Be Brave. Choose Kind. You forget many things in life. But you never forget kindness. WHITE BIRD is a deeply moving coming of-age story and testament to the courage it takes to extend kindness and love during the harshest of times.
10.05.2024
White Bird // Movie Review and Giveaway
Be Brave. Choose Kind. You forget many things in life. But you never forget kindness. WHITE BIRD is a deeply moving coming of-age story and testament to the courage it takes to extend kindness and love during the harshest of times.
10.02.2024
The Emmeline Series: Finding Strength by Kathy J. Perry // JustRead Tour and Giveaway
Welcome to the Blog Tour for the Emeline series by Kathy J. Perry, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Books
Title: A Journey
Series: Emeline #1
Author: Kathy J Perry
Publisher: Chickadee Words, LLC
Release Date: November 1, 2023
Genre: Christian Young Adult 19th Century American Historical Fiction
A promise made to her dying father; a struggle that tests her faith; a journey that pushes her resilience and resourcefulness to their limits
Emeline, a thirteen-year-old Missouri orphan, must set off on a quest across frontier America to fulfil her father’s last to find her grandfather in Boston.
Crossing this dangerous and unforgiving land alone, she must face challenges without losing her faith, rising to every test ahead if she’s to survive and find a home at the end of her adventure.
Will Emeline’s journey bring her the family she longs for?
Readers of Laura Ingalls Wilder and Louisa May Alcott will delight in this fast-paced adventure.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Kathy J Perry | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub
Title: Finding Strength: During the Panic of 1893
Series: Emeline #2
Author: Kathy J Perry
Publisher: Chickadee Words, LLC
Release Date: March 1, 2024
Genre: Christian Young Adult Historical Fiction
When the world around you is falling apart, you must find strength within yourself.
Three years after her father’s death, Emeline has settled into life in Indianapolis.
Then an urgent visit to her childhood farm in Missouri changes everything. Her manager dies, the economy is in recession, and the caretakers are moving back to Wisconsin. Emeline is suddenly responsible for the farm… and she’s out of her depth.
With the help of her closest allies, Emeline sets out to turn the farm around until disaster strikes and she must start again. Emeline faces her biggest challenge finding the courage to have confidence in herself.
Can Emeline’s faith and resourcefulness bring her the joy and security she’s worked so hard to find?
This coming-of-age tale is a must-read for lovers of historical fiction.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Kathy J Perry | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub
Review:
Emeline again must rise to the occasion, stepping up to the tasks laid before her.
Emeline has enjoyed the last few years working for the Witherspoons, until her life changes again with the coming of a letter bringing her back to the farm after the death of the manager. Emeline must again make a solo journey in this coming of age tale, she reconnects with old friends and takes up the mantle of running the dairy farm with the help of the former manager's son, Andrew.
Emeline learns valuable lessons, growing in her faith, while taking on new challenges, making new friends, and connecting with old ones. An enjoyable historical fiction with strong characters, and solid themes of faith in this coming of age story great for teen girls, and also enjoyable for adults.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
About the Author
Of the many jobs she’s held in the past, including thirty-five years of designing and constructing stained glass windows part-time, teaching was one of the most enjoyable for Kathy J. Perry because investing in kids is so important. To this end, she continues to encourage good character with clean, moral stories kids and teens love to read. Good books make such an impact. Writing is hard work, but there’s nothing like a good story to run off with your imagination. When things are flowing, it’s like a vacation. Sometimes the best ideas come in the middle of the night. When not writing, you’ll find her painting with watercolor, doing school visits, writing a blog, interviewing other writers, designing websites, working as an administrative assistant part-time, and renovating houses. Is this retirement? Apparently so! She loves every minute of it with her husband of 43 years.
Connect with Kathy by visiting kathyjperry.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will receive signed print copies of A Journey and Finding Strength, companion journal, bookmarks, and a $25 Amazon gift card plus a code for free audiobooks for both titles!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 1, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 8, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
9.28.2024
Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor by Roseanna M. White // Review
9.25.2024
The Christmas Tree Farm by Melody Carlson // Review
9.24.2024
K-9 Ranch Protection by Darlene L. Turner // Just Read Tour and Giveaway
Welcome to the Blog Tour for K-9 Ranch Protection by Darlene L. Turner, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: K-9 Ranch Protection
Series: Crisis Rescue Team #6
Author: Darlene L Turner
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
Release Date: September 24, 2024
Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense
A killer on the loose.
A K-9 keeping watch.
Police constable Izzy Tremblay knows her father’s death was no accident, so when she finally discovers a lead and is immediately attacked, her suspicions are confirmed. The ambush leaves her in the hospital with three hours of crucial memory missing, which she knows holds the key to finding her father’s murderer. For protection, she takes refuge with her ex-partner, Austin Murray, on his K-9 ranch while she races to uncover the truth. But with danger still lurking, can they stay alive long enough to take down a killer?
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Harlequin | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop | BookBub
Lucie's Review:
The murder of her father makes Police Constable Izzy Tremblay the target of a killer, the only person she can turn to is her ex-partner and K-9 trainer, Austin Murray.
An action-packed, suspense, with great pacing, and fraught with danger. Austin and Izzy make a great team, and I liked seeing how they reconnect after their falling out and time apart. Strong themes of faith and reconciliation throughout. I liked the interaction between Austin and Izzy, and how he is supportive of her and believes that she is on to something.
Entertaining and well written, there is never a dull moment, I liked how Austin's dog is so protective of Izzy. There is a lot going on, and I liked the creative ways that they dealt with their attackers.
Overall, a faith filled suspense, with likable protagonists, and a high stakes plot. Highly recommend!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
More Books In This Series
About the Author
Darlene L. Turner is an award-winning and a Publishers Weekly best-selling author and lives with her husband Jeff in Ontario, Canada. Her love of suspense began when she read her first Nancy Drew book. She’s turned that passion into her writing and believes readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message.
Connect with Darlene by visiting darlenelturner.com, where there’s suspense beyond borders, to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
Tour Giveaway
(4) winners will each receive a $25 Amazon egift card!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 23, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 30, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
My Bag, My story: End the Trash Bag and Help a Foster Child Today + Amazon GC Giveaway!
My Bag My Story is a heartfelt initiative that addresses a painful truth faced by many children in foster care. As they move from one temporary home to another, their possessions are often carried in a trash bag. For every bag purchased, My Bag My Story donates a high-quality, durable bag to a foster child. These bags are more than just practical; they are symbols of support and recognition, affirming the inherent value and worth of every child in the foster care system. Through this gesture, it not only provides something functional, but it also helps foster children feel seen and valued.
9.23.2024
Meeting Her Match by Jen Turano // Review
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
9.20.2024
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever // Movie Trailer // In Theaters November 8th, 2024!
The Christy Award 2024 Finalists!
Welcome to the Takeover Blitz for The Christy Award Finalists 2024, organized by ECPA and hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! We extend our sincere and enthusiastic congratulations to the 2024 Finalists!
About the Gala
The Christy Award Gala will be held on Thursday, November 14 at 7 pm central in Downers Grove, Illinois, at the DoubleTree Conference Center, just outside Chicago. Winners from each category, plus the Christy Book of the Year and Amplify Award, will be announced during the celebration.Learn more about The Christy Award Gala 2024
The Christy Award Finalists 2024
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE - tie
Her Only Wish, Shelley Shepard Gray (Revell/ Baker Publishing Group) Indigo Isle, T.I. Lowe (Tyndale House Publishers) The Rhythm of Fractured Grace, Amanda Wen (Kregel Publications) The Thing About Home, Rhonda McKnight (Thomas Nelson)
FIRST NOVEL
A Fifth of the Story, Dr. Katherine Hutchinson Hayes (End Game Press) An American Immigrant, Johanna Rojas Vann (WaterBrook, an imprint of Penguin Random House) On Moonberry Lake, Holly Varni (Revell/ Baker Publishing Group)
GENERAL FICTION - tie
He Should Have Told the Bees, Amanda Cox (Revell/ Baker Publishing Group) The Last Exchange, Charles Martin (Thomas Nelson) The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass, Katie Powner (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group) The Year of Jubilee, Cindy Morgan (Tyndale House Publishers)
HISTORICAL
Appalachian Song, Michelle Shocklee (Tyndale House Publishers) The Foxhole Victory Tour, Amy Lynn Green (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group) The Warsaw Sisters, Amanda Barratt (Revell/ Baker Publishing Group)
HISTORICAL ROMANCE
A Winter by the Sea, Julie Klassen (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group) Of Love and Treason, Jamie Ogle (Tyndale House Publishers) The Seamstress of Acadie, Laura Frantz (Revell/ Baker Publishing Group)
MYSTERY/SUSPENSE/THRILLER
8 Down, Kimberley Woodhouse (Kregel Publications) The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater, Jaime Jo Wright (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group) The Vanishing at Castle Moreau, Jaime Jo Wright (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group)
SHORT FORM - tie
Beauty Bright (within We Three Kings), Cara Putman (Kregel Publications) The Poppy (within Dancing in the Rain), Sara Davison (Sara Davison) The Shifting Current, Dani Pettrey (Dani Pettrey) Star of Wonder (within We Three Kings), Crystal Caudill (Kregel Publications) You Make It Feel Like Christmas, Toni Shiloh (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group)
SPECULATIVE - tie
Estuary, Lisa T. Bergren (Enclave, a division of Oasis Family Media) In This Moment, Gabrielle Meyer (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group) Lumen, J.J. Fischer (Enclave, a division of Oasis Family Media) Shadowcast, Crystal D. Grant (Quill & Flame Publishing House)
YOUNG ADULT - tie
The Looking-Glass Illusion, Sara Ella (Enclave Escape, a division of Oasis Family Media) Offsides, Lori Z. Scott (End Game Press) Once a Queen, Sarah Arthur (WaterBrook, an imprint of Penguin Random House) Sky of Seven Colors, Rachelle Nelson (Enclave Escape, a division of Oasis Family Media)
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will receive their choice of The Art of Writing registration OR print copies of The Christy Award finalist titles for one category!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight September 20, 2024 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on September 27, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Register for The Christy Award 2024 Events
Leading up to the Gala, an afternoon of seminars will be presented as the Art of Writing conference, which will bring together writers, creatives, and publishing curators for training and connection around Christian fiction writing. Sessions will be led by publishers Karen Watson and Andrea Martin (Tyndale House); agents Danielle Egan-Miller and Cynthia Ruchti; and authors Amanda Cox, Kelly Flanagan, Chris Fabry, Robin W. Pearson, Dani Pettrey, and others.
The Christy Award® is a program of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) and is the foremost award honoring and promoting excellence in Christian fiction since 1999. For more information about ECPA, visit ECPA.org. For more information about the Christy Awards and Art of Writing conferences, visit ChristyAwards.com or email TheChristyAward@ecpa.org
Author and Reader Event
Join fellow readers and forty authors (and counting!) at the JustRead Rendezvous to celebrate Christian fiction and sweet reads. This event will be held on the day after The Christy Award events at the same location. Rendezvous, modeled after the Christian Fiction Readers Retreat, aims to sweeten reading and storytelling experiences with fellowship and encouragement. Activities will include corporate worship, speaker sessions, author panels, small group discussions, games, giveaways, a pop-up book shop, and author signings.Learn more about the 2024 JustRead Rendezvous
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!