Monday, December 23, 2024

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Mabel and the Unholy Night (Mysteries of Medicine Spring Book Four) by Susan Kimmel Wright



About the Book



Book: Mabel and the Unholy Night (Mysteries of Medicine Spring Book Four)

Author: Susan Kimmel Wright

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Release date: November 5, 2024

Faithful dog Barnacle has run off into a snowstorm, disrupting Mabel’s fun outing at the Christmas tree farm. Things don’t improve much when he reappears…with a human skull.

Since Mabel moved into her late grandma’s house, the sleepy village of Medicine Spring has provided clean air, a close-knit community, and charming small-town shops. To her surprise, it’s also offered up several murders—and romance with a handsome private investigator. Now, Barnacle’s discovery plunges Mabel into the mystery surrounding a decades-old unsolved murder and the disappearance of her friend Nita’s great uncle.

Before Mabel, boyfriend John, and her friends can find answers and bring justice for Nita and her family, more complications develop. Incredibly, a sixty-year-old Christmas card arrives, bearing Mabel’s name and address and containing a plea for help. Are the mysteries related?

While Mabel tries to get to the bottom of these strange events, a second suspicious death casts suspicion on Nita. Can Mabel find the real killer in time? Or will her Christmas season end on an unholy night?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Susan Kimmel Wright began her life of mystery in childhood, with reading. That led to writing kids’ mysteries and eventually to Medicine Spring with Mabel. A longtime member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime, Susan’s also a prolific writer of personal experience stories, many for Chicken Soup for the Soul. She shares an 1875 farmhouse in southwestern PA with her husband, several dogs and cats, and an allegedly excessive stockpile of coffee and tea mugs.

 

 


 

More from Susan

Does Christmas make you nostalgic? In Mabel & the Unholy Night, fifty-year-old Mabel is observing her first Christmas in her late grandma’s house. As she sets out each fragile, vintage ornament, she feels that same familiar lump in her throat.

What we treasure may have to do with when we grew up. I love mid-century glass tree ornaments from Woolworth’s, ceramic elves stamped “Made in Japan,” and Gurley candles shaped like carolers, some still bearing 29¢ stickers on the base.

Ever since childhood, I’ve loved the tiny cardboard village under our tree. Houses and churches sparkled with glitter in their landscape of cotton-batting snow and bushes of dried moss. A sheet of glass atop light-blue construction paper made a perfect pond for tiny skaters. As someone once pointed out, accuracy of scale is of no concern in the cardboard village. Reindeer may loom over the houses like the mutant product of scientific experimentation gone wrong in a “B” horror movie.

Cardboard villages, properly called “putz houses,” originated with Moravian immigrants. Once handmade, houses were later imported from Germany and Japan. While nowadays we’re more likely to buy a ceramic village we can light up, I’ll take the primitive charm of a putz village any day.

Maybe best of all, we can build our own putz villages to suit ourselves. A new tradition for child and parent or grandparent might be building a new house each year, to add to the tiny community. While kits are available, you can also find plans online, such as this free resource: https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/make-traditional-glitter-houses-2365171

Perhaps our yearning for the things of the past is rooted in a longing for a more carefree time, when beloved faces, now gone, were still around us as we enjoyed the season together. When our slower-paced celebration centered on Christ’s birth, and family closeness. Building a putz house or church with loved ones might let us recapture just a bit of that old-fashioned Christmas spirit.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, December 20

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, December 21

A Reader’s Brain, December 22 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, December 22

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 23

Fiction Book Lover, December 24 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, December 25 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 26

Texas Book-aholic, December 27

Back Porch Reads, December 28 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 28

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 29

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, December 30 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, December 31

Lily’s Corner, January 1

Vicky Sluiter, January 2 (Author Interview)

Giveaway



To celebrate her tour, Susan is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of the book!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54124


My Review

Mabel and the Unholy Night is the fourth installment from Susan Kimmel Wright's Mysteries of Medicine Spring series. I have had the pleasure reading the previous books from the series and really enjoyed them. It was great to catch up with Mabel once again and being thrown into yet another mystery. This was a great suspense filled adventure to go on and I loved that it is centered around the most magical time of the year.

Five stars is what I am going to give Mabel and the Unholy Night. I highly recommend it for readers who love to read clean cozy mysteries. I hope there will be more books to come from the Mysteries of Medicine Spring series. I am not ready to say goodbye to Mabel and her pals.

I received a copy of Susan Kimmel Wright's Mabel and the Unholy Night from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion. 

Sunday, December 22, 2024

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Memoria (The Nightingale Trilogy Book Three) by J J Fischer



About the Book



Book: Memoria (The Nightingale Trilogy Book Three)

Author: J. J. Fischer

Genre: Adult Fantasy

Release date: December 10, 2024

Would you save a life if you knew it would destroy another?

In the deeply divided world of Caldera, nothing is as it seems. Taken captive by a faceless enemy, Sephone Winter fights to reclaim her soul as her gift pirals out of control and the deadly poison coursing through her veins begins to exact its terrible vengeance.

Meanwhile, Dorian and Cass are forced into an uneasy alliance in order to find the woman they both love . . . a woman who has all but vanished from the face of the earth, along with the Reliquary. Finding her becomes impossible as the identity of their greatest adversary continues to elude them.

When Caldera’s past catches up with the trio’s future, Sephone, Dorian, and Cass are forced to make decisions that threaten everything and everyone they care about. Each of them is offered a chance to sacrifice their own happiness for the sake of the other—but will they take it? And what will it cost them in the end?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

J.J. Fischer’s writing dream began with the anthology of zoo animals shepainstakingly wrote and illustrated at age five. Jasmine began writing her first proper novel at age fourteen, which eventually became her debut fantasy series, The Darcentaria Duology, which was published in 2021. She is a qualified psychologist with undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in clinical psychology. When Jasmine isn’t killing defenseless house plants, she enjoys devouring books, dabbling in floristry, playing the piano, and wishing it rained more often. Jasmine is married to David, and together they make their home a couple of hours north of Sydney, Australia.

 

 



More from J.J.

Have you ever felt God’s comfort in the midst of a horrific trial?

In 2021, midway through writing Memoria (Book 3 of The Nightingale Trilogy), my husband Dave and I were blindsided by his discovery of several sizable lumps on his neck. Those lumps turned out to be lymphoma (cancer of the lymph nodes), requiring immediate treatment.

2021 had already been a shocking year for us (and everyone else!). I’d lost both my remaining grandparents in the space of a few months. We were in the middle of a worldwide pandemic and one of the harshest lockdowns my state of New South Wales (Australia) had yet seen—which would necessitate going into further isolation while Dave underwent chemotherapy. And while I’d just received a diagnosis for my chronic illness, my recurring migraines (sometimes multiple a week) made it difficult for me to reliably drive Dave to and from his chemotherapy sessions.

But in one of the hardest times of our lives thus far, God provided. Dave made it through his chemo and has been in remission for some time now (though we’re still dealing with the consequences of the treatment in regards to fertility). I was able to drive him to all but two of his chemo sessions, and family and friends supported us in incredible ways. I’ve now received treatment for my chronic illness, which has helped me significantly and allowed me to take on more work as a freelance editor.

Eventually, I got back to Memoria, and wrote the second half of the story. And now, in hindsight, I can see the importance of God’s timing. Because Memoria is a story about pain—how we respond to it, what we do with it, and how it can poison our soul, if we let it. And ultimately, this book points to Jesus, the only one who can handle that pain, that poison, without succumbing Himself.

Are you struggling with a well of pain and suffering (and/or sin) in your own life? Perhaps not just things that you’ve done, but things that have been done to you? Are you struggling to keep your head above the raging waters, feeling swamped and pummeled by all God’s waves and breakers (Psalm 42:7)?

For starters, I want you to know that God keeps track of all your sorrows, every tear you cry (Psalm 56:8). You might feel invisible to the world, but you are not invisible to God. He knows everything about you, even the things you’ve never shared with anyone before. Even the pain you might not yourself have acknowledged.

The second piece of encouragement I want to share is that God promises to one day wipe all those tears from your eyes (Revelation 21:4). He won’t let those tears fall endlessly into eternity, ruining the perfect future He has in store for you. He will comfort you. He will bring you into his house, rejoicing over you. He can handle your pain (even the poison) without succumbing. Even your death is not the end of the story, because death was not the end of His.

I wrote The Nightingale Trilogy partly to deal with the pain of things in my own life. But as this series draws to a close, I hope it is a blessing to you in whatever season you’re going through right now (or will go through in future). I hope it reminds you of Eternity, and that you are greatly loved by the God who died to reclaim your soul.

God bless,

J. J. Fischer

Blog Stops

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

Simple Harvest Reads, December 15

The Lofty Pages, December 16

Back Porch Reads, December 17 (Author Interview)

Wishful Endings, December 17

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, December 18 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, December 19

Tell Tale Book Reviews, December 20

Fiction Book Lover, December 21 (Author Interview)

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, December 21

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 22

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 23

Guild Master, December 24 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, December 25 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 26

Inspired by Fiction, December 27

Giveaway



To celebrate her tour, J.J. is giving away the grand prize of a special edition hardcover copy of the book, a signed bookplate, and character art!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54118


My Review

Memoria is the third and final installment from The Nightingale Trilogy from J J Fischer.  I enjoyed the other books in the trilogy and this one is by far my favorite. It was full of action and adventure that kept me engaged from start to finish. I thought it was a perfect ending to this series but said to say goodbye to these characters. 

I am going to give Memoria four and a half stars. I have no doubt fans of clean fantasy fiction will not want to miss out on immersing themselves in this one, as well as, the previous releases from The Nightingale Trilogy. I am interesting to seeing what else J J Fischer will be releasing soon.

I received a copy of J J Fischer's Memoria from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion. 

Saturday, December 21, 2024

Blog Tour and Giveaway: A Dog Named Speed by Larry Fitzgerald



About the Book



Book: A Dog Named Speed

Author: Larry Fitzgerald

Genre: Fiction

Release date: December 4, 2023

Join Speed, the most adventurous pup ever, in “A Dog Named Speed” by Larry Fitzgerald! Speed had a rocky start in life, living in a cave beneath the Blue Mountains of Oregon, battling freezing winters, sneaky coyotes, and even a junkyard keeper with a trigger-happy finger. But Speed’s luck takes a turn when he’s rescued from a watery disaster and adopted by Babe, a young newspaper boy.

As Speed and Babe grow up together, they embark on thrilling adventures in the wilds of Oregon, discovering secret fishing spots and having daring encounters. Speed becomes Babe’s trusty sidekick, and together, they form an unbreakable team.

But it’s not just about Speed and Babe; this story is packed with excitement and surprises! Speed meets Kate, a lively Australian shepherd, and their connection adds even more adventure to the mix. Plus, there’s a deeper message about faith and friendship that will make you think.

If you’re ready for action, friendship, and a heartwarming tale, “A Dog Named Speed” is the book for you. Get ready to cheer for Speed and Babe as they navigate life’s ups and downs and discover the true meaning of loyalty and love. This is a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat and warm your heart at the same time!

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Larry Fitzgerald, a retired businessman turned youth soccer coach, infuses his writing, managing, and coaching with an unwavering commitment to Christ’s Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). Concerned for today’s youth growing up without spiritual guidance, Larry took to writing. Larry’s impactful short fiction is showcased in anthologies like “Stories from the Attic” (2022) and “Fortunes” (2023) by AA Inc. Publishing. His stories transcend pages, offering beacons of spiritual enlightenment for a generation navigating a world where God’s presence is often obscured.

More from Larry

Writing the story about Speed and the newspaper boy should have been a slam dunk. All I had to do was remember the years between my ninth and eighteenth birthdays—not all of it, of course, just the time my dog Speed and I spent together, which was, basically, all of it. Getting the story into my computer was easy. The hard part was getting it out of my computer and into the format(s) required for publishing and marketing. That was and continues to be a challenging learning experience.  Someday, I may write a book about that.

The great thing about my book, A Dog Named Speed, is that it’s a true story except for the parts where Speed is not with me, alone, or with other animals. Those were imagined but very plausible. The story is told from the dog’s point of view, from heaven, as he awaits his master to join him.

Speed was a stray dog who started following me as I delivered newspapers in a small town in Eastern Oregon. He would not come near me despite my enthusiastic efforts to win his favor. He was afraid of all humans, which I assume came from having been mistreated as a young dog. Our coming together happened only when Speed was desperate and had no choice but to reach out to me.

After that, Speed and I were rarely apart. We shared many exciting times centered on fishing adventures, camping trips, and ball games. Speed and I slept together every night. He followed me to school each day and waited faithfully for me to get home so he could join in whatever was in store for the evening.

The most important thing I observed about Speed was how he treated his master. I knew Speed loved me unconditionally. As the story affirms, there was nothing he wouldn’t do to come to my aid. As this became clear, I began to think about how I treat my Master, Jesus Christ. Was I faithful? Was my every thought about Him? Were my first thoughts when I woke up every morning about Jesus? I am certain Speed’s were of me.

My book was written for young people, but it has found a broader audience as well. Any reader who has ever owned a dog can relate to this story. I am blessed to have owned A Dog Named Speed.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, December 13

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, December 14

A Reader’s Brain, December 15 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, December 15

She Lives To Read, December 16

Life on Chickadee Lane, December 17

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 18

Back Porch Reads, December 19 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, December 19

Texas Book-aholic, December 20

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 22

Little Homeschool on the Prairie , December 23

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, December 24 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, December 25 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 26

Giveaway



To celebrate his tour, Larry is giving away the grand prize of a $75 Amazon gift card!!

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

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54117/


My Review

A Dog Named Speed: A Story of Unconditional Love and Faith is the first book I had the pleasure of reading from author Larry Fitzgerald. I adored taking this heartwarming story with Speed and learning along the way with him on this adventure. This is one of those books that puts an instant smile on my face. I loved it.

Five stars is what I am going to give A Dog Named Speed: A Story of Unconditional Love and Faith. I recommend it for fans who love to read clean fiction about beloved canines. I would love to read more like this one from Larry Fitzgerald in the future. 

I received a paperback copy of Larry Fitzgerald's A Dog Named Speed: A Story of Unconditional Love and Faith from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion. 

Friday, December 20, 2024

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Beyond the Horizon by Penny Zeller

About the Book


Book:
Beyond the Horizon

Author: Penny Zeller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: November 5, 2024

She’s desperate to keep her job.
He’s desperate for solitude.
What is God’s plan in this complicated situation?

Ruby Shepherdson has worked hard to secure her job as a reporter for The Horizon Herald. After a costly mistake, Ruby’s unforgiving boss gives her an ultimatum to either interview the handsome and reclusive Jake Lynton—or lose her job. But each time Ruby has attempted to obtain an interview, Mr. Lynton has refused. Why would anyone who has saved the lives of four people deny recognition? And why does she find herself drawn to the man?

Jake Lynton just wants to be left alone. Haunted by the past, he runs from both guilt and God by leaving home and somehow finding himself in Horizon, Idaho. His hopes of living as a recluse are foiled when a pesky, but beautiful reporter insists he allow her to interview him about a good deed gone awry. Despite Jake’s efforts, Ruby Shepherdson persists, soon endearing herself to him while somehow remaining endlessly annoying.

Jake’s story isn’t the only one Ruby seeks to publish. When rumors of ill dealings come to her attention, she sets forth to uncover the truth—truth someone does not want revealed. As danger emerges and an unanticipated enemy determines to keep Ruby silent, will Jake fit the pieces together in time to rescue her? Or will he lose the woman who has found a place in his heart?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Penny Zeller is known for her heartfelt stories of faith-filled happily ever afters and her passion to impact lives for Christ through fiction. Her books feature tender romance, steady doses of humor, and memorable characters that stay with you long after the last page.

While she has had a love for writing since childhood, Penny began her adult writing career penning articles for national and regional publications on a wide variety of topics. Today Penny is a multi-published author of over two dozen books and is also a fitness instructor, loves the outdoors, and is a flower gardening addict. In her spare time, she enjoys camping, hiking, kayaking, biking, birdwatching, reading, running, and playing volleyball.

Penny resides with her husband and two daughters in small-town America and loves to connect with her readers.

More from Penny

Thank you so much for joining me for the Beyond the Horizon blog tour. I am super excited to share Ruby Shepherdson’s story with you and can’t wait for you to meet newcomer Jake Lynton. Below is an excerpt from the first chapter. Happy reading!

 

Horizon, Idaho, 1895

 

For a moment, she was the world-famous reporter, Ruby Shepherdson, author of the latest award-winning article.

Ruby closed her eyes and imagined seeing her name below the numerous articles and stories she submitted to Mr. O’Kane, the editor of The Horizon Herald. The editor from the prestigious Boise City Chronicle, who was just happening to visit his mother in Horizon, would peruse the pages of The Horizon Herald and become engrossed in one of Ruby’s engaging articles. He would then invite her to submit a monthly story to his well-read publication.

But alas, such a fanciful dream would have to wait.

Ruby resumed scrubbing one of Papa’s shirts on the washboard. There was no fictional editor from The Boise City Chronicle visiting his mother in Horizon. And until Ruby’s shipment of her Smith Premier typewriter arrived from the R. Altman & Company in St. Louis, Missouri, she would continue to dip her pen in ink and handwrite each and every composition she submitted to the cantankerous man who’d become her boss just one year ago last week.

Not that she minded tending to everyday chores, including laundry on Mondays, for she didn’t. As a matter of fact, Ruby’s highest aspirations were to marry someday and be a wife and mother. But until the Lord saw fit to allow a suitable gent into her life, she would continue on the path of writing.

Ruby hung the shirt on the line and proceeded with washing the next item when she noticed a buggy rounding the curve to their farm. She stood tall and placed her hands on her lower back to stretch the tightness from hunching over the washboard. A closer perusal indicated Wilhelmina, one of Mama’s best friends, was paying them a visit.

Wilhelmina, a permanent smile on her round face, folded Ruby into a hug. “It’s so nice to see you. Your ma and I are planning some new recipe ideas, but first, I was asked to deliver a message.”

It didn’t surprise Ruby that Mama and Wilhelmina would be experimenting with recipes. After the Bible, Mama’s favorite book was Recipes from Augusta’s Kitchen, a book she’d purchased when she and Papa first married. “A message?”

“Yes. Tabitha said to tell you that your special purchase has arrived.”

The air caught in Ruby’s lungs. “My special purchase? It has arrived?”

“That’s what she said.”

Not caring how unladylike it might be, Ruby let out an enthusiastic squeal, threw up her hands in excitement, and danced a little jig.

“Might be that you are thrilled to hear this news,” teased Wilhelmina.

“Oh, yes. Not only thrilled but exhilarated. I’ve waited forever for this momentous occasion.”

Blog Stops

Madi’s Musings, December 10

lakesidelivingsite, December 10

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, December 11

Life on Chickadee Lane, December 11

Lighthouse Academy Blog, December 12 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Pens Pages & Pulses, December 13

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 14

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 15

Texas Book-aholic, December 16

Pause for Tales, December 16

Book Looks by Lisa, December 17

Cover Lover Book Review, December 18

She Lives To Read, December 19

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 20

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 21

Mary Hake, December 21

For Him and My Family, December 22

Holly’s Book Corner, December 23

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 extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54115


My Review

I adored the first two books from Penny Zeller's Horizon series, Over the Horizon and Dreams on the Horizon. I was excited to have the opportunity to read the third installment, Beyond the Horizon. I think this one is the best one of the series yet. I loved getting to know the main characters, Ruby and Jake, and being transported back to their time. It was a sweet, heartwarming, and inspiring story. 

Five plus stars is what I am going to give Beyond the Horizon. I highly recommend it for readers who love to read clean historical romance. I can not wait to get my hands on the fourth book in the series, Love on the Horizon, to see what happens next.

I received a paperback copy of Penny Zeller's Beyond the Horizon from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion. 

Thursday, December 19, 2024

Book Blast and Giveaway: The Brave Prince in the Enchanted Forest by Beverly Brown


 THE BRAVE PRINCE IN THE ENCHANTED FOREST

Beverly Brown

 


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

 

GENRE:  Children's

 

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

 

BLURB:

 

In the heart of a lush, beautiful serene forest, where butterflies, birds and bees freely dance in the gently breeze, a magical tale unfolds. Meet Prince, a majestic Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, who loves this serene place that they call The Enchanted Forest. As the appointed guardian of this homeland by the beautiful Forest Fairy Princess Jenna Joy, Prince learns things about himself, makes new friends and protects the sanctity of the forest. This story is a heartwarming tale of courage, friendship and the beauty of nature. Follow Prince's pawprints as he navigates his way through the forest and you will be immersed into a world of wonder and joy. You will be enchanted and reminded of all the magic and extraordinary powers that lie within the hearts of our loyal, furry companions.

 

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

 

EXCERPT:

 

In recognition of the Cavalier’s promise, Princess Jenna Joy placed a golden crown with red jewels, a symbol not only of royalty but also of untapped magical powers, atop his little head. She named him Prince, in honor of becoming the first leader of the forest.

 

At that time, a bolt of energy went through Prince’s body.

 

He felt different.

 

He felt special.

 

He felt more responsible.

 

He even felt taller.

 

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

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Beverly Brown is an author who has a passion for storytelling. With a 20-year career as a Human Resources Leader, she has honed her understanding of people and their unique stories – a skill she brings to her writing, infusing her tales with warmth, empathy, and insight.

 

Beyond the pages of writing and outside the corporate world, Beverly is a culinary enthusiast who finds joy in cooking and sharing meals with her family in Atlanta, Georgia.

 

She is an avid traveler, seeking inspiration in the diverse cultures and landscapes she encounters, and a dedicated gardener, nurturing her plants with the same care she pours into her storytelling. As a lifelong learner, Beverly is constantly seeking new knowledge and experiences, whether in her professional field or her personal pursuits.

 

Beverly is a certified Pet Grief Counselor and uses those skills to support families in managing the grief cycle of their beloved family pet. Through her Facebook group Paws in Paradise Support Group, she is helping to build another community where members support each other with compassion and understanding.

 

Her writing reflects this curiosity, offering readers stories that are as enriching as they are enchanting. Drawing inspiration from her personal experiences with her own fur babies, her stories are a testament to the gentle nature and loyal spirit of these charming canines.

 

Website: www.beverlybrownauthor.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeverlyBrownAuthor-v2y

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564607346845

Facebook Group Support Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1242231100256651

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beverly_brown_author/?hl=en

 

Amazon link to Purchase:

https://a.co/d/e5bZA8j

 

Barnes and Noble link to Purchase:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-brave-prince-in-the-enchanted-forest-beverly-brown/1146279348?ean=9781662950605

 

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

 

GIVEAWAY:

 

Beverly Brown will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Blog Tour and Giveaway: The Maiden Without Hands by Michelle Redmon

 


About the Book



Book: The Maiden Without Hands

Author: Michelle Redmon

Genre: Christian Fantasy

Release date: March 12, 2022

A mutilated healer with a tender heart, an anguished king with a missing twin, and a maniacal sorcerer who intends to have his way no matter the cost are inextricably connected in this retelling of a little-known fairy tale called The Maiden Without Hands.

When Elia and her parents take in an injured stranger, they have no idea of the chaos he will shortly bring to their lives. The stranger, a sorcerer named Thorn, becomes enamored of Elia. When he is rebuffed, he commits an unthinkable act, leaving Elia maimed, distraught, and separated from her family.

Adam is the ruler of Haven, a role he always expected to share with his twin sister. When the latter suddenly disappears, he is consumed with his need to find her. Will he ever find peace–even if he doesn’t find his sister? How will the disfigured young woman he finds along the way help him? And what will happen when the sorcerer finds them both?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Michelle Redmon is a self described “Jill-of-all-trades”.  In addition to being an author, she is a visual artist, award winning vocalist, former children’s pastor, worship leader, homeschooling mom and cat lady.  The most important thing that she is, is a follower of Jesus.  Currently, she lives in Overland Park, KS with her husband, two kids, three cats and a dog.

 

 



 

More from Michelle

I have always loved fairy tales. From the time I could read, I loved curling up with a book of fairy tales, immersing myself in imaginary lands where kings and queens ruled, unicorns were real, and everyone (eventually) had their happily ever after. As I grew older, the love for fairy tales turned into a love for fantasy novels. My fascination with words in general turned into a love of writing, so, naturally, I began to write fantasy.

The Maiden Without Hands came to be because I had been wanting to retell a fairy tale in my own way. I didn’t want it to be one with which everyone was familiar, so I began reading through old Brothers Grimm books, focusing on their lesser known stories. When I came across the story of a virtuous young woman tormented by an evil sorcerer, I knew I had found my tale. What appealed to me was the fact that there were already some Christian elements to the story. I took the skeleton of the story and fleshed it out, adding my own elements to create The Maiden Without Hands.

It’s my hope that this tale will transport you to the world of Haven, and that the characters will resonate with you as they cry, laugh, dream, and discover their faith. It is also my hope that you will find something stirring in your own soul as you travel through the pages of this book.

So, are you ready?  Once Upon a Time…

Blog Stops

Vicky Sluiter, December 9 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 9

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, December 10 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, December 11

Simple Harvest Reads, December 12 (Author Interview)

For the Love of Literature, December 13 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, December 14 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 15

Blossoms and Blessings, December 16 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 17

Artistic Nobody, December 18 (Author Interview)

Stories By Gina, December 19 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, December 19

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, December 20 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 21

Guild Master, December 22 (Author Interview)

Giveaway



To celebrate her tour, Michelle is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

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

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54114/


My Review

The Maiden Without Hands is my first introduction to author, Michelle Redmon. I am not a huge fan of this genre but I am happy that I went outside my comfort zone and give it a try. I thought it was a good read that held my attention from start to finish. The plot was not predictable and I was often wondering what was going to happen from scene to scene. I liked it.

I am going to give The Maiden Without Hands four and a half stars. Fans of clean fantasy fiction will not want to miss out on reading this one. I would be interested in reading more releases from Michelle Redmon in the future.

I received a digital copy of Michelle Redmon's The Maiden Without Hands from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion. 

Monday, December 16, 2024

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Falling for a Humbug Cowboy (Vargas Ranch Book 5) by Karen Baney



About the Book



Book: Falling for a Humbug Cowboy (Vargas Ranch Book 5)

Author: Karen Baney

Genre: Contemporary Christian Cowboy Romance

Release date: November 5, 2024

Book: Falling for a Humbug Cowboy (Vargas Ranch Book 5)

Author: Karen Baney

Genre: Contemporary Christian Cowboy Romance

Release date: November 5, 2024

She’s the happiest person he’s ever met. His world has turned upside and he’s in no mood for Christmas. Will these coworkers find middle ground as they head into the holidays?

Reeling from a shocking family secret, Drake Vargas heads into the holiday season grumpier than he’s ever been. He can’t seem to get his footing and his new barista is way too much sunshine for him.

Candi Kaine loves Christmas! Nothing can stop her sunny disposition. As she starts a new job at Vargas Ranch, she’s determined to fix the grumpy, hipster cowboy who just happens to be her boss. Nothing will deter her from making sure he experiences a very Merry Christmas.

Will Drake find his joy again or has Candi Kaine finally met her match?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About 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.

Her faith plays an important role both in her life and in her writing. Karen and her husband, Jim, make their home in Gilbert, Arizona, with their two dogs, Bella and Daisy. Both Jim and Karen are active at Rock Point Church in Queen Creek, Arizona.


More from Karen

Inspiring My Christmas Mood by Karen Baney

In Falling for a Humbug Cowboy, I had a lot of fun incorporating classic holiday songs (and the occasional Christmas story) into scenes to add flavor and sometimes intensify the character’s feelings.

It was purely accidental at first. I love classic Christmas songs and during the holiday season my hubby and I listen to a lot of Holiday Traditions on Sirius XM.

So, when I described a scene where Candi helps Drake decorate the dining hall, I just wrote that she switched the overhead music to a Christmas station and belted out Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer. The next thing I know, I’m three song mentions in. So, I decided to make deliberate use of songs.

When I was struggling to get in the mood to write a Christmas novel in the dead of summer (108+ in July in Arizona!), I loaded up my phone with several playlists. One of the first songs was Feliz Navidad and I knew I had to find a way to use it. It would be the perfect song to show off Candi’s fun personality and draw Drake out of his humbug mood.

I hope you enjoy this Christmas playlist from the novel with a few sneak peaks of how I used the songs:

  • Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer – Candi belts out the tune while working.
  • White Christmas by Bing Crosby – Candi “crooned along with Bing Crosby, making a nice duet”.
  • The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole – causes Drake to picture holding Candi close, swaying to the music.
  • Holly Jolly Christmas by Burl Ives – playing while Drake helps Candi with a rush of customers.
  • Feliz Navidad – Candi dances around Drake until she gets him to dance and sing along.
  • I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm by Dean Martin – Candi notices the not-so-humbug cowboy walking away, ratcheting up her interest.
  • Christmas in Your Eyes by Travis Shaw – playing during a special moment between Drake and Candi.
  • It’s Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas by Michael Bublé – Candi’s lunch with a friend.
  • Mele Kalikimaka – Driving to Flagstaff together to play in the snow.
  • All I want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey – sets the stage for Drake’s proposal on July 25th (Christmas in July).

What’s your favorite Christmas song? By a specific artist or any artist? Please share in the comments, I’d love to know. 😊

Blog Stops

The Lofty Pages, December 11

lakesidelivingsite, December 12

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 13

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

Holly’s Book Corner, December 14

Texas Book-aholic, December 15

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 16

Back Porch Reads, December 17 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 18

Lighthouse Academy, December 19

Devoted To Hope, December 20

Simple Harvest Reads, December 21 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

For Him and My Family, December 22

Labor Not in Vain, December 23

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, December 24 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 24

Giveaway



To celebrate her tour, Karen is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of the book!!

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


http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54116


My Review

I have enjoyed reading the first four books from Karen Baney's Vargas Ranch series and was excited to continue the series with the fifth installment, Falling for a Humbug Cowboy. I was far from being disappointed. I just adored Drake and Candi's story. It was so sweet and entertaining to read. It was delightfully heartwarming and I loved that it was set during the most magical time of the year. 

I am going to give Falling for a Humbug Cowboy five stars. I highly recommend it for readers who love to read clean contemporary cowboy romance, particularly one set during Christmas. I will be looking forward to more releases from Karen Baney in the future. 

I received a digital copy of Karen Baney's Falling for a Humbug Cowboy from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.