Review: The Girl Who Could See

The Girl Who Could See

"Fern Johnson is crazy. At least, that's what the doctors have claimed since her childhood. Now nineteen, and one step away from a psych ward, Fern struggles to survive in bustling Los Angeles. Desperate to appear normal, she represses the young man flickering at the edge of her awareness—a blond warrior only she can see. 

Tristan was Fern's childhood imaginary hero, saving her from monsters under her bed and outside her walls. As she grew up and his secret world continued to bleed into hers, however, it only caused catastrophe. But, when the city is rocked by the unexplainable, Fern is forced to consider the possibility that this young man is not a hallucination after all—and that the creature who decimated his world may be coming for hers."

Author: Kara Swanson

Length: 214 pages

Format: paperback, e-book

All her life Fern has been told she is blind to reality—

but, what if she is the only one who can truly see?

I would've loved, and been scared out of my mind, to have been in Kara's brain while she was writing this book. 

I mean there is SO much creativity and imagination. Not only to have this IDEA pop into your brain, but then to sit down and bring this idea to life with pen and paper. (Or a laptop keyboard) It's crazy.

YA dystopian has always amazed me! In my opinion it is an art form ALL on its own. Don't get me wrong, anyone who WRITES is an artist. But dystopian/fantasy authors...that's a whole different level of crazy!!

AND I LOVE IT!!

As someone who's never been super creative or artsy, I admire them SO much!

***

I say all this to tell you this book was something else. 

It's a short book, but I read it in one sitting. Once I was in this world - excuse me - I mean WORLDS, there was no way I could just shut the book. 

I had to see if Earth would become a wasteland, and if the creepy virus thingy would kill every breathing thing...and I HAD to see if Tristan would actually LIVE! 

I mean there was SO much happening on these pages, who in their right mind would purposely step back into reality?! 

BECAUSE there was so much happening it all kind of wrapped up quickly, so that caused the pacing to be a wee bit out of wack. Not much, but I definitely wish I could've had more story.

This story, though fun and imaginative, definitely dealt with a lot of internal struggles.

Fern kept pushing Tristan away because she was told he wasn't real. It was only when she came to the conclusion internally that she loved him, no matter what people thought that she was able to heal and get stronger.

I loved Tristan! Such a hero. He was so sweet, yet in a small way reminded me of a mature Peter Pan. (Is that a thing?!) He was actually really patient with Fern, even when the fate of both his world and Earth rested in the palm of her hand. 

Their love story was interesting, and used a troupe I don't really see a whole lot. (Maybe I don't look for it?)

There was definitely a strong "if you love them let them go" theme to their relationship.

I really enjoyed it and it was a cool sip of water, since I personally don't see it much.

Overall I really liked the story! I kinda think it'd be cool as a movie...🤔

I rated it a 3.5/5 stars.

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

***

Quotes:

"What a strange perspective. These last years, he'd been the embodiment of my lunacy. Yet I was his sanity."

"What makes you different makes you exceptional, Fern."

Blitz: Teal Paisley Tights

Welcome to the Blog Blitz & Giveaway for Teal Paisley Tights by Barbara Brutt, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! Happy Release Day to this debut author!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Teal Paisley Tights

Author: Barbara Brutt

Publisher: Vinspire Publishing

Release Date: November 15, 2018

Genre: Contemporary Romantic Comedy


Life post-graduation was supposed to see the launch of paisley-loving Jadyn’s art career, or at least an art gallery showing one of her watercolor paintings. Instead, this Pittsburgh native is locked into a low-paying, buttoned-up consultant position with an impossible boss. When another colleague is dismissed, Jadyn inherits extra workload, including the company’s biggest client. If she loses him, she’s fired.

Jadyn people-pleases her way through life, resulting in extra work opportunities and a community classroom of art students. But when two guys appear on her doorstep, she just might not be able to people-please her way out of this love triangle. At the end of the day, she can’t please everyone.

Then, because of a small spending problem, Jadyn is evicted from her apartment, and she must move in with her know-it-all sister. Jadyn needs to decide between a job transfer that would place her near her love interest, or a full-time art career with all its risks.

Stretched like canvas between responsibility and dreams, she must choose. Will practicality always win?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository


_________________________________________________________

EXCERPT

What was so wrong with fun, patterned tights anyway?

Coffee. Coffee would take the edge off my fun-deprived morning. I slipped my black heels back on and walked out of my cubicle, only to remember that I needed to mail a client some information packets. Two steps back, and I stood over my desk, rifling through papers. I found the envelopes and scooped them up.

The cubicle wall creaked.

Ethan.

He leaned against the fabric-cladded partitioning, and warmth spread across my face. Forget garden gnomes. I wanted a life-sized marble sculpture of him. I imagined him actually leaning his entire weight against the wall, and how it would buckle underneath his pure muscle.

Smile.

---

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Barbara Brutt, a born and raised Pittsburgher, spent her growing-up years with her nose in a book. After claiming her bachelor's degree in English, she plunked down hard into a smattering of jobs from shop girl to communications director with a healthy dose of nanny and house-cleaner. Flying to new adventures is her favorite, especially on an airplane or aerial silk. Barbara adores ice cream and only buys purses that provide room for a book or two.

Barbara talks books, aerial silks, faith, and travel on her website and blog at barbarabrutt.com.


CONNECT WITH BARBARA: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive (US only)

• a pair of teal paisley tights (one size fits most)
• $15 Starbucks gift card

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight November 15, 2018 and last through 11:59pm November 22, 2018. US only. Winners will be notified within a week 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!

Saturday Hop: Why Did You Chose Me?

November is National Adoption Month, and we're celebrating with the Why Did You Choose Me? Saturday Hop and giveaway, hosted by JustRead Tours and Ambassador International! Every Saturday in November, hop along to the different host blogs and enter the great giveaway!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Why Did You Choose Me?

Author: Katie Cruice Smith 

Illustrator: Sarah Strickling Jones 

Publisher: Ambassador International 

Release Date: November 12, 2017 

Genre: Children's Picture Book, Adoption


Most adoptive and foster children struggle at some point in their life with knowing who they are and where they belong. They want to ask questions, and parents need to be prepared with an answer that helps their child feel loved and secure.

After searching for adoption storybooks to read to her own adopted children, Katie Cruice Smith decided that there was a need for more books that parents could read at bedtime to connect with their adopted and fostered children.

In Why Did You Choose Me?, Katie Cruice Smith answers that question in a way that young children can understand. Drawing from her own experience as an adoptive mom to three children, Katie uses the questions her own children have asked to help them see there never really was a choice she knew right away that they were hers.

With beautiful illustrations by artist Sarah Strickling Jones, Why Did You Choose Me? lovingly demonstrates the uniqueness that each child brings to a family.


PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Ambassador International


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EXCERPT

Oh, darling, darling child,
You're part of this family!
I didn't care what you looked like,
And you're so much fun to me!

---

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Katie Cruice Smith is a freelance writer, journalist, and editor, and she resides in the Upstate of South Carolina with her husband and three adopted children. Katie is an adoption and foster care advocate, and she and husband are licensed foster parents and the founders of their church’s orphan ministry. She is currently working on a devotional book to accompany Why Did You Choose Me?


CONNECT WITH KATIE: website | Facebook | Twitter

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Sarah Strickling Jones enjoys working with oils, acrylics, ceramics, and printmaking. She creates her artwork and teaches students of all ages from her country home. She lives in Greer, South Carolina, with her husband Darren and four children: Trevor, Peyton, Blake, and Renea. Why Did You Choose Me? is Sarah Strickling Jones’ first illustrated children’s book in watercolor.

CONNECT WITH SARAH: Facebook

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive

• a print copy of Why Did You Choose Me?
• "For This Child I Prayed" ornament (more info HERE)

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight November 3, 2018 and last through 11:59pm December 1, 2018. US only. Winners will be notified within a week 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 for a full list of stops/dates!

Blitz: Swimming in the Deep End

Welcome to the Blog Blitz & Giveaway for Swimming In The Deep End by Christina Suzann Nelson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Swimming In The Deep End

Author: Christina Suzann Nelson

Publisher: Kregel Publications

Release Date: September 25, 2018

Genre: Contemporary Women's Fiction


A moving novel entwining the many faces of motherly love

Jillian Connors has the perfect daughter: loving and smart, she's an Olympic hopeful with a bright future. But when Gabby becomes pregnant, Jillian fears that future is lost. Worse, she must confront her own secret past and hope the decisions she's made don't drown their whole family.

Gabby can't believe God let this happen to her. She knew the risks, but who thinks about that when they're in love? Now she has to face the consequences--and the disappointed stares from everyone who thought she was the perfect Christian girl. At least she has the baby's father, Travis. Nothing can tear them apart, right?

Margaret Owens had determined dreams for her son. She's furious that Gabby's pregnancy jeopardizes his college baseball scholarship and terrified that Travis will be trapped in a life of struggle and poverty--the life she's tried so hard to save him from. She'll do anything to protect him--even if it means forcing him to leave Gabby.

Stacey Meyers is aching for a child of her own. But the son she was meant to adopt was taken before she could hold him in her arms. It feels like she'll never stop mourning; even the move to this new town hasn't distracted her from the pain. How can she and her husband find peace? Is there any hope of a family in their future?

And in the midst of all this . . . an unborn baby. Whose arms will hold him in the end?


PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Christian Book | Book Depository


___________________________________________________________

EXCERPT 

Jillian Cline

Friday, March 9

The air in the spectator area of Brownsburg High’s swimming pool is nothing short of heavy, but there’s a safety in the thickness. An illusion in the midst of the humidity lulls me into a belief that my daughter is safe, protected from the evil in the world. Maybe that’s why I push her to compete. Maybe that’s why I can breathe in the moisture-rich environment other mothers dread.

Izzy stands on the dive block, her toes curled over the edge, her arms wrapped around her middle as if she’s cold. The horn blows and with a fraction of hesitation, she dives.

And the race begins.

The first in weeks, a postseason meet, and for some reason veiled to me, she didn’t want to participate.

---

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Christina Suzann Nelson, inspirational speaker and award-winning author of If We Make It Home, is celebrating the release of Swimming in the Deep End, on September 25, 2018. She writes and speaks about hope after dysfunction. Christina is over the top about her passions, including the stories created somewhere in the twists and turns of her less-than-focused brain. When she’s not writing, she’s working with the Every Child initiative, chasing escaped steers, reading, breathing in the sweet smell of her horse, hiking with her dog, or enjoying her just-as-crazy family.


CONNECT WITH CHRISTINA: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive (US only)

• a print copy of Swimming in the Deep End
• $10 Amazon gift card
• Swimming in the Deep End water bottle

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight November 9, 2018 and last through 11:59pm November 16, 2018. US only. Winners will be notified within a week 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: In Too Deep

In Too Deep

"When the dive team is called in to recover a body from a submerged car, they aren't prepared to find an encrypted laptop--or an unsettling connection between investigator Adam Campbell and the dead accountant. 

Adam turns to his friend Dr. Sabrina Fleming--a professor at the local university with unparalleled computer security and forensics skills--to recover the files from the laptop. But the deeper they dig, the deadlier the investigation becomes. When evidence uncovers a human trafficking ring and implicates members of Adam's own family, he and Sabrina will have to risk everything to solve the case. 

The truth could set hundreds free--but someone is willing to do whatever it takes to silence anyone who threatens to reveal their secrets. Award-winning author Lynn H. Blackburn invites readers back to Carrington, North Carolina, where everything is not as it seems and sinister elements lurk behind the idyllic façade."

Author: Lynn H. Blackburn

Length: 352 pages

Format: paperback, hardcover, e-book, audio

Everything is not as it seems and 

sinister elements lurk behind the idyllic façade

This was my first Lynn Blackburn novel, and it will not be my last. 

This book dealt with some heavier topics, such as human trafficking and dangerous family secrets. Though through it all Lynn kept an upbeat, light atmosphere and she even had me laughing out loud a few times. 

Our lead girl was such a nerd...and I loved her. She was super awkward in social situations, and only really connected with a small group of people. She was brilliant and I really enjoyed seeing how her brain ticked throughout the story. 
Second-hand embarrassment is one of my favorite things. (I know, I know. I'm a strange duck.) Because Sabrina is SO awkward I got tons of second-hand embarrassment through these pages. 

Adam was Sabrina's opposite in every way. He was confident, charismatic and charming. He knew what he wanted, and how to get it. He wanted to be his own man and step away from the stigma surrounding his last name. 

The group of friends in this series is hilarious and I LOVED their banter. They were all so dry with each other, but you could feel their love coming off the page. Their strengths and weaknesses play off each other to make them a dynamic group!

The prayer and trust in God was a pretty big element throughout the story, and it made me so happy. Turning to God in moments of fear and trials was each characters' first instinct. 
I. Loved. It.

I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the next book.
I rated it a 4.5/5 stars. 

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

Review: Always Kiss at Christmas

A Yuletide Regency Collection

'Tis the season for six lovely and charming Regency romances!

Curl up by the fire, sip your favorite hot drink, and enjoy A YULETIDE REGENCY: six brand new Regency romance novellas by Regina Scott, Sarah M. Eden, Jen Geigle Johnson, Annette Lyon, Krista Lynne Jensen, and Heather B. Moore.


ALWAYS KISS AT CHRISTMAS by Regina Scott

"Mary Rose has one goal for her mother’s annual Christmas Eve party: convince her childhood friend Julian Mayes to marry her. She has always admired Julian. Surely one moment under the kissing bough will convince him they were meant to be together. Newly hired by a prestigious London law firm, Julian is ready to shake the dust of the countryside off his polished boots. But he’s always had a soft spot for Mary. As the danger to her future becomes clear, will one kiss be enough to prove to him how far he will go to protect her?"

***

Today I'm reviewing a short story from a Christmas collection. 

If you've been following my blog for any length of time you'll notice I've been reviewing this amazing Regency series by Regina Scott. And today I'm reviewing another story to the series! 

*insert the squeals* 😍😍

GUYS WE FINALLY GOT MARY AND JULIAN'S BACKSTORY!!! 

What a time to be alive. I have been "patiently" waiting for this story since the beginning of the series. (Lots of chemistry y'all! LOTS of chemistry!)

Seeing a young Julian and Mary is so fun! They are just as witty and just as perfect as ever. I seriously cannot wait for them to get their happily ever after. It's a LONG time coming...

This story is SUPER short, roughly 50 pages or so. It all happens in the span of one day. That being said, if you read the series you'll see it's been going on for years...and the matter is still unresolved. 

It was still so wonderful, and I can't wait to time-hop and see them as adults trying to fight the connection in the next book. (The anticipation is so much fun 😉)

I rated it a 4/5 stars.

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

Review: Romancing the Bride

Romancing the Bride

"Desperate to keep the ranch where three of her children and a husband lie buried, Annie Gephart must marry or sell. Which of the few bachelors in town would consider a surprise proposal to wed a plain widow with a rebellious daughter, a spirited boy, and unpaid taxes--without laughing in her face?

Jacob Hendrix has never fully let go of his ranching dreams despite ending up as a small Wyoming town's marshal. The job wouldn't be so bad, except he's more errand boy than lawman. When Annie proposes marriage without a single coquettish bat of an eyelash, can he commit himself to a woman he hardly knows for a choice piece of property he'd be an idiot to pass up?

But taxes aren't all that threaten Annie and Jacob's plans. Cattle rustlers, crumbling friendships, and wayward children make this marriage of convenience anything but. When they lose what they've sacrificed everything to save, will the love of a stranger be enough?

Romancing the Bride is the first book in the Frontier Vows Series by award-winning Christian romance author Melissa Jagears. If you like heartwarming marriage-of-convenience stories, you'll love this sweet romance filled with endearing characters."

Author: Melissa Jagears

Length: 410 pages

Format: paperback, e-book

Marrying a stranger to save a ranch is one thing; 

losing the land on their wedding day is another.

Melissa is a favorite author of mine. She always writes the most swoon worthy heroes, and amazing romances. 😋 She didn't disappoint in that aspect this go round. However, this was not my favorite book I've read by her. 

While I LOVED the idea of this story, (I love a good marriage of convenience troupe) I didn't connect with any of the characters so I had a hard time getting "involved" in the story.

This book dealt with a lot of grief. Though I UNDERSTAND grief I can honestly say I do not understand the grief of losing a husband AND children. For me personally, as a young reader, the constant pushing away thing grew a tad tedious.

Celia was another character dealing with grief in a way I never did, by rebelling. Again, I've never lost a parent so I couldn't connect.  

I'm not trying to make light of this sort of grief! I just personally couldn't connect with it.

Though it grew a bit overwhelming it was interesting to try and put myself in the shoes of someone deals with grief differently than I do. And try and imagine what it would be like to feel that pain, and how I would react. This book definitely made me think.

I, like always, loved our hero! He was such a wonderful, sweet character. He was a born protector and had the biggest heart. He loved the widowed and the orphaned, and everyone in between.

On top of having the marriage of convenience troupe 😍, there was also a "coming to find her attractive instead of instantly falling in love" troupe. I WAS LIVING FOR IT! 

The bad guys were creepy and slimy, and maybe a few that were snakes in a suit...you'll have to read it and find out. 

In the end everyone got a happily ever after, in a round-a-bout way. I'm a happy camper! 😉

I rated it a 3.5/5 stars.

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

Review: Enchanting Nicholette

Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for Enchanting Nicholette by Dawn Crandall, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Enchanting Nicholette

Series: The Everstone Chronicles #5

Author: Dawn Crandall

Publisher: Whitaker House

Release Date: October 9, 2018

Genre: Historical Romance

In this captivating novella by Dawn Crandall, Nicholette Everstone is already a widow at the age of twenty-two: her husband was murdered on their wedding day. She has just returned to Boston after two years of mourning in Europe. Although her husband was loving, the marriage was an arranged one, and Nicholette would like to wed again–this time for love…and to someone safe.

As she acclimates to life in Back Bay again, Nicholette meets someone she can’t help but fall for. But when she learns of the danger and sacrifices Cal Hawthorne takes on for the safety of others, will her heart be strong enough to keep her fears of “what if” at bay?


LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository | BAM! | Christian Book

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MY THOUGHTS

This is the first book I've read by Dawn Crandall, and I thought it was enjoyable though not my all time favorite story. 

It was a cute, quick novella with adorable characters and a happily ever after. What more could ya ask for?

This is apart of a series, so I would definitely recommend reading them all so you can meet everyone and understand their relationships.

The characters were perfect for each other, and though they met and fell in love quick it was a strong bond from the beginning.

Though it wasn't my favorite novella I've read I will be looking into the rest of the series, it seems like it would be a fun read!
Overall I gave it a 3.5/5 stars.

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dawn Crandall‘s debut Gilded Age Victorian romance, “The Hesitant Heiress,” was a 2015 ACFW Carol award finalist in the debut category and received the 2015 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, the 2015 Write Touch Reader’s Choice Award and the 2015 Romancing the Novel Reader’s Choice Award. Her follow-up novel, “The Bound Heart,” received the 2016 Laurel Award from Clash of the Titles. Dawn earned a BA in Christian Education from Taylor University. She’s been balancing books and babies lately as her two sons were both born as the four books of her Everstone Chronicles series were being released from Whitaker House from 2014 to 2016. Dawn lives with her husband and two young sons on a hobby farm in her hometown in northeast Indiana.


 CONNECT WITH DAWN CRANDALL: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) Winner will win:

• A print copy of Enchanting Nicholette
• A library card zipper bag
• Two pairs of Jane Austen socks
• Two hand poured candles
• A historically accurate soap from Austen’s time
• A Jane Austen set of playing cards
• A set of Jane Austen notecards
• 6 magnets with Jane Austen quotes

(US Mailing Addresses Only)


Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight October 29, 2018 and lasts through 11:59pm November 12, 2018. Void where prohibited by law. US addresses only. Winners will be notified within a week 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

---

Follow along at JustRead for a full list of stops!

Spotlight & Excerpt: A Southern Season

Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for A Southern Season: Four Stories From a Front Porch Swing by Eva Marie Everson, Claire Fullerton, Linda W. Yezak, and Ane Mulligan, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! Pull up a front porch swing and enjoy learning more about this collection from 4 great authors :)

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: A Southern Season: Four Stories From a Front Porch Swing

Authors: Eva Marie Everson, Claire Fullerton, Linda W. Yezak, Ane Mulligan 

Publisher: Firefly Southern Fiction 

Release Date: November 1, 2018 

Genre: Inspirational Southern/Women's Fiction


Four seasons. 

Four stories. Each one set in the enchanting world of the South. These are the kinds of stories your grandmother told you from a front porch swing.


Ice Melts in Spring by Linda W. Yezak

When Kerry Graham's boss forces her to return to the Gulf of Mexico where her husband drowned years ago, she feels only spring's chill and not the warmth of the Texas sun. Can the joy of a reclusive author and the compassion of a shrimp-boat preacher thaw Kerry's frigid heart?


Lillie Beth in Summer by Eva Marie Everson

With the untimely death of his wife, Dr. James Gillespie believes God has abandoned him. He also believes he's never met anyone like the young widow Lillie Beth, whose beloved Granny lies dying at home, and who sees a God who sweeps hope through a farmhouse window. Can a young woman whose husband died in Vietnam restore a faith that is all but dead.


Through an Autumn Window by Claire Fullerton

Because her larger than life mother Daphne Goodwyn is dead, forty-year-old Cate returns to Memphis with one thought in mind: something always goes wrong at a Southern funeral. But surrounded by the well-mannered society that raised her, the nostalgic rites of a three-day, autumn mourning bring the unexpected gift of the end of sibling rivalry.


A Magnolia Blooms in Winter by Ane Mulligan

With Broadway stardom within her reach, Morgan James returns home in winter to help an old friend. Maybe it s just nostalgia, but when she sees him again, an old flame rekindles. When she's called back to NYC to take the lead in a new musical, will fame be worth losing the man she loves?


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


______________________________________________________________

EXCERPT 

from “Ice Melts in Spring” by Linda Yezak

“In those days in the Soviet Union and all its satellite nations, Christianity was not permitted. ‘Religion is the opiate of the people.’ This is what they believed, this precept of Marxism. So they replaced worship of God with worship of the State and punished everyone who did not bend the knee, as if they could change attitudes and beliefs by decree and force. But those who know the truth cling to it. Here”—she tapped her forehead—“and here”—her chest—“are the only places we are truly free. Guard your mind and heart.”

---

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Eva Marie Everson (Lillie Beth in Summer) is a multiple award-winning author and speaker. She is the president of Word Weavers International and the director of Florida Christian Writers Conference & North Georgia Christian Writers Conference.


CONNECT WITH EVA: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Claire Fullerton (Through an Autumn Window) is the author of Mourning Dove, Dancing to an Irish Reel, and A Portal in Time. She is a transplanted Southerner from Memphis now living in Malibu, California.


CONNECT WITH CLAIRE: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Ane Mulligan (A Magnolia Blooms in Winter) writes Southern-fried fiction served with a tall, sweet iced tea. She's an award-winning, multi-published novelist and playwright, who believes chocolate and coffee are two of the four major food groups.


 CONNECT WITH ANE: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Linda W. Yezak (Ice Melts in Spring) lives with her husband and PB, the original scaredy cat, in a forest in Deep East Texas, where tall tales abound and exaggeration is an art form. Author of several novels, novellas, and short stories, she is best known for her award-winning Circle Bar Ranch series.


CONNECT WITH LINDA: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a print copy of A Southern Season, signed by all 4 authors! (US only)


Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight October 30, 2018 and last through 11:59pm November 5, 2018. US only. Winners will be notified within a week 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

---

Follow along at JustRead for a full list of stops!

Blitz: The Secret of Willow Inn

Welcome to the Blog Blitz & Giveaway for The Secret of Willow Inn by Pat Nichols, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: The Secret of Willow Inn
(Willow Falls #1)

Author: Pat Nichols 

Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas 

Release Date: January 10, 2019 

Genre: Inspirational Contemporary Fiction


Two women fighting for their dreams, one who’s long lost hers, are united by tragedy and a long-held secret.

Pregnant with her first child, Emily Hayes is eager to help her mother finish transforming an estate into the Willow Inn and write a novel about Willow Falls’ colorful history. A tragic event threatens her parents’ plans to refurbish an abandoned hotel and transform the obscure Georgia setting into a tourist destination.

Sadie Lyles left Willow Falls a murderer who’d killed the town hero. She returns as a despised felon and seeks solace in the town’s café. Emily struggles to unite the close-knit community and becomes Sadie’s biggest advocate. She strives to uncover the truth about the crime and save her town from dying.

 To appease her father, Rachel, a VP in his Atlanta real-estate-development firm, relegates her acting dream to secret performances for imaginary audiences. After meeting charming, flirtatious Charlie Bricker, manager for Willow Falls’ future vineyard, she vows to break free from her father’s control.

The tragedy and Willow Inn’s secret past launch Emily and Rachel on a collision course with destiny and truth


PREORDER LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon


_______________________________________________________

EXCERPT

As far back as Emily Hayes could remember, her heart yearned for a sister. She directed her earliest requests to Santa Claus, which made Christmas mornings a confusing blend of excitement and disenchantment. Later she bargained with God. He disappointed her too. When she learned where babies came from, she petitioned her mom with promises to keep her room clean and be the best sister in the whole-wide world. Nothing worked. At some point the pleas stopped, but the lingering desire left a hole in her heart.

Thursday morning, she stepped outside the white-columned-home converted to a hospital and traced her ultrasound image with her finger. It wasn’t at all what she’d expected. She pressed her hand to her chest to ease the fluttering sensation, slipped the photo in her jeans pocket, and texted her husband. Have results. Meet me in the park in five.

A cool breeze nipped her cheeks and rustled the new crop of leaves on the mature willow-oaks lining Main Street. She dropped her phone in her purse, pulled her sweater tight, and crossed the two-lane road to the sidewalk fronting a grand estate. White columns extending from a railing supported the roof over the wide, front porch. The home was weeks away from final transformation to the Willow Inn, thanks to her parents' first effort to save their town from a slow, painful death.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Pat Nichols is proving it’s never too late to follow your dreams.

During the spring, summer, and early autumn of her life this side of heaven, she and her high-school-sweetheart husband struggled and triumphed through life’s peaks and valleys. They raised two children, welcomed four grandchildren—one is with the angels—bought a Corvette, and ticked off every item on their travel bucket list. Now approaching her winter years, she ignores the minor aches that come with age and is grateful she can still paint her own toenails and dance with her hubby.

Following twenty-five years in six different management positions with an international beauty company, Pat launched career number two as a novelist and freelance editor. She chose women’s fiction to honor her daughter’s strength in the face of significant health issues and the loss of a child. Her corporate experience, working with hundreds of amazing women from all walks of life, inspires her to create stories about women who confront challenges in the pursuit of their dreams.

Although she writes five days a week, she and Tim—her best friend and number one fan—continue to celebrate their fifty-plus-year marriage. They lead a small group, volunteer for church guest services, participate in two social organizations, and spend time with family and friends. She thanks God for the blessings that brought her joy and the challenges that continue to strengthen her faith, skills, and resolve.

Pat was born in Illinois, grew up in Orlando, and has called Georgia home since the eighties. She lives in an Atlanta suburb, is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Word Weavers, Christian Pen, and Gwinnett Church (a campus of Northpoint Ministries).

CONNECT WITH PAT NICHOLS: website | Facebook | Twitter

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card from the author.

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight October 27, 2018 and lasts through 11:59pm November 3, 2018. Open Internationally. Void where prohibited by law. Winners will be notified within a week 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 for a full list of stops!

Review: The Christmas Heirloom

The Christmas Heirloom

"Perfect for the Christmas season, four beloved authors bring their bestselling, award-winning talents to a multigenerational collection of romantic holiday novellas. In stories ranging from 1820s Regency England to present-day Washington state, readers will be treated to Christmas tales of an heirloom brooch passed from mother to daughter for almost two hundred years. Will the family legend claiming the brooch brings love to its recipient hold true for these women separated by the years but bonded together by the ties of family? "




Author(s): Kristi Ann Hunter, Karen Witemeyer, Sarah Loudin Thomas, Becky Wade
Length: 384 pages
Format: paperback, hardcover, e-book, audio book

Four Festive and Heartwarming Romance Novellas 

That Celebrate the Magic of Christmas

Christmas came early this year! 😍😍

I love a good novella, especially when they're written by some of my favorite humans! ADD to that we get to celebrate Christmas in October...in 4 different time periods. SIGN ME UP! 

***

Legacy of Love  (Kristi Ann Hunter)

"Sarah Gooding never suspected returning a brooch to an elderly woman would lead to a job . . . and introduce her to the woman's grandson. While he may be far above her station, she can't help but notice that his desire to make this Christmas special for his grandmother matches her own."

What a story to kick off our collection! Fun fact about the leading lady in this story...she makes an appearance in the full length novels in the Haven Manor series. (But as a young girl) So it might be a bit of a mind-twister when we get book 2 and see her young again.

I really enjoyed this story. The characters learned how to live life to the fullest, laugh loudly, and love hard. 

I loved seeing these characters learn they were so much more than "an earl's castaway son" and "a lowly companion". They really came to realize God created them for so much more.

The wit between the dowager duchess and Sarah was so amusing! 

Kristi, again crafted a beautiful story, mixing humor and grief flawlessly. I rated this story a 4/5 stars.

***

Gift of the Heart  (Karen Witemeyer)

"Widow Ruth Fulbright uses the family brooch as collateral for a loan from a wealthy resort owner. But the more she comes to know the man behind the stern businessman, the more she hopes for a second chance at love as the holidays draw near."

Not going to lie, it took me a hot second to get into this story. However once I did I was hooked! 

I really enjoyed the characters that Karen created. 

Ruth had this boldness, but was never brash. She was strong and practical, but she wasn't hard headed either. She complimented Bo perfectly.

Bo was the quite strength. He had some past scars that he let affect how he lived his life, until Ruth came along and showed him what other people think really doesn't matter. As long as the people around you love you everything else is trivial. He was such a kind, generous gentleman, and I just love him!

Both Bo and Ruth had "loving" friends who totally meddled...and I COULDN'T GET ENOUGH!! I love a good "match-making/meddling" story-line! 

It was such a cute story & I loved our Posse created kitty come to life! 

I rated it a 4.5/5 stars.

***

A Shot at Love  (Sarah Loudin Thomas)

"Fleeta Brady's rough-and-tumble childhood means she prefers hunting to more feminine activities. She never expected her mother's brooch might be how a fellow hunter turns her attention from competition to romance one December."

This was just a typical cliche "backwoods" romance story in my opinion. 

The girl was a tomboy, who never wanted to get married because she didn't want to controlled by a husband. 

I wasn't the biggest fan of the characters. They seemed very immature to me, and there was a point I almost put the book down because Fleeta's response and reaction was BEYOND ridiculous.  

There was a lot that went down in 100 pages, and I felt like there were lots of competing story-lines. In all honesty it probably could have made a full length novel. 

The story felt bogged down. I rated it a 2.5/5 stars.

***

Because of You  (Becky Wade)

"Maddie Winslow has spent years in love with a man whose heart was already spoken for. When a church Christmas project brings them together and she stumbles upon an old family brooch, might it finally be her turn for love?"

This was a cute story in a super awkward way. 

The characters were kind of unsure of themselves and their feelings for each other.

This love story faced a lot of grief, fear, doubts...just a lot of emotions! Making sure it was God's plan and learning to continue to live even though a loved one has passed.

The brooch wasn't a huge focal point in this story like it was in the others. I kind of wish it had been included a little more, but I also understand....limited amount of words in a novella.

I loved being back in this town again...it was the perfect little snack before book 3 comes out!

I rated this story a 3.5/5 stars.

***

Overall I thought this collection was nice. It isn't my favorite by any means, but I did enjoy seeing the brooch pass down through time. 

I rated the collection as a whole a 3.75/5 stars.

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

Author Interview + Giveaway: Pepper Basham

Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for When You Look at Me by Pepper Basham, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: When You Look at Me
(Pleasant Gap Romance #2)

Author: Pepper Basham

Publisher: Woven Words Publications

Release Date: October 25, 2018

Genre: Inspirational Contemporary Romance

An unexpected mother-to-be

A romance-leery composer

And a forgotten melody from the past that holds the keys to their futures

When Julia Jenkins' great aunt dies and leaves her a Victorian mansion with decades of secrets, Julia never expects to unearth a World War 2 espionage mystery. Struggling with her own past since an assault left her pregnant, her future as a solo parent leaves her dreams uncertain. The inheritance from her great aunt gives Julia the ability to take a step back into her future, but also sends her into the discovery of a love story she’d never anticipated. As she goes through her aunt's treasured possessions, Julia uncovers some oddly written piano music with a musical code she can’t decipher on her own. Not to worry, introverted Englishman and composer, Henry Wright, is thrust on the scene by a pair of homespun matchmakers who know the ‘right’ man for Julia’s wounded heart.

Henry arrives in Pleasant Gap with the task of composing the soundtrack for his best mate’s newest film. The Jenkins’ family’s southern welcome and gregarious personalities set his reticent nature on edge, but he’s inexplicably drawn to his gentle and music-loving hostess, Julia. Uncertain how to build a friendship with the wounded woman, and rather hopeless in communicating well through words, the bond of music becomes a bridge between her uncertainty and his awkwardness.

But her broken past and his families’ expectations build a wall much greater than the cultures that separate them. As they work together to solve a musical mystery from the grave, will an unlikely romance from the past inspire their hearts to trust in a God who’s written the perfect melody for their lives?


PURCHASE: Goodreads | Amazon

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I'm so beyond honored to have Pepper on the blog today answering some questions!

Have you always wanted to be an author?

P: Ever since I can remember, I have. My mom says I was always making up stories, even before I could write them down.

I love hearing stories like that! Warms my little heart!

If you could write in another genre, which would it be?

P: Fantasy, definitely.

How interesting is that! It seems like such a challenging yet rewarding genre to write.

What are your favorite scenes to write?

P: Hee hee. Well, I do have a fondness for kissing scenes. I also like to write deep spiritual scenes and ridiculous funny scenes too. Oh, and ones where there’s a large family around a table? Those are fun.

I LOVE reading kissing scenes. And deep spiritual scenes, and ridiculous funny scenes too. Oh and the large family dinner scenes. Those are fun to read too.

Where do you stand on Hallmark Christmas movies?

P: LOL. I don’t stand. I sit, with a hot tea and blanket, and indulge as much as possible. Some are cheesy, yes! But I just LOVE kissing-movies.

Touche...
But really give me all the cheesy kissing-movies...and all the blankets!

Tea or coffee? Iced or hot?

P: Tea. Black. Any form. (LOVE TEA)

I keep trying to like tea that isn't sweet...and iced. It hasn't quite happened yet, but I still keep trying!

Which one of your characters is MOST like you? Least like you?

P: Oh dear! I’m not really sure. I think there’s some of Eisley in me and Ashleigh. And maybe a little Rainey and (from an upcoming book) Grace.

Well I can't wait to get to know this character in your upcoming book.

Thank you so much Pepper for being here today!

Don't forget to enter for a chance to win a super sweet prize pack!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes historical and contemporary romance novels with grace, humor, and culture clashes. She’s a Blue Ridge Mountain native and an anglophile who enjoys combining her two loves to create memorable stories of hope. Pepper is also a mom of five, a speech-language pathologist, and a lover of Jesus and chocolate. She resides in Asheville, North Carolina with her family.


CONNECT: website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive:

• print copy of Just The Way You Are (Pleasant Gap Romance #1)
• print copy of When You Look at Me (Pleasant Gap Romance #2)
• a plaque which says: Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life.... love comes along and brings you a fairy tale

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight October 22, 2018 and lasts through 11:59pm October 29, 2018. Void where prohibited by law. US addresses only. Winners will be notified within a week 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!