Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Book Review and Giveaway - Garrett Author: Izzy James On Tour with Celebrate Lit

About the Book

Book: Garrett

Author: Izzy James

Genre: Christian Romance

Release date: November 27, 2020

Garrett Tyler thought he was leaving Ballard House for home, secure in the knowledge that love had finally won-out for his long-time friend Olivia. He steps out the door and into the past, 1769 to be exact. While finding his bearings Garrett stumbles upon a beautiful woman being attacked. He makes sure she gets home and because of his kindness, she allows him to stay in an outbuilding—even believing his time travel story—while he figures out how he will get back to his life in the future. The more time they spend together, the deeper friendship they build, but one thing is going to rip her world apart.

Mercy Hansford is a confidant, independent woman running her own tailor shoppe. Her world is shaken when she is brutally attacked after delivering one of her sought-after shirts. The consequences of this night could be more far-reaching than either of them can guess.

Should Mercy trust a man she barely knows?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Izzy James grew up in coastal Virginia. She lives there still with her fabulous husband in a house brimming with books.

More from Izzy

Why did I write Garrett?

While I was writing Max I was working through physical therapy prior to a lumbar fusion surgery. My physical therapist’s assistant was a young man named Garrett. He was intrigued that I was a writer and asked me if I would use his name in a book one day. So I had a name.

As I finished writing Max–who came forward in time from 1769–I started thinking about what it would be like for a young person of today to find himself back in 1769.

Garrett of the book bears no resemblance to Garrett of the physical therapy office! Garrett was fun to write. I hope you will enjoy reading it.

If you’d like to hear more about my books and be included in a monthly giveaway sign up for my newsletter.

Newsletter Link: https://vr2.verticalresponse.com/s/websitesignupform0708201983447pm

Every Christmas I send Christmas cards to each member of my Christmas Club. I pray for each reader as I sign and address the cards. If you’d like a Christmas Card from me please sign up before December 1. It does require your physical address. It will never be used for anything else.

Christmas Card Link: https://vr2.verticalresponse.com/s/websitesignupform0708201975614pm

Both email and physical addresses are held sacred. They will never ber sold or used for anything but what you signed up for.

My Thoughts

Garrett is a time travel novella that is written by Izzy James. This novella is 112 pages. This is book two in Yorktown Christmas Time Travel series. I have not read book one. While I was able to follow along in book two, I would recommend reading book one, Max before this one. That being said, it was still a good book that I enjoyed.

One of the things that I love about this author is the fact how well she writes the revolutionary time period so well. This book travels back to 1769. The author always writes this important part of history so well.

I loved Garrett and Mercy. Garrett walks into the year 1769 and right into Mercy being attacked. He is able to intervene and take her to safety. Mercy was so strong and had to overcome so much - she believes that Garrett is from the future. Since he did save her life, she gives him a place to stay. This is such a wonderful read.

While this is a novella, there's a lot of story packed into the 112 pages. The characters are fun and unique. It took me a few chapters to grasp the full storyline, but I was able to figure it out. I love this author, and will always try and read everything she puts out.

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 16

Britt Reads Fiction, November 16

Texas Book-aholic, November 17

Inklings and notions, November 18

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 18

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 19

By the Book, November 19

Simple Harvest Reads, November 20 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

For Him and My Family, November 20

deb’s Book Review, November 21

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 22

Kayem Reads, November 22

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, November 23

Connie’s History Classroom, November 24

Mary Hake, November 24

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 25

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, November 26

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, November 26

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, November 27

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, November 28

Pause for Tales, November 28

Connect in Fiction, November 29

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Izzy is 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/133b3/garrett-celebration-tour-giveaway

Monday, November 22, 2021

Book Review and Giveaway -Fabyan Place: Two WWII GIs Fight to Survive and Overcome Racial Strife as POWS by Peter Angus Hosted by IRead Book Tours

Book Details:

Book Title:  Fabyan Place: Two WWII GIs Fight to Survive and Overcome Racial Strife as POWS by Peter Angus
Category: Adult Fiction 18+, 350 pages
Genre:  Historical Fiction
Publisher:  Dottenfritz Press
Release date:   August 2021
Formats Available for Review: print-softback (internationally), e-book (mobi for Kindle, epub, and pdf)
Tour dates: November 22 to December 3
Content Rating: PG13 + M: Some use of the “F” word, some swearing, bigoted pejorative vernacular common in the 1940s, treatment attributed to Nazi captors in both a POW and Death Camp and one antagonist suicide.

“Fabyan Place is a book that stays with you. A callow young man goes to war and confronts his prejudice, forming an unlikely friendship in a POW camp with another soldier. They each know a secret about the other that could be a death sentence. Deeply researched with fascinating details and unforgettable characters, moving and thought-provoking, the story rises to a ferocious finish that will take your breath away.” — Kay Williams, co-author, The Matryoshka Murders and Butcher of Dreams

“Enthusiasts of this genre will be impressed by the book’s authenticity. The author has a deep knowledge of the Second World War and offers many historical insights and details that I was not aware of.” — David Aretha, editor, World War II Chronicle and The Holocaust Chronicle

Book Description:

Should racism prevent you fighting for your country?
Does bigotry still live even after a war has ended?
Must standing at the gates of hell in a POW camp forever change a man?

Memories of his internment as a prisoner echo as a young war veteran returns to his family and an enigmatic visitor arrives unannounced on Christmas morning.

The guest brings memories of the war, the horrors of the camps and the life-altering changes in his own psyche as his family prepares for their annual feast.

Fabyan Place is an engrossing suspenseful historical fiction novel about two mixed race young men from urban New Jersey and rural Georgia whose experiences clash in a Nazi concentration camp.

Get your FREE copy of FABYAN PLACE for Christmas
on these FREE Days:
(click on the date to follow the link to get your free book)
November 26 (Friday) - Black Friday
November 29 (Monday) - Cyber Monday
December 1 (Wednesday)
December 2 (Thursday)
December 3 (Friday)

Buy the Book:
Amazon

Meet the Author:

Pete Angus spent his early years in New York City and environs. From there it was working and living in Vienna, Belgrade, Warsaw, Moscow, and Paris before settling in his current base, London. Fabyan Place, his first novel, is drawn from his own recollections and his extensive study of WWII military history. Pete has caught the writing bug and is currently working on a new mystery series featuring a military CID officer investigating unusual crimes in the 1940s.

Connect with the Author: Author's Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ Goodreads

Some things I learned from writing FABYAN PLACE

By Peter Angus 10 November 2021 (peter.angus.author@gmail.com )

Second to writing in this profession, I love doing the necessary research and that is why I think I fit well with the historical fiction ‘light thriller’ genre. For me, writing Fabyan Place was a delight! It also gave me the opportunity to use tons of family detail that a professional genealogist discovered about all elements of my immigrant (to the United States) family as well as it gave me an opportunity to reach out to extended family members to discover new stories to insert in the book. As an aside, it also allowed me to dig out my old high school yearbook to come up with some names for my characters, and that sparked many a night dreaming about being a teenager once again in Jersey City!

As I researched some background information around this brief tale of my ancestor’s past, I came across many factual historical titbits I had not been aware of, which surprised me as I am a schooled historian of that period. I was not aware of the pervasiveness of the Jitterbug dance, or how it became prominent in England before America because of Negro soldiers. I had also been unaware of the mixed ethnicity of Newark, New Jersey, the home of my grandparents; and of a variety of other things, such as Fort Huachuca, Rhineland bastards, Buffalo Soldiers, the fact that the Jim Crow laws had been copied by the Nazis. I also found it surprising that American soldiers had been imprisoned in a Jewish concentration/death camp, the institutional challenges and prejudice faced by Negroes in the United States, and the mixed but mostly positive reaction to American Negro soldiers in wartime Britain.

I also discovered quite a bit about my own family’s North American aboriginal roots and how the Indians were sympathetic but remained mostly silent about Negro discrimination in America at the time because while they were themselves minorities, they eluded strict scrutiny and prejudice because of their nearly Caucasian skin color.

Except for Sonny and John’s personal story, the Jacobs and their ancestors’ autobiographical nature in Newark is as real and as accurate as I could make it.

By including the historical narrative into the story, I hope the Fabyan Place reader might investigate further their own family history as well if their interest is piqued!

My Thoughts

Fabyan Place: Two WWII GIs Fight to Survive and Overcome Racial Strife as POWS is written by Peter Angus. This is the first book that I have read by this author. I am a history lover with a masters in military history. I am thankful how well the author researched in order to create this well written story. I love that the author tackled racism of the time. It's not often I get to read about that.

This is not a war story - it's a story of the harsh treatment our African American soldiers went through. It shows the segregation of transportation, the black officer lack of training. Even in war, there were harsh treatment of African American soldiers.

The characters are well written, real feeling and will tug at your heart. Sometimes we forget that before the segregation of the south, there was so much injustice happening with our military. I appreciate that the author focuses on this.

Thank you to the author and IRead book tours for the copy of this book to read. All thoughts are my own.

Tour Schedule:

Nov 22 – Connie’s History Classroom – book review / guest post / giveaway
Nov 22 - Book Corner News and Reviews - book review / giveaway
Nov 23 - Leels Loves Books – book review / giveaway
Nov 24 – Rockin' Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
Nov 26 – Olio by Marilyn – book spotlight / author interview
Nov 26 – Olio by Marilyn – book review / giveaway
Nov 26 - Books for Books – book review
Nov 29 – @twilight_reader – book review / giveaway
Nov 29 - Books are a Blessing – book review / author interview / giveaway
Nov 30 – Splashes of Joy – book review / giveaway
Dec 1 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review / author interview / giveaway
Dec 2 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / guest post / giveaway
Dec 3 – The World As I See It – book review / author interview / giveaway

Enter the Giveaway:

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Book Review and Giveaway - Honor in the Mountain Refuge Author: Misty Beller On Tour with Celebrate Lit

About the Book

Book: Honor in the Mountain Refuge

Author: Misty Beller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: November 9, 2021

This epic journey is his last chance to start a new life.

After being cast out of his Blackfoot village for his kindness to the Nez Perce captives, Chogan travels west in search of meaning for his life. Meaning that doesn’t require killing or torturing innocent people. Though the lovely face of Telípe, a Nez Perce woman, is imprinted on his heart, he avoids her village. She deserves a happy life with her husband and coming child.

With her husband dead and the birth of her babe imminent, Telípe’s reality looks nothing like she planned. She’s been forced to return to the village where she grew up and the chaos of her family’s lodge—with all her boisterous younger brothers. She desperately desires to start a new life for herself and the babe growing within her, but she can’t seem to climb above the mire of her past. When she stumbles into the brave who’d shown her kindness during her captivity, something ignites within her—a new hope.

Chogan’s determination to stay and help Telípe is thwarted by her people’s fear and hatred for his tribe—especially since he was among last winter’s kidnappers. It doesn’t matter that he did everything he could to keep her and her unborn child safe and comfortable during that awful event. But as a new predator threatens the safety of the village, Chogan determines to take down the massive wildcat that’s already injured several children—including one of Telípe’s younger brothers. When the danger escalates, Chogan is faced with an impossible choice. No matter which option he chooses, his life will never be the same—nor that of the woman he’s come to love.

From a USA Today bestselling author comes another epic journey through breathless landscapes and adventure so intense, lives will never be the same.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

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.

She was raised on a farm in South Carolina, so her Southern roots run deep. Growing up, her family was close, and they continue to keep that priority today. Her husband and children now add another dimension to her life, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

God has placed a desire in Misty’s heart to combine her love for Christian fiction and the simpler ranch life, writing historical novels that display God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.

More from Misty

When minor characters get their own story!

One of the things I love about writing in series is the chance for minor characters to become major characters, with fascinating lives and personalities of their own! The heroine in Honor in the Mountain Refuge, Telipe, first appeared in Light in the Mountain Sky as Meksem’s little sister who was kidnapped by a band of Blackfoot warriors. Even when I’m the writer, characters often surprise me by doing things very differently than what I expected!

Telipe did exactly that in one of the final scenes of that previous book. When Meksem and her friends showed up to rescue Telipe and the other captives, Telipe actually braced herself in front of one of one of her Blackfoot captors, stopping anyone from injuring him. Why would she do that?

In that book, Telipe only says that the man had been kind to her when the other warriors were not. I knew there HAD to be more though.

I pray you enjoy learning Telipe’s story as much as I did, including how that Blackfoot brave she protected shows up again in the most unexpected of places!

My Thoughts

Honor in the Mountain Refuge is book six in the Call of the Rockies series. This book is written by Misty Beller. I have only read books: three, four and five. I feel that they can be read as stand alone books. One of the best things about this author is how she can capture historical time periods. Every book about Native Americans that she writes teaches you so much. I love the details she puts in her books so that it is as real feeling as possible.

Telípe has lost her husband and she is expecting a child. Chogan lacks the war like nature that is required of his tribe. He has been sent away. He has a tender heart and showed compassion to Telípe. Chogan's tribe had previously kidnapped Telípe. Once Telípe realized that Chogan was different and worthy of her trust - their love story can start to build. I love the story of two people from feuding tribes, but God's love and redemption is shining through.

Misty always writes such beautiful stories. You will be drawn in within the first few pages. The settings are described so beautifully that you will feel like you are there. She always weaves such beautiful reminders of God's loving grace, forgiveness and second chances.

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

Blog Stops

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, November 9

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 9

Texas Book-aholic, November 10

Inklings and notions, November 11

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 11

Splashes of Joy, November 12

For Him and My Family, November 12

lakesidelivingsite, November 13

deb’s Book Review, November 14

Jeanette’s Thoughts, November 14

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 15

Vicarious Living, November 16

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, November 16

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 17

For the Love of Literature, November 18

Connie’s History Classroom, November 18

Betti Mace, November 19

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, November 19

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, November 20

Blossoms and Blessings, November 20

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, November 21

Through the Fire blogs, November 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 22

Pause for Tales, November 22

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Misty is 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/12f8d/honor-in-the-mountain-refuge-celebration-tour-giveaway

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

Book Review and Giveaway - The Stone and the Secrets Author: Jan Davis Warren On Tour With Celebrate Lit

About the Book

Book: The Stone and the Secrets

Author: Jan Davis Warren

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: November 9, 2021

Science has always been her haven…until a secret expedition proves more dangerous than she bargained for.

Lady Elise Stanton loves the Lord, her family, science, and William Degraf. William was always around to help with her experiments—at least, until she reached marriageable age. Unable to convince him that it is not a noble bloodline that makes a man worthy, but a noble heart, she turns to science to soothe her disappointment. She’s admitted to the School of Scientifica in London, far from her home at Brighton Castle. She’s eager to join a scientific expedition intent on tracking down a large meteorite strike. The hope is their study will unlock secrets of the universe, which will help mankind. Superstitions and fear surrounding the stones threaten the expedition. As dangers mount, William’s unexpected arrival could be the answer to her prayers…or the harbinger of more peril to come.

William Degraf chooses to join the king’s army to escape the growing secret love he has for Lady Elise. He is a low-born innkeeper’s son and not worthy to marry a lady of noble blood. His plan is to rise in ranks and one day earn great honors to declare for her hand. That hope is shattered when he loses his right leg in battle while saving his best friend from the enemy’s lance. When he receives information that a group of assassins have been hired to kill the king and all with noble blood, he must warn Elise and her family. Can he reach Elise in time to protect her from danger, then stand aside and watch her marry another?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Jan Davis Warren photo Jan Davis Warren is a mother, grandmother, and a young-at-heart great-grandmother. Her wonderful husband passed away the same year she won the ACFW Genesis Award for Romantic Suspense. That win and many others are encouraging reminders that God wants her to continue writing even in the tough times. Learn more at www.janwarrenbooks.com.

More from Jan

Writing The Stone and the Secrets was as much a joy as it was a challenge.

The hero and heroine of this book were first introduced in book 2, The Sword and the Secrets. Several readers loved Elise and William so much, they wanted to know more about them. The Stone and the Secrets is Elise and William’s story.

Book 3, The Stone and the Secrets was also to complete the series, but as soon as it was finished, I knew there would have to be one more. I already have the title, plot, and the characters, but I’ll share more about that another day.

As a writer, I love getting to know the characters. Before the story is finished, it’s like I’ve known them their whole lives. It’s fun, but challenging to allow the characters to evolve without pushing them to the end too soon. Spoiler alert. I absolutely LOVE a happily-ever-after ending. It gives me, as the author, a satisfying feeling of closure. You can laugh, but it’s true.

The hero and heroine in The Stone and the Secrets are not the typical h/h you might imagine living in medieval times.

The beautiful and intelligent, Lady Elise Stanton has a long and impressive royal linage. Because of her heritage, protocol demands she marry someone with an equally impressive noble bloodline. The problem is, Elise has no interest in protocol, titles, or matchmaking, and refuses to be courted by empty-headed men who know nothing of using a forge, or mending a broken carriage axle. She’s a scientist whose curiosity about the how things work has gotten her into trouble since she was old enough to take things apart. With her creative mind, she is always thinking of new things to invent. Her first attempt to fly almost got her killed, but for our hero, William Degraf’s timely intervention.

He’s saved Elise many times during their childhood—a challenge he gladly accepts for he loves her deeply. However, William’s love for Elise is not to be. He must sacrifice his love so she can fulfill her destiny, which means marrying a man with title and wealth, neither of which he has. He is strong, handsome, and of noble character, but has not a noble bloodline.

Once Elise becomes of marriageable age, he realizes seeing her courted would be too painful, so he joins the king’s army. By becoming a knight, he hopes to forget her.

As I got to know Sir William Degraf, a knight of the king’s army, I can tell you, there’s not a braver or more loyal man to be found in all of England.

In the title, The Stone and the Secrets, the stone was initially meant to represent the meteorites, which Elise is determined to locate. She feels they are the answer to finding a unique metal needed for a secret project.

To my unexpected delight, in the midst of writing this story, I realized the “stone” also represents the Lord, our Corner Stone, the Rock of Ages, the Stone that the builder rejected, and much more.

This is also an adventure story, so, of course, there’s hidden treasure and several villains, each with a goal to kill, steal and destroy. Assassins, murderous pagans, and a madman intent on revenge, all who are determined to wreak havoc along the way.

Which begs to question. With so much coming against them…

Can William reach Elise in time to save her, this time from a fate worse than death?

And, with William being a lowborn commoner, and Elise of noble blood, how can they possibly have their happily-ever-after?

I’m so excited. I can’t wait to tell you. They…

Oh, no, I’ve used up all my allotted words. Sorry, I guess you’ll have to read The Stone and the Secrets to find out.

May God bless and keep you, and give you peace.

Jan Davis Warren

My Thoughts

The Stone and the Secrets is written by Jan Davis Warren. This is book three in the Secrets series. I have read all the books in the series, but they can be read as stand alone books. This is set in Medieval times. This is not a time period that I read often. The author captured my attention right within the first few pages.

I loved the main character Lady Elise Stanton. She is different then other characters that I have read. She is interested in Science. In the beginning she is testing one of her scientific creations. William has always helped with her scientific experiments. When he becomes of marrying age he joins the King's army and buries the secret love he has for Elise. He does not feel he is of noble ranks since he is an inn-keeper's son. William was stubborn. The romance building was sweet and built at a comfortable pace.

The characters are well written, the storyline is intriguing, I feel like the author captured the time period well.

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