Thursday, May 23, 2024

Shoot at the Sunset (Chaparral Hearts Book 5) by Kathleen Denly

"Why couldn’t he be the cold-hearted, arrogant loner his profession suggested? It would’ve made keeping the walls around her heart so much easier."

Continuing the series at the desert ranch with Lucy and Preston. Realistic characters who have had tragedy, abuse, fear and abandonment in their lives. They learn that God is the answer and brings miracles and growth, and that none of them can do it all alone. Interesting lives and backgrounds including a wild west show and danger at the family ranch where they're used to attacks. Entertaining read.

I received this book free from the author, publisher and CelebrateLit book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#ShootAtTheSunset #KathleenDenly #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #CelebrateLit #ChristianHistoricalFiction

About the Book

Book: Shoot at the Sunset

Author: Kathleen Denly

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: April 9, 2024

Will love survive when truth takes aim at their secrets?

Sharpshooter Preston Baker has spent a lifetime confronting danger head-on. So when a heartfelt letter arrives from his big sister asking for help, he doesn’t hesitate to put his traveling show career on hold and journey to her remote desert ranch, determined to make amends for past failures. What he doesn’t expect is to discover his long-lost little sister and her best friend, Lucy, are both hard at work on the ranch.

Unbeknownst to anyone, Lucy Arlidge’s decision to travel to a remote desert ranch was born as much from desperation as friendship. Fleeing San Francisco may have saved Lucy’s life, but the decision left others in danger. To thwart the evil plans of those who pursue her and her family, Lucy must keep her new gem-mining operation concealed and her secrets safe.

Preston is drawn to the mysterious woman, despite her plans to marry the neighboring rancher. Lucy’s quiet strength and undeniable beauty beckon him like a campfire in the wilderness, offering light amidst the dark memories and deepest fears resurrected by the presence of his sisters. But as danger closes in, Preston and Lucy must confront their pasts to save not only their own futures, but the lives of everyone they love.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Kathleen Denly lives in sunny California with her loving husband, four young children, two dogs, and ten cats. As a member of the adoption and foster community, children in need are a cause dear to her heart and she finds they make frequent appearances in her stories. When she isn’t writing, researching, or caring for children, Kathleen spends her time reading, visiting historical sites, hiking, and crafting.

More from Kathleen

One of the primary themes of Shoot at the Sunset is secrets and the fears that sometimes drive us to keep them. Did I mention there’s even a secret signal used in the book? So today I thought it would be fun to play with a secret code. Using the key provided below, see if you can reveal the hidden message.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 11
For Him and My Family, May 11
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 12
Texas Book-aholic, May 13
The Lofty Pages, May 13
Lakesidelivingsite, May 14
Locks, Hooks and Books, May 15
Blossoms and Blessings, May 15
Alena Mentink, May 16
Devoted To Hope, May 17
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 17
Karen Baney Reviews, May 18
Melissa’s Bookshelf, May 18
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 19
Connie’s History Classroom, May 19
Bizwings Book Blog, May 20
Book Looks by Lisa, May 21
Holly’s Book Corner, May 21
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 22
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, May 23 (Author Interview)
Books You Can Feel Good About, May 23
Pause for Tales, May 24
Cover Lover Book Review, May 24

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kathleen is giving away the grand prize package of a $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/2b594/shoot-at-the-sunset-celebration-tour-giveaway

My reviews

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

Something To Stand For - Mike Rowe

Join America’s favorite storyteller on an epic journey to the heart of Washington DC. Drawing from his blockbuster podcast “The Way I Heard It,” this cinematic tour de force will take viewers to the frontlines of the American Revolution, World War II, the Civil Rights movement, and more.

Release Date: 6/27

Official Trailer link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0H56F116Uk

#SomethingToStandForMIN #MikeRowe #MomentumInfluencers #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout @MikeRowe @MomentumInfluencers

Tuesday, May 21, 2024

Anti-rioting Petition

Sign the anti-rioting petition and support Israel today!

Petition: LINK

#HelpIsraelMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork @MomentumInfluencer #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

Giveaway: One $10 Amazon giftcard (Note: This is limited to US winners only. Please submit your full name and email address by 5/28. Winner chosen at random from positive comments. You will not be spammed!)

Biden continues to jump between approving and disapproving of anti-Israel protests depending on his audience. We need to stand up for our brothers and sisters in Israel. It’s time for the protests to stop and for us to support Israel!

Stop the media’s lies about the attacks on Israel! See real headlines about what’s actually going on in the world below, and then sign the petition to end anti-Israel rioting:

• Anti-Israel protester blocks traffic using her baby: This video captures an anti-Israel protester holding her baby while standing in front of a car to block traffic. Another protester can be heard asking for a replacement for the mother, noting her willingness to risk her child’s life. Additionally, another parent with a small child and dog are seen standing in the path of traffic. See video: LINK

• George Washington U grads storm out of graduation ceremony in anti-Israel protest: Dozens of George Washington University graduates walked out of commencement ceremonies on Sunday, disrupting university President Ellen Granberg's speech, in protest over the ongoing war in Gaza and last week's clearing of an on-campus protest encampment that involved police use of pep per spray and dozens of arrests. See more: LINK

• Harvard Prevents Twelve Anti-Israel Protesters from Graduating at Commencement: The Harvard College Administrative Board will be preventing twelve seniors from graduating at commencement and at least one senior will be re quired to withdraw for three semesters, the Harvard Crimson reported. Two of the twelve seniors were among the five suspended students who were forced to withdraw from Harvard College, the university’s undergraduate liberal arts school. See more: LINK

• Philadelphia university president reacts after at least 75 anti-Israel protestors descend on campus: A group of at least 75 anti-Israel agitators staged an encampment at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Saturday evening. The president said that encampment raised “understandable concerns” about safety on campus. See more: LINK

• Seeking Peace: Israel has repeatedly expressed its willingness to engage in dialogue and negotiate for a lasting peace with the Palestinians. However, achieving peace requires a genuine commitment from both sides to recognize each other’s right to exist and to engage in constructive negotiations without violence or terrorism.

• Complexity of the Conflict: The situation in the Middle East is complex, with historical, religious, and geopolitical dimensions. It’s crucial to understand the multifaceted nature of the conflict and avoid oversimplification or one-sided narratives that ignore the broader context.

• Addressing Root Causes: To achieve long-term peace, it’s necessary to address the root causes of the conflict, such as incitement to violence, terrorism, and the refusal to recognize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state. Encouraging a shift towards education for coexistence and mutual respect is crucial for fostering lasting peace.

• Combatting Terrorism: Hamas, a designated terrorist organization, exploits civilian areas in Gaza, using them as launch sites for rocket attacks on Israeli civilians. The international community must condemn terrorism in all its forms and hold accountable those who use violence against civilians for political gain.

• Fetterman: Biden Is Trying to ‘Have Both Sides’ on Israel-Hamas War: Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) said Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union” that President Joe Biden was trying to have “both sides” on the Israel-Hamas war. See more: LINK

Monday, May 20, 2024

Stars of Twilight Fair by K. Lyn Smith

“Presumptuous questions are the best sort, Mr. Corbyn, followed closely by impertinent ones.”

Poetry. Sweetly, beautifully told story with characters you truly have to love. Dilemmas of inheritance and peerage combined with a scandal present obstacles for them to overcome. Makes your soul sing!

I received this book free from the author and publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#StarsOfTwilightFair #KLynSmith #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #DavenwoodPress #VictorianHistoricalRomance

My reviews

Thursday, May 16, 2024

JESUS: a Deaf Missions film early promo

Another language? Yes ASL - American Sign Language. An entire film acted out using ASL. There are also subtitles. From the trailer it looks like it is well filmed and acted, a beautifully done telling.

#JESUSaDeafMissionsFilmMIN #momentumInfluencers @JeanThomason @MomentumInfluencers #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #ChristianMovie

Synopsis:

God’s story is unstoppable when it is in the heart language of a people group. JESUS: a Deaf Missions film, uses Deaf actors to bring the story to bring the story of Jesus to life from a Deaf perspective for a Deaf audience.

Release Date: 6/20

Official trailer LINK

Monday, May 13, 2024

Lady Wynwood’s Spies #1 Archer by Camille Elliot

Wow, what a good book. Part 1 of an overall story that is spread over several books. A lot to take in with a lot of characters, including their relationship to each other in English society. Espionage, murder and people with special skills, all endearing in their own way. An especially dark threat to be out maneuvered for them and their country. Keeps you on your toes every moment. Very entertaining. Unconventional people who are quite real. I highly recommend this - you won't be bored!

I received this book free from the author and publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#LadyWynwoodsSpies #Archer #CamilleElliott #CamyTang #ChristianHistoricalFiction #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout @CamilleElliott @CamyTang

About the book from Amazon

Part one in a Christian Regency suspense series with slow-burn romance and a supernatural twist.

She met him again by shooting him.

Unmarried after four Seasons of towering over her dance partners, Miss Phoebe Sauber learns she will be cast out of her home when her father remarries. Feeling betrayed by her father and God, she misfires an arrow at an archery tournament.

But the arrow pierces a paper held by Mr. Michael Coulton-Jones. And strangely, the symbol drawn on the page is eerily familiar to her.

He met her again while searching for a killer.

Michael had quit his work as a spy for the Foreign Office when his brother was murdered. His investigation leads to Apothecary Jack, a criminal underworld lord gathering a powerful army through an alchemical potion that gives men supernatural strength.

Michael joins forces with Phoebe and her Aunt Laura, Lady Wynwood, who have found a vital connection between Apothecary Jack and a mysterious group plotting against England.

Now, only this team of misfit aristocratic spies stands against a treasonous organization that could enable Napoleon to conquer the world.

PLEASE NOTE: Like the novels published in Jane Austen’s time, this is a novel in multiple parts. Each volume has a completed story arc, but this is NOT a stand-alone novel and ends on a cliffhanger.

About the author

Camy is a USA Today bestselling author who writes Christian Contemporary Romance and Romantic Suspense as Camy Tang and Christian Regency Romantic Suspense under her pen name, Camille Elliot. She grew up in Hawaii but now lives in northern California with her engineer husband and rambunctious dog. She graduated from Stanford University in psychology with a focus on biology, and for nine years she worked as a biologist researcher. Then God guided her path in a completely different direction and now she’s writing full time, using her original psychology degree as she creates the characters in her novels. She was a staff worker for her church youth group for over 20 years and she currently plays on one of the Sunday worship teams. She also loves to knit, spin wool into yarn, and is learning Japanese. Visit her websites at https://www.camytang.com/ and https://www.camilleelliot.com/ to read free short stories and subscribe to her monthly newsletter.

My reviews

Friday, May 10, 2024

Healing of the Heart: A Shumard Oak Bend Novel (Discerning God’s Best Book 4) by Heidi Gray McGill

Very real characters and settings to feel immersed in, a part of. A young nurse and doctor living away from home, in training for career, advancement and a good living. It must be universal that there are people in your life who think they're better than you and enjoy the domineering feeling of power. Thankfully we also have good, caring people in our lives to help us through life and keep us strong. Very well told story of wonderfully caring people who have been hurt many times and deeply, healing others and finally receiving healing themselves. Friendship and closeness mean everything, and an excellent moral compass. Very touching novel of faith, strength and perseverance.

I received this book free from the author and publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#HealingOfTheHeart #HeidiGrayMcGill #HeidiGrayMcGillBooksLLC #HistoricalChristianRomanceFiction #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #ShumardOakBendNovel #DiscerningGodsBestBook

Synopsis

He’s sworn to heal others, but at what cost to himself?

Step into the bustling streets of post-Civil War Philadelphia, where cultural injustice and class disparity run rampant. Amidst this chaos, Thomas, an aspiring doctor from the wilds of Missouri, struggles to find his place in a society to which he is unaccustomed. But when he meets debutante Emmaline Whitaker, she teaches him more than the social graces - she holds the key to his future. Only it is the independent, fun-loving Theodora Morse who holds his attention.

As Thomas navigates the complexities of high society, he must also confront his inner turmoil. When devastating news comes from home, Thomas is forced to use his waning faith to determine the desire of his heart. Will Thomas stand by his convictions and fight against the malaise of those around him, or will he choose the safety and comfort of his new life?

In this powerful Christian historical fiction, award-winning author Heidi Gray McGill weaves a poignant tale of love, sacrifice, and redemption in the City of Brotherly Love.

For Misty M. Beller, Lacy Williams, and Linda Ford fans, this standalone novel in the Discerning God’s Best series will capture your heart and leave you breathless. You’ll love this book if you enjoy gripping historical drama and compelling characters. Binge-read the entire series on Kindle Unlimited.

Full-length Christian historical fiction

A standalone novel in the Discerning God’s Best series

Includes discussion questions for book clubs

Timeline: 1871 – 1873

Book One: Desire of My Heart

Book Two: With All My Heart

Book Three: Matters of the Heart

Book Four: Healing of the Heart

Prequel: Deep in My Heart – available for free with newsletter signup on Heidi Gray McGill's website.

About the author

Heidi is an award-winning and best-selling author. Whether historical or contemporary, you will find Heidi’s writing true works of Christian Fiction, full of God’s redeeming love.

Everything Heidi writes is purposeful. She believes in bringing a reader into the awareness of who God is to them and how He interacts with them on a personal level. She does this by crafting characters so relatable you feel part of who they are.

Heidi reaches deep into the reader’s heart through masterfully written words and offers ways toward healing by seamlessly applying God’s Word throughout her stories.

Heidi is an optimist who chooses to find the silver lining in life’s clouds of doubt. She lives with her husband of thirty-one years near Charlotte, NC. When she isn’t writing, you will find her outside playing with her two grandsons, walking, scrapbooking, reading, cooking, traveling, or finding an excuse to have an outing with a girlfriend.

My reviews

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

A Spring at the Greenbrier by Sandra Merville Hart

Sweet and interesting story. Marilla works at the resort where they had baths in the sulphur spring water; many who had illnesses took the baths for healing. Her little sister had polio and was confined to a wheelchair. Marilla got special permission to bring her in after all guests were done for the day. They didn't have much and she worked six days a week, making great sacrifices for her sister. Wes and his family came to the resort, his sister had difficulty walking as well. The girls found each other and became fast friends. Business difficulties and social restrictions at the resort made things difficult for them all, as well as trust issues from both sides. Wonderful characters you'll love. Immersive read.

I received this book free from the author, publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#ASpringAtTheGreenbrier #SandraMervilleHart #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #WildHeartBooks #ChristianHistoricalFiction #FiveStarBooks

About the Book

Book: A Spring at the Greenbrier

Author: Sandra Merville Hart

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: April 30, 2024

Marilla will sacrifice anything for her family. So when her sister’s doctor suggests daily sulphur spring baths, an amenity her family could never afford, Marilla takes a job at The Greenbrier resort bathhouse in order to give her sister the care she needs. When her sister befriends another girl staying at the resort with a similar health condition, Marilla finds herself crossing paths with the girl’s handsome, charming, older brother. And despite their growing attraction to each other, courting Wes must remain a dream. After all, resort staff cannot court guests and Marilla will not risk her sister’s health for her own happiness.

Wealthy resort guest, Wes Bakersfield, has dreams for a future and plans to make his family’s business his own. And while he finds himself drawn to Marilla, despite their differing social classes, he can’t help but wonder if she is really interested in him, or in his wealth.

Can the couple find the trust to help their love succeed, or will their differences pull them apart?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Sandra Merville Hart, award-winning and Amazon bestselling author of inspirational historical romances, loves to discover little-known yet fascinating facts from American history to include in her stories. Her desire is to transport her readers back in time. She is also a blogger, speaker, and conference teacher.

More from Sandra

In A Spring at The Greenbrier, Book 7 in Romance at the Gilded Age Resorts Series, Marilla, our heroine, is as desperate as her mother to find healing for her younger sister’s polio. When the doctor recommends daily bathing in the sulphur springs, her family cannot afford the cost. Marilla transfers to the bath wing at The Greenbrier where her new boss allows her to bring her sister at the end of each day after the guests have finished their bathing sessions. It makes for a long day yet the sacrifice is worth her exhaustion if the springs can help her ten-year-old sister.

The Greenbrier, a beautiful and elegant resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, first received its fame from healthy benefits of drinking the sulphur springs and bathing in its waters.

Both the hero and heroine in A Spring at The Greenbrier have younger sisters who can benefit from heated spring baths.

The bulk of my research for this story was for the springs and what illnesses benefit from them. I had to discover the illnesses for which doctors recommended the baths historically.

Soothing soaks in hot springs are recommended even today. They can boost blood circulation, reduce pain, improve skin conditions, reduce stress, decrease inflammation in joints, and detoxify the body.

Most resort guests in the early days drank tumblers of the water before each meal. A resort doctor in the 1800s cautioned taking a maximum of 12 glasses daily. Health benefits for the bowels, liver, kidneys, and skin most often appeared between three to six weeks. The resort began to sell it in bottles at drug stores. It was labelled as A Natural Laxative.

Major renovations were done by new owners for a grand reopening in September of 1913. Marilla, our heroine, begins working at the Women’s Department of the new bath wing. Female guests enjoyed heated sulphur spring baths in bathing rooms. Doctors sent their wealthy patients to the springs with a recommended regimen of bathing that might also include drinking the spring water. The temperature of the water, the frequency, and the length of the baths were set by their doctor.

Folks suffering from a variety of ailments sought benefits from the spring waters, including gout, rheumatism, arthritis, neuritis, dyspepsia, jaundice, scurvy, hay fever, malaria, bronchitis, asthma, and chronic diseases of the skin, stomach, bowels, and liver.

Mineral waters can harm people with aneurisms in the heart and large arteries, cancer, tubercular consumption, and some brain complaints.

The springs were of great benefit for folks suffering from chronic complaints. These benefits happened so gradually that patients started to feel better “without being able to account for it.”

So there were a lot of conditions to choose from for my two ailing girls in my story.

A Spring at The Greenbrier is a nostalgic story set in 1914. I invite you to read the whole series!

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 1
Book Looks by Lisa, May 1
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 2
Devoted To Hope, May 3
Texas Book-aholic, May 3
Locks, Hooks and Books, May 4
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 5
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 5
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, May 6 (Author Interview)
She Lives To Read, May 7
Books You Can Feel Good About, May 7
Blogging With Carol, May 8
Simple Harvest Reads, May 9 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
For him and My Family, May 9
Blossoms and Blessings, May 10
The Lofty Pages, May 11
Bizwings Book Blog, May 11
Connie’s History Classroom, May 12
Holly’s Book Corner, May 13
Pause for Tales, May 13
Life on Chickadee Lane, May 14
Cover Lover Book Review, May 14

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Sandra is giving away the grand prize of a $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/2b35d/a-spring-at-the-greenbrier-celebration-tour-giveaway

My reviews

Thursday, May 2, 2024

Earning the Mountain Man’s Trust by Misty M. Beller

The story continues for the series in Montana, with Naiomi catching up with Eric, the father of her child. Since she had spoken with Jonah about marriage it was more than a bit awkward. But there's a mystery or two to unfold, hidden truths that need to come out and be resolved. Wonderful, believable characters and a story that keeps you involved until the end. Looking forward to the next one!

I received this book free from the author, publisher and CelebrateLit book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#EarningTheMountainMansTrust #MistyBeller #CelebrateLit #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #ChristianHistoricalFiction #MistyMBellerBooksInc

About the Book

Book: Earning the Mountain Man’s Trust

Author: Misty M. Beller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: April 9, 2024

In the wild mountains of the Montana Territory, the Coulter ranch is a place of family, second chances…and a hidden fortune.

Naomi Wyatt has finally given up on the man who once promised to love her for the rest of his life—then disappeared with no way to contact him. She’s now a single mother with a beautiful baby girl to provide for, a daughter whose red hair reminds her daily of the man she gave her heart to. She has to move on though, so when Jonah Coulter asks for her hand in marriage, she knows she would be hard-pressed to find a better husband for herself and father for her sweet daughter. He’s a Coulter, after all, and he’s proven to be a good friend during her darkest hours.

But when her first love rides onto the ranch property saying he’d been searching for her for months, her heart is shredded once again. Before she has time to catch her breath though, a new threat appears on the horizon. This time she has far more at stake than her heart, and only a Divine hand can turn this disaster for their good.

From a USA Today bestselling author comes a mountain family saga filled with a second chance romance, love triangles, hidden treasure, and love that heals wounded hearts.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Misty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.

Raised on a farm and surrounded by family, Misty developed her love for horses, history, and adventure. These days, her husband and children provide fresh adventure every day, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

Misty’s passion is to create inspiring Christian fiction infused with the grandeur of the mountains, writing historical romance that displays God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.

Sharing her stories with readers is a dream come true for Misty. She writes from her country home in South Carolina and escapes to the mountains any chance she gets.

More from Misty

A HEROINE DISGUISED AS A MAN

I love a heroine in disguise! It’s one of my favorite tropes, but I don’t often get to write stories with that plot. It adds so many fun and funny moments to the storyline. J

In Rocky Mountain Journey our heroine goes undercover as a “man” to travel with a group of trappers so she can reach her destination safely. Numbers meant a better chance of survival back in those days. I love that Grant, our hero, was the only man in the trapper group who looked close enough at the young “man” riding with them to realize things weren’t what they seemed at first glance.

One challenge that definitely arises in a story where the heroine is pretending to be a man is the development of the romance between her and the hero. In this case, Faith was pretending to be her (fictitious) brother Frank. Grant had met Faith in an earlier chapter before she took on the disguise, and he immediately noticed the resemblance between “Frank” and the woman whose memory still lingered with him, even days later. Every time he looks at “Frank” while they’re traveling with the trappers, he recalls the memory of Faith by the waterfall…and the attraction to that woman grows a little more every time. What a shocking surprise when he discovered she’s riding just ahead of him on the trail the entire time!

I pray you love Faith’s stint “in disguise” in Rocky Mountain Journey! J

Blessings!

Misty