2.28.2021

When Twilight Breaks by Sarah Sundin ~ Review

Review:

A captivating Pre-WWII novel, that wrapped me up in its spell as Sarah Sundin brings to life the conflicts, ideologies, and injustices going on in Germany just a year before the world's deadliest war.

Evelyn Brand is a foreign reporter with the American News Service, stationed in Munich. She is a woman working in a man's world, fighting hard to make her words heard. Her words must be measured carefully, as speaking against the government not only puts her job at risk, but her very life.

Peter Lang is working to put together his dissertation for his PhD in German language, he admires the orderliness of German culture, praising its accomplishments until his eyes are opened to the injustice lurking beneath the surface.

Ms. Sundin skillfully brings to life the dangers of living in Germany in the tumultuous year before the official start of WWII, with characters who represent a variety of positions and ideas. I admired Evelyn for her courage and compassion for others, though she is independent and sees leaning on others as a weakness. Peter is a brilliant man, dedicated to his realm of study, Evelyn opens his eyes to what is going on in the broader world around him, and I loved how he lives out his faith and we see his understanding of the issues change over the course of the book.

Overall, a gripping read, with a powerful storyline, and courageous characters willing to sacrifice for the freedom of others. This book is a bit different from other books by this author, as the previous books tended to focus on different branches of the US military in the thick of the war, while this one shows a different perspective I that enjoyed just as much if not more for its compelling, high stakes storytelling. This book will not disappoint! Highly recommend!

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

2.26.2021

Abducted in Alaska by Darlene L. Turner ~ JustRead Tour, Review, and Giveaway

Abducted in Alaska JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for the Abducted in Alaska by Darlene L. Turner, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Abducted in Alaska
Author: Darlene L. Turner
Publisher: Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense
Release Date: March 1, 2021
Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense

Protecting a child…
could cost them their lives.

Saving a boy who has escaped his captors puts Canadian border patrol officer Hannah Morgan right into the path of a ruthless child-smuggling ring. Now with help from police constable Layke Jackson, she must keep the child safe. But can they rescue the other abducted children and bring down the gang…all while protecting a little boy and keeping themselves alive?

Review:

Hannah Morgan is thrust headlong into a high stakes case, when she rescues a boy named Gabe, who has escaped a cruel child trafficking ring. She joins forces with Constable Layke Jackson who has his own personal reason to put an end to the kidnappings.

Hannah has a big heart for children, wanting to have a family of her own someday. She does a great job with Gabe, bonding with him as they fight to take down the ruthless kidnappers. I admired her strong faith and compassionate heart. Hannah and Lake make a great team, and I liked how they both begin to open their hearts to new opportunities.

Overall, a fast paced read, with solid characters, one of my favorite being Gabe who is a courageous child. Hannah and Luke make a great team, and I loved getting to know each of them better as they opened up to each other. It is an engaging read, with plenty of action, but also more steady moments that help grow the relationships. An entertaining read for fans of suspense!

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darlene L. Turner’s 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.

Darlene won the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense twice and an ACFW Genesis award. She’s represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. Her debut book, Border Breach, released in April 2020 with Love Inspired Suspense. She has two books releasing in 2021: Abducted in Alaska (March) and Lethal Cover-Up (August).

Darlene met her husband Jeff at the turtle races in Ontario, Canada. She loves flavored coffee and plaid shirts. You can connect with Darlene on her website where there’s suspense beyond borders.

CONNECT WITH DARLENE: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a prize package including a Bible study book, swag, and a $25 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight February 23, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 2, 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/CAN 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.

2.24.2021

The Prince of Spies by Elizabeth Camden ~ Review

My Review:

Luke Delacroix has been fighting to bring down Clyde MacGruder, the sworn enemy of his family for decades. The last thing he expected was to fall in love with Clyde's daughter.

Charming, charismatic Luke Delacroix is a man on a mission with connections spanning the country, he knows how to ferret out information from unscrupulous characters and pull the strings from behind the scenes to ruin political campaigns. This riveting conclusion to the Hope and Glory Trilogy brings back to the forefront the tempestuous feud between the Delacroixs and the MacGruders over adulterated food, in the political capitol of the nation.

Drawing from real life trials testing food safety as people because more reliant on store shelves for stocking their pantries. Thoroughly researched, Ms. Camden has a gift for bringing the Gilded Age to life in vivid detail, deftly showing how the luxuries we take for granted everyday came to be. I knew I would love this book as soon as I heard about it, Luke is a daring hero, with strong convictions and sense of justice. I've enjoyed seeing him grow, find faith, and mature in the previous books, which I devoured.

I enjoyed getting a more humanizing view of the inner workings of the MacGruder family through the eyes of Marianne, seeing their struggles, failures, as well as how they rose from nothing to the owners of a food empire to be reckoned with. I admired Marianne for her courage in facing the truths about her family.

Overall, this was a engrossing read, and satisfying read from beginning to end that brings history to life. A captivating read that was impossible to put down, with excellent pacing and fantastic characters, I especially liked bantering comradery of the Poison Squad, as well as how the MacGruder clan explored in a realistic dimensional way. Highly recommend this book, the whole series, and everything by this author!

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

2.23.2021

His to Keep by Sherrinda Ketchersid ~ Review

Review:

A Scottish knight comes to claim his ramshackle inheritance, which includes a reluctant bride set against marrying her enemy.

Claire Beaumont is the orphaned ward of Whitfield, promised in marriage to whomever claims Whitfield as their inheritance, which no one has wanted to claim because of its lack of upkeep and neglect. Claire loves her home, and the people that have become her family. She is clever and resourceful, stubborn, yet compassionate, treating those around her with respect and dignity.

Ian McGowan, has worked hard to make a way for himself apart from his family, and is thrilled to be able to put down roots in a place to call his own. I admired his willingness to listen to Claire's ideas about how to run Whitfield, as well as how he worked alongside his tenants to make the keep a success.

An engaging romance with captivating characters, and a compelling romance. I loved getting to know the tenants of Whitfield, as they all come together to work for the chance at a brighter and more secure future. Ian has a great friend in Phillip, who gives him advice on everything from running the keep to how to woo his intended. All in all a completely enjoyable read, with well developed characters throughout, excellent storytelling, character interaction, and relationship building, with themes of faith and friendship. Highly recommend!

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

Lady Wynwood's Spies 1: Archer by Camille Elliot ~ Celebrate Lit Tour, Review, Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Lady Wynwood’s Spies 1: Archer

Author: Camille Elliot

Genre: Christian Historical Romantic Suspense

Release date: December 8, 2020

A Christian Regency Romantic Adventure serial novel with a supernatural twist

Lady Wynwood’s Spies volume 1

She met him again by shooting him.

Part one in a Christian Regency Romantic Adventure epic serial novel with a supernatural twist. After four seasons and unmarried because she is taller than most of her dance partners, Miss Phoebe Sauber receives the shocking news that she is being callously banished from her father’s estate because he is remarrying. Feeling betrayed by her father and by God, and wanting to escape her family’s presence, she attends an archery tournament with her friends.

But her perfect aim fails her, and her arrow hits a piece of paper held by Mr. Michael Coulton-Jones, whom she hasn’t seen much in society in several years. But strangely, her arrow tears a section of the paper with a partial symbol that looks eerily familiar to her.

He met her again while searching for a killer.

Michael had quit his work as a spy for the Foreign Office when his brother was poisoned. His search for the murderer leads him to Apothecary Jack, a criminal underworld leader with a penchant for poisons, who is gathering a powerful army through an alchemical potion that can give men supernatural strength.

But his path unexpectedly crosses again with Miss Sauber, who saves him from a trap laid by Jack. She and her Aunt Laura, Lady Wynwood, have found a vital connection to Apothecary Jack and the mysterious group he works for.

Now Michael, who had vowed to never again allow civilians to come to harm, must work with a nobleman keeping dangerous secrets, a human lie detector, a chemist, a fellow former spy, and the one woman he’s never allowed himself to get close to.

And it is only this ragtag group that stands against a traitorous organization that could enable Napoleon to conquer the world.

Click here to get your copy!

Review:

The start to a swashbuckling Regency serial, this first book introduces many of the characters as well as the stakes.

Slow to start it takes a while to pick up steam, but once it does there isn't any stopping. A new intrigue filled adventure, with a splash of speculative fiction.

I loved the Phoebe finds friends that she can trust, my favorite was Keriah, who is wonderfully supportive and skilled with healing.

Overall, this book introduces the plot and characters of a new series. At times it was difficult to read, with the slower start and the inhumanity of what the bad guys were doing. But it really picks up at the end, leaving me aching to know what would happen next in true serial style!

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

About the Author

Camy writes Christian contemporary romance and romantic suspense as Camy Tang and Regency romance as USA Today bestselling author Camille Elliot. She lives in San Jose, California, with her engineer husband and rambunctious dog. She was a staff worker for her church youth group for over 20 years and she currently plays on one of the Sunday worship teams. Visit her websites at http://www.camytang.com/ and http://www.camilleelliot.com/ to read free short stories and subscribe to her quarterly newsletter.

More from Camy

I love Regency romances! I started reading them when I was 13 years old and haven’t stopped since.

There’s something about the Regency time period and culture that’s glamorous and decadent and the epitome of elegance. The resplendent dresses! The brooding, romantic Lord Byron and the distinguished Beau Brummell! Dashing naval captains and army lieutenants, glittering ballrooms and winsome debutantes!

The flip side of my personality loves romantic suspense and action adventure. I love seeing strong women face danger with courage and smarts, and strong men willing to do anything to protect their loved ones and fight for justice.

So, basically, the Lady Wynwood’s Spies series grew out of my desire to see Mission: Impossible in the Regency era!

My Regency “IMF” team is brought together when my spinster heroine, a botanist and a skilled archer, discovers that her late uncle had ties to a mysterious group. She goes to her aunt’s best friend, a gentleman who has secretly been a spy for decades, and he forms his team of ex-agents and uniquely gifted civilians to battle this group of alchemists who want to ensure that Napoleon wins the war with England. (Cue the Mission: Impossible theme music!)

I’ve also structured the series a little differently. It’s a very long serial novel, similar to a Japanese manga or light novel series, with 12 volumes that each have a completed story arc, but the main plot isn’t resolved until the end.

I hope you’ll join me on this epic Regency romantic adventure!

Blog Stops

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 15

CarpeDiem, February 15

Hebrews 12 Endurance, February 16

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 16

Artistic Nobody, February 17 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Inside the Wong Mind, February 17

Through the Fire Blogs, February 18

Mia Reads, February 18

Sara Jane Jacobs, February 18

Debbie's Dusty Deliberations, February 19

HookMeInABook, February 19

Betti Mace, February 20

Inklings and notions, February 20

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, February 21

Texas Book-aholic, February 21

Connie's History Classroom, February 22

The Artist Librarian, February 22

Pause for Tales, February 22

For Him and My Family, February 23

Labor Not in Vain, February 23

deb's Book Review, February 24

Fiction Book Lover, February 24 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 25

Just Your Average reviews, February 25

Simple Harvest Reads, February 25 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, February 26

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 26

Blossoms and Blessings, February 27

Britt Reads Fiction, February 27

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, February 28

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, February 28

Blogging With Carol, February 28

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Camy is giving away the grand prize of a 1-year subscription to Kindle Unlimited!!

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/1074a/lady-wynwood-s-spies-1-archer-celebration-tour-giveaway

2.21.2021

Centered by Jason Brown with Paul Asay ~ Review

My Review:

I am not a football fan by any stretch of the imagination, but I do remember a few years back seeing a feature about Jason Brown during Sunday afternoon football, and the story intrigued me. So when I heard about this book I jumped at the chance to read Mr. Brown's story.

Jason Brown tells of his humble, hardworking roots, getting bullied in school, and having a strong focus on academics, with football only crossing his mind as an afterthought. An engaging read, it takes the reader through the highs and lows of his life, as Mr. Brown shares the lessons he learned not always the easy way. He shares of his faith in God, strong family values, and how it wasn't always that way. His love for God, love for his family, and powerful faith shine through every page of this book. I admired, and was inspired by how he turned his back on the riches that the world had to offer in order to follow God, even when the sun wasn't always shining, and to be the husband and father his family needed.

Overall, this is a highly inspiring story of trusting and obeying God. I loved how he speaks so passionately about his faith, with such loving pride for his family. Even if you are like me and don't care much for football, or if you follow the sport closely this is a powerful, inspiring and uplifting book that you won't want to miss!

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

2.19.2021

Winning Miss Winthrop by Carolyn Miller ~ Celebrate Lit Tour, Review and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Winning Miss Winthrop

Author: Carolyn Miller

Genre: Regency Historical Romance

Release date: March 2018

Catherine Winthrop is almost at her last prayers, rejected years ago by the man who stole her heart. When tragedy brings him back into her life, she must suffer further grief in silence, amid her family’s pain and hostility, which eventually sends her to seek solace in Bath.

Jonathan Carlew might be wealthy, but the mystery surrounding his birth has shadowed his life, bringing fresh challenges as he takes on the Barony. Caught between appeasing the Winthrop family’s concerns and doing what he could to salvage their failing estate, he must also weigh the echoes of the past with the demands of his new responsibilities.

Two hearts must decide whether present speculation will condemn them to the dust of their memories, or if the whispers of forgiveness can provide freedom for the future.

Review:

Miss Catherine Winthrop has a big heart, she cares about her father's tenants, and befriends many of them. But when her father dies they find out the sad state of their financial affairs. Catherine and her mother must move into a smaller dwelling, also in sad disrepair. Catherine tries to see the bright side, and shoulders much of the responsibility, she is glad to have a friend in Lavinia, who encourages her in her faith.

When a man comes back into her life from her past, could he be the answer to their problems?

There were many characters, with a lot of character growth--I liked Catherine most. But as a whole the book was rather slow moving, with little dialog between the main characters, and it was hard feel hope that things might improve for her dire situation. Catherine is a true heroine, kind, loyal, true and definitely long suffering, and she was the only character that I really liked. Personally this wasn't for me, even though I have enjoyed other books by this author in the past.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, opinions expressed are my own.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Carolyn Miller lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. Together with her husband she has pastored a church for ten years, and worked as a public high school English and Learning and Support teacher.

A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English Literature, and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. Her Regency novels include The Elusive Miss Ellison, The Captivating Lady Charlotte, The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey, Winning Miss Winthrop, Miss Serena's Secret, The Making of Mrs. Hale, A Hero for Miss Hatherleigh, Underestimating Miss Cecilia, and Misleading Miss Verity, all available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Koorong, etc.

More from Carolyn

In 2015 I was fortunate enough to visit England and see my sister who was living there at the time. What followed was three weeks of visiting parts of England, Ireland and Scotland in a whistle-stop tour of some of the places I’d long dreamed about visiting, but never thought I’d get the chance: London, Brighton, the Blarney stone in an Irish castle, Chatsworth in the Peak District, Loch Ness and Culloden in the Scottish Highlands, the gorgeous grounds of Dunrobin Castle, and the beautiful Cotswolds of England, which includes World Heritage-listed Bath.

I’ve used many of the places I’ve visited as inspiration behind my historical stories, but none as much as the places I visited while in Bath. Pretty much every place I visited – Sydney Gardens, Bath Abbey, the Pump Room, The Assembly Rooms and more – were mentioned in my story Winning Miss Winthrop, which I view as my homage to Jane Austen’s Persuasion, which vies with Pride and Prejudice as my favorite Austen novel.

I loved my all-too-brief time in Bath, and I love this story, with its depiction of two people learning to overcome the misunderstandings of the past in order to find a future. Winning Miss Winthrop is the first book in the Regency Brides: A Promise of Hope series, and has the attention to period detail, romance, banter, and faith threads that readers in the Regency Brides series have come to expect. I hope readers enjoy Catherine and Jon’s story.

Blog Stops

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 16

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 17

lakesidelivingsite, February 17

For Him and My Family, February 18

Texas Book-aholic, February 19

Labor Not in Vain, February 19

KarenSueHadley, February 20

Woven by Words, February 20

Artistic Nobody, February 21 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

deb’s Book Review, February 22

Mia Reads, February 22

Inklings and notions, February 23

All-of-a-kind Mom, February 23

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, February 24

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 24

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 25

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

Melissa Wardwell’s Back Porch Reads, February 26

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, February 27

Connie’s History Classroom, February 27

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 28

Spoken from the Heart, February 28

Simple Harvest Reads, March 1 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Hallie Reads, March 1

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Carolyn is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon prize and 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/1074d/winning-miss-winthrop-celebration-tour-giveaway

Vanished in the Mountains by Tanya Stowe ~ Celebrate Lit Tour, Review, Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Vanished in the Mountains

Author: Tanya Stowe

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Release date: February 3, 2021

A search for missing women leads to a deadly pursuit.

When domestic violence counselor Dulcie Parker uncovers evidence of a human trafficking ring in the Four Corners area, she’s determined to stop it or die trying. With corruption all around her and killers on her trail, Deputy Sheriff Austin Turner’s the only one she can trust. But can they work together to expose the crime ring before she becomes the next victim?

Click here to get your copy!

Review: With no one to trust, but Deputy Sheriff Austin Turner, Dulcie is determined to get to the bottom of a human trafficking ring that is stealing the lives of the young women in Four Corners.

A fast paced read, with a quick hook, that brings to life the landscape and politics of the setting, bringing to mind the rugged terrain of Longmire. The does a great job of bringing the suspense, with compelling characters surrounded on all sides. I liked that Dulcie is a strong Christian and talks with others about her faith, along with facing her fears.

This story does an excellent job of blending suspense, with real character development, and faith. There are also great supporting characters as well, like Bea Yazzie, who is a sweet elderly woman, offering sage encouragement. I really liked Dulcie and Austin together, as they get to know each other and come to depend on each other more and more as the story progresses. A well balanced read, with great twists that made this book hard to put down. Definitely recommend!

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

About the Author

Tanya Stowe is a Christian Fiction author with an unexpected edge. She is married to the love of her life, her high school sweetheart. They have four children and twenty-one grandchildren, a true adventure. She fills her books with the unusual…mysteries and exotic travel, even a murder or two. No matter where Tanya takes you…on a trip to foreign lands or a suspenseful journey packed with danger…be prepared for the extraordinary.

More from Tanya

When my children were very young, my husband and I took a trip to Colorado for a family reunion. After the reunion we traveled through Colorado to see the sights. We stopped in Silverton and my sister and I took my young son and daughter down the narrow-gauge railroad to Durango. Riding the swaying train down slopes covered in pine trees with the rushing white water of the Animas River below, I knew I’d write about the area someday. Many years later my husband and I took our first “kid-less” vacation in our motorhome. We stayed in a campground on the Navajo Nation next to Canyon de Chelly. We had no running water or electricity and that night, a storm blew in from the west. We watched the sky change to hues of purple and pink and then sat mesmerized as lightning strikes crossed the magnificent valley. Once again, I planted the scenes in my mind, determined to write about them one day. Little did I know both vacations would combine into one story. I hope you find my memories of the Four Corners area as unforgettable as I did! Blessings!