Thursday, May 30, 2019

"Shine The Light" by April McGowan

Shine the LightAbout the Book

Shannon is out to save the world one caring act at a time. She’s stood by her best friend, Amber, through their whole lives especially when Amber lost her sight. She has an active outreach ministry to the homeless and disenfranchised. And she’s even let down her guard long enough to let a boyfriend, Justin, into her life.
Her life has settled into a pleasing routine of teaching, freelance photography work, quiet dinners with Justin, and taking Amber on treks to find new subjects for her visionary paintings. But when a man from her past shows up, her secure world crumbles into triggered PTSD episodes that threaten everything she relies on. Will she be able to overcome these old memories, or will her past crush any hopes she had for a future?


"Shine The Light" by April McGowan is a wonderful book about drug addiction and mental illness and homeless people. This book makes reader appreciate what they have and a reminder to be thankful for what they didn't have to endure. This book helps readers realize that people with mental illness can be helped and live normal lives with help.While reading this book, my heart really ached Shannon when she remembered the past.                                                                                            
This book is a love story as well as a lesson in forgiving and treating others with forgiveness. "Shine The Light" by April McGowan is the second in the "Hold the Light" series. I recommend reading "Hold the Light" because it has the background info and makes this story more easier to follow. But, if you don't read "Hold the Light," you still will understand the story and still get the message that even when things have been bad, there is still hope.I think the reason these books are so good is because the stories are about real issues and these characters are people that could be someone we know and love.
I recommend "Shine The Light" by April McGowan to anyone that likes to read about real life issues and learn that there is alway something to be glad for and that "the light" can shine forth if we let it.
I recommend a complimentary copy from the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own.


About the Author

April MsGowenApril McGowan loves to read and write inspirational fiction. She and her husband, two children, and her ‘mews’ (three cats!), live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. April is a member of Oregon Christian Writers, the Christian Author’s Network, and American Christian Fiction Writers. When she’s not writing, homeschooling her son, or playing board games, you might find her at her drum kit, imagining she’s on a world tour. Hey, it could happen.
More from April
Writing About Tough Subjects—with Hope
I began writing over twenty years ago. And technically I wrote long before that as well. But those pieces were ‘just for fun.’ However, as I look back on my short stories, blog posts, and now my published work, there’s a definite theme: overcoming. Overcoming childhood abuse, overcoming an abusive marriage, overcoming loss—physical and emotional. And those overcoming stories were not about overcoming through our own strength, which is so often flawed and lacking, but by relying on the One who can heal us from every wrong, every hurt, and every loss.
After my first novel, Jasmine, I asked my readers what they’d like me to focus on in my next books—what subjects were overlooked in fiction today? The overwhelming consensus was adoption, loss, and mental illness.
As a contemporary fiction author, I stay current on social issues, so that wasn’t a huge jump for me. My readers saw a gap, and I did, too.
Not that it’s wrong to simply read for entertainment—shoot, I do! But I’ve always loved gripping stories with people I could identify with who were overcoming obstacles I’d faced, or watched a loved one face—stories that offer real hope in the face of tragedy.
So began my journey. In book one of this series, Hold the Light, I wrote about sight loss and adoption. I wrote about best friends who were solidly there for each other in the face of great hardship and pain. And in book two, Shine the Light, I’m doing the same—with a twist.
There’s a lack of representation and writing concerning mental illness and how it affects the sufferer and those around them. There is a stigma that is significantly changing, but it’s something we’re still hesitant to discuss. Myself and many I know are deeply touched by this issue, and I think we’re long past due letting those that suffer from mental illness and their families know that they are not alone. Or if they are, that they don’t have to be.
Book two, Shine the Light, is about Shannon’s life. Her love for the downtrodden, the lost, and the injured. Her passion for the underdog. How she became the stalwart friend she is to Amber in Hold the Light, the obstacles she’s overcome, and those she has to continue to grapple through with God’s help.
As with all of my books, I’ve vetted this story with people who have faced these situations and am very careful to respect their stories as well as staying true to my characters. I hope you’ll dive in and find Shannon to be a deep and real and identifiable character. I hope you’ll discover in her a friend.
I know you’ll grow to love her as I do.


"Remi " by Caryl McAdoo BookTour and GiveAway


About the Book




Book: Remi  
Author: Caryl McAdoo  
Genre: Christian Historical Romance  
Release Date: May 3, 2019

It isn’t within man to guide his own steps—or a woman. Caught between a wagon train and the deep blue sea, Agnes Remington Dalrumple, Remi for short, chooses the overland journey west over crossing the Atlantic with her mother and step-father. She decides to go to California and try to fine the father she’s never known though she’s never been on her own. Thwarted at every turn, almost every effort is dashed until a widower’s thirteen-year-old daughter intervenes on her behalf. How can the headstrong woman place herself under the responsibility of the young girl’s father, a perfect stranger? But if she doesn’t, her journey ends right there in Saint Joseph, Missouri. On the Oregon/California trail, will her pride and independence deter her from the destiny God has prepared for her?

Click https://www.amazon.com/Remi-Prairie-Roses-Collection-Book-ebook/dp/B07NYVRN8S/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=remi&qid=1559227384&s=digital-text&sr=1-2
to purchase your copy.



"Remi" by Caryl McAdoo picks up where "Uniquely Common" ends but even if a reader hasn't read  "Uniquely Common" I think this would still be a great read for them.

I really enjoyed reading about the journey these characters were taking because while I was reading I kept thinking about a computer games I remembered playing at the library with my son and daughter called Oregon Trail. I know this book wasn't like the game, but it brought the game to my mind.

The scenes were written so well I could pictured them in my mind as I was reading.  The last couple of chapters brought tears to me, both because of the joy and the sorrow that these characters faced. Like of her other books, Caryl McAdoo has written the plans of salvation into the story without preaching.

This story is a story full of heart and makes a believer more aware that God really does it all under control. Yes, life is full of heartaches but if we place it in His hands, all things works for our good even if it doesn't appear that way at first.

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


About the Author


For research in December, Caryl McAdoo hit the trail—literally, the Oregon / California Trail—beginning in St. Jo, Missouri with the Napa Valley being her destiny. No wonder readers enjoy her novels so well! She prays her story brings God glory, and He blesses the award-winning, best-selling novels with a lion’s share of 5-Star ratings! With forty-three titles (thirty-three in the last four-and-a-half years), it’s obvious she loves writing almost as much as singing the new songs the Lord gives her. (Listen to a few at YouTube.) Celebrating fifty years being married to Ron, her high school sweetheart, she counts their four children and eighteen grandsugars life’s best blessings. The McAdoos live in the woods south of Clarksville, seat of Red River County in far Northeast Texas, waiting expectantly for God to open the next door.

More from Caryl

Remi, my May ‘Prairie Roses Collection’ story, picks up where Uniquely Common, my April ‘Lockets and Lace Collection’ story ends! Well, actually it backs up a bit to Remi’s decision to go west! In Uniquely Common, you meet her after she’s already in Saint Jo, trying to join the wagon train. I fell in love with this semi-introvert, lover of literature, highly intelligent young lady, and felt the cover captured her exactly! (Thank you, Chautona Having, my new amazing cover designer! I am so blessed!) Remi, short for Remington—her middle name as she hates her first name Agnus—is an only child reared by a single mother. Her father left years ago; she’s never met him and decides to go to California where his last letter was postmarked to do just that. It’s a long way from New York City, but better than sailing across the Atlantic. And she can’t stay there with nowhere to live since her newest stepfather is whisking her mother overseas to his villa in Southern France. They invite her of course, but she hates boats and gets frightfully seasick! It seems the perfect time to go west and meet her Daddy. Riding in a prairie schooner would be a lark! Researching for the covered wagons heading west led my dear husband to ask if I wanted to drive the Oregon / California Trail. Yes, yes, yes, I assured him! What could be better than seeing the rivers my wagon train had to cross, the amazing sights my characters would experience, and the terrain they navigated for ourselves? What an opportunity God put before me! Two weeks and forty-three hundred-plus miles later, we got back home to Clarksville, enthralled with our journey. That trip has made this story so much better for me! I hope it will make it all the better for you, too! I praise and give glory to the Lord for His many blessings and high favor. I’m so grateful for the stories He gives us, His divine appointments—like with Sandy Barela, the founder of Celebrate Lit, all her amazing bloggers and reviewers—the doors He opens, my new cover designer Chautona Havig and all the fictional characters He introduces me to and allows me to share with you! ♫♪*`•. I’m just so excited.•*♪¨*about what the Lord is doing!•♪♫*`•. I’m just so excited Lord!! ♪♫•*¨♪ for what I know♪♫¸¸.•*♪ He will do!!*•.¸ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ¸♫♪*`•. I’m just so excited!!•.¸.• ✿And He is delighted ღ(̆̃̃ڿڰۣ✿♫♪*with my anticipation ♪♫•* ♫♪ of what I know He will do. •*♪♫•!♪♫¸•*♪ And I get to be a part ♫♪*`of what the Lord is doing!•♪♫*`•. I get to be a part! ♫•*♪¨♥ •♪♫ of what I know♪♫¸.•*♪ He will do!!*•.♫♪ I get to be a part ♫♪*♫•*♥ and He has a good plan!♪*•.✿♫♪*`•. He’s called me for His purpose!.•*♪¨ ✿♫♪*`• I have a role to play! ♪♫•*¨♪ (hear this new song on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKnU8JWXRlU )

Blog Stops

Giveaway

[Insert Giveaway Picture Here]

To celebrate her tour, Caryl is giving away
Grand Prize – $50 Gift Amazon Card
1st Prize – Signed, Paperback copy of CHOICE of all my books
2nd Prize – Signed copy of Remi
3rd Prize – eBook copy of Remi
4th Prize – eBook copy of CHOICE of all my books!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/e516/remi-celebration-tour-giveaway

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

"The Amish Widow's Rescue" by Rachel J. Good Book Tour and GiveAway

The Amish Widows Rescue FB banner

About the Book

Book: The Amish Widow’s Rescue
Author: Rachel J Good
Genre: Amish Romance
Release Date: May 28, 2019
The Amish Widows Rescue CoverThe perfect family awaits…if only he’ll risk his heart.
Pregnant and recently widowed, Grace Fisher is determined to provide for her family on her own. Thankfully, her jam business is popular in her Amish community. But it’s difficult keeping up with her work, her farm chores, and her two mischievous children. Especially now that they’ve taken to idolizing their neighbor Elijah. While the handsome farmer is kind and generous, he seems intent on holding Grace and her little ones at a distance…
Elijah Beiler has always admired his neighbor Grace. So standing by while she struggles to support her family isn’t an option. Offering to take over her farm duties, Elijah is determined to help while remaining detached. He knows all too well that love only leads to heartbreak. Yet the more time he spends with Grace and her children, the harder he finds it to leave each day. But can Elijah overcome past hurts and open his heart to this ready-made family?
“A beautiful story of forgiveness and second chances.” -Shelley Shepard Gray, New York Timesbestselling author, on The Amish Teacher’s Gift
Click here to purchase your copy.



"The Amish Widow's Rescue" by Rachel J. Good is the third book in the "LOVE AND PROMISES" series. I was caught up in this novel from beginning to end.

This story is one about things aren't always what they appeared to be. This is a story of a young widow with two young children and pregnant and a neighbor man that was a recluse and wanted nothing to do with love and children but he really can't let Grace's needs go but must help take care of her animals and collect her eggs.

Levi wants to always play and from the first meeting seems to love Elijah.

This novel also brings a surprise to Elijah and his dad.

"The Amish Widow's Rescue" is another example of why readers of Amish gender love Rachel's J. Good's books.  It is because she brings the spirit of the Amish into ever book she writes and might her readers think the stories really happened and isn't just a novel. They are filled with heartache and hope and second chances.

I think this book is a great book as a standalone but I recommend reading all three. Each story is completely different but some of the character are in each novel.

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



About the Author
rachel goodInspirational author Rachel J. Good writes life-changing, heart-tugging novels of faith, hope, and forgiveness. The bestselling author of several Amish romance series, she grew up near Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the setting for many of her stories. Striving to be as authentic as possible, she spends time with her Amish friends, doing chores on their farms and attending family events. Rachel has more than 40 books in print or forthcoming for both children and adults under several pen names. Find out more about Rachel and her books at her website and by signing up for her newsletter.
Rachel’s Amish series include Sisters & Friends (Charisma House & Harlequin), Love & Promises (Hachette/Grand Central), Hearts of Amish Country (Annie’s Book Club), and the forthcoming Unexpected Amish Blessings and Surprised by Love series (Kensington). She also has several anthologies in print as well as the Amish Quilts Coloring Book.

More from Rachel

The story idea for The Amish Widow’s Secret came to me after I’d just finished reading stories to my Amish friend’s children to give her a little break. She was expecting a new baby, and while we sat in their kitchen enjoying a snack, her husband came in.
The tenderness in his eyes as they talked made my eyes well with tears. It was obvious how much they loved each other, and they both supported each other. A perfect companionship. Not everyone gets to experience that bond, that caring.
It made me wonder what she’d do without him, and the seeds of a story was born. I decided to explore how a widow would cope with a pregnancy and two children alone. In the Amish community, of course, no one is ever left on their own. Everyone chips in to help.
So, what if the handsome and reclusive bachelor next door felt obligated to help, but wanted to avoid getting involved? Would he eventually soften his heart toward children and love?
As I wrote, I wondered if Elijah Beiler could get over a previous heartbreak. He needed to face his past before he moved forward, so I gave him that opportunity. A surprise visit and unwelcome news force Elijah to rethink everything he believes about parenting and love. And about the person who destroyed his world. He also needs to face the bitterness he’s been harboring.
Sometimes learning more about the circumstances or reasons of the person who has hurt us causes us to see the whole situation in a new light, making it easier to let go of the hurt. That’s what happens to Elijah.
I hope his journey will encourage readers to consider the places in their lives where they’ve been holding onto pain and reevaluate those experiences in the light of God’s forgiveness and love. To write this story, I needed to do that too.

Blog Stops

Quiet Quilter, May 28
Emily Yager, May 31
Bigreadersite, June 1
Vicky Sluiter, June 3
Mary Hake, June 8
EmpowerMoms, June 9
Genesis 5020, June 10

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Rachel is giving away a grand prize of autographed copies of The Amish Midwife’s Secret and Big-City Amish, a copy of an Amish cookbook, and an authentic Amish headscarf!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/e2ab/the-amish-widow-s-rescue-celebration-tour-giveaway

Sunday, May 26, 2019

"Act of Valor" by Dana Mentink Book Tour and GiveAway


About the Book



Book: Act of Valor  
Author: Dana Mentink  
Genre: Inspirational romantic suspense  
Release Date: June 1, 2019

A True Blue K-9 story …When airline employee Violet Griffin encounters several suspicious passengers, she’s thrust into the crosshairs of a drug smuggling operation. NYPD officer Zach Jameson and his drug detection beagle, Eddie, can tell this is no small-time threat. Someone’s gunning for Violet, and after recently losing his brother, Zach refuses to lose her, too…especially now that she’s gone from friend to the woman he’s falling for.


Click here to purchase your copy. 

"Act of Valor"by Dana Mentink is the second book in the "True Blue K-9 Unit" series. I didn't read the first book in this series but after reading this one, it and the remaining books are now added to My To Be Read List". Yes, this book can be enjoyed as a standalone. I think in book one, NYPD officer Zach Jameson's brother is killed and there is a mystery surrounding his death and in book 2,  the reader learns a little more of this but not all.

This story is about catching drug smugglers and about friends realizing they are more than just friends.

There is some humor in this story, such as characters telling other characters that act like a married couple.  The K-9 even tears holes in couches, just like real life.

I believed all readers should read this story/stories to get a new awareness of what police officers faced why doing their job. 

In this story the bad guys keeps showing up and gets away  and it seems like the statement he makes to the Vi, is true, "The cops"?....You know who wins in the end, at this game of life, I mean? The ones who don't follow the rules. Cops have to follow the rules. Me? I haven't followed any rules since I was twelve years old. Cops always lose."   This statement really made cringe when I read it because it really seems to be the way it is in some cases.  Don't you now want to read "Act of Valor" by Dana Mentink and found out if it is true in this novel?

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



About the Author

Dana Mentink is a two time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award and a Holt Medallion winner. She is a national bestselling author of over forty titles in the suspense and lighthearted romance genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Barbour, and Harvest House. Dana was thrilled to be a semi-finalist in the Jeanne Robertson Comedy With Class Competition. Besides writing, she busies herself teaching third grade. Mostly, she loves to be home with Papa Bear, teen bear cubs affectionately nicknamed Yogi and Boo Boo, Junie, the nutty terrier, and a chubby box turtle. You can connect with Dana via her website at danamentink.com, on Facebook, YouTube (Author Dana Mentink) and Instagram (dana_mentink.)  

More from Dana

Cops and killers and beagles, oh my! It was a ton of fun writing the second book in the new True Blue K-9 Continuity series. First of all, I had the honor of working with some AMAZING authors. (It’s challenging creating a world together and keeping all those details straight!) I had the privilege of following the amazing Lynette Eason, so that’s always a plus! Second, I learned all about the astonishing world of beagles! Those critters are just amazing. For instance, the original beagles were tiny, only 8 inches tall and could be carried in a pocket, which is why they called them Pocket Beagles. I need one of those! The name beagle comes from the French, which is translated “wide throat” or “loudmouth.” This is well earned by Eddie in my story, who will occasionally let loose with the trademark baying. The beagles small size, general friendliness, and ferocious scent drive, make it the perfect dog to sniff around airports and get into compact spaces. Eddie enjoys doing just that with Zach, his handler and best friend. He earns those gourmet treats that Zach bakes up for him. Best of all, Eddie was rescued from death before he became a canine cop star! It’s just awesome when you can twine fact with fiction to come up with a tail wagging suspense story! I hope you enjoy the second installment in the series!

Blog Stops

Hallie Reads, May 22
Bigreadersite, May 23
By The Book, May 23
Mary Hake, May 28
Quiet Quilter, May 29
Remembrancy, May 30
Moments, May 31

Giveaway

[Insert Giveaway Picture Here]
 
To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away a grand prize of a print copy of the book, a beagle coloring book, and an Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/e012/act-of-valor-celebration-tour-giveaway