Archive | January, 2018

Guest Post + #Giveaway: Alexa Verde

30 Jan

Please welcome Alexa Verde as she shares a guest post and giveaway!  

 

GUEST POST: Alexa Verde

At the end of January, do you still have Christmas in your heart?

I love writing and reading books about Christmas for many reasons. The knowledge about the Savior born, the reminder about grace, the feeling of joy about the good news of the Lord…

I love seeing Christmas lights, exchanging gifts, celebrating with my friends. But in January, the lights are taken down (except when people leave them on for the entire year) and the stores switch decorations to hearts and roses.

Personally, I think it’s never too late or too early to read or write about Christmas! I released Book 2 in Rios Azules Christmas series in March, and Book 3 in August. If you still feel like reading a Christmas book, be it a heartwarming, sweet romance or a fast-paced, action-packed suspense, here are some eBooks I’m offering for the giveaway.

 

 

The Mystery of Christmas 2 is only $0.99 or free on Kindle Unlimited. Seven new Christian mystery/suspense novellas! In every book of the set, mysteries are unveiled, suspense abounds, and danger is around every corner.

 

Season of Joy will be on sale for $0.99 January 29th – February 2nd!

Single dad Dylan McGregor wants to give his two sons the best life possible in the small town where he’d grown up. When his youngest son writes a letter to God asking for a Mom for Christmas, Dylan reluctantly starts dating again. His lifelong friend, Joy Avila, agrees to help him find the right woman. Then Dylan begins to see Joy in a new light and believes she’s the right woman for him and his family.

Overweight and teased in school, Joy never hoped her first crush, Dylan McGregor, would return her feelings. Confident and successful now, she’s found her passion in writing about international travels. The trip of a lifetime awaits her after the holidays. Instead, will she find her dreams right there in Rios Azules?

 

Love’s Christmas Cheer is only $1.99 or free on Kindle Unlimited.  

For feuding chefs at a new restaurant, a ruined wedding reception and a failed business are not on the menu. But love and family just might be…

Chefs Petr Sergeyev and Lacy-Jane Macalister can’t agree on anything except for that they can’t agree on anything.

Lacy-Jane Macalister returns to her hometown, eager to prove she’s not the culinary failure her ex claimed her to be. After a career in the military, Petr Sergeyev settles down in Sweet Grove to help his brother with his nephew and new business. Grandpa Alexey’s is the only place in town that needs chefs.

He’s for hearty meals. She promotes healthy food. He likes order. She prefers creativity. He left his girlfriend. She was betrayed by her fiancé. Their arguments are more heated than the stove in the restaurant’s kitchen. But when Lacy-Jane’s sister and Petr’s brother decide to have their wedding three days after Christmas, Petr and Lacy-Jane put their differences aside to give their siblings a great reception.

Will Petr and Lacy-Jane surrender their wills to God and receive Christmas gifts of love, faith, and hope?

 

GIVEAWAY:

One randomly chosen commenter to this post will receive a Kindle copy of an eBook mentioned in the post (winner’s choice).  To enter the giveaway, leave a comment with your answer to the following question.  The giveaway ends Sunday, February 4 at midnight CST. The winner will be chosen and announced on Monday, February 5.

When do you prefer to read about Christmas?

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#BookReview: My Heart Belongs in Niagara Falls, New York by Amanda Barratt

23 Jan

I really enjoyed this well-written story! Adele and Drew are endearing characters who bear responsibility for their family’s well-being, causing them to endeavor to seek financial gain. The story that unfolds is an engaging one of history and romance and is filled with surprising events that held my attention. My Heart Belongs in Niagara Falls, New York is a charming tale, and I look forward to reading more from Amanda Barratt.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

 

About the book:

Outwardly, Adele Linley’s trip to visit her American cousins is nothing more than a summer vacation. In reality, she’s the daughter of an English aristocrat with barely a penny to her name seeking a rich American husband.

Having grown up in an overcrowded orphanage, Drew Dawson is determined to make a name for himself. He’ll take any honest job to provide for his sister—even crossing Niagara Falls by tightrope.

On a sightseeing trip to the Falls, Adele meets several eligible suitors. Incredibly wealthy and pompous, Franklin Conway takes an immediate fancy to her. But Adele would truly like to marry for love. When she encounters the mysterious Drew in the garden, Adele is confused by her feelings for someone who is everything she is NOT looking for. Will they both stay the course they have chosen for themselves?

Learn more about My Heart Belongs in Niagara Falls, New York. 

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#BookReview: The Melody of the Soul by Liz Tolsma | Prize Pack #Giveaway

23 Jan

The Melody of the Soul is an achingly beautiful story! Tolsma’s passion for research shines through this heart-wrenching tale that is alive with historical details and imagery. Meeting each of the characters and learning their stories, my heart ached for them and all they endured. With tender and tangible emotions, their journeys captivated me from the very beginning, making this book difficult to set aside. I loved The Melody of the Soul and eagerly await the next installment in the Music of Hope series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

 

Join Liz Tolsma and other bookworms for a Facebook Live event on February 6, plus enter to win Liz’s prize pack giveaway!

One grand prize winner will receive:

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on February 6. The winner will be announced at Liz’s Facebook Live Party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Liz and other readers, as well as for a chance to win other prizes!

RSVP today and spread the word-tell your friends about the giveaway and Facebook Live party via social media and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 6th!

 

About the book:

Anna has one chance for survival-and it lies in the hands of her mortal enemy.

It’s 1943 and Anna Zadok, a Jewish Christian living in Prague, has lost nearly everything. Most of her family has been deported, and the Nazi occupation ended her career as a concert violinist. Now Anna is left to care for her grandmother, and she’ll do anything to keep her safe-a job that gets much harder when Nazi officer Horst Engel is quartered in the flat below them.

Though musical instruments have been declared illegal, Anna defiantly continues to play the violin. But Horst, dissatisfied with German ideology, enjoys her soothing music. When Anna and her grandmother face deportation, Horst risks everything to protect them.

Anna finds herself falling in love with the handsome officer and his brave heart. But what he reveals might stop the music forever.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

Read what other bloggers are saying about The Melody of the Soul. 

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#BookReview: Out of the Ordinary by Jen Turano

18 Jan

Out of the Ordinary is a Gilded Age romance unlike any other! Humor and wit abound as the charming cast of characters, with their eccentricities and their antics, dance across the page. Delightfully entertaining from beginning to end, I relished the charming blend of mystery and romance in Gertrude’s and Harrison’s story. While Out of the Ordinary is lighthearted fare, it also delivers a heartfelt message. I love Turano’s tales and can’t wait for more!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

 

About the book:

Miss Gertrude Cadwalader hoped her position as the paid companion to Mrs. Davenport would be easy. But as she becomes acquainted with her employer, she realizes the wealthy Mrs. Davenport has a strange tendency to be a bit light-fingered with other people’s trinkets. Gertrude is relieved when Mrs. Davenport decides to have a quiet summer away from the social scene–until the woman changes her mind in order to help a young socialite launch into society.

When Gertrude is caught in the act of trying to return one of the trinkets by Mrs. Sinclair, the mother of shipping magnate Harrison Sinclair, the woman jumps to an unfortunate conclusion. Harrison is determined to mend fences with Miss Cadwalader, but he’s unprepared for the escapades a friendship with her will entail.

Learn more about the book and the author.  

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#BookReview: Sacred Rest by Saundra Dalton-Smith, MD

17 Jan

I thoroughly enjoyed Sacred Rest! I know many of us struggle with the hustle and bustle of daily life, and we can all benefit from a better understanding of genuine rest. Saundra Dalton-Smith, MD combines research with experience, identifying seven areas of rest in which we are deficient and offering insightful solutions for these deficiencies. A wealth of information, Sacred Rest enlightens and encourages readers to embrace the gifts of rest in order to “recover your life, renew your energy, and restore your sanity.” What a wonderful and worthy challenge!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

 

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About the book:

How can you keep your energy, happiness, creativity, and relationships fresh and thriving in the midst of never-ending family demands, career pressures, and the stress of everyday life? In Sacred Rest, Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, a board-certified internal medicine doctor, reveals why rest can no longer remain optional.

Dr. Dalton-Smith shares seven types of rest she has found lacking in the lives of those she encounters in her clinical practice and research-physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, sensory, social, creative-and why a deficiency in any one of these types of rest can have unfavorable effects on your health, happiness, relationships, creativity, and productivity. Sacred Rest combines the science of rest, the spirituality of rest, the gifts of rest, and the resulting fruit of rest. It shows rest as something sacred, valuable, and worthy of our respect.

By combining scientific research with personal stories, spiritual insight, and practical next steps, Sacred Rest gives the weary permission to embrace rest, set boundaries, and seek sanctuary without any guilt, shame, or fear.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

Read what other bloggers are saying about Sacred Rest.

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#BookReview: The Lacemaker by Laura Frantz

17 Jan

Laura Frantz’s writing is exquisite, and I love experiencing her stories! That is certainly true for The Lacemaker, as I was swept away by this intricately woven tale. The history of the time period, the captivating characters, and their extraordinary journeys are enchanting and sure to delight fans of historical romance. Beautifully rendered, The Lacemaker is one of my favorite Frantz novels!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

 

About the book:

When colonial Williamsburg explodes like a powder keg on the eve of the American Revolution, Lady Elisabeth “Liberty” Lawson is abandoned by her fiance and suspected of being a spy for the hated British. No one comes to her aid save the Patriot Noble Rynallt, a man with formidable enemies of his own. Liberty is left with a terrible choice. Will the Virginia belle turned lacemaker side with the radical revolutionaries, or stay true to her English roots? And at what cost?

Learn more about the book and the author.

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#BookReview: Oath of Honor by Lynette Eason

16 Jan

Oath of Honor is a page-turning suspense! Eason pulled me into the story from the very beginning and held my attention until the last word was read. The authenticity of the St. John family brings the story to life, as does the intense investigation that unfolds. I delighted in Izzy’s and Ryan’s subtle romance, and the suspense and surprises kept me eagerly turning page after page. Oath of Honor begins an exciting new series, and it is one I can’t wait to continue!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

 

About the book:

Police officer Isabelle St. John loves her crazy, loud, law-enforcement family. With three brothers and two sisters, she’s never without someone to hang out with–or fight with. And she knows they’ll be there for her when things get tough. Like when her partner is murdered and she barely escapes with her own life.

Determined to discover exactly what happened, Izzy’s investigation sends her headfirst into a criminal organization, possibly with cops on the payroll–including someone from her own family. With her dead partner’s handsome homicide detective brother Ryan shadowing her every move, Izzy’s head is spinning. How can she secure justice for her partner when doing so could mean sending someone she loves to prison? And how will she guard her heart when the man she’s had a secret crush on for years won’t leave her side?

Learn more about the book and the author.

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#BookReview: A Mother for His Family by Susanne Dietze

16 Jan

A Mother for His Family is full of charm! Susanne Dietze is a gifted storyteller, painting vivid pictures with her details and descriptions. My heart went out to Lady Helena for all she endured, and I delighted in her relationship with Lord Ardoch. In addition to their story, I was also pleased to revisit Gemma and Tavin from Dietze’s earlier Regency, The Reluctant Guardian. An engaging blend of mystery and romance, I thoroughly enjoyed this marriage of convenience tale!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

 

About the book:

Lady Helena Stanhope’s reputation is in tatters…and she’s lost any hope for a “respectable” ton marriage. An arranged union is the only solution. But once Helena weds formidable Scottish widower John Gordon, Lord Ardoch, and encounters his four mischievous children, she’s determined to help her new, ever-surprising family. Even if she’s sure love is too much to ask for.

All John needs is someone to mother his admittedly unruly brood. He never imagined that beautiful Lady Helena would be a woman of irresistible spirit, caring, and warmth. Or that facing down their pasts would give them so much in common. Now, as danger threatens, John will do whatever it takes to convince Helena their future together—and his love—are for always.

Learn more about the book and the author.

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#BookReview: Missing Isaac by Valerie Fraser Luesse

15 Jan

Missing Isaac is a touching tale! The setting and social struggle are vividly portrayed, as Pete McClean comes of age in a small, rural town in 1960s Alabama. The cast of characters is memorable, and their emotional journeys are quite engaging. The events that transpired and the growth of the characters felt authentic, and I appreciated the depth found in the story. Having enjoyed this well-written debut, I look forward to reading more from Valerie Fraser Luesse.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

 

About the book:

It is 1965 when black field hand Isaac Reynolds goes missing from the tiny, unassuming town of Glory, Alabama. The townspeople’s reactions range from concern to indifference, but one boy will stop at nothing to find out what happened to his unlikely friend. White, wealthy, and fatherless, young Pete McLean has nothing to gain and everything to lose in his relentless search for Isaac. In the process, he will discover much more than he bargained for. Before it’s all over, Pete–and the people he loves most–will have to blur the hard lines of race, class, and religion. And what they discover about themselves may change some of them forever.

Learn more about the book and the author.

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#BookReview + Movie Premiere: Runaway Romance by Miralee Ferrell

6 Jan

I really enjoyed this unique and charming romance! When a reality television actress finds herself in a Kentucky Amish inn, an unexpected journey of self-discovery begins for both Annie and Hunter. Runaway Romance is a cleverly crafted story and sure to be a delightful TV movie!

Read the book–> http://amzn.to/2F39kNe
Watch the trailer–> http://bit.ly/2lXLZEd

Runaway Romance premieres on UP TV on Sunday, January 7 at 7 pm ET and will air again at the same time on Sunday, January 14.  UP TV is available through the following providers.

DISH: Channel 188
DIRECTV: Channel 338
AT&T: Channels 369/1369
TWC: Channel 124

 

About the book:

Ann Stanway had it all—a starring role in a reality show, an adoring boyfriend, and a sparkling future with limitless possibilities. Until the rules changed and the life she’d thought was real no longer existed. Leaving L.A. seems like her only option, and she lands in Kentucky at a quiet Amish inn—as far removed from her past as possible. Now she knows what was missing in her life–peace, true friendship and, dare she hope, a man who accepts her for who she is–or at least who he thinks she is.

Hunter Lewis is intrigued by the new woman staying at his friend’s Amish inn. Annie appears to be what she claims, but she’s secretive and won’t open up. He’s been burned by a woman before and can’t tolerate deception. But his interest in Annie is growing, and the attraction seems to be mutual—until something happens that makes Hunter question everything he’d thought was real. Dare he risk his heart, when he’s certain Annie is keeping secrets?

Can their new romance withstand the pressure, or will Ann choose to run again?

I received a complimentary copy of this e-book.  No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.  

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