the kind of mother who endeared herself to her two daughters, rather she seemed to be in the running for psycho of the century. But somehow Veronica knew just what both her daughters need and she is orchestrating one last manipulation while in her final hours.

Fresh Scars delves into the past of the Butler sisters, who have not spoken in years. Working through their mother's chaotic clutter reopens old wounds, wounds that have made a permanent impact on their lives.

As they work together, the damage to their relationship is more than a little evident. Both are facing some closely guarded secrets that they are not willing to share. This is a book that will prey upon your emotions as truths are slowly exposed. Both main characters are victims who though they got away never fully healed from what they both endured. You will be moved by Asia and Ivy's story, there is no way not to be moved as it progresses. 

Fresh Scars is well written and once you start reading you won't be able to easily put it down because will have to know what happens and how it is ultimately resolved. More importantly, what does Veronica want them to find as they fulfill her request to clean out her house, the one place they should have felt safe. 

If you are looking for an intense and moving book that will leave you contemplating your own life and how it compares to that of the characters this is one you will want to read. There are some psychological elements running throughout that will immediately draw in some readers. In the end, you will feel so much for both Asia and Ivy it will be a book that stays with you for some time. I have not previously read this author's work or in all truthfulness a book of a similar vein. In the past, I have shied away from similar books but I'm glad I did not avoid this one. I highly recommend it, though you may want to read with the lights on if it gets late into the night.

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: Fresh Scars
Author: Donna Mumma
Publisher: Firefly Southern Fiction (Iron Stream Media)
Release Date: June 15, 2021
Genre: Southern Fiction

Time heals all wounds . . . or does it? 

Asia Butler and her sister, Ivy Butler Morelli, have not spoken in fifteen years. As children, they endured brutal emotional abuse from their mother, Veronica, and want only to forget the past . . . and each other. 

But the past comes calling when they each receive a letter from Veronica s attorney promising much-needed cash if they will fulfill her dying wish and consent to cleaning out their childhood home. Asia and Ivy reluctantly return to their hometown of Emerson, Florida, only to discover the house is a hoarder's nightmare filled with strange mementos and clues hinting that they were not the only victims of Veronica's sadistic nature. 

Can this new pain be the path to their healing? Will they be able to choose forgiveness over resentment? 

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound | Christianbook | BookBub

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Donna Mumma perfected storytelling in her first grade classroom, spinning tales exciting enough to settle a roomful of antsy six-year-olds. She is an award winning author, and loves to write about flawed people who find a way to overcome and thrive. A Florida native, she loves spending time with her husband, adult children, and their energetic collie, Duke.

CONNECT WITH DONNA: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of Fresh Scars plus a $10 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. The full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway began at midnight June 21, 2021, and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on June 28, 2021. 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.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

A Lady in Attendance ~ Review

 A Lady in Attendance

 By Rachel Fordham

We are introduced to Hazel as she is introduced to life at the House of  Refuge - a prison that she is sentenced to spend the next 5 years calling home. Once a convict always a convict she has been told. Life outside is much worse because even though you've been "reformed" you could commit the crime again. Trust is lost. Not a hopeful prospect for someone who had had a life of ease and wealth.

Five years pass with no more glimpses of Hazel's life within the prison. She has been released but she no longer has a home and her family has pushed her away to save the reputations of her younger siblings. In need of employment she applies to be a lady in attendance for Doctor Gilbert Watts, who is a dentist in Amherst. 

Soon Hazel has a life that she is content with. She enjoys her work for the most part - though occasionally some mouths are less than pleasant to be around. Gilbert has lived a solitary life and Hazel's presence in his office has brought something new into his life - something he never knew he was missing. But there are certain lines that can't be crossed and Gilbert is a man of honor. And if he knew the secrets she carried Hazel is sure that she would yet again be in search of a new home and employment.

Determined to clear her name, Hazel finds herself with noone to listen to her story. She isn't innocent but she never committed the crimes that changed her life forever. Can she trust those who she now calls friends to help her or will she be forever separated from the family she never fully appreciated until they were lost to her forever? 

A Lady is Attendance does not take the reader to Azure Springs (or the surrounding area) as the author's previous books (from Revell) have, so this book is most definitely as standalone title. I really enjoyed getting to know Hazel, Gilbert, Duncan, and Ina. This is classified as a historical romance which it most definitely is but it is so much more too. It is a study of human nature and how an indivdual responds to injustice, forgiveness, and trust. It is a study of injustice and the lack of weight given to a woman's voice at this time. Justice when properly applied is to be admired but when subverted it is a tool of the corrupt. 

I have to admit if the author ever decided to revisit these characters or some of the surrorting characters I would not be disappointed and would love to pay another visit to Amherst, New York, of the late 1890s. If you are looking for a lovely historical fiction with a bit of mystery, suspense, and romance you have to add A Lady in Attendance to your summer tbr list. If you are familiar with Rachel Fordham's you won't be disappointed and if you have never read her before this is the perfect introduction to her literary skills.

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:

Five years in a New York state reformatory have left a blemish on Hazel's real name. So when she takes a job as Doctor Gilbert Watts's lady in attendance in 1898, she does so under an alias. In the presence of her quiet and pious employer, Hazel finds more than an income. She finds a friend and a hope that if she can set her tarnished past in order, she might have a future after all.

As Gilbert becomes accustomed to the pleasant chatter of his new dental assistant, he can't help but sense something secretive about her. Perhaps there is more to this woman than meets the eye. Can the questions that loom between them ever be answered? Or will the deeds of days gone by forever rob the future of its possibilities?

Rachel Fordham pens a tender tale of a soft-spoken man, a hardened woman, and the friends that stand by them as they work toward a common purpose--to expunge the record of someone society deemed beyond saving--and perhaps find love along the way.

Where He Leads ~ Review with Giveaway

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Where He Leads by Lynn Lanning, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Where He Leads

Desires of the Heart #1

By Lynne Lanning

Lilly's early life was not too bad but then Ma died and Pa just couldn't forgive God for taking Ma and their last baby. But Lilly had Pa, her sisters, and her brothers. But then Pa got Sugar and his time was short so he made preparations and Lilly got a new home. 

The home Pa found for her was a loving one and she made a place for herself in the Donovan family becoming the daughter they never had. Life was good and she was able to let Pa know of the joy and eternal peace that she had found with the family he had arranged for her.

The first portion of the book is focused on Lilly and her life right before leaving Pa and then her first year with her new family. This gives the reader a pretty thorough idea of Lilly's life and the strong and supportive home she moved into.

The second half deals with Lilly's early adulthood and the troubles that come to her when she falls in love. But through it all she when she puts her trust in God and prays she finds peace in the midst of her trouble. 

The book reads at times almost like a journal. It is mostly a sweet read even when difficulties are faced by the various characters. There are moments of prejudice towards certain persons because of their relationship with Cherokees who lived in the not-too-distant vicinity. Lilly uses her time and loving concern to influence others to seek out the Lord who has comforted her over the years. 

Where He Leads is based upon the life of the author's own family as is explained at the conclusion of the book. This is overall a good read. If you are looking for a book with a lot of action or suspense this doesn't really offer that. There are a few tense moments that add a little to the book but nothing too long and drawn out. This is Historical Fiction with a touch of romance.

I'm interested to see where this series goes. Does it continue Lilly's story? Or does it give us more about Lilly's siblings?  

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations. All thoughts expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Where He Leads
Series: Desires of the Heart #1
Author: Lynne Lanning
Release Date: January 24, 2021
Genre: Christian, Historical/Western Romance 

By the age of 11, Lilly had suffered more horrific circumstances, than any adult should have to bear. She lost both of her parents and the only home she ever knew, then was forced to move away from her brothers and sisters. 

Why had God allowed all of this tragedy? 

Pa had found the perfect home for her before his death. Through her new family’s loving care and instruction, Lilly grew into a beautiful young lady, filled with compassion, intelligence, and having a strong faith in God. 

When she met Tommy, her heart flipped! How could she make all of the life lessons she had learned, her faith in God, and Tommy fit into God’s plan for her life? Was Tommy truly part of God’s plan for her? 

Tommy and his mother’s past brought possible danger to anyone close to them. Could Lilly put her family through that? Should she abandon Tommy and the feelings she had for him? Could prayer be the answer? 

With more circumstances beyond their control fighting against them, it seemed their troubles would never end. Would God allow her the Desires of her Heart? 

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository | IndieBound

MORE BOOKS IN THIS SERIES

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lynne and her husband, Roger, live in the beautiful foothills of North Carolina. Enjoying the life of an artist/crafter, she nurtures three generations of creativity, encouraging the natural talents of her children and grandchildren. Her stories are full of romance and action mixed with humor and sass, encouraging her readers to identify with the characters while evoking emotion. Lynne enjoys canning and preserving fresh veggies that Roger grows in his amazing garden. She also has a passion for cooking, singing, reading, and volunteer work at her church.

CONNECT WITH LYNNE: Website | Facebook

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a print copy of the Desires of the Heart series!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. The full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway began at midnight June 14, 2021, and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on June 21, 2021. 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.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

No Journey Too Far ~ Review

No Journey Too Far

McAlister Family Saga #2

By Carrie Turansky

For too long Grace McAlister has been gone. With no clues as to where she may have been taken after 10 years her family still has hope that someday they will find her. With the war in Europe concluded, Garth McAlister plans to return to Canada. But he first plans to spend time with the family he was taken from all those years ago. Concern for the woman who captured his heart has him returning to Canada - Emma Lafferty is the woman he promised to return to but all communication from her abruptly ended several months ago. Can he find Emma and Grace? Or will the hole in the family and his heart be a permanent fixture in his life?

In No Ocean Too Wide, we were introduced to the McAlister family who due to illness is torn apart by the "well-intentioned" of England. Forbidden to see or care for her younger siblings, Laura McAlister follows them across the ocean to Canada where they were dispersed as if they were little more than a commodity to be shuffled about. But though partially successful Laura was able to bring just one sibling home - Grace. Years have passed and war has stymied their efforts but in No Journey Too Far we are able to experience the conclusion to the search to restore that which was lost. This is a story of hope even in the face of unexpected obstacles. And it is a story of family and the bonds that draw us together. And it is a story of prejudice - treating those who were labeled British Home Children as something lower than the very association with them somehow tainted those around them. And this is a story of love.

I really enjoyed revisiting the McAlisters, it is hard to believe how recently children were shuffled around and passed off as a less than desirable living being just because of their parental status and their economic class distinction. This is a touching and moving fact-based historical read and one that you should not avoid. There are emotional moments throughout the book and the series that will move you and make you think, and in my opinion, that is the mark of a truly stellar book - it entertains while subtly making you think and consider ideas and topics you would not normally give more than a passing thought to.  This is excellent reading and one that should take the top space on your tbr stack!

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

About the Book:

A family long divided, a mysterious trunk, 

and a desperate journey across the ocean
all in the name of love. 

The epic saga of the McAlisters continues 
in this riveting sequel to 
No Ocean Too Wide.

In 1909, Grace McAlister set sail for Canada as one of the thousands of British Home Children taken from their families and their homeland. Though she is fortunate enough to be adopted by wealthy parents, the secrets of her past are kept hidden for ten years until someone from her long-buried childhood arrives on her doorstep. With this new connection to her birth family, will she be brave enough to leave her sheltered life in Toronto and uncover the truth?

After enduring hardship as an indentured British Home Child, Garth McAlister left Canada to serve in World War I. His sweetheart, Emma Lafferty, promised to wait for his return, but after three long years apart, her letters suddenly stopped. When Garth arrives home from the war to unexpected news, he is determined to return to Canada once more on a daunting mission to find the two women he refuses to abandon—his long-lost sister and his mysteriously missing sweetheart.

Cover Reveal ~ In Search of a Prince

 Today I'm taking part in the cover reveal for Toni Shiloh's In Search of a Prince.

Cover reveals always remind me of Christmas or birthdays where one is waiting in anticipation of that special something that you have been thinking and dreaming about. Well, today is just such a day. And of course, I'm not just going to just pop the cover in for a quick reveal. Reveals should be savored kind of like a favorite dessert (a Lindt Lindor truffle or a piece of Cheesecake) so here we go and enjoy.

      

In Search of a Prince Back short blurb –

Brielle Adebayo’s simple life unravels when she discovers she is a princess in the Kingdom of Oloro Ilé, Africa, and must immediately assume her royal position. Brielle comes to love the island’s culture and studies the language with her handsome tutor. But when her political rivals force her to make a difficult choice, a wrong decision could change her life.

Continue on to the cover reveal - yup I'm evil and keeping you in suspense but it will all be worth it in just a couple more moments. I promise!

Author bio –

Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and multi-published Christian contemporary romance author. She writes to bring God glory and to learn more about His goodness. Her novels, Grace Restored, was a 2019 Holt Medallion finalist, Risking Love a 2020 Selah Award finalist, and The Truth About Fame a 2021 Holt Medallion finalist.

A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and of the Virginia Chapter, Toni seeks to encourage authors in the writing industry. She loves connecting with readers and authors alike via social media. You can learn more about her writing at http://tonishiloh.com.

In Search of a Prince Back long blurb –

Brielle Adebayo is fully content teaching at a New York City public school and taking annual summer vacations with her mother to Martha’s Vineyard. But everything changes when her mom drops the mother of all bombshells—Brielle is a princess in the kingdom of Oloro Ilé, Africa, and she must immediately assume her royal position, since the health of her grandfather, King Tiwa Jimoh Adebayo, is failing.

Distraught by her mother’s betrayal, Brielle is further left spinning when the Oloro Ilé Royal Council brings up an old edict that states she must marry before assuming the throne or the crown will be passed to another. Uncertain who to choose from the council’s list of bachelors, she struggles with the decision along with the weight of her new role in a new country. With her world totally shaken, she must take a chance on love and brave the perils a wrong decision may bring.

Connect with Toni online at any or all of the following –

Facebook: www.facebook.com/authortonishiloh
Twitter: www.twitter.com/tonishilohwrite
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/tonishiloh
Instagram: www.instagram.com/tonishiloh
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/tonishiloh
BookBub: www.bookbub.com/authors/toni-shiloh
Newsletter: http://tonishiloh.com/subscribe 

Sticks and Stone ~ Review with Giveaway

 

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for 

Sticks and Stone by David James Warren, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Sticks and Stone

The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone #3

By David James Warren

Rembrandt Stone has a problem, one of his own making though it began accidentally. First he isn't the man he knows and thought himself to be. No he isn't delusional, though that would be preferable to the reality he now finds himself living. His wife is not his wife and she never was. His daughter has never existed though he has another daughter he never knew. And his best friend/ex-partner is married to his wife who was never his wife. If you think you are confused you have just a small understanding of what Rem's week is like. And this doesn't even touch the serial killer who he somehow enabled with his major blundering through the past!

Rem doesn't want to keep messing up and he doesn't want to ruin Eve's life more than he has, but he keeps being drawn to the past and the killer whose killings are all on him. Can he figure out what he messed up without totally destroying his future? Or will he forever be changing who he is?

This is one series where reading the books out of order will seriously mess with your mind. This is the third book and you have to read them in order! This newest book finds Rem once again totally clueless when it starts and how do you carry on a conversation with anyone when everything you thought you knew yesterday has changed overnight and you've lost years of memories in the process. You have memories but they are the wrong ones for the life you are now living.  I have to say I really feel Rem - he has a life that he is satisfied with, a wife and daughter he loves, and then everything is gone with a simple windup of a watch. With three books to go in the series, one has to wonder if it is possible to restore what he has lost and what the ultimate cost will be to him and those around him. 

This series reminds me of a Star Trek Voyager episode (The Year of Hell) when a scientist in an attempt to help his people inadvertently affects the universe around him and deletes his wife from existence he then spends decades trying to restore what he has lost. What means the most to him is the one thing he can't restore.

If you are looking for a read that takes you from your every day and demands that you suspend your disbelief you absolutely have to read Sticks and Stone, after reading the two previous titles - Cast the First Stone and No Unturned Stone.

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

The continuing adventures of Rembrandt Stone from the creative minds of James L. Rubart, Susan May Warren, and newcomer David Curtis Warren, writing collectively as David James Warren.

Title: Sticks and Stone 
Series: The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone #3
Author: David James Warren
Publisher: TriStone Media
Release Date: June 1, 2021
Genre: Time Travel Detective Series

When Rembrandt goes back to stop the untimely death of his partner, he finds himself wrapped up in the disappearance of two missing children in the middle of an epic Minneapolis blizzard. But, can he save the children in time--and if he does, will he also be able to save his partner?

The continuing adventures of Rembrandt Stone from the creative minds of James L. Rubart, Susan May Warren, and newcomer David Curtis Warren, writing as DAVID JAMES WARREN.

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

BOOKS IN THIS SERIES

CONNECT WITH REMBRANDT STONE: Website | Instagram

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

James L. Rubart is 28 years old, but lives trapped inside an older man’s body. He’s the best-selling, Christy Hall of Fame author of ten novels and loves to send readers on mind-bending journeys they’ll remember months after they finish one of his stories. He’s dad to the two most outstanding sons on the planet and lives with his amazing wife on a small lake in eastern Washington. More at http://jameslrubart.com/

CONNECT WITH JAMES: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling, Christy and RITA award–winning author of more than eighty novels whose compelling plots and unforgettable characters have won acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. The mother of four grown children, and married to her real-life hero for over 30 years, she loves traveling and telling stories about life, adventure, and faith. For exciting updates on her new releases, previous books, and more, visit her website at www.susanmaywarren.com. 

CONNECT WITH SUSAN: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter 

David Curtis Warren is making his literary debut in these novels, and he’s never been more excited. He looks forward to creating more riveting stories with Susie and Jim, as well as on his own. He’s grateful for his co-writers, family, and faith, buoying him during the pandemic of 2020, and this writing and publishing process.

CONNECT WITH DAVID: Instagram

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a print copy of the first three books of The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone!

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight June 8, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 15, 2021. 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 the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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

 

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Come Back to Me ~ Review

Come Back to Me

Waters of Time #1

By Jody Hedlund

Marian Creighton and her father are obsessed with their research. But where Marian's research relies heavily on science her father's has delved into the fanciful in Marian's opinion. But when her father falls into an unexplainable coma his research shows just how extraordinary his research truly is. He was on the cusp of discovering the cure to all diseases and ills. But his research hints at the Tree of Life and the ability to cross back in time - utter crazy talk until it isn't. 

Could the cure her father sought have trapped him in the past? There is only one way to find out. But some research carries greater risks than ever imagined and what Marian is about to discover is that she is in no way prepared for what she is about to experience. And in no way is she prepared to live a life in the Middle Ages caught in the middle of a peasant revolt. And her only protection is a knight who has offered her the protection of his name as his wife. 

Trapped in the past Marian continues to search for the holy water that could be the answer to her father's years of searching and the cure her sister desperately needs. And if she hopes to return to her present, Marian needs to work quickly before the past claims her heart and her life.

Come Back to Me is unlike any of Jody Hedlund's previous works in the premise that is the foundation of this book. Yet it is also familiar in the excellence of writing and in the multilayered depth of the story. I really enjoyed this book that was most definitely a time-slip story. While the majority of the book was spent in the past there was enough set in the present to whet one's appetite for what is to come in book 2. Now while there is a second book still to come the main focus of the book is not left in a cliffhanger fashion so you can read, enjoy and be satisfied while waiting for what comes next. Now the science fiction aspect of this book is important and yet it does not make this book feel like a sci-fi book - I'd say it is more on the speculative side rather than the the fantastical. It is a wonderful blend of what one is familiar with and a touch of something new where Jody Hedlund is concerned and it is a not to miss read - perfect for those hot days of summer.

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:

The ultimate cure that could heal any disease? 

Crazy.

That's exactly what research scientist Marian Creighton has always believed about her father's quest, even if it does stem from a desire to save her sister Ellen from the genetic disease that stole their mother from them. But when her father falls into a coma after drinking a vial of holy water believed to contain traces of residue from the Tree of Life, Marian must question all of her assumptions. He's left behind tantalizing clues that suggest he's crossed back in time. Insane. Until Marian tests his theories and finds herself in the Middle Ages during a dangerous peasant uprising.

William Durham, a valiant knight comes to Marian's rescue and offers her protection . . . as his wife. The longer Marian stays in the past, the more she cares about William. Can she ever find her father and make it back to the present to heal her sister? And when the time comes to leave, will she want to?

Bestselling author Jody Hedlund is your guide down the twisting waters of time to a volatile era of superstition, revolts, and chivalry in this suspenseful story.