Review: More Than Words Can Say

More Than Words Can Say

"After fulfilling a pledge to a dying friend, Zacharias Hamilton is finally free. No family entanglements. No disappointing those around him. Just the quiet bachelor existence he's always craved. Until fate snatches his freedom away when the baker of his favorite breakfast bun is railroaded by the city council. Despite not wanting to get involved, he can't turn a blind eye to her predicament . . . or her adorable dimples.

Abigail Kemp needs a man's name on her bakery's deed. A marriage of convenience seems the best solution . . . if it involves a man she can control. That person definitely isn't the stoic lumberman who oozes silent confidence whenever he enters her shop. Control Zacharias Hamilton? She can't even control her pulse when she's around him.
When vows are spoken, Abigail's troubles should be over. Yet threats to the bakery worsen, and darker dangers hound her sister. Can she put ever more trust in Zach without losing her dreams of independence?"

Author: Karen Witemeyer

Length: 368 pages

Series: A Patchwork Family Novel (book 2)

Is love worth the gamble?

Every female from here to Timbuktu fell in love with Zach Hamilton in "More Than Meets the Eye". The older brother with a checkered past and a tendency to hide his feelings. We all saw what was underneath though, we were just waiting for Karen to bring it all to light in his book. Well ladies...that day has FINALLY come. Zachary Hamilton's story is OUT IN THE WORLD! You all need to go buy it now! It was an A. MAZE. ING. book.

I've had the honor of being apart of Karen's Facebook group called "The Posse" for awhile now. It's fun group where all Karen's fans hang out and chat. A really neat aspect of the group is Karen talks about her works in progress and even asks for help sometimes. So I knew about Zach's story WAY before it even had a cover or a title. I feel like I've been waiting for this book longer than a year. 😅
(PSA: Everyone is welcome to join the group! We LOVE welcoming new Posse members.)

I absolutely adored this book! 😍😍😍 I loved the characters. I loved the troupe. I loved the setting. I loved the chemistry. I loved the message. I loved the family. I LOVED IT ALL!

The author wrote such a well rounded story, I never felt like anything was rushed or incomplete. Each character was perfectly formed and every problem was faced.

I loved Zach! His silent, brooding, gruff self was truly hiding the biggest teddy bear with a massive heart underneath. He just doesn't express it in the same ways everyone else does, but once he considers you family you're locked in forever. He was exactly the kind of guy Abigail was looking for and needed.

Abby was a great character! She was strong, brave, gracious and loving. She had a lot of insecurities because of the way she looked, but throughout the story Zach helps her realize that she is beautiful just the way she is, she is perfect just the way she is. 

Zach and Abby complemented each other so well! Not only did they make each other better, they built each other's relationship with God. They never judged each other, but chose to use each opportunity to learn and grow. 

They both had pasts that they tried to run away from and forget, but they leaned on each other worked through it all. They learned that man will fail you, but God never will.

I LOVED that communication was actually a thing!! I have the hardest time reading and enjoying a book when the main characters don't talk to each other. 
These characters did not have that problem. They never held secrets from each other for very long. They talked everything out and that helped build a foundation for a strong relationship. They knew that if their marriage was going to be a good one they needed to get everything out on the table. 

Lots of healing took place throughout this book, and I enjoyed every minute of watching it happen. 
I'm looking forward to Rosalind's story as well. 
I rated this book a 4.5/5 stars. 

*I received this book from the publisher**I was not required to leave a review**All opinions are my own*


Quotes:

"Choosing a husband was much like choosing a baguette. One looked for a strong outer shell, a tender interior, and most importantly, a tractability of a dough to hold whatever shape the baker deemed appropriate."

Spotlight: The King's Mercy

The King's Mercy

"When captured rebel Scotsman Alex MacKinnon is granted the king's mercy--exile to the Colony of North Carolina--he's indentured to Englishman Edmund Carey as a blacksmith. Against his will Alex is drawn into the struggles of Carey's slaves--and those of his stepdaughter, Joanna Carey. 

A mistress with a servant's heart, Joanna is expected to wed her father's overseer, Phineas Reeves, but finds herself drawn instead to the new blacksmith. As their unlikely relationship deepens, successive tragedies strike the Careys. 

When blame falls unfairly upon Alex he flees to the distant mountains where he encounters Reverend Pauling, itinerate preacher and friend of the Careys, now a prisoner of the Cherokees. 

Haunted by his abandoning of Joanna, Alex tries to settle into life with the Cherokees, until circumstances thwart yet another attempt to forge his freedom and he's faced with the choice that's long hounded him: continue down his rebellious path or embrace the faith of a man like Pauling, whose freedom in Christ no man can steal. But the price of such mercy is total surrender, and perhaps Alex's very life."


“My hope is that [readers are] drawn closer to the Lord through Joanna and Alex’s story,” Benton says, “and that they turn that last page of The King’s Mercy more in love with our merciful Jesus than when they began.” - Lori Benton

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Award-winning author LORI BENTON was raised east of the Appalachian Mountains, surrounded by early American history going back 300 years. Her novels transport readers to the 18th century, where she brings to life the Colonial and early Federal periods of American history. She is the author of Burning Sky, recipient of three Christy Awards; The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn; Christy nominee The Wood's Edge; A Flight of Arrows; and Christy nominee Many Sparrows. When she isn't writing, reading, or researching, she enjoys exploring and photographing the Oregon wilderness with her husband. For more information visit www.loribenton.blogspot.com or www.facebook.com/AuthorLoriBenton.

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PRAISE FOR THE KING'S MERCY

“With heart-pounding realism, The King’s Mercy draws readers into the web of plantation life, where the price of freedom is hammered out at the hero’s forge and in the lives of every compelling character that surrounds him. Lori Benton pens a remarkable story of mercy and grace, the chains that bind us, and the ultimate freedom to be found in Christ.” —LAURA FRANTZ, Christy Award–winning author of The Lacemaker

“The King’s Mercy is a compelling tale of the early frontier, where the wealthy flourish and the poor serve, but sometimes the lines between slavery and freedom are not what you think. Lori Benton is a master at weaving together a beautiful tapestry of cultures and traditions, and her characters will live on in my heart for years to come.” —KAREN BARNETT, award-winning author of Where the Fire Falls and The Road to Paradise

“In this beautifully written novel, Lori Benton sweeps readers back to North Carolina in the 1700s to a slave plantation that’s hosting a terrifying evil. Lori is an expert at capturing time and place, and her dual skills give us a powerful glimpse into the longings of both an indentured servant who craves his freedom and the much-loved daughter of his master. The King’s Mercy is an intriguing, compelling story about God’s mercy and poignant redemption for those who choose to follow Him.” —MELANIE DOBSON, award-winning author of Catching the Wind and Hidden Among the Stars

“Lori Benton is a master storyteller. She breathes life into her characters and historical settings, drawing you in so deep that when the phone rings, you find yourself saying, ‘What be that wee sound?’ Highly recommended!” —KAREN BALL, writer and editor

Review: Sweet on You

Sweet on You

"Britt Bradford and Zander Ford have been the best of friends since they met thirteen years ago. Unbeknown to Britt, Zander has been in love with her for just as long.

Independent and adventurous Britt channels her talent into creating chocolates at her hometown shop. Zander is a bestselling author who's spent the past 18 months traveling the world. He's achieved a great deal but still lacks the only thing that ever truly mattered to him--Britt's heart.

When Zander's uncle dies of mysterious causes, he returns to Merryweather, Washington, to investigate, and Britt is immediately there to help. Although this throws them into close proximity, both understand that an attempt at romance could jeopardize their once-in-a-lifetime friendship. But while Britt is determined to resist any change in their relationship, Zander finds it increasingly difficult to keep his feelings hidden.

As they work together to uncover his uncle's tangled past, will the truth of what lies between them also, finally, come to light?"

Author: Becky Wade

Length: 384 pages

Series: Bradford Sisters Romance (book 3)

"And at last I see the light, and it's like the fog has lifted

The world has somehow shifted, all at once everything looks different
Now that I see you"

Y'all I have been waiting for this book for THREE years! I fell in love with Zander and Britt in book 1. (As did the rest of the CF population)
I have been anxiously awaiting the day Britt would open her eyes and fall head over heels in love with Zander. (Every other woman already had)

I was excited to actually get a full book of Zander's perspective. We finally to truly meet him. All of his thoughts, feelings, strengths and weaknesses. I loved him in the first book, but love him even more now. "Zander Ford, wealthy Dickensian orphan."
If you look up the definition of persistence and patience in the dictionary, a picture of Zander Ford comes up. The man had been in love with Britt since they were 14, but still was a GREAT best friend. His heart had been trampled on over and over, but he still held on because he loved her. Okay scratch my previous "patient and persistent"...Zander was a SAINT! Plus his little quirks about closing doors and loading the dishwasher were ADORABLE.

Britt on the other hand...
I really liked her in the first two books and was excited to finally get into her head, but she started to get under my skin.
1) I wanted to shake her until she saw how much Zander loved her.
2) Her "independent/I'm fine" attitude got really old for me.
I'm all for independent characters, but when it becomes the answer to everything it start to wear on me. I had a hard time truly connecting with her as the story progressed.

I LOVE the "best friend to boyfriend" troupe! 😍😍 The romances always have the best foundation since they know everything about each other. This one was no different. I loved the chemistry and relationship between the characters. Though it took so long for it to come to light, it was really a great love story!

The mystery element was really interesting and well done. It was nice to have an additional plot line to the romance. It was fun to see this author dabble in something a little outside her normal genre.

I have the loved the Bradford sisters since the beginning, it's bittersweet to see it end, but Becky wrapped up the series very well. It's definitely going to be something I'll reread.
I rated this book 4/5 stars.

*I received this book from the publisher**All opinions are my own*

Review: Living Lies

Living Lies

"In the little town of Walton, Georgia, everybody knows your name--but no one knows your secret. At least that's what Lane Kent is counting on when she returns to her hometown with her five-year-old son. Dangerously depressed after the death of her husband, Lane is looking for hope. What she finds instead is a dead body.

Lane must work with Walton's newest deputy, Charlie Lynch, to uncover the truth behind the murder. But when that truth hits too close to home, she'll have to decide if saving the life of another is worth the cost of revealing her darkest secret.

Debut novelist Natalie Walters pulls you to the edge of your seat on the first page and keeps you there until the last in this riveting story that will have you believing no one is defined by their past."

Author: Natalie Walters
Length: 336 pages
Series: Harbored Secrets (book 1)

"God doesn't make mistakes.

You are here on purpose.

With purpose."

Let me start off by saying "I want my own Charlie". 😍 He was such a great character. He was so sweet and understanding , he was willing to stay through thick & thin. (The uniform was just an added bonus. 😉) 

I want to applaud Natalie for tackling the subject matters she did in this book. Heavier topics such as depression, anxiety and suicide. She shined a light on topics that no one wants to talk about, but need to.

That being said I had a hard time connecting with Lane because of this. I personally don't struggle with depression or anxiety so I couldn't understand some of her thought processes. However, I know that there are many people who DO struggle with this so I'm happy there is a character out there who is open about what they're feeling. 

I did enjoy the steps toward healing that happened towards the end. They did feel a little rushed, but I am hoping to see it progress throughout the series.

I'm big on being taken by surprise in suspense novels. I want to be blindsided by the identity of the bad guy. In this particular book the villain was spelled out for us and that kind of took away the surprise factor for me. I do know not everyone likes that though, so for anyone who likes a "birds eye view" type suspense novel this one is a good choice.

There were a few technical/plot problem that came to mind at the end of the book, but for a debut novel it was a good story. I am excited to see this author grow and perfect her writing style.
I rated it a 3.5/5 stars.

*I received this book from the author/publisher**All opinions are my own*

Quotes:

"Honey, we can only be who God created us to be. Mess and all"

"Honey. God never makes mistakes. You are here on purpose, Lane. With purpose."

Review: Whose Waves These Are

Whose Waves These Are

"In the wake of WWII, a grieving fisherman submits a poem to a local newspaper: a rallying cry for hope, purpose . . . and rocks. Send me a rock for the person you lost, and I will build something life-giving. When the poem spreads farther than he ever intended, Robert Bliss's humble words change the tide of a nation. Boxes of rocks inundate the tiny, coastal Maine town, and he sets his calloused hands to work, but the building halts when tragedy strikes.

Decades later, Annie Bliss is summoned back to Ansel-by-the-Sea when she learns her Great-Uncle Robert, the man who became her refuge during the hardest summer of her youth, is now the one in need of help. What she didn't anticipate was finding a wall of heavy boxes hiding in his home. Long-ago memories of stone ruins on a nearby island trigger her curiosity, igniting a fire in her anthropologist soul to uncover answers.

She joins forces with the handsome and mysterious harbor postman, and all her hopes of mending the decades-old chasm in her family seem to point back to the ruins. But with Robert failing fast, her search for answers battles against time, a foe as relentless as the ever-crashing waves upon the sea."

Author: Amanda Dykes
Length: 368 pages

Thank you to every soldier, past & present! 

I'm so grateful to you & your families!

Y'ALL! I felt SOOOO many emotions reading this book. 
I cried happy tears, I cried tears of grief, I cried for heartwarming moments and I cried for heart-wrenching moments. 
Here is a little snippet of how I felt at the half way point:

As you can see I felt A LOT of things. It is VERY rare that an author can get me to cry, let alone SOB while reading. The fact that this author got me to do it on multiple occasions for different reasons says a lot about her writing style. 

It's amazing. Plain and simple. It was a gripping story of grief, loss, healing, and learning to lean on the Rock of Ages. 
This story rocked me, it had me thinking of the past and the future. There was so much grit to this story! 

I really enjoyed the time-slip aspect, the author did a really good job separating the timelines while keeping the storylines perfectly intact. Though I had a few questions about character timelines and connections in the "modern day" storyline, it personally didn't take away from my experience while reading the book.

The characters were so real and raw, they came to life right off the page. All of their thoughts and emotions built them into wonderful characters.
All the little romances really held the book together. They were all so bittersweet, but they really enhanced the story.

I truly don't think I'll ever be able to put into words my thoughts about this book. I am pumped to see where this author goes next! I think every person ever should read this book.
5/5 stars!

*I received this book from the publisher**All opinions are my own*

Review: The Rancher's Unexpected Baby

The Rancher's Unexpected Baby

"After his marriage ended, Gage Frasier vowed he’d never remarry or have children—but now he’s guardian of an orphaned baby boy. Thankfully, his friend’s sweet sister, Emma Wilder, offers to nanny while Gage seeks a more suitable family for the child. But soon Gage finds himself bonding with his new son…and with Emma. Parenthood surprised Gage, but will love sneak up on him, too?"

Author: Jill Lynn

Length: 224 pages

Series: Colorado Grooms (book 2)

From bachelor to daddy…overnight!

I loved EVERYTHING about this book! The characters. The banter. The chemistry. *wags eyebrows*
It was all so perfect. *happy sigh*

Jill makes it so incredibly easy to fall in love with her heroes! They are all kinds of Hallmark perfect. They have flaws, but they also have great strengths and wonderful personalities. (The fact that they're hunks is just an added bonus 😉)

Gage is a strong character who is so full of love, but he believed his past broke his future. It took an adorable baby boy, a wonderful woman, and an incredible God to open his eyes so he could see that his future was so bright and beautiful.

Emma was an amazing character. She is sunshine and optimism, she sees the good in everyone and gives them all a chance. She was a fixer and a nurturer. I loved seeing her flourish throughout the story since she tried to slip through the cracks when the book first started.

I LOVED the Wilder crew in book 1, and I loved them even more in this book. 

One major thing I enjoyed was the characters COMMUNICATED! Too many times people overreact, jump to conclusions and blow things out of proportion when it all could have been worked out if they had had a conversation. Not in this story. Yes there was "conflict", there always is, but the characters made sure to talk to each other and in the end it worked out. 

This book had me laughing out loud! 😍 It was so good, I read it in one sitting. I'm so pumped for Mackenzie's story!
I rated it a 5/5 stars.

*I received this book from the author**All opinions are my own*

Quotes:

"Its going to be okay, Gage. I promise this is all going to work out."
"You can't promise that, Emma."
"It's not a me promise, its a God one. He works thing together for good. Even the kind of mountains that don't appear climbable."

Spotlight: No Greater Love

Today we celebrate a lot of book birthdays, Instagram has been blowing up all day with posts about it. Yet there's one specific book I'm going to spotlight on the blog today because this author holds a special place in my heart.

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No Greater Love by Gina Holder released into the wild today! *clapping and screaming*

ABOUT THE BOOK

One Book Changed Her Life…and Her Eternity

He said he’d never risk leaving a widow.

She said she’d never love a man in uniform.

Paige McDonald collects antique literature and works at the largest bookstore in Portland, Oregon. When her grandfather, a firefighter, was killed, Paige vowed never to fall in love with a first responder. But an old Bible leads to an unexpected discovery and disrupts everything she knows about herself, her family, and God. Her desire to know the truth sends her to the town of Whitman directly into the radar of Patrol Officer Hamilton Bryant.

After the loss of his best friend and fellow officer, Hamilton vowed never to marry. He won’t risk leaving a widow. Instead, he reserves his passion for serving his family and the town he’s sworn to protect. When a series of robberies and threats against the mayor correspond with Paige’s sudden appearance in Whitman, their paths intersect.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gina Holder completed the Long Ridge Writer’s Group “Breaking into Print” course and graduated from Faith Bible Institute. In August 2017, she published her first novel, Whither Shall I Go. She is active on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads. Her Website and Blog is found athttp://storiesbygina.wordpress.com.

She lives in Colorado with her husband and daughter. When she’s not working on her next novel, she enjoys reading, watching movies, cooking, singing, and playing the piano and organ.

CONNECT WITH GINA: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | 

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The book is available on Amazon now in ebook, paperback, and Kindle Unlimited. 

Grab up your copy here!! 

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HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY GINA!! 💛💛💛💛

Review: 18 Days of Christmas

18 Days of Christmas

"She was ready for another predictable holiday season. He was praying for an actual merry Christmas for his daughter.

Beckett Caden has one wish this year: that his daughter’s Christmas would be as magical as children's holidays were supposed to be. 
After two bittersweet December twenty-fifths without his wife, Beckett knows he needs to do something different this year, for his daughter. Listening to his parents’ advice, he takes a break from his executive position at their family-run bookstore chain and books a trip for Holly and himself. Beckett hopes that a few weeks in a charming lodge, with a laundry list of fun activities, will help to restore the smile that used to light up his little girl's eyes.
Through snowman building, city sightseeing, and a constant theme of Christ through the season, Beck begins to think this was the right decision. The only downside? The sarcastic and irritating elf of a woman with hair as boisterous as Santa Claus, himself.
When an unexpected snowstorm traps them all inside, it’s either work alongside The Elf or watch chaos overtake the understaffed inn. Surviving with the aid of caffeine and prayer, Beckett has a feeling this Christmas will turn out to be one of the most memorable he's had.


Elise McKenzie needs a social life. At least, that's been the constant mantra from her family for the past, oh, all her adult years.
With her freelancing graphic design work and the volunteering she does at her grandparents’ lodge, Elise seems to be the only one happy with her life. Even if the male she most frequently has deep conversations with is her cat.

For Elise, this holiday season brings a flurry of unsanctioned blind dates, questions about the future, and a snowfall that will keep her toe-to-toe with the single father whose dimples remind her of the infuriating enjoyment he receives from pushing her buttons.
Elise’s Christmas wish? Survive this season and try not to bonk the obnoxious guest over the head with a gingerbread house."

Author: Audrey Bodine

Length: 231 pages

Series: A Caden Christmas (book 1)

So it's okay to read Christmas books in April if its still snowing, right?

Okay so technically I read it while it was 70 degrees outside, but it's still totally acceptable to read Christmas books all year round in my book! In fact, its highly encouraged. 

This book y'all! This book was SOOOO good! It had everything I wanted from a book. 

It had sass. It had humor. It had character. It had cheese. It had love. It had God.

It had it all!

Each character was beautifully written, from the main to the side they all came off the page and had personalities and chemistry. The characters all blended well with each other, even when they weren't supposed to. 😉

Our main characters were so fun. (Love a good battle of the wits) They were both so lovable and I wanted to stay in the pages of this story forever. Before I knew it I was in love with a new town and new people. 

Fun fact about me...I can't read with lots of noise, I get distracted really fast. 

I actually read this book in an airport. Have you ever been to an airport? There's A LOT going on. 

I was so drawn into this book, and so invested in this story, that I was able to tune out every noise in the airport and just read. 

There were points in the book were I wish I hadn't been in a public place because I wanted to laugh out loud soooo bad. (the kind of laugh you can't do when you're alone because people will think you're CRAZY)

I loved the family dynamics shown throughout the story. There was the big intermediate family, the small intermediate family, and the big extended family. Each one was different, but they all shared one thing...they were close-knit. Everyone was in everyone's business, they laughed together, they cried together, they got on each other's nerves. It was all very authentic. They also all had a strong connection to God, each family was fully rooted and walking with God.

Audrey did an amazing job keeping things light and fun, while still handling topics like death and grief with a gentle hand.  

It was a well rounded book and I personally CANNOT wait to read the next book in the series, and everything else this author puts out! 

I rated it a 5/5 stars!

I would also like to point out this book is FREE in ebook form! So everyone should go download it. You truly will not be sorry!

*I received this book from the author for my honest review**All opinions are my own*

Guest Post: June Jacobs (PLUS GIVEAWAY)

Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for RES-Q Tyler Stop by June McCrary Jacobs with JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: RES-Q Tyler Stop

Series: Tyler Stop, Book 1

Author: June McCrary Jacobs

Publisher: JMJ Story Stitcher Books

Release Date: April 22, 2019

Genre: Middle Grade Historical Fiction


It's the summer of 1968 in Sonoma County, California, and eleven-year-old Weston Gregg and his nine-year-old sister, Wendy, are looking for fun things to do during their summer break from school. When they discover some abandoned rabbits, they hatch an idea to make a positive difference for animals and people in their small town of Tyler Stop.

They decide to form 'Rescue Each Species-Quickly', or RES-Q Tyler Stop.

There are challenges to face as they move forward into their new venture, including standing up to someone who is targeting Weston's friends for being different and a painfully bad decision.

Will Weston have to handle these issues on his own or will he learn to accept the advice and wisdom shared by some important people in his life? Join Weston and his family and friends as they share some adventures and learn and grow together in RES-Q Tyler Stop.


PRAISE FOR THE BOOK:

"Adventure has no end in this tale, where a heart for animals inspires and surprises await around every bend. . . . The characters and the situations they face come across realistic, and the scenes develop naturally. Not only does the author keep a nice paced plot rolling along but adds interesting and practical information about animals and ways to handle certain situations along the way. It makes for a fun mix of fiction and fact.


This appears to be the first book in the series, and I’m eager to see where the RES-Q Tyler Stop adventures will head to next." ~ Tonja Drecker, Author of Music Boxes

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

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GUEST POST

***

Thank you for hosting me on your blog today, Alysha. I appreciate your offer to share some of my favorite memories from the library.

Libraries are one of my favorite places to spend time. It's been that way since I was a young child. I thought it was really neat to be able to visit the library, choose books I wanted to read, promise the librarian I would take really good care of 'her' books and that I would return them on time, and then take them home to read.

I had a few books of my own at home, but the vast majority of the thousands of books I have read throughout my lifetime have been borrowed from a library. To this day, I read dozens of books and magazines from the local public libraries. I have a lot of books on my book shelves at home, but I would go broke—and fast—if I had to buy every book I read!

Two fond library memories came to mind when I saw this topic for my guest post of your blog. First was the memory of the thrill and excitement I felt when the main branch of the public library in the city where I was raised opened a little satellite branch in an old storefront less than half a mile from my house. I think it was in the summer before I entered fifth grade. There were no busy streets to cross, so this meant I was allowed to ride my bike to the library on my own. Freedom!

I would go to summer school in the morning. Back then summer school was designed for enrichment classes, so I always took literature, art, music, etc. I would ride my bike home for lunch. Then take off again to go to this new branch library. I was allowed to check out two books at a time as long as I turned in the ones I had finished reading. After doing my chores at home and playing outside and practicing my flute, I would go into my bedroom and read up a storm. If my memory serves me correctly, I would finish one book in the afternoon and read the other after dinner. I liked to watch certain television shows, but since they showed reruns during the summer, reading was my priority!

My second fond library memory is of the time I spent volunteering in a rural branch of our county's public library system. I enjoyed this particular branch because of the kind librarian and library assistants. When I told them I wanted to volunteer one afternoon a week they welcomed me with open arms. I shelved books, weeded the collection as instructed, straightened and shifted books in the collection, and helped library patrons locate books on the shelves. It was fun to learn about the behind-the-scenes operations of a library, and I felt as if I was contributing to the literacy and education of the community by helping in this way.

Earlier this month the American Library Association, the ALA, celebrated National Library Week. Their motto this year was "Libraries = Strong Communities". From my perspective as a lifelong reader, author, and former teacher I could not agree more!

***

Thank you so much for being on the blog today June. We love the library around here. 💙

If you're interested in winning a copy of June Jacobs book keep reading. 😉

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

'RES-Q Tyler Stop' is June McCrary Jacobs's first middle-grade book. June is a retired elementary school teacher and literacy mentor who is fond of California history and children's literature. She especially loves to write, read, and blog about middle-grade fiction and non-fiction on her 'Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic' blog.

In addition to writing inspirational romance books and stories for adults {A Holiday Miracle in Apple Blossom, 2013; Robin's Reward, 2015; Handmade Hearts, 2019}, June's original sewing, quilting, and stitchery designs have been published in over one hundred books, magazines, and on sewing industry blogs in the past decade.

When she's not writing, reading, blogging, or sewing, June enjoys cooking, walking, visiting art and history museums, and touring historic homes and gardens.

One of her most memorable and thrilling childhood adventures was her ride in the Goodyear blimp as it floated over Long Beach, California. She can still remember the people on the beach waving to her as she zoomed past them.

LOOK FOR MORE TYLER STOP BOOKS COMING SOON!

CONNECT WITH JUNE: Blog | Facebook | Goodreads | Goodreads Blog | Amazon

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will win:

• $20 Amazon gift card (US/International)
• Signed Paperback Copy of RES-Q Tyler Stop (US only) or Digital Copy (International)

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight April 22, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm April 29, 2019. US only. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

Review: True

True

"Traded away as a young girl by her father, True relies on no one but herself. She knows the enemy army is coming—General Kohl repeats it each night, after he puts the money on her bedside table. 

When two foreigners show up at her door, True hides the men from the soldiers who arrive with a presidential search warrant. Colonel Holoke vows her life will be spared, along with any family members who are inside her house, when his army returns. The rest of the city will be annihilated. 

True must reconcile with her father’s disastrous choice and convince the family who turned a blind eye to save their lives. But as drones arrive and circle the city, True’s trust in Holoke’s God is tested as the walls to her city tumble down."

Author: S.E. Clancy

Length: 106 pages

Wow. For such a short book this was a powerful story.

In less than 100 pages the author gets the story of redemption and forgiveness through the pages.

The story was raw, it had emotion. The author has a nice writing style which did make it easy to fly through the book.

The story of Rahab is a very popular story to retell, and it can be a hard one to pull off. However this author did a good job.

I could DEFINITELY see the actual Bible story coming off the pages, but to be honest I don't know if that will make this book stand out in the market or if it will get lost among the other stories.

I make this a point because it is a marketed as a "contemporary retelling" and I had a hard time finding what was contemporary about the book since I just saw the actual Bible story. It felt like it followed very closely to the biblical story and wasn't so much a retelling. 

Rahab was such a strong biblical character, and True definitely stayed authentic to that.

Because it was a short book there honestly wasn't that much world building or character building, and I think that might hinder its growth in the market. And I honestly felt that the book was missing a complete ending.

There was also a lot of language that was hinted at, and though the character who did the cussing was not saved, it did start to bother me. Though the words weren't spoken aloud, I personally don't enjoy when characters swear constantly.

This author has potential and I'm excited to see where God takes her next. 

Though not my favorite retelling of Rahab, it might be a story that touches someone. 
I rated it a 3/5 stars.

*I received this book from the author**All opinions are my own*

Spotlight: The Baggage Handler

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Baggage Handler by David Rawlings with JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: The Baggage Handler

Author: David Rawlings

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Genre: Magical Realism / Christian Allegory Fiction 

Release Date: March 5, 2019

In a similar vein to The Traveler’s Gift by Andy Andrews or Dinner with a Perfect Stranger by David Gregory, The Baggage Handler is a contemporary story that explores one question: What baggage are you carrying?


When three people take the wrong suitcase from baggage claim, their lives change forever.

A hothead businessman coming to the city for a showdown meeting to save his job.

A mother of three hoping to survive the days at her sister's house before her niece’s wedding.

And a young artist pursuing his father’s dream so he can keep his own alive.

When David, Gillian, and Michael each take the wrong suitcase from baggage claim, the airline directs them to retrieve their bags at a mysterious facility in a deserted part of the city. There they meet the enigmatic Baggage Handler, who shows them there is more in their baggage than what they have packed, and carrying it with them is slowing them down in ways they can’t imagine. And they must deal with it before they can leave.

In this modern-day parable about the burdens that weigh us down, David Rawlings issues an inspiring invitation to lighten the load.

LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository | Christian Book | iTunes

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

David Rawlings is an Australian author, and a sports-mad father of three who loves humor and a clever turn of phrase. Over a 25-year career he has put words on the page to put food on the table, developing from sports journalism and copywriting to corporate communication. Now in fiction, he entices readers to look deeper into life with stories that combine the everyday with a sense of the speculative, addressing the fundamental questions we all face.


CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR: website | facebook | instagram

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

We're collecting all the Baggage Passport Stamps to get rid of! Collect them all and enter the giveaway below. Each stop will have a unique stamp. Just enter the word(s) you'll find on each stamp for more chances to win!

(1) winner will win:

• a hardcover copy of The Baggage Handler,
• a book tote from the publisher, Thomas Nelson
• and a $15 Amazon Gift Card!

Be sure to check out each stop on this tour for more chances to win. Giveaway begins at midnight April 1, 2019 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 8, 2019. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Due to shipping cost, only US mailing addresses valid. For our giveaway rules and policy, click HERE.

The stamp you're collecting from this stop is:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

Review: The Unexpected Champion

The Unexpected Champion

"City dweller John McCall never expected to be out in the High Sierras of 1868 on a wild-goose chase to find the Chiltons' supposedly lost grandson. But now that he's out here, things have gotten even more complicated, mostly due to wildcat Penny Scott. She's not like any woman he's ever met--comfortable in the woods, with a horse, and with a gun. 

When Penny and John are taken against their will by a shadowy figure looking for evidence they don't have, both realize they've stumbled into something dangerous and complicated. With their friends and family desperately searching for them, Penny and John must make a daring escape. 

When they emerge back into the real world, they are confronted with a kidnapper who just won't stop. They must bring a powerful, ruthless man to justice, even as this city man and country woman fight a very inconvenient attraction to each other."

Author: Mary Connealy

Length: 304 pages

Series: High Sierra Sweethearts (book 3)

What do a city gent and a country gal have in common?

Outlaws who want them dead.  

Y'ALL! I'M BACK TO REVIEWING! *internal and external flailing*

I'm so excited to come back to the blog with a review for this book! 

Here's the real deal.

I went into this book with VERY low expectations after reading the first two books in the series. I was not the biggest fan of them. 🙊 

Plus I've come to learn something about my reading self...if I go into a book with high expectations I am, more times than not, disappointed. 

This book though. This book had me laughing out loud. This book was the Mary Connealy I know and love!

I had no clue it was going to be a "shotgun wedding" story, but oh how I LOVED that it was! I LOOOOOOVVVVEEEE that plot line...SO. MUCH. 

*deep breaths*

I was giddy the entire time I read this book. Okay, maybe not the entire time because --well-- bad guys, but 90% of the time I was smiling like a loon!

I loved Penny & John in this book SO MUCH! (Wow, how many times can I click the caps lock button during this review?!)

They were so different from one another, but they complemented each other near-perfect. They both had weaknesses and strengths that the other didn't have, and YES they butt heads a bit, but in the end they worked WITH each other and really balanced one another out. 

I really enjoyed the mystery/intrigue plot of this story. We were in the THICK of it, and the *happy sigh* romance just happened to blossom around it.

This is already on my "re-read list". It. Was. So. Good. I'm so happy I read it.

4.5/5 stars!

*I received this book from the author**I was not required to give a positive rating**All opinions are my own*