BLOGWORDS – Tuesday 28 April 2020 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW – STAR RISING by JANET W. FERGUSON

TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW – STAR RISING by JANET W. FERGUSON

THE BLURB

Star Youngblood has always been a fighter–a necessity after her mother married a monster of a man. Now, she’s finally on the path to the stable life she’s always wanted. Her employer, Priscilla Kelly, is a sweet woman ravaged by rheumatoid arthritis, and Star will do anything to help her. Even if that means going toe to toe with Mrs. Kelly’s neglectful son.
After being betrayed on the mission field and devastated by the tragic death of his father, Paul Kelly gave up on God. He lives life on his own terms, biding his time as a corporate pilot until he can save enough money to begin his own flight school closer to home. His mother is all he has left, and he wants to be near her. He just didn’t expect her health to decline so quickly. When he discovers his mother has taken in a stray—a woman he’s not at all sure can be trusted—his protective instincts kick into high gear. Paul’s handled a lot of turbulence, but he’s never gone up against a force like Star.
As Paul and Star strive to protect his mother in their own ways, they soon find their own hearts are at the greatest risk.

 

THE AUTHOR

 

Janet W. Ferguson grew up in Mississippi and received a degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Mississippi. She has served as a children’s minister and a youth volunteer. An avid reader, she worked as a librarian at a large public high school. Janet and her husband have two grown children, one really smart dog, and a cat that allows them to share the space.

 

 

MY REVIEW

OH MY HOLY OY!! THIS BOOK!!

More than a couple of similarities to my life, namely that I struggle with rheumatoid arthritis. Not to the degree Priscilla Kelly does, but oh! how I can relate!

It doesn’t get much more real than a believer who has turned his back on God. And the struggle doesn’t get more heartbreaking for the believer(s) who love them.

Ms. Ferguson’s story pulls the reader right into that struggle, putting fiery Star and cynical and distrustful Paul at odds. Then she throws them together, and like iron sharpens iron, they discover neither is quite what they first thought.

The spiritual and Biblical elements in this story feed both Paul’s cynicism and anger, and Star’s faith and buoyant personality.

This book is definitely a page-turner, urging the reader to the end. Love and joy and hope, human hurts and human hearts, tragedy and miracles, Ms. Ferguson has written a winning story that will resound with the reader.

 

ROBIN’S FEATHERS

ALL | THE | FEATHERS!

 

 

I purchased this book, and offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my own honest thoughts and reaction to this book.

 

 

#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day, #TRD, Book Review, Star Rising, Janet W. Ferguson, Coastal Hearts Novel

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BLOGWORDS – Wednesday 22 April 2020 – WREADING WEDNESDAY – FEATURED BOOK– LOST DOWN DEEP by SARA DAVISON

WREADING WEDNESDAY – FEATURED BOOK – LOST DOWN DEEP by SARA DAVISON

Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for Lost Down Deep by Sara Davison, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Lost Down Deep
Series: The Rose Tattoo Trilogy #1
Author: Sara Davison
Release Date: April 1, 2020
Genre: Romantic Suspense

 

THE BLURB

She is the only one who can tell the police who attacked her in her home. If only she could remember…

Summer Velasquez is on the run from a man she has no recollection of after an attack she can’t recall. Every face in the crowd is a potential suspect, so how is Summer supposed to know who is a threat to her and who isn’t?

After fleeing her assailant and the parents who lied to her about what happened, she changes her name and seeks refuge in Elora, Ontario. The small town feels familiar, although she has no memory of ever having been here.

Even in what should be a safe place, she can’t shake the feeling that she is being watched.

When Ryan Taylor strolls into the Taste of Heaven Café where she works, Summer is immediately drawn to him. However, he may not be who he says he is either. As her suspicions grow, Summer prepares to run again.

But at least one person is determined to stop her. Permanently. And if she can’t remember who he is, this time he may succeed.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

 

THE AUTHOR

 

Sara Davison is the author of the romantic suspense series, The Seven Trilogy and The Night Guardians. She has been a finalist for eight national writing awards, including Best New Canadian Christian author, a Carol Award, and two Daphne du Maurier Awards for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense. She is a Word and Cascade Award winner. She currently resides in Ontario, Canada with her husband Michael and their three children, all of whom she (literally) looks up to.

CONNECT WITH SARA: Website | Facebook | Twitter

 

 

 

 

EXCERPT

She couldn’t remember ever setting foot in this town, but somehow, as she gazed out over the rooftops of the houses on the far side of the river, she was filled with a sense of something she couldn’t quite identify. Home, maybe? Perhaps the place reminded her of somewhere else she had been. Or maybe—she pressed a hand to her chest—maybe she had been here in the last few years and the memory of the town was one of the countless others that had been erased from

her mind. She turned and sagged against the stone. If she had been here, did she know anyone in town? Would someone recognize her? If so, maybe she wasn’t as safe as she’d hoped.

An acrid smell wafted on the air. Summer looked down and frowned. Someone had tossed a cigarette butt into a cleared area beneath a tree. A dry, rust-brown leaf curled beneath the still-burning butt, tendrils of smoke winding up around its edges. She frowned. The tree could have caught on fire. How could anyone be so careless? She strode over and stomped on the leaf and the cigarette, grinding both deep into the ground until she was certain any chance of a flare-up had passed. Summer glanced around. She hadn’t noticed anyone else on the pathway, but someone had clearly been in the area in the last few minutes.

A cool breeze skimmed her cheeks and she shivered. Get a grip, Summer. No one knows you’re here. The news the police detective had given her had rattled her more than she’d realized. If she was going to hide away in this town and concentrate on getting her memories back, she’d have to get over it, stop jumping at every noise and looking for danger where none existed.

 

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Lost Down Deep by Sara Davison and a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway will begin at midnight April 20, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on April 27, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN mailing addresses only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

 

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

 

 

#Blogwords, Wreading Wednesday, Featured Book, Lost Down Deep, Sara Davison, The Mosaic Collection, JustRead Publicity

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BLOGWORDS – Tuesday 21 April 2020 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW – A PROMISE TO KEEP by MELONY TEAGUE

TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW – A PROMISE TO KEEP by MELONY TEAGUE

THE BLURB

Research librarian Savannah Sanderson wants nothing more than to escape into her happily-ever-after novels with their larger-than-life fictional heroes. But a promise to her late husband has her attending her dreaded twenty-year high school reunion, drinking ghastly punch, and taking desperate measures just to keep her vow, even if she has to hide behind the décor to do it.
Once a reckless troublemaker, Michael McCann fled town after graduation. Now a professional technical rescuer, he’s back for the reunion, but on his trip down memory lane, he soon comes face to face with unresolved issues, namely Savannah.
Before the night is over, a pact between these two old friends will lead them on an adventure into uncharted emotional territory where Michael must confront his past regrets and find the courage to reveal the truth. But can Savannah fly from her sheltered nest and risk her heart on a real-life hero?

 

THE AUTHOR

Melony Teague is a co-author of As the Ink Flows: Devotions to Inspire Christian Writers & Speakers released in 2016 and finalist in The Word Awards. Melony Teague is a Freelance Writer, Ghostwriter, and Columnist. By her written words, she loves to bring more laughter to this crazy world.
Born in South Africa, she stepped onto a plane to start a new life in Toronto, Canada in 1999. She loves to uncover stories hiding in plain view, but they are remarkable nonetheless. She believes that everyone has a story to tell…and sometimes truth really is stranger than fiction.
As a freelance writer and journalist, she is an editorial contributor for various newspapers and magazines in the Greater Toronto Area and wrote guest columns on issues pertaining to the community. Melony handles Communications for a Non-Profit Organization in Canada and is a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers)
Melony lives in Toronto, Canada with her husband, two teens and two cats.

You can connect with her online: http://www.melonyteague.com
On Twitter: @MelonyTeague

 

 

MY REVIEW

This story opens with a punch and promises a wild ride.

For this reader, though, the tension and pacing slowed way down way fast.

Oh, how my heart hurt for Savannah, widowed at such a young age. It was never clear, though, what her mission was, or why her husband made her promise to go to the reunion.

Michael was the opposite to what this reader was in high school, popular party guy. He, too, sought to correct past mistakes. (His mission was quite clear, however.)

I enjoyed the banter between them, and their journey of discovery. Ms. Teague takes Savannah on a difficult heart journey, balancing the past to the present and the future. Exploring how damaging it can be to stay locked in past memories, even if they are good ones. And the freedom of exploring—and embracing—the future, even when it’s scary.

 

ROBIN’S FEATHERS

THREE FEATHERS

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was under no obligation to read the book or to post a review. I offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest thoughts and reaction to this book.

 

 

#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day, #TRD, Book Review, A Promise to Keep, Melony Teague, Singing Librarian Tours,

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BLOGWORDS – Tuesday 14 April 2020 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW – DESERT WILLOW by PATRICIA BEAL

TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW – DESERT WILLOW by PATRICIA BEAL

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Book:  Desert Willow

Author: Patricia Beal

Genre:  Romance

Release Date: February 12, 2020

THE BLURB

After a failed engagement, Captain Andrew Lee James has focused on building a career in the Army he loves. That commitment includes helping a feisty, out-of-work ballerina whose devotion to her grandmother’s dying wish immediately grabs his heart. She’s the one, but will he be able to win the heart of a woman who has vowed to never be involved with a soldier?

College graduate Clara Malone swore to never love anyone in the military again but when her dying grandmother asks her to deliver a love letter to the general who broke her heart decades ago, she agrees and finds herself escorted by a handsome Army captain whose kindness challenges her beliefs. Surrounded by desert willows that shower her path with pretty pink flowers and sing with the buzzing of hummingbirds, Clara enjoys the wild beauty of El Paso—and her time with Andrew—more than expected.

Can she deliver her grandmother’s last love letter without losing her heart to a man who represents everything she fears?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

 

THE AUTHOR

 

Patricia Beal is a 2015 Genesis semi-finalist and First Impressions finalist. A Season to Dance is her debut novel (Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, May 2017). Her second novel comes out in February of 2020. Patricia graduated magna cum laude from the University of Cincinnati in 1998 with a B.A. in English Literature and has worked for the U.S. Army as a writer and editor for many years. Patricia writes from Fayetteville, North Carolina, where she lives with her husband and two children. You can find more info about Patricia on her website here.

 

MORE FROM PATRICIA

Desert Willow: A Love Song to the City of El Paso, to Family, and to Prince Harry

I enjoy this story so much! It’s great to finally get to share it with you.

Desert Willow started as a NaNoWriMo project in 2015 and has a lot of my grandma’s history in it—life in the German colonies of the south of Brazil, the beginning of the shoe industry there, and the story of the most influential man her town has ever known, my great-grandfather.

And what does that have to do with El Paso and Prince Harry?

Well, my Prince Harry lookalike, a young Army captain named Andrew Lee James who lives in El Paso, is helping the protagonist deliver her grandmother’s last love letter, a letter she was urged to write all those years ago after what happened in Brazil.

The contemporary story of Clara (protagonist) and Andrew was fun to write too because I’ve been around the Army since the nineties. We moved to Fort Bliss/El Paso in 2012 and lived there for six years. I thought I was going to hate it, but I loved it, so I just had to write an El Paso story.

Now I think that what I enjoyed the most about writing this novel was making all the connections and showing how the actions of a distant past affect and inform the modern story so deeply.

Some of you have journeyed with me for a while and know that my debut, A Season to Dance, was my salvation process. What comes after salvation can be hard. What’s that? Well, looking at past mistakes through God’s eyes and realizing just how wrong we were, for starters.

We know how quickly God forgives us, but can we forgive ourselves and each other as quickly?

Desert Willow deals with all that. And with Prince Harry… 😊

 

MY REVIEW

Clara Malone has only ever had one dream—to dance onstage with a prominent ballet company. Now she has a single mission—to deliver a letter from her dying Grandmother to an Army General.

Captain Andrew James is finally free of the woman who jilted him at the altar, and has his life and career on track.

When Clara and Andrew’s lives cross, it changes both their futures.

I appreciated the way Andrew gently eased into Clara’s life, taking care with her broken heart. What he didn’t know was the guilt she carried. A common human failing. Ms. Beal handled Clara’s burden skillfully, easing her to the point she could forgive herself.

The dialogue seemed to run on a lot, and for this reviewer, the “church speak” and religious talk was heavy handed, even though I am a Christian.

But I enjoyed the dance bits, especially the [SPOILER] class. And especially enjoyed the bits of Portuguese, and the challenge to translate it.

 

ROBIN’S FEATHERS

THREE FEATHERS

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was under no obligation to read the book or to post a review. I offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest thoughts and reaction to this book.

TOUR GIVEAWAY

To celebrate her tour, Patricia is giving away the grand prize of a Kindle Fire 7 (https://amzn.to/37TEN21)!!

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/f8de/desert-willow-celebration-tour-giveaway

BLOG STOPS

Among the Reads, April 13

The Power of Words, April 13

For the Love of Literature, April 14

Robin’s Nest, April 14

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 15

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 15

Batya’s Bits, April 15

She Lives to Read, April 16

Older & Smarter?, April 16

Texas Book-aholic, April 17

deb’s Book Review, April 17

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 18

Writer Without a Space, April 18

The Christian Fiction Girl, April 19

Rebecca Tews, April 19

Emily Yager, April 20

Simple Harvest Reads, April 20 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

Hallie Reads, April 20

Inklings and notions, April 21

All-of-a-kind Mom, April 21

Reflections From My Bookshelves, April 22

Godly Book Reviews, April 22

For Him and My Family, April 23

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, April 23

As He Leads is Joy, April 24

God’s Peculiar Treasure Rae, April 24

A Reader’s Brain, April 25

janicesbookreviews, April 25

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 26

Pause for Tales, April 26

April Hayman, Author, April 26

 

 

#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day, #TRD, Book Review, Desert Willow, Patricia Beal, Celebrate Lit Publicity

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BLOGWORDS – Saturday 11 April 2020 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY-on-SATURDAY – BOOK REVIEW – SELAH’S STOLEN DREAM by SUSAN COUNT

TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY-on-SATURDAY – BOOK REVIEW – SELAH’S STOLEN DREAM by SUSAN COUNT

 

THE BLURB

One girl’s victory is another’s tragic defeat.
Thirteen-year-old Selah’s perfect life unravels when her beloved horse is stolen. Then ten-year-old Emma buys the dream of a lifetime at a horse auction. When she learns the horse was stolen, even removing her hearing aid won’t drown out the voice telling her to make it right.
But two girls can’t divide the horse they both adore. So will life surprise them with an answered prayer?

 

THE AUTHOR

 

I write at an antique secretary desk which belonged to the same grandmother who introduced me to horse books. The desk has secret compartments and occupies a glass room with a forest view. Bunnies and cardinals regularly interrupt my muse, as do my horses grazing in a clearing.
The only thing more fun than riding might be writing horse adventure stories.
Saddle up and ride along!
Sign up on my web site to get free, new scenes from a work in progress – Takes My Breath Away. http://www.Susan Count.com
Member of: Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, American Christian Fiction Writers, & Texas Association of Authors

 

 

 

MY REVIEW

A lovely story for young girls, especially young girls who love horses.

Selah was devoted to Dream, her horse, and committed to her care. But for a thirteen-year-old, I found her childish and immature. Conversely, some of Emma’s actions seemed more like fifteen than ten.

There were a few notable malapropisms, and I felt the story got bogged down several times, especially with Selah’s whining.

Mostly though, this story is a great window into the world of horses—riding lessons, caring for them, horse shows. And sadly, the reality of horse theft.

In the end, it’s a story of compassion and kindness, and I was glad of Selah’s choice [SPOILER.]

 

ROBIN’S FEATHERS

THREE FEATHERS

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was under no obligation to read the book or to post a review. I offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest thoughts and reaction to this book.

 

#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day-on-Saturday, #TRD, Book Review, Selah’s Stolen Dream, Susan Count, Dream Horse Adventures, JustRead Publicity

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BLOGWORDS – Wednesday 8 April 2020 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY-on-WEDNESDAY – BOOK REVIEW– IF FOR ANY REASON by COURTNEY WALSH

TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY-on-WEDNESDAY – BOOK REVIEW – IF FOR ANY REASON by COURTNEY WALSH

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Book:  If For Any Reason

Author: Courtney Walsh

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Release Date: February 3, 2020

THE BLURB

Emily Ackerman has traveled the world, her constant compass and companion a book of letters her mother left for her when she died. With no father in the picture, her mom’s advice has been her only true north. But when professional failure leads Emily back to Nantucket to renovate and sell the family cottage she inherited, she wonders if her mom left advice to cover this . . . especially when her grandmother arrives to “supervise.” And especially when her heart becomes entangled with Hollis McGuire, the boy next door–turned–baseball star who’s back on the island after a career-ending injury.

As sparks fly between her and Hollis, Emily is drawn to island life, even as she uncovers shocking secrets about the tragic accident that led to her mother’s death. With her world turned upside down, Emily must choose between allowing the voices from her past to guide her future or forging her own path forward.

 

Click here for your copy!

 

THE AUTHOR

 

Courtney Walsh is the author of ten inspirational novels. Her debut, A Sweethaven Summer, was a New York Times and USA Today e-book bestseller. Courtney lives with her husband and three children in Illinois, where she is also an artist, theater director, and playwright.

 

MORE FROM COURTNEY

3 Bits of Wisdom Every Mother Hopes Her Daughter Cherishes

By Courtney Walsh

 

 

There are so many types of mother-daughter relationships, and I’ve discovered that in most of my novels, these relationships are explored in one way or another. My most recent book, If For Any Reason, delves a little deeper into this universal relationship, as the main character’s only connection to her late mother is a book of letters she left behind for daughter when she died.

It was interesting to think through the advice and wisdom I would want to be sure to share with my own daughter, if for any reason I wasn’t here to share it in person. There’s so much I would want to say, so many lessons I would want to share, but if I had to boil it down to three bits of wisdom, I think it would be these:

 

Ask for help when you need it.

I’m not sure why it’s so difficult to admit we need help sometimes, but in the past year and a half, my family has faced some pretty significant medical challenges, and I learned that it’s necessary to let other people help you. One of the quickest ways to burn out and get overwhelmed is to try to do everything on your own. Now, I’m not talking about laziness. I’m not talking about figuring out ways to get other people to do things for you that you don’t want to do, but genuine help in this journey of life—spiritually, mentally, physically—all the ways that you need to be strong and healthy. You were never meant to figure everything out on your own. And it’s less lonely when you let people in.

 

Mistakes are good . . . as long as you learn from them.

Okay, it’s inevitable. You’re going to mess up. You’re going to make a million mistakes and sometimes you’re going to really, really regret them. It’s okay. It’s okay to make the wrong choice now and then . . . but only if you learn from it. Because even though there’s a lot of grace for your mistakes, there are still consequences, and if you’re not willing to learn what you did wrong, you’re just going to keep making a mess of things. Don’t do that. Don’t be stubborn and unmoving. There are opportunities to learn something new every single day, and there are people all around you who can help teach you—but only if you humble yourself, realize you don’t know everything, and are willing to learn. Remaining teachable is one of the greatest things you can do. Learn this lesson early, and you’ll go far.

 

Be yourself.

This is one of the most important and most challenging lessons any of us could learn. It’s a platitude, isn’t it? Advice you’d find on the outside of a coffee mug or embroidered on a throw pillow. But it’s more than that, this whole idea of being who you are, who God created you to be. Here’s the tricky part—how do you know who that is? The only way I can tell is to spend time with yourself. And to not be afraid to sit in the quiet with your thoughts. Learn what God says about you so that if those ideas are challenged or someone else tries to put a label on you that you don’t want, you’re armed with the truth. This will serve you well as you work to discover who you are.

 

The truth is, as a mother, I’m constantly learning. As a person, I’m constantly learning. And while these are just three bits of wisdom I hope my daughter carries with her, there are so many other lessons I hope she learns, lessons I hope I can teach her so she doesn’t need to learn the hard way.

 

What about you? What’s one bit of wisdom you want to be sure to pass along to the next generation?

 

MY REVIEW

I have to confess I’m more than a little jealous of Emily—I’m an actress who hasn’t been on stage in years!

Even though dimmed, Emily’s passion for theatre is evident. Pain from the past distorted her heart and her thinking, shadowed her every decision.

Hollis had a past that stirred conflict with his present—and alienated his from his twelve-year-old daughter.

Ms. Walsh spins a tale that tugs at the heart, with characters so real, emotions so raw. She crafts her words in lovely patterns, descriptions that invite the reader into the scenes.

I ached along with Emily as she returned to the last place she wanted to be. I squealed like a giddy adolescent when she and Hollis chatted—and as their hearts resisted in vain the growing attraction—and urged them to let the sparks rekindle their youthful attraction.

I eagerly read this story, looking for the answers as keenly as Emily and Hollis. A page-turning story, beautifully told.

 

ROBIN’S FEATHERS

FOUR FEATHERS

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was under no obligation to read the book or to post a review. I offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest thoughts and reaction to this book.

TOUR GIVEAWAY

To celebrate her tour, Courtney is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Barnes & Nobles 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/f92f/if-for-any-reason-celebration-tour-giveaway

 

 

BLOG SCHEDULE

Among the Reads, April 7

Remembrancy, April 7

Through the Fire Blogs, April 7

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 8

Robin’s Nest, April 8

Texas Book-aholic, April 8

Wishful Endings, April 9

deb’s Book Review, April 9

Read Review Rejoice, April 9

Batya’s Bits, April 10

Just the Write Escape, April 10

Reflections From My Bookshelves, April 11

Just Your Average reviews, April 11

Inklings and notions, April 12

Life Love Writing, April 12

Worthy2Read, April 12

Lighthouse Academy, April 13

Hallie Reads, April 13

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, April 13

A Baker’s Perspective, April 14

Splashes of Joy, April 14

Older & Smarter?, April 15

Cultivating Us, April 15

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 15

Simple Harvest Reads, April 16 (Guest Post from Mindy Houng)

Inside the Wong Mind, April 16

Blessed & Bookish, April 17

Back Porch Reads, April 17

Writing from the Heart Land, April 17

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 18

Vicky Sluiter, April 18

For Him and My Family, April 19

Mia Reads, April 19

My Devotional Thoughts, April 19

Artistic Nobody, April 20 (Guest Post from Donna Cline)

Bookishly Beverly, April 20

 

 

#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day, #TRD, Book Review, If for Any Reason, Courtney Walsh, Celebrate Lit Publicity

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BLOGWORDS – Tuesday 7 April 2020 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW – THE HOUSE AT THE END OF THE MOOR by MICHELLE GRIEP

TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW – THE HOUSE AT THE END OF THE MOOR by MICHELLE GRIEP

 

THE BLURB

What Can a London Opera Star and an Escaped Dartmoor Prisoner Have in Common?
Opera star Maggie Lee escapes her opulent lifestyle when threatened by a powerful politician who aims to ruin her life. She runs off to the wilds of the moors to live in anonymity. All that changes the day she discovers a half-dead man near her house. Escaped convict Oliver Ward is on the run to prove his innocence, until he gets hurt and is taken in by Maggie. He discovers some jewels in her possession—the very same jewels that got him convicted. Together they hatch a plan to return the jewels, clearing Oliver’s name and hopefully maintaining Maggie’s anonymity.

 

THE AUTHOR

 

I hear voices. Loud. Incessant. And very real. Which basically gives me two options: choke back massive amounts of Prozac or write fiction. I’ve been writing since I discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. I seek to glorify God in all that I write–except for that graffiti phase I went through as teenager.

 

 

 

 

 

MY REVIEW

Merciful heavens, what a story!!! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, “Ms. Griep tells a fanTAStic tale!” Her knowledge of the era and the setting is like she has a time machine and personally witnessed the atrocities and the social etiquette and formality.

Secrets will out. No matter the lengths we go to in order to hide them or run away from them. Maggie lee thought she was secure in the cocoon she created for herself.

Until a twist of fate and compassion turned all that inside out.

And placed her in grave danger.

Oliver Ward was the unexpected—and unwelcome—subject of that compassion.

As only fate (and a skilled author) can do, Maggie and Oliver suddenly find their lives intertwined. And as they learn to depend on each other to unravel the riddle, they discover so much more.

 

ROBIN’S FEATHERS

ALL | THE | FEATHERS!

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was under no obligation to read the book or to post a review. I offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest thoughts and reaction to this book.

 

 

#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day, #TRD, Book Review, The House at the End of the Moor, Michelle Griep

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BLOGWORDS – Monday 6 April 2020 – WREADING WEDNESDAY-on-MONDAY – FEATURED BOOK– TROUBLE IN WILLOW FALLS by PAT NICHOLS

WREADING WEDNESDAY-on-MONDAY – FEATURED BOOK – TROUBLE IN WILLOW FALLS by PAT NICHOLS

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Series: Willow Falls
Genre: Christian, Contemporary
Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas LPC
Publication date: November 8, 2019

THE BLURB

Months after submitting her first novel to publishers, Emily Hayes receives one response—a rejection. When famous artist Naomi Jasper offers her much-needed cash to finish writing, then cast and direct a play about Willow Falls’ colorful history, Emily faces a difficult decision—postpone rewriting her novel or accept the offer. Aware the project has a high probability of failure she attempts to recruit the one person who has the experience she needs.

Rachel Streetman is one audition away from jump-starting her lackluster acting career. When an unexpected incident sends her fleeing to Willow Falls and reeling back into Charlie Bricker’s arms, she reluctantly accepts Emily’s offer. An invitation to audition for a play in Atlanta’s premiere theater forces her to choose between loyalty and her life-long dream.

If anyone understands broken hearts, it’s Willow Inn’s beloved innkeeper. Sadie Liles learned to live with the fact that love is the last thing she’ll ever find. Then he walks through Willow Inn’s front door.

When a scathing blogger review and a negative Atlanta television newscast threaten Willow Falls’ premiere as a North Georgia tourist destination, the town council invests the remainder of its annual budget to hire a PR firm to restore the town’s image. At a town-hall meeting, angry residents brainstorm ideas to address the problem. When a second Atlanta television station announces plans to film a segment for its Around Georgia series, residents dig deep to invest their time and limited resources to boost Willow Falls’ appeal.

As the town prepares for Redding Arms’ grand opening, five newcomers and one British tourist test the town’s quirky, lovable, argumentative residents. Dealing with the strife, bickering, and personal backstabbing challenges Willow Falls in ways the small town never imagined. Could it be that the trouble in Willow Falls is the very thing that reminds its residents that honesty, love, and loyalty to one another is what binds them together?

GOODREADS | AMAZON

 

THE AUTHOR

 

Retired from a twenty-seven-year corporate career, Pat Nichols draws on her experience in seven different management positions working with hundreds of amazing women from all walks of life to create stories about women facing tension-laced challenges and heart-warming triumphs in the pursuit of their dreams. Her debut novel, The Secret of Willow Inn, Willow Falls series book one, released January, 2019. Book two, The Trouble in Willow Falls, releases November 4, 2019 and book three in 2020. Pat received a 2018 NGCWC Georgia Peach Awards for her short story, The Vet and Valentine’s Day, and a 2019 NGCWC Georgia Peach Award for Willow Falls series book three. She received the 2017 CRW Woman of the Year Award and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Word Weavers International. She has been featured on WATC Television Atlanta Alive and in Voyager Magazine http://voyageatl.com/interview/meet-pat-nichols-author-duluth/

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EXCERPT

Rachel Streetman stood on the sidewalk in downtown Atlanta and imagined living on the street. Sleeping in a doorway or on a bench in Centennial Park. Penniless. Alone. Men and women stepping around her as if she was nothing more than an obstacle blocking their paths. Children staring at her.

She tilted her head back and gazed at the top of the seventy-three-story circular Peachtree Plaza Hotel. Until a dizzy sensation threw her off balance and forced her focus back to ground level. She pressed her hand against a light pole. A week away from the most important audition in her life, she couldn’t risk passing out and breaking her arm or a tooth.

When the spinning stopped, she glanced at her watch. Fifteen minutes before lunch with her former assistant. She walked across the street and spotted a young man crouched on the sidewalk. His dog sprawled beside him. Brown hair brushed against his shirt collar. A scruffy beard covered the lower portion of his face. Was he the guy she’d befriended last year, before she resigned as vice president for her father’s company?

She moved closer and pushed her sunglasses to the top of her head. “Dennis Locke?”

His eyes widened. “Ms. Streetman?” He stood and wiped his hands on his jeans.

“It is you.”

He nodded.

“I’m sorry I haven’t been around in a while.”

“No need to apologize. I didn’t expect a fine lady like you to keep coming back.”

She swiped a layer of sweat from her lip. Should she give him money and walk away? Or do some audition pre-work for the role—Penelope, a homeless woman who finds a winning lottery ticket. She stepped beside Dennis, relieved he smelled of soap and shampoo. “Are you still staying at the homeless shelter?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She leaned back against the wall. A man wearing expensive shoes and a three-piece suit tossed a handful of change toward the ball cap serving as Dennis’s collection plate. A quarter and three pennies missed the target and landed on the pavement. He moved past without making eye contact or uttering a word.

Heat crept up Rachel’s neck. “I guess he didn’t want those pesky coins rattling around in his pocket.”

“Don’t give him a hard time.”

“He could have said hello or at least nodded.”

Dennis shrugged. “Why would he?”

Rachel turned her attention to men and women rushing past without acknowledging their existence. “It’s like we’re invisible.”

“Easier for them.” He slid back to the pavement.

She sat beside him and imagined this was her spot, her cap poised for contributions. How would it feel to be hopeless and invisible, then suddenly have enough money to turn your life around? Frightening? Challenging? What if she had no place to go? No one to love?

She swallowed the lump in her throat as images of Charlie, Mama Sadie, Emily, and Willow Falls played in her mind. Her refuge. She glanced sideways at Dennis. Maybe he needed something … or someone to motivate him off the street. A bizarre idea bubbled up. “July Fourth is in a few days.”

He swatted a fly from his face and wiped sweat from his forehead.

Words tumbled off her tongue before she had time to think. “Why don’t you spend the holiday in Willow Falls with me and my family? Emily, my twin sister, owns a lovely inn. You can stay there.”

Silence.

What are you doing, Rachel? You don’t need responsibility for a homeless man days before your audition. She pulled her knees up and wrapped her arms around her shins. Should she withdraw the invitation? Treat him like everyone who passed him by? She couldn’t do that.

“Look, I know I’ve caught you off guard. Frankly, I’m a bit surprised myself. The invitation still stands. I’ll come by the shelter on the third and pick you up.” She opened her wallet, removed all the bills, and dropped them in his cap.

 

REVIEW

I reviewed this book last year in November. You can read it here:

https://robinsnest212.wordpress.com/2019/11/11/blogwords-monday-11-november-2019-new-week-new-face-guest-post-pat-nichols/

 

TOUR GIVEAWAY

Enter the giveaway HERE.
Giveaway ends April 15 at 11:59pm MT.

Giveaway is subject to policies HERE.

TOUR SCHEDULE

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#Blogwords, Wreading Wednesday-on-Monday, Featured Book, Trouble in Willow Falls, Pat Nichols, Singing Librarian Publicity

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