Monday, August 26, 2024

Meeting Her Match by Jen Turano

 

A lovely laughing out loud story to keep you company as well as any friend. Wonderfully endearing characters. Camilla has taken on more than she realized when she agrees to help Owen. After an attempted kidnapping she travels to his home in Virginia and his not-so-formal family. A lady of the Four Hundred meets a family still in touch with its roots, and learns a bit along the way. Fabulous 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.

#MeetingHerMatch #JenTurano #BethanyHousePublishers #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #FiveStarNovel #ChristianHistoricalFiction #ChristianHistoricalRomance

Description: Miss Camilla Pierpont, a renowned matchmaker and influential member of the New York Four Hundred, has vowed never to marry after suffering a devastating heartbreak during her debut years ago. However, when she is nearly abducted along the Hudson River, she finds herself rescued by an annoyingly outspoken, albeit fascinating, gentleman who challenges her in a manner she wasn't expecting.

After learning that Camilla Pierpont has enjoyed success with taking wayward young ladies in hand, Mr. Owen Chesterfield travels to the Hudson River Valley determined to convince Camilla to sponsor his sister, who is in desperate need of social rehabilitation.

Knowing her life is in danger, Camilla agrees to Owen's proposition and travels with him to West Virginia, finding herself charmed by the less-than-formal attitude of his small hometown, as well as by Owen himself. But danger waits in the shadows, disrupting what she knows would be the most spectacular match she's ever made--her own.

Named One of the Funniest Voices in Inspirational Romance by Booklist, Jen Turano is a USA Today Best-Selling Author, known for penning quirky historical romances set in the Gilded Age. Her books have earned Publisher Weekly and Booklist starred reviews, top picks from Romantic Times, and praise from Library Journal. She’s been a finalist twice for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards and had two of her books listed in the top 100 romances of the past decade from Booklist. When she’s not writing, she spends her time outside of Denver, CO. She can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/jenturanoauthor/ or visit her on the web at www.jenturano.com. She is represented by the Natasha Kern Literary Agency.



My reviews

Thursday, August 22, 2024

Average Joe tickets on sale now

 

This is a powerful film about the importance of believers standing up for our freedoms as Christians in America!

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

About Average Joe
High school football coach Joe Kennedy had no other choice but to fight. A childhood in foster care followed by 20 years in the Marine Corps was nothing compared to his biggest battle: his commitment to stand for God publicly by taking a knee in prayer after each game. When he was fired, Joe and his wife Denise knew this battle for religious freedom, freedom of speech, and the rights of all Americans was one they would have to fight—no matter the cost.

From the director and producers of God’s Not Dead and the producers of The Blind comes AVERAGE JOE, in theaters beginning October 11.

Buy Tickets: https://momentuminfluencers.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7fa294e9cfc078eecabbec8f4&id=89595c318f&e=8178308bbe

hashtagaveragejoemin hashtagMomentumInfluencerNetwork hashtagBooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

The Enchanting of Miss Elliot (Aprons and Veils: Book Three) by Grace Hitchcock

 


The Harvey Girls, the ladies who tamed the Wild West with fine china, good pie, and exceptional service with complete propriety.

I really like the Harvey Girl stories. This one is about Lorna, a tough ranch girl who has had a crush on Gaston (who is now a sheriff) for some time. She a accepts a dare from her brother to become a Harvey Girl and sets out to become independent as well as distance herself from unrequited love. The Death Rider gang has escaped and is out for revenge. As usual a tumultuous tale with sweetness, danger, conflict and love bundled in. Lorna finally finds friends that she never had before. Beautifully wrapped up with openings for continued stories. A story where you can fall in love with the characters and sigh over. 
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.

#TheEnchantingOfMissElliott #GraceHitchcock #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #CelebrateLit #ChristianHistoricalFiction #ValmontHousePublishers




About the Book

Book: The Enchanting of Miss Elliot (Aprons and Veils: Book Three)

Author: Grace Hitchcock

Genre: Historical Romance

Release date: July 29, 2024

She thought he was her forever—he had other plans.

Of all the dares Lorna Elliot had accepted, becoming a Harvey Girl waitress was by far the dumbest—and she’d pulled some pretty foolhardy antics. Her back was sore. Her feet were swollen. And she had done it to herself in a fit of pique over a Texas Ranger who was mooning over another woman. Lorna had longed for distraction at the time, but after weeks of training, she might keel over and die in the middle of the dining room floor with a plate of apple pie in one hand and a pot of coffee in the other. But, she’s an Elliot. And Elliot’s never quit. The only thing she’d ever quit was attempting to win Ranger Reid and now that he’s the new sheriff in her hometown, it’s going to be impossible for her to move on unless she takes control of her heart—for better, or for worse.

Sheriff Reid had never wanted to settle down until he had fallen hard for a runaway mail-order bride turned Harvey Girl who chose another. When news of an outlaw’s escape lands on his desk, he eagerly rides out in pursuit all the way to Topeka and overhears the outlaw’s plans that revolve around the wealthy Elliot family and their daughter, Lorna. It’s up to Reid to see his childhood friend safe . . . despite Lorna insisting that she can protect herself without him.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Grace Hitchcock is the award-winning author of multiple his­torical novels and novellas, including the American Royalty, True Colors, and Aprons & Veils series. She holds a Master’s in Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in History. Grace lives on the Northshore of New Orleans, with her husband, Dakota, sons, and daughter in a cottage that is always filled with the sounds of sweet little footsteps running at full speed. When not writing, or chasing babies, she’s baking something delightful and can usually be found with a book clutched in her fist.

 

 

 

More from Grace

Q & A with Grace Hitchcock

Q: What is your favorite trope to read? Which of your books have that trope?

To name a few, I love stories about marriage of convenience, fake dating, mail-order brides, runaway brides, and enemies to lovers. In my books, I do have some of those tropes, but I adjust them to fit my story

My Harvey Girl books by tropes:

Runaway Bride: The Finding of Miss Fairfield

Mail-Order Bride: The Pursuit of Miss Parish

Friends to Lovers/Fake Dating: The Enchanting of Miss Elliot

I’d love to write an enemies-to-lovers trope in the future!

Q: Have you ever been asked to spice up, or down, a kissing scene? How did you do it?

For my May release, To Catch a Coronet, the editor challenged me to make the kissing scene longer and more romantic. Haha it took me my entire writing session that day to make the short scene two paragraphs longer in order to make the kissing more swoon-worthy, while still staying true to the level of affection I have in my books. With that critique in mind, I attempted to add a bit more “swoon” in The Enchanting of Miss Elliot as well.

Q: What historical novel has most impacted you? How?

Grace: I feel like every season, there is a novel that touches me. The one that stuck the longest has to be Tracie Peterson’s Westward Chronicles (a Harvey Girl series). They are moving, unique tales that inspired me to write my own Harvey Girls series! I re-read the Westward Chronicles every few years.

Q: How does your faith integrate into your writing in practical ways? 

Grace: No matter how subtle my theme or short the verses, my stories will always point the reader to the Lord. Usually, whatever I am personally learning spiritually while writing impacts my heroine/hero in some way.

For The Enchanting of Miss Elliot, the heroine, a firm believer, is despairing that God will not give her the desires of her heart and sets out to find a new future and a re-directing of her heart. It’s a very realistic struggle, and the reader can see through the story the beauty of trusting God in our daily walk and with our biggest dreams.

Q: What’s your life like outside of writing?

Grace: Besides reading at least one to two books a week, I love to take long walks to the park with my family, exercise on my bike, plan the family’s next travel adventure, and try new baking challenges. As a wife and mama of three, I usually have some happy recipients for the new recipe.

Q: Will there be more Harvey Girl books from you?

Grace: Yes! I am currently working on Book Four in the Aprons & Veils series, The Vanishing of Miss Victoria. It will release mid-2025.

About The Vanishing of Miss Victoria:

Love got her into this mess—never loving again would get her out.

Corinna Victoria Roberts had never been lucky—not in her choice of husband, or her lot in life after the man she’d eloped with had promptly abandoned her, taking her gold and jewels with him. When her husband’s thieving, lawless relatives show up at her door announcing his death and demanding that her late father’s restaurant empire be signed over to them, her life is in danger. She flees to take a position no one expects of her—as a Harvey Girl waitress in New Mexico.

Tanner Sterling has hunted his last bounty. As the new foreman on his friend’s ranch, he wasn’t expecting to rescue a Harvey Girl from a raging river his first day. He is intrigued by the shy beauty and becomes friends with Corinna over many meals at the Harvey House. But, when a picture of her on a wanted poster with a massive bounty arrives in Tanner’s mail, everything he knows about Corinna shifts. If he doesn’t claim the bounty on her head, he knows far less honorable men who would love to ride off with the stunning Harvey Girl. Despite wanting to hang up his past along with his gun belt, Tanner will do anything to protect Corinna from the coming storm.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, August 16
Pens Pages & Pulses, August 16
Melissa’s Bookshelf, August 17
Karen Baney Reviews, August 17
Bizwings Book Blog, August 18
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 18
Texas Book-aholic, August 19
Devoted To Hope, August 19
lakesidelivingsite, August 20
Hannahbandanarama, August 20
Locks, Hooks and Books, August 21
Happily Managing a Household of Boys , August 21
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 22
Books You Can Feel Good About, August 22
Betti Mace, August 23
Book Looks by Lisa, August 23
Simple Harvest Reads, August 24 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
For Him and My Family, August 24
Jeanette’s Thoughts, August 25
Mary Hake, August 25
Connie’s History Classroom, August 26
Labor Not in Vain, August 27
Cover Lover Book Review, August 28
Holly’s Book Corner, August 28
Pause for Tales, August 29
Lights in a Dark World, August 29

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Grace is giving to two winners an autographed copy of The Pursuit of Miss Parish each!!

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/2ddaa/the-enchanting-of-miss-elliot-celebration-tour-giveaway






My reviews

Tuesday, August 20, 2024

Average Joe movie trailer

 


"Guess you know where this is going . . ."
Another great movie coming out about how we can all make a difference. Joe Kennedy is berated for praying on the football field, and stands up for himself, for his freedoms and rights. This brings on hate messages and makes their lives miserable. It's also another of God's twists for his life considering how he started out. Looks like a really good movie for everyone to watch and share about.
#AverageJoeMIN #MomentumInfluencers #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #FathomEvents

Tickets on sale now at: www.AverageJoeMovie.com Official Website: www.averagejoemovie.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/averagejoemovie Instagram: www.instagram.com/averagejoemovie X: www.x.com/averagejoe_film TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@averagejoemovie #AverageJoe #AverageJoeTheMovie #AverageJoe2024 #CoachKennedy #PrayingCoach #Faith #FirstAmendment #ConstitutionalRights #AverageJoeTrailer #AverageJoeMovieTrailer #movietrailer2024 #MovieTrailer

Synopsis: 
High school football coach Joe Kennedy had no other choice but to fight. A childhood in foster care followed by 20 years in the Marine Corps was nothing compared to his biggest battle: his commitment to stand for God publicly by taking a knee in prayer after each game. When he was fired, Joe and his wife Denise knew this battle for religious freedom, freedom of speech, and the rights of all Americans was one they would have to fight—no matter the cost. From the director and producers of God’s Not Dead and the producers of The Blind comes AVERAGE JOE, in theaters beginning October 11.

Release Date:
10/11
  • Official TrailerLINK
  • Please LIKE and COMMENT ON the Official Trailer: LINK 

Friday, August 9, 2024

The Women of Wynton's: A Classy 1950s Mystery by Donna Mumma

 


What a great story to get wrapped up in. I love the 1950s setting. 3d characters, women who work at the store, each with different backgrounds, who see each other's gifts and strengths and come together to solve a mystery that has impact on them all. Murder and subterfuge surround them, yet they are all grateful for the store and the support they receive from each other. So hard to put down. The mystery snowballs until you just have to know what happens next, all while rooting for these girls. Another fave story!

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.

#TheWomenOfWyntons #DonnaMumma #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #CelebrateLit #ChristianMystery&Suspense #BarbourFiction 



About the Book

Book: The Women of Wynton’s

Author: Donna Mumma

Genre: Mystery/Christian Fiction

Release date: July, 2024

Mid-Century Glam Meets Murder Mayhem

Get swept away to the glamor of a 1950’s department store where four women’s loyalties, vanity, friendship, and detective skills are put to the test.

Audrey Penault once led a glamorous life as a model but now works as devoted secretary to Mr. Wynton. To her fellow employees, she is too vain and uppity.

Mary Jo Johnson, a wife and mother, longs to find her worth in the cosmetics department, but it may take a while for the shy housewife to discover her voice.

Vivian Sheffield owns and runs the bridal salon within Wynton’s. She is proud of her accomplishments and won’t let anyone take them away.

Gigi Woodard dislikes her job as waitress in the store’s lunchroom, but she is determined not to let her secret shortcomings cause her to lose the position.

These four women have much to dislike about each other, but they unanimously agree that Mr. Wynton is the best of employers and must be protected at all costs from someone who seems determined to see him gone for good. When other employee deaths occur, can the women band together to solve the murders, or will they discover it is one of their own bent on destroying Wynton’s from within?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Donna Mumma perfected storytelling in her first grade classroom, spinning tales exciting enough to settle a roomful of antsy six-year-olds. She is an award winning author who loves to blend history, mystery, and a dash of hope in stories that explore ordinary people who learn extraordinary life lessons. Donna is an active member of Word Weavers International, serving as president for the Tampa chapter as well as a mentor for chapters around the country. She was recognized as the Word Weavers traditional groups president and mentor of the year in 2022. She also serves as a line editor and contributor for Inskpirationsonline.com, a site featuring devotions written for writers by writers. An avid believer in education, Donna earned her M. Ed in elementary education and writes educational blogs and articles to assist teachers overseas for the International School Project. A native Floridian, she loves sharing life with her husband and her energetic collie, Duke.

More from Donna

Two models posed in red, flowy iconic 50’s dresses, white gloves, and classy hats. Perfect makeup and hair. Years ago, this picture hung in the dressing rooms of my favorite clothing store.

I was hooked.

Every time I entered the store, I’d walk to the dressing rooms to stare at the picture whether I had something to try on or not. There was something about that image that drew me in.

A few years later, I happened upon the same picture from the store on a social media page I’d joined featuring fashions from the 1950’s. I discovered my beloved photo came from a cover of Vogue magazine issued in 1955.

Then my imagination started churning. Every movie I’d watched with Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, and Kim Novak came to mind. I pictured four women, wearing the classy, tailored suits, full-skirted dresses, and the beautiful gowns from the 50’s. They were going to work in a department store because I grew up on a dairy farm, way out in the country of central Florida, and the big department stores like Burdines, Maas Brothers, and Robinsons were the most glamourous, luxurious places I’d ever seen.

These women were going to have to deal with a few murders. And the fact they don’t care much for each other.

As I researched, departments stores, history, fashion, and life in Florida in the 1950’s these characters came alive. First was Audrey, a former fashion model and the personal secretary to the owner of Wynton’s Department Store who may be the most hated woman around town. Miss Vivien, the owner and designer for Wynton’s bridal salon, who fights being set aside because she’s growing older. Mary Jo, a young wife and mother who longs to be at home but must take a job at Wynton’s to save her family. Lastly, Gigi, a girl who’s tired of the tough breaks in her life and hopes a new job at Wynton’s will bring her better fortune.

I wanted their experiences in the story to be true-to-life for that period and drew from stories and memories my own mother shared with me when I was growing up. I had so much fun writing about The Women of Wynton’s as they worked their way through mayhem, murders, and a Christmas parade, but also learned much about the women in this period of history. It is my hope my readers will too.

Blog Stops

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Donna is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon e-Gift card and a print copy of the book!!

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/2d090/the-women-of-wynton-s-celebration-tour-giveaway





My reviews

Thursday, August 8, 2024

The Winged Tiara by J'nell Ciesielski

 



Conspirator. Thief. Charmer. Thrill-seeker. But never liar.

Quite a pair. They met in a whirlwind at the end of the War and married, only later finding out all they had in common. Both were rejected by others in their youth and ever since have been trying to prove themselves, both as thieves. Good ones. They're on the hunt for the same stolen jewels, pushing and pulling each other all the way. They're both smart and competitive, taking them into the most luxurious settings, where they each shine. Lots to sigh about. Fast paced race to a glorious end. 

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.

@jnellciesielski @TNZfiction @HarperCollins #thewingedtiara #jnellciesielski #ThomasNelsonFiction #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #FiveStarNovel

My reviews

Friday, July 26, 2024

Stitched on My Heart: Delphina's Story - A Companion Christmas Novella

 


I felt at home with these characters right away.  You have to love them, feel like you want to reach out to them. Wonderful family and ranch, strong Christian values. Lovely story that develops between Delphina and Moses, their belonging to the family. A feel-good read for sure.

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.

#StitchedOnMyHeart #HeidiGrayMcGill #HeidiGrayMcGillBooksLLC #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

My reviews