Review and Tour for Blizzard at Blue Ridge Inn by Pat Nichols

About the Book

Book: Blizzard at Blue Ridge Inn

Author: Pat Nichols

Genre: Women’s Fiction

Release Date: January 21, 2024

Three strangers stranded in a North Georgia inn confront lies from their pasts and experience the healing power of friendship.

Amanda Sullivan is desperately trying to save her crumbling second marriage. Will celebrating her ninth anniversary with her husband in Blue Ridge breathe new life into their troubled relationship?

Erica Parker suspects her husband is unfaithful. She vows to learn if her distrust is real or imagined.

Wendy Peterson can hardly wait for the birth of her baby with her wealthy husband, until a shopping spree in the quaint tourist town shatters everything.

When a once-in-a-century snowstorm blankets the country and delays their husbands’ arrivals, the perfectionist, the peacemaker, and the socializer find themselves alone at the historic Blue Ridge Inn. During two days of isolation, they overcome the differences in their ages and lifestyles to discover they have a lot in common. As the temperature rises and the snow begins to melt, a stranger delivers shocking news. Their stay at the inn is no accident.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

This women’s fiction starts off with three couples going to the Blue Ridge Inn. All are strangers and at the Inn for different reasons, but they all are stranded buy their husband’s. When a snow storm hits the area, the three women are stranded alone at the Inn.

I have read several books by Pat Nichols and was excited to read this one. I’m glad it is a first in the Blue Ridge series. It will be fun to read the next three books in the series. Blizzard at Blue Ridge Inn is a fabulous setting for this book. I love the blankets of snow over this town and the way the three women form a friendship that stick together. There were several twists and turns, but the one that destroys the three ladies and their marriage has to be the worst. I like how these three pull together, helping each other out as they try to navigate their life after their devastating news that ripped their marriages apart and tried to destroy their lives. The gall of that horrible man. I was happy for Amanda, Erica, and Wendy as they helped one another get over the deceit and get on with their lives. The support from each other was heartwarming.

This is a sweet story that anyone who loves Women’s Fiction will enjoy. You will also enjoy if you love good clean inspirational reads. Being the first in a series gives you the opportunity to stay up to date on the entire series. I’m giving this book Five Stars!

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

About the Author

Award-winning author, Pat Nichols is proving it’s never too late to follow your dreams. Nine years after retiring from a twenty-seven-year corporate career with an international beauty company, her love for writing resurfaced and prompted her to launch career number two as a novelist. Now she draws on her experience to write stories with tension-laced challenges and heart-warming triumphs. The Secret of Willow Inn is a 2020 Selah Award winner. Starstruck in Willow Falls is a NGCWC Georgia Peach Award winner. Her short story The Vet and Valentine Day also won a NGCWC Georgia Peach Award.

Pat is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Word Weavers International. She has been featured on WATC Television Atlanta Alive, in Southern Writer’s Magazine, and in Voyager Magazine.

More from Pat

Nestled in Chattahoochee National Forest, Southern Living Magazine named Blue Ridge, Georgia as one of 2022 South’s Best Mountain Towns. The first time my husband and I visited the town, we were impressed with the galleries, shops, Scenic Railway, and the friendly vibe. Although I was writing a series set near Savannah, the idea of Blue Ridge staring in a new series took root. When I finished writing the last book in the Butler Family series the idea had blossomed.

Another trip to the iconic town. This time to identify a setting for book one about Amanda, Erica, and Wendy, strangers who find themselves stranded in a cozy inn during a blizzard. We found the Blue Ridge Inn Bed and Breakfast. Perfect! I pressed the front-door buzzer. When I explained my mission to the woman who responded, she took my number and promised the owner would contact us. An hour later John Lavin met us on the front porch. He graciously gave us a tour and shared the 1890 Victorian home’s history.

Writing a fictional story set in a historic inn steps from the train depot and downtown Blue Ridge was inspiring. In fact, I’ve dedicated Blizzard at Blue Ridge Inn to John and guests who stay at the inn. In June, my husband and I plan to spend our anniversary in the suite reserved for Erica. We’ll ride the train and enjoy dinner at the Black Sheep restaurant, a scene in Blue Ridge series book two. By that time, book three will be finished. Then on to book four.

Blog Stops

The Avid Reader, April 11

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 12

Stories By Gina, April 13 (Author Interview)

Devoted To Hope, April 13 (Spotlight)

Texas Book-aholic, April 14

Artistic Nobody, April 15 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 16

Girls in White Dresses, April 17

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 18

Where Crisis & Christ Collide, April 19 (Author Interview)

Splashes of Joy, April 19

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, April 20

For Him and My Family, April 21

An Author’s Take, April 22

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 23

She Lives To Read, April 24

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Pat is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a 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/2afa1/blizzard-at-blue-ridge-inn-celebration-tour-giveaway

Tour and Review for Love’s Promise by Penny Zeller

About the Book

Book: Love’s Promise

Author: Penny Zeller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: March 19, 2024

Can one man’s love win a fragile woman’s heart?
After Amaya Alvarado lost her fiancé to a senseless tragedy, she vows never to love again. Two years later, at her grandmother’s request, she travels to Poplar Springs to assist with the mercantile and help care for her ailing grandfather. During a stagecoach accident and a confrontation with nefarious outlaws, she crosses paths with a man named Silas McFadden who rescues her and the other passengers. A bond between them soon forms.
Silas is not the man he once was. After a stint on the wrong side of the law, he’s now a respectable rancher in Poplar Springs, Wyoming. After becoming a man of faith, he determines to live his life for the One who gave him a second chance. He just never imagined that second chance might include Amaya. Now all he has to do is ensure his past doesn’t return and destroy his and Amaya’s fragile relationship.
Amaya’s and Silas’s friendship soon grows, and she begins to trust him with everything but her heart. Can she push her growing feelings for him aside? After all, isn’t it betraying her fiancé to care for another man the way she has grown to care for Silas?
When the past comes back to haunt him and revenge is sought, can Silas protect the woman he has come to love?

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

I was anxious to read Penny Zeller’s new book, Love’s Promise. After reading the others in the series, I had to find out more that was happening in Poplar Springs. It was nice re-connecting with the characters in the other series books as well.

I love historical fiction and this one was fabulous. I love the characters and their development throughout the story. I like how it feels as though I know them personally, which sounds, that’s the way it is sometimes. I found it interesing and sweet that Amaya Alvarado was willing to help with her grandparents and help them with the mercantile. I enjoyed her stay, and especially after she meets Silas. Their relationship was sweet and I loved the was they continued to grow closer together. Penny Zeller does an awesome job writing this historical fiction. She adds just the right amount of twists and turns to keep you reading until the last page. And as always, I really like the way Penny shares her faith through her characters, in a subtle way. I think I’ll stop here in describing the book, you need to read it for yourself.

I’m giving Love’s Promise by Penny Zeller Five Stars! If you enjoy a good clean Christian historical romance, you will love this book, as well as this entire series. Check it out for yourself.

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

About the Author

Penny Zeller is known for her heartfelt stories of faith and her passion to impact lives for Christ through fiction. While she has had a love for writing since childhood, she began her adult writing career penning articles for national and regional publications on a wide variety of topics.

Today Penny is the author of nearly two dozen books. She is also a homeschool mom and a group fitness instructor. Her desire is to assist and nurture women into a closer relationship with Christ.

When Penny is not dreaming up new characters, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters and camping, hiking, canoeing, bicycling/cycling, reading, running, gardening, and playing volleyball.

She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and loves to hear from her readers.

More from Penny

In Love’s Promise, one of the tender memories main male character, Silas McFadden, recalls is, as a young’un, making his Oma carrot cake for her birthday from her favorite recipe.

Big clumsy hands weren’t helpful when it came to cracking the eggs and scooping the batter into the pan. He’d opened the oven door at least twenty times in the course of the cake baking just to be sure he didn’t burn it. For if he did, there were no more ingredients.

The icing was runny, but Oma hadn’t minded. When she finally returned home, Silas had the cake waiting for her. She had cried, told him how much she loved him, and then together, they’d eaten the entire cake that evening.

I’d love to share with you Oma’s recipe, which in actuality, is a family recipe. 😊

Oma’s Carrot Cake

2 c. flour, sifted

2 c. sugar

2 tsp. soda

2 tsp. salt

1 Tbsp. cinnamon

Sift together the above ingredients and set aside.

3 c. grated carrots

4 eggs

1 ½ c. oil

Mix well 1 c. carrots with 1 egg and ½ c. of oil. Repeat twice and add extra egg with last mixing. Combine with dry ingredients. Mix well.

Pour into greased pan and bake at 350º for one hour. Cool. Frost if desired.

Blog Stops

Madi’s Musings, April 2

The Lofty Pages , April 2

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 3

lakesidelivingsite, April 4

She Lives To Read, April 5

Connie’s History Classroom, April 5

Alena Mentink, April 6

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 7

Holly’s Book Corner, April 7

Texas Book-aholic, April 8

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 9

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 10

Pause for Tales, April 10

Books You Can Feel Good About, April 11

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 12

Cover Lover Book Review, April 12

For Him and My Family, April 13

Devoted To Hope, April 13

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, April 14 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, April 14

Life on Chickadee Lane, April 15

Splashes of Joy, April 15

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Penny is giving away the grand prize of a $25 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/02ac73/love-s-promise-celebration-tour-giveaway

Review and Tous for Cracklin’ Rosie by Jennifer Lynn Cary

About the Book

Book: Cracklin’ Rosie

Author: Jennifer Lynn Cary

Genre: Historical Christian Romance

Release Date: November 20, 2023

She’s a strong-willed chiropractor…

…He’s an old-fashioned MD.

Sparks fly—but will they burn them or make them sizzle?

When Rose Crackinbush D.C. sets up her modern (for the 1970s) practice in a new town, heaven help anyone who thinks chiropractors aren’t legitimate doctors.  Those naysayers will eat their words. Or she might make them cookies—she can be nice.

And if she can keep her temper about the town’s Jokester MD, she might win some new patients.

But this MD isn’t just a jokester. A dedicated family doctor, Brett Shoffner uses humor to help heal his patients. Only it seems newly-arrived lady chiropractors aren’t ready for his quips — no matter how pretty and smart they are. This specific lady chiropractor, not the quips.

Life would be so much easier for these two if they could avoid each other. But fate keeps throwing them together. Can they see beyond the symptoms and diagnose the real reasons behind their push-pull attraction?

And if so, will they choose the best cure?

Welcome back to 1972 Kokomo, Indiana in Cracklin’ Rosie, the fourth installment of the Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue series, where the Great Physician can adjust callings and purposes in ways never imagined.

You will enjoy Cracklin’ Rosie, a sweet, clean romcom inspired by Neil Diamond’s 1960’s song of the same title, because everyone knows that the plans we make don’t always end up as we thought they would.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

Being new to the area, Rose Crackinbush, D. C. wasn’t sure how the community would react to a Chiropractors office in town. But she was soon to find out how the town Dr feels. She just doesn’t know how to take his forever joking. But she is soon to find out when she spends time with her friend, who is married to the Dr’s brother, that the Dr. isn’t so bad after all.

I love this book and the fact that it had me laughing much of the time. This is the fourth book in the Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue Series. I didn’t read the first three books and I had no problem understand what was going on, though I feel if you read the first three, you will better understand this book. Either way, it’s a fabulous read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters were carefully etched out by the author and very creative as the story unfolds. If you enjoy a good clean fiction to read, I highly recommend Cracklin’ Rosie by Jennifer Lynn Cary. I am going to check out the first three books in the series to read, and I encourage you to do the same. Jennifer Lynn Cary is a fabulous author, and I will be looking forward to her next series.

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

About the Author

Historical Christian Romance author, Jennifer Lynn Cary, likes to say you can take the girl out of Indiana, but you can’t take the Hoosier out of the girl. Now transplanted to the Arizona desert, this direct descendant of Davy Crockett and her husband of forty years enjoy time with family where she shares tales of her small-town heritage and family legacies with their grandchildren. She is the author of The Crockett Chronicles series, The Relentless series, and The Weather Girls trilogy as well as the stand-alone novel, Cheryl’s Going Home, her novella Tales of the Hob Nob Annex Café, and her split-time novels The Traveling Prayer Shawl and The Forgotten Gratitude JournalCracklin’ Rosie is the fourth book of her spin-off series The Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue.

More from Jennifer

I’ve long been a fan of 60s music—since the 1960s! Neil Diamond has been a favorite performer since that time. I must have been in fourth grade with “Thank the Lord for the Nighttime” was released. I had no idea of any deeper meaning, just loved the song—it would’ve gotten full 98 score from me for having “a great beat and fun to dance to” if I’d been a judge on American Bandstand with Dick Clark.

Fast-forward a good fifty plus years, and I’m researching 60s music where the song title has a girl’s name in it for my Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue series and I run across “Cracklin’ Rosie.” That was one song I sang with gusto. So fun. But I never was sure of the meaning. What or who was Cracklin’ Rosie? Then I got an inspiration that made me laugh out loud. I even contacted friends to share—tickled me to no end. What if Rosie was a chiropractor? That was the genesis for this story.

Of course, it needed to be funny. And who better to add humor and conflict than a medical doctor who fancied himself as an amateur comedian? The idea stuck and the brainstorming began. I have to tell you my critique partner, Diana Brandmeyer, understands humor. It was a blast coming up with ways to make it funny.

I hope you will agree, and that there will be moments when you snort or chuckle. Or even laugh out loud and have someone look over at you, so you tell them, “You gotta read this book.” Anyway, whether anyone watches you read, I hope you’ll enjoy this latest addition to the Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue series, Cracklin’ Rosie.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, March 29

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 30

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 31

Texas Book-aholic, April 1

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 2

JESUS in the EVERYDAY, April 2

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 3

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 4

Blogging With Carol, April 5

For Him and My Family, April 6

Cover Lover Book Review, April 7

Splashes of Joy, April 8

Exploring the Written Word, April 9

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, April 10 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, April 10

Pause for Tales, April 11

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon card and an eBook 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/2ac72/cracklin-rosie-celebration-tour-giveaway

Review and Tour for Falling for a Shy Cowboy by Karen Baney

Join us for This Tour from Mar 26 to Apr 22, 2024

Book Details:

Book Title: Falling for a Shy Cowboy (Vargas Ranch Book 2) by Karen Baney

Category:  Adult Fiction 18+, 192 pages Genre: Contemporary Christian Western Romance
Publisher:  Desert Life Media
Release date:  Dec 19, 2023

Format available for review:  e-book (BookFunnel download), audiobook (BookFunnel downoad)

Tour dates: Mar 26 to Apr 22

Content Rating: PG + M. The main character broke free from an abusive past relationship with her son’s father. Some flashbacks to the abuse. Only one scene described in detail (2 paragraphs). No cursing or graphic descriptions.

Book Description

She’s a single mom with a disabled son. He’s been in love with her since high school. Will this shy cowboy finally win her heart?

Dylan Vargas is too shy for his own good. While he and his best friend Adan work with the horses on his family’s ranch near Wickenburg, Arizona, Adan signs him up for an online dating service. Dylan begrudgingly looks through the profiles. One face stands out above the others—that of his childhood crush. There’s only one impossible problem—she is Adan’s little sister.


Brisa Franco moves home to Wickenburg after a tragic car accident left her four-year-old son disabled. As she starts a new job in her hometown, she never expects to help her brother’s best friend in his quest to overcome a speech impediment.


Will Dylan steal her heart as she helps him learn how to release his anxiety? Will Brisa learn to trust him and let go of her deeply engrained fears from her past relationship?

Buy the Book:
Amazon B&N 
​Apple Google Kobo
Book2Read ~ BookBub
​add to goodreads

MY THOUGHTS ON FALLING FOR A SHY COWBOY BY KAREN BANEY

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series of Cowboy Romances. Today’s story is Falling For A Shy Cowboy. This was interesting because I wanted to see what this Shy cowboy was all about. This book is Dylan and Brisa story. I enjoyed so much re-visiting the Vargas Ranch and connecting with all of the characters from the other books. Though they seem more like friends that characters. When Dylan’s friend Aden signs him up with an online dating service, no one would know that he took a look at the profiles there, would they? Dylan had a big surprised in finding his long time childhood crush, Brisa listed there. Would she see him listed there as well?

This is an interesting twist to the story. Could the two of them get together after all these years? Dylan was still as shy as ever, and Brisa not only brings her son, but also her share of problems back to her hometown. I love these characters, as well as the other characters that shows up in this book from the other books in the series. I think Karen Baney does an amazing job of once again bringing the Vargas Ranch back to life. I’m not sure if this series is complete, but I would love reading more about the Vargus Ranch and everyone it takes to make the ranch a success. I’m giving Falling For A Shy Cowboy Five Stars! Anyone loving a clean read, Cowboy’s and Ranch stories, and sweet romance stories will love this book as much as I did!

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

FALLING FOR A BOSSY COWBOY By Karen Baney

​Book Details:

Book Title: Falling for a Bossy Cowboy (Vargas Ranch Book 3) by Karen Baney
Category:  Adult Fiction 18+, 204 pages

Genre: Contemporary Christian Western Romance
Publisher: Desert Life Media
Release date:  Mar 26, 2024

Format available for review:  e-book (BookFunnel download), audiobook (BookFunnel downoad)

Tour dates: Mar 26 to Apr 22

Content Rating:  PG + M. My book deals with a main character overcoming his sexually immoral past. He is in active recovery and God’s grace and strenghth shine through his story line. Written tastefully with character showing true remorse for his past actions. There are NO cursing or graphic descriptions of any kind.

Book Description:

​She’s famous and nearing the end of her career. He’s blunt, bossy, and downright annoying. Will these two find the perfect balance between truth and love?

Sports fanatic Derin Vargas steps down from his position as foreman of Vargas Ranch to run the family’s new sports complex. Uncomfortable in his new role, he compensates by being bossy. When a famous pro-tennis player stays at the resort to rehab after surgery, Derin points out her shortcomings no one else will.

Pro-tennis player Madison Moore heads to a remote sports complex on Vargas Guest Ranch & Resort to finish rehabbing after shoulder surgery. As she fears the death of her pro career, the bossy cowboy manager gets under her skin.

​Will Derin soften his rough edges to win over the beautiful tennis player? Will Madison listen to the hard truth about her future while opening her heart to love?

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ B&N 
Apple ~ Google ~ Kobo
Book2Read ~ BookBub
​add to goodreads

Book Details:

Book Title: Falling for a Real Cowboy (Vargas Ranch Book 1) by Karen Baney
Category:  Adult Fiction 18+, 208 pages

Genre: Contemporary Christian Western Romance
Publisher:  Desert Life Media
Release date:  Nov 21, 2023

Format available for review:  e-book (BookFunnel download), audiobook (BookFunnel downoad)

Tour dates: Mar 26 to Apr 22

Content Rating: PG – Some situations might not be suitable for under 16 yrs old. A character accuses another of hiring his “lover” to design a hotel reservation website (even though it wasn’t true). No cursing or graphic descriptions.


Book Description:

She’s trying to resurrect her career. He’s sworn off women. Will this city-meets-country duo find love where they least expect it?

Dalton J. Vargas the fourth has sworn off love. Women are just a distraction that keep him from running his family’s multi-million-dollar guest ranch near Wickenburg, Arizona. After his father announces an early retirement, the full burden of the ranch rests on his shoulders. When a city-slicker romance author stays at the ranch, Dalton’s perfect world turns to chaos.

River Sloane’s last workplace romance novel flopped—big time. Now her publisher wants her to write a modern-day cowboy romance, which she has resisted for years. When her publisher sends her to a dude ranch in the middle of nowhere Arizona, she must learn about cowboys and ranching to get her career back on track. One hunky cowboy stirs her heart and unexpectedly becomes her muse.

Will she let herself fall in love with the real cowboy or will she return to the life she left behind? Will Dalton open his heart to a new, lasting love?

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ B&N 
​Apple Google ~ Kobo
Book2Read ~ Bookbub
​add to goodreads


Book Details:

Book Title: Falling for a Shy Cowboy (Vargas Ranch Book 2) by Karen Baney
Category:  Adult Fiction 18+, 192 pages Genre: Contemporary Christian Western Romance
Publisher:  Desert Life Media
Release date:  Dec 19, 2023

Format available for review:  e-book (BookFunnel download), audiobook (BookFunnel downoad)

Tour dates: Mar 26 to Apr 22

Content Rating: PG + M. The main character broke free from an abusive past relationship with her son’s father. Some flashbacks to the abuse. Only one scene described in detail (2 paragraphs). No cursing or graphic descriptions.


Book Description:

She’s a single mom with a disabled son. He’s been in love with her since high school. Will this shy cowboy finally win her heart?

Dylan Vargas is too shy for his own good. While he and his best friend Adan work with the horses on his family’s ranch near Wickenburg, Arizona, Adan signs him up for an online dating service.

Dylan begrudgingly looks through the profiles. One face stands out above the others—that of his childhood crush. There’s only one impossible problem—she is Adan’s little sister.


Brisa Franco moves home to Wickenburg after a tragic car accident left her four-year-old son disabled. As she starts a new job in her hometown, she never expects to help her brother’s best friend in his quest to overcome a speech impediment.


Will Dylan steal her heart as she helps him learn how to release his anxiety? Will Brisa learn to trust him and let go of her deeply engrained fears from her past relationship?

Buy the Book:
Amazon B&N 
​Apple Google Kobo
Book2Read ~ BookBub
​add to goodreads

Tour Schedule:

Mar 26 – Cover Lover Book Review – book series spotlight / giveaway
Mar 26 – Ilovebooksandstuffblog –book series spotlight / giveaway
Mar 26 — Faith and Books – audiobook review of FALLING FOR A BOSSY COWBOY / giveaway
Mar 27 – Novels Alive – book review of FALLING FOR A BOSSY COWBOY / giveaway
Mar 27 — Faith and Books – audiobook review of FALLING FOR A REAL COWBOY / giveaway
Mar 28 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – audiobook review of FALLING FOR A BOSSY COWBOY / guest post / giveaway
Mar 28 – Splashes of Joy – book review of FALLING FOR A BOSSY COWBOY / giveaway
Mar 28 – FUONLYKNEW – book series spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Mar 28 — Faith and Books – audiobook review of FALLING FOR A SHY COWBOY / giveaway
Apr 2 –The Sexy Nerd Revue – book series spotlight / giveaway
Apr 3 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review of FALLING FOR A REAL COWBOY / giveaway
Apr 4 – Liese’s Blog – book spotlight of FALLING FOR A BOSSY COWBOY
Apr 4  Rockin’ Book Reviews – audiobook review of FALLING FOR A REAL COWBOY / giveaway
Apr 5 – Novels Alive – book review of FALLING FOR A REAL COWBOY / giveaway
Apr 8 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – audiobook review of FALLING FOR A SHY COWBOY / giveaway
Apr 9 – Liese’s Blog – book spotlight of FALLING FOR A REAL COWBOY
Apr 9 – Locks, Hooks and Books – audiobook review for FALLING FOR A REAL COWBOY / giveaway
Apr 10 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review of FALLING FOR A SHY COWBOY / giveaway
Apr 10 – Splashes of Joy – book review of FALLING FOR A REAL COWBOY / giveaway
Apr 10 – Locks, Hooks and Books – audiobook review for FALLING FOR A SHY COWBOY / giveaway
Apr 11 – Liese’s Blog – book spotlight of FALLING FOR A SHY COWBOY
Apr 11 – Locks, Hooks and Books – audiobook review for FALLING FOR A BOSSY COWBOY / giveaway
Apr 12 – Splashes of Joy – book review of FALLING FOR A SHY COWBOY / giveaway
Apr 12 – mamof9 – audiobook review of FALLING FOR A REAL COWBOY / giveaway
Apr 15 – Books Lattes & Tiaras – book review of FALLING FOR A REAL COWBOY / giveaway
Apr 15 – mamof9 – audiobook review of FALLING FOR A SHY COWBOY / giveaway
Apr 16 – mamof9 – audiobook review of FALLING FOR A BOSSY COWBOY / giveaway
Apr 16 – Leanne Bookstagram – book review of FALLING FOR A REAL COWBOY
Apr 17 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review of FALLING FOR A BOSSY COWBOY / guest post / giveaway
Apr 17 – Leanne Bookstagram – book review of FALLING FOR A SHY COWBOY
Apr 18 – Books Lattes & Tiaras – book review of FALLING FOR A SHY COWBOY / giveaway
Apr 18 – Leanne Bookstagram – book review of FALLING FOR A BOSSY COWBOY
Apr 19 – Novels Alive – book review of FALLING FOR A SHY COWBOY / giveaway
Apr 22 –– Books Lattes & Tiaras – book review of FALLING FOR A BOSSY COWBOY / giveaway
​TBD – Confessions of the Perfect Mom – audiobook review of FALLING FOR A REAL COWBOY
TBD – Confessions of the Perfect Mom – audiobook review of FALLING FOR A SHY COWBOY
TBD – Confessions of the Perfect Mom – audiobook review of FALLING FOR A BOSSY COWBOY

iRead Book Tours

Falling for a Real Cowboy by Karen Baney

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Falling for a Real Cowboy by Karen Baney

Book Details:

Book Title: 

Falling for a Real Cowboy (Vargas Ranch Book 1) by Karen Baney
Category:  Adult Fiction 18+, 208 pag3

Genre: 

Contemporary Christian Western

Romance
Publisher:  

Desert Life Media
Release date:  Nov 21, 2023

Format available for review:  e-book (BookFunnel download), audiobook (BookFunnel downoad)

Tour dates: Mar 26 to Apr 22

Content Rating: 

PG – Some situations might not be suitable for under 16 yrs old. A character accuses another of hiring his “lover” to design a hotel reservation website (even though it wasn’t true). No cursing or graphic descriptions

A city-slicker romance author stays at the ranch, Dalton’s perfect world turns to chaos.

River Sloane’s last workplace romance novel flopped—big time. Now her publisher wants her to write a modern-day cowboy romance, which she has resisted for years. When her publisher sends her to a dude ranch in the middle of nowhere Arizona, she must learn about cowboys and ranching to get her career back on track. One hunky cowboy stirs her heart and unexpectedly becomes her muse.

Will she let herself fall in love with the real cowboy or will she return to the life she left behind? Will Dalton open his heart to a new, lasting love?

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

Falling for a Real Cowboy (Vargas Ranch pBook 1) by Karen Baney is another fabulous book that I really enjoyed. With both River and Dalton having their own opinions of romance, neither was interested in finding love. River is only at the ranch because her publisher wants a modern day cowboy romance novel, therefore she needs to stay at the ranch and learn all about it.

I enjoyed the romance taking place in this book between the two major characters. It was sweet watching the two interact with each other. It was also interesting to follow River as she is trying to write her book. Karen Baney has once again created a cast of characters that readers will fall in love with. I love each detailed scene, and it was especially fabulous to spend time on the Arizona ranch. I love stories that speak of ranches, and this one was top notch. If you enjoy sweet cowboy romance stories, you will love Falling for a Real Cowboy. I’m giving this one FIVE STARS!!

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

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Buy the Book:
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​add to goodreads

Mei’s Mermaid Mission by Crystal Z. Lee Spotlight Tour

Book Details:Book Title:  Mei’s Mermaid Mission by Crystal Z. Lee
CategoryChildren’s Fiction (Ages 3-7), 42 pages
GenreChildren’s Picture Book
Publisher: Balestier Press
Publication Date: Mar 1, 2024.
Content Rating: G
Book Description:The mission of the Mermaids International Rescue Alliance (MIRA) is to guard the ocean and protect the sea creatures. There are many mermaid members in MIRA from all over Asia, such as Princess Hwangok (Korea), Roro (Indonesia), Jiao (China), Ningyo (Japan), Songkhla (Thailand), Duyung (Malaysia), Sovann Macha (Cambodia), Sirena (the Philippines), and Mei (Taiwan). Mei’s Mermaid Mission is an exquisitely illustrated picture book that follows Mei as she travels all over the Asia Pacific region to gather the team of heroic mermaids in order to stop the pirate from polluting. Can Mei and the MIRA mermaids stop the pirate in time? Over twenty sea animals and over twenty locations in Asia are introduced in this story, as well as Asian mermaid mythologies in the book’s backmatter. Children and adults will delight in this cultural story emphasizing empathy, friendship, collaboration, and environmental protection.

Mei’s Mermaid Mission by Crystal Z. Lee

Author Interview

1. There are some specialty ships mentioned in Mei’s Mermaid Mission. Can you share them with our readers?

  • Turtle ships were armored battleships used from the 15th-19th centuries in Korea. The ships resembled turtles with their fully covered plates. 
  • Dragon boats have been around for more than two thousand years! They are traditional paddled long boats with decorative dragon heads and tails. Today they can be found all over Asia, such as in Taiwan, Cambodia, Japan, Malaysia, China, Laos, the Philippines, etc.
  • Moon boats are traditional Bangladeshi fishing boats with a distinctive crescent moon shape.

2. We love the vibrant outfits on each mermaid in your book. What was the inspiration behind that?

Each mermaid’s outfit is inspired by either the mermaid mythology from their home country, or from the traditional wear originating from their native culture. For example, Mei the Taiwanese mermaid is wearing Indigenous Tao clothing, Ningyo the Japanese mermaid is illustrated to have a ninja vibe, and Sirena the Filipina mermaid is wearing an interpretation of the baro’t saya (the traditional dress of the Philippines).

3. You seem to have penchant for animals in your picture books. Is there a reason for that?

You’re right! My other picture books, Kai the Dancing Butterfly and A Unicorn Named Rin also include many animals. I believe that as stewards of the earth, humans have a responsibility towards other animals and creatures we share this planet with. I think children should be taught this great purpose from a young age. 

4. There are many endangered animals mentioned in Mei’s Mermaid Mission. Which ones made an impression on you?

  • Blue whale: The heart of a blue whale is the largest of any animal in the world! 
  • Hainan gibbon: Found only in China, Hainan Gibbons are known for their singing, and they sometimes even sing in duets!
  • Whale sharks: As the world’s largest fish, a whale shark is about the size of a bus. The Philippines boasts the third largest known aggregation of whale sharks in the world.
  • Taiwanese humpback dolphin: Found only off the coast of Taiwan, these humpback dolphins may sometimes appear pink!

5. Tell us about your writing and publishing journey.

I started writing my first novel, Love and Other Moods, when I was still living in Taipei and Shanghai. Later when we moved back to California, I started taking publishing and writing courses at Stanford University. The pitching journey was challenging. I was first working with a US indie press and had landed a literary agent, but later I parted ways with both amicably. Then a British press accepted my manuscript and I’ve stayed with them since! My next three books were children’s picture books: A Unicorn Named Rin, Kai the Dancing Butterfly, and Mei’s Mermaid Mission. I also dabbled in other forms of literature such as poetry. Last year my poetry was accepted into a UK anthology, Tabula Rasa.

6. Mei’s Mermaid Mission references names from mermaid mythologies in Asia. Tell our readers about some of them.

In Cambodian and Thai mythology, Sovann Macha was a golden mermaid who led a pack of mer-warriors. 

In Korean lore, there is a love story between King Eunhye and a mermaid princess, Hwangok. Princess Hwangok lived at Busan and patiently kept vigil for Eunhye by the shore.

My book references names from mermaid mythologies that have permeated the Asia Pacific region, some of them for centuries. I’ve always been fascinated with the underwater world so writing this book was a wonderful journey. 

BUY THE BOOK:
AMAZON ~ B&N ~ BAM
add the goodreads
Meet the Author:

Crystal Z. Lee grew up in a bilingual household in Taiwan and in California. She is an avid traveler and has visited over thirteen countries in Asia. Her favorite travel memories include hiking the forests of Borneo, boating in Phuket, cruising down the Yangtze River, chasing butterflies in Taiwan, attending literary festivals in Hong Kong, and visiting family in Singapore. Crystal is the author of children’s books A Unicorn Named Rin and Kai the Dancing Butterfly. Her poetry was recently included in the UK anthology, Tabula Rasa. She is also the author of a novel, Love and Other Moods.

connect with the author: website ~  instagram goodreads

Meet the Illustrator:

Allie Su was born and raised in a village in Yunlin county, Taiwan. She attended Nanhua University in Chiayi city, majoring in Visual Arts. Allie once lived in Korea for some time, volunteering in the area of animal protection. She loves kimchi, Korean saunas, Incheon’s snowy winters, and taking boat rides to Yeouido. She believes in bringing joy to people through art. Allie has worked as a children’s art teacher and a professional illustrator. She also illustrated a picture book about Taiwan, Kai the Dancing Butterfly.
 
Enter the Giveaway:

MEI’S MERMAID MISSION by Crystal Z Lee Book Tour Giveaway
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Sandcastle Inn by Irene Hannon

About the Book

Book: Sandcastle Inn

Author: Irene Hannon

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: April 2, 2024

Vienna Price never intended to return for more than a passing visit to Oregon and all the bad memories she’d left behind. But when your career tanks, home is where you go to nurse your wounds and chart a new course. Only temporarily, of course—because as much as she loves her quirky mom, anything more than a short stay would drive them both crazy.

A trip to Oregon isn’t in Matt Quinn’s plans, either, until a perfectly timed appeal for help arrives from his sister. What better place to decompress after a shattering loss than a quiet, seaside town named Hope Harbor? But R&R isn’t on the agenda when he arrives to find his sister’s new enterprise on life support.

Vienna, however, may have just the skills needed to resuscitate the foundering B&B—if Matt can convince her to hang around long enough to mend an inn . . . and his heart.

About the Author

Irene Hannon is the bestselling and award-winning author of more than 60 contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels. In addition to her many other honors, she is a three-time winner of the prestigious RITA Award from Romance Writers of America. She is also a member of RWA’s elite Hall of Fame and has received a Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews for her entire body of work.

More from Irene

In my world, the approach of April signals not only tulips, dogwoods, and daffodils, but a return to my little seaside town of Hope Harbor on the Oregon coast. And this year marks a milestone. Sandcastle Inn is the tenth book set in this charming locale.

When I conceived of this series back in 2013, neither I nor my editor had any idea how long it would run—or that Publishers Weekly would deem my small fictional town “a place of emotional restoration that readers will yearn to visit.”

But visit they have. Hundreds of thousands of copies of the books have been sold worldwide, the novels have been translated into multiple languages, and taco-making artist/town sage Charley Lopez has become an iconic figure.

It’s been an amazing journey—with more books to come.

If you’ve never visited Hope Harbor and are reluctant to dive in at this stage, no worries. Each book stands alone, with a whole new cast of main characters. Each story also begins and ends in each book, with no hanging plot threads from book to book. The town is the unifying element in the series—along with a few secondary characters like Charley, the bantering town clerics from neighboring churches, and the seagull couple Floyd and Gladys, who always seem to be around when romance is in the air.

If you’re new to the series, Sandcastle Inn is a fine jumping-off point. This story features a hero struggling to recoup from a tragic loss and a heroine still reeling from an unplanned career detour. When they join forces to save a floundering inn, challenges ensue…and sparks fly. Because if it’s Hope Harbor, there has to be romance!

The book resonates with multiple other themes too—dealing with grief, moving on, changing direction, mending past relationships, taking a leap of faith. And of course there’s a happy ending.

It’s the kind of book that will put a smile on your lips and hope in your heart.

So I invite you to find a comfy spot, pour a mug or cup of your favorite beverage, and travel with me to Hope Harbor, where hearts heal…and love blooms.

Insider’s Tip: If you ever decide to book a stay at Sandcastle Inn, ask for the seaside room upstairs at the end of the hall that leads to the right. The view is stunning!

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 4

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 4

Texas Book-aholic, April 5

Blogging With Carol, April 5

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 6

For Him and My Family, April 6

Jeanette’s Thoughts, April 7

Splashes of Joy, April 7

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, April 8

She Lives To Read, April 8

lakesidelivingsite, April 9

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 10

Southern Gal Loves to Read, April 10

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, April 11 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, April 11

Cover Lover Book Review, April 12

The Lofty Pages, April 13

Melissa’s Bookshelf, April 13

Blossoms and Blessings, April 14

Labor Not in Vain, April 14

Wishful Endings, April 15

By The Book, April 15

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, April 16

Pause for Tales, April 16

Batya’s Bits, April 17

JESUS in the EVERYDAY, April 17

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Irene is giving away the grand prize package of a full set of the Hope Harbor series (10 books) and a $50 Bookshop.org 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/2ac75/sandcastle-inn-celebration-tour-giveaway

Tracking the Truth by Dana Mentink

About the Book

Book: Tracking the Truth

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: March 26, 2023

To expose a suspect, he needs evidence…

and a K-9’s instincts.

After Emery Duncan is abducted and dumped in a lake, private investigator Roman Wolfe and his bloodhound partner rescue her from an icy death. Someone doesn’t want Emery to find out what really happened the night her father confessed to attempted murder. To keep Emery and her baby nephew safe, they must uncover the connection between her father’s confession and the attack…or they’ll be silenced for good.

About the Author

Dana Mentink is a two time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award and a Holt Medallion winner. She is a national and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author of over forty titles in the suspense and lighthearted romance genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Harlequin Heartwarming and Poisoned Pen Press.

More from Dana

Bloodhounds everywhere! I was thrilled to be offered a contract to write a WHOLE SIX BOOK SERIES with these amazing creatures and their private eye humans! Bloodhounds have been described as “noses with dog’s attached.” Isn’t that quaint? I hope you will enjoy reading about Wally. He’s a young dog who did not receive the proper training and he’s a tad…well…naughty. Good thing he’s got a handler who’s equally as stubborn. It’s a battle of wills between Wally and Roman and there’s plenty of room for fun along with the suspense. Bloodhounds, take it away!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 28

Madi’s Musings, March 28

Bigreadersite, March 29

Texas Book-aholic, March 29

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 30

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, March 30

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 31

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 31

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 1

EmpowerMoms, April 1

She Lives to Read, April 2

Blogging With Carol, April 2

Simple Harvest Reads, April 3 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

For Him and My Family, April 4

Splashes of Joy, April 4

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 5

Devote To Hope, April 5

Blossoms and Blessing, April 6

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, April 6

Labor Not in Vain, April 7

Betti Mace, April 8

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, April 8

Wishful Endings, April 9

Holly’s Book Corner, April 9

Pause for Tales, April 10

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, April 10

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away the grand prize package of a signed copy of the book and 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/2aa74/tracking-the-truth-celebration-tour-giveaway

Up from Dust: Martha’s Story by Heather Kaufman

About the Book

Book: Up from Dust: Martha’s Story

Author: Heather Kaufman

Genre: Biblical fiction)l)p)pl))9

Release Date: January 23, 2024

Martha of Bethany is no stranger to adversity. After her mother’s untimely death, Martha shoulders the responsibility of raising her siblings–quiet and studious Lazarus, and wild and rambunctious Mary. She finds solace in friendship and the beginnings of first love, but just as Martha begins to imagine a new future, hardship strikes again and her dreams crumble into dust.

Ten years later, Martha’s friend pleads for the new teacher, Jesus of Nazareth, to come and heal her husband. When Martha discovers that the carpenter-rabbi is connected to her past, she’s not sure she can trust him with her future. But as he continues future.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

I am pretty limited about reading Biblical fiction. There is only a handful of authors of this genre that I read their books, but since this is a new to me to author, I wanted to read this one and see what this author is like. This book one in the series is about Martha of Bethany, who is the sister of Lazarus and Mary. There is very little that I know of written about Mary in the Bible, and the authur does a phenomenal job writing this story about Martha as she thought about what life w]ould have been like for Martha back in that era.

For me it was fun reading the way the authors took us all on a journey, creating fun twists and turns in the story along the way. Things were not always easy for Martha, but I like the way the author flawlessly writes her life and it’s twists and turns as a part of her family as it was. The remaining characters were amazing and very well written. The plot was intriguing and the details in each scene was so very thought provoking. Joanna Davidson Politano is giving readers a very well written story that will stay with me for a long while.

I love this beautiful and wonderful story so much. I’m giving it Five Stars and wish I could give it more.

About the Author

Heather Kaufman is the author of multiple books and devotions, praised by Kirkus Review for writing “a charming and well-crafted tale.” She delights in highlighting the goodness of God through storytelling. When not reading, writing, or accumulating mounds of books, Heather can be found exploring new parks with her husband and three children near their home in St. Louis, Missouri.

More from Heather

Up from Dust: Martha’s Story is the first of three books in my new series, “Women of the Way.” Each book focuses on a female follower of Christ, diving deep into her history before touching upon the events we know from Scripture. Book one is on Martha of Bethany, the sister of Lazarus and Mary.

Let me ask you a question: What comes to your mind when you think of Martha]

Busy? Angry? Worried?

How about: Teachable? Trusting? Strong?

I’m afraid we’ve distilled poor Martha down into a personality type, turning her into a cautionary tale for Christian women. When Scripture as a whole presents a much different picture.

The seed of this story was planted in my heart during an Easter sermon in 2016, when I was startled into a deep admiration for this remarkable woman of faith. “Why haven’t I been encouraged to be more like Martha?” I wondered. Martha . . . a woman who learned from her mistakes and took the living God at His word. A woman who confessed Jesus as the resurrection and the life while her brother was four days dead in a tomb. Her trajectory in Scripture from worry to radical trust is one to emulate and it led me to ask: What happened in this woman’s heart?

In ife was like before . The story traces all the “many things” that worried and troubled Martha’s heart and the Christ who pinpointed her pain, met her in the midst of it, and lifte her up. We watch Martha come of age as she works through her mother’s death and the heavy responsibility of raising her siblings. We journey with Martha as she experiences first love and learns to shoulder the mantle of womanhood, even while coping with a father who is stuck in his loss. When grief comes to Martha’s own heart, she is presented with a choice. Will she cling to her hurt more than to Adonai, the way her father has done? Or is there a better way forward?

May this story encourage you to remain openhearted even when life feels unbearably hard, to pin your hopes to Jesus, the only One able to lift you up from the ashes of grief.

While you read, consider listening to the Up from Dust playlist! It’s full of inspirational music that ties into the themes from the book. Give it a listen HERE. Happy reading (and listening)!

Surrendering with you to Him,

Heather

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, March 26

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 27

Texas Book-aholic, March 28

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 29

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 30

For Him and My Family, March 31

The Lofty Pages, March 31

Splashes of Joy, April 1

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, April 2

She Lives To Read, April 3

Cover Lover Book Review, April 4

Artistic Nobody, April 5 (Spotlight)

Labor Not in Vain, April 6

Mary Hake, April 6

Holly’s Book Corner, April 7

Pause for Tales, April 8

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Heather is giving away the grand prize package of a $15 gift card to Amazon and a paperback copy of Up from Dust!!

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/2aa71/up-from-dust-martha-s-story-celebration-tour-giveaway

Trapped in Yosemite by Dana Mentink

About the Book

Book: Trapped in Yosemite

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre: Christian Fiction

Release Date: February 27, 2024

When a massive earthquake levels the region, secrets and unknown dangers are exposed…

The ground in still-icy Yosemite National Park isn’t stable, and K-9 handler Von Sharpe fears the worst. But his worries are pushed aside when he sees an SUV viciously forced off the road…with his ex-fiancée at the wheel. It’s only when Stella Rivers steps out of the vehicle that the very ground under their feet cracks and breaks with the onslaught of a terrifying earthquake.

When her meeting with a mysterious client is ambushed, Stella witnesses the man being gunned down by a sniper and becomes a target herself. With the threat of aftershocks triggering landslides and floods, the new mom has no choice but to run to save her baby girl—even if it means teaming up with the man who has no idea he fathered her child.

Trapped in a dangerously unstable wilderness with a killer closing in, Von and Stella are running out of time to get to safety. And every fissure reveals a new secret that will shake them to their foundation.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

Secrets! They will resurface at sometime. In Trapped in Yosemite, readers get to follow another K-9 team. K-9 handler Vonn Sharpe is uneasy when he witnesses an SUV driven by his ex-wife pushed off the road.

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Vonn Sharpe, a K-9 handler

Dana Mentink is a USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author as well as a two-time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, and the recipient of a Holt Medallion. She’s written over fifty titles in the suspense, lighthearted romance and mystery genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense and Poisoned Pen Press.

More from Dana

I won’t ever forget October 17th, 1989. I was finished with my student teaching duties, chatting with my mother while we watched the World Series. It was an epic matchup of two Bay Area teams. As we watched, the floor lurched and the entire house began to rattle and pitch. We ran outside and watched the street undulate like ocean waves. We’d later come to learn it was a 6.9 earthquake on the Loma Prieta fault. The shaking only lasted 20 seconds but 63 people were killed, 3,757 were reported injured and 12,053 displaced. The damage estimates reached as high as $10 billion, with 18,306 houses leveled. Approximately 2,575 businesses were impacted and 147 were destroyed. The part I will remember most was the collapse of a section of the freeway in Oakland which trapped people in the pancaked structure. I remember watching the close space rescue teams work night and day to find survivors.

Little did I know that memorable event would someday lead to a book! This novel combines the iconic California setting of Yosemite and the big fear buried deep in every California’s mind…the big one, the massive earthquake we know will be coming someday. Of course you know there will be a happy ending in the novel, but I hope you will feel the edge of your seat suspense that keeps you turning pages. God bless you, dear readers!

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, March 21

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 21

Bigreadersite, March 21

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, March 22 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 22

Texas Book-aholic, March 23

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 23

Lakesidelivingsite, March 24

Pause for Tales, March 24

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 24

Betti Mace, March 25

The Sacred Line, March 25

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 26

Daysong Reflections, March 26

EmpowerMoms, March 27

Life, Love, Writing, March 27

Cover Lover Book Review, March 28

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, March 28

Blogging With Carol, March 28

Tell Tale Book reviews, March 29

Simple Harvest Reads, March 29 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

For Him and My Family, March 30

Splashes of Joy, March 30

Blossoms and Blessings, March 31

To Everything There Is A Season , March 31

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, March 31

Holly’s Book Corner, April 1

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, April 1

Life on Chickadee Lane, April 2

Labor Not in Vain , April 2

Lily’s Corner, April 3

Lights in a Dark World, April 3

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, April 3

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away the grand prize package of a $100 Amazon gift card and a 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/2a8f5/trapped-in-yosemite-celebration-tour-giveaway

Falling for a Bossy Cowboy by Karen Baney

FALLING FOR A BOSSY COWBOY (Vargas Ranch Book 3) by Karen Baney

Join Us for This Tour  3/26/24 to 4/22/24

​Book Details:

Book Title:

 Falling for a Bossy Cowboy (Vargas Ranch Book 3) by Karen Baney
Category:  Adult Fiction 18+, 204 pages

Genre:

 Contemporary Christian Western Romance
Publisher: 

 Desert Life Media
Release date:  Mar 26, 2024

Format available for review:  e-book (BookFunnel download), audiobook (BookFunnel downoad)

Tour dates: Mar 26 to Apr 22

Content Rating: 

 PG + M. My book deals with a main character overcoming his sexually immoral past. He is in active recovery and God’s grace and strenghth shine through his story line. Written tastefully with character showing true remorse for his past actions. There are NO cursing or graphic descriptions of any kind

Book Description:

​She’s famous and nearing the end of her career. He’s blunt, bossy, and downright annoying. Will these two find the perfect balance between truth and love?

Sports fanatic Derin Vargas steps down from his position as foreman of Vargas Ranch to run the family’s new sports complex. Uncomfortable in his new role, he compensates by being bossy. When a famous pro-tennis player stays at the resort to rehab after surgery, Derin points out her shortcomings no one else will.

Pro-tennis player Madison Moore heads to a remote sports complex on Vargas Guest Ranch & Resort to finish rehabbing after shoulder surgery. As she fears the death of her pro career, the bossy cowboy manager gets under her skin.

​Will Derin soften his rough edges to win over the beautiful tennis player? Will Madison listen to the hard truth about her future while opening her heart to love?

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

This is such a sweet series, and I thoroughly enjoyed this book, Falling for a Bossy Cowboy. I like that these books can be read in any order because each is different, Cowboy and his personality. This story follows Sports fanatic Derin Vargas and Pro-tennis player Madison Moore. With Derin running his family’s sports resort, he is acting like a real jerk, so when he meets Madison, who is there for rehab, he continues his bossy way as a jerk. Because to me that was his way. But to my honest, Derin does have insecurities that he hides with his Bossy ways. Madison, on the other hand is worried about her career and wants to overcome the reasons she is at this resort.

I found this story fun to read. The banter between the two main characters was interesting to say the least. Their attraction to each other didn’t come easy, but the boss and sass kept me reading the book because I wanted to see how this story was going to end. There was some twists and turns that shuffled the story up a bit but I think it was a wonderful read. If you love cowboy stories, and especially romantic ones, you will love Falling For A Bossy Cowboy.

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ B&N 
Apple ~ Google ~ Kobo
Book2Read ~ BookBub
​add to goodreads

Also Available for Review: 

Book Details:

Book Title: 

Falling for a Real Cowboy (Vargas Ranch Book 1) by Karen Baney
Category:  Adult Fiction 18+, 208 pages

Genre: 

Contemporary Christian Western Romance
Publisher:  

Desert Life Media
Release date:  Nov 21, 2023

Format available for review:  e-book (BookFunnel download), audiobook (BookFunnel downoad)

Tour dates: Mar 26 to Apr 22

Content Rating: 

 PG – Some situations might not be suitable for under 16 yrs old. A character accuses another of hiring his “lover” to design a hotel reservation website (even though it wasn’t true). No cursing or graphic descriptions.


Book Description:

She’s trying to resurrect her career. He’s sworn off women. Will this city-meets-country duo find love where they least expect it?

Dalton J. Vargas the fourth has sworn off love. Women are just a distraction that keep him from running his family’s multi-million-dollar guest ranch near Wickenburg, Arizona. After his father announces an early retirement, the full burden of the ranch rests on his shoulders. When a city-slicker romance author stays at the ranch, Dalton’s perfect world turns to chaos.

River Sloane’s last workplace romance novel flopped—big time. Now her publisher wants her to write a modern-day cowboy romance, which she has resisted for years. When her publisher sends her to a dude ranch in the middle of nowhere Arizona, she must learn about cowboys and ranching to get her career back on track. One hunky cowboy stirs her heart and unexpectedly becomes her muse.

Will she let herself fall in love with the real cowboy or will she return to the life she left behind? Will Dalton open his heart to a new, lasting love?

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ B&N 
​Apple Google ~ Kobo
Book2Read ~ Bookbub
​add to goodreads

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ B&N 
​Apple Google ~ Kobo
Book2Read ~ Bookbub
​add to goodreads


Book Details:

Book Title: 

Falling for a Shy Cowboy (Vargas Ranch Book 2) by Karen Baney
Category:  Adult Fiction 18+, 192 pages

Genre: 

Contemporary Christian Western Romance
Publisher:  

Desert Life Media
Release date:  Dec 19, 2023

Format available for review:  e-book (BookFunnel download), audiobook (BookFunnel downoad)

Tour dates: Mar 26 to Apr 22

Content Rating: 

 PG + M. The main character broke free from an abusive past relationship with her son’s father. Some flashbacks to the abuse. Only one scene described in detail (2 paragraphs). No cursing or graphic descriptions.


Book Description:

She’s a single mom with a disabled son. He’s been in love with her since high school. Will this shy cowboy finally win her heart?

Dylan Vargas is too shy for his own good. While he and his best friend Adan work with the horses on his family’s ranch near Wickenburg, Arizona, Adan signs him up for an online dating service. Dylan begrudgingly looks through the profiles. One face stands out above the others—that of his childhood crush. There’s only one impossible problem—she is Adan’s little sister.

Brisa Franco moves home to Wickenburg after a tragic car accident left her four-year-old son disabled. As she starts a new job in her hometown, she never expects to help her brother’s best friend in his quest to overcome a speech impediment.

Will Dylan steal her heart as she helps him learn how to release his anxiety? Will Brisa learn to trust him and let go of her deeply engrained fears from her past relationship?

Buy the Book:
Amazon B&N 
​Apple Google Kobo
Book2Read ~ BookBub
​add to goodreads
Meet the Author:

Karen Baney is passionate about writing stories full of flawed characters. She enjoys weaving together stories of second chances, redemption, and overcoming personal trials. As a transplant to Arizona, she loves researching the state’s history and finding ways to seamlessly incorporate real history and real settings into her novels. In addition to writing and speaking, Karen works as a Software Development Manager for a Christian ministry.

connect with the author: website amazon ~ facebook instagram ~ X/Twitter ~ bookbub ~ goodreads

Tour Schedule:

Mar 26 – Cover Lover Book Review – book series spotlight / giveaway
Mar 26 – Ilovebooksandstuffblog –book series spotlight / giveaway
Mar 26 — Faith and Books – audiobook review of FALLING FOR A BOSSY COWBOY / giveaway
Mar 27 – Novels Alive – book review of FALLING FOR A BOSSY COWBOY / giveaway
Mar 27 — Faith and Books – audiobook review of FALLING FOR A REAL COWBOY / giveaway
Mar 28 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – audiobook review of FALLING FOR A BOSSY COWBOY / guest post / giveaway
Mar 28 – FUONLYKNEW – book series spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Mar 28 –— Faith and Books – audiobook review of FALLING FOR A SHY COWBOY / giveaway
Mar 29 – Confessions of the Perfect Mom – audiobook review of FALLING FOR A REAL COWBOY
Apr 1 – Confessions of the Perfect Mom – audiobook review of FALLING FOR A SHY COWBOY
Apr 2 – The Sexy Nerd Revue – book series spotlight / giveaway
Apr 2 – Confessions of the Perfect Mom – audiobook review of FALLING FOR A BOSSY COWBOY
Apr 3 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – audiobook review of FALLING FOR A REAL COWBOY / giveaway
Apr 3 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review of FALLING FOR A REAL COWBOY / giveaway
Apr 4 – Liese’s Blog – book spotlight of FALLING FOR A BOSSY COWBOY
Apr 5 – Novels Alive – book review of FALLING FOR A REAL COWBOY / giveaway
Apr 8 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – audiobook review of FALLING FOR A SHY COWBOY / giveaway
Apr 9 – Liese’s Blog – book spotlight of FALLING FOR A REAL COWBOY
Apr 9 – Locks, Hooks and Books – audiobook review for FALLING FOR A REAL COWBOY / giveaway
Apr 10 –Gina Rae Mitchell – book review of FALLING FOR A SHY COWBOY / giveaway
Apr 10 – Splashes of Joy – book review of FALLING FOR A REAL COWBOY / giveaway
Apr 10 – Locks, Hooks and Books – audiobook review for FALLING FOR A SHY COWBOY / giveaway
Apr 11 – Liese’s Blog – book spotlight of FALLING FOR A SHY COWBOY
Apr 11 – Locks, Hooks and Books – audiobook review for FALLING FOR A BOSSY COWBOY / giveaway
Apr 12 – Splashes of Joy – book review of FALLING FOR A SHY COWBOY / giveaway
Apr 12 – mamof9 – audiobook review of FALLING FOR A REAL COWBOY / giveaway
Apr 15 – Books Lattes & Tiaras – book review of FALLING FOR A REAL COWBOY / giveaway
Apr 15 – mamof9 – audiobook review of FALLING FOR A SHY COWBOY / giveaway
Apr 16 – mamof9 – audiobook review of FALLING FOR A BOSSY COWBOY / giveaway
Apr 16 – Leanne Bookstagram – book review of FALLING FOR A REAL COWBOY
Apr 17 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review of FALLING FOR A BOSSY COWBOY / guest post / giveaway
Apr 17 – Leanne Bookstagram – book review of FALLING FOR A SHY COWBOY
Apr 18 – Books Lattes & Tiaras – book review of FALLING FOR A SHY COWBOY / giveaway
Apr 18 – Leanne Bookstagram – book review of FALLING FOR A BOSSY COWBOY
Apr 19 – Novels Alive – book review of FALLING FOR A SHY COWBOY / giveaway
Apr 22 –– Books Lattes & Tiaras – book review of FALLING FOR A BOSSY COWBOY / giveaway
​TBD – Splashes of Joy – book review of FALLING FOR A BOSSY COWBOY / giveaway

Review for If the Boot Fits by Karen Witemeyer

About the Book

Book: If the Boot Fits

Author: Karen Witemeyer

Genre: Historical Romance

Release Date: March 12, 2024

My Rating: Five Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

One fateful night will change their destinies forever. . .

Convinced that his stepmother and half brothers have been wrongfully evicted by cattle king Eli Dearing, Asher Ellis uses the cover of an extravagant ball to break into the Three Cedars’ ranch house to search for proof. On the verge of discovery, he flees, but a boy’s cry compels him to make a daring rescue.

Spunky and independent Samantha Dearing balks when she learns the ball her father is hosting is nothing more than a matrimonial ambush. Taking a break from unwanted suitors, Samantha spots a thief fleeing her home. When the stranger ends up saving her brother’s life, she hides the only clue to his identity left behind–his boot–and resolves to find him herself.

When Samantha encounters the older brother of a student she tutors, all thoughts of the bootless mystery man vanish. Asher values family above wealth, a rare trait that opens her heart. Afraid she will discover his past misconduct, Asher tries to keep his distance, but when a series of suspicious accidents befall her, he vows to protect her, even though saving her life could mean losing her love.

About the Author

Voted #1 Reader’s Favorite Christian Historical Author of 2023 by Family Fiction magazine, bestselling and Carol and Christy Award-winning author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. She and her husband make their home in Abilene, Texas.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

I usually don’t care for Fairy Tales retellings, but I love Cinderella and I was delightfully surprised with If the Boot Fits by Karen Witemeyer. It is a barrel of fun seeing the differences between the classic fairy tale and the Western twist Witemeyer adds to her story. Sometimes I had to think a bit to figure out the parellels of the story, but that’s OK, it made me love the story even more. The hero and heroine,  Asher and Samantha, oh my word! What a perfect couple to play out the scenes in this story. The author does a phenomenal job creating these two characters, as well as all of the supporting characters along the way. The Texas twists and turns against the classic fairytale will have you guessing and wondering where the story is going next. The sweet romance between Asher and Samantha has just the right elements of love. And as always with a Karen Witemeyer story, I love the way she writes faith into the hearts of her characters.

If the Boot Fits is the second book in Witemeyer’s Texas Ever After series, and I can hardly wait to see what this Fabulous author has for her readers in the third book of this series. This book gets Five Stars from me, and oh how I wish I could give it more!

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

More from Karen

Character Names and Word Games

One of my favorite parts of writing any book is finding the perfect names for my characters. Names are so important. They carry meaning and expectation. They add historical flavor and help create a picture in the reader’s mind about who that character is. They can also add hidden joy to a story for me as the author that may or may not be realized by the reader.

If the Boot Fits was inspired by the classic fairy tale, Cinderella. I give it a fresh western twist and mixed up the plot a bit, but it was important to me to fill this tale with subtle nods to the version I loved as a child. One of the main ways I did this was through the naming of my characters.

I worked hard to create names that would harken back to the original while still carrying meaning of their own. Instead of Cinderella, we have a hero named Asher Ellis—Ash being a synonym of Cinder, and Ellis playing off of Ella. For our heroine, I wanted something to play on the “charming” motif without being too on-the-nose. I ended up selecting Samantha Dearing—Dearing like endearing or charming. Samantha is the feminine version of Samuel which comes into play in the story since her father’s name is Eli. The three key older ladies of the story all of names inspired by royalty, as befits a fairy tale—Regina, Elizabeth, and Victoria. Asher’s step brothers are named Jonathan and Fergus. However, Jonathan goes by Jack, giving a nod to the mice from Disney’s Cinderella, Jaq and Gus. Asher’s horse is named Bruno in honor of the dog who saved Cinderella from the tower room. We have a cattle king with a foreman named Duke as well. Whether readers catch all of these nods or not, they made me as the author smile while writing the story.

Here’s another way to have fun with names and other key story elements. I’ve created a word search for you to enjoy. Have fun!

Click here to play.

Blog Stops

Book Looks by Lisa, March 13

Melissa’s Bookshelf, March 13

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, March 14

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 14

Batya’s Bits, March 14

By the Book, March 15

Madi’s Musings, March 15

Texas Book-aholic, March 15

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 16

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 16

EmpowerMoms, March 16

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 17

Blossoms and Blessings, March 17

She Lives To Read, March 18

Where Faith and Books Meet, March 18

Blogging With Carol, March 19

Life of Literature, March 19

Simple Harvest Reads, March 19 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

ABBA’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 20

Books You Can Feel Good About, March 20

lakesidelivingsite, March 20

Alena Mentink, March 21

Jeanette’s Thoughts, March 21

Splashes of Joy, March 21

Betti Mace, March 22

For Him and My Family, March 22

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, March 22

Cover Lover Book Review, March 23

Holly’s Book Corner, March 23

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, March 23

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, March 24 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, March 24

Lily’s Corner, March 25

Wishful Endings, March 25

Pause for Tales, March 25

Life on Chickadee Lane, March 26

Just Your Average reviews, March 26

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, March 26

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Karen is giving away the grand prize package of a $15 Amazon gift card and a paperback copy of If the Boot Fits!! (US 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/2a7a9/if-the-boot-fits-celebration-tour-gi0veaway

Interview with Call to Embrace by Maryann Landers

About the Book

Book: Call to Embrace

Author: Maryann Landers

Genre: Christian Women’s Fiction

Release Date: November 1, 2023

She’s detached in a stormy marriage because of both of their unfaithfulness. Now she faces the aftermath of her compromise with an unwanted pregnancy. Will fleeing bring her the freedom she yearns for?

Emily Corentin wants to escape the jagged edges of her brokenness. She believes the only option she has is to take her young daughter, leave her husband, and end the unintended pregnancy with an abortion. But her plans take an unexpected turn when the homeless shelter she finds is not the type of help she wanted. She’d buried religion years ago with the death of her Gran. Any God-fearing place will only confirm how much God abandoned her.

An offer from a shelter volunteer may be the lifeline she and her daughter need, but Emily only sees it as a means to an end. The unlikely friendship that follows, draws her closer to the answers she may have carried with her all along. But rash decisions bring new challenges that drag her further into a sea of helplessness.

When all hope is lost in despair will she be washed away by the patterns of her past? Or will she answer the call to embrace the mercy of the cross and in turn bring reconciliation to her marriage?

About the Author

Alaskan based author Maryann Landers writes women’s faith filled fiction based on true stories of extraordinary women of her magnificent state. She loves to showcase the unique north and give her readers a little taste of rustic Alaska.

While writing in her log home in the woods she is also looking forward to her next adventure with her Alaskan husband, juggling mom tasks such as crafting homemade meals from moose and caribou meat, building DIY projects from scrap wood piles and guiding her teens in their homeschooling.

Her first novel in the Alaskan Women of Caliber Series; Alaskan Calibration released June 2021.

More from Maryann

Call to Embrace is inspired by a true story of a young mom that I met over 13 years ago as I walked alongside her during a difficult time of her life. A year and a half ago I stood in the Pacific Ocean dip netting for salmon near the mouth of the Kenai River. As the waters tugged at my waders, I remembered the church set on the hill behind me where a cross is always lit as a beacon and I thought there is a story here. With anticipation, I prayed what God wanted me to share. What unfolded is the plot line of my friendship with that young mom set in the stunning geographical area of South-Central Alaska.

Blog Stops

The Sacred Line Lit, March 11

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 12

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, March 13 (Author Interview)

Lots of Helpers, March 13

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 14

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 15

Artistic Nobody, March 16 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, March 17

Splashes of Joy, March 18 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 19

JESUS in the EVERYDAY, March 20

A Reader’s Brain, March 21 (Author Interview)

Inspired by Fiction, March 21

Cover Lover Book Review, March 22

Pause for Tales, March 23

Vicky Sluiter, March 24 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Maryann is giving away the grand prize package of a Alaskan themed gift pack including: one signed copy of the book, a half pint sized jar of canned salmon (caught and canned by the author from the mouth of the Kenai river where the book is set), a cross necklace and a promo code for a free audiobook version of the novel!!

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/2a7a2/call-to-embrace-celebration-tour-giveaway

Interview for Whispers of Wisdom by Marguerite Martin Gray

About the Book

Book: Whispers of Wisdom

Author: Marguerite Martin Gray

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: February 13, 2024

Nicole wanders the ancient halls of Château Chenonceau, stirring up whispers from the secrets of a queen.

Craving the wisdom of the philosophers of the day, Nicole straddles the line between servant and high society. Will acting as one of higher status bring her closer to her dreams? Perhaps not, but a treasure hunt with the knight in the tower might fulfill her longing for a while.

Pierre would avoid the senseless salons full of manmade wisdom, throwing every pamphlet aside. Yet, he journeys to Chenonceau to glean knowledge from the estate manager. His goal reaches beyond the glittery, false, societal affairs to the fields of wheat, vineyards, and orchards. No fairy tales or treasure hunts for him. Not until his encounters with Nicole invade his practical world.

Whispers and secrets conjure a treasure hunt, involving the heart as well as the mind.

About the Author

Marguerite Martin Gray is the author of Hold Me CloseSurround Me, Bring Me Near, Draw Me to Your Side, and Wait for Me— Revolutionary Faith Series Books 1-5, Labor of Love and Promise of Purity, Gardens in Time Series Books 1 and 2, and Room for Love, Suamalie Islands Year One. Besides researching her novels, she enjoys studying history and writing fiction. An avid traveler and reader, she teaches French and Spanish online. She currently lives in North Louisiana with her husband and rescue pets. Her two adult children and two grandsons keep her up to date and young.

More from Marguerite

My Favorite Place on Earth

Do you have a favorite place other than your home? Ever since I was a preteen of eleven, I have gravitated to my favorite spot. I chose it as the setting for Whispers of Wisdom.

Château de Chenonceau in Chenonceaux, France, sprawls across the River Cher in the Loire Valley.

As a child I faced this elegant petit château with wide eyes and a budding imagination. Iran up the long avenue lined with plane trees toward the columns with huge statues of lions, guarding the courtyard and entrance to the castle.

My sisters and I skipped, jumped, and played in and through the two manicured gardens, catching glimpses of the château mirrored in the river, revealing some of the magical secrets in the water. My young mind conjured up princesses escaping the castle’s confines, wandering the paths among the flowers and shrubs.

The ancient wooden doors opened to a fairy tale world of kings and queens. Tapestries, tiled floors, ornate furniture, flower arrangements, paintings, and stories of past grandeur. My favorite rooms were the kitchens and the gallery over the river with the black and white tiles floors. We skipped and danced from one end to the other. As I left the enchanted château, I promised to return.

Claiming a place as a favorite that is across an ocean, probably was not the best choice, but the château’s imprint remained strong. When I studied in France, I placed Château Chenonceau as a must see. I noticed my imagination and fascination had not dissipated. I’ve returned many times. My adult self enters into the fantasy world with a twirl or two on the checkered floors and a skip and a jump in the gardens.

I hope you catch some of the historical thrill of this little castle in the pages of Whispers of Wisdom.

Happy Reading!

Blog Stops

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, March 15 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 16

Splashes of Joy, March 17 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, March 17

Texas Book-aholic, March 18

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, March 19 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 20

Beauty in the Binding, March 21 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 22

Blossoms and Blessings, March 23 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, March 23

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 24

Artistic Nobody, March 25 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, March 26

For the Love of Literature, March 27 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, March 28

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Marguerite is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a 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.

Phttps://promosimple.com/ps/2a7ab/whispers-of-wisdom-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Samaritan’s Patient by Chevron Ross

The Samaritan’s Patient by Chevron Ross

About the Book

Book: The Samaritan’s Patient

Author: Chevron Ross

Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Teen Christian Fiction

Release Date: January 25, 2024

Teenager Paige Abernathy awakens after a severe beating to find that she suffers from amnesia, and that everyone seems to hate her.

She has only flashes of memory until the night a grieving parent attacks her in her hospital room. Paige then remembers her role as creator of an online group where members talk about ways to commit suicide.

After recovering from the beating, Paige embarks on a journey of penance to atone for a disaster born of good intentions. Her odyssey launches her on a mission of mercy and into new danger.

The Samaritan’s Patient is a thought-provoking novel about navigating the treacherous waters of social media.

About the Author

Chevron Ross is a pseudonym for someone unimportant. He is not a writer, but God keeps putting ideas into his head that somehow turn into stories. If you like them, be sure to offer God a prayer of thanks.

More from Chevron

Behind the Scenes

This novel might never have been born had I not seen an interview on PBS with two New York Times writers, Megan Twohey and Gabriel Dance, on December 16, 2021.

These reporters did an extensive investigation into a website on which subscribers discussed committing suicide and shared methods for doing so. Most visitors to the site were thirty or younger. There were 1.2 million messages. At least forty-five suicides in multiple countries were linked to the site.

At the time of this broadcast, I had just completed my second novel, The Seven-Day Resurrection, and was wondering what to do next. The PBS interview was so shocking that I could not stop thinking about it. What motive could a person have for encouraging strangers to kill themselves? What could one possibly gain from such an endeavor? And what could provoke someone to throw away the gift of life at such a youthful age?

Each of my novels has been the result of an inspiration from God. Once He puts an idea into my head, it consumes my imagination until I cannot stop working. As you might imagine from the title, The Samaritan’s Patient is a blend of two stories: the famous parable of Jesus in the Bible, and a young person with good intentions who gets caught up in a social media nightmare.

God did all the work on this book. He created the character of Paige Abernathy and told me how to build the novel around the circumstances of her personal life—her parents, her friends, and most of all, her Christian faith. He also created the crisis that launches her on a journey of new experiences and personal growth.

I am amazed and grateful that God would choose someone so ordinary and unaccomplished as myself to do this work. Each novel God has written through me has been a great personal gift, and a reaffirmation that God has a plan for each of us. I pray that The Samaritan’s Patient will be as great a blessing to its readers as it has been to me.

Blog Stops

The Lofty Pages, March 9

By The Book, March 10 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 11

For the Love of Literature, March 12 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, March 13

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 14 (Author Interview)

Inspired by Fiction, March 14

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 15

Splashes of Joy, March 16 (Author Interview)

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, March 16

Pause for Tales, March 17

Guild Master, March 18 (Author Interview)

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, March 19

A Reader’s Brain, March 20 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 21

Artistic Nobody, March 22 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Chevron is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a 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/2a555/the-samaritan-s-patient-celebration-tour-giveaway

Never Fall Again by Lynn H Blackburn

Landry Hutton has spent three years rebuilding her life behind the secure gates of The Haven, an exclusive resort on the outskirts of Gossamer Falls, North Carolina. As the artist-in-residence, and with her pottery prized by The Haven’s guests, Landry is finally ready to settle in permanently. She wants to give her daughter, Eliza, a safe home to grow up in and hires former Marine Callum Shaw to handle the construction.Cal grew up in Gossamer Falls and always knew he would someday join his family’s business. He longs for a family of his own but has almost given up on that ever happening. Landry is funny, gifted, and everything Cal could ever want in a partner, but he vows to keep his distance. Landry has a daughter and a past. Cal has been down that road before and barely survived when the woman he loved left, taking her two sons with her. He can’t bear to lose like that again.Before construction on the house can begin, Landry’s pottery is destroyed in a suspicious fire. It soon becomes clear that Landry and Eliza are in grave danger–but because of whom? But, after losing one relationship, he is hesitant to try again.

Praise for Never Fall Again:”What a fabulous story with characters who will live in your head–and heart–long after the last word.”
~ Lynette Eason, award-winning, bestselling author of the Lake City Heroes series”Lynn Blackburn’s voice is unrivaled! A must-read.”

~ Elizabeth Goddard, bestselling author of Cold Light of Day“This book had it all–a delicious romance, obsession, found family, redemption and reconciliation, edge-of-your-seat suspense, and the kind of ending we all root for!”

~ Susan May Warren, USA Today bestselling and RITA Award-winning author
Never Fall Againby Lynn H Blackburn

March 4-29, 2024 Virtual Book Tour
Book Details:Genre: Romantic Suspense
Published by: Revell
Publication Date: March 12, 2024
Number of Pages: 352
ISBN: 9780800745363 (ISBN10: 0800745361)
Series: Gossamer Falls, Book 1
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | Baker Book House
Gossamer Falls is the little town where the setting of Never Fall Again is set. It is a beautiful place for anyone to live. The members of the community are just the kind of people like I grew up with. Landry was busy with her pottery business, that is until a fire happened as well as vandalism that totally ripped Landry apart. Now, who would do this to her?  Cal Shaw comes out to see what is happening and to make sure Landry is OK. With Cal, Landry soon finds out the entire family come to make sure everyone is ok from the fire. And as you read the book, you will throughly enjoy the funny things of this family. They know how to have fun, and they wanted Landry to feel the comfort. But this is enough of the family.

Cal and Landry were sweet but sometimes a little complicated when a twist or turn was thrown into the mix.  With the things happening at the resort, could they really be directed at Landry and her daughter Eliza? This was a bit scary, especially if you are reading the book in the middle of the night and hear a car door slam!

I love this family, and this community and resort. Their attitude and personality help make this book the story it is. I’m trying not to say so much about the book and spoil it for you. I don’t like when that happens. If you love thrillers, mysteries,  suspenseful acts throughout the book you will love this one.
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Book Short Links:
Amazon – https://pictbooks.tours/gO2ZH
Barnes & Noble – https://pictbooks.tours/gAmk9
BookShop.org – https://pictbooks.tours/eItIx
Goodreads – https://pictbooks.tours/2WFci
Baker Book House – https://pictbooks.tours/Bz2j2

Author Bio:

Lynn H Blackburn

Lynn H. Blackburn is the award-winning author of Unknown ThreatMalicious Intent, and Under Fire, as well as the Dive Team Investigations series. She loves writing swoon-worthy Southern suspense because her childhood fantasy was to become a spy, but her grown-up reality is that she’s a huge chicken and would have been caught on her first mission. She prefers to live vicariously through her characters by putting them into terrifying situations while she sits at home in her pajamas. She lives in Simpsonville, South Carolina, with her true love, Brian, and their three children.

Catch Up With Our Author:
www.LynnHBlackburn.com
Goodreads
BookBub – @LynnHBlackburn
Instagram – @lynnhblackburn
Twitter/X – @LynnHBlackburn
Facebook – @LynnHBlackburn

Giveaway:

This is a giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Revell & Lynn H Blackburn. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

The giveaway is for:    a print edition of Never Fall Again by Lynn H Blackburn, a BookShop.org Gift Card AND a DIY Pressed Flower Clay Ring Dish Craft Kit.

click below for the giveaway.

https://kingsumo.com/g/h2ihtj/never-fall-again-by-lynn-h-blackburn/22yze56?

The Quilt Room Secret by Lisa Jones Baker

About the Book

Book: The Quilt Room Secret

Author: Lisa Jones Baker

Genre: Amish/Christian Fiction

Release Date: February, 2024

Trini Holds Secret Dreams for Her Future

Full of faith, hope, and romance, this new series takes you into the Heart of Amish country.

As they took turns pushing each other on the swing that hung from a large tree, the mature—for a five-year-old—Jacob Lantz asked Trini Sutter to marry him. The nine-year-old thoughtfully responded that she’d consider his proposal when they were older.

Nearly two decades later, the Amish farmer returns to the beautiful countryside of Arthur, Illinois, to take the independent owner of The Quilt Room up on her promise. Quiet, handsome Jacob is truly in love with the spirited list maker, and Trini finds herself falling in love with Jacob, but the youngest of eleven has big plans of her own.

Jacob’s long-held aspirations are put to the test when he learns that Trini has been holding a secret. He prays for a turnaround of events; however, when Trini moves away from her tight-knit community, he begins to realize that his dream of them being Mr. and Mrs. most likely won’t happen.

Will Trini forfeit her own well-laid plan for the man of her dreams?

About the Author

Lisa Jones Baker writes Amish Inspirational fiction. She grew up near Arthur, Illinois, and became acquainted with the Plain Faith at an early age when they custom-made and installed her family’s kitchen cabinets. On weekends, she and her parents frequented the quaint Amish town, often the setting of her stories, where they purchased meat, cheese, and home-made baking spices. Now, decades later, she still loves visiting; the town and the people yet intrigue her, and she so appreciate the talent of quilt-making almost as much as she loves horse and buggy rides. But there is much more to this perplexing group than meets the eye; they are extremely disciplined, hard-working, and honest…and they don’t all think alike. For these reasons, writing about them is her passion.

Lisa was fortunate to have been raised in a loving, Christian home by two wonderful parents: a reading specialist mother who plays the piano, and a retired Junior High Principal father who’s also an avid fox hunter. She has a B.A. in French Education and is a former school teacher who loves gardening, cooking, reading, positive thinkers, and every dog she meets. Although a homebody, travel has played a large part of her life. Over three decades of working with the airline industry has landed her on five out of seven continents.

More from Lisa

Secrets fascinate me. They always have. From experience, I know that they’re difficult to keep confidential. And when the wrong person gets hold of what you don’t want out. . .There’s no telling what will happen!

List maker Trini Sutter has decided her future, even though what’s ahead comes with great risk. The owner of The Quilt Room in Arthur, Illinois, relishes being in control of her life. But what she doesn’t expect is for someone to get wind of her deep, dark secret and to leak it to her tight-knit Amish community! Now that the quilter’s confidential plan has become public, will she be able to pull it off?  Or will Gott override her “list” with the destiny He has planned for her? Find out in The Quilt Room Secret.

Enjoy this short excerpt:

“Trini, look at me.”

She hesitated. Did she dare? She didn’t know what it was about Jacob that stole her voice. Her breath. Her entire being.

With one gentle motion, he placed his finger underneath her chin. He was so close, the light cinnamon on his breath lingered in the small distance between them. His clothes smelled like outdoors. She could see tiny lines around his eyes. They made him take on an even more manly appearance. His voice was barely more than a whisper. “You feel it too, don’t you?”

The last thing she wanted was any romantic complications that would interfere with her plans to leave. I must not lead Jacob on. I must not lead myself on. What I’m feeling…it’s wrong.

Blog Stops

The Avid Reader, February 29

Vicky Sluiter, March 1

Holly’s Book Corner, March 2

Devoted To Hope, March 2

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 3

Texas Book-aholic, March 4

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 5

lakesidelivingsite, March 6

Lighthouse Academy Blog, March 6 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 7

Life on Chickadee Lane, March 7

Cover Lover Book Review, March 8

She Lives To Read, March 9

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 10

Splashes of Joy, March 10

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 11

For Him and My Family, March 12

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, March 13 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, March 13

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lisa is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon e-Gift Card & print 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/2a3cf/the-quilt-room-secret-celebration-tour-giveaway

Interview for Guardian by Cathy McCrumb

About the Book

Book: Guardian

Author: Cathy McCrumb

Genre: Science Fiction

Release Date: February 20, 2024

The Recorder’s fate has been sealed, but the Consortium is not the only enemy.

Labeled an aberration by the Consortium, the Recorder is not yet free. Time is running out as an engineered bioweapon wreaks havoc on friend and foe alike.

Stopping both the biological agent and the people who created it is no easy task, especially since the Recorder and her friends are trapped on a research station infested with behemoth insects. Without Consortium technology, the probability of neutralizing the threat falls to nothing. In order to save her allies, the Recorder must activate a drone, but her success might destroy any hope for freedom, a future, and a name.

Now enjoy an interview with author Cathy McCrumb

1. Has writing fiction always been in your blood?
Yes, I believe it has. Some of my first memories involve telling stories about my imaginary friend, Sally from Clap Hands Land, who “threw the man’s hat in the air,” a story that was much funnier before I was in kindergarten. Recently, I found mimeographed evidence that I was inquiring about submitting books to publishers back in college. After having kids, I stopped pursuing writing except in telling bedtime stories and social media posts. A friend pushed me to write a story about a dream I had, and since then, characters, plots, and themes have tumbled out.

2. Do you like music or silence when you write?
I have five kids, with four still living at home, so silence is a rare commodity. (Teens, incidentally, seem to be nocturnal.) If it’s noisy, I need headphones and music. I create soundtracks of instrumental music for writing and playlists songs for thinking about character and plot. 

3. Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reins?
My characters hijack the story whenever they can. In Guardian, for example, there was a point in which the Recorder gives a command that was not in my mind when I planned out the scene. As soon as I typed the words, I cringed. I knew exactly what would happen, and it changed the course of that scene and had ramifications throughout the book. It was, however, exactly what she would have said and was much better than the basic idea I’d had.

4. Which scene was most fun to write? Why?
Every time I sink into the scene and the words flow, that’s fun. Frequently, that involved anything with the Recorder and Nate or with the Recorder and Zhen. (Or Lars. I do love Lars.) Zhen DuBois is one of my favorite characters to write. She is prickly,  rude, and deeply caring all at once. And Nate? Well, he’s Nate, a protector who has his own internal struggles.

5. Which scene, character or plotline changed the most from first draft to published book?
Elliott Ross changed the most from the beginning concept to the end of Guardian. I didn’t like him at all when I wrote Recorder, but after a friend challenged me to examine why, I went back and studied him. Once I saw where he was going, Elliott became a favorite, and I hope that his arc resonates with readers.

About the Author

Cathy McCrumb graduated from Biola University with a degree in English Literature and a love for stories. She and her husband, whom she met while writing letters to soldiers, have five children and currently live within the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. While writing is one of her favorite things to do, she also enjoys reading, long hikes and long naps, gluten-free brownies and raspberries, and crocheting while watching science fiction movies with friends and family.

More from Cathy

Someone asked me recently why I wrote Guardian.  My answer was that the whole Children of the Consortium trilogy is my love song to people who feel left out.

In the first novel, the Recorder—a young woman with no name, no family, and no friends—doesn’t see her life as valuable. As she discovers friendship and love, however, she realizes that every person in the system is unique, and this by definition must include her, too.

How often do we doubt our own value and that of the people around us? In a world that prioritizes youth, beauty, health, and success, many people are on the outside, looking in. I suspect that deep down, a lot of us wrestle with who we are and how we fall short of this external measuring tape.

The truth, however, is very, very different from the lie of worthlessness. While we have names (and don’t usually encounter two-meter insects, for which I am extremely thankful), we frequently forget that as humans, even though we are fallen, we are made in God’s image. Furthermore, as Christians, we have been both called and adopted.

Zephaniah 3:17 says that the Lord is with us. He takes “great delight” in us and rejoices over us. What an amazing, beautiful, and comforting image. The One who formed the stars, who breathed life into every human on the planet rejoices over YOU.

My prayer is that you find hope and joy in the midst of darkness, whether or not you find friends in the pages of these novels. Look to the Lord and hold fast to the fact that you are unique and valuable. Because even when you feel like you’re on the outside looking in, you are never alone.

Blog Stops

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 7

Through the Fire Blogs, March 8 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, March 9

Splashes of Joy, March 10 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 11

Artistic Nobody, March 12 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, March 13 (Author Interview)

A Reader’s Brain, March 14 (Author Interview)

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, March 15 (Author Interview)

Wishful Endings, March 15

Simple Harvest Reads, March 16 (Author Interview)

Blossoms and Blessings, March 17 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, March 17

Fiction Book Lover, March 18 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol , March 19

Vicky Sluiter, March 20 (Author Interview)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Cathy is giving away the grand prize of a copy of Guardian!!

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/2a552/guardian-celebration-tour-giveaway

Storm of Doubts by JPC Allen

Storm of Doubts by JPC Allen releases on March 1! Don’t forget to preorder yours now!

Check out the other book in the series, as well, A Shadow on the Snow!

Click here for more information: https://amzn.to/4bL0F1g

Happy Harry: A Magical Golden by Barbara Lampert

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will award a $30 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

In her dog memoir Happy Harry: A Magical Golden, psychotherapist Barbara Lampert, a lifelong dog lover, tells the story of her beloved Golden Retriever, Harry. Like her first dog memoir, Harry’s story comes from her mostly uncensored daily journal and takes place in Malibu, California.

Harry was a genuinely free spirit – wild, and very wolf-like. Did all this contribute to his being exceptionally happy? Perhaps.

Harry was not only the happiest being Barbara’s ever known, happy to the very core of him, but also the bravest. More than once in his life, Harry had to face true adversity, and each time, Barbara would look at him in wonder, not fully understanding how a being could be so brave and at the same time continue to be so happy.

Harry literally pranced through life, with a joyous attitude that made being around him like magic. Barbara fell in love with Harry. And as you immerse yourself in Harry’s story, it’s likely you will too! Happy Harry is unforgettable!

Read an Excerpt

Harry had a girlfriend for a while when he was about four or five years old. Probably for a couple of years. Oh he didn’t see her every day, but for that two year-or-so stretch maybe once or twice a week. …

Roxie, a one-year-old Yellow Lab – the taller, leaner hunting type – was beautiful, energetic, and happy. Just like Harry. Roxie lived a few miles from our house, on the Point in Malibu. …

When Harry knew he was going to see Roxie, he would get so excited. He would pant, start running around, tail up, and on the ride over he would stand or pace in the back seat the whole time. So eager, such joy. And when we got there, he would literally go flying out of the car, with David at the other end of the leash. Tail up, full steam ahead. And Roxie, being just a year old and still quite a playful puppy, would go equally berserk when she saw Harry. They would sniff and kiss each other through the openings in the fence. …

Sometimes they would chase each other or run together, with the fence between them. David would run with them, since he had Harry on the leash. A few times Roxie’s owner came out and opened the gate to let Harry and Roxie be together. More kissing, chasing, tails up, sniffing. Both not believing their good luck. Both always bursting with joy the whole time they were together. Such a sight. …

Barney didn’t get nearly as excited as Harry about Roxie and didn’t interfere in their relationship. This was Harry’s territory. And it appeared Roxie only had eyes for Harry. …

It was always difficult to leave, because the whole time we were there Harry and Roxie were inseparable. Whenever Roxie’s owner would come out, we’d talk and laugh about the two lovebirds. It was wonderful seeing Harry and Roxie so happy. How he loved her…

About the Author:

My passion is dogs! I’ve had dogs most of my life and hope to have at least one by my side always. Dog energy is the best!

I’m the author of two dog memoirs: Happy Harry: A Magical Golden and before that Charlie: A Love Story. Each about one of my Golden Retrievers. (I told you dogs are my passion!)

I’m a psychotherapist, licensed for over thirty years, specializing in relationships.

I was a flight attendant for nine years. And taught sociology at several universities. I have two master’s degrees and a doctorate.

Gardening is another love – not as much as dogs, but right up there! I see my garden as a work of art and garden as much as possible in my free time. I love being in nature.

I live in Malibu, California with my husband David and, you guessed it, our two wonderful Golden Retrievers, Oliver and Henry.

https://www.happyharryamagicalgolden.com/happy-harry-a-magical-golden

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CMTXK538

https://www.facebook.com/barbara.lampert.50/
https://www.facebook.com/barbaralampertauthor

https://www.tiktok.com/@barbara.lampert5

https://www.instagram.com/barbaralampert1/

https://www.pinterest.com/drbarbaralampert/

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