Wednesday, August 31, 2022

“Hidden Danger” by Jerusalem Agen Book Tour and Giveaway

 

About the Book

Book: Hidden Danger

Author: Jerusha Agen

Genre: Romantic Suspense (Christian)

Release date: November 8, 2021

The greatest threat to this K-9 team is the one they don’t see coming.

Cora Isaksson’s guilt has shadowed her life ever since drugs ensnared her brother and he disappeared. When Bradley suddenly returns, Cora and her narcotics detection K-9 are thrust into a battle against the drug cartel that wants him back.

DEA Special Agent Kent Thomson has his own personal reasons for bringing justice to the cartel. Cora and her drug-sniffing K-9 will only get in his way. Or are they assets that will enable him to right the wrongs of the past?

When the cartel targets Cora, she and Kent join forces with her teammates at the Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency to end the cartel before it ends her. They’re prepared for danger, but when more lives than their own hang in the balance, can they trust God for the rescue that’s out of their reach?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

This book is a book that deals with drug smuggling and it also has a hidden message that parents need to be presence for their children. A bigger point of the book is that we all need help and shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help. And another point is that we are really responsible for our own actions.

I like that even when Cora was in danger she shared the Gospel with others. 

This story had me thinking that the good guys were the bad guys and I will say I was  deceived all through the book. Hope this is a spoiled alert. 

I will definitely be reading book Two in this series as soon as I can. 

Oh I forgot to say the romance is really exciting to read about as it is happening.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and Celebrate Lit and these opinions are my own.

About the Author

Jerusha Agen imagines danger around every corner, but knows God is there, too. So naturally, she writes romantic suspense infused with the hope of salvation in Jesus Christ. Jerusha loves to hang out with her big furry dogs and little furry cats, often while reading or watching movies. Find more of Jerusha’s thrilling, fear-fighting stories at JerushaAgen.com.

 

More from Jerusha

Hi, readers! Have you ever noticed how dog owners and their canines can seem to look alike? This tendency was illustrated hilariously in 101 Dalmations, the original animated movie. I had fun creating a similar match in my romantic suspense novel, Hidden Danger.

Hidden Danger features Cora Isaksson and her narcotics detection K-9 Jana who partner with a handsome DEA agent to take on a drug cartel targeting the Twin Cities and her brother’s life.

As the securities technologies specialist at the Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency, Cora is known by her teammates as the sweetest of them all. Her Christian witness comes through loud and clear as she lives it out daily. But she also has an uncanny ability to understand others and show empathy—a gift that enables her to persuade and influence even hardened criminals, at times.

Cora’s perfect match is Jana. A beautiful golden retriever, Jana matches her blonde human partner’s angelic appearance and personality. Whether searching for narcotics or meeting new people, Jana exhibits an obvious joy and gentle spirit. The sweet golden retriever also seems to share Cora’s intuition and can sense the emotional needs of people. Jana doesn’t hesitate to offer a soft head to stroke or just her calming, gentle presence whenever someone needs comfort.

While Cora came to my imagination for Hidden Danger mostly from scratch, Jana was inspired by a real-life model. Before I was born, my parents got their first dog as a newly-married couple—a golden retriever puppy they named Jana.

From day one, Jana was the most perfect dog imaginable. She instantly housetrained herself and was, according to my parents’ stories, a perfectly obedient and trainable pup. The only thing she ever did that was less than desirable was chew a hole in a wall. But considering that was prompted by fear when lightning struck a radio in the room where Jana was alone, one could hardly blame her for wanting to escape.

When my parents started having children, Jana remained the ideal dog. Gentle and sweet with everyone, including a passel of babies and toddlers, Jana was a calm and comforting presence in the lives of those who knew her.

I can’t recall any memories of Jana myself, as I was very young when she passed away. But I love looking at a photo my parents have, of Jana next to me when I was a baby in a cradle. Though I don’t remember her, she left a legacy that has deeply impacted my life.

Because of how wonderful she was, my parents continued to have golden retrievers, giving me the blessing of growing up with one of the best breeds in the world. These goldens showed me how special dogs are and the incredible gift it is to love and be loved by a dog. I thank God for bringing Jana into our lives because of the legacy she left. And I’m grateful for the chance to honor her in Hidden Danger.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 19

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 20

Hallie Reads, August 20

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, August 21

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, August 22

Betti Mace, August 22

lakesidelivingsite, August 23

deb’s Book Review, August 24

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 25

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 25

Inklings and notions, August 26

For Him and My Family, August 27

Blogging With Carol, August 28

Mary Hake, August 28

Simple Harvest Reads, August 29 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Texas Book-aholic, August 30

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 31

Inkwell Inspirations, August 31

CarpeDiem, September 1

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jerusha is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Barnes and Noble gift card, one signed copy of Hidden Danger, and book swag!!

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/20e0b/hidden-danger-celebration-tour-giveaway

Tuesday, August 30, 2022

“Laura’s Shadow” by Allison Pittman Booktour and Giveaway


About the Book

Book: Laura’s Shadow

Author: Allison Pittman

Genre: Christian/Historical/Romance

Release date: August 1, 2022

Family Secrets Spill One Conversation at a Time

Visit historic American landmarks through the Doors to the Past series. History and today collide in stories full of mystery, intrigue, faith, and romance.

De Smet, South Dakota—1890 
Young women growing up in DeSmet live by two rules: don’t go out in a snowstorm and don’t give your heart to Cap Garland. Young Mariah Patterson only managed to obey one. Orphaned and having devoted her youth to scrapping out a life with her brother Charles, Mariah finds herself with no interesting suitors or means of support. Throwing caution to the wind, she seizes an opportunity to lay her feelings at Cap’s feet, even though she knows Cap sees the world through the torch he carries for Laura Ingalls. Mariah is certain her love for Cap will be strong enough to break both bonds, and she’s willing to risk everything to prove it.

De Smet, South Dakota—1974 
Trixie Gowan is the fourth generation of living Gowan women residing in the sprawling farmhouse on the outskirts of De Smet. Well, former resident. She’s recently moved to Minneapolis, where she writes ads for a neighborhood paper edited by Ron Tumble. She might live and work in the city, but her co-workers still call her Prairie Girl. Thus the inspiration for her comic strip—“Lost Laura”—in which a bespectacled girl in a calico dress tries to make her way in the city. The name is a quiet rebellion having grown up in a household where she’d been forbidden to mention the name, Laura Ingalls. But when



her great-grandmother Mariah’s declining health brings Trixie home for a visit, two things might just keep her there: the bedside manner of Dr. Campbell Carter and the family secret that seems to be spilling from GG’s lips one conversation at a time.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

This story really kept me reading!  I had to see why characters didn’t like Laura Ingalls. I mean we all grew up watching “Little House on the Prairie” right and we all loved to hate Nellie not Laura, Right! This story gave a different look at Laura! 

This is a story about a love triangle and how one character really risked everything to win love. I liked that this book was written in duel time periods. There were a few scenes that deals  with death which was a little sad but I know that is part of life as well as babies being born.  This book is really a story told by a great grandmother to her granddaughter and then it is also a love story about the granddaughter. 

Through I enjoyed the story, I would have to say “Laura’s Shadow isn’t my favorite in this series. The author mentions at the end of the book that a character will be in another book and I am eagerly anticipating reading it. 

I received a complimentary copy from the author and Celebrate Lit and these opinions are my own.

About the Author

Allison Pittman is the author of more than a dozen critically acclaimed novels and a four-time Christy finalist—twice for her Sister Wife series, once for All for a Story from her take on the Roaring Twenties and most recently for the critically acclaimed The Seamstress which takes a cameo character from the Dickens’ classic A Tale of Two Cities and flourishes her to life amidst the French Revolution. She lives in San Antonio, Texas, blissfully sharing an empty nest with her husband, Mike. Connect with her on Facebook (Allison Pittman Author), Twitter (@allisonkpittman) or her website, allisonkpittman.com.

 

More from Allison

I can credit Laura Ingalls Wilder for just about every aspect of my identity. I’m a reader because I read her books over and over and over again, checking them out from my little elementary school library. I can still see them—last bookcase, bottom shelf. During the summer, I checked them out from the Bookmobile, and one magical Christmas, I received my own set. The well-worn, yellow paperbacks have a place of honor in my office: top shelf, center stage. It was amazing to my eight-year-old self that I could pick up Little House in the Big Woods, skip the dull parts, and jump straight to These Happy Golden Years in a single afternoon.

Looking at Laura’s writing now (as I often do), I realize I spent my childhood absorbing the art of telling a story. Her books masterfully string meaningful vignettes within an over-arching conflict. She creates stories-within-a-story-within-a-story whenever Pa launches into a tall tale, and minor characters come to life no matter how brief their appearance. (Aunt Docia, anyone?)

When I first came up with the concept of writing a story set in the world of Laura Ingalls Wilder, I knew I couldn’t bring Laura herself in as a character. There’s a sacredness to her story, and I wouldn’t dream of inserting myself into the cannon of her pages. But—I thought—surely she had peers who grew up alongside her, classmates who also hated Miss Wilder, young men who might have set their own cap for her, townsfolk who remembered the vibrant young woman with the button-brown eyes and dark curls. And then I pondered further: maybe there was another side to Laura—a side that she kept from the romanticized ideal skipping through the pages of her books. My first thought was to create a fictional De Smet town girl, but then…

In researching and reading Pioneer Girl, The Annotated Autobiography of Laura Ingalls Wilder, I came across a bit of information that brought the story to life for me. In These Happy Golden Years, Laura teaches her first class: five students, two families. And while the “Brewster” children are documented in other sources, the Harrison children are not. There are no census records, land deeds, or any official documents to support the identity of Charles and Martha as they are depicted in the novel. And so, it clicked. If Laura could fictionalize these people, well, then, so could I. Thus Martha Harrison was lifted from those pages, renamed Mariah, and given a new life and a new story in mine.

Writing Laura’s Shadow allowed me to indulge in a few favorite directions. First, I’m fascinated with the idea of extreme longevity (showcased in my novel All for a Song), and creating a character whose lifespan stretches from homesteading to disco was delightful. My Mariah chafes at the romanticized depiction of pioneer life, telling us in her old age that it was really more of a daily struggle for survival. I also enjoyed exploring the family dynamic of four generations of women and how each generation faced the  same battles and fought them so, so differently. Finally—and this is what truly speaks to my fourth-grade self…

You know that Elton John song, “Your Song” with the lyrics, “I hope you don’t mind that I put down in words…” Well, I got to put down in words my lifelong crush on Cap Garland. Sure, Almonzo is great and everything, but I always thought Cap was more exciting. More fun. More…more. Bringing him to life in this book set my old heart racing. My research for this novel took me to De Smet, and to his gravesite, where I spoke this story to his stone. I like to think he’d approve, and I hope all of the Laura fans will join me in this tale and let their imaginations run wild.

Blog Stops

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 30

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 30

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions , August 31

Texas Book-aholic, August 31

Genesis 5020, September 1

Inklings and notions, September 1

The Avid Reader, September 2

For Him and My Family, September 2

deb’s Book Review, September 3

Simple Harvest Reads, September 3 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 4

Blogging With Carol, September 4

Betti Mace, September 5

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, September 5

Blossoms and Blessings, September 6

Jeanette’s Thoughts, September 6

lakesidelivingsite, September 7

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, September 7

Connie’s History Classroom, September 8

Mary Hake, September 8

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 9

Through the Fire Blogs, September 9

Tell Tale Book Reviews, September 10

Bigreadersite, September 11

Pause for Tales, September 11

For the Love of Literature, September 12

Labor Not in Vain, September 12

Remembrancy, September 13

To Everything There Is A Season, September 13

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Allison is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon E-gift card and a copy of the book!!

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/210cb/laura-s-shadow-celebration-tour-giveaway

Monday, August 29, 2022

"Connecting With Christ" by Editor: Yolonda Tonette Sanders Book Tour and GiveAway

About the Book

Book: Connecting With Christ

Editor: Yolonda Tonette Sanders

Genre: Nonfiction, Inspirational

Release date:November 30, 2021

Self-care is a buzzword often mentioned when people seek to optimize their health. Suggested self-care practices tend to include activities such as exercising, getting a massage, or eating a healthy diet. While all of these actions have their place, none of them are sufficient enough to provide the soul-care we need to maximize our self-care. Self-care without soul-care equates to temporary solutions that leave us searching for the next new thing. However, when Christ becomes the center of our holistic health journey, we not only find fulfillment in Him but also a dependency on and trust in Him to truly live our best lives-emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

"Connecting With Christ" is a book of 52 devotions by different authors. Each one is very short and it is set up to read one a week but I read them all in one setting for this review. After each devotion there is a full pages of lines for the reader to write their thoughts.  Each devotion ends with a prayer. Each section has a different theme. This devotion could be started on any theme because there is no dates and it could also be used more than once, but you might want to use a separate notebook to write down your thoughts if you want to reuse this devotion. I recommend this devotional if you are just starting with using devotions or journaling. 

I receiving a complimentary copy from the author and Celebrate Lit and these are my own opinions.


About the Editor

Yolonda Tonette Sandersis the CEO of Yo Productions, LLC and co-founder of the Faith & Fellowship Book Festival. Her writing portfolio includes academic papers, novels, short stories, poems, and other creative works. She is an editor for a national publication, a professor, and serves on several boards and associations. Yolonda holds two bachelor’s degrees, a master’s degree, and is currently completing her Ph.D. in organizational leadership. She treasures her relationships with family and close friends. Yolonda is blessed to be the wife of David; mother of two adults, Tre and Tia; “Nini” to her grandchildren, Khari and Khia; daughter of Eddie; sister to Milton; and dog mom to Paco.

 

More from Yolonda

Have you ever started a daily devotional but didn’t finish because you found yourself getting behind schedule and frustrated? One missed day turns into two, then the missed days pile on until we often do one of two things: a) have a marathon session to “make-up” the missed days’ readings; or b) abandon the devotional altogether. Neither of these options help with our spiritual growth. When we have marathon sessions to catch up, reading the devotional becomes a checklist item instead of us taking the time to glean the spiritual message or lesson to be learned. When we abandon reading the devotional, we miss everything still. Those great books end up collecting dust until we try again the next year only to repeat the same process.

 

Yep, I’ve been there! Having had such experiences, I sought to create a devotional that people could actually finish. Plus, let’s face it . . . we should read our Bibles every day, but devotionals are optional. Yet, sometimes people replace devotionals with reading the Bible. I didn’t want that either! So, Connecting with Christ is a 52-week devotional with just one reading each week. Not only was this a practical approach, but it was also purposeful. The desire behind this technique is for readers to have time to meditate on Scripture! Connecting with Christ is a devotional that readers can and will complete that will inspire them to dig more into the Word!

Blog Stops

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, August 25

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 26

Mary Hake, August 26

Texas Book-aholic, August 27

Inklings and notions, August 28

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 29

For Him and My Family, August 30

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, August 31

deb’s Book Review, September 1

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, September 2

Older & Smarter?, September 2

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 3

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, September 4

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 5

Cats in the Cradle Blog, September 6

Divine Perspective, September 6

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 7

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Yolonda is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

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/210c8/connecting-with-christ-celebration-tour-giveaway

Sunday, August 28, 2022

“Twin Murder Mix-Up” by Sami A. Abrams Book Tour and Giveaway


About the Book

Book: Twin Murder Mix-Up

Author: Sami A. Abrams

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release date: August 23, 2022

A case of mistaken identity…

has lethal results

After capturing a murder on her camera, photographer Amy Baker becomes the next target—but her identical twin is killed instead. Now on the run with her sister’s newborn, Amy has only one person to turn to—Detective Keith Young, her childhood crush. But when they discover Keith is the baby’s father, can he regain Amy’s trust to keep them safe…before the killer strikes


I really liked this story. It really kept me reading because I had to know who was the one who trying to kill Amy and why. I have to say that I was really surprised when the end came. Not, at all what I was expecting.  It in a way this story is about forgiveness and it is also a story about a second chance at love.  
I received a complimentary copy from the author and Celebrate Lit and these opinions are my own.

Click here to get your copy!

 


About the Author

Sami A. Abrams lives in Northern California, but she’ll always be a Kansas girl at heart. She loves to travel and watch sports. However, most evenings, you’ll find her engrossed in a romantic suspense novel. She thinks a crime plus a little romance is the recipe for a great story. 

 

More from Sami

#Authorproblems   That’s what the excitement around Keith Young was…a problem—Kinda. Lol!

When I started to hear request for his story, I panicked. Authors don’t want to disappoint their readers. And being new to the published scene…Well, you get the picture. 😊

After the release of Buried Cold Case Secrets, many readers told me they wanted Keith’s story. In fact, the overwhelming response puzzled me. What had I done to create such a buzz about Jason’s partner? And of course, I had to ask why?

The general answer I received…Keith’s a nice guy and the perfect partner.

I have to admit, I got a little nervous since I had already written his story. And I worried if I’d done his character justice?

However, after writing Buried Cold Case Secrets, I knew Keith had to have his own story. He’s such a great guy and needed his happily ever after. So, I dove in and asked, what would happen if he made a huge mistake? Not just a physical one, but a heart one.

By the time I finished, I loved seeing Keith and Amy move past their poor choices and hurt to find acceptance and love. The perfect ending to Keith’s struggles.

All that to say, I hope you love Keith and Amy’s story as much as I do.  #TeamKeith

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 27

Bizwings Blog, August 27

The Avid Reader, August 27

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 28

Christina’s Corner, August 28

Genesis 5020, August 29

Texas Book-aholic, August 29

Inklings and notions, August 30

Through the Fire Blogs, August 30

EmpowerMoms, August 30

Betti Mace, August 31

deb’s Book Review, August 31

For Him and My Family, September 1

Pause for Tales, September 1

The Sacred Line, September 1

She Lives To Read, September 2

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 2

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, September 3

Britt Reads Fiction, September 3

For the Love of Literature, September 4

Lights in a Dark World, September 4

Paula’s Persuasion, September 4

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 5

Book Looks by Lisa, September 5

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, September 6

Vicarious Living , September 6

Mary Hake, September 6

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, September 7

Bigreadersite , September 7

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 8

Blogging With Carol, September 8

Simple Harvest Reads, September 9 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Labor Not in Vain, September 9

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Sami is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon card and signed copy of Twin Murder Mix-Up (US only) or eBook for outside the US!!

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/210ca/twin-murder-mix-up-celebration-tour-giveaway