God’s Rebel by Michelle Janene Book Review

My Thoughts

This is the first book I have read by author Michelle Janene.  God’s Rebel is a tale of good verses evil literally.  It is about demons and evil spirit possession and is set in the Middle Ages.  This is Book One in the author’s Changed Heart Series.  I wasn’t certain what to expect, but this was a gritty, bone chilling tale when it came to the evil parts.  The good parts were heartwarming and God glorifying.

The main character in this book was dubbed Mariamne.   She did not tell her name so one was given to her.  The author did an excellent job describing her and her hard life.  She was unjustly taken as a slave and abused by men.  Unfortunately she does not know God, but knows the Evil One and he knows her.

Since it is set in the Middle Ages there are knights that come to her aid and show her that not all men are bad.  The characters are well developed and realistic for that era.  It is a heart wrenching story and was an emotional read.  This is the story of love, redemption, and God searching for a His lost children.

I would definitely recommend this short book to adults.  The evil warfare might be too much for a young teenager.  It could give them nightmares if they read it before going to bed.  I rated it a 4 out of 5 stars.  A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but this is my honest opinion.

To purchase the book: https://amzn.to/2Yi16u2

About the Book:

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She is a woman without a name. Chosen by men for her beauty, she refused to bend to their desires. Beaten and sold to a slave trader, she is left to die in a putrid dungeon.

Everything changes when she’s purchased by the thane of a foreign king and given a Jewish name.

The king needs her to save his kingdom. God calls her to an unimaginable future. Evil wants her for itself, and if it can’t have her, it will kill her. Mariamne wants none of the possibilities she’s offered.

Mariamne needs only to surrender to achieve an amazing destiny.

About the Author:

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Michelle Janene lives and works in Northern California, though most days she blissfully exists in the medieval creations of her mind. She is a devoted teacher, a dysfunctional housekeeper, and a dedicated writer. She released her first novella, Mission: Mistaken Identity, in the fall of 2015, and has been published in several anthologies. She leads two critique groups and is the founder of Strong Tower Press—Indie solutions for indie authors.

Social Media:

http://www.facebook.com/MichelleJaneneNovelist/

twitter.com/MichelleJaneneM

http://www.pinterest.com/michellejanene/

Texas Tears Celebrate Lit Book Tour and Giveaway

Welcome to my stop on Celebrate Lit’s Book Tour for Texas Tears by author Caryl McAdoo.  You will find information on this wonderful book and exquisite author.  She has a generous giveaway so be sure to sign up.  Grand prize is $50 gift card.  There are four other prizes, too.

My Thoughts

Texas Tears is the second book in the Thanksgiving Books and Blessings Series featuring multiple authors.  It is written by award winning, best selling author Caryl McAdoo.  In this Christian Historical Western Romance, she again delivers a page turning novel.

In this story we meet Charity and Arlene, best friends.  They both are interested in  “Hart” Eberhart.  Hart has an interfering mother.  She tries to sway him in his decision about the girls.  They begin the book a bit immature and bratty, but they are still sweet.  There is also Landry from Louisiana as well as a cast of parents.

All of the characters are unique, well rounded, and realistic.  Author McAdoo has a way of bringing her people to life on the pages.  They become friends.  I wanted to have a chat with the girls and their parents.  Even Hart was someone with whom I wanted to have a conversation.

There are lovely inspirational messages in this novel.  That is one of my favorite things about McAdoo’s writing.  She writes to bring glory to God and to inspire her readers.  Messages of trusting the future to God, forgiveness, redemption, respecting parents, living in unity and peace, and being unequally yoked are just a few packed into this delightful Christian sweet romance.

It did take me a few pages to get invested in this story.  If you find that you start reading it and aren’t quite interested, please keep reading.  It turns into a fascinating story that you will not want to put down.

I highly recommend this book.  It is appropriate for teenagers and adults.  Everyone will enjoy it and glean inspiration from the messages it holds.  Caryl McAdoo is an exceptionally gifted writer, and this book is another great labor of love.  It gets a 5 out of 5 stars from me.  A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but this is my honest opinion.

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About the Book

Book: Texas Tears

Author: Caryl McAdoo

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: September 2, 2019

Texas TearsJust like Mexico and the U.S. wanted the Republic of Texas; best friends Charity and Arlene want the same man. Who will Texas choose? Who will the man? Will Eberhart de Priest, the object of the young ladies’ desires, follow his heart or his mother’s advice? And what of the interloper from New Orleans who knows exactly whom he loves? Can a Christian find happiness with a non-believer? Only the Lord knows the future, but He does give the desires of the heart to those who delight in Him.

 

Click here to grab your copy.

About the Author

Caryl McAdooCaryl McAdoo prays her story brings God glory—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-five 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. ‘Golden husband Ron shares 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.

 

More from Caryl

TEXAS TEARS includes the vote to enter the Union or remain a Republic in 1845. Though it ended in an overwhelming approval to become a state, believe you me, tears fell all over Texas and have been falling since for some.

As a semi-closet secessionist, it wouldn’t bother me if the Texas Legislature voted tomorrow to become the Second Republic of Texas! There are plenty of true radicals living today in the Lone Star State who work diligently daily toward that end!

 

Anyway, tears also fell in the new Texas community where the four families first met in GONE TO TEXAS—the O’Neals, Van Zandts, Worleys, and Harrells—have been settling in five years. One of their own, Thomas Baldwin (introduced in book two, TEXAS MY TEXAS) represented them in the Texas Congress, going to Washington on the Brazos to vote!

Not all the tears that fell in that growing community were over the vote, but rather a man who came riding in on a magnificent black stallion. Eberhart de Vecchi was tall, handsome, and a perfect Prince Charming who swept the two young coming-of-age women there right off their high-topped shoes!

Friends their whole lives, the older, Charity O’Neal, claimed him right off, but Arlene Van Zandt the younger—only by six months and three days—who’s always given in before isn’t ready to acquiesce so quickly in this instance, smitten as she is.

 

And so, thar’s trouble in them thar hills! To thicken the sludge, enters the hard-working Landry Humble, Monroe’s (also introduced in book two TEXAS MY TEXAS) nephew. This young man, able to pick more than twice his weight in cotton in a day, knows immediately which lovely he wants.

My, my, my . . . the tears do fall in Texas, and not everyone can have a happy ending. Or can they?

Blog Stops

For Him and My Family, September 16

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, September 17

Moments With Mercy, September 18

Sara Jane Jacobs – Blog, September 19

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, September 20

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 21

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 21

KarenSueHadley, September 22

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, September 23

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 24

Texas Book-aholic, September 25

janicesbookreviews, September 26

Emily Yager, September 27

A Reader’s Brain, September 28

Inklings and notions, September 29

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Caryl 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/e959/texas-tears-celebration-tour-giveaway

Letters from Jesus Celebrate Lit Book Tour

Welcome to my stop on the Celebrate Lit Book Tour for Letters from Jesus, Studies from the Seven Churches of Revelation by Author Chris Palmer.  I hope you enjoy the information on the book and author.  There is a generous giveaway so be sure to sign up.

My Thoughts

Letters from Jesus, Studies from the Seven Churches of Revelation by Author Chris Palmer is a wonderful insightful look at the book of Revelation and the Greek language.  I was mesmerized by the deep meaning that each Greek word possessed.  This is a book that I did not know I needed so much until I read it.

Author Palmer obviously did his research well.  This is a well planned and organized book.  It is also very well written.  His words are clear and easy to understand.

He opens with an introduction sharing that we might find some of ourselves in one of the churches or maybe a little of ourselves in all the churches.  Well, he was right.  This book will step on some toes, but that is okay.

Letters from Jesus is divided into weekly chapters.  Chapters are only four pages and end with a prayer, short activity, and Biblical references for deeper insight.  Beginning with a Scripture phrase in English and Greek the study continue with a story.  Then it goes into the meaning of the Greek word.

This book taught me so much.  It is one that I will definitely refer to as well as reread.  The author made it timely and interesting.  His style of writing is so nice.  I would  definitely read more from him.

I highly recommend this to all Christians.  It would be good for either personal or group study.  Church libraries would benefit from having this.  I rated it a 5 out of 5 stars.  A copy was provided but these are my honest thoughts.

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About the Book

Book: Letters from Jesus

Author: Chris Palmer

Genre: Religion / Biblical Studies/History & Culture

Release Date: September 10, 2019

Letters from Jesus“In Revelation 2:2, Jesus tells the church in Ephesus something intimate—Google Street View intimate. He says, ‘I know your works’ (Oida ta erga sou). Four words don’t seem like much, but in the Greek, it packs a punch.… Jesus chooses the Greek word oida, which expresses total, comprehensive knowledge. It is intimate knowledge that comes from being up close and personal. This knowledge isn’t hazy on the details. It doesn’t struggle to remember. It preserves the particulars. In the mind’s eye, everything is sharp and clear, like a well-taken photograph.” —Chris Palmer

Letters from Jesus: Studies from the Seven Churches of Revelation explores Christ’s warnings to the seven most prominent churches in Asia Minor in the book of Revelation. These letters date back to 95 A.D., but they help us make a fascinating discovery about civilization: life hasn’t changed that much over the last two millennia.
Author Chris Palmer illustrates the truths contained in the Letters from Jesus using modern, everyday day examples. The host of the popular podcast Greek for the Week, he unpacks Greek words and phrases in these verses from Revelation with humor, joy, and biblical scholarship.

Why study Greek, even just a little bit? As Chris explains, looking at the New Testament in the original language in which it was written can offer us some beautiful insights into God’s Word. “It’s like reading the Bible in high definition,” he says. Also, “studying God’s Word in the original language forces us to approach it with reverence and awe, humbling ourselves to obey what it says, whether it’s something we want to hear or not.”

 

Click here for your copy.

 

About the Author

Chris PalmerThe Rev. Chris Palmer is the founder and pastor of Light of Today Church in Novi, Michigan, and founder of Chris Palmer Ministries. He is host of the popular podcast, Greek for the Week, seen on several Internet platforms.

Chris began in full-time ministry in 2006 and began to preach internationally in 2009, helping many congregations grow, flourish, and expand. His desire for missions is to train and educate pastors, encourage congregations, support the vision of local church, and show the love of God to the culture. He has done this successfully for a decade in over forty nations of the world in Europe, Africa, South America, Asia, and the Caribbean, working with both traditional churches and the underground/persecuted church.

Chris earned a B.A. in Pastoral Studies from North Central University and an M.A. in Exegetical Theology, magna cum laude, from Moody Theological Seminary. He is a sought-after Greek scholar for his ability to make God’s Word come alive in a unique way from the Greek. Chris is often invited to present Greek and hermeneutics workshops at Bible and ministry schools. He recently began working on his Ph.D. at University Wales, Bangor, in the area of Johannine Literature, particularly the book of Revelation.

His previous self-published books include Living as a Spirit: Hearing the Voice of God on Purpose, The 85 Questions You Ask When You Begin a Relationship with GodThe Believer’s Journey, and Escaping the Haunting Past: A Handbook for Deliverance.

More from Chris

Experience the Bible in high definition and learn some Greek with fun, easy lessons from pastor/scholar Chris Palmer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhvbBaSbvuY

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 14

The Power of Words, September 15

Through the Lens of Scripture, September 16

Godly Book Reviews, September 17

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 18

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, September 19

My Devotional Thoughts, September 20

Mary Hake, September 21

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 21

For the Love of Literature, September 22

Retrospective Spines, September 23

Texas Book-aholic, September 24

A Reader’s Brain, September 25

A Diva’s Heart, September 25

janicesbookreviews, September 26

Inklings and notions , September 27

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Chris is giving away a grand prize package of a $20 Starbucks gift card, copy of LETTERS FROM JESUS, copy of HEBREW WORD STUDY!!

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/e808/letters-from-jesus-celebration-tour-giveaway

 

Beautiful in His Sight Celebrate Lit Book Tour

My Thoughts:

Author April W. Gardner has written an historical Christian romance with Beautiful in His Sight.  Set in 1917 Halifax, Scotia it centers around the Halifax Explosion.  Before reading this book, I did not know about this WWI tragedy.

This is the first book I have read by Ms. Gardner.  For me the beginning was a bit muddled and slow.  It took quite a few pages for me to become interested.  The characters were nice but not well defined.  I was left with questions on many of them.

The love of Helen and Silas is sweetly told in this gritty tale of war, forgiveness, deceit, redemption, love, and trust.  The author has filled it with history, inspiration, mystery, and twists.  The second part of the book was much better for me.  After that it became a page turner.

This book was well researched.  There is so much history to be gleaned just by reading it. The author planned and organized it well.  It is a rather long book, but don’t give up on it.  It is worth reading.

I would recommend this to fans of WW1 fiction, historical fiction, and Christian fiction.  I rated it a 4 out of 5 stars.  A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but these are my honest thoughts.

 

About the Book:

Book: Beautiful In His Sight

Author: April W. Gardner

Genre: Historical Romance

Release Date: May 11, 2019

Beautiful in His SightIt’s 1917, and Halifax is at war. Silas Quinn, street sweeper and army reject, remains on the home front, shunning God and society as religiously as they shun him. But the night he stumbles across a half-frozen prostitute, his eyes blink open, and his greater purpose is born: preserve and protect.

There’d been a day when shop girl Helen Fraser was desperate enough to believe a few nights in a brothel would cure her troubles. By some miracle, Major Jack Gordon deemed her worth saving, but Helen knows her meticulously recreated identity cannot last. What she doesn’t expect is for its destruction to come about, not by an old john or one of the madam’s goons, but by a force great enough to flatten a city and bury her alive.

Set against the backdrop of the Halifax Explosion, Beautiful in His Sight is a Christian historical romance that explores unequivocal grace and identity in Christ.

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

April headshotAPRIL W GARDNER writes history with a Christian perspective and a little imagination. She is a copyeditor, military wife, and homeschooling mother of two who lives in Texas. She writes Christian historical romance with a focus on our Southeastern Native Tribes. In no particular order, April dreams of owning a horse, learning a third language, and visiting all the national parks.

April loves to hear from her readers at: aprilgardnerwrites@gmail.com

 

More from April

The Story Behind the Story

My novels are never purely fiction. They are stories constructed around truth, around some segment of the past that’s both stunning and stunningly forgotten. My latest novel, Beautiful in His Sight, is set during the Halifax Explosion, a WW1 event little known in most of the world. For those in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in December of 1917, it literally shattered their world.

That’s the setting we find my characters Silas and Helen struggling to survive, but—as in every good romance—love (and God’s grace!) brings them through.

 

The Story Behind the Setting

By December 1917, Halifax had passed tens of thousands of soldiers and sailors through its railyard and onto the naval vessels in its harbor. With the military came the prostitutes who migrated in droves to the slums. It’s reported that some days, the only passengers disembarking from the trains were women in short skirts. Slumdom’s seams overflowed with carnality, public drunkenness, and solicitations. Prostitution wasn’t the only job to be had for women. With so many men wearing army green, ladies of the proper class and training stepped behind registers and bookkeeping desks and kept Halifax running.

This is the world in which we find our female lead, Helen Fraser, a reformed prostitute desperately trying to start over as a salesclerk.

 

The Story Behind the Explosion

As Silas, the story’s male lead, puts it, the explosion was “a tragic accident, a miscommunication between passing ships.” In short, it was a dozen small decisions that accumulated to one very horrific event. The collision and blast released the equivalent energy of 2.9 kilotons of TNT and instantly obliterated everything within a half-mile radius. The munitions vessel that exploded, the Mont Blanc, rained iron shrapnel all over Halifax. Its 1,160-ton anchor landed 2.5 miles away where it can still be found today.

The numbers: Over 2,000 deaths. Over 1,000 injuries. Almost 300 blinded.

 

The Story Behind the Name

The name Helen Fraser (female lead) is an honoring nod to Helen Clark, a courageous young woman who survived the explosion. This is her story.

Helen Clark, age eight, was beginning her school day at St. Joseph’s when she felt something disturbing. “Like thunder was taking place alongside of you,” she later said, “instead of up in the sky.” She looked to the window and gaped at the glass bowing inward. She flung her arms over her face and ducked an instant before it blew in. Then, in her words, “The ceiling above gave way at one corner and down two sides of the room, hanging like the flap of a great envelope and spilling out children from the room above.”

A nun grabbed her arm and said, “My heavenly God, the Germans have arrived! Get down on your knees girls.” In lieu of prayer, Helen wrenched away and jumped out the second-story window, narrowly missing the debris that, in the next moment, struck and killed the nun. A snow mound broke Helen’s fall. Suddenly very tired, she laid down right there, feeling no cold or pain, and went to sleep.

Eventually, two men approached to see if she was dead. Though she couldn’t speak, she managed to get to her feet. They straightened the bow on the top of her head and told her to go home if she had one to go to. The blood crusted over her eyes limited her vision, but she shambled along best she could, recognizing nothing. She knew her street only by the change to cobblestones under her feet, and her grandmother recognized her only by the bow in her hair.

Quick-thinking and bold, little Helen avoided both death and blindness, and I’m honored to name my heroine after her.

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, September 9

Emily Yager, September 10

Betti Mace, September 10

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 11

Avid Reader Nurse, September 11

Reading Is My SuperPower, September 12

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, September 13

Connie’s History Classroom, September 14

JosephineAnneWrites, September 14

For Him and My Family, September 15

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 15

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, September 16

A Reader’s Brain, September 17

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 17

Inklings and notions, September 18

CarpeDiem, September 19

Through the Fire Blogs, September 20

Bigreadersite , September 20

Inspired by fiction, September 21

Texas Book-aholic, September 21

janicesbookreviews, September 22

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, April is giving away a grand prize package of a $25 Starbucks gift card and a signed copy of her 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/ec01/beautiful-in-his-sight-celebration-tour-giveaway

Seeing Angels Celebrate Lit Book Tour and Giveaway

My Thoughts:

Seeing Angels, How to Recognize and Interact with Your Heavenly Messengers by author Joshua Mills is a very interesting book.  I am always leery when I see a book on Angels, but this one is different.  It is biblically based and has quotes from Billy Graham.  Most of all it states angels are not to be worshiped, only God gets that.  It also discusses Heavenly angels and Dark angels.

Author Mills is forthcoming about his encounters with angels and shares how he believes anyone can see them and interact with them, too.  He is adamant that angels are sent by God as His helpers and not something to be worshiped.  I was relieved to read that. So many people get that part wrong.

Using his own experience, stories from others, and scriptural accounts of angels, the author has compiled a well written book.  He has a nice writing style that is easy and pleasant to read.  He has researched his subject well.

I learned some things from reading this book.  According to the author colors and odors are associated with angels.  This was the first time I have ever heard or read that.

The author has divided his book into three sections and gives in-depth information on spiritual warfare.  Every Christian should be aware of this.  That war is real.

This is a great book on angels.  There is a plethora of information stated in an easy to understand manner.  Many questions I had were answered.  My interest was high throughout the entire book.

I highly recommend this to Christians wanting more information on angels and spiritual warfare.  It is an eye opening book to say the least.  This would make the perfect church group book to read and discuss.  Every church library should keep a copy.  I rated it a 5 out of 5 stars.  A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but this is my honest opinion.

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About the Book:

Book: Seeing Angels

Author: Joshua Mills

Genre: Religion / Christian Theology/Angelology & Demonology

Release Date: September 3, 2019

Seeing AngelsA recent study found that 57 percent of Catholics, 66 percent of Evangelical Protestants, and 10 percent of Jews have reported having a personal experience with a guardian angel. And 20 percent of those who identified themselves as having no religion also claimed having encountered an angel.

Seeing Angels is one of the most in depth examinations of angelic ministry by one of the cutting-edge charismatic leaders in the church today. Joshua Mills goes beyond the usual takes on angels regarding spiritual warfare and explores who they are, how to recognize them, and what they do.

  • Part I, Understanding Your Angels, is all about understanding who angels are, exploring why they are necessary and how different angels minister comfort, healing, love, prosperity. It reveals who they carry out specific geographic assignments for cities and nations, as well as the more unique and extraordinary assignments they receive.
  • Part II, Discerning Your Angels, explains how to become more aware of the unseen heavenly realm, as well as how to recognize divine intervention when it does reveal itself to human sight. Such manifestations include random strangers, visions, or signs and messengers that believers receive. Joshua also explains the way he has interacted with visions of radiant light, swirling colors, and what he describes as atmospheric shifts. All of this is intended to make believers become more aware of both invisible and revealed spiritual realities.
  • Part III, Working with Your Angels, deals specifically with how to minister alongside these heavenly messengers as they stand watch, provide protection, and administer strength and comfort. This includes recognizing their movements and how to effectively pray for angelic encounters to take place.

With a foreword by Patricia King, Seeing Angels is among the most comprehensive teachings on recognizing angelic beings and understanding how to partner with them in ministry.

Click here to grab your copy.

About the Author

Joshua MillsJoshua Mills is an internationally recognized ordained minister of the gospel, as well as a recording artist, keynote conference speaker, and author of more than twenty books and spiritual training manuals. His most recent book with Whitaker House was Moving in Glory Realms. He is well known for his unique insights into the glory realm, prophetic sound, and the supernatural atmosphere that he carries. For more than twenty years, he has helped people discover the life-shifting truth of salvation, healing, and deliverance for spirit, soul and body. Joshua and his wife, Janet, cofounded International Glory Ministries, and have ministered on six continents in over seventy-five nations around the world. Featured in several film documentaries and print articles, including Charisma and Worship Leader Magazine, together, they have ministered to millions around the world through radio, television, and online webcasts, including appearances on TBN, Daystar, GodTV, It’s Supernatural! with Sid Roth100 Huntley Street, and Everlasting Love with Patricia King. Their ministry is located in both Palm Springs, California, and London, Ontario, Canada, where they live with their three children: Lincoln, Liberty, and Legacy.

 

More from Joshua

Angels are a hot topic. A 2007 Baylor Religion Survey found that 57 percent of Catholics, 81 percent of black Protestants, 66 percent of Evangelical Protestants, and 10 percent of Jews reported having a personal experience with a guardian angel. And 20 percent of those who identified themselves as having no religion also claimed having encountered an angel.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 10

CarpeDiem, September 11

Godly Book Reviews, September 12

Through the Fire Blogs, September 13

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 13

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess , September 14

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 15

Vicky Sluiter, September 16

Spoken from the Heart, September 17

For The Love of Books , September 17

Texas Book-aholic, September 18

Retrospective Spines, September 19

Emily Yager, September 20

janicesbookreviews, September 21

A Reader’s Brain, September 22

Inklings and notions , September 23

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Joshua is giving away a grand prize package of a $20 Starbucks gift card, copy of SEEING ANGELS, copy of Heaven and Angels by H.A. and copy of A Divine Revelation of Angels by Mary K. Baxter!!

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/e806/seeing-angels-celebration-tour-giveaway

Rose’s Redemption Celebrate Lit Book Tour and Giveaway

My Thoughts:

Rose’s Redemption is Book Two in Author Donna L H Smith’s Historical Christian Western fiction series.  I really enjoyed this book.  It can be read as a stand alone.  Book One is Meghan’s Choice.

The author takes readers back to 1870’s New Boston, Kansas, a gritty railroad town, for Book Two in her Known by Heart Series.  Here we are reunited with old friends and make new ones.  The book grabbed my attention from the beginning and I was immediately invested in the story.

The characters are realistic and wonderful.  They are well rounded with flaws as well as redeeming characteristics.  The town is a rough, Western town with bars, cowboys, and a railroad.  My favorite thing is the boarding house.  Author Smith does an excellent job taking me there.

The author has done her research well on that time period and place.  She writes with a love for God and it shines through her story.  I love Christian fiction that brings glory to God.

This tale deals with love, trust, forgiveness, prejudice, and redemption.  There are many life lessons tucked in this story.  It has a few twists to keep readers on their toes and want to keep turning those pages.  I thought it was better than book one.

I highly recommend this western Fiction book.  Most anyone will enjoy it and be inspired.  It gets a 4 out of 5 stars from me.  Celebrate Lit provided a copy but this is my honest review.

About the Book

Book: Rose’s Redemption

Author: Donna L. H. Smith

Genre: Christian Western

Release Date: November, 2018

Roses Redemption coverA Former Dance Hall Girl. A Handsome Young Doctor. Can Rose overcome her past? That’s Rose’s Redemption

Rose Rhodes changed not only her name after the tornado; she changed her outward appearance. No more was she Rosalie O’Roarke, former dance hall girl. She loves her new work as a nurse-in-training to handsome Doctor Scott Allison. As Scott and Rose’s relationship begins to change from professional to personal, they must deal with figures from Rose’s past who make life anything but easy. Rose is concerned that the town will discover her dance hall girl past, especially when Jake Thomas, the man who viciously beat her, asks all over town where Rosalie O’Roarke went. But both Rose and Scott are in for surprise encounters with Christ that will change their lives forever and help them see His plan for them. In fact, they will see God at work all over New Boston.

Rose’s Redemption won second place in the 2017 Golden Leaf Award at the Advance Novelist Retreat and was a finalist in the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Phoenix Rattler Contest.

 

Click here to grab your copy.

About the Author

Donna SmithDonna L.H. Smith is a Kansas prairie girl transplanted to Lancaster County, PA. She is a graduate of Christian Writer’s Guild Craftsman program and holds two college degrees, both B.S. and M.A. in Mass Communication. She’s been married to a wonderful man named Kirby for thirty years. Her debut novel, Meghan’s Choice, made the finals of both the Selah and Will Rogers Medallion Awards. Rose’s Redemption, the sequel, also made the Selah Award finals in 2019. She blogs, speaks at workshops and holds inner healing retreats. Although she is at an age where many begin slowing down, she wouldn’t think of it. She served as Managing Editor of www.almostanauthor.com, an award-winning website for writers. She continues to serve as ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) Mid-Atlantic Zone Director. She is also a member of AWSA’s Protégé program (Advanced Writers & Speaker’s Association).

 

More from Donna

Rose’s Redemption is the second book in the Known by Heart series. There were interesting challenges to this book.

First, how to change a rascal of an antagonist from Meghan’s Choice, to the romantic hero of Rose’s Redemption.

Second, I serve a supernatural God, so I wanted to include a little something different. It’s not spec-fic, but I hope people will enjoy Rafe. Answer the question for yourself whether or not he is an angel.

Third, I included in Rose’s history a bombshell from her mother. That was personal to me, only I didn’t discover it until two years ago.

The point of Rose’s Redemption is that our faith or our change cannot just be external, as Rose tried to do by changing her name, her appearance, and her profession—but an internal change of heart, too.

God is in the business of change

Blog Stops

Carla Loves To Read, September 5

CarpeDiem, September 6

Connie’s History Classroom, September 7

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 8

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 8

For Him and My Family, September 9

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 10

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, September 11

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, September 12

Texas Book-aholic, September 13

janicesbookreviews, September 14

A Reader’s Brain, September 15

Inklings and notions , September 16

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, September 17 (Author Interview)

Blossoms and Blessings, September 18 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Donna is giving away the grand prize of a signed copy of her 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/e957/rose-s-redemption-celebration-tour-giveaway

 

 

Samson and Amish Delilah Celebrate Lit Book Tour and Giveaway

Welcome to my stop on the Samson and Amish Delilah Celebrate Book Tour.  I hope you enjoy learning about the book and its author Thomas Nye.  You will want to sign up for the giveaway.  It is a Thomas Nye Gift Box, which includes four books by Thomas Nye: Samson and Amish Delilah, Under the Heavens, Amish Park, and Plain Everyday Heroes, along with bookmarkers and an Amish designed coloring book

My Thoughts:

I love Amish fiction.  Even if you don’t, I think you will love this book.  It is a delightful contemporary Christian Amish novel with a mystery and light romance.  This book has something for everyone.  It is the story of Dave and Delilah, an Amish girl.  A book has been written about an Amish girl named Delilah and everyone is trying to find here.

Characters come to life on the pages and I found myself wondering if this was a true story.  Now that is the mark of a good writer.  Each character was realistic and had flaws as well as redeeming points.  I became invested immediately and was drawn to the main character Delilah.  She seemed like the kind of person I would befriend.

The cat and mouse chase with media had me turning pages.  I was hoping they would not get caught.  My emotions were overshadowed by those in the book.  I was in deep!

There are many life lessons in this story.  Forgiveness, redemption, lying, trusting God, and secrets are just a few of the ones tackled.  It is a beautiful story with a few surprise twists and turns.  The Christian Message is not hidden which is important to me in Christian books.

I highly recommend this lovely Amish tale to everyone.  It has something for anyone with the mystery, adventure, romance, Amish, and contemporary story.  I rated it 4 out of 5 stars.  A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but this is my honest opinion.

Click here to get your copy!

About this Book

Book: Samson & Amish Delilah

Author: Thomas Nye

Genre: Christian Amish Fiction

Release Date: August 19, 2019

Samson and Amish DelilahEveryone in America has fallen in love with Delilah, leading lady in a bestselling Amish novel. When media giants discover that Delilah is a real person, the pursuit is on. Dave joins the search not realizing that by finding her, he would fall into the story and become Samson.

 

 

 

About the Author

ThomasThomas Nye writes novels about horses and Amish life, with a touch of romance, and a foundation of faith in Christ. He and his wife, Shari, live on her family farm where they raised five children. Their six grandchildren love to visit Karma and Karla, a team of draft horses which Thomas purchased from an Amish friend. Walking a mail route for the U.S. Postal Service keeps Thomas close to nature and affords him many quiet hours which he uses to dream up novels. Over three decades of friendships with Amish neighbors has revealed a simple wisdom that he weaves into his writing.

 

More from Thomas

Most authors agree that during the course of writing a novel, the characters seem to come alive and emerge with personality traits we ourselves didn’t originally plan to give them. Not only did the lead characters of Samson and Delilah take on a life of their own, they also pulled the story in a direction I never planned to go.

Samson and Amish Delilah is a book about a book. You will soon discover that the characters are reading along with you. They even try to guess the ending and have discussions about it. As I worked on the final few chapters, I could almost feel Samson and Delilah urging me forward, as though they needed me to write out solutions to the issues they were facing. I could almost hear them calling to me, “Please—finish this book—we want the world to hear our story.”

Maybe all of this is just me projecting my feelings on them. LOL. Either way, I’ve gotten to know Samson and Delilah pretty well and I’m sure they would want you to smile, laugh, cry, and learn about the power of forgiveness along with them.

Thomas Nye

P.S. It so happens that I feel Samson and Delilah nudging me forward with a follow-up novel. Wink, wink.

Blog Stops

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, September 6

For Him and My Family, September 7

Batywa’s Bits, September 7

Moments, September 8

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 8

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 9

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, September 9

Bigreadersite, September 10

Adventures of a Taveler’s Wife, September 10

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, September 11

Pause for Tales, September 12

Maureen’s Musings, September 12

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 13

Emily Yager, September 13

Older & Smarter?, September 14

Texas Book-aholic, September 15

Mary Hake, September 15

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 16

janicesbookreviews, September 17

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, September 17

Inklings and notions, September 18

For The Love of Books, September 18

A Reader’s Brain, September 19

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Thomas is giving away a Thomas Nye Gift Box, which includes four books by Thomas Nye: Samson and Amish Delilah, Under the Heavens, Amish Park, and Plain Everyday Heroes!! Along with bookmarkers and an Amish designed 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/ec39/samson-amish-delilah-celebration-tour-giveaway

 

Tidbits and Pearls Celebrate Lit Book Tour and Giveaway

My Thoughts:

Tidbits and Pearls is a compilation of thoughts and writings by author Ladonna Shanks.  They are inspiration and are meant to help readers draw closer to God.  Author Shanks is very open about her life experiences in this book.

As I read it felt like I was having coffee and chatting with a friend.  The author has a nice, easy style of writing.  Her words flowed off of the pages and gently encouraged me.  A lot of her tidbits I had heard growing up.  “You’re making a mountain out of a molehill” or “when it rains it pours”are two of the more common ones.  She not only lists them but defines them.

The book has been divided into chapters that are also each different chapters in the author’s life.  She begins with Family and goes on to Blessings and on through until Death.  They are poignant and reflective.  This lovely book provides much food for thought.  It is filled with inspiration and directs readers to have a closer relationship with a God.

I enjoyed this book.  It would make a nice group read.  I wanted to talk about it as I was reading it.  At times I would read some of it out loud to my hubby.

I highly recommend this book.  It would make a nice gift or addition to any collector’s shelf.  I rated it 4 out of 5 stars.  A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.


 

About the Book:

Book: Tidbits and Pearls

Author: Ladonna Shanks

Genre: Non-Fiction, Christian personal growth

Release Date: April 15, 2019

Tidbits and Pearls CoverHow often do you truly see that life is full of everyday blessings from God? Our Creator is present in our lives—even when we don’t realize it—and it is part of His plan that we have friendship and relationship with Him. So how does one live life with God, the omnipotent, omniscient Creator of all?

In Tidbits and Pearls, Ladonna Shanks shares incidents from her life, recounting them in a way that touches the heart and enriches the lives of those who read these personal stories. Her insights and lessons learned offer profound yet simple wisdom, gleaned from her seventy-plus years of life experience. Many of her essays focus on her family—her children and “grandgirls”—as well as her personal gardening business. Her faith shines through the narrative as a shining light for others to follow.

Humankind was created to have a relationship with their Creator, and everyday life presents the opportunities for that to occur. Tidbits and Pearls is one woman’s record of how God manifests himself in daily life, with the challenge to look beyond the physical and seek the spiritual aspect of life. So take the first step in this journey and be honest with yourself and with God, for you are His instrument, and without Him you can do nothing.

Click here to grab your copy.

About the Author

Ladonnna ShanksLadonna Shanks was born and raised in Oregon. She graduated from Lebanon High School in 1962, married, and became mother to a son and three daughters. After more than thirty years as a stay-at-home mom, she began working in a garden nursery. That led to establishing her own gardening business. Now in her mid-seventies, she continues to operate the business as it enters its seventeenth season.

 

More from Ladonna

When people ask me how long it took to write Tidbits and Pearls, I usually tell them, “It took a lifetime.”  As a senior citizen, I had to live it before I could write of it–of life and the living of it; of God’s desire for friendship; of His presence in everyday life; of the opportunities given to learn, to grow, and to experience Him.

Tidbits and Pearls began as a blog several years ago, based on my personal experiences as God walks with me and teaches me. My desire is to share Him–with those who believe and those who don’t; to those in a church and those who aren’t; to many, to but one. In this compilation of posts, my goal is to challenge the reader to think beyond the physical into the spiritual, to consider the brevity of this life when compared to the eternal, to think of things in a way perhaps never thought of before, to look Godward.

My walk with God began as a very little girl with no concept of the reality of Him and His love. As a seventy-something woman, He is a part of my daily life, my anchor, the foundation of my being. He is my reason for living.

I am honored to deliver His message—God is love; He created humankind for friendship and relationship; there is a point and purpose to all things.

Blog Stops

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 4

Through the Lens of Scripture, September 5

Sara Jane Jacobs – Blog, September 6

Through the Fire Blogs, September 7 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 7

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 8

SusanK. Beatty, Author, September 9 (Author Interview)

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess , September 10

Wishful Endings, September 11 (Author Interview)

janicesbookreviews, September 12

A Reader’s Brain, September 13

A Baker’s Perspective , September 14(Author Interview)

Inklings and notions , September 15

Texas Book-aholic, September 16

Just the Write Escape, September 17

Giveaway

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

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/eb97/tidbits-and-pearls-celebration-tour-giveaway

 

Strands of Truth Celebrate Lit Book Tour

My Thoughts:

Strands of Truth by gifted wordsmith Colleen Coble is a magnificent Contemporary Christian fiction.  I began reading it and was completely whisked away into a world of mystery, adventure, and suspense.

This is the spellbinding tale of Harper.  Through DNA testing she found out she has a half-sister, Annabelle.  They live fairly close to each other.  Both of their mothers died rather tragically and the girls do not know the name of their father.  The mystery only escalates with danger and romance in this captivating story.

Author Coble has a writing style that starts starts strong and just keeps growing.  I was captured within the first few pages of reading.  My attention held all the way until the end.  The plot has surprises with twists and turns that kept me on my toes.  It was a breathtaking read.

The characters are realistic and so lifelike that they felt like people I knew.  Details were given and I learned information on a subject that I never knew.  I enjoyed learning about pen shells, mollusks, and oysters as well as the ocean.  The author did a flawless job with her research.  This is a well planned, researched, and extremely well written novel.

All while reading it the story played in my head like a movie.  Why not?  This would be a great movie.  The issues are current.  Finding a half sibling and foster care are always relevant and emotional.  This would be perfect for the big screen.

Life lessons on forgiveness, prejudice, trust, and family are artfully woven throughout this riveting masterpiece.  I could not put this book down!  It is amazing.

I highly recommend this to anyone that likes suspense or mystery.  The romance is there but not the main focus.  At the end of the book are discussion questions.  I rate this 5 out of 5 stars unless I can give it a 6!

A copy was provided by the Publisher but these are my own, honest words.

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About the Book:

Book: Strands of Truth

Author: Colleen Coble

Genre: Suspense

Release Date: September 10, 2019

cover Strands of TruthHarper Taylor is used to being alone—after all, she grew up in one foster home after another. Oliver Jackson finally took her under his wing when she was a runaway teenager, and now Harper pours her marine biology knowledge into Oliver’s pen shell research. But she’s never stopped wishing for a family of her own.

So when a DNA test reveals a half-sister living just two hours away, Harper is both hopeful and nervous. Over warm cinnamon rolls, Harper and Annabelle find striking similarities in their stories. Is it just a coincidence that both their mothers died tragically, without revealing Harper and Annabelle’s father’s name?

Oliver’s son Ridge still sees Harper as a troubled teen even all these years later. But when Oliver is attacked, Ridge and Harper find themselves working together to uncover dangerous secrets that threaten to destroy them all. They must unravel her past before they can have any hope for the future.

Suspense, romance, and generational secrets meld in this engrossing new novel from USA TODAY bestselling author Colleen Coble.

 

Click here to get your copy.

About the Author

colleen-coble-headshot-smallColleen Coble is a USA TODAY bestselling author and RITA finalist best known for her coastal romantic suspense novels, including The Inn at Ocean’s EdgeTwilight at Blueberry Barrens, and the Lavender Tides, Sunset Cove, Hope Beach, and Rock Harbor series. Connect with Colleen online at colleencoble.com; Instagram: colleencoble; Facebook: colleencoblebooks; Twitter: @colleencoble.

 

Read a Premium Excerpt

Suspense, romance, and generational secrets meld in this engrossing new novel from USA TODAY bestselling author Colleen Coble.

Strands of Harper Taylor’s childhood are resurfacing—but will the truth save her . . . or pull her under?

Harper Taylor is used to being alone— after all, she grew up in one foster home after another. Oliver Jackson finally took her under his wing when she was a runaway teenager, and now Harper pours her marine biology knowledge into Oliver’s pen shell research. But she’s never stopped wishing for a family of her own.

So when a DNA test reveals a half-sister living just two hours away, Harper is both hopeful and nervous. Over warm cinnamon rolls, Harper and Annabelle find striking similarities in their stories. Is it just a coincidence that both their mothers died tragically, without revealing Harper and Annabelle’s father’s name?

Oliver’s son Ridge still sees Harper as a troubled teen even all these years later. But when Oliver is attacked, Ridge and Harper find themselves working together to uncover dangerous secrets that threaten to destroy them all. They must unravel her past before they can have any hope for the future.

Suspense, romance, and generational secrets meld in this engrossing new novel from USA TODAY bestselling author Colleen Coble.

“Free-dive into a romantic suspense that will leave you breathless and craving for more.” –DiAnn Mills, bestselling author

“As always, Colleen Coble never disappoints. Strands of Truth is no exception. I was hooked from the first page. Trying to read this story slowly is impossible. Don’t be surprised when you find yourself flipping the pages in a hurry to find out what happens next! This one is for your keeper shelf.” –Lynette Eason, bestselling, award-winning author of the Blue Justice Series

“Colleen Coble’s latest book, Strands of Truth, grips you on page one with a heart-pounding opening and doesn’t let go until the last satisfying word. I love her skill in pulling the reader in with believable, likable characters, interesting locations, and a mystery just waiting to be untangled. Highly recommended.” –Carrie Stuart Parks, bestselling author of Formula of Deception

“Once again, Colleen Coble delivers an intriguing, suspenseful tale in Strands of Truth. The mystery and tension mount toward an explosive and satisfying finish. Well done.” –Creston Mapes, bestselling author

“Just when I think Colleen Coble’s stories can’t get any better, she proves me wrong. In Strands of Truth, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. The characterization of Ridge and Harper and their relationship pulled me immediately into the story. Fast paced, with so many unexpected twists and turns, I read this book in one sitting. Coble has pushed the bar higher than I’d imagined. This book is one not to be missed.” –Robin Caroll, best-selling author of the Darkwater Inn series

“It’s in her blood! Colleen Coble once again shows her suspense prowess with a thriller as intricate and beautiful as a strand of DNA. Strands of Truth dives into an unusual profession involving mollusks and shell beds that weaves a unique, silky thread throughout the story. So fascinating I couldn’t stop reading!” –Ronie Kendig, bestselling author of The Tox Files

 

Blog Stops

A Baker’s Perspective, September 3

Inspired by fiction, September 3

EmpowerMoms, September 3

Blogging With Carol, September 3

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 4

My Devotional Thoughts, September 4

Christian bookaholic, September 4

KarenSueHadley , September 4

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, September 5

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 5

Susan Cornwell, September 5

Inside the Wong Mind, September 5

Godly Book Reviews, September 5

Through the Fire Blogs, September 6

Emily Yager, September 6

Older & Smarter?, September 6

Blessed & Bookish, September 6

Andrea Christenson, September 6

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, September 7

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 7

Avid Reader Nurse, September 7

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, September 7

The Becca Files, September 8

Blossoms and Blessings, September 8

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, September 8

Mary Hake, September 8

Spoken from the Heart, September 9

Betti Mace, September 9

Back Porch Reads, September 9

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, September 9

Because I said so and other adventures in parenting. , September 9

Moments, September 10

All-of-a-kind Mom, September 10

For Him and my Family, September 10

Bloggin’ ’bout Books, September 10

Texas Book-aholic, September 11

Retrospective Spines, September 11

Daysong Reflections, September 11

Christian Bookshelf Reviews , September 11

SusanLovesBooks, September 11

Remembrancy, September 12

Worthy2Read, September 12

Just the Write Escape, September 12

Southern Gal Loves to Read, September 12

Bigreadersite , September 13

janicesbookreviews, September 13

As He Leads is Joy, September 13

Livin’ Lit, September 13

To Everything A Season, September 13

Simple Harvest Reads, September 14

Pause for Tales, September 14

For The Love of Books , September 14

Living Life Free In Christ, September 14

A Reader’s Brain, September 15

Quiet Quilter , September 15

Hallie Reads, September 15

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 15

Inklings and notions , September 16

By The Book, September 16

Real World Bible Study, September 16

Patiently Waiting, September 16

 

Surf Smugglers Celebrate Lit Book Tour and Giveaway

Today is my stop on Celebrate Lit’s book tour and Giveaway for Author Melody Carlson’s Surf Smugglers.  I hope you enjoy learning about the book and author.  Be sure to sign up for the giveaway at the bottom.

My Thoughts

Surf Smugglers is Book 3 in Melody Carlson’s series “The Legacy of Sunset Cove.”  It can easily be read as a stand alone, but it would be much better if you read the first two books in the series first.  This book is utterly captivating.

Author Carlson has published over 200 books and her style of writing is flawless.  Characters are so realistic they practically jump off of the pages.  It is easy to become friends with them and imagine their lives as well as feel their emotions.  I was happy to visit with my friends Anna and Katy again.

This is the tale of Anna McDowell, her daughter Katy, and parents Mac and Lucille.  The United States is passing the Selective Service Act as the it joins The Great War in Europe.  I gleaned some historical details from this book, which for me is always a bonus.  The author did her research well.

Set in Oregon in 1917, this is filled with timely issues of war, prejudice, race, NAACP, journalism, and women’s rights and independence.  Brimming with mystery, romance, intrigue, adventure, suspense and drama, this novel grabbed my attention early and held it throughout the entire book.  It was easy to become invested in the exceptional story.

The element of faith and inspirational is present.  A strong lesson of forgiveness is presented as well as grace.  Even everyday Christian life is portrayed.  It is nice to not need to seek the faithful message in a Christian novel but have it upfront.

I highly recommend this historical Christian fiction.  It is engaging, enlightening, and encouraging.  From me it gets a five out of five stars.   I received a copy of this from Celebrate Lit and the publisher, and this is my own honest review.

6BF9E402-A121-4CEB-BA3E-E56AFBB7929B

 

About the Book

Book: Surf Smugglers

Author: Melody Carlson

Genre: Historical Fiction

Release Date: August 15, 2019

Surf Smugglers CoverIn the summer of 1917, US troops join the allied forces in the Great War. Back in Sunset Cove, Oregon, other battles wage. Anna McDowell continues to fight old fashioned stereotypes as she runs a newspaper committed to truth. Despite opposition, she’s determined to expose ongoing rum-running and prohibition lawlessness.

Adding to Anna’s frustrations, her good friend Dr. Daniel seems to run hot and cold. He loves Oregon, and maybe Anna too, but he’s pulled by his East Coast family responsibilities. Even the lure of a new modern Sunset Cove hospital doesn’t seem enough to keep him in Sunset Cove.

Meanwhile, Anna’s strong-willed daughter Katy continues to develop her dress shop by inviting family friend Sarah Rose to help out. But the woman’s presence tests the small town’s tolerance. And Anna’s concern that her daughter is growing up too fast is confirmed when Katy’s romantic life takes an unexpected turn, which Anna fears is influenced by the pressure of a devastating war that is not only changing the entire world but Sunset Cove as well.

Click here to grab your copy.

About the Author

Melody CarlsonMelody Carlson has written more than 200 books (with sales around 6.5 million) for teens, women, and children. That’s a lot of books, but mostly she considers herself a “storyteller.” Her young adult novels (Diary of a Teenage Girl, True Colors etc.) appeal to teenage girls around the world. Her annual Christmas novellas become more popular each year. She’s won a number of awards (including RT’s Career Achievement Award, the Rita, and the Gold medallion) and some of her books have been optioned for film/TV. Carlson has two grown sons and makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and yellow Lab dog.

 

More from Melody

My favorite way to learn history is through historical fiction—both by reading and by writing it. And I’ve discovered that World War 1 (previously known as the Great War, since WW2 had yet to happen) is quite fascinating. As well as incredibly sad. But I’m amazed at how science and technology evolved so quickly in this era. Whether it was advancement in automotive, communication, medicine . . . the culture was rapidly changing. And the war pushed it along at an even faster pace.

Another factor that makes this era interesting is prohibition. Oregon, my home state and where I set my series, was one of the earliest states to adopt prohibition of alcohol—in 1914. As a result, Oregon became ripe territory for bootlegging and rum-running along the coastline. And because my series involves a small town coastal newspaper that’s run (gasp!) by a woman, it gets even more interesting—and exciting!

Speaking of women, the suffrage movement was approved in Oregon in 1912—also well ahead of the rest of the nation (and the main reason that prohibition passed). My theory on why this happened is that the brave women who’d made the arduous journey West (via perilous wagon train or long hard voyages on clipper ships) were strong and opinionated and tough. And many of them were sick and tired of drunken slacker husbands. Also, thanks to Oregon’s amazing land donation act of 1850, many of these women were equal landowners to their husbands—and land equaled power.

Of course, what these suffragette-prohibition supporters didn’t realize is that banning alcohol would make matters worse because bootlegging and rum-running suddenly became a very lucrative business. The crime rate soared and the booze continued to flow freely. But all this makes for good newspaper stories, keeping our female editor in chief rather busy. In the first two books of the series, Anna McDowell has her hands full with trying to run her ailing father’s newspaper, restoring family relationships, and staying ahead of the growing crime element in Sunset Cove.

By book three, Surf Smugglers, Anna has her feet under her and doing a good job of standing up to the criminal element in their region. But by now the Great War is really heating up and the United States must get involved. Of course, this means that many young men, as well as Anna’s very good friend Dr. Daniel Hollister, are being shipped overseas to serve. Meanwhile, there is plenty of trouble at home. And the rum-runners, who despise the newspaper’s support of prohibition, target Anna’s good friend Sarah Rose because she’s a woman of color who’s sought refuge from the big city . . . and naturally things get dicey.

I’m currently finishing up the fourth and final book of the Legacy if Sunset Cove series, and I’m sad to think my ‘history lesson’ in this interesting era is drawing to an end. Not only have I learned a lot, I’ve really come to love the McDowell family . . . and I’m getting worried that not all the men from Sunset Cove will survive the brutal war. Of course, this is fiction . . . but the war was very real and the losses were great. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the war to end all wars like they’d hoped, but I appreciate the sentiment . . . and continue to pray for world peace.

Blog Stops

The Avid Reader, August 31

Connect in Fiction, August 31

Among the Reads, September 1

She Lives To Read, September 1

Through the Fire Blogs, September 1

For Him and My Family, September 2

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 2

Just the Write Escape, September 3

Patiently Waiting, September 3

Blogging With Carol , September 3

CarpeDiem, September 4

Betti Mace, September 4

Christian Bookaholic , September 4

Reflections From My Bookshelves, September 5

Wishful Endings, September 5

Remembrancy, September 5

Maureen’s Musings, September 6

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess , September 6

Bigreadersite , September 7

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 7

It’s Story Time With Van Daniker, September 7

Connie’s history classroom , September 8

For the Love of Literature, September 8

Hallie Reads, September 8

Moments, September 9

Simple Harvest Reads, September 9

FOR THE LOVE of Books , September 9

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 10

Pause for Tales, September 10

To Everything A Season, September 10

Retrospective Spines, September 11

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 11

Texas Book-aholic, September 11

Older & Smarter?, September 12

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, September 12

janicesbookreviews, September 13

A Reader’s Brain, September 13

Inklings and notions , September 13

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Melody is giving away the grand prize of three of her books: Harbor Secrets, Riptide Rumors, and Surf Smugglers!!

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/e982/surf-smugglers-celebration-tour-giveaway