“Uniquely Common” by Author Caryl McAdoo Celebrate Lit Book Tour

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Welcome to my stop on Celebrate Lit’s tour for “Uniquely Common” by Author Caryl McAdoo.  We will talk about the Book, learn about the author, and hear her thoughts on the book.  She has a generous giveaway so be sure to enter it at the end.  Let’s get started.

My Thoughts

The first thing I noticed was the beautiful cover on Uniquely Common by Caryl McAdoo.  The next thing was that it was part of the Lockets and Lace Collection.  The title of the book “Uniquely Uncommon” struck me as intriguing, also.  All that being said, I was ready to dive in.

From page one this book had my interest.  I became invested in the characters lives quickly.  Poor Asher, a widower with two daughters and a younger sister tagging along on his journey out West.  Christine (Chrissy), his sister, had just been jilted by her scoundrel of a boyfriend.  The girls, her adorable nieces, decide to become matchmakers for their beloved auntie.

Wow, what a delightful book.  I giggled my way through it.  Author McAdoo has a knack for combining inspiration, faith, humor, history, and romance into one entertaining book that keeps readers on their toes.  Plenty of twists and turns are added to maintain interest throughout the story.  For me, the faith element was not as strong as in some of her books, but it is still woven from beginning to end.  There is no question that this is a Christian Fiction novel. This books lives up to its Christian Fiction categorization.

Set in 1851, this book takes readers on a train ride and then boat journey to California.  It has many fun historical facts about the time period and pioneers.  I love books that leave me with information.  It is a fun way to learn.

Author McAdoo scoops readers right up and plops them down in the middle of her setting and storyline.  Her characters become friends as I “live” each book.  This brilliant offering was well thought, researched, and exquisitely written.

Whether you are a seasoned fan of Caryl McAdoo or this will be your first time to experience one of her books, you will no doubt love it.  I certainly did.  She brings characters, settings, and situations to live with her lovely engaging writing style.

I highly recommend this book.  It is a fast paced one so be prepared to call out for dinner or eat left overs.  You won’t want to stop reading to cook dinner!  I didn’t.  There are no discussion questions at the end, but there are sneak previews for upcoming books.  “Uniquely Common” gets a 5 out of 5 stars from me.   It was a page-turning delight for me.  I think a book club would love reading and discussing this book.  A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but these are my own thoughts and opinions.

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About the Book

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Book: Uniquely Common

Author: Caryl McAdoo

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: April 4, 2019

Steel sharpens steel, but will its sparks ignite unfailing love?

Instead of living a pampered life on the civilized east coast with a new husband, rejection compels Christina Adams westward with her widowed brother and his two daughters. Harboring ulterior motives, Ethan Cord, the man her brother hires to accompany the family, is more a match for her, and he appears almost perfect, but how could she possibly trust her instincts about him when she’d been so wrong about her previous fiancé? Will her past ruin her future?

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

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Award-winning author Caryl McAdoo prays her story brings God glory, and her best-selling novels—over forty published—delight Christian readers around the world. The prolific writer also enjoys singing the new songs the Lord gives her—listen to a few at YouTube. Sharing four children and eighteen grandsugars with Ron, her high-school-sweetheart-husband of fifty years, she lives in the woods south of Clarksville, seat of Red River County in far Northeast Texas. The McAdoos wait expectantly for God to open the next door.

One thing I love about this book is that as it draws to its end in Saint Joseph, Missouri, a new young woman is introduced, Remi, and her book—my May ‘Prairie Roses Collection’ story REMI—continues with the Adams family and segues into a new romance!

I hope readers will love that as well, praying my story gives God glory!

More from Caryl

I’m so excited about this year’s Lockets and Lace story! I’ve fallen in love with its characters. Asher and his sister Christina, his girls Samantha and Patricia, and his friend, Ethan Cord is certainly a man’s man though he has a checkered past to overcome.

His wife dies in childbirth, leaving him with two little girls, then when his parents pass, too, what’s to tie Asher Adams to New York?

His younger sister Christina is about to be settled into her new life, married and well cared for, so there’s nothing holding the wine merchant back from his dreams of owning a vineyard in the Napa Valley. He decides a new life in the west is the best thing for him and his daughters.

Then at the last minute, the family is turned upside down when the rogue engaged to Christina dumps her and calls the wedding off. Asher’s already sold the brownstone. She suddenly has nowhere to go and no one to watch over her if he leaves.

She never wanted to, but he insists her only choice is to go with them, accompany him and her nieces and make her new life in California . . . and he knows the perfect man for her, too!

Blog Stops

Through the Fire Blogs, April 23

Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner, April 24

Splashes of Joy, April 25

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, April 25

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 26

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 27

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, April 28

Bigreadersite, April 28

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 29

For Him and My Family, April 30

Texas Book-aholic, May 1

janicesbookreviews, May 2

A Reader’s Brain, May 3

KarenSueHadley, May 4

Inklings and notions, May 5

The Becca Files, May 6

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Caryl is giving away

Grand Prize $50 Amazon Gift Card

1st Place – Print copy of UNIQUELY COMMON

2nd place – eBook copy of UNIQUELY COMMON

3rd place – Choice eBook of Caryl’s FORTY+ titles!!

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/de84/uniquely-common-celebration-tour-giveaway

Thirty Days Hath Book Tour and Giveaway

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

“Thirty Days Hath” is a very creative, original contemporary Christian romance offering from author Chautona Havig.  She injects her unique writing style which lends humor, emotion, and twists into this unique novel just like she has her other ones.  It’s a delightful tale unlike any I have ever read.

This is the story of bachelor Adric Garrison.  His sister and her minister husband have come up with a plan to help Adric find Mrs. Right.  Their scheme is a cross between the television show The Bachelor and an online dating service.  Two ministers take applications for potential girlfriends for Adric.  Each approved applicant along with her chaperone will come and live with Adric for a month.  How’s that for discovering compatibility?

The Christian element could be stronger, but it is definitely there.  I’m not sure how likely it is that a minister would be involved in an idea of this type, but this is not real life.  It is a fun book.  For me it was a page turner.  I was invested in Adric’s life and had a hard time putting the book down.

There was a wide variety of characters in this book and I do mean characters.  The women were all so different in very many ways.  Secondary characters, Adric’s sister’s children, his friends, the chaperones, and his workers were all well done.  Dialogue throughout this novel is plentiful and realistic.

The premise of someone actually doing this, going into a stranger’s home and living there with him for a month, sounds ridiculous.  However, I’m sure if pitched as a television series it would get serious consideration.  The idea of “calendar” girls competing for a man did not seem realistic to me, but then neither do a lot of the dating shows on tv.

It was a fun read and had me turning the pages to see what was going to happen next.  I loved the Christian element, the sweet romance, the lighthearted humor, and even the emotional side of it.   Author Havig has written a quirky, delightfully transparent look into the world of mature dating.  This is well written, well planned, researched, and organized great.

Definitely I would recommend.  Anyone that likes Contemporary romance will love this.  I rated this a 4 out of 5 stars.  A copy was provided but I was under no obligation to leave a favorable review.  These are my own, honest thoughts.

About the Book

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Book: Thirty Days Hath

Author: Chautona Havig

Genre: Christian fiction, contemporary romance

Release Date: Revised edition, Feb 26, 2019

Blind Dates Are for Wimps!

At least, that’s what Adric Garrison thinks.
Can you blame him? Thanks to his sister and brother-in-law, Adric is about to embark on a year of month-long, chaperoned, blind dates. Awkward.

He didn’t ask for it. But Adric still finds himself living what seems more like a bad TV reality show than a new life in Fairbury.

Once an ordinary (if prematurely gray and vertically challenged) guy, Adric is now Fairbury’s newest “most eligible bachelor,” and dreams of permanent bachelorhood loom on the horizon. Will he call it quits before the year is out, or will one of his “girls of the month” change his mind?

One man, twelve women, one happily ever after.

About the Author

ChautonaChautona 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

A SILENT TRUTH NO ONE ADMITS: BLIND DATES ARE FOR WIMPS

Maybe I’m not the one to talk. After all, I never dated. Not really. My best friend in high school was a guy. We went to the movies. We did things. Still, we were just great friends.

I had what might be considered one date in Lubbock, Texas in 1987. Maybe. I didn’t consider it one, but I suppose the guy might have. Maybe.

Then I went from best friends with the guy I’ve been married to for 30 years to engaged in the span of a few seconds after what might have been a rhetorical question. He’s under orders not to tell me if it was. After all, he’s the fool who went on to say, “I do.” Just sayin’.

Still, in the first decade of the 21st century, I discovered a new “thing” in reality TV. The Bachelor. Though I tried watching it, I couldn’t after a while. It started out reasonably clean, but then it devolved into cat fights, spit-swapping sessions, and drama. Oh, the drama.

But one aspect intrigued me. The focused attention to finding the girl. What if Christians did that? What if we stopped playing the silly game of “pretend we’re not in this to see if you’re someone I could put up with for the next fifty or sixty years…”? Oh, man. What if the church rallied around its members and helped without pushing.

Trust me, you don’t want to push too much. You may discover that the people you’re pushing just get together and talk about it. Laugh at your antics. Mock the ridiculousness of it. Not that Kevin and I ever did that back in the day or anything. (Check out that story HERE.)

That “what if?” spurred an idea.

Sister churches. Chaperones. Not a couple of weeks in a giant house somewhere, but a whole month of real living with someone, day in. Day out. And again, with that chaperone to avoid that “appearance of evil” thing. If you could spend that much time with someone, seeing warts, virtues, best and worst sides… well, maybe you might just be right for each other.

At the least, you’d have a good idea if you even wanted to find out. That’s a healthier and quicker start than two or three months of a date here or there and hoping you’re seeing the real person. Right?

I created a character and ran with it. From giving him less than Hollywood good looks, to an anger problem and a blue-collar job, Adric had lots going for him… and not so much!

Then I tested it out. Acid test. I signed him up for eHarmony.

No, really. I did.

For the record, apparently short, prematurely graying mechanics with anger issues are a hot commodity. It took hours to get it set up, but man there were many women out there for him… supposedly.

And to this day, my Gmail email (that I never use) still says adricgarrison@gmail.com. No joke.

For what it’s worth, Adric learned one very difficult lesson that year.

As I’ve already confessed. I’ve never been on a blind date. I doubt anyone would even consider that I’ve been on a date. Still, after writing this book, I know for one thing.Blind Dates Are for Wimps.

Blog Stops

Quiet Quilter, April 15

Through the Fire Blogs, April 15

For Him and My Family, April 16

cultivating us, April 16

Godly Book Reviews, April 17

mpbooks, April 17

Among the Reads, April 18

Multifarious, April 19

Inspired by Fiction, April 19

EmpowerMoms, April 20

SusanLovesBooks, April 20

Remembrancy, April 21

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 21

Rebekah’s Quill, April 22

Texas Book-aholic, April 22

Aryn The Libraryan, April 23

janicesbookreviews, April 23

Lots of Helpers, April 24

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, April 24

A Reader’s Brain, April 25

Bigreadersite, April 26

Inklings and notions, April 26

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 27

The Becca Files, April 27

Real World Bible Study, April 28

God’s Peculiar Treasure Rae, April 28

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Chautona is giving away a grand prize of a paperback copy of Thirty Days Hath, book cozy, and a $25 Starbucks gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into to the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/dee7/thirty-days-hath-celebration-tour-giveaway

 

The Governess of Penwythe Hall Book Tour and Giveaway

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Welcome to Celebrate Lit’s Book Tour for “The Governess of Penwythe Hall” by author Sarah E. Ladd.  I hope you enjoy reading about this Regency romance.  Be sure to enter the giveaway which is detailed at the bottom.

My Thoughts

The first thing that drew me in to this novel was the beautiful, serene cover.  Next was the writing that captivated me from the very beginning.  Author Ladd has done a brilliant job with this poignant tale.

This is the story of Cordelia (Delia) Greythorne.  The book opens with her being newly widowed and threatened by her mother-in-law.  Immediately my heart went out to her and I felt her emotions.  I was invested in her story and could not put the book down.

The characters are very well thought in this English early 1800 fiction piece.  Delia is a strong woman with an admirable character.  She is employed as a governess and dearly loves the children under her care. Jac Twethewey of Penwythe Hall is the guardian for the children.  He is also their estranged uncle.  His character is also a strong willed one.  The children are delightful, especially little Miss Sophy.

Many relevant timely issues are touched upon in this stirring book.  Right at the beginning there is a major family issue and death.  Faith, depending on God, caring for others, facing fears, smugglers, making choices, and forgiveness are all touched on in this book.

In this book I found intrigue, mystery, light romance, history, inspiration, as well as twists and turns.  The writing was well done and took me to a place and time that I had never been.  It was easy to imagine the crashing salty waves and crusty characters.  I loved the attention to detail.  It was evident the author did her research.

I would recommend this for Regency lovers.  It is a very nice story that is engaging until the end.  I rated it a 4 out of 5 stars.  A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but I was not required to write a review.  These are my honest thoughts.

 

About the Book

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Book: The Governess of Penwythe Hall

Author: Sarah Ladd

Genre: Historical Romance

Release Date: April 16, 2019

In the first of a new series from beloved Regency romance author, Sarah Ladd, Delia, a governess to five recently orphaned children, would risk anything to protect them . . . even her heart.  Cornwall was in her blood, and Delia feared she’d never escape its hold.
Cornwall, England, 1811
Blamed for her husband’s death, Cordelia Greythorne fled Cornwall and accepted a governess position to begin a new life. Years later her employer’s unexpected death and his last request to watch over his five children force her to reevaluate. She can’t abandon the children now that they’ve lost both parents, but their new guardian lives at the timeworn Penwythe Hall . . . back on the Cornish coast she tries desperately to forget.
Jac Trethewey is determined to revive Penwythe Hall’s once-flourishing apple orchards, and he’ll stop at nothing to see his struggling estate profitable again. He hasn’t heard from his brother in years, so when his nieces, nephews, and their governess arrive unannounced at Penwythe Hall, he battles both grief of this brother’s death and bewilderment over this sudden responsibility. Jac’s priorities shift as the children take up residence in the ancient halls, but their secretive governess—and the mystery shrouding her past—proves to be a disruption to his carefully laid plans.
Rich with family secrets, lingering danger, and the captivating allure of new love, this first book in the Cornwall Novels series introduces us to the Twethewey family and their search for peace, justice, and love on the Cornish coast.

About the Author

Sarah E. Ladd received the 2011 Genesis Award in historical romance for The Heiress of Winterwood. She is a graduate of Ball State University and has more than ten years of marketing experience. Sarah lives in Indiana with her amazing family and spunky golden retriever. Visit her online, Facebook, and Twitter.
Mounts Bay fishing fleet

More About the Governess of Penwythe Hall

5 things to know about Cornwall, England:

1. Throughout its early history, Cornwall’s inhabitants called the country Kernow.
2.  Early inhabitants largely spoke their own language known as “Cornish,” which became nearly extinct in the 1800s
3.  The country has a long and rugged coastline and there were frequent shipwrecks.
4.  Fishing was a major industry, with herring, mackerel, and sardines being common catches.
5.  In 1870, novelist and poet Thomas Hardy called Cornwall “the region of dream and mystery.”

Imagine yourself in The Governess of Penwythe Hall with these pictures of 19th Century life in Cornwall

Blog Stops

Back Porch Reads, April 11
Moments, April 11
Genesis 5020, April 11
Mary Hake, April 12
KarenSueHadley, April 13
EmpowerMoms, April 13
The Avid Reader, April 14
Wishful Endings, April 15
Simple Harvest Reads, April 15 (Guest post from Mindy Houng)
The Becca Files, April 16
Remembrancy, April 17
Worthy2Read, April 18
By The Book, April 18
Pause for Tales, April 21
Bigreadersite, April 22
Hallie Reads, April 23
Henry Happens, April 24

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Sarah is giving away a grand prize of a finished paperback copy of The Governess of Penwythe  Hall.  Be sure to comment on the blog stops (schedule below) for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click here to enter and Good Luck! Sarah Ladd has created audio clips from The Governess of Penwythe Hall that will allow readers to hear how the Cornish names are pronounced.  The audio clips are available on Sound Cloud.

“When You Are Near” by Tracie Peterson Book Tour & Giveaway

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Today’s blog features Celebrate Lit’s Book Tour of Author Tracie Peterson’s “When You Are Near.”  This Christian historical romance is Book One in her new series “Brookstone Brides.”  As with all of the Celebrate Lit Book Tours, you have a chance to win a great prize or two.  Be sure to read all of the way to the bottom and enter.

My Thoughts on the Book

Within the first chapter I knew this was a Christian book so I was thrilled.  It is witnessed in their daily lives and not heavily preached.  This is a very different tale than any I have read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  I bet you would, also.

The author has an easy style of writing.  She doesn’t rush her story but lets it blossom as it unfolds.  The characters are engaging.  They are described in such a way that I wanted to be their friend. The storyline has been well planned and researched.  Attention is given to details and I was able to glean some things from this story.

This is the tale of Lizzy Brookstone, a female trick rider in a Wild West show.  Author Peterson vividly describes the action so it is easy to picture the riders and stunts.  There is even a female sharp shooter.  It is amazing the things these ladies can do.  Lizzie and her mother are grieving the death of Lizzie’s father.  My heart broke for them in some places.  I could feel their pain and loss.  Their emotions jumped from the pages straight into me.

As the story progresses we meet more characters with their own baggage.    Both men and women alike add to the story and will certainly return in Book Two.  It is a well rounded cast of lovable and not so lovable people.

This book contains something for everyone.  Danger, mystery, intrigue, romance, inspiration, and plenty of action.   It takes on love, death, faith, hope, friendship, family, justice and God’s protection.  I encountered a few twists and turns as well as some life lessons within the pages, too.  The characters range from an English gentleman to rowdy  wrangling cowboys.  

This is another page turning, don’t put me down book from talented booksmith Peterson.  She provided entertainment, education, and inspiration.  The only thing I missed was a discussion question section.  I highly recommend this beautifully written novel.  Anyone would adore it.  It earns a 5 out of 5 stars from me.  A copy was provided by by Celebrate Lit but I was under no obligation to write a review.  These are my own, honest word

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About the Book

When You Are Near

Book: When You Are Near

Author: Tracie Peterson

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: March 5, 2018

After her father’s death, Lizzy Brookstone, a trick rider in the all-female Brookstone Wild West Extravaganza, wants nothing more than to quit her role as the star of the show and live a quiet life on her family’s ranch. But returning home would bring Wesley DeShazer, the ranch’s foreman and the man who broke her heart, back into her life. In addition, the Brookstones’ new manager fears that Lizzy’s departure could doom the already cash-strapped show.

Hope grows in Lizzy during a stopover at Fleming Farm. Ella Fleming not only has a natural talent for trick riding and could easily replace Lizzy, but she’s eager to join the show to flee a forced betrothal. However, while there, one of the show’s wranglers is killed in a manner Lizzy finds suspicious. And during her escape from the farm, Ella stumbles across a secret that could affect all of their lives, as well as the future of the Brookstone Extravaganza.

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

Peterson, TracieTracie Peterson (www.traciepeterson.com) is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 100 novels. Tracie also teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. She and her family live in Montana.

Guest Post from Tracie

Introducing…When You Are Near!

I’m excited about the new Brookstone Brides series and had so much fun researching for the various characters and locations. This is a story about a fictional Wild West show with all female performers. Prior to the rodeos we see today, the Wild West shows traveled throughout America and Europe to entertain people and give city dwellers a taste of what the American frontier was like. At least their version.

Buffalo Bill Cody was famous for his shows, which brought Native Americans and their culture into the world of people who might otherwise never have even seen an “Indian.” Pawnee Bill was another entertainer who sought to keep these shows alive.

For the fictional show in my novels, I wanted to focus on three female characters who became a part of the Brookstone Wild West Extravaganza for varying reasons. Lizzy Brookstone is the heroine in book one, When You Are Near, and as the daughter of one of the show’s owners, she has enjoyed a starring role as a trick rider.

For research I went to Pueblo, Colorado to the ranch of Karen Vold, a famous trick rider and rodeo star. Linda Scholtz, a famed trick rider, was teaching a clinic there along with Karen at the Red Top Ranch Trickriding School.

These are two remarkable Christian trick riders who have long worked to keep the sport alive. I spent three days getting to know them and what they do and learned so much. And just to prove that we weren’t all work and no play, I thought I’d share my attempt at trick riding. What I won’t do for research!

The series will have three books, as usual, and each book will focus on a different lady and her skills. Mary is a trick shooter like Annie Oakley, and Ella is a Roman rider who stands on the backs of two horses for her part in the act. It was so interesting learning about each of these types of performers, and I hope you’ll get a chance to read all three and enjoy the stories of the Brookstone Wild West Extravaganza.

Blog Stops

Among the Reads, March 26

The Power of Words, March 26

Christian Author, J.E. Grace, March 26

Inklings and notions, March 26

The Meanderings of a bookworm, March 27

Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner, March 27

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, March 27

Vicky Sluiter, March 27

Carpe Diem, March 28

The Avid Reader, March 28

Genesis 5020, March 28

The Lit Addict, March 29

Jeanette’s Thoughts, March 29

Back Porch Reads, March 29

Just the Write Escape, March 30

Splashes of Joy, March 30

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 30

Emily Yager, March 31

Daysong Reflections, March 31

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 31

Life of Literature, April 1

EmpowerMoms, April 1

For the Love of Literature, April 1

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, April 2

Through the Fire Blogs, April 2

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, April 2

For Him and My Family, April 3

Remembrancy, April 3

Inspiration Clothesline, April 3

Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, April 4

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 4

Pause for Tales, April 4

Older & Smarter?, April 5

Stories By Gina, April 5

Book by Book, April 5

Bigreadersite, April 6

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, April 6

Connect in Fiction, April 6

Godly Book Reviews, April 7

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 7

Texas Book-aholic, April 7

Blossoms and Blessings, April 8

janicesbookreviews, April 8

A Reader’s Brain, April 8

The Becca Files, April 8

Giveaway

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To celebrate her tour, Tracie is giving away a grand prize of When You Are Near, Tracie’s A $25 Barnes and Noble Gift card, and the three books in The Heart of Alaska series and three other winners will receive a copy of When You Are Near!!

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/dcdd/when-you-are-near-celebration-tour-giveaway

A Very Austen Valentine Book Tour & Giveaway by Celebrate Lit

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Today’s Book Tour features “A Very Austen Valentine” by author Robin Helm and others.  This is Book 2 in the Austen Anthologies.  I haven’t read Book 1 yet but after reading this collection I definitely will.  You should, too.

My Thoughts

Are you a Jane Austen fan, too?  The polite language, customs, and manners are so quaint  and make me long for a time gone by.  This collection of novellas was a lovely serving of Austen era and even characters.  While reading I crossed paths with old friends from “Pride and Prejudice,” “Sense and Sensibility,” as well as “Persuasion.”  That was a delightful surprise.

This book is a collection of six novella written by “new to me” authors.  It was a charming sampling of works in a genre I favor.  There is definitely something for everyone within its covers.  I found romance, humor, and twist and turns in these stories.

Obviously with six different authors I will have different thoughts on all of the stories.  I had two favorites that captured my attention quickly.  One favorite was “I Dream of You” by author Robin Helm.  She did such an excellent job with Lizzy.  The entire concept is genius.  It is refreshing reading a love story about a married couple.  I did not want this one to end.  Definitely it is a 5 star tale!

The other four were enjoyable, also.  For the main part, the writing was very good, characters seemed realistic, and I was invested in each story.

This is a Valentine themed book, but since romance and love are timeless it can be enjoyed at anytime of the year.  I would recommend this to lovers of Jane Austen and Regency romance.  It affords a glimpse into six different authors’ styles all wrapped up in one book.  Overall this book gets a 4 out of 5 stars from me. Celebrate Lit provided me a copy but these are my own, honest opinions.

About the Book

A Very Austen Valentine Book Cover

Book: A Very Austen Valentine

Author: Robin Helm

Genre: Historical Romance (Regency), Religious and Inspirational

Release Date: December 29, 2018

Six beloved authors deliver romantic Valentine novellas set in Jane Austen’s Regency world. Robin Helm, Laura Hile, Wendi Sotis, and Barbara Cornthwaite, together with Susan Kaye and Mandy Cook, share variations of Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, and Sense and Sensibility, featuring your favorite characters in sequels, adaptations, and spinoffs of Austen’s adored novels.

Experience uplifting romance, laugh-out-loud humor, and poignant regret as these authors deftly tug on your heartstrings this Valentine’s Day.

I Dream of You by Robin Helm

Newly-married Elizabeth Darcy has a plan: to charm her too-busy husband into desiring her company as much as he did when he was courting her. A series of romantic dreams gives her just the push she needs to put that plan into action.

Sir Walter Takes a Wife by Laura Hile

Faced with a lonely future and finding himself strapped for cash, Persuasion’s Sir Walter Elliot manfully decides to marry again. But his careful plans go sadly awry! A lighthearted Valentine mash-up featuring two of Jane Austen’s worst snobs.

My Forever Valentine by Wendi Sotis

Jane and Charles Bingley have married, even though Miss Elizabeth Bennet remains certain Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy gave his best effort to keep them apart. After Mr. Darcy refused to stand up with Bingley and did not attend the wedding, she despises the gentleman more than ever and finds his company intolerable. How will she endure her visit to Kent if Mr. Darcy turns up everywhere she goes?

Pretence and Prejudice by Barbara Cornthwaite

A chance encounter with a handsome stranger forces Elizabeth to resort to subterfuge in order to discover his true intentions.

My Valentine by Mandy H. Cook

Little Charlotte was always determined and independent, traits which served her well as she battled a serious childhood illness and later as she took on Polite Society. Will those traits now deprive her of true love? Or would her lifelong Valentine win her heart?

The Lovers’ Ruse by Susan Kaye

In this Persuasion alteration, Anne is so altered by Wentworth’s love in the summer of 1806, she refuses to give him up when both her godmother and father try to persuade her. “The Lovers’ Ruse”follows Frederick and Anne through their whirlwind courtship and their secret engagement. When Wentworth returns for his Annie girl, the cat comes out of the bag.

About the Author

robin helm

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, andLegacy (a guardian angel protects a supernaturally gifted girl), the Yours by Design series: Accidentally Yours, Sincerely Yours, and Forever Yours (Fitzwilliam Darcy switches places in time with his descendant, Will Darcy), and Understanding Elizabeth (Regency sweet 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 which was released on December 29, 2018.

New releases for 2019 include More to Love, a standalone historical sweet romance dealing with body image; Lawfully Innocent, a historical U.S. Marshal romance book in the Lawkeepers series; Maestro, a 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

Do you love Historical romance, but avoid “those” covers like the plague?

Would you enjoy an anthology featuring six Valentine-themed novellas set in the Regency period written by Christian authors?

In A Very Austen Valentine, stories range from a young wife searching for a way to bring her marriage back to the way it was, to a laugh-out-loud courtship between Jane Austen’s worst snobs.

Misunderstandings, concealed identities, and romance abound.

There is even a sequel featuring the children of the Darcys and the Brandons.

Every reader will find something to love in this wonderful collection.

Blog Stops

Blossoms and Blessings, March 25

Christian Bookaholic, March 25

Blogging With Carol, March 26

Britt Reads Fiction, March 26

Reflections from My Bookshelves, March 27

For Him and My Family, March 27

Godly Book Reviews, March 28

Jeanette’s Thoughts, March 28

Emily Yager, March 29

Connect in Fiction, March 29

The Christian Fiction Girl, March 30

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 30

Moments, March 31

Mary Hake, March 31

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 1

Pause for Tales, April 1

Creating Romance, April 2

Book by Book, April 2

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, April 3

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 3

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, April 4

Texas Book-aholic, April 4

janicesbookreviews, April 5

A Reader’s Brain, April 5

Just the Write Escape, April 6

Inklings and notions, April 7

The Becca Files, April 7

Giveaway

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To celebrate her tour, Robin is giving away

Grand Prize: a $50 Amazon gift card
1st Place: An autographed paperback of A Very Austen Valentine: Austen Anthologies, Book 1
2nd Place: An autographed paperback of A Very Austen Christmas: Austen Anthologies, Book 2
3rd Place: A set of three ebooks – Reader’s Choice of any three of my books and
4th Place: a $5 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/ddfa/a-very-austen-valentine-celebration-tour-giveaway

 

An Unpresentable Glory Book Tour and Giveaway

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

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

My Thoughts

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

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

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

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

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

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About the Book:

Cover

Book: An Unpresentable Glory

Author: Eleanor K. Gustafsonb

Genre: Christian, contemporary, literary fiction

Release Date: July, 2018

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

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

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

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

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

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

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

More from Ellie

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

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

* * *

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

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 23

Pause for Tales, March 24

Godly Book Reviews, March 25

Creating Romance, March 26

Girls Living For God’s Glory, March 27

Inklings and notions, March 27

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 28

2014 an Beyond!, March 29

The Becca Files, March 29

Blogging With Carol, March 30

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 30

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 31

Texas Book-aholic, April 1

janicesbookreviews, April 2

Bigreadersite, April 3

Real World Bible Study, April 3

A Reader’s Brain, April 4

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, April 5

Giveaway

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

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

 

 

 

 

Hannah Claire’s Wilderness Book Tour and Giveaway

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

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

My Thoughts:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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About the Book

Book: Hannah Claire’s Wilderness

Author: Caryl McAdoo

Genre: Christian Women’s Fiction

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

 

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

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

Guest Post from Caryl

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

Did you really hear Him?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Blog Stops

The Becca Files, March 21

Inklings and notions, March 21

Through the Fire Blogs, March 22

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 23

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, March 24

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 24

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 25

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, March 26

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 27

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 28

Texas Book-aholic, March 29

janicesbookreviews, March 30

Bigreadersite, March 31

A Reader’s Brain, April 1

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 2

Real World Bible Study, April 3

Giveaway

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To celebrate her tour, Caryl is giving away:

Grand Prize – $50 Gift Amazon Card

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

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

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

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

5th Prize $5 Amazon Gift Card!!

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

 

 

 

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

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

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

My Thoughts

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

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

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

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

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

About the BookDead Letter

Book: Dead Letter, A Meddlin’ Madeline Mystery

Author: Chautona Havig

Genre: Christian historical, mystery

Release Date: February 19, 2019

For the first time, Madeline has permission to meddle.

 

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

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

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

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

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

About the Author

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

More from Chautona

3 REASONS YOU’LL LOVE THE BOOK AND HATE ME

“This is book four, right?”

I nodded.

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

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

“Not enough.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

3 REASONS YOU’LL LOVE THE BOOK AND HATE ME

First—

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

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

Second—

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

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

Third—

Love the book: Snippets of the heart get revealed.

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

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

 

Blog Stops

Among the Reads, March 18

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

All-of-a-kind Mom, March 19

Mary Hake, March 19

Aryn, The Libraryan, March 20

Back Porch Reads, March 21

Carpe Diem, March 22

Through the Fire Blogs, March 23

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 23

For Him and My Family, March 24

janicesbookreviews, March 24

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 25

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 26

Texas Book-aholic, March 27

Bigreadersite, March 28

Lots of Helpers, March 28

Multifarious, March 29

A Reader’s Brain, March 30

Blogging With Carol, March 30

Inklings and notions, March 31

The Becca Files, March 31

Giveaway

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

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

 

 

Vivir el Dream Book Tour & Giveaway by Celebrate Lit

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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About the Book

Vivir kindle cover

Book: Vivir el Dream

Author: Allison K Garcia

Genre: Christian Latino Fiction

Release Date: May 19, 2017

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

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

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

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

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

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

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

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

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

More from Allison K. Garcia

Authenticity and Love

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

To love God and to love others.

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

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

God bless. And happy reading.

Blog Stops

Multifarious, March 16

100 pages per hour, March 17

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, March 18

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 19

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 20

Texas Book-aholic, March 21

janicesbookreviews, March 22

A Reader’s Brain, March 23

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 24

Inklings and notions, March 25

The Becca Files, March 26

Real World Bible Study, March 27

Power of Words, March 28

Just the Write Escape, March 29

Giveaway

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

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

 

 

 

 

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

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

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

My thoughts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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About the Book

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

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

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

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

Click here to get your copy.

About the Author

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

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

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

Guest Post from Susan

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

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

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

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

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 7

The Power of Words, March 8

Artistic Nobody, March 8 (Spotlight)

Spoken from the Heart, March 9

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 10

Where Crisis & Christ Collide, March 11

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 12

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 13

Texas Book-aholic, March 14

janicesbookreviews, March 15

A Reader’s Brain, March 16

Inklings and notions, March 17

The Becca Files, March 18

Real World Bible Study, March 19

Just the Write Escape, March 20

Giveaway

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

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