Tuesday, June 27, 2023

"The Nurse's Homecoming" by Allie Pleiter

About the Book

A temporary position…

Or the beginning of happily-ever-after?

Camp True North Springs is everything nurse Bridget Nicholson needs: a new start after her broken engagement and the opportunity to help grieving families heal—despite her overbearing father’s disapproval. But no one warned Bridget that she’d be working with her ex-boyfriend, Carson Todd…or that another shot at love might be exactly what she needs.

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

My Thoughts

I enjoyed reading this book. I didn't read any of Allie Pleiter's other books set at Camp True North Springs, but didn't feel like I was missing too much of the story. It would have been nice to see Mason and Dana fall in love (or Seb and Kate) but it didn't take away from Carson and Bridget's story. I found the book to be well written and with a nice biblical faith thread. There were some twists I didn't see coming. You don't really see Carson and Bridget fall in love since this is a second chance romance, they basically realized they never stopped loving each other. I look forward to reading more books by Allie Pleiter.

About the Author

Bestselling international author Allie Pleiter honed her talents in the world of popular fiction, where she still releases multiple books a year. Allie has over 50 published titles to her name, and over 1.5 million Allie Pleiter fiction and non-fiction books have been sold around the world.

Her well-known Chunky Method system trains writers at every level to formulate plans and meet deadlines in a way tailored to their unique working style. Allie runs an active coaching practice helping writers and all kinds of creative people be more productive, as well as training productive people to be more creative. Already a national speaker among writing associations, Allie now extends her reach to entrepreneurs, speakers, consultants, and anyone who needs to bolster their productivity and creativity in a demanding marketplace.

Allie is an avid knitter, confirmed coffee junkie and firm believer that “pie makes everything better.” She holds a BS in Speech from Northwestern University and lives in the suburbs of Chicago with her husband and the world’s most adorable dog.

"The Nurse's Homecoming" is available in paperback:

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Love Inspired; Original edition (June 27, 2023)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 133558580X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1335585806
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 4.8 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.08 x 0.62 x 6.55 inches

and in Kindle edition:

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BMLXMV3L
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Love Inspired (June 27, 2023)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 27, 2023
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 1762 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.

Saturday, June 24, 2023

"Love Somebody Like You" by Carolyn Miller

About the Book

For Lexi Franklin, returning to Trinity Lakes feels a little like running home with her tail between her legs.
But what's a girl to do, when her life has been turned upside down on the other side of the world? She needs a place to regain hope and healing - just didn't count on meeting a cowboy whose own battered heart might need nursing back to health too.
Jackson Reilly has his own set of troubles, between caring for his ranch, his mom, and the black hole of finances. So when a pretty redhead with a sassy tongue offers some distraction - and a potential solution to one of his most pressing concerns - he's not going to say no.
But as they spend time together, questions soon rise about their future, and whether faith can truly win over fears. Will Jackson be able to save his ranch, and his hopes and heart, before Lexi returns to Australia?

An opposites attract, small town contemporary Christian romance. Book five of the Trinity Lakes Romance series (can be read as a standalone). Visit Trinity Lakes and meet the fun and quirky characters who value family, faith, and happily-ever-after.

My Thoughts

I enjoyed reading this book and found it to be well written. I liked Lexi and Jackson. There was a nice biblical faith thread and the characters grew throughout the book. I liked watching their relationship grow. As I read, I got the impression that the Darcy family was introduced in a different book, so I looked and found that I was right. They are featured in "Daring Mr. Darcy". I liked the connection of this book to the Independence Island series with Jackson being Dermot's brother. It was nice to finally meet his family. I look forward to reading more books by Carolyn Miller.

About the Author

Carolyn Miller is a bestselling Australian author of historical and contemporary romance. A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English Literature, and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. Her Regency novels include the nine books of the Regency Brides series and the Regency Wallflowers series. Her contemporary novels include those in the Independence Islands series and the Original Six hockey romance series.

Her stories have been described by Publishers Weekly as "a winsome exploration of life, love and faith" and witty "with snappy repartee that rockets off the page" (Library Journal). Readers enjoy these books that are humorous yet also deal with real issues, such as dealing with forgiveness, the nature of really loving versus 'true love', and other challenges. Her novels can be considered 'inspirational', and may appeal to readers of Christian fiction, who want stories of hope and redemption - with a twist of Aussie humour.

Find out more and sign up for her newsletters at www.carolynmillerauthor.com

"Love Somebody Like You" is available in Kindle edition:

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0B5XQYH75
Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 20, 2023
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 5053 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.

"A Not So Peaceful Journey" by Sandra Merville Hart

About the Book

Book: A Not So Peaceful Journey

Author: Sandra Merville Hart

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: June 13, 2023

Dreams of adventure send him across the country. She prefers to keep her feet firmly planted in Ohio.

Rennie Hill has no illusions about the hardships in life, which is why it’s so important her beau, John Welch, keeps his secure job with the newspaper. Though he hopes to write fiction, the unsteady pay would mean an end to their plans, wouldn’t it?

John Welch dreams of adventure worthy of storybooks, like Mark Twain, and when two of his short stories are published, he sees it as a sign of future success. But while he’s dreaming big with his head in the clouds, his girl has her feet firmly planted, and he can’t help wondering if she really believes in him.

When Rennie must escort a little girl to her parents’ home in San Francisco, John is forced to alter his plans to travel across the country with them. But the journey proves far more adventurous than either of them expect.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts

I had a hard time reading this book. I already didn't really like Rennie very well after reading the other books in the series. I found her whiny and controlling. Reading this book just made me dislike her all the more. She called John's dream foolish and kept trying to get him to do something "sensible". It wasn't until two-thirds of the way through the book that she started to think maybe she should try and encourage John and it wasn't until 90% of the way through that she actually did. It might have been because I identified more with the creative in John that I had a hard time with Rennie, but I really wanted to not finish the book she was so annoying to me. The book is written well and there was a nice biblical faith thread. I liked Livie and the descriptions of the train ride.

About the Author

Sandra Merville Hart, award-winning and Amazon bestselling author of inspirational historical romances, loves to discover little-known yet fascinating facts from American history to include in her stories. Her desire is to transport her readers back in time. She is also a blogger, speaker, and conference teacher. Connect with Sandra on her blog, https://sandramervillehart.wordpress.com/.

More from Sandra

It was fun to invite readers on this book’s journey!

To those who lived in the 1880s, venturing into this newly-settled and largely-unsettled West had become much safer—though not without danger—with the system of railroads already in place. I enjoyed taking readers to Chicago, Omaha, Oakland, Ogden, and Sacramento, as well as frontier towns along the journey such as Cheyenne.

Our heroine is a telegraph operator. She temporarily leaves her job to escort a little girl to her ailing mother in San Francisco.

My research about telegraph jobs taught me quite a bit of terminology.

For example, a clatter arises when another operator “calls.” The call begins with something like “B m—X n”, which means the B m is the station receiving the call and X n is the caller.

B m must signal a reply that she’s ready to receive the call.

The Sounder receives sounds of the alphabet in dots and dashes. Some operators sent messages too rapidly to understand. When this occurs, the receiving operating asks for it again with a Break (she opens her “key” to break the circuit) and interrupts with “Please repeat.”

“G.A. the—” means “Go ahead” and “the” was the last word she understood.

Operators end every message with his/her own private “call” as well as the office’s call and “O.K.” at the end of each message.

Wired Love, which was written by telegraph operator Ella Cheever Thayer in 1879, provided many insights about the job’s daily tasks.

One of them was the lack of privacy on the lines. She can hear the messages sent to other wires but only offices on the same wire. In Wired Love, operators heard messages sent to and from twenty offices.

By the way, the public grew so fascinated with the role of women in telegraphy that it became the topic of romance novels and short stories, creating a new genre called “telegraphic romance” in the latter 1800s. That’s a little-known fun fact for you!

I enjoyed writing this series. I invite you to read the whole “Second Chances” series beginning with A Not So Convenient Marriage, Book 1, A Not So Persistent Suitor, Book 2, and A Not So Peaceful Journey, Book 3.

Blog Stops

lakesidelivingsite, June 14

Alena Mentink, June 14

Betti Mace, June 15

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 16

Texas Book-aholic, June 17

Karen Baney Reviews, June 17

Connie’s History Classroom, June 18

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 19

For Him and My Family, June 20

Lily’s Book Reviews, June 20

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 21

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions , June 22

Mary Hake, June 22

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 23

Blogging With Carol, June 24

Blossoms and Blessings, June 24

Simple Harvest Reads, June 25 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Cover Lover Book Review, June 26

Pause for Tales, June 27

Holly’s Book Corner, June 27

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Sandra 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/2658b/a-not-so-peaceful-journey-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.

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

"Unassailable" by K.J. Rowe-- Author Interview

About the Book

Book: Unassailable

Author: K.J. Rowe

Genre: Teen/Young Adult

To be picture perfect on the outside can cause people to think you have it all together on the inside. Which is exactly the case for Hope Meyer.

Stuck in a dead-end job with no vision for her future, parents arguing at home and newly-single under terms she bitterly objects to, Hope puts on a brave front in the face of friends. Only, she’s not as subtle as she thinks. Called out on her pretense by a close friend and, drawn into a mission project that causes her to question everything she’s been led to believe, Hope finds herself floundering.

Until recently, the perfect hair, manicured nails, a wardrobe straight out of a fashion magazine and a handsome suitor by her side had defined her. Now seeing those things as insignificant, and understanding why her boyfriend left, Hope turns to her youth minister for help; with one burning question in mind:

Who was she?

Set on a path of self-discovery, Hope finds her day to day both unraveling and piecing together like a jigsaw as her perception begins to alter.

Will she embrace how God defines her and ultimately learn what true happiness is?

Click here to get your copy!

Author Interview

1. What, according to you, is the hardest thing about writing?
Keeping to a word count and watching the level of ‘waffle’ that works its way
into a dialogue. The editing process I find brutal, but so necessary!
God bless my wonderful Editor!

2. Do you pen down revelations and ideas as you get them, right
then and there?
I like to write down ideas/conversations/situations as they come to me,
because otherwise I find that details can get lost or warped when you try to
recall them however long later. Even if it means to make a quick note on my
phone in the middle of the night!

3. Do you need to be in a specific place or room to write, or you can
just sit in the middle of a café full of people and write?
I write where ever I can. We are farmers and I’m home-schooling our two
children, so the laptop is not far from me at any given time to make use of any
free time that pops up. I’ve written at the park, in the car, in the loungeroom,
while I’m cooking tea, sitting in the garden, away on holidays. Sometimes,
changing the scenery can help!

4. Where do you get your ideas for your books?
My own life experiences, to put it simply. Each book in the Casts of Silver
series, contains a part of my own testimony.

5. Do bits of yourself/friends show up in your characters?
I think every writer could answer yes to this question. *Smiles*

About the Author

Since I could hold a pencil, I’ve be writing.

In primary school, I wrote stories about my pets, my own version of princess stories, a classroom crush…

In high school, I wrote stories about horses, adventures, my sister…

However, as strong as the writing hobby was, I still pursued a career in Veterinary Nursing.

It wasn’t until God intervened and moved me out of the city and into a small country town to be a farmer’s wife, that he resurfaced the writing desire – and gave me the stories. So was born my debut series, each book holding a part of my own testimony, Casts of Silver.

It is my prayer that you enjoy the journey these stories take you on, and that they challenge, encourage and inspire you.

More from K.J. Rowe

Since I could hold a pencil, I’ve been writing.

In primary school, I wrote stories about my pets, my own version of princess stories, a classroom crush…

In high school, I wrote stories about horses, adventures, my family members…

However as strong as the writing hobby was, I still pursued a career in Veterinary Nursing.

It wasn’t until God intervened, moved me out of the city and into a small country town to be a famers wife, that He resurfaced the writing desire and gave me the stories. So was born my debut series, each book holding a part of my own testimony, Casts of Silver.

It is my prayer that you enjoy the journey these stories take you on and that they challenge, encourage and inspire you.

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, June 17 (Author Interview)

For the Love of Literature, June 18 (Author Interview)

Through the Fire Blogs, June 19 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 19

Texas Book-aholic, June 20

Blossoms and Blessings, June 21 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 22

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, June 23

Artistic Nobody, June 24 (Author Interview)

Splashes of Joy, June 25 (Author Interview)

Lily’s Book Reviews, June 25

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, June 26 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 27

Beauty in the Binding, June 28 (Author Interview)

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, June 29

Guild Master, June 30 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, K.J. is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon voucher and a signed 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/2659b/unassailable-celebration-tour-giveaway

Sunday, June 18, 2023

Storyfest Epic Launch

About the Event

Created with Christian Fiction Reader-Fans in mind: the 2023 ACFW Storyfest! Come be part of

ACFW Storyfest (formerly the Christian Fiction Readers Retreat). It all takes place Thursday afternoon,

August 24, 2023-Saturday, August 26, 2023 at the Hyatt Regency at the Arch in St. Louis, Missouri.

Come celebrate story and your favorite CF authors right on the premises of the ACFW

conference—where hundreds of CF authors gather each year.

Learn more here!

More from a Participating Author!

Some writers are extroverts—no really!

Readers think of writers as people who

wander around in their pajamas eating

cookies while they pound out stories on

their computer, but that’s wrong. It’s

really chocolate we eat. 😊 I’m one of those extroverts,

and the hardest part of writing is that

whole alone part. So when I

get the opportunity to see

my readers face-to-face, it’s a happy day. I

throw confetti and give extravagant hugs.

Okay, maybe I don’t have access to confetti,

but you can expect the hugging.

ACFW Storyfest is something I look forward

to every year because I get a chance to talk

to the very people who drive my desire to

write. Last year I met a reader whose dream

was to be in a novel. I wrote down her name

and created a villain in the early chapters of

Fragile Designs then proceeded to kill her as well (I write

suspense, by the way). It was beyond her

wildest dreams to be a villain and be killed off. That happened because we had

an opportunity to get to know one another

and share dreams and hopes. I know being

killed in a novel isn’t your usual sort of dream,

but we writers and readers are an odd bunch,

aren’t we? No one gets us like others who care

about books and characters.

Storyfest is coming up in August, and I can’t

wait to chat with you there and get to know

you. Who knows, maybe I’ll write a character

around you. 😊

—Colleen Coble

Missed Any Posts, Go Here

Stop One: https://travelerswife4life.com/christian-fiction-reader-fans/

Stop Two: https://janemouttet.wordpress.com/2023/06/18/storyfest-epic-launch/
Stop Three: https://blossomsandblessings.blogspot.com/2023/06/storyfest-epic-launch.html
Stop Four: https://moments-of-beauty.blogspot.com/2023/06/event-spotlight-storyfest-epic-launch.html
Stop Five: https://www.artistwriterandstudentohmy.com/posts/storyfest-epic-launch/
Stop Six: https://www.amoderndayfairytale.net/2023/06/check-out-2023-acfw-storyfest.html
Stop Seven: https://storiesbygina.wordpress.com/2023/06/18/2023-acfw-storyfest-epic-launch/
Stop Eight: http://montanamade.weebly.com/tell-tale-book-reviews/acfw-storyfest-2023-launch-giveaway
Stop Nine: https://coverloverbookreview.blogspot.com/2023/06/storyfest.html?q=storyfest

What Authors Are Participating?

Sami Abrams, Kate Angelo, Pepper Basham, Laurel Blount , Sara Brunsvold, Colleen Coble,

Sara Davison, Lynette Eason, Loretta Eidson, Joni M. Fisher, Liana George, Sarah Hamaker,

Sarah Hanks, Rebecca Hemlock, Pam Hillman, Angela Hunt, Denise Hunter, Kelly Irvin, Dana

R. Lynn, Tracey Lyons, Joy K. Massenburge , Nancy Mehl, Shaen Mehl, Dana Mentink, Robin

Caroll, Dineen Miller, DiAnn Mills, Carol Moncado, Lenora Worth , Mindy Obenhaus, Candice

Sue Patterson, Lisa Phillips, Deborah Raney, Shannon Redmon, Terri Reed, Helena Smrcek,

Betsy St Amant, Brandy Heineman, Melanie Stevenson, Carrie Turansky, Marilyn Turk,

Kathleen Turner, Darlene L. Turner, Virginia Vaughan, John Walker, and Kimberley

Woodhouse

Giveaway!

The letter for my post is "T"

https://promosimple.com/ps/27090/storyfest-2023

Thursday, June 15, 2023

"The Smell of Summer" by Mary Ann Hake -- Author interview

About the Book

Book: The Smell of Summer

Author: Mary Ann Hake

Genre: Picture Book

Release date: May 15, 2023

Explore the smells of summer with April, a blind girl, and her menagerie of pets.

Visit the county fair, the seashore, Grandpa’s farm, and the zoo, and camp with April’s family in the woods—each place has its unique fragrances.

“As summer thoughts stir in my mind,

I wonder what new smells I’ll find.”

The back of the book contains activities using the sense of smell.

Click here to get your copy!

Author Interview

Do you pen down revelations and ideas as you get them, right then
and there?
I try to record ideas and thoughts related to writing and possible future
projects before I forget them. I have slips of paper from years of doing this.
Sometimes I get ideas when lying in bed in the dark. I used to keep a little
recorder since I don’t want to get up and put on my glasses to jot them
down. Otherwise, I usually can’t remember the great idea the next morning.
Since I write all kinds of things, these vary greatly—from a plot for a novel
to a creative puzzle or a fragment of a poem. Since I have been focusing on
writing for children the past year or two, some of the ideas will probably
never be used. But I intend to go through my idea folder when I have time,
or make the time, and glean some ideas to work on.

Do you set a plot or prefer going wherever an idea takes you?
I am definitely a pantser, allowing the story to flow and take me and the
characters wherever it leads—similar to stream of consciousness but under
the author’s control. When writing a novel (none published yet), I have a
general idea of the skeleton of the tale and how it will end, but don’t outline
specifics. I love the creative exhilaration of crafting words on the page and
see where the story leads. It brings a thrill when the words just flow.
Sometimes when I reread what I’ve written, I marvel and think, “Did I write
that?” I think God for inspiration and the gift of creativity.

What, according to you, is the hardest thing about writing?
Being disciplined to devote regular time for writing is challenging, in addition
to all the marketing and promotion that is required to help a book become
successful. There is so much competition these days that a book can get lost
in the crowd of all the others available. Another thing many of us writers
battle is discouragement, thinking our work may not be good enough or ever
succeed in the marketplace. The business is also an expensive endeavor
when self-publishing. I edit other’s work to have money to pay to publish my
own books.

Do you need to be in a specific place or room to write, or you can
just sit in the middle of a café full of people and write?
I prefer a quiet room with no distractions. I find it hard to block out
conversations around me or music with lyrics. I used to write longhand, but
have been writing on the computer for years now. I use my desktop with a
large monitor. That way I can look up things online if I need to for my work
in progress. My cat does bother me sometimes. He has started jumping up
on my desk lately and sometimes walks right over my keyboard. Often he
sleeps in the chair beside me.

Anything else you'd like to share?
The main reason I write is to encourage others. My material for children is
both educational and fun. For example, my Smells of the Seasons picture
books are written in rhyme, which makes it fun to read. These concept
books share scenes from the life of a blind girl, and this offers the
opportunity for children to observe that she is a child just like they are. They
can learn empathy plus understand that being without one sense can
enhance other senses. These picture books focus on the sense of smell and
present enjoyable settings—most that children should find familiar. The
books fit well with STEAM topics such as weather, animals, environment,
plants, senses, and so much more. Each book as well as my monthly
newsletter include activities using the sense of smell. The first two books in
the series are available now. Book 1, The Smell of Spring, was named
among the best in family-friendly media, products, and services by the
Mom’s Choice Awards®.

About the Author

Mary Ann Hake, author of the Smells of the Seasons picture book series, has loved learning, reading, and writing for as long as she can remember. She has scribbled stories and poems since she first learned to write and has published hundreds of stories, articles, poems, puzzles, devotions, and more for both children and adults plus written hundreds of book reviews. She loved working in a bookstore and as a librarian and enjoyed reading to children at story times and conducting summer reading programs. She has also taught writing to children and at writers’ conferences. In addition to writing, she continues to work as a freelance editor. Visit her website, www.maryannhake.com, and sign up to receive monthly activities for children and updates on future books.

More from Mary Ann

My mother introduced me to books at a very young age. Mom read to me nearly every day—beginning with picture books then adding longer stories and poetry. I loved books and soon memorized the text of favorites so I could turn the pages and “read” them myself. (My own daughters did the same.) I could hardly wait until I went to school and learned to read so I could devour books on my own. In honor of my mom, The Smell of Summer’s release date is her birthday, May 15. I am her firstborn and her only summer baby. She always encouraged my writing.

My four-book Smells of the Seasons series are told in rhyme because that appeals to children. The Smell of Summer shares summer scenes from the life of April, a blind girl who uses her sense of smell to help her experience her world. The story includes elements that offer a fun companion text for connection to science including the senses, nature settings, animals, flowers, vegetable gardening, and other food. This is the second book in the series with April and her menagerie of pets.

Most people love summertime. This delightful picture book will stir up memories of summer experiences and offer some you may wish to enjoy this year. As the final page says:

I love the many summer smells.

So many stories each one tells.