Saturday, June 28, 2025

Asking for your prayers



Prayer warriors!

They found a nodule on my lung that doubled in size in 2 months. Waiting for PET scan in July. Praying/believing that it will be gone by then!!

I beat breast cancer in 2020-2021. 

(Note - sending good thoughts is nice, but they won't help me. ❤ )

Thank you to everyone praying for me! It means ever so much to me. ❤ 

James 5:16

21st Century King James Version

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Secrets of the Revolution by Megan Soja


This is the second book in the series - we get to follow Hannah and Will. It takes place shortly after the Boston Tea Party when the British decide to button down Boston. Information circulated amongst the Patriots in order to keep on top of everything that was happening in the town and the country. Hannah and Will were recruited to help. It's interesting to see this history brought to life at a time that is rarely mentioned yet was a big part of when and how the American Revolution got its fueled start. We still take our freedom somewhat for granted, yet without all this happening and without people like this who contributed, our lives would be much different. Excellent read, keeps you turning the pages until the end. Looking forward to Libby's story in 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.

#SecretsoftheRevolution #MeganSoja #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #CelebrateLit #WildHeartBooks #ChristianHistoricalRomance #HarborOfSpies

 


About the Book

Book: Secrets of the Revolution

Author: Megan Soja

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: June 10, 2025

The cause of liberty brought them together. Will it also tear them apart?

Hannah Pierce is determined to keep her father‘s apothecary shop running, despite his failing health, the heavy burden of her mother’s recent death, and the mysterious disappearance of her brother. She’ll do whatever it takes to preserve her family’s legacy, including joining a dangerous ring of patriot spies…and falling for a revolutionary printer with a brave heart.

William Abbott always keeps his promises. He vowed long ago to never abandon those in need like his father did. So when new British acts of Parliament threaten Boston and endanger his family, he throws himself into serving the Patriot cause, using his position at the printing office to gather and spread intelligence. But when his clandestine role in the newly formed spy ring causes him to cross paths with the apothecary’s beautiful daughter, he may find himself fighting for more than the cause.

As tensions in Boston reach a breaking point, Will and Hannah find their bond deepening even as the noose tightens around the spy ring. When promises and determination are not enough to protect the ones they love, they’ll need to trust God if they are to survive what is to come.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Megan Soja is a multi-award-winning author who writes stories with strong faith, rich history, and sweet romance. She lives in western NY with her husband and two daughters and loves having adventures, both big and small, with her family. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, hiking, canoeing and kayaking, and playing French Horn.

 

 

 

 

More from Megan

In Secrets of the Revolution, my hero and heroine, Will and Hannah, are both drawn into participating in a Patriot spy ring in Boston. As I was planning their story, I drew inspiration from a group of famous real-life spies that operated in New York City during the American Revolution – the Culper Ring.

The Culper Ring was established in 1778 and successfully ran for five years without a single spy being discovered. Even today, we do not know the identity of all the members. They used a variety of methods to communicate, including ciphers, codes, and invisible ink, all of which served as inspiration for details in my story. I even used some of the numerical codes from the actual Culper Code Book to encrypt a letter that Will receives.

While researching the Culper Ring, I came across an especially interesting woman – Anna Smith Strong – and I knew she would be the perfect model for the part that Hannah plays in Secrets of the Revolution.

Anna’s role in the spy ring was to relay signals when information had been left at a specific location. Her family farm on Seaton’s Neck in Long Island provided prime location for her work, and she communicated through a brilliantly simple manner that went undetected throughout its operation. When a message was ready to be picked up amongst the coves of Long Island, Anna would hang a black petticoat on her clothesline, followed by a number of white handkerchiefs to indicate which location to use. Her clothing signal was easily spotted by fellow spy Caleb Brewster, who would periodically row out into the Sound, or Abraham Woodhull, whose nearby farm provided a clear view. The Culper Ring accomplished more than any other spy network during the war, thanks in part to Anna’s work.

As you discover Hannah’s role in Secrets of the Revolution, I hope that knowing Anna’s real history makes my story come to life all the more!

Blog Stops

Giveaway



To celebrate her tour, Megan is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54248


My reviews:

Thursday, June 19, 2025

An Ancient Worship Movement

 


About the Book

Book: An Ancient Worship Movement

Author: Greg Gordon, St. Thomas Church

Genre: Christianity

Find an Ancient Faith that will Transform Your Life.

Beyond the noise of a busy western world lies the need to worship God for Himself alone. So many different denominational ideologies and techniques of Church growth exist but what did the early Apostles and believers do? There is a need for “An Ancient Worship Movement” where we rediscover and implement older Biblical Church practices that were pre-denominational.

This book will help you:

– Rediscover Ancient practices lost to many evangelicals

– Renew your intimate personal walk with God

– Renew A passion for lost souls

– Experience personal spiritual revival

– Be equipped to start an [Mission] House Church

Book Excerpt

The very Apostles (leaders) of the Church failed Christ in running while he was being arrested. The Apostle Peter denied Christ three times. During the ascension of Jesus to heaven some still doubted. When we go further we see James, Peter and other Apostles preferring Jewish converts in ways that were not in accord with the Gospel.

Yet it was clear that God was at work and using failed weak vessels for His glory. Even the very lineage of Jesus Christ we see many failings, some even calling it a “scandalous genealogy.” Rahab was an actual prostitute. Ruth was a foreigner from the land of Moab. Bathsheba had an adulterous affair with King David. But God still worked in mercy to bring us the Saviour of the world amongst the great failings of mankind.

When we consider from the vantage point of 2000 years of Church history, we see this principle still intact that God endeavors to continue to work with and through a broken humanity full of failings.

The Times of the First Apostles

The Gospels and Book of Acts chronicle for us the exciting work of the Apostles that Jesus trained and anointed for His service.

Find all the excerpts here:

Excerpt Two: https://purpleshadowhunter.blogspot.com/2025/06/an-ancient-worship-movement.html
Excerpt Three: https://www.guildmaster97.com/posts/an-ancient-worship-movement-epic-book-launch-excerpt/
Excerpt Four: https://musingsbymaureen.blogspot.com/2025/06/celebrate-lit-presents-ancient-worship.html
Excerpt Five: https://booksyoucanfeelgoodabout.blogspot.com/2025/06/an-ancient-worship-movement.html
Excerpt Six: https://www.artistwriterandstudentohmy.com/posts/an-ancient-worship-movement-book-spotlight/
Excerpt Seven: https://www.simpleharvestreads.com/posts/an-ancient-worship-movement-book-spotlight/

About the Author

Greg Gordon is the founder of SermonIndex.net, which was established in 2002. Millions of audio sermons have been distributed through this world-wide ministry. He is also the author of “The Following of Christ” and other books. Greg has traveled to many countries and across

North America to thousands of churches and ministries bringing a message of radical Christian discipleship. He has also been involved in organizing over 12 international historic revival conference events where thousands of lives were impacted.

Sunday, June 15, 2025

A Lesson in Propriety (Merriweather Academy for Young Ladies Book #1) by Jen Turano

 

A Gilded-Age Historical Rom-Com Set in Chicago


Delightful, you'll read and enjoy every single word. Very lovable, funny, flawed and brilliant characters in a tight and thoroughly enjoyable story. You'll find yourself laughing out loud and shaking your head...after a while you'll be talking to them!

Druscilla is from a family in the New York Four Hundred (read that with great poise and your nose in the air). Their fortunes change after her father dies and they are forced to go and live in the property that her Aunt left to her. It's located in Chicago in a wealthy area of new money people (people who have earned it). Rhenick and his family live next door. Ever a gentleman, he stops when it looks like she needs help.

After all, the property is like a castle, complete with ravens, a ghost and goats inside. 

But she has made up her mind that she will never rely on a man again and will always handle things herself. She is independent and doesn't even chinch her corset in all the way. 

Strength of character keeps them going and as they persevere, things begin to be uncovered and they all draw together to discover what's really been happening with the castle and what became of their Aunt, as well as track down the man who embezzled their fortune. Hilarious as always! Will not disappoint. A fabulous start to a new series - yay!

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.

#ALessonInPropriety #NetGalley #JenTurano #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #BethanyHouse #ChristianHistoricalFicton #Romance

My reviews:

Thursday, June 12, 2025

Saving the Mountain Man’s Legacy (Brothers of Sapphire Ranch Book 8) by Misty M. Beller

 


1870 Montana. Wow what a conclusion to the Sapphire Ranch series. Full of excitement, danger and romance that all make you hold your breath and keep those pages turning. Loved the wrap up. Each and every brother and new wife are special, and they've made a wonderful ranch to live on and work together as a tight knit family. 

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.

#SavingTheMountainMansLegacy #MistyMBeller #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #CelebrateLit #MistyMBellerBooksInc #ChristianHistoricalRomance



About the Book

Book: In Tempest Winds (West Virginia: Born of Rebellion’s Storm #3)

Author: Kendy Pearson

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release date: May 7, 2025

Not all heroes are born of battle.

Some heroes are born of loss.

War has a way of changing a man, taking more than he has to give. When Zander Dabney joins in the fight, army life is not what he expected, and it seems impossible to escape his hero-brother’s shadow. When Zander finally gets the chance to test his mettle, the horrors of battle shatter his faith and leave him questioning everything—even what he thought he knew about his brother.

Lola Wade has her hands full with the mercantile, rising prices, family, and a cunning thief. Despite her chaotic life, Zander has captured her heart. But the war has taken much from him. And he needs more than her love to confront his inner demons and fractured faith.

In a whirlwind of deception, the enemy attacks the town and garrison, leaving death and destruction in its wake. But this was no ordinary attack, and the evidence Zander has just falls on deaf ears.

He is determined to unearth the truth. She has lost everything and must make a heart-wrenching decision.

Betrayal plunges Zander into a nightmare of injustice and a perilous ordeal of sacrifice and endurance few can survive. He needs a miracle. A lot of them.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Kendy Pearson is a worship leader, Bluegrass fiddler, and Civil War reenactment enthusiast. As a veteran high school teacher, she loves to discover a pocket of American history missing from the schoolbooks and turn that pocket inside out. Her novels lead fictitious characters through historical events and settings, engaging with period personalities. And she always includes a romantic thread to warm the heart. Every story is a journey through tragedy, secrets, regrets, and God’s undeniable grace.

She has received multiple lit awards and enjoys public speaking and teaching writing workshops. When she’s not clicking away on the computer or scaling mountains of research, she relishes ice cream, snowy days, fireplaces, and maple trees. Kendy is the mother of four grown children and lives with her sweet hubby and two amusing miniature dachshunds.

More from Kendy

As always, writing from the Heart of History requires I choose little-known events in history and weave a fictionalized story through them. In Tempest Winds is Zander’s story, the middle son of the five Dabney siblings of the “West Virginia: Born of Rebellion’s Storm” series. I promise, you will still laugh, cry, and maybe even swoon—and you will definitely learn a few things you didn’t know before.

I’d like to share a secret with you. When I wrote In Tempest Winds, I was thinking of two of my sons. Only a year and a half apart in age, they both joined the military around the same time. They each served one-year deployments. The first son deployed to Iraq and the second to Afghanistan a year later. They each left an infant child and wife behind. I held my breath for two years (barely hyperbole!).

As I researched the last desperate year of the Civil War, I somehow knew what events Zander must experience in this book. Like my sons, Zander is witty, athletic, handsome, and sensitive. And as a mother of veterans and the daughter of a two-war veteran, I know this to be a truth: “…War has a way of changing a man, taking more than he has to give.”

Zander’s journey in this story is a little like Peter’s experience on the Sea of Galilee. Peter learned a valuable, frightening lesson when he took his eyes off Jesus and started sinking. (But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid… Matt. 14:30). Peter lost his faith for a time, forgetting who made that sea in the first place.

So, you are wondering about the leading lady by now. Lola is adorable, with her fly-away blond hair and spectacles that won’t stay where she puts them. And boy, is she smart, feisty, and falling hard for Zander! When the fireworks spark, she gives our boy much to think about. Lola’s got faith and pluck. She’s determined to trust God, no matter what the tempest threatens to destroy.

If you’ve read the other books in this series, please shoot me an email (kendy@kendypearson.com) and tell me your ideas for a grown-up Will and Bertie! What will they be like? I am excited to write their stories next.

Blessings from the Heart of History, my friends!

Kendy

Blog Stops

Giveaway


To celebrate her tour, Kendy is giving away the grand prize of a $40 Amazon gift card and a paperback copy of the book!!


Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54233 


My reviews

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

A Slight Change of Plans (Best-laid Plans Book 2) by Denise Colby

 


A sweet romance to steal your heart.
Danger, mystery, insecurities, romance, faith, hope, love. All come together to make a great story that keeps you on edge. Wonderful characters who move to a new town, find each other and also make new friends, leading to a new and better life for all of them.  Unexpected changes bring them together. Jenny has had her world changed when another school she's teaching at lets her go, so she travels to where her school friend is. Ren's face was scarred in a childhood accident, and he's been ridiculed over it all his life. Personal and visible scars, mistaken identity, kidnapping, romances - an excellent read.

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.

#ASlightChangeOfPlans #DeniseMColby #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #ScriveningsPressLLC #HistoricalChristianRomanceFicton #Western&FrontierRomanceBooks

My reviews
Barnes and Noble

Saturday, May 31, 2025

Seven Brides for Seven Texans by Gabrielle Meyer, Erica Vetsch, Amanda Barratt, Lorna Steilstad, Keli Gwyn, and Vickie McDonough

 

What a great collection. You have to become attached to each of them. Their unique love stories by different authors are yet seamless. I think of the seven brothers Bowie was my favorite- I have a soft heart for him- but each one is special as are their love journeys, struggles and successes. Good faith reinforcement throughout. A book to savor!

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.

#SevenBridesForSevenTexans #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #CelebrateLit #WildHeartBooks #ChristianHistoricalRomance #GabrielleMeyer #EricaVetsch #AmandaBarratt #LornaSeilstad #KeliGwyn #VickieMcDonough #SusanPageDavis


About the Book

Book: Seven Brides for Seven Texans

Authors: Gabrielle Meyer, Erica Vetsch, Amanda Barratt, Lorna Steilstad, Keli Gwyn, and Vickie McDonough

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: April 29, 2025

Seven brothers, seven heiresses, and one meddling grandfather—can mismatched matchmaking pave the way for true love?

Abraham Kennebrae, a powerful Minnesota tycoon, hatches a bold matchmaking scheme to secure his grandsons’ futures by pairing them with the wealthiest heiresses in town. But the brothers have no intention of complying, and their prospective brides harbor plans of their own. Jonathan battles to protect his fortune from slipping through his fingers, while Melissa guards the secret that could shatter her world—and her heart. Noah seeks refuge on Sutton Island, where fate throws him into the path of his destined bride, Anastasia. Meanwhile, Eli resigns himself to an engagement with Clarice Zahn, though his heart stirs at the sight of her younger sister, Josie.

With emotions running high and loyalties tested, Abraham’s carefully crafted plan spirals into chaos. Can love triumph when hearts rebel against expectations, or will the grandfather’s meddling prove too great a challenge for even the most determined romantics?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Authors

Gabrielle Meyer, a Minnesota native, draws inspiration for her historical fiction from the rich stories and landscapes of her home state, where she lives on the banks of the upper Mississippi River with her husband and four children. A former employee of the Minnesota Historical Society, Gabrielle loves weaving real people, places, and events into her captivating tales.

Best-selling, award-winning author Erica Vetsch weaves her love for Jesus, history, romance, and sports into her stories, including The Debutante’s Code, the first in the Thorndike & Swann Regency Mystery Series. When she’s not crafting fiction or planning her next trip to a history museum.

Bestselling author Amanda Barratt brings to life overlooked moments in history through her award-winning novels, including The Warsaw SistersWithin These Walls of Sorrow, and The White Rose Resists. Based in Michigan, she’s often immersed in research, tackling her ever-growing TBR stack, or savoring a slice of lemon cake.

Carol Award finalist Lorna Seilstad explores life’s complexities with humor in her nine novels, including the Lake Manawa Summers and Gregory Sisters series, as well as several novella collections. When she’s not writing, she teaches women’s Bible classes, runs a toy store, plans weddings, or spends time with her Pyredoodle, Honey Bea.

Keli Gwyn crafts inspirational historical romances that she loves to read. A California native, she now lives in the greater Sacramento area with her husband and their sweet orange tabby, enjoying life close to family.

Vickie McDonough, a CBA, EPCA, and Amazon best-selling author of 54 books and novellas, brings the Old West to life in her award-winning romances featuring ranchers, cowboys, and lawmen. Though married to a computer geek who fears horses, she lives out her ranching dreams through her stories—and when she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, gardening, making cards, and traveling.

More from Erica

Hi, I’m Erica Vetsch, and I loved collaborating on the stories for the 7 Brides for 7 Texans collection. It was fun writing stories that were so intertwined, and working closely with the other authors in the collection to bring the whole concept together.

Initially, I was approached by a publisher, asking if I would be interested in heading up a novella collection loosely based on the idea of 7 Brides for 7 Brothers, the classic musical. The parameters were that the stories must be no longer than 25K words, be historical in setting, and that I could choose the overall concept, as well as my team of authors.

I, of course, jumped at the chance. Before I contacted anyone, I worked up a rough idea of the premise of the stories. A wealthy Texas rancher with seven strapping sons is tired of waiting for them to get married and provide him with grandchildren, so he issues an ultimatum. Get married by the end of the calendar year, or you’re disinherited.

I named all the sons after famous Texans, and gave them a birth order, then I began contacting writing friends to see if they were interested in joining the project. Everyone I asked said yes! 😊

Then the real fun began. We formed a private Facebook group, and as the characters were chosen by the various authors, the order of the stories in the collection formed, and as ideas for storylines poured in, I began creating what we came to call The Master Document.

In the MD we tracked main characters’ names and appearances, secondary characters, a map of the fictional town of Hartsville, TX, and more. It eventually ran to more than 20 pages of information. We named the town newspaper, the general store, and kept track of the layout of the Harts’ massive ranch house. Keeping these details all in one place made it easy for the authors to flesh out their story world in a way that was consistent with everyone else’s stories.

Because the stories are so closely tied and on such a tight timeline, each of the authors’ characters would appear in another author’s novella. We needed to respect each other’s visions for the characters and treat them with respect, while also having the freedom to write our own stories.

Early on, as the project coordinator, it was established that if a dispute arose between two authors on how something should go, it would be myself who would cast the final vote. However, that contingency never came into play, as all the authors worked so well together.

One of the most challenging aspects of the project was, that as the project lead, and the one writing the final story in the collection, I needed to know the most about all the stories. Just before the deadline to turn our stories into the publisher, each author sent their story along to me to read for continuity. I spent a long weekend at author Gabrielle Meyer’s house, and we read every novella aloud, making notes for consistency and continuity throughout. These notes were turned in to the project editor, and she used them in her editing process to make sure seven separate stories felt cohesive.

It truly was a fun—and to me—unique, project, and when the publisher asked if I would like to head up a follow up collection, I was eager to say yes, and thus 7 Brides for 7 Texas Rangers was born.

Both of these intertwined collections went out of print, but they are now being released once more, this time through Wild Heart Books. I’m thrilled that we can tell our stories to new readers and prolong the lives of these characters.

Blog Stops

Giveaway


To celebrate their tour, the Wild Heart Books Authors are giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54225


My reviews