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Sunday, September 17, 2023

My Thoughts - Preacher on the Run: The Truth Will Hold Its Own Author: Jayna Baas

 

Preacher on the Run Kick-Off Package

About the Book

Book: Preacher on the Run: The Truth Will Hold Its Own

Author: Jayna Baas

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release Date: April 12, 2020

STANDING FOR TRUTH COULD COST HIM HIS FREEDOM. FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM COULD COST HIM HIS LIFE.

It’s 1771, and North Carolina is at war. On one side stands the power of the Crown. On the other side stands a dangerous freedom of conscience.

Former circuit rider Robert Boothe has spent the last four years leading the tyrant-hating Regulators against North Carolina’s corrupt British government. All he wants is a safe place for his little Baptist church to worship God.

But when Colonel Charles Drake arrives in town, Robert becomes a target. The Church of England wants him to shut up. The governor wants him dead.

Now Robert’s church and family are caught in the crossfire. And that safe place is farther and farther away.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Jayna Baas, pronounced as in “baa, baa, black sheep,” is the author of Preacher on the Run and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and The Christian PEN: Proofreaders and Editors Network. She lives in northern Michigan with a great family of real people and the family of pretend people who live in her head. (Yes, she does know her characters are not real. No, she does not want you to tell them she said so.) Although she enjoys multiple genres, her favorite story is this: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Learn more and sign up for a free short story at www.booksbyjayna.com.

 

More from Jayna

Freedom is risky. If people are free to make up their own minds, they might discover they’ve been lied to. They might discover the truth and then act on it, and they just might turn the world upside down.

That’s a story that’s been happening ever since Christ freed his first followers from the law of sin and death. They shared that freedom all over their world, and the hierarchy didn’t like it, from the Pharisees on up to Nero. It’s a story that happens over and over again. And it happened in eighteenth-century North Carolina.

Almost all of the Thirteen Colonies had an official state-sanctioned church that could banish, imprison, or even execute those who did not conform. The most common “state church” in the southern colonies was the Church of England, and that’s what we find in North Carolina at the time of Preacher on the Run.

Imagine you’re a dissenter preacher in this time and place. Up the street is the local vestry, which you’re taxed to support, while you’ve been threatened with jail for preaching without a license. One of your church members is about to be dispossessed for not paying taxes—taxes he can’t afford and has probably already paid once. No one dares go to court; everyone knows the courts are nests of extortion, and you could be charged with felony if you stay at a meeting after an official deems it seditious.

Now the governor’s new agent comes to town—a man who is hungry for power, a man who knows you’re a leader not only in your congregation but also in the grassroots resistance that is rising against the government’s corruption. To him, your belief that people can go to God directly through faith in Christ without the state church is blasphemous. And your belief that all men are on equal footing before God and the law is unthinkably dangerous.

What would you do?

This is a scenario that set my story-loving imagination on fire. This is the story of Preacher on the Run. It’s the story of a spark that ignited and spread throughout the colonies until it was a blaze of revolution—not the rejection of authority but the restoration of rightful authority. It’s the story of countless men and women who faced persecution on American soil for the sake of truth and freedom. Truth never needs to be forced on others, because it can never truly be defeated. And only where there is freedom can truth flourish and spread and turn the world upside down. Because, as Robert Boothe says in Preacher on the Run, the truth will hold its own.

This is his story, and ours.

My Thoughts

Preacher on the Run (A Novel of the Regulator Uprising) is written by Jayna Baas. This is the first book that I have read by this author. This is a historical Fiction book book that is set in 1771. This is not a time period that I get to read about a lot - so it was exciting to do so. The author has done some great research to make this book feel as real as possible. I did not know about the Great Awakening before the American Revolution. I did not know how the Baptist Churches sprung up during this time.

In this book we meet Robert Boothe. He has been leading the Regulators against the corrupt British government. Robert just wants to worship God in his Baptist Church. However, this could cost him everything. Robert is very brave to fight back so hard against the British government. I can't even imagine what they would have went through. Robert and his wife Magdelen were my favorite characters. The dangers that they faced to worship could cost everything. Robert is not liked by the governor. The governor wants them silenced.

One of the best things about these characters is that they are real feeling character. They are not picture perfect Christians, they have their own flaws. They know they need to share their faith, but do not want violence. My heart was pounding as the governors was clearly abusing his power.

I really liked this book. I like the way that the way that the author writes. Her writing flows. Her research helps bring the story alive. The characters are well written. I hope to read the next book in the series.

I received a copy of this book through the author, all thoughts are my own.

Blog Stops

Alena Mentink, September 14

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, September 14

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 15

Texas Book-aholic, September 16

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 17

Connie’s History Classroom, September 18

The Book Club Network, September 19

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 20

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 21

Books I’ve Read, September 21

Cover Lover Book Review, September 22

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, September 23

Simple Harvest Reads, September 24 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

For Him and My Family, September 25

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, September 26

Holly’s Book Corner, September 27

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jayna is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a signed paperback copy of Preacher on the Run!!

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/27de4/preacher-on-the-run-celebration-tour-giveaway

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

My Thoughts - Christmas Bells and Wedding Vows – A Marriage of Convenience Anthology Authors: Jody Hedlund, Lacy Williams, and Misty M. Beller

 

About the Book

Book: Christmas Bells and Wedding Vows – A Marriage of Convenience Anthology

Authors: Jody Hedlund, Lacy Williams, and Misty M. Beller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: September 26, 2023

From bestselling and award winning authors, experience Christmas on the rugged western frontier with three novellas filled with unforgettable adventures, enduring romance, and the timeless message of hope found in the Savior’s birth.

Claiming the Cowgirl by Jody Hedlund

Serena Taylor is hiding in Colorado’s high country to keep her son safe, and she knows the best way to protect him is by marrying again and giving him a father. Weston Oakley needs a wife by Christmas to placate his meddling family, but after being spurned one too many times in love, he’s reluctant to give his heart away again. When they agree on a marriage of convenience, both of them get much more than they bargained for.

Doctor’s Snowflake Bride by Lacy Williams
Minnie steps off the train ready to become a mail-order bride, but she finds the well-dressed man waiting for her isn’t her intended husband. The protective oath Jed took when he became a doctor doesn’t cover stranded women, but he can’t leave the beautiful stranger alone in a building blizzard two days before Christmas. When circumstances force them into close proximity, Jed and Minnie find that their growing feelings aren’t convenient at all.

Marrying the Mountain Man’s Best Friendby Misty M. Beller

Two Stones, a Salish warrior accustomed to navigating between tribes and miners, unexpectedly finds himself summoned to the side of a dying friend in Virginia City. Sworn to honor the miner’s last wish, Two Stones agrees to marry his daughter, Heidi, but plans to take her to live with his parents. He’ll provide all her needs, make sure she’s safe, and visit her on occasion when his path leads him that direction. As they set out on the journey, their path is fraught with challenges that defy Two Stones’ plans and reveal a surprising depth to Heidi’s character. As they near the end of their trail and join the Christmas festivities at the Coulter Ranch, Two Stones begins to realize this inconvenient marriage might really be a Christmas gift he’ll always treasure.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Authors

Jody Hedlund is the best-selling author of over forty books and is the winner of numerous awards. She writes sweet historical romances with plenty of sizzle.

USA Today bestselling author Lacy Williams is devoted to bringing her readers heartwarming love stories about cowboys and the women that tame them.

Misty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.

More from Misty

When Friends Join Forces…Magic Happens!

For me, joining with my good friends Jody Hedlund and Lacy Williams resulted in Christmas magic!

Ever since I was young, Christmas stories have held a special place in my heart. The charm and warmth they exude, coupled with the enchantment of the holiday season, are a captivating combination I find irresistible. Can you relate?

I’ve also long been a HUGE fan of Jody Hedlund and Lacy Williams. I’ve read so many of their books over and over!

Joining them for this Christmas novella collection has been a dream come true for so many reasons. And not only are these three marriage of convenience stories set on the Rocky Mountain frontier (my favorite place!), each of these novellas is an exciting extension of the current series we’re each writing.

Jody’s novella is the finale to her Colorado Cowgirls series. We meet both the hero and heroine of this Christmas story back in book 4. You don’t have to have read Jody’s series to fall in love with them here though!

Lacy’s novella tells the story of a character from a new mail order bride series she has coming soon. This prelude is a fantastic taste that will have you swooning as you eagerly await the rest of the books!

My own contribution features Two Stones, the Coulter family’s best friend from the Brothers of Sapphire Mountain Ranch series. I love having the chance to tell his story, even though he’s not ‘officially’ one of the brothers. 

If you’ve read any of these series—or if you just love Christmas books like I do!—you’ll definitely want to read the novellas in Christmas Bells and Wedding Vows. It’s our collective holiday gift to you, the readers—intertwining familiar settings and characters with the joy and love that the festive season brings. We hope these tales bring you the same warmth and joy we’ve felt while penning them.

 

Blessings!

Misty


My Thoughts 



Christmas Bells and Wedding Vows – A Marriage of Convenience Anthology is written by some of my favorite historical fiction authors; Jody Hedlund, Lacy Williams, and Misty M. Beller. 


Each story is a story of marriage for convenience. They are all centered around Christmas time. The stories take place in three different places. Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. Each author does a great job in describing the scenes so that you feel like you are there watching the story unfold. 


Each story has a different profession featured. We’ve got a cowgirl, doctor and mountain man. Each other brings their expertise and flair to their story. I didn’t want them to end. 


Thank you to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own. 

Blog Stops

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 5

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 6

Alena Mentink, September 6

Texas Book-aholic, September 7

Mary Hake, September 7

By the Book, September 8

She Lives To Read, September 8

Vicky Sluiter, September 9

Melissa’s Bookshelf, September 10

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 10

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, September 11

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, September 12

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

Connie’s History Classroom, September 14

Blossoms and Blessings, September 15

Britt Reads Fiction, September 15

For Him and My Family, September 16

Labor Not in Vain, September 16

Holly’s Book Corner, September 17

Jeanette’s Thoughts, September 17

Books You Can Feel Good About, September 18

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, September 18

Giveaway

To celebrate their tour, Misty, Jody, and Lacy are giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/28138/christmas-bells-and-wedding-vows-celebration-tour-giveaway

My Thoughts The Amish Mother’s Secret Author: Diane Craver

 

About the Book

Book: The Amish Mother’s Secret

Author: Diane Craver

Genre: Amish Romance

Release Date: December 22, 2022

Sometimes a beautiful miracle comes to you at exactly the wrong time… 

Lindsay Prescott is 40 and single when tragedy strikes. Diagnosed with stage 4, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma cancer, her instinct is to right the wrongs in her life. Her unfortunate childhood with an alcoholic, verbally abusive mother drove her to break free in desperation at the age of 17. While working at a hotel along the beach on the East Coast, she met Harris Manning. He took her breath away and she gave herself to him in love.

Harris’ life was already planned out for him by his wealthy parents. Falling for Lindsay had been a dream. However, compelled to wed the woman his parents chose for him, he’d left her to endure a shaky marriage.

Though Harris never knew it, Lindsay found herself pregnant when he left her with no way to care for identical triplets on her own.  When the triplets were five months old, she reconnected with an Amish couple—Katie and Roman Yoder—who were unable to have children. The Yoders adopted Amy and Jenna while Lindsay kept Phoebe. She couldn’t bear to give all three babies away. In the years that followed, Katie worked hard to keep her away from her adopted daughters.

When you let go of a miracle, can you ever capture it again? 

After Harris learns his ex-wife intercepted Lindsay’s calls years ago to tell him she was pregnant, he rushes to her side, thrilled to discover he’s a father. But life rarely gives fairytale endings. Revealing the truth may prove more devastating than the hurdles that came before…and all that will surely come after for a woman fighting for her life.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Diane Craver is the author of The Amish Mother’s Secret, Book 1 in The Amish Adoption Series and two popular Amish series, Dreams of PlainDaughters and The Bishop’s Daughters. Diane also writes romantic suspense, inspirational contemporary romance, historical Christian fiction and women’s fiction. Her emotional reads receive great reviews. Although she started her career writing non-fiction, she switched to writing fiction. She wanted to keep her sanity in the midst of having a large family. Writing fiction with quirky and memorable characters gave her the escape she needed from her noisy household. Diane met her husband Tom while teaching at an orphanage. They enjoy their life in southwestern Ohio, and have been blessed with six children and several grandchildren. Two adult daughters with Down syndrome live with Tom and Diane. Her family is supportive of her writing career, and her favorite vacation is going to the beach with them. She gives thanks daily to God for her wonderful blessings, including being in remission from Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

 

More from Diane

When I started writing The Amish Mother’s Secret, a friend had been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. I decided to have my main character, Lindsay, to have the same type of cancer. I used many of the details of his illness for my character’s cancer. Then an unbelievable thing happened to me. I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. I never expected to have cancer with none in my family history.

It was hard telling our children I was diagnosed with stage four cancer. It was stage four because it was found in many of my lymph nodes throughout my body. I rewrote the details in my manuscript so that my character reflected the type of lymphoma I had. Also, after the six months of chemo, I started two years of maintenance therapy. My oncologist said doing this therapy treatment during remission could reduce the risk of recurrence and improve the cure rate for me.

While doing my months of chemo treatments, I received thoughtful gifts, devotional books, two prayer blankets and cards with wonderful Bible verses from friends and relatives. Feeling God’s love through them helped me to get through a difficult time in my life. I appreciated all the prayers said for me to recover from cancer. I have been blessed with an awesome support group of readers.

During this stressful time, I heard from agent Lesley Sabga of The Seymour Agency.  She wanted to represent me and told me how much she loved my voice. I hadn’t been looking for an agent so it was a wonderful blessing to sign with Lesley. I had planned on The Amish Mother’s Secretto be a standalone novel, but Lesley acquired a three-book contract for me with Vinspire Publishing. I enjoyed writing about the two mothers, Lindsay and Katie, in Book One, The Amish Mother’s Secret. Both mothers were from two different worlds, but their love never wavered for their children. The second book in my Amish Adoption series, An Unexpected Gift, continues the adoption theme and is also available for purchase. Book three will release next year.


My Thoughts 



The Amish Mother’s Secret is written by Diane Carver. This is book one in the Amish Adoption Series. Lindsay Prescott has kept a secret from her former partner, Harris Manning. She had triplets after Harris honored his parents and wed a woman he didn’t want to. She knew she couldn’t keep all the children and provide for them. Two of the children are adopted by an Amish couple, Katie and Roman Yoder. 


Lindsay finds herself being diagnosed with stage 4, Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma cancer. She’s wants to wrong some of her wrong doings. She lets Harris know about the children  and wants to find the two she gave up for adoption. 


This book is about forgiveness, second chances and trusting God. The book is well written.  The characters are relatable. I didn’t want the book to end. 


Thank you to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own. 

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 9

Texas Book-aholic, September 10

Mary Hake, September 10

Lighthouse Academy Blog, September 11(Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 12

Connie’s History Classroom, September 13

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, September 14

Splashes of Joy, September 14

Bizwings Book Blog, September 15

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 16

The Book Club Network, September 17

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 18

Vicky Sluiter, September 18

For Him and My Family, September 19

Cover Lover Book Review, September 20

JESUS in the EVERYDAY, September 21

Books I’ve Read, September 22

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Diane 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.

https://promosimple.com/ps/27a70/the-amish-mother-s-secret-celebration-tour-giveaway

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

My Thoughts - Please Come Home By: Elaine John’s

 Please Come Home: A totally addictive and heartbreaking World War 2 historical novel (A Cornish Wartime Story)

 


 

Cornwall, England, 1940. ‘Please come back to me. I…’ Anna can barely speak as she clutches Jimmy tight and buries her face in his Royal Air Force uniform. But their embrace ends all too soon. Watching him walk away, Anna feels the tears fall again. What if he never comes home?

Growing up without the care of a loving family made 
Anna Golding fiercely independent. So, on the eve of war,determined to do her duty, she joins the Women’s Air Force. Her fellow trainees are like the sisters she never had. But, as they all talk of fond memories of home, Anna’s heart breaks. Her past is too painful to share…

Until Anna meets her friend’s brother, 
Pilot Jimmy Armstrong. She could lose herself in his deep green eyes, and his gentle care makes Anna feel safe for the first time in her life. Anna and Jimmy must snatch every moment together as their duties pull them to opposite ends of the country – and every letter from Jimmy brings a thrill to her heart. But one day, a letter comes addressed to Anna that isn’t in his handwriting.

It’s from an anonymous young woman claiming to be a relative – 
and that she knows a secret about Anna’s mother. As her mother died in childbirth, Anna anxiously tries to track the woman down and discover the truth about the family she never knew. But with the bombs of the Blitz making every day dangerous, Anna receives harrowing news from the Royal Air Force that stops her search in its tracks…

Will Anna lose Jimmy, and her dream of their future together, to the fighting? Or will the war somehow help her find the family she never had?


An absolutely heart-wrenching, powerful and emotional novel about the hardships of war, and the strength of love. Perfect for fans of Diney Costeloe, Shirley Dickson and Wives of War.



Buy link: https://geni.us/B0CC2WLCYSsocial

 

About the author 




Elaine Johns inherited her love of fiction from her Irish mother and a passion for writing was the happy result. She was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, came to London to attend the Italia Conti Performing Arts Academy, and made records with her twin brother in their teens that scraped their way into the charts. After an initial career as a jazz singer and flautist in big bands, she was a print and television journalist in Bahrain, editing and presenting the News in English at Bahrain Television. She is now freelance, writing mostly short stories for UK women’s magazines from her home in Cornwall and, before retiring, used to lecture part time at Truro College. She has written several contemporary women’s fiction novels, including Ice Cream for Breakfast and Lemonade and Lies. Her favourite genre is historical women’s fiction, and she particularly enjoys writing in the 1940s and 50s.

She is now well and truly transplanted to Cornwall and enjoys life with her long-time partner (her hero and rock), a jazz musician and artist. Elaine has two grown-up sons, and loves Zumba, music, walking with her friends, and getting the most out of life, whatever it throws at her!

 

Author social media 

Website: http://www.elainejohns.com/

Email sign up link: https://www.bookouture.com/elaine-johns/



My Thoughts 



Please come home is written by Elaine Johns. This is the first book that I’ve read by this author and it won’t be my last. Set in World War II we meet Anna Golding. Her father resented her because her mother died while having her. She is sent to live with her aunt who is cold and abrasive. 


She turns 18 and decides to join the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. Her aunt is dead set against it. Anna doesn’t have many friends or family. The ladies she enters the service with become her family. Anna is selected to become a plotter. She’s responsible for keeping track where the plans were. She meets the brother of one of her friends Jimmy. 


Jimmy becomes the love of Anna’s life. He is a navigator. Anna is always terrified when he’s flying. Anna is moved to another facility and keeps in touch with Jimmy. The war rages on.  I really liked the historical details that the author put into the story. I really liked Anna and Jimmy’s characters. 


Thank you to the author, publisher and Bookoutre for allowing me to read a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.