Holding on to Hope

 

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Holding on to Hope by Janet W. Ferguson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Holding on to Hope
Series: Coastal Hearts
Author: Janet W. Ferguson
Publisher: Southern Sun Press LLC
Release Date: April 1, 2023
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

A fun road trip romance to the Grand Tetons!

Always the wedding planner, never the bride. 

Hope Rodriguez loves planning weddings. There’s nothing more special than helping a bride become a princess for a day, but she’s not sure that’s her calling in life anymore. If only she had her own special someone. Her only current prospect leaves her with more questions than answers about where she falls in his list of priorities. Yet, when a lifelong friend asks her to plan a destination wedding across the country in only two weeks, she’ll have to figure out how to pull off the impossible…alone. 

After being burned as a child and deserted by his family, Caleb Donnelly has an intimate relationship with pain. Despite all he’s endured, one ache refuses to leave him—the throbbing in his heart where Hope is concerned. So when Hope needs help with their friend’s wedding, he can’t stop himself from volunteering to travel two thousand miles to Jackson, Wyoming. As long as he keeps his feelings in check, he might not ruin their friendship. Because a beautiful woman like Hope could never love a scarred man like him. 

When Hope and Caleb’s plans go up in flames, it’s their hearts that might never recover. 

Grab your copy of Holding on to Hope...a Southern Contemporary Christian Romance novel from the Coastal Hearts Series.

My thoughts: Another wonderful story by Janet Ferguson! I have read most of her books and am always blown away by the depth to her books and characters.

I enjoyed meeting Hope and Caleb. I could relate to Hope's loneliness at being "the last one standing" when it comes to marriage, since I was in a similar spot when I was in my 20's. I loved the themes of this story and how the two of them get to know one another, as well as the love of God more fully, through the course of the story. This is a wonderful book and series to pick up! Can be enjoyed as a stand alone but, trust me, you will want to read the other books!

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

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

More Books in This Series

 

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About the Author

Janet W. Ferguson is a Christy Award finalist and the FHL Readers Choice Award winning author of realistic inspirational fiction. An avid reader, she loved books so much she found a job as a librarian so she could be around them all day. Then she turned that love of story into writing faith-filled novels with characters who feel like best friends. You’ll laugh and cry as the quirky heroes and heroines chase their happily ever after.

Janet and her husband live in Mississippi where they say y’all a lot, and she forces him to visit the beach as often as possible. They have two grown children, one really smart dog, and a cat that allows them to share the space. 

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

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Holding on to Hope, a throw, a Hope rock & a Hope cross knickknack.

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 17, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 24, 2023. 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

Lone Star Sweetheart

 

Excerpt 

How could she survive the night without a cookie? Katherine Brunopulled her hair into a slapdash ponytail and eyed the empty snack table with disgust. The only redeeming feature of Sweetheart's monthly town meetings was the tantalizing assortment of homemade goodies she could dunk in her coffee. Had someone forgotten to post there freshmen signup sheet? The community center’s Faux-wood panel walls closed in on her at the thought. If this wasn't the best place to drum up support for pet adoption, she would duck out the back way. The animal shelter needed foster families. She'd planned to write an article for her job at The Sweetheart Clarion, but the editor fired her before she finished. Of course, he hadn't used such a negative term. He'd hemmed and hawed about flagging readership and online portals for five minutes until she asked him to cut to the chase. No sense dragging out the inevitable. It wasn't the first time she'd been fired,and, thanks to her uncontrollable tongue, it probably wouldn't be the last. A cluster of men stood behind Katherine in assorted versions of plaid flannel and jeans. “It's indecent! How could a woman betray her own husband?” What had put their sleeveless undershirts in a twist? She poured herself a steaming cup of java. 

Dawn's Untrodden Green

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Dawn’s Untrodden Green by Carolyn Miller, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Dawn's Untrodden Green
Series: Regency Wallflowers #3
Author: Carolyn Miller
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Release Date: April 11, 2023
Genre: Christian Historical Romance

"Highly entertaining, refreshing, and witty. . . . [A] beautifully written, delightful, and faith-filled romance of two endearing hearts."

--Grace Hitchcock, award-winning author of My Dear Miss Dupré

Not much happens in Theodosia Stapleton's tiny Northumberland village. Certainly not to her. She has resigned herself to spinsterhood, caring for her ailing mother in the home of her grandfather, known to the locals as "General Contrary." When her dear friend dies and leaves behind a daughter, it's simple enough to take the child into her own quiet world. That is, until her ward's famous uncle unexpectedly arrives and throws Theo's tidy orbit completely off-kilter. 

Fame was the last thing Daniel Balfour sought when he fought in the Peninsular War. But his brave exploits caught the attention of the King, and now the honors he was given hound him everywhere . . . even on his rushed trip to rescue his orphaned niece. Theo's quick wit and warm smile reassure him that Rebecca is in good hands, and he finds himself free to swiftly return to London and his responsibilities. But those caring hands are beginning to look like they could also safely hold his heart, and he's tempted to linger. Unfortunately, marriage is simply not in the cards; the army is spouse enough for him. 

Then an accident and a scandal lead both Theo and Daniel to discover that their best-laid plans may not have been what God designed for them after all.

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

My thoughts: I have enjoyefd this series and reading about the different characters and their various journeys. So, I was thrilled to pick up this story and meet Theodosia and Daniel! I think that this series has been so delightful to me, since I could see myself in the place of each of the heroines, had I lived back then. I love the setting, as I have actually been to Northumberland and could picture Theo's town.  The deeper message and common thread of this story is so beautiful. I highly recommend picking this book and the whole series up!

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

More Books in this Series

 

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About the Author

Carolyn Miller lives in New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. A longtime lover of Regency romance, Carolyn's novels have won a number of RWA and ACFW contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers.

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

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of all three books in the Regency Wallflower series by Carolyn Miller.
(books 1 & 2 will be signed, and a book plate from the author will be included for Dawn's Untrodden Green)

 

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 10, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 17, 2023. 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

Jonas

 

Purchase Link – https://amzn.to/3oaYIap
Series: The Minnesota Marshalls #2
Publisher: SDG Publishing
Release Date: April 4, 2023
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Jonas Marshall is done storm-chasing, plagued with the memory of a terrible accident that paralyzed a fellow chaser, so the last thing he’s going to do is run into more danger. Now, he’s just a simple weatherman deploying dirigibles in an experiment to track weather patterns in Slovenia.

As far from danger as he can get.

But danger comes knocking in the form of hiker in need of rescue, and he can’t deny that her companion—beautiful Sibba Kovac—is a great distraction from the guilt that haunts him…until she paraglides right out of his life.

Probably for the best.

But danger still won’t leave him alone when a storm knocks his dirigibles out of the sky, and he happens upon one that looks tampered with…

It is. And worse, it’s carrying what could be radioactive waste. At least according to EOD expert Sibba…who finds herself face-to-face with the rescuer she can’t forget. But she’s not looking for him—her grandfather is missing, and she’ll stop at nothing to find him.

When her missing grandfather leads to the threat of a dirty bomb, she’s the only one who can stop it. And Jonas is the only man brave enough to run into danger with her. But she doesn’t have room in her heart to love him—not when she lives with death in her periphery. Can the right man, at the right time help her see beyond her fears to a future?

And if they have a chance to save the world, can Jonas let go of the woman he loves?

The thrilling second book in the epic romantic suspense of the Minnesota Marshalls!

The Minnesota Marshalls
Book 1: Fraser
Book 2: Jonas
Book 3: Ned (coming soon)
Book 4: Iris (coming soon)
Book 5: Creed (coming soon)

More Marshall family romantic adventures

The Epic Story of RJ and York
Book 1: Out of the Night
Book 2: I Will Find You
Book 3: No Matter the Cost

The Montana Marshalls
Book 1: Knox
Book 2: Tate
Book 3: Ford
Book 4: Wyatt
Book 5: Ruby Jane

My thoughts: I enjoyed returning to this new series, though I like that the characters are related to the Montana Marshalls, so the cast isn't entirely new. I have enjoyed that this series takes place in other countries, with some unique history about those settings. I know I learned a good bit about Slovenia, a country I haven't read much about previously. I had to look up pictures of the landscape, especially after seeing it through the eyes of the main characters when they use a glider to get down off a mountain. It's a beautiful place! 

The story is wonderful and fast paced, when Jonas is thrown together with Sibba several times, over un-related events. I like that Susan May Warren introduces the next brother in this story, with sharing some of the events from his point of view. It also overlaps with Fraser's story, so I would recommend reading the books in order. 

This is a wonderful, hard to put down story! I look forward to reading more about Ned in the next book.

I received this book from Just Read. This is my honest review. This post contains affiliate links.

Enhanced

 

In a society where everyone’s DNA determines their destiny, being a Natural means automatic relegation to the gritty and dangerous Outskirts. With the harnessed power of gene-editing, the ability to create a super-human race has transformed the world and offered the opportunity of a genetically enhanced life. But only to those who can afford it.

Born a Natural, Lee Urban was adopted into the Enhanced high society of the Asian Federation and forced to conceal her genetic roots. When her dream of attending Peking University becomes a reality, she is determined to go despite a warning from a mysterious source.

Targeted by a hacker bent on exposing her true DNA, Urban faces off with an Artificial Intelligence Game that puts her—and her lies—to the test. What was supposed to be a dream come true turns into a lethal gamble of hide-and-seek with her genetics. Can Urban continue the act, or will the cracks in her story expose her and endanger her family?

 My thoughts: This book was such a wonderful, wild ride! I thought that the author did a fabulous job of bringing the characters, and the futuristic world they live in, to life. This book was a unique story about a young woman who is growing tired of keeping up on hiding her secrets. But, secrets rarely stay hidden. This book is a fresh, enjoyable story. I can't wait to see where the series goes!

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

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

 

About the Author

Candace Kade grew up in China and currently lives in Austin, Texas. When she’s not missing Chinese food, she’s busy writing, exploring new countries, volunteering, hiking in national parks, teaching her husband Mandarin, and keeping a baby human alive.

 

More from Candace

Have you ever felt like you don’t belong?

It could be something as small as showing up at a party alone to something bigger like moving to a new city.

In ENHANCED, Urban also feels like she doesn’t belong. In New Beijing in the year 2124, everyone has amazing genetic enhancements given to them through CRISPR gene-editing technology.

Everyone, except Urban.

New Beijing is full of humans with breath-taking DNA. Inceptors with brain enhancements allowing them to read micro facial expressions, Supers who can withstand hard hits and extreme temperatures, Aquas able to breathe underwater, and more. There are eight main gene pools, and Urban doesn’t belong in any of them.

Instead, Urban’s born a Natural, without genetic enhancements, and secretly adopted into New Beijing. She’s forced to hide her genetic roots to protect her family, and pretends to be something she’s not—enhanced.

Urban’s story is personal to me.

As a Third Culture Kid, I’ve spent most of my life straddling two worlds and, trying to fit into places I felt I didn’t belong. At the age of four, my family moved from Ohio to China. I spent my childhood as the only foreign kid at my Chinese schools, neighborhood, and sports teams.

Since then, I’ve often returned to China. I was actually living and working there while writing ENHANCED.

Despite the frequent trips, I didn’t feel “American enough” or “Chinese enough” growing up. Maybe it’s because I botched most American sayings. Maybe it’s because no matter how good my Mandarin was, people looked at my white skin and assumed I didn’t belong in China.

It’s taken me years to come to peace with this.

Urban struggles with something similar. She must balance the Enhanced and Natural worlds all while trying to keep her web of lies from tangling and tripping her up. Which, of course, gets harder when she’s selected as the next AI Games contestant.

When I wrote this book, I was living in Beijing and going through one of the hardest seasons in my life. I had never felt so lonely. There was a song that brought me great comfort during this time. The chorus goes:

“God only knows what you’ve been through,

God only knows what they say about you,

God only knows the real you,

There’s a kind of love that God only knows.”

-For King and Country.

I played that song on repeat while writing Enhanced. It reminded me that God sees us and knows us intimately. With him, we are never truly alone.

I wrote this book for anyone who feels like they slip between the cracks of society—like they don’t belong. My hope is that you feel seen and understood.

You’re not alone.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 31

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, March 31

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 1

Texas Book-aholic, April 2

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 3

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, April 4

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 5

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, April 6

Inklings and Notions, April 7

Blogging With Carol, April 8

Book Butterfly in Dreamland, April 8

Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 9

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

For Him and My Family, April 11

Mary Hake, April 11

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, April 12

Through the Fire Blogs, April 13

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Candace is giving away the grand prize package of a hardback of ENHANCED, $50 Amazon gift card, $10 Starbucks gift card, and a signed bookplate!!

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/25259/enhanced-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Gift of the Unexpected

 

When a 20-second phone call shattered Jillian Benfield's life, she never dreamed it would be her greatest gift.

With raw honesty, Jillian weaves her riveting story with biblical teachings and scientific and social research to offer incredible hope for others living in their unexpected moments. She shows how God uses these moments, if we are willing, to show us who we are--and who he dreams of us becoming. She'll help you break down the false constructs you've built around God and your identity, truly feel your pain in a healing way, and turn your internal transformation into external purpose. We were never meant to overcome the unexpected and remain the same, but instead, undergo it so we can be transformed.

While I don't have a child with disabilities, I found that this book is so relatable for all walks of life. All of us have experienced unexpected blessings and difficulties in life. This book is a wonderful resource for taking those hardships or difficulties and turning them into blessings and a deeper walk with God. 

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

Purchase a copy here! This post contains affiliate links.

The Wrong Seat

 

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Wrong Seat by Natasha D. Frazier, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Wrong Seat
Series: Langston Sisters series #2
Author: Natasha D. Frazier
Publisher: Encouraging Works
Release Date: April 6, 2023
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Life doesn't return to normal for the Langston Sisters...

Compelled to get her family’s business back on solid ground after Crystal's arrest tanks their company's sales and reputation, Ava shoulders the responsibility to secure the biggest deal Langston Brands has had since inception. However, someone doesn’t like the idea and poisons her to thwart her mission. 

Ava’s father hires The Four Kings private security firm to protect Ava from the ongoing threats. When Zack Kingsland takes the job, he does so reluctantly. He’s been out of the field for five years since his last job cost him his ex-wife. Now that he’s back in the thick of things, he finds that he not only needs to protect Ava, but also his heart. 

A man of his word, Zack won’t compromise his assignment or Ava’s safety, not even for the growing feelings he has for her. How can Ava and Zack navigate their feelings without losing sight of the mission—to keep her safe? 

The Wrong Seat (Ava's story) is book 2 in The Langston Sisters series.

My thoughts: While I didn't read Crystal's (the oldest Langston sister) story, I was still able to enjoy this mystery and the introduction to their family's business of making quality purses. After receiving threats towards his family and company, Ava's father has hired body guards to keep an eye on his daughters. While Zack doesn't first see a need for his presence, he and Ava are soon thrown into trying to stay one step ahead of disaster. The mystery kept me guessing, and I loved the glimpse into a family business in the fashion industry. This is a wonderful mystery to pick up and enjoy!
I received this book from Just Read. This is my honest review.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | BookDepository | BookBub

More Books in This Series

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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 receive a The Wrong Seat swag box and $10 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 4, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 11, 2023. 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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