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.

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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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Cold Vengeance

 

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Cold Vengeance by Nancy Mehl hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Cold Vengeance 

Series: Ryland & St. Clair #3 

Author: Nancy Mehl 

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers 

Release Date: July 16, 2024 

Genre: Romantic Suspense 

When a renowned crime podcaster vanishes without a trace, former FBI behavioral analysts turned private investigators River Ryland and Tony St. Clair are called upon to track her down. As they wade through the evidence she left behind, they unearth a startling connection--she may have discovered the existence of an unknown serial killer, and he will stop at nothing to carry out a deadly plan. 

As the pair delves deeper, they soon find themselves the target of a relentless enemy determined to silence them. With their lives--and hearts--on the line, can they confront the evil that threatens them before it consumes them both? 

USA Today bestselling author Nancy Mehl brings her Ryland & St. Clair series to an explosive close with a pulse-pounding story where the stakes are high and silence is deadly.

My thoughts: I have enjoyed most of Nancy Mehl's mysteries, and this series has been no exception! I love how River and Tony have developed their friendship even more over the course of owning a private investigators business together. Through the course of the series, there has been the mystery of who is after them after they put a serial killer behind bars, and it seems like things are coming to a head in that arena. But, there is also the case of the missing cold case podcast host that has been brought to their attention. As they work through the cases the cases of the missing young woman, they might just find some answers for her loved ones, as well as figure out who is after them.

This story took on a lot! I loved how the cold cases played out, as well as the other mysteries. I highly recommend reading this series in order to enjoy the full scope of the mystery. 

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

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

More Books from this Series:

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About the Author

Nancy Mehl is the author of more than fifty books, a Parable and ECPA bestseller, and the winner of an ACFW Book of the Year Award, a Carol Award, and the Daphne du Maurier Award. She has also been a finalist for the Christy Award. Nancy writes from her home in Missouri, where she lives with her husband, Norman, and their puggle, Watson.

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

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive the complete paperback set of the Ryland & St. Clair series and a $15 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 July 24, 2024 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on July 31, 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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Until Our Time Comes

 

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Until Our Time Comes by Nicole M. Miller hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Until Our Time Comes 

Author: Nicole M. Miller 

Publisher: Revell 

Release Date: July 2, 2024 

Genre: WWII Historical Romance 

American horse trainer Adia Kensington is living her dream of working at the famous Janów Podlaski stables in Poland, where they breed the best Arabian horses in the world. But her plans to bring the priceless stallion Lubor to the US are derailed when the German army storms into her adopted country in 1939. Little does she know this is just the beginning of six long years of occupation that will threaten her beloved horses at every turn. 

Bret Conway is at Janów Podlaski under the guise of a news reporter, but his true mission is intelligence gathering for the British. That and keeping Adia safe, which is harder and harder to do as she insists they must evacuate 250 horses to save them from being stolen, sold, or eaten by the invading forces. What follows will test their physical, mental, and emotional strength, as well as their faith in God, humankind, and each other. 

Drawn from true events of World War II, this epic story of escape, capture, resistance, and love from debut novelist Nicole M. Miller will thunder into your heart like a herd of beautiful horses across a raging river. 

My thoughts: I have read a fair amount of books set in WWII, but I have never read one quite like this one! I didn't know much about Janow Podlaski before I started the story, so it was interesting to learn more about the horse of the famous stables. I thought that the author did a wonderful job of bringing the characters to life and the danger that they face when they embark on a journey to save the horses from the oncoming storm. Fact and fiction were woven together beautifully and I enjoyed the notes at the end that helped pull out the facts in the story. This is a wonderful book for history lovers to pick up and enjoy!

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

Nicole M. Miller lives in Washington State with her husband and two sons, along with her Arabian horses, chickens, ducks, dogs, cats, and guinea pigs. As a longtime horse owner, she's been involved in many horse organizations, including serving on the Clark County Fair Court and as Miss Teen Rodeo Washington. She's received national and regional awards for her nonfiction from American Horse Publications and the Society of Professional Journalists. See her stories in The Horse of My Heart, The Horse of My Dreams, The Dog Who Came to Christmas, and Second-Chance Horses.

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

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a paperback copy of Until Our Time Comes and a $25 gift card to Bookshop.org!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight July 17, 2024 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on July 24, 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!

Suddenly Rural Girl

 

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Suddenly Rural Girl by Dann and Kennedy Hurlbert, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Suddenly Rural Girl: Facing Life, Death, Mean Girls, and Cute Boys in Rural America
Author: Dann & Kennedy Hurlbert
Publisher: Kirk House Publishers
Release Date: February 1, 2024
Genre: Young Adult & Middle Grade Contemporary Christian Fiction

After her dad is tragically killed, Dakota Moore’s mom moves her to northern Minnesota where Dak discovers an outcast classmate may be a reclusive miracle worker. She thinks she found him too late. The truth is, she met him just in time. Will Dak discover the miracle worker’s secrets before the next tragedy strikes? 

Now, tucked into a secluded A-frame near a beaver-infested creek with her strong Sioux mom and her lisping little brother, Dak faces a new school and a trio of mean girls. Seemingly alone, she buries herself in a design app and self pity until an old blind man, his curly-haired horse named Eyeballs, a quirky dragon-doodling classmate, and a strawberry blonde with delicious sun-kissed freckles give her four reasons to keep on living. Then she decides to do more than just survive; Dak intends to thrive. When tragedy strikes again, she confronts the intriguing and repulsive miracle worker, but he doesn’t help their mutual friend. Learning why will change her life. 

Suddenly Rural Girl is a friend and faith-finding journey, featuring a strong, female, multiracial protagonist and is loaded with laugh-out-loud characters and gorgeous northern Minnesota beauty. The magnificent landscapes haunt like William Kent Kreuger’s Ordinary Grace and This Tender Land, and the quick-witted dialogue is reminiscent of Jenny B. Jones’ There You’ll Find Me and In Between books. The combination makes it an excellent YA read with cross-over into Contemporary Christian audiences. The novel also has a companion study guide full of plot-related questions for classrooms and theme based discussion prompts for book groups!

My thoughts: I enjoyed this unique story of a teenage girl trying to navigate moving to a very different place in the midst of working through the grief over losing her dad. I thought that the Hurlberts did a fantastic job of blending their voices to write a story that has some fun twists and turns. I love that this book was so much more than what I was expecting! It gives the reader a glimpse of what it is like to be a teenage girl and working through some of the struggles that come with being the new kid. I appreciated the rich messages of faith woven into the story.

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 Authors

Dann Hurlbert has BSED in English and Theater Education from the University of South Dakota, an MFA in Digital Cinema from California’s National University, and has spent many years as an educator and professional actor and director. He currently serves as a Media & Design Specialist at Minnesota’s Carleton College. He’s a sucker for the Great Outdoors, Caribou Coffee, and his beautiful wife, and three impressive kids.

Kennedy Hurlbert is a cheerful and creative teenager who inspired much of the SRG story and corrected all her dad’s teen lingo. She enjoys being with friends, whipping up sweet and tasty desserts, and spending time at the lake. Any lake. She loves lakes. Especially the Boundary Waters. But any lake will do. She also likes sports and cuddling with the family Golden Retrievers.

Connect with Dann at dannhurlbert.com to follow him on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(3) winners will win a signed paperback copy (or ebook) of Suddenly Rural Girl!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight July 16, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 23, 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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