Coming Soon!!!!!!!!!
Category: Promo
Rachael’s Decision by Molly Jebber
Publisher’s Summary
In 1915 Ohio, anyone entering the Amish Charm Bakery is greeted by the sweet warmth and delicious fragrance of cinnamon and vanilla wafting from freshly baked cookies and pies. And newcomers to this Amish community will find friendship on the menu, too—and perhaps for a lucky few, even lasting love . . .
Rachael Schlabach’s first chance for a husband ended in a tragic accident that left her with a limp. Though happy to work in the beloved Amish Charm Bakery, she hasn’t abandoned her romantic dreams, but she has focused on a widower with two adorable kinner she would love to raise as her own. Then handsome, single Caleb Yutzy arrives on the scene . . .
Caleb is eager to court pretty, warm-hearted Rachael, and tells her so. But their frank conversations reveal a truth that dashes her hopes—Caleb very much wants kinner, the one thing Rachael can’t give him. Even when Caleb assures her it’s no matter, she can’t bring herself to be so selfish. Yet love is beyond all planning, and with faith Rachael and Caleb may discover the lifetime of love they were meant to share . . .
Molly Jebber wraps up the “Amish Charm Bakery” series and returns us to Charm, Ohio, in book six, Rachael’s Decision. The narrative functions nicely on its own, but reading the entire series results in a richer experience.
Given that it is set in the early 1900s, this story works well as historical fiction. However, many people in today’s society deal with similar heartbreaking and sad issues. Rachael Schlabach, the protagonist, has a strong, unwavering sense of faith and confidence in God throughout her quest for love. I truly admired that.
In addition, Jebber offers recipes at the conclusion of the book, which made me drool and want to cook them all!
Rachael’s Decision will appeal to readers who like Molly Jebber and Amish fiction, and I heartily suggest it to others as well.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. All opinions are my own, and I am voluntarily leaving this review.
Book Spotlight -All I Want For Christmas by Fay Lamb on Tour with Celebrate Lit
About the Book
Book: All I Want for Christmas
Author: Fay Lamb
Genre: Christian Fiction
Release date: November 21, 2021
A wedding headed for disaster,
A crime syndicate bent on destruction,
And a bunch of hungry alligators.
Knee deep in preparation for her best friend’s Christmas wedding, Abigail Brewster reels when her estranged younger sister returns to Mullet Harbor. She brings secrets, intrigue, and trouble along with her—a crime syndicate set on goals that would destroy the harbor. And Abigail is in the middle of their scheme.
Remy Arneaux doesn’t understand the reason for Susan Brewster’s return, and maybe that’s due to the brain fog from his concussion. But he does know enough not to trust her and not to let her near Abigail. The self-centered woman would only hurt her . . . again. Abigail has had enough pain, even from him. Still, he made a promise to escort someone else to the wedding. And with the promise is a secret that begins to rip his relationship with Abigail apart.
According to Mayor Herb’s edict, nothing is allowed to mar this occasion for his only granddaughter. Not heartbreak, not tirades from a spoiled young woman, and not threats from organized crime.
But what about their attempts to make good on their threats . . .
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Fay Lamb is the only daughter of a rebel genius father and a hard-working, tow-the-line mom. She is not only a fifth-generation Floridian, she has lived her life in Titusville, where her grandmother was born in 1899.
Since an early age, storytelling has been Fay’s greatest desire. She seeks to create memorable characters that touch her readers’ hearts. She says of her writing, “If I can’t laugh or cry at the words written on the pages of my manuscript, the story is not ready for the reader.” Fay writes in various genres, including romance, romantic suspense, and contemporary fiction.
More from Fay
Writing is supposed to be fun, right? Well, for a while, writing was the last thing I wanted to do. And when you have two series contracted and many other books waiting in line to be written, that’s a big problem.
I’m sure that I’m not the only person on the face of this earth who recently placed fun in a jar and hid it away for at least a week, maybe a month, maybe even a year. Heck, some of us may have fun still hidden away.
I truly thought I’d lost my sense of humor. And then I sat down to be purposeful in my writing. Abigail tiptoed onto the page (literally), and then the quirky denizens of Mullet Harbor worked their magic and the story unfolded before me. Abigail and her hero, Remy, may have had some difficulties in life, but for me, I had the time of my life.
When I finished writing All I Want for Christmas, I sat back and I marveled that I had not lost that sense of humor, especially not in my writing. I recalled that in all my writing life, when things were bleakest, my writing brought a smile, and I have always wanted it to bring a smile to others.
Mission accomplished. Humor has been removed from the hiding place and firmly installed back into the funny bone, and my prayer is that the readers will allow Mullet Harbor to bring a little humor—and suspense—to their lives.
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 21
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 22
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, October 23 (Author Interview)
Christina’s Corner, October 23
Texas Book-aholic, October 24
Inklings and notions, October 25
deb’s Book Review, October 26
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, October 27
By the Book, October 28
Locks, Hooks and Books, October 29
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 30
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 31
For Him and My Family, November 1
Vicky Sluiter, November 2 (Author Interview)
Holly’s Book Corner, November 2
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 3
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Fay is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of All I Want for Christmas!!
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/2224e/all-i-want-for-christmas-celebration-tour-giveaway
Spotlight on Jeanette’s Gift by Blossom Turner on Tour with Celebrate Lit-Includes Giveaway
About the Book
Book: Jeanette’s Gift
Author: Blossom Turner
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release date: October 11, 2022
This life wasn’t the one she dreamed of, but happily ever afters don’t always come when and how we expect.
At twenty-nine, Jeanette Williams has watched each one of her four sisters marry and start families of their own. It’s hard not to believe God has forgotten the desires of her heart, especially when most people refer to her as Spinster Williams. Without the beautiful children she teaches, life would be unbearably lonely.
When the handsome widower, Theo Wallace, and his six children move into the Shenandoah Valley, every available woman is atwitter—except for Jeanette. She has no such aspirations that someone as plain as her could draw even a smattering of interest.
As life throws this unlikely couple together, Jeanette can’t help but fall in love with Theo’s children and their soul-wrenching plight. Before she knows it, her heart is far more invested than she could’ve ever imagined. And not just with the children, but with their handsome father as well. Is she headed for another heartbreak, or is it possible God had a beautiful plan in the works all along?
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Blossom Turner is a freelance writer published in Chicken Soup and Kernels of Hope anthologies, former newspaper columnist on health and fitness, an avid blogger and published novelist of the Word Guild semi-finalist Anna’s Secret. However, she has found her home in the writing of historical fiction. The power of love and romance is authentically woven into the Shenandoah Bride Series about five sisters and their love stories. She and her husband, David, have two grown children and live in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. Read more at blossomturner.com.
More from Blossom
Do You Enjoy Romance That Keeps You Thinking Days Later?
Long before I knew I could write, I loved to read. Being a hopeless romantic I gravitated to all romance stories either contemporary or historical. I soon realized that finding clean fiction but still written with the passion God created us to experience, was hard to find. (Song of Solomon is a good example of the expression of passion and love between a man and woman without being explicit.)
Given the gift of a writing career later in life one thing was for sure…I wanted to write what I like to read. Clean romance does not need to be boring. As each story pours out, I realize that writing historical fiction is my passion. I finally know what I was born to do. The Shenandoah Brides is a series of five sisters and their five love stories. Oct. 11, 2022 is launch day for the final book in the series called Jeanette’s Gift.
Each book has a redeeming theme. Katherine’s Arrangement, set in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, post-civil war, speaks on how to love the way 1 Corinthians encourages, even when marriage (Katherine’s is an arranged marriage) has proven to be very disappointing. The second book Amelia’s Heartsong, situated in Richmond, Virginia illustrates how love transcends the pomp and circumstance of class and money and encourages us to view others the way God does. The third book, Lucinda’s Defender unfolds back in the valley, and speaks of how our greatest mistake does not have to define our future. A message on second chances encourages the soul. The fourth book, Gracie’s Surrender once again set in Richmond, speaks of a life dedicated to the ministry of God helping the underprivileged orphans. Gracie learns that God can upset even our best intentions with a better plan.
However, the message for this fifth book, Jeanette’s Gift, is a subject so near and dear to my heart. Growing up in an environment that tore me down instead of build me up, proved to be invaluable in writing on this subject. The theme of this book—healing from low self-worth—is a topic that many will relate to.
Jeanette suffers from low self-worth and believes God has forgotten her. A very valuable process unfolds with truth and techniques that work today. Jeanette learns to accept that how life unfolds is up to the sovereignty of God, and He can be trusted. She also breathes in the truth of how she is, indeed, fearfully and wonderfully made.
My prayer is that as Jeanette grows toward healing in the story, that any reader suffering in this same way will embrace the steps on how to break this vicious cycle. I know from first-hand experience healing is possible, and I long to get that message out there.
Although this book can easily be read as a stand-alone, enjoying the whole series as the family saga unfolds will deepen the experience.
I sincerely hope you enjoy the read as much as I enjoyed the write. I love to hear from my readers. Contact me at http://blossomturner.com
Blog Stops
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 11
Vicky Sluiter, October 11
Texas Book-aholic, October 12
Inklings and notions, October 13
deb’s Book Review, October 14
Blogging With Carol, October 14
Locks, Hooks and Books, October 15
lakesidelivingsite, October 16
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 16
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, October 17
Simple Harvest Reads, October 17 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Connie’s History Classroom, October 18
For Him and My Family, October 18
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 19
Mary Hake, October 19
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 20
Splashes of Joy, October 21
Pause for Tales, October 22
Holly’s Book Corner, October 22
Christina’s Corner, October 23
“To Every” BOOK “There is a Season”, October 23
Bizwings Blog, October 24
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Blossom is giving away the grand prize of a $50 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/21e09/jeanette-s-gift-celebration-tour-giveaway
Five and Dime Christmas: 4 Historical Novellas by Suzanne Dietze, Patty Smith Hall, Cynthia Hickey and Christina Lorenzen
Publisher’s Summary
Christmas Is a Time for Romance at a 1880s Department Store
Visit Scranton, Pennsylvania, in 1881 where the Woodworth’s Five and Dime has become the center of Christmas commerce—and a great place to fall in love.
A Merry Little Christmas by Susanne Dietze
Woolworth’s store clerk Hattie Scott’s heart is touched by a handsome customer, but when she takes on additional secretarial work to earn money for Christmas, she learns her new boss is Englishman Timothy Branson—her favorite customer. . .and a threat to her brother’s job! Can two proud hearts overcome their differences to help her brother. . .and find love?
A Home for Christmas by Patty Smith Hall
Essie Banfield doesn’t need money but welcomes the challenges of working a job where she meets a minister and six little boys who inspire Christmas wishes. But will Pastor Max Warner trust that she is more than just a socialite with charitable intentions?
The Light of Christmas by Christina Lorenzen
A job is the only thing independent orphan Lizzie Miller needs, and Henry Kimball is singularly focused on proving his success outside the family business. But could the lure of an old-fashioned family Christmas bring them together?
Lunch with Maggie by Cynthia Hickey
Maggie Larson works the lunch counter where she befriends a girl who’s lonely father delivers milk each Friday. Friday’s noon hour becomes the highlight of Maggie’s week, but after being left at the altar, she closed her heart to love and to God. Will Seth Jamison be able to unlock her heart?
The nostalgic novellas of Five and Dime Christmas tug on the heartstrings and transport us to the golden heydays of the five and dime stores in the 1880s.
Four uplifting and endearing tales written by four excellent authors take us back into days of yore and to Christmases past.
One young woman’s experience working for F. W. Woolworth is the focus and center of each tale. The individual novellas begin with a Bible verse pointing to the essence and main idea of the story, bringing in the religious element, which is much appreciated. The young women work in various departments of the store, providing us with information on each section. The details of Christmas provide the big red bow on top!
Five and Dime Christmas by Suzanne Dietze, Patty Smith Hall, Cynthia Hickey and Christina Lorenzen is a great story to set the mood for Christmas. All you need is to curl up in your favorite chair with hot chocolate and dream of yesteryear!
I received a review copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I am voluntarily leaving this review.
A Match to Call Ours by Merrillee Whren on Tour with Celebrate Lit includes Giveaway (Spotlight)
About the Book
Book: A Match to Call Ours
Author: Merrillee Whren
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance
Release date: January 21, 2020
Brittany Gorman needs a job, but nanny to six-year-old twin girls isn’t exactly what she’s looking for. Their single father, Parker Watson, isn’t sure hiring Brittany is the right move, but he’s desperate for help.
Soon Brittany is charming the twins and their father as well. But Parker still clings to the bitterness of his past, a past that has made him a recluse on his isolated Montana ranch, distanced him from God, and kept him from finding love.
Can Brittany’s prayers and two little matchmakers soften Parker’s heart and help him find love with his perfect Montana match?
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Merrillee Whren is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author who writes inspirational romance. She is the winner of the 2003 Golden Heart Award for best inspirational romance manuscript presented by Romance Writers of America. She has also been the recipient of the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award and the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award. She is married to her own personal hero, her husband of forty- plus years, and has two grown daughters. She has lived in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Chicago and Florida but now makes her home in the Arizona desert. She spends her free time playing tennis or walking while she does the plotting for her novels. Please visit her Website and signup for her newsletter and connect with her on Facebook.
More from Merrillee
One of my writing goals is to set at least one book in every state in which I have lived. So far I have written books set in Washington State, Texas, Florida, South Dakota, Georgia, Ohio, Montana, Massachusetts, and Tennessee. I still have to write books set in Illinois and Arizona to complete my goal. Just for fun I’ve gone astray and have written a couple of Christmas novellas set in Maryland, where my older daughter lives. I’m currently working on the third book in that series.
A Match to Call Ours is my Montana book. I lived there when I was a little girl. We lived near Billings from the time I was four until I was ten, when we moved to South Dakota. So as you can imagine my memories are vague, but I’ve visited Montana numerous times as an adult.
Brittany Gorman, the heroine of the book, is originally from Washington State, and if you read my Pinecrest series, you first meet her as a teenager in Second Chance Gift. I have three teenagers in that series, and I wanted to write their adult stories. Brittany’s story comes first, followed by Max’s story, then Amanda’s story in the Front Porch Promises series. The characters take the reader from Montana to Massachusetts, then Tennessee, where the series includes Amanda’s younger sister, Kelsey.
In A Match to Call Ours the hero’s twin daughters are based on my memories of my fourth grade friend Rose. She belonged to the Crow Tribe and had long dark braids just like the twins in the story. I remember the snowstorms and having fun in the snow, sledding, and making snowballs. I got to put those memories to use in the story.
Because I’m what they call an organic writer, I don’t plot my stories. I start writing and see how things unfold. I’m always thankful that somehow God brings everything together when I write a book.
Blog Stops
Texas Book-aholic, August 17
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 18
Inklings and notions, August 19
lakesidelivingsite, August 20
Vicky Sluiter, August 20
deb’s Book Review, August 21
Locks, Hooks and Books, August 22
For Him and My Family, August 23
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 24
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 25
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, August 26
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, August 27
A Good Book and Cup of Tea, August 28
Cats in the Cradle Blog, August 28
Pause for Tales, August 29
Spoken from the Heart, August 30
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Merrillee is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of Hometown Promises!!
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/20e0c/a-match-to-call-ours-celebration-tour-giveaway
Gold Rush Bride Caroline by Linda Shenton Matchett on Tour with Celebrate Lit (Spotlight), with Giveaway
About the Book
Book: Gold Rush Bride Caroline
Author: Linda Shenton Matchett
Genre: Historical Romance
Release date: July 21, 2022
She thinks he’s high-handed and out for her gold. He thinks she’s difficult and money-hungry. Will they discover that love is the true treasure?
Scarred in a childhood accident, Caroline Vogel has yet to find a man willing to marry her, so she heads to the Pike’s Peak goldfields to pan enough ore to become a woman of means. When she and the handsome assistant trail boss hit it off, she begins to hope her future may not be spent alone. Then she catches wind of dark secrets from the man’s past, and she’s not sure what or who to believe.
Orphaned as a teenager, Oliver Llewellyn stole to survive, then used his skills for the army during the war. Nowadays, he applies his knowledge to catch dangerous thieves for the Pinkerton Agency, so guarding a young woman during a wagon train journey should be easy. But he didn’t count on the fact she’d angered a man bent on revenge. He also didn’t count on losing his heart.
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Linda Shenton Matchett writes about ordinary people who did extraordinary things in days gone by. A volunteer docent and archivist for the Wright Museum of WWII, Linda is a former trustee for her local public library. She is a native of Baltimore, Maryland and was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry. Linda has lived in historic places all her life, and is now located in central New Hampshire where her favorite activities include exploring historic sites and immersing herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors.
More from Linda
Dear Readers,
Have you ever heard the quote about Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers that says, “Sure he was great, but don’t forget that Ginger Rogers did everything he did, backwards…and in high heels?” Originally seen in a 1982 Frank and Ernest comic strip, the line has been used by many people from comedians to politicians.
A slight twist on the statement can be made about women in the centuries before modern attire allowed them to wear slacks…they did everything men did, but in floor-length skirts (to say nothing of when they had to wear corsets!). A few examples include cooking over an open hearth, hauling water before the invention of pumps and indoor plumbing, farm work such as milking cows or gardening, and riding a horse.
One of my favorite aspects about writing is developing the characters, especially the female protagonists. Mine are typically…well, untypical. The gals in my books are war correspondents, mechanics, spies, doctors, pilots, and midwives, just to name a few. While thinking about what to write next, I stumbled on an article about female prospectors, and I knew I had my story. The few images I found confirmed my suspicion. These women prospected alongside the men, swirling their pans of silt hour after hour…all while wearing a dress.
I continued to dig and was delighted to find journals and diaries of these stalwart women who either followed their husbands, brothers, or fathers to the gold field or actually set out on their own. The first book in the series, Gold Rush Bride Hannah takes in northern Georgia during the rush of 1829 when more than one million dollars of gold was unearthed.
Today’s tour book, Gold Rush Bride Caroline, is about Hannah’s daughter and takes place during the 1859 Pike’s Peak Gold Rush in Colorado. I hope you enjoy Caroline’s story.
Blessings,
Linda Shenton Matchett
Blog Stops
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 13
Texas Book-aholic, August 14
Inklings and notions, August 15
For Him and My Family, August 16
Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 17 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, August 17
Bizwings Blog, August 18
deb’s Book Review, August 19
Locks, Hooks and Books, August 20
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, August 21
Adventures of a Travelers Wife, August 22 (Author Interview)
Book Looks by Lisa, August 22
Betti Mace, August 23
Connie’s History Classroom, August 24
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 25
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 26
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Linda is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Visa Gift Card and signed 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/20a89/gold-rush-bride-caroline-celebration-tour-giveaway
Summertime with Snowman Paul by Yossi Lapid and Illustrated by Joanna Pasek
Publisher’s Summary
Can a Snowman have fun in the Summertime?
Sure, Paul is a snowman – but should that preclude him from having fun with his best friend all year long (including the Summer)?
Snowman Paul doesn’t think so, but hot summer days do pose some obvious problems for a snowman.
Snowman Paul is ready to give up when his best friend (Dan) comes up with a brilliant idea that saves the day.
Funny and stunningly illustrated with full-page watercolors, this tale will delight children and parents alike. It is ideal for beginner readers, and it will make bedtime fun for toddlers, preschoolers, and even older kids. It makes a great gift, and it belongs in any children’s books library.
There are fifteen books in the Snowman Paul series, the latest of which is Summertime with Snowman Paul, by Yossi Lapid.
Snowman Paul is a congenial snowman who gets along with everyone and enjoys a variety of experiences. However, he is stymied when it comes to summer. How can a snowman survive the oppressive, stifling heat of summer?
Paul’s issues with summer, as opposed to winter, spring, and fall, are vividly illustrated in the novel. Additionally, there are suggestions that other characters are taunting and harassing Paul for seeking to engage in entertaining and adventurous summertime activities.
The rhymes are original, inventive and endearing in a way that will undoubtedly captivate and charm the youngest of child audiences.
Children and adults will be enchanted and entranced by illustrator Joanna Pasek’s delightful, colorful and fascinating drawings. It will definitely capture the minds of young readers and spark their imaginations.
The plot takes a new and enjoyable turn of events as Paul’s heat aversion is remedied with a skillfully devised technique, a diligent endeavor and an industrious undertaking.
My 2-year-old granddaughter found the narrative to be interesting and followed it with ease. She empathized with Paul’s frustration with the summer’s heat, especially because she too hadn’t been able to play outside because of it. She was upset and also expressed her outrage, claiming that teasing “was not kind!” She loved the story so much that she requested to hear it several times over the course of a few days. Little bit delights in the Snowman Paul stories and this one is her favorite, at least until the next one comes out!
The book is good for beginning readers and recommended for children between the ages of 3 and 7. I feel younger kids would enjoy it too, as evidenced by my granddaughter’s enjoyment.
The children—and perhaps even the adults—will be pleased by the gift that is given at the end of the book.
I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
About the Author
Yossi Lapid was born in a small town in Romania where toy stores were absent, but stories and snowmen were abundant. In 2016, he launched an award-winning children’s book series titled “Snowman Paul”. In July 2019, he launched a new book series titled “Yara’s Rainforest” which teaches children that all living things on our beautiful planet depend on one another. Lapid holds a Ph.D. from Columbia University. He has three children and lives with his wife Susan and a little dog named Sasha in New Mexico.
#SnowmanPaul #BookSirens
Finding Harmony by Alyssa Roat and Hope Bolinger on Tour with Celebrate Lit, includes Giveaway (Spotlight)
About the Book
Book: Finding Harmony
Authors: Alyssa Roat and Hope Bolinger
Genre: Sweet Contemporary Romance
Release date: July 5, 2022
Can two people-pleasing musicians win the grand prize, or will they be forced to give up music for good?
Newly hired worship leader Elijah Peterson can’t seem to catch a break with his church’s congregation. With conflicting demands from congregants, he struggles to find a way to make everyone happy, especially Don, a man who’s rumored to have driven out the last worship leader.
Music teacher Olivia “Liv” Wilson says yes to everything—piano lessons, church volunteering, extra shifts—all while struggling to help pay her dad’s medical bills. As jobs fall through, she’s hit with even worse news—with bills piling up, they could lose her childhood home.
When their meddling roommates force Elijah and Liv into a cooking class together, the two come up with a plan. They’ll enter an indie songwriting competition—with a cash prize that could be enough to save Liv’s house. And maybe if Elijah can win, his musical family and congregation will finally take him seriously.
But winning the competition might mean losing themselves in the process. Can they find a way to strike harmony between writing songs they love and songs the audience wants to hear?
Click here to get your copy!
About the Authors
Hope Bolinger and Alyssa Roat are the authors of nearly twenty books both independently and co-authored. They have worked in a wide variety of roles within the publishing industry as agents, editors, writers, journalists, and publicists. When not writing, Hope is a theater nerd who loves to hike, and Alyssa is a history nerd and game enthusiast. Both are proud cat moms. You can learn more about them on social media @hopekbolinger and @alyssawrote.
More from Alyssa
In college, Hope and I (Alyssa) didn’t know the word “no.” After all, our professors, advisors, and chapel speakers all told us, “Say yes to every opportunity. Volunteer for everything. If you don’t do it now, it will be too late. Your career will fail. You won’t please God. Etc. Etc.”
So we followed that advice, and we well-nigh burned ourselves out. Faced with a litany of health issues caused by overworking, we realized after college that maybe we had taken things too far. So we began to work on unlearning this mindset.
To this day, we have to call each other and ask, “Is it okay if I turn down this unpaid opportunity? If I don’t have time for this volunteer work? Will people be mad at me?”
We channeled a lot of this people-pleasing into Finding Harmony. As we recovered from overworking ourselves, our characters Elijah and Liv learned that they didn’t need to do everything. As we fell back in love with writing for the sake of the art, not for the A+, our characters discovered how to remain true to their music.
We hope you enjoy reading Finding Harmony as much as we enjoyed writing it—and we encourage you to follow God’s call on your life, regardless of expectations.
Blog Stops
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 20
Spoken from the Heart, July 21 (Author Interview)
The Sacred Line, July 21
Texas Book-aholic, July 22
Inklings and notions, July 23
For Him and My Family, July 24
For the Love of Literature, July 25 (Author Interview)
Mypreciousbitsandmusings, July 25
deb’s Book Review, July 26
Locks, Hooks and Books, July 27
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, July 28
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, July 29
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 30
Splashes of Joy, July 31 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 1
Blogging With Carol, August 2
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Hope and Alyssa are giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and Picture Imperfect and Finding Harmony, in preferred format (paperback U.S. only)!!
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/1f7f6/finding-harmony-celebration-tour-giveaway
Old West Christmas Brides: 6 Historical Romances Celebrate Christmas on the Frontier by Margaret Brownley, Rosey Dow, Darlene Franklin, Marcia Gruver, Vickie McDonough and Debra Ullrick
Publisher’s Summary
Christmas Romances Filled with the Spirit of the Old West
It is hard for a woman to make a decent living in the Wild West of the late 1800s, and as the Christmas season approaches, prospects for a happy celebration seem dim.
A Pony Express Christmas by Margaret Brownley
Stranded alone in Nebraska Territory in 1882 with a broken wagon and two stubborn mules, Ellie-Mae Myers has no way to continue searching for her twin brother along the deserted Pony Express route or of returning home to Kentucky. Could a man on the verge of being hanged be the answer to her prayers?
A Wife in Name Only by Rosey Dow
Katherine Priestly seeks a job to help support her mother and brother. A local ranch seeks a cook, but by 1884 standards, the owner, Brett Masten, will only hire a married woman to work among his men. Desperate, Catherine claims she is a married woman at the tender age of eighteen. Will her charade become a barrier to true love and send her home without enough money to buy Christmas presents?
Lucy Ames, Sharpshooter by Darlene Franklin
Lucy Ames’ dreams come true when her sharp shooting makes her the star act of Major Paulson’s Wild West Show in 1891. Gordon Paulson is traveling with his parents for one last season before accepting a teaching position at West Texas Christian College. As Lucy’s and Gordon’s love for each other grows, will God weave their gifts and dreams into a single calling?
A Badlands Christmas by Marcia Gruver
Noela Nancarrow and her pampered sister have been dragged into the Badlands by their adventurous father to live penniless in a sod house in 1885. When a local rancher invites Noela to a lavish Christmas party, will her holiday spirit return, or will she learn a lesson far greater from the experience?
Unexpected Blessings by Vickie McDonough
Anna Campbell sets out to deliver two small orphans to their uncle in Texas during December of 1880. Erik Olson knows it’s impossible for those cute little pests to be his brother’s and refuses to accept them—regardless of Anna’s persistence. Little do they know that behind the scenes, Erik’s Uncle Lars and his buddies are doing a little matchmaking, hoping to give the children a father and a mother.
A Grand County Christmas by Debra Ullrick
In 1883, Awnya O’Crean is on the brink of starvation and homeless in the Colorado Mountains. When she goes hunting for food, God places her in the path of Amadeus Josef. Will Christmas with the Josef family teach Awnya how God works in mysterious ways?
My Review
Old West Christmas Brides contains six historical romances, all of which are novella-length, which makes them perfect for showcasing a “Christmas in July” theme. Naturally, the chilly winter themes also assist in helping to cool you down, too!
Despite the fact that each story is about a distinct setting and set of events, I thoroughly enjoyed them all. The idea of faith appealed to me the most and served as a thread connecting the stories.
I appreciated every story and really would be hard-pressed to pick a favorite. All the women faced true-to-life toils, sufferings, hardship and ordeals along the way. In spite of this, each main character stepped up to the plate and dealt with whatever obstacles they faced.
As you settle in and curl up on your couch or favorite chair to read, the individual stories will transport you to a different era and locale, bringing holiday warmth to your heart and filling you with Christmas cheer.
I received an advanced review copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I am voluntarily leaving this review.
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