Review: Inventions of the Heart by Mary Connealy
August 29, 2022
Her heart seeks safety. But will trouble find her even here?After her sister's marriage, Michelle Stiles is left hiding at Two Harts Ranch with the handsome but stubborn Zane Hart. She's managed to stay one step ahead of her stepfather and his devious plans, but if he finds her, she will no longer be safe.Zane has problems of his own. Having discovered a gold mine on his property, he must figure out how to harvest it without kicking off a gold rush. Michelle, educated and trained to run her father's business, wants to manage all aspects of the mine, but Zane thinks for a person so smart she can have some misguided ideas. Running the mining operation will be a dangerous job, and he can't risk putting her in harm's way.But danger finds Michelle anyway when she's suddenly attacked. If they go to the sheriff, they'll reveal her location, but if they do nothing . . . their troubles have only just begun.
My Thoughts:
Inventions of the Heart is another fabulous book that keeps you turning pages to find out what is going to happen.
Michelle and Zane are thrown together by different problems, but they find their strengths can help each other, after a few rough patches that is. But these two character work well together and I enjoyed how their stories played out.
This was a great continuation of the Lumber Baron’s series. Can’t wait to see what happens next.
Thank you to JustRead Publicity Tours, I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Blog Tour & Excerpt: Dead Sea Conspiracy by Jerry B. Jenkins (JustRead Tours w/ Giveaway)
August 17, 2022
Welcome to the Blog Tour for Dead Sea Conspiracy by Jerry B. Jenkins, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Series: Dead Sea Chronicles #2
Author: Jerry B. Jenkins
Publisher: Worthy Books
Release Date: August 23, 2022
Genre: Christian Suspense, Dual Timeline (Biblical & Contemporary)
In Book 2 of the Dead Sea Chronicles, archaeologist Nicole Berman is about to discover the key to unifying three major religions, if a dangerous and evil enemy doesn’t stop her first.She is the first woman to be awarded a permit to lead a dig in Saudi Arabia and believes what she hopes to discover has the power to rewrite history. She assembles a team that will ultimately surprise – and in some cases – betray her. In a parallel storyline, readers are launched back to ancient Ur where young Abram is sent to learn from his forebears, who tell him firsthand stories of being on the ark during the Great Flood.
EXCERPT:
It wasn’t as if Terah had not seen violence, especially in the presence of King Nimrod. In fact, Terah himself had initiated enough that he should have been hardened to it. But something rocked him about the capriciousness of this callous murder. The farther they climbed the great tower, the more disgusted he became—with both the king and with himself.
When hoofbeats approached from below, he assumed it was the sculptor of the king’s image and prayed the man had thought to bring a fresh rendering of Nimrod looking the way he wished to appear. If he arrived with only more excuses, he might easily face the same fate as the hapless chair bearer. But the donkey that clopped into view bore not the sculptor, but the wife of the slain man. She dismounted and stood before the king, forcing his carriers to halt.
“I demand to know what happened! How does my husband, who served you faithfully—and with pride—for so many years, wind up dead at the base of the tower?”
“So my message reached you, dear woman?” the king said.
“Your message? No! Someone recognized my husband’s body! What was your message?”
“I dispatched a courier to get word to you of your loyal husband’s unfortunate demise. We were forced to the edge by a load of fresh brick and he lost his footing, poor soul.”
“Liar!” the woman screamed. “I saw his body! His shoulder and back had been ripped open!”
“He must have hit rocks on the way d—”
“The sides of the tower are smooth! He was clearly attacked by a swordsman and driven to—”
“Terah!” Nimrod said. “Did this woman call her king a liar?”
“She did.”
“Then why do you just stand there? Mete out justice! She must also die!”
Terah found himself willing to perish before he would execute this innocent woman. But before he could call out Nimrod for his blatant lie, the woman keened, “I’ll save you the trouble!” and leapt off the tower.
MORE BOOKS IN THIS SERIES
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Connect with Jerry by visiting jerryjenkins.com to follow him on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive signed & personalized copies of Dead Sea Rising (paperback), Dead Sea Conspiracy (hardcover), and a $50 Visa gift card.
(9) additional winners will receive signed & personalized copies of Dead Sea Rising (paperback) and Dead Sea Conspiracy (hardcover).
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight August 16, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on August 23, 2022. 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.
Welcome to the Blog + Review Blitz for Shoal Waters by Normandie Fischer, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Shoal Waters Dementia, mad gunmen, and a yearning for something more make life difficult for the Beaufort folk in this series finale.Georgie's mind threatens to go walkabout, and she'd better get help soon if she's to stop her daughter from taking over. Enter granddaughter, Jeminy, a songwriter from L.A., and Eric, her lawyer.Jeminy hates herself and is pretty sure God does, too. There’s that huge unforgiveable sin, plus the boyfriend/manager who dumped her and lost her a music deal. Her mistakes. Her fault.When Mother plots to tuck Nana Georgie neatly into a nursing home to gain access to Nana’s money, Jeminy hightails it out of L.A. and back to Beaufort. God may still hate her in North Carolina, but at least she’ll be on hand to protect her beloved grandmother.Enter Eric, the lawyer hired to help Georgie protect herself--and possibly Jeminy, too. But Eric just rescued his orphaned stepson from Social Services, and while he’s adept at legal briefs and courtroom dramas, classrooms and angry second graders are brand new territory.Guitar in hand, Jeminy tries to write songs to jumpstart her flagging career, but when someone threatens her life, she has to ask why. Could it have to do with the money missing from her bank accounts (and maybe her unstable ex)? If she prays for help, will God even listen to someone with her baggage?With the help of the Beaufort crew, a new father and a terrified musician struggle to safeguard everyone they love, but it’s going to take more than good neighbors to show each of them the true meaning of grace.
Georgina Chapter 20
And, in the process of bringing it [the phone] to her ear, she lost her last thought. It had been there, hadn’t it, because she was holding the phone in her hand. But why? Who had she intended to call?
Closing her eyes, she shuddered.
Her mind kept tripping off like this, willy-nilly, as if it had decided to go walkabout, leaving the rest of her behind. Feeling this, knowing it, made a spasm roil up from low in her belly. She swiped at a tear because this could not be happening. It couldn’t. Yet look at her, staring at the phone, no clue as to why she held it. Was she about to call someone? Had she already made a call?
She couldn’t remember. She could not remember.
And, oh, my, when had those veins started protruding right below her knuckles? Look at the brown spots.
What on earth was she supposed to do with the phone?
She put it down on the kitchen counter. Maybe enlightenment would come as she fixed herself a cup of tea. The heat of it would be good for her bones, and maybe it would unjumble her thoughts.
MORE BOOKS IN THIS SERIES
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Connect with Normandie by visiting normandiefischer.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card and one signed book written by Normandie Fischer (winner's choice)!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight August 10, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on August 17, 2022. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN 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.
Welcome to the Blog Tour for Hope Beyond the Waves by Heidi Chiavaroli, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Hope Beyond the Waves
Author: Heidi Chiavaroli
Publisher: Hope Creek Publishers, LLC
Release Date: June 28, 2022
Genre: Christian, Dual Timeline Fiction
From award-winning author Heidi Chiavaroli comes a sweeping dual timeline story that explores hope and enduring love in the midst of the impossible.Massachusetts, 1993After making a grievous mistake that will change her life forever, Emily Robertson is sent away to live with her grandmother on Cape Cod. When Emily finds a timeworn photograph buried in a drawer, she realizes her grandmother has concealed a secret even bigger than her own. Will convincing Gram to reveal their family history help Emily make the most important decision of her life or will it prove her parents right—that family scandal is better off buried and forgotten?Massachusetts, 1916Atta Schaeffer plans to marry the man of her dreams and whisk her little sister away from their abusive father. But when she is diagnosed with a dreaded malady, Atta is forced into a life of exile, leaving her sister in harm’s way.On Penikese Island, Atta’s best hope lies with Harry Mayhew, a doctor who seeks a cure for his patients at any cost. But when experiments fail, Atta runs from Harry—and from God. Can she return to her sister before it’s too late? Or will her illness consume both her body and soul?A testament to faith and love, Hope Beyond the Waves is the raw account of the journey of two generations of women running from desperate situations toward irresistible hope.
EXCERPT:
Atta took in her last breath of freedom and looked at Papi once more,
knowing any words she spoke would be inadequate. She barely knew this
man she called her father. Felt nothing toward him but resentment. Maybe
even hatred.
“Please, Papi…” She grasped for words. Make wise choices. Think of
Gertie. Stop being so stupid!
His mouth hardened and he turned away. “I’ll have Gertie light a candle for
you at Mass. Goodbye, Atta.”
She walked into the fresh morning light and stepped into the Board of
Health car, a newfound determination overtaking her. She would survive this
ugly illness. The real question was, would her family?
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository | IndieBound | BookBub
ALSO AVAILABLE
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Connect with Heidi by visiting heidichiavaroli.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive a Handmade French Market Seagrass Bag, hardcover copy of Hope Beyond the Waves, and Ocean-Lover Bookmark!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight July 25, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on August 1, 2022. 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.
Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Heirlooms by Sandra Byrd, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Answering a woman’s desperate call for help, young Navy widow Helen Devries opens her Whidbey Island home as a refuge to Choi Eunhee. As they bond over common losses and a delicate, potentially devastating secret, their friendship spans the remainder of their lives.After losing her mother, Cassidy Quinn spent her childhood summers with her gran, Helen, at her farmhouse. Nourished by her grandmother’s love and encouragement, Cassidy discovers a passion that she hopes will bloom into a career. But after Helen passes, Cassidy learns that her home and garden have fallen into serious disrepair. Worse, a looming tax debt threatens her inheritance. Facing the loss of her legacy and in need of allies and ideas, Cassidy reaches out to Nick, her former love, despite the complicated emotions brought by having him back in her life.Cassidy inherits not only the family home but a task, spoken with her grandmother’s final breaths: ask Grace Kim—Eunhee’s granddaughter—to help sort through the contents of the locked hope chest in the attic. As she and Grace dig into the past, they unearth their grandmothers’ long-held secret and more. Each startling revelation reshapes their understanding of their grandmothers and ultimately inspires the courage to take risks and make changes to own their lives.Set in both modern-day and midcentury Whidbey Island, Washington, this dual-narrative story of four women—grandmothers and granddaughters—intertwines across generations to explore the secrets we keep, the love we pass down, and the heirlooms we inherit from a well-lived life.
EXCERPT:
Eunhee looked down at the dinners. “I have not eaten a meal in an aluminum tray. Is this likeprepared meals for away duty in the military?”
“Kind of.” A small ice rink of gravy teetered like a lopsided hat atop Eunhee’s portion of
turkey. “Oh! It needs more time in the oven. I’ll be right back.”
Once Helen returned with the meals, fully heated, Eunhee ate slowly, smiling between each
bite of turkey, cornbread, and buttered peas. Helen reached over to take their trays and noticed Eunhee’s was largely uneaten. “Don’t you like TV dinners?”
“They could use a few spices,” Eunhee admitted.
Helen’s heart sank. “I wanted to offer a comfortable, soft nest to you, my new friend.”
Eunhee smiled and looked her straight in the eye. “Perfect cooking does not make a good
friend or a soft nest. A soft heart makes for a soft nest, and love and honest talk make good
friends.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive a King Arthur Cinnamon Roll Kit, including the heavy-gauge pan, plus a $25 Starbucks card!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight July 5, 2022 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on July 12, 2022. US only. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. 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.
Blog Blitz: Her Darkest Secret by Jessica R. Patch (JustRead Tour w/ Excerpt & Giveaway)
June 28, 2022
Welcome to the Blog Tour for Her Darkest Secret by Jessica R. Patch, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Her Darkest Secret
Author: Jessica R. Patch
Publisher: Harlequin Love Inspired TRADE
Release Date: June 28, 2022
Genre: Christian, Psychological Thriller with a romance thread
When a cold-case serial killer returns, FBI special agent Fiona Kelly has one last chance to stop him before he claims the prize he’s always wanted—her.The sight of a goose feather at a murder scene modeled after a children’s poem is enough to make FBI special agent Fiona Kelly’s blood turn to ice. Almost two decades ago, a feather was left with her sister’s body—and with every subsequent victim of the Nursery Rhyme Killer. Now he’s back. Only this time, his latest gruesome murder is a message to the only one who ever got away: Fiona. Finding “Rhyme” is an obsession that’s fueled Fiona’s career—and destroyed her marriage to fellow FBI agent Asa Kodiak. Now Fiona and Asa have to put their past tensions aside and work together one last time. But Rhyme is watching, and catching this killer may force Fiona to reveal her biggest, darkest secret…the one only he knows.
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository | IndieBound | BookBub
EXCERPT:
Rhyme easily blended in with the rest of the on looking crowd.
Asa Kodiak.
The name alone gave him a sour taste on his tongue, but things couldn’t have panned out any better. Kodiak’s new girlfriend was in charge of the crime scene. Not that it would have mattered who had been lead—Kodiak would have been called in once they saw Jenny’s body. Saw the feather.
Asa was right now seeing it. A million thoughts flying through his thick skull—one in particular.
Before the day was out, Kodiak would call for Fiona. Tell her he needed her back in Memphis towork the case, but she’d know that it was Rhyme who had actually beckoned her.It was time to come home.To him.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive a signed paperback of Her Darkest Secret, Brain Games WHODUNIT: Solve Crime Scene Puzzles Book, & a Shine cross necklace!
Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight June 28, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 5, 2022. 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: Shadow of Honor by Ronie Kendig (JustRead Tour)
June 27, 2022
The war he fears may be the very one he’s been called to start.Held captive, tortured by monsters of a nightmarish alien race, Marco Dusan clings to a final goal: keep these beasts from the Quadrants, even if it means orchestrating his own death. But his dreams betray that singular design. In them his bonded calls to him across lightyears. Does he leave her to fight Symmachia alone, or risk bringing an unwinnable war to every planet in the Quadrants?On board the alien dreadnought, Eija Zacdari flounders, torn amidst military machinations, prophecies, and an inexplicable bond with one of the fearsome creatures who have imprisoned her friends. Only by uncovering the truth about an ancient conflict now shrouded in deception will she find her place.Faced with her true identity, Eija sees her purpose snap into focus, and she realizes the war Marco fears may be the very one he has been called to start.
If you like epic series, grand adventures, this is the series for you. This has been an amazing journey following these characters and the twist and turns really keep me guessing and turning the pages to find out what will happen and and how the character will handle it.
This is a must read.
Review: To Tame A Cowboy by Jody Hedlund (JustRead Tour)
June 14, 2022
They share a passion to heal what is broken, but it's their own hearts that need to be made whole.Brody McQuaid is a broken man, and he knows it. While his body survived the war, his soul did not. Besides loving his little niece, his only sense of purpose comes from saving the wild horses that roam South Park. Ranchers in the area have taken to killing the horses, which are competing with their cattle to feed on the open grass.Savannah Marshall is a veterinarian on her family's Colorado ranch. She longs to keep her father happy following the tragic death of her older brother, including marrying a man of his choosing. But days before her wedding, she gets cold feet and disappears to South Park. As she learns more about the destruction of the horses, she joins Brody in an attempt to save the wild creatures. But when Savannah's family and the resentments of the area cattlemen catch up with them both, Brody and Savannah will have to tame their fears if they've any hope to let love run free.
Thank you to JustRead Tours and the author, I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Blog Tour: Second Chance at Happiness by Greta Picklesimer w. Excerpt (JustRead Tours with Giveaway)
May 28, 2022
Welcome to the Blog Tour for Second Chance at Happiness by Greta Picklesimer, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Second Chance at Happiness
Author: Greta Picklesimer
Publisher: Ambassador International
Release Date: April 12, 2022
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
After Catherine Reed’s husband dies in a tragic logging accident, Catherine and her four-year-old daughter, Clair, move home with Clair’s mother and brother in order to accept a new position as the teacher for the town’s one-room schoolhouse. But Catherine carries a dark secret that she hasn’t even shared with her mother. Will she ever find forgiveness?Samuel Harris has suffered his own loss, losing his wife and unborn child over a year prior. Although he is the town’s preacher, he struggles to trust God, blaming God for allowing him to be absent when his wife died. The guilt has burdened him ever since. But when his old flame Catherine Reed comes back to town, he wonders if they can find healing together.Catherine believes that anyone who wants to learn should be allowed to learn, but she is quick to find a town divided on that issue. As she and Samuel set out to change people’s minds in a post-Civil War era, they find themselves drawn to each other over and over again. As they join together for the same cause, could they also find a second chance at happiness?
EXCERPT:
Catherine Reed and her four-year-old daughter, Clair—both wearing simple, matching, black mourning dresses—stepped off the train at 3:00 p.m. in her hometown of Harrisville, Kentucky. Catherine looked at the dark green depot and sighed. It was not a contented sigh, but rather one of heaviness and regret. Standing on the small platform facing the depot, she contemplated her next step. She needed to move, but her feet seemed rooted to the ground. Tears began forming at the corner of her eyes, threatening to spill over onto her cheeks. How would she go on without her dear husband, John, by her side? It was supposed to be his last run on the river. He had promised. They’d have enough money to buy their own place. Set up a little farm, keep chickens and a few pigs. All that had come crashing to a halt when he fell between the logs he’d been taking downstream on the Cumberland River to Crestville, where they would be sold. She shook her head as if to shake out the memories. He didn’t even make it halfway there. Flicking her shaking free hand to her side, she tried to wipe the memories from her mind.
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository | IndieBound | Christianbook | BookBub
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive a print copy of Second Chance at Happiness and a spiral-bound notebook with a picture of the cover of the book on it!
Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight May 24, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 31, 2022. 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.
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