Blog Archives

Review and Giveaway: "Random Acts of Scrooge" by Christy Barritt

12/29/2015

Book Blurb:

Christmas is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but a real-life Scrooge is threatening to ruin the season’s good will.

Holly Anna Paladin can’t wait to celebrate Christmas with family and friends. She loves everything about the season—celebrating the birth of Jesus, singing carols, and baking Christmas treats, just to name a few. But when a local family needs help, how can she say no?

Holly’s community has come together to help raise funds to save the home of Greg and Babette Sullivan, but a Bah-Humburgler has snatched the canisters of cash. Holly and her boyfriend, police detective Chase Dexter, team up to catch the Christmas crook.

Will they succeed in collecting enough cash to cover the Sullivans’ overdue bills? Or will someone succeed in ruining Christmas for all those involved?

Fiction/Christian/Mystery

My Thoughts:

This was such a cute novella! I picked it up in hopes that it would be something to get me in the holiday spirit, and the latest book in the Holly Anna Paladin series was exactly what I needed!

Holly Anna is one of my favorite of Christy Barritt's characters and this latest story doesn't disappoint. Full of delightful Christmas references, sweet romance, and just enough mystery and intrigue to make you scratch your head, this novella is perfect for the Christmas season. And isn't the cover adorable?

I give it 5 stars!

Giveaway!

I'm giving away a copy of this cute novella to one of my subscribers this week! To enter, just fill out the Giveaway Tools form below. Thanks for reading and good luck in the giveaway! Giveaway ends 1/5/16.

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4 Comments

Giveaway: "A Shenandoah Family Christmas" by Lisa Belcastro

12/29/2015

11 Comments

Hello, blog friends! I hope everyone had an awesome Christmas last week. Hubbins, the dogs, and I were able to go to TN to spend it with my brother, parents, and sweet little niece and we had a great time. :)

I put up last week's blog post before we left and discovered after it went live that the blog tour's giveaway had already ended. So... We'll just make lemonade out of our lemons and have a private giveaway right here. I'm giving away a Kindle e-copy of "A Shenandoah Family Christmas" (see previous post to read the author interview, excerpt, and more) to one of my subscribers this week! Just fill out the Giveaway Tools form below to put your name into the drawing. Thanks for your patience and y'all have an excellent week! (Giveaway ends 1/5/16.)

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Author Mini-view and Giveaway: Lisa Belcastro and "A Shenandoah Family Christmas"

12/21/2015

1 Comment

Tell us a bit about yourself and your writing. (How did you get started? How many books have you written? Where are you on your writing journey?)

Hi Anna! Thanks so much for hosting me on your blog. I'm a single mom living the good life on Martha's Vineyard. I simply love the Island, and couldn't resist setting my books here. If it's the perfect location for me, than it's got to be the perfect location for my characters - right? I have four full-length fiction books and two novellas out. I have three new releases scheduled for 2016. I'll have the second book in my Possible Dreams trilogy, Audition for Love, in early summer. Then Shenandoah Song, which I mention below, releasing in September. And I'm sitting here today trying to decide which series I'll write a Christmas novella for next year. I'm leaning toward a follow-up story with Ryan, Laurel, and Gracie from A Dream for Love. So much to write, so little time!

What is your favorite Bible verse?

Mine changes as life ebbs and flows. Does yours? My baptism verse is Psalm 119:105 - "Your word is a lamp to my feet. And a light to my path." At the moment, I'm praying Psalm 62:5 - "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him."

What have you read lately that you would recommend?

I just finished re-reading The Traveler's Gift by Andy Andrews. I read it at least twice a year. It's fiction, but packs a powerful punch. For a great mystery, I read Sandra Orchard's Desperate Measures, and now I'm starting Geraldine Brooks' The Secret Chord (about the life of King David).

What book are you featuring today?

I am featuring A Shenandoah Family Christmas. This novella is the fifth installment in my Winds of Change series. The series has three full-length novels: Shenandoah Nights, Shenandoah Crossings, and Shenandoah Dreams, and one other novella, A Shenandoah Christmas. I'm outlining the next full-length book in the series: Shenandoah Song.

If you could tell people who are going to read/have read your books one thing, what would it be?

Wherever we are in life, whatever you are going through, don't give up hope! Hang onto the promises of God, and find friends who will hang on with you when you're too tired to hold yourself up. :-)

Lisa Belcastro lives with her family on Martha’s Vineyard. She loves time with her family and friends, running, gardening, outdoor activities, cooking, chocolate, reading, traveling, a healthy dose of adventure, and her cat, Ben, who keeps her company while she creates fictional lives for the numerous characters living inside her head.

Lisa runs as an ambassador for TEAM 413 (www.team413.org), and has completed a marathon (26.2 miles) in all fifty states.

Lisa’s stories are set on the Vineyard amidst the magnificence of the ocean, the beauty of sandy beaches, rolling hills, and ancient cliffs, as well as the people and events that make the Island so very unique.

When she’s not at her desk, Lisa is living in paradise, volunteering at her daughter’s school, serving in her church community, planting and weeding her numerous gardens, training to run the Walt Disney World Dopey Challenge in January 2016, walking the beach looking for sea glass, or enjoying a great meal while she pens the cuisine column for Vineyard Style Magazine.

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Where is Christmas?
Disease, freezing temperatures, and the Revolutionary War bring bitter reality to the Reed home in December 1777. Captain Benjamin Reed is ordered to sail a supply shipment south to General George Washington. Days before Shenandoah’s scheduled departure, Ben’s first mate succumbs to smallpox.

Rebecca Reed had never feared the dreaded disease until her one-year-old daughter Felicity breaks out in the telltale rash. In the cold, dark days of Advent, Rebecca, Ben, and the Reed family wait in prayerful hope as Felicity fights for her life and they wonder who could be next.

With the rest of the family at risk, they decide to obtain the forbidden cowpox vaccine. Ben's brother Jonah, his uncle Isaiah, and Shenandoah’s cook Adam Greene venture off in search of the outlawed vaccine. A blizzard hits. A tree crashes. Jonah crumbles to the ground. A woman with the face of an angel aids Jonah, but is it too late? And where are Adam and Isaiah?

As the death toll rises throughout the Colonies, the Reed family prays for more than one Christmas miracle.

Available to purchase on Amazon:
Kindle
Paperback

Lisa is generously giving away a copy of this book as part of the Singing Librarian Book Tour! Just click on the banner below to take you to the entry page!

Thanks for participating and Merry Christmas!

1 Comment

Review and Giveaway: "A Worthy Pursuit" by Karen Witemeyer

12/15/2015

10 Comments

Book Blurb:

A teacher on the run. A bounty hunter in pursuit. Can two enemies learn to trust each other before they both lose what they hold most dear?

Stone Hammond is the best tracker in Texas. He never comes home empty-handed. So when a wealthy railroad investor hires him to find his abducted granddaughter, Stone eagerly accepts.

Charlotte Atherton, former headmistress of Sullivan's Academy for Exceptional Youths, will do anything to keep her charges safe, especially the orphaned girl entrusted to her care. Charlotte promised Lily's mother she'd keep the girl away from her unscrupulous grandfather, and nothing will stop Charlotte from fulfilling that pledge. Not even the handsome bounty hunter with surprisingly honest eyes who comes looking for them.

When Miss Atherton produces documentation that shows her to be Lily's legal guardian, Stone must reevaluate everything he's been led to believe. Is she villain or victim?

Then a new danger forces Charlotte to trust the man sent to destroy her. Stone vows to protect what he once sought to tear apart. Besides, he's ready to start a new pursuit: winning Charlotte's heart.

My Thoughts:

I absolutely loved this book! I haven't had an emotional connection to a historical romance in quite a while, but this one grabbed me by the heartstrings and didn't let go!

This story starts with a bang (literally) and doesn't let up for a moment. The main characters, Stone and Charlotte, are excellent. From the beginning, you can see that they belong together, but their journey to that conclusion is so much fun.

Stone is a wonderful hero, but Charlotte stole the show for me. In my opinion, it's so hard to create realistic heroines in romances without making them either too irritating or too perfect, but Ms. Witemeyer did an excellent job with this one. My heart truly went out to her and all of her reactions were plausible and understandable considering her background.

The kids were so cute in the story, each one multifaceted and refreshingly unique. Too often, it's hard to tell kids apart in a story because they begin to sound the same. No such issues with this book!

If you're in the mood for a sweet, funny, and heart-wrenchingly romantic historical read, pick up a copy of this one. I highly recommend it!

(Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.)

Giveaway:

I'm giving away a copy of this great book to one of my blog subscribers this week! To enter, fill out the Giveaway Tools form below. Thanks for participating and Merry Christmas! Giveaway ends 12/22.

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Review and Giveaway: "Wait For Me" by Jo Huddleston

12/9/2015

3 Comments

Book Blurb:

“. . . sweet and wonderful mid-century love story . . .” --Sharlene MacLaren, Award-Winning Author & Speaker

Can Julie, an only child raised with privilege and groomed for high society, and Robby, a coal miner’s son, escape the binds of their socioeconomic backgrounds? Set in a coal mining community in West Virginia in the 1950s, can their love survive their cultural boundaries?

This is a tragically beautiful love story of a simple yet deep love between two soul mates, Robby and Julie. The American South’s rigid caste system and her mother demand that Julie chooses to marry an ambitious young man from a prominent and suitable family. Julie counters her mother’s stringent social rules with deception and secrets in order to keep Robby in her life. Can the couple break the shackles of polite society and spend their lives together? Will Julie’s mother ever accept Robby?

My Thoughts:

I found “Wait for Me” to be a sweet story about young love, growing up, and relying on God. This book follows the journey of Julie and Robby, two teenagers who grew up on opposite sides of the track (figuratively) in West Virginia in the 1950s. As the daughter of a coal mine owner and the son of a coal miner, they have a multitude of obstacles that they must overcome in order to be together, including disapproving parents, the pressures of school and work, and their own internal struggles with their differences.

The setting was a change of pace for me, but I enjoyed the references, sayings, and 1950s flair that the author used in the story. While mostly light-hearted, this book isn’t afraid to deal with darker situations as well, including suicide, dementia, and poverty. Themes from the story include trusting God, loving one another, and honesty (eventually).

While there were some minor issues that pulled me out of the story sometimes (some repetitive dialogue, a few typos, point of view changes that were hard to follow), all in all, I enjoyed it.
(Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.)

Giveaway Time:

I'll be sending out a copy of this book to one of my subscribers this week. Just fill out the GiveawayTools form below to enter! Giveaway ends 12/15. Thanks for participating and see y'all next week!

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3 Comments

Review and Giveaway: "The Golden Braid" by Melanie Dickerson

12/1/2015

6 Comments

Book Blurb:

The one who needs rescuing isn't always the one in the tower...

Rapunzel can throw a knife better than any man. She paints beautiful flowering vines on the walls of her plaster houses. She sings so sweetly she can coax even a beast to sleep. But there are two things she is afraid her mother might never allow her to do: learn to read and marry.

Fiercely devoted to Rapunzel, her mother is suspicious of every man who so much as looks at her daughter and warns her that no man can be trusted. After a young village farmer asks for Rapunzel's hand in marriage, Mother decides to move them once again---this time, to the large city of Hagenheim.

The journey proves treacherous, and after being rescued by a knight---Sir Gerek---Rapunzel, in turn, rescues him farther down the road. As a result, Sir Gerek agrees to repay his debt to Rapunzel by teaching her to read. Could there be more to him than his arrogance and desire to marry for riches and position?

As Rapunzel acclimates to life in a new city, she uncovers a mystery that will forever change her life. In this Rapunzel story unlike any other, a world of secrets and treachery are about to be revealed after seventeen years. How will Rapunzel finally take control of her own destiny? And who will prove faithful to a lowly peasant girl with no one to turn to?

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1NZuPiD

My Thoughts:

I needed an escape from a stressful, busy week, and the latest book from Melanie Dickerson was just what the doctor ordered!

As a general rule, I love fairy tales and retellings of fairy tales... Pretty much anything to do with fairy tales. :) This book features Rapunzel's story and it is my new favorite of Melanie's books. It flowed beautifully and was full of danger, adventure, and romance. So much fun to read!

I loved Rapunzel's and Gerek's transformations from who they are in the beginning of the book to who they become by the end. Their characters grow and change in a beautiful, organic way and I found myself rooting for both of them as their stories progressed.

I give this fun, sweet read 5 stars and I can't wait to read the next book!

(Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book through Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest review, which I have given.)

Giveaway Time!

I'm giving away my copy of this awesome book to one of my subscribers this week! To enter, just fill out the GiveawayTools form below by Dec. 8th. Thanks so much for participating and best of luck!

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December Author Newsletter (2015)

12/1/2015

24 Comments

Happy December!

Hello, blog friends! I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season so far. It's still in the 70s here in sunny FL (not that I'm complaining LOL), but the Christmas spirit is definitely taking hold here. Hubbins and I are going shopping for our first Christmas tree soon and I'm so excited about it! :D

Even though we were unable to spend time with our families for Thanksgiving, we had a wonderful day nonetheless, with lots of food, fun, and happy memories.

The picture above is my first handmade Christmas decoration. I had the opportunity to go to a paint party with my Ladies Bible Study from the Chapel. So fun! :)

How was your Thanksgiving?

Writing Stuff:

Last month was crazy busy with settling into my new job, but now that it is leveling out, I am once again working on edits for "Hazardous Conditions." I'm really eager to have this baby finished and on the way to the editors once again! :)

Reading Stuff:

Here's a list of what I read during October and November. What have you been reading?

And I'm currently reading:

Prayer Request Stuff:

My heart is very heavy for a friend of mine right now. Heidi T., who has been on the prayer list several times this year, has been fighting cancer and was moved to Hospice this week. Please keep her and her family in your prayers during this difficult, heartbreaking season.

Me - (Praise) I am really enjoying my new job, which God provided at the perfect time so that I could move away from my last job, which was extremely stressful.

Me - Please pray for my dad, who had some unexpected health issues last week. Also, please pray for my family as they travel and minister.

Heidi R. - My brother in law needs prayers for the blood clots stuck in his lungs.

Kathy A. - I have been notified by my doctor I had an abnormal mammogram. Praying for peace and discernment during the coming days.

Sharon T. - My husband & I have been missionaries for 15+ years - please pray for God's favor regarding our support - our last paychecks were $1,100 short - thanks so much!

Joan A. - Please pray for my 13 year old granddaughter with iritis.

Sandra P. - My daughter-in-law is fighting cancer. Her name is Chris. Please pray for healing for her and a peace for her and my son about God's will for their lives.

Becky I. - Please pray for my family.

Thank you for your prayers, my friends. Sometimes when we feel helpless, it's the most important thing we can do. Thank you for lifting each other and myself up in prayer.

Bible Stuff:

In October, I decided to put a new section in the newsletter each month. I don't know about you, but sometimes I need some accountability when it comes to reading my Bible. Sometimes, I get so scatterbrained that I'll be in bed to go to sleep for the night and realize that I forgot to have a daily quiet time. So, I'll be posting here what I've been reading. :)

I've been using the Bible app on my iPhone to read to me during the day, usually during housework or other tasks. This month, I've listened to the last half of 1st Timothy and most of 1st Kings. I'm also halfway through the devotional book "Children of the Day" by Beth Moore.

How about you? What have you been reading?

Last Month's Winners:

Here is the list of last month's winners:

Voice in the Wilderness by Harry Wegley: Ann Badder*

For Our Good by Paula Mowery: Sonja Nishimoto*

And there's still one more day to enter my giveaway for The Art of Losing Yourself by Katie Ganshert, so be sure to check it out!

All winners have a month to reply to my emails or I will draw a new winner. * = winner has claimed her prize. Be sure to check back soon for this month's giveaways and reviews. God bless!

24 Comments

Review and Giveaway: "Random Acts of Scrooge" by Christy Barritt

Book Blurb:

My Thoughts:

Giveaway!

Giveaway: "A Shenandoah Family Christmas" by Lisa Belcastro

Author Mini-view and Giveaway: Lisa Belcastro and "A Shenandoah Family Christmas"

Review and Giveaway: "A Worthy Pursuit" by Karen Witemeyer

Book Blurb:

My Thoughts:

Giveaway:

Review and Giveaway: "Wait For Me" by Jo Huddleston

Book Blurb:

My Thoughts:

Giveaway Time:

Review and Giveaway: "The Golden Braid" by Melanie Dickerson

Book Blurb:

My Thoughts:

Giveaway Time!

December Author Newsletter (2015)

Happy December!

Writing Stuff:

Reading Stuff:

Prayer Request Stuff:

Bible Stuff:

Last Month's Winners:

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