Wednesday, April 10, 2019

"Dance With Me" by A.M. Heath --Book Review, Blog Tour & Giveaway

About the Book  

 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 will 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.

 My Thoughts

 "Dance With Me" is the first book in the Art of Love series, but each book is a stand alone novel and not necessary for the others. I really enjoyed reading "Dance With Me" and once I started, I didn't want to stop. I found the book to be well written and felt that it flowed well. I liked how even though most of the story was a flashback, we got to see the story unfold and not know the conclusion before the end of the book. I liked getting to know Arleen and Neil. I felt the faith thread was woven through the book well and liked getting to see the growth and transformation of characters. I liked how "Dance with me" meant so much more than just the physical act of dancing. I cried while reading the end of the book and finished with a contented sigh. I could really see this book as a movie. 

 About the Author  
A.M. Heath

A.M. Heath breaks out as a Christian novelist with the 2014 release of Where Can I Flee, inspired by her love of Christ and 19th century American history.

Being raised in a small Tennessee town, A.M. Heath grew up with a love for southern history and nostalgia. Her husband and 4 children embrace the small town lifestyle and southern standard of back porch relaxing, tea sipping, homemade comfort food, strong Christian values, and tightly woven family bonds.

Tour Stops: 
Monday April 8th: 
Debbie @ Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations
Loretta @ Just Writing
Laura @ Blue Eye Books PLUS an interview
Tuesday April 9th:
Kaylee @ Kaylee’s Kind of Writes
Karen @ KarenSueHadley
Wednesday April 10th: 
Deana @ Texas Book-aholic
Jana @ Review from the Stacks
Becky @ Blossoms and Blessings
Thursday April 11th: 
Bella @ Bella Putt: The Pen and the Pages
Alicia @ A Brighter Destiny
Friday April 12th: 
Esther @ We’ve Got Pockets PLUS an interview
Raechel @ God’s Peculiar Treasure
Grand Prize

The giveaway is open April 8th-14th. You can enter here. 

"Dance With Me" is available in paperback: 

  • Series: Art of Love (Book 1)
  • Paperback: 210 pages
  • Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (March 8, 2019)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1721994165
  • ISBN-13: 978-1721994168
  • Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches

and in Kindle edition:
  • File Size: 1447 KB
  • Publication Date: April 8, 2019
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B07MC95WSZ

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.
Posted by at 1 comment:
Labels: ,

Monday, April 8, 2019

"When You Are Near" by Tracie Peterson -- Book Review, Blog Tour, and Giveaway

About the Book

When You Are Near
Book: When You Are Near
Author: Tracie Peterson
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release Date: March 5, 2018
After her father’s death, Lizzy Brookstone, a trick rider in the all-female Brookstone Wild West Extravaganza, wants nothing more than to quit her role as the star of the show and live a quiet life on her family’s ranch. But returning home would bring Wesley DeShazer, the ranch’s foreman and the man who broke her heart, back into her life. In addition, the Brookstones’ new manager fears that Lizzy’s departure could doom the already cash-strapped show.
Hope grows in Lizzy during a stopover at Fleming Farm. Ella Fleming not only has a natural talent for trick riding and could easily replace Lizzy, but she’s eager to join the show to flee a forced betrothal. However, while there, one of the show’s wranglers is killed in a manner Lizzy finds suspicious. And during her escape from the farm, Ella stumbles across a secret that could affect all of their lives, as well as the future of the Brookstone Extravaganza.

My Thoughts
Tracie Peterson is a new to me author. "When You Are Near" is the first book in the Brookstone Brides series. I found the book to be enjoyable and well written. I enjoyed getting to know the characters from the book and to see them grow. I sort of felt sorry for Jason, but not bad enough for Lizzy to like him instead of Wes. It was interesting reading about the wild west show and imagining what it was like. I look forward to reading more books in this series.

About the Author

Peterson, TracieTracie Peterson (www.traciepeterson.com) is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 100 novels. Tracie also teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. She and her family live in Montana.

Guest Post from Tracie

Introducing…When You Are Near!
I’m excited about the new Brookstone Brides series and had so much fun researching for the various characters and locations. This is a story about a fictional Wild West show with all female performers. Prior to the rodeos we see today, the Wild West shows traveled throughout America and Europe to entertain people and give city dwellers a taste of what the American frontier was like. At least their version.
Buffalo Bill Cody was famous for his shows, which brought Native Americans and their culture into the world of people who might otherwise never have even seen an “Indian.” Pawnee Bill was another entertainer who sought to keep these shows alive.
For the fictional show in my novels, I wanted to focus on three female characters who became a part of the Brookstone Wild West Extravaganza for varying reasons. Lizzy Brookstone is the heroine in book one, When You Are Near, and as the daughter of one of the show’s owners, she has enjoyed a starring role as a trick rider.
For research I went to Pueblo, Colorado to the ranch of Karen Vold, a famous trick rider and rodeo star. Linda Scholtz, a famed trick rider, was teaching a clinic there along with Karen at the Red Top Ranch Trickriding School.
These are two remarkable Christian trick riders who have long worked to keep the sport alive. I spent three days getting to know them and what they do and learned so much. And just to prove that we weren’t all work and no play, I thought I’d share my attempt at trick riding. What I won’t do for research!
The series will have three books, as usual, and each book will focus on a different lady and her skills. Mary is a trick shooter like Annie Oakley, and Ella is a Roman rider who stands on the backs of two horses for her part in the act. It was so interesting learning about each of these types of performers, and I hope you’ll get a chance to read all three and enjoy the stories of the Brookstone Wild West Extravaganza.

Blog Stops

Among the Reads, March 26
Vicky Sluiter, March 27
Carpe Diem, March 28
The Avid Reader, March 28
Genesis 5020, March 28
The Lit Addict, March 29
Back Porch Reads, March 29
Splashes of Joy, March 30
Emily Yager, March 31
EmpowerMoms, April 1
Remembrancy, April 3
Pause for Tales, April 4
Stories By Gina, April 5
Book by Book, April 5
Bigreadersite, April 6
The Becca Files, April 8

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Tracie is giving away a grand prize of When You Are Near, Tracie’s A $25 Barnes and Noble Gift card, and the three books in The Heart of Alaska series and three other winners will receive a copy of When You Are Near!!
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/dcdd/when-you-are-near-celebration-tour-giveaway

"When You Are Near" is available in paperback:
  • Series: Brookstone Brides (Book 1)
  • Paperback: 320 pages
  • Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (March 5, 2019)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0764219022
  • ISBN-13: 978-0764219023
  • Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches

and in Kindle edition:
  • File Size: 10234 KB
  • Print Length: 305 pages
  • Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (March 5, 2019)
  • Publication Date: March 5, 2019
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B07F3CN275


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.
Posted by at 2 comments:
Labels: , ,

"This Daring Journey" by Misty M. Beller -- Book Review, Blog Tour, and Giveaway


About the Book

This Daring Journey
Book: This Daring Journey
Author: Misty M. Beller
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release Date: March 26, 2019
As a half-Indian raised among her Peigan tribe, Moriah Clark knows better than to trust white people. The tragedy that resulted in her birth is proof enough. But when her trusted grandfather marries her to a white man, she has no choice to but to obey and hope this new life isn’t her downfall. Her white husband turns out to be a decent sort, but his unexpected death left her to birth a newborn baby among hostile mountain men. She wants nothing more than to retreat to the safe haven of her tribal upbringing. When a mysterious frontiersman arrives on her doorstep seeking her deceased husband, his offer to escort her and the babe to her people seems like the opportunity she’s been praying to find. But can she trust him?
Samuel Grant has been sent to retrieve Henry Clark for his sister’s wedding, but the sight that greets him at the little cabin in the woods is not what he expected. Not only has the man died, but Henry’s wife is fighting off an aggressive gang of men at gunpoint—while trying to conceal a newborn. He can’t leave the pair unattended, so helping her travel into the mountain country to reach her family seems like the only option. If he can win her trust, that is.

Such a grueling journey with a three-week-old baby will be risky, but the challenges that arise test them far more than either expected. When a devastating surprise increases the danger ten-fold, Moriah focuses all her efforts on keeping her newborn daughter alive. Maybe that’s why she doesn’t realize how much of her heart belongs to the mountain man—until it’s too late.

My Thoughts
"This Daring Journey" is the 6th book in the Heart of the Mountains series. Several of the characters from the other books make appearance near the end of the book, but I think it would be beneficial to at least read the book that takes place right before this one ("This Homeward Journey") as you meet Samuel in that one and Seth and Rachel from that book play a bigger part in this one than the other past characters. I enjoyed reading the book and felt that if flowed nicely. I appreciated that Misty M. Beller has original difficulties for the characters to face and that it isn't always the same thing from book to book. Having experienced the difficulty that Moriah faces on the journey, I could relate to how painful it is. I really liked Samuel and how he interacted with Cherry. I look forward to reading more books by Misty M. Beller.

About the Author

MistyMisty M. Beller writes romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.
She was raised on a farm in South Carolina, so her Southern roots run deep. Growing up, her family was close, and they continue to keep that priority today. Her husband and children now add another dimension to her life, keeping her both grounded and crazy.
God has placed a desire in Misty’s heart to combine her love for Christian fiction and the simpler ranch life, writing historical novels that display God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters

More from Misty

How did I get started writing?
I’ve always loved to read, but several years ago I was putting together my bucket list, and realized that I really did want to write a novel. So, “Write a novel that’s published” made it near the top!
I decided, it’s now or never, and made the commitment to do it. So, I had a general idea that I wanted it to be a Christian historical western romance. But where to start? I finally decided I needed to find a good book to help me plan. I stumbled upon (a.k.a. God led me to) the best possible book to help me get started with a great plan: Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell. For all you writers out there, I can’t recommend it highly enough!
From there, I’ve soaked in every bit of writing instruction I can from some amazing groups and individuals. And I’ve spent countless hours sitting with my laptop pouring out words onto the screen. Writing is in my blood. It’s my passion. A true gift from my Heavenly Father, and I pray daily that he uses the words for His purpose.

Blog Stops

Among the Reads, April 4
Simple Harvest Reads, April 4 (Guest post from Mindy Houng)
Pause for Tales, April 6
Splashes of Joy, April 7
Mary Hake, April 8
Wishful Endings, April 11
Vicky Sluiter, April 12
The Becca Files, April 12
Carpe Diem, April 13
Bigreadersite, April 14

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Misty is giving away a 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/de81/this-daring-journey-celebration-tour-giveaway




"This Daring Journey" is available in paperback:
  • Series: Heart of the Mountains (Book 6)
  • Paperback: 260 pages
  • Publisher: Misty M. Beller Books (March 15, 2019)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0999701282
  • ISBN-13: 978-0999701287
  • Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.6 x 9 inches


and in Kindle edition:
  • File Size: 5393 KB
  • Print Length: 262 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0999701282
  • Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
  • Publisher: Misty M. Beller Books, Inc.; 1 edition (March 26, 2019)
  • Publication Date: March 26, 2019
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B07M627WSK


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.
Posted by at 4 comments:
Labels: , ,

Monday, April 1, 2019

'Sand Castle Dreams" by Taylor Bennett -- Book Review


About the Book

Sometimes we have to face our greatest fears in order to become whole again. 

Returning to Maui after one of the most challenging summers of her life, sixteen-year-old Olive Galloway is ready for things to return to normal—or, at least, a new normal. But even though she and her sister are back on the island they love, nothing is the same since they left for Boston a few months ago. Olive’s friend Jazz is hiding a secret—possibly something even worse than the cancer diagnosis she received earlier in the year. Can Olive ever stop running from memories of all they’ve lost?

When their friend Brander suggests Jazz attends the church’s teen support group, Olive thinks it’s a great idea—until Jazz insists that Olive join her. While the group is the perfect place for Olive to share her struggles, she wants nothing to do with it. Instead, grief threatens to roll over her like the ocean waves, and tiny fibs turn into looming secrets. When a scruffy puppy and one viral video send another storm rolling into Olive’s life, she ends up face-to-face with her biggest fear. And the only way to make it out of the tempest is to go straight through.


My Thoughts


"Sand Castle Dreams" is the second Tradewinds Series book and starts shortly after the first book "Porch Swing Girl". I think it would be best to read the books in order, but "Sand Castle Dreams" does fill you in on the major points of the first book. I found the book to be well written and I liked the pace and the characters. I could feel Olive's frustrations and hurts and how she tries to shield herself from more heartache but wants to help her friends. This book is good for showing that the Christian life is not all a bed of roses, nor an easy road, but that God is with you through it all. The characters all have things that they need to deal with and grow through. There were things that made me cry and things that made me laugh. I look forward to reading more books by Taylor Bennett.


About the Author

Taylor Bennett is the seventeen-year-old author of contemporary YA fiction. Homeschooled since kindergarten, she is a proud homebody who suffers from the rare–yet always severe–case of wanderlust. 

Although she dreams of traveling to many different places, her favorite destination thus far (aside from her charming hometown in Oregon) is Lahaina, Hawaii. Taylor was so enamored with this tropical town that she became determined to write about it, hence her debut novel, Porch Swing Girl, the first in a series of books set in Hawaii.

A lover of literature since birth, Taylor found her love of writing fueled under the instruction of Andrew Pudewa and the other teachers at the Institute for Excellence in Writing, where she now works as an editor for their magazine.

When she isn’t writing, Taylor enjoys cooking, drawing, and taking long walks in the beauty of the Pacific Northwest



"Sand Castle Dreams" is available in paperback:
  • Series: Tradewind (Book 2)
  • Paperback: 273 pages
  • Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink (March 13, 2019)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1943959587
  • ISBN-13: 978-1943959587
  • Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.5 inches

and in Kindle edition:
  • File Size: 2905 KB
  • Print Length: 237 pages
  • Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
  • Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink (April 1, 2019)
  • Publication Date: April 1, 2019
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B07NXMQQ54

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.

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)