Sunday, January 31, 2021

"The Dressmaker’s Secret" by Kellyn Roth Book Tour and GiveAway

The Dressmaker's Secret banner

About the Book

Book: The Dressmaker’s Secret

Author: Kellyn Roth

Genre: Christian historical women’s fiction

IF THEY KNEW WHO SHE WAS, THEY’D NEVER ACCEPT WHAT SHE’S BECOME.

Claire will stop at nothing to provide for her daughters. An unwed mother, she does everything possible to raise them whilst avoiding her scandalous past. Some secrets are best kept, even between mother and daughter. Alice longs for a father, especially if that means her mother will be happy. She takes matters into her own hands—but she never expected what she finds.

Despite her efforts to shelter her daughters, Claire’s ghosts rise up to haunt her, and any semblance of control over her life vanishes. If her secrets are uncovered, what will become of her family?

Click here to get your copy!

"The Dressmaker’s Secret"by Kellyn Roth is an enjoyable book. It has twists and turns that I didn't see coming. I really like Nettie, the nanny. I felt Alice's pain when she though she wasn't wanted. This book shows that faith is a good thing to have. This book is about forgiveness and learning to know God. I love the explanation of what true joy is.

This book is a fast read. I truly recommend it.

This book is the first book in the series and I will be reading book 2 asap. I have already downloaded.

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

About the Author

Kellyn Roth is a Christian historical women’s fiction & romance author from North-Eastern Oregon who has independently published multiple novels, the most notable being The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy series. You should definitely call her Kell.

Kell lives on family-owned property outside an unmemorable but historical town with her parents, two little brothers, arbitrary cat, precious border collies, a dozen cows, and lots of chickens. She also possesses a classic, vintage aesthetic which does not at all speak to her country girl side, but such is life.

When not writing, Kell likes to blog, teach writing to her various students, have day jobs which allow her to keep her car properly insured, and spend lavish amounts of money on Dairy Queen french fries.

More from Kellyn

I’ve honestly never rewritten a book as many times as I rewrote The Dressmaker’s Secret, and I hope I never do.

A first draft flew out of me one November when I was fourteen, and before the next November had come around, I’d gone through twelve drafts, changed points of view multiple times, and eventually rewrote the whole thing from scratch.

The ending especially went through many, many versions … until at last I settled on the final. Or so I thought.

Not long after, some more issues were called to light, and I revised again. And again. Years passed. I went through over twenty-five drafts! And, at the time, I liked all of them. Would I ever like one for longer than a month, though?

Well, turns out, it was possible! I’m over a year and a half into loving my draft of The Dressmaker’s Secret– e.g. the published draft – and that’s not likely to change any time soon.

This book taught me a lot. It practically taught me how to write – and edit! – a good book, and it made me really focus in on quality, even when it took some humility to admit I was wrong and critics were right – or, sometimes, that my gut was right. It taught me to not give up on something I love. It taught me that the risks I always wanted to take are worth taking. It taught me that no mistake is too great to be corrected … well, in some ways, at least.

And it taught me that there’s a great God out there who has grace for all my delays and mistakes and learning experiences.

So, that’s the story of howThe Dressmaker’s Secretcame to be written!

Blog Stops

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 27

Jeanette’s Thoughts, January 27

Splashes of Joy, January 27

Remembrancy, January 28

Genesis 5020, January 28

Worthy2Read, January 29

Vicky Sluiter, January 29

Maureen’s Musings, January 29

The Write Escape, January 30

Sara Jane Jacobs, January 30

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 31

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 31

A Novel Pursuit, January 31

Texas Book-aholic, February 1

CarpeDiem, February 1

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, February 2

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 2

Inklings and notions, February 3

lakesidelivingsite, February 3

Betti Mace, February 4

Reflections From My Bookshelves, February 4

deb’s Book Review, February 4

For Him and My Family, February 5

Connect in Fiction, February 5

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, February 6

Connie’s History Classroom, February 6

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 7

Godly Book Reviews, February 7

Labor Not in Vain, February 7

Artistic Nobody, February 8 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Blogging With Carol, February 8

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 9

Sodbuster Living, February 9

Bizwings Blog, February 9

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kellyn is giving away the grand prize package of a paperback copy of both The Dressmaker’s Secret and Ivy Introspective, as well as a $25 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/10689/the-dressmaker-s-secret-celebration-tour-giveaway

Saturday, January 30, 2021

"Maryann’s Hope" by Molly Jebber Book Tour and Give Away

About the Book

Book: Maryann’s Hope

Author: Molly Jebber

Genre: Amish Historical Romance

Release Date:January 26, 2021

The pleasing warmth of fresh-baked maple cookies…the sweet, buttery flakiness of a raspberry jam pastry. In 1913 Ohio, the Amish Charm Bakery is beloved by locals and visiting Englischer alike. And its understanding community always provides help, healing–and new chances for love…even for a widow faced with an impossible choice between her head and her heart.

Secrets devastated Maryanne Harding’s marriage to an Englischer–and took away her untrustworthy husband. Now the young Amish widow has found contentment cooking up treats at the bakery, raising her little girl, and comforting her ailing mother. And when Andrew Wittmer asks her to marry him, Maryanne is over the moon with happiness that she and the kind furniture maker will put down roots in her hometown…

Until Andrew’s uncle becomes ill, and Andrew must permanently take over his store in a town hours away. Though she would go anywhere to be Andrew’s fraa, Maryanne can’t abandon her mother–or the family that depends on her so much. And when she discovers Andrew harbors secrets of his own, Maryanne’s hard-won trust is shaken. Now, can she risk difficult choices and take a leap of faith into the loving, joyful future she longs for most?

Click here to get your copy!

"Maryann’s Hope" is book 4 of the "Amish Charm Bakery "series. This book does have characters from the other books , but this book can be enjoyed as a standalone. But, like always, I have to ask why wouldn't a reader want to read them all.

This book is a story full of second chances, and a story of how secrets are not a good thing and shows how trust is important.

Like in all of her other novels. Molly Jebber makes this reader more aware that the Amish face issues and hard decisions just like us Englishers.

This novel also shows how mental illness affects families.

I had to keep reading because I want to see if Maryanne and Andrew could be together despite their families needs pulling them in two different directions.

I admit I cried when reading a few scenes. There were so realistic.

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

About the Author

Molly Jebber is a best-selling & award-winning Amish Historical Romance author whose books have made the Publisher’s Weekly Best Ten List, media worldwide, and in USA Today. She’s a national speaker for Women’s Christian Connection, and keynote and guest lecturer for many groups on writing, publishing, & marketing. She loves God, family, friends she is grateful for her readers.

More from Molly

Hi Readers!

You are the reason I write. Your inspiration and encouragement on social media posts brighten my mood and on those hard days of writing, keeps me going. Thank you!

I’ve been fortunate to have a close family. I hear so often, you can choose your friends but not your family. Maryann in MARYANN’S HOPE loves her mother, but finds her a challenge with her unpredictable moods. When she meets Andrew, they both must make difficult decisions throughout their courtship relating to family and seeking God’s will for their lives. Maryann’s toddler, Betsy, will make you laugh, as well as other children of her friends in the story. The bakery desserts will make your mouth water, and you’ll imagine the aroma of cinnamon, sugar, and warm bread.

The Amish Charm Bakery is where friends come to enjoy a break, share secrets, solve problems, and laugh and cry.

On a personal note, this year has been an exciting one for our family in spite of COVID-19. My daughter, Misty, is getting married, and we love our future son-in-law, Kevin. They are having a small wedding due to the virus, but it hasn’t dampened any of our enthusiasm for this special day. God has blessed all of us with making all the plans go smoothly, and they’ve enjoyed their marriage counseling with Pastor Roger.

Pastor Roger asked them to put their first name in the verses in Corinthians Chapter 13 of the Bible, as an example of how they should feel about each other. Such as Misty is patient, and Misty is kind. I thought about that in my marriage to Ed. He is all those wonderful things to me. But I need to be more patient! So I’m learning along with Misty and Kevin! LOL

I pray that MARYANN’S HOPE will bring you a fun escape into the small Amish town of Charm, Ohio during the period of 1913-1914!

Blog Stops

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, January 28

The Avid Reader, January 28

Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen, January 28

Bigreadersite, January 29

lalkesidelivingsite, January 29

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 30

Jeanette’s Thoughts, January 30

Texas Book-aholic, January 31

EmpowerMoms, January 31

Lighthouse Academy, February 1 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Artistic Nobody, February 1 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Inklings and notions, February 2

Reviewingbooksplusmore, February 2

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, February 3

Sara Jane Jacobs, February 3

Older & Smarter?, February 4

For Him and My Family, February 4

deb’s Book Review, February 5

Britt Reads Fiction, February 5

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 6

Batya’s Bits, February 6

She Lives To Read, February 7

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 7

Ashley’s Bookshelf, February 7

Connie’s History Classroom, February 8

Simple Harvest Reads, February 8 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 9

Pause for Tales, February 9

Splashes of Joy, February 10

Vicky Sluiter, February 10

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Molly is giving away the grand prize package of a $75 Amazon gift card and an Amish doll!!

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/1068a/maryann-s-hope-celebration-tour-giveaway

Friday, January 29, 2021

“Oath of the Brotherhood” by Carla Laureano Booktour and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Oath of the Brotherhood

Author: Carla Laureano

Genre: Christian fantasy and adventure

oath When evil threatens, who will find the faith to fight it?

In an island kingdom where the Old Ways hold fast and a man’s worth lies entirely in his skill with the sword, Conor Mac Nir is a musician and a follower of a forbidden faith–problematic for any man, but disastrous for the son of the king.

When Conor is sent away to a neighboring kingdom to secure a treaty, he learns that his ability with the harp is a talent that traces back to the magical foundations of a once-united Seare. But his newfound home is soon placed in peril, entangling Conor in a plot that has been unfolding since long before his birth.

Only by leaving both kingdoms behind and committing himself to an ancient warrior brotherhood can Conor discover the part he’s meant to play in Seare’s future. But is he willing to sacrifice everything–including the woman he loves–to follow the path his God has laid before him?

Click here to get your

This book is allegory of the Christian faith and the faith element is woven throughout the story but I have to be honest and say even through I knew who the references referred to I was disappointed that there used different names for our Lord. But at times Lord is mention. This is the first book in the series. Parts of this novel I had a hard time getting into but the more I read the more I wanted to keep reading to see how it would all end up. The good guys were hard to know from the bad guys. I really did like Conner and wanted him to win the war. This is also a love story between a God and His people and a father for his son and a man and a woman. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

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

About the Author

ND5_9354_p Carla Laureano is the two-time RITA® award-winning author of over a dozen books, spanning the genres of contemporary romance and Celtic fantasy. A graduate of Pepperdine University, she worked in sales and marketing for more than a decade before leaving corporate life behind to write full-time. She currently lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband, two sons, and an opinionated tortoiseshell cat named Willow.

More from Carla

How A Romance Author Came to Write Fantasy Fiction

It’s a question I get a lot from readers, assuming the reader even knows that I write in more than one genre: how did a romance author come to write fantasy?

The answer, of course, is simple: I didn’t. I was actually a fantasy writer long before I ever tried my hand at romance, so the question should really be reversed.

As a young writer, I dabbled in lots of different genres: middle grade, young adult, romantic suspense, historical romance—whatever genre had captured my imagination at the time. I loved historical romance the most, but I quickly found that I didn’t have the patience for the way that historical facts interfered with my intricately designed plot.

Then, in college, I rediscovered fantasy fiction, namely historical fantasy like that of Guy Gavriel Kay. I was enchanted, both as a reader who wanted to be swept away by tales of heroism and struggle, and as a writer who had finally found the solution to my frustrations: all the fun of a historical time period without the pesky need to adhere to reality!

My first attempt at a fantasy novel was sweeping and unwieldy. This was in the early 2000s, where to be taken seriously as a fantasy writer, you had to write long… like, seriously long. A kind and very well- known literary agent summed it up best in reply to my query: “Sounds interesting, but I just don’t have the energy for another 300,000-word work of epic fantasy at this time.” (I cringe to think about writing a book that long now.) Reading tastes were changing and shorter fiction was coming back into fashion, so I shelved that project for years. Instead, when it came time to write a new series, I pulled my favorite elements from that first attempt, set them in a world based on a historical time period (Dark Ages Ireland), and began writing the book that would become Oath of the Brotherhood.

So, how does someone go from being a dyed-in-the-wool fantasy writer to being known for contemporary romance? In one of my more dramatic moments, when it felt like the revisions to this epic story would not come together (read: I had to cut 20,000 words from it to make it saleable and had no idea how to do that) I declared that I was no longer a fantasy writer and decided to pen something quick and fun… a contemporary romance. While the fantasy novel was out on submission, I pitched the romance at a conference… and within a couple of months, received offers for both. Suddenly I wasn’t just one or the other; I was both a fantasy and a romance author simultaneously.

The genres aren’t as far apart as they may seem, though, and not just because there’s a romantic thread woven into Oath of the Brotherhood. At its core, all Christian fiction is a love story: one between God and humanity. In all of my books, regardless of genre, the characters’ foremost journey is toward an understanding of who they are in Christ. Every story is a tale of the love that God has for his creation: that He cares for us so much that he won’t let us be swept away by a storm of darkness, whether that be physical or symbolic, but provides way toward hope and salvation.

When it comes to fantasy, that rescue and salvation might just be a touch more literal.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 29

CarpeDiem, January 29

For Him and My Family, January 30

Inklings and notions, January 31

deb’s Book Review, February 1

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 2

Worthy2Read, February 3

Blogging With Carol, February 3

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, February 4

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, February 5

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 5

Through the Fire Blogs, February 6

Texas Book-aholic, February 7

Blossoms and Blessings, February 8

Sara Jane Jacobs, February 8

Artistic Nobody, February 9 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, February 10

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 11

Labor Not in Vain, February 11

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Carla is giving away the grand prize package of a signed hardcover copy of Oath of the Brotherhood and a beautiful leather-bound Celtic knot journal!!

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/1070b/oath-of-the-brotherhood-celebration-tour-giveaway

Thursday, January 28, 2021

"Beauty Among Ruins" by J’Nell Ciesielski Book Tour and Give Away

About the Book

Book: Beauty Among Ruins

Author: J’Nell Ciesielski

Genre: Historical Romance

Release Date: January 12, 2021

American socialite Lily Durham is known for enjoying one moment to the next, with little regard for the consequences of her actions. But just as she is banished overseas to England as a “cure” for her frivolous ways, the Great War breaks out and wreaks havoc. She joins her cousin in nursing the wounded at a convalescent home deep in the wilds of Scotland at a crumbling castle where its laird is less than welcoming.

Alec MacGregor has given his entire life to preserving his home of Kinclavoch Castle, but mounting debts force him to sell off his family history bit by bit. Labeled a coward for not joining his countrymen in the trenches due to an old injury, he opens his home to the Tommies to make recompense while he keeps to the shadows. But his preference for the shadows is shattered when a new American nurse comes streaming into the castle on a burst of light.

Lily and Alec are thrown together when a series of mysterious events threatens to ruin the future of Kinclavoch. Can they put aside their differences to find the culprit before it’s too late, or will their greatest distraction be falling in love?

Click here to get your copy!

"Beauty Among Ruins" by J’Nell Ciesielski is a wonderful tale of romantic, and both heart-wrenching and heartfelt moments, and friendship.

I actually felt like the emotions of Lily and Alec and the other characters as I read this book. I really wanted to go to Scotland and meet these characters, Yes, I know they are fictional but to readers these characters are friends.

This book has many readers thinking it is a retelling of "Beauty and the Beast" and "Downton Abbey. Which I suppose it is with a twist, it has a castle but the castle is falling into ruin and then there is a Lord who prefers to hid away in the shadows. I will even go one more and add there are characters that reminds me of the wicked stepmother in Cinderella. But one wicked stepmother isn't exactly trying to be mean( in my opinion) but just has rules that she wants followed and tries to do what she feels best for the recovering soldiers.

I like how most of the characters stood up for others when they thought others had treated someone wrong, such as Alec and Viola. Lily reminds me of myself as she is always getting lost and ending up where she isn't supposed to be. This fact is the reason for the story, I mean if she haven't gotten lost she wouldn't have met Alec, and not know who he was, and Viola.

I will end this review before I say too much, but I really recommend you pick up this book and read it for yourself.

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

About the Author

With a passion for heart-stopping adventure and sweeping love stories, J’nell Ciesielski weaves fresh takes into romances of times gone by. When not creating dashing heroes and daring heroines, she can be found dreaming of Scotland, indulging in chocolate of any kind, or watching old black and white movies. Winner of the INSPY and the Maggie Award, she is a Florida native who now lives in Virginia with her husband, daughter, and lazy beagle. Learn more at www.jnellciesielski.com.

More from J’Nell

Inspiration for Beauty Among Ruins

Once again, blame it on Downton Abbey. This time on Lady Rose. She was impulsive, spoiled, a free spirit, yet with a good heart. I knew I wanted to take on the challenge of writing a heroine like her. A character who starts off one way and by the end of the book has completely charmed you over. So I started writing and everything was going great until … it wasn’t. The plot just stopped on me. No matter how hard I tried the story refused to reveal itself to me which is incredibly frustrating for someone who doesn’t like to give up once they’ve started something. But I had to. In the end, I had to put the story, affectionately titled Love on the Limp, away for several months while I wrote The Socialite. Then one day the story clicked. It was meant to be a WWI telling on the classic Beauty and the Beast story. Everything fell into place and the story and characters burst onto the page in glorious technicolor.

Lily and Alec took me by surprised with how much I fell in love with them. Bubbly Lily and brooding Alec. Never had two more opposites been so perfect for one another (at least in my writing experience). They had so many obstacles to overcome, many of them self-imposed, that I often found myself in tears over their heartaches, but golly gumdrops when they came together, boy o boy were there fireworks!

You may have also noticed that the story is set in Scotland because I happen to believe that every good story is set there. I had the privilege of staring at pictures of this breathtaking landscape for months so I could imagine the characters strolling among the heather and watching the river twist through the green moors. To me, nothing rivals the awe inspiring beauty of a certain place, and hopefully readers will feel that through these pages.