To Speak His Name Celebrate Lit Book Tour

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

“To Speak His Name” by author Tara Johnson is a Christian historical romance novel and Book One in The Wings of the Morning series. I was captivated from the very beginning of this riveting book. It pulled on my heartstrings and emotions.

I tend to shy away from books on slavery, which this one is. It is hard for me to understand the abhorrent way most slaves were treated. While the story did not gloss over the horrific things that were done, it did not go into excruciating detail. This book grabbed my attention from page one and absolutely refused to let me go. 

Avalina was a wee child when she was stolen from her home in Ireland. Tragic circumstances turned her into a mute. She is a beautiful young girl with a sweet, kind spirit. However, she is stranded and marked as a slave on the island of Barbados.

Josiah Holland is the son of a South Carolina plantation owner. His father deals in crops and the sale of slaves. Josiah has been away at school and no longer agrees with his father on many things, especially the treatment or sale of slaves. He and Avalina meet when he travels to Barbados with his father for business with Avalina’s master. The connection they make is immediate and powerful. They are drawn to each other.

Tara Johnson has a fabulous style of writing. Her story flows like a river taking readers on a ride to a time and place faraway. There are many twists, turns, surprises, bumps, and smooth patches in this saga. Characters are finely crafted, believable, and engaging. They grow and mature in body and spirit. The Christian message is present even throughout trials and perilous times. Life lessons abound in this tale that will make readers ponder it long after they have finished the book.

I highly recommend this phenomenal book. It would be great for a book club to delve into. There is so much to discuss. Any historical romance fiction lover will devour it. I gladly rate it 5 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: To Speak His Name

Author: Tara Johnson

Genre: Historical Romance

Release date: March 4, 2024

Avalina is a woman trapped in silence. Stolen from her home in Ireland and sold as a slave to a Barbados plantation owner, the trauma of her past has left her mute, wrapped in a prison of loneliness and isolation amid an island of beauty. Though she longs to be free from the cruelty of her overseer, her heart yearns for a greater freedom…something just beyond her grasp.

Josiah Holland has been born into a South Carolina slave-holding family but all it takes is one trip to the island of Barbados to open his eyes to the ugly cruelty that abounds beyond the confines of his plantation. With the aid of fiery abolitionist Benjamin McGee, Josiah forges a new future, fighting the very ideals he was once a part of.

When Avalina and Josiah’s lives entwine, will their spark engulf them in destruction, or ignite a revolution?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Tara Johnson is an author and speaker, and loves to write stories that help people break free from the lies they believe about themselves.

Tara’s debut novel Engraved on the Heart (Tyndale) earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly, and was a finalist in the Carol and Christy awards. Tara has been published by Tyndale House, Annie’s, and Guideposts. In addition to being published in a variety of digital and print magazines, she is a certified body language expert and has been on radio, television and podcasts. She is a history nerd, especially the Civil War, and adores making people laugh. She, her husband, and children live in Arkansas.

More from Tara

Barbados Sweet Bread Recipe

INGREDIENTS

  • 3⁄4cup brown sugar
  • 1⁄3cup shortening (or coconut oil)
  • 1⁄3cup butter
  • 2cups flour
  • 1pinch salt
  • 2 1⁄4cups grated coconut
  • 1⁄4cup raisins, chopped
  • 1⁄4cup dried cherries, chopped
  • 1tablespoon grated nutmeg
  • 1tablespoon almond extract
  • 1 1⁄3cups evaporated milk
  • 3tablespoons water
  • 1tablespoon butter (for pan)
  • 2tablespoons turbinado sugar

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat the oven to 350*F and lightly grease a bread pan. The original recipe calls for 2 bread pans, but the bread doesn’t rise at all so it bakes nicely in one pan.
  2. In a mixer cream together the brown sugar, shortening and butter.
  3. Add flour, salt, grated coconut, raisins, cherries, nutmeg and mix well.
  4. Stir in almond extract, evaporated milk, and water, until a firm dough is formed. (You may need to add additional water.).
  5. Split the dough evenly between the two pans, and use a knife to cut a diagonal criss-cross pattern on the top of each loaf. Sprinkle 1 tbsp turbinado sugar over the top of each loaf.
  6. Bake for about 1 hour, until a skewer inserted into the center of the loaves comes out clean (Or a digital thermometer reads 190*F.) Cool completely in the pans before removing.

The Story Behind To Speak His Name

By Tara Johnson

Who doesn’t love a toe-curling romance? I confess, when I began writing my upcoming story To Speak His Name, romance was the farthest thing from my mind.

This novel was prompted by two unique nuggets. First, I have always been fascinated with how those who have never heard of Jesus come to a saving knowledge of Him. How does the Holy Spirit reveal such marvelous truths to a soul who knows nothing of the spiritual world?

I began meditating on Psalm 19: 1-3: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.” At the same time, I picked up a small nonfiction book about the Irish slave trade, and what I learned was astonishing.

The Irish slave trade began when King James II sold 30,000 Irish prisoners as slaves to the New World. From 1641 to 1652, over 500,000 Irish were killed by the English and another 300,000 were sold as slaves. Ireland’s population fell from about 1,500,000 to 600,000 in one single decade. Families were ripped apart and 52,000 Irish (mostly women and children) were sold to Barbados and neighboring islands.

My imagination quickly took flight. I pictured a young Irish girl named Avalina, stolen away from her home, shipwrecked and found wandering on a sandy beach in Barbados.

Oh, one other thing…Avalina is mute.

She is taken in by a cruel man and forced to work as a slave on his plantation, surrounded by strange people in a strange world who are steeped in polytheism and superstition. The years pass and, with her voice locked away in silence, she wonders if there isn’t something more to life than mere existence.

Enter Josiah Holland.

I never conceived having the son of a slave trader as my hero, but once I wrote the first scene with Josiah, I knew he would be the one to set Avalina’s heart on a path toward freedom. Just as the famed hymnist and former slave trader John Newton found redemption in the arms of Jesus, so Josiah turns away from the world he knows to embrace a broken woman and an uncertain future.

Is Josiah perfect? No. He struggles to please his demanding family. He grapples with his motives and his stained past, yet he is beautifully vulnerable.

When I finished penning the final scene, it hit me: Josiah is a picture of Christ. He redeems Avalina and carries her from the Land of Darkness into a kingdom of Light. He shows her kindness and compassion when all others treat her with disdain. What a lovely picture of grace.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 11

Texas Book-aholic, July 12

Inspired by Fiction, July 13

Stories By Gina, July 14 (Author Interview)

The Book Club Network, July 14

Locks, Hooks and Books, July 15

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 16

Artistic Nobody, July 17 (Author Interview)

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, July 18

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 19

Simple Harvest Reads, July 20 (Guest Review from Mindy)

For Him and My Family, July 21

Through the Fire Blogs, July 22 (Author Interview)

An Author’s Take, July 22

The Lofty Pages, July 23

Holly’s Book Corner , July 24

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Tara is giving away the grand prize of a $50 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/2ca41/to-speak-his-name-celebration-tour-giveaway

12 Ways to Age Gracefully Celebrate Lit Tour

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

12 Ways to Age Gracefully: How to Look and Feel Younger by author Susan U. Neal, RN, MBA, MHS, is a Nonfiction, Christian Living, Health book. The author emphasizes faith and inspiration in her advice. I really appreciated that. She offers practical tips and counsel on a multitude of things in a clear manner.

Covering topics of eating right, exercising, brain health, hormones, stress, physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental health, and life balance, there is something for everyone in this educational book. The author has included science for more in depth information. Her style is open, upfront, and easy to understand.

There is a lot of information to absorb in the healthy book. It needs to be read slowly. Concluding each chapter are summary, life application, and personal reflection questions. The author suggests scripture memorization and prayer, which I agree with very much. Her advocation of Christian yoga gave me pause. I have never heard of that. It sounds like an oxymoron to me.

Overall, I enjoyed the author’s thoughts and gleaned useful information. I would recommend this book. Mature women would benefit most from reading it, but younger ones may want to take a look at what’s ahead for them. It gets a 4 out of 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: 12 Ways to Age Gracefully: How to Look and Feel Younger

Author: Susan U. Neal

Genre: Nonfiction, Christian Living, Healthy Living

Release date: May 28, 2024

Embrace the Youthful Spirit at Any Age

As you face the mirror each day, do you meet an older version of yourself? It’s a familiar journey, one where we acknowledge that we’re not as young as we once were, yet not quite ready to embrace being old. But what if there was a way to traverse this path with grace and vitality?

The good news is you can slow time down. By making the right choices, you can look and feel younger. You don’t have to spend a fortune on products either; simply learn the tools needed to move gracefully and joyfully through your senior years.

By making simple lifestyle changes, you’ll look and feel better. Discover how to choose vitality over disease; joy over depression; youthfulness over listlessness. 12 Ways to Age Gracefully, will empower you to:

  • boost your energy levels,
  • improve senior brain health,
  • learn how to feel better about yourself,
  • develop better stress management, and
  • fulfill your God-appointed purpose with renewed vigor.

What path will you choose? Discover the secrets to not just feeling better but also looking fantastic as you do so!

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Susan Neal, an RN with an MBA and MHS, combines her passion for health and her faith to guide others toward wellness. As an acclaimed author and health coach, her works including the transformative 7 Steps to Get Off Sugar and Carbohydrates aim to uplift the health of the Christian community for God’s service. To help fulfill that mission, she wrote, Eat God’s Food: A Kid’s Guide to Healthy Eating.

More from Susan

Welcome to the Journey of Graceful Aging with 12 Ways to Age Gracefully

As we embark on this exciting blog tour for my newest book, 12 Ways to Age Gracefully: How to Look and Feel Younger, I’m thrilled to share the passion and purpose behind this project. This journey is about more than just sharing information; it’s about embracing each year with joy and vitality. This isn’t just a book tour; it’s a movement towards embracing a more vibrant, healthful approach to our advancing years.

Inspiration Behind the Book

The inspiration for 12 Ways to Age Gracefully stems from my personal journey of losing my health. After facing significant health challenges a decade ago, I’ve been on a quest to inspire others to improve their health and optimal weight. This book is my way of sharing those solutions, offering guidance on how to maintain vitality, strength, and joy as we age.

When a person integrates the holistic practices in this book, they not only combat the physical signs of aging but also enhance their overall well-being. This book is a culmination of years of research and personal trials that has been put into practical, actionable strategies that anyone can adopt to enrich their lives.

What Makes This Book Unique?

What sets 12 Ways to Age Gracefully apart is its holistic approach, blending scientific insights with practical wisdom along with spiritual considerations. Each chapter is crafted to help you implement changes that have profound effects not just on your physical health, but on your mental and spiritual well-being too.

This book isn’t just a guide; it’s an invitation to reevaluate lifestyles and make decisions that can profoundly impact health and happiness. To add a practical component to the book, each chapter concludes with a list of Personal and Practical Applications for the reader to evaluate and incorporate into their daily routines.

A Fun, Interactive Element

To make this journey interactive and truly beneficial, 12 Ways to Age Gracefully introduces a “21-Day Age Gracefully Challenge.” This challenge encourages readers to apply one tip from the book each day, helping to form habits that lead to long-lasting health improvements. It’s a great way for readers to engage actively with the content and see real changes.

Join Us on This Tour

Throughout this blog tour, hosted on Celebrate Lit, we’ll share more behind-the-scenes details, stories from readers who are already experiencing the benefits of the strategies in the book, and additional tips and surprises along the way.

I invite you to join in, leave comments, and share your experiences. And you can find out more about healthy living at my website. Aging gracefully is more than just a concept—it’s a practical, joyful path that we can choose every day. Let’s walk this path together, learning and growing as we go!

Blessings,

Susan Neal

—

This blog post is your gateway into a world where aging is not feared but embraced with energy and enthusiasm. Follow along on the tour for inspiration, community stories, and practical advice that can transform the way you view aging. Let’s age not just gracefully, but joyfully and purposefully!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 3

Lots of Helpers, July 3

Inspired by Fiction, July 4

Vicky Sluiter, July 5

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 6

Texas Book-aholic, July 7

Locks, Hooks and Books, July 8

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 9

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, July 10

Beauty in the Binding, July 11 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, July 11

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 12

Splashes of Joy, July 13

Artistic Nobody, July 14 (Author Interview)

An Author’s Take, July 15

Lily’s Corner, July 16

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Susan is giving away the grand prize of a $50 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/2d112/12-ways-to-age-gracefully-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Sisters of Corinth Celebrate Lit Tour

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

The Sisters of Corinth by extraordinary wordsmith Angela Hunt is Book Two in her series The Emissaries. This Biblical Fiction series is set in New Testament times. The Sisters of Corinth can easily be read as a stand alone even though it is the second book.

Everything about this book is captivating, beginning with the cover. It is hauntingly beautiful. This is the story of stepsisters Prima and Mariana. Reminiscent of Cinderella, one is loving and kind, while the other is self-centered and cruel. One sister worships Jeshua, and the other one worships the pagan gods of Rome.

Characters are beautifully crafted with precision and finesse. I was immediately engaged with them and their story. The exceptional care given to details took me out of modern times and placed me in 60 AD Corinth. The danger to Christians was real, and I could feel it. The author wove an exciting story that pulled on my heartstrings. There were many twists and turns.

The author has done a remarkable job with this brilliant tale. It made me uncomfortable in places where the temples to the pagan gods were mentioned or certain things were done. No details were given just insinuated. Even though I know those things happened, I hate thinking about that evil.

I adore the author’s style of writing and her love for Jesus. Her book is captivating and flows smoothly like a river. It was well researched and all things sounded authentic. She included a beautiful inspirational lesson. The spiritual messages to trust God in all things and that He loves us shine brightly throughout the entire book. I really enjoyed reading this book.

After the story there are author notes, reading group questions, author information, upcoming book notes, and references. Before the story begins is an Introduction section. Be sure to read this information. I highly recommend this book to lovers of Biblical Fiction. It would be perfect for a reading group. I rate it 5 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by CelebrateLit, but these are my honest words.

The Sisters of Corinth Book Tour and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: The Sisters of Corinth (The Emissaries: Book 2)

Author: Angela Hunt

Genre: Biblical Fiction

Release date: May 21, 2024

“Angela Hunt takes her craft to new heights–and depths–as she fully immerses us in the lives and struggles of first-century followers of Yeshua.”–Tamera Alexander, bestselling author on The Woman from Lydia

When the new provincial governor arrives in Corinth, the esteemed Chief Magistrate Narkis Ligus, father to Mariana and Prima, is delighted. He sees a golden opportunity to propel himself to greater power and fortune by uniting his and the governor’s households through the marriage of one of his beautiful unwed daughters to the governor’s firstborn son.

Yet complications quickly arise in Narkis’s own family. Mariana, his stepdaughter, holds steadfast faith in Yeshua, rendering her hesitant to marry a man devoted to the Roman gods, despite Narkis’s urging. On the other hand, Prima, his daughter by birth, yearns for a life of wealth and status and is willing to go to great lengths to secure a marriage that fulfills her desires–even if it means betraying Mariana to do so.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Angela Hunt is a New York Times bestselling author of more than 160 books, with nearly 6 million copies sold worldwide. Angela’s novels have won or been nominated for the RWA RITA Award, the Christy Award, the ECPA Christian Book Award, and the HOLT Medallion. Four of her novels have received ForeWord Magazine‘s Book of the Year Award, and Angela is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from both the Romantic Times Book Club and ACFW. Angela holds doctorates in biblical studies and theology. She and her husband make their home in Florida with mastiffs and chickens.

More from Angela

Hello!

Thank you for helping me kick off the book tour for THE SISTERS OF CORINTH. This book is the second in my Emissaries series, but don’t worry—it reads like a stand alone.

The series features Gentiles who became believers in Christ through the ministry of Paul. The first book was about the woman called Lydia who lived in Philippi, and this book is about two step-sisters who lived in Corinth, the “Vegas” of the Roman Empire. What happened in Corinth stayed in Corinth, if you get my meaning, and there was a LOT going on in that pagan city.

I couldn’t help but think of Cinderella’s story as I wrote the opening of this book. The novel begins when the two sisters hear about the new governor coming to Corinth. He has a handsome and eligible son, and Narkis, the head of their family, is determined that one of his daughters should marry him. Prima is like her father, power-hungry and pretentious, while quiet Mariana is a believer in Yeshua. There’s a great deal of primping and preparing, scheming and scowling as the banquet draws near, and you’ll never guess which daughter the young man chooses—or maybe you will.

I hope you enjoy THE SISTERS OF CORINTH and thank you so much for taking part in this book tour. I am so grateful!

Always,

Angela Hunt

Blog Stops

Inspired by Fiction, June 19

Lots of Helpers, June 19

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 20

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 21

Devoted To Hope, June 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 22

Texas Book-aholic, June 23

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 23

Batya’s Bits, June 24

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 25

She Lives To Read, June 25

Stories By Gina, June 26 (Author Interview)

Dee S White, June 26

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, June 27

Lily’s Corner, June 27

Bigreadersite, June 28

Cover Lover Book Review, June 29

The Lit Lady, June 30

Holly’s Book Corner, July 1

Pause for Tales, July 1

Labor Not in Vain, July 2

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Angela is giving away the grand prize package of a paperback copy of The Woman from Lydia and The Sisters of Corinth and a $15 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/2c069/the-sisters-of-corinth-celebration-tour-giveaway

Unforgiven Book Review

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Unforgiven by the gifted author Shelley Shepard Gray is a Contemporary Amish Mystery Romance. This three-hundred-and-four-page paperback has an intriguing cover that begs readers to look inside. It is a nail-biting suspense that had me on the edge of my seat at times.

Set in Crittenden County, Kentucky, this is the tale of Amish outcasts, Tabitha Yoder and Seth Zimmerman. Two years ago Tabitha divorced her abusive husband, who has threatened to kill her. Three years ago Seth served time for being involved in an accidental death. Both of them are still searching for forgiveness and love. I loved how their relationship developed.

Author Gray never disappoints and this book is no exception. Characters are www crafted with depth. They are believable and either lovable or despicable. The author’s vast knowledge of the Amish people and their culture shines brightly as well as the Christian message of faith, forgiveness, hope, and love. The book starts out a wee bit slow, but that is just a few pages, and then it picks up to a page turning pace. The storyline is completely different than any other Amish book I have ever read. It was heart-warming, wwwqwqqwqwqwq, intriguing, and mysterious. There are some twists and turns to keep readers guessing. After the story the author has included a sneak peek at her next book and author notes. Be sure to read the notes to better understand why she wrote the story and more about it.

I highly recommend this fascinating novel. It gave me all kinds of feels and emotions. Amish and mystery fans will adore it. I give it a 5 out of 5 star rating. A copy was provided by the publisher, but these are my honest words.

From the Back Cover

They’re each other’s best hope for redemption–and love

Ex-con Seth Zimmerman has spent the last three years making amends by helping the vulnerable in his former Amish community. Lately, this mission includes calling on Tabitha Yoder, whose divorce from her abusive husband has isolated her from the community. Even though she never comes out of her house to talk to him, Seth knows she watches him from the window while he chops wood, clears her driveway, and drops off food. 

An uneasy friendship is just starting to take hold between them when small gifts begin to appear at Tabitha’s home–gifts that can only be from her ex-husband. Seth might be Tabitha’s only hope at maintaining her hard-won freedom from the man whose violent outbursts had almost cost her life. But coming to her rescue might mean he ends up behind bars once again. 

This book can be found at https://amzn.to/3V71L1a

About the Author

Shelley Shepard Gray is a NYT and USA Today bestselling author. She’s published over a hundred novels and has over a million books in print. She currently lives in northern Ohio and writes full time.

Shelley lives just an hour from Holmes County, where many of her Amish-themed novels are set. She currently writes contemporary romance and Amish fiction for a variety of publishers. When not spending time with her family or writing, she can usually be found walking her two dachshunds on one of the many trails in the Cleveland area.

She also bakes a lot, loves coconut cream pie, and will hardly ever pull weeds, mow the yard, or drive in the snow.

Shelley also spends a lot of time on line! Please visit her website, http://www.shelleyshepardgray.com to find out her latest news or to sign up for her newsletter. Shelley can also be found on FaceBook, Instagram @shelley.s.gray, or on Twitter @ShelleySGray.

Untaken, Too: 12 Days Following the Rapture

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My Review:

Untaken, Too: 12 Days Following the Rapture by author CO Wyler is Book Two in her End Times series. This contemporary Christian book is the sequel to the author’s fascinating Untaken novel. These are books for Christians as well as non-Christians.

The story of Sarah continues in this riveting book. It is interesting to read the author’s perspective on what might occur. I was astounded by the brilliant scenes and the author’s vivid imagination. The writing was inviting, and soon I was once again invested in the lives of all of the characters. It was a page-turning, let the dishes pile up read!

The characters are extremely well crafted and believable. It is obvious extensive research was done for this novel because of the details. I learned some things just from reading it. It sent me back to scripture to compare the two even though I realize this is the author’s fictional story.

This is an exceptionally well written book that has some twists and turns. Even after finishing it, I have been pondering parts of it. It definitely will make you think while reading it and long after.

I highly recommend this inspiring book and would suggest reading Book One first. A reading group would have a lively discussion with this as a selection. It receives a 5 out of 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided but these are my honest words.

About the Book:

PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION:

The Rapture has happened. What would you do? You’ve agreed to an artificial intelligent implant so viewers can see, hear, and feel whatever you experience. But are you still in control or is AI? Continue in the protagonist’s mind and learn what happens during the twelve days that follow the incredible event called the Rapture.

About the Author:

Born and raised in Southern California, author Wyler is a Christian who lives in the Pacific Northwest. Having owned a business for over thirty years, she is retired and enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.

First Book in the Series:

Never Fall Again Book Review

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Never Fall Again by author Lynn H. Blackburn is a Christian contemporary novel. It is a suspense, mystery, action, romance that takes place in the mountains of North Carolina’s Gossamer Falls. While it is a very good book, it took me a long time to become invested in the story and characters.

This is the story of Landry Hutton. She has hired former marine and contractor Callum Shaw to build a house for her and her daughter, Eliza. Unfortunately, bad things start happening to discourage that.

The author’s style of writing started out a bit slow but picked up. She skillfully crafted her characters. They are unique, relatable, and believable. Some were kind and lovable and others not at all. The action scenes are tense. There are a few twists and a mystery to keep readers guessing. 

The Christian message is not hidden. Not only is it about trusting God and His plan, but also deals with the topic of people professing to be Christians but not acting in a Christlike manner. It is very thought provoking.

I definitely recommend this book for contemporary fiction lovers. It has a little bit of everything, including a darling girl and sweet dog. This would make a nice reading group choice. There is an abundance to discuss. I give this a 4 out of 5 star rating. A copy was provided by the publisher, but these are my honest thoughts.

Back Cover:

Landry Hutton has spent three years rebuilding her life behind the secure gates of The Haven, an exclusive resort on the outskirts of Gossamer Falls, North Carolina. After serving as the artist-in-residence, Landry is finally ready to settle in permanently to give her daughter, Eliza, a safe home in which to grow up. 

Former Marine Callum Shaw always knew he would someday join his family’s construction business in Gossamer Falls. He longs for a family of his own but has almost given up on that ever happening. The beautiful artist who has hired him to build her new house is funny, gifted, and everything Cal could ever want in a partner, but he vows to keep his distance. He’s loved–and lost–someone like her before.

When Landry’s pottery is destroyed in a suspicious fire, it becomes clear that Landry and Eliza are in grave danger–but from whom? Cal will have to risk his heart again if he has any hope of protecting them. 

Revell Publishing, March, 2024

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy NEVER FALL AGAIN at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

A Hope Fulfilled Celebrate Lit Book Tour

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Review

A Hope Fulfilled by April Gardner is a Biblical fiction based on the minor  prophet Obadiah and the fall of Edom. The author offers her perspective on what might have happened. It is a captivating and fast read that made me want more.

I am only a fan of Biblical fiction that does not stray from the facts presented by scripture. This one seemed to do just that. Since I am not very proficient on this chapter, reading this novella sent me to my Bible to compare them. I learned that Obadiah is one of the shortest books in the Bible. The author did an imaginative job penning this tale. Her characters and descriptions transported me to a time and place that I had never been.

This is the story of Tikvah, a woman of faith. I loved how she spoke to God. As she tells her story it is easy to become invested in it. She is fiery, impulsive, and an important part of Obadiah’s prophecy. 

Filled with faith, mystery, danger, twists, and intrigue this was an interesting take on the events in Obadiah and a quick read for me. At times it felt a bit rushed, and I wanted more – details, chapters, and intensity. Overall it is a very good book. At the end is information on Knowing Obadiah, a Christian Woman’s Bible Commentary, by author Gardner.

I do recommend this for those readers that love Biblical Fiction. For me it brought the fourth smallest book of the Bible to life where I could imagine what might have happened. It would make a nice reading group selection. I rate it 4 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: A Hope Fulfilled

Author: April W Gardner

Genre: Biblical Fiction (Obadiah)

Release Date: November, 2023

One Hebrew slave’s courage and faith opens the gate on Edom’s demise.

Tikvah, a Hebrew slave in Edom, lives in hope of once again seeing Jerusalem, the Holy City. When a Babylonian general and his dashing Jewish liaison arrive at her master’s house, whispering plans of Edom’s destruction, she senses Yahweh at work. After all, there’s a prophecy foretelling His justice upon the kingdom. Tikvah clings to that promise while obediently following the call of service into the heart of danger. If only there were a promise she would come out the other side alive.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

April W Gardner is an indie author whose great passion is historical romance with themes of Native American and Southeastern U.S. culture. Copyeditor, mother of two grown children, and non-trad college student, April lives in South Texas with her husband and two German Shepherds. In no particular order, April dreams of owning a horse, learning a third language, and visiting all the national parks.

More from April

So…Obadiah? Who ever heard of Obadiah as the backdrop for biblical fiction? I hadn’t. But that’s not where A Hope Fulfilled began…

In late December 2021, while deciding on a Bible reading goal for the upcoming year, I pondered which sections of the Bible I knew least. The minor prophets came to mind right off, then camped there as I asked myself what I knew about these little books.

I’d heard a million sermons preached from one or another of them over the years, but could I give even a one-sentence summary on any of the twelve? That question required a moment’s thought, which produced Jonah and the big fish, Hosea and his harlot wife, Joel and the locusts, Amos and… Uh, er, uh…

This was a problem. After burning some brain cells on the matter, I finally hung my head and admitted I was a minor failure. If I’d been tested right then on the minor prophets, I would have received a big red F.

How was this possible? I’m a missionary’s kid who never missed a church service, for goodness’ sake. This was unacceptable. I had an MK reputation to uphold.

Kidding, kidding. But the point remains. After 4.5 decades in church, I should be able to state every book’s title and theme. At a minimum. Anything less is spiritual laziness.

With that challenge in mind, I hitched up my trousers and set to work. My task? One minor prophet a month. I would read each one again and again, really drilling them home, absorbing their messages and banishing my spiritual “shame.”

By April, and my fourth read of Obadiah, I stared at my Bible, the verses swimming before me, and admitted to a second problem—despite my faithful rereading, the first four books were all running together in a mental smear of prophety messages.

Warning, judgment, doom, gloom. There was hope in there, too, of course. Praise God. And a harlot wife. I had that one down. But I was no closer to being able to distinguish them, to really understand the books with any kind of true ownership.

Since I’m a goal-girl, it made me a little sad to set aside my twelve-prophet year, but there was no getting around it. If this was going to work, I would have to go deeper, get messier, put on my work gloves and knee pads, and start digging.

New goal! Understand Obadiah. I’d worry about the rest once I had this one down. Fifteen months and three written books later, here we are, celebrating the release of my first biblical fiction, A Hope Fulfilled.

So, how did I get from studying a minor prophet to writing biblical fiction? The journey from point A to point B wasn’t very long. The series (A Fire and a Flame) started out as a Bible commentary for women, but when I got to exploring the history around Obadiah, my fiction brain kinda took over. It does that sometimes. Silly brain.

I did finish the commentary, but as soon as I allowed myself to ponder all the what-ifs of the event, the novella practically wrote itself.

Obadiah gives a fiction writer almost no details to build on. So, A Hope Fulfilled is what one might call an artist’s rendition of what might have happened during the fall of Edom. There were probably Hebrew slaves in Edom. One of them probably knew the prophecy of Edom’s doom. And that somebody might have, just might have, longed to help God’s justice play out.

Thus, Tikah and her story, A Hope Fulfilled, were born.

Blog Stops

Dee S White, March 20

Holly’s Book Corner, March 21

The Lofty Pages, March 21

Book Looks by Lisa, March 22

Exploring The Written Word, March 23

Books You Can Feel Good About, March 24

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 25

Lots of Helpers, March 26

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 27

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 28

The Printed Edge, March 29

Texas Book-aholic, March 30

She Lives To Read, March 31

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, April 1 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, April 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 2

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, April is giving away the grand prize package of a $30 Amazon gift card and a paperback set of the A Fire and a Flame!!

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/2a8f4/a-hope-fulfilled-celebration-tour-giveaway

Hilltop Christmas Book Tour

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Hilltop Christmas


Author: Kathleen D. Bailey

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Jane Archer isn’t sure there’s a Heaven, and the Rev. Noah Hastings can’t imagine Heaven without her.

When Jane Archer comes home to tiny Hilltop, New Hampshire, her goal is to take care of her convalescing grandmother and get back to Boston as soon as possible. She doesn’t expect to be saddled with the direction of the Hilltop Christmas Festival, three days of activities exalting the birth of a God she no longer serves. But Gram asks her to take over the Festival this year, and she can’t say no to the woman who saved her life.

The Rev. Noah Hastings didn’t want to come to Hilltop in the first place. Too small, too cold for this California boy. And he has trouble figuring out these Yankees, with their “thin sharp faces and sharper wits.” It’s his first church, and his goal is to amass some “ministerial brownie points” and be out of there. But his early life with his father has left Noah with damaged confidence, and despite his call, he’s not sure he can handle a pastorate, let alone Jane Archer.

Though the people of Hilltop have never stopped loving her, coming home reawakens memories for Jane of a childhood no child should have to live through. She feels her carefully constructed world crumbling, even as she resists the pull of Christ on her life. But when the integrity of the Festival is threatened, Noah must call on his Lord, and Jane on the God from whom she’s drifted, to find justice and restore Hilltop to what it is.

Ready to buy your own copy? Click here.

My Review

Hilltop Christmas by author Kathleen D. Bailey is Book 1 in the Hilltop Series. This is a Christian Contemporary romance, mystery, suspense, and more. The setting is Hilltop, New Hampshire, a lovely fictional town. After reading this, I want to go see New Hampshire myself.

This is the story of Jane and Noah. Jane comes to Hilltop to help her grandmother, who has broken her hip. Her grandmother normally heads up the holiday festival planning board. Jane is not a faithful Christian. Noah has accepted a position as Pastor of the local church. This is his first church.

The author’s style of writing is easy to follow. Her characters are expertly crafted and well defined. They are relatable, and I found myself invested in them and their story. Conversations sounded realistic. Surprises and twists are woven throughout the story as well as a Christian message.

The story is well thought, well organized, and well written. It was entertaining and ended up being a page turner. The mystery kept me guessing. I highly recommend this wonderful book. It would be a nice book club selection. The conversation topics are wide. It gets a 5 out of 5 star rating from me.  I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Get to know the author: Kathleen D. Bailey

I’m a journalist and novelist living in Southern New Hampshire. I was a child int he 50s, a teen in the 60s, a young adult in the 70s and a young mom in the 80s. It’s been a rich, colorful time to grow up and I’ve enjoyed all of it and written about most of it.

I’ve wanted to write fiction since I began reading it, at the age of five, and my dream was fulfilled — wait for it — at the age of 69. That’s how long God took to get ahold of me and get me in the right place to experience success. I published my first Christian historical romance, “Westward Hope,” with Pelican Book Group in 2019; the sequel, “Settlers’ Hope,” in July 2020; two related novellas, “The Logger’s Christmas Bride” and “The Widow’s Christmas Miracle” in December 2019 and 2020 respectively; and just saw the publication of the last “Western Dreams” book, “Redemption’s Hope,” in July 2022. 

I had always seen nonfiction as a way to pay the bills, but I wrote two nonfiction local history books, “Past and Present Exeter New Hampshire” and “New Hampshire War Monuments: The Stories behind the Stones,” both with Arcadia Publishing, and somewhere along the way I fell in love with nonfiction. It’s the same dynamic — telling stories — and I hope to be around to tell many more. 

I live in New Hampshire with my husband David and have two grown daughters. 

The Divine Proverb of Streusel Book Review

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The Divine Proverb of Streusel is a Contemporary Christian Fiction. This family saga by author Sara Brunsvold is filled with cooking and small town church/community. It is a cleverly crafted tale that is ripe with Christian messages, proverbs, scripture, and German recipes.

The author has an easy-going style of writing. A slow pace set the tone for the story. This is not a book to be rushed. It needs to be carefully read and pondered.

Easy to follow, it had me engaged with the distinct characters. I loved reading about the different women and men in Nikki’s family. Each character is precisely crafted to fulfill a specific roll in this poignant multi-generational Christian fiction that is unique in many ways. I adored sassy Aunt Emma. The semi-romance between Uncle Wes and someone sizzles. Sparks fly!

Parts of the story made me emotional along with the characters. It is so easy to relate to certain situations or have a friend that has experienced the same thing. The Christian and life lessons are beautiful. Forgiveness, family, love, redemption, and acceptance are main topics that have remained with me. The proverbs are definitely noteworthy. Sprinkled throughout the story are priceless old German recipes. It was fun reading how they were made and tasted.

A few things bothered me because it was a Christian fiction. There is talk of going to the gravesite to speak to a deceased relative. A mention of drinking beer and not telling their minister. Talk of superstition and hero worship also bothered me. This is just me and may not bother you. In the storyline, I felt let down when certain things were planned and never happened. The ending seemed to appear too soon and was rushed. Do these make it a bad book. Absolutely not!

The Divine Proverb of Streusel is book that will long remain with readers. It will encourage, entertain, inspire, make readers think differently about family and friends in trials. Any reading group would love this as a choice. There is so much to discuss. Hopefully we will see it on a screen sometime as it will make a dynamic movie. I highly recommend this book and rate it 5 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by Revell Publishing, but these are my honest words. #TheDivineProverbOfStreusel

About the Author, Sara Brunsvold

Sara Brunsvold creates stories that speak hope, truth, and life. Influenced by humble women of God who find His fingerprints in the everyday, she does the same in her life and her storytelling. Sara’s recognitions include the 2020 ACFW Genesis Award for Contemporary Fiction. She lives with her family in Kansas City, where she can often be spotted writing at a park or library.

Amish Friends Life Hacks Book Review

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Wanda E Brunstetter’s Amish Friends Life Hacks written by Wanda Brunstetter, extraordinary author of all thing Amish, is a must have for everyone. This helpful book is a collection of hundreds of tips for cooking, cleaning, gardening, health, and much more. Every house needs this book.

Besides all of the useful life hacks, there is a lot of information on the Amish presented in this lovely book. Readers will learn about Amish and Mennonite communities, values, and lifestyle. Woven throughout the entire book are bits of wisdom. I really enjoyed reading those. A variety of beautiful pictures are sprinkled among the information. There is a listing of each person who submitted a hack and where they live.

It was a nice surprise to see that the majority of information in this book was new to me. I was able to glean a lot from it. The book was well organized and easy to navigate. I could find certain subjects without issue.

I highly recommend this pretty, helpful book. It would make a great addition to any home library and a perfect birthday, Valentine’s, Easter, Mother’s Day, or shower gift. I rate it five out of five stars. A copy was provided by the publisher, but these are my honest words.

About Author Wanda E. Brunstetter

New York Times bestselling and award-winning author, Wanda E. Brunstetter is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. She has written close to 90 books translated in four languages. With over 10 million copies sold, Wanda’s stories consistently earn spots on the nations most prestigious bestseller lists and have received numerous awards.

Wanda’s ancestors were part of the Anabaptist faith, and her novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Her books are well-read and trusted by many Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs.

When Wanda visits her Amish friends, she finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties. Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, bird-watching, beachcombing, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Richard, have been blessed with two grown children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

To learn more about Wanda, visit her website at www.wandabrunstetter.com.

From the Book