This time, I have exclusive bonus content for you at each and every stop. Tucked away, inside each post is a key word/phrase. If you complete the phrase, you’ll earn bonus entries in the giveaway. Have fun!
About the Book
Can two lonely people find more than a fleeting friendship or will a prejudiced town keep them apart?
When Ivory Bledsoe left the city to minister to the people of the rural mountain town of Willow Hollow, she never expected to be shunned rather than welcomed. Seeing the town as a lost cause, she’s eager to return home, but when the bridge leading out of town is washed away during a flood, she finds herself stranded in the last place she wants to be.
Ben Thrasher was content with his quiet life until he met the new librarian. He can’t help but be drawn to the friendly and lively Ivory Bledsoe, despite her being at the center of the town’s latest superstition. It’s only a matter of time until she captures his heart, turning his world upside down in the process.
Has Ivory gotten God’s plan for her all wrong or is there still a way she can serve these people? And can Ben ask her to stay in a place where so few are willing to embrace her?
My Thoughts
I found the book to be well written and I really enjoyed reading this story. I felt Ivory's pain and frustration with being an outcast. I liked Ben and how he tried to do the right thing. Gerrit added a bonus level of enjoyment. It was fun seeing the other characters that I had gotten to know from the other books. Being a reader of romance novels, I enjoyed the addition of a romance to this installment of the Librarians of Willow Hollow. I look forward to reading the last book in the series and more books by A.M. Heath.
Sept 7: Tara @ Tower in the Plains: Review and More Great Depression and Appalachian Reads Jana @ Reviews from the Stacks: Review and Authentic Horseback Librarian Audio Clip
Sept 8: Vicky @ Vicky Sluiter: Review and Character Interview: Gerrit Callon
Sept 9: Connie @ Older and Smarter: Review and Interview with a REAL Mobile Librarian from Kentucky Loretta @ Just Writing: Review and 1930’s Music
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. Author Links:
I’d love to hear from you. You can visit me online on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Bookbub, Pinterest, and my blog. *Note: I’m most active on Facebook and my blog.
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Hotdog! There’s nothing I like better than recommending a good romantic novel. I’m going to start my list with some of my favorite Jane Austen picks.
Persuasion. Sigh. Just trust me. You’ll never find a love letter quite like this one.
Austen’s Emma is equally charming but in a more comical way. Emma makes a bit of a mess along the way, but she’s loved by an amazing hero who proves to be patient and steady.
While I could go on listing all other Austen novels, I stop here with the expected recommendation: Pride and Prejudice. There’s a reason why it’s #1 on most lists.
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell has strong Pride and Prejudice tones to it. Not only is a stunning story, but it also addresses some real hardships surrounding cotton mills in the 1800s.
Little Women is more than a romance, it’s a love story between four unforgettable sisters. You’ll watch them blossom in this moving tale.
Secret Code #1: There
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.
Penelope Hunter loves her job as the events manager at one of Savannah's premier historic venues--until her ex-fiancé walks into her office with his new bride-to-be. To make matters worse, a scheming social matriarch is intent on seeing Penelope fired, especially if she insists on being seen with Tucker Westbrook.
Since returning from serving two tours in the Middle East, Tucker has built a thriving security company. His work is nearly as stabilizing as his friendship with Penelope, who has been by his side since childhood. But when the lone candidate for county sheriff goads him, Tucker loses his cool and ends up on the ballot--and on the receiving end of a smear campaign claiming the Westbrooks were traitors to the South.
To clear his name, Tucker and Penelope must join forces to find the truth behind a 150-year-old lost treasure. But the more time they spend together, the closer she comes to losing her job--and falling helplessly in love.
My Thoughts
"A Dazzle of Diamonds" is the third book in the Georgia Coast Romance series. It is able to be read as a standalone, though. The hero from the second book plays a role in this book, but you don't feel totally left out if you haven't read the other books (although the other books are great, so why not read them?) I found the book to be well written and nicely paced. The characters are realistic with authentic feelings and insecurities. I loved reading the diary entries and trying to figure out what the treasure was and where it was hidden. I did not want to put the book down once I picked it up and had to force myself to go to bed. I look forward to reading more of Liz Johnson's books.
About the Author
By day Liz Johnson works in marketing. She finds time to write late at night and is a Christy Award finalist and a two-time ACFW Carol Award finalist. She is the author of more than a dozen novels, including A Sparkle of Silver, A Glitter of Gold, The Red Door Inn, Where Two Hearts Meet, and On Love's Gentle Shore, as well asa New York Times bestselling novella and a handful of short stories.Liz makes her home in Phoenix, Arizona where she enjoys theater, exploring local history, and doting on her nieces and nephews. She loves stories of true love with happy endings. Find out more about Liz at www.LizJohnsonBooks.com.
Will one choice save her kingdom from destruction?
During a time of peace and prosperity, Princess Airell of Daireann is given the rare privilege of choosing her own suitor. As eligible rulers from all over Ardena vie for her hand, a betrothal to Prince Tristan of Órlaith seems to be the clear choice. Yet, in the midst of Lady Airell’s happiness, the winds of change are coming.
When an evil usurper from the north rises to power and his forces attack the southern kingdoms, peace in Ardena is shattered. With Daireann under siege, the princess must find the courage to protect her people. Will Lady Airell choose to sacrifice her own happiness in order to save her kingdom?
Get swept up in an epic adventure while reading this Christian medieval romance filled with themes of faith, redemption and forgiveness.
My Thoughts
I enjoyed reading "Lady Airell's Choice". I liked the medieval setting and imagining what it would be like there. I had an idea of what would happen with Lady Airell's choice, but there were still things that happened that I did not expect. There were biblical faith elements throughout the book which I really liked. I think it would have been more helpful to have the pronunciation guide at the beginning of the book, so I would have known how the words were said before I read it and came up with my own way of saying them. I can see lead ins to other stories and I look forward to reading more books in the Ladies of Ardena series.
Rachel Skatvold is a Christian author and stay-at-home mom from the Midwest. She enjoys writing inspirational romance and encouraging blogs. Rachel completed her first series, the Riley Family Legacy Novellas in 2014 and is now working on the Hart Ranch Series, set in the Montana wilderness and the Ladies of Ardena Series, set in medieval times. She is also a contributing author in the Whispers in Wyoming, Brides of Pelican Rapids and Independence Island Series. Other than writing, some of her hobbies include singing, reading and camping in the great outdoors with her husband and two young sons. You can find more information about Rachel and her books on her website: www.rachelskatvold.com.
More from Rachel
The Ladies of Ardena Series has been by far my favorite series to write because the stories are adventurous fast-paced tales with themes of faith, hope and redemption. While I am more well-known for my contemporary western and small-town romance series, I have always been interested in history and fascinated with the medieval time period. Although Ardena is a fictional land, it is inspired by Irish and Scottish culture, in honor of my ancestors. Each book is also inspired by one of my six nieces and is dedicated to them. For that reason, these stories have a special place in my heart.
Lady Airell’s Choice follows the eldest daughter in the Daireann royal family who has come of age. Since it is a time of peace in the land, her father allows Airell to choose her own suitor. She is excited to start a new chapter in her life, but her dreams for the future are shattered when a usurper from the north kills her father and wages war against Daireann. Princess Airell is forced to choose between her own happiness and the survival of her kingdom.
Lady Airell’s story is inspired by Psalms 23 1-3 NLT which says: “The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.” This verse is relevant during Airell’s time and in our lives today as well. We may not face the same perilous circumstances with evil kings and perilous voyages across the sea. Our battles are a little different these days, but God is still the same. He can help us through any trials and lead us down the correct path if we put our faith in Him.
Thank you for following this Celebration Tour for Lady Airell’s choice. To learn more about this book and the others in the series, please read the summary below and visit the series page on Amazon. Also, don’t’ forget to sign up for the giveaway for a chance to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card! Blessings.
An even greater danger lurks just beneath the surface.
When an accident claims the life of an oil-rig worker on the first drilling platform off the North Carolina coast, Coast Guard investigators Rissi Dawson and Mason Rogers are sent to take the case. Tensions surrounding the oil rig are high and the death has everyone on edge. Environmental activists are threatening to do whatever it takes to stop the structure from being completed, while rumors are being whispered about ancient curses surrounding this part of the ocean.
Mounting evidence shows the death may not have been an accident at all. Was he killed by one of the activists or, perhaps more frighteningly, a member of his own crew? Rissi and Mason have to sort through not only a plethora of suspects, but also their own past and attraction to each other.
Just as the case seems like it’ll break open, worse news arrives. A tropical storm has turned their way and soon they’re cut off from any rescue–and right where the killer wants them. It’s a race to discover his identity before he eliminates the threat they pose.
My Thoughts
"The Crushing Depths" is the second book in the Coastal Guardians series. There was a lot going on in this book and we read from lots of different characters' perspectives. There was Greg Barnes, Rissi Dawson, Caleb Eason, Noah Rowley, Mason Rogers, Brooke Kesler, a mystery bad guy. The story line following Rissi and Mason was started in the first book and I think I see the set up for the next book in the series. There were twists and turns and I didn't want to put the book down. Since Rissi and Mason knew each other from before, we didn't get to see much of them falling in love since they were pretty much already there. The mystery and suspense was the main focus of the story. I look forward to reading more books in this series and from Dani Pettrey.
Praised by New York Times best-selling author Dee Henderson as “a name to look for in romantic suspense,” Dani Pettrey has sold more than half a million copies of her novels to readers eagerly awaiting the next release. Dani combines the page-turning adrenaline of a thriller with the chemistry and happy-ever-after of a romance. Her novels stand out for their “wicked pace, snappy dialogue, and likable characters” (Publishers Weekly), “gripping storyline[s],” (RT Book Reviews), and “sizzling undercurrent of romance” (USA Today). She researches murder and mayhem from her home in Maryland, where she lives with her husband. Their two daughters, a son-in-law, and two adorable grandsons also reside in Maryland. For more information about her novels, visit www.danipettrey.com
More from Dani
Enjoy this special recipe for a Lavender and Honey Latte that makes a special appearance in my book!
They know the power and peril of the ocean.
Praised by New York Times best-selling author Dee Henderson as “a name to look for in romantic suspense,” Dani Pettrey has sold more than half a million copies of her novels to readers eagerly awaiting the next release. Dani combines the page-turning adrenaline of a thriller with the chemistry and happy-ever-after of a romance. Her novels stand out for their “wicked pace, snappy dialogue, and likable characters” (Publishers Weekly), “gripping storyline[s],” (RT Book Reviews), and “sizzling undercurrent of romance” (USA Today). She researches murder and mayhem from her home in Maryland, where she lives with her husband. Their two daughters, a son-in-law, and two adorable grandsons also reside in Maryland. For more information about her novels, visit www.danipettrey.com
