Memorial Day ~ In Dawn's Waning Light

 

In honor of those who served.

This poem was written several years ago

following my own father's death which

was a result of his own service.

This was taken from Gossamers and Wisps

Tracking the Tiny Target ~ Review

Tracking the Tiny Target

Bring the Children Home

By Connie Queen

Bristol Delaney hasn't stayed anyplace long, not since she left her ex-husband Rex behind. When her son is kidnapped, Bristol knows who is behind it. There is no doubt in her mind that the three years she's kept her son hidden away from her husband weren't enough. But she'll do anything within her power to get her son back, even if it puts her in the direct path of danger.

Deputy Sheriff Chandler Murphy is determined to bring Spencer home, and he will do his best to keep Bristol safe. But Chandler has more on his mind as he feels that Bristol's ex had something to do with his father's disappearance. But when the case takes an unexpected turn, Bristol and Chandler are left with more questions than answers as they search for clues as to Spencer's whereabouts.

Tracking the Tiny Target jumps right into the action, which sets the scene for everything that is to come. Now I understand Bristol's desire to find her son, but I also think she was a bit reckless in how she did it. If something happened to her, Spencer would have been in even more trouble.

Overall, this was a fairly good read, I will admit I preferred the second half of the book as the action seemed to be more productive and less random wheel-spinning. If you are at all familiar with Love Inspired Suspense, you know what to expect in general terms. But if this is new to you, let's just say there are no loose ends, and you are guaranteed a satisfying ending.

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:

Catching a kidnapper takes teamwork

…and a K-9’s help.

When a three-year-old boy is kidnapped, deputy sheriff Chandler Murphy and his search-and-rescue K-9 partner are on the case. And when the child’s mother, Bristol Delaney, insists on helping, he can’t turn her away. But someone is dead set on stopping the investigation. Can Chandler guarantee Bristol’s safety and rescue the missing child before the trail goes cold?"  

Clarissa ~ Review and Author Interview

 

Clarissa Chronicles of the Hudson River Valley #1 By Jean Jacobsen I love historical fiction and often wonder how different my own life would be living within the structures of society and its expectations. Don't get me wrong, it seems on the surface to be a simpler time, with no technology and dresses all day long being the norm. But being forced to marry because, as a woman, you can't work; you must get married or face destitution and ruin. That would be hard. And Clarissa Tanner is faced with just such a fate following the death of her parents. This book follows Clarissa and how she has to take such drastic measures to save her family's home and horse farm. Though I will admit, I would probably have done the same thing for my horses and dogs. But is she willing to marry someone solely to save her home? And what will a marriage of convenience cost her? But to accomplish her goal, she'll need help, and that is where Nicholas Granger comes in. A struggling artist who can help her polish her dance skills and provide a ready escort to both Clarissa and her grandmother, as they enter New York's Social Circle. But like so many things, there is more to Nicholas than is first apparent. And this is where the heart of the story comes in. So find a comfortable corner, have a cup of tea, and take a step back in time. This is a book that fans of clean romance and historical fiction will enjoy. It is one of those books that doesn't require deep thought, just some quiet. 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jean Jacobsen's novel offers a beautifully descriptive and immersive portrayal of life in the 1800s, where societal norms dictated much of one's life. She weaves in historical elements that add depth and richness to the narrative. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Book Title: Clarissa: A Clean & Wholesome American Historical Romance by Jean Jacobsen Category: Adult Fiction (18+), 324 pages Genre: Historical Romance Publisher: Jean Jacobsen Release date: Feb 2020 Content Rating: G: Wholesome Book Description: Tragedy brings them together. Will love tear them apart? New York City, 1832. Clarissa Tanner is carefree and lighthearted until the sudden death of her parents. Forced to pay off family debts or lose her horse farm, she's given one choice: auction off her beloved horses or reluctantly enter 1830s New York Society social season to face the dreaded marriage market. Nicholas is a man on a mission, searching for his missing brother. Fearing Liam may be the victim of foul play, Nicholas needs to keep a low profile while conducting his search. He takes a position as a dance instructor, providing refresher lessons to the beautiful but distracted Clarissa. ​Clarissa and Nicholas find a connection through grief and movement as they fight their attraction to one another. Will they give in to their desires and find true love or will family obligations keep them apart? Buy the Book: Amazon  Bookbub ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Meet the Author: Jean Jacobsen is an award-winning storyteller of Sweet, Historical Romance. Featuring strong female characters, roguish heroes, and 19th Century adventure tales. She pens stories that transcend the heart and always have a happy ending. Because of Jean’s deep passion for history, she includes real events from the time period, making her stories come to life as they transport you to a by-gone era. Join her on the next adventure. Connect with the author: website ~ Facebook ~ Bookbub ~ Goodreads ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Author Q and A with Jean Jacobsen Q-What advice would you give to aspiring historical romance writers? A- My advice would be to read as much as you can in the genre and to do your research. There's so much history to explore, and the more you know, the better your writing will be. Also, don't be afraid to take risks and try new things. The best stories come from taking chances and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. Q- How do you approach writing strong and independent female characters in a historical setting? A- The characters must be believable, not subservient. They each have their own personality. Q-What is your writing process like? A- I usually start with an idea or a character, and then I do a lot of research. I read books, watch movies, and visit museums to get a sense of the time and place. Then I start drafting, and I revise and edit until I'm happy with the story. I try to write every day, even if it's just for a few minutes. Q-What do you think sets your books apart from other historical romances? A- I think what sets my books apart is the focus on adventure and action. I love a good romance as much as the next person, but I also want my readers to be on the edge of their seats, wondering what's going to happen next. I try to balance the romance with plenty of excitement and danger. Q- Can you share a sneak peek or hint about any future projects you are working on? A- “Liam,” a story about a missing brother in the Hudson River Valley, is straight out of the first book, “Clarissa.” He called to me to tell his story, which is quite an adventure of a treasure hunt and so much more! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tour Schedule: ​May 8 – Cover Lover Book Review– book spotlight / guest post / giveaway May 8 – fundinmental – book spotlight / giveaway May 9 – Liese's Blog – book spotlight May 10 - FUONLYKNEW - book spotlight / author interview  giveaway May 11 – Character Madness and Musings – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway May 12 – Book Corner News and Reviews - book review / giveaway ​May 12- Rockin' Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway May 15 – MacKade – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway May 15 - Splashes of Joy - book review / giveaway May 16 – @regallywritten– book spotlight / giveaway May 17 – Stephanie Jane – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway May 18 – Celticlady's Reviews – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway May 19 – mamof9 – book spotlight May 19 - Diane’s Book Journal - book spotlight May 22 - Older & Smarter? – book review / author interview / giveaway May 22 – Novels Alive – book spotlight / giveaway May 22– Novels Alive – book review  May 23 – Sandra's Book Club – book review May 23 - Locks, Hooks and Books - book review / giveaway May 24 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review / guest post / giveaway May 25 – Blooming with Books - book review / author interview / giveaway May 26 – Pause for Tales – book review / giveaway May 26 - Bizwings Book Blog – book review / giveaway May 26 - History from a Woman’s Perspective – book spotlight Enter the Giveaway:

The Clockwork City ~ Review

The Clockwork City

Lady Georgia Brunel Mysteries#1

By Shelley Adina

Lady Georgia Brunel has been in mourning for a year, following the death of her husband. With Society's expectations met, she is venturing out, taking a painting holiday in Venice. Along with her late husband's aunt, Millicent Brunel, she expects to enjoy the sights and paint. All too soon, her plans are upended when Lord Somersby is found dead on the water steps of the villa at which Georgia and Millie are staying.

With Georgia ordered to stay in Venice while the police investigate her possible ties to the murder, the two do a little sleuthing of their own. With Lord Somersby's young daughter in their care, they are quickly caught up in something more than they were expecting. With political forces they don't understand, danger is closer than they know.

I always love a well-written Steampunk mystery that is clean, and The Clockwork City definitely fits all these criteria. The story is engaging, and the cast of characters play well together even if they aren't playing nice. The mystery is a subtle thread that weaves its way throughout the story so that my attention, once captured, was held throughout my reading. I can easily say I'm looking forward to what happens next.

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

Check out my Instagram post for a fun Giveaway

About the Book:

April 1895. A painting holiday in Venice. A villa on the canal. A body in the water?

Lady Georgia Brunel, widowed a year, has been looking forward to her holiday in the Duchy of Venice with her companion, Millicent Brunel. The clockwork city’s annual art exhibition is in full swing, and old friends and new acquaintances make for an exciting social whirl. The married Lord Somersby would pursue her if he dared. Several members of the nobility, including those with connections to Lord and Lady Dunsmuir, make entertaining companions. And Georgia will never admit that Dustin Seacombe, the disheveled and irritating Texican Ranger who steps on one’s gown and will not confide his business in Venice, is the most interesting of all.

And then early one morning, the body of Lord Somersby washes up on the water stairs at the Brunel villa. An empty gondola floats nearby. Many assume it is an accident. The Duchy police assume a lover’s quarrel, with Georgia as their suspect. For there are powerful factions in the city who want this case solved and submerged as soon as possible. Georgia and Millie must act quickly to clear her name and discover the real murderer before Georgia finds herself dancing with death instead.

First in a new series of adventurous mysteries set in the Magnificent Devices steampunk world!

Cover Reveal for Of Sea and Smoke

 Today I'm thrilled to join in the #coverreveal for Of Sea and Smoke by Gillian Bronte Adams - Author releasing from Enclave Publishing in November 2023! This is the second book in The Fireborn Epic, a YA fantasy trilogy, available to preorder in hardcover today. bit.ly/OfSeaandSmoke

He rides a seablood, a steed of salt and spray,

born to challenge the tides.

Six years ago, the wrong brother survived, and nothing will ever convince Rafi Tetrani otherwise. But he is done running from his past, and from the truth. As civil war threatens Ceridwen’s tenuous rule in Soldonia, Rafi vows to fight the usurper sitting on the imperial throne of Nadaar, even if it means shouldering his brother’s responsibilities as the empire’s lost heir.

The stolen shipload of magical warhorses offers just the edge he needs. But the steeds have been demanded in ransom by the emperor’s ruthless assassin, and if Rafi hopes to raise a band of riders, he must first outwit his brother’s murderer.

Yet when his best efforts end in disaster, and an audacious raid sparks an empire-wide manhunt, even forging an unexpected alliance might not be enough to help Rafi turn the tides, let alone outrace the wave of destruction intent on sweeping them all away.

#enclaveescape #gillianbronteadams #enclavepublishing #ofseaandsmoke #thefirebornepic #yafantasy #epicfantasy #yafantasybooks

The Swindler's Daughter ~ Review

The Swindler's Daughter

By Stephenia H. McGee

All her life Lillian Doyle thought her father was dead, that is until she was informed by a lawyer that her father had just recently passed away. Worse, her mother may have exaggerated the marital ties between them. Soon Lillian finds herself on her own for the first time in her life to settle her father's estate before returning to Atlanta.

But nothing is ever easy, and the house that her father left to her has been claimed by another. A widowed mother tells Lillian that the property was promised to her son. What's a young lady to do but stay in the middle of nowhere and try to unravel the mess that her life has now become. 

As Lillian works through everything, she is pleased to discover she has family and that she and her mother are no longer alone in the world. But as everything unfolds, Lillian has to wonder whether the family she just discovered is as genuine as they seem or if they are like the society women she's known her whole life, manipulated and back-stabbing. Only time will tell.

Working to discover who her father was, Lillian makes a friend in Jonah, the young man to whom her father's home had been promised. But secrets threaten not only her understanding of her father but all she is hoping to achieve in this new life that is hers for the taking if only she is willing to step into the unknown and the freedom, the friendships, and the love it offers.

The Swindler's Daughter is a lovely book with several interesting threads running throughout it. This is as much Lillian's story as it is Jonah's. Both are seeking a new beginning, a chance at something more. It is a story of courage and determination. Embracing the unknown is always frightening, but it is often the only way to become our true selves, and this is their chance!

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:

A surprise inheritance. 

A cache of family secrets. 

A choice that will change her life forever.

Lillian Doyle has lived her entire high-society life with her widowed mother, believing her father died long ago. But when news arrives that her estranged father only recently passed away--in jail--Lillian is startled to find that the man has left a business and all of his possessions to her, making her a rather unusual heiress.

When she goes to take possession of her father's house in a backwoods Georgia town, the dilapidated structure is already occupied by another woman who claims it was promised to her son, Jonah. In her attempts to untangle the mess, Lillian will discover not only a family she never knew she had but a family business that is more than meets the eye--and has put a target on her back.

To discover the truth and take hold of the independence she's always dreamed of, she'll have to make friends with adversaries and strangers--especially Jonah, the dusty and unrefined cowboy who has secret aspirations of his own.

26 Below ~ Review with Excerpt

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for 

26 Below by Kimberley Woodhouse, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

26 Below
Alaskan Cyber Hunters #1
By Kimberley Woodhouse

Darcie Phillips is the new director of Fairback's Emergency Operations Center. And with an older woman making dire predictions about what would happen when the temperatures drop to -26 degrees. Well, it isn't anything good. And when you throw in other random but serious issues, you know you are in trouble.

Jason Myers is a cyber-security expert who has been assigned to Darcie's team. Soon he is busy in the extreme as various systems begin having issues throughout Fairbanks. Is it just a coincidence, or is this part of a greater problem?    

As the thermometer inches ever downward, time is running out.

This is the first Contemporary Romantic Suspense by Kimberly Woodhouse that I have read. I've read her historical fiction titles in the past and was curious how she would translate into the now. Well, 26 Below was excellent reading as the story is told from both Darcie's and Jason's POV. The suspense slowly builds as the temperature drops and the problems increase. 

This is the first book in the Alaskan Cyber Hunter series, and if it is any indication of how the series will play out, this will be a page-turning must-read! There is a resolution in this book, but in no way does it wrap everything up in this book. There is an appetite-whetting teaser included for the next book, which will have you getting in line for when it comes out. 

Now while this is a Romantic Suspense title, 26 Below finds the main characters struggling with personal issues as well. Darcie struggles with never being enough, while Jason deals with family issues. And then there are the demands of the job and regular life that's just normal. 

I highly recommend this book, especially if you happen to be living somewhere where the threat of dangerous below-zero temperatures is currently nonexistent. 

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: 26 Below
Series: Alaskan Cyber Hunters #1
Author: Kimberley Woodhouse
Publisher: ‎ Kregel Publications
Release Date: April 4, 2023
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

"A THRILL RIDE . . . AS CURRENT AS TODAY'S FRONT-PAGE NEWS!" --Colleen Coble, USA Today best-selling author

A curse.
A killer.
A chill in the air. 

 

Temps are dropping and time is running out. 

 

In her new role as Emergency Operations Center director for Fairbanks, Alaska, Darcie Phillips prevents disasters. But none of her training can prepare her for the terror that's coming. 

 

As a cybersecurity specialist, Jason Myers is determined to ferret out any threats to the town he now calls home--and that includes his reckless brother and his ecoterrorist friends. 

 

When an old woman's wild prediction--widespread destruction as soon as the Fairbanks temperature falls to 26 below--hits national headlines, neither Darcie nor Jason sees a real risk to anything but tourism. 

 

Then the bodies start dropping. 

 

Darcie is relying on her experience and intelligence to stop a killer; Jason is relying on God to guide the way. But they'll have to work together to find the truth and prevent their Alaskan town from becoming a city of nightmares. 

 

"An action-packed page-turner that . . . blew me away. If you like stories of intrigue, action, romance, and biblical hope, this is the story for you." --Tracie Peterson, ECPA and USA Today best-selling author

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

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About the Author

Kimberley Woodhouse is the best-selling author of more than thirty books and novellas, including A Deep Divide, Bridge of Gold, and The Mayflower Bride, as well as the coauthor of the Heart of Alaska series with Tracie Peterson. Kimberley’s writing has earned a Carol Award, the Christian Market Novel of the Year, the Holt Medallion, and many others. A proud former resident of Alaska, she now makes her home in the Pennsylvania Poconos.

Connect with Kimberley by visiting kimberleywoodhouse.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

 

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Excerpt

Natalie ran through a field of magenta fireweed, just as she had when she was young.

Wait . . . Her feet stilled, and she studied the sky. White clouds moved across the blue background as if
the world was spinning faster and faster. She closed her eyes and opened them once more. She was
young again. Glancing down at her hands, she watched them transform from wrinkled and aged back to
smooth and firm. Young for now. Wherever she was.

Thump, thump, thump.

The field changed. Fireweed and blue sky morphed into floor and walls. Her home. The one where she’d raised six children and buried Tito. The home she lost after he died.

Thump, thump.

With a blink, she now fought the Alaskan wind. Struggled against the blinding snow. A small part of her
brain recognized she was dreaming. The people at the clinic in Anchorage had warned her the disease
would ravage her brain. The most frustrating part was not always recognizing what was real and what
was a dream or a memory. The dreams and memories were places she begged to stay.

Reality much harder to swallow.

Where would her mind take her now? The wind bit through her sweater and sent a chill up her arms.
Shelter. That’s what she needed. Before she froze. Shelter . . .

Where had she found shelter? A glimpse of hope at the tip of her mind wouldn’t materialize. What could
she do? Where could she go?

Cold. So cold.

Thump, scrape.

A little jolt took her breath away. She blinked several times. Where was she now? Wait . . . she wasn’t
cold anymore.

Her favorite blanket was around her. A soft pillow under her head. Blinking several times, she looked at
the wood planks above her head.

That’s right—she’d found shelter in a tiny cabin about three miles from Fairbanks.
(pp 16-17)

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 15, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 22, 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 Amazon accounts 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!