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

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions , April 23
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, April 23
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 24
Pause for Tales, April 24
Madi’s Musings, April 25
Alena Mentink, April 25
Devoted To Hope, April 26
Texas Book-aholic, April 26
Lighthouse Academy Blog, April 27 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)
Locks, Hooks and Books, April 27
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 28
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 28
Where Crisis & Christ Collide, April 29
Wishful Endings, April 29
Life on Chickadee Lane, April 30
lakesidelivingsite, April 30
Cover Lover Book Review, April 30
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, May 1 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, May 1
Books You Can Feel Good About, May 2
For Him and My Family, May 2
Book Looks by Lisa, May 3
Melissa’s Bookshelf, May 3
Betti Mace, May 4
Jeanette’s Thoughts, May 4
The Lofty Pages, May 5
Holly’s Book Corner, May 5
An Author’s Take, May 6
Blossoms and Blessings, May 6

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Misty 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/2b143/earning-the-mountain-man-s-trust-celebration-tour-giveaway

My reviews

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

The Girl From The Hidden Forest by Hannah Linder

A Regency murder mystery. Tense, heartbreaking, keeps you on your toes to the end. At 5 years old, Eliza is taken away as she sees her mother murdered, to a place hidden deep in the Balfour Forest. Fifteen years later, Fenton wants to clear his family's name, finds her and brings her back. She remembers in very small increments as suspicions surround her and more attempts are made on her life. Their relationship is very strained as she tries to fit in with society's demands and please the people around her. False stories overlap truth, muddying the answers as to she can trust. A slower read, not wanting to miss a word, thoroughly but comfortably drawn out to the solution.

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.

#TheGirlfromtheHiddenForest #NetGalley #HannahLinder #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #BarbourPublishing #ChristianHistoricalFiction #FiveStarBooks

The nightmares may free her…but destroy the man she loves.

Eliza Ellis has stayed hidden in Balfour Forest for as long as she can remember. Perhaps her only friends are the trees, or her little dog, or her story-telling father called Captain. But at least she is safe from the cruel world outside, a world Captain has warned her against and protected her from.

That is, until a handsome stranger named Felton Northwood invades her quiet forest and steals her away. Why does he tell such lies? Why does he insist that her name is Miss Eliza Gillingham, daughter of a viscount, who disappeared fourteen years ago after the murder of her own mother? A murder Eliza is said to have witnessed.

When Felton returns Eliza to Monbury Manor and reunites her with a man who is told to be her father, all she remembers are the strange nightmares that have plagued her since childhood. Why have they suddenly grown worse? Are the answers hidden inside her own mind?

As danger mounts and lethal attempts are made on her life, Eliza and Felton must work together to uncover the identity of a killer who has stayed silent for fourteen years. When she finally uncovers the horrendous memories trapped in her mind, will divulging the truth cost her the man she loves—and both of their lives?

My reviews

Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Ruthie by Sharon Srock

I fell into this story quickly. The characters are so real I thought I should look for their Facebook profiles and friend them. Nice to read about an older couple, who had been separated by the Vietnam war - putting them more in my own time frame. Interesting family twists and a wonderful close-knit group who love and support each other through everything. Some serious life challenges, great faith filled moments.

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.

#Ruthie #SharonSrock #ChristianFiction #womensfiction #inspirationalfiction #contemporaryfiction #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #BreastCancerAwareness

My reviews

Saturday, April 27, 2024

Streams of Courage by Sandra Merville Hart

Deeply realistic story of life when the Civil War started, in a town along the Mississippi. Once a Union leaning city, they joined the Confederacy, leaving loyalties tied. Social struggles, then war and loss made conflict between friends. So well told, you're there.

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.

#StreamsOfCourage #SandraMervilleHart #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #CelebrateLit #WildHeartBooks #ChristianHistoricalFiction #FiveStarNovel

About the Book

Book: Streams of Courage

Author: Sandra Merville Hart

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: March 26, 2024

In a world turned upside down by war and betrayal…will his role as a spy bring them closer…or tear their future apart?

The war that Julia Dodd prayed to avoid is now reality, and with it, her world has been turned on its head. Her fellow citizens, who stood with her in their support of the union, have crossed firmly to the side of the south. And her mother, lost in her grief over the loss of her husband and children, can think of nothing but protecting Julia’s brother’s inheritance. She insists that her daughter seek a wealthier husband than Ashburn Mitchell.

Ash knows what his fellow citizens think of him when he refuses to fight for the Confederacy. Shouldering the accusation of being a coward and refusing to hide behind his limp, Ash remains in Vicksburg to support his family as a saddler while his two best friends join the fight. Struggling to increase his business so he can marry the woman he loves, Ash becomes a spy in support of the Union. He can’t fight for the South but won’t raise a musket against them.

As tragedy instigates Ash to risk greater danger to speed the end of the war, Julia can only pray it won’t cost them everything. She’s already lost her father and two siblings. Must she lose the man she loves too?

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 Streams of Courage, Book 4 in my Spies of the Civil War Series, Julia, our heroine, has suffered several significant losses in her life, including her father and two siblings. Her mother’s insistence that Julia stop courting Ash, a saddler, and find instead a rich suitor makes no sense. Surely her father had provided for her.

Then she discovers that her parents have only provided for her younger brother, whom her mother had always adored. Julia will be penniless when her mother dies. The knowledge crushes her.

Ash is already supporting his mother and siblings. As Mama points out, adding a wife and children will stretch his income to the limits. Mama will not give her blessing should Ash propose. Julia, who had been raised in comfort, must find some means of support.

As I considered how Julia could make money in a war-time economy, it was clear her mother, as the daughter of a wealthy plantation owner, would never condone her working in a shop. What can she do?

Tatting lace.

Her lace patterns have received compliments in the past. With fewer ships bringing goods into the city, lace is in short supply. Granted, the demand for lace has diminished because even dress fabric isn’t as available as before the war.

I enjoyed researching this skill that was once so prevalent among young ladies in society. I watched videos on making lace with a special needle called a tatting needle.

The most basic stitch is the double-stitch. There is a special way to hold the needle and thread so that the first stitch grabs thread from under the thumb and the second stitch grabs it from over the thumb. There is a rhythm to the stitching in the hands of a skilled lacemaker.

I watched videos that demonstrated making rings with picot trim. There is a variety of stitching. The variations create beautiful patterns. The lace is then rolled for storage.

Fascinating. It’s mesmerizing to watch the different patterns emerge.

Tatting is a small yet interesting aspect in the adventurous story. Ash has become a Union spy. For her and her family’s safety, he keeps his dangerous activities a secret from Julia.

Part of my research for this novel and the next two novels included a trip to Vicksburg, Mississippi. I toured the museums and walked the streets of the historic city. Though I wasn’t certain of my story at the time of my visit, I was inspired by the history.

Avenue of Betrayal, Book 1, is set in the Union capital of Washington City (Washington DC) in 1861, where a surprising number of Confederate sympathizers and spies lived. Boulevard of Confusion and Byway to Danger are set in Richmond, the Confederate capital in 1862. Actual historical spies touch the lives of our fictional family.

Through both real and fictional characters, this series highlights activities spies were involved in and some of the motives behind their decisions.

I invite you to read the whole “Spies of the Civil War” series!

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 17
Alena Mentink, April 18
Connie’s History Classroom, April 18
Locks, Hooks and Books, April 19
Bizwings Book Blog, April 20
Holly’s Book Corner, April 21
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 21
Texas Book-aholic, April 22
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 23
Betti Mace, April 24
Pause for Tales, April 24
Cover Lover Book Review, April 25
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 26
Books You Can Feel Good About, April 27
Lights in a Dark World, April 27
For Him and My Family, April 28
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, April 29 (Author Interview)
The Lofty Pages, April 29
Blossoms and Blessings, April 30

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/2afa6/streams-of-courage-celebration-tour-giveaway

My reviews

Avid Readers of Christian Fiction

Christian Historical Fiction

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Unsung Hero Movie

We felt strongly moved by this movie. A very talented, large family who went through tremendous let downs and changes. They all stuck together, supported one another and got each other through. A positive outlook, faith, family, wonderful community and examples of prayer are woven throughout. Beautiful story, perfectly acted and filmed - you will not be sorry if you go to see this. We find their music very moving, now they've produced a movie about themselves that is fabulous, wrote and acted in it as well.

Many thanks to Kingdom Faith Marketing Services, LLC for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

#UnsungHeroMIN #UnsungHeroMovie #MomentumInfluencerNetwork #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #5StarMovie #ChristianMovie #FaithfulMovie #KingandCountry #RebeccaStJames #ChristianMusic

Giveaway: $10 Amazon giftcard

(Note: This is limited to US winners only. Please submit your full name and email address by 5/1 in the comments below (you will not be spammed but the company needs this information to release the gift. We will not be able to accept winners submitted after this date.)

• If you love the band FOR KING + COUNTRY, you have to see their new film in theaters soon!

• Buy tickets today to see Unsung Hero in theaters starting April 26th!

Synopsis: When David Smallbone's successful music company collapses, he moves his family from Australia to the United States in search of a brighter future. With nothing more than their six children, their suitcases, and their love of music, David (for KING + COUNTRY's Joel Smallbone) and his pregnant wife Helen (Daisy Betts) set out to rebuild their lives from the ground up. Based on a remarkable true story, a mum's faith stands against all odds; and inspires her husband and children to hold onto theirs.

Movie website: https://unsunghero.movie/

Buy tickets here: https://tickets.unsunghero.movie/

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoLmPx9kuvc

Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QfJOigc0kQ

Saturday, April 20, 2024

Unsung Hero Movie

Many thanks to Kingdom Faith Marketing Services, LLC for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

#UnsungHeroMIN #UnsungHeroMovie #MomentumInfluencerNetwork #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #5StarMovie #ChristianMovie #FaithfulMovie #KingandCountry #RebeccaStJames #ChristianMusic

Giveaway: $10 Amazon giftcard

• If you love the band FOR KING + COUNTRY, you have to see their new film in theaters soon!

• Buy tickets today to see Unsung Hero in theaters starting April 26th!

Movie website: https://unsunghero.movie/

Buy tickets here: https://tickets.unsunghero.movie/

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoLmPx9kuvc

Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QfJOigc0kQ

Monday, April 15, 2024

Braving Strange Waters by Sarah Hanks

Wow, this is different! It's time-slip and time travel, so both contemporary and historical. Three college friends go on a cruise together. One of them is in an elevator and is taken to 1856, to a steamboat in the middle of the Kansas/Missouri conflict before the Civil War. She has a mission to complete and is able to have help from her old friends via a mailbox on the ship as well as now present abolitionist acquaintances. Very real, very interesting and unpredictable as all three girls learn new faith lessons, learn to grow in their faith and in their lives in a meaningful way. Tough to put down!

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.

#bravingstrangewaters #sarahhanks #ChristianFiction #womensfiction #beachread #inspirationalfiction #historicalfiction #contemporaryfiction #timeslipfiction #upcomingrelease #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

From the back cover:

Stella Lindy is supposed to be soaking up the sunshine with her bridesmaids on a bachelorette cruise to Hawaii. But when she hits the wrong button on the elevator, the glamorous luxury of the modern ship is replaced with the Missouri River steamboat Arabia filled with strangers—and a mysterious doctor informs her it is 1856.

Communicating through an antique mailbox, her friends on the cruise try to guide her back home before the steamboat sinks, but Stella finds herself caught in a tangled web between pro-slavery Border Ruffians and anti-slavery Jayhawkers. Standing up for what’s right in the face of peril and uncertainty might mean never making it home.

Braving Strange Waters is a riveting time-slip novel with memorable characters, exciting twists, and rich internal conflict that fans of Gabrielle Meyer will love.

My reviews

Avid Readers of Christian Fiction

Christian Book Reviewers