Wednesday, July 9, 2025

To Love a Beast (Once Upon a Time in Texas Book One) by Karen Witemeyer

 


Such a beautiful love story. Many places of fluid beauty in prose. He was terribly scarred and disfigured. She isn't bothered by it. She goes to his home to bind his books in his library and breaks through to him in common sense and caring. She can see his beauty through his scars. They see the inner beauty in each other. Meltingly lovely. Add in some evil and danger, a belonging to a new family. A perfect read. Not sappy. 

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.

#ToLoveABeast #KarenWitemeyer #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #CelebrateLit #HopeLightPublishing #ChristianHistoricalRomance 


About the Book

Book: To Love a Beast (One Upon a Time in Texas Book One)

Author: Karen Witemeyer

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: June 10, 2025

Beauty & the Beast in 1800’s Texas.

Once known among New York’s elite as the American Adonis, Everett Griffin now lives as a recluse in the wilds of Texas. The treachery of a former admirer left his face and his spirit riddled with scars, so he hides himself away, his only companions a trio of trusted servants and an oversized dog. Locals whisper of the beastly man who lives in the gloomy manor outside of town and his tendency to attack anyone who dares approach. Everett relishes his fearsome reputation and uses it as a shield to guard his privacy. Until a young woman as stubborn as she is beautiful infiltrates his sanctum and lays siege to his defenses.

When an injury to her father jeopardizes the family’s book binding business, Callista Rosenfeld determines to fulfill the contract herself, and no insufferable client or woman-eating dog will deter her. Finding unlikely allies among Mr. Griffin’s staff, Callista secures her position and sets to work transforming the manor’s remarkable library. Her employer transforms as well, his ill-tempered growls subsiding to reveal a considerate, intellectual nature. Affection blooms as Callista and Everett discover hidden depths in each other, but the evil schemes of a vengeful hunter threaten to leave their love and their lives in tatters.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Voted #1 Readers’ Favorite Christian Historical Author of 2023 by Family Fiction Magazine, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Karen’s books have won numerous awards, including the prestigious Christy Award, Carol Award, and National Reader’s Choice Award. Karen is an avid cross-stitcher, and makes her home in Abilene, Texas with her husband. Learn more about Karen and her books at her website.

 

 

 

More from Karen

Having Fun with Character Names

I was a college student when the Disney animated adaptation of Beauty and the Beast released, and it instantly became my favorite fairy tale of all time. As a bookish young woman myself, I found Belle so relatable, and the rest of the cast delighted me as well. Throughout my Texas Ever After series and continuing with this new Once Upon a Time in Texas series, I’ve enjoyed paying homage to the Disney characters who inspired my western retellings. To Love a Beast is no different.


Let’s start with our beastly hero, Everett Griffin. The name Everett means “wild boar” and a griffin is a mythological beast with the body of a lion and the head of an eagle. Quite fitting for our Beast. Next is the lovely Callista Rosenfeld, a book binder and novel lover. Callista means “most beautiful,” perfect for our Beauty. Rosenfeld references the enchanted rose that plays such a key role in the fairy tale plot.

Next, we have our supporting cast. Mrs. Potter is our motherly housekeeper who invites Callista to tea on a regular basis. Our stuffy butler playing the role of Cogsworth is Mr. Timens. Notice the TIME in his name that pays homage to the clock-faced Disney character. Everett’s valet and best friend is Ray Lightfoot, who’s name plays with the candlestick image with both his first and last name.

I love having fun with my character names and giving them additional story meaning. You’ll find more Beauty and the Beast Easter eggs in my story as well. Those elements make the story so fun to write, and I hope you will find it incredibly fun to read as well.

Happy Reading!

~Karen

Blog Stops

Maureen’s Musings, June 27
Melissa’s Bookshelf, June 27
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 28
Locks, Hooks and Books, June 28
The Important Things in Life: God, Books, & Chocolate , June 28
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 29
Inspired by Fiction, June 29
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions , June 30
Where Faith and Books Meet, June 30
Devoted Steps, July 1
Sylvan Reads, July 1
She Lives To Read, July 1
Texas Book-aholic, July 2
Blossoms and Blessings, July 2
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 3
Blogging With Carol, July 3
Stories By Gina, July 4 (Author Interview)
Labor Not in Vain, July 4
For Him and My Family, July 5
Holly’s Book Corner , July 5
Jeanette’s Thoughts, July 6
Jodie Wolfe, July 6
The Lit Lady, July 7
Wishful Endings, July 7
Bizwings Book Blog, July 8
Life on Chickadee Lane, July 8
Books You Can Feel Good About, July 9
Mary Hake, July 9
To Everything There Is A Season, July 10
Life Love Writing, July 10
Min Reads and Reviews, July 10

Giveaway



To celebrate her tour, Karen is giving away the grand prize of an eBook copy of the book and Beauty & the Beast themed goodies!!

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/00adcf54249


My reviews
Barnes and Noble
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Sunday, July 6, 2025

Cruise To Death

 


About the Book

Book: Cruise to Death

Author: Sara L. Jameson

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: June 1, 2021

When opera singer Riley Williams agrees to sub as a musical-theater performer on a luxury Rhine/Moselle riverboat cruise, she gets more than she bargained for. Not only must she come up with 250 Broadway songs, she is required to dance with the male passengers. Dance—the subject she nearly failed in her Conservatory courses, and the cause of her recent flop in a European Opera House. To make matters worse, she overhears two terrorists at a café in Antwerp, Belgium, discussing the transfer of deadly agent X to the highest bioterrorist bidders.

Interpol agent Jacob Coulter, an anti-terrorism desk analyst in Brussels, Belgium, insists on serving as an undercover agent after his best friend Noel is murdered by terrorists from the Brussels cell he infiltrates. Shortly before Noel dies, he manages to tell Jacob snippets of the terrorists’ plans. Plans that seem to involve the same riverboat cruise Riley is on. When Interpol learns of Riley’s encounter with terrorists, Jacob’s supervisor insists he work with her to identify the terrorists and retrieve agent X. But their relationship is fraught with distrust because of Riley’s suspicious past and a romantic attraction neither of them wants.

Book Excerpt

Next door, the grocer laid down the apples and oranges he’d been arranging in his sidewalk bin and snatched a handful of broccoli rabe from the crates stacked beside him. Giving Jacob an I-dare-you stare, he wrung the stalks until their necks went limp. He spat on the ground and tossed the ruined vegetables in the bucket at his feet.

The stench of rotting greens and overripe fruit filled Jacob’s nostrils. He’d never be able to convince them he had peace-loving Muslim friends. Friends who were as horrified as he was at the rise of jihadists. He risked a smile. “Bon soir, good evening.”

The shopkeepers glared at him, mute.

His choices were minimal. Either head for St. Jean et Nicolas up the block, or the slalom-sloped Dupont Street to his right. If he returned to his post outside the brothel, he might not find Noel.

Footsteps pounded the pavement behind him. Jacob whirled as a dark-haired man staggered up Brabant Street, his breaths heaving as if he’d run six back-to-back marathons. Crimson lakes splotched the midsection of his T-shirt and jeans. His white-rimmed eyes glazed like a man fleeing a half-crazed mob.

Missed Any Excerpts, Go Here

Excerpt One:https://www.artistwriterandstudentohmy.com/posts/cruise-to-death-book-spotlight/
Excerpt Two:https://www.guildmaster97.com/posts/cruise-to-death-epic-book-launch-excerpt/
Excerpt Three:https://lightsinadarkworld.wordpress.com/2025/07/06/cruise-to-death-by-sara-jameson-epic-book-launch/
Excerpt Four:https://www.simpleharvestreads.com/posts/cruise-to-death-book-spotlight/
Excerpt Five:https://musingsbymaureen.blogspot.com/2025/07/celebrate-lit-presents-cruise-to-death.html
Excerpt Six:https://booksyoucanfeelgoodabout.blogspot.com/2025/07/cruise-to-death.html
Excerpt Seven:https://storiesbygina.com/2025/07/17/cruise-to-death-epic-book-launch-with-celebrate-lit-publicity/

About the Author

Sara L. Jameson won Scrivenings Press’s grand prize publishing contract in January 2021. They released her debut romantic suspense novel, Cruise to Death, in June 2021. Death in High Places, (Book 2 in the Troubled Waters series), released February 2023, followed by Vengeance in Vienna, July 2024.

In real life, Sara is a multi-published, former university professor who writes non-fiction under her real name and edits book manuscripts for other authors. She also pens WWII historical novels. When not at her computer, she enjoys reading, swimming, cooking, dog-sitting, and spending time with friends.

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Wednesday, July 2, 2025

The Codebreaker's Daughter by Amy Lynn Green (A Novel of World War II, Codebreakers, and Mother-Daughter Relationships)

 



"In the heart of the US capital, Dinah Kendall's role for the Office of Strategic Services isn't the thrilling espionage career she dreamed of."

What a fabulous book. Flipping between two world wars, a mother and daughter are both pulled into secret government work, including code breaking. Both wars were fought on many fronts, behind the scenes very intensely as well. Taking place before the invasion of Normandy in WW2, Dinah doesn't find her job so exciting at first as she is asked to create rumors and deceptions, until she is caught in the middle of espionage, which involved her back before she went to Washington. Unbeknownst to her, her family and their friends were some of the original and most complicated cipher creators and breakers in the first World War. Family secrets and deep feelings are an undercurrent, with friction between her and her mother, yet they need each other more than they realize. Intense at times, it's very difficult to put down. Very realistically told, based on many historical facts. Fascinating to see behind the curtain and visualize it all. Makes you hold your breath the whole last part. 

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

 #TheCodebreakersDaughter #NetGalley #AmyLynnGreen #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #BethanyHouse #ChristianHistoricalFicton

My reviews
Barnes and Noble
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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.

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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:
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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.

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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:
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