Muldoon’s Minnesota Darling Celebrate Lit Tour

Posted on January 30, 2024January 29, 2024 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Muldoon’s Minnesota Darling by author EV Sparrow is a gritty, melancholy, Christian historical novel. For me it was a bit dark and depressing. Set in New York and then Minnesota this is the story of Mick Muldoon.

Mick is a widower who has also lost his children. He leaves Ireland and hopes to make a new and better life in America. His life has been filled with tragedies and depression since the day he was born.

The author has a nice style of writing. Her story is easy to follow. I did find it to be slow in some sections and quick to end. The characters are defined and relatable. Some were like old friends while others villainous. I adored sweet Shauna.

The Christian message is woven throughout the book. Where there is darkness, God is light and always there. Messages of love, faith, hope, and second chances are strong in the story. A few things bothered me, such as a lot of imbibing, cruel pranks, taking the Lord’s name in vain, and “Mister Death” having a name. There is never an excuse to take the Lord’s name in vain, especially in a Christian book.

This was a tough read for me. It is depressing for the majority of the book. The message it gives is worthy and worth reading the dark pages. It is not for the faint of heart nor young reader. It gets a 3 out of 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: Muldoon’s Minnesota Darling, a Novella

Author: E.V. Sparrow

Genre: Historical fiction

Release Date: May 10, 2023

A heartsore widower with hidden fears and little faith…
The naïve daughter of a farmer guarding a repulsive secret…
A township unaware of the hidden menace amongst them…

Heartbroken from losing his family and his farm, Mick Muldoon is hopeful as he emigrates to America with his siblings. All he finds is despair and no work. Were America’s rumored promises of plenty all lies? Would God ever hear and answer his prayers?

Seventeen-year-old Shauna McGann is determined to marry Mick Muldoon despite her mother’s objections. His past and his limp might repulse others, but not her. What burdens Shauna is her terrible secret – a secret she promised her friends she would keep. Now Shauna needs help and protection. Could she trust Mick, or will she lose everything by telling him?

Will Mick finally be free of loss and find success in America? Will Shauna overcome her fears and finally feel safe?

In this Muldoon’s Misfortunes prelude novella, author E.V. Sparrow creates a provoking tale of flickering faith and enduring hope through an emigrant’s efforts to adapt, and a young woman’s unprejudiced love.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

E.V. Sparrow is a short story writer turned novelist. Her readers encounter God’s unexpected presence through her character’s escapades. Her own adventures she wrote about involved traveling in over twenty countries. Sparrow lived on an Israeli kibbutz, worked for the U.S. Army in Bavaria, and hopped a freight train for a weekend.

A highlight for Sparrow is when Guideposts and Bethany House Publishers accepted four of her anthologized stories before she signed a 3-book historical fiction series contract with Celebrate Lit Publishing.

Her father’s family’s immigration from Ireland, their letters and documents, and some family stories inspired her current historical fiction novels.

In E.V.’s personal and church life, she ministered through prayer, worship, mission teams, and in Divorce Care and Singles. California native relocated to North Carolina, E.V. Sparrow and her husband enjoy family time with their grandchildren and exploring their new state.

More from E.V.

I’m writing books inspired by my father’s family because they believed in God but wrestled with their faith. Faith doesn’t come easy for every believer. We grapple with intimacy with God, but does God battle with us?

My oldest brother shared some stories of our great-grandfather, who emigrated here after losing his wives and children in Ireland. Yes, at least two families. I wondered, how could a suffering heart and soul survive those losses? Our great-grandfather’s inner turmoil didn’t change once he resettled in America. I read letters he wrote to his son—our grandfather and sifted through family photos. Certain aspects from the timeline of great-grandfather’s life fashioned my main character, Mick Muldoon. Mick encountered God’s unexpected presence several times without recognizing it.

Thinking through a Scripture verse, 1 Corinthians 13:13, (NIV) “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love,” reveals what remains when all else we are accustomed to is gone. I assume hope is as powerful as faith and love. It’s a triangle of strength for us until it goes wobbly. What happens when one or two of the three stabilizers are weaker than the others? Wounded, confused, and resilient characters named Mick, Orla, and Liam Muldoon.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 23

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, January 24 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, January 25

Bizwings Book Blog, January 26

Sylvan Musings, January 27 (Author Interview)

An Author’s Take, January 27

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 28

A Reader’s Brain, January 29 (Author Interview)

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 30

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, January 31 (Author Interview)

Life on Chickadee Lane, February 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 2

By The Book, February 3 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 3

For Him and My Family, February 4

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, February 5 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, E.V. is giving away the grand prize package of an eBook copy of Muldoon’s Minnesota Darling and an Amazon $50 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/299bb/muldoon-s-minnesot-darling-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Divine Proverb of Streusel Book Review

Posted on January 27, 2024January 27, 2024 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

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

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

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

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

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

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

About the Author, Sara Brunsvold

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

Bride by Beguilement Celebrate Lit Book Tour

Posted on January 25, 2024January 24, 2024 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Bride by Beguilement by author Debbie Lynn Costello is a Christian historical romance novel. This is book two in the author’s Moonlight and Magnolias series. I had not read book one and was able to follow the story with no trouble. This could be read as a stand alone as well as part of the series.

This is the story of plantation heiress Kirsten Macleod. She is a delightful, caring, smart, hardworking, beautiful young woman. It is also the story of Silas, her handsome, hardworking neighbor. Both of these characters along with the secondary were extremely well thought and believable.

I enjoyed the author’s pleasant style of writing. It is easy to follow and provides enough details to sweep readers away to the time and place of the story. There were a few twists and turns, and some predictable things. I found a couple of situations a bit farfetched to be believable. The Christian message is woven throughout the entire book, which is refreshing.

This had mystery, intrigue, romance, as well as two adorable little girls and animals. I was invested in the story and characters immediately and found myself not wanting to put the book down until it was finished. For me, the end was a bit rushed.

I highly recommend this charming tale. It would be a delightful choice for a reading club. There is so much to discuss. It gets a 4 out of 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by CelebrateLit, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: Bride by Beguilement

Author: Debbie Lynne Costello

Genre: Historical Christian Romance

Release Date: September 25, 2023

Kirsten Macleod is in a bind. Her father’s last will and testament stipulates that she must either marry, lead the plantation into a first year profit, or forfeit it to her uncle. But marriage is proving no easy option. Every suitor seems more enamored with the land than with her. Until her handsome neighbor sweeps into her stable to the rescue… of her beloved horse.

Silas Westbrook’s last year at veterinary school ends abruptly when he is called home to care for his young orphaned sisters. Troubles compound when he finds an insurmountable lien on the only home they’ve ever known, and the unscrupulous banker is calling in the loan. The neighbor’s kind-hearted and beautiful stable girl, Krissy, provides the feminine influence the girls desperately need. If only he had a future to offer her. But to save his sisters from poverty, he should set his sights on Krissy’s wealthy relative Kirsten Macleod, the elusive new heiress. Surely this hard-working and unassuming young lady and the landowner could not be one and the same?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Debbie Lynne Costello has enjoyed writing stories since she was eight years old. She raised her family and then embarked on her own career of writing the stories that had been begging to be told. She and her husband have four children and live in upstate South Carolina. She has worked in many capacities in her church and is currently the Children’s Director. She loves the Lord and hopes people will be uplifted and inspired by her writing. Debbie Lynne has shown and raised Shetland Sheepdogs for eighteen years and still enjoys litters now and then. In their spare time, she and her husband take pleasure in camping and riding their Arabian and Tennessee Walking horses.

More from Debbie

I’ve always believed that a great book can go unknown without a great cover. What makes me say that? You’ll never know what’s in the book if you don’t read the back cover and you’ll never read the back cover if you don’t pick up the book and you won’t pick up the book unless the cover grabs you. I loved the cover of book one. It was perfect for the story. That left me feeling a bit anxious about the cover for book two. With the hero being a veterinarian who owned a horse farm and a heroine with a sick horse, the cover needed a horse. But let me tell you, there just aren’t that many horse models out there.

Most publishers and book designers don’t allow the author to submit a photo to use. I mean that just isn’t the way it’s done—and understandably so. There is a certain quality that has to be adhered to. Can you imagine what covers would look like if we could use our phones to take our cover picture? Well…I just happen to know a very capable photographer so I took a gamble and asked the cover editor if I could submit a picture of my horse, Trigger for the cover. To my surprise, they asked for copies of the photographer’s work, which I happily supplied. The cover editor was quite impressed and okayed the idea.

So with a photographer, a beautiful young lady, some 19^th century clothes, and my boy Trigger, I was part of the photo shoot, explaining how I envisioned the pose. When the pictures came back I was ecstatic! They were exactly what I was wanting. And better yet, the cover designer liked them as well!

I’m now trying to figure out how I can get Trigger to hold a book so I can take his picture with the cover. If you have any ideas, let me know! If you’d like to see more pictures of Trigger, you can see him on my FB page with my ‘through the ears of a horse’ posts.

Blog Stops

Vicky Sluiter, January 19

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, January 20

Mary Hake, January 20

She Lives to Read, January 20

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 22

lakesidelivingsite, January 23

Lighthouse Academy Blog, January 23 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Betti Mace, January 24

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 25

Holly’s Book Corner, January 25

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, January 26 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 27

Britt Reads Fiction, January 28

Texas Book-aholic, January 29

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 30

Simple Harvest Reads, January 31 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

For Him and My Family, February 1

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Debbie is giving away the grand prize package of an apron kitchen set (as pictured), a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a signed copy of my 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/297cf/bride-by-beguilement-celebration-tour-giveaway

Loving Beth Celebrate Lit Book Tour

Posted on January 21, 2024January 20, 2024 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Loving Beth by author Bonnie Rose Ward is a Christian historical romance. Set in Appalachian West Virginia after the Civil War this is an engaging tale of endurance, faith, love, and family.

The author has a nice style of writing and a is a fascinating storyteller. Her words are easy to read and had me imagining the characters and their actions easily. The faith message is heavily woven throughout the entire book. I appreciate that in a Christian book.

Characters are carefully crafted and authentic for the period and location. I fell in love with quite a few, but there are others that were horrible. Children and animals made me smile in multiple parts. There are twists and turns, heartwarming and heartbreaking moments, and a story that made me keep turning page after page.

This is the story of Beth McCullough. She lives alone in her family’s cabin. Her distant neighbors check on her and help. I adored her neighbors, Walter and Ruby Mae. Scenes with them always put a smile on my face. Beth sells eggs at the store in town to make money for her supplies. This is also the story of Jacob. His character is a bit of a mystery for some of the story.

The story is emotionally charged and gave me all types of feelings. Unfortunately, there were some major things that bothered me when reading this book. The Lord’s name is taken in vain. I could reason it out by saying the time and region play a part in that, but the bottom line is it is never acceptable. I was unpleasantly surprised to find that in a Christian book. There is also a scene where characters drink hard cider. I was surprised to find one drunk. Violence is also part of this tale.

I recommend this historical romance with caution. Because of the above, I do not think young teens should read it. The story is really entertaining and interesting. It gets a 3.5 out of 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: Loving Beth

Author: Bonnie Rose Ward

Genre: Christian Historical Romance Fiction

Release Date: June 8, 2023

A courageous woman, a bitter man, and God’s plan.

Times were hard after Beth McCullough’s father died in the Civil War, but she and her mother are getting by on their little farm outside Rosewood, West Virginia. The kindly banker holding the loan lets them pay what they can. Then Beth’s mother dies suddenly, and the banker’s arrogant son gives her only thirty days to pay her full debt. Beth is left alone and lonely and fears losing the only home she’s ever known. It would be nice to have someone in her life like Jacob, the handsome man who found her mother. Then to her horror, Beth discovers two small children who’ve been abandoned. It’s one more thing for her to worry about, but Beth has to keep faith in God’s ability to work miracles.

Although he has to travel to Baltimore to care for his ailing mother, Jacob Wallace can’t stop thinking about Beth, but he’d promised his late wife he’d never love again after her tragic death. After receiving a letter with terrible rumors about Beth, Jacob returns to Rosewood, angry, bitter, and disillusioned, more determined than ever to keep his vow to never love again. He’s right to close his heart against Beth.

As Beth struggles to protect the children and keep her farm, she’s also defending against Jacob’s unfounded suspicions. The danger escalates with an attack and threats to her life. But God moves in mysterious ways. Is there room in Jacob’s heart for a new love? Will they learn to trust each other and have faith in God’s plan to find their way together?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Bonnie Rose Ward, an award-winning author celebrated for her vivid memoirs recounting life in the Alaskan wilderness, currently resides in West Virginia with her husband. Bonnie’s homestead is nestled within the serene foothills of the Allegheny Mountains. The spirit of these mountains and her husband’s familial tales from the region breathe life into her compelling narratives of Appalachian resilience, strength, and the quest for love. Drawing from her fifteen-years in the wilderness, Bonnie’s present lifestyle encapsulates the essence of self-sufficiency. Together with Samuel, she tends to a menagerie of goats, chickens, Zebu cattle, and other barnyard animals, while also cultivating their verdant gardens. When not immersed in her rural responsibilities, Bonnie transitions into her writer’s persona. At her keyboard, she masterfully weaves new tales echoing the valor of women, the fidelity of men, and the extraordinary miracles that God orchestrates in their lives. Bonnie Rose Ward is not just an author, but a storyteller—painting vivid pictures with her words that resonate with the human spirit’s trials, triumphs, and faith.

More from Bonnie

My husband, and I lived in the Alaskan wilderness for many years. We built cabins and lived off the land. While there, Sam shared stories about his ancestors—especially those of his spunky great grandmother, Easter Mullens. I was fascinated by her life. We eventually purchased my husband’s mother’s old homeplace nestled in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia, and together we built our home by hand, reminiscent of the cabins we built in Alaska. Living in the wilderness for fifteen years gave me the skills and understanding of how our forefathers and mothers’ must have lived in the 1800s. Sam often talked about his aunts foraging from the land—they knew what vegetation you could eat and what you couldn’t. I became enamored with these hardy, resilient mountain people and their stories.

I started to write Easter’s story as nonfiction, but my imagination took over and a fictional story grew from the fragments of her life and circumstances.

As you know, characters are typically a composite of people we know and characters we imagine, with a bit of ourselves sprinkled in there. Beth originally was a combination of Sam and my ancestors—at least, how I imagined them to be. As I worked with her, she took on a life of her own. Instead of simply being impressed by her courage, I realized how vulnerable she is. I also realized that being so young, she is going to make mistakes a more mature person wouldn’t. But I think her driving characteristic is her spunk. She does what she has to do to survive in a harsh world and to protect those she loves.

Jacob is a decent man whose devotion to his departed wife leaves no room for another. He has to come to terms not just with his wife’s death, but with what is expected from him as he puts the pieces of his life back together. Most importantly, he must realize his harshest expectations are those he has cast upon himself—and that his stubbornness is destroying not only his own happiness, but the happiness of those he loves.

Faith, love, and determination are the main themes of the book. Faith has been so important in my own life and got me through so much when we lived in the Alaskan wilderness. Therefore, I wanted to illustrate the role faith played in the lives of Beth and Jacob. Love comes in so many different forms, and I wanted to explore the different types of love. There’s the love between a man and a woman; the love between parents and children—even if they are not biologically related; and, of course, the love that grows from relying on good neighbors and friends. Determination is what allows us to survive the unsurvivable. Without the determination that seeds in our guts and grows to see us through the worst times of our lives, we would not succeed. Of course, determination can also work against us. When we stubbornly adhere to principles that are no longer relevant, our determination cause much more harm than good.

Blog Stops

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 13

Bizwings Book Blog, January 14

Exploring the Written Word, January 14

Holly’s Book Corner, January 15

lakesidelivingsite, January 16

Madi’s Musings, January 16

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 17

Lighthouse Academy Blog, January 18 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Cover Lover Book Review, January 19

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, January 20 (Author Interview)

Devoted To Hope, January 20

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 21

Texas Book-aholic, January 22

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 23

Pause for Tales, January 23

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 24

For Him and My Family, January 25

Books I’ve Read, January 26

Connie’s History Classroom, January 26

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Bonnie is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card & a paperback 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/2979d/loving-beth-celebration-tour-giveaway

Amish Friends Life Hacks Book Review

Posted on January 20, 2024January 20, 2024 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

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

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

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

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

About Author Wanda E. Brunstetter

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

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

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

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

From the Book

The Seamstress of Acadie

Posted on January 18, 2024January 18, 2024 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

The Seamstress of Acadie by author Laura Frantz is a Christian historical romance novel. For me, it is the best book this author has written. I was absolutely captivated from the very beginning until the end. It is certainly a page turner.

Set in 1750s this is the story of Silvie Galant. She lives with her family in Canadian Acadia. Silvie is strong, gentle, caring, selfless, and everything you want in a heroine. Her character has been carefully crafted to perfection. I adored her. William Blackburn is equally heroic. Handsome, smart, rugged, caring, gallant, and basically as close to a perfect man as one could imagine. The chemistry between these two sizzles.

The writing in this book is extraordinary. I was able to feel so many emotions as I read what the characters lived. The vivid descriptions and prose swept me up and took me back in time to Canada and Virginia. Scenes played out in my mind like a blockbuster movie.

I gleaned so much knowledge of the time and places just by reading this book. Some of the things were heartbreaking and others heartwarming. Lovers of French, British, and early American history will adore this beautiful tale. The story has stuck with me long after finishing the book. There are good Christian and life lessons to be found in this mesmerizing book.

It gets a 5 out of 5 stars from this reader. I highly recommend it to all historical fiction lovers. A copy was provided by Revell Publishing, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

As 1754 is drawing to a close, tensions between the French and the British on Canada’s Acadian shore are reaching a fever pitch. Seamstress Sylvie Galant and her family–French-speaking Acadians wishing to remain neutral–are caught in the middle, their land positioned between two forts flying rival flags. Amid preparations for the celebration of Noël, the talk is of unrest, coming war, and William Blackburn, the British Army Ranger raising havoc across North America’s borderlands.

As summer takes hold in 1755 and British ships appear on the horizon, Sylvie encounters Blackburn, who warns her of the coming invasion. Rather than participate in the forced removal of the Acadians from their land, he resigns his commission. But that cannot save Sylvie or her kin. Relocated on a ramshackle ship to Virginia, Sylvie struggles to pick up the pieces of her life. When her path crosses once more with William’s, they must work through the complex tangle of their shared, shattered past to navigate the present and forge an enduring future.

About the Author, Laura Frantz

Laura Frantz is passionate about all things historical, particularly the 18th-century, and writes her manuscripts in longhand first. Her stories often incorporate Scottish themes that reflect her family heritage. She is a direct descendant of George Hume, Wedderburn Castle, Berwickshire, Scotland, who was exiled to the American colonies for his role in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715, settled in Virginia, and is credited with teaching George Washington surveying in the years 1748-1750. Frantz lives and writes in a log cabin in the heart of Kentucky.According to Publishers Weekly, “Frantz has done her historical homework.” With her signature attention to historical detail and emotional depth, she is represented by Janet Kobobel Grant, Literary Agent & Founder, Books & Such Literary Agency of Santa Rosa, California.Readers can find Laura Frantz at www.laurafrantz.net.

New Chicks at the Peaceable Celebrate Lit Tour

Posted on January 17, 2024January 16, 2024 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

New Chicks at The Peaceable is part of the Peaceable Farm & Bookery Grami’s Stories for Children series by Caryl “Grami” McAdoo. This is a lovely children’s book that has a sweet real story, cute pictures, and thoughtful messages. Younger readers will adore this book.

Children will learn about all about chickens and be entertained with this tale. This book teaches lessons on how to overcome being afraid, obeying parents, and how to trust. A message about bullying and why it is bad is woven into this book. Chickens are known for having a “pecking order” and being bullies.

In the back of the book there are fun chicken facts and chicken terminology that will be engaging for children to read. There are many opportunities for discussions throughout this book. It would make a nice birthday gift or “just because” gift for children ages 4 to 9. I give it a 5 out of 5 star rating. A copy was provided by CelebrateLit, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: New Chicks at The Peaceable

Author: Caryl “Grami” McAdoo

Genre: Children’s Animals Picture Book

Release Date: November 23, 2023

Chickens from newborns to old hens have a “pecking order” but bullying is never right! What to do if you’re bullied by those around you!

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Award-winning, Christian author Caryl McAdoo prays her story brings God glory. Of her best-selling novels, readers love her historical Christian romance family sagas most, but also enjoy their contemporary cousins, Caryl’s Biblical fiction, her new historical mystery series, and tales for young adults and mid-grade booklovers as well as the new picture books for the still younger set. The majority of reviewers award her stories five-stars and praise Caryl’s writing style and the depth of her characters, feeling as though they get to know them well.

The prolific writer loves singing the new songs God gives her almost as much as penning new novels—hear a few at YouTube! She’s been married to Ron fifty-five years, and they share four children and twenty-seven grandsugars. The McAdoos live at The Peaceable 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

As the chicken population grows at The Peaceable Farm & Bookery, troubles come–all based all on the true story! One of our beautiful ‘Golden Laced Wyandotte’ hens got broody and wanted to sit on a nest and hatch a clutch of chicks!

The wee peepers, designated the “Songsters” and named Reba, Celine, Loretta, and Miley (the last by a reader’s daughter), experience the famous and proverbial “pecking order” chickens are so famous for. In human terms that can be called bullying though, and so Goldie, their mother teaches the girls how to respond those bully chickens!

Grami loves her “backyard birds”, and so does O’Pa! She expects the name of the twenty acres she and O’Pa live on in Red River County—The Peaceable—to be the spur for all its inhabitants to cohabitate peacefully with one another—and that includes the chickens!

She and O’Pa, her husband of fifty-five years have bought an incubator to hatch purebred chicks then raise fine, healthy birds to their laying age—usually four to five months—before finding them forever homes. We love our flock, and the babies grow so fast. Watching them is so much fun and relaxing, too!

Grami knows each hen and rooster by name, and they all are so affectionate! They come running whenever I head out the door (mostly because they want to see if I brought any food!) I love thinking about what they are saying to each other with all their clucking and purring and cackling!

This is why the books are partially written from the hens’ point of view as our first animals’ series, The River Bottom Ranch Stories featuring horses and goats and dogs among other wild animal characters. And all those farm animals were real ones that we owned and loved, too—like the chickens!

This series ‘Grami’s Stories for Children’ also has a narrator speaking throughout—that’s me, Grami McAdoo! I talk to the children through a few pages full of dialogue to teach them about poultry and things of God. In NEW CHICKS at the Peaceable, I talk about bullies and how Jesus teaches us to respond, how they can be scary, but God is always with us and sends His angels to protect us!

The illustrations are photographs of our real chickens and The Peaceable Farm & Bookery. In the back of the book, there are a few pages of “Chicken Terminology” and fun “Chicken Facts” to teach the little ones more about the wonderful world of chickens!

I pray the precious little ones so dear to God’s heart will love the story and be blessed by it!

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 9

Lots of Helpers, January 10

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, January 11

Artistic Nobody, January 12 (Author Interview)

Splashes of Joy, January 12

Texas Book-aholic, January 13

Guild Master, January 14 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 15

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 16

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 17

Cover Lover Book Review, January 18

Girls in White Dresses, January 19

A Reader’s Brain, January 20 (Author Interview)

Lights in a Dark World, January 20

For Him and My Family, January 21

Fiction Book Lover, January 22 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Caryl is giving away the prize 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/29587/new-chicks-at-the-peaceable-celebration-tour-giveaway

Remain True: Amana Celebrate Lit Book Tour

Posted on November 13, 2023November 13, 2023 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

Settlers and Toffs Celebrate Lit Book Tour

Posted on November 10, 2023November 10, 2023 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Settlers & Toffs by the wonderful storyteller Caryl McAdoo is a Christian historical romance. This book is Book Two in her New Beginnings Family Saga. It could be read as a stand-alone without having first read Book One.

Filled with many characters, story lines, and sweet romance there is a lot of inspiration tucked inside this story. As I read I found heroes, good guys, villains, and everything in between. There were surprises, twists, and some humor. Set in early Texas and England, it was a fun, interesting book that included a lot of history.

A few times I thought the story slowed down a bit, but basically the pace was nice. The conversations sounded authentic. I loved getting to know the various characters, but sometimes had a little trouble keeping them straight. The message of faith shines brightly in this book.

I highly recommend this novel. It receives a 4 out of 5 star rating from me. A copy of Settlers and Toffs was provided by the publisher, but these are my honest words.

Settlers & Toffs

About the Book

Book: Settlers & Toffs

Author: Caryl McAdoo

Genre: Historical Romance

Release Date: August 23, 2023

New and old collide in SETTLERS & TOFFS as Ambrose Lee and Blaire build a hotel and a new life together with a remnant from the wagon train he captained in ’49. Settling in Auburn, California, they deal with the gold rush boom town’s growing pangs while the next Earl of Farnsworth, William Cromwell, voyages home to England with his intended Clara and her family. Though separated by a country and an ocean, troubles and trials plague them all. Revisit old friends from Book One WAGONS WEST and meet new ones in this second novel of the New Beginnings Family Saga! This story has been previously published on Kindle Vella with the same title as episodes for Season Two. Season Three, ANSWERING THE CALL episodes are now available at Kindle Vella now.Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Award-winning author Caryl McAdoo prays her story brings God glory, and her best-selling tales—coming up on seventy titles now published—delight readers all around the world. The prolific writer also enjoys singing the new songs the Lord gives her; you may listen to those at her YouTube channel.

She loves working in the yard at The Peaceable, her home tucked away on twenty acres, mowing and planting flowers. She lives there with Ron, her high school sweetheart and husband of fifty-five years, five dogs, two dairy goats she milks daily, a flock of chickens, and a plethora of barn cats.

The couple shares four children and twenty-seven grandsugars, six are greats. Caryl and Ron love their quiet, country life in the woods south of Clarksville, seat of Red River County in far Northeast Texas and wait expectantly for God to open the next door so they may do His will.

More from Caryl

I started writing “episodes” for Kindle Vella the first month they opened the new format with WAGONS WEST, season one in the New Beginnings Family Saga Season One. For those who don’t read at Kindle Vella, after the ”season” has been up thirty days, the author can create a book!

The episodes become chapters and WAGONS WEST debuted last November 2022! The SETTLERS & TOFFS story is “Season Two” and I’m tickled pink with it! Book One in the series was an epic wagon train story that ended when they got to the gold fields around Auburn California.

In Book Two, the characters spread out across the globe, and we follow them all. Some of those who arrived in covered wagons began to build the pioneer town of Auburn, making a new home for themselves. Some panning for gold and others building hotels and businesses the miners need.

Some travel to merry old England where one of the wagon train sojourners has been called home after his older brother’s death to be the future Earl of Farnsworth. Having fallen in love, he couldn’t bear to leave Clara behind, so arranges for her family to accompany him. So many of the main characters sail away cross the seas.

The third storyline in SETTLERS & TOFFS becomes another wagon train when the scout in book one decides with his wife to go and bring another group of settlers to the new land—a very lucrative business venture for the captains who knew the way.

There are plenty of characters who come in and out as the story progresses. I’ve come to love the primary ones. There are struggles at every turn. Trials and tribulations fill many of their days, but there are those joyous ones as well!

Through it all, the Lord—still on the throne and in control in 1850—helps His children overcome and blesses them beyond measure . . . just as He does today. He is the Rewarder of those who diligently seek him and obey His commandments—then and now.

My author’s motto is “Praying my story gives God glory!” I also pray that its readers will be drawn into a closer walk with the Almighty as they walk alongside these awesome, stalwart folks who settled the West! They had it rough, but God . . . PRAISE HIM!

They sure do! And so do I!
BLESSINGS!

Blog Stops

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 3

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 4

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 5

Texas Book-aholic, November 6

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 7

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, November 8 (Author Interview)

Books You Can Feel Good About, November 9

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 10

Beauty in the Binding, November 11 (Author Interview)

The Lit Lady, November 11

For Him and My Family, November 12

For the Love of Literature, November 13 (Author Inteview)

Exploring the Written Word, November 13

Holly’s Book Corner, November 14

Cover Lover Book Review, November 15

Pause for Tales, November 16

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Caryl is giving away the prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and signed 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/28b2c/settlers-toffs-celebration-tour-giveaway

Marshaling Her Heart Celebrate Lit Book Tour

Posted on November 1, 2023October 30, 2023 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Marshaling Her Heart by the amazing wordsmith Mary Connealy is Book Three in her Wyoming Sunrise series. This is a Christian historical western book that includes danger, adventure, and romance. Even though this is Book Three, it may easily be read as a stand alone.

From the very first page this book had me hooked. I was totally invested in spunky Becky and Nate. It was easy to see this was going to be another page turner. The characters were unique and quirky. I enjoyed the strong women in the story, and Becky certainly is one. Nate is an honorable, great guy. There are also some bad guys, too, like the Deadeye Gang.

The writing is evenly paced and the story doesn’t lag. There is a lot going on to keep readers entertained. The author throws in some twists to keep readers on their toes. Her humor is delightful. The conversations sounded authentic for 1870s Wyoming.

There are life and Christian lessons woven throughout this novel. I love books that entertain and educate. Readers will learn about redemption, hope, love, marriage, and taking chances. The best lesson in this series is respect. In today’s world respect is in short supply, especially for women.

I highly recommend this fabulous book. Fans of historical and western fiction will adore it. The series would make a great Christmas gift. It gets a 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit and NetGalley, but these are my honest thoughts.

Be sure to enter the giveaway at the bottom of this post.
#MarshalingHerHeart #NetGalley

About the Book

Book: Marshaling Her Heart

Author: Mary Connealy

Genre: Historical Romance

Release Date: October 17, 2023

Will their lives and romance survive the trouble coming their way?

Becky Pruitt has always prided herself on knowing everything that’s happening on her successful ranch, so an unexpected admission from her foreman, Nate Paxton, comes as quite a surprise. With the notorious Deadeye Gang on the loose, Nate–a former U.S. Marshal–believes Becky’s ranch is the best spot for a group of Marshals to use as a base to hunt them down.

The timing couldn’t be more crucial for the town of Pine Valley, and Becky feels obligated to help. But after escaping the grasp of her harsh father, she’s never liked giving up control, of her life or her ranch. If there’s anyone she can trust with her ranch, and her heart, it might be Nate. But the outlaws won’t go away quietly, and as danger draws ever nearer, Becky and Nate are faced with impossible choices that will test their growing bond.Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Mary Connealy (maryconnealy.com) writes “romantic comedies with cowboys” and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She has sold more than 1.5 million books and is the author of the popular series Wyoming Sunrise, The Lumber Baron’s Daughters, Brothers in Arms, Brides of Hope Mountain, High Sierra Sweethearts, The Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Lassoed in Texas, Sophie’s Daughters, and many other books. Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero.

More from Mary

Becky Pruitt has a problem. Her ranch is being invaded by good guys.

Becky wants the Deadeye Gang caught and thrown in jail as much as anyone, but the lawmen asking her to hire them on at her ranch aim to do their investigating while working undercover as cowhands. She runs a good ranch, however, and doesn’t like the idea of a bunch of low-skilled men making her look like she’s hired them foolishly.

Yet she goes along with it, suspicious and annoyed, because her foreman, Nate Paxton, a man she trusts, convinces her that these men are honorable. Then the three lawmen she hires, all of them U.S. Marshals, urge her to send every single one of her regular cowhands—except Nate, a former Marshal himself—off on a cattle drive.

Now she’s got Marshals cropping up everywhere. Her ranch isn’t being run in a way that suits her. She’s got trouble with her father, and an important speaker is coming to town to talk about women’s suffrage. So much is distracting her when all she really wants to do is make sure her herd is being tended properly.

Before long, Nate starts to question the behavior of the U.S. Marshals Service. They’re secretive to the point that they put him in jeopardy a few times before he decides to quit. Here he’d found a decent job on a top ranch, and he even shared a few special moments with his pretty, feisty boss that gave him ideas of how he’d like to change things around a little just so he could be with her. And then his brother, who’s still a U.S. Marshal, invades the ranch with a few fellow lawmen. Quite a few.

Meanwhile, the Deadeye Gang is more dangerous than ever. The woman coming to Pine Valley to speak is now at risk, which makes Becky frantic to protect her. The cattle aren’t being looked after like they ought to be. And yet Nate finds himself being drawn closer to Becky with each passing day. He’s determined to stand firmly between her and danger, but he’s got to keep up with her to do that. He soon discovers that nothing is easy when it comes to the hard-charging Becky Pruitt.

Wyoming Sunrise is a series I wrote in which I cast women as having nontraditional jobs: Forged in Love has a woman blacksmith, Laws of Attraction a woman justice of the peace, and Marshaling Her Heart a woman rancher. Those are all nontraditional for sure, but not really in my case personally. I must force myself not to make all my heroines feisty lady ranchers. It’s almost a reflex at this point. I fought that reflex as hard as I could, but I decided it would be okay to sneak one lady rancher into this series, and that’s Becky Pruitt. I slipped her into the western vernacular, the tough attitude, the riding skirts and boots and Stetsons—and I loved it.

Marshaling Her Heart is my first true lady rancher, and so I let loose and had fun with Becky. The foreman Nate recognizes intelligence and competence in his boss, and he’s smart enough to take orders from her because he knows those orders are the right way to run the ranch.

Add in the backdrops of the other books in the series, the vicious, stagecoach-robbing Deadeye Gang, the coming of the lady suffragist speaker to town, and you’ve got a story full of trouble, action, adventure, romance, and fun.