"Never Leave Me" by Jody Hedlund

 About the Book

In the last stages of a genetic disease, Ellen Creighton has decided to live out her remaining days at the estate of her longtime friend Harrison Burlington. Harrison cares deeply for Ellen, but as a wheelchair-bound paraplegic, he's never allowed himself to get serious in a relationship. However, he's desperately trying to save her by finding the holy water that is believed to heal any disease.

When he locates two flasks, Ellen refuses to drink one of them because she believes the holy water killed her sister and father. In an effort to convince her to take it, Harrison ingests the contents first, and when Ellen witnesses the effects, she can no longer deny the power of the substance in the bottles. Dangerous criminals are also seeking the holy water, and Ellen soon learns they will go to any lengths to get the powerful drug--including sending her back into the past to find it for them.

Bestselling and award-winning author Jody Hedlund plunges you into the swiftly flowing river of history in a race against the clock in this breathtaking, emotional second Waters of Time story.

My Thoughts

This is the second book in the Waters of Time series and it would be best to read the books in order so you know what is going on. This book picks up shortly after the first book ends and Harrison has continued to search for more holy water to help Ellen. I liked watching Ellen and Harrison's interactions and how they explored their expanding relationship. I found the book to be well written and it kept my attention so I wanted to ignore everything else and keep reading to find out what was going to happen. I liked the trip back in time and feeling immersed in the medieval era. The twisting complexities of time travel from the holy water were interesting and thought provoking. I look forward to reading the next book in the series as well as other books by Jody Hedlund. 

About the Author 

Jody Hedlund is the best-selling author of over forty books and is the winner of numerous awards. She writes sweet historical romances with plenty of sizzle. Find out more at jodyhedlund.com. Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. Although Jody prefers to experience daring and dangerous adventures through her characters rather than in real life, she’s learned that a calm existence is simply not meant to be (at least in this phase of her life!).

When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.

 

"Never Leave Me" is available in paperback:

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Revell (January 4, 2022)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0800738446
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0800738440
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.1 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.88 x 8.5 inches

and in Kindle edition:

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09B2NM3T3
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Revell (January 4, 2022)
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 4, 2022
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• File size ‏ : ‎ 6186 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.

"It Came Upon a Midnight Shear" by Allie Pleiter

About the Book

 A murder in her yarn shop’s backyard puts Libby Beckett’s holiday plans on thin ice.…

The holiday season looks merry and bright for Libby and her friends at Y.A.R.N. The store is expanding for a holiday boom, and she’s gathered Collinstown’s businesses to decorate a community Christmas tree. Dashing “Gallant Herdsman” Vincenzo Marani arrives to showcase the rare vicuña, whose coat produces the world’s most luxurious yarn. It’s a perfect yuletide—until Libby’s ex-husband, Sterling, turns up in town…and then turns up dead.

The murder unravels Libby’s life faster than a hand-knit Christmas stocking. The luxe yarn goes missing, Sterling’s domineering family comes to town, and the vicuña attempt an escape. If Libby can’t stitch up a solution to the case, she may be trading in her knitting needles for a set of handcuffs.

My Thoughts

This book is the 3rd book in the series, but could be read as a standalone. I would recommend that the books be read in order to get the full picture of what Collinstown is like and what has transpired in the past. I found the book to be well written. As soon as they found the body, I thought "I think 'X' did it." and I was correct. I didn't figure out the why until right before it was revealed in the book. This is not a Christian book (at one point they mention that 'God or Mother Nature did a good job of creating-whichever you believe in"), but it is clean.

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.

"It Came Upon a Midnight Shear" is available in paperback:

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkley (November 1, 2022)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593201825
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593201824
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5.3 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.19 x 0.81 x 6.75 inches

and in Kindle edition:

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09RPVTR4M
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkley (November 1, 2022)
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 1, 2022
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• File size ‏ : ‎ 2474 KB
• Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Ena

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.

"The Lost Melody" by Joanna Davidson Politano

 About the Book

When concert pianist Vivienne Mourdant's father dies, he leaves to her the care of an adult ward she knew nothing about. The woman is supposedly a patient at Hurstwell Asylum. The woman's portrait is shockingly familiar to Vivienne, so when the asylum claims she was never a patient there, Vivienne is compelled to discover what happened to the figure she remembers from childhood dreams.

The longer she lingers in the deep shadows and forgotten towers at Hurstwell, the fuzzier the line between sanity and madness becomes. She hears music no one else does, receives strange missives with rose petals between the pages, and untangles far more than is safe for her to know. But can she uncover the truth about the mysterious woman she seeks? And is there anyone at Hurstwell she can trust with her suspicions?

My Thoughts

I have enjoyed the previous books I've read by Joanna Davidson Politano, so was eager to read The Lost Melody. I found the book to be well written and I absolutely did not want to put it down. Who needs to eat or sleep, right? There is such hopelessness in the asylum but also moments of sunshine. The author captured the feel of the asylum really well. I liked the biblical faith thread. I found the characters to be realistic and well thought out. I loved the cameo appearance of some characters from "Midnight Dance". I look forward to reading more books by Joanna Davidson Politano.

About the Author

Joanna Davidson Politano is the award-winning author of Lady Jayne Disappears, A Rumored Fortune, Finding Lady Enderly, The Love Note, and A Midnight Dance. She loves tales that capture the colorful, exquisite details in ordinary lives and is eager to hear anyone's story. She lives with her husband and their children in a house in the woods near Lake Michigan. You can find her online at www.jdpstories.com.

"The Lost Melody" is available in paperback:

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Revell (October 4, 2022)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0800736915
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0800736910
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.1 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.96 x 8.5 inches

and in Kindle edition:

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09V6PKVN5
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Revell (October 4, 2022)
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 4, 2022
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• File size ‏ : ‎ 10163 KB

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

"It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" by A.M. Heath

 Book Description:

 

Can a cozy inn at Christmas transform the troubled hearts seeking refuge there? 

Pregnant and alone, Alissa Hill moved to Garland, Tennessee to help at her aunt’s inn. When a guest brings her hidden past to the inn’s door, she must decide whether to face it or continue to run. 

A career-ending injury ruined Stephen Powell’s life plans. Now a former NFL kicker, he’s searching for a new purpose while recovering at the Cheery Inn. But those at the inn may offer him much more than he expects. 

Sparks fly when Alissa and Stephen meet, but secrets and regrets may keep them apart unless they can learn to forgive and move beyond their brokenness. 

Read this heartwarming Christmas romance today!

Purchase Link: 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BCXBM9LM

Giveaway Info: 

Enter to win a Christian Reader’s Cozy Packet!
Prize pack includes a signed copy of It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, a stack of other Christian Christmas reads, and … a little something extra to round out your cozy day of reading.
*Open to continental U.S. Residents only.

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed reading this book. I found it to be well written and easy to read. I liked Alissa and Stephen and watching them interact. The sass and snark are fun. There are some hard issues brought up in the book and they were handled carefully and biblically. The ending wasn't what I expected, but it was a nice reminder of what God can do when we surrender to His will. I look forward to reading more books by A.M. Heath.

Project Scrooge Sale:

Grab Book 1 of the Christmas in Garland series for .99 this week!

Bio: 

Besides being an Indie Author, I’m a wife, mother of four, ladies’ 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:
Whether you’re on social media or not, you can ensure that you never miss one of my sales, giveaways, or new releases by signing up for my newsletter. I’ll send you a direct link to your email anytime something big happens. http://eepurl.com/dDbVNz

Website: https://christianauthoramheath.net/

Blog: https://christianauthoramheath.net/blog/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AMHeathfanpage/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8302606.A_M_Heath

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/a-m-heath-41b54829-fb8c-469e-a96f-52efe9efacb1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fictionauthor.amheath/ 

Tour Stops:

Nov. 7:
Marilyn @ Lighthouse-Academy
Raechel @ God’s Peculiar Treasure Rae
A.M. Heath @ A.M. Heath Blog

Nov. 8:
Becky @ Blossoms and Blessings
Esther @ A Melodious Sonnet

Nov. 9:
Deana: Texas Book-aholic

Nov. 10:
Nyla @ Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess

Nov. 11:
Connie @ Older and Smarter
Debbie: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations

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 Convenient Marriage" by Sandra Merville Hart

 

About the Book

Book: A Not So Convenient Marriage

Author: Sandra Merville Hart

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release date: November 8, 2022

A spinster teacher…a grieving widower…a marriage of convenience and a second chance with the man she’s always loved.

When Samuel Walker proposes a marriage of convenience to Rose Hatfield so soon after the death of his wife, she knows he doesn’t love her. She’s loved him since their school days. Those long-suppressed feelings spring to life as she marries him. She must sell her childhood home, quit her teaching job, and move to a new city.

Marrying Rose is harder than Samuel expected, especially with the shadow of his deceased wife everywhere in his life. And he has two young children to consider. Peter and Emma need a mother’s love, but they also need to hold close the memories of their real mother as they grieve her loss.

Life as Samuel’s wife is nothing like Rose hoped, and even the townspeople, who loved his first wife, make Rose feel like an outsider. The work of the farm draws the two of them closer, giving hope that they might one day become a happy family. Until the dream shatters, and the life Rose craves tumbles down around them. Only God can put these pieces back together, but the outcome may not look anything like she planned.

My Thoughts 

I had a harder time reading this book than the previous series I had read by Sandra Merville Hart (Spies of the Civil War). I think it mostly was because it repeatedly brought up the "I'm not as beautiful and important as Ginny" thoughts. It made it less enjoyable to me.  I did like the characters and hoped for them to work out their differences.  Although at times I wanted to just shake them to make them tell each other how they felt.

Click here to get your copy!

 

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

There are some stories that must be told. A Not So Convenient Marriage is one of them for me.

I don’t know what it is about this story, but once I began writing it over a dozen years ago, the characters wouldn’t leave me alone.

I wrote the first draft of this book a few years before my first book—another book, A Stranger on My Land—released, so I was still learning about the writing journey. I’m certain that my first draft of A Not So Convenient Marriage wasn’t ready for publication because it was rejected.

But the characters in my imagination wouldn’t allow me to let this one go. I edited and reedited, using skills I learned at writing conferences. Then I tried again with another editor. Another rejection.

Discouraged, I worked on other writing projects and met with a little success. When my first Civil War romance published, I decided to follow my heart and continue writing about that turbulent time period.

This book was set aside.

Still, every morning I woke up thinking about the characters in A Not So Convenient Marriage. In my mind, I’d rewrite a scene from the book as I lay, trying to sleep, in the middle of the night. Or the story would haunt me before falling asleep at night, keeping me awake an hour or two.

This happened almost daily for years.

Finally, I pulled up the manuscript again. It had been written in my early days so it required a lot of modification. I asked my agent to begin showing my updated proposal for the book. She was happy to do this because she always believed in this book. In fact, she decided to represent me after reading for proposal for it.

By the way, the story was still keeping me awake as I waited to sign a book contract.

Last year, I was thrilled when Misty Beller, Wild Heart Books, offered me a contract for a three-book series for this novel. Not only that, she also gave me a three-book contract for my “Spies of the Civil War” series, that published this year. (I invite you to read the whole “Spies of the Civil War” series beginning with Book 1 Avenue of Betrayal, Book 2 Boulevard of Confusion, and Book 3 Byway to Danger.)

Misty told me that she cried when reading my manuscript for A Not So Convenient Marriage—the first time that had ever happened for a submission. That touched my heart.

I’m happy to say that scenes from the book no longer keep me awake at night…for now the story will be told.  

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, November 1

For Him and My Family, November 1

lakesidelivingsite, November 2

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 3

Holly’s Book Corner, November 3

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 4

deb’s Book Review, November 5

Blossoms and Blessings, November 5

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 6

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 7

Inklings and notions, November 7

Connie’s History Classroom, November 8

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, November 9

Through the Fire Blogs, November 9

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 10

Pause for Tales, November 11

To Every BOOK There is a Season, November 11

Bizwings Blog, November 12

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 13

Mary Hake, November 13

Vicky Sluiter, November 14

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/2244d/a-not-so-convenient-marriage-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.

"The Bookshop of Secrets" by Mollie Rushmeyer

 

About the Book

Book: The Bookshop of Secrets

Author: Mollie Rushmeyer

Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction (Christian)

Release date: October 25, 2022

A collection of lost books holds the clues to her family’s legacy…and her future.

Hope Sparrow has mastered the art of outrunning her tragic past, learning never to stay anywhere too long and never to allow anyone control over her life again. Coming to Wanishin Falls in search of her family’s history already feels too risky. But somewhere in the towering stacks of this dusty old bookshop are the books that hold Hope’s last ties to her late mother—and to a rumored family treasure that could help her start over.

Only, the bookshop is in shambles, and the elderly owner is in the beginning stages of dementia and can’t remember where the books lie. To find the last links to the loved ones she’s lost, Hope must stay and accept help from the townsfolk to locate the treasured volumes. Each secret she uncovers brings her closer to understanding where she came from. But the longer she stays in the quaint town, the more people find their way into the cracks in her heart. And letting them in may be the greatest risk of all…

My Thoughts 

I enjoyed reading this book and found it easy to read. I loved the bookshop and the search for the lost books. The treasure hunt was also fun. I figured out who was behind the mischief but not the motivation. I felt like Hope's fears and insecurities were done realistically. I look forward to reading more books by Mollie Rushmeyer.

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Mollie writes contemporary fiction with a heart for history. What does this mean exactly? She loves to write inspirational fiction in contemporary settings with fascinating historical elements, people, objects, and stories woven throughout.

A modern girl herself– She wouldn’t want to go a day without modern plumbing and central air! But she’s always felt a special connection to the past. The legacies and lives left behind are like gifts waiting to be unwrapped, and she’s excited to share this blend of history and contemporary living with readers.

A born and bred Midwestern gal, Mollie Rushmeyer, makes her home in central Minnesota with her husband and two spunky, beautiful daughters. She is not only a bibliophile (the dustier the better, in her opinion), she’s a true anglophile at heart. Tea and coffee fuel her travels, by Google maps at least, and her passion for the written word.

 

More from Mollie

Since childhood, opening up a book unlocked a whole new world for me. Of possibilities and adventure, and made me care for people and places that didn’t exist. Like stepping through the wardrobe into Narnia, books transported me. It was like magic.

As I began dreaming up The Bookshop of Secrets in its early stages, I knew I wanted to create a character who loved books and was in awe of their transformative and transportive power as much as I am. Thus, Hope Sparrow, a human trafficking survivor and ultimate book lover, was born. I also wanted to honor my grandpa, who planted the seed—love of the written word—in my heart from the time I was very young. And so, Ulysses, the owner of Dusty Jackets Bookshop in the story, is based on my sweet grandpa who has since passed away. But I know he’d love this homage to all things literary.

In the middle of writing this book, in 2018, I had a stroke. As with most medical emergencies, it was quite unexpected. I had a hole in my heart (that has been repaired, thankfully). Afterward, I didn’t know if I’d ever write again and I was more terrified of that than not being able to fully move my left arm again. My brain had to make new connections and it was so difficult, still is some days, to be creative. To find the right words.

But God. In the way that only He can, He brought this forgotten story, this project’s finish line that seemed to be at the summit of an insurmountable mountain within reach. I thought I had something to prove to myself. I begged God not to forget my dream to write. Like He could. But in the end, I just had to trust like my character Hope. Trust that He is good even when life hurts and is uncertain.

“Do you know what the opposite of fear is?”

“Bravery? Peace?” Dare she say her namesake, hope?

“The true counterpart of fear is faith. It takes faith to walk into the future, the unknown, with confidence. Secure in the love of the One who created you and those around you outweighs any hardship, real or imagined, that lies on the path ahead.”

I hope following Hope’s journey of healing and love in The Bookshop of Secrets truly blesses you.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 27

lakesidelivingsite, October 27

Inklings and notions, October 28

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 28

Simple Harvest Reads, October 28 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

An Author’s Take, October 29

The Write Escape, October 29

deb’s Book Review, October 29

Texas Book-aholic, October 30

Rebecca Tews, October 30

Blogging With Carol, October 30

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 31

Inspired by fiction, October 31

Life of Literature, October 31

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, November 1

Cover Lover Book Review, November 1

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 2

Losing the Busyness, November 2

For Him and My Family, November 2

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, November 3

Holly’s Book Corner, November 3

Mary Hake, November 3

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, November 4 (Author Interview)

Paula’s Pad of Suspense and Detection, November 4

Blossoms and Blessings, November 4

Sylvan Musings, November 5

Lily’s Book Reviews, November 5

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, November 5

A Reader’s Brain, November 6

Book Looks by Lisa, November 6

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 7

Truth and Grace Homeachool Academy, November 7

Story Craft, November 7

Through the fire blogs, November 8

Pause for Tales, November 8

Labor Not in Vain, November 8

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, November 9

To Everything There Is A Season, November 9

Lights in a Dark World, November 9

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Mollie is giving away the grand prize package of a eBook or signed paperback copy (paperback U.S. Only) of The Bookshop of Secrets and 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/226c7/the-bookshop-of-secrets-celebration-tour-giveaway

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