Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor by Roseanna M. White // Review

My Review:

An enchanting Christmastime Edwardian romance, inspired by The Nutcracker, about the true light of Christmas. 

 Lady Mariah Lyons delights in bringing the joy of Christmas to those around her, making sweets, writing plays, and devising special surprises for the local children to enjoy. But this year is different with the visitation of a Danish nobleman, and a childhood friend, over the festive season. 

A captivating and heartwarming story of family, faith, and finding love at Christmas time. I loved Mariah's sense of joy, how she uses her gifts to create things for others to enjoy and share her wonder. This is such a fun feel-good read, with wonderful characters, and an engaging plot with ties to the classic Christmastime tale. I really liked Mariah's friendship with Cyril, as well as how she is so kind and thoughtful towards the staff, treating them like family. 

Overall, a well written read that I didn't want to end, with likable characters, and a compelling story, filled with a sense of wonder and faith. Great interaction between the characters, as well as a strong theme of the true meaning of Christmas. A highly entertaining, heartwarming read, that you will love to re-read year after year!

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

Amazon | Baker Book House | Barnes & Noble | Christian Book | Roseanna’s Shop
 

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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The Christmas Tree Farm by Melody Carlson // Review

Lucie's Review: 

A heartwarming story of family, faith, and new beginnings. 

Madison McDowell comes home after years of teaching in Mongolia to her family's Christmas tree farm, to find that it isn't how she left it. Fighting back against fire damage, a race track next door, and her sister wanting to sell the business, Madison decides to go all in to save the farm. 

A heartwarming story about family, starting over, and faith. I admired Madison's determination to make a go of the Christmas tree farm, and I liked her friendship with the neighbor girl, Lily, who likes to comes over and help out. There are strong themes of reconciliation, and faith, in this feel-good romance, about rebuilding a farm, and relationships. 

An easy read, with great characters, perfect for when you are looking  for something more relaxing and fun to read. Highly entertaining and enjoyable, perfect for the holiday season!

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

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

       

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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.

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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.

Enter Giveaway

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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. 

 "I started My Bag My Story after becoming a foster parent and watching children always having their belongings in a trash bag or grocery sack or nothing. Everyone kept saying this was normal. I said it doesn’t have to be normal, so I set out to have bags made for kids," said Cara Finger, Founder of My Bag My Story. "Having a bag to call your own instead of a trash bag gives a child dignity and makes them feel valued. A bag seems so small but makes a huge difference in their foster care experience. Making a child feel like they are worth more than trash is so important to me."

There are over 400,000 children in the U.S. foster care system right now. (US Department of Education).

Children can remain in foster care for varying lengths of time, from a few days to several years, depending on their situation and the progress of reunification or the adoption process. 

Each year, around 20,000 young people age out of the foster care system at age 18 (or 21 in some states) without being reunited with their families or adopted, which can present significant challenges for their transition to independent living. (US Department of Education (ED))

Lighten the Load of Foster Care. For every bag purchased, a bag is given to a child navigating the foster care system. One Bag Purchased = One Bag Donated. 

https://mybagmystory.com/

1. Donations: Through its donation program, every dollar donated goes towards giving a child in foster care a bag they can call their own.

2. Dignity Program: My Bag My Story has partnered with over 30 Tennessee-based organizations who work directly with children in the foster care system in order to get them high-quality duffel bags and backpacks.

3. Supporters: As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, My Bag My Story depends on the support of local and national corporations, including Dell, The Predators Foundation, St. George’s Episcopal Church and Target.

Order a bag today and one will be given to a child navigating the foster care system!

#MyBagMyStoryMIN #endthetrashbag

Help support this wonderful organization that seeks to make a difficult situation more comfortable, and gives dignity by gifting a child in foster care a high quality bag to carry their belongings. 

It was cool to learn about how this organization offers care and dignity to children in need with this program, and how every dollar donated goes toward giving a bag to a child in foster care. And I just can't help but think a small thing like a real bag for their belongings, could be a comfort to a child going through an unstable living and family situation. 

My Bag, My Story, offers an easy way to reach out and show love to those who are hurting. On the website you can choose from a duffel bag, backpack, or pouch, in fun and inviting colors, and for each item you buy, one is given to a child. 

For each bag purchased, one is donated to a child in foster care. 

Many thanks to My Bag, My Story for providing a sample of the product for this review.

Opinions are 100% my own.

Giveaway: $10 Amazon gift card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Meeting Her Match by Jen Turano // Review

Lucie's Review: 

Camilla has come a long way since the heartbreak of her debut year, vowing to never marry, she is well respected as a friend and matchmaker among the elite four hundred. After an attempted kidnapping, she agrees to help the sister of Mr. Owen Chesterfield repair her damaged reputation, travelling from New York to West Virginia. 

A charming historical rom-com, with a full cast of colorful characters, and hilarious encounters with animals of all kinds. I loved the hilarious situational comedy, and humorous miscommunications. I loved the characters, and the grandmother's scheming and matchmaking of her own. 

Such a fun read from beginning to end, with amazing characters, and a riveting plot. I had no trouble keeping the characters straight, even though there were quite a few, the author does a great job of distinguishing them quickly and memorably. 

Overall, a wonderful read, with great rapport and chemistry between the characters. Highly enjoyable!

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

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever // Movie Trailer // In Theaters November 8th, 2024!

Based on the beloved novel by Barbara Robinson, which was one of my favorite books as a child!

The Herdman kids are absolutely the worst. They lie, they steal, they bully…and they’ve hijacked the town Christmas pageant. Directed by Dallas Jenkins (“The Chosen”) and based on the international bestseller by Barbara Robinson, THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER follows six siblings who sneak into church searching for snacks and walk away with the lead roles in the town pageant. Grace (Judy Greer) is directing the performance for the very first time; she and her daughter Beth (Molly Belle Wright) and husband Bob (Pete Holmes) are less than amused. But the play’s mischievous stars might unwittingly teach a community the true meaning of Christmas. Featuring Lauren Graham. Screenplay by Ryan Swanson and Platte F. Clark & Darin McDaniel.

In theaters November 8th, 2024

#TheBestChristmasPageantEverMIN

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.

Hosted by award-winning novelist and radio host Chris Fabry, the Gala will feature the induction of award-winning speculative author Sharon Hinck into the Christy Hall of Fame with remarks from inaugural Hall of Fame novelist Lynn Austin. The evening will also include a keynote from Amanda Barratt, author of 2023 Christy Book of the Year Within These Walls of Sorrow and the presentation of this year’s awards by last year’s winning authors: Sharon Hinck, Amanda Barratt, Sara Brunsvold, Laura Frantz, Elizabeth Goddard, Kristi Ann Hunter, Anna Rose Johnson, Linda MacKillop, Katie Powner, and Sara Watterson. 

In addition, the literary imagination of J.R.R. Tolkien will be honored throughout the evening by poet, scholar, and Anglican priest Malcolm Guite; accomplished agent of many of the industry’s award-winning speculative titles Steve Laube; and WaterBrook editor, who is the founder of the International Inklings Day Substack, Jamie Lapeyrolerie.

Learn more about The Christy Award Gala 2024

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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)

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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.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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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.

REGISTER

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

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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

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