About the Book

https://gleam.io/p5Nek/the-missing-captive- celebration-tour-giveaway

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Saturday, September 26, 2026

The Missing Captive: The Deep Commitment to Share the Gospel in Early Colonial America by George Lapin

I was completely absorbed in this story right from the beginning. My husband and I both have Dutch ancestors from the Van Alstyne family who lived in the Albany area in the 1700s. My husband's history includes a story of Indians kidnapping family and going after them into Canada to get them back, so this story hits close to home. The story is very well written and quite real as to what could have happened in this time of the Queen's War with conflicts between the French, English, Indians and Canadians and shifting allegiances. It includes historical places and people who make it so and I was hooked thoroughly to see what would happen. Gideon and his sister are from a missionary family. Both are driven by their faith and wish for freedom to make their own way in life. As events take them over, their courage and enduring path in faith and family commitments are inspiring. Hard to put down satisfying read, right to the end. Quite moving.

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.

#TheMissingCaptive #GeorgeLapin #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #CelebrateLit #ReligiousHistoricalFiction

About the Book

Book: The Missing Captive

Author: George Lapin

Genre: Historical Fiction

Release Date: February 28, 2025

An unforgettable journey of faith, courage, and personal transformation

Swept into the treacherous French-allied territories of eighteenth-century Canada, a young English translator embarks on a dangerous quest through the wilderness to uncover the fate of his captive sister in this tale of survival, faith, and self-discovery.

Gideon Bates must confront his deepest fears, navigate complex tribal politics, and forge unlikely alliances as he searches for his sister seized during a devastating raid. Torn between his father’s missionary ambitions and his own yearning for freedom, Gideon’s journey will test his courage, challenge his faith, and lead to an unexpected reckoning with his past.

Rich in historical detail, The Missing Captive is a tale of love, loss, and the indomitable power of the human spirit. Don’t miss this saga of courage, self-discovery, and the transformative journey of one man in a time of colonial upheaval. It is a historical adventure that will captivate fans of colonial American history and transport you to a bygone era.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

George Lapin is a beginning writer with a focus on Christian Historical Fiction. His first book titled The Missing Captive is set in early colonial America in a tumultuous period, decades prior to the French and Indian War. The story explores the struggles, faith and resilience of the individuals in this time period. With a passion for history and Christian values, George’s writing offers a unique perspective on the lives of early Americans and the spiritual challenges they faced.

George retired as a construction executive and discovered that he had a desire to write fiction. He possesses a vivid imagination and believes that he can use that gift to write an intricate plot.

George realized that most of the historical fiction novels he read centered on the French and Indian War or later. It seemed that there was such a rich history in early colonial America that was being overlooked, so George decided to write about that time period with all of its political and religious conflicts. The changes in North America during this era could help produce an interesting story.

More from George

I tried to make the story protagonist, Gideon Bates, unique in a different sort of humorous way. Born into a Puritan Missionary Family in early America, Gideon’s mother raised him to aide others when they were in need.

Gideon had no desire to be a missionary but desired to be in the military. He learned many fighting moves from his uncle who was currently a ranger in the New England Militia. He also participated in village wrestling matches and usually won.

However, whenever he got into a fight and the foe was vanquished, Gideon’s mother’s teaching kicked in. He would attempt to help his foe recover by giving him a helping hand or leaving a little money for lunch.

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, September 18 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 18
Devoted To Hope, September 19
Artistic Nobody, September 20 (Author Interview)
Guild Master, September 21 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, September 22
Fiction Book Lover, September 23 (Author Interview)
The Bookish Ledger, September 24 (Author Interview)
Books Less Travelled, September 25 (Author Interview)
Books You Can Feel Good About, September 26
Life on Chickadee Lane, September 27
History, Hope & Happily Ever After, September 28 (Author Interview)
Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, September 29 (Author Interview)
Locks, Hooks and Books, September 29
Vicky Sluiter, September 30 (Author Interview)
The Bookish Pilgrim, October 1

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, George 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.

My reviews

Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Vision of My Heart: A Shumard Oak Bend Novel (Discerning God’s Best Book 7) by Heidi Gray McGill

This is one of those stories that you sink into and wrap around you. So beautifully written, such lovely people. Sera lost her eyesight to smallpox but gained new vision. She is careful but wants to be treated as normal and to do things on her own. Her family, especially her father, is very protective of her but she breaks out on her own when she can. Connor is captivated by her but he's poor Irish, although he's worked hard to build his reputation with horses and as a person. They become closer during a storm and get closer as time goes on but each fight with their own feelings of inadequacy and uncertainty. Their strong faith and personalities make you feel comfortable with them and pull on your heart strings. A lovely book for yourself or a gift you can feel good about. A book I can highly recommend.

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

#VisionOfMyHeart #HeidiGrayMcGill #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #ChristianHistoricalFiction #ChristianInspiration #HeidiGrayMcGillBooksLLC #DiscerningGodsBest #ShumardOakBend

My reviews

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

The Brewer: Salem Village - Book 3 by Pegg Thomas

A fitting end to the series. These are people whom you feel close to - you get to know them well and all that each has had to live through during this time. With the horrible threat of the witch trials, they've not only lost friends to them but there is also distrust from many angles in their town and the surrounding area. They are all in constant peril of falsely being accused. Yet the struggle strengthens their faith as they live through it and a drought as well. These books shine a strong light on the time of the witch trials and also the prejudices between the religions of the area. The way that neighbors treat Thomas our brewer is eye opening. People of very strong and structured faith, romance deepens in the midst between his son of Puritan faith and a neighbor's daughter of Quaker faith. Excellent page-turner, eye opening, realistic history and great people. These are the people who stand strong against evil.

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

#TheBrewer #PeggThomas #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #ChristianHistoricalFiction #SpinnerOfYarnsPublishing

My reviews

https://gleam.io/VzZoo/thawing-the-frontiersmans-heart-celebration-tour-giveaway

Monday, September 7, 2026

Thawing The Frontiersman's Heart

Beauty and the beast? Jared was terribly scarred in the war and prefers to live in remote wilderness, even though he's from a prominent family. Roisin is trying to find her Dad who has wandered out into this area - during a blizzard. She stumbles on Jared's cabin and there their story begins. But oh, they're both Irish so you know it will be ok, and they'll melt your heart, and it will be an interesting and beloved story. Strong faith blends in beautifully. You can't go wrong with this author's work as she keeps you turning the pages and feeling involved with the characters. Wild Heart books will surely be favorites.

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.

#ThawingTheFrontiersmansHeart #AndreaByrd #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #CelebrateLit #ChristianWesterns #WildHeartBooks

About the Book

Book: Thawing the Frontiersman’s Heart

Author: Andrea Byrd

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: August 25, 2026

A missing father. A deadly storm. And a stranger who may be more dangerous than the wilderness.

Kentucky Territory, 1785
Roisin Duncan has spent her life guarding secrets—her father’s failing mind, her own quiet eccentricities, and the fear that one misstep could see them both locked away like the aunt she lost. But when her father disappears into the wilderness caves he loves, Roisin has no choice but to venture beyond the safety of her carefully controlled world. Caught in a brutal snowstorm, she finds refuge at the cabin of Jared McFadin—a man as scarred on the outside as he is within.

Haunted by war, Jared has built a life of isolation on the edge of his family’s land, convinced he is more danger than protector. But when a desperate young woman arrives at his door, he cannot turn her away.

As they search the treacherous caverns and race against time to find Roisin’s father, the greater danger may not be the wilderness, but the fears that have kept them both imprisoned. To survive, Roisin and Jared must risk what they’ve guarded most—their trust, their hearts, and the fragile hope that love might be stronger than their weaknesses.

Perfect for fans of Lori Wick and Janette Oke.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Andrea Byrd is a small-town wife and mom from southern Kentucky who harbors a deep love of days gone by, expressed with pioneer skirts and a once-in-a-lifetime ride in an authentic biplane. She seeks to respect the past, giving voice to those that came before, while reminding readers that no aspect of their past defines them.

More from Andrea

Prior to becoming officially recognized by the American Psychiatric Association in 1980, PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) went by many names including Combat Fatigue, Shell Shock, and Soldier’s Heart. However, none of these categorizations even came about until the Civil War.

When considering the horrors faced by the soldiers that fought for our freedom 250 years ago, though, there is no doubt that it would have had a lasting effect on the mental health of a great number of men. And yet, during the Revolutionary War, the only term used for any kind of anxiety or sleeplessness amongst soldiers was simply Nostalgia.

But we all know that PTSD is extensively complicated, rather than simple homesickness. Not only can it bring flashbacks and nightmares, but it can cause hypervigilance, insomnia, and considerably more. It affects a person’s thoughts, behavior, mood, and overall quality of life.

In this Wilderness Romance series, and particularly in Thawing the Frontiersman’s Heart, I strove to give readers a small glimpse of what this might have looked like for the Revolutionary War soldiers to which we owe so much.

I pray that it serves to bring awareness to the struggles that many men during the time likely faced in darkness, without recognition or support. And I hope that you enjoy both Jared and Roisin’s stories as they each strive to find freedom from the confines of their own minds.

Happy Reading!

Andrea Byrd

Blog Stops

Devoted Steps, September 1
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 2
Texas Book-aholic, September 3
For Him and My Family, September 4
Jeanette’s Thoughts, September 5
Devoted To Hope, September 6
Books You Can Feel Good About, September 7
lakesidelivingsite, September 8
Books, Books, & More Books, September 9 (Author Interview)
Avid Reader Nurse, September 9
Blossoms and Blessings, September 10
Holly’s Book Corner, September 11
Pause for Tales, September 12
Life on Chickadee Lane, September 13
Lyssa Loves Books, September 14
Cover Lover Book Review, September 14

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Andrea 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.

My reviews

https://gleam.io/7zfBE/a-contrary-betrothal-celebration-tour-giveaway

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

A Contrary Betrothal by Denise Weimer

Sam and Susanna are from different areas of the same side. Sam is skilled and takes his position seriously but is still faced with prejudice as the son of a Cherokee chief - on both sides of his mixed race. The story takes place at a wilderness fort. Susanna's stepmother is Cherokee and she would really like to be more like her. Her father prefers an older doctor for her, but after meeting Sam - well, you know. She's captured and Sam risks all to bring her back. As their attraction grows, they discover that they share values and draw closer, but the Creek war and prejudices against them don't make it easy. So well told, you look forward to getting back to the story each time you have to put it down.

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.

#AContraryBetrothal #DeniseFarnsworth #DeniseWeimer #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #CelebrateLit #ChristianWesterns #WildHeartBooks

About the Book

Book: A Contrary Betrothal

Author: Denise Farnsworth writing as Denise Weimer

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: August 18, 2026

A Cherokee lieutenant, a colonel’s daughter, and a desperate fight to protect both land and love.

Sam Hicks may be the educated son of a Cherokee chief, but his command of multiple languages and diplomatic skills can’t erase the prejudice he faces as a mixed-blood warrior. When he’s tasked with guarding Colonel Moore’s spirited daughter, Susanna, at a wilderness fort, he never expects to lose his heart to a woman he can never have.

Susanna Moore dreams of making her own way on the frontier like her Cherokee stepmother. The last thing she wants is an arranged marriage to the fort’s stuffy doctor—especially after she meets the noble and intelligent Sam Hicks. When she’s captured by a turncoat warrior during a Creek uprising, Sam risks everything to save her.

Their shared values and growing love give them hope—but with the Creek War raging and cultural pressures mounting, can a Cherokee lieutenant and a colonel’s daughter overcome the loyalties and prejudices set against them?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

North Georgia native Denise Farnsworth, formerly Denise Weimer, has authored over twenty traditionally published novels and novellas—historical and contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and time slip. As a freelance editor and Acquisitions & Editorial Liaison for Wild Heart Books, she’s helped other authors reach their publishing dreams. A wife and mother of two adult daughters, Denise always pauses for coffee, chocolate, and old houses.

More from Denise

The seed idea for A Contrary Betrothal came from another author a number of years ago. She proposed a collection of stories in which the heroes were all Native Americans who served their country in different wars. I still love the idea even though it never came to pass! In fact, I loved it so much, I went ahead and wrote my story. And that story became Bent Tree Bride, first published with Smitten Romance. Now, it’s joining my Scouts of the Georgia Frontier series as book six.

Many people are unaware that the Cherokees fought alongside American troops under Andrew Jackson during the Creek War or Red Stick War, a portion of the War of 1812 that occurred in present-day Alabama. The Creek people were allied to the British, as the Cherokees themselves had been during the American Revolution. The motivation for this was, of course, to keep their land. Their warriors were so valuable to Jackson that they broke the ineffective cannonade on the town of Tohopeka, swimming across the river from behind and making the victory possible that ended the war at Horseshoe Bend.

Sam Hicks, the hero of A Contrary Betrothal, is a mixed-blood Cherokee lieutenant with the head of a scholar and the heart of a warrior. His struggle to intermingle the old ways and the new ways proves reflective of the metamorphosis of his people. Even though he’s been educated as the wealthy son of a chief, he knows his white colonel’s daughter, Susanna Moore, is out of his reach. But when he’s assigned to guard her and her little brother at a wilderness fort, he can no longer deny his attraction to the feisty young woman who’s determined to convince her father she can survive on the frontier as well as her Cherokee stepmother.

A Contrary Betrothal will resonate with readers who enjoy stories by authors like Laura Frantz, Shannon McNear, Michelle Griep, and Lori Benton. The forbidden love and fish out of water tropes create plenty of angst, and the battlefield scenes echo Last of the Mohicans. When people have asked me which of my books would translate well onto the big screen, in fact, this is one I think of. I invite you, dear reader, to be swept away by the action and romance of my final book of the Scouts of the Georgia Frontier.

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, August 25
lakesidelivingsite, August 26
Books, Books, & More Books, August 27 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, August 27
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, August 28
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 29
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 30
Cover Lover Book Review, August 31
Jeanette’s Thoughts , September 1
Books You Can Feel Good About, September 2
Connie’s History Classroom, September 3
Simple Harvest Reads, September 4 (Guest Review from Donna)
Blossoms and Blessings, September 5
Life on Chickadee Lane, September 6
Holly’s Book Corner, September 7
Pause for Tales, September 7

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Denise 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.

My reviews