1.23.2022

Sons of Thunder : Redemption : Episode 1 // Review and Pureflix Subscription Giveaway

A spin-off of the original "Sons of Thunder." "Redemption" follows Jacob, a lone biker on the road, on his journey to share his faith, seek forgiveness and encourage others on a ranch in California while scraping by from job to job and spreading the love of Jesus to those he meets.

Review:

Episode 1: Finding Sandy kicks off a brand new spin-off series of Sons of Thunder, by introducing Jacob. Jacob is excited about his new lease on life after finding the Lord in prison, but even though he wants to leave his past behind, the past won't let him go that easily. He travels to California to make amends to his former fiancé, and finds work as a ranch hand.

Jacob is a changed man, he left who he was behind, and I admired his commitment to his faith and making things right, seeking forgiveness for his past. This show differs from the original most noticeably in that it seems to be setting up the whole season to take place in one central location, rather than having Jacob drift adventure to adventure. I liked that Jacob is trusting God and wants to do the right thing even if it isn't easy.

Overall this is a great start to a new show, I had really enjoyed the original series so that isn't a surprise to me. I think that the more drawn out storyline will give it more room for detail and side plots. Logan is an intriguing character and it will be interesting to see what they do with him. I loved how the Gibsons welcome Jacob onto their ranch. I will definitely keep watching to see what happens next and if Jacob's past will come back to haunt him. A show that you could definitely watch as a family, though young children are not the intended audience. I would give it a PG rating for the themes and violence.

#SonsOfThunderMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork #PureFlix

Many thanks to Pure Flix for providing a temporary subscription for this review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

Begin streaming Sons of Thunder Redemption on Pureflix today: HERE

Giveaway:

As part of the celebration of the launch of Sons of Thunder: Redemption we are giving away a 3 month subscription to the Pureflix streaming service!

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To Treasure an Heiress by Roseanna M. White // Review

To Treasure an Heiress

Beth Tremayne has always been drawn to adventure. During her childhood, she fed that desire by exploring every inch of the Isles of Scilly. As an adolescent, she dreamed of love in London's ballrooms. Now, stumbling across an old map on her family's property, she's found more adventure than she ever craved in the hunt for pirate treasure. Unfortunately, Beth can't escape the attentions of her family's guest, Lord Sheridan.

Sheridan has spent years pursuing whatever archaeological interests caught his imagination. And when he discovers that Beth's search connects with one of his favorite pirates of history, he can't help getting involved. Plus, he finds her irresistible, even though she insists he stole a prized possession of hers.

As they work together following different clues and drawing closer to danger, they start to piece together a story of tragic love and piratical adventure. But the true surprise is the treasure they discover in each other.

Review:

Filled with daring adventure, mystery, humor and romance, To Treasure an Heiress is everything that I could have hoped for and more.

Beth Tremayne has always been fascinated with the stories of treasure on her beloved isles, and she knows that the search for Mucknell's treasure is far from over. But with the search for treasure has come all sorts of trouble in the form of outsiders in pursuit of the same treasure, as well as a certain Lord Sheridan.

One of my very favorite books so far by this author, I loved Sheridan's whimsical optimism and pure heart, his chapters always brought a smile to my face. But it was Ainsley that was my favorite, and I hope to see more of him and Senara in the future as their story was one of my favorite parts of the book. I loved how Ainsley is so open about his faith, quick to offer comfort and wisdom, yet human himself he isn't immune to doubts.

Full of adventure and daring, I loved how the dynamic slowly changed between Beth and Sheridan as she begrudgingly lets him work with her, as well as their humorous banter. It was an absolute delight to be in Sheridan's head, he is a rare man indeed, childlike in some ways, yet so wise in others. One of my favorite scenes in the whole book was when he showed that he had been listening to Ainsley all along.

Overall, there was not one thing that I didn't love about this story, excellent plot, captivating characters that brought a smile to my face, high adventure, dear Mamm-wynn, a lovely comedic touch, and thoughtfully rendered messages of faith. Beth is a daring heroine, but even she needs help sometimes. And I just wanted to give Senara a hug to help her through everything on her mind. You will not want to miss this fantastic new favorite from Roseanna M. White, it is a five start read all the way through!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Buy your copy Amazon | Christianbook | Barnes & Noble

About the Author:

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.roseannamwhite.com

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1.21.2022

Life Flight by Lynette Eason // Review

Review:

Plunging you into the action from the very beginning this book has the feel of a second book in a series, even though it is the first. It took a little longer to get into this one, and I think it was because there was so much going on that I didn't connect with the characters right away.

EMS helicopter pilot Penny Carlton finds her endurance and skills pushed to the max as she and FBI agent Holt Satterfield try to stop a serial killer and clear his sister's name. There is definitely a lot going on in this chilling, action packed read.

This is very possibly the creepiest book I have every read by Lynette Eason. The bad guy is just so disturbing, especially in the way that he treats women and twists Bible verses, and I didn't like being in his head.

Penny is a quick thinking heroine, full of courage, I admired her for making her own way in life and not leaning on who she was related to. Holt is under a lot of pressure, with her personal life as well as the dark cases he has to deal with on a daily basis. I liked them together, but their time together was sporadic.

Overall this was a thrilling start to a new series, there was a lot to like about this book, but there were also parts that weren't to my personal taste. I liked the themes of returning to faith and trusting in God, as well as fighting for the truth. Great for fans of suspenseful reads, who don't mind some darker themes.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

1.20.2022

Redeeming Love // Movie Review // Coming to Theaters January 21st, 2022

REDEEMING LOVE is a life-changing story of the power of unconditional and all-consuming love.

Based on the bestselling novel by Francine Rivers, REDEEMING LOVE is a powerful story of relentless love and perseverance as a young couple’s relationship clashes with the harsh realities of the California Gold Rush of 1850.

Angel expects only pain from those around her. Sold into prostitution as a child, Angel survives with hatred towards herself and the men that use her. She meets Michael Hosea, a farmer who believes God wants Angel to be his wife. Dire circumstances force Angel to accept his proposal, but when Michael defies her bitter expectations, her wounded heart be gins to mend.

As Angel encounters a love unlike anything she ever experienced, feelings of unworthiness and shame cause her to run from a life she doesn’t think she deserves. As Michael sets out to find her, Angel discovers there is no brokenness that love can’t heal.

Redeeming Love will begin showing in Theaters January 21st, 2022

You and your friends will walk away impacted by the perfect, relentless love of the Father after watching the film.

Buy Tickets: https://tickets.redeeminglovemovie.com/

Review:

A powerful story of true love and redemption based on the best-selling novel of the same title by Francine Rivers.

I had my doubts going into this movie, I'd read the book years ago and really enjoyed it, but wasn't sure about how it would translate onto the big screen, especially in regards to the mature themes and adult content. I was pleased to discover that Francine Rivers was heavily involved in the screenplay, and that the project was not being rushed, but that they were taking their time to find the best way to bring a film that did justice to the book to viewers. I can honestly say that I think that they did just that.

Redeeming Love is the re-telling of the Biblical story of Hosea, set in the gold fields of California during the 1850's. Angel is a prostitute, highly prized for her beauty and the wealth that she brings to her handlers. Michael Hosea hears God tell him that Angel will be his wife. But Angel has lived a rough life, mistreated by everyone she ever met, and her acceptance of Michael's offer is only the beginning.

The way that this book stayed true to the book surpassed all of my expectations, some of the details are changed but the storyline, characters, and message all come shining through. The movie is well done, with a stellar cast, an excellent script, set against stunningly captured scenery. The camera is artfully handled in a way that shows the full gravity of the nature of the story, but also decisively deflects some of the more grisly things. The movie doesn't shy away from sex, and there is nudity where the most sensitive areas are artfully covered by hair, blocking and angles. There is brief language. Though handled very well, I personally thought that the very heavy dark themes of the hit harder in the film, and I could tell that much thought had gone into how to best handle the difficult themes of the book. Rated PG-13, I would say that I felt that it definitely isn't a film I would want my 13 year old daughter seeing and would view with caution with older teens, perhaps after reading and discussing the book first.

Overall, this film does an excellent job of bringing this powerful story to the big screen. It is so obvious that great care was taken with this story and I think that it pays off. One of the best novel to film adaptations I have ever seen. I know that the book is fairly controversial in some circles, so I think that viewers should use discretion when deciding to go see it. If the book was offensive, then the movie isn't for you. I think it is good to know what you are going to see, so if you haven't read the book I would recommend discussing the story with someone who has, before going to see the film. I was so happy to see that the movie didn't shy away from keeping the strong faith elements central to the story, the message of hope and redemption shine through. Fans of the book will fall in love with Michael Hosea and Angel's story all over again as they watch this powerful story of love, hope and redemption unfolds before them!

#RedeemingLoveMovieMIN #RedeemingLoveMovie #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

Many thanks to Universal for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

If you are interested in a more detailed analysis of the content of this movie before going to see it I highly recommend the review done by Focus on the Family on Plugged In: Redeeming Love - Plugged In

Searching for Home by Jill Weatherholt // Celebrate Lit Tour, Review, and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Searching for Home

Author: Jill Weatherholt

Genre: Inspirational Romance

Release date: December 28, 2021

Can three little matchmakers lasso a cowboy father?
When injured professional bull rider Luke Beckett returns to his hometown to recover, he doesn’t expect his B and B host and physical therapist to be his first and only love, Meg Brennan. He’s also unprepared for Meg’s adorable triplets to steal his heart. Luke’s past has him doubting he’s good enough for Meg and the children, but they might be just what the doctor ordered to help him heal…

Click here to get your copy!

Review:

Luke never thought that he'd run into his former high school flame Meg again, as his B&B host of all things. Recovering from a bullriding injury, he is looking to keep a low profile while healing. Meg meanwhile is juggling a lion's share of responsibilities, doing her best not to let anyone down. Could their chance reunion, be the catalyst for a second chance?

A charming second romance, with a handsome cowboy hero and adorable children, what more could I ask for? Luke is genuine guy, and kids instantly win him over. I loved how he takes time to get to know each of them, especially Tucker, showing them parts of his life. Meg is a wonderful woman, she has taken on the challenges that her sister left her with grace, even though it get's crazy at times.

Overall, a heartwarming romance with sweet children, characters that you can cheer for throughout. I loved that Meg has a wonderful friend in her employee, who is a sweet older woman with sage words of wisdom. A charming read, filled with faith, hope and love.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

About the Author

By day, Jill Weatherholt works for the City of Charlotte. At night, and on the weekend, she writes contemporary stories about love, faith and forgiveness for Harlequin Love Inspired.

Raised in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., she now resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, but her heart belongs to Virginia.

She holds a degree in Psychology from George Mason University and Paralegal Studies Certification from Duke University.

She shares her life with her real-life hero and number one supporter. Their relationship grew on the golf course, and now they have one in their backyard.

Jill believes in enjoying every moment of this journey because God has everything under control.

More from Jill

It happened in slow motion.

I was traveling on the interstate at 65 mph, in the far-left lane. The traffic was heavy but moving.

Then the unthinkable happened. A wheelbarrow fell off the back of a pickup truck in front of my car.

Swerving to my right lane wasn’t an option, it was full of cars. The left shoulder was narrow and led to a steep drop off.

I gripped the wheel and had a split second to weigh my options. If I maintained my course, the wheelbarrow would burst through my windshield. If I went to the right, I could cause a multi-car pileup. There was a tractor trailer close behind me, so I couldn’t hit my brakes.

I prepared myself for the worst. Then I prayed to God to help me.

Moments later, when I was safely off the interstate, I burst into tears. I was still alive. No one was injured. But how? I couldn’t recall how I got to the exit ramp. How was I able to guide my car around the wheelbarrow?

Later, I realized that God was truly in control of my life. Growing up in the church and listening to my grandmother, I had always known God loved me. But that day, I felt His love more than I ever had my life. He wanted me to live. But why?

I’d like to think that He wasn’t quite finished with me. That maybe He had better things in store for me. Perhaps He blessed me with a gift to weave together a story that can give a person hope. A story that can bring a little light into what is sometimes a dark and scary world. After all, I didn’t grow up wanting to be a writer. Like that day on the interstate, it’s all God’s goodness.

Blog Stops

Debbie's Dusty Deliberations, January 20

Labor Not in Vain, January 20

Texas Book-aholic, January 21

By the Book, January 21

Inklings and notions, January 22

For Him and My Family, January 23

Splashes of Joy, January 23

deb's Book Review, January 24

Lighthouse Academy Blog, January 24 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 25

Through the Fire Blogs, January 25

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 26

Kayem Reads, January 26

Older & Smarter?, January 27

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 27

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, January 28

Because I said so -- and other adventures in Parenting, January 28

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, January 29 (Spotlight)

SusanLovesBooks, January 29

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, January 30

Blossoms and Blessings, January 30

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 31

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 1

Pause for Tales, February 1

She Lives To Read, February 2

Vicky Sluiter, February 2

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jill 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/186b9/searching-for-home-celebration-tour-giveaway

1.19.2022

An Orphan's Hope by Christina Miller // Just Read Tour, Review and Giveaway

An Orphan's Hope JustRead Takeover + Review Tour

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Tour for An Orphan's Hope by Christina Miller, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: An Orphan's Hope

Series: Natchez #2

Author: Christina Miller

Publisher: Love Inspired

Release Date: January 25, 2022

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christian

He trusts her with his new daughter.

But his wounded heart is another matter…

Twice left at the altar, preacher Jase Armstrong avoids commitment at all costs—until he inherits his cousin’s three-day-old baby. Pushing him further out of his comfort zone is Erin Tucker, the nurse for his live-in octogenarian boss, and her lessons on caring for an infant. But can Jase open his heart enough to see the family forming around him?

Review:

Left at the alter twice, Pastor Jase Armstrong has sworn off love. Plus he already has enough to handle working for Miss Fannie at her Rosewood wedding venue, as well as his local church. But when a tragedy leaves him the guardian of a newborn baby girl, he is glad for the help of his bosses' live-in nurse Erin Tucker. Can a Erin and Jase let go of past heartbreak to give love a chance?

I loved revisiting familiar faces like the Armstrong brothers, Georgia, and matchmaking Eugenia. This book stands well on its own, but I definitely recommend going back for Abe's story if you get the chance. Jase has a full plate between his two jobs, and the addition of a newborn. He has a big heart for others, especially the young men in his youth group.

Erin is the right person at the right time, she fits right in with Jase's family and friends. She has her own heartaches, and Jase is the last person she could ever consider leaving her exciting job for. She is a competent nurse, and has a heart for people.

A sweet romance, heartwarming with wonderful characters, I liked that faith was integrated naturally as part of their lives and their growing friendship. An enjoyable read all the way through.

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

Christina Miller

Editor and author Christina Miller’s idea of a perfect day involves a white-sand beach, a stack of books, and a glass of sweet tea. Ten years ago, she decided to leave her job as an RN and become a writer and editor so she could read for a living—and sometimes even work on the beach.

Christina is a Bethany Global University graduate, pastor’s wife, worship leader, and author for Love Inspired, the Christian imprint of Harlequin. When she doesn’t have her nose in a book or her toes in the sand, you might catch her visiting an antebellum mansion, exploring a museum, or teaching at a women’s conference. Christina lives on her family farm with her husband of thirty-three years.

CONNECT WITH CHRISTINA: Facebook | Twitter

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a print copy of An Orphan's Hope and a $20 Amazon gift card!

An Orphan's Hope JustRead Giveaway

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight January 19, 2021 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on January 26, 2021. 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.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

1.15.2022

A Cowboy to Rely On by Jill Kemerer // Review

Review:

Shocked by the death of his brother, Jett is even more surprised to find that his brother was married with a young daughter.

I loved how Jett and his family eagerly welcome Holly and Clara into their lives, and doing their best to make her feel at home while getting to know them. Jett is a traditional oldest child, with a strong sense of responsibility and he wants to do everything he can to help his brother's widow and daughter. He is great with little Clara, and I loved how his mother and sister quickly befriend Holly.

A heartwarming and engaging read, with good character interaction, and strong faith. I loved how this story involved Jett's whole family. Holly is a devoted mother and a strong woman who owns up to regrets. I love a good cowboy romance, and this one is top notch. Highly enjoyable.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

1.12.2022

Never Leave Me by Jody Hedlund // Review

Review:

Picking up in present day aftermath of the previous book, Harrison is working to continue Marian and her father's work to find a cure for Ellen's VHL. But there are those who would use a cure for their own selfish gain and stop at nothing to attain it.

I loved Harrison from Come Back to Me so I knew that this book would be fantastic with his noble selflessness and quick thinking, and I wasn't disappointed. In fact, I think that I liked this book even more than the first. Ellen is compassionate and has a heart for helping others, and I loved seeing her open her eyes to the possibilities of love.

This is a fast paced read, engaging from the start, with well developed and likable heroes. Romantic and full of adventure, this was a riveting read. I enjoyed the time bending fantasy elements, as well as how this book dealt with difficult ethical questions. Harrison and Ellen work well together, both of them are so selfless and have a passion for helping others.

Time travel, adventure, romance, this book has it all. I loved getting to see familiar faces from Marian's story, as well as meeting new characters like Sybil. A totally enjoyable read from beginning to end, it will be interesting to see if there are more books in the series, perhaps Nicholas will make an appearance? Wonderful for fans of romantic adventure, with tastes for speculative fiction.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

1.11.2022

Buried Cold Case Secrets by Sami A. Abrahams // Celebrate Lit Tour, Review, and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Buried Cold Case Secrets

Author: Sami A. Abrams

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release date: December 28, 2021

Recovering her missing memories…

Could be the key to solving a murder…

Searching for her best friend’s remains could help forensic anthropologist Melanie Hutton regain her memories of when they were both kidnapped—unless the killer gets to Melanie first. For her safety, Melanie must rely on Detective Jason Cooper, who still blames her for his sister’s death. Can Jason set the past aside to solve the cold-case murder…and shield Melanie from the same fate?

Click here to get your copy!

Review:

Melanie's past is coming back to haunt her as she works to uncover the truth of what happened to her and her best friend Alison.

Melanie lost the memories of what happened during the horrible ordeal she experienced in middle school, in an attempt to discover the truth she finds herself fighting for her very life. Melanie must rely on Dt. Jason Cooper who still blames her for his sister's death. Together can they find the truth and escape the clutches of the past?

A suspenseful and intriguing read. Melanie has had a rough upbringing, and just wants answers. I liked that she has held to the faith, and her passion for the truth. Jason and Melanie make an uneasy team at first, but I liked how they got to know each other and how Jason protected her despite his struggles to move past what happened.

Overall, an engaging and fast paced read with compelling characters and a twisting plot. Good character development throughout, as well as faith. Well worth the read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

About the Author

Two-time Genesis winner Sami A. Abrams and her husband live in Northern California, but she’ll always be a Kansas girl at heart. She enjoys visiting her two grown children and spoiling their sweet fur babies. Most evenings, if Sami’s not watching sports, you’ll find her engrossed in a romantic suspense novel. She thinks a crime plus a little romance is the recipe for a great story.

More from Sami

What writer doesn’t grow up reading every chance they get? That would be me.

Until my thirties, I hated to read. Then someone told me about Terri Blackstock, and I decided to give her books a try. I was hooked. I guess there’s something to finding the right genre. Romantic Suspense is it for me. Of course, that makes sense. I love CSI, NCIS, and Criminal Minds. Over the years, I have expanded my taste, but there’s just something about suspense that keeps me coming back.

A little over five years ago, I decided to start checking off some of the items on my bucket list. I learned how to rock climb and got my scuba certification, among other things. When I got to the item, writing a novel, I sat down and pounded it out. Check the box; I was done. Wrong. God had other plans and placed some amazing people in my life.

One of those plans was attending MurderCon, a conference for writers where they learn from experts about, you guessed it…murder. Actually, it’s about police procedures, crime scene analysis…the list goes on and on. One of the workshops I attended was with a forensic anthropologist, and the idea for Melanie Hutton and Buried Cold Case Secrets was born.

I loved writing Melanie’s story. She’s a fighter and refuses to let anything stand in her way, including the man, Jason Cooper, who blames her for her best friend’s death. Jason holds on to the past and his hatred toward Melanie, but he soon learns that if he puts aside his assumptions and listens, he’ll discover the truth about the day his sister died. Letting go of his anger and blame is tough for Jason, but when he does, he finds the life he’s always wanted.

I hope you enjoy reading Melanie and Jason’s story as much as I did writing it.

I’d love to hear from you. Please visit my website at samiaabrams.com and sign up for my newsletter.