Meghan's Choice Review and Giveaway!

An unusual ultimatum. A young woman’s bold journey. Two handsome men. An amazing God. That’s Meghan’s Choice.
Meghan Gallagher complies with her father's demand that she work on her own for a year by choosing to tutor eight children in a wild Kansas railroad town. But she had no idea just how wild it was until she was hit by a stray bullet and rescued by a local dance hall girl.
In short order, she meets a dark, handsome cowboy and a wholesome, attractive doctor who both vie for her heart. As things heat up around town, Meghan's love life catches fire as well. Is she scandalous to allow both men to court her at the same time? And—how close a relationship with God does Meghan want? Will she draw near?
Meghan’s Choice was named a semi-finalist in the 2014 Operation First Novel by Jerry B. Jenkins and an honorable mention for the Golden Leaf Award in 2015.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this unique story of love and strength set in the wild west in the late 1800's! Meghan is looking for her place in a world that is turned upside down when she choses to teach children in the Kansas prairie. I didn't always care for her, with stringing along two beaus, but the book was still a fun story to read with a lot going on. I like how Meghan grows as a character throughout the story, and enjoyed how the story gives readers a taste of the time period.
I received this book from Celebrate Lit. This is my honest review and is in no way influenced by receiving a complimentary copy.

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About the Author:
Donna L.H. Smith is a Kansas prairie girl transplanted to Lancaster County, PA. She is a graduate of Christian Writer’s Guild Craftsman program and holds two college degrees, both B.S. and M.A. in Mass Communication. She’s been married to a wonderful man named Kirby for thirty years. Her debut novel, Meghan’s Choice, made the finals of both the Selah and Will Rogers Medallion Awards. Rose’s Redemption, the sequel, was just released. She blogs, speaks at workshops and retreats and although she is at an age where many begin slowing down, she wouldn’t think of it. Recently, she took on the role of Managing Editor of Almost an Author.com, and serves as ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) Mid-Atlantic Zone Director. She is also a member of AWSA’s Protégé program (Advanced Writers & Speaker’s Association).

More from Donna
Back in 2012, I wrote “Zorro” stories for Fan Fiction. I had an awful lot of fun with them, and people seemed to really like them. So, the thought came, what could I write for ‘real?’ I contemplated, prayed, and after a couple weeks or so, an idea came floating across my brain.
“Gunfight at Hyde Park.” Huh? I thought about it, and realized it was an obscure history lesson from my hometown in Kansas. I had Google it to get the details. I thought, well, I’m not gonna write a Christian romance novel just about a series of gunfights that killed and wounded more people than the OK Corral.
But I did think that the beginning of the gunfights could be the climax of the story.
Now, who should my heroine be? And the hero?
I started with that and took Christian Writer’s Guild’s Craftsman and the novel was completed in 2013—but only published in late 2017.
I’m proud of Meghan’s Choice. Pre-published it made the semi-finals of the last Operation 1st Novel that CWG held and placed in a couple of smaller contests. Last year, it made the finals of the prestigious Selah Awards for published books through the BRMCWC, and the finals of the Will Rogers Medallion Award.
My hope is that you’ll enjoy reading it as much as I loved writing it.

For a complete list of blog stops, go here!

Giveaway!
To celebrate her tour, Donna is giving away the grand prize of a copy of her book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link here to enter.

The Enlightenment of Bees

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Enlightenment of Bees by Rachel Linden, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

 

Title: The Enlightenment of Bees 

Author: Rachel Linden
 

Publisher: Thomas Nelson 

Release Date: July 9, 2019
 

Genre: Women's Fiction

Sometimes a shattered dream leads to an amazing journey.



At twenty-six, apprentice baker Mia West has her entire life planned out: a Craftsman cottage in Seattle, a job baking at The Butter Emporium, and her first love—her boyfriend, Ethan—by her side. But when Ethan declares he “needs some space,” Mia’s carefully planned future crumbles.



Feeling adrift, Mia joins her vivacious housemate Rosie on a humanitarian trip around the world funded by a reclusive billionaire. Along with a famous grunge rock star, a Rwandan immigrant, and an unsettlingly attractive Hawaiian urban farmer named Kai, Mia and Rosie embark on the adventure of a lifetime.



From the slums of Mumbai to a Hungarian border camp during the refugee crisis, Mia’s heart is challenged and changed in astonishing ways—ways she never could have imagined. As she grapples with how to make a difference in a complicated world, Mia realizes she must choose between the life she thought she wanted and the life unfolding before her.



In a romantic adventure across the globe, The Enlightenment of Bees beautifully explores what it means to find the sweet spot in life where our greatest passions meet the world’s greatest need.


My thoughts: Over all, I really enjoyed this story! I wasn't so sure at first, with how things start out when Mia goes to train before going out on the field, since working with a reclusive billionaire is pretty fanciful. I thought Rachel did a fantastic job with the story and showing how much aid workers sacrifice when they go out to help in difficult situations, and how messy those situations can be. I could appreciate Mia's personal journey as she works through her responses to the different situations and loved how she grows as a character. This is a thought provoking piece of fiction that kept me up reading! (I devoured it pretty fast!) I recommend picking it up.
I received this book from Just Read. This is my honest review and is in no way influenced by receiving a complimentary copy.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Christianbook

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Rachel Linden is a novelist and international aid worker whose adventures in over fifty countries around the world provide excellent grist for her writing. She is the author of Ascension of Larks, Becoming the Talbot Sisters, and The Enlightenment of Bees. Currently, Rachel lives with her family in Seattle, Washington, where she enjoys creating stories about hope, courage, and connection with a hint of romance and a touch of whimsy.



CONNECT WITH RACHEL: Website | Facebook | Instagram

 

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

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Cross My Heart

Can two broken paths lead toward God’s redemption?
When Ashley Showalter and Ben Henning meet on Ashley’s horse rescue farm, they quickly discover how much they have in common. Both were raised by single moms. Both want to help where they see a need. And both work with horses in the Boise valley. Ben needs Ashley’s help and expertise after starting an equine therapy barn on his great-great-grandfather’s farm—and the more time they spend together, both Ashley and Ben have the feeling that there could be something more between them.
They also carry the burden of past experiences that may drive them apart if the truth is ever revealed. Ben is a recovering alcoholic with five years of sobriety behind him, while Ashley’s brother is an opioid addict residing in court-ordered rehab. Holding fast to the belief that addicts can never be cured, Ashley has promised herself she will never walk knowingly into the chaos created by addiction. Ben knows that with God, all things are possible—but will Ashley find it within herself to give love a chance? Or will her brother’s mistakes and the pain of her past jeopardize her future with Ben?
Cross My Heart threads together a contemporary love story with the heartwarming tale of Ben’s great-great-grandfather, Andrew Henning—reminding us that God’s Word is timeless and that His promises are new every morning.

My thoughts: Another beautiful story by Robin Lee Hatcher! I enjoyed the characters, and really like how the book was set up with the modern day story and the telling of Ben's great-great-grandfather's story. Showing how the past and present collide makes for a delightful read!
Robin deals with some tough subjects with this story, with both Ben having overcome his addiction and Ashley's brother being in the middle of his. The story is well written and drew me in from the get go! I highly recommend this story.
I received this book from Celebrate Lit. This is my honest review and is in no way influenced by receiving a complimentary copy.

About the Author:
Robin Lee Hatcher is the author of over 75 novels and novellas with over five million copies of her books in print. She is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. Robin is an ACFW Carol Award winner and an eight-time finalist and has won two RITA Awards and been a finalist eleven times. Her numerous other awards include the Christy Award, the HOLT Medallion, the National Reader’s Choice Award, and the Faith, Hope & Love Reader’s Choice Award. She is also the recipient of prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards from both American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. When not writing, she enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, Bible art journaling, reading books that make her cry, watching romantic movies, and decorative planning. A mother and grandmother, Robin and her husband make their home on the outskirts of Boise, sharing it with a demanding Papillon dog and a persnickety tuxedo cat.
For more information, visit robinleehatcher.com; Facebook: robinleehatcher; or Twitter: @robinleehatcher.

More from Robin
MY WRITING DESK
ROBIN LEE HATCHER
I have a wonderful home office with a large screen iMac and the perfect place to keep important papers and reminders right in front of me for easy access. There is also a bed for my dog, Boo, because no office is complete without a bed to welcome the dog. Right?
I also do a lot of writing while seated in a big easy chair in the living room. It all depends upon my mood and how many reference books I might need at the time.
My office usually looks neat when I begin a book. By the time I’m writing the end, the room has become a disaster—stacks of papers demanding my attention and a layer of dust are the most obvious issues.
My office also serves as my art studio (where I do decorative planning and Bible art journaling), so every inch that isn’t taken up by writing related items is filled with art related ones—paints, washi tape, stickers, pens galore, etc.
An early riser naturally, I consider sleeping in to be anything after 6 AM. On a normal writing day, I try to get in half an hour on the treadmill first thing in the morning (and often return to it for ten minutes segments a couple other times during the day). Then I sit at my desk or in my easy chair to do my Bible study. And finally I begin writing.
I can usually create new words for about four hours or so a day. The rest of the work day is filled with editing, revising, research, and correspondence with publisher, agent, readers, and other writers. I have an active online presence which needs attention daily, as well.
I am also a late-in-life part time college student, taking my classes online, so at least a couple of days a week, you’ll find me doing assignments and taking quizzes. For some reason, I rarely use my office for that. The kitchen table seems to suit me better. Probably because it is a large table and I can really spread out.
I feel very blessed to be able to work at home. I had a full time job when I wrote my first book. In fact, I wrote nine novels over the course of nine years while still working full time. The month my ninth book released, I quit my job in order to write full time. Seventy books and almost 28 years later, I’m still at it. As I said, I am blessed.

For a complete list of blog stops, go here.

Giveaway!
Robin is giving away a grand prize of her story! Go here to enter!

Talk the Walk

This attitude-altering book invites Christians to cultivate boldness and humility in communicating gospel truth. By uncovering self-righteousness and spiritual arrogance, Talk the Walk by pastor and author Steve Brown shatters stereotypes and helps believers consider how they present the good news without watering it down. The Christian faith is true, and while we may be right on issues of salvation and theology, we may miss the less articulated truths of humility, love, and forgiveness. We live in a culture that is increasingly hostile to Christians and their faith. Talk the Walk unpacks the call to go out into the world and share faith by being truthful and winsome. By helping men and women love others out of a deeper love in Christ the one who first loved us Talk the Walk helps Christians present the gospel clearly and with compassion. Take a step back and look at others perceptions. Explore the tools necessary to accomplish an attitude change of confidence and humility, repentance and truth. Share the message of Christ without distorting it. Speak confidently without being cold. By operating out of humble gratitude for the gospel, begin to talk the walk of Christian faith, reflecting the love and truth of Jesus.

My thoughts: I always wonder how books like this are going to go, since I feel like their is a fine line between standing up for what is right without being self righteous and insufferable about it. I felt like this book, over all, does a great job showing us how that can be done. I really appreciate how he summed the whole book up in the final chapter (though it's worth it to read through the book to get there!). This is an excellent book about witnessing for Jesus without being in peoples faces.
I receive this book from New Growth Press. This is my honest review and is in no way influenced by receiving a complimentary copy.

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The Most Important Stories of the Bible

Most of us are familiar with the exciting adventures of David and Goliath, Noah, or Daniel in the lions' den, but we don't always understand how they fit together. We lack context, and so we sometimes miss the point.

The Most Important Stories of the Bible will give you a working knowledge of the key events in Scripture and how they flow into one big story. The book's 75 stories are compact, easy to read, and enjoyable. Each chapter includes a brief introduction that gives historical context to help you grasp the overall narrative of the Bible, and concludes with an explanation of why that story matters in our lives.

There's a reason most of the Bible is made up of stories. They speak to us in a deep way, helping us internalize God's message. And in the end, understanding the stories of God's Word will help us connect more closely to Jesus, the greatest storyteller of all.

My thoughts: This book kind of surprised me, since it was set up more like a devotional than with actual lengthy chapters, like I was expecting. I like that each short chapter tells the story, some of the background, and then the message that the story conveys. Since the chapters are short, the book has a lot in such a small book, which is excellent for busy readers. I liked how it was set up and the way the messages made me think more about stories I have heard my whole life. This is a wonderful book to pick up!
I received this book from Bethany House. This is my honest review and is in no way influenced by receiving a complimentary copy.

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Here I Am

Constant noise and distraction clamor for our attention and make it difficult to distinguish God's voice from the voices surrounding us--both internal and external. We can be immobilized by fear of failure and our own insecurities, leaving us uncertain that it is God's voice we hear.

A fresh voice for a new generation, Brittany Rust teaches believers how to discern the voice of God and live out the plans God has for them by
· silencing the other voices so it's God's voice that prevails
· tuning out the world and tuning in to the voice of God
· gaining the confidence to step out in faith

It's time for us to separate the loud, external distractions from the quiet whisper of our beautiful God, who promises us that when we call his name, he is ready to respond.

My thoughts: I love how this book really dives into the scriptures and what it meant for various people throughout the Bible who answered the call of God by saying "Here I am". Not only does it cover a variety of Biblical heroes, but it also shows how their response can be applied and reflected in our own lives. This is an excellent book about the Scriptures that also has a wonderful way of applying it to our lives. This is an excellent book.
I receive this book from Bethany House. This is my honest review and is in no way influenced by receiving a complimentary copy.

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A Return of Devotion

Daphne Blakemoor was perfectly happy living in her own secluded world for twelve years. She had everything she needed--loved ones, a true home, and time to indulge her imagination. But when ownership of the estate where she works as a housekeeper passes on, and the new marquis has an undeniable connection to her past, everything she's come to rely upon is threatened.

William, Marquis of Chemsford's main goal in life is to be the exact opposite of his father. Starting a new life in the peace and quiet of the country sounds perfect until his housekeeper turns his life upside down.

They've spent their lives hiding from the past. Can they find the courage to face their deepest wounds and, perhaps, find a new path for the future together?

My thoughts: I loved this story! It took me a while to get into it, since it lacked some of the pizazz of the other books I have read by Kristi Ann Hunter, but I think that is partially due to Daphne and the kind of character she is in comparison to the other heroines. Don't get me wrong, she is a wonderful lead, but she is quiet and happy with her life to continue as it is, so it suits her that the book doesn't start off with a bang. I did get into the story and enjoyed how it played out. Daphne blossoms in unexpected ways when she is forced to act as the housekeeper she has claimed to be. Things go horribly awry when William moves into the house and she feels she must keep the secrets of Haven Manor from him. I love that this story has a deeper message that will resonate with a lot of mothers. This is a wonderful story to pick up! I look forward to finally reading Jess' story next!
I received this book from Bethany House. This is my honest review and is in no way influenced by receiving a complimentary copy.

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