So True a Love

 

Danger and passion collide when a plucky young woman becomes embroiled in a Bow Street investigation alongside a handsome officer.

London, 1803

As the daughter of a renowned actress, Verity Travers is a privileged lady of high society—and the last woman one would suspect as having worked as a private investigator. But she has hung up that dangerous hat to live the uninspiring life of a gentlewoman. However, when she and her dearest friend become victims of an armed robbery, Verity finds herself swept back into the clandestine world of mystery and crime as she seeks to bring the thief to justice. There’s just one complication: the persistent and dashingly handsome Bow Street Runner Nathaniel Denning, who always seems to cross her path.

Verity is confident she could accomplish her work quickly if only Nathaniel would stay out of her way. Focusing on the task at hand becomes more and more difficult as his keen mind, quick wit, and determination to keep her out of danger muddle her progress—and her heart.

When the two rival investigators learn they are both pursuing the same cunning criminal, they must figure out how to navigate the delicate dance of cooperation amid a backdrop of increasing peril and an irresistible passion that sets their hearts ablaze.'

My thoughts: I enjoyed Joanna Barker's book about the former Bow Street Runner turned Thief taker Jake Travers, so I knew I would be in for a treat when I read this book and his sister's adventures. I was not disappointed! I loved getting to know Verity, as she is thrown back into the world of Private Investigating after swearing to give it up due to an incident. She is such a fun, spunky character who is not afraid to go where the case leads! I also loved the hero, Nathaniel Denning, and his heart for others. This is a delightful story with a mystery that will keep you guessing. I highly recommend picking up "A Heart Worth Stealing" first, though this book can be enjoyed as a stand alone novel. 

I received this book from Just Read. This is my honest review.

Purchase a copy here! This post contains affiliate links.

Hidden Secrets Between Them

 

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Hidden Secrets Between Them by Mindy Obenhaus hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Hidden Secrets Between Them 

Series: Hope Crossing #5 

Author: Mindy Obenhaus 

Publisher: Love Inspired Books 

Release Date: August 20, 2024 

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance 

He never meant to be a father. 

But it could be the life he’s always wanted. 

In Hope Crossing, Texas, nurse practitioner Kirsten Reynolds has found her dream job. The only problem is that the tiny town also has Deputy Brady James…the father of her four-year-old sons. And he doesn’t know the boys are his. But as he steps into this new role he never planned for, Brady gets a hopeful glimpse into a life with children. Will he let the fear of the unknown keep him from a future he never imagined…or will an adorable pair of twins—and their mother—change his mind?  

My thoughts: Kirsten and Brady thought they found their happily after even in one another years ago, until they discovered they wanted different things for the future. Now that Brady is back, he realizes that Kirsten may have kept an important secret from him. I can only imagine how hard that would be, to discover you have kids that you never knew about! I will say, it made more sense in this story, since they broke up over his not wanting kids. I love how the boys and being back in Kirsten's life brings a change about in Brady. 
This is a sweet story, with a lovely community. Those who have enjoyed the previous books will especially enjoy coming back to Hope Crossing!

I received this book from Just Read. This is my honest review. 

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Bookshop

Also Available:

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About the Author

Best-selling author Mindy Obenhaus is passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. She lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, two sassy pups, countless cattle, deer and the occasional coyote, mountain lion or snake. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, cooking and watching heartwarming romance movies.

Connect with Mindy by visiting MindyObenhaus.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of Hidden Secrets Between Them 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 began at midnight August 28, 2024 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on September 4, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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

Harriet Hurry-Up and the Oh-So-Slow Day

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Harriet Hurry-Up and the Oh-So-Slow Day! by Allia Zobel Nolan, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Harriet Hurry-Up and the Oh-So-Slow Day!
Author: Allia Zobel Nolan
Illustrator: Alexandra Colombo
Publisher: Kregel Childrens Books
Release Date: August 13, 2024
Genre: Children's Story Book

"Can you send me some patience, God? Please?" 

Harriet's mom calls her Harriet Hurry-Up--and it's easy to see why. There's nothing this little girl can't stand more than waiting. From a slowpokey sun that won't rise before she does, to the shy sprouts on her school potato experiment, to the long line at the store with Mom, everything takes forever for Harriet. Why, oh, why can't this day just go faster? 

But with her Gran's help, this impatient little girl is learning to trust God's timing and find the blessings he puts in every single day--if she can just slow down long enough to see them. 

With rhymed text that kids will love and colorful, whimsical illustrations full of surprises, Harriet Hurry-Up and the Oh-So-Slow Day! will quickly become a family favorite. It's perfect for birthdays, back-to-school reading, and for anyone--child or adult--who finds that having patience is hard.  

My thoughts: Harriet's story is one that most, if not all kids, can relate to. From the moment she wakes up, she is wanting to hurry through the day to get to an event that she is really looking forward. In the midst of her hurrying, she has to learn to remember to enjoy each part of her day, not just the big events. 
This is an adorable, well-illustrated story that has an important message for kids and adults alike. I find that I can be like Harriet, and rush through my day. My children have enjoyed this story and learned something from it. I know we will enjoy it for years to come!
I received this book from Just Read. This is my honest review.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop

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About the Author

Allia Zobel Nolan is the author of over 150 traditionally published titles. Her books reflect her two main passions: God and cats. Recent titles include Cat Confessions: A Kitty-Come-Clean Tell-All Book (over 130,000+ copies sold); The Worrywart’s Prayer Book, winner of the gold medal first place 2022 Indie Book Award for Christian Non-Fiction; Laugh Out Loud:40 Women Humorists Celebrate Then and Now...Before We Forget, finalist in the 2019 Indie Book Awards for Humor, the classic bestselling children’s book, What I Like About Me: a Book about Differences, and the sequel, What I Like About You: a Book About Acceptance finalist in the   2020 Indie Book Awards for Children’s Picture Books. God Made Us Just Right, from Kregel Publishers, won a 2022 Catholic Media Award for best children’s book. Her latest picture book Harriet Hurry-Up and the Oh-So-Slow Day is currently on presale and will be published August 13, 2024. She lives and writes with her husband, Desmond, their two fur babies, Nolan Nolan, and Colleen Fiona Shannon, and their recently-adopted shelter dog, Miss Kitty, in New England.

Connect with Allia by visiting alliawrites.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win a signed copy of Harriet Hurry-Up and the Oh-So-Slow Day, a Harriet doll, and book-themed gift items!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight August 21, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on August 28, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

The Eternity Gate

 

Destroy the key. Save her people and herself.

The Eternity Gate is found, and kings and monsters battle over its legends of treasure. But rumors whisper that someone stole the gate's ancient key.

Seyo, handmaiden to the princess, keeps three secrets. First, she's gifted in fire, not light, and may as well be cursed. Second, she translates a prophecy warning that the gate does not offer treasure but judgment. Third, Jorai, the scorned prince and Seyo's confidant, entrusts her with the key and disappears.

Surrounded by war, Seyo and her companions embark on a journey to seek help from a faraway empire and find Jorai, unaware of the trap awaiting them. But what should Seyo do with the key? Who can survive judgment, especially someone as flawed as her? Will hiding the key—or destroying it—save her people or ensure their defeat?

My thoughts: I loved how unique this story was! When Seyo drags her best friend to see the heart of the tunnels, she little realizes the dominos that will be set in motion. A prophecy about the Eternity's Gate comes into her hands, one with surprising twists to the long lost Gate and treasure it is said to hold. 

This is a wonderful story, with a unique world were different nations hold different gifts. After years of peace, those nations are forced together in a battle that will change the world around them. I loved the unique cast of characters and the plot twists! Seyo is a lovely heroine, and I appreciated how the story had quite a few plot twists that I didn't see coming. This is a wonderful story for YA readers on up! While this is part of a duology, a lot of things wrap up with this story, before it moves on. Thankfully, the second one comes out soon! 

Purchase a copy here! This post contains affiliate links.

Winter's Maiden

 Book: Winter’s Maiden

Author: Morgan L. Busse

Genre: Adult Viking Fantasy

Release date: August 6, 2024

Warrior. Survivor. Daughter of the North.

From the moment she is born, Brighid fights to survive in the wastelands of Nordica as a clanless one. But when a new power arrives offering a trial to join the Nordic warriors, Brighid enters, hoping to rise above her station. Soon she becomes one of their fiercest fighters and joins the war against the south.

Kaeden carries the blood of the ancient Eldaran race in his veins but turns away from his heritage after the death of his parents. Years later, he is called back to his homeland and invited to be a healer for the southern forces. With the help of an old mentor, the power inside of him starts to awaken. However, his life is turned upside down when a mighty warrior of the Nordic forces is captured.

As Kaeden interacts with the enemy, he discovers there is a darkness behind the Nordic Wars, one that is manipulating the people of the north. But who will believe him? And is there a power strong enough to break the hold of this hidden adversary? Or will the world burn in the flames of war?

 My thoughts: I love how this book takes history and blends it with fantasy! Mystery surrounds Brighid and her parentage, leaving her with the unfortunate moniker of being the clan less one is a place where your clan means everything. Her birth in the first chapter broke my heart and grabbed my attention with the secrets surrounding who her parents were. This comes more into play as Brighid grows up and discovers that she has a unique gift, one where she can sense death. As she tries to find her place in the world and the wars going on, it leads her on a unexpected journey.
This is the first book in the series and leaves off at a cliffhanger, so I was left wishing the second book was already out. It's a wonderful story for YA and adults! 
I received this book from Celebrate Lit. This is my honest review.

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Morgan L. Busse is a writer by day and a mother by night. She is the author of multiple series including The Ravenwood Saga and Skyworld series. She is a three-time Christy Award finalist and won the INSPY, Selah, and Carol Award for best in Christian speculative fiction. During her spare time she enjoys playing games, taking long walks, and dreaming about her next novel.

 

 

 

 

More from Morgan

A long time ago when I wrote Daughter of Light (the first book in my Follower of the Word series), I mentioned the Nordic Wars and how it changed people’s perspective on beings with power. It was a side comment to answer my main character’s question, but I was intrigued with the idea and knew someday I wanted to write about it.

Now almost twenty years later, here is that story.

Some questions I’m asked when people realize Winter’s Maiden ties in with Daughter of Light is do they need to read my first series? The answer is no. Winter’s Maiden takes place 400 years before the events in Daughter of Light. It involves a country and culture I never explored in my previous series, not to mention the world looked different back then. However, fans of my first fantasy series will appreciate seeing familiar places, races, and what happened back then to create the world in Daughter of Light.

So, what do new readers have to look forward to? Here are a few: a Viking-Inspired culture with my own twist, a female character who is strong but doesn’t need to prove that, a healer who is built like a berserker but is actually a pacifist, a power that allows a person to see inside the soul of another, battles that don’t read like a historical textbook, and deep questions I’m known to explore in my novels.

In the end, I love that I was able to revisit a world I created over twenty years ago and write a story that’s been on my heart for almost as long. I consider it one of my best books yet and cannot wait for readers to finally get to read Brighid’s story.

Blog Stops

The Lofty Pages, August 15

Madi’s Musings, August 15

By the Book, August 16

Texas Book-aholic, August 17

Inklings and notions , August 18

Where Faith and Books Meet, August 19

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 20

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 21

Simple Harvest Reads, August 22 (Guest Review from Mindy)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 22

Blossoms and Blessings , August 23

Stories By Gina, August 24 (Author Interview)

Romances of the Cross, August 24

Labor Not in Vain, August 25

Hannahbandanarama, August 26

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, August 26

Wishful Endings, August 27

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 28

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Morgan is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a signed 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.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2d973/winter-s-maiden-celebration-tour-giveaway

Batch of Love

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Batch of Love by Natasha D. Frazier, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Batch of Love
Author: Natasha D. Frazier
Publisher: Encouraging Works
Release Date: August 6, 2024
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Nailed It meets You’ve Got Mail in Batch of Love  

A small-town baker with dreams of moving out of the mall’s food court and opening her own brick-and-mortar bakery enters a baking competition for a chance to win $25,000. But instead of winning the grand prize, she finds herself in the middle of her ex’s plan to acquire her business for a big box retailer. 

Two years ago, Ginger opened a bakery, Ginger’s Goodies, to honor a promise she made to her late mother. Ready to take her business to the next level, Ginger enters a baking competition hosted by big box retailer, Decadent Dough. What she doesn't count on is running into her high school ex, Brock Pearson, who works for the company. 

Instead of joining his father’s firm, The Pearson Group, Brock Pearson was eager to prove he could be successful outside of his father’s shadow and joined the legal team at Decadent Dough thirteen years ago. When his mentor retires, he throws his hat in the ring to become his successor. The job is his if he can find potential acquisitions, one of which is Ginger's Goodies. 

 For Ginger, joining Decadent Dough is a hard NO. 

However, Brock will not back down easily because now he wants to win her heart again.  

And just when Brock and Ginger were at the precipice of sealing the deal of love.... 

Brock's boss learns Ginger is the daughter of his college rival. Now, he will stop at nothing to destroy her business. To make matters worse, he convinced Ginger that Brock is part of his scheme. To prove his innocence, Brock may lose his shot at the promotion he's coveted and the career he's worked so hard for. 

Ginger and Brock's careers and hearts hang in the balance. Which is more important than the other?  

My thoughts: I love to see bakeries and bakers in fiction, since I worked for my family's bakery for years and enjoyed the work. Getting to know Ginger, as she seeks to make her dreams come true through Ginger's Goodies, was so much fun! I loved her gumption and how she worked to make her bakery a success. I also enjoyed getting to know Brock, who is ambitious as well. Their shared past draws them together, as well as brings up past hurts.
This is a fun story to read! I would love to have another book about the characters and their friends! 

I received this book from Just Read. This is my honest review.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

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About the Author

Natasha D. Frazier fell in love with love around the age of twelve because of artists like Babyface, Boys II Men, Whitney Houston, and New Edition. Around sixteen when her mother purchased a romance novel and left it lying around the house untouched, Natasha read it and a spark for the written word had been ignited.

Natasha believes that writing is one of her purposes and contributions to the world. She feels accomplished when she can get a few words written and like blah when life gets in the way. Her hope is that at the end of every novel, readers will feel like they’ve been wrapped in a cozy blanket with a mug of their favorite coffee/tea/warm drink. 

When she isn’t reading or writing, she is likely watching movies with her family. Natasha resides in Richmond, TX with her husband, Eddie Frazier, Jr. and their three children, Eden, Ethan, and Emilyn. Her greatest joy and commitment is to her family who she hopes to inspire above all else. One of her many mottos in life is: Faith removes limitations. Natasha and her family attend Parkway Fellowship in Richmond, TX, where she volunteers as a small group leader for elementary students. Natasha is also a member of the Houston Area Alumni Chapter of Jackson State University and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. 

Connect with Natasha by visiting natashafrazier.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win a $25 Amazon gift card!

(1) winner will win a 3 book bundle of backlist titles by Natasha D. Frazier!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight August 13, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on August 20, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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