I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
2.27.2022
Riverbend Gap by Denise Hunter // Review
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Worship by A. W. Tozer // Review
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
2.26.2022
The Adoption Surprise by Zoey Marie Jackson // Review
2.25.2022
Mrs. Witherspoon Goes to War by Mary Davis // Celebrate Lit Tour, Review, and Giveaway
About the Book
Book: Mrs. Witherspoon Goes to War
Author: Mary Davis
Genre: Christian / Historical Fiction / Romance
Release date: February 1, 2022
A WASP Goes Above the Call of Duty to Free Captive American Soldiers
Full of intrigue, adventure, and romance, this new series celebrates the unsung heroes—the heroines of WWII.
Peggy Witherspoon, a widow, mother, and pilot flying for the Women’s Airforce Service in 1944 clashes with her new reporting officer. Army Air Corp Major Howie Berg was injured in combat and is now stationed at Bolling Field in Washington D.C. Most of Peggy’s jobs are safe, predictable, and she can be home each night with her three daughters—until a cargo run to Cuba alerts her to American soldiers being held captive there, despite Cuba being an “ally.” Will Peggy go against orders to help the men—even risk her own life?
Don’t miss these other stories about Heroines of WWII:
The Cryptographer’s Dilemma by Johnnie Alexander
A Picture of Hope by Liz Tolsma
Saving Mrs. Roosevelt by Candice Sue Patterson
Click here to get your copy!
Review:
An engaging historical read that gives the readers a glimpse into the life of a WASP during WWII.
I liked that Peggy is a mother, and experienced pilot. She is a good friend, and knows what she is talking about. I loved how well researched the book was and how it showed the work and dedication that the women put into their jobs serving their country. Peggy is a courageous heroine and I liked that she didn't back down from a challenge when lives were on the line.
Howie isn't pleased to be stationed stateside because of an injury. But Howie is a gentleman, he sees that the women want to work and prove themselves, and he is ready to learn from his mistakes. I love how he quickly befriends Peggy's daughters, and how he stands up for the women under his command.
Overall, this is a well written read with great characters, faith, friendship and love. I loved how it showed the pride that the women took in their work as well as their bravery serving their country. Engaging read filled with faith, love and daring. Definitely recommend.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
About the Author
MARY DAVIS is a bestselling, award-winning author of over thirty titles in both historical and contemporary themes. She has been in numerous compilations and collections. Stories and characters have been running around in her head for as long as she can remember. Her published works have been on Publisher’s Weekly bestselling lists several times. Some of her works include her award-winning Quilting Circle series and Newlywed Games.
An empty-nester, Mary lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband of over thirty-seven years and a black Norwegian Forest cat. She has three adult children and three incredibly adorable grandchildren. She enjoys playing board and card games, rain, and cats. She would enjoy gardening if she didn’t have a black thumb. Her hobbies include quilting, porcelain doll making, sewing, crafts, crocheting, knitting, and papercrafts.
More from Mary
AIRBORNE
When my agent asked if I had a WWII story idea that might fit in with Barbour’s Heroines of WWII series, I had to tell her I didn’t. At the time, I was writing book 4 in a series set in 1894 and proofing audio chapters for book 3 in that series. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to tackle war, but I told my agent I would think on it and pray. If the Lord wanted me to write a WWII era story, He would give me an idea. So I prayed.
I knew women had done some military flying but didn’t know the details, so I jump into some quick research. I couldn’t take too much time away from my current novel and its rapidly approaching deadline. When an idea started forming with a WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots), I wrote a brief one-page outline of my rough idea. I knew I couldn’t take too much time away from my other project to write a whole proposal if I was going to be told the publisher already had a story in the series about a WASP, which I assumed they had. Because who wouldn’t want to write about lady pilots?
My idea about a WASP, who flies an unsanctioned secret mission to rescue three US soldiers held captive in Cuba, now needed a title. No sooner had I thought that I needed a title than one—which I thought would be nothing more than a placeholder—popped into my flakey little head: Mrs. Witherspoon Goes To War. Well, now my heroine, at least, had a last name. My critique partners seemed to like this title, so I added it to my outline and sent it off to my agent, then I got right back to work on my novel with the looming deadline.
Since the publishing industry typically moves very slow, I figured I had a good chunk of time before I would find out if I needed to write a full proposal. So back to work on my contracted novel. Surprisingly, the publisher came back immediately with strong interest in the idea and wanted a full proposal in a week. Fortunately, this editor knew my writing, so I didn’t have to include three sample chapters, but my synopsis needed to be strong in details.
So now, I had a full, detailed proposal to write with historical notes ASAP, a novel I needed to finish writing, and audio chapters to listen to and give feedback on. Bouncing between two different eras isn’t easy and to keeping things straight. With God grace, I got the proposal written and submitted, the audio chapters checked, as well as completing my contracted novel, which I managed to turn in on time. Barely.
Since the publisher seemed very interested in my WWII premise and I had book 5 in my Quilting Circle series to get started on soon, I needed to pick up the pace on my writing. With the idea still fresh in my head and the WWII novel would be due first (if contracted), I decided to use NaNoWriMo in November to write a 50,000 word rough draft of Mrs. Witherspoon Goes To War, which would eventually be around 80,000.
As November progressed and my word count grew, I fell more and more in love with my characters in Mrs. Witherspoon Goes To War. I obviously received and signed a contract. I continued to enjoy my characters as I finished writing and editing this novel.
I would have to say that Mrs. Witherspoon Goes To War is in my top five of the books I have written. My prayer is that this story ministers to others as it did to me as I wrote it.
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 24
An Author's Take, February 24
Debbie's Dusty Deliberations, February 25
Labor Not in Vain, February 25
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 25
Texas Book-aholic, February 26
Jeanette's Thoughts, February 26
Inklings and notions, February 27
Bizwings Blog, February 27
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, February 28
Southern Gal Loves to Read, February 28
For Him and My Family, February 28
Sodbuster Living, March 1
deb's Book Review, March 1
She Lives to Read, March 2
Remembrancy, March 2
Betti Mace, March 3
Locks, Hooks and Books, March 3
Older & Smarter?, March 3
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, March 4
Blossoms and Blessings, March 4
Rebecca Tews, March 5
Connie's History Classroom, March 5
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, March 6 (Spotlight)
Through the Fire Blogs, March 6
Pause for Tales, March 6
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, March 7
Genesis 5020, March 7
Library Lady's Kid Lit, March 8
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 8
Reflections From My Bookshelves, March 9
A Good Book and Cup of Tea, March 9
Pause for Tales, March 9
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Mary is giving away the grand prize of a $25 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/1b059/mrs-witherspoon-goes-to-war-celebration-tour-giveaway
2.20.2022
The Gathering Table by Kathryn Springer // Review
Hostile Intent by Lynette Eason // Review
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
2.18.2022
Network of Deceit by Tom Threadgill // Review
2.15.2022
To Disguise the Truth by Jen Turano // Review
2.14.2022
In Search of a Prince by Toni Shiloh // Review
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
2.06.2022
High Wire Heartbreak by Anna Schmidt // Celebrate Lit, Review, and Giveaway
About the Book
Book: High-Wire Heartbreak
Author: Anna Schmidt
Genre: Christian/Romance/History
Release date: January 1, 2022
In 1936–A party at the Ringling mansion Ca d’Zan in Sarasota, Florida, leads to a robbery–and possibly death.
A successful historical mystery writer, Chloe Whitfield comes to Ca’ d’Zan to research her next novel. Chloe’s fascination with the circus is rooted in family stories of her great-grandmother Lucinda Conroy, who reportedly was a trapeze artist of some renown. She’s heard hints of scandal—and perhaps larceny, but no details.
Chloe’s grandmother—rumored to be Lucinda’s only offspring—was raised in an orphanage and never knew her mother. Intrigued as she is, Chloe has no intent of writing about Lucinda until she sees a poster featuring Lucinda as the star performer for a 70th birthday gala for John Ringling in May of 1936. From there the trail goes cold.
Who was Lucinda and what happened to her?
Click here to get your copy!
Review:
While researching her latest project Chloe is drawn into the mystery and intrigue of what happened to her great-grandmother so many years ago.
A well written read that balances a split-time storyline, with an intriguing mystery that reveals secrets once left in the past. Chloe is a historical mystery writer researching for her next book, she stumbles upon information about her long lost great-grandmother and decides to follow where the clues lead. Can heartbreak lead to lasting love?
An engaging read, with excellent characters and an intriguing plot. I liked how Chloe and Ian bonded over faith as they slowly worked together to uncover the past. Lucinda's part of the story was my favorite of the two by only a small margin, and I was cheering for her the whole way through. Nardo is a kind and honest man, who was always there for her when she needed him most.
Overall, this was a highly enjoyable novel that does an excellent job of blending 1936 and the present day with believable heroes and heroines. Poignant and full of faith, this book kept drawing me in. Definitely recommend!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
About the Author
Anna Schmidt is the author of over twenty works of fiction. Among her many honors, Anna is the recipient of Romantic Times’ Reviewer’s Choice Award and a finalist for the RITA award for romantic fiction. She enjoys gardening and collecting seashells at her winter home in Florida.
More from Anna
It’s hard to split time living between Wisconsin and Sarasota Florida and NOT get caught up in the circus world! The Ringlings are icons in Sarasota where a LOT of things are named for them! But the five circus brothers got their start right here in Wisconsin. So, when the opportunity to create a story for DOORS TO THE PAST came my way, it was pretty much a no-brainer that I would go with John and Mable Ringling’s incredible home, Ca ‘d Zan as the setting. Then somehow, I stumbled on this picture:
and I knew she was my character of Lucinda, the trapeze artist whose story would drive my novel. I hope you fall in love with her—and Chloe—as I did, and most of all I hope you’ll be in touch to let me know what you thought at http://booksbyanna.com.
HAPPY READING and all best wishes, Anna
Blog Stops
Debbie's Dusty Deliberations, January 25
Remembrancy, January 25
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, January 25 (Author Interview)
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, January 26
For the Love of Literature, January 26
Where Faith and Books Meet, January 26
Genesis 5020, January 27
Texas Book-aholic, January 27
Inklings and notions, January 28
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 28
Rachael's Inkwell, January 28
Austen's Angle: Jane Austen's Influence in Modern America, January 29
For Him and My Family, January 29
Rebecca Tews, January 29
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 30
deb's Book Review, January 30
Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 31
Wishful Endings, January 31
Locks, Hooks and Books, January 31
Bizwings Blog, February 1
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 1
Book Butterfly in Dreamland, February 1
Older & Smarter?, February 2
Connie's History Classroom, February 2
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, February 3 (Spotlight)
Bigreadersite, February 3
Blogging with Carol, February 3
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, February 4
Life of Literature, February 4
Stephanie's Life of Determination, February 4
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 5
Joannabair, February 5
Blossoms and Blessings, February 6
Pause for Tales, February 6
Labor Not in Vain, February 6
Splashes of Joy, February 7
Through the Fire Blogs, February 7
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Anna is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon e-gift card and paper 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/186c0/high-wire-heartbreak-celebration-tour-giveaway
2.01.2022
Forever by Your Side by Tracie Peterson // Review
Review: