An Unpresentable Glory Book Tour and Giveaway

Posted on March 28, 2019March 24, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Today’s blog is a stop on the “Unpresentable Glory” Book Tour by Celebrate Lit. If you haven’t become acquainted with author Eleanor K. Gustafson, you are in for a treat. She has a $25 Burpee Gardening gift card for one lucky reader, too!

My Thoughts

“An Unpresentable Glory” is a contemporary Christian novel. Filled with mystery, suspense, and romance the 368 pages went by quickly as I read it nonstop. My love for plants and flowers blossomed. I enjoyed the garden and floral setting.

Author Gustafson has a delightful style of writing. It is smooth as butter and glides without a bump or hitch. Her use of humor and metaphors made me smile. The characters were vividly described and I found them well rounded and relatable. I felt like I knew Linda well.

It was easy to become invested in this story. I was hooked from the very first page. The faith element was easily identifiable. This is a God glorifying book. Life lessons are woven all throughout this offering. Relenant, timely lessons for today were tackled. Also, I even learned a thing or two. All of those make for a wonderful reading experience.

This is a beautifully written book. It is well planned, researched, organized, and executed. Author Gustafson is an extremely gifted wordsmith. Her book gently took my hand and took me inside its pages. I felt the story! I was there while reading it. Only great authors can do that.

I highly recommend this book. It is the perfect escape for contemporary fiction lovers. A church readers group or any book club would relish discussions on this jewel. I gladly rate it 5 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but all opinions are my own, honest ones.

About the Book:

Book: An Unpresentable Glory

Author: Eleanor K. Gustafsonb

Genre: Christian, contemporary, literary fiction

Release Date: July, 2018

“I trusted you, and some day, you may know just how much you hold in your hands.”

Linda Jensen leads a relatively quiet life in Westchester County, New York, as the owner of a highly acclaimed garden. Inherited from her parents, the garden is her pride and joy. It is not so joyful finding a strange man sprawled near her delphiniums! The mysterious man is sick, unable to do anything more than drink water—and beg for secrecy. Ignoring all alarm bells, Linda sees to his needs, but her caring act takes on unexpected significance, and unpresentable glory.

Seeds of trust, and perhaps love, are planted in Linda’s garden haven. But as secrets are revealed and scandal hits the headlines, the act of caring for this man threatens to tarnish both of their reputations. Like weeds in Linda’s garden, circumstances threaten to choke out their fledgling relationship, and small moments prove to be the biggest influencers—on a national scale.

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

Ellie grew up in Branchville NJ, in a county with more cows than people. She attended Wheaton College in Illinois as a music major, then married a pastor/college professor/tree farmer/organist and writer. Together, they have three children and eight grandchildren.

Music was Ellie’s first love until she tried on the cloak of writing and found it a comfortable fit. However, early writing attempts saw friends—and even her mother—advising her to stick to music as a career. She pushed manfully along, though, and An Unpresentable Glory is her sixth novel.

“God first touched me through story,” Ellie says, “and made the bigger Story come alive. I love Him passionately!”

More from Ellie

What’s An Unpresentable Glory about? Here’s Linda’s point of view: Linda Jensen, a noted gardener, finds a stranger sprawled near her delphiniums, obviously ill. She gets him into her house and puts him to bed, deciding that water is the only safe thing to give him. Water in, however, must come out. He is helpless; she must serve him; but in doing this unpresentable task, she feels the presence of angels. [See the book Preface for my personal experience with this.]

Jay’s point of view: Jay finds himself ill and helpless on the lawn of a wealthy but caring gardener. He can’t even reveal his real name. When he leaves at week’s end, he sees the relationship as hopeless because of who he is and enormous repercussions if the hidden week comes to light. Tragedy and disaster haunt him, but a dual set of mentors leads him through churning waters. Will he ever get back to the garden?

* * *

Linda’s sun tea was “mostly Darjeeling with lemon and a sprig of mint.” After reading her description, I tried it and found it tasty, indeed!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 23

Pause for Tales, March 24

Godly Book Reviews, March 25

Creating Romance, March 26

Girls Living For God’s Glory, March 27

Inklings and notions, March 27

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 28

2014 an Beyond!, March 29

The Becca Files, March 29

Blogging With Carol, March 30

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 30

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 31

Texas Book-aholic, April 1

janicesbookreviews, April 2

Bigreadersite, April 3

Real World Bible Study, April 3

A Reader’s Brain, April 4

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, April 5

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Ellie is giving away a grand prize of a $25 Butpee Flower gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/ddb4/an-unpresentable-glory-celebration-tour-giveway

Hannah Claire’s Wilderness Book Tour and Giveaway

Posted on March 27, 2019March 26, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

You have found my stop on “Hannah Claire’s Wilderness” Celebrate Lit book tour. Author Caryl McAdoo is generously giving away six prizes so read all the way to the end for entry instructions. You might be a winner if you apply.

My Thoughts:

Author McAdoo is a natural storyteller. It took me one paragraph, that’s right one, to become invested in this beautiful story. I have read many of the author’s works but this one by far excels all of them. It is the second book in her “The Revivalist Trilogy” but could easily be read as a stand alone. I loved it and would definitely recommend it for many reasons. It captivated me. I opened it up and could not put it down.

The characters are realistic. They are vividly described and so well rounded I forgot they were characters and deemed them friends. I wanted to have tea and chat with them. It was Little Adaolisa was adorable. The author has transferred her knowledge and love for children onto paper effortlessly.

Not only has she shown her love for children, but the author’s love for Godis apparent in this novel also. In her books she writes “Praying my story gives God glory” and she does. Using scripture, inspiration, and life lessons this book is an encouragement to readers. It will help draw readers in closer to Abba and give them things to ponder.

Topics relevant today are packed into Hannah Claire’s Wilderness – depression, God’s guidance, danger, obedience, hope, love, hearing from God, His timing, parenthood, violence, spreading God’s Word. Humor is sprinkled in to give readers relief from such heavy subject matter.

I absolutely loved the beginning of the book and how Adaolisa and Hannah Claire communicated. This was so inspirational and faithfilled. Bravo, Ms. McAdoo. It is so refreshing to know a novel is Christian and not need a magnifying glass or to guess.

There was one thing I missed, a very minor one, and that is a Discussion Question Section. This is a perfect book for a church reading group or even a group of friends. I highly recommend this book. It is a page-turning, engaging fiction book that will take you on the Mission field with David and Hannah Claire. It earns a 5 out of 5 stars from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but I was under no obligation to write a review. These are my own, honest opinions.

About the Book

Book: Hannah Claire’s Wilderness

Author: Caryl McAdoo

Genre: Christian Women’s Fiction

Right after she marries in 1970, love carries Hannah Claire to Nigeria, following her husband David to the mission field—for only two years, she thinks. Miracle upon miracle brings five-year-old African orphan Adaolisa into the young wife’s life and she becomes a mother. Can the love for a child keep her where she doesn’t want to be? The children of wickedness threaten to make her a widow; they threaten everything, and danger abounds! Only by obedience can Hannah and her revivalist husband survive and prosper in a land torn by violence.

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

Caryl McAdoo prays her story brings God glory which is what she lives to do. Her award-winning, best-selling novels enjoy a lion’s share of 5-Star ratings from Christian readers around the world. With forty titles, it’s obvious she loves writing almost as much as singing the new songs the Lord gives her—listen to a few at YouTube. She and high school sweetheart Ron celebrated fifty years of marriage June 22, 2018 and share four children and eighteen grandsugars. The McAdoos live in the woods south of Clarksville, seat of Red River County in far Northeast Texas, waiting expectantly for God to open the next door.

Guest Post from Caryl

Have you ever thought you heard from God, and acted on that in obedience—oft at great sacrifice—only to doubt that you heard Him at all when things don’t go as you’d planned? Actually, everything almost goes just the opposite, and your world is turned upside down.

Did you really hear Him?

That’s what my heroine Hannah Claire faces, when a two-year stint looks like it’s turning into a lifetime commitment. Though I’ve never been abroad to the mission field, I’ve faced much the same thing as Hannah, believing I heard Him and then nothing happening as expected!

Personally, I’ve been waiting over thirty years, but have found great peace in that waiting and trusting God—knowing that He is on the throne and in control. I will never doubt that the vision He’s given, the call He’s placed on mine and Ron’s lives WILL come to pass, just as it did for Abraham.

Hannah doesn’t have to wait that long, but her experience takes her to the depths of fear and depression before she comes to know her Heavenly Father is altogether trustworthy. The Shepherd walks her through the valley of the shadow of death and makes her to lie down in green pastures. He stills the raging waters and leads her beside them.

Book three, King David’s Tabernacle, coming sometime in 2020, will bring the reward and give you glory bumps every step of the way as God makes Himself known in a mighty way, but first . . . there’s the refining. Gold is passed through the fire seven times to be purified.

Silver as well, until the smith can see his reflection. Followers of Christ are all being made into the image of God’s Beloved Son, and we can rest in the fact that He who began that good work in us at salvation will be faithful to complete it until His coming again.

I pray you will enjoy your journey through Hannah Claire’s Wilderness.

Blog Stops

The Becca Files, March 21

Inklings and notions, March 21

Through the Fire Blogs, March 22

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 23

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, March 24

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 24

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 25

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, March 26

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 27

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 28

Texas Book-aholic, March 29

janicesbookreviews, March 30

Bigreadersite, March 31

A Reader’s Brain, April 1

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 2

Real World Bible Study, April 3

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Caryl is giving away:

Grand Prize – $50 Gift Amazon Card

1st Prize – Signed, Paperback copy of CHOICE of all my books

2nd Prize – Signed copy of Hannah Claire’s Wilderness

3rd Prize – eBook copy of Hannah Claire’s Wilderness

4th Prize – eBook copy of CHOICE of all my books

5th Prize $5 Amazon Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/dcad/hannah-claire-s-wilderness-celebration-tour-giveaway

“Dead Letter, A Meddlin’ Madeline Mystery” Book Tour & Giveaway

Posted on March 25, 2019March 23, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Welcome to the “Dead Letter, A Meddlin’ Madeline Mystery” book tour by Celebrate Lit. The author is generously giving a grand prize of a paperback copy of Dead Letter, a Madeline-inspired book cozy, and a book-themed candle! Details are at the end of this post.

My Thoughts

Having not read a Meddlin’ Madeline Mystery before this book was a bit hard for me. In the beginning I felt like I was coming into a play at Act 2 or 3. I needed more information. If you have not read the first three books yet, I would recommend it. That would help make more sense of this one.

This is a Christian Historical Mystery that is written by author Chautona Havig. I enjoy the author’s style of writing, especially in this offering. Much of the story is written in letters between Jane (Madeline) and her fiancé Royal (Pinkerton agent). The author injects humor, mystery, and Christian lessons into her delightful story.

There were a few parts where I found myself frowning. I could not imagine any father consenting to such requests. However, this is a novel and not an actual true story so those feelings passed.

The new characters were well described and I found it easy to become their friends. The story was well written, well organized, and flowed smoothly. The dialogue was authentic. The vivid descriptions took me to the small community in Ohio.

I would recommend this book, but would suggest reading the other three in the series first. It would have helped me if I had. I rate it 4 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but these are my own, honest opinions.

About the Book

Book: Dead Letter, A Meddlin’ Madeline Mystery

Author: Chautona Havig

Genre: Christian historical, mystery

Release Date: February 19, 2019

For the first time, Madeline has permission to meddle.

Something’s not adding up in the Wintherwood, Ohio bank, and Madeline’s there to figure out why.

Sent by the Rockland Pinkerton’s office to investigate shady banking practices, Madeline finally has the opportunity to try out all her developing detective skills. From her new disguise to an assumed persona, complete with non-existent fiancé, Madeline takes on embezzlement in Wintherwood, Ohio.

Now, to find the culprit and get back to Rockland before Amy arrives, before Mrs. Barnes gets any sicker, and before Russell’s writes her off as a hopeless, heartless girl.

As Madeline figures out what’s happening, even Mr. Flint begins to lose confidence in her. How will she prove who is taking the money and why–especially after her primary suspect ends up dead?

Dead Letter is the fourth book in the Meddlin’ Madeline series.

About the Author

Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her on the web and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.

More from Chautona

3 REASONS YOU’LL LOVE THE BOOK AND HATE ME

“This is book four, right?”

I nodded.

He looked at me with those eyes that conjure up the idea of puppy dogs begging for treats. So deceptive. “You’re going to have to up the stakes then.”

“Well, this is the one where she goes into official active detective mode and decides if she even wants that kind of life.”

“Not enough.”

He was right and I knew it. Fortunately, I’d prepared for this moment. You see, I know him well. He’s a horror writer. He likes to torment in ways that make my worst meannesses seem petty (like the time I suggested killing off Chad in Past Forward—trust me. That was kind compared to his ideas).

So, I pulled out my bigger gun and plopped it on the table. I added ammunition. And grinned.

Look, you guys are going to hate me for it, but trust me. It needs to be done. You’ll forgive me… eventually. Maybe. I hope.

Then he did it. He gave me that look. No, not the, “Yeah, baby!” look you want to see when you’ve hit a hole in one. The, “Is that all you’ve got?” look.

The work began. He suggested one thing. I toned it back. He looked like that puppy again—except this time I’d kicked him. Bless his heart, he does love his horror.

Still, he whistled his way out the door a short while later, and I grinned. Compromise is beautiful. But what does that mean for YOU?

3 REASONS YOU’LL LOVE THE BOOK AND HATE ME

First—

Love the book: Madeline as Jane Sempleton is a hoot. She cracked me up from the beginning, and I’m still chuckling.

Hate me: Madeline’s faith and integrity are tested in this one—exponentially. Without giving away too much, her father even rebukes her!!!

Second—

Love the book: Mrs. Barnes is such a sweet mentor to Madeline

Hate me: Mrs. Barnes. That’s all I’m sayin’. Mrs. Barnes.

Third—

Love the book: Snippets of the heart get revealed.

Hate me: Russell. That’s all I’m sayin’. Russell.

So, there you have it. All the reasons you should read this book… and remember that the series isn’t over. Not by a long shot. It’s darkest before dawn. And um… a whole bunch of other clichés.

Blog Stops

Among the Reads, March 18

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, March 18

All-of-a-kind Mom, March 19

Mary Hake, March 19

Aryn, The Libraryan, March 20

Back Porch Reads, March 21

Carpe Diem, March 22

Through the Fire Blogs, March 23

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 23

For Him and My Family, March 24

janicesbookreviews, March 24

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 25

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 26

Texas Book-aholic, March 27

Bigreadersite, March 28

Lots of Helpers, March 28

Multifarious, March 29

A Reader’s Brain, March 30

Blogging With Carol, March 30

Inklings and notions, March 31

The Becca Files, March 31

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Chautona is giving away a grand prize of a paperback copy of Dead Letter, a Madeline-inspired book cozy, and a book-themed candle!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/dee6/meddelin-madeline-dead-letter-celebration-tour-giveaway

Vivir el Dream Book Tour & Giveaway by Celebrate Lit

Posted on March 24, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Welcome to my stop on the book tour for Vivir el Dream. Be sure to check out all sections of today’s blog. There is a giveaway at the end that you will want to enter.

Author Allison Garcia has written a contemporary Christian Latino novel that is packed full of emotion and relevance. It is the first of her pieces that I have read. This author writes with emotion and grit. She doesn’t offer candy-coated fluff. Garcia gives readers real life scenarios even if they are harsh.

In this book, issues of immigration, violence, deportation, and even language are discussed. With our country discussing a “wall” that made this book even more timely. Difficult topics were openly and honestly portrayed. At times I felt my toes being stepped on and other times my feelings were hurt. This is a real to life book.

The writing was candid and made me emotional. Characters were vividly described. I became invested in their stories and got emotional with them. It was easy to imagine things as they played out in this hard hitting book. I was so taken with the characters and their trial that by the end of the book my emotions were raw.

The Christian Faith element was woven throughout this book. There was no doubt this was a Christian book. I was able to pick up some bits of knowledge by reading this. Life lessons are packed into this novel. After reading this I have a better understanding of immigrants.

Definitely I would recommend this book. Contemporary fiction readers will enjoy and those liking Latino Fiction. It is very impactful and stayed with me long after I finished it. I was disappointed there are no discussion questions. This would make a great book group read.

A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but I was under no obligation to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.

About the Book

Book: Vivir el Dream

Author: Allison K Garcia

Genre: Christian Latino Fiction

Release Date: May 19, 2017

The fates of an undocumented college student and her mother intertwine with a suicidal businessman’s. As circumstances worsen, will their faith carry them through or will their fears drag them down?

Linda Palacios crossed the border at age three with her mother, Juanita, to escape their traumatic life in Mexico and to pursue the American dream. Years later, Linda nears college graduation. With little hope for the future as an undocumented immigrant, Linda wonders where her life is going.

Tim Draker, a long-unemployed businessman, has wondered the same thing. Overcome with despair, he decides to take his own life. Before he can carry out his plan, he changes course when he finds a job as a mechanic. Embarrassed about working at a garage in the barrio, he lies to his wife in hopes of finding something better.

After Juanita’s coworker gets deported, she takes in her friend’s son, Hector, whom her daughter Linda can’t stand, While Juanita deals with nightmares of her traumatic past, she loses her job and decides to go into business for herself.

Will the three of them allow God to guide them through the challenges to come, or will they let their own desires and goals get in the way of His path?

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

Allison K. Garcia is a Licensed Professional Counselor, but she has wanted to be a writer ever since she could hold a pencil. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Shenandoah Valley Writers, Virginia Writers Club, and is Municipal Liaison for Shenandoah Valley NaNoWriMo.

Allison’s short story, “At Heart,” was published in the Winter 2013 edition of From the Depths literary magazine, along with her flash fiction. Her work, “You Shall Receive,” was published in GrayHaven Comics’s 2014 All Women’s anthology. Winning an honorary mention in the ACFW Virginia 2015 short story contest, “Just Another Navidad” was published in A bit of Christmas. Allison’s book, Vivir el Dream, published May 2017, has won several prestigious awards: 2016 ACFW Genesis Contest Finalist, 2018 Eric J. Hoffer Montaigne Medal Finalist, Honorary Mention in the 2018 Eric. J. Hoffer Awards E-book category, and 2018 IAN Book of the Year Awards Finalist in the Christian/Relgious Fiction category. Her highly-anticipated novel, Finding Amor, was released in September 2018.

Latina at heart, Allison has been featured in local newspapers for her connections in the Latino community in Harrisonburg, Virginia. A member of cultural competency committees for work and a participant in several pro-immigrant rallies and other events in her region, she also sings on the worship team and enjoys get-togethers with the hermanos in her church. With the help of her husband, Julio, and their son, Miguel, she has been able to nurture her love for the Latino people.

More from Allison K. Garcia

Authenticity and Love

When I wrote my debut novel Vivir el Dream in 2012, I never imagined that it was going to win five awards, that I would be invited to churches and universities and NPR to speak about it, or that it would be taught on a college campus. That’s not why I wrote it. Sure, I hoped that people would read it and love it, but I never imagined the impact it would have and the book’s relevance seven years later.

There were two main reasons I wrote Vivir el Dream: authenticity and love.

They go hand-in-hand, but I shall tell you a little about how God sparked the story in my heart.

In 2011, we had three church members deported, and one of them was a dear friend—a good man who loves his family, greeted the congregation at the door, helped take the collection every Sunday and set up the tables and chairs for special programs. To see our friend, and hermano en Cristo, treated in a way that traumatized his children and nearly tore apart up his family, was something that broke my heart. But what broke it worse was seeing how the media spoke about undocumented people and sadder yet, having conversations with other Christians who spoke anger and hatred towards “illegals.”

God spoke to my heart about this. How could my brothers and sisters in Christ be so unkind and uncaring? Hadn’t they read The Good Samaritan? Didn’t they remember about loving our neighbors? It happened again and again, and I realized, with God’s help, that one of the challenges was that people didn’t understand the real story. They were fed a certain stereotype by the media, an image of a tattooed person in a gang or a drug dealer.

They hadn’t actually met anyone undocumented. Or at least they hadn’t realized they had.

In my life and in my job as a counselor, I had met tons of undocumented immigrants, and I had known them the great majority to be kind, hard-working people who wanted the best for their family and were willing to risk it all for the chance at the American dream. I saw love, I saw bravery, I saw strength, I saw faith. And I believe that God showed me those things so that I could reflect that in my novels.

A wonderful thing happens when we’re reading a book. We jump into the shoes of the main character. We understand their plight. Their hopes are our hopes. We feel their story, their dreams, their love, their anguish, their joy. That is one of the great things about reading. We escape our own lives for a while and experience a new adventure, gain a new understanding. We go places and meet people and do things we would never be able to in our own lives.

So that is what God placed on my heart to share with the world: an authentic experience of a mother and daughter who are undocumented Christians.

It’s controversial, but then so was the Gospel. What is more controversial than Jesus’ teachings? To love those who hate us. To turn the other cheek. To give away all possessions to join Him. I mean, what is more controversial than being asked to believe that a man born over 2,000 years was the Son of God and was risen from the dead after three days and that giving one’s heart over to Him will save one’s soul so as to live for all of eternity with God in Heaven?

And yet, that is the very heart of the Gospel.

To love God and to love others.

So, in the spirit of loving God and listening to Him, I wrote Vivir el Dream and published it even when the world pushed against it and continues to do so, perhaps more now than in 2012. All the more reason to love our neighbor more and to hold tighter onto God and His teachings.

I hope you enjoy my book. I hope it takes you on a new, heartwrenching adventure that carries you from the anguish in crossing a desert with your three-year-old daughter on your hip to the freedom in cooking tamales in the kitchen while swaying to cumbia, from the stabbing fear of living in a country that doesn’t want you to experiencing the joy of first love, and from the desperation of staring down an empty barrel to the understanding of truth for your fellow man.

God bless. And happy reading.

Blog Stops

Multifarious, March 16

100 pages per hour, March 17

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, March 18

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 19

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 20

Texas Book-aholic, March 21

janicesbookreviews, March 22

A Reader’s Brain, March 23

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 24

Inklings and notions, March 25

The Becca Files, March 26

Real World Bible Study, March 27

Power of Words, March 28

Just the Write Escape, March 29

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Allison is giving away a grand prize of a gift basket that includes 4 Christian novels, secret recipes for some of the Mexican cuisine described in Vivir el Dream, and authentic arts and crafts from Guadalajara, Mexico or by preference, a $40 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/dd7f/viver-el-dream-celebration-tour-giveaway

The White City Book Tour and Giveaway by Celebrate Lit

Posted on March 20, 2019March 16, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Today is my day for the Book Tour and Giveaway for The White City by Grace Hitchcock. The author is giving away a $25 Amazon gift card as well as a copy of her book. Be sure to enter the contest at the end of my blog.

The White City is a Christian historical suspense, romance, mystery. Set in 1893 Chicago during the World’s Fair it was written by a new to me author, Grace Hitchcock. The author has a nice style of writing. She had done her research and it showed in her details.

Her heroine, Winnie, was feisty and made me smile as I read. This lady was a handful. The characters were engaging but I wanted to learn more about them. I felt I chardly knew most of them where in other books they all are like friends.

I found humor in some parts and a great mystery. The suspense was enough that I kept reading and reading. It was a bonus this was based on a real person, albeit a serial killer. The romance was sweet and light.

The faith element grew throughout the book. At first I was frustrated because I didn’t see it, but then it gradually began to make its way. It was worth the wait.

I did notice a thing or two that seemed unrealistic but without a spoiler it is diffficult to explain. However, I will say I was surprised Winnie’s father went along with some of her schemes. Even from this side of the page some seemed dangerous and too risky.

I would recommend this to anyone liking a good suspenseful read. It played out like an old black and white movie in my mind. There is a twist and turn to keep you on your toes. My rating is 4 out of 5 stars.

About the Book

Book: The White City

Author: Grace Hitchcock

Genre: Christian Historical/Suspense

Release Date: March, 2019

Mysterious Disappearances Taint the Chicago World’s Fair

Step into True Colors—a new series of Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime

While attending the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893, Winnifred Wylde believes she witnessed a woman being kidnapped. She tries to convince her father, an inspector with the Chicago police, to look into reports of mysterious disappearances around the White City. Inspector Wylde tries to dismiss her claims as exaggeration of an overactive imagination, but he eventually concedes to letting her go undercover as secretary to the man in question—if she takes her pistol for protection and Jude Thorpe, a policeman, for bodyguard.

Will she be able to expose H. H. Holmes’s illicit activity, or will Winnifred become his next victim?

Click here to order your copy.

About the Author

Grace Hitchcock is the author of three novellas in The Second Chance Brides, The Southern Belle Brides, and the Thimbles and Threads collections with Barbour Publishing. The White City is her debut novel and releases March 2019 with Barbour Publishing. She holds a Masters in Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in History. Grace lives in southern Louisiana with her husband, Dakota, and son. Visit Grace online at GraceHitchcock.com.

Guest Post from Grace

True Colors—Fiction Based on Strange, But True, American Crime Stories

True, riveting stories of American criminal activity are explored through 6 unique stories of historical romantic suspense in the exciting new True Colors series.

In book one, The White City, Winnifred Wylde believes she witnessed a woman being kidnapped while attending the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893. She tries to convince her father, an inspector with the Chicago police, to look into reports of mysterious disappearances around the White City. Inspector Wylde tries to dismiss her claims as exaggeration of an overactive imagination, but he eventually concedes to letting her go undercover as secretary to the man in question—if she takes her pistol for protection and Jude Thorpe, a detective, for bodyguard.

Will she be able to expose H. H. Holmes’s illicit activity, or will Winnifred become his next victim?

The Real Criminal Behind the Story

While Winnifred Wylde is a fictional character, Doctor H. H. Holmes was very real and became infamously known as America’s first serial killer. Learn more about him HERE.

Blog Stops

Just the Write Escape, March 14

A Baker’s Perspective, March 14

The Lit Addict, March 14

janicesbookreviews, March 14

The Power of Words, March 15

Multifarious, March 15

Back Porch Reads, March 15

Livin’ Lit, March 16

Lis Loves Reading, March 16

Just Your Average reviews, March 16

Rev. Rebecca Writes, March 17

For the Love of Literature, March 17

Bibliophile Reviews, March 17

Reflections From My Bookshelves, March 18

Through the Fire Blogs, March 18

By The Book, March 18

A Reader’s Brain, March 18

Girls in White Dresses, March 19

Stories By Gina , March 19

EmpowerMoms, March 19

Inklings and notions, March 19

All-of-a-kind Mom, March 20

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 20

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 20

Bigreadersite, March 21

Genesis 5020, March 21

Blossoms and Blessings, March 21

The Becca Files, March 21

Emily Yager, March 22

Where Crisis & Christ Collide, March 22

Pause for Tales, March 22

Inspired by fiction, March 23

Mary Hake, March 23

Book by Book, March 23

Real World Bible Study, March 23

Blogging With Carol, March 24

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, March 24

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, March 24

Maureen’s Musings, March 25

amandainpa, March 25

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 25

Older & Smarter?, March 26

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 26

Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner , March 26

Godly Book Reviews, March 27

For Him and my Family, March 27

Texas Book-aholic, March 27

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Grace is giving away a grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of The White City!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/dd7d/the-white-city-celebration-tour-giveaway

I Love to Tell the Story Book Tour and Giveaway by Celebrate Lit

Posted on March 13, 2019March 13, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Welcome to the “I Love to Tell the Story” book tour and give away. Celebrate Lit is providing this to give readers an opportunity to learn about this wonderful book and author, Susan Barnett Braun. The author has a giveaway for not only her delightful book but also a $20 Amazon gift card.

My thoughts

Author Susan Barnett Braun has written a delightful memoir about growing up in an Indiana small town Baptist Church. Her conservative upbringing brought back many happy memories of my own, and I found myself nodding often as I read. I smiled while reading this book and often got her introductory hymn for a chapter stuck in my head.

Songs such as “Deep and Wide” or “I’m in the Lord’s Army” has me reliving my times singing at church using correlating hand motions. The closing chapter, “Amazing Grace” is extremely good. For this Christian woman the book was a trip down memory lane and made me ecstatic.

We had a lot in common as her hometown, Seymour, Indiana, is just a half hour up from me. That knowledge made me even more eager to read her book. Being a baby-boomer, too, was another commonality we shared. Don’t think you need to be either one to enjoy this feel good, inspirational book. It is for everyone.

Author Braun has a smooth style of writing. The book was well organized and read like a conversation with a friend over coffee. The author is totally transparent and writes with heartfelt honesty. Humor is sprinkled in just the right amount. There are memories of nostalgic television shows, crafts, and things adults will find take them back a few decades. I had forgotten about latch hook kits myself but never About I Love Lucy.

There is no negativeness associated with the church which I appreciated more that I can express. Bravo author Braun! We need more honest, Christian autobiographies and memoirs to tell that side. A lot of people, me included, have mostly or only happy memories of church.

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This book is a jewel. I absolutely loved it. My heart warmed at the stored treasures it found just reading this book. It would be a nice book for anyone to read and enjoy. Children today have been robbed of the upbringing we had. Teens should read this and hopefully glean a little insight for Christian growth.

For me it was a very quick read. “I Love to Tell the Story” left me feeling refreshed, renewed, and like I had a new friend. I highly recommend it. It would be a great book club read or for a small group. There is a lot of discussion material within those pages. It gets a 5 star rating from me.

A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but I was under no obligation to write a review. These are my own, honest opinions.

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About the Book

Book: I Love to Tell the Story
Author: Susan Barnett Braun
Genre: Memoir

Is it possible to emerge unscathed from an evangelical upbringing? Yes, as surely as David slew Goliath!

I Love to Tell the Story is Susan Barnett Braun’s account of growing up Baptist in a small midwestern town, touching on many cultural icons common to those who came of age in the 1970s. Braun recounts childhood obstacles, which loom as large as the walls of Jericho in her eyes. She encounters a trio of Sunday school mean girls who make King Herod look tame. She worries about being “ugly as sin” due to her chubbiness, glasses, and braces. She’s so consumed with the idea of Jesus’ imminent return that she wonders whether it’s even worthwhile to brush her teeth at night.

Humorous, poignant, and ultimately triumphant, I Love to Tell the Story will stay with readers long after the last Vacation Bible School craft stick cross has fallen apart.

Click here to get your copy.

About the Author

Susan Barnett Braun earned a BS in retail management from Indiana University and an MA in education from the University of Alabama. She taught for eight years in northeast Indiana, earning a Lilly Endowment Teacher Creativity Fellowship and a National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Study Scholarship.

Susan has had work published in Parents, Children’s Ministry, and The Secret Place. She also writes online for Fort Wayne Visitor’s Bureau and blogs at Girls in White Dresses.

She is married with three wonderful young adult daughters. Susan enjoys reading, playing piano and organ, and spending her time with her family and pets (currently three rabbits and a chinchilla).

Guest Post from Susan

One of the reasons I began blogging, ten years ago now, was to document my childhood memories for my kids. Why? When I was a teacher, before I had kids, I used to tell my students stories from my youth. They loved them and begged for more. Same thing when I had my own kids. I wanted to document these tales, but the problem always came in finding the time and the motivation to actually get around to writing them down.

Childhood Memories Friday posts on my blog helped get me moving in the right direction. Eventually, I began thinking I’d like to compile a bunch of the memories into book form. Since many of my most vivid memories revolved around church, I decided that that was the perfect theme. And “I Love to Tell the Story” was born. Each chapter is titled with a hymn that reflects its theme. As I delved into the writing, I had a lot of fun reliving the decidedly memorable life I had led as a youth :). I realized, too, that many aspects of my conservative midwestern upbringing don’t exist anymore in the 21st century. I became nostalgic thinking about the many cultural markers of the 1970s — Lawrence Welk, the Flintstones, — even macrame and latch-hook!

Another goal in writing this book was to put out a positive Christian memoir. So many that I read started out fine, but then dissolved into abuse, disillusionment, or even worse. I began to wonder if anyone had grown up in the church and actually enjoyed the experience … surely I wasn’t alone, was I?

Treat yourself to a stroll down memory lane. It’s my hope that you’ll enjoy yourself.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 7

The Power of Words, March 8

Artistic Nobody, March 8 (Spotlight)

Spoken from the Heart, March 9

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 10

Where Crisis & Christ Collide, March 11

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 12

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 13

Texas Book-aholic, March 14

janicesbookreviews, March 15

A Reader’s Brain, March 16

Inklings and notions, March 17

The Becca Files, March 18

Real World Bible Study, March 19

Just the Write Escape, March 20

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Susan is giving away a grand prize of a copy of the book and a $20 Barnes and Noble gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the image above or the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/dcda/i-love-to-tell-the-story

Mending Fences Book Tour & Kindle Giveaway

Posted on March 11, 2019March 11, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Welcome to my stop on Celebrate Lit’s book tour for Author Suzanne Woods Fisher’s Mending Fences. Today I have information on a delightful contemporary Amish novel by author Suzanne Woods Fisher. She is extremely talented and her books never disappoint. The giveaway for this book tour is big….Ms. Fisher is giving away an Amazon Kindle to one lucky reader. Be sure to enter.

My Thoughts on Mending Fences

This modern day tale was fun, charming, extremely well written and held my interest through its entirety. Author Fisher is an expert on the Amish and does her research well. I felt like I was in Stoney Ridge and Windmill Farm. I love her smooth style of writing. Her stories are easy to understand and imagine. There are twists, secrets, and mysteries to keep interest up, and characters are like old friends I want to sit down with and have kaffe (coffee).

My favorite thing about the book is that it is evident this is a Christian book without wondering or searching. The next is that I gleaned information I did not know. It is also a bonus to read for enjoyment and learn something. After the story I was thrilled to find a section of discussion questions.

There is so much to love about this book, an engaging plot, a variety of believable characters, the detail given to Amish, and the life lessons it taught. Relevant lessons lessons on trusting God, redemption, starting over, and forgiveness were woven throughout this powerful novel.

Would I recommend this book? In a New York minute I would! It is perfect for a book club. It has much material to discuss. I loved it and the characters. Could not put it down to see what was going to happen, but did not want it to end. Such a conundrum for a reader.

I rated it 5 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but I was under no obligation to write a positive review.

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About the Book

Book: Mending Fences

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Genre: Christian fiction, Amish, Mennonite

Release Date: February 5, 2019

Every saint has a past. Every sinner has a future.

Luke Schrock is a new and improved man after a stint in rehab, though everyone in Stoney Ridge only remembers the old Luke. They might have forgiven him, but nobody trusts him. He has been allowed to live at Windmill Farm under two conditions. First, he must make a sincere apology to each person he’s hurt. Second, he must ask each victim of mischief to describe the damage he caused.

Simple, Luke thinks. Offering apologies is easy. But discovering the lasting effects his careless actions have caused isn’t so simple. It’s gut-wrenching.

And his list keeps growing. Izzy Miller, beautiful and frustratingly aloof, also boards at Windmill Farm, and Luke’s clumsy efforts to befriend her only insult and annoy her. Eager to impress, Luke sets out to prove himself to her by locating her mother. When he does, her identity sends shock waves through Stoney Ridge.

“A funny, heartwarming story of friendship, love, and the possibility of happily ever after.”—Amy Clipston, bestselling author of Seat by the Hearth

“Suzanne Woods Fisher has written a sweet and poignant story you won’t want put down. Definitely a must read!”—Kathleen Fuller, bestselling author of the Amish of Birch Creek series

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

Suzanne Woods Fisher, author of Mending Fences on tour with Celebrate Lit and featured on CarpeDiem.fyi

Suzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than two dozen novels, including the Nantucket Legacy, Amish Beginnings, The Bishop’s Family, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series. She is also the author of several nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and The Heart of the Amish. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Facebook @SuzanneWoodsFisherAuthor and Twitter @suzannewfisher.

More from Suzanne

A Friend in Need

Luke Schrock was nearly friendless. He returned to Stoney Ridge in Mending Fences after a stint in rehab only because his bishop, David Stoltzfus, strongly encouraged him. And everybody knows you didn’t say no to your bishop.

But nobody else in town wanted anything to do with Luke. They forgave him for the trouble he’d caused in his last downward spiral, the one that went too far. The one that even scared Luke. Forgiving him was the easy part. The Amish of Stoney Ridge were intentional forgivers. It was their trust—that’s what he would have to earn. Trust was a fragile thing. Once broken, it wasn’t easily mended.

Somehow, David was still able to look past the behavior to see the best of Luke Schrock. He didn’t stop there. He found a family who was willing to take Luke in, and he spent hours with him—at times as a mentor, at times as a father figure, but mostly as a friend.

A loyal friend can have a powerful impact. Consider those friends in the town of Capernaum, who carried their paralyzed friend to Jesus for healing—so determined to get to Him that they dragged his stretcher up onto a roof, broke through the roof tiles, and lowered him down. Can you imagine being in the crowd, listening to Jesus, as straw and tile pieces and branches and bugs started to drop down from the ceiling? A shocking display…of devoted friendship. And what a miraculous outcome for that paralyzed man!*

I won’t tell you how Luke’s story ends—only that he works hard to find ways to make amends to those he hurt, to regain trust. Especially the hard-to-earn trust of a brown-eyed beauty named Izzy.

Do you have a real friend like David Stoltzfus, who walks in when the rest of the world has walked out?

Or maybe the better question, for you, for me, is to ask ourselves if we are friends to others like David Stoltzfus was to Luke Schrock. I know I want to be.

*This miracle is reported in three gospels: Mark 2:1-12, Matthew 9:1-8, Luke 5:17-26.

Blog Stops

The Power of Words, March 4

The Avid Reader, March 4

Quiet Quilter, March 5

CarpeDiem, March 5

Among the Reads, March 6

Girls in White Dresses, March 6

A Reader’s Brain, March 6

Blossoms and Blessings, March 7

Jeanette’s Thoughts, March 7

Southern Gal Loves to Read, March 7

Bigreadersite, March 8

Blogging With Carol, March 8

Eat, Read, Teach, Blog, March 8

God’s Little Bookworm, March 9

Just the Write Escape, March 9

Splashes of Joy, March 10

EmpowerMoms, March 10

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, March 10

Christian Chick’s Thoughts, March 11

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 11

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 11

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 12

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, March 12

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 12

Vicky Sluiter, March 13

Random Thoughts From a Bookworm, March 13

Caffeinated Christian Raves – N – Reviews, March 14

Lighthouse Academy, March 14

Texas Book-aholic, March 14

For Him and My Family, March 15

Mary Hake, March 15

janicesbookreviews, March 15

Literary Reflections Book Blog, March 16

Pause for Tales, March 16

Inspiration Clothesline, March 16

Have A Wonderful Day, March 17

Hallie Reads, March 17

Inklings and notions, March 17

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, March 18

For The Love of Books, March 18

The Becca Files, March 18

Giveaway

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To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away a grand prize of an Amazon Kindle!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/de7d/mending-fences-celebration-tour-giveaway

“Mending Fences” is available in paperback:

Series: The Deacon’s Family (Book 1)
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: Revell (February 5, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800735595
ISBN-13: 978-0800735593
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.5 inches

and in Kindle edition:

File Size: 10516 KB
Print Length: 330 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0800727517
Publisher: Revell (February 5, 2019)
Publication Date: February 5, 2019
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B07FH6XVF8

The Secret of Ink and Paper Book Tour and Giveaway

Posted on March 5, 2019March 3, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Welcome to my stop on Celebrate Lit’s Book Tour for “The Secret of Ink to Paper.” You will receive information on the book, its author, my review, and be able to enter a giveaway. Enjoy this post!

My thoughts

This is the first book I have read by author Lindsay Harrel. I really enjoyed her style of writing. Her book had a very nice story. It was divided into different time periods and three separate stories that intertwined. The writing immediately drew me in. I loved Emily the most of the three ladies and felt like her confidant sharing secrets. Her character was adorable yet haunting. The other two came in a close second, so obviously I loved Ginny and Sophia, also.

The Author has some powerful messages in this enchanting story. Suggesting journaling and writing to assist in healing was music to my ears. I am a believer in journaling. Making mention that bad things happen in life but God is always there for us rings true. God takes our broken pieces and puts us back together. Everyone needs to hear that.

Author Harrel has an enchanting writing style. Her words were eloquent and I had no trouble following her story. The descriptive nature of her writing picked me up and put me down in England. Obviously the author had done research on the area and time period, too. Language and descriptions were spot on.

The characters were lovable and approachable. Each one was well rounded with distinct characteristics. Their story and lives were easy to become invested in and I wanted to give them advice at times. The more I read, the more I felt like I had become the main character or characters. I felt their happiness, heartbreak, fear, confusion, and doubt.

The author provides a puzzle that eventually comes together joining all three stories seamlessly. The Christian inspiration is woven throughout the book unevenly. At times it is a subtle whisper and others a loud voice. The inconsistency bothered me. Messages of hope, trusting God, healing and finding joy abound.

I would recommend this book to any woman. The historical sections were more enjoyable to me because that is my preference. The contemporary was great, too. This would make a great small group book even lacking the consistent faith element. It earns a 5 out of 5 stars from me.

A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but I was under no obligation to write a review. These are my own, honest words.

Rating

About the Book

Title: The Secrets of Paper and Ink 102750E4-BA14-4FBC-B52A-8B4B98C2FB45

Author: Lindsay Harrel

Genre: Women’s Fiction

Release date: February 26, 2019

Publisher: Tyndale

Lindsay Harrel presents a powerful story of healing, forgiveness, and finding the courage to write your own story.

A year after the death of her abusive fiancé, domestic violence counselor Sophia Barrett finds returning to work too painful. She escapes to Cornwall, England—a place she’s learned to love through the words of her favorite author—and finds a place to stay with the requirement that she help out in the bookstore underneath the room she’s renting. Given her love of all things literary, it seems like the perfect place to find peace.

Ginny Rose is an American living in Cornwall, sure that if she saves the bookstore she co-owns with her husband then she can save her marriage as well. Fighting to keep the first place she feels like she belongs, she brainstorms with her brother-in-law, William, and Sophia to try to keep the charming bookstore afloat.

More than 150 years before, governess Emily Fairfax knew two things for certain: she wanted to be a published author, and she was in love with her childhood best friend. But he was a wealthy heir and well out of her league. Sophia discovers Emily’s journals, and she and William embark on a mission to find out more about this mysterious and determined woman, all the while getting closer to each other as they get closer to the truth.

The lives of the three women intertwine as each learns the power she has over the story of her life.

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

Lindsay Harrel is a lifelong book nerd who lives in Arizona with her young family and two golden retrievers in serious need of training. She’s held a variety of writing and editing jobs over the years and now juggles stay-at-home mommyhood with writing novels. When she’s not writing or chasing after her children, Lindsay enjoys making a fool of herself at Zumba, curling up with anything by Jane Austen, and savoring sour candy one piece at a time. Connect with her at LindsayHarrel.com.

Guest Post from Lindsay

With every book I write, it seems God has something new to teach me. That certainly was true of The Secrets of Paper and Ink.

Lately, I am learning more and more about the power of our words. I’ve become more conscious of the words I speak over myself as well as what I say to other people. It’s more than “positive thinking”—the words we say ultimately contribute to the stories we weave, and I want my story to be as positive and hope-filled as possible, regardless of my circumstances.

I’ve also become much more aware of the lies that I tell myself—“you are not worthy, you are not enough, you will never achieve what you want to achieve”—and the need to replace those lies with the truths that God says about me. I have listened to Lauren Daigle’s song You Say on repeat lately, and it has become a theme not just of The Secrets of Paper and Ink, but one in the story of my very life.

So while I may not have experienced everything my characters have—I’ve never suffered emotional abuse, or been ostracized by my family, or been orphaned and alone in a world that seems against me at every turn—I have learned alongside them. I set out to write a book that would draw readers closer to the true healer and hope giver, and I ended up being drawn closer myself.

And that, to me, is the true power of story.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 26

The Avid Reader, February 26

The Power of Words, February 26

Carla Loves To Read, February 26

Blogging With Carol, February 27

Inspirationally Ever After, February 27

Kristin’s Book Reviews, February 27

Real World Bible Study, February 28

Caffeinated Christian Raves – N – Reviews, February 28

Carpe Diem, February 28

A Baker’s Perspective, March 1

Andy Carmichael, March 1

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, March 1

Bibliophile Reviews, March 2

The Becca Files, March 2

Just Your Average reviews, March 2

Christian Chick’s Thoughts, March 3

Emily Yager, March 3

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 3

Genesis 5020, March 4

Reader’s Cozy Corner, March 4

Stories By Gina, March 4

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 5

Simple Harvest Reads, March 5 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

Mary Hake, March 5

Remembrancy, March 6

Through the Fire Blogs, March 6

Inklings and Notions, March 6

Just the Write Escape, March 7

Pause for Tales, March 7

Book by Book, March 7

Living Life Free in Christ, March 8

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, March 8

To Everything A Season, March 8

The Lit Addict, March 9

Texas Book-aholic, March 9

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 9

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 10

Janices book reviews, March 10

Bigreadersite, March 10

Henry Happens, March 11

Godly Book Reviews, March 11

All-of-a-kind Mom, March 11

amandainpa , March 11

Giveaway

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To celebrate her tour, Lindsay is giving away a copy of Lindsay’s first book The Heart Between Us!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/dcc3/the-secrets-of-paper-and-ink-celebration-tour-giveaway

Ladies of Intrigue Book Tour & Giveaway by Celebrate Lit

Posted on March 4, 2019March 4, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Welcome to Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess’s stop on Celebrate Lit’s Ladies of Intrigue Book Tour and Giveaway. I think you will enjoy today’s offering of historical Christian Fiction. Be sure to enter the giveaway for a $25 Amazon gift card and copy of the book.

My thoughts

I enjoy reading a novella collection especially when it is by one author. It makes it easier to know what style of writing to expect rather than a compilation of various authors. In this case, it was a charming book with three compelling novellas.

All three Christian historical romances were set in the 1800s but different locations. “The Gentleman Smuggler’s Lady” was an adventurous tale set in Cornwall, England. When reading about a gentleman smuggler my mind pictured a television series I watch (Poldark) so of course I loved this novella. This had a nice romance and spiritual message.

The second offering jumps to the American frontier. In Carol Award Winner “The Doctor’s Woman” Emmy travels to Ft. Snelling and begins work helping Dr. Clark. They clash and sparks fly.

Closing out the trio is “A House of Secret’s” which is set in St. Paul. This is a mystery that will have you guessing. Amanda runs across a house with many secrets.

Author Grief has done a exemplary job penning these three stories. Each has been well researched, organized, and planned. Her descriptive account of each tale took me back in time to a place I had never been. The characters were well thought and relatable. I felt like I knew them. They were well rounded and defined so that it was easy to see each one in my mind’s eye.

It is evident that much thought, planning, and research went into this trilogy of novellas. Attention to detail was taken and it made the book a pleasure to read. Each story showed how its characters needed to put their trust in God rather that rely upon themselves. That is a lesson relevant for today, too.

Each tale is filled with adventure, mystery, intrigue, and romance. You will find inspiration, also. Expect some twists and turns along the way to keep things interesting. I would definitely recommend this delightful book. Fans of historical mystery and romance will love it. It gets 4 out of 5 stars from me.

A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but I was under no obligation to write a review. These are my own, honest words.

About the Book

Three Page-Turners Under One Cover from Reader Favorite Michelle Griep!

Can truth and love prevail when no one is as they appear?

The Gentleman Smuggler’s Lady

Cornish Coast, 1815

When a prim and proper governess returns to England from abroad, she expects to comfort her dying father—not fall in love with a smuggler. Will Helen Fletcher keep Isaac Seaton’s unusual secret?

The Doctor’s Woman (A Carol Award Winner!)

Dakota Territory, 1862

Emmy Nelson, daughter of a missionary doctor, and Dr. James Clark, city doctor aspiring to teach, find themselves working side by side at Fort Snelling during the Dakota Uprising. That is when the real clash of ideals begins.

A House of Secrets

St. Paul, Minnesota, 1890

Ladies Aide Chairman, Amanda Carston resolves to clean up St. Paul’s ramshackle housing, starting with the worst of the worst: a “haunted” house that’s secretly owned by her beau—a home that’s his only means of helping brothel girls escape from the hands of the city’s most infamous madam.

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author

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Michelle Griep has been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She seeks to glorify God in all that she writes—except for that graffiti phase she went through as a teenager. She resides in the frozen tundra of Minnesota, where she teaches history and writing classes for a local high school co-op. An Anglophile at heart, she runs away to England every chance she gets, under the guise of research. Really, though, she’s eating excessive amounts of scones while rambling around a castle. Michelle is a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and MCWG (Minnesota Christian Writers Guild). Keep up with her adventures at her blog “Writer off the Leash” or visit michellegriep.com.

Guest post from Michelle

Three Reasons to Read Historical Fiction

Believe it or not, some readers snub historical fiction, preferring instead to stick to contemporary reads. Several have good reason to, simply preferring one genre over another. But others have never given historical fiction a try. If you fall into that camp, here are some reasons you should consider reading a tale from the past

Historical fiction books are not as boring as your high school history class.

Does the thought of endless names and dates make you break out into hives? Good news! Historical fiction is a painless way to glean some historic facts without mindless memorization. You can experience a different era and culture vicariously through heroes and heroines that live on the pages of yesteryear.

Makes for great conversation.

In a world that prides itself on keeping up with the Kardashians, dare to add a little cultural zest to your next dinner conversation. Reading historical fiction arms you with interesting tidbits of things that’ve happened in years gone by.

Because truth is timeless.

Some people yearn to go back to a simpler time. The truth is, though, that the grass isn’t necessarily greener on the historic side of the fence. People have had tough issues to deal with no matter the era. . .but therein lies a great reason to read historical fiction: truth is timeless. Be it ancient, biblical, medieval, Victorian, or anything in between, truth never changes.

In my new release, Ladies of Intrigue, you’ll experience all these things and more. Find out about the smuggling trade in Cornwall in The Gentleman Smuggler’s Lady. Learn about the rough and dangerous life on a military fort during the 1860’s in The Doctor’s Woman. Find out why the gilded age wasn’t as glittery as we often think in A House of Secrets.

Don’t be doomed to repeat history. Grab a cup of tea and master it with a great read!

Blog Stops

The Avid Reader, February 23

The Power of Words, February 23

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, February 23

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 23

Blogging With Carol, February 24

Reflections From My Bookshelves, February 24

Jeanette’s Thoughts, February 24

Mary Hake, February 24

Kathleen Denly, February 25

Genesis 5020, February 25

Splashes of Joy, February 25

For the Love of Literature, February 25

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, February 26

Faery Tales Are Real, February 26

Through the Fire Blogs, February 26

Blossoms and Blessings, February 26

Inspired by fiction, February 27

All-of-a-kind Mom, February 27

Back Porch Reads, February 27

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, February 27

A Baker’s Perspective, February 28

Andy Carmichael, February 28

Stories By Gina, February 28

Emily Yager, March 1

Multifarious, March 1

A Reader’s Brain , March 1

Baker kella, March 1

Bibliophile Reviews, March 2

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 2

Remembrancy, March 2

Just the Write Escape, March 3

Bigreadersite, March 3

Inspiration Clothesline, March 3

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 4

Vicky Sluiter, March 4

Ashley’s Bookshelf, March 4

Book by Book, March 4

Kat’s Corner Books, March 5

Inklings and notions, March 5

Living Life Free in Christ, March 5

The Morning Chapter, March 5

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 6

Pause for Tales, March 6

Simple Harvest Reads, March 6 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

Daysong Reflections, March 6

Texas Book-aholic, March 7

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 7

Janices book reviews, March 7

A Humble Cup of Lukewarm Tea, March 8

Christian Chick’s Thoughts, March 8

Christian Author, J.E. Grace, March 8

Carpe Diem, March 8

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Michelle is giving away a grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card and a free copy of Ladies of Intrigue. Be sure to comment on blog stops (schedule below) for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click here to enter.

Castle on the Rise Book Tour & Giveaway by Celebrate Lit

Posted on February 26, 2019February 25, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Welcome to “Castle on the Rise” Book Tour and Giveaway from Celebrate Lit. I am glad you have joined us! You will learn about this Christian Historical Fiction as well as its author, Kristy Cambron. She has included footage from her research trip to the Emerald Isle which is a delightful treat. At the bottom is where you enter the giveaway.

My Thoughts

Ireland is a beautiful land and author Kristy Cambron has chosen well using it as the setting for her Christian novel, Castle on the Rise. No matter if you love historical or contemporary fiction, this exquisitively penned tale will thrill you. This book cover three centuries with stories alternating at each chapter. Transitions are smooth and each one delivered me effortlessly into a different time period allowing me to “live” there for a while.

I really enjoyed the author’s style of writing. It is descriptive without being burdensome. Places, people, and things were easy to imagine making the book play out like a movie in my mind. The characters are realistic and well defined. We became fast friends as I quickly got invested in their stories. Within a few chapters I was captivated. My contemporary friend is Laine. She has a few issues that she wants to pretend do not hurt. From 1916 comes my friend Issy, a skilled photographer. She joins the Irish Citizens Army to help. My 1798 friend is Maeve. She struggles with keeping safe from rebels and smugglers.

The Castle has secrets that tie these three women together in the end through twists and turns. I did learn some Irish history, and I love learning while leisure reading. For me, the Christian content was too diluted and subtle. I like to know I am reading a Christian fiction and not search for the meanings.

Castle on the Rise is Book Two, but I had no trouble reading it. It can be read as a stand alone. I would recommend this to readers of historical romance. It gets a 4 out of 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but I was under no obligation to write a review. These are my own, honest opinions.

About the Book

Title: Castle on the Rise castle on rise

Author: Kristy Cambron

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: February 5, 2019

Publisher: HarperCollins

A storied castle. A band of rebels. A nation chasing a centuries-old dream of freedom. And three women who rise above it all . . .

When Laine Forrester travels overseas to attend her best friend’s vineyard wedding, she expects to find the bride on the brink of a fairy tale life. But after a series of unforeseen setbacks, it seems the storybook lives they’d imagined are suddenly ripping apart.

With hopes of resurrecting a happy ending, Laine agrees to accompany the newlyweds to the groom’s home in Ireland—never expecting she’d be the one drawn in by its wide-open moors, backroads bordering the Irish Sea, and a mysterious castle that dares to keep its secrets hidden.

From the storied streets of Dublin to the shores of the Emerald Isle, Laine is drawn in to the land and its rich history. The castle ruins whisper stories of Issy—a photojournalist battling through the 1916 Easter Rising, and Maeve—the castle’s lady of legend, fighting for survival through the 1798 rebellion that started it all.

Spanning more than two centuries, Castle on the Rise unites the legacy of three women who must risk mending the broken places within—for life, love, and the belief that even through the depths of our pain, a masterpiece of a story can emerge.

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

Kristy Cambron is an award-winning author of Christian fiction, including her bestselling debut The Butterfly and the Violin, and an author of Bible studies, including the Verse Mapping Series. She is a passionate storyteller who travels to speak at ministry events across the country, encouraging women to experience a deeper life in the Word through verse mapping. Her work has been named to Publishers Weekly Religion & Spirituality TOP 10, Library Journal’s Best Books, RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards, and received 2015 & 2017 INSPY Award nominations.

Kristy holds a degree in Art History/Research Writing, and lives in Indiana with her husband and three sons, and can probably be bribed with a coconut mocha latte and a good read.

To stay connected, visit www.kristycambron.com.