"A Holiday Heart" by Denise Weimer -- Book Spotlight

About the Book

On the verge of starting her own company—and a fling with the hot star of a TV saga—Atlanta
film makeup artist Ashlyn Jennings is willed a mysterious box containing a key from her grandmother’s estate. Mamie Lou, the former Hollywood B-lister who inspired Ashlyn’s path in life, always demonstrated a flair for the dramatic. But did Mamie Lou really expect her to put everything on hold to clean out a mountain cabin no one even knew about? And right at Christmas?

When Ashlyn arrives at White Falls Lodge armed with cosmetic bags and designer shoes, little is she prepared to be stranded by a snow storm, irritated by the handsome resort owner who seems determined to peel away her facade, and redirected by a God Ashlyn wants to forget, through Mamie Lou’s real gift … the secret story of her grandmother’s past.

About the Author

Denise Weimer writes historical and contemporary romance and romantic suspense, mostly set in her home state of Georgia. She’s authored almost a dozen traditionally published novels and a number of novellas. As managing editor of the historical imprints of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, she also helps others reach their publishing dreams. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise always pauses for coffee, chocolate, and old houses. https://deniseweimerbooks.webs.com/

"A Holiday Heart" is available in paperback:

• Paperback : 122 pages
• ISBN-13 : 979-8681887058
• Dimensions : 5 x 0.31 x 8 inches
• Item Weight : 6.7 ounces
• Publisher : Independently published (November 18, 2020)
• ASIN : B08NW8TV52

and in Kindle edition: 

• File size : 3538 KB
• Publication date : December 1, 2020
• Publisher : Denise Weimer (December 1, 2020)
• Word Wise : Enabled
• Print length : 145 pages
• Language: : English
• Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
• ASIN : B08DP889W4

"The Love Note" by Joanna Davidson Politano -- Book Review

About the Book

Focused on a career in medicine and not on romance, Willa Duvall is thrown slightly off course during the summer of 1865 when she discovers a never-opened love letter in a crack of her old writing desk. Compelled to find the passionate soul who penned it and the person who never received it, she takes a job as a nurse at the seaside estate of Crestwicke Manor.

Everyone at Crestwicke has feelings--mostly negative ones--about the man who wrote the letter, but he seems to have disappeared. With plenty of enticing clues but few answers, Willa's search becomes even more complicated when she misplaces the letter and it passes from person to person in the house, each finding a thrilling or disheartening message in its words. 

Laced with mysteries large and small, this romantic Victorian-era tale of love lost, love deferred, and love found is sure to delight.

My Thoughts

This story drew me in and kept me interested all the way through. I found it to be well written and liked the characters. I especially liked Gabe and his quiet ways. There was plenty of mystery and twists that made me not quite sure what was going on. The story follows quite a few people. The majority of the story is told in first person from Willa's point of view, but interspersed throughout there are also parts in 3rd person for Gabe, Essie, Clara, Dr. Tillman, Celeste, Burke, and Golda. There was a nice biblical faith element woven through the story and it was nice to see character growth. There was one error that jumped out at me. The end section of the book is three years after the beginning, but instead of adding three years to the starting date, it subtracts three years, which would make it happen before the beginning. It is just a typo, but it made me pause to figure out what was going on. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

About the Author

Joanna Davidson Politano freelances for a small nonfiction publisher but spends much of her time spinning tales that capture the colorful, exquisite details in ordinary lives. Her debut novel, Lady Jayne Disappears, releases October 3 from Revell. She lives with her husband and their two babies in a house in the woods and shares stories that move her at www.jdpstories.com.

"The Love Note" is available in paperback:

• Item Weight : 12.6 ounces
• Paperback : 400 pages
• ISBN-10 : 0800736893
• ISBN-13 : 978-0800736897
• Dimensions : 5.5 x 1 x 8.5 inches
• Publisher : Revell (October 20, 2020)

and in Kindle edition: 

• Publication date : October 20, 2020
• Print length : 400 pages
• Publisher : Revell (October 20, 2020)
• ASIN : B087RTJNPR
• File size : 8606 KB

I got a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and given voluntarily. No compensation was received for my review.

"An Amish Christmas Wedding" by Amy Clipston, Kelly Irvin, Kathleen Fuller, and Vannetta Chapman -- Book Review and Blog Tour

 

About the Book

Book: An Amish Christmas Wedding

Author: Vannetta Chapman, Kathleen Fuller, Kelly Irvin, and Amy Clipston

Genre: Amish Christmas

Release Date: October 6, 2020

From bestselling authors of Amish fiction come four delightful stories perfect for celebrating love, joy, and the everyday miracles Christmas brings.

Evergreen Love by Amy Clipston

Ryan Lapp had promised to marry Lorene Bontrager as soon as he was able to build them a house, but the day never came. Ryan moved away. Five years later, Lorene has settled in to her old maid role, and she’s shocked when her younger sister announces her quick engagement to Ryan’s younger brother. As they rush to plan the wedding, Lorene is constantly around the family she almost joined. Worse, she’s forced to face Ryan himself, who has returned to town. As both Ryan and Lorene examine their own feelings, they must decide if they can find grace with each other—and the young people they once were—this Christmas season. There just might still be love in their future.

Holiday of Hope by Kelly Irvin

Henry Lufkin is one of four bachelors who lived in the West Kootenai, Montana, cabins that were destroyed by wildfires. He’s the only one of them who hasn’t since married, but he likes his solitude. Then an old friend asks him to care for his son, and Henry has to share his small cabin and his life with bewildered and rebellious ten-year-old Tommy. When the child encounters trouble at school, Henry reaches out to Tommy’s teacher. Leesa Yoder never expected to find herself single and teaching sixteen young scholars, and she certainly didn’t anticipate an inexperienced bachelor telling her how to do her job. Amid the flying sparks, can Henry and Leesa see that there might be hope and love in this unexpected situation?

Wreathed in Joy by Kathleen Fuller

Mary Wengerd and Jakob Mullet have been best friends since childhood. Pressured by friends and family, they decided to date—with disastrous results. When they break up, their friendship is ruined. A year later, Mary is baking her Englisch friend’s wedding and groom cakes for a Christmas Eve wedding. Mary loves the Christmas season, and had always dreamed of marrying during that time. Now she wonders if she’ll ever marry. After she and Jakob form a tenuous new friendship, Mary breaks her arm. As he steps in to help her with the cakes, Mary is inexplicably and suddenly falling for him. But they’ve already dated, and that ended so horribly. Could it be better this time?

A Christmas Prayer by Vannetta Chapman

Widower Micah Miller runs the Amish Tour Company, offering Englischers a glimpse of a simpler life as well as tea at Rachel King’s. Rachel has never married and has recently lost her parents. When Micah comes across an abandoned and injured dog, he gives it to Rachel for company. As Rachel is charmed by the dog and shocked by news of the existence of family she never expected, her heart and mind bend toward the possibilities of change in her life—even toward the possibility of love.

 My Thoughts

I love collections like this. It is nice to have short stories to read when there isn't much time to read. I am familiar with all the authors of this collection, so didn't get exposed to new to me authors. It was interesting to see the different Amish settings and with them being set during Christmas season makes them even more intriguing. I like it when biblical truths are woven through the stories. As with most collections, there are stories I liked more than others, but that is more due to personal tastes than a defect in the story. I look forward to reading more books from these authors.

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Authors

VANNETTA CHAPMAN

Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. She is the author of sixteen novels, including the Pebble Creek Amish series, The Shipshewana Amish Mystery series, and Anna’s Healing, a 2016 Christy Award finalist. Vannetta is a Carol award winner and has also received more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She was a teacher for fifteen years and currently resides in the Texas hill country. Visit Vannetta online: VannettaChapman.com, Twitter: @VannettaChapman, Facebook: VannettaChapmanBooks.

 

KATHLEEN FULLER

With over a million copies sold, Kathleen Fuller is the author of several bestselling novels, including the Hearts of Middlefield novels, the Middlefield Family novels, the Amish of Birch Creek series, and the Amish Letters series as well as a middle-grade Amish series, the Mysteries of Middlefield. Visit her online at KathleenFuller.com; Instagram: kf_booksandhooks; Facebook: WriterKathleenFuller.

 

 

KELLY IRVIN

Kelly Irvin is the bestselling author of the Every Amish Season and Amish of Bee County series. The Beekeeper’s Son received a starred review from Publishers Weekly, who called it a “beautifully woven masterpiece.” The two-time Carol Award finalist is a former newspaper reporter and retired public relations professional. Kelly lives in Texas with her husband, photographer Tim Irvin. They have two children, three grandchildren, and two cats. In her spare time, she likes to read books by her favorite authors. Visit her online at KellyIrvin.com; Instagram: kelly_irvin; Facebook: Kelly.Irvin.Author; Twitter: @Kelly_S_Irvin.

AMY CLIPSTON

Amy Clipston is the award-winning and bestselling author of the Kauffman Amish Bakery, Hearts of Lancaster Grand Hotel, Amish Heirloom, Amish Homestead, and Amish Marketplace series. Her novels have hit multiple bestseller lists including CBD, CBA, and ECPA. Amy holds a degree in communication from Virginia Wesleyan University and works full-time for the City of Charlotte, NC. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, and four spoiled rotten cats. Visit her online at AmyClipston.com; Facebook: AmyClipstonBooks; Twitter: @AmyClipston; Instagram: @amy_clipston.

 

Read an Excerpt from An Amish Christmas Wedding

Want to read an excerpt from An Amish Christmas Wedding featuring four of your favorite authors?

You can find more information about the book and the excerpt here!

Blog Stops

Through the Lens of Scripture, November 9

The Avid Reader, November 9

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 10

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, November 10

Inklings and notions, November 11

A Baker’s Perspective, November 11

Lighthouse Academy Blog, November 12 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

lakesidelivingsite, November 12

For Him and My Family, November 13

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 13

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 14

Southern Gal Loves to Read, November 14

Texas Book-aholic, November 15

Simple Harvest Reads, November 15 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

deb’s Book Review, November 16

Labor Not in Vain, November 16

Older & Smarter?, November 17

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 17

Artistic Nobody, November 18 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Jeanette’s Thoughts, November 18

Splashes of Joy, November 19

EmpowerMoms, November 19

Ashley’s Bookshelf, November 20

Blossoms and Blessings, November 20

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 21

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, November 21

She Lives To Read, November 22

Sara Jane Jacobs, November 22

I got a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and given voluntarily. No compensation was received for my review. 

"Nothing Short of Wondrous" by Regina Scott -- Book Review

 About the Book

It is 1886, and the government has given the US Cavalry control of Yellowstone. For widowed hotelier
Kate Tremaine, the change is a welcome one. She knows every inch of her wilderness home like the back of her hand and wants to see it protected from poachers and vandals.

Refused a guide by Congress, Lieutenant William Prescott must enlist Kate's aid to help him navigate the sprawling park and track down the troublemakers. But a secret from his past makes him wary of the tender feelings the capable and comely widow raises in him. As they work together to protect the park and stand firm through injustice and tragedy, they may just find that two wounded hearts can share one powerful love when God is in control.

My Thoughts

I enjoyed reading this book. It is the second book in the American Wonders series, but they are not tied together, so you can read them in any order. I felt the book was well written. I liked the characters and their interactions. There were biblical truths woven through the story and it was nice to see the characters grow. It was fun getting a glimpse into the beginnings of the National Parks. I liked the historical elements included with real people and places. I look forward to reading more books by Regina Scott.

About the Author

Regina Scott started writing novels in the third grade. Thankfully for literature as we know it, she didn't
actually sell her first novel until she'd learned a bit more about writing. After numerous short stories and articles in magazines and trade journals, and a good kick in the backside from her husband, she got serious about writing. Since then, she's had published more than 40 clean historical romances for adults and young adults. Her traditional romances have earned praised from reviewers and readers alike. Booklist calls her work "quietly compelling" and "impeccably written." Huntress Reviews says, "Regina Scott delivers," and "I will always buy a book with Regina Scott's name on it."

Regina Scott is the author of the Frontier Bachelors series set in pioneer Seattle (The Bride Ship, Would-Be Wilderness Wife, Frontier Engagement, Instant Frontier Family, A Convenient Christmas Wedding, Mail-Order Marriage Promise, His Frontier Christmas Family, and Frontier Matchmaker Bride). She is also the author of more than two dozen sweet historical romances set in Regency England in such series as Fortune's Brides, Uncommon Courtships, the Everard Legacy, the Master Matchmakers, and the Lady Emily Capers. She has twice been awarded best book of the year for her type of story from industry favorite RT Book Reviews.

Regina Scott has learned to fence, driven four-in-hand, sailed on a tall ship, and dressed as a Regency dandy, all in the name of research, of course. She makes her home in the Puget Sound area of Washington State with her beloved husband. Find her online at her website www.reginascott.com, the blog she shares with author Marissa Doyle at www.nineteenteen.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authorreginascott, and on Goodreads at www.goodreads.com/reginascott.

"Nothing Short of Wondrous" is available in paperback:

• ISBN-10 : 0800736400
• ISBN-13 : 978-0800736408
• Paperback : 336 pages
• Publisher : Revell (October 20, 2020)
• Item Weight : 10.7 ounces
• Dimensions : 5.5 x 0.84 x 8.5 inches

and in Kindle edition:

• File size : 8590 KB
• Publication date : October 20, 2020
• Word Wise : Enabled
• Print length : 336 pages
• Publisher : Revell (October 20, 2020)
• ASIN : B087RTRM8M

I got a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and given voluntarily. No compensation was received for my review.

"Rocky Mountain Revelation" by Lisa J. Fickinger -- Book Review, Blog Tour, and Giveaway

 

About the Book

Book: Rocky Mountain Revelation

Author: Lisa J. Flickinger

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: November 3, 2020

A Rocky Mountain logging camp may be just the place to start her new life.

Widowed at nineteen, Madeline Lamb seeks to find a new husband amongst the crew of the Rocky Mountain log drive. With a baby growing inside her, she has no choice. She signs on as cook’s helper, and it soon becomes apparent her options for a mate are limited. Madeline’s grieving heart wavers between the security an older man offers and the tender feelings a new crew member stirs.

Will Matheson earned the chance to work the high-paying spring log drive. The boon ensures he can recoup the logging wages stolen by a pretty face with some fast fingers. Frustration builds when the boss pulls him from the river and assigns him the job of camp chore boy. If it wasn’t for the pretty cook’s helper, he’d take the first train home.

When the dangers of the river journey prove more treacherous than anyone expects, the budding attraction between Will and Madeline is put to the test. If they survive the adventure, life as they know it will never be the same.

My Thoughts 

"Rocky Mountain Revelation" is the 2nd book in the Rocky Mountain Revival series. I did not read the first book in the series and didn't feel like I was missing part of the story. The main characters from the first book are mentioned in this book and it is possible that characters from this book were introduced in that book. If I had realized that it was the 2nd book in a series, I probably would have read then in order to get the full picture. I enjoyed reading this book and the fact that it had a clear gospel message given. I wanted to shake Madeline and get her to wake up to what was going on as it was obvious to everyone except her apparently. I look forward to reading more books by Lisa J. Flickinger

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Lisa J. Flickinger lives and writes from the cliff of a river along the majestic Rocky Mountains.
When not writing or reading, you will find her scouring antique shops or sipping a maple latte with friends and family. To learn more about her other books, visit www.lisajflickinger.com.

 

More from Lisa

When I research a new novel, I love to find obscure facts about the setting. My study of the old time river drives for Rocky Mountain Revelation led me to a particularly tasty morsel.  The river crews were served massive amounts of food over four meals to make up for all the energy expended transporting logs in the frigid water. Often, their meals included donuts.

Yes, donuts! However, we’re not talking about the scrumptious treat picked up at your local bakery or grocery store. These donuts were cooked over an open fire in the backwoods. Yum.

Picture what they call a tin kitchen, a small boxy metal contraption, set over a blazing fire. The cook would place a wide mouthed aluminum basin on top and fill it with cooking oil. When the oil reached the perfect temperature he would drop the batter into the oil using a ladle. The piping hot donuts would be rolled in sugar when they were cooked and served to the crew fresh from the fire. A half whiskey barrel of donuts could disappear in just one meal. Several times a day, the cook would travel downstream by raft and repeat the process.

Will, the hero of Rocky Mountain Revelation, finds his sweetheart Madeleine particularly pretty with flour up to her elbows. However, he grows tired of the mounds of donuts and by the end of the drive attempts to trade them for the cook’s fluffy biscuits.

Enjoy the trip downriver with Will, Madeline…and the donuts.

Dear reader, enjoy!

Blog Stops

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 5

Artistic Nobody, November 5 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Vicky Sluiter, November 6

Inklings and notions, November 7

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, November 7

For Him and My Family, November 8

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 9

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess., November 10

Genesis 5020, November 10

Texas Book-aholic, November 11

Life of Literature, November 11

Older & Smarter?, November 12

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 13

Sara Jane Jacobs, November 13

Betti Mace, November 14

deb’s Book Review, November 14

Blossoms and Blessings, November 15

Labor Not in Vain, November 15

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 16

Ashley’s Bookshelf, November 17

Daysong Reflections, November 17

Connie’s History Classroom, November 18

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lisa is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/10354/rocky-mountain-revelation-celebration-tour-giveaway

I got a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and given voluntarily. No compensation was received for my review.

"Amish Christmas Miracles Collection" by 14 top Amish Authors

 About the Book

Spend Christmas in Amish country.

As snow falls softly outside the window, curl up by the fire with this collection of 14 stories by your favorite Amish fiction authors. Let them transport you to Amish communities all across the country.

Travel to small towns where horses clip-clop down the road, farms dot the snow-covered landscape, and families gather to celebrate the real meaning of Christmas.

Sigh over sweet stories that touch your heart. Laugh, cry, rejoice, and smile as couples renew their faith and find their perfect soul mates.

These heartwarming tales of faith, hope, love, and Christmas miracles are a special gift to you from Kathleen Fuller, Lenora Worth, Adina Senft, Laura Bradford, Jennifer Beckstrand, Jennifer (J.E.B.) Spredemann, Rachel J. Good, Serena B. Miller, Mary Alford, Loree Lough, Dana R. Lynn, Susan Simpson, Tracy Fredrychowski, and Ashley Emma.

May you be richly blessed this holiday season!

Laugh, cry, and fall in love this Christmas! The stories included in the collection are:

A Peanut Butter Christmas by Jennifer Beckstrand
The Petersheim twins are determined to get Mary and Jerry together for Christmas, but they just might have to set something on fire to do it.

The Amish Author's Christmas by Ashley Emma
When romance author Ivy Everwood stays with an Amish family to gain inspiration for her next novel, she doesn't plan on telling them she's writing about them. She also doesn't plan on falling in love. Will she have the courage to tell them the truth before it comes out on its own?

Louisa's Christmas Blessing by Dana R. Lynn
Louisa believes her chances for love and family had been ruined until Caleb returns. Will secrets from his past destroy both of their hopes?

A Gift Worth Waiting For by Tracy Fredrychowski
Christmas should be a time for joy and renewal, but for Amanda Beiler and Adam Weaver, it only reminds them of all they have lost. Can their shared grief help them realize sometimes the best gifts in life are those worth waiting for?

The Christmas Program by Laura Bradford 
New teacher Leah Miller wasn't prepared for the last-minute wrinkle threatening her students' annual Christmas program. Can the handsome Wes Hostetler help her keep the beloved tradition alive?

An Unexpected Christmas Gift by Jennifer (J.E.B.) Spredemann
They've both loved and lost. Could a mysterious gift be God's unseen hand working a Christmas miracle for Rob and Janie?

Sleigh Bells Ring by Kathleen Fuller

A Christmas to Treasure by Rachel J. Good
 
A Christmas Homecoming by Mary Alford

The Christmas Prayer by Lenora Worth

The Heart's Return by Adina Senft

The Christmas Fudge Miracle by Susan Lantz Simpson

A Stranger for Christmas by Serena B. Miller

The Blessings Jar by Loree Lough

My Thoughts

This is a huge collection! There are 14 stories of varying lengths that don't have anything to do with each other except for the theme and Amish settings. Some of them tie in with other books the authors have and it is fun to see familiar characters. It is a good way to get to know new authors and see if you like their writing style. It is easy to read and nice when you don't have much time to read and still want a nice story.

****The price goes up soon, so grab it now!****

Participating authors

Rachel J. Good, Dana R. Lynn, Loree Lough, Jennifer (JEB) Spredemann, Lenora Worth, Susan Simpson, Serena B. Miller, Jennifer Beckstrand, Kathleen Fuller, Ashley Emma, Mary Alford, Tracy Fredrychowski, Laura Bradford, and Adina Senft.

"Amish Christmas Miracles" is available in paperback:

• Paperback : 718 pages
• ISBN-10 : 1940492602
• ISBN-13 : 978-1940492605
• Dimensions : 5.98 x 1.58 x 9.02 inches
• Publisher : Blessed Publishing (November 10, 2020)

and in Kindle edition:

• File size : 5359 KB
• Publication date : November 10, 2020
• Word Wise : Enabled
• Text-to-Speech : Enabled
• Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
• Publisher : Blessed Publishing (November 10, 2020)
• Print length : 946 pages
• X-Ray : Enabled
• ASIN : B0875T592J