Review: Her Colorado Cowboy by Mindy Obenhaus (Blog Tour & Giveaway)

March 29, 2019

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Welcome to the Blog Tour and Giveaway for Her Colorado Cowboy by Mindy Obenhaus, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Her Colorado Cowboy  
Series: Rocky Mountain Heroes, Book 3  
Author: Mindy Obenhaus  
Publisher: Harlequin Love Inspired  
Genre: Contemporary Romance  
Release Date: March 19, 2019  

Lassoing the single mom’s heart…
A Rocky Mountain Heroes story


Socialite Lily Davis agrees to take her children riding…despite her fear of horses.


But now widowed cowboy Noah Stephens is determined to help her get comfortable in the saddle. And, at her children’s insistence, Lily finds herself promoting his rodeo school.


As Noah and Lily work together, will Noah continue to shield his heart…or can they discover a love that conquers both their fears?  

Review:
This was the first first story by Mindy Obenhaus that I have read.
This was a sweet and cute story.
Even though it was book 3 of a series, it worked well as a standalone, but I'm very interested to going back and reading books 1 and 2 of the Rocky Mountain Hero's series and finding out more on this family of brothers.

Mindy brought to her story a very sweet and touching story on over coming fears and a story of trust and working through heartache. Even with the emotional elements, it wasn't a heavy story, but a nice light read. This was a very fast read and fun!

Lily is a single mother of two. She just wanted to get away and spend some time with her children. Despite her fear of horses, they end up on a trip where they are out riding on them and in the process, they meet Noah.

Lily and Noah are each broken in their own way, but their journey's bring them to a place that not only is healing, but allows them to grow and get stronger in their faith.

This was nice and quick read.

4 out of 5


LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository | Christian Book | iTunes

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mindy-35
It took Mindy Obenhaus forty years to figure out what she wanted to do when she grew up, but once God called her to write, she never looked back. A three-time Carol Award finalist, Mindy is passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren at her Texas ranch.  











CONNECT: website | facebook | twitter | pinterest | goodreads | bookbub

her colorado cowboy blog giveaway

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will win:
  • a signed copy of Her Colorado Cowboy
  • $15 Amazon gift card
Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight March 25, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm April 1, 2019. US only. Void where prohibited by law. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.


Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
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Thank you to Just Read Tours and the Author, I received a copy of the book for free, in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Of Fire and Lions by Mesu Andrews

March 28, 2019

Title: Of Fire and Lions
Author: Mesu Andrews
Publisher: Waterbrook Press
Pages: 400
ISBN: 9780735291867
Publication Date: March 5th, 2019

About the Book: 
The Old Testament book of Daniel comes to life in this novel for readers of Lynn Austin's Chronicles of the Kings series or Francine Rivers' Mark of the Lion series.

Survival. A Hebrew girl first tasted it when she escaped death nearly seventy years ago as the Babylonians ransacked Jerusalem and took their finest as captives. She thought she'd perfected in the many years amongst the Magoi and the idol worshippers, pretending with all the others in King Nebuchadnezzar's court. Now, as Daniel's wife and a septuagenarian matriarch, Belili thinks she's safe and she can live out her days in Babylon without fear--until the night Daniel is escorted to Belshazzar's palace to interpret mysterious handwriting on a wall. The Persian Army invades, and Bellili's tightly-wound secrets unfurl with the arrival of the conquering army. What will the reign of Darius mean for Daniel, a man who prays to Yahweh alone?

Ultimately, Yahweh's sovereign hand guides Jerusalem's captives, and the frightened Hebrew girl is transformed into a confident woman, who realizes her need of the God who conquers both fire and lions.
My Thoughts:
Oh, my goodness.
Where do I begin with this book!

Of Fire and Lions covers a large area of time, but it is done so smoothly, the book flows and moves quickly, that it felt like it flew by. I wish I had more! I know it was 400 pages, but it didn't feel long enough.

Mesu Andrews is one of my all time favorite Biblical fiction authors. She is able to take such well known stories of the Bible and bring them to life with her characters woven in seamlessly to the story, without taking away from the the actual Biblical story and message.

Daniel. He is such a pivotal man of the Old Testament. He was thrown in to the lions, he was friends with Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego, who were thrown into the furnace, and he had so many visions, could explain dreams, and read the writing on the wall. There is so much that went on during his life. He was the first generation in Babylon. He experienced so much in his life.

All of these things mentioned above, Mesu was able to leap off of the pages. Daniel, is a man of God. he had a strong faith. He served faithfully. Belili was a young girl when Jerusalem was sacked.She also witnessed some miracles. However, her life was hard. She experienced so many losses and emotional hurts. She had to survive.

This story was fabulous in so many ways, but it was also touching. Everyone has a past, whether good or bad. Some memories and hurts linger. This story touches on it and it weaves a wonderful story of forgiveness, not from others exactly, although it is touched on, but of forgiveness with yourself and with God and changing how you see yourself.

The was such a vivid story.

I also downloaded this story as an audiobook. The narrator told the story well. Her voice was relaxing to listen to, I have to admit. It was a story that just carried me away.

This was a great story and I can't wait to see what story she will share with us next!

5 out of 5

About the Author:
MESU ANDREWS is the Christy Award-winning author of Isaiah’s Daughter and numerous other novels, including The Pharaoh's Daughter, Miriam, Of Fire and Lions and Love Amid the Ashes. Her deep understanding of and love for God's Word brings the biblical world alive for readers. Mesu lives in North Carolina with her husband, Roy, and enjoys spending time with her growing tribe of grandchildren






Thank you to WaterBrook & Multnomah Launch Team, I received a copy of this book for free, in exchange for and honest review. 


Top Ten Tuesday: Audio Freebie

March 27, 2019

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Artsy Read Girl.
Each week features a book related topic to spotlight your Top Ten.

Topic:
Audio Freebie

Playing catch-up, just a little bit. Oops!

This is a fun topic! 
I've been all about audio books for a while, and I love them!
Today is a good day to feature my Top Ten Favorite Audio Books. 
Now, this list could be super, super long....however, I originally created it on Instagram and it left with me with only 10 options, so that is how I kept it to only 10.


A Refuge Assured 
by Jocelyn Green
A Not Yet Unsung
by Tamera Alexander


High as the Heavens 
by Kate Breslin
(Listening to her newest now, Far Side of the Sea...fabulous!)
Catching the Wind
by Melanie Dobson


Caught by Surprise
by Jen Turano
(This whole series was great!)
Many Sparrows
by Lori Benton


Of Fire and Lions
by Mesu Andrews
(My thoughts will be posted soon!)
Falling for You 
by Becky Wade


Searching for You 
by Jody Hedlund
(This whole series was fabulous!)
Light on the Hill
by Connilyn Cossettte
(Anxiously awaiting book 3 for this series.)


What have been your favorite audio books?
Any books you are hoping will have audios with it?



Waiting On Wednesday: Murder in the City of Liberty

March 20, 2019

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly feature that spotlights an up-and-coming release you are most excited about.

I love a good murder-mystery! Throw in some historical fiction and it is a perfect combo. 
Rachel McMillan has brought a fabulous series to the table and it that perfect mixture. 
I have to say, the covers are beautiful!
I can't wait to read her newest installment of her Van Buren and DeLuca Mystery Series. The backdrop especially has me anxious to read it. I fell in love with Boston this past summer and I can't wait to read about it in this new book!

Waiting On: 
Title: Murder in the City of Liberty
Author: Rachel McMillan
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Publication Date: May 28th, 2019

About the Book:
Hamish DeLuca and Regina "Reggie" Van Buren have a new case--and this one brings the war in Europe dangerously close to home.

Determined to make a life for herself, Regina "Reggie" Van Buren bid goodbye to fine china and the man her parents expected her to marry and escaped to Boston. What she never expected to discover was that an unknown talent for sleuthing would develop into a business partnership with the handsome, yet shy, Hamish DeLuca.

Their latest case arrives when Errol Parker, the leading base stealer in the Boston farm leagues, hires Hamish and Reggie to investigate what the Boston police shove off as a series of harmless pranks. Errol believes these are hate crimes linked to the outbreak of war in Europe, and he's afraid for his life. Hamish and Reggie quickly find themselves in the midst of an escalating series of crimes that seem to link Boston to Hamish's hometown of Toronto.

When an act of violence hits too close to home, Hamish is driven to a decision that may sever him from Reggie forever . . . even more than her engagement to wealthy architect Vaughan Vanderlaan.


What are you waiting on this week?


Top Ten Tuesday: Books On My Spring 2019 TBR

March 19, 2019

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Artsy Read Girl.
Each week features a book related topic to spotlight your Top Ten.

Topic:
Books On My Spring 2019 TBR

This topic I think can easily go over the ten. There have just been soooooo many fabulous sounding books announced for spring. I honestly can't wait to read them. 
The covers are just gorgeous. The stories sound fantastic. I've added these titles to my GoodReads list as soon as they were released.

Some of these are authors who are long time favorites, while others are new to me, and then some are debuts. I'm excited for all!

In no particular order. 


by Amanda Dykes
by Katherine Reay
by Lauren K. Denton


by Karen Witemeyer
by Jody Hedulund
by Becky Wade


by Naomi Stephens
by Rachel Fordham
by Sarah E. Ladd


by Amanda Barratt
by Liz Tolsma
by Morgan L. Busse


These are just a few of the books I'm looking forward to. 
What are you looking forward to for Spring? 


It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

March 18, 2019

It's Monday, What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date
Each week offer the opportunity to to spotlight what you're reading and what you just finished reading.

Back to the daily grind. Spring Break was great! I got some reading done, but I wasn't able to do much blogging,  but it was a fabulous week and I'm glad to be back to the blog. 

How was your week? Was it Spring Break for anyone else?

Finished Reading:
by Mesu Andrews
Fabulous story! I will be sharing about this book later this week.

Currently Reading:
by Jen Turano
I've had to put this book on hold to read review books. 
by Kate Breslin
I'm getting ready to start this one.

Reading Next:
This maybe sad to say....I haven't decided yet. I have a stack, I just need to put it in order. 

Recently On the Blog:
Review: Between Two Shores


What gave you been reading this week? 
Find anything new and fun? Older and classic?

Review: Between Two Shores by Jocelyn Green

March 14, 2019

Title: Between Two Shores
Author: Jocelyn Green
Publisher: Bethany House
Pages: 400
ISBN: 9780764219085
Publication Date: February 5th, 2019

About the Book:
She Has Always Moved Between Worlds,But Now She Must Choose a Side

The daughter of a Mohawk mother and French father in 1759 Montreal, Catherine Duval would rather remain neutral in a world tearing itself apart. Content to trade with both the French and the British, Catherine is pulled into the Seven Years' War against her wishes when her British ex-fiancé, Samuel Crane, is taken prisoner by her father. Samuel claims he has information that could help end the war, and he asks Catherine to help him escape.

Peace appeals to Catherine, even if helping the man who broke her heart does not. But New France is starving, and she and her loved ones may not survive another winter of conflict-induced famine. When the dangers of war arrive on her doorstep, Catherine and Samuel flee by river toward the epicenter of the battle between England and France. She and Samuel may impact history, but she fears the ultimate cost will be higher than she can bear.
My Thoughts:
Jocelyn Green is one of my favorite authors.
Her research shines! She as brought eras in time back to life and brought her characters to the forefront. The history is woven in so flawlessly. There is so much detail that is included that brings another depth to the story.

Most of Jocelyn Green's stories are a mix of historical fiction and romance. Her newest release, Between Two Shores is more focused on the Historical aspect. I have to say, I really enjoyed it. It made it unique, compared to what I usually read. I liked the change. Usually, it's routing over who will wind of with who. This story, opened up a world and a struggle that Catherine faces.

We are introduced to Catherine as a young girl, who mother had just passed away and she is expected to live with her mother's people the Mohawk. Her sister is very involved with the village, their little brother doesn't remember anything else, but Catherine always thinks on her dad. She doesn't want to live with extended family, she wants to live with her dad. And wanting this drives a wedge between her and her sister.

As times change and move forward, Catherine is fully ensconced in her father's world. She feels this is the place she should be, but, in all honesty, where would the fun in the book be if it was so smooth as that.

Jocelyn Green has such a passion for what she writes and it shows in every page you read.
The attention to detail comes alive. From the background settings, the outfits, the dialect....especially the dialect. She always makes sure that it is right to the time and I love that!

This was a little different to her previous stories. Instead of having a romance lead the story, it was the history. If you love historical fiction, I think that this would be a great book for you.

5 out of 5
 
About the Author:
Jocelyn Green (www.jocelyngreen.com) inspires faith and courage as the award-winning and bestselling author of numerous fiction and nonfiction books, including The Mark of the King, Wedded to War, and The 5 Love Languages Military Edition, which she coauthored with bestselling author Dr. Gary Chapman. Her books have garnered starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly, and have been honored with the Christy Award, the gold medal from the Military Writers Society of America, and the Golden Scroll Award from the Advanced Writers & Speakers Association. She graduated from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, with a BA in English, concentration in writing. Jocelyn lives with her husband, Rob, and two children in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Visit her at www.jocelyngreen.com.


Thank you to the author, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.


Blog Tour: Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan (Just Read Publicity)

March 13, 2019

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Welcome to the Blog Tour for Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan with JustRead Publicity Tours! We continue the Becoming Mrs. Lewis celebration on social media starting March 14.

ABOUT THE BOOK
 Title: Becoming Mrs. Lewis 
Author: Patti Callahan  
Publisher: Thomas Nelson 
Genre: Historical Fiction  
Release Date: October 2, 2018

From New York Times bestselling author Patti Callahan comes an exquisite novel of Joy Davidman, the woman C. S. Lewis called “my whole world.”


When poet and writer Joy Davidman began writing letters to C. S. Lewis—known as Jack—she was looking for spiritual answers, not love. Love, after all, wasn’t holding together her crumbling marriage. Everything about New Yorker Joy seemed ill-matched for an Oxford don and the beloved writer of Narnia, yet their minds bonded over their letters. Embarking on the adventure of her life, Joy traveled from America to England and back again, facing heartbreak and poverty, discovering friendship and faith, and against all odds, finding a love that even the threat of death couldn’t destroy.


In this masterful exploration of one of the greatest love stories of modern times, we meet a brilliant writer, a fiercely independent mother, and a passionate woman who changed the life of this respected author and inspired books that still enchant us and change us. Joy lived at a time when women weren’t meant to have a voice—and yet her love for Jack gave them both voices they didn’t know they had.


At once a fascinating historical novel and a glimpse into a writer’s life, Becoming Mrs. Lewis is above all a love story—a love of literature and ideas and a love between a husband and wife that, in the end, was not impossible at all.

Excerpt:
To read an excerpt from Becoming Mrs. Lewis, please follow this link to read more about this fabulous book!



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

callahanp
Patti Callahan (who also writes as Patti Callahan Henry) is a New York Times bestselling author. Patti was a finalist in the Townsend Prize for Fiction, has been an Indie Next Pick, twice an OKRA pick, and a multiple nominee for the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA) Novel of the Year. Her work has also been included in short story collections, anthologies, magazines, and blogs. Patti attended Auburn University for her undergraduate work and Georgia State University for her graduate degree. Once a Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, she now writes full time. The mother of three children, she lives in both Mountain Brook, Alabama, and Bluffton, South Carolina, with her husband.  





CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR: website | facebook | twitter | instagram

bml blog giveaway

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(2) winners will each win a hardcover release copy of Becoming Mrs. Lewis. 

Be sure to check out each stop on the Blog and Takeover tours for more chances to win. Full tour schedule on this tour shown below. Giveaway began at midnight March 12, 2019 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 19, 2019. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Due to shipping cost, only US mailing addresses valid. For our giveaway rules and policy, click HERE.


Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

AND

Be sure to stop at the following tours for more chances to win!

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