Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Trail to Love by Susan F Craft

About the Book


Book: 
Trail to Love

Author:  Susan F. Craft

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: September 17, 2024

A widowed father…a heartbroken nanny…and a wagon train journey that will change their lives forever.

Since the death of her fiancĂ©, Anne Forbes has given up on the life she thought she’d have. After taking a role as nanny to her two young nephews, she’s grown close to her brother’s family—a replacement for the one she never had the chance to start. But when she accompanies them on the wagon trail to their new life in South Carolina, a handsome and gallant widowed father who’s also part of the group catches her eye and her heart, making her wonder if God might have plans of love for her after all. If only the beautiful woman the man escorts didn’t have her sights set on him.

Michael Harrigan never considered remarrying after the death of his wife. No woman could ever compare. But when he meets the gentlehearted Anne while escorting his sister-in-law on their journey to the Blue Ridge Mountains, he’s taken aback by Anne’s lovely voice and her compassion. As they face the trials and adventures of life on the trail, he finds himself open to the idea of marriage for the first time in many years.
But when disaster strikes the wagon train, Michael and Anne must work side-by-side to save lives. In the midst of their struggles, can they find a way to abandon their separate trails of grief and hardship for the trail to love?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Susan F. Craft retired after a 45-year career in writing, editing, and communicating in business settings.

She authored the historical romantic suspense trilogy Women of the American Revolution—The Chamomile, Laurel, and Cassia. The Chamomile and Cassia received national Illumination Silver Awards. The Chamomile was named by the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance as an Okra Pick and was nominated for a Christy Award.

She collaborated with the International Long Riders’ Guild Academic Foundation to compile An Equestrian Writer’s Guide (www.lrgaf.org), including almost everything you’d ever want to know about horses.

An admitted history nerd, she enjoys painting, singing, listening to music, and sitting on her porch with her dog, Steeler, watching geese eat her daylilies. She most recently took up the ukulele.


More from Susan

A History of Buttons

In my Christian Historical Romance, my main character, Anne Forbes, is a tailor and seamstress. When she arrives in Philadelphia from Scotland in 1753, she visits several shops and is amazed by the huge supply of buttons.

Buttons have been around for 3,000 years. Made from bone, horn, wood, metal, and seashells, they didn’t fasten anything, but were worn for decoration.

The first buttons to be used as fasteners were connected through a loop of thread. The button and buttonhole arrived in Europe in 1200, brought back by the Crusaders.

The French, who called the button a bouton for bud or bouter to push, established the Button Makers Guild in 1250. Still used for adornment, the buttons they produced were beautiful works of art.

By the mid-1300s, tailors fashioned garments with rows of buttons with matching buttonholes. Some outfits were adorned with thousands of buttons, making it necessary for people to hire professional dressers. Buttons became such a craze that the Church denounced them as the devil’s snare, referring to the ladies in their button-fronted dresses.

In 1520 for a meeting between King Francis I of France and King Henry VIII of England, King Francis’ clothing was bedecked with over 13,000 buttons, and King Henry’s clothing was similarly weighed down with buttons.

In the 16th century, the Puritans condemned the over-adornment of buttons as sinful, and soon the number of buttons required to be fashionable diminished, though they were made from gold, ivory, and diamonds.

By the mid-1600s, button makers used silver, ceramics, and silk and often hand painted buttons with portraits or scenery.

The late 17th century saw the beginning of the production by French tailors of thread buttons, little balls of thread. This angered the button artisans so much that they pressured the government to pass a law fining tailors for making thread buttons. The button makers even wanted homes and wardrobes searched and suggested that fines be levied against anyone wearing thread buttons. But in la Guerre des Boutons, it’s not clear that their demands went beyond fining of tailors.

Towards the end of the 1700s in Europe, big metallic buttons came into fashion. At this time, Napoleon introduced the use of sleeve buttons on tunics. This time period saw the development of the double-breasted jacket. When the outside of the jacket was soiled, the wearer would unbutton it, turn the soiled surface to the inside, and re-button.

Thread buttons were used on men’s shirts and other undergarments from the late 17th into the early 19th century. Cheaper, they wouldn’t break when laundresses scrubbed and beat the material. They were also used on shifts and undergarments because they were soft and comfortable. Other types of thread buttons were death head buttons, star buttons, basket buttons, and Dorset buttons.  Some said that death head buttons were called that because they resembled a skull and crossbones, memento mori, a reminder that life is short and should be lived as well as possible.  Dorset buttons originated in Dorset in southern England where they became a cottage industry. Families, prison inmates, and orphans were employed in the manufacture of thousands of Dorset buttons each year, which were used throughout the UK and exported all over the world.

Bone button molds, slightly domed on one side and flat on the other, were common in the mid to late 18th century. Button molds were used to make both cloth and thread (passementerie) covered buttons.

Horn buttons were used mostly for spatterdashes and gaitered trousers. These strong durable buttons were competitive in price with other types but available in limited numbers in the 18th century since the making of them was slow.

Many colonial American buttons were made from seashells, wood, wax, and animal bones.  The bones were boiled for 12 hours, cut into small pieces, shaved around the edges and had a hole punched through them with an awl. The shape was up to the maker — round, oval, square, rectangular, or octagonal.

Brass buttons, functional and ornamental, were also popular in colonial America. In 1750 in Philadelphia, a German immigrant, Caspar Wistar, made brass buttons guaranteed for seven years. He later opened the first successful glass making factory in the colonies.

(I want to thank the William Booth Drapers of Racine, WI, for some of the information provided in this post.  Please visit their website at  www.wmboothdraper.com where you’ll find a treasure trove of books about 17th and 18th century fashion — shoes, slippers, hats, bonnets, buttons and trimmings, etc., and Packet books about sewing. Fantastic resource.  Thank you, William Booth Drapers.)

 

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, October 8

Simple Harvest Reads, October 9 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 10

DevotedToHope, October 10

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

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 12

Texas Book-aholic, October 13

For Him and My Family, October 13

lakesidelivingsite, October 14

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 15

An Author’s Take, October 16

Blossoms and Blessings , October 16

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 17

Life on Chickadee Lane, October 18

Karen Baney Reviews, October 19

Holly’s Book Corner, October 19

Books You Can Feel Good About, October 20

Cover Lover Book Review, October 21

Pause for Tales, October 21

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Susan is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon 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/00adcf5462


My Review

I have enjoyed the first two books from Susan F Craft’s Great Wagon Road series, Love’s Winding Road and Trail of Promises. I was excited to continue the series with the third installment, Trail to Love. I was not disappointed and thought it was a sweet book to read. I adored the main characters, Michael and Anne. I could not put their story down until I was completely finished. A beautiful and delightful tale.

I am giving Trail to love five stars. I highly recommend it for readers who love to read clean historical romance. I would love if there would be more to come from the Great Wagon Road series, as well as, author, Susan F. Craft.

I received a paperback copy of Susan F Craft’s Trail to love from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion. 

Monday, October 14, 2024

Spotlight: Ruin by Gillian Eliza West

Gillian Eliza West Launches New Romantasy Series with Debut Book, RUIN

Popular Fan Fiction Writer Makes Bold Leap to Novels with

Infernis Duology


https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1721245409i/213812735.jpg


Well known for her Harry Potter-inspired fan fiction, writer Gillian Eliza West is making her first foray into full length novels. The first book in her Infernis Duology, Ruin, is a true slow burn romance featuring an enemies to lovers storyline and nods to multiple mythologies. With its own unique world, language, and lore, Ruin provides readers a depth that is not often found in other mythological retellings and fantasy romance novels. This novel is an exploration of fear and grief, the way those emotions can fester and change a person into something unrecognizable, and how the path back to finding oneself is often to face what one fears most.


The main character Oralia Solis has not felt the touch of another in 245 years without them crumbling to ash at her feet. Cursed by the bite of a daemoni, she has been sequestered away for the greater good of Aethera by her adopted father, King Typhon. When Oralia flees the palace of Aethera after her power is let loose with deadly results, rival king Renwick recognizes her potential as a weapon and aids her escape.


King Renwick rules the kingdom of Infernis, and he is touch averse. Renwick is the god of the dead and though he cannot be destroyed, he can be killed and resurrected. However, each time he is resurrected, he loses a small piece of his soul. By the time Oralia meets him, he cannot feel anything besides grief, shame, and a cold sort of anger.


Oralia finds herself the prisoner of the man she has been taught to fear most, and Renwick is surprised to find there is more to this princess than her untamed powers. Despite the gulf of secrets and magic between them, Renwick cannot deny the pull he feels towards her, and Oralia struggles to resist the one person who cannot only survive her touch but craves it.


As Oralia uncovers the truth of her parentage and masters her magic, she will discover that the power to raze or save either Aethera or Infernis lies in her hands. War between the two kingdoms looms, and she must decide who she can trust and which she wants more: power or love.


I have experienced quite a lot of loss in my life which has caused me to become afraid and anxious. So, I felt very passionate about writing a story about what it is like to not only face your fears but also become them and find out what’s on the other side. I am very excited for my fans to meet Oralia and Renwick,” says Gillian Eliza West.


West has created a rich fantasy story with impeccable spice and mythological inspiration. To learn more about the book and author, please visit: GillianElizaWest.com


About the Author

Gillian Eliza West, debut author of Ruin: The Infernis Duology Book One, lives in Austin, Texas. With a passion for mythology that has taken her around the world despite her fear of flying, she strives to infuse her stories with a similar kind of wonder and magic. Her first foray into writing for an audience was fan fiction, allowing her to hone her skills as a storyteller. When she is not working on her debut duology, you can find West snuggled up with her dog, Walter, and a book or her favorite fanfic. To learn more, please visit GillianElizaWest.com or follow her on Instagram @GillianEliza or TikTok @gillianeliza_.


About the Book

Title: Ruin: The Infernis Duology Book One

Author: Gillian Eliza West

ISBN: B0DBZPTJ6F (Kindle) 9798990138902 (paperback)

Release date: October 15, 2024

Price: $4.99 USD (Kindle) $16.99 (paperback)

Pages: 388


Sunday, October 13, 2024

Blog Tour and Giveaway: A Perfect Flock by Mike Bogue


About the Book



Book: A Perfect Flock

Author: Mike Bogue

Genre: Christian Science Fiction

Release date: October 26, 2023

Tuck Jameson vows to stop his brother Clay from joining The Body, a religious cult that uses nanotechnology to turn its members into Christian automatons.

But Clay disappears—and in three days, his nanotechnology conversion will be complete. Desperate to find Clay, Tuck enlists the aid of former high school mentor Adam Shimura, now a black ops agent with potentially mixed motives.

Brother Moody, the cult’s Chief Elder, mobilizes his acolytes against Tuck. Worse, a shocking prophecy ups the ante, making Tuck realize the stakes involve not only him and Clay, but all of America—and perhaps, the world.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Why does Mike Bogue write speculative fiction? Because he finds it a perfect genre to explore timeless themes and timely science, as well as the collision between technology and faith. When he isn’t writing, he enjoys watching Godzilla movies, singing 1960s pop tunes, and munching Fiber One brownies. Single and retired, Mike lives with his cat Bendi in Western Arkansas, where he and Bendi regularly hold contests to see who can nap the longest in a single day.

 




 

 

More from Mike

“If brainwashing means losing my free will for God’s sake, so be it.”

Thus says a recruit for the religious cult The Body in my novel A Perfect Flock.

When planning the novel, I wondered—should Christians use technology to enhance their moral lives? What if technology forced us to be good? Should we use it? Should we advocate it? Would it make Christians, and therefore the Gospel, more appealing to non-Christians?

A Perfect Flock explores these issues. In the novel, technology that might have been a blessing becomes a curse in the hands of cult leader Brother Moody. Indeed, becoming Moody’s version of a perfect Christian might just cost you your soul.

In A Perfect Flock, you will confront the well-meaning but dark future into which technology may be taking Christians and society; experience a fast-paced quest in which an older brother is determined to save his younger brother from technological enslavement; and face the tension between free will and enforced will—if we had the technology to force others to become Christians, should we?

If you like near-future Christian science fiction novels such as Steven James’ Synapse, I think you’ll enjoy A Perfect Flock.

A technical note: The book was released last October 23, so it is available now.

Best of hopes and dreams,

Mike

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 5

For the Love of Literature, October 6 (Author Interview)

The Book Zone, October 7

Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 8 (Author Interview)

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, October 9

Through the Fire Blogs, October 10 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 11

Artistic Nobody, October 12 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, October 12

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 13

Stories By Gina, October 14 (Author Interview)

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, October 14

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, October 15 (Author Interview)

A Reader’s Brain, October 16 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, October 17

Back Porch Reads, October 18 (Author Interview)

Giveaway



To celebrate his tour, Mike is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon 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/00adcf5459


My Review

Even though I am not a huge fan of science fiction, I was curious to see what A Perfect Flock by new to me author, Mike Bogue. I found it interesting to see this time of story with a Biblical twist to it. I enjoyed getting to know Tuck and taking this journey with him. The story is full of adventure, drama, danger, action, and suspense with an element of faith. I thought it was an overall good read that held my attention from start to finish. 

I am giving A Perfect Flock four stars. I believe readers who to read clean science fiction. I would be interested in reading more from Mike Bogue in the future.

I received a paperback copy of Mike Bogue's A Perfect Flock from the publisher, bur was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion. 

Saturday, October 12, 2024

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Preach It, Grace A Girl's Testimony of Faith (Dream Pony Riders Book 5) by Susan Count



About the Book



Book: Preach It, Grace  A Girl’s Testimony of Faith (Dream Pony Book 5)

Author: Susan Count

Genre: Middle-Grade

Release date: February, 2024

Sharing a pony worked perfectly, until it didn’t.

The pony share Grace worked out with her elderly neighbor was ideal—she thought. Mr. Harvey bought the buckskin gelding’s food and Grace fed him. The pony was important to both of them so it made no sense when the elderly man sent him away. And why won’t he tell her where?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

 

About the Author

Susan Count is a Kingdom Scribe who has published nine books in two equestrian series. As a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, American Christian Fiction Writers, and Texas Association of Authors, she takes studying the craft of writing seriously. Revision is her super-power.

Susan is a life-long equestrian and owned by a Rocky Mountain Horse that is kind hearted enough to take her on long, forested trail rides. She says the only thing more fun than riding might be writing horse adventure stories and she invites you to saddle up and ride along.

 


 

Read an Excerpt

Saturday started early for Grace’s family. Serve Out Saturday was the church’s biggest outreach event all year, and everyone who could turned out to help. Grace manned the church’s front-door sign-in desk. After everyone got their work assignments, she ran with her clipboard for the van headed to the retirement home. When they arrived, many residents were already gathered.
She lined up with six other girls, and they sang the gospel songs the residents requested. She searched their faces until she found Mr. Harvey in the last row. Giving him a quick wave, she sang directly to him.

He didn’t sing along like many of the residents, but he stayed for the program. That counted as a victory. Did he recognize her? She couldn’t tell.

She stepped to the microphone. “Hello. I’m Grace. That means blessings from God.”

She grinned at the residents, and they smiled back at her. “Horses are my favorite thing, and they’re also blessings from God. If you’ve ever seen a horse, then you know they are magnificent, mighty creatures.”

Grace held a booklet high, then pointed with it to the residents. “This explains how we can know the God that blesses us. And how we can go to heaven to be with him someday. It says he sent his Son, Jesus, to teach us about eternal life.”

She placed her hands over the open Bible on the podium. “No matter how hard we try, we can’t be perfect, but because of Jesus, we are forgiven for all the things we do wrong. He suffered and died on the cross, was buried, then raised to life on the third day.” She looked into Mr. Harvey’s eyes. “He loves us that much.”

As she closed the Bible, she softened her voice. “Pray to your heavenly Father—ask him to help you believe in Jesus.”

Blog Stops

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 12

Simple Harvest Reads, October 13 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, October 14 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 14

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, October 15

Lots of Helpers, October 16

Vicky Sluiter, October 17 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, October 18

Guild Master, October 19 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, October 20

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

Mary Hake, October 21

Blossoms and Blessings, October 22 (Author Interview)

Life on Chickadee Lane, October 23

Cover Lover Book Review, October 24

Book Zone Reviews, October 25

Giveaway


To celebrate her tour, Susan is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon card and a paperback copy of all five books in the series!!

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/00adcf5466


My Review

Preach It, Grace: A Girl's Testimony of Faith is the fifth installment from the Dream Pony Riders series by Susan Count. Even though it is part of a series and since I have not read the other books in it, I believe it can easily be read as a stand alone. I enjoyed this story of faith with lessons to be learned by the reader. I loved it.

I am going to give Preach It, Grace: A Girl's Testimony of Faith five stars. I recommend it for readers between the ages of seven and twelves years old, as well as, those who are horse lovers. I would love to read the other books from the Dream Pony Riders series to see what happened previously.

I received a paperback copy of Susan Count's Preach It, Grace: A Girl's Testimony of Faith from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion. 

Friday, October 11, 2024

Movie Review and Giveaway: Average Joe


Stand for freedom by watching Average Joe, in theaters October 11!

Be inspired by the true story of Coach Joe Kennedy and his fight for freedom
in the new movie, Average Joe, in theaters October 11!

Moms, inspire your family to stand up for what they believe in by watching
Average Joe, in theaters October 11!


Synopsis

High school football coach Joe Kennedy had no other choice but to fight. A childhood in foster care followed by 20 years in the Marine Corps was nothing com pared to his biggest battle: his commitment to stand for God publicly by taking a knee in prayer after each game. When he was fired, Joe and his wife Denise knew this battle for religious freedom, freedom of speech, and the rights of all Americans was one they would have to fight—no matter the cost. From the director and producers of God’s Not Dead and the producers of The Blind comes AVERAGE JOE, in theaters beginning October 11.


Trailer

Buy Tickets today to see Average Joe in theaters starting October 11th!

Website



My Review:

Average Joe is the true story of high school football coach, Joe Kennedy. I remember hearing about him on the news when he was causing a stir by praying on the field during games. Then eventually, I followed this story when it became a supreme court case. Honestly, the movie was not at all how I thought it would be. It is mostly of a biographical film on Mr Kennedy's life. He has had many obstacles throughout his life that I believe many movie goers will find inspiring. 

I am giving Average Joe a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for viewers who love to watch clean and faith based films. 

I received an early screener link to view the Average Joe film from Average Joe, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.  



Disclosure:

Many thanks to Average Joe for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.



Giveaway: 

$10 Amazon Gift Card

Leave a more than two word completed sentence telling me who you will be watching Average Joe film with. Don’t forget to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win. Winner’s name will be drawn on October 15, 2024.


Giveaway Rules:   

Giveaway is limited to US winners only.        

Two word comments will be deleted and will not be entered into the giveaway.

Chosen winner/s will be contacted by email to verify information needed to give to the appropriate channels to get the prize to you. 

Winner/s MUST reply to this email within 24 hours

If no response, a new winner’s name will be drawn and you forfeit the prize.

Locks, Hooks and Books is NOT responsible for lack of response from the chosen winner. 

Winners from previous Momentum campaigns within 90 days will be disqualified. 

Please note: Locks, Hooks and Books is NOT responsible in sending the prize.

Thursday, October 10, 2024

Review Tour and Giveaway: One Little Witch by Crystal Beach


ONE LITTLE WITCH

Crystal Beach





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GENRE:  Childrens


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BLURB:


A brilliant Little Witch counts the pumpkins in her pumpkin patch and discovers some surprising surprises. Join author and illustrator Crystal Beach (One Polar Bear and Two Polar Bears) as she captivates you with her latest adventure story and a brand-new series—One Little Witch. You and your child will be delighted by this hilarious tale as together you learn counting and sight words, and experiment with sound.


A charming holiday tale for autumn, or any time of the year, One Little Witch is filled with pumpkins and childlike enthusiasm for learning. This little book is sure to enchant, and will make a spooky addition to your child's library.


If you can be anything, be inclusive.



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EXCERPT: 






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AUTHOR Bio and Links:


Crystal Beach is an adoptive mother and caregiver of two adoptive children who have complex

medical needs and disabilities. Her children are often represented in her work as strong, caring

individuals with special gifts and powers. Her writing projects are intended to ensure financial

support for her children's future.



Crystal has a B.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

Her focus is in children's literature, publishing, and journalism. She has had many careers

including ten years as a MedA with the Canadian Naval Reserve, advertising with a daily

newspaper, communications and marketing, training as an EMT, and continued studies in

developmental psychology.


She and her family live in Regina, Saskatchewan in a simple little house with two giant support

dogs.


For more information visit www.crystalbeachauthor.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crystalbeachauthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/40712712.Crystal_Beach

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crystal.beach.aut

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crystal_m_beach/


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GIVEAWAY:


The author will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.



a Rafflecopter giveaway


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MY REVIEW:


One Little Witch is a cute and entertaining picture by Crystal Beach. Each page helps teach children numbers, while using a rhyming verse. Even though my children are teens now, I can just imagine the giggles from their younger days as I read through this book. So sweet. Crystal Beach not only shows off her writing skills in One Little Witch, readers can see how talented they are as an artist. The pictures were colorful and fun to look at while reading the story. I thought the pictures were a perfect addition to the book. I give One Little Witch five stars. I believe it would a great addition to Halloween season reading for children ages between two and six. I received a digital copy of Crystal Beach's One Little Witch from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.