Sunday, February 9, 2025

Securing Charity (A Place to Belong) by Julia David

Many of us have been bullied or shunned for no fault of our own. Charity was born with a deformed arm. She is from a family of Roma Gypsies. Ari is from Sweden and is much different in many ways. As neighbors they join together to help each other and they learn each other's differences, accepting them through the friction. There's trouble with the town and the person who owns and controls it, with an underlying twist. Interesting story that kept me hooked to the very end. They're people you'd like to know.

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.

#SecuringCharity #JuliaDavid #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #CelebrateLit #ChristianHistoricalRomance #FieldRunnerPress

About the Book

Book: Securing Charity

Author: Julia David

Genre: Inspirational Historical Romance

Release date: October 17, 2022

Has God and all that is good truly abandoned her?
After a fearless Swedish man intervenes to save her from a brutal attack, Charity Baldzo, a Roma beauty with a hidden disability and a lineage shrouded in mystery, escapes to her mother’s farm. But as she grapples with her past and the scars it left, will she ever find the safety she desperately seeks?

Ari Johansson’s world spirals into chaos after his act of bravery turns to tragedy. The vengeful hand of the man who assaulted Charity strikes back, slaughtering his sheep as retribution. Now, Ari’s brother languishes in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, and flames devour his home and barn, leaving him with nothing but a future of despair. The only glimmer of hope is Charity, who now cares for his young nephew, Soren.

As desperation mounts, Ari is reluctant to lean on the fierce Roma women. But when Charity’s mother proposes an unexpected deal—one he should refuse—he’s faced with an impossible choice. Could marrying the beautiful Charity and securing the neighboring land be the key to ensuring Soren’s safety and freeing his brother?
Attraction sparks between them, but can their disparate worlds coexist? Can they navigate their differences and build a future together?

PG- A clean and swoon-worthy historical romance with deep veins of grace, courage, and heart-hugging acceptance. Curl up and escape to a happy ending.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Julia David is an Amazon #1 ranked romance author, serial DIY’er, and certified life coach. Addicted to Hallmark movies and baking, she believes it’s crucial to have some predictable things in life. Her tagline, ‘Escape to an Era Where True Love Prevails’, was from her own reason for reading stacks of books.

Married and a mother to five, she also loves to camp and hike around the Pacific Northwest.

More from Julia

Fun fact: My daughter’s dear friend is a talented photographer who was born missing half of her left arm. Her agility and confidence are truly inspiring, and she served as a major inspiration for our heroine, Charity.”

My favorite part of being an indie author is witnessing how God provides the perfect cover models just when I need them. Each of my books features amazing ladies (and gentlemen) from my Northern California area, and I absolutely love creating the costumes myself.

Below is a photo of our heroine, Charity, showcasing costumes that are largely sourced from Goodwill. I truly enjoy the creative process!

Blog Stops

Stories By Gina, January 28 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 29
Vicky Sluiter, January 30 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, January 30
Texas Book-aholic, January 31
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, February 1 (Author Interview)
Locks, Hooks and Books, February 2
For the Love of Literature, February 3 (Author Interview)
Madi’s Musings, February 4
Tell Tale Book Reviews, February 5 (Author Interview)
Pause for Tales, February 5
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 6
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 7
Blossoms and Blessings, February 8 (Author Interview)
Books You Can Feel Good About, February 9
Holly’s Book Corner, February 10

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Julia is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a 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/00adcf54143

My reviews:

Saturday, February 8, 2025

An Appalachian Summer by Ann H. Gabhart

1933 Piper is a young debutante who wants to get away from the arranged marriage her father had put into motion and do something different. So she volunteered to act as a courier for a small hospital in the Appalachian Mountains, as a helper to the nurses. She wrestled with the fact that she still loved Jamie, who follows her there, hoping to write an article about the hospital and its unusual set up. Beautifully told, pulling you right in. Constant movement between the characters, working it all out. With faith all things come about to our good.

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

#AnAppalachianSummer #NetGalley #AnnHGabhart #ChristianHistoricalFiction #Revell #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

My reviews

Friday, February 7, 2025

Midnight on the Scottish Shore, A Novel of World War II by Sarah Sundin

Wow this is an amazing story. Based a lot of fact. WW2. Cilla, a Dutch girl who escaped to English controlled Scotland by using the Germans, got caught as she reached shore. Who wouldn't mind being captured by a brawny Scot in a kilt? Lots of danger, spycraft and love. The depth of espionage and subterfuge thinking between them is enthralling the way it's handled, and they fight together against the Germans on more than one front. Incredible chess game. Thoroughly engrossing and believable to where I wanted to pray for them. I didn't want to finish the book, if only to keep spending time with them a little longer.

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

#MidnightontheScottishShore #NetGalley #SarahSundin #ChristianHistoricalFiction #Revell #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

Synopsis:

In a time of war, danger lurks beneath the water--and in the depths of the human heart

As the German war machine devours the Netherlands, the only way Cilla van der Zee can survive the occupation is to do the unthinkable--train to become a spy for the Nazis. Once dispatched to Britain, she plans to abandon her mission and instead aid the Allies. But her scheme is thwarted when naval officer Lt. Lachlan Mackenzie finds her along the Scottish shore and turns her in to be executed.

Yet perhaps she is more useful alive than dead. British intelligence employs her to radio misleading messages to Germany from the lighthouse at Dunnet Head in Scotland--messages filled with naval intelligence Lachlan must provide. If the war is to be won, Lachlan and Cilla must work together. But how can he trust a woman who arrived on his shores as a tool of the enemy--a woman certain to betray both him and the Allied cause?

My reviews:

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

No Address promo

This looks heart wrenching and very interesting.
Inspired by true events, this compelling drama captures the journey of a group of individuals experiencing homelessness. The film is a cinematic exploration of hope, humanity, and resilience as the characters navigate the stormy challenges of life with no physical address, showcasing the reality that homelessness could happen to anyone.

NO ADDRESS is releasing in theaters on February 28.

Trailer link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3ZWGuCY8-Q

#noaddressmin #NoAddress @noaddressmovie

Midnight on the Scottish Shore promo

Midnight on the Scottish Shore is now available!

You can find it at your favorite bookstore (if they don't have it in stock, ask them to order it!) and online at Baker Book House, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and ChristianBook.com. The ebook and audio book are available too.

https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/598755

https://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Scottish-Shore-Historical-Suspense/dp/0800741862/

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/midnight-on-the-scottish-shore-sarah-sundin/1145837687?ean=9780800741860

https://www.christianbook.com/midnight-scottish-shore-novel-world-war/9780800741860/pd/741869

@SarahSundin #SarahSundin #midnightonthescottishshore #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #ChristianHistoricalFiction

Saturday, February 1, 2025

The Maestro’s Missing Melody by Amy Walsh

What a lovely story. I'd love to hear it as an audio book to gear the fiddle and violin playing. Christian Contemporary where a Wyoming girl goes overseas to intern under her favorite maestro and meets his family. It's pretty involved with interesting problems and talents for very believable characters. Kept me wondering what would happen next. Nice love 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.

#TheMaestrosMissingMelody #AmyWalsh #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #CelebrateLit #ContemporaryChristianRomance

About the Book

Book: The Maestro’s Missing Melody

Author: Amy Walsh

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Release date: September 13, 2024

She was thrilled to apprentice with her fiddler hero—until she got to know him. He regretted his decision to play teacher to college kids—until he got to know her.

For aspiring musician and college student McKay Moonlight, winning a summer internship with Scottish master fiddler Huntley Milne was a dream come true. When a last-minute change moved the internship program from the Scottish Highlands of her ancestors to a village she’d never heard of along the River Deben, McKay was determined to make the best of it. However, she didn’t expect to make such a terrible first impression on her summer mentor.

Hosting a bunch of college students was the last thing Maestro Huntley Milne needed. He was already up to his ears in problems, with Aunt BeeBee being placed in a care home, resulting in him having emergency custody of his tween nephew and niece. Then he met McKay Moonlight, and the chaos really began.

The Maestro’s Missing Melody is a charming story featuring endearingly eccentric characters, a treasure hunt caper through the nooks and crannies of a mansion, and genuine laugh-out-loud moments. Sunshine and thunderclouds attract in this delightful age-gap Christian romantic comedy from Amy Walsh.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Amy Walsh is a 5th-grade teacher who loves teaching children about what she loves to do herself: reading and writing. She enjoys outdoor activities, especially hiking and camping. Amy also appreciates opportunities to share her faith through singing, teaching, and writing for her church family. Amy and her husband, Patrick, have three children: Bree, Spencer, Liz, and a son-in-law, Kyle. Amy and her family love to spend time together celebrating special occasions, listening to great music, swimming and kayaking, and having occasional ping pong tournaments.

More from Amy

The Maestro’s Missing Melody Cast of Characters

Maestro Huntley Milne regrets committing to host a group of college students, especially when Aunt BeeBee ends up in a care home, forcing him to move into the Milne Monstrosity on Sycamore Street which is about two hours northeast of London. Aunt BeeBee is nagging him to locate the missing Milne stave book, Dory and David are fretting about being put back into foster care, and even his aunt’s cats are high maintenance. Then he meets McKay Moonlight…

McKay Moonlight was thrilled when she won the musical apprenticeship at Maestro Huntley Milne’s Highlands Music Center. After all, she had a little crush on him for years after seeing him play at the Rocky Mountain Fiddler Championships. When the apprenticeship is relocated to a tiny town near the Deben River, rather than the Highlands of her ancestors, she takes it in stride. Who would think her traveling mishaps would cause her to be late and forget something very important – ruining her chance to make a good first impression on her summer mentor.

The Milne Monstrosity was built by a wealthy plantation owner, who brought his family to England just prior to the American Civil War. This mansion is a hodgepodge of turrets, towers, secret passages, and gables – – and does not fit in with the other homes on Sycamore Street AT ALL. Beatrice Milne has filled the mansion with many colorful and eccentric collections. Other unique features of the Milne property are a tiny guest house which is the exact replica of the Monstrosity, and a stone amphitheater decorated with musical gargoyles within view of the River Deben.

Dory and David are tween twins who went from foster home to foster home until they were finally adopted by Mama Bee. Dory enjoys riding her bike around her village, learning to play the flute, reading great books – – and finally having a family, even if her adopted mother is much older and let’s say “different” from other parents. David plays the guitar very well, but his real passion is for building gadgets. The twins were content living in the Milne Monstrosity in Eden Cove with Mama Bee encouraging them to explore their interests and grow their talents. But now, Mama Bee is in a care home and they are stuck with grumpy Uncle Huntley until Mama Bee comes home. That’s IF she ever comes home.

Beatrice Milne, aka Aunt Bee Bee or Mama Bee, always had her fingers in so many pies, and those pies were always so splendid, that she seems larger than life to the people of Eden Cove. Now she is a patient of Balmy Bay Residences, the care home she helped refurbish as one of her projects. What’s with her change in personality – and her obsession with Huntley needing to search for the missing Milne stave book?

Arabella and Gerard are Aunt Bee Bee’s ginormous cats who have a love/hate relationship with the Maestro. Who knows, maybe they can help with the treasure hunt for the missing stave book…

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 25
Stories By Gina, January 26 (Author Interview)
Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, January 26
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 27
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 28
Texas Book-aholic, January 29
Locks, Hooks and Books, January 30
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 31
Books You Can Feel Good About, February 1
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 2
Blogging With Carol, February 3
For Him and My Family, February 4
Fiction Book Lover, February 5 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, February 5
Holly’s Book Corner, February 6
Pause for Tales, February 7

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Amy is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a 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/00adcf54141

My reviews:

Barnes and Noble

Maggie's Journey, McKenna Sisters Book 1 by Lena Nelson Dooley

1885 It was interesting getting to know Maggie. Her parents had travelled to Portland on a wagon train, then moved to settle in Seattle. She and her mother were mostly at odds, and she never understood why. Maggie loved to design clothes, but her mother felt that was beneath her and too common, even though her own mother was a successful clothing designer and seamstress in her hometown. Maggie's 18th birthday became a turning point for them all, when she uncovered truths about her family and herself. This is a coming of age and self-discovery story, and the beginning of a series. Believable characters with believable struggles, and Christian strength in solving them. Very good read.

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.

#MaggiesJourney #LenaNelsonDooley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #CelebrateLit #ChristianHistoricalRomance #WildHeartBooks

About the Book

Book: Maggie’s Journey

Author: Lena Nelson Dooley

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: January 7, 2025

A secret adoption, a quest for identity, and a love that could change her life forever.

Margaret Lenora Caine has never fit the mold her mother set for her. When Maggie discovers proof she was adopted, the rift between them only tears deeper. Feeling the sting of betrayal, Maggie requests permission to visit her grandmother in Little Rock, Arkansas. There she’ll set her sights on her dream of becoming a successful dress designer and maybe find her true identity in the process. Her father’s one condition is that she must be travel with her young aunt and her father’s handsome business partner, Charles Stanton—the man who once held her affections.

Charles Stanton, a thriving businessman, has taken a calculated risk by joining forces with Maggie’s father in a joint venture. When asked to chaperone his new partner’s sister-in-law and daughter on a cross-country trip, Charles sees it as an opportunity to strengthen their business ties. Though he initially sets his sights on Maggie’s charming and composed aunt as a potential wife, Charles soon finds himself increasingly captivated by Maggie’s resilience and charm.

With each passing mile, the bond between Maggie and Charles deepens, challenging both Maggie’s plans and her heart. Will the love growing between them help her embrace her identity—or complicate her search for what truly matters in life?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Multi-published, award-winning author Lena Nelson Dooley has had more than 1,000,000 copies of her 50+ books sold. Her books have appeared on the CBA, Publisher’s Weekly, and ECPA bestseller lists, as well as Amazon bestseller lists. She is a member of American Christian Fiction and the local chapter, ACFW – DFW. She’s a member of Christian Authors’ Network. She likes to create characters and stories that grip her readers hearts.

Book Excerpt

“Mrs. Caine.” Angus McKenna came to an abrupt stop and cleared his throat before starting again. “I’ve come to ask you something that . . . I never dreamed I’d . . . ever ask anyone.” His voice rasped, and he stopped to take a gulp of air, staring off into the distance.

She couldn’t take her eyes from him, even when the baby in her arms squirmed. “How can we help you?”

New tears followed the trails down his cheeks and disappeared into his beard. He grabbed a bandanna from his back pocket and blew his nose with one hand. “I’ve just lost the most important thing in my life.” He paused and stared at the ground. “I don’t know how I can go on without her.” His voice cracked on the last word. Once again he paused, but much longer this time. His prominent Adam’s apple bobbed several times. “I’ve been crying out to God, but I don’t think He’s listening to me right now. If He were . . . ”

What a thing for a man to admit to them. Florence knew he must be near a breakdown. He did need help, but what could they do?

“I’ve decided . . . it would be best to find another family to raise one of my girls.” He stood straighter. “I’ve watched you with Margaret Lenora . . . ”

“Is that what you’ve named her?” Florence gazed at the sleeping baby, and her heart ached for the child. To grow up without a mother.

“Yes.” Angus looked straight at Joshua, and her husband gave a slow nod.

“Your husband has told me . . . how much you’ve wanted a child.”

For a moment, anger flared in her chest. Joshua shouldn’t share her secret with anyone. She took a deep breath to keep from saying something she’d regret. Even though she didn’t even look at her husband, she could feel his gaze deep inside. She was grateful he couldn’t see the ugly jealousy and covetousness that resided there.