Saturday, June 30, 2018

"A Place To Call Home" by Merrille Whren

Back of the Book:


STARTING OVER
After serving six years in prison for the false charge of manslaughter in the death of his wife, Kurt Jansen must overcome a world of bitterness if he wants to start a new life. But his first priority is securing a restoration job to pay a private investigator to find the real killer and a lawyer to get his kids back.

Hiring a convicted wife-killer isn't what kind-hearted Molly Finnerty bargains for as part of the prison ministry she supports. However, she begins to believe Kurt's claim of innocence and gradually finds a great deal to like about him—perhaps more to like than she should.

Can they overcome the past and find forgiveness and love?


BOOKS IN THE FRONT PORCH PROMISES SERIES    
1. A Place to Call Home
2. A Love to Call Mine
3. A Family to Call Ours

Each book stands alone, but the stories are connected through setting or characters.




Author bio:
Merrillee Whren is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author who writes inspirational romance. She is the winner of the 2003 Golden Heart Award for best inspirational romance manuscript presented by Romance Writers of America. She has also been the recipient of the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award and the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award. She is married to her own personal hero, her husband of forty- plus years, and has two grown daughters. She has lived in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Chicago and Florida but now makes her home in the Arizona desert. She spends her free time playing tennis or walking while she does the plotting for her novels. Please visit her Website and signup for her newsletter and connect with her on Facebook.

Social Media links:

Connect with Merrillee:  Website  Facebook  Twitter  Pinterest  Google +

Amazon Link:




                                                                            My Review: 
I just finished "A Place To Call Home" by Merrille Whren and I loved this book and this is the first book I have read by this author, but it won't be the last. I have added the other books in this series to my to be read list.

This is actually a clean love story and a chance at second love and a new beginning for both Kurt Jansen and Molly Finnerty who both have a not so happy past!

Along with the love story is a who done it! Kurt Jansen is out of prison and is determined to find out who killed his wife and why and to prove his innocence. I really liked how the case is solved and the guilty person isn't who you would think but then if you like mysteries you might guess who and why.

I received a complimentary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own.





Friday, June 29, 2018

To Claim Her Heart Author: Jodie Wolfe


About the Book

  

Title: To Claim Her Heart  
Author: Jodie Wolfe  
Release Date: May 14, 2018  
Genre: Historical Romance

In 1893, on the eve of the great race for land, Benjamin David prays for God to guide him to his ‘Promised Land’. Finding property and preaching to the lost are his only ways of honoring his deceased fiancee, but he didn’t count on Elmer (Elsie) Smith claiming the same plot and refusing to leave. Not only is she a burr in his side, but she is full of the homesteading know-how he sadly lacks. Obtaining a claim in the Cherokee Strip Land Run is Elsie Smith’s only hope for survival, but not just any plot will do. She has a specific one in mind. The plot’s not only a way to honor her pa and his life, but also to provide a livelihood for herself. Elsie’s willing to do whatever it takes to get that piece of property, and she determined to keep it, but she wasn’t planning on a kind, handsome preacher standing in her way. Her bitterness is what protects her, and she has not intentions of allowing that preacher to lay claim to her land … or her heart.

Click here to purchase your copy!

My Review
"To Claim Her Heart" by Jodie Wolfe is a really interesting fiction read based on the author's mother-in law's life and stories.

I was caught up in the story from the first page to the last word.

I actually learned something new from reading this book, I don't think I have ever heard of Cherokee Strip Land Runs before and if I had I had forgotten about them.

There are even life lessons to apply to our lives, so I am going include them in this review " I read in the Bible that love is a choice. I could choose to be miserable in my marriage, or I could choose to love Mark. "..... "Each day I forced myself to find something good about Mark" ......" God started changing my heart. I couldn't see all Mark's fault anymore." These statements are not spoiler alerts because the one speaking them isn't the main heroine in the story.

This is my favorite quote from the book "It is one's responsibility to see to the needs of loved ones even if it conflicts with an individual's desires"

This book shows that love can melt away the anger and bring healing and much more than a person can know.

I think there could be a series of these characters if the author wanted to continue writing about them and I know this reader would read them all.

If you like history and clean love stories and learning how characters learn to get along,  where at the beginning of the story they aren't friends at all,  but more like enemies and I almost forgot outlaws, then I recommend "To Claim Her Heart " by Jodie Wolfe.

I was given a complimentary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own.



About the Author



Jodie Wolfe got bitten by the writing bug as a young girl after reading and watching Little House on the Prairie. She creates novels where hope and quirky meet. The power of story to influence lives and change hearts is what motivates her to weave tales that tell of the Savior’s faithfulness and forgiveness. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband in Pennsylvania, reading, walking, and being a Grammie. Learn more at www.jodiewolfe.com

Guest Post from Jodie Wolfe

The Heart of a Book

I think there’s always a little bit of the author in each book they write, but sometimes something deeper and very close to the author is wrapped up in the pages of a story. That’s the case for To Claim Her Heart. This is the tale that my mother-in-law always wanted me to write. She was so proud of her family heritage and almost twenty years ago, she was anxious to share it with me. We visited Oklahoma where several of her relatives had staked claims in the last great race for land in our country – To Claim Her Heart  
Author: Jodie Wolfe  . This September will mark the 125th anniversary of the land race. While it saddens me that my dear mother-in-law never lived long enough to see this story in print, I’m thankful that she shared her rich heritage with me. In To Claim Her Heart I was able to mention a recipe passed down through her family for prune cake. I also made sure the heroine had a Rose of Sharon quilt that was given to her. My mother-in-law gave me this quilt dating back as early as 1834 when it was stitched by my husband’s great, great, great, great grandmother. It’s been passed down to the oldest daughter for generations. But, I think one of my favorite memories is the one that concerns outlaws and how my husband’s great, great, great grandmother dealt with them. To find out more about this actual encounter, you’ll have to read To Claim Her Heart. I hope your heart will be as touched by these stories as mine was when my mother-in-law shared them. Enjoy!

Blog Stops



To celebrate her tour, Jodie is giving away a grand prize of a Kindle Fire!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/cf88/to-claim-her-heart-celebration-tour

Friday, June 22, 2018

"Points Worth " by D.C. Marino Book Tour and Give Away


About the Book



Title: Points Worth  
Author: D.C. Marino  
Genre: Fantasy  
Release Date: March 30 For centuries the small port town of Points Worth has been able to communicate with the ocean in its own language. But the water has just gone silent and its last word has shaken those able to translate it. A knowledge of sea-script won’t be enough to mend the broken relationship between man and the deep. Gil, a young nautical linguist, will have to break rules and search the past to discover why the ocean ceased its tides—or had them stolen. Points Worth is a novelette set in the world of Kingdom of Ruins, and is a prequel to the first book in the series.

Click here to purchase your copy!

My Review                                                           
"Points Worth" by D.C. Marino is a fast paced 31 pages and is a novelette set in the world of Kingdom of Ruins and is a prequel to the first book in the series.  "
Points Worth" is now planned to continue as a mini-series of novellas, each one to be released between the full-length novels. "Points Worth"  is a fun read and really drew me into the story from the beginning. The ending really makes you want to keep reading and not have to wait for the first book, I know patience is a virtue, but it is so hard to wait on books.

I really can't wait to read how Gill's fight for the truth turns out. These pages have me already cheering for Gill and booing one of the most powerful man in the town. 

"Points Worth" by D.C. Marino is a tale about the sea stopping it's tides and one man's search to discover why. 

I was given a complimentary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own. 


About the Author


D.C. Marino is a dedicated reader of history books and fantasy novels, both of which occupy an equal amount of space on her bookshelves. But it wasn’t until she realized how one breathed life into the other that she became addicted to finding the intersections of the real world and the fairy story. Still more: what those intersections about us as a creative, curious people. Kingdom of Ruins is her debut novel.

Guest post from D.C. Marino

Hi Everyone! I’m so excited to celebrate the release of Points Worth with you! To start, I’ll share a funny secret: this little novelette was never in the plan. The idea came at the last moment, at the suggestion of my publisher. I had never intended to write a prequel to the Kingdom of Ruins series, but when I began fleshing out this small story, it took on a personality I couldn’t ignore. Not only did I fall in love with the sea-salt setting and gutsy characters, but Points Worth is now planned to continue as a mini-series of novellas, each one to be released between the full-length novels! Gil, the main character and hero, is who I blame for the speed of my commitment to this storyline. He inspires me. Calamity has befallen his small port town and fear is driving even the wisest of the townsfolk to make dangerous decisions. Instead of swallowing the easiest explanation for the disaster, Gil goes in search of the truth against one of the most powerful men in the town. He’s scrappy, inventive and knows his history. Though born in the hills, he’s a natural seafarer. I wanted to keep following him right off the page. And so, his story has only just begun to sail the unknown ocean. On the flip side, the Kingdom of Ruins series takes place on land. But this isn’t a default setting. The land is a character in itself and interacts with those that live upon its soil. It even takes sides in war. This same concept was extended to the sea in Points Worth. Which is appropriate, as they are part of the same world. In fact, the town of Points Worth is only a few days’ ride away from where the main novel takes place. Which leads me to the last thing I wanted to share with you. Gil will show up as a supporting character in one of the main novels. I love this because, though the reader will know Gil very well, the main characters in Kingdom of Ruins will not. You’ll suddenly see Gil from another’s perspective, which should be interesting and sometimes comical. I will say no more. Land and sea must tell the rest of the story. Thank you for coming! I hope you enjoy the ocean-air and the adventure it inspires! D.C. Marino

Blog Stops

                                                   Blossoms and Blessings, June 14


Multifarious, June 15
Remebrancy, June 17
RebekahsQuill, June 19
Mommynificent, June 20
Bigreadersite, June 21
Carpe Diem, June 27

Giveaway


To celebrate the tour, Celebrate Lit is giving away a grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/cece/points-worth-celebration-tour-giveaway

Thursday, June 21, 2018

"The Corandria Station" by Carol E. Keen

Book Back Cover:
**First Place Winner from CWW and CIAN in the 5000 word
s Contest; Speculative Fiction Division.**
First Officer Mimsy B'Groves never expected her life to
be anything but ordinary. In the wake of a
major disaster aboard The Corandria Station, Mimsy must
solve the mystery surrounding the place
she once called home. The planet below her now holds h
er only chance for answers - if she can
survive without revealing her deepest secret. Can a lon
e, witty, sentient feline overcome the
Book Back Cover:
**First Place Winner from CWW and CIAN in the 5000 word
s Contest; Speculative Fiction Division.**
First Officer Mimsy B'Groves never expected her life to
be anything but ordinary. In the wake of a
major disaster aboard The Corandria Station, Mimsy must
solve the mystery surrounding the place
she once called home. The planet below her now holds h
er only chance for answers - if she can
survive without revealing her deepest secret. Can a lon
e, witty, sentient feline overcome the


First Place Winner from CWW and CIAN in the 5000 words Contest; Speculative Fiction Division.**

First Officer Mimsy B'Groves never expected her life to be anything but ordinary. In the wake of a major disaster aboard The Corandria Station, Mimsy must solve the mystery surrounding the place she once called home. The planet below her now holds her only chance for answers - if she can survive without revealing her deepest secret. Can a lone, witty, sentient feline overcome the obstacles placed before her?


Author Bio:

Carol E. Keen enjoys fresh coffee, hot tea, and a good book. She was published for several years in
FAMA magazine (Freshwater And Marine Aquarium) as a contributing editor. She published her first book on CD, called Simply Seahorses. She now resides in Alabama with her husband and family and spends her time writing, reading, working in photography, and being with her much loved critters.
Author Social Media:
Book Bub link:

Amazon: 

FB Page:

Twitter:
@carolkeenauthor

Purchase link:



My Review
"The Corandria Station" by Carol E. Keen is a short fun read about a cat who isn't like other cats. First Officer Mimsy B'Groves wakes up on Corandria Station alone and sets off to find the rest of her crew.

If you like Scifi and cats, then I recommend you read "The Corandria Station" by Carol E. Keen. I was left wanting more answers, the ending makes me think there might be more books about Mimsy B'Groves.

I did like the ending for Mimsy, sometimes readers want a happy ending for the characters and not all novels have to be true to life.

I was given a complimentary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own.





Book Back Cover:
**First Place Winner from CWW and CIAN in the 5000 word
s Contest; Speculative Fiction Division.**
First Officer Mimsy B'Groves never expected her life to
be anything but ordinary. In the wake of a
major disaster aboard The Corandria Station, Mimsy must
solve the mystery surrounding the place
she once called home. The planet below her now holds h
er only chance for answers - if she can
survive without revealing her deepest secret. Can a lon
e, witty, sentient feline overcome the
obstacles placed before her? Link:
Book Back Cover:
**First Place Winner from CWW and CIAN in the 5000 word
s Contest; Speculative Fiction Division.**
First Officer Mimsy B'Groves never expected her life to
be anything but ordinary. In the wake of a
major disaster aboard The Corandria Station, Mimsy must
solve the mystery surrounding the place
she once called home. The planet below her now holds h
er only chance for answers - if she can
survive without revealing her deepest secret. Can a lon
e, witty, sentient feline overcome the
obstacles placed before her? Back Cover:
**First Place Winner from CWW and CIAN in the 5000 word
s Contest; Speculative Fiction Division.**
First Officer Mimsy B'Groves never expected her life to
be anything but ordinary. In the wake of a
major disaster aboard The Corandria Station, Mimsy must
solve the mystery surrounding the place
she once called home. The planet below her now holds h
er only chance for answers - if she can
survive without revealing her deepest secret. Can a lon
e, witty, sentient feline overcome the
obstacles placed before her?
obstacles placed before her?
obstacles placed before her?
Book Back Cover:
**First Place Winner from CWW and CIAN in the 5000 word
s Contest; Speculative Fiction Division.**
First Officer Mimsy B'Groves never expected her life to
be anything but ordinary. In the wake of a
major disaster aboard The Corandria Station, Mimsy must
solve the mystery surrounding the place
she once called home. The planet below her now holds h
er only chance for answers - if she can
survive without revealing her deepest secret. Can a lon
e, witty, sentient feline overcome the
obstacles placed before her?

"The Solace Of Water" by Elizabeth Byler Younts

About The Book
“Younts has set herself apart with this exquisite story of friendship and redemption . . . I’ll be talking about this book for years to come.” —Rachel Hauck, New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Dress
In a time of grief and heartache, an unlikely friendship provides strength and solace.
After leaving her son’s grave behind in Montgomery, Alabama, Delilah Evans has little faith that moving to her husband’s hometown in Pennsylvania will bring a fresh start. Enveloped by grief and doubt, the last thing Delilah imagines is becoming friends with her reclusive Amish neighbor, Emma Mullet—yet the secrets that keep Emma isolated from her own community bond her to Delilah in delicate and unexpected ways.
Delilah’s eldest daughter, Sparrow, bears the brunt of her mother’s pain, never allowed for a moment to forget she is responsible for her brother’s death. When tensions at home become unbearable for her, she seeks peace at Emma’s house and becomes the daughter Emma has always wanted. Sparrow, however, is hiding secrets of her own—secrets that could devastate them all.
With the white, black, and Amish communities of Sinking Creek at their most divided, there seems to be little hope for reconciliation. But long-buried hurts have their way of surfacing, and Delilah and Emma find themselves facing their own self-deceptions. Together they must learn how to face the future through the healing power of forgiveness.
Eminently relevant to the beauty and struggle in America today, The Solace of Water offers a glimpse into the turbulent 1950s and reminds us that friendship rises above religion, race, and custom—and has the power to transform a broken heart.






My Review

 "The Solace Of Water"  by Elizabeth Byler Younts is  a wonderful story of grief and unforgiveness and then forgiveness and friendship.  This book will cause you to shed some tears and hopefully cause you to rethink your beliefs about others that are different from you as this book shows that all people regardless of their skin color or whether they are Amish or slaves or male or female have similar feelings and are really more alike than we think. 

The friendship between Delilah Evans and Emma Mullet really melted my heart.  I felt Sparrow's pain and  guilt every time her mother accused her. 

If you want to read a book that really explores what the 1950s was like and how friendship can change a person's heart then look no further because "The Solace Of Water"  by Elizabeth Byler Younts really shows this. 

Don't read this book if you want a book that makes you laugh, but do read it if you want to be challenged by your bias that not all people are created alike. 

This book is about real life and death and a must read.   Yes, I am gonna say it, this book should became a classic like "To Kill A Mockingbird". 

I was given a complimentary copy by the author.  These opinions are my own.





Elizabeth Byler Younts gained a worldwide audience through her first book Seasons: A Real Story of an Amish Girl and is a RITA nominated writer. Elizabeth lives in Central Pennsylvania with her husband, two daughters, and a cockapoo named Fable. 

Go to www.elizabethbyleryounts.com to learn more.