Thursday, April 28, 2022

No Longer a Captive

When Ethne O’Connor’s brother tells her of father’s unexpected death, Sean asks her to do something she promised herself she’d never do. Come back home.

A victim of childhood abuse, Ethne left her father and the small Texas town of Crescent Bluff ten years ago on the night of her high school graduation. She’s determined to end the cycle of abuse and believes the only way to do that is remain single. If she has no husband, she’ll never have children that can be abused.

Then she meets Daniel Spenser, a handsome doctor with chocolate-kiss eyes. Daniel understands her past in a way no one else does. He’s lived it.

Will Daniel be able to help Ethne break the chains of captivity around her heart?

And will God release her from her past, to be free to trust the man she comes to love?

My thoughts: This is a wonderful story that deals with the difficult subject of abuse and how hard it can be to trust God as a loving Father when your earthly father has let you down so terribly. I appreciated the author's way of writing this story, since she didn't shy away from a hard topic, but also handled it well. We have restored our old house, so I loved the element of restoring a place and the spiritual lessons that can go with fixing up an old house and breathing new life into it. This is a wonderful story to pick up and enjoy!

I received this book from Celebrate Lit. This is my honest review.

Click here to get your copy! This post contains affiliate links.

About the Author

Carol James is an author of inspirational fiction. She loves creating Redemptive Romance. She lives in Lilburn, Georgia, a small town outside of Atlanta, with her husband Jim, and a perky Jack Russell Terrier, Zoe.

Having always loved intriguing stories with happy endings, she was moved to begin writing to encourage others as she’d been encouraged by the works of other authors of inspirational fiction.

Her debut novel, Rescuing Faith, was an Amazon number one best-seller. Visit her website to sign up for her newsletter to be the first to learn about new releases: www.carol-james.com

Just recently, Carol allowed Zoe to start Instagram and Facebook pages with two of her dog friends. Follow them at Instagram: 3DogsandtheirAuthorsIG or Facebook: 3DogsandtheirAuthorsFB to learn the behind the scenes info about being a writer.

Carol enjoys spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren, traveling with friends, and serving in the production department at her church. And most days, in the late hours of the night or the wee hours of the morning, she can be found bringing her newest novel to life.

More from Carol

One question people always ask me is, “Where do you get the ideas for your books?” Oh, ideas hover all around us. We need only open our eyes and see the common and everyday through the lenses of our faith.

Several years ago, my husband and I began attending a large church near our home. We’d heard people talk about the inspiring sermons their pastor, Buddy Hoffman, preached.

Buddy was unlike any preacher I had ever heard. He had a folksy manner, and he absolutely delighted in tripping all over the English language. Once he told us about a recent mission trip to Asia where he saw Kubotas (i.e. pagodas) dotting the landscape. A picture of a hill covered with riding mowers and tractors popped into my mind.

One Sunday morning, he preached about forgiveness. Ten years later, I don’t remember the major points of the sermon. I remember only one statement he made. “Unforgiveness is a prison.” My English-major self tensed, knowing unforgiveness wasn’t even a word. My husband would have called it a Buddy-ism. But it didn’t matter that unforgiveness wasn’t listed in the dictionary or that spell-check would underline it. That brief statement carried a depth of meaning that entire books might not. Later, in the same service, our worship pastor led us in the song “No Longer Slaves.” And from this service, the idea for No Longer a Captive was born.

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, April 28

Inklings and notions, April 29

Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 30 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 30

For Him and My Family, May 1

deb’s Book Review, May 2

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 3

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, May 4

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 5

Splashes of Joy, May 6 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 7

Blossoms and Blessings, May 8 (Author Interview)

Spoken from the Heart, May 9

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 10

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, May 11 (Author Interview)

Miriam Jacob, May 11

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Carol is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and an e-copy of No Longer a Captive!!

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/1d3b9/no-longer-a-captive-celebration-tour-giveaway

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Finding Love in Big Sky Montana

Bright Star Ranch led him to her–but will he stay?

Josh Lake is forced to head home for the holidays after he’s suspended from his job in the city, but running into Paisley Sheridan could be exactly what he needed. Not only does she board him at her ranch in exchange for his advertising expertise, but spending the Christmas season with her in Big Sky, Montana, brings more joy than he’s felt in a long while. Is he willing to give up the lavish lifestyle he’s worked for in exchange for the gift of love?

The last thing Paisley wants for Christmas is to spend time with Josh Lake—the guy who broke her heart in high school—but until her bank loan goes through, she has to take all the free help she can get. Unfortunately, Josh seems to want back in her life again, and the town’s quirky coffee shop owners don’t help by hanging mistletoe at every opportunity. Will Paisley succeed in driving him away, or will she find the healing needed to have hope for a future together?

My thoughts: I enjoyed this sweet story of one young woman trying to make a go of her grandfather's ranch. The characters were vibrant, and I enjoyed the fun, loud side characters who tried to steal the show. lol. It was interesting to "watch" Josh work his magic with advertising through Bright Star. This is a sweet story and I look forward to reading the other books in the series! While this works as a stand alone, the first story is mentioned, so it should be read in order.

I received this book from Celebrate Lit. This is my honest review.

Click here to get your copy! This post contains affiliate links.

About the Author

Angela Ruth Strong Headshot (2) Angela Ruth Strong sold her first Christian romance novel in 2009 then quit writing romance when her husband left her. Twelve years later, God has shown her the true meaning of love, and there’s nothing else she’d rather write about. Her books have since earned TOP PICK in Romantic Times, won the Cascade Award, and been Amazon best-sellers. Her book Finding Love in Big Sky filmed on location in Montana and will air in spring of 2022. She also writes non-fiction for SpiritLed Woman. To help aspiring authors, she started IDAhope Writers where she lives in Idaho, and she teaches as an expert online at WRITE THAT BOOK.

More from Angela Ruth

Having my book made into a movie is a dream come true, and getting to be an extra on the set in Montana blew away all my expectations. There’s nothing like walking into a world you created and seeing your imaginary friends come to life.

I knew what was going on before anyone told me. I pointed around the set as I narrated: “They are going to hang that star on the barn. The horses are named Butch and Sundance. And that big red truck is going to break down because I WANT it to break down.”

I got it all right except for one thing. “Actually, Angela, the truck really did break down.” Oops.

Not only was I in on the inside jokes, but I kind of made them up. For example, during the “almost kissing” scene, Josh’s brother walks into the kitchen to look for ice cream. The actors got a good laugh afterwards whenever they were practicing the kissing scene because the actress would turn away with an “I’m going out for ice cream.”

I was only on location for one day, but it was the best day. I saw them film both kisses, the mentor scene, and we were extras in the cowboy ball. (I’m the one in the blue dress who signs up for the silent auction.)

However, my husband Jim was really bummed we couldn’t be there for the scene in the auto repair shop. He took his own coveralls just in case he could be an extra mechanic. We joked with the actress about it, and when we watched the final cut, we were surprised to see her call back into the shop to a “Jim.” I messaged her to ask if she did that on purpose, and she said she did. Such a sweet tribute.

On our last day, we ate breakfast at the Western Café (another film location) with the director, and we visited the jewelry shop where my hero had a necklace made for the heroine with the logo of her ranch on it. Jim gave me the exact same necklace for Christmas.

Everyone was so fun and nice, and even if I someday get to have another book made into a movie, I don’t think it could top this experience. I really hope you enjoy both the novel and the film. And may the message of how “you are a treasure” carry you forward toward your own dreams.

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, April 27

I luv the books, April 27

Inklings and notions, April 28

The Sacred Line, April 28

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 29

For Him and My Family, April 30

Rebekah Reads, April 30

deb’s Book Review, May 1

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 2

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, May 3

Christian Chick’s Thoughts, May 3

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 4

Vicky Sluiter, May 4

Bizwings Blog, May 5

Back Porch Reads, May 5

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 6

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 7

Miriam Jacob, May 7

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, May 8 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 8

Blossoms and Blessings, May 9

A Baker’s Perspective, May 9

Simple Harvest Reads, May 10 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Angela is giving away the grand prize package of a movie package with a $25 gift certificate to the movies, popcorn, popcorn bowl, and an autographed copy of Finding Love in Big Sky, including author notes in the margins!!

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/1d0b4/finding-love-in-big-sky-montana-celebration-tour-giveaway

Tuesday, April 26, 2022

Fatal Code

In 1964, a group of scientists called the Los Alamos Five came close to finishing a nuclear energy project for the United States government when they were abruptly disbanded. Now the granddaughter of one of those five scientists, aerospace engineer Elinor Mitchell, discovers that she has highly sensitive information on the project in her possession--and a target on her back.

SNAP agent and former Navy cryptologist Kekoa Young is tasked with monitoring Elinor. This is both convenient since she's his neighbor in Washington, DC, and decidedly inconvenient because . . . well, he kind of likes her.

As Elinor follows the clues her grandfather left behind to a top-secret nuclear project, Kekoa has no choice but to step in. When Elinor learns he has been spying on her, she's crushed. But with danger closing in on all sides, she'll have to trust him to ensure her discoveries stay out of enemy hands.

Natalie Walters sucks you into the global race for space domination in this perfectly paced second installment of her SNAP Agency romantic suspense series.

My thoughts: I have read and enjoyed each of Natalie Walters mysteries, so I can say with certainty that this one is her best yet! Kekoa is introduced in the first Snap Agency book as a side character, so I couldn't wait to read his story. I enjoyed getting to know him as a character as he struggled to help his neighbor out of a sticky situation and face his past. I've not had a lot of Hawaiian food (though, a local chain with Hawaiian offerings opened within the last couple of years and I enjoy their dishes!), but this story definitely had me wanting to try some new dishes! The mystery and suspense were well done. And, I loved Elinor and her nerdy t-shirts! I would highly recommend reading this story in order, though it can be enjoyed as a stand alone. The first book does set the stage and it's fun to read Jack and Brynn's story.

I received this book from the author. This is my honest review.

Purchase a copy here! This post contains affiliate links.

To Bring You Back

He’s determined to confront the past she’s desperate to forget.

Broke in more ways than one, the last thing Adeline Green can afford is for her now-famous high school crush to descend on her quiet life.

People in the small town of Lakeshore, Wisconsin, think of her as the hard-working church secretary or as the local food truck’s lunch-hour cashier. They’d never suspect the shame she’s hiding.

She attended high school with both the lead singer and the drummer of the rock band, Awestruck. In fact, she used to play in the band herself, but that was back before Awestruck made it big—and before her relationship with lead singer Gannon Vaughn took a turn that ultimately led to tragedy and heartbreak.

She’s living a different life now, but when Gannon shows up, he brings with him a public spotlight that threatens to expose her deepest regret. The closer she gets to him, the more she risks the carefully curated life that’s finally brought her a measure of peace.

Gannon Vaughn and his rock band, Awestruck, have conquered the music industry, but he can’t overcome his feelings for Adeline.

She may have been right to cut off contact between them years ago, but thanks to the grace of God, he’s a changed man. When he hears Adeline’s struggling, he sets out to turn her life around and win back the love he lost to poor choices eight years ago.

But when Gannon’s fame and their mutual regrets jeopardize their relationship anew, will grace be enough to bring them back to God and each other?

A meaningful Christian romance with a side of fame and fortune for readers who enjoy faith-filled escapes and happily-ever-afters where no one is beyond hope of redemption.

My thoughts: Where to start with this story? I love books about musicians, since I am married to one, and I always appreciated a good redemption story. Adeline has been living under the weight of her guilt for years, seeking for redemption after a terrible mistake affected 3 lives. When Gannon comes back into town, she must face the root of her struggle to forgive herself.

This story was well written and I enjoyed getting to know the characters! The author does a wonderful job of writing a beautiful story of redemption among the messiness of life. The story does deal with some difficult subjects, like suicide, drugs, and pre-marital sex, but all the subjects are handled well. I thought that the story came together beautifully and can't wait to read the next book!

I received this book from Celebrate Lit. This is my honest review.

Click here to get your copy! This post contains affiliate links.

About the Author

Conrad Emily Conrad writes contemporary Christian romance that explores life’s relevant questions. Though she likes to think some of her characters are pretty great, the ultimate hero of her stories (including the one she’s living) is Jesus. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and their energetic coonhound rescue. Learn more about her and her books at emilyconradauthor.com.

More from Emily

A Guilty Pleasure with a Purpose

When a reader called the Rhythms of Redemption Romances a guilty pleasure, I had to smile because that’s exactly what To Bring You Back, the first book in the series, was to me as I wrote it.

Don’t get me wrong, To Bring You Back is firmly Christian fiction, and it’s not “guilty” of being blush-inducing. Because of the characters’ history, theirs is a slow-burn romance that focuses more on the emotional side of their relationship than the physical.

But, To Bring You Back is a rock star romance.

When I first started writing it, I was embarrassed to admit that’s what I was working on.

After all, rock star romance has a reputation for being an unrealistic and shallow escape from reality with “guilty pleasure” written all over it.

Maybe there was some of that escapism going on. At that point in my writing journey, I was dealing with disillusionment, and I enjoyed the break of writing about rich and famous characters.

However, as I wrote To Bring You Back and went on to read others’ romances about famous characters, I found that the characters’ occupations and net worth don’t impact the most important elements of their stories.

The tales can still showcase meaningful relationships and God at work in the lives of people who—rich and famous or not—need redemption.

Fame, money, and music help up the entertainment value, but those same features add even more rich conflict to explore.

The men of Awestruck, starting with lead singer Gannon Vaughn in To Bring You Back, have allowed me to ask questions like: How good is grace? What does it mean to live in forgiveness? What gives a person worth? And, when is living the dream no longer worth the price?

To write this post, I took a break from working on the first draft of the final book in the series, and it’s been fun to look back and see how much my opinion of these stories has changed.

If To Bring You Back and the books that follow are a guilty pleasure, they’re a guilty pleasure with a purpose. God has worked in my life through them.

It’s my prayer that He’ll also use them in your life, both to explore meaningful questions and to provide a few hours of entertaining escape.

Blog Stops

lakesidelivingsite, April 25

The Sacred Line, April 25

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 26

Inklings and notions, April 27

Remembrancy, April 28

Wishful Endings, April 28

Texas Book-aholic, April 29

deb’s Book Review, April 30

For Him and My Family, May 1

Spoken from the Heart, May 1

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, May 2

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 3

Miriam Jacob, May 3

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 4

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 5

Britt Reads Fiction, May 5

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 6

Simple Harvest Reads, May 7 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Pause for Tales, May 8

Of Blades and Thorns, May 8

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Emily is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and an ecopy of To Bring You Back!!

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/1d0b1/to-bring-you-back-celebration-tour-giveaway

Monday, April 25, 2022

Canceled

Jerold Steele has been canceled. His identity is stolen. His job is gone. Even more bizarre, the people around him are dying.

Each one was stalked and killed by a supernatural menace that hides

in darkness, and preys on the mind.

Facing exposure, the killer is eliminating every person that threatens him. In his world, there’s only room for one superman, and that superman is going to be him.

Brenda Neal wants to trust him, but the deaths terrify her. Is it better to hide, or fight with him?

CANCELED is a cutting-edge, page-turning thriller, a story you hope won’t be in tomorrow’s headlines.

Read CANCELED to find out what happens when the only thing that will stop a killer is Power no one never imagined.

My thoughts: This story wound up being different than I thought it was, since it explored what happens when two unbelievers are confronted with unexplainable, seemingly supernatural events start happening and picking off people around them. Could there be something to the spiritual world that they don't see going on? I thought that the author did a wonderful job of tackling some hard subjects with this book. It gave me a lot to think on as I enjoyed the story.

I received this book from Celebrate Lit. This is my honest review.

Click here to get your copy! This post contains affiliate links.

About the Author

John Faubion was a foreign missionary in Vietnam, Guam and to the Chinese for nearly thirty years. Then a professional software engineer for more than twenty years after that.

He’s the father of five children, and lives in central Indiana with his wife.

More from John

Cancel Culture? This is worse.

All around us we see our culture changing, and not for the better. Sometimes it seems like all the voices we hear are filled with anger, hatred and intolerance.

There’s a reason for that: They are all rooted (you guessed it) in anger, hatred and intolerance.

It was time to step back and look at what it’s like to be canceled, but from an entirely different source: The Supernatural.

The main character is a preacher, but one of those who does NOT believe in a supernatural god. He doesn’t know what he believes. But when he’s finally confronted with a supernatural experience he cannot deny, he finds that walking on the dark side is going to cost him his life.

The only solution, both for him and the one he falls in love with, is to know God, and get access to the supernatural weapons he never dreamed existed.