The loves of King Solomon

Jill Eileen Smith has such a talent for bringing Biblical characters, the culture of the day and that time period to life through her writing!  Her latest novel is "The Heart of a King: the loves of Solomon" and it is another fantastic read!  King Solomon is a well known individual and he is known for many things, but one main thing is the large amount of wives he had.  This book focuses on four of the many wives and the roles they played in his life and how his marriages were.  Solomon was very wise; however he also at the same time made several mistakes.  Solomon loved God and tried to live pleasing him, but yet struggles with this.  And yet don't we all. 
I just love how this book is so rich with historical details and I really felt as if the characters and the setting just came to life for me while reading.  Solomon made many wise decisions, but at times was trying to justify other decisions that he had made that did not completely follow God.  I feel like so often we are trying to justify and make excuses for behaviors and choices; this is something that has not changed throughout the years.  Therefore, I felt like I could relate to the characters to certain extents which always  pulls me further into the story. So many emotions are at play as well which really helped bring it to life, such as love, jealously, loss, longing. 
I highly recommend this book for those whom enjoy historical romance, you will not be disappointed.

*Thanks to the author for including me on her launch team!*

"When He Found Me"

Victoria Bylin is an author who has become a must-read author for me, as soon as I see that she has a new book out I have to read it!

Victoria's latest novel, "When He Found Me," is the start to a brand new series, Road to Refuge, and it was an excellent start and I am ready to read more!  MJ is moving back to her hometown to get her grandfather's home which was left to her ready to sell as she needs the money as a single mother.  As if this was not enough she is also dealing with the possibility of having a major surgery that would end her chances of ever having any more children.  A chance meeting at the laundromat on her journey home with her son turns into so much more when she learns that her home has been rented to this kind stranger.  Shane is recovering from an accident that has changed his life course as he was a pro baseball player and is now going to be a teacher.  Needing an apartment close to the gym is the answer to what he needs and it doesn't hurt that that he is intrigued and interested in MJ.  However, Shane is also dealing with some hurt and loss in his own life and has been pulled away from God in the process.  

MJ and Shane are both great main characters who are both struggling with things in their lives, but also great examples for keeping hope and moving forward.  I love that the author does not gloss over issues, but she presents them just as they are, in all the ugliness that comes with them. This is a story filled with all kinds of relationships and the good and bad that comes with them, as well as the healing that can take place.  This is such a wonderful, and emotional story that I completely enjoyed and was left feeling hopeful for the characters.  

*Thanks to Just Reads for including me on this tour.*

"Weddings, willows, and revised expectations" giveaway!

About the Book

 

Book: Weddings, Willows, and Revised Expectations  
Author: V. Joy Palmer  
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Comedy  
Release Date: February 14, 2019

Seventeen years after being orphaned, Apryl Burns and her twin sister Courtney have their own expectations for life. While Courtney continues to shine at everything, Apryl holds fast to the mantra that as long as her potato chip stash remains intact, then she’ll be fine. But when their beloved grandmother ends up injured and unable to manage her struggling antique store, Courtney makes it their mission to revamp the business and save what’s left of their family’s legacy. Despite rampant doubts in her abilities, Apryl finds herself trapped under the weight of family loyalty as they transition to a wedding venue decorating service. Soon shes forced to ask (translation: blackmail) their grandmother’s renter/handyman, Chance McFarland, for help, an arrangement that is made even worse by the fact that Chance is her former (ahem, and current) crush. Chance knows a few dozen things about family loyalty, which is why he begrudgingly agrees to Apryl’s insane plan. While Apryl claims they’re archenemies, the girl Chance only glimpsed in their teens starts to emerge, stealing what remains of his heart. But expectations are a powerful thing. Amidst the glamorous weddings and swaying willows, can those old expectations be revised into something new?

My Review:
First of all, Joy Palmer is a brand-new author to me and I am so glad that I "discovered" her!  After reading this book, I want to find and read everything that she has written!  This was such a fun book to read, but it wasn't all light and fluffy, as it had drama, fighting and tough choices that had to be made by the characters.  However, through it all I was laughing out loud at times and smiling and found myself cheering for the characters.  Apryl and Courtney are both great characters and I loved their banter with each other and other characters.  I love weddings, seeing all of the details that go into it and just everything about them, so I loved that this is the way that Apryl goes in business and trying to maintain the family legacy.  Entering in Chance along with this plan only amps it up and made me want to keep on reading, without taking breaks!  This is such a sweet and entertaining story! 

Click here to purchase your copy,  

About the Author

Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterationsand a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets. Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!  

More from Joy

I’ll confess something to you guys. For about a year, I hated these characters. Like I vehemently hated them. For their refusal to bow to my will, I counted the ways I could take revenge against them for my own sadistic pleasure, and I seriously considered printing the manuscript just so I could burn it in an oil drum while I laughed like a Disney villain. I’m told my “Ursula laugh” is uncanny. Some of you may be laughing. Some of you may be rolling your eyes. Some of you may be gasping in horror at the thought of an author killing her beloved characters. Or some of you may smirk and say, “I’ve been there, only I did kill my characters.” I dove into the story with a wide-eyed innocence that came from thinking I was in charge of the story. My characters slapped that doe-eyed look off my face, letting me know I had no idea what I was doing. Sure, I knew the basics… They start off arguing, then fall in love… I had a couple great kiss scenes planned… Worth in God would be explored… Jokes would be made… But I could not get these stubborn characters to cooperate, and I was pulling my hair out by the roots trying to force them to get on board with my excellent program! I didn’t understand them, and their actions didn’t make any sense. Then my computer crashed…and died…taking over twelve thousand words with it. (A part of me thinks Apryl was behind it.) Suddenly, I was at square one, but I was actually a little relieved. Now I could start over. Cue muffled sobs here. After the untimely demise of my computer, I went to the 2016 American Christian Fiction Writers conference. At that conference, Ted Dekker said something in one of his keynote sessions that changed everything for me. “Write to discover yourself.” I still get chills when I think about this, and it has nothing to do with the below zero temperatures in my neck of the woods. My writing changed after that. I made myself vulnerable, pouring my heart into Apryl and Chance’s journey like it was my personal journey. And as my literary world started to blossom, my literal world felt like it was being scorched by an exploding sun of heartache. And when that nasally (or does it only sound that way in my head?) voice whispered that I was worthless, God’s declaration of love was a big, bold font across the pages. Through Apryl and Chance, I rediscovered my own worth to my Father. And I hope you can, too. I hope you laugh (the seagull scene is a favorite of mine). I hope you swoon (Apryl and Chance Forever!!). I would be especially pleased if you had to look up one or two pop culture references because I’ll just feel cool. But more than anything I hope you can rediscover your worth in our Father’s eyes, whether it’s for the first time or the seven hundred and eleventh time. Our worth isn’t defined by our jobs, our mistakes, our families, or the plans we have. Our worth is in a loving God who calls each of His children by name. Our worth is in our Father. Set to the tune of a romantic comedy, there are a lot of little truths sprinkled throughout Weddings, Willows, and Revised Expectations, but our worth in God is the glue that holds it all together – at least for me! This was the truth I wanted to convey in Weddings, Willows, and Revised Expectations all along. But until I started to understand this (I definitely haven’t mastered it!) in my own heart, how could I write about it? I hope you guys enjoy Weddings, Willows, and Revised Expectations. I hope this truth touches your heart in some way. And I hope you laugh. A lot. Hugs, Joy Palmer  

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, April 27 (Guest Post from Mindy Houng)

Pause for Tales, April 27

The Becca Files, April 28

Moments, April 28

Godly Book Reviews, April 29

Just Your Average reviews, April 29

Kat’s Corner Books, April 30

Creating Romance, April 30

Maureen’s Musings, May 1

Hallie Reads, May 1

For Him and My Family, May 2

Vicky Sluiter, May 2

Wishful Endings, May 3

Emily Yager, May 3

The Christian Fiction Girl, May 4

Inklings and notions, May 4

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 5

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 5

Through the Fire Blogs, May 6

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 6

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 7

A Baker’s Perspective, May 8

Cultivating us, May 8

Texas Book-aholic, May 9

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 9

A Reader’s Brain, May 10

janicesbookreviews, May 10

Giveaway

 

To celebrate her tour, Joy is giving away a grand prize package that includes a signed copy of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations, a signed copy of Weddings, Willows, and Revised Expectations, a Hand-Carved Reading Willow Tree Figurine, a Character-Inspired Locket, a Custom Roaring Twenties Book Sleeve from The Cozy Life Etsy Shop, an Anne of Green Gables Mug Rug from Bookish Star Designs Etsy Shop, and a Chai Latte Soy Candle in a Vintage Mug from Joplin House Cafe!!

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/dfea/weddings-willows-and-revised-expectations-celebration-tour-giveaway

*Thanks to Celebrate Lit for including me on this blog tour and for the complimentary copy of this book.*

A Mom's Guide!

Book Description:

YOUR DAUGHTER IS BEING LIED TO.
From a heightened fear of missing out to the belief that perfect girls are worth more, the world’s lies are everywhere—and they are resulting in skyrocketing anxiety rates among tweens. How can you help your daughter experience true freedom in the midst of a culture that lies to her?
In this companion book to Lies Girls Believe, best-selling author Dannah Gresh not only provides research, cultural trends, and case studies about the problems tween girls face, but she also offers you the encouragement and biblical insight to talk with your daughter about God’s Truth. You’ll have the tools you need to start important, age-appropriate conversations on topics such as God, friendship, boys, gender, and the future.
You can’t change the world, but you can prepare your daughter to walk through the realities of life in freedom and true joy!

My Review:
This is such an excellent resource! 
Daily, I see the things that my daughter has to deal with and it is so different from what I had to deal with at her age, as society is so different now.  This book has extra additional information to go along with using the "Lies Girls Believe" book and it also offers advice on how to discuss the topics and present it with the girls.  The statistics are helpful as well as the suggestions throughout of additional resources and help as some topics may be more of a struggle for some girls than others of course as each and every person is different and working through various things in their lives.  I love the layout of these books, both the girls edition and the mom's as they are so easy to read through and find information and also makes it fun and interactive for the girls; this especially is important as some of the topics could be awkward or hard for girls to want to discuss.  I highly recommend this study for girls and moms to work through together.  This is a great opportunity for moms and girls to spend quality time together and build a solid foundation for girls to help her through the teenage years. 

*Thanks to the Moody Blogger Program for the complimentary copy of this book.*


 

"Gone Too Soon"

About the Book

Book: Gone Too Soon  
Author: Melody Carlson  
Genre: Young Adult
 Release Date: November 15, 2018

An icy road. A car crash. A family changed forever. Hannah Josephson had always been the “perfect” daughter. Kiera couldn’t live up to her before, and she certainly can’t now that her older sister has died in a car accident. But the image she carried resentfully of Hannah is challenged when she finds her dead sister’s diary and begins to read. Apparently Hannah’s final year wasn’t as perfect as everyone thought. Caught in a pattern of blaming each other, the Josephson family is falling apart. Their father has left, their mother is mixing opiates and alcohol, little sister Maddie has been shipped off to spend the whole summer with their grandmother, and Kiera feels utterly alone with her grief and anger. A summer job helping at a park in a poor section of town provides a friend and a purpose. But it’s Hannah’s diary that fills her thoughts. For the first time in years, she feels close to the sister she’s lost. But can the knowledge she gleans about her possibly help her patch back together the family that seems determined to implode?

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books (with sales around 6.5 million) for teens, women, and children. That’s a lot of books, but mostly she considers herself a “storyteller.” Her young adult novels (Diary of a Teenage Girl, True Colors etc.) appeal to teenage girls around the world. Her annual Christmas novellas become more popular each year. She’s won a number of awards (including RT’s Career Achievement Award, the Rita, and the Gold medallion) and some of her books have been optioned for film/TV. Carlson has two grown sons and makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and yellow Lab dog.

My Review:
I have a huge fan of Melody Carlson's novels and novellas, as every book is so well-written and she writes lighthearted stories at times, but she also tackles tough issues with grace and yet doesn't gloss over them so that it really seems like real life.  "Gone Too Soon" is exactly one of those books.  This is such a heart-wrenching story, but yet it is real life and the emotions I felt while reading this book were all over the place as I experienced them with the characters.  The hurt, and grief, contribute to this family unit dissolving and Melody writes of this and the process of the characters working through their emotions and the tough moments to move toward healing.  I found myself completely engrossed in this book and in the  characters' lives, especially Kiera as she comes to terms with the new normal for her life and the details that had been hidden that she discovers. 

More from Melody

I think I’ve written about a hundred or more teen novels, but Gone Too Soon, a rather serious story, is a bit different. There’s no denying I’ve covered a bunch of gritty issues—everything from self-harm to suicide to murder—but I’ve never written a novel quite like this one. For starters, I wrote it from two viewpoints. Both the teenage daughter and her mother express themselves in this story. And because the premise involves an untimely death, the family is torn apart. As a result, there’s a lot of guilt and blame and confusion going around. They’re all in pain. I’ve been asked several times what “inspired” this story. And I’m sad to say that it’s simply a case of “art imitating life.” I live in a small community where too many young people have died “too soon.” These untimely deaths—for a variety of random and unexplainable reasons—are devastating. I know more than a dozen families (some very close friends) who have tragically lost a child. So I’ve seen up close how it can tear a family apart. It’s truly heartbreaking, often leaving friends and family without words of comfort or explanation. But that’s not the only reason I wrote this story. My hope is that teens (who often feel invincible) will be reminded that they are mortal and that this earthly life is temporary. Hard as it sounds, death is inevitable. And it’s not that I want everyone to be obsessed about dying, but we do live in a culture that practices denial about the end of a life. No one really wants to talk about it. My hope is that readers will take a hard, honest look, peel back some layers, and face death for what it is—a part of earthly life. And I hope readers will close the book with a little more understanding . . . and hope.

Blog Stops

The Avid Reader, April 25

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, April 25

Emily Yager, April 26

The Power of Words, April 26

Moments, April 26

Christian Bookaholic, April 27

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 27

Hallie Reads, April 27

Caffeinated Christian Raves – N – Reviews, April 28

Mary Hake, April 28

janicesbookreviews, April 28

Christian Bookshelf Reviews, April 29

SusanLovesBooks, April 29

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 29

All-of-a-kind Mom, April 30

Just the Write Escape, April 30

Carla Loves toRead, May 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 1

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 2

Blogging With Carol, May 2

Ashley’s Bookshelf, May 2

Through the Fire Blogs, May 3

Reading Themes, May 3

For The Love of Books, May 3

the Midnight Bookaholic, May 4

amandainpa, May 4

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 4

Bigreadersite, May 5

Texas Book-aholic, May 5

The Becca Files, May 6

Remembrancy, May 6

Inklings and notions, May 7

this chattanooga mommy saves, May 7

A Reader’s Brain, May 8

For Him and My Family, May 8

Giveaway

 

 

To celebrate her tour, Melody is giving away a grand prize of paperback copy of Gone Too Soon and a matching journal!!

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/dfa9/gone-too-soon-celebration-tour-giveaway

*Thanks to Celebrate Lit for including me on this blog tour and for the complimentary copy of this book.*

"Relationomics"

"Good relationships make the world go around. That's true in life, and in business. Dr. Ross understands the value of cultivating deep and meaningful relationships in our business endeavors and provides us with an excellent guidebook for doing just that."--Dan T. Cathy, CEO, Chick-fil-A

"Healthy relationships create healthy business. If you want to know how to inspire your teams, coach for maximum performance, and create a compelling culture, then Relationomics is a must-read."--Tim Leveridge, vice president and investor relations officer, The Coca-Cola Company

"Whether you are in an academic institution or a corporate setting, it is critical to provide safe and healthy environments in which people can learn, grow, and be productive. Relationomics will equip leaders to provide such environments and elevate the performance of their teams."--Linda Livingstone, PhD, president, Baylor University

"Everything good in life comes to us through relationships. If you want your organization to thrive relationally, I highly recommend you get a copy of Relationomics."--Andy Stanley, author, communicator, and founder, North Point Ministries

"Relationomics is a guidebook to assist leaders in shaping stronger teams, cultivating connectivity, and crafting a healthy work environment."--Horst Schulze, chairman emeritus, Capella Hotel Group; chairman/CEO, WP Hospitality Group; former president, Ritz-Carlton

"Dr. Ross communicates complex topics in a conversational manner that will impact leaders at every level in your organization."--Scott MacLellan, CEO, Touchpoint Support Services and Morrison Community Living

My Review:
This is a beneficial book for leaders and really essentially each and every person to read as we all are part of groups, we all interact with other people on a daily basis in various roles.  Dr. Randy Ross provides valuable information and tips that I can see really being of benefit for those being in a leadership role as it can help you to form strong teams, develop traits among the team members that will be of benefit as they will really work together toward a common purpose and goal and together well.  For me personally, a strong part of my job, a strong benefit for me of the job, is the team that I am a part of.  I feel like we work together well and the relationship aspect of the team is what drives it and helps us to be successful as a team in our jobs.  My favorite chapter in this book is the one about the growth spiral.  Dr. Ross discusses feedback and how important it is that good feedback is given and accepted and that also the importance of decisions being made with emotion and reason, a mix of these.  This is a great book that everyone should read!

*Thanks to the Baker Books Blogger Program for the complimentary copy of this book.*
 

"Here Now"

Book Description from the publisher:

What if our truest life is the one right in front of us?
Does life sometimes seem to be passing you by? Are you so busy—with email to check, Instagram to scroll through, and friends to be envious of—that you’ve become disconnected from your actual life? You know, the one you are living right here, right now?
With hilariously relatable confessions and profoundly beautiful insights, Kate Merrick invites us to stop running away from the lives we’re living today and instead walk in the peace and fullness God offers moment to moment. She shows us how to

kill your Wi-Fi, put down the tech, and find deeper contentment,
redirect the FOMO so you don’t miss out on your own life, and
go on a diet of fewer choices to discover the blessings of the quiet, the slow, and the intentional.

Only when we look honestly at our hearts and have the courage to live truly present do we receive the gifts of God found in all of life’s seasons—the painful ones, the big and beautiful ones, and even the ordinary ones.

My  Review:
I really enjoyed this book, as I found Kate's writing to be completely relatable.  Seriously, if I were to live closer to Kate, she and I could totally be friends, she is a girl I would want to be my friend, but since we live on opposite sides of the country I will settle for reading her books as it seems as if we are having a conversation when I am reading this book.  Each and every day I feel like I am rushing through the day from one thing to another  and still ending the day feeling like I have a ton of things still to accomplish and feeling like I do not compare to others who seemingly have it all together and manage to do so much and more!  This book is such a fun and encouraging read as it really had me rethinking how I live life, each moment, day  to day and areas where I need to step back and really truly disconnect more and engage in and enjoy what is in front of me, and discover the beautiful pieces that are there.  I highly recommend this book, and look forward to reading more from Kate!

*Thanks to the BookLook Bloggers Program for the complimentary copy of this book.*
 

"Justice Delivered"

"Justice Delivered" is the fourth book in the Memphis Cold Case series by Patricia Bradley and it is a fast-paced story filled with twists and turns.  Carly is forced to face her past after thinking she is in the clear, she returns to her hometown thinking no one will recognize her after she has completely started her life over.  Things are fine until it appears that her niece is caught up in a sex trafficking scheme, which Carly herself had escaped from years earlier.  Carly must face her fears while at the same time making hard decisions as far as who to trust and deciding who all is connected with the scheme. 
This is such a great read that is an emotional roller coaster and had me flipping through the pages as quick as I could just to find out what would happen next.  I really liked Carly's character and Logan's as well as Maggie. They all have things about them that really drew me into their world and they became alive on the pages.  I really enjoyed this, and this entire series!

*Thanks to the Revell Reads Program for the complimentary copy of this book.*

"The Edge of Over There"

Book Description from the publisher:

The captivating sequel to the award-winning The Day the Angels Fell

Abra Miller carries a secret and a responsibility she never expected.
Before the Tree of Life, everything in Abra Miller's life had been predictable. Safe. Normal. But after the Tree, everything has felt fragile . . . like holding a soap bubble in the palm of her hand. After years of fruitless searching for the next Tree, she begins to wonder if it was nothing more than a vivid dream.

Now sixteen, Abra finds a clue to the whereabouts of the next Tree of Life when an ominous woman--who looks exactly like a ghost from her past--compels her to travel to New Orleans where she'll find one of seven gateways between this world and Over There. But she's not the only one interested in finding the gateway. There's also a young man searching for his father and sister, who escaped through it years before. As Abra enters the Edge of Over There and begins her pursuit of the Tree once more, she doesn't know whom to fear or whom to trust.

She's also starting to think that some doorways should never be opened.

My Review:
This novel is a fantasy/dystopian type novel, which is very well-written and offers an escape to a different kind of world. Although this genre is not what I most often read, Shawn Smucker does a great job at drawing me into the story and holding my attention.  I found this book as well as the one that comes before this (I highly recommend you read "The Day the Angels Fell" first!) to be enjoyable and thought provoking.  Abra is a fascinating character and she has so many layers and shows so much growth throughout the novel.  This is a young adult novel and would be completely appropriately for tweens, teenagers, but also enjoyable for adults to read as well. 

*Thanks to the Revell Reads Program for the complimentary copy of this book.*

"Driftwood Bay"

 

I have thoroughly enjoyed every book set in Hope Harbor, and this one, "Driftwood Bay," just may be my favorite!  Jeannette and Logan are both such great  main characters, easy to love, and easy to relate to, they totally came to life on the pages of this book.  Jeannette is living life running her lavender farm, which sounds beautiful, and of course a lot of work, and a lot of work alone.  However, that is what she wanted, at least that  is what she believed and kept on telling herself, as she started over in a new life, living her life, keeping to herself.  That became hard to do when the  neighbor's dog began invading her property and being destructive.  Keeping to herself becomes difficult as her path crosses with her neighbors and Jeannette and Logan learn that maybe there is something lacking in each of their lives.  This is such a great read, as it is emotionally charged, full of relatable characters, and sweet moments all interwoven together to create this beautiful story that will stick with you long after you finish reading. 

*Thanks to the Revell Reads Blogger Program for the complimentary copy of this book!*

"The Governess of Penwythe Hall"

About the Book

Book: The Governess of Penwythe Hall  
Author: Sarah Ladd  
Genre: Historical Romance  
Release Date: April 16, 2019

In the first of a new series from beloved Regency romance author, Sarah Ladd, Delia, a governess to five recently orphaned children, would risk anything to protect them . . . even her heart.

Cornwall was in her blood, and Delia feared she’d never escape its hold.

Cornwall, England, 1811 Blamed for her husband’s death, Cordelia Greythorne fled Cornwall and accepted a governess position to begin a new life. Years later her employer’s unexpected death and his last request to watch over his five children force her to reevaluate. She can’t abandon the children now that they’ve lost both parents, but their new guardian lives at the timeworn Penwythe Hall . . . back on the Cornish coast she tries desperately to forget. Jac Trethewey is determined to revive Penwythe Hall’s once-flourishing apple orchards, and he’ll stop at nothing to see his struggling estate profitable again. He hasn’t heard from his brother in years, so when his nieces, nephews, and their governess arrive unannounced at Penwythe Hall, he battles both grief of this brother’s death and bewilderment over this sudden responsibility. Jac’s priorities shift as the children take up residence in the ancient halls, but their secretive governess—and the mystery shrouding her past—proves to be a disruption to his carefully laid plans. Rich with family secrets, lingering danger, and the captivating allure of new love, this first book in the Cornwall Novels series introduces us to the Twethewey family and their search for peace, justice, and love on the Cornish coast.

My Review:
"The Governess of Penwythe Hall" is such a great start to this brand-new series by Sarah Ladd.  Right from the very beginning I was drawn into the story, partly because my heart went out to Cordelia, but also because of the descriptive writing.  It truly is easy to become lost in the story and feel the scenes come to life as they are described so vividly.  Cordelia has had to deal with so much, death of her husband, the hatred spewing from her mother-in-law, and the hurt and love she feels for her charges and having to return to Cornwall where she hoped to never return.  Jac is another strong, determined character who is also dealing with much in his life and I admired him as well.  This is a beautifully written story and historical romance fans will not want to miss out on it! 

Click here to purchase your copy.

 

About the Author

Sarah E. Ladd received the 2011 Genesis Award in historical romance for The Heiress of Winterwood. She is a graduate of Ball State University and has more than ten years of marketing experience. Sarah lives in Indiana with her amazing family and spunky golden retriever. Visit her online at SarahLadd.com; Facebook: SarahLaddAuthor; Twitter: @SarahLaddAuthor.

More About The Governess of Penwythe Hall

5 things to know about Cornwall, England:

1. Throughout its early history, Cornwall’s inhabitants called the country Kernow.
2. Early inhabitants largely spoke their own language known as “Cornish,” which became nearly extinct in the 1800s
3. The country has a long and rugged coastline and there were frequent shipwrecks.
4. Fishing was a major industry, with herring, mackerel, and sardines being common catches.
5. In 1870, novelist and poet Thomas Hardy called Cornwall “the region of dream and mystery.”

  Imagine yourself in The Governess of Penwythe Hall with these pictures of 19^th Century life in Cornwall https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/gallery/2016/may/19/everyday-life-in-cornwall-captured-in-the-19th-century-in-pictures

Sources: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/empire_seapower/cornish_nation_01.shtml https://www.maritimeheritage.org/ports/Cornwall.html http://www.cornwallgoodseafoodguide.org.uk/cornish-fishing/history-of-the-cornish-fishing-industry.php  

Blog Stops

Back Porch Reads, April 11

LifeofLiterature, April 11

Moments, April 11

Genesis 5020, April 11

Maureen’s Musings, April 12

The Power of Words, April 12

Mary Hake, April 12

To Everything A Season, April 12

KarenSueHadley, April 13

EmpowerMoms, April 13

For the Love of Literature, April 13

Inklings and notions, April 13

The Avid Reader, April 14

Blogging With Carol, April 14

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, April 14

Rachel’s Back Talk, April 15

Wishful Endings, April 15

Simple Harvest Reads, April 15 (Guest post from Mindy Houng)

Kat’s Corner Books, April 16

All-of-a-kind Mom, April 16

Daysong Reflections, April 16

The Becca Files, April 16

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 17

Blossoms and Blessings, April 17

Remembrancy, April 17

Worthy2Read, April 18

By The Book, April 18

Texas Book-aholic, April 18

Just the Write Escape, April 19

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, April 19

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 19

Babbling Becky’s Book Impressions, April 20

Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 20

For HIm and My Family, April 20

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 21

Inspiration Clothesline, April 21

Pause for Tales, April 21

Through the Fire Blogs, April 22

Bigreadersite, April 22

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, April 22

Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, April 22

Inspired by fiction, April 23

A Reader’s Brain, April 23

Hallie Reads, April 23

Henry Happens, April 24

Connect in Fiction, April 24

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, April 24

janicesbookreviews, April 24

Giveaway

 

To celebrate her tour, Sarah is giving away a grand prize of a finished paperback copy of The Governess of Penwythe Hall!!

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/de80/the-governess-of-penwythe-hall-celebration-tour-giveaway

*Thanks to the Celebrate Lit Team for including me on this blog tour and for the complimentary copy of this book."

WIN a copy of "The Memory House"

 
About the book:

When Beck Holiday lost her father in the North Tower on 9/11, she also lost her memories of him. Eighteen years later, she’s a tough New York City cop burdened with a damaging secret, suspended for misconduct, and struggling to get her life in order. Meanwhile a mysterious letter arrives informing her she’s inherited a house along Florida’s northern coast, and what she discovers there will change her life forever. Matters of the heart only become more complicated when she runs into handsome Bruno Endicott, a driven sports agent who fondly recalls the connection they shared as teenagers. But Beck doesn’t remember that, either.

Decades earlier, widow Everleigh Applegate lives a steady, uneventful life with her widowed mother after a tornado ripped through Waco, Texas, and destroyed her new, young married life. When she runs into old high school friend Don Callahan, she begins to yearn for change. Yet no matter how much she longs to love again, she is hindered by a secret she can never share.

Fifty years separate the women but through the power of love and miracle of faith, they each find healing in a beautiful Victorian known affectionately as The Memory House.

Click here to read an excerpt!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Review:
Oh my goodness, this was an amazing book!  I wanted to keep on reading it to find out what was going to be decided, what was going to happen next, but then once I finished it, I was not ready for it to be done.  I loved how this was written in current day with Beck's story and then years ago when Everleigh's story to know what led her to this house and the room created on the upstairs floor.   All of the characters just come so alive on the pages and they are all facing major decisions and changes in their lives, either relationship wise, with their jobs, with their immediate families, past trauma and guilt, some are dealing with all of the above.  It really felt like I knew these characters as I cried with them, laughed with them and smiled when things were looking up for them.  The message of forgiveness and healing is so powerfully portrayed through characters as they work through past hurts and seek to do what is right.  "The Memory House" is a story that will stick with me for a long time and one that I am highly recommending. 

Rachel Hauck is an award winning, New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author.

Her book The Wedding Dress was named Inspirational Novel of the Year by Romantic Times Book Reviews. She is a double RITA finalist, and a Christy and Carol Award Winner.

Her book, Once Upon A Prince, first in the Royal Wedding Series, was filmed for an Original Hallmark movie.

Rachel has been awarded the prestigious Career Achievement Award for her body of original work by Romantic Times Book Reviews.

A member of the Executive Board for American Christian Fiction Writers, she teaches workshops and leads worship at the annual conference. She is a past Mentor of The Year.

At home, she’s a wife, writer, worship leader and works out at the gym semi-enthusiastically.

A graduate of Ohio State University (Go Bucks!) with a degree in Journalism, she’s a former sorority girl and a devoted Ohio State football fan. Her bucket list is to stand on the sidelines with Ryan Day.

She lives in sunny central Florida with her husband and ornery cat.

For more information, visit www.rachelhauck.com, Facebook (@rachelhauck), Twitter (@RachelHauck) and Instagram (@rachelhauck).

 

"The Edge of Mercy" blog tour!

Welcome to the Blog Tour and Giveaway for The Edge of Mercy by Heidi Chiavaroli, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: The Edge of Mercy 
Author: Heidi Chiavaroli 
Publisher: Hope Creek Publishers 
Genre: Split Time/Women's Fiction 
Release Date: April 9, 2019

Two women, three hundred years apart, must face the devastation of all they hold dear...

Suspecting her husband is having an affair, Sarah Rodrigues fights to appear unbroken while attempting to salvage her family. Though distracted by her own troubles, Sarah is summoned to an elderly friend’s deathbed for an unusual request—find a long-lost daughter and relay a centuries-old family story.

Determined not to fail her friend, Sarah pieces together the story of her neighbor’s ancestor, Elizabeth Baker, a young colonist forced into an unwanted betrothal but drawn to a man forbidden by society.

While Sarah’s family teeters on the edge of collapse, her world is further shaken by the interest of a caring doctor and a terrible accident that threatens a life more precious than her own.

Inspired by the unconditional love she uncovers in Elizabeth’s story, Sarah strives to forgive those who’ve wounded her soul. But when light shines on the dark secrets of her neighbor’s past and the full extent of her husband’s sins, will looking to a power greater than herself rekindle lost hope? 

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads| Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

My Review:
"The Edge of Mercy" is a book that will appeal to so many as it is a current day story as well as a historical one all woven together.  Sarah is struggling to hold her family together as a whole unit in the midst of doubts and suspected betrayal.  While dealing with this, she is asked to help a friend who is desperate for a task to be taken care of for her before she passes.  Sarah dives into Elizabeth's story and life, a woman who lived a few centuries ago and who was dealing with struggles of her own.  The historical details just bring Elizabeth's story to live and it was felt as if I were transported back in time with the rift between the settlers and natives.  Sarah was so easy to feel a connection with as well and her character came to live in the pages.  This is an inspiring story of hope after heartache and suffering and God's help through it all. 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Heidi Chiavaroli began writing twelve years ago, just after Jesus had grabbed hold of her heart. She used her two small boys’ nap times to pursue what she thought at the time was a foolish dream. Despite a long road to publication, shehasn’t stopped writing since! Heidi won the 2018 ACFW Carol Award for Debut Novel and is a 2018 Christy Finalist. Both her debut novel, Freedom’s Ring, and her sophomore novel, The Hidden Side, are 4½-star Romantic Times Top Picks. Freedom's Ring was also a Booklist Top Ten Romance Debut. Heidi loves exploring places that whisper of historical secrets, especially with her family. She loves running, hiking, baking, and dates with her high-school sweetheart and husband of fifteen years. Heidi makes her home in Massachusetts with her husband and two sons. 

CONNECT WITH HEIDI: website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will win this beautiful prize pack from Heidi Chiavaroli, including:

• Rustic Metal Lantern
• Bordeaux Journal
• Country Potholder
• Colonial-Inspired Hand Glazed Mug
• Simple Life Notepad
• Be Still and Know Magnet
• Plymouth Rock Bookmark
• Fresh & Clean Goat Milk Soap
• Handmade Rustic Book Decor
• Signed Copy of The Edge of Mercy

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight April 9, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm April 16, 2019. US Mailing addresses only, due to shipping costs. Void where prohibited by law. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*Thanks to Just Read Tours for being included on this tour and for the complimentary copy of this book.*