Wednesday, November 6, 2019

"Deadly Christmas Pretense" by Dana Mentink -- Book Review, Blog Tour, and Giveaway

 About the Book

Book: Deadly Christmas Pretense
Author: Dana Mentink
Genre:  Christian Suspense, Mystery, Romance
Release Date: November 4, 2019
Deadly Christmas Pretense CoverA cowboy to her rescue…but she’s not who he thinks she is.
Posing as her sister for Christmas is the only way to save her, but Maggie Lofton needs help—even if it means working with her twin’s cowboy ex-boyfriend, Liam Pike. But between the bull’s-eye on her back and the dangerous connection she’s forming with Liam, Maggie’s mission is harder than expected. Will their tenuous partnership be enough to shield her when the killer closes in?
Book #2 in the Roughwater Ranch Cowboys series


My Thoughts

"Deadly Christmas Pretense" is the second book in the Roughwater Ranch Cowboys series and it was fun to get to see the characters we had gotten to know from the first book. I enjoyed reading this story. It kept me turning pages to see what was going to happen next. Liam was sweet and caring, but also fiercely protective. Maggie was humble and determined to help. Dana Mentink is an expert at writing characters that make you love them...or hate them! I look forward to reading more books by Dana Mentink.

About the Author

Dana-MentinkDana Mentink is a two time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award and a Holt Medallion winner. She is a national bestselling author of over forty titles in the suspense and lighthearted romance genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Harlequin Heartwarming and Harvest House. Dana was thrilled to be a semi-finalist in the Jeanne Robertson Comedy With Class Competition. Besides writing, she busies herself teaching third grade. Mostly, she loves to be home with Papa Bear, teen bear cubs affectionately nicknamed Yogi and Boo Boo, Junie, the  nutty terrier, a chubby box turtle and a feisty parakeet. You can connect with Dana via her website at danamentink.com, on Facebook, YouTube (Author Dana Mentink) and Instagram (dana_mentink.)

More from Dana

I just love Christmas, don’t you? In our area we have a lovely holiday train. It’s an old steam type train which is decked out in lights for festive holiday tours. I was so thrilled that this cover features just such a train. Of course, in the novel the train is the scene of hair raising danger! Maggie, our heroine in this novel, is a cook. She serves up some mouth watering dishes (when she’s not dodging a killer.) I thought perhaps you might enjoy a Mentink holiday family recipe! God bless you as we enter this holiday season!

Blog Stops

Among the Reads, November 1
Emily Yager, November 1
KarenSueHadley , November 2
Blogging With Carol, November 2
Batya’s Bits, November 2
Bigreadersite, November 3
She Lives to Read, November 3
Genesis 5020, November 4
mpbooks, November 4
Betti Mace, November 5
Quiet Workings, November 5
Older & Smarter?, November 7
Maureen’s Musings, November 7
Splashes of Joy , November  8
Moments, November 8
EmpowerMoms, November 9
Remembrancy, November 10
Pause for Tales, November 10
For the Love of Books, November 11
Hallie Reads, November 11
Daysong Reflections, November 12
Texas Book-aholic, November 13
janicesbookreviews, November 14
Inklings and notions, November 14

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away the grand prize package of a  a book necklace, Amazon gift card, and a paperback 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.

"Deadly Christmas Pretense" is available in paperback:
  • Series: Roughwater Ranch Cowboys
  • Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
  • Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense; Original edition (November 5, 2019)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 133523246X
  • ISBN-13: 978-1335232465
  • Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.6 x 6.6 inches

and in Kindle edition:
  • File Size: 1256 KB
  • Print Length: 224 pages
  • Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense; Original edition (November 1, 2019)
  • Publication Date: November 1, 2019
  • Sold by: Harlequin Digital Sales Corp.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B07QLF9XHT

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.
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Tuesday, November 5, 2019

"Wonderful Yah: The Unveiling" by Matthew Marx -- Author Interview, Blog Tour, and Giveaway

 About the Book

Book: Wonderful Yah: The Unveiling
Author: Matthew Marx
Genre: Non-Fiction, Christian, Theology
Release Date: July 22, 2019
WonderfulYah_CoverCWhat is His name, and what is His Son’s name, if you know? This intriguing question from the book of Proverbs seems to echo the question in so many of our hearts: Who is God really? Over the past two millennia, people have tried to understand the mystery of the divinity of God using logic and thinking, but it fails every time. The Godhead does not operate or function as people do, and God is not subject to human reasoning. Yet understanding the mystery of the Godhead is both simple and profound when we know how to use the key Jesus gave us.
This book begins by accepting the challenge of some of the most thought-provoking Scriptures in the entire Bible—Proverbs 30:2–4. Throughout the book’s exploration of the divinity of God, a power hidden within God’s Hebrew name is discovered and then unleashed to answer the question, What is His name, and what is the name of His Son? The mystery of the Godhead is then subdued as God’s Hebrew name erupts as the correct foundation on which to discuss the relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Scriptural doors that once seemed impenetrable now open easily with a turn of a key, helping you to connect with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in a deeper, more focused way.
Author Interview

  1. 1. Who would you say inspired you the most in your life?
My mother was the most inspirational person in my life; she covered me with love and encouragement. Love and encouragement are two powerful attributes that can shape a person's life significantly. My mother helped me to learn to believe in myself and that I could do almost anything I wanted if I put my heart into it.
  1. 2. If you could spend the day with anyone (living or dead) who would it be? Why?
Jesus Christ. There has never been a more influential individual on planet earth than Jesus Christ. His message of love and forgiveness is unparalleled by anyone who ever lived. If I had to choose one day in which to spend with Him when He was on the earth, it probably would not be during His Passion (the last 24 hours of His life). Why? There are two reasons. 1.) It would be difficult watching Him take upon Himself the punishment that I deserved, going to the cross to pay my debt because of my sin. 2.) During the last 24 hours of His life, there would be little time to spend with Him, to talk with Him. If I could choose one day to spend with Him, I would choose a day when He was traveling from one destination to another, with no crowds around. This way, I could have a personal conversation with Him with minimal interruptions.
  1. 3. Do you have a special writing area?
Yes, most definitely. The place where I wrote most of my last book was on a piece of property I own in upper-lower Michigan. My wife and I have a little cabin on this property in the woods, and the property is adjacent to thousands of acres of State land. The cabin has a sun-room where I did most of my writing. I would go for walks in the woods and pray about what I would write and how I would write it. While walking on the two-tracks through the woods, I could clear my thoughts and focus on what and how to write what was in my heart. When I would take walks in the woods and pray, it was often quiet, and I could probe my heart and listen for God's guidance. Some of the things I wrote in my latest book are spiritually complicated, and I needed God's help to explain things about God so others could understand Him better.
  1. 4. What kind of research do you do?
Most of what I have written in my last book was not gathered in a short or long period-of-time gleaning through what others had written. What I have written in my book was knowledge about God that I learned, or He placed in me, over the years (decades) of living my life in a personal relationship with Him. When it was time for me to start writing my last book, I used research material I owned to support what I wanted to say. However, I also had to purchase new reference materials that I had not previously owned. While writing my book, I often tried to give at least two or three different sources to support what I was saying, and sometimes, the sources didn't agree, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Just because they didn't agree, doesn't mean I wouldn't use them; I would use their differences to make a point, which can be a good thing. When utilizing research, I personally like to incorporate different views or approaches that others may present—the views of others can lead to more interesting discussions.

  1. 5. How long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
As I previously mentioned in the question above, when I start to write, I start with what I have gained through a life long process of learning. Then, as I write, I use research materials I already have or go looking for new material to support what I don't have. Basically, when I start to write a book, the research I use in my books has started decades previously from what I have already learned. Therefore, you could say I spend decades preparing my research before I start writing.

Click here to get your copy.

About the Author

img_8140After spending twenty-five years working with the severe and persistently mentally ill, Matthew William Marx felt a burden to pray for those struggling to understand Jesus. His prayers led him to a deeper understanding of God, which he is now sharing with his readers. Matthew is a graduate of Oral Roberts University and holds a master’s degree in social work. He is licensed with the state of Michigan, where he lives with his wife, Suzanne.

More from Matthew

Wow! Who would have known? Normally, non-fiction books like Wonderful YaH: The Unveiling primarily focus on: what is the problem and how to fix it. However, wouldn’t it be intriguing if a non-fiction book incorporated some elements of a fiction book such as mystery, suspense, and drama, with the reader bring the drama as they deal with their internal dialogue on how to answer a proposed question to help solve the mystery. Be aware, however, that this type of adventure and journey is not for the timid or light of heart. Taking fiction elements such as mystery, suspense, and drama and placing them in a non-fiction book could produce a real-world reality shift that is different from what the reader has known or experienced—Wonderful YaH: The Unveiling is one such book.
Come and join me on a non-fiction journey and adventure that incorporates some elements of fiction that explore, explain, and solve two of the greatest mysteries of the Bible. The two great mysteries to which I refer are (1) the divinity of Jesus Christ in the Godhead, and (2) how our lives and the choices we make fit into God’s will and divine providence. Many smart and wise people, over the past two thousand years, have tried to explain and solve these two mysteries but have fallen short typically. Wonderful YaH: The Unveiling fills the gaps left by previous attempts to solve these two great mysteries by discovering the hidden power in God’s Hebrew name, then harnessing that power to solve the mysteries.
You might ask, “What is the point of being able to solve these two great mysteries, and what does it have to do with me”? The point is to know the One who created everything and to figure out how our lives fit into His grand scheme of everything. More simply stated, what is our purpose for being on planet earth? Surely, there is more to life than just being born, living for a few decades if you are fortunate, then dying. Isn’t it worth asking: Is our life more than just a blade of grass that is here today then gone tomorrow? If there were an answer to this mystery, wouldn’t it be nice to find the answer to this mystery before we die? People often read fiction for the adventure of mystery and suspense. Why not read a non-fiction book that offers mystery and suspense but with real-life consequences?

Blog Stops

Christian Bookshelf Reviews , October 30 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, October 31
Through the Fire Blogs, November 2 (Author Interview)
Artistic Nobody, November 3 (Spotlight)
Blossoms and Blessings, November 5 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, November 6
janicesbookreviews, November 7
My Devotional Thoughts, November 8 (Author Interview)
A Reader’s Brain, November 9

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Matthew is giving away the grand prize package of the choice of paperback book or eBook, a $75 Amazon gift card, and a $25 Starbucks gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
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Saturday, November 2, 2019

"Lawfully Innocent" by Robin Helm -- Book Review, Blog Tour, and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Lawfully Innocent
Author: Robin Helm
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: August 31, 2019
LawfullyINNOCENT-FINAL ebookBenjamin Beckett, a handsome young English lord, lacks purpose in his life of privilege. After learning the truth about his heritage, he decides to leave unbearable boredom behind, making drastic changes in his too predictable life.
Adventure awaits Benjamin across the ocean, and he embraces the challenges before him. Can a man who’s not yet thirty be strong enough to impact the New World? Will he find a cure for his loneliness and ennui?





My Thoughts

I have read Robin Helm's Austen based novels in the past and enjoyed reading them, so I was excited to get a chance to read "Lawfully Innocent". I had a hard time getting into the story, however. Even though it is a "Lawkeepers Romance", it didn't really have any romance in it. Partway through the second chapter, one of the characters mentions Benjamin's "bonny lass" and I was thrown a little as I didn't realize there was a woman in his life. I thought we were going to read about the romance happening, but it was already a done deal. I prefer to be able to see the characters fall in love. I liked Benjamin and his desire to do right, but some of the things he thought about got a little repetitive after awhile. I would have liked to get to know Rebekah more, but she isn't really a main character like Benjamin. Whatever conflict appeared in the story was quickly dealt with and not a driving force behind the storyline. I appreciated the clear presentation of the gospel and the Bible passages given. I liked the US Marshal aspect of the story and will check out other books in the collection. "Lawfully Innocent" was a quick read which is nice if you aren't wanting to get tied down to a lengthy novel.

About the Author

robin-helmRobin Helm’s books reflect her love of music, as well as her fascination with the paranormal and science fiction.
Previously published works include The Guardian Trilogy: Guardian, SoulFire, and Legacy; the Yours by Design series: Accidentally Yours, Sincerely Yours, and Forever Yours; Understanding Elizabeth; and More to Love. Ms. Helm also contributed stories to A Very Austen Christmas and A Very Austen Valentine.
She plans to publish Maestro, Lawfully Innocent, and A Very Austen Romance: Austen Anthologies, Book 3 in 2019.
Her life in (usually) sunny, small town South Carolina is busy, but affords time for writing, reading, teaching and performing music, and playing games on her phone. (Would you believe she’s an elder in a war game? And she’s writing a book about it?)

More from Robin

I grew up in South Carolina during the 1960’s and 1970’s when the Civil Rights Act of 1964 became law. South Carolina did not comply immediately, so I remember my doctor’s office with two waiting rooms, two water fountains, and two doors, both leading to the same doctor and same examination room. It seemed very strange to me even then. I did not know any African American children, because schools, restaurants, churches, the town pool, the public health center, our neighborhoods – everything – was segregated.
When I was in high school, that began to change. At first, only a few African-American students came to my school. I really didn’t notice, because we all worked together. I have since looked back and realized the bravery of those students. They left their newly built high school, which was much nicer than the very old one I attended, and came to a place where they knew almost no one.
My junior year, our schools and all public buildings were desegregated. Our town handled it very well. Three high schools combined, but everyone kept doing the things they had done. That year, three sets of cheerleaders combined and three of each sports team came together. It was wonderful! We had cheerleaders all the way down the sidelines, and the captain’s position was shared. The school busses were desegregated as well, and I drove a route.
I have no bad memories of that time. There were no fights, no arguments, no violence of any sort.
This story is set in the mid 1840’s in South Carolina, and it addresses what sorts of things had to happen before we could get to The Civil Rights act and desegregation.

Blog Stops

Remembrancy, October 30
Betti Mace, October 31
Texas Book-aholic, November 5
janicesbookreviews, November 6
A Reader’s Brain, November 8
She Lives to Read, November 10
Inklings and notions, November 11
Godly Book Reviews, November 12

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Robin 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.


"Lawfully Innocent" is available in paperback:
  • Paperback: 87 pages
  • Publisher: Independently published (September 20, 2019)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1688785051
  • ISBN-13: 978-1688785052
  • Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.2 x 9 inches

and in Kindle edition:
  • File Size: 3217 KB
  • Print Length: 75 pages
  • Publication Date: August 26, 2019
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B07WZPRMZF


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.
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Friday, November 1, 2019

"The Sleuth's Conundrum" by Kimberly Rose Johnson -- Book Review

About the Book  
Adam and Tara are sucked into a police investigation that might get Tara killed. Can Adam keep her safe or will he lose her forever?
Tara James, the local librarian assistant, is afraid her past will catch up to her when an infant is abandoned outside the Tipton County Library. Will news of the abandoned baby stir up publicity and force her to go on the run again?
Librarian Nancy Daley’s world has become complicated. Carter is pushing to set a wedding date, a woman was left for dead on the side of the road, and Tara, her assistant, is acting strange. Nancy is working every angle she can think of, but the case goes from bad to bizarre. Can she find the baby’s mother, help Tara, and plan her wedding without upsetting her life’s delicate balance?
Slow news days become a thing of the past for local reporter Adam Stacy when a dead body is discovered on the side of the road. Was the woman murdered or was it an accident? Adam’s feelings are growing for Tara, but she appears to have secrets she’s hiding. Is she somehow connected to the abandoned infant?
When things go from bad to worse Adam does everything in his power to protect Tara, but will it be enough?

My Thoughts

 This is the third installment in the Librarian Sleuth series. In it, we get to know Nancy's assistant, Tara, better. The mysteries of the book were unique and kept me guessing who was behind them and I was kept in the dark until the very end (which doesn't happen very often for me). It was nice to see familiar faces that we met in the first two books, but it isn't absolutely necessary to have read them first (I still would recommend reading the books in order, though). This book has the continuation of Nancy and Carter's love story with them planning their wedding.
About the Author  

 Award winning author Kimberly Rose Johnson married her college sweetheart and lives in the Pacific Northwest. From a young child Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing. She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance that warms the heart and feeds the soul.

Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. 

You can sign up for Kimberly's newsletter via her website at: https://kimberlyrjohnson.com/
"The Sleuth's Conundrum" is available in paperback:

  • Series: The Librarian Sleuth (Book 3)
  • Paperback: 224 pages
  • Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink (October 25, 2019)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1943959730
  • ISBN-13: 978-1943959730
  • Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.5 x 8 inches

and in Kindle edition:
  • File Size: 3615 KB
  • Print Length: 169 pages
  • Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink (November 1, 2019)
  • Publication Date: November 1, 2019
  • Sold by: Amazon.com Services LLC
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B07Y4XQZ5M
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.
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