Blog Tour: A Tapestry of Light by Kimberly Duffy Spotlight w/ Excerpt (JustRead Tours & Giveaway)
March 24, 2021
Welcome to the Blog Tour for A Tapestry of Light by Kimberly Duffy, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Title: A Tapestry of Light
Author: Kimberly Duffy
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Release date: March 16, 2021
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Calcutta, 1886.Ottilie Russell is adrift between two cultures, British and Indian, belonging to both and neither. In order to support her little brother, Thaddeus, and her grandmother, she relies upon her skills in beetle-wing embroidery that have been passed down to her through generations of Indian women.When a stranger appears with the news that Thaddeus is now Baron Sunderson and must travel to England to take his place as a nobleman, Ottilie is shattered by the secrets that come to light. Despite her growing friendship with Everett Scott, friend to Ottilie's English grandmother and aunt, she refuses to give up her brother. Then tragedy strikes, and she is forced to make a decision that will take Thaddeus far from death and herself far from home.But betrayal and loss lurk in England, too, and soon Ottilie must fight to ensure Thaddeus doesn't forget who he is, as well as find a way to stitch a place for herself in this foreign land.
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EXCERPT:
“You’re young. There’s no reason to say you’ll never marry. Why? No. You will marrysomeday, and it might as well be someone who can feed us. Keep Thaddeus in school.” Nānīcrossed her arms, matching Ottilie’s posture.Nānī didn’t know. Had never met Victor. Had never seen him resplendent in his gold-braided uniform. Had never been tugged into a dark corner of the Imperial Museum and held in his arms. Had never heard Ottilie whisper a frantic yes when he proposed. Hadn’t noticed whenOttilie wept when it ended only four months after Papa’s death. Because there had been so much weeping, and how would she know Ottilie shed tears over a cowardly soldier, not again for the loss of father and siblings?She didn’t know, and Ottilie wouldn’t tell her. And even if Ottilie did, one day, set aside hervow not to marry, she wouldn’t be coerced into a marriage of convenience. Not when she’dgrown up watching the restrained passion and evident love between her parents. “I don’t love him, Nānī. I never could.”“Psssh, love. What did it bring me but heartache? Even your mother suffered from it. Betterto marry a man you merely like so that if he rejects you, you won’t grow cold, and if he dies, you won’t grow weak from grief.”Ottilie stood and looked down at her grandmother, able to see the fear in Nānī’s drawn face.Her grandmother only wanted to spare them the indignity of poverty. Her stubborn meddling was birthed in love and concern.Ottilie held out her hand and helped Nānī to her feet. Placing her hands on hergrandmother’s narrow shoulders, she pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I love you and would do almost anything to see you happy, but I won’t do this. I’d rather marry no man than marry a man I feel as much for as I do a jackfruit.”
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository | IndieBound | Christianbook | BookBub
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kimberly Duffy is a Long Island native currently living in Southwest Ohio, via six months in India. When she's not homeschooling her four kids, she writes historical fiction that takes her readers back in time and across oceans. She loves trips that require a passport, recipe books, and practicing kissing scenes with her husband of twenty years. He doesn't mind.
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive a print copy of A Tapestry of Light, A Mosaic of Wings, and Recipes from an Indian Kitchen!
Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight March 22, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 29, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
Is It Just Me? Learning to Trust God in the Middle of Hurts, Doubts and Fears by Grace Valentine (JustRead Tours & Giveaway)
March 9, 2021
Welcome to the Blog Tour for Is It Just Me? by Grace Valentine, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Title: Is It Just Me?
Author: Grace Valentine
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: February 9, 2021
Genre: Christian Life/Women's Issues
An anthem for every woman who is weary of living a life in which she knows the right answers but does not believe them.Is It Just Me? is a book by a popular social media blogger that helps young women find true trust in Jesus when they are overwhelmed and frustrated with their lives.Many women joke about having trust issues—laughing at their struggle because it feels common but secretly feeling there is no hope. Grace Valentine was one of them. In her twenties she realized her trust issues were not humorous because in reality hers were trust issues with Jesus, her community, her family, and herself. And they were destroying her faith. Grace creatively told herself she was simply being realistic, but the truth was, she was entangled with doubt and lies.In Grace’s second book, Is It Just Me?, she offers readers a new perspective by helping them find answers to five deeply felt questions.
- Am I the only one who is tired, overwhelmed, doubting, and fearful?
- Am I the only one who feels hurt and lonely?
- Am I the only one who still is struggling to find my purpose?
- Am I the only one struggling to trust that God is there?
- Am I the only one confused about how to be an adult?
Grace’s personal story and perceptive insights show other young women that not only are they are not alone, they can trust God in the middle of their hurts, doubts, and fears.
Excerpt:
I think trust issues cause many of us to struggle to trust God to supply our strength on difficult and lonely days. We believe we have been failed by the church, Christians, friends, family, and, well, almost everyone else. We stopped trusting Jesus and claimed we were just being realistic.
That’s one of the intriguing parts about faith— it was never meant to be realistic. Relying on a Spirit you cannot physically see to give you strength is not realistic. Soaring on wings like eagles when you have a nine- to- five job and kids waiting for you at home is not realis-tic. Soaring on wings like eagles while you’re a college student being judged by people because of your past is not realistic. Learning to trust can feel impossible if you have been cheated on, had your heart broken, or have been betrayed by a close friend. Growing in your faith is not realistic when you’re busy in college and ate Taco Bell at 3:00 a.m. because midterms suck. But, my friend, believe me when I say it is possible to do all those things if we ditch our trust issues and cultivate a trust that is stronger than our weariness.
Taken from “Is it Just Me? Learning to Trust God in the Middle of Hursts, Doubts and Fears” by Grace Valentine. Copyright 2021 by Grace Valentine. Used with permission from Thomas Nelson.
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository | IndieBound | Christianbook | BookBub
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Grace Valentine is an author, blogger, podcast host, and speaker. Her readers love that she is so relatable. They say her fresh voice helps them navigate their own faith and life, which in turn helps fulfill her mission to show others that Christianity is an adventure worth living. After growing up outside New Orleans, Louisiana, Grace attended Baylor University, graduating in 2018 with a degree in journalism. She now resides in Orlando, Florida, where she enjoys running and eating lots of sushi.
TOUR GIVEAWAY:
(1) winner will receive a print copy of Am I Enough? and Is it Just Me? by Grace Valentine!
Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight March 8, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 15, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
Review: To Dwell Among Cedars by Connilyn Cossette
March 8, 2021
Author: Connilyn Cossette
Publisher: Bethany House
Pages: 364
ISBN: 9780764234347
Publication Date: December 1st, 2020
About the Book:
As they fight for the soul of Israel, will they find healing for their own?Eight years ago, after the Philistines surrendered the stolen Ark of the Covenant back to the Israelites, Eliora and her brother left their Philistine homeland to follow it to the community of Kiryat-Yearim. Though they both were lovingly enfolded into a Levite family that guards the Ark, Eliora can't stop feeling like she doesn't belong.Meanwhile, a faction of discontent Hebrews finds Kiryat-Yearim to be an unfit resting place and believes that the sacred vessel should be in the hands of the priests who mean to restore the Holy of Holies in a new location. Under the guise of gathering Hebrews to worship together for the festivals, Levite musician Ronen has been sent by his uncle to find where the Ark has been hidden and steal it back. But Ronen never expected that the Philistine girl he rescued years ago would now be part of the very family he's tasked to deceive.Ronen's attempts to charm Eliora into revealing the location of the Ark lead them in unexpected directions, as they must battle betrayal and fear to help establish Israel's leadership for a better future.
My Thoughts:
Stunning! That was the word that came to mind as I closed this book upon finishing it.
This is a book of, things are not what they appear to be. The ideas you have on certain backgrounds and and how you think this will play out prove to be wrong, in the best sense of the word.
When we meet Eliora for the first time, she is a young girl, lost in a world without her mother and father, and only has the slave who has watched after since she was born to truly care for her. Eliora's main concern is her little brother. She is willing to do anything, even at her young age to keep him safe. With her young eyes, she witness things that could make an adult quake, but she persists in her determination to save her brother. With just a small bit of guidance into a land of unknown, Eliora's life takes the most dramatic and beautiful change.
We see how these events have shaped Eliora and her life and she becomes a woman who just radiates her faith and love for those in her life. She is a sweet and innocent character, but also one of strong determination. He story is one that is an uplifting tale.
Ronen's story is similar in a way to Eliora's but also completely different. It is a story that shows how you feel and how the ones you are with during your lowest time can shape you and mold you.
Ronen is a strong man, educated in many ways, but also determined to do what he thinks is right, without truly looking into where decisions come from. But his story is one of love and compassion, even with the loss he carries.
Eliora and Ronen's story is set during a time after a great many judges have helped Israel and now Samuel has made his appearance into this interesting time of Israel's history. This story really opened up a time I haven't read too much into, but really brought it to my attention to seek out and read more.
I honestly can't wait for book two of this story. The ending of this book was an emotional punch to the gut and I can't wait to see what happens next.
5 out of 5
About the Author:
Connilyn Cossette (www.connilyncossette.com) is a Christy Award and Carol Award winning author whose books have been found on ECPA and CBA bestseller lists. When she is not engulfed in the happy chaos of homeschooling two teenagers, devouring books whole, or avoiding housework, she can be found digging into the rich ancient world of the Bible to discover gems of grace that point to Jesus and weaving them into an immersive fiction experience. Although she and her husband have lived all over the country in their twenty-plus years of marriage, they currently call a little town south of Dallas, Texas, their home.
Thank you to the author, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Title: Love Among the Ashes
Author: Mesu Andrews
Narrator: Lisa Larsen
Length: 13 hrs & 57 mins
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Series: Treasures of His Love, Bk 1
Publication Date: November 2019
About the Book:
Drawing together the account of Job with those of Esau's tribe and Jacob's daughter Dinah, Love Amid the Ashes breathes life, romance, and passion into the classic biblical story of suffering and steadfast faith.
Readers often think of Job sitting on the ash heap, his life in shambles. But how did he get there? What was Job's life like before tragedy struck? What did he think as his world came crashing down around him? And what was life like after God restored his wealth, health, and family?
Through painstaking research and a writer's creative mind, Mesu Andrews weaves an emotional and stirring account of this well-known story told through the eyes of the women who loved him. Drawing together the account of Job with those of Esau's tribe and Jacob's daughter Dinah, Love Amid the Ashes breathes life, romance, and passion into the classic biblical story of suffering and steadfast faith.
My Thoughts:
I'm back once again raving about the fabulousness of Mesu Andrews' books. This time it is her debut novel that was published in audio form. Love Amid the Ashes was such a unique story for me when I first read it. It made me think about how the stories in the Bible are presented and made me want to do some further research on me own. I never would have through Job was at the time of Jacob and his 12 sons. Love Amid the Ashes really made me think. It was such a fantastic read! You can read my full review on it here.
I had an opportunity to read this book in another medium, audiobook, and I was super excited to have that chance. Lisa Larsen in the narrator again, and her voice really adds another level to the story. When you read, you have your own internal monologue going. If you're like me, you think, how do they sound? What tone would they have? Audiobooks, you really don't have to think about that when you have a narrator that can deliver the story in a way that allows you to escape into the book and not think of anything else. Lisa's voice has a smooth and flowy quality that really sets the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book and diving into Dinah and Job's story again. Audiobooks have away of bringing little details to attention I can sometimes miss while reading, whether getting distracted, or engrossed in the story, the little things fall to the side. Audio, I'm able to really enjoy every aspect of the story.
5 out of 5
About the Author:
Thank you to JustReads Tours, I received a copy of this audiobook for free in exchange for an honest review.
Review: In the Shadow of Jezebel by Mesu Andrews (Audiobook Review) JustRead Blog Tour
March 3, 2021
Title: In the Shadow of Jezebel
Author: Mesu Andrews
Narrated by: Lisa Larsen
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Length: 15 hrs & 33 mins
Series: Treasures of His Love, Bk 4
Release Date: January 28th, 2020
About the Book:
Princess Jehosheba wants nothing more than to please the harsh and demanding Queen Athaliah, daughter of the notorious Queen Jezebel. Her work as a priestess in the temple of Baal seems to do the trick. But when a mysterious letter from the dead prophet Elijah predicts doom for the royal household, Jehosheba realizes that the dark arts she practices reach beyond the realm of earthly governments. To further Athaliah and Jezebel's strategies, she is forced to marry Yahweh's high priest and enters the unfamiliar world of Yahweh's temple. Can her new husband show her the truth and love she craves? And can Jehosheba overcome her fear and save the family - and the nation - she loves?With deft skill, Mesu Andrews brings Old Testament passages to life, revealing a fascinating story of the power of unconditional love.
My Thoughts:
I have been a fan of Mesu Andrews writing for many years! I have actually read In the Shadow of Jezebel when it first came out in paperback. You can read my original review on the story here. It was such a captivating story, so when the opportunity to be able to enjoy the story in another medium came up, I pounced!
It has been about 6-7 years since I originally read this story, so not all the elements were fresh in my mind, hearing In the Shadow of Jezebel through new ears was phenomenal.When I first read it it was a nail bitter and it had me wanting things to resolve, but the suspense kept going. Hearing it this time around, oh my goodness, Lisa Larsen was able to add a new depth to this book that just kept me listening. Lisa's skills in conveying a story is so well done. Her voice is steady, smooth, and calming. Her voice paired so well with Mesu Andrews writing. Each have a talent to capture you in a book. As you listen, you do forget that you are listening to an audiobook. You are fully immersed in the story.
If you are wanting to try Biblical fiction, or even try an audio, this is definitely one I would recommend jumping into. I've been listening to audiobooks for a couple of years now, and this one of my most favorites I have to say.
5 out of 5
About the Author:
Thank you to JustReads Tours, I received a copy of this audiobook for free in exchange for an honest review.
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