Sunday, November 7, 2021

Book Review and Giveaway - Texas Timbers Author: Caryl McAdoo On Tour with Celebrate Lit

About the Book

Book: Texas Timbers

Author: Caryl McAdoo

Genre: Historical Christian Romance

Release date: September 3, 2021

He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains the Lord’s favor . . . is the reverse true?

Can a romance born of prophesy thrive? Autumn Hope knows for a fact that the man she’s to marry cuts timber in the Sulphur River bottoms. She’s seen him in her dreams—exactly where he’s working and goes so far as to buy that block. Of course, she convinces her father she must travel the hundred and fifty miles to meet the man of her dreams. If he isn’t to be her husband, why would she kiss him in her night vision?

The lady’s sudden appearance baffles Sean. Craziness needs a keeper, but how did she ever find him or know his crosscut saw would break? Wounded by a lost love, he cannot believe the tall tale the pretty lady is spinning. It has to be a scam, right? God doesn’t work that way. Or Does He?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Award-winning author Caryl McAdoo prays her story brings God glory, and her best-selling stories—over sixty published—delight Christian readers around the world. The prolific writer also enjoys singing the new songs the Lord gives her; you may listen at YouTube. Sharing four children and nineteen grandsugars (three greats), Caryl and Ron, her high-school-sweetheart-husband of fifty-three years, live in the woods south of Clarksville, seat of Red River County in far Northeast Texas. The McAdoos wait expectantly for God to open the next door.

More from Caryl

In 1870, my TEXAS TIMBERS heroine Autumn Hope found herself practically an old maid. She’d spent those years when most would be courting taking care of her mother, who was ill and dying. It hadn’t been long since Liberty’s death when the story opens, but Autumn had one of her prophetic dreams—God had shown her a man and assured her He would answer her prayers for a husband.

Readers first met Autumn at her birth in book two, TEXAS MY TEXAS. She had her first prophetic dream in book four, LEAVING TEXAS, at the age of nine. Distraught over her older sister Charity leaving to live in California, the Lord gave her reassurance that her sister would be back to live in Texas, and that she and her new husband would build a hotel in Dallas!

All my readers love Morgan and Charity Lowell and all the adventures they have at the Lowell House Hotel! This is the first time though that God has given her a dream about herself. She knows what the man looks like and exactly where he’s working, but not his name. Still, she is determined to go and find him!

Can you imagine this man . . . a lady hunting him down in the woods while he’s working then telling him he’s going to be her husband? That she’s going to be his wife? Because God said so!

Poor Sean O’Farrell! He was so perplexed by the crazy lady! Oh, his mother prayed plenty and spouted God’s Word at him all the time, but he and the Big Guy . . . they hadn’t been tight in years.

TEXAS TIMBERS is a fun story and not like any I’ve written before! Readers will enjoy reuniting with Morgan and Charity, Henry and May Buckmeyer (from my first family saga), Corbin—Autumn’s father, and so many more of these great characters who so easily worm their way right into your heart . . . at least they did mine! I hope you’ll enjoy it! As always, I pray my story gives God glory!

My Thoughts

Texas Timbers is written by the mega talented Caryl McAddoo. Every time I turn around she has a new release. She writes across multi-genres and we've always loved her books. Texas Timbers is book 7 in the Cross Timbers Romance Family Saga. I have read some of the series, but not all of it. I would recommend reading the series so that you can follow the characters from start to finish.

This book is set in Texas, in 1870. The author always captures this time period so well. She always does fantastic research. Autumn has had clear visions of who she will marry. She knows where he works and where he is located. She has to convince her father to let her travel there to get him. I love that she has this gift. I wish some of my dreams/visions would be as clear. God seems to give me pieces to follow. Once Autumn gets to Sulphur River she finds Sean. He is surprised. I love that she had to convince people that she was NOT crazy.

As always the author weaves a bible lesson into the book. In this story you will see faith, forgiveness and trusting in God. She weaves it within an amazing historical story. Her descriptions are so vivid that you will feel like you are there. Will Autumn be able to win over Sean? Will she be sent away to the crazy farm?

Well written characters, intriguing story line. We've met these characters in previous books. It was fun to see them grow and develop.

I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit blogging program. All thoughts are my own.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 1

Simple Harvest Reads, November 1 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Texas Book-aholic, November 2

Inklings and notions, November 3

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 4

For Him and My Family, November 4

deb’s Book Review, November 5

lakesidelivingsite, November 6

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, November 7

Connie’s History Classroom, November 8

Pause for Tales, November 8

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, November 9

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 10

Girls in White Dresses, November 10

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, November 11

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, November 12

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 13

Splashes of Joy, November 14

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Caryl 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/12b88/texas-timbers-celebration-tour-giveaway

Book Review and Giveaway - The Weather Girls: Stormy Author: Jennifer Lynn Cary On Tour with Celebrate Lit

Book: The Weather Girls: Stormy

Author: Jennifer Lynn Cary

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: October 4, 2021

She doesn’t want to talk about it…

…He has no idea what he said.

Will these two ever learn to communicate?

Stormy is usually a people person but when her temper flares, it’s obvious she was aptly named. And now her ire has been piqued. Watch out world.

All but the cardinal are giving her space.

Rob is usually the smartest guy in the room, but when he forgot to think about his words, he turned loose a tornado. Now he’s dealing with the aftermath and praying there’s still enough love to save amidst the debris.

How can he convince Stormy they belong together? Could this be the perfect moment for another person to step in?

Or will the cardinal in the sycamore tree prove Rob’s case?

Return to 1970 Indiana with Stormy, the second book in The Weather Girls series for Women’s Lib, drive-ins, and Christian family values.

You will enjoy Stormy because everyone knows that sometimes you’ve just got to shake things up a bit.

Click here to get your copy!

About the 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 and The Relentless series as well as the stand-alone novella Tales of the Hob Nob Annex Café and her recent split-time novel The Traveling Prayer Shawl.

More from Jennifer

What were you doing in 1970? Were you even around? It’s funny how for some that year is crystal clear in their memory and for some it’s chapter out of a history book.

I remember having lunch with a literary agent who’d been a guest speaker for a writer’s conference I attended. He mentioned that it was strange to him that now 1974 was considered historical. Worse, for me, it was the year I was graduated from high school! Talk about making one feel old.

And yet there’s so many wonderful things about setting a story in the late 60s- to early 70s.

The research is amazing—TV broadcasts, the music, fashions, events—all that is easily assessable on the internet. Plus, want some firsthand anecdotes? Plenty of people around to share their memories.

Unlike going back to Colonial, or Victorian, or Civil War eras, this was easy. Sort of. Or overwhelming with so much to choose from. Ha!

So, with Stormy, the second book in The Weather Girls trilogy, I touched on how the Women’s Movement of the day might have and an effect. There was a lot of rethinking of the male and female roles, a shifting of the paradigm. Should he open her door? Should she let him? When was it okay to think traditionally and when did you need to consider your partner might not like a traditional role? The ERA movement was a BIG deal back then.

So, even if you don’t remember it, I hope you will have fun going back to 1970 Kokomo with Stormy and me. I look forward to seeing you there. 😉

Abundant blessings!

My Thoughts

The Weather Girls: Stormy is written by Jennifer Lynn Cary. This is book two in the Weather Girls series. I would highly recommend reading the books in order so that you can grasp the full effect. This series follows three sisters. Sisters that are close and that have started a business together. They run The Weather Girls Wedding Venue. This is the 2nd sisters story. Stormy the middle child of the Day family. Stormy is the one that has been able to connect with the brides and other clients in order to help build a sale.

Stormy is married to Rob. However, she left Rob abruptly. She shows up back in Kokomo at their grandmothers house. She does not want to tell her sisters the whole story yet. She throws herself into the business and tries to forget about all her previous life. What she isn't prepared for is Rob showing up and wanting to get everything fixed. Stormy is not quite sure she is ready for that. Enter Glenda, a long time nemesis of Stormy. Glenda senses there is problems with Stormy and Rob and tries to swoop in. She tries everything she can to win Rob over and to ruin Stormy and her business.

This was a wonderful story. Stormy is strong and stubborn. She buries some of her feelings and tries to throw herself into work. I really enjoyed seeing her and Rob together. I have been really enjoying the Day sisters. I love their dynamic and relationship. They all have different personalities. I have 3 sisters. I am the oldest. The Day sisters remind me of my sisters and I.

I am looking forward to reading Windy's story. She is the youngest sister.

I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit Blogging Program, all thoughts are my own.

Blog Stops

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 29

Blogging With Carol, October 29

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 30

The Author Reads, October 30

Pause for Tales, October 31

Vicky Sluiter, November 1

Connect in Fiction, November 2

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 3

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, November 3

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 4

Texas Book-aholic, November 5

Inklings and notions, November 6

Connie’s History Classroom, November 7

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, November 7

deb’s Book Review, November 8

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 9

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, November 9

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, November 10

Batya’s Bits, November 11

For Him and My Family, November 11

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon card with 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/12b84/the-weather-girls-stormy-celebration-tour-giveaway

Friday, November 5, 2021

Book Review and Giveaway - A Picture of Hope Author: Liz Tolsma On Tour with Celebrate Lit

About the Book

Book: A Picture of Hope

Author: Liz Tolsma

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release date: October, 2021

A Photojournalist Risks Her Life to Save Children

Full of intrigue, adventure, and romance, this new series celebrates the unsung heroes—the heroines of WWII.

Journalist Nellie Wilkerson has spent the bulk of the war in London, photographing pilots taking off and landing—and she’s bored. She jumps at the chance to go to France, where the Allied forces recently landed. She enlists Jean-Paul Breslau of the French underground to take her to the frontlines. On the journey, they come upon an orphanage where nuns shelter children with disabilities. Can they help save them before the Nazis come to liquidate it?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Liz Tolsma is the author of several WWII novels, romantic suspense novels, prairie romance novellas, and an Amish romance. She is a popular speaker and an editor and resides next to a Wisconsin farm field with her husband and their youngest daughter. Her son is a US Marine, and her oldest daughter is a college student. Liz enjoys reading, walking, working in her large perennial garden, kayaking, and camping. Please visit her website at www.liztolsma.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter (@LizTolsma), Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest. She is also the host of the Christian Historical Fiction Talk podcast.

More from Liz

Why Another WWII Novel Set in France

You may well read the back cover of my latest release, A Picture of Hope, and wonder why on earth we need another WWII novel set in France. After all, Kristy Cambron just had one. Melanie Dobson and Sarah Sundin will be coming out with theirs in 2022. So why did I feel the need to write my novel with the same setting?

First of all, I’m a Francophile. I love all things French. It started when I took French in high school. Everyone else was learning Spanish, but I wasn’t into being part of the crowd. There were only a few of us in the class, and it was great fun. We had a wonderful teacher. Being able to pull out some of that French, refine it a bit, and use it in the book was a blast. But I also love French food (who doesn’t?) and everything else.

Secondly, I hadn’t written about France before. When I wrote this proposal at least five or six years ago, I didn’t know France would be so hot. God did, and the book came about in His perfect timing. I’d explored the Netherlands, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Czechoslovakia, and the Philippines. Such a shame that I was leaving out France, so I set about to write a novel located in that country.

Thirdly, there was so much good material to pull from. The French resistance, while small, did good work and sacrificed a great deal to get Jews out of the country and into Switzerland or Spain. The books that Kristy, Melanie, Sarah, and I write are all so different. Only the setting is the same. And when I found out that the famous mime Marcel Marceau was part of the resistance, I couldn’t help but giving him a cameo. Be on the lookout!

Along the way, I discovered some truly heartrending incidents that took place in France. They also compelled me to write this book. I long for the world to remember what happened so that we will never forget. And so that the atrocities committed there will never be repeated.

Fourthly, this was originally the third book in a series. Don’t worry – it’s a stand-alone. Maybe someday I’ll get to publish the other two. The women in the series are all American journalists in Europe. One is a reporter, the other is a broadcaster, and so I decided to make Nellie, the heroine in A Picture of Hope, a photojournalist. And where better to take pictures than on Omaha Beach soon after D-day. How she gets there is based on a very interesting true story, so be sure to read to the end for that one.

There are so many stories about WWII to be told and so many countries that participated in the conflict in one way or the other. The ground is so rich that we aren’t plowing the same parcel. You’ll find all of these books to be very different from each other, each with its own message, its own voice, and its own plot.

The focus in my book is on children with Down syndrome. I have a background in special education, and my husband and I adopted a child from the Philippines with an intellectual disability, so I’ve always had a heart for people with special needs. My daughter brings us so much joy that I wanted to share a glimpse into what these remarkable people are truly capable of.

So that is why I wrote a WWII novel set in France. Make yourself a cup of café au lait, butter up a croissant, and enjoy A Picture of Hope!

My Thoughts

A Picture of Hope is written by Liz Tolsma. This is part of the Heroines of WWII series. The series is written by different authors, can be read as stand alones, but are all tied together by a strong female heroine during a time our world was at war. As a history nerd and major, I appreciate the amount of research that the author put into this story. I have my masters in military history, and the amount of truthfulness and horror that the Nazis put innocent families through is on point.

Journalist Nellie wants to capture an award winning photo. Even if that means that she could get hurt or killed in the process. She grows tired of waiting in London for the President to give permission for women journalists to get closer to the war. She sneaks off and lands at the site of D-Day. She was not prepared for the horrors and sites she sees. Nellie is strong, fearless, and wants to make a name for herself.

Jean-Paul Breslau has been working with the French Underground throughout the war. He finds Nellie alone and in the middle of enemy territory. He agrees to help return her to American Troops. Jean-Paul is puzzled by Nellie. She has put herself in danger willingly. While they are trying to seek out the American Troops they stumble across a young special needs girl who has wandered from her family.

Nellie falls in love with the girl immediately. She can't believe what this girl may have witnessed. Claire is drawn to Nellie and feels safe. The unlikely trio is trying to find someone or somewhere to safely take the girl for they know that if the Nazi's find her she will be killed on spot.

I appreciated the historical touches that the author put into her story. Sometimes it's forgotten that it was not just the Jews that were in danger of the Nazi Regime. Those who were considered imperfect, different or just disliked were exterminated. The author has crafted an engaging, page turning historical story. The characters are well written and relatable. The romance between the two builds slow but is worth it.

I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit Blogging Program, all thoughts are my own.