Texas Holiday Hideout

 

When her identity’s exposed,

hiding on a lawman’s family ranch is her last hope.

After her mother is killed, Melissa Morgan’s shocked to learn she’s spent her life in witness protection. Now it’s US marshal Miles Avery’s job to keep her and her little boy safe. And with a mole in his agency, the only way to evade the killer is to hide Melissa on Miles’s family ranch…and pretend she’s his wife for the holidays.

My thoughts: What would happen if you found out everything about the life you knew was a lie? When Melissa loses her mother to murder, she discovers that all is not as it seems and that they were in witness protection after her mother testified against a mob boss when she was little. Suddenly, she and her young son are on the run from the same people who killed her mom. You would think that this book would wrap up nicely there, but instead, there are many twists and turns before the final page. This is an excellent story to pick up, especially if you like mysteries! 

I received this book from Celebrate Lit. This is my honest review.

Purchase a copy here! This post contains affiliate links.

About the Author

Virginia Vaughan is a multi-published author of inspirational romantic suspense. Blessed to come from a large, southern family, her fondest memories include listening to stories recounted by family and friends around the large dinner table. She was a lover of books even from a young age, devouring gothic romance novels and stories of romance, danger, and love. She soon started writing them herself. A former investigator for the State of Mississippi, Virginia utilizes her criminal justice background with her love of writing to transform words into powerful stories of romance and danger.

 

More from Virginia

What if one day you discovered you were in the Witness Protection Program and didn’t know it?

This is the premise for my October book, TEXAS HOLIDAY HIDEOUT, which releases this month. My heroine, Melissa Morgan, learns she and her mother entered the program when Melissa was a child. Her mother never told her and, when Melissa witnesses her mother being murdered, she becomes the assassin’s next target. US Marshal Miles Avery steps in to protect the single mom and her son from a killer, but a leak in WITSEC leaves him with little options except to take his witnesses to his family’s ranch…and pretend she’s his wife for the holidays.

So, in celebration of TEXAS HOLIDAY HIDEOUT releasing this month, here are 10 things about the Witness Protection Security Program (or WITSEC) I learned during my research for this book.

1. The program is voluntary. No one can be forced to enter.
2. You can leave the program at any time—although it is not recommended.
3. No person in the program, who follows the rules, has ever been killed.
4. People entering WITSEC sometimes keep their same first name and/or initials so that if they mess up and start to sign their name, they have time to correct.
5. Since WITSEC is a federal program, many states have their own programs to protect witnesses of gang or street-level crimes.
6. If you get married while in WITSEC, you must lie to your new spouse to protect your true identity in the event the relationship doesn’t last.
7. Protected witnesses are mostly criminals. Only about 5% are innocents despite the popular trope in movies and fiction.
8. Local law enforcement may or may not be notified when a protected witness is relocated to their jurisdiction.
9. Divorced, non-custodial parents have had their children hidden from them and now must agree to allow their children to enter the program.
10. WITSEC protected witnesses are expected to eventually become self-sufficient. They do not get to live off the government for the rest of their lives.

Did any of these facts about WITSEC surprise you? I’d love to hear which ones. I had a lot of fun researching WITSEC for TEXAS HOLIDAY HIDEOUT. I hope you enjoy Miles and Melissa’s story! Look out for the next book in the series—middle brother Navy SEAL Paul Avery’s story—coming in TEXAS TARGET STANDOFF in March of 2021.

Blog Stops

Through the Fire Blogs, October 8

Genesis 5020, October 8

Hallie Reads, October 8

Artistic Nobody, October 8 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Through the Lens of Scripture, October 9

Texas Book-aholic, October 9

reviewingbooksplusmore, October 9

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 10

deb’s Book Review, October 10

The Cafe Scholar, October 10

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 11

KarenSueHadley, October 11

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 11

Older & Smarter?, October 12

Inklings and notions, October 12

Simple Harvest Reads, October 12 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

She Lives To Read, October 13

Hebrews 12 Endurance, October 13

For Him and My Family, October 13

Betti Mace, October 14

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 14

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 14

Ashley’s Bookshelf, October 15

lakesidelivingsite, October 15

Lighthouse Academy, October 15

To Everything There Is A Season, October 15

Sara Jane Jacobs, October 16

Blogging With Carol, October 16

Book Love, October 16 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 17

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 17

Batya’s Bits, October 17

Emily Yager, October 18

Labor Not in Vain, October 18

HookMeInABook, October 18

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 19

Mary Hake, October 19

Daysong Reflections, October 19

For the Love of Literature, October 20

Bigreadersite, October 20

EmpowerMoms, October 20

Blossoms and Blessings, October 21

Splashes of Joy, October 21

Pause for Tales, October 21

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Virginia is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of Texas Holiday Hideout!!

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/101f3/texas-holiday-hideout-celebration-tour-giveaway

Legend of the Storm Sneezer

 

Legend Seeker. Part-time Ghost Hunter. Time Traveler.

Thirteen-year-old Rose Skylar sneezed a magical storm cloud at birth, and it’s followed her around ever since. But when “Stormy” causes one too many public disasters, Rose is taken to Heartstone, an asylum for unstable magic. Its location? The heart of a haunted forest whose trees have mysteriously turned to stone.

They say the ghosts are bound to the woods … then why does Rose see them drifting outside the windows at night? And why is there a graveyard on the grounds filled with empty graves? Guided by her future selves via time traveling letters, Rose and Marek—best friend and potential figment of her imagination—must solve the mystery of the specters and the stone trees before the ghosts unleash a legendary enemy that will make their own spooks look like a couple of holey bed sheets and destroy Heartstone Asylum.

Letters from the future are piling up. Rose can’t save Heartstone herself. However, five of herselves, a magical storm cloud, and a guardian angel who might very well be imaginary? Now that’s a silver lining.

But will they find what killed the ghosts before what killed the ghosts finds them?

My thoughts: This book is absolutely delightful! I enjoyed getting to know Rose as a character, as she goes on her adventures. She and Marek are well written characters and the story just draws you in from the get go. The author does an excellent job of writing a story that, while Middle school level, was hard for this adult to put down! I look forward to reading more by this talented author!

I received this book from Celebrate Lit. This is my honest review.

Purchase a copy here! This post contains affiliate links.

About the Author

As an author, Kristiana Sfirlea knows what it means to get in character. She spent five years volunteering as a historical reenactor and trying her best not to catch her skirts on fire as a colonial girl from the 1700s (leading cause of death at the time next to childbirth). Working at a haunted house attraction, she played a jumping werewolf statue, a goblin in a two-way mirror, and a wall-scratcher—so if she’s standing very still, growling, checking her reflection, or filing her nails on your wall, be alarmed. Those are hard habits to break.

Kristiana’s speculative flash fiction has been published by Havok, and her debut novel Legend of the Storm Sneezer is a whimsical Middle Grade fantasy involving time travel and things that go bump in the night. She dreams of the day she can run her own mobile bookstore. Or haunted house attraction. Or both. Look out, world—here comes a haunted bookmobile! (And this is precisely why writers should never become Uber drivers.) She loves Jesus, her family, and imaginary life with her characters.

 

More from Kristiana

Should kids enjoy spooky things?

 

It’s the question on many Christian parents’ minds this time of year. Should my kid see that movie, wear that costume, celebrate that holiday? From tots to teens, most kiddos have an undeniable fascination with Halloween. But should this be encouraged—or cut down quicker than the first victim of a horror flick?

 

Let me tell you a story. (Don’t worry, it’s not too scary.) Once upon a time, there was a young girl with a monster that followed her wherever she went. It bit at her constantly, venom flooding her veins with anxiety, teeth gnawing her courage to worried nubs. But her monster wasn’t really a monster—it was a debilitating health condition that took the girl’s entire childhood to diagnose.

 

For years, her fears and pain and panic seemed like her only friends. But then one day, the girl discovered a book series unlike anything she’d ever read before. (And believe me, she’d read a lot.) It was filled with magic and monsters and chilling, thrilling adventures. The heroes faced so many scary things—and putting herself in their shoes, the girl had never felt so understood. Finally, she had friends to take with her to the endless doctor appointments, and somehow holding those books in her hands made her braver.

 

But in the end—for there is always an end to such things—those books failed her.

 

They failed her because they didn’t point her to the only true source of bravery: Jesus.

 

And so, with this in mind, the girl grew up to write a book called Legend of the Storm Sneezer, a story about ghosts and time travel and the true meaning of sacrificial love.

 

Should kids enjoy spooky things? Maybe. Should kids enjoy spooky things that show them how the power of God’s love frightens any monster—or monster-sized problem? Absolutely.

Blog Stops

Rebecca Tews, October 2

Blogging With Carol, October 3

Through the Fire Blogs, October 4

Vicky Sluiter, October 5 (Author Interview)

The Book Chic Blog, October 5

Texas Book-aholic, October 6

For Him and My Family, October 7

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, October 8

Wishful Endings, October 9 (Author Interview)

deb’s Book Review, October 9

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 10

Inklings and notions, October 11

Artistic Nobody, October 12 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Sara Jane Jacobs, October 12

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 13

Ashley’s Bookshelf, October 14

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 15

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kristiana is giving away the grand prize package of a signed copy of the book, mini red umbrella, two mini storm-scented candles, a storm sneezer tissue packet, and a button!!

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/10197/legend-of-the-storm-sneezer-celebration-tour-giveaway

Marry Me for real, Cowboy

 

Adam Cavanagh’s rodeo championship tastes like dirt after a competitor’s critical injury, but going home to his family’s Montana ranch isn’t much of an improvement. If not even the coveted trophy earns his stepfather’s respect, what will it take?

Riley Dunning’s quick thinking is all that’s keeping her body, soul, and principles together, but demanding a kiss from a hunky cowboy to deter the weirdo following her might be taking things too far… especially when the cowboy comes up with a risky plan that might offer them both stability. If it doesn’t backfire completely.

Will a fake engagement give Adam and Riley the leg up they each need, or will the cost to their hearts be too high? Because neither believes the other will want to marry them… for real.

My thoughts: This was a fun story of a whirlwind of a fake marriage. This book introduces some delightful characters! I enjoyed the main characters and going back to the ranch with the couple. This is a fun start to this new series! I look forward to reading about the other characters and seeing how their romances play out.

I received this book from Celebrate Lit. This is my honest review.

Purchase a copy here! This post contains affiliate links. 

About the Author

Valerie Comer is a USA Today bestselling author and a two-time Word Award winner. She writes engaging characters, strong communities, and deep faith into her green clean romances.

Valerie’s life on a small farm in western Canada provides the seed for stories of contemporary Christian romance. She only hopes her imaginary friends enjoy their happily-ever-afters as much as she does hers, shared with her husband, adult kids, and adorable granddaughters.

 

 

More from Valerie

Oh, cowboys…

 

Four years after I began publishing farm romances, I added my first cowboy romance series to the lineup. “It’s not that different,” I told myself and anyone who would listen. “Ranches are almost the same as farms. A few more horses, a few less random other animals!”

 

Ah, but cowboys are deemed more attractive than farmers! Maybe it’s their uniform. You know, a Stetson. Plaid snap-front shirts under denim jackets. Well-worn jeans. Cowboy boots. That combo looks better on a book cover than the stereotypical farmer in a straw hat, overalls, and rubber boots!

 

Whether focusing on cowboys, farmers, or gardeners, all of my green clean romances feature engaging characters, strong communities, and deep faith. Are the characters perfect Christians? Nope. No more than you and I are. There’s always room to grow.

 

In Marry Me for Real, Cowboy, the first story in my new Cavanagh Cowboys Romance, Adam decides a fiancée is just what he needs to impress his stepfather. Not that Adam wants to get married any time soon, but surely it won’t come to that! But… how long do you think it will take for him to realize that he’s living a lie and not trusting God to handle his future? What will his path be to resolve his lack of faith as well as move forward both in romance and in his relationship with his stepdad? You may have to read Marry Me for Real, Cowboy and find out!

 

— Valerie Comer

Blog Stops

Lighthouse academy, October 6

Fiction Full of Faith, October 6

Texas Book-aholic, October 7

deb’s Book Review, October 7

Sara Jane Jacobs, October 8

Genesis 5020, October 8

For Him and My Family, October 9

The Book Chic Blog, October 9

Inklings and notions, October 10

Joanne Markey, October 10

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 11

Simple Harvest Reads, October 11 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 12

Ashley’s Bookshelf, October 13

Mypreciousbits, October 13

Artistic Nobody, October 14 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Vicky Sluiter, October 14

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 15

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 16

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, October 16

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 17

Blossoms and Blessings, October 17

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 18

Britt Reads Fiction, October 18

Splashes of Joy, October 19

Book Love, October 19 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Valerie is giving away the grand prize package of a complete paperback set of all six books in the Saddle Springs Romance series!!

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/101db/marry-me-for-real-cowboy-celebration-tour-giveaway

Point of Danger

 

Radio talk show host Eve Reilly is used to backlash from her pot-stirring on-air commentary and interviews, but now it seems a disgruntled listener is resorting to more than angry words to express their displeasure. When a suspicious package arrives on her doorstep, Eve turns to law enforcement for help.

Police detective Brent Lange can't find any evidence to link the string of unsettling incidents that follows, but he's convinced they're connected. As the harassment grows more menacing, it becomes clear someone wants Eve's voice silenced--permanently. 

But unless he can track down her foe, fast, the gutsy woman who is willing to take risks for what she believes--and who is swiftly winning his heart--may not survive.

Bestselling author and three-time RITA Award winner Irene Hannon is back with a heart-stopping new series that will have you turning pages well into the night.

My thoughts: Over all, I enjoyed this book! I like that it introduces us to the the Reilly sisters, with Eve being the middle one and kicking off the series. What starts as a ill thought out prank turns to more, as several of Eve's enemies strike. I liked that this book had more going on with the mystery part, since you know that there are several people who are attacking Eve, but there are twists and turns to discovering where all the threats are coming from. I like that Irene includes some current events in her stories. 
The only thing I didn't love was all the focus on the romance. I, apparently, like more action and less romance. That said, it was still an excellent story.

I received this book from Revell. This is my honest review.

Purchase a copy here! This post contains affiliate links.

Truly Known

 

Knowing God—really knowing God—often seems like an impossible endeavor, especially when we hardly know ourselves. Jayne Patton saw that truth firsthand after ministering to women at a maximum-security prison. And soon she realized that women everywhere—even sitting in the church pew next to her—were living in emotional, spiritual, and mental prisons within their own hearts and minds.

Truly Known invites women of all ages and stages to discover the life-altering freedom that God richly provides them, so that they no longer have to live within their own prisons but can be transformed in the presence of Jesus. Readers will be asking “So now what?” as they are empowered to snatch each moment and each day that God gives them to make a difference in the lives of others.

All proceeds from Truly Known will be donated to Samuel’s House, an orphanage in Venezuela that seeks to feed, shelter, educate, and evangelize children, bringing life to their souls.

 My thoughts: This is an excellent devotional that you can go through quickly or take your time to read through and soak in the different subjects. I thought that the variety was good and appreciated the thoughts the author has to share on knowing God. I think the one that spoke the most to be was the one on God qualifying those He calls, since I needed the reminder that He prepares the way when He calls us. The whole book was well done and I look forward to going through it a second time and taking my time.

I received this book from Celebrate Lit. This is my honest review. 

Purchase a copy here! This post contains affiliate links.

About the Author

Jayne Patton loves crossing over denominational divides to bring the gospel to others in a way that is powerful and relevant. With over twenty years in women’s ministry, she has previously served as a women’s ministry director, worked with government officials in the plight of persecuted Christians worldwide, ministered to women behind prison walls, and more. Jayne is a popular speaker at churches, women’s events, and MOPS groups. She and her husband, Mike, have three children. Jayne loves to read in her spare time, can always be bribed with Mexican food, and never turns down a double-stuffed Oreo. Learn more about her at www.alteredministries.com.

 

More from Jayne

Let’s be real, prison ministry was never on my women’s ministry vision board. I didn’t lay in bed as a little girl and dream of going behind bars. I didn’t grow up knowing a single incarcerated person, my modern-day world didn’t include those who had been incarcerated, and I never thought it would be the thing that would change my entire life. Until 2017. In the fall of that year, I was given the opportunity to begin ministering weekly at a maximum security women’s prison in Missouri and remember thinking at the time how much it would bless those inmates if I would teach them the word of God. I couldn’t have gone in with the worst motivation. You see, it was the Lord who was bringing me there to be blessed and taught by them!

 

I soon discovered that Jesus was working hard in the hearts of those women and they were being transformed into Christ’s likeness unlike anything I had ever experienced within the church walls. In fact, I was so dramatically impacted by what I was experiencing, the Lord prompted me to launch a women’s conference style ministry entitled “Altered Ministries”. My ministry team and I began hosting women’s events at local churches sharing the same messages we were bringing to the women in prison. It was remarkable what God began doing! Lives were being restored, addictions were being shed, and relationships were being renewed!

 

As Altered was moving full speed ahead, I began writing short and pointed daily devotionals for those just beginning their walk with Jesus. Those short devotionals are what soon became my devotional book entitled “Truly Known”.  Why that name? Because God is the One who truly knows all the parts of us that we try to hide, and yet still desires that we draw close to Him. I could see His heart for not just the women sitting in church pews often held captive in prisons of their own making, but for the ones that were held behind very real bars. Jesus came to set all of us free.  My prayer is that “Truly Known” serves as daily encouragement that is easy to understand for the beginner and serves as a sweet reminder for the scholar.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 7

Texas Book-aholic, October 8

Inklings and notions, October 9

For Him and My Family, October 10

Rebekah Reads, October 10

deb’s Book Review, October 11

Ashley’s Bookshelf, October 12

Sara Jane Jacobs, October 13

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 14

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 15

Mary Hake, October 15

Artistic Nobody, October 16 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 17

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 18

SodbusterLiving, October 19

Splashes of Joy, October 20

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jayne is giving away the grand prize package of a signed book and $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

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/101f2/truly-known-celebration-tour-giveaway

At Heaven's Edge

 

Veteran EMT Andrea Rodgers has helped hundreds of people in their most vulnerable moments.
Some of the victims faced their mortality head-on and cried out to God for help. Many experienced fleeting but life-changing connections with their first responders. Often these crises became unexpected sources of inspiration.
Now Rodgers shares brief, real-life stories of heroic courage in the face of fear. In times of intense suffering, she has repeatedly witnessed signs of God’s quiet intervention and healing presence.

• A man is resuscitated after Rodgers was able to repair a defibrillator–with her teeth!
• Several bystanders help rescue a young girl who is accidentally buried alive in sand.
• Rodgers also experienced some lighthearted moments, including the time she arrived at the scene of a crime only to find herself in the middle of a mystery dinner theater.

Experience the miracles, the life-and-death drama as you look at life from heaven’s edge.

Featured on the Catholic Corner Television Show, Telecare TV, Domestic Church Media, and Shalom World.

My thoughts: I thought that this collection of stories from a EMT's point of view were fascinating! It was amazing to read about some of the calls that she went out on and the different situations that people found themselves in. There is a mix of stories in here that shows how difficult and rewarding the job can be. Through it all, I appreciated how Ms. Rodgers gives God the glory. 

I received this book from Celebrate Lit. This is my honest review.

Purchase a copy here! This post contains affiliate links.

About the Author

Andrea Jo Rodgers is the author of award-winning Christian middle grade fiction as well as inspirational adult nonfiction novels. She holds a clinical doctorate in physical therapy and specializes in women’s health, orthopedics, and lymphedema. She has served her community as a volunteer emergency medical technician for over thirty years, responding to more than 8,200 first aid and fire calls. She lives on the east coast with her husband, two children, and their two fur babies.

 

More from Andrea

I’ve always loved writing.  In fact, I wrote my first “book” when I was in the first grade.  It was about how my mother and brother rescued an injured baby duckling from our town’s lake, so I suppose writing about rescues has been in my blood from a young age.

Several years back, my son and I were in a terrifying elevator accident that event made me step back and take a close look at my life.  I thought about my relationships with God, my family, and my friends.  I also thought about my goals and my dreams. The accident inspired me to start writing.

I decided  to write about my experiences as a volunteer with my town’s first aid squad.  I hoped that people might be inspired or comforted by my stories.  When I was finished the first draft, I thought that it needed something to pull it all together.  That’s when I decided to explain the source of my inspiration for writing the book by including my own 911 call.

 When I first joined the first aid squad, I was seventeen and was just starting my senior year of high school. I’ve been a volunteer EMT ever since. Over the years, I have served in many offices, including Captain and President. Currently, I’m the Lieutenant, a trustee, and treasurer of our foundation.

During my time with the squad, I have been fortunate to witness some utterly amazing things. At Heaven’s Edge: True Stories of Faith and Rescue  describes inspirational and memorable first aid calls from my early years with the rescue squad, from my school years when I spent summers working as a beach cop through my first years as a physical therapist. Some of the stories in the book are what I would consider to be miracles, some are sad, but faith-filled, and a few humorous. I invite you to join me in experiencing what it is like to serve as a first responder.

Blog Stops

Ashley’s Bookshelf, October 3

Texas Book-aholic, October 4

For Him and My Family, October 5

Stories By Gina, October 6 (Author Interview)

deb’s Book Review, October 6

Inklings and notions, October 7

Sodbusterliving, October 8

For the Love of Literature, October 9

Simple Harvest Reads, October 10 (Author Interview)

Jeanette’s Thoughts, October 10

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 11

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 12

Beauty in the Binding, October 13 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, October 13 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 14

Sara Jane Jacobs, October 15

Spoken from the Heart, October 16

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Andrea is giving away the grand prize package of signed copies of At Heaven’s Edge: True Stories of Faith and Rescue and On Heaven’s Doorstep: God’s Help in Times of Crisis-True Stories from a First Responder as well as a $25 Amazon gift card!!

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/10198/at-heaven-s-edge-celebration-tour-giveaway