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!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 8

Through the fire Blogs, February 8

Lighthouse Academy, February 9

Among the Reads, February 9

Hebrews 12 Endurance, February 9

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 10

Betti Mace, February 10

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, February 11 (Author Interview)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 11

Pause for Tales, February 11

KarenSueHadley, February 12

Debbie's Dusty Deliberations, February 12

Tell Tale Book Reviews, February 13

deb's Book Review, February 13

Because I Said So - and Other Adventures in Parenting, February 14

Reviewingbooksplusmore, February 14

Hallie Reads, February 14

Older & Smarter?, February 15

Texas Book-aholic, February 15

Artistic Nobody, February 16 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Blogging With Carol, February 16

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, February 16

Inklings and notions, February 17

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 17

She Lives To Read, February 18

Genesis 5020, February 18

Bigreadersite, February 18

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 19

Labor Not in Vain, February 19

Simple Harvest Reads, February 20 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

HookMeInABook, February 20

Daysong Reflections, February 20

For Him and My Family, February 21

Fiction Book Lover, February 21 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Tanya 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/10712/vanished-in-the-mountains-celebration-tour-giveaway

A Double Dose of Love by Kathleen Fuller ~ Review

My Review:

A light-hearted Amish romance that follows two sets of twins as they take new chances and find love. 

This is a quick fun read, upbeat with quirky characters. Darla King is the more impulsive of the twins, while her sister, Amanda likes to play it safe. Darla sees an advertisement for mail-order brides to a newer Amish settlement, having never been in a relationship before she jumps at the chance to spread her wings. Amanda agrees to go with Darla, but only to watch out for her and make sure that she stays out of trouble. 

Amish twins Zeke and Zeb Bontrager are struggling to make ends meet with their shared horse farm, neither of them has time for romance. Zeke's financial struggles and poor business choices threaten to steal both he and his brother's dream. 

I enjoyed this quick, lighter read, it is fun and upbeat. I liked that Amanda and Zeb were more more reasonable and level-headed, which allowed me to relate to them more, as sometimes Darla was just too much for me. The members of the Birch Creek community are welcoming and kind, and I liked how the women of the area especially were welcoming to both Amanda and Darla. 

This was a enjoyable read that is a great start to the series as it introduces characters that we might see in the future and it has a fun premise. A sweet Amish romance that will bring a smile to your face. 

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

Her Steadfast Heart by Sharlene MacLaren ~ Celebrate Lit Tour, Review, Giveaway

 

About the Book

 

Book:  Her Steadfast Heart

Author: Sharlene MacLaren

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: January 26, 2021

Joey Fuller is still mourning three years after his wife’s death, so much so that he leaves his four rambunctious young children to throw himself into the Civil War as a Union captain. But his kids are so ill-behaved that nannies keep quitting—and now, his mother has a broken leg and can’t handle them either. In desperation, Joey decides to advertise for a wife.

Faith Haviland is in a different kind of mourning. Not long ago, her fiancé left her to marry her best friend. Her customers at the diner where she works keep reminding her of that humiliating event and one of them, an older man, has been making aggressive advances. She’s desperate to flee the city—and Joey Fuller’s “Wife Needed” ad seems to be the answer to a prayer.

Will Faith live up to her name when Joey’s kids torment her with their mischief? Can she surrender this strange marriage to God while her new aloof husband is off fighting? And will a string of buttons convince her that he truly loves her?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 Review:

Faith takes her first chance to get out of the city after a horrific run in that leaves her fearing for her life, accepting the mail-order bride advertisement of a widowed father of four. Joey is in a bind, needing long term care for his troublemaking children, before heading off to war to fight for the Union. Can this marriage of convenience endure?

I really liked Faith for her strong faith and determination, despite not having much experience with children, she bears up well to being thrust into a very difficult situation. She did an excellent job handling the children, getting to know them and winning their trust. I liked how each of the children were well developed with different fears that they brought to their situation. 

Overall, a well written historical mail-order bride romance, I think that it was a bit difficult for the relationship to grow due to Joey being away at war. But in general the plot was compelling and developed well, and realistically for the situation. Perfect for fans of historical romance and mail-order bride romance. 

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

About the Author

Born and raised in west Michigan, Sharlene MacLaren attended Spring Arbor University. Upon graduating with an education degree in 1971, she taught second grade for two years, then accepted an invitation to travel internationally for a year with a singing ensemble. After traveling for a year, she returned to her teaching job, then in 1975, she reunited with her childhood sweetheart, and they married that very December. They have raised two lovely daughters, both of whom are now happily married and enjoying their own families. Retired in 2003 after thirty-one years of teaching, Shar loves to read, sing, travel, and spend time with her family—in particular, her adorable grandchildren!

Shar has always enjoyed writing, and her high school classmates eagerly read and passed around her short stories. In the early 2000s, Shar felt God’s call upon her heart to take her writing pleasures a step further, so in 2006, she signed a contract with Whitaker House for her first faith-based novel, Through Every Storm, thereby launching her professional writing career. With more than twenty published novels now gracing store shelves and being sold online, Shar gives God all the glory.
Shar’s novels have won numerous awards. Her Steadfast Heart is her twenty-first novel and the second book in her Hearts of Honor series (after Her Rebel Heart).
Shar has done numerous countrywide book signings and has participated in several interviews on television and radio. She loves to speak for community organizations, libraries, church groups, and women’s conferences. In her church, she is active in women’s ministries, regularly facilitating Bible studies and other events. Shar and her husband, Cecil, live in Spring Lake, Michigan, with their beautiful white collie, Peyton.

Shar loves hearing from her readers. If you wish to contact her as a potential speaker or would simply like to chat with her, please send her an e-mail at SharleneMacLaren@Yahoo.com. She will do her best to answer in a timely manner.

 

More from Sharlene

Faith Haviland swept a few strands of damp hair off her forehead, irritated by how it had escaped the neat bun of this morning. She shoveled more dishes into the sink and set to washing them as fast as possible to prepare for the supper crowd that would soon descend upon Daybreak Diner. It wasn’t a fairytale job by any means, but, alas, it was a job, and many would clamor for it if her Aunt Martha ever hung up a “Help Wanted” sign in the window. Her aunt, who happened to be her father’s younger sister, owned and operated the establishment and often stated her wish for Faith to one day take it over. Faith shuddered at the prospect of telling Martha she’d been entertaining the idea of leaving Columbus. Martha wouldn’t like the news, but Faith couldn’t worry about that. Things had grown too tedious in her hometown, and too many found it their job to remind her of the unfortunate event of her canceled wedding. Add to that the troublesome, if not peculiarly obsessive, behavior of Stuart Porter, and tedious hardly described it. Ever since her fiancé’s departure with her best friend just two weeks before their April 15 wedding day, Mr. Porter had started closing in on her, insisting he would marry her in an instant if she’d simply agree.
For as long as she could recall, the man had outwardly admired her, even though she had done nothing to encourage it. Nothing about him appealed to her. First, he didn’t serve the Lord; second, he was an obsessive drinker; third, he came off as pushy and persistent; and finally, he resembled a goose with his nose sticking out like a beak. Not that looks meant all that much—goodness, she didn’t consider herself any major prize—but it was all the other things thrown in. The man was almost twenty years older than she and widowed to boot. At least, that was the rumor anyway. No one had really known his wife, only that she was there one day and gone the next. Some said she’d died, and others said she’d left him for another man. Whatever the case, it’d been a mysterious event that few knew anything about, and if they did, no one discussed it much, probably mostly from lack of caring.

Blog Stops

Connie's History Classroom, February 9

Texas Book-aholic, February 10

Britt Reads Fiction, February 10

Artistic Nobody, February 11 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 12

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 12

Debbie's Dusty Deliberations, February 13

For the Love of Literature, February 14

Sara Jane Jacobs, February 14

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, February 15

Inklings and notions, February 16

Reviewingbooksplusmore, February 16

For Him and My Family, February 17

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 18

Labor Not in Vain, February 18

deb's Book Review, February 19

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 20

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, February 20

Blossoms and Blessings, February 21

Vicky Sluiter, February 22

Genesis 5020, February 22

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Sharlene is giving away the grand prize package of a $20 Starbucks gift card and a 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/1073e/her-steadfast-heart-celebration-tour-giveaway

Of Sword and Shadow by A.L. Sowards ~ JustRead Tour, Review, and Giveaway

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Of Sword and Shadow by A.L. Sowards, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Of Sword and Shadow 
Author: A. L. Sowards
Publisher: Covenant Communications 
Release Date: February 2021
Genre: Action Adventure Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction

Greece, 1379 

She is known by many names, none of them her own. In truth, she is an unnamed slave, nothing more than a weapon in the hands of her owner in his attempts to provoke political mayhem. When she encounters a handsome young man while on an assignment, she thinks little of him—until he attempts to take what she has stolen. But in her line of work, failure is not an option. 

Gillen is intrigued by the mysterious woman who thwarts his mission. But when his path crosses hers again, his intrigue turns to gratitude as the thief he comes to call Eudocia saves his life. The two form a bond of friendship and join forces to wrest control from a group of ruthless rulers. But as their camaraderie blossoms into something more, Gillen and Eudocia must fight for love even as they wage war for a better future.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub

My Review: 

I was intrigued first by the setting, as 1300's Greece is not something that I believe I have ever read about before, and this book was an excellent introduction of the time period. 

An action-packed read that follows an enslaved thief, without a name, called Mouse or Girl by her ambitious master, she is skilled in deception, thievery, and escape. Her small crew is hired to help over throw an empire, planting seeds of mistrust and destroying alliances. She is intrigued by a God who could forgive even her gravest sins, and tempted by a love just out of reach, I admired her quick thinking and loyalty, as well as how she is willing to learn and longs for a more simple honest life. 

Well researched, this book vividly brings the physical and political landscape to life in a not oft written about time period. Gillen is a likable hero, dashing, and gentlemanly, willing to make sacrifices. A action-filled historical, that brings to life the conflicts of the time, with well written characters that spark curiosity, along with faith and romance!

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A. L. Sowards is the author of multiple historical fiction novels, with settings spanning the globe from the fourteenth to twentieth centuries. Her stories have become Whitney Finalists and won a Whitney Award, reached the number one spot across multiple Amazon categories, received praise from the Historical Novel Society, and been loved by readers from a variety of backgrounds. She has called both Washington State and Utah home, and is now in the process of adding Alaska to the list. She enjoys hiking and swimming, usually manages to keep up with the laundry, and loves it when someone else cooks dinner. She lives with her husband, three children, and an ever-growing library.

CONNECT WITH A. L.: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $15 Amazon gift card and a print copy of Of Sword and Shadow!

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight February 15, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 22, 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

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

 

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Dance with Me by A. M. Heath ~ Celebrate Lit Tour, Review, and Giveaway

 

About the Book

 

Book:  Dance with Me

Author: A.M. Heath

Genre: Christian Historical Romance (1960s)

Release date: April 2019

Will a new partnership tear their worlds apart … or will it be the piece they never knew was missing?

In 1959, Arleen Thatcher and Neil Fox are fierce competitors on the dance floor, so they’re the least likely pair to enter a televised competition together. But when rivaling studio owners decide to team up, the two find a partnership they never thought possible.
Arleen’s reputation around town is reason enough for Neil to keep his distance from his new partner. But as Neil gets to know Arleen, he discovers a side of her few others have seen, one of dark family secrets and carefully-constructed facades.
God’s plan for their partnership may involve more than a single dance; it may be the key to the healing Arleen so desperately needs.

The Art of Love series is compiled of stand-alone novels where the characters tell their own stories and love means so much more than passion.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 Review:

Told from the future (2010) looking back in the format of a human interest story for a news story, Arleen and Neil take turns telling the story of their rivalry turned partnership in 1959.

Neil and Arleen are rivals on the floor, each representing competing dance clubs they go 1-2 in every competition. When their dance clubs decide to join forces for a televised competition, Neil and Arleen are matched up as partners for the first time. 

A captivating read with compelling characters, each sharing in their own words what happened in '59. Neil is a skilled dance partner and strong Christian, patient and willing to listen, he was probably my favorite character in this book. Arleen hides her pain, dancing, and dating, the rumors run rampant about her reputation. I loved how Neil is understanding and kind, he gives Arleen support and takes time to see the real her. 

Overall, I fell in love with this story from the dancing, strong faith, natural romantic building and chemistry, this was solid read for so many reasons! Highly recommend!

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

About the Author

Besides being an Indie Author, I’m a wife, mother of four, children’s Sunday School teacher, sweet tea drinker, history fanatic, romantic, bubbly, lover of broccoli, and a retired cake decorator who has a soft spot for Christmas trees, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
What I’m not is a laundress (or at least not one who keeps up very well), a duster, tall, or patient in a doctor’s office.

 

More from A.M. Heath

Breathing Life Into A Novel

One of the common remarks I get from my readers is how they felt like they had been transported into the story. The characters felt like real people and the setting felt authentic. And that’s always a blessing to hear as an author!

But the question is how do I do it?

Well, I’ll let the cat out of the bag. Since I’m not big on heavy descriptions, I allow other features to weigh in and help create the setting. In a nutshell, “I’m just keeping it real” (as we used to say in the 90s). And there are 3 areas to focus in on, especially when working with a historical novel:

Common objects or daily habits

Names

Slang

 

Common Objects:

It’s all about those minor details. The everyday objects or habits that a character might have that will help create the setting and bring authenticity to it.

 

Here are a few items found in the 1950s that aren’t as common today:

Two-toned painted vehicles

Phones attached to the wall, with a cord, and a rotary dial

Jukeboxes

Soda shops

Records

Pull tab canned drinks

Clothes lines and ironing boards

 

Names:

I use the U.S. census to preview the top 1000 baby names in any given year starting in 1880. But I also make note when I run across a name that sounds modern but is found in a real historical document.

While I’m writing, I create a name bank so I have era approved names on hand to use for my secondary characters.

Here’s a preview of a name bank for characters set in the 1950s:

 

Female:

Jan

Tabitha

Mabel

Judy

Paula

Rita

 

Male:

Dennis

Gary

Marvin

Earl

Barry

Rodney

 

Slang:

I must admit, the slang is my absolute favorite. I browse slang for each era through online searches and history books. But my favorite place to collect phrases is directly from the source. Anytime I’m watching an old movie or TV show, I jot down phrases I heard and the year it was filmed. It doesn’t get anymore authentic than hearing it straight from the horse’s mouth.

While I’m writing, I’ll preview my list and create a smaller word bank of phrases that my characters are most likely to use, so I can remember to weave them into the story.

 

Here’s a look at some of the fun phrases:

Say, (use at the start of your sentence)

Call dibs

Don’t have a cow

Flick (movie)

Cool it

Righto

No sweat

Cloud 9

Teed off or sore (mad)

Burn rubber

Get bent

Dullsville

Dig it

Fellas

Doll

Gee

Neat

Swell

 

I hope you enjoyed this little sneak peek into the 1950s. Dance With Me was a real neat novel to write. It’s set in 1959, so there’s a strong greaser vibe throughout the story. Believe me, I was on cloud 9 the entire time.

 

Now it’s your turn! Do you have a favorite era in history to read about?

Which one of these swell phrases will you dust off and use in normal conversation today? Lol You should definitely surprise someone with it, then tell me about it. It’s a load of fun. My kids get sore at me all the time for using “lame” phrases, but I must say that they have a wide lingo vocabulary whether they wanted it or not.

 

Happy Reading!

Blog Stops

Artistic Nobody, February 13 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Texas Book-aholic, February 14

deb's Book Review, February 15

Connie's History Classroom, February 16

Labor Not in Vain, February 17

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 17

Debbie's Dusty Deliberations, February 18

Sara Jane Jacobs, February 19

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 20

Inklings and notions, February 21

For Him and My Family, February 22

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 23

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 24

Blossoms and Blessings, February 25

Rachael's Inkwell, February 25

Blogging With Carol, February 26

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, A.M. is giving away the grand prize package of a multi-artist CD 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/10747/dance-with-me-celebration-tour-giveaway

They Turned the World Upside Down by Charles Martin ~ JustRead Tour, Review & Giveaway

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for They Turned the World Upside Down by Charles Martin, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: They Turned the World Upside Down
Author: Charles Martin
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: January 5, 2021
Genre: Christian Life/Spiritual Growth

In the aftermath of Jesus’ resurrection, the testimonies of those who had followed him were so bold and so powerful that they turned the world upside down. What would happen if we lived with that same kind of faith today? 

Walk in the shoes of the disciples, as New York Times bestselling author Charles Martin brings their stories to life with his storyteller’s perspective. 

In the first century, believer didn’t just mean someone who heard and agreed with Jesus; it meant someone who acted on that belief. And when the outside world saw the faith of these new believers, they declared “they turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6). 

That’s the kind of believer Charles Martin wants us to be. The kind who understands that the truth of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection is so powerful, it reshaped history. The kind of believer who lives with that same world-changing faith today. 

In his second non-fiction work, he uses his talents as a novelist to walk you through the lives of the disciples in the aftermath of the Resurrection and as they spread the message of the Gospel and “turn the world upside down”, leading up to Paul’s ministry in Thessonalica. In his beloved lyrical style, Martin illuminates key moments from Scripture and shares stories from his own life as a disciple. 

With the same depth, sensitivity, and emotion that have made his novels beloved to millions, Martin will helps you engage with your faith in a new and inspiring way.

Review:

This book brought to mind the tradition of an oral history. Charles Martin is a masterful storyteller, and in my minds eye I imagined sitting around a fire while the magnificent true story of Jesus unfolded. The tone that he sets is something between conversational, informative, and storyteller, this book is smooth reading, written in a flowing prose that sifts through the words evoking emotion and new insights into the culture they were living in. 

The author doesn't claim to be a great Bible scholar, but shares what he knows while using his gift for storytelling to put you right there with Jesus and his followers. The author does a great job of showing how the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ inspired followers of Christ to do things far beyond anything that anyone had ever done, giving their lives, material possessions, everything to follow him and spread the Gospel. 

Overall, an enjoyable read, familiar, comforting and encouraging. Meant for slower savory reading, to be read in smaller pieces. A thoughtful read, that would make a great gift of encouragement. 

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

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository | IndieBound | Christianbook | BookBub

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Charles Martin is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of fifteen novels and two nonfiction books. He and his wife, Christy, live in Jacksonville, Florida.

CONNECT WITH CHARLES: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a print copy of They Turned the World Upside Down and What If It's True?!

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight February 16, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 23, 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

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

 

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Courting Country by LoRee Peery ~ Celebrate Lit Tour, Review, and Giveaway

About the Book

 

Book:  Courting Country

Author: LoRee Peery

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release date: October 2020

One Secret Love + One Misdirection and Multiple Situationships = Courting Country

Taggart Bauman has secretly loved Kylie Gordon since they were young, but she married his best friend. When Kylie is widowed, Taggert promises to take care of her. And even though he could be free to profess his love, he chooses to keep his feelings a secret. If Kylie knew that he’d failed to save her husband, she’d never forgive him. He knows, because he can’t forgive himself.

After being alone for so long, Kylie believes an online dating service is her last chance at finding love. But she continually finds herself in “situationships” that require Taggert to rescue her. When at last she reconnects with Eldon Wenz, an old friend from their college years, she thinks perhaps this is finally her second chance at love…but just in case, she asks Taggert to accompany her when she travels to Eldon’s ranch.

But sometimes things are not what they seem, and when one more situationship crops up, Taggart vents his resentment and tells Kylie she needs to work out the choices she’s making.

Will Taggart lose Kylie forever, friendship and all, or will Kylie realize that what she’s been searching for has been right in front of her the whole time?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 Review:

Freelance writer, Taggert, has been in love with his best friend Kylie for years, but she married his friend. After the death of Kylie's husband, Taggert promised to look out for her. Now Kylie is ready to start dating again and has turned to the internet to find a lasting romance. 

A sweet Midwestern romance. Taggert is a great friend, strong Christian, he has always admired Kylie but the timing has never been on his side. I love that he is passionate about his faith, and openly shares what he knows with Kylie on their trip through South Dakota. 

An enjoyable friends to lovers romance, I loved how much of the book was set in South Dakota, which is the wonderful state that I happen to reside in. Sweet, with characters that I could cheer for, with faith and humor along the way. 

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

About the Author

Nebraska country girl LoRee Peery writes fiction that hopefully appeals to adult readers who enjoy stories written from a Christian perspective, focusing on the romance. These include novels and novellas for women and men in the Contemporary, Romance, Historical, Time Travel, and Mystery/Suspense categories. She writes of redeeming grace with a sense of place. Her Frivolities Series and the book based on her father’s unsolved homicide, Touches of Time, are available on Amazon. She is who she is by the grace of God: Christian, country girl, wife, mother, grandmother and great-, sister, friend, and author.

 

More from LoRee

Whenever I’m asked to write about myself, I groan silently. I love reading and gaining insight into other authors, but always wonder what’s interesting about me. Just now, I glanced down at the few left-handed fingertips I’m using on my keyboard.

I am right-handed, but at this moment in mid-October, 2020 and for four more weeks, my right arm is in an immobilizer. I have strict orders not to use the arm at all. Here’s what happened…

Pain struck on Mother’s Day. I’d applied eye makeup for the first time since the Covid-19 lockdown began in March. I lowered my arm and the stab took me to my knees. I’m used to something always hurting due to fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis, and I have a high pain tolerance. If I’m nauseated I know the pain is high, and that sudden ice pick that didn’t abate was eight on the pain chart, which caused me to be sick to my stomach all day.

Good comes out of tribulation. I spent hours in the Bible, especially the Old Testament. One of those early mornings, probably between two and three, I picked up a yellow legal pad and praised the Lord through what I later called LoRee’s psalms. Many could be considered lamentations, but if I began downhearted, I ended noting how good my heavenly Father is to me.

I have no room for complaints. I’ve never asked “Why?” Patience grew in that waiting room of my heart. I learned I could write, rather print, with my left hand. I set aside my fictional story to honor my Savior. And I became humble, since I needed my husband to be my right hand.

Blog Stops

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 3

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 4

Britt Reads Fiction, February 4

Godly Book Reviews, February 5

Sara Jane Jacobs, February 6

Because I said so -- and other adventures in Parenting, February 7

Debbie's Dusty Deliberations, February 8

Simple Harvest Reads, February 9 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 9

deb's Book Review, February 10

Inklings and notions, February 11

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 12

For Him and My Family, February 13

Artistic Nobody, February 14 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Labor Not in Vain, February 15

Texas Book-aholic, February 16

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, LoRee is giving away the grand prize package of a copy of Hiding from Christmas, a bluebird charm, a cardinal figure, and book bling!!

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/1070e/courting-country-celebration-tour-giveaway