Summer By the Tides Celebrate Lit Tour & Giveaway

Posted on June 10, 2019June 8, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

My Thoughts:

This is a contemporary Christian romance novel by author Denise Hunter. It is filled with mystery, faith, family, secrets, and romance. Themes also include hope and forgiveness. From the first few pages my heart was totally captured and my emotions invested in this well written book. Hunter has a way with words that comes natural. Her stories sound authentic and draw readers in immediately.

This is the story of three sisters, Maddy, Emma, and Nora. They have had poor or estranged relationships for years. The tension between them is so high it seeps off of the pages. My heart hurt for these sisters. It also is the story of their Gram and her neighbor, Connor.

Each of these fabulous characters are well rounded and believable. They became fast friends and I wanted to keep reading to see what was happening in their lives. I felt like I was there with them because of the vivid descriptions and plentiful conversations.

The beach setting is perfect for a summer read. I wanted to go there after reading about it. I hope this is made into a movie. It has so many life lessons and inspiration to share. I loved seeing Maddy’s growth.

I highly recommend this beautifully written fiction by talented author Denise Hunter. It is an easy, quick, page turning read that will inspire and uplift you. My heart broke and warmed throughout it. It is a perfect book club summer selection. I rated it 5 out of 5 stars.

I received a copy from Celebrate Lit but was under no obligation to write a review. These are my own thoughts.

About the Book

Book: Summer by The Tides

Author: Denise Hunter

Genre: Christian Fiction, Contemporary Romance

Release Date: May 21, 2019

From the bestselling author of The Convenient Groom (now a beloved Hallmark Original movie) comes a heartfelt story of family secrets, forgiveness, and unexpected romance.

Following a painful betrayal, Maddy Monroe’s love life is a wreck, and her restaurant career is in shambles. When her grandmother goes missing, she and her estranged sisters converge at the family beach house in Sea Haven, North Carolina. Being with uptight Nora and free-spirited Emma at the place where their family broke apart is a struggle, and undercurrents of jealousy and resentment threaten to pull the sisters under. In the midst of the storm, sparks begin to fly between Maddy and Gram’s maddening neighbor, Connor Murphy.

As the sisters pack up the family belongings, memories of idyllic, slow-paced summers are resurrected. But long-buried secrets also come to light as Maddy discovers that all was not as it appeared that last summer in Sea Haven—nor today in the seemingly perfect lives of her sisters.

As family tensions rise and Connor causes tumult in Maddy’s heart, the sisters must find a way to accept each other for the women they’ve become before the bitterness of the past destroys their hope for a future.

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

Denise Hunter is the internationally published bestselling author of more than 25 books, including A December Bride and The Convenient Groom, which have been adapted into original Hallmark Channel movies. She has won The Holt Medallion Award, The Reader’s Choice Award, The Carol Award, The Foreword Book of the Year Award, and is a RITA finalist. When Denise isn’t orchestrating love lives on the written page, she enjoys traveling with her family, drinking green tea, and playing drums. Denise makes her home in Indiana where she and her husband are rapidly approaching an empty nest. To learn more about Denise, visit her website DeniseHunterBooks.com; Facebook: AuthorDeniseHunter; Twitter: @DeniseAHunter; Instagram: deniseahunter.

Read an Excerpt from Summer by the Tides

MADDY MONROE WAS COWERING behind a ficus tree near the hostess station when her cell phone rang. Her hands shook as she silenced the phone before it drew the attention of the staff.

She jabbed the elevator button for the third time. “Come on, come on.” A star could be born in interstellar space, a polar valley carved by a glacier in the time it took the elevator to reach this floor. Stairs were not an option, as she was on the twentieth floor of the Waterford building and sporting heels.

She sniffled. Drat. She seemed to be crying. She swiped a hand under her eyes, heedless of her makeup.

She heard voices, Nick’s boisterous laugh. Maddy shrank deeper into the ficus and finally, finally, the elevator dinged its arrival.

“Maddy?” Noelle’s concerned voice tunneled down the hall. “Maddy, wait.”

“Oh, come on,” she muttered, tapping her fingers against her leg until the gold doors crept open. As soon as she could fit, she squeezed inside and punched the ground-floor button.

She didn’t draw a breath until the doors sealed and the elevator began to drop. She placed a palm over a heart that was threatening to beat its way out of her chest. Her white blouse clung to her back, and her skin prickled beneath her arms.

She closed her eyes, the scene that had just transpired playing out in fast-forward in her mind. And then, as if that montage weren’t painful enough, the image of Nick’s face appeared. The look on his face just before he’d kissed her good-bye last night.

Nick. She clamped her teeth together until her jaw ached.

There had been signs. Many of them, really, she was realizing now. They ranged from whisper-subtle to neon-sign obvious. But like so many other walking clichés before her, she was only seeing them in retrospect.

Maddy opened her eyes to the buttery sunlight streaming through her blinds. She scrambled for her iPhone to check the time. But as she did so, the events of yesterday washed over her like a tsunami. She didn’t have to get up at all, because she didn’t have a job anymore.

Her cell buzzed with an incoming call, and she squinted bleary-eyed at the unfamiliar number on the screen before declining it.

She drooped against her pillow, only now aware of how fat and swollen her eyes felt. Of the persistent achy lump pushing at the back of her throat. Her heartbeat made the bed quake. Her eyes burned with tears. Yesterday’s anger had faded, and something worse had filled its spot.

Yesterday she’d come home, changed into yoga pants, and worked in her little garden until she was too exhausted to do anything but flop on the sofa. She hadn’t fallen asleep until after three o’clock in the morning.

She didn’t want to talk to anyone, didn’t want to see anyone. She didn’t even want to be awake today. She pulled the covers over her head and prayed for oblivion.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 4

The Power of Words, June 4

Back Porch Reads, June 4

The Morning Chapter, June 5

A Baker’s Perspective, June 5

Worthy2Read, June 5

Carla Loves To Read, June 6

Genesis 5020, June 6

Through the Fire Blogs, June 6

Among the Reads, June 7

Quiet Quilter, June 7

For Him and My Family, June 7

The Christian Fiction Girl, June 8

cultivating us, June 8

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 8

Girls Living For God’s Glory, June 9

Moments, June 9

Inklings and notions, June 9

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 10

Coast and anchor, June 10

amandainpa, June 10

Lighthouse Academy, June 11

EmpowerMoms, June 11

Pause for Tales, June 11

Christian Chick’s Thoughts, June 12

For The Love of Books, June 12

Just the Write Escape, June 12

All-of-a-kind Mom, June 13

Texas Book-aholic, June 13

Hallie Reads, June 13

2014 and Beyond, June 14

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 14

Simple Harvest Reads, June 14

Living Life Free In Christ, June 15

janicesbookreviews, June 15

Vicky Sluiter, June 15

Have A Wonderful Day, June 16

A Reader’s Brain, June 16

To Everything A Season, June 16

Lukewarm Tea, June 17

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 17

Daysong Reflections, June 17

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Denise is giving away a finished copy of Summer by the Tides!!

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/e541/summer-by-the-tides-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Famine of the Human Dream Celebrate Lit Tour & Giveaway

Posted on June 7, 2019June 3, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Thank you for visiting my stop on The Famine of the Human Dream Celebrate Book tour and Giveaway. Be sure to enter to win the $50 Amazon gift card. You could buy a lot of books with that! Now, let’s talk about this book…

My Thoughts:

Author Benjamin Mester has produced a book of Christian poems and essays in his “The Famine of the Human Dream.” This book is filled with inspiring short works by the author and Christian authors that were both known and unknown to me.

The first portion of this book contains essays written by Mester. They are well written and leave readers pondering things. He writes about the world, nature, disappointment, romance, beauty, and being human. His essays are thought provoking and need to be read slowly so that the words sink in. They are personal and he writes with transparency.

The middle section holds Mester’s poetry and the final section holds selections from other authors. The wide variety of topics here should allow something for everyone. One of my favorites was “Into My Own” by Robert Frost. The author’s short poem “Isle of Peace” touched me. It was beautiful.

Teasdale, Moore, Frost, Yeats, and CS Lewis all have works in this compilation along with some others. This is a book to keep close and pick up when you need a little encouragement. It definitely is not one to read and forget. It needs revisiting like a trusted friend.

Scripture and biblical references are heavy in this unique book. I was not able to sit down and read it at one time. I needed to savor it and soak in its words. Some pieces stirred me while others did nothing, but that is the beauty of poetry and essays. My one criticism is that while the cover goes with the title, I did not like it at all. I wish the author would consider replacing it.

I highly recommend this to all people that enjoy essays and poetry. It lifted my soul and warmed my heart. I would recommend for a pick me up gift or recovery gift for someone ill. It is beautiful (except for the cover).

I rated this 5 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but I was under no obligation to provide a review. These are my own thoughts.

About the Book

Book: This Famine of the Human Dream

Author: Benjamin Mester

Genre: Christian Inspiration; Essays and Poems

Release date: May, 2015

An uplifting and thought provoking look at life from a poet’s perspective. The Famine of the Human Dream will challenge you to live with greater passion, to throw off those trifling ambitions that ever grope for our attention, and learn fight for things worth fighting for. The great theologian, CS Lewis, once said:

“It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

The ultimate goal of life isn’t a search for happiness. The ultimate goal of life is learning how to fight for things worth fighting for. All of life is a battle. But the battle that defines each one of us isn’t primarily between right and wrong, as you would think. Rather, it’s something much more surprising. Find out what in the inspiring pages of The Famine of the Human Dream.

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

Benjamin Mester is an author and poet, with a passion for seeing people break away from small and shallow living and to step into the full measure of what the Lord has prepared for them. The destiny prepared for each one of us is to live a life of love and deep gladness. Benjamin Mester was born and raised in sunny San Diego, but can often be found wandering the woods of northern Minnesota, pen and paper in hand. His lifetime goal is to one day build a house in the woods, expanding it over time into a retreat center for authors, artists and others bursting with creativity. God is the most creative being in the entire universe, and as children made in His image, Mester hopes to inspire His people to explore the wonderful gift of creativity placed in each one of us.

More from Benjamin

The Famine of the Human dream was written as a response to something…a quote from a great theologian, CS Lewis.

It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.

When I read that, my heart began to burn. For though, as a younger man, I had often felt a passionate stirring to live my life to the full, though I didn’t quite know how and always felt myself slipping back into the mundane of mere survival. And so, I voraciously began to explore the many facets of life. I studied art, poetry, philosophy, beauty, and theology, prompted by Solomon’s declaration in the Proverbs, Whatever else you get, get understanding! I desperately wanted understanding of a very particular sort. I wanted to understand how to live my life to the full…this precious, brief slice of life we so often take for granted. I wanted true wisdom.

Contained within the pages of the Famine of the Human Dream are a poet’s reflections on life and the struggle to suck the marrow out of life, as Thoreau put it. This book is also an attempt to give the reader a passion for the study of poetry, which has dwindled much in modern society. The second portion of the book is a collection of my own poetry and poetry from other lovers of life that has touched me deeply. My biggest hope is that the reader will come away from this book with a renewed passion for life and an eager desire to dive deeper into poetry, beauty, and the heart of the Father.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 1

Mary Hake, June 2

A Baker’s Perspective, June 3

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 4

Carpe Diem, June 5

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 6

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 7

Simple Harvest Reads, June 8 (Spotlight)

Texas Book-aholic, June 9

janicesbookreviews, June 10

A Reader’s Brain, June 11

Power of Words, June 12 (Spotlight)

Inklings and notions, June 13

Just the Write Escape, June 14

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Ben is giving away 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/e515/the-famine-of-the-human-dream-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Amish Widow’s Rescue Celebrate Lit Book Tour and Giveaway

Posted on June 3, 2019June 3, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Today my blog is a stop on “The Amish Widow’s Rescue” book tour by Celebrate Lit. This is a Christian Amish fiction by author Rachel J. Good. Read all about it, the author, the other stops, and the generous giveaway. Wish I could win it!

My Thoughts

This is a Christian Amish romance by author Rachel J. Good. It is Book 3 in her Love and Promises series but can easily be read as a stand alone. The author knows her way around an Amish story, and this one drew me in quickly.

I enjoy Ms. Good’s style of writing. The vivid descriptions of Amish Country and Pennsylvania Dutch language make me feel as though I am in Amish Country visiting with friends. Apparently that is where the author compiles information and story ideas.

Conversation is plentiful and flows without a hitch in her latest book. I love learning a new Amish word or two. In this book the Amish District was more lenient or progressive than in other Amish novels I have read. However, I have also read each district is unique.

The characters are well rounded and very relatable. They are easy to like and engage with early on in the book. Many times my heart hurt for a person or situation. The children are show stealers in this.

This is the story of Grace. She is a pregnant mother of two with a jam business and recently widowed. Immediately I wanted to hug her and help. It is also the tale of Elijah, her extremely handsome, helpful, generous neighbor who has built a wall around his heart. Oh, Elijah! My heart went out to him, too.

The author has been an exceptional job tugging on heartstrings and allowing readers to become emotionally involved in her story. It has some twist and turns, inspiration, life lessons on trusting a God, hope, and letting go of the past. The book deals with the death of a parent with children. They each deal with it differently and tears rolled as I read. They also were regular children so I chuckled in a few places, too.

I would recommend this to anyone that likes Amish fiction or would like to give it a try. The book moves along at a nice even pace without dragging. I sat down to read a little bit and that was it! I read it all.

A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but I was under no obligation to write a review. These are my own, honest thoughts. I rate this a 4 out of 5 stars.

About the Book

Book: The Amish Widow’s Rescue

Author: Rachel J Good

Genre: Amish Romance

Release Date: May 28, 2019

The perfect family awaits…if only he’ll risk his heart.

Pregnant and recently widowed, Grace Fisher is determined to provide for her family on her own. Thankfully, her jam business is popular in her Amish community. But it’s difficult keeping up with her work, her farm chores, and her two mischievous children. Especially now that they’ve taken to idolizing their neighbor Elijah. While the handsome farmer is kind and generous, he seems intent on holding Grace and her little ones at a distance…

Elijah Beiler has always admired his neighbor Grace. So standing by while she struggles to support her family isn’t an option. Offering to take over her farm duties, Elijah is determined to help while remaining detached. He knows all too well that love only leads to heartbreak. Yet the more time he spends with Grace and her children, the harder he finds it to leave each day. But can Elijah overcome past hurts and open his heart to this ready-made family?

“A beautiful story of forgiveness and second chances.” -Shelley Shepard Gray, New York Timesbestselling author, on The Amish Teacher’s Gift

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

Inspirational author Rachel J. Good writes life-changing, heart-tugging novels of faith, hope, and forgiveness. The bestselling author of several Amish romance series, she grew up near Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the setting for many of her stories. Striving to be as authentic as possible, she spends time with her Amish friends, doing chores on their farms and attending family events. Rachel has more than 40 books in print or forthcoming for both children and adults under several pen names. Find out more about Rachel and her books at her website and by signing up for her newsletter.

Rachel’s Amish series include Sisters & Friends (Charisma House & Harlequin), Love & Promises (Hachette/Grand Central), Hearts of Amish Country (Annie’s Book Club), and the forthcoming Unexpected Amish Blessings and Surprised by Love series (Kensington). She also has several anthologies in print as well as the Amish Quilts Coloring Book.

More from Rachel

The story idea for The Amish Widow’s Secret came to me after I’d just finished reading stories to my Amish friend’s children to give her a little break. She was expecting a new baby, and while we sat in their kitchen enjoying a snack, her husband came in.

The tenderness in his eyes as they talked made my eyes well with tears. It was obvious how much they loved each other, and they both supported each other. A perfect companionship. Not everyone gets to experience that bond, that caring.

It made me wonder what she’d do without him, and the seeds of a story was born. I decided to explore how a widow would cope with a pregnancy and two children alone. In the Amish community, of course, no one is ever left on their own. Everyone chips in to help.

So, what if the handsome and reclusive bachelor next door felt obligated to help, but wanted to avoid getting involved? Would he eventually soften his heart toward children and love?

As I wrote, I wondered if Elijah Beiler could get over a previous heartbreak. He needed to face his past before he moved forward, so I gave him that opportunity. A surprise visit and unwelcome news force Elijah to rethink everything he believes about parenting and love. And about the person who destroyed his world. He also needs to face the bitterness he’s been harboring.

Sometimes learning more about the circumstances or reasons of the person who has hurt us causes us to see the whole situation in a new light, making it easier to let go of the hurt. That’s what happens to Elijah.

I hope his journey will encourage readers to consider the places in their lives where they’ve been holding onto pain and reevaluate those experiences in the light of God’s forgiveness and love. To write this story, I needed to do that too.

Blog Stops

Quiet Quilter, May 28

A Reader’s Brain, May 28

Maureen’s Musings, May 29

Through the Lens of Scripture, May 29

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 29

Among the Reads, May 30

The Avid Reader, May 30

janicesbookreviews, May 30

Emily Yager, May 31

Lighthouse Academy, May 31

Bigreadersite, June 1

THE BECCA FILES, June 1

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 1

Carla Loves To Read, June 2

Random Thoughts From a Bookworm, June 2

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 3

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, June 3

Vicky Sluiter, June 3

For Him and My Family, June 4

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, June 4

Inspiration Clothesline, June 4

Miss Tina’s Amish Book Review, June 5

For the Love of Literature, June 5

Jeanette’s Thoughts, June 6

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 6

Retrospective Spines, June 7

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 7

Mary Hake, June 8

Inklings and notions, June 8

Pause for Tales, June 8

EmpowerMoms, June 9

Texas Book-aholic, June 9

Genesis 5020, June 10

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, June 10

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Rachel is giving away a grand prize of autographed copies of The Amish Midwife’s Secret and Big-City Amish, a copy of an Amish cookbook, and an authentic Amish headscarf!!

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/e2ab/the-amish-widow-s-rescue-celebration-tour-giveaway

On a Summer Tide by Suzanne Woods Fisher Celebrate Lit Book Tour

Posted on June 1, 2019May 31, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Thank you for joining the book tour for On a Summer Tide by Suzanne Woods Fisher. The author has included a recipe for readers and there is a giveaway to enter. I hope you enjoy reading about this fantastic book and author and don’t forget to enter to win!

My Thoughts

Suzanne Woods Fisher is a masterful storyteller regardless of the genre she writes. On a Summer Tide is a Christian contemporary romance that begins a new series. It is a book about family, especially sisters. Anyone with a sister knows that relationship is like no other. It is about hope, reconciliation, forgiveness, and honesty. This is a captivating, inspiring Christian fiction that is extraordinarily beautiful.

Ms. Fisher has a unique writing style. All of her character have personalities and stay true to them throughout the book. There is no flip flopping. Her storyline has been well researched and is authentic in every way – from surroundings to people to language. I felt as though I opened the book and stepped onto a small Maine island with a new family.

With her superior writing, the author had me invested immediately. The characters felt realistic and soon began transferring their feelings to me. They were are easy to engage with and the pages flew by.

There is a lot of baggage that each sister carries and my heart went out to them. Their father was adorable. The Christian message was touching and true to life. This is a book that grabs readers with its genuineness. It gives many things to ponder after reading it.

The romance is sweet but light. It’s there, but it isn’t a major part. This is more of a family relationship book. I loved it!

I highly recommend this to anyone that enjoys contemporary fiction. Author Fisher has a mesmerizing way of tell a tale. This one was so hard to put down until I had finished it. I rated it 5 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but I was under no obligation to provide a review. These are my own, honest thoughts.

About the Book

Book: On a Summer Tide

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Genre: Christian Fiction Romance

Release Date: April 30, 2019

Sometimes love hurts—and sometimes it can heal in the most unexpected way.

Camden Grayson loves her challenging career, but the rest of her life could use some improvement. “Moving on” is Cam’s mantra. But there’s a difference, her two sisters insist, between one who moves on . . . and one who keeps moving.

Cam’s full-throttle life skids to a stop when her father buys a remote island off the coast of Maine. Paul Grayson has a dream to breathe new life into the island—a dream that includes reuniting his estranged daughters. Certain Dad has lost his mind, the three sisters rush to the island. To Cam’s surprise, the slow pace of island life appeals to her, along with the locals—and one in particular. Seth Walker, the scruffy island schoolteacher harbors more than a few surprises.

With On a Summer Tide, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher begins a brand-new contemporary romance series that is sure to delight her fans and draw new ones.

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

Suzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than thirty books, including Mending Fences, as well as the Nantucket Legacy, Amish Beginnings, The Bishop’s Family, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series, among other novels. 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

Oh-So-Maine Blueberry Buckle

Summer in Maine means plump, tart blueberries are everywhere. Here’s a family recipe that is nearly fool-proof….and so delicious! Especially with a scoop or two with vanilla ice cream.

Ever wonder how it got the name Blueberry Buckle? While the batter rises as it bakes, but the blueberries and crumb topping weigh it down. This causes the surface of the cake to buckle…hence the name.

Batter:

¾ cup sugar

¼ cup soft butter

1 egg

½ cup milk

2 cups sifted flour

½ teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 cups drained blueberries

Crumb Topping:

½ cup sugar

½ cup flour

½ teaspoon cinnamon

¼ cup softened butter

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Mix sugar and butter with egg. Stir in milk Sift together and stir in flour, baking powder and salt. Carefully blend in blueberries. Put on topping before baking. Pour in a greased and floured 9” square pan.

Bake 45-50 minutes.

Blog Stops

Just the Write Escape, May 23

The Avid Reader, May 23

The Power of Words, May 23

Blessed & Bookish, May 23

The Morning Chapter, May 24

Blogging With Carol, May 24

Carpe Diem, May 24

Cultivating Us, May 24

Godly Book Reviews, May 25

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, May 25

Mary Hake, May 25

For Him and my Family, May 25

C Jane Read, May 26

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 26

Blossoms and Blessings, May 26

Daysong Reflections, May 26

Lighthouse Academy, May 27

Reader’s Cozy Corner, May 27

Empower Moms, May 27

Remembrancy, May 27

Wishful Endings, May 28

Simple Harvest Reads, May 28

Spoken from the Heart, May 28

SusanLovesBooks, May 28

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 29

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, May 29

Chas Ray’ Book Nerd Corner, May 29

Hallie Reads, May 29

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 30

Maureen’s Musings, May 30

Library Lady’s Kit Lit, May 30

Inspiration Clothesline, May 30

Living Life Free in Christ, May 31

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 31

Pause for Tales, May 31

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 1

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 1

A Reader’s Brain, June 1

Through the Fire Blogs, June 2

Have A Wonderful Day, June 2

Southern Gal Loves to Read, June 2

Quiet Quilter, June 3

2014 and Beyond, June 3

By The Book, June 3

She Lives to Read, June 4

Texas Book-aholic, June 4

janicesbookreviews, June 4

Jeanette’s Thoughts, June 4

Christian Chick’s Thoughts, June 5

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, June 5

Inklings and notions, June 5

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away a 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/e540/on-a-summer-tide-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Inn at Hidden Run by Olivia Newport Celebration Lit Book Tour and Giveaway

Posted on May 23, 2019May 19, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Greetings! You made it to my stop on the Inn at Hidden Run by Olivia Newport Celebrate Lit Book Tour. Today I will share my thoughts on the book, information on it and the author, have some words from her, a schedule of the other stops, and information on the giveaway. So keep reading and don’t forget to enter.

My Thoughts

The Inn at Hidden Run by author Olivia Newport is a dual time period (contemporary and historical) Christian mystery romance. Author Newport is a grand storyteller. She weaves past and present together flawlessly into one poignant tale.

This is the contemporary tale of genealogist Jillian and her attorney father, Nolan, from Colorado who together trace family histories for people. It is also the tale of a family of doctors and the yellow fever outbreak in Memphis, Tennessee in late 1870’s. The family turned up in research when Jillian began helping Meri, a new girl in town.

This is a very interesting plot. The author did a wonderful job with research and providing an authentic story. I am a historical fiction lover over contemporary, so needless to say, I enjoyed reading that portion just a tad bit more.

Author Newport’s tale pulled at my heartstrings. Parts of it brought tears to my eyes. I was invested in both of the intertwined storied. Her style of writing is easy and unrushed. She allows you to soak in all of the details and transport yourself to a different locale or era, and sometimes both. The characters were well rounded. They had good points and flaws. Some of them felt like new friends and I wants to have coffee with them.

The historical section read very authentic. The characters were likable and genuinely cared for people. I learned a lot about Memphis and the Yellow Fever. Like I said earlier, this is a well researched, organized, planned, and written novel.

The inspirational and faith element is laced throughout this lovely book. Life lessons of forgiveness, grace, finding God’s Will for your life, family, love, caring for ill, and hope are just a few things I found inside the pages.

I definitely would recommend this book. Get a book group together so that you will be able to toss some questions around. Genealogy lovers will enjoy the book as will mystery buffs. Contemporary and Historical fiction will each have a section to like and one to test. It gets a 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 thoughts.

About the Book

A Father-Daughter Genealogy Team Link Present to Past on Family Trees Meri flunks out of medical school—and runs from her parents. Genealogist Jillian Parisi-Duffy’s digging traces the family long tradition of doctors to an ancestor saved during a yellow fever outbreak in Memphis in 1878. As Meri’s family closes in, Jillian gets the final puzzle pieces in place just in time for them all to learn the truth. The Inn at Hidden Run is the first book in the Tree of Life series. Readers will come back to backdrop of a lovely mountain town of Canyon Mines again and again to explore and celebrate unforgettable family stories that inspire them to connect with their own family histories and unique faith journeys.

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author

Olivia Newport’s novels twist through time to find where faith and passions meet. Her husband and twentysomething children provide welcome distraction from the people stomping through her head on their way into her books. She chases joy in stunning Colorado at the foot of the Rockies, where daylilies grow as tall as she is.

More from Olivia

Of Family Lines and Family Lore

I suppose it all started in a cemetery.

Once, while a group of relatives were visiting a cemetery, one of my cousins and I wandered off and looked at all sorts of graves, speculating about the names we read and the lives they represented. We were duly scolded both for separating from our families, which caused some consternation, and for being disrespectful—though I think the second accusation was a false one!

Just because we were young children didn’t mean we were disrespecting the dead. Quite the opposite. We were respecting lives long forgotten with our curiosity about who they were and what legacies they left.

These days a lot of people are interested in genealogy. Entire TV series spin around the theme, and DNA kits show up in Christmas stockings. Lost branches of family trees find the main trunk—sometimes with big surprises.

My new Tree of Life series is set in the backdrop of a lovely Colorado mountain town I hope you’ll want to visit often, where a father-daughter genealogy team link present to past on family trees and characters learn about who they are, where they come from, and their unique faith journeys as they discover their own Tree of Life.

It all starts with The Inn at Hidden Run. When Meri arrives in Canyon Mines because she wants to run away from her family, true answers come from understanding the past that generations have forgotten—the accounts from another time and place no longer handed down but that still form the backbone of the family’s story.

What’s the backbone of your family’s history? How is it shaping your own future?

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 18

The Avid Reader, May 18

The Power of Words, May 18

Daysong Reflections, May 19

Texas Book-aholic, May 19

Through the Fire Blogs, May 20

Lighthouse Academy, May 20

A Baker’s Perspective, May 21

To Everything A Season, May 21

Reflections From My Bookshelves, May 22

Pause for Tales, May 22

Hallie Reads, May 22

Bigreadersite, May 23

By The Book, May 23

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 23

All-of-a-kind Mom, May 24

Connect in Fiction, May 24

Maureen’s Musings, May 25

Seasons of Opportunities, May 25

Inklings and notions, May 25

Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 26

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 26

Godly Book Reviews, May 27

janicesbookreviews, May 27

Retrospective Spines, May 28

Mary Hake, May 28

Quiet Quilter, May 29

A Reader’s Brain, May 29

Remembrancy, May 30

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 30

Just the Write Escape, May 31

Moments, May 31

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Olivia is giving away a grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of The Inn at Hidden Run!!

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/e1c1/the-inn-at-hidden-run-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay Celebrate Lit Book Tour and Giveaway

Posted on May 22, 2019May 21, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Today’s blog is a stop on the book tour for The Printed Letter Bookshop. I have lots of information for you including how to enter the giveaway. Be sure to enter. You can’t win unless you do.

My Thoughts

As a former Christian Bookstore owner I was delighted when I heard about this book. I actually got a bit giddy when I received it in the mail. This contemporary Christian romance is centered around books, a bookstore, and three women friends. How could it be anything other than fabulous?

Katherine Reay is a new to me author. I enjoyed her style of writing. The point of view changes for each of the three main characters, but it was done flawlessly. I actually enjoyed it. The story flowed at an even, natural pace. It didn’t lag or feel rushed. Conversations sounded genuine. There were some twists and turns to make it interesting.

The characters were easy to become engaged with and were identifiable. They were well rounded with quirks and all. The author vividly describes them and they become new friends. At times I felt their sadness, pain, and joy.

I was immediately invested since it was about a bookshop. However, the book opens with a funeral and takes a bit before it gets to a happy place. I was getting impatient and wanted to hurry through the story to get to the bookshop!

Madeline inherits her Aunt Maddie’s bookshop where she helped as a girl. Then something happened between her father and aunt making them estranged. We meet Janet and Claire. They are her friends or ladies working for her and are unique in their own ways.

It is a very realistic tale. Author Reay has done her research well. This book is well planned, well organized, and written exceptionally well. It was light on the spirit content for me, but it had great life lessons for hope, forgiveness, friendship, mercy, grace, and love. All in all it was an encouraging book.

I definitely recommend this book to all women. It has an entertaining story. Any reader should enjoy a book about books and a bookstore. It is a cozy, quick read that made me giggle a time or two. The romance is sweet. I rated it a 4 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided from Celebrate Lit, but I was under no obligation to write a review.

About the Book

Book: The Printed Letter Bookshop

Author: Katherine Reay

Genre: Women’s fiction, romance

Release Date: May 14, 2019

Amid literature and lattes, three women come together and find that sharing one’s journey with best friends makes life richer.

When attorney Madeline Carter inherits her aunt’s bookstore in a small town north of Chicago, she plans to sell it and add the proceeds to her nonexistent “investment portfolio.” But plans change when Madeline discovers the store isn’t making money and she gets passed over for promotion at her firm. She quits in protest, takes the train north, and decides to work at the store to prep it for sale. Madeline soon finds herself at odds with employees Jessica and Courtney; when she also finds herself attracted to an affianced man, it only confuses the entire situation.

After blowing up her marriage two years earlier, Jessica has found solace working at the bookstore and a kindred spirit within its owner, Maddie Cullen. But when Maddie dies and her niece, Madeline, barges in like a bulldozer, Jessica pushes at the new owner in every way-until she trips over common ground. Soon the women are delving into online dating and fashion makeovers, and Jessica feels the pull to rediscover her art, a love she thought long behind her.

After a night of bad decisions leaves the store in peril, Courtney arrives and tries to save the day. While she, too, found sanctuary in the little bookstore, she knows it’s under-insured, in the red, and will never survive. When she discovers her teenage daughter has played a part in vandalizing the store, Courtney taps into strength she didn’t know existed-or had long forgotten. The quietest of the three, she steps up and finds a way to save her family, the store, and the precious friendships that have grown within it.

The Printed Letter Bookshop is the story of friends who find each other-and themselves-in a place none of them ever expected.

About the Author

Katherine Reay is the national bestselling and award-winning author of Dear Mr. Knightley, Lizzy and Jane, The Brontë Plot, A Portrait of Emily Price, The Austen Escape, and The Printed Letter Bookshop. All Katherine’s novels are contemporary stories with a bit of classical flair. Katherine holds a BA and MS from Northwestern University, graduating Phi Beta Kappa, and isa wife, mother, former marketer, and avid chocolate consumer. After living all across the country and a few stops in Europe, Katherine now happily resides outside Chicago, IL. You can meet her at www.katherinereay.com; Facebook: KatherineReayBooks; Twitter: @katherine_reay; or Instagram: @katherinereay.

More from Katherine

Don’t you love bookshops?

Every time I walk into a bookstore, it feels like a rainbow cracked open and rained a kaleidoscope of light, life and possibilities before me. I find worlds within the world and a call to adventure.

Each bookshop tells a different story. It tells of its loyal beloved customer base. It reflects the personality of its owner and staff. It carries the aura of the stories it offers to us.

And it was the perfect place to dig into lives, hearts and book loves of Janet, Claire and Madeline. These three women, at different stages in life, meet at the Printed Letter Bookshop, with all the romance and wonder it holds, and learn to work through their challenges together. They become the friends that each didn’t know she was missing.

There is also a fourth woman I loved spending time with in the Printed Letter Bookshop — its original owner, Maddie Carter. Maddie doesn’t step onto the stage even once, but her presence, her love and her guiding hand are apparent from page one as Janet, Claire, and Madeline grow in friendship and in faith.

The Printed Letter Bookshop is a love letter to books, a testament to the beauty of new beginnings and a sweet reminder of the power of friendship. I hope you savor your time with these three women — And, book lovers rejoice, there is a list of all the books they allude to in the back of the book!

Blog Stops

The Avid Reader, May 14

Godly Book Reviews, May 14

The Power of Words, May 14

Reflections From My Bookshelves, May 15

Carla Loves To Read, May 15

Pause for Tales, May 15

Maureen’s Musings, May 16

Bigreadersite, May 16

By The Book, May 16

Inspirationally Ever After, May 17

Reading Themes, May 17

For The Love of Books, May 17

Lis Loves Reading, May 18

Emily Yager, May 18

Living Life Free in Christ, May 18

For HIm and My Family, May 19

Retrospective Spines, May 19

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, May 19

Girls Living For God’s Glory, May 20

As He Leads is Joy, May 20

To Everything A Season, May 20

All-Of-a-kind Mom, May 21

Through the Fire Blogs, May 21

Creating Romance, May 21

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 22

Christian Chick’s Thoughts, May 22

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 22

Reader’s Cozy Corner, May 23

Wishful Endings, May 23

Texas Book-aholic, May 23

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 24

Just the Write Escape, May 24

The Christian Fiction Girl, May 25

Lighthouse Academy, May 25

janicesbookreviews, May 25

Inspired by Fiction, May 26

Simple Harvest Reads, May 26 (Guest post from Mindy Houng)

Inklings and notion, May 26

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 27

amandainpa, May 27

A Reader’s Brain, May 27

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Katherine is giving away a paperback copy of The Printed Letter Bookshop to one lucky winner!

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/e4f1/the-printed-letter-bookshop-celebration-tour-giveaway

Tongues of Fire Celebrate Lit Book and Giveaway

Posted on May 19, 2019May 15, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Greetings from my stop of the Celebration Lit Book tour for Tongues of Fire, 50 days of celebrating Pentecost devotional book. There is information about the book, tour stops, and Giveaway. Don’t forget to enter!

My Thoughts

Tongues of Fire is a 50 day devotional celebrating Pentecost. The book opens and asks why we don’t celebrate Pentecost? We celebrate Christmas and Easter. It goes on to explain the importance of Pentecost and the Holy Spirit.

There are fifty devotions to help better understand Pentecost by giants of faith both classic and contemporary. I knew most of them but a few were new to me. The devotions are all different and inspiring.

A great number of the devotions are about speaking in tongues. This Methodist raised gal is unfamiliar with that. I am open-minded and have heard various thoughts on it. Another topic given a lot of days was healing.

Some of the devotions spoke to me more than others. I agree that we all need to welcome and accept the Holy Spirit into our lives. Jesus sent Him to us for a reason. One devotion said “when you receive the power of the Holy Spirit, you become someone you could never be on your own”. I totally agree.

Another devotional said “Simply by paying attention to what He is doing and cooperating with Him, we come to understand God better. Who doesn’t want to know God better? I certainly do.

This was a devotional that is meant to be read over a period of 50 days. I read it in just a few days in order to write this review. Some of the days spoke straight to me and I was inspired. Other days were hard to understand. I felt chastised in a few places rather than enlightened.

I did not receive answers to some of my questions. It is a hard to read at times devotional and not exactly uplifting. It felt more scholarly. Scripture is plentiful. This is definitely biblically based.

I would recommend this for anyone wanting to delve deeper into the Holy Spirit and Pentecost. It is good for learning a little about speaking in tongues. I would not recommend it for a young person, simply because I had trouble in some parts. I rated it 3 out of 5 stars. Celebrate provided an e-book but I was under no obligation to write a review.

About the Book

Book: Tongues of Fire

Author: Various Authors

Genre: Christian non-fiction, Pentecost Devotional

Release Date: April 19, 2019

A fifty-day devotional for Pentecost featuring the words and teachings of writings of faithful men and women of God, both classic and contemporary authors, regarding the miraculous power available through God’s gift of the Holy Spirit. Includes excerpts from Smith Wigglesworth, John G. Lake, William Seymour, Aimee Semple McPhearson, Maria Woodworth-Etter, Andrew Murray, E. W. Kenyon, R. A. Torrey, John Wesley, Mary K. Baxter, Guillermo Maldonado, James Goll, Bill Johnson, and many more. Let this collection of charismatic classics help you to celebrate the wild tongues of fire that signified the coming of Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, and be filled anew with the powerful presence of God.

Blog Stops

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 9

Mary Hake, May 10

Retrospective Spines, May 11

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 12

Texas Book-aholic, May 13

janicesbookreviews, May 14

A Reader’s Brain, May 15

Inklings and notions, May 16

Artistic Nobody, May 17 (Spotlight)

Power of Words, May 18 (Spotlight)

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 19

Simple Harvest Reads, May 20 (Spotlight)

Just the Write Escape, May 21

Giveaway

To celebrate the tour, Whitaker House is giving away a grand prize of a $20 Starbucks 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/e318/tongues-of-fire-celebration-tour-giveaway

More to Love Celebrate Lit Book Tour and Giveaway

Posted on May 18, 2019May 15, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

I am glad you found my stop on the More to Love Celebrate Lit Book Tour and Giveaway. You will find information on the book, author, tour, stops, and the giveaway. Don’t forget to enter. You just might win!

My Thoughts:

More to Love is a charming reimagining of Pride and Prejudice by author Robin Helm. I was caught in its web immediately and had a difficult time putting it down. This Christian Regency novel was whimsical and took to to England where I made new friends.

The writing style was almost poetic with authentic words and phrases. I loved it. It flowed like sweet prose. The dialogues were well done and I was enchanted with them. Characters were well defined and rounded with flaws as well as good points. I was invested in their lives. The morals, manners, and etiquette are so endearing from that era.

The romance is sweet, clean, and fast. Personally I would have liked to have seen it a little slower and longer, but maybe editing changed it. There were a few twists and turns making it fun to read and a page turner.

The spiritual content seems light. Each chapter opens with scripture or an appropriate inspirational quote. Elizabeth does mention God a few times. The messages of forgiveness, hope, self acceptance, bettering oneself, trust, treating someone as you would like to be treated, and love are all in this sweet novel.

At the beginning Lizzie is teased and snubbed because she is overweight. She quickly begins to exercise (walk) twice each day and cut down drastically on her eating. Wouldn’t it be nice it the main man loved her anyway? Or that she did not have to make such drastic efforts to change. Her family was supportive and concerned about her health which is an important thing for all girls.

This is a delightful serving of romance which I devoured in one setting. It was just lovely. I highly recommend it. I was provided a copy by Celebrate Lit but I was not required to write a review. I rated this 4 out of 5 stars.

About the Book

Book: More to Love

Author: Robin Helm

Genre: Christian Historical Sweet Romance

Release Date: February 12, 2019

“She is tolerable, I suppose, but there is rather too much of her to tempt me.” Overhearing Mr. Darcy’s rude dismissal of her shocks and mortifies Elizabeth Bennet to the core. She is living her worst fear, and it galvanizes her into action. Soon, the gentleman cannot keep his eyes from her, but can she forgive his thoughtless judgment of her appearance and character? Especially since he faces a worthy competitor for her attention? Who will win the lady’s hand, along with the right to love her through thick or thin?

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

Robin Helm’s books reflect her love of music, as well as her fascination with the paranormal and science fiction. Previously published works include The Guardian Trilogy: Guardian, SoulFire, and Legacy (Christian paranormal romance); the Yours by Design series: Accidentally Yours, Sincerely Yours, and Forever Yours ( ChristianTime Swap romance), and Understanding Elizabeth (Christian Regency romance). She contributed to A Very Austen Christmas: Austen Anthologies, Book 1, an anthology featuring like-minded authors, in 2017, and A Very Austen Valentine: Austen Anthologies, Book 2, in 2018. New releases for 2019 include More to Love, a stand-alone Christian historical sweet romance dealing with body image; Lawfully Innocent, a Christian historical U.S. Marshal romance book in the Lawkeepers series; Maestro, a Christian historical sweet romance featuring a brilliant musician and his student; and A Very Austen Romance: Austen Anthologies, Book 3. She lives in sunny South Carolina where she teaches piano and adores her one husband, two married daughters, and three grandchildren.

More from Robin

Have you ever been judged on the basis of your appearance – what you weigh, how you dress, how you wear your hair or do your makeup? I am a professional dieter, and I have been on all of them. I lose, and I gain it back. I know the lengths a woman will go to after she overhears remarks about how she looks, so I relate to Elizabeth in More to Love in a way that’s a bit beyond my comfort zone.

Another aspect of this book which is personal is that I chose to base a supporting character on a wonderful, Christian lady at my church (with her permission). Mrs. Donna Bailey has been a constant encouragement to me in regards to my writing. She often gives me beautiful sugar cookies she painstakingly decorates with holiday themes. Mrs. Bailey is the housekeeper and dessert cook at Longbourn, and she helps Elizabeth through thick and thin, so to speak.

Blog Stops

Just the Write Escape, May 13

Genesis 5020, May 14

Through the Fire Blogs, May 14

Carla Loves To Read, May 15

Blossoms and Blessings, May 15

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, May 16

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 16

Just Your Average reviews, May 17

Hallie Reads, May 17

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 18

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, May 19

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 19

Pause for Tales, May 20

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 20

A Baker’s Perspective, May 21

Maureen’s Musings, May 21

My Devotional Thoughts, May 22

Remembrancy, May 22

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 23

Texas Book-aholic, May 23

janicesbookreviews, May 24

Inklings and notions, May 25

A Reader’s Brain, May 26

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Robin is giving away

Grand Prize: a $25 Amazon gift card
1st Place: An autographed paperback of A Very Austen Valentine: Austen Anthologies, Book 2
2nd Place: An autographed paperback of More to Love
3rd Place: A set of three eBooks – Reader’s Choice of any three of my books!!

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/e270/more-to-love-celebration-tour-giveaway

Past Forward by Chautona Havig Book Tour and Giveaway from Celebrate Lit

Posted on May 17, 2019May 15, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Welcome to the Past Forward Book Tour and Giveaway! This is my stop and I am so happy you found me. You will see information on the book, its author Chautona Havig, her thoughts, a list of the other stops (so you may enter again), and finally the giveaway. Enjoy!

My Thoughts

“Past Forward” by Author Chautona Havig is a contemporary Christian novel laced with romance, suspense, intrigue, inspiration and a bit of humor. I was immediately drawn into the story. The book held my attention all the way through this whimsical page turning delightful read.

The author has a lovely way with words. They flow eloquently from her mind to paper at a nice pace. The story didn’t lag or feel rushed. It was just right. The vivid descriptions took me inside Willow’s unique life. I wanted to read more about it. At times I forgot Willow was a modern day lady.

Author Havig has done an exemplary job with these characters. Willow is so likable and I became engaged with her immediately. The more I read the more invested I became. I felt her emotions through the writing. Great job, Ms. Havig!

The story has been well thought and organized. It taught me things I didn’t know. Willow’s life wasn’t the norm. It a lifestyle many wish for and few can handle. Sometimes it seemed there was a disaster waiting to happen around ever corner.

The inspirational message is there, and I enjoyed seeing the character’s growing faith. There is sweet romance and mystery. Anyone will love this captivating novel.

I highly recommend it. Even though it is a contemporary book, fans of historical (pioneer) fiction will devour this masterful serving from wordsmith Chautona Havig. A book club could find a lot to discuss. I loved it. It gets a 5 out of 5 stars from me. Celebrate Lit provided a copy but I was under no obligation to write a review.

About the Book

Book: Past Forward

Author: Chautona Havig

Genre: Christian Fiction, Romance, Suspense

Release Date: April 19, 2017

Alone without friends or family to comfort her after the death of her mother, Willow Finley’s idyllic life is over—and just beginning.

The Finley women’s lives, while rich and full, aren’t easy. rejecting electricity and many other modern conveniences, they live purposefully and intentionally–alone and isolated from the world around them.

When Willow Finley awakes on a hot summer morning, she is unprepared for the grief that awaits her. Jerked from a life of isolation with her mother, Willow learns what alone really means when she finds her mother dead.

From the moment Willow arrives in the police station with her startling announcement, Chad Tesdall fights the friendship he knows he can’t avoid.

The Past Forward series opens with Willow’s life-changing discovery and gently guides the reader through aspects of her life–the past weaving through the present and into the future. Experience her first morning in church, her first movie, and the culture shock of her first trips to the city. A birthday party and a street faire add welcome diversion from butchering, canning, and the beating of area rugs. Disaster strikes. Will she choose to continue her simple life, or will an offer in the city change it all? Find out in this first volume.

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

HOW DID MY WEIRD HIGH SCHOOL YEARS INSPIRE THIS BOOK?

December 1985. The time had finally come. After two months of living in a run-down motel in Rosamond, California, we were finally moving to our own place. Seventeen miles away.

Just off Highway 58, outside Mojave, California (about the place that Alton Gansky’s, Distant Memory opens), a huge billboard loomed. For the curious, it’s still there today. Aqueduct City.

For the record, there was no city. There still isn’t. Just a dirt road or three. Oh, and the aqueduct. In fact, that’s eventually how we got our water—stole it from the California aqueduct.

But I’m getting ahead of myself.

At the edge of all those parcels lay our new land. Twenty-two acres of desert sand, creosote, sage, and a tiny, baby Joshua tree at the end of our long, U-shaped dirt driveway.

I took out that sucker with my first attempt at backing down the drive. It looked like a snake had slithered back and forth across the sandy strip of cleared dirt, and somehow I managed to run over the foot-high tree. It wasn’t often I managed to shock my mother speechless. That was one time. I now have mad back-upping skills. Thought you oughtta know.

On that land, my parents put an 18’ travel trailer.

We hauled in water in 55-gallon drum barrels—first from a friend’s house and later from that aqueduct. It was several miles closer. One of those barrels ended up on top of the trailer for showers. The water pressure depended on how full that sucker was. Navy showers? Ever had one? It goes like so:

Turn on water.
Make one slow turn under the water to get all wet.
Turn it off.
Lather up.
Shampoo hair.
Turn on water.
Turn off.
Work conditioner into hair.
Turn on water.
Turn off.
Get out.
Try to stop your teeth from chattering.

For the record, that chattering is no joke. When it’s twenty degrees out there, water gets cold. And we had no way to heat it.

Our plumbing also included a shovel. For… um… other plumbing needs. Winter was the worst and the best time for the call of nature. Worst because, well, 40 mph winds and twenty-degree weather. Best, because no snakes.

We used Coleman propane lanterns, a propane refrigerator (that sat outside our door), and eventually, a gas-powered generator. Once a week, Dad would fire that thing up so I could iron my church clothes. #darkages

For the curious, summer was blistering hot.

No fans (except for stiff cardboard we used arm-power to operate). No air conditioner. Not even a swamp cooler. Mom and I would go into town and read at the library when we just couldn’t take another minute in 112-degree desert heat. She’d drive me to Lancaster so I could go sit in an air-conditioned movie theater and watch another movie. If it came out in 1986 or 1987 and wasn’t pure smut, I probably saw it. Out of self-preservation.

Before long, I’d been relegated to the “porch.” That consisted of a redwood lattice “patio” enclosure in front of the trailer door. (For those who haven’t figured it out yet, I was the dictionary definition of “trailer trash” in some people’s books.) That space was eight feet wide and sixteen feet long.

I had a twin bed out there. When winter came, dad made sleeping out there more bearable by heating huge rocks in one of those 55-gallon drum barrels and wrapping them in old quilts. That went at the foot of my bed to keep my feet warm.

If only the wind hadn’t blown sand into my hair every night…

What does all of this have to do with Past Forward?

Just this. People have often asked why Willow would choose to live without electricity. Some have said you couldn’t live only five miles outside of town and be so isolated and reclusive.

I disagree.

We did it. By choice. Because it’s who my father is. And of all of my characters, Kari Finley, Willow’s mother, is the most like my father. The way Kari taught Willow? That’s exactly how Dad used to teach me—by making it a natural part of life.

I didn’t know it when I wrote the series, but Past Forward really does show exactly what kind of life my father would have chosen to live if he’d ever really considered it. The self-sustaining work, the emphasis on beauty, the isolation—all of it shows the kind of man I call Dad.

If you’d asked me as a kid what I thought of living out there in Mojave, I would have said I hated it. Not only that, I would have believed myself. But if you’d talked to me for a while, you would have figured out that I said that because I was expected to. No one thinks you’ll like living with almost nothing, in the middle of nowhere, especially as a teenager.

Looking back, though, I actually I liked it. Dad. Mom. Me. And Boozer, our dog. I’d tell you about her, but that’s a story for another day. Yeah, I liked my life there “out on the property,” as we called it.

Except for the Mojave green rattlesnakes. Not a fan of those. Not then or today.

Just sayin’.

Blog Stops

Through the Fire Blogs, May 15

A Reader’s Brain, May 15

Godly Book Reviews, May 16

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 17

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 17

Blogging With Carol, May 18

Inklings and notions, May 18

Bigreadersite, May 19

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 19

All-Of-a-kind Mom, May 20

Texas Book-aholic, May 20

Aryn The Libraryan, May 21

Quiet Workings, May 22

Retrospective Spines, May 22

Inspired by Fiction, May 23

Carpe Diem, May 24

For Him and My Family, May 25

janicesbookreviews, May 25

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, May 26

Rebekah’s Quill, May 27

Inspiration Clothesline, May 28

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Chautona is giving away a grand prize that includes a complete paperback set of Past Forward & a custom Past Forward Lavender Lemonade candle!!

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/e319/past-forward-celebration-tour-giveaway

Moments We Forget Celebrate Lit Book Tour and Giveaway

Posted on May 14, 2019May 13, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Welcome to my stop on the Celebrate Lit Book Tour for Author Beth K. Vogt’s “Moments We Forget” novel. I have lots of information for you on the book, series, author, and giveaway so be sure to read to the end and register to win!

My Thoughts

“Moments We Forget” is a contemporary women’s Christian novel. This is my first to read by author Beth K. Vogt and I quite liked her style. She writes at a steady pace. Nothing is rushed and yet it isn’t slow or sluggish. It is Book 2 in the Thatcher Sisters Series but I managed it okay without having read Book 1 yet. However, I wish I had read Book 1 first.

Her characters are down to earth. They are well defined and easy to imagine. In this Book there are three sisters with three distinct, unique personalities. Vogt gives voice to each one and they naturally come to life on her pages. I have one sister and always wanted another. This novel made me wish for even more.

The women are still grieving the loss of their fourth sister from years ago. Besides that each sister has her own particular trial or burden to bear. This book addresses grief, family, trials, death, cancer, adoption, infertility, and God. The subjects are timely and relevant to women today.

Author Vogt wrote in such a way that I became emotionally invested in the story. I wanted peace among the sisters. It was easy to identify with them. A text from their mother made me chuckle. How many times had I written one like that, received one, or been the cause for one?

This book has stayed with me even though I have already started another. It was an engaging book and I became interested immediately. At times it was hard to read yet I could not put it down. Tears rolled down my cheeks many times while turning the pages.

The author has done a great job researching, planning, and writing this tale of sisterhood and family. The Christian message is there, too. She has shown readers that family dynamics are difficult at best and unlike any treasure ever found.

I definitely would recommend this book to any woman. It is 418 pages long and the ARC that I received did not have Discussion Questions. This series would be perfect for a women’s reading group. There is a lovely journey to the Lord written in it. I rated this 4 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but I was under no obligation to write a positive review. These are my own thoughts.

About the Book

Book: Moments We Forget

Author: Beth Vogt

Genre: Contemporary fiction, woman’s fiction

Release Date: May 7, 2019

Jillian Thatcher has spent most of her life playing the family peacemaker, caught in the middle between her driven, talented older sister and her younger, spotlight-stealing twin sisters. Then on the night of her engagement party, a cancer diagnosis threatens to once again steal her chance to shine. Now, Jillian’s on the road to recovery after finally finishing chemo and radiation, but residual effects of the treatment keep her from reclaiming her life as she’d hoped. And just when her dreams might be falling into place, a life-altering revelation from her husband sends her reeling again. Will Jillian ever achieve her own dreams, or will she always be “just Jillian,” the less-than Thatcher sister? Can she count on her sisters as she tries to step into a stronger place, or are they stuck in their childhood roles forever?

About the Author

Beth K. Vogt is a nonfiction author and editor who said she’d never write fiction. She’s the wife of an Air Force family physician (now in solo practice) who said she’d never marry a doctor—or anyone in the military. She’s a mom of four who said she’d never have kids. Now Beth believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” A women’s fiction novelist, Beth’s first novel for Tyndale House Publishers, Things I Never Told You, released May 2018.

Beth is a 2016 Christy Award winner, a 2016 ACFW Carol Award winner, and a 2015 RITA® finalist. Her 2014 novel, Somebody Like You, was one of Publishers Weekly‘s Best Books of 2014. A November Bride was part of the Year of Wedding series by Zondervan. Having authored nine contemporary romance novels or novellas, Beth believes there’s more to happily-ever-after than the fairy tales tell us.

An established magazine writer and former editor of the leadership magazine for MOPS International, Beth blogs for Novel Rocket and also enjoys speaking to writers’ groups and mentoring other writers. She lives in Colorado with her husband, Rob, who has adjusted to discussing the lives of imaginary people, and their youngest daughter, Christa, who loves to play volleyball and enjoys writing her own stories. Connect with Beth at bethvogt.com.

More from Beth

“A sister is like yourself in a different movie, a movie that stars you in a different life.”

Deborah Tannen (1945-), sociologist

I’m launching Moments We Forget, book two in the Thatcher Sisters series, and I’ve just turned in the final book in the series. I’d love to share book three’s title with you, but I don’t know what it is. (Of course, book three might have a final title by the time you read this—that’s part of the fun of prerelease deadlines.)

One thing I do know: the theme of “Little Women gone wrong” is woven through all of the books . . . thanks to the Thatcher sisters: Payton, Pepper, Jillian, and Johanna.

Sisters, be they real or imaginary, can be complicated.

Of course, there are sisters who have close relationships. They “get” each other and love doing life together.

But then there are the sister relationships that are like mismatched socks. Or those expensive jeans you loved in the store, but when you bring them home, they never quite live up to those moments in the dressing room.

Such are the Thatcher sisters. Johanna, Jillian, Payton, and Pepper grew up in the same family. They’re all tall. They love Broncos football and board games. But in so many ways their lives are like different movies because they each made different choices. Choices that changed and separated them. Moments We Forget continues to explore whether the Thatcher sisters can find a way to understand each other enough to bridge the distance between them.