Maid at Christmas

 

Maid in Manhattan meets Safe Haven in this Hallmark Christmas-style series starter, Maid at Christmas, featuring sweet romance and a cozy holiday atmosphere with just a touch of tension.

She wants a fresh start. He's looking for purpose. Can Christmas at the Lockwood Lodge show them the future is brighter than the past?

When Sonora Jackson searches for a way out of New Orleans—and away from her ex-fiancé—she ends up exchanging beignets for a broom when she accepts a position in housekeeping at the Lockwood Lodge. The picturesque mountains of Vermont, and the luxury of the lodge at Christmastime, is exactly what she needs, but she didn’t bargain for the handsome, bookish man she meets there.

Graham Hastings needs a vacation more than he needs the worry over selling his company, but the two come hand in hand as he arrives in Vermont for an exclusive retreat for others just like him: billionaires. Focused on relaxing and recovering from yet another failed relationship, he’s not ready for the near-instant attraction he feels for Sonora. At least she’s like him—rich—and not likely to date him for his money.

Set against a snow-drenched backdrop of Vermont mountains and the quaint small town of Middlebrook with its own set of quirky characters, love blooms even as the truth separates. Can Sonora admit her status as a low-income maid and explain why she lied? Will Graham see past her profession to the heart of her feelings for him? And will he be able to keep her safe when her past comes calling?

Maid at Christmas is the first book in the Lockwood Lodge sweet romance series. This small town holiday romance features tropes like billionaire romance, age gap, and he falls first. There is a slight suspense thread included in this book, but it does not overshadow the cozy Christmas setting or aspect of sweet romance.

My thoughts: This story is a fun, Christmasy read to pick up and enjoy when you are in need of a little holiday magic. I enjoyed getting to know Sonora and Graham as they got to know one another. Both of them have just come out of relationships that left a bad taste in their mouths, leaving them questioning if the other is hiding similar faults to their exes. 

I enjoyed this sweet, holiday themed romance and the misunderstandings that come about as Sonora and Graham get to know one another. The lodge backdrop is perfect, and I look forward to reading the next book in this series. This is a delightful, Winter read to pick up and enjoy!

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

Purchase a copy here! This post contains affiliate links.

Paws-itive Inspirations:90 Devotions for Kids and Dog Lovers

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Paws-itive Inspirations: 90 Devotions for Kids and Dog Lovers by Michelle Medlock Adams & Wendy Hinote Lanier, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

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Title: Paws-itive Inspirations: 90 Devotions for Kids and Dog Lovers
Authors: Michelle Medlock Adams, Wendy Hinote Lanier
Publisher: Iron Stream Media
Release Date: September 17, 2024
Genre: Juvenile Christian Non-Fiction/Devotional

Can Dogs Really Teach Us More About God? 

Award-winning authors Michelle Medlock Adams and Wendy Hinote Lanier say yes! That’s why they’ve teamed up to offer Paws-itive Inspirations—a great way to help dog lovers connect with God and learn more about their favorite breeds.  

Paws-itive Inspirations will have kids and adults alike digging up treasures about their favorite pups, as well as discovering new breeds and learning important biblical truths in every devotion. Each Fido-themed entry encourages readers to dig deeper into God’s Word as they uncover fascinating facts about our canine friends. The 90 devotions cover different dog breeds and include: 

Unleashing the Truth (key Bible verses)
Digging Deeper (self-reflection questions)
Fido 411 (interesting tidbits about the breed)
Weekly Tail-Waggers (activities to reinforce each lesson)  

Paws-itive Inspirations blends faith, fun, and canine facts to give readers a deeper understanding of God’s Word. The interactive format makes for a meaningful and memorable faith journey!  

My thoughts: My kids and I have enjoyed this unique devotion! I love how the authors have the breeds of dogs in alphabetic order, going through some of the facts and characteristics of the different breeds and likening that to a spiritual lesson, whether it's about the breed that is hard to train or the one whose name causes it to be mistaken for another breed. Filled with pictures and thought provoking passages, this devotional is an excellent addition to the dog lover's library!

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

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

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About the Authors

 

Michelle Medlock Adams is an award-winning author of over 100 books with close to four million books sold, including her best-selling What Is . . .? board book series. Michelle has written countless articles, helped pen a New York Times bestseller, hosted TBN’s Joy in Our Town TV program, and taught at more than one hundred writers conferences. Michelle is married to her high-school sweetheart, Jeff. They have two married daughters, two grandsons, and two granddaughters.

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

Wendy Hinote Lanier is a Texan, dog lover, and only child who always wanted a puppy rather than a brother or sister. She is a former elementary teacher who writes and speaks for children and adults on a variety of topics and is an award-winning author of more than 50 books for children.

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

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a print copy of Paws-itive Inspirations and a $25 Visa gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 17, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 24, 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/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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A Thieving at Carlton House

 

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for A Thieving at Carlton House by Erica Vetsch hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: A Thieving at Carlton House 

Series: Of Cloaks & Daggers #1 

Author: Erica Vetsch 

Publisher: Kregel Publications 

Release Date: Kregel Publications 

Genre: Regency Mystery Romance

Unlikely alliances form when a killer is on the loose... but who can be trusted?

The Home Office has asked Sir Bertrand Thorndike to head an investigation into stolen royal jewels. And as with everything concerning the Prince Regent, discretion is paramount. 

It's the perfect chance for Bertie to step out of his brother's long shadow. Unfortunately, his superior, The Duke of Haverly, has a plan that makes him balk: in order to sell his cover, Bertie must play the part of a man looking for love, ready to reform his rakish ways. The duke is willing to let Bertie name his own investigative team, but his recommendation that the team include 

Philippa Cashel has Bertie on his guard. Does the duke--known for his behind-the-scenes machinations--have an ulterior motive? Philippa Cashel escaped her life as one of society's best-known courtesans, devoting her life to helping other women in dire straits. So when Sir Bertrand Thorndike approaches her about joining his team as an agent of the Crown, she is skeptical. Why her? She's focused on getting her school for underprivileged women up and running, not in cloak-and-dagger skullduggery. Her hope is that if she labors hard enough at her charity work, she might begin to feel worthy of God's forgiveness of her past. 

When one of Philippa's rescued girls is arrested for stealing the royal jewels and another is murdered, Philippa will risk partnering with Bertie to find the loot and stop the killer. 

Two brilliant minds--with two wary hearts--and one cunning deceiver are on a collision course in Regency England. 

Beloved Regency author Erica Vetsch begins this new series with all the elements that keep her readers coming back. From historical accuracy to rousing mystery to deep character faith journeys, A Thieving at Carlton House will please Regency lovers--and anyone else who loves a great story.

My thoughts: I have enjoyed most, if not all of Erica Vetsch's stories, so I was thrilled to see that she has a new series out and to get my hands on an early copy. I love how the stories overlap, so we have the chance to catch up a bit with the characters from previous books. That said, she does a good job of including a list of the characters from previous series in the front of this book, so readers can read this one as a stand alone series. 

I loved the themes of this mystery! Bertie has been content to life in the shadow of his older brother and continue working for the crown in the same way he has for years. When he has the chance to lead his own missions, it starts to pull him out of his comfort zone. 

Philippa's life has totally changed since we first met her, giving her a chance to start a ministry to help other women in similar situations. As she starts her ministry in earnest, it is met with challenges at every turn. 
The mystery is interesting, though I would have loved to have a bit more twists to it. I also found the historical aspects of the story fascinating, learning some new things about the Regency time period. 
This is a wonderful start to the series! I look forward to reading the next book and getting to know Philippa and Bertie more! 
I received this book from Just Read. This is my honest review.

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

Also Available:

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About the Author

Erica Vetsch is a New York Times best-selling author and ACFW Carol Award winner, and has been a Romantic Times top pick for her previous books. She loves Jesus, history, romance, and watching sports. This transplanted Kansan now makes her home in Rochester, Minnesota.

Connect with Erica by visiting ericavetsch.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 A Thieving at Carlton House 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 September 16, 2024 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on September 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. International prize ebook and egift card. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

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Mossycoat

 

Troll Princess Horra Fyd may have succeeded in getting the druid seed to the magical Weald forest in time to sprout, but she’s finding that getting her kingdom back in order is not as easy as she hoped. Oddar’s subjects are rebelling and trolls are mysteriously disappearing without a trace. Horra and her father King Divitri are at a loss on what’s happening, but they know who’s behind it all.

When Horra’s summoned back to the Weald to meet Rowan, the new druid warrior, she finds the woodgoblin a know-it-all stick in the mud. Rowan’s not impressed with the troll princess, either. However, after a suspicious magical fire destroys the Weald, they’re forced to rely on each other to venture out in a kingdom that’s becoming more dangerous by the day.

Will Horra and Rowan be able to set their differences aside to become a strong team? Or will they fall into the Erlking’s traps, stopping their mission before it even gets started?

My thoughts: I enjoy the first book in this series and was looking forward to seeing where this one would take the characters! I highly recommend starting with the first book before diving into this one, since a fair bit of world building was done in the first book. But, I digress.

Troll Princess Horra has succeeded in her quest, but must set out on an adventure to figure out what is going on with the trolls going missing and why some of their subjects are rebelling. 

I enjoyed returning to the world and watching the characters develop over the course of the story! I love fantasy style books, especially ones that I can share with my daughter. I can't wait to see where book 3 takes the story! 

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

Purchase a copy here! This post contains affiliate links.

Art of Writing Conference Blog Blitz

 

Welcome to the Takeover Blitz for The Art of Writing 2024, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Conference

The Art of Writing conference will be held on November 14 in Chicago at the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel & Conference Center, Chicago/Downers Grove. The focused four-session conference will bring together writers, storytellers, and publishing curators for training and connection. Hear from Christian publishers, agents, authors, and thought leaders on the Art of Writing for today’s market.

Session One: The Balance of the Art of Writing and the Business of Publishing

A panel of Christian fiction publishers and agents discuss market changes and current trends and address your most important questions with Tyndale Fiction publisher Karen Watson and agents Danielle Egan-Miller and Cynthia Ruchti.

Session Two: Processing Pain through Writing and Reading Christian Fiction

In a special LIVE Moody Radio conversation, author and host Chris Fabry will lead a discussion of how pain helps writers process their lives and can help readers do the same with therapists turned authors Amanda Cox and Kelly Flanagan 

Session Three: Authors as Marketers: How to Build a Thriving Ecosystem

   

Join Andrea Garcia, senior marketing manager at Tyndale House Publishers, as she helps you navigate how to be an author-marketer, explains how your author channels can work together, and assures you that you can have fun spreading the word about your books. 

Session Four: What Is Christian Fiction? Writing for a Broader Audience 

As the retail landscape continues to evolve, has the audience for Christian fiction shrunk or broadened? Does that or should that change the way you write your novels? How much should you write with your audience in mind versus letting your creativity lead and find its own audience? A panelist of authors will cover these questions and more!

Learn More about The Art of Writing 2024

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The Christy Award Finalists Reveal

Christian fiction fans are invited to register and watch the free webcast announcement of The Christy Award finalists in nine categories live on September 12 at 11 a.m. CST, featuring Christy Hall of Fame author Chris Fabry and ECPA president Jeff Crosby.

“With each passing year I am more aware of the power that stories have to communicate goodness, truth, beauty and hope in our world,” states ECPA president Jeff Crosby. “And because of that, I am honored to be associated with the annual Christy Gala which honors excellence in Christian fiction and the Art of Writing conference that nurtures the work of writers of faith and contributes tools as they refine their craft.” The Christy Award® is a program of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) and is the foremost award honoring and promoting excellence in Christian fiction since 1999. For more information about ECPA, visit ECPA.org. For more information about the Christy Awards and Art of Writing conferences, visit ChristyAwards.com or email TheChristyAward@ecpa.org

Register Now for The Art of Writing & The Christy Award events

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive their choice of The Art of Writing registration OR print copies of The Christy Award finalist titles for one category!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 6, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 13, 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!

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!