A Constant Love Celebrate Lit Book Tour

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess


A Constant Love is a Christian historical western romance fiction by the talented wordsmith Tracie Peterson. It is book one in her new The Hope of Cheyenne series. After finishing it, I am eagerly awaiting book two. Yes, book one is that good!

It took only a few pages for me to become fully invested in the story and characters. Author Peterson has an inviting way with words. I love her style of writing. She took me back to the late 1880s in Wyoming where I learned about life there. Her characters are carefully crafted, and they sounded realistic and believable.

This is the tale of Charlotte and Micah. It is filled with Christian messages, hardship, danger, adventure, emotions, grief, romance, and love. There are twists and turns that will surprise you. I did not want to stop reading it until it was finished. It totally captivated me.

I highly recommend this beautiful book. It has stuck with me long after finishing it. This would make a fantastic reading group choice. There is so much to discuss. Historical and western fiction lovers will enjoy this immensely. It gets a 5+ star rating from me. A complimentary copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words

About the Book

Book: A Constant Love

Author: Tracie Peterson

Genre: Historical Romance

Release date: March 4, 2025

Heartache has left them emotionally desolate, but traces of love and healing could forge a future.

In the wake of a harsh winter, Micah Hamilton and Charlotte Aldrich are grappling with loss and guilt after the disaster that took the lives of their loved ones. Struggling to cope with his grief, Micah abandons his father’s dreams of a prosperous ranch and cuts himself off from the rest of the world.

Charlotte has loved Micah her entire life and is determined not to lose him as well. With her mother’s help, she begins coaxing Micah to live again. Despite their enduring heartache, the affection between them deepens, but just as Charlotte thinks her dreams may come true, a scorned suitor threatens everything she holds dear. Micah and Charlotte must embark on a journey of healing and renewal to build a life founded on faith, hope, and love.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Tracie Peterson is the bestselling author of more than 100 novels, both historical and contemporary, with more than 6 million copies sold. She has won the ACFW Lifetime Achievement Award and the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. Her avid research resonates in her many bestselling series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana.

More from Tracie

A Constant Love is a book near and dear to my heart. The book deals with tragedy and loss that came about during and after the Great Die-Up—a hideous winter of blizzards and desperately cold temperatures that affected the prairie states and up into the Rockies. Many of the ranchers in the areas were completely wiped out and gave up their ranches when their cattle died off in record numbers.

Ranchers and farmers had dealt with the elements turning against them prior to this, but the winter of 1886–1887 was different. The summer of 1886 had brought about record droughts, and many of the crops had failed. The livestock suffered as the grass died off and feed wasn’t readily available. By November, early and heavy snows started and continued. Temperatures dropped to record lows. In eastern Montana the temperatures were said to drop to  negative 63 degrees Fahrenheit.

In January, a Chinook wind warmed things considerably, melting a lot of the snow. This just made things worse, however, because when the plunging sub-zero temperatures returned, the water froze a thick layer on top of what little grass the animals had been able to dig down to eat. Mass starvation followed, and thousands upon thousands of animals were lost. In reading about the era and all that happened, I came across comments from people that showed the great despair that flooded the states involved. The hopelessness of it all was overwhelming.

During the same time I was researching and mapping out this book, a beloved family member committed suicide. The devastation we felt was overwhelming, and it all seemed to come together with what I had been reading. I felt that deep sadness and despair. I read that some people had taken their lives after that winter. People were at a loss as to what to do, and in that day and age, the church was not always very kind to the families of those who killed themselves. As I prayed about the book I planned to write, I felt compelled to write about suicide and the ripple effect it has on family, friends, and even total strangers. I wanted to share the hope that I found in God’s Word, and A Constant Love was born.

There are times in our lives when we are overwhelmed to the point of despair, when giving up seems far easier than going on. I pray if you ever feel that way, you’ll reach out to someone and talk it through. But I also challenge those who aren’t feeling that way to be observant . . . to care about those around you enough to get in their business when things just don’t seem right. You might very well save a life. As the Bible says, we need to bear one another’s burdens. I hope you’ll keep that in mind as you read A Constant Love.

Blog Stops

Pens Pages & Pulses, March 8

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 8

Devoted To Hope, March 9

Allyson Jamison, March 9

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, March 10

Simple Harvest Reads, March 11 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Texas Book-aholic, March 11

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 12

Jodie Wolfe, March 12

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 13

Life on Chickadee Lane, March 14

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 14

Stories By Gina, March 15 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, March 15

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 16

Maureen’s Musings, March 16

She Lives To Read, March 17

Books You Can Feel Good About, March 18

For Him and My Family, March 18

Leslie’s Library Escape, March 19

Cover Lover Book Review, March 19

Holly’s Book Corner, March 20

Jeanette’s Thoughts, March 20

lakesidelivingsite, March 21

Pause for Tales, March 21

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Tracie is giving away the grand prize of a $15 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54169

Unfit to Serve Celebrate Lit Book Tour Giveaway

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Unfit to Serve is a Christian historical fiction by author Sandra Bretting. This is the first book that I have read by her, and I was pleasantly surprised. It was extremely well written and grabbed my attention early. I was captivated until the very end.

Set during World War I in 1918, this is the story of Josephine (Jo) Pembrooke. She is a school teacher living at Camp Travis in Texas while her husband has been deployed somewhere overseas. This story involves a test, “intelligence quotient test,” that the United States has just begun using for soldiers. She found it to be extremely difficult and rallies to help the soldiers pass it.

The strong believable characters, vivid descriptions, and inspirational Christian message make this book a riveting novel. I did not want to put it down. It is filled with action and emotion. The author did her research well and provided information that I did not know. It is great to learn something while reading for entertainment.

I highly recommend this phenomenal book. It would make a wonderful book club selection or gift for a fan of WWI books. It receives a 5 out of 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: Unfit to Serve

Author: Sandra Bretting

Genre: Inspirational Historical

Release date: August 16, 2024

When the United States military adopts a newfangled test from France called the “intelligence quotient test” during the first world war, no one expects the turmoil that follows. Thousands of immigrants fail it and are forced to return to homelands devastated by war, disease, and famine.

For Josephine Pembrooke, the shy schoolmarm at Camp Travis in Texas, the problem quickly becomes apparent. How can soldiers pass a test they can’t even read? So, Jo labors in secret to create a better test. Knowing all along it can’t save the one soldier she’d hoped to help.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Sandra Bretting is the author of a bestselling cozy mystery series that ran for five years with Kensington Publishing, as well as three standalone mysteries and an inspirational memoir. A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, she began her career writing for the Los Angeles Times, Orange Coast Magazine, and others.  From 2006 until 2016, she wrote feature stories for the award-winning business section of the Houston Chronicle.

The second book in her mystery series earned the rank of Amazon Bestseller. Since making the switch to historical fiction, Bretting has garnered accolades for her first title, Unfit to Serve, which released in August 2024. The novel explores how the U.S. military brought the IQ test to America at the start of World War 1.

More from Sandra

Most people don’t know this, but the IQ test we’ve all heard about came to America during World War 1. French schoolteachers originally created it for their students more than a hundred years ago. Then the U.S. military found out about it, and the top brass thought they could use it to test recruits for their battle-readiness. There was only one problem: thousands of men failed it because they’d immigrated from overseas and couldn’t read the questions. They were loyal to the U.S., smart as whips, and physically capable, but they couldn’t pass a test they couldn’t read. In real life, it took the military a whole year to see the problem and come up with a better version for foreign recruits.

A whole year!

I couldn’t help but wonder what happened to those men who failed it, and how it affected their families. The recruits had come from countries devasted by famine, disease, and war, and they couldn’t go back. From there, the story evolved. I brought in a brave schoolteacher who sees the problem and struggles to fix it. Of course, being the early 1900s, women are supposed to be seen and not heard (like children) so she’s stonewalled at every turn. But she doesn’t stop. Josephine (Jo) knows that God cares about justice too, and she looks to Him for help when everything falls apart.

On a different level, I loved exploring the relationship between Jo and her stiff-lipped husband, Albigence. I purposefully moved this urban couple from a sophisticated university setting to a hot, dusty military base in San Antonio. There, they’re forced to rely on each other for the first time and fight for their marriage. It’s an unconventional love story, but a love story nonetheless.

In all my books, I strive to show how people can change for the better—or worse—depending on the situation, and that the best path forward is to trust God and His timing. He’s always perfect, even when we’re not.  Thank goodness we can rely on Him!

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 11

Stories By Gina, November 12 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, November 12

Texas Book-aholic, November 13

lakesidelivingsite, November 14

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 15

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 16

Life on Chickadee Lane, November 17

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 18

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 19

For Him and My Family, November 20

Betti Mace, November 21

An Author’s Take, November 22

Artistic Nobody, November 23 (Author Interview)

Leslie’s Library Escape, November 23

Guild Master, November 24 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Sandra is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5494

Remain True: Amana Celebrate Lit Book Tour

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Remain True: Amana by storyteller extraordinaire and author Thomas Nye is a Christian split time romance novel. The main story is set in modern day. There are a few flash backs to older times.

This is the story of Timothy Hay. It begins in 2020 during the Covid pandemic. He has moved to the Amana Colonies in Iowa to begin a new life. His next door neighbor, Oma Zuber, is a delightful lady. She is always inviting Tim and his dog over for tea and stories. I loved her! The characters were quirky and believable. I wanted to have tea with Oma Zuber and hear more of her stories.

The Christian message is expertly sprinkled throughout the entire book. I loved the take-aways of faith, hope, and love. There are some twists and turns that made me want to keep reading to see what would happen.

For me, the story was a bit slow in some parts. Perhaps because I lived through the pandemic, I did not enjoy reading those details. An Introductory Section tells the history of the setting. I learned a lot about the Amana Colonies. It was very interesting.

I would recommend this for anyone who likes sweet romances, dual time stories, or has an interest in the Amana Colonies. It gets a 4 out of 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: Remain True: Amana

Author: Thomas Nye

Genre: Christian Romance

Release Date: January 31, 2023

Rebounding from a failed relationship, Author Timothy Hayes escapes to the beautiful Amana Colonies to begin a new life. Smalltown Iowa, during the 2020 pandemic, proves lax with social distancing. Social awkwardness, however, is at an all-time high as a host of quirky neighbors crowd Tim’s personal space. Tim’s pug must go for walks which opens the door for adorable children, annoying neighbor men, old ladies who want to tell their life story, and a matchmaker set on “fixing Tim up.” Several attractive young women emerge as contenders for Tim’s heart. A woman twice his age infatuates him with her magical gift of storytelling. Remain True is a dual timeline. Tim’s life in 2020 becomes interwoven with the storyteller’s history, resulting in a surprising singular conclusion. No matter what happens in life, God will Remain True.Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Thomas Nye, author of the beloved Amish Horses Series, writes romance novels with an Historical flare and a touch of humor. He and his wife live on an acreage her grandparents bought in 1918. They have five grown children, nine grandchildren, and a team of draft horses. Their home is situated between an Amish community and the Amana Colonies, a perfect location to inspire his writing.

More from Thomas

Most of us have experienced some dark episodes in this life. How do we find our way back into hope and sunshine? My wife and I have been married for almost 43 years, but about halfway through we were separated for 4 months. The storyline of Remain True has almost nothing in common with the details of my dark time. The difficult emotions and subsequent hopefulness of God’s graceful intervention led me to write this novel.  

For Timothy Hayes, life has become incredibly dark. In the opening scene we find him reluctantly removing his wedding band and placing it in a miniature, coffin-like box. To make matters worse, Tim’s personal struggle coincides with the heaviness of the Coronavirus outbreak. His will to live is shrinking. Tim visited the Amana Colonies ten years earlier and thought of the villages as a hauntingly beautiful getaway where he could sulk.  

God has another plan. 

Small town Iowa is not the place to isolate, even during Covid, as it proves an epic failure in social distancing. Social awkwardness, however, is at an all-time high as a host of quirky neighbors invade Tim’s personal space and refuse to allow him any opportunity to submerge into depression.  

I hope those who read Remain True will be able to relate with Tim’s struggle enough to rejoice with him as God provides a ray of sunshine during his darkest hour. 

My wife and I found hope and restoration and are looking forward to our 43rd anniversary. We thoroughly enjoy grandparenting our 9 grandchildren (and counting) together. God is good!  

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, November 6

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 7

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 8

Lighthouse Academy Blog, November 9 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Texas Book-aholic, November 10

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 11

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 12

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 13

lakesidelivingsite, November 14

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 15

Artistic Nobody, November 16 (Author Interview)

Exploring the Written Word, November 16

For Him and My Family, November 17

Pause for Tales, November 18

Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 19 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, November 19

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Thomas is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/28d2e/remain-true-celebration-tour-giveaway

She’erah’s Legacy Celebrate Lit Book Tour and Giveaway

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

She’erah’s Legacy is Book Three in the Yahweh’s Legacy Series by Naomi Craig. She is an extremely talented wordsmith. This Biblical Fiction is quite simply amazing. Do not be concerned if you have not read the first two books in the series, except for the fact they are phenomenal. This book may easily be read as a stand-alone.

This is a fictional Biblical account of She’erah, the granddaughter of Joseph. She is only mentioned once in scripture in 1 Chronicles 7:24: “He had a daughter named She’erah. She built the towns of Lower and Upper Beth-horon and Uzzen-sheerah.” He being Ephraim, Joseph’s son. I was curious and looked it up in my Bible. This was something that I did not see when reading the genealogy, but I am thrilled the author picked it up. Her perspective on this phenomenal woman’s story is plausible and brought the people and situations vividly to life with her deft pen.

The characters are all expertly crafted which made it easy to imagine them. The author’s research and work that she put into writing this entertaining, educational, and inspiring story were apparent. I was immediately invested in the story and felt transported to that time and place in the Old Testament. Scripture is beautifully woven throughout this captivating novel.

 There are lessons throughout the story on trusting God, forgiveness, jealousy, faith, family, friendship, and love. It would be nice to see this made into a movie. More people would know about this granddaughter of Joseph and her abilities.

I highly recommend this riveting tale. It was a page-turner that held surprises. I gleaned a lot of biblical information as I kept my Bible next to me as I read the book. This would make a great book club selection. There is so much to discuss! It receives a well deserved five star rating from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: She’erah’s Legacy

Author: Naomi Craig

Genre: Historical fiction, Biblical fiction

Release Date: August 15, 2023

As tragedy ravages the camp, can She’erah step up and complete the outpost?

She’erahs is a woman trying to leave her mark in a man’s world. Her vision and ability surpasses her father’s, yet she remains second-in-command as they are tasked to build Pharaoh’s outposts in Canaan. She knows she is worthy of the task, but her clan is skeptical

The last place She’erah expects support is from her charioteer, but Lateef is the lone voice of encouragement. His integrity and steadfastness is a plumb-line in She’erah’s life and she can no longer deny her growing feelings for him.

Acts of sabotage threaten the construction and the shaky foundation of She’erah’s pride. It’s up to She’erah to break generations of rivalry, distrust, and jealousy—if she can learn to rely on the strengths and abilities of those around her to help.

Will she learn to trust God and others before her life’s legacy comes crumbling down around her?Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Author of Biblical fiction, avid reader, pastor’s wife, Naomi loves reading the Bible and imagining how things were at the time. When she’s not serving in various areas at church,  trying to stay on top of mountains of dishes or convincing her rescue dog, Freeway, to be cute on command for Instagram reels, you’ll most likely find her enjoying a good book and a cup of coffee. Naomi co-hosts #BehindTheStory with Naomi and Lisa, an author interview show on YouTube and your podcast platform of choice.

More from Naomi

A woman architect in ancient times?

She’erah’s family is mentioned in five verses in 1 Chronicles 7:20- 24. In this brief detour from the list of genealogy, we learn some interesting facts.

She’erah is the granddaughter of Joseph (yes that Joseph with the coat of many colors, vizier to Pharaoh)

Two of her brothers get themselves killed for cattle rustling.

Her father, Ephraim, goes into deep mourning  for his sons.

There is a late-in-life baby (as a result of dad’s mourning)

and She’erah built Lower and Upper Beth Horon and Uzzen She’erah.

Then we are right back to the begats.

Wait, hold on. That’s all we get? What is the story behind her building these towns (two of which are still standing today)? What was the reaction of those around her?

Something I find helpful to remember is that when you know about someone’s family, you in a way know the person. With her grandfather being Joseph, suddenly we have opened a whole new world of what we know. She’erah and the clan would have had access to all of Egypt’s knowledge and resources. Where she still might have gotten backlash from her more Hebrew clan, Egyptian women had more independence, managing their husband’s estates, or even their own.

We also know the generational legacy that was passed down of the younger sibling being favored above the older. Ephraim over Manasseh, Joseph over his ten elder brothers, Jacob over Esau, Rachel over Leah, Isaac over Ishmael. I’m sure sibling rivalry could have been present.

So now we can see She’erah’s picture a little more clearly. A brilliantly minded woman determined to prove herself and her abilities. Raised in Egyptian courts, yet also Hebrew. A strange mix of cultures and dynamics that shape She’erah and nurture her gifts.

She’erah’s legacy is not only the towns she builds for  generations to come, but also how she starts the work of unearthing the deep-seated rivalry that is entrenched in her family.

I pray you’ll enjoy She’erah’s adventures, as she learns to trust the Lord and those around her.

Best Regards

Naomi

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, September 27

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 28

Texas Book-aholic, September 29

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 30

The Book Club Network, October 1

Connie’s History Classroom, October 2

Artistic Nobody, October 3 (Author Interview)

The Book Nook, October 3

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 4

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 5

Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 6 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, October 7

Simple Harvest Reads, October 8 (Author Interview)

Christina’s Corner, October 8

By The Book, October 9 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, October 10

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Naomi is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

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/282a4/she-erah-s-legacy-celebration-tour-giveaway

Coming Home to Truth Celebrate Lit Book Review and Giveaway

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Coming Home to Truth is a Christian historical romance fiction by author Michelle De Bruin. This is the story of Lacy Jones. She has just graduated from high school and yearns for freedom. It is also the story of Conrad Van Drunen. He has spent the last four years raising his children and building furniture. Both are great characters.

I enjoyed the author’s style of writing and was immediately invested in Lacy and her story, Conrad’s, as well. Their characters were well crafted and believable. Most of the others were also likable, but one in particular was rather irritating. The conversations and various situations that happened appeared authentic for early 1900s Iowa. Through the deft pen of author De Bruin, I felt swept away to that time and place. 

This book has so many beautiful life lessons to ponder. There is an uplifting inspirational message of trusting God. Sprinkled throughout the book are illustrations of faith, hope, peace, grace and love. The story shows that while family members mean well, they do not always know what is truly best for another member, that people are often put in our lives for a reason by God, and that your first impression is not always correct. Most of all, it maintains that trusting God and keeping your faith is essential.

I recommend this to lovers of Christian historical romance fiction. It has a nice romance and side stories. I rate it 4 out of 5 stars. A complimentary copy was provided from Celebrate Lit, but these opinions are my own. 

About the Book

Book: Coming Home to Truth

Author: Michelle De Bruin

Genre: Inspirational Historical Fiction

Release Date: June 20, 2022

In a search for her future, Lacy Jones travels with a friend to a new town where a single dad shows her how to find meaning and lasting success.

Lacy Jones, a graduate of her small high school, knows her whole world is about to change. She dreams of freedom from the struggles with her health, and of the independence that comes with a steady job. When her friend invites her to share the journey to visit the teacher from their country school days, Lacy finally gets the chance to chase her dreams. But when the girls get separated along the way, Lacy is left to make the trip alone. Arriving in a strange town, Lacy is reunited with old friends who introduce her to a new life, new relationships, and a new way of seeing herself.

Conrad Van Drunen has spent the last four years developing his furniture business and raising his two children. He knows they need a mother, but he isn’t ready to talk of remarriage. When Lacy Jones falls across his path, Conrad is forced to make some changes. His brother and sister-in-law offer their assistance from babysitting and financial counsel to matchmaking, but Conrad has other plans. Losing hope of finding what he lost with his first wife, Conrad discovers the mother he’s been seeking for his children in the most unexpected place.

Journey with Lacy and Conrad through trials and joys where deception and the truth can sometimes look an awfully lot alike.Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Michelle De Bruin lives in Iowa with her husband of 25 years and two young adult sons who are college students at Iowa State. She has a bachelor’s degree in religion with a Christian Ministry emphasis, and in Music. Michelle serves as a chaplain for Pella Regional Health Center. She writes inspirational historical romance about people who live in rural communities. Characters that bring to life the delights of farm and small-town living, whispers of Dutch heritage, and Christian faith make Michelle’s stories distinct. A romantic at heart, Michelle is always on the lookout for glimpses of God’s love through the window of a good story. You can learn more about Michelle by visiting her website: michelledebruin.com

More from Michelle

Coming Home to Truth is the second in a trilogy of books set in a small Iowa town during the years 1913 through 1918. This is the second series of books I have written. The Tomorrow series is the first set, and if you’ve already read it, you will recognize characters that appeared in Hope for Tomorrow, Promise for Tomorrow, and Dreaming of Tomorrow.

This book is a delightful story of Conrad, a single dad, and Lacy, a young lady searching for a place to belong. Conrad would like to find a mother for his two school-age children but feels that the risks are just too high. Lacy wants to prove that she can support herself and can use her talents in photography to establish a new career.

In this story, Lacy’s friends see her differently than she sees herself. It causes her to take a second look at her life to decide what is true and what isn’t. This book takes us on a journey with Lacy and Conrad through trials and joys where deception and the truth can sometimes look an awfully lot alike.

Thank you for joining me on this tour. I hope you enjoy the blog posts and enter the drawing for the giveaway. Follow me on social media and subscribe to my newsletter at https://michelledebruin.com/.

Grace and peace,

Michelle De Bruin

Blog Stops

An Author’s Take, September 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 2

Texas Book-aholic, September 3

Lighthouse Academy Blog, September 4 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, September 5 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 5

lakesidelivingsite, September 6

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, September 7

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 8

Connie’s History Classroom, September 9

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 10

For Him and My Family, September 11

Cover Lover Book Review, September 12

Karen Baney Reviews, September 12

Holly’s Book Corner, September 13

Tell Tale Book Reviews, September 14 (Author Interview)

Pause for Tales, September 14

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Michelle is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card & copy of the book!!

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/27fb1/coming-home-to-truth-celebration-tour-giveaway

A Little Christian’s 123s Celebrate Lit Tour and Giveaway

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

A Little Christian’s 123s written by author Lila Noffsinger is one of the best Christian Children’s books that I have seen. It is beautifully illustrated by talented artist, Lucy Shin. Children will love the pictures as well as the unique method of using the Bible to learn to count. The rhyming prose will make it easy for them to learn about biblical things, too.

In this adorable book, each number from one to ten has its own page along with a Bible reference. The illustrations coincide with each lesson perfectly. The book begins with one for One God and ends with ten for the Ten Commandments. Each number has a little biblical explanation. At the end of the book are Scripture references for examples used for the numbers. Also included is a website link to download coloring pages that are included in the book. Children will love that.

I highly recommend this educational, entertaining, and enlightening book for children. This would make a great gift for any child aged one to five. Sunday School and Children’s Church teachers would benefit from having this in their classrooms. It would be great for a baby shower gift, too. It gets a 5 out of 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: A Little Christian’s 123s

Author: Lila Noffsinger

Genre: Christian Children’s Picture Book

Release Date: October, 2022

A Little Christian’s 123s is a fun and playful read that teaches kids numbers with rhymes and Bible stories. This charming bite-sized book is packed with Biblical truth, and children learn not only their numbers but also the foundations of Christianity!

Big, bold, colorful numbers help little ones with number recognition, and kids of all ages learn about key biblical stories in this endlessly re-readable book. The pictures are inspired by real, geographic places, and they give adorably illustrated glimpses of what Jericho, Mt. Siani, and the Sea of Galilee actually looked liked!

Kids love this charming book for the colorful and engaging illustrations, and parents love that it teaches numbers wrapped in Biblical truth, and that, with every read, their kids are reminded that Jesus loves them.Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Lila Noffsinger grew up in a lazy beach town and now lives in an energetic city with her husband and two daughters. She has always loved sharing her Christian faith through the written word, and she is now excited to share her debut children’s book.

In looking for books for her first daughter, she had difficulty finding options that were not only educational but also spiritually enriching and visually engaging. After having her second daughter, she had some midnight hours to let her mind wander, that wandering turned into what became A Little Christian’s 123s. She looks forward to publishing more books in the Little Chrsitian series, teaching preschool level learning concepts with Bible stories. A Little Christian’s Animals is
currently in the works and expected to be available Fall 2023.

When Lila isn’t writing or researching what camel saddles looked like for a future book (true story), she is playing with her girls, cooking, crafting, reading, and adventuring with her family.

More from Lila

My first daughter was a good sleeper. As an infant, she would wake up, eat, and 20 minutes
later we’d be snuggling into our respective beds to return to dreamland. My second daughter
was a different story. When she woke up and ate, it was only the start of our time together.
To stay awake, I thought of traits of my family for each letter of the alphabet. My daughter is
Adorable, Bubbly, Caring, and so on. After nights of this, it morphed into things from the Bible
for each letter, and then later for each number. I enjoyed dwelling on these thoughts through
the midnight hours.

Meanwhile, in the daylight hours, I struggled to find books I wanted to read to my 1.5 year old.
We read and enjoyed a lot of books! But I desired to find a book that was cute, biblically
enriching, and educational. We had plenty of books that met one or two of the categories, but I
had this unexplainable urge to find a book that hit the trifecta.

Through God’s prompting and my own sleep deprivation, my nighttime musings and my daytime
seekings merged into the idea of writing my own book: A cute, Bible-based book about
numbers 1-10. The trifecta!

The book idea grew, and within the year people were reading published copies of A Little
Christian’s 123s! I am eternally grateful to illustrator Lucy Shin, who took my awful sketches
and pages and pages of historical and geographic reference pictures, and turned them into such
cute and engaging art! Without her, the book may have been educational and biblically
enriching, but I promise you that nobody would have wanted to look at it.

Since publishing the book, it has sold hundreds of copies and been enjoyed by kids all across the
country. My daughter loves to tell me that Jesus loves her and that He is her friend, which she
learned from the last page. I hope and pray that similar experiences are happening in other
homes as well!

It is an honor to be on tour with Celebrate Lit, and to celebrate this tour, I hope that you will
enjoy these coloring pages inspired by the art in A Little Christian’s 123s. Thanks!

Blog Stops

Lots of Helpers, August 16

Girls in White Dresses, August 16

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 17

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, August 18

Vicky Sluiter, August 18

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 19

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, August 20

Texas Book-aholic, August 21

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, August 22

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 23

Older & Smarter?, August 24

The Book Club Network, August 25

For Him and My Family, August 26

Artistic Nobody, August 27

Cover Lover Book Review, August 28

Labor Not in Vain, August 29

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lila is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon Gift Card, a signed hardcover book, and an accompanying activity & coloring book!!

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/27323/a-little-christian-s-123s-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Stone and the Secrets Celebrate Lit Book Tour and Giveaway

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

The Stone and the Secrets by author Jan Davis Warren is Book Three in her Secrets series. I had not read the first two and had no problems following along with this riveting, exciting tale. I am eager to now read the first two books, The Secret Life of Lady Evangeline and The Sword and the Secrets.


This historical romance was set in Medieval times. I was immediately engaged in the story and character of feisty Lady Elise as she attempted to fly with her homemade wings. I could tell from the beginning few pages this was going to be a story full of action, adventure, science, and love. It was!


The author has a lovely style of writing. Early on I was lost in her storytelling and found myself back in time in a world far different than ours. However, Elise was met with prejudice and slander because of her gender so somethings never change or change very much.


The characters are endearing. Elise and William are lovable and easy to cheer on. A few other characters are rather selfish, self-centered, and downright despicable. The author has done an excellent job making them realistic. I loved their conversations, also.


This novel is filled with nonstop intrigue, action, romance as well as many life and inspirational lessons. The author has done a great job researching, organizing, and penning her tale. I would highly recommend it. It gets a 5 out of 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: The Stone and the Secrets

Author: Jan Davis Warren

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: November 9, 2021

TheStoneandtheSecrets2

Science has always been her haven…until a secret expedition proves more dangerous than she bargained for. 

Lady Elise Stanton loves the Lord, her family, science, and William Degraf. William was always around to help with her experiments—at least, until she reached marriageable age. Unable to convince him that it is not a noble bloodline that makes a man worthy, but a noble heart, she turns to science to soothe her disappointment. She’s admitted to the School of Scientifica in London, far from her home at Brighton Castle. She’s eager to join a scientific expedition intent on tracking down a large meteorite strike. The hope is their study will unlock secrets of the universe, which will help mankind. Superstitions and fear surrounding the stones threaten the expedition. As dangers mount, William’s unexpected arrival could be the answer to her prayers…or the harbinger of more peril to come.

William Degraf chooses to join the king’s army to escape the growing secret love he has for Lady Elise. He is a low-born innkeeper’s son and not worthy to marry a lady of noble blood. His plan is to rise in ranks and one day earn great honors to declare for her hand. That hope is shattered when he loses his right leg in battle while saving his best friend from the enemy’s lance. When he receives information that a group of assassins have been hired to kill the king and all with noble blood, he must warn Elise and her family. Can he reach Elise in time to protect her from danger, then stand aside and watch her marry another?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Jan Davis Warren photo

Jan Davis Warren is a mother, grandmother, and a young-at-heart great-grandmother. Her wonderful husband passed away the same year she won the ACFW Genesis Award for Romantic Suspense. That win and many others are encouraging reminders that God wants her to continue writing even in the tough times. Learn more at http://www.janwarrenbooks.com.

More from Jan

Writing The Stone and the Secrets was as much a joy as it was a challenge.

The hero and heroine of this book were first introduced in book 2, The Sword and the Secrets. Several readers loved Elise and William so much, they wanted to know more about them. The Stone and the Secrets is Elise and William’s story.

Book 3, The Stone and the Secrets was also to complete the series, but as soon as it was finished, I knew there would have to be one more. I already have the title, plot, and the characters, but I’ll share more about that another day.

As a writer, I love getting to know the characters. Before the story is finished, it’s like I’ve known them their whole lives. It’s fun, but challenging to allow the characters to evolve without pushing them to the end too soon. Spoiler alert. I absolutely LOVE a happily-ever-after ending. It gives me, as the author, a satisfying feeling of closure. You can laugh, but it’s true.

The hero and heroine in The Stone and the Secrets are not the typical h/h you might imagine living in medieval times.

The beautiful and intelligent, Lady Elise Stanton has a long and impressive royal linage. Because of her heritage, protocol demands she marry someone with an equally impressive noble bloodline. The problem is, Elise has no interest in protocol, titles, or matchmaking, and refuses to be courted by empty-headed men who know nothing of using a forge, or mending a broken carriage axle. She’s a scientist whose curiosity about the how things work has gotten her into trouble since she was old enough to take things apart. With her creative mind, she is always thinking of new things to invent. Her first attempt to fly almost got her killed, but for our hero, William Degraf’s timely intervention.

He’s saved Elise many times during their childhood—a challenge he gladly accepts for he loves her deeply. However, William’s love for Elise is not to be. He must sacrifice his love so she can fulfill her destiny, which means marrying a man with title and wealth, neither of which he has. He is strong, handsome, and of noble character, but has not a noble bloodline.

Once Elise becomes of marriageable age, he realizes seeing her courted would be too painful, so he joins the king’s army. By becoming a knight, he hopes to forget her.

As I got to know Sir William Degraf, a knight of the king’s army, I can tell you, there’s not a braver or more loyal man to be found in all of England.

In the title, The Stone and the Secrets, the stone was initially meant to represent the meteorites, which Elise is determined to locate. She feels they are the answer to finding a unique metal needed for a secret project.

To my unexpected delight, in the midst of writing this story, I realized the “stone” also represents the Lord, our Corner Stone, the Rock of Ages, the Stone that the builder rejected, and much more.

This is also an adventure story, so, of course, there’s hidden treasure and several villains, each with a goal to kill, steal and destroy. Assassins, murderous pagans, and a madman intent on revenge, all who are determined to wreak havoc along the way.

Which begs to question. With so much coming against them…

Can William reach Elise in time to save her, this time from a fate worse than death?

And, with William being a lowborn commoner, and Elise of noble blood, how can they possibly have their happily-ever-after?

I’m so excited. I can’t wait to tell you. They…

Oh, no, I’ve used up all my allotted words. Sorry, I guess you’ll have to read The Stone and the Secrets to find out.

May God bless and keep you, and give you peace.

Jan Davis Warren

Blog Stops

Connect in Fiction, November 2

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 2

Texas Book-aholic, November 3

Inklings and notions, November 4

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 5

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 6

Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 7 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, November 7

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, November 8

deb’s Book Review, November 9

Connie’s History Classroom, November 10

Mary Hake, November 10

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, November 11

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 12

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, November 13

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, November 14 (Author Interview)

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, November 14

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 15

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jan is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/12b89/the-stone-and-the-secrets-celebration-tour-giveaway

Quincy and Priscilla at the Lowell House Celebrate Lit Book Tour and Giveaway

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Quincy and Priscilla at the Lowell House by talented wordsmith Caryl McAdoo is my favorite of all the books this author has written. I was immediately engaged in the story and with the characters. This historic romance is wonderful.


This is the tale of head chef, Quincy. He makes wonderful dishes for the Lowell House in Dallas Texas. It is also the story of Priscilla. Her father has recently died and her mother has gone to stay with a relative. Priscilla has been matched with Quincy by a matchmaker, unbeknownst to him.


I loved this story. It is filled with lovable characters, Christian lessons, and scripture. The descriptions of cooking and the food were spot on. The conversations were delightful and realistic. Friendships between character were sweet. The characters were well defined and relatable. There are a few twists and chuckles throughout this sweet tale.


I highly recommend this matchmaker bride book. It is a page turner that you will not want to put down until you have finished the entire book. I rate it 5 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book:  Quincy & Priscilla at the Lowell House

Author: Caryl McAdoo

Genre: Christian historical fiction

Quincy & Priscilla Ebook

And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts . . .
Is Quincy even interested in a wife? Can the middle-aged chef cook up a romance with a beautiful, but spoiled, young woman? Priscilla definitely wanted no part of the arrangement. At the point though, what options did she have? Thrown together due only to friends’ and family’s unbeknownst interference, the widower and bereaved socialite make an unlikely pair, But God . . .

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Green everything (1)

Award-winning author Caryl McAdoo prays her story brings God glory, and her best-selling stories—over fifty published—delight Christian readers around the world. The prolific writer also enjoys singing the new songs the Lord gives her; you may listen at YouTube. Sharing four children and twenty-to-be grandsugars with Ron, high-school-sweetheart-husband of over fifty years, Caryl and Ron live 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.

More from Caryl

Well, what’s better or more fun than a story with an improbable hero-heroine match! Neither ever even thought about hiring someone to find them a spouse! But a newly-widowed mother wanted a husband for her daughter, and a dear daughter wanted a wife for her widowed father.

The two believed they knew exactly what Quincy and Priscilla needed—to marry!

I love reading stories with connecting characters, so this one relates to my Cross Timbers Romance Family Saga. Downtown Dallas is the setting for QUINCY & PRISCILLA At The Lowell House, a hotel Morgan and Charity Lowell built . . . just as her little sister dreamed in book four, LEAVING TEXAS.

Once Charity ate Quincy’s cuisine, there was nothing to do but hire him away from the New York restaurant and sway him to come to Texas—no easy task. Morgan’s offer of partial ownership tipped the scales, and as time passed, Charity and his wife became fast friends, even going through pregnancies together.

Her Maisie came first, then when the second baby girl was born, the mother passed, leaving the chef a widower with a tiny daughter. Now eight years old, Rayne and Maisie pester the girl’s mother, her honorary Aunt Charity, into going in cahoots with them to find Quincy a wife—whether he wanted one or not.

Meanwhile, back in Chicago, Priscilla’s papa died suddenly, leaving her mother practically penniless. Behind her socialite daughter’s back, Mama schemed to get her daughter a husband. Men were scarce in 1866 after the war. Knowing her hard-headed girl would refuse any such proposition, she hired a matchmaker behind her back.

The match had been made, and she had to tell Priscilla! Mama tried at least fifty times and failed, but time was up. The family home had been sold, a new year was dawning, and she had train tickets in hand for the girl’s soon departure to Texas.

That’s where my story begins! Mama can’t force Priscilla to go, so what’s it going to take to get on that train? Then when she arrives at the Lowell House and her intended knows nothing of her . . .

I believe the journey will take the readers on a rollercoaster ride!

Blog Stops

Sara Jane Jacobs, January 20

Girls in White Dresses, January 20

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 21

Artistic Nobody, January 22 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 23

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 24

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 25

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, January 25

Texas Book-aholic, January 26

Inklings and notions, January 27

As He Leads is Joy, January 27

For Him and My Family, January 28

deb’s Book Review, January 29

Splashes of Joy, January 30

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 30

Connie’s History Classroom, January 31

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 1

Pause for Tales, February 2

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Caryl is giving away the grand prize of a $25 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/10625/quincy-priscilla-at-the-lowell-house-celebration-tour-giveaway

Amish Country Murder Celebrate Lit Tour and Giveaway

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

My Thoughts

Author Mary Alford has penned a contemporary Amish suspense mystery with her Amish Country Murder book.  It is the first one I have read by this author, and I found it extremely interesting.  It is one of those Amish tales that everyone will enjoy because it is  more modern day suspense.

This riveting story is about Catherine Fisher and her struggle to outrun the Dead of Night Killer.  FBI agent, Sutter Brenneman has been assigned to the case.  The serial killer is playing a deadly cat and mouse game with them, staying one step ahead all of the time.

Author Alford has done a beautiful job with this story.  It is well planned and well written.  She has included twists and turns that make it exciting and unpredictable.  The characters are believable.  All of the emotions that poor Catherine is feeling comes through the pages.

I enjoyed the life lessons of forgiveness and second chances.  The inspirational messages of faith were beautiful.  Anyone will enjoy this book.  It is a page turning mystery, suspense with a bit of sweet romance.

I definitely recommend this book.  It is a good diversion from today’s issues.  I wouldn’t let the Amish part keep you from reading it if you aren’t an Amish fan.  It is much more of a contemporary suspense.  I rated it a 4 out of 5 stars.  A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book:  Amish Country Murder

Author: Mary Alford

Genre:  Amish Suspense

Release Date: March 1, 2020

An Amish woman targeted by a serial killer

Is the only living witness…

As the sole woman to escape the Dead of Night Killer, Catherine Fisher’s the key to catching him—if he doesn’t kill her first. Now it’s up to FBI agent Sutter Brenneman to protect her. But with her memory missing and all clues indicating the serial killer took her for very personal reasons, it’ll take everything Sutter has to keep her safe.

 

 

Click here for your copy!

 

 

About the Author

USA Today Bestselling Author, Mary Alford, loves giving her readers the unexpected. Her titles have appeared on the USA Today Bestselling List, Publisher’s Weekly bestselling list, and have finaled in the Daphne Du Maurier award of excellence in mystery, The Beverly, The Maggie, and The Selah Awards.

As a writer, Mary is an avid reader. She loves to cook, can’t face the day without coffee, and her three granddaughters are the apple of her eye. She and her husband live in the heart of Texas in the middle of 70 acres with two cats and one dog.

Mary is very active online and would love to connect with readers on Facebook and Twitter or any social platforms listed at www.maryalford.net.

 

 

More from Mary

 

Thank you for coming with me on this journey to the mountains of Montana, where the Amish Community of West Kootenai is nestled in the wide-open spaces of Big Sky Country, and a simple Amish way of life can be anything but. Especially when a serial killer is lurking nearby, waiting to take his next victim, and the clock is ticking.

Amish Country Murder is my second book set in the Amish Community of West Kootenai, Montana. My first book, Amish Country Kidnapping is available now at most book retailers.

As a reader, one of my favorite genres is Amish Suspense. There’s just something about a story that pits the simple and innocent Amish lifestyle with the dark and sometimes deadly world of a suspense. Good versus evil, so to speak.

When Catherine Fisher escapes the clutches of a serial killer, she can’t remember as single thing about her past before the monster took her.

FBI agent Sutter Brenneman has been working the Dead of Night Serial Killer case for a while. Catherine is his first living victim. Protecting Catherine and finding the killer before he strikes again is critical. Hiding out in Amish Country, Sutter is surrounded my memories of his own Amish past, rekindling old longings for the life lost to him. Is it possible to have it back? In the middle of a killer stalking their every move, Catherine and Sutter share many tender moments as their feelings for each other grow into love.

One of the things I love most about the Amish is their amazingly simple recipes that remind me of my childhood and the meals my mother used to prepare.

During one meal shared with an Amish couple, Catherine and Sutter enjoy sweet potato croquettes with meat loaf. Sweet potato croquettes are a simple side dish that is delicious and easy to prepare. I thought I’d share this recipe with you here.

AMISH SWEET POTATO CROQUETTES

  • 1 pt. of mashed sweet potatoes
  • 1 tblsp. butter
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tblsp. sugar
  • 1 egg white
  • breadcrumbs
  • marshmallows (optional)

Mash sweet potatoes very fine.  Add salt, sugar and melted butter to mashed sweet potatoes. Shape sweet potatoes into croquette rolls or patties.  Cool them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Remove from refrigerator and roll in breadcrumbs.  Dip them in the slightly beaten egg white, and then into the crumbs again. Bake in a shallow, greased baking dish for 20 minutes, at a temperature of 400 degrees F.  For an even sweeter version of this dish, you can place a marshmallow in the center of each (make sure it is covered completely by the potato mixture).

I so hope you enjoy this recipe and Amish Country Murder. And stay tuned for my next Amish Suspense set in West Kootenai, coming in November of this year.

 

Blog Stops

Batya’s Bits, April 14

Genesis 5020, April 14

The Avid Reader, April 15

Maureen’s Musings, April 15

Betti Mace, April 16

janicesbookreviews, April 16

She Lives To Read, April 17

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 17

Texas Book-aholic, April 18

deb’s Book Review, April 18

Inklings and notions, April 19

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 19

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, April 20

For Him and My Family, April 21

Older & Smarter?, April 21

My Devotional Thoughts, April 22

For the Love of Literature, April 22

Artistic Nobody, April 23 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Pause for Tales, April 23

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 24

Hallie Reads, April 24

Because I said so and other as adventures in parenting, April 25

Emily Yager, April 25

SPLASHES of Joy, April 26

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, April 26

Blossoms and Blessings, April 27

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Mary is giving away the grand prize package of a Lavender Spa 10-piece Gift Basket with Tote, and a print copy of Amish Country Murder!!

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/f8df/amish-country-murder-celebration-tour-giveaway

Yours, Mine, & Forever

Posted on by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

My Thoughts

Yours, Mine & Forever by author Joanne Markey is a Contemporary Romance novel.  As I read it I had visions of a Hallmark movie. This book certainly has everything needed for a good one!

At first I was lost and floundered around trying to get my bearings in the story.  I did a little searching and found that Yours, Mine & Forever is Book 2 in the series by author Markey.  Once I finally put the pieces together, it was smooth and captivating story.  Book 1 is Dreaming of More and is on my list of books to read.

This is the tale of Norah, a sweet, kind-hearted woman wanting to adopt. She is very close to signing the adoption papers except someone does not want the adoption to happen. Norah will not allow anyone to stand in her way of making these special kids her own.    It seems the only way this will be able to happen is if she gets married.

There are such great characters in this book.  Each have unique personalities and are believable.  The author gives just enough detail without making the book boring.  My emotions ran up and down with Norah and the kids.  I really hope to watch this in a movie one day.

The author has included life and faith lessons in this book.  Lessons on loving others, forgiveness, making good choice, and turning to God for guidance.  Trusting and having faith in God is also included.

I highly recommend this book, but I believe you would benefit by reading book one first. This would make a great book club choice.  There is a lot to discuss in it.  I rate it a 4 out of 5.  A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book:  Yours, Mine, & Forever

Author: Joanne Markey

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Release Date: September 7, 2019

Yours Mine and foreverWhoever said the course of true love never runs smooth knew their business.

Especially motherly love.

Still, with adoption success just waiting for ink and paper to appear, Norah can focus on more exciting things, like Christmas, and figuring out how this marriage thing is going to work out! However, never underestimate the craftiness of an antagonist old woman determined to get her own way—or rather, stop Norah from getting hers. If it means resorting to underhanded means to ensure she comes out on top, then so be it. All it takes is a word in the right ear, a nudge here, a wink there, and the natural course of gossip and slander will do the rest.

When the dust clears, Norah’s heart is in tatters and her fledgling relationship is in ruins… Or is it? Will her hero’s patience wear thin, and is Norah’s faith strong enough to see her through whatever comes her way?

 

Click here for your copy.

 

About the Author

Joanne MarkeyOriginally from Australia, Joanne now lives in Ohio with her husband and seven children where she spends her days writing, wrangling children, and trying to determine which phrases originated in which country because she uses them all interchangeably, thereby continually confusing herself as much as those around her.

 

More from Joanne

When people find out I’m an Aussie living in the US and that I’ve written books, they immediately assume my books are set in Australia. I’m sorry to disappoint anyone, but, no, they’re not. You see, after almost 19 years of living in the US I’ve lost touch with the culture I was raised in. Things are done differently here than they are over there, and I’ve gotten used to this life.
When I moved halfway around the world, iPads, smart phones, and the like weren’t even a thing. The internet over there (in the places I lived) was something you knew about, but not everyone was online. My family didn’t even own a computer. When you went to town you lost cell phone coverage about 20 kms out. We lived in the bush, which technically falls between the coast and the outback. Not far enough from the coast to be “outback”, but far enough there wasn’t a town worth mentioning in any direction for a good two hour drive (roughly 170km, if memory serves me correct). So yeah, we lived out bush and while it’s hard to imagine a world without the electronics we depend on so much today, the Australia I know, the life I remember, had none of them. And I’m pretty sure things have changed since then!
That’s one major issue standing between me and writing books set in Australia. Another is the language. Half the time I find it almost impossible to remember where a phrase originated. I’m not talking about the “fair dinkums” or the “g’days”, they’re easy to identify. Its the little phrases, the ones that are so ingrained in my thinking I can’t identify their origin. At least, not until every person in the room looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. I figure it out pretty quickly after that and usually have to scramble to translate to something they understand. Agreeing with someone by uttering a simple “yes” is a wee bit more effective here than the “too right!” I might use with my family.
Try adding in the whole dropping the R thing Aussies have a habit of doing, and then the clear pronunciation of the R which is pretty common among the people I know here…and yeah, it can get confusing. “Far” is a bad one. Simple word. I never stop to think about how I’m saying it, so part of the time I’ll drop the R without realizing I’ve done so. Then I’ll hear myself say “fah”, so I’ll quickly tack on the R… and it can become an issue.
Some expats might not have an issue with speech, this is just one problem I run into quite often so I ran with it in my book. Anyone who’s read the book will know who I’m talking about. Multiple languages, speech confusion especially when emotional. It’s a thing. Not everyone deals with it, but me… yeah. Sigh.
But that doesn’t mean I’ve turned my back on everything I once knew. My husband and our kids love a good damper, Aussie meat pies, and Vegemite. They turn their noses up at pavlova (where, oh, where did I go wrong?!), but little did I know when we bought some of my favorite Aussie music that it would become their favorite too. I love where I live now, but I also have a great fondness for the country I left behind, and my family too, of course. They all live over there. And this story… it originated in Australia.
I was looking for a something to write for NaNo in 2018 and my Mum had a dream to share, so she gave me the idea and I ran with it. I changed bits here and there—the setting, most of the story actually!—and finished it up mid-December of 2018. I sat on it for about six months, finally got around to sending it to an editor. And then two weeks before I hit publish, a friend heard how long it was and asked if I’d ever thought about splitting the story in two.
No, I hadn’t, but after hashing it out with my editor, we decided it was a good idea. Dreaming of More became the first half, and Yours, Mine, & Forever was born.
However, giving Dreaming an end meant I’d sort of wrapped up the main storyline I’d used in the entire 135,000 word manuscript. I needed something else because I hadn’t added the bow to the top of the package and without that, Dreaming kind of fell flat. It needed another book… So back to the editor I went and at 2am one morning we started brainstorming. Before I knew what was happening I was in the middle of rewriting the entire book. I didn’t need to follow the same storyline and because the slate had been cleared, I could add in whatever I wanted. So I did.
My friend apologized—she hadn’t meant for me to rewrite the entire book—but no apology was necessary. I loved being able to change things. New characters made it more fun and, as my youngest son would say, I got to add “all the stuffs”. The only thing I refused to change was the ending. I had to keep that because it was the one thing my Mum remembered the best from her dream. For her sake, I kept it. If you want to know what that ending is… it comes after all the other pages in the book. But if you skip over them, you’ll miss all the stuffs and they’re what make the ending worthwhile.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Joanne is giving away the grand prize package of signed copies of Dreaming of More, Yours, Mine, & Forever, and Christmas Rose!!

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/f623/yours-mine