Sunday, April 2, 2023

Movie Review and Giveaway: The Journey


The Journey: A Music Special from Andrea Bocelli is an 
exploration of moments that define us, songs that inspire us,
and relationships that connect us to what matters most in life.

The Journey: A Music Special from Andrea Bocelli
combines world-class musical performances with intimate 
conversations across the awe-inspiring Italian country side.

From TBN comes The Journey, a sacred pilgrimage of hope,
beauty, and song featuring Andrea Bocelli and other great artists.

In addition to Andrea Bocelli, The Journey features
Michael W. Smith, Tori Kelly, Tauren Wells, TAYA,
nd many others in amazing musical performances across majestic locations.

You’ll be swept away by the beauty of The Journey.
Experience the awe of the mu sic, the Italian landscape, 
meaningful conversations, and the reality of hope, faith, and love.

What is Andrea Bocelli’s hope for you when you see The Journey
in theaters beginning April 2? “My wish is that the movie can offer
an invitation to fully live and recognize our daily miracles.”

“We journeyed by horse for over 300 kilometers along a path that was not always easy to
travel, but absolutely beautiful, made of meadows and forests; sacred places filled with lasting testimonies of faith, full of art of incredible beauty, and views in front of which one can’t but
ponder about creation and the miraculous work of our Heavenly Father.” Andrea Bocelli
talking about his movie, The Journey,  in theaters beginning Palm Sunday, April 2.

Buy tickets today to see The Journey in theaters starting 4/2!

Movie Website

Buy Tickets


Trailer: 


 


My Review:


My family and I enjoyed watching The Journey. It is one that I found to be inspirational and full of faith. The music and the singers were beautiful to listen to. I loved seeing the beautiful Italian countryside. There were stories and songs that offered hope that so many are needing in their lives. I found it to be a wonderful way to spend some valuable time together and feeling the peace and love through the music.

I am giving The Journey a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for families of all ages who enjoy watching musical and inspiring films. Ones offer faith, love, hope through song while seeing the beauty of the area of Italy.  

I received an early screen link of The Journey from TBN, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion. 


Disclosure:

Many thanks to TBN 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 will be watching The Journey with. Don’t forget to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win.

Winner’s name will be drawn on April 7, 2023.


Giveaway Rules:   


Giveaway is limited to US winners only.        

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

Winners will have to reply to email that is sent to you to let you have won within 24 hours.
If no response, a new winner’s name will be drawn and you forfeit the prize.

Winners from previous Momentum campaigns within 90 days and those who have won a PureFlix subscription in the last 6 months, will be disqualified.

Blog Tour and Giveaway: The Escape Game by Marilyn Turk

About the Book

Book: The Escape Game

Author: Marilyn Turk

Genre: Historical Christian Fiction

Release date: March, 2023

A Board Game Holds Keys to Prisoners’ Escape

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

After the Nazis started the bombing blitz of England, Beryl Clarke puts her college on hold to return to Leeds, care for her mother, and work as a secretary at the Waddington game company. While she endures the war at home, her brother James fights the enemy in the air. When he is shot down, injured, and captured, James meets American POW Kenneth Anderson, and they plan to escape the Nazi prison camp. Beryl knows there is a board game with escape plans being delivered to POWs by the Red Cross. But how will the men discover the game’s secret?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Award-winning author Marilyn Turk writes historical fiction flavored with suspense and romance. Marilyn also writes devotions for Daily Guideposts. She and her husband are lighthouse enthusiasts, have visited over one hundred lighthouses, and also served as volunteer lighthouse caretakers at Little River Light off the coast of Maine.

When not writing or visiting lighthouses, Marilyn enjoys boating, fishing, gardening, tennis, playing with grandkids, and her golden retriever Dolly.

She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers; Faith, Hope and Love; Advanced Writers and Speakers Association; and Word Weavers International.

 

More from Marilyn

The Story behind The Escape Game

In the process of writing my books, I’ve become fascinated by the real stories that happened during World War II. I’ve discovered information I didn’t know before and am finding out that many people I know, even those older than myself, didn’t know either. Every time I come across an interesting tidbit, I want to write about it. Since my husband knows I look for such things, when he came across a story about how the Monopoly game was used during the war, he shared it with me.

The true story was kept top-secret for over fifty years after the war, so few had heard about it, especially outside the United Kingdom. Of course, my writer’s mind set off asking “What If?” So the story developed about a woman who works for the company that makes the game and what happened after she found out about the secret. What if she had a close relative who had been captured before the British informed their soldiers about the game and he needed to know the information? How could she convey that to him?

I wish I could have gone to the UK for research, but that was not a possibility. Maybe someday. However, the people I contacted there were very helpful, and I was thrilled to make contact with the great granddaughter of the president of Waddintons, the company which manufactured the game. She was able to fill in a few details about the company, although when she was a child, her grandfather ran the company.

One thing many people find hard to believe, based on the horrible treatment the Nazi army inflicted on people they thought inferior, is that the treatment of POW’s was somewhat better, especially for pilots. Thanks to the rules of the Geneva Convention after WWI, the Germans abided by them for the most part. That involved treatment of prisoners who escaped. Most of them were caught and returned to the camp from which they escaped. And normally, the punishment was solitary confinement. The biggest hardship of the POWs besides lack of freedom was the meager food they were given, especially as the war continued, since the Germans themselves were facing food shortages.

The challenge for me as a writer was to accurately describe life in both England and the POW camp. The other big challenge was writing a love story when the two characters were apart for so long. But it’s true that many soldiers fell in love with women they corresponded with back home. That fact is verified in the many letters on record, including the ones my father-in-law wrote to a fellow soldier’s fiancĂ© after the soldier was killed in action. Their relationship grew into love, and after the war, the two met in person at the train station for the first time and married the same day.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, March 30

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 30

Texas Book-aholic, March 31

Pause for Tales, March 31

Sylvan Musings, April 1

deb’s Book Review, April 1

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 2

Labor Not in Vain, April 2

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 3

Cover Lover Book Review, April 3

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, April 4

Connie’s History Classroom, April 4

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 5

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 5

Stories By Gina, April 6 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, April 6

Betti Mace, April 7

For Him and My Family, April 7

She Lives To Read, April 8

Remembrancy, April 8

SodbusterLiving, April 9

Holly’s Book Corner, April 9

Lily’s Book Reviews, April 10

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, April 10

lakesidelivingsite, April 11

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, April 11

Lights in a Dark World, April 12

Blossoms and Blessings, April 12

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Marilyn is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon eGift card and a copy of the book!!

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

 https://promosimple.com/ps/25256/the-escape-game-celebration-tour-giveaway


My Review

I have enjoyed reading the Heroines of WWII series and was excited to read the newest and ninth installment, Marilyn Turk’s The Escape Game. I thought this was a great book to read and a wonderful introduction to this author’s books. I was intrigued to learn this was based on true events and to keep reading to find out how it would all end for the characters. It was full of action, danger and suspense. I loved it. 

I am giving The Escape Game a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading clean historical romance, particularly those set during the Second World War. I am looking forward to the next installment from the Heroines of WWII series, Debby Lee’s Beneath a Peaceful Moon, as well as, more books from Marilyn Turk. 

I received a paperback copy of The Escape Game from the publisher but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion. 

Saturday, April 1, 2023

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Trail of Secrets by Lacy Williams

About the Book


Book: 
Trail of Secrets

Author: Lacy Williams

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: March 16, 2023

Stella is the oldest of three sisters and she’s got a long history of being the one to protect and provide for her family. When a dangerous threat sent the Fairfax sisters on a wagon train journey west, Stella knew her best bet was to disguise herself as a man to keep herself and her sisters safe.

Collin Mason has secrets of his own. And his family isn’t short on drama either, not with his troublemaking twin and an older brother about to get hitched. But he’s the only one who sees the real Stella—and that she needs help.

Collin sees the vulnerability Stella tries so hard to hide. When he becomes the only one she can trust and she discovers that danger has followed her family, Stella must rely on him despite her reluctance…

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Lacy Williams wishes her writing career was more like what you see in Hallmark movies: dreamy brainstorming from a French chateau or a few minutes at the computer in a million-dollar New York City penthouse. In reality, she’s up before the sun, putting words on the page before her kids wake up for the day. Those early-morning and late-night writing sessions add up, and Lacy has published sixty books in a decade, first with a big five publisher and then as an indie author. When she needs to refill the well, you can find Lacy birdwatching, gardening, biking with the kiddos, or walking the dog. Find tons of bonus scenes and reader extras by becoming a VIP reader at www.lacywilliams.net/vip .

 

More from Lacy

Exploring birth order in fictional characters

 

Are you a firstborn? Middle child? Baby of the family? I’m not versed in all the psychology or science of birth order but I can tell you that I knew my second-born had a different personality from my first-born within a few hours of his birth.

 

I am two years older than my brother and four years older than my sister. We’re all three different. I get along with my siblings in different ways. We enjoy doing different activities together.

 

I love reading books with strong sibling ties. And in my books, I often like to explore the relationships between siblings. I like to play with the dynamics between brothers or have squabbling sisters (that truly love each other, deep down). And my new book TRAIL OF SECRETS is no different!

 

Heroine Stella is an oldest child. When her father died, she took responsibility for her two sisters. She kept the family together (even in an unconventional way) and she’s going to get the three of them to Oregon. No matter what.

 

Hero Collin is a middle child and a twin. He’s a peacemaker and a protector. And he drives Stella a little bit crazy with his ability to always look on the bright side. Their personalities clash but only in the best way.

 

After a tornado ravages the wagon train, Collin and Stella have to work together to survive and rescue family members. Can their differences be strengths when they partner up?

 

-Lacy

Blogs Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 19

Texas Book-aholic, March 20

Karen Baney Reviews, March 20

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 21

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, March 22 (Author Interview)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, March 22

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 23

Vicky Sluiter, March 24

Blogging With Carol, March 25

Simple Harvest Reads, March 26 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Splashes of Joy, March 27

For Him and My Family, March 27

Cover Lover Book Review, March 28

lakesidelivingsite, March 29

Connie’s History Classroom, March 30

Pause for Tales, March 31

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 1

Holly’s Book Corner, April 1

Giveaway

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

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/255bc/trail-of-secrets-celebration-tour-giveaway


My Review

I adored the first book from Wagon Train Matches series, A Trail So Lonesome. Lacy Williams does not disappoint in the second installment, Trail of Secrets. Since this this part of a series, I would advise other readers to read the first book before starting this one. I believe they would get a better understanding as to what going on. I loved Stella and Collin’s story. It was sweet but with a touch of suspense that kept me wanting to keep reading. 

Trail of Secrets will be getting five stars from me. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading clean historical romance. I am eagerly awaiting to read book three from the Wagon Train Matches series, A Trail Untamed, to see where else Lacy Williams has in store for her characters. 

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

Friday, March 31, 2023

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Mirrored Reflections by J F Ridgley

 


Book Details:

Book Title:  Mirrored Reflections by J.F. Ridgley
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+) ,  418 pages
GenreChristian Romance
PublisherR Pride Publishing
Release date:   December 2022
Content RatingPG-13 +M.  This is a Christian Romance, no sex. two hot kisses. Lots of trauma but a happy ending. There is a language warning: Chad's debridement is painful, being a burn survivor is painful and the story is about also about sexual trafficking.
Book Description:

“I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU” - Hebrews 13:5

Opposites attract and Chad and Sierra are that.

Chad is destroyed on the outside by a suicide bomber while Sierra is broken on the inside by human trafficking. They are each other’s reflection of who they are - beautiful but ravaged by life.

Chad Michaels, an Afghan vet, comes home to a suicide bomber who destroys not only his family but the man he was. Now, he must deal with life as a burn victim -- as a monster. But Sierra sees what a beautiful man Chad truly is.

Not all wounds are flesh. Many are inside one’s soul where Sierra Smith’s scars run deep. Yet, Chad sees the innocence that Sierra fails to see. Kidnapped at the early age of six, Sierra was raised to become a high-end prostitute who now dreams of becoming a nurse...someone who helps heal people not service them. But her past relentlessly haunts her.

​Sierra and Chad are determined to help each other heal from their traumas – whatever it takes. And, somehow, with God’s help, they will survive to see a brighter day.
BUY THE BOOK:
Amazon
Books2Reads

Meet the Author:

JF Ridgley is the author of eight novels and short stories set in ancient Rome and three contemporary romance novels. She loves researching history and writing fiction based on real stories of real people. She also loves to write contemporary romance because the ancient Roman saying of ‘Live. Love. Laugh.’ is just as true today.

connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ facebook pinterest instagram goodreads



MIRRORED REFLECTIONS Book Tour Giveaway




My Review: 

I found Mirrored Reflection to be a great read. It was also a fabulous introduction to the new author to me, J F Ridgley. After reading this one, it will not be the last. The writing style is a little different than what I am used to, but within the first few chapters, I was hooked. It is one of those books that toys with my emotions, forcing me to keep a box of tissues beside me while I read. It is not one that I would want to read in public spaces. I liked that there was a faith element within the pages. It is not on the too preachy side, though, keeping some readers from feeling uncomfortable with those kinds of elements. I enjoyed getting to know the characters of Chad and Sierra. I liked watching them grow and seeing how they were trying to heal from the trauma they endured. I thought the author did a good job with how one would feel with events given to them.

Mirrored Reflections will be getting four and a half stars from me. I recommend it for readers who enjoy reading from the clean romantic fiction genre. I am interested in reading other books from J F Ridgley in the near future. This one is definitely worth reading and not to be missed. 

I received a paperback copy of Mirrored Reflections from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion. 

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Every Flower of the Field by Sara Davison

About the Book


Book: 
Every Flower of the Field

Author: Sara Davison

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release date: February 15, 2023

Safe is the most dangerous feeling of all.

For as long as she can remember, Rose Galway has been a captive, controlled by one man or another. To her, though, God is the one holding the keys, refusing to set her free despite the desperate pleas she has sent heavenward.

Detective Laken Jones has known hardship too, including the daily trauma of racism. Still, nothing he has gone through compares to what Rose has endured. He wants nothing more than for her to experience hope and healing and maybe even happiness in her life.

But first he has to find her.

Laken is willing to risk everything to set Rose free. And to help her find her way to God. Even if that means letting go of her—and the future he envisions for the two of them—forever.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Sara Davison is the author of four romantic suspense series—The Seven Trilogy, The Night Guardians, The Rose Tattoo Trilogy, and two sparrows for a penny, as well as the standalone, The Watcher. A finalist for more than a dozen national writing awards, she is a Word, Cascade, and two-time Carol Award winner. She currently resides in Ontario with her husband, Michael, and their three mostly grown kids. Like every good Canadian, she loves coffee, hockey, poutine, and apologizing for no particular reason. Get to know Sara better at www.saradavison.org and @sarajdavison.

 

More from Sara

Neil Gaiman once said, “Fiction gives us empathy. It puts us inside the minds of other people, gives us the gift of seeing the world through their eyes…” To me, that is one of the primary reasons to read and to write fiction. Every time I write a scene with a character, it’s my job as the author to put myself inside that character, to think what they are thinking and feel what they are feeling, and to draw readers inside that character too.

When what that character is experiencing is deeply painful or traumatic, that job can be extremely difficult. In my series, two sparrows for a penny, the main characters of the first two books, Every Star in the Sky and Every Flower of the Field, have has been caught up in sex trafficking for several years. What they experienced wasn’t easy to write about, especially since, although Tala’s and Rose’s stories are fictional, I am painfully aware that so many women have been or are currently in the same horrific situation.

It may be difficult to read about too, although the stories also contain humor and love and family and, ultimately, hope. Still, it is so important that stories like these are told. If Neil Gaiman is right, reading about what others are going through increases our empathy, our compassion, for their plight. And empathy and compassion are catalysts for action. If we turn away from suffering, pretend it doesn’t exist, we do nothing to help alleviate it. But if we face it, acknowledge it, we might find in ourselves the courage to take a stand against it, to do what we can to help, to let these women know that they are not alone. That they are precious to God and they are precious to us.

The title of this series is two sparrows for a penny, which comes from Matthew 10:29: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.” Every human being caught up in the unspeakably heinous world of trafficking is loved by God. He sees them and knows what they are going through and, one day, he will mete out perfect justice to all who perpetuate this evil. My hope and prayer for these stories is that readers will be compelled to pray for the women and some men who are victims of this practice and maybe even become involved, through a reputable agency, in working to help free those in captivity.

And I also hope and pray readers will be reminded that, whatever they are going through in life, they are never alone either. As God knows the name of every star and takes care even of the flowers of the field, He knows every one of our names and watches over us as well. Tala and Rose finally come to realize that, even in the midst of horrific circumstances, they were never alone. God saw them, remembered them, brought them out of captivity, and will continue to walk alongside them as they begin their long journeys of healing and hope.

And He promises over and over in His Word that He will do the same for every one of us.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 23

Lily’s Book Reviews, March 23

An Author’s Take, March 24

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 25

Texas Book-aholic, March 26

Where Crisis & Christ Collide, March 26

Betti Mace, March 27

The Sacred Line, March 27

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, March 28

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 29

deb’s Book Review, March 30

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 31

For Him and My Family, March 31

Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 1

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 2

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 2

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, April 3

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 4

Blogging With Carol, April 5

Rebecca Tews, April 5

Giveaway



To celebrate her tour, Sara is givinga way the grand prize package of a book-related stained glass window hanging and a paperback copy of Every Flower of the Field!!

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/24ff1/every-flower-of-the-field-celebration-tour-giveaway


My Review

Every Flower of the Field is the second installment from Sara Davison's Two Sparrows for a Penny series. I really enjoyed the first book, Every Star in the Sky, and enjoyed this one even more. I believe since this is a series, it would be best to read it in order, but readers can get enough information from this one to be able to read it as a stand alone. This time around, readers give goes on a thrilling ride with Rose and Laken. The suspense kept me engaged that made me want to keep reading on until the end. 

I am giving Every Flower of the Field four and a half stars. I recommend it for readers who enjoy reading clean Romantic Suspense. I look forward to the next book from the Two Sparrows for a Penny series to see what adventure awaits.

I received a digital copy of Every Flower of the Field from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

Thursday, March 30, 2023

Blog Tour and Giveaway: The Connection Game by S S Turner

 


Book Details:

Book Title:  The Connection Game: A Novel by S.S Turner
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+) ,  272 pages
GenreLiterary Fiction
PublisherThe Story Plant
Release date:   Feb 2023
Content RatingPG: There’s some violence and a small bit of profanity.

Review, Excerpt and Giveaway: The Campbell Sisters by Eileen Joyce Donovan

Campbell Sisters by Eileen Joyce Donovan
The Campbell Sisters by Eileen Joyce Donovan 
Publisher: DX Varos Publishing (March 7, 2023) 
Category: Literary Fiction, British and Irish Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction 
Tour Dates March 13-April 11, 2023 
ISBN: 978-1955065702 
Available in Print and ebook
396 pages 
Campbell Sisters

Description Campbell Sisters by Eileen Joyce Donovan

Helen Campbell is the eldest and most practical of three sisters, daughters of hard-working Irish emigrants living in New York City in the 1950s. She does what she can to keep the wild-child middle sister, Carolyn, in line and support the youngest, Peggy, as she pursues her dreams of becoming a doctor. Then Helen meets Charlie. While it's love at first sight for those two, Carolyn’s antics threatens to derail all the sisters’ future happiness. However, through thick and thin, the three sisters strive to prevail, though not necessarily in the ways they thought they wanted.

Excerpt

In this excerpt from The Campbell Sisters, Helen and Charlie are on their first date and Charlie, a professional boxer, takes Helen to Sillman’s Gym to watch a fight. 


“Thought we’d take in tonight’s fight. What do you think Helen? Excited?” Charlie pointed to a man sitting at a desk in the corner. “That’s Lou Stillman. He owns the place. He always sits right there so he can watch the door and make sure no one gets in without paying. And I mean no one. If some celebrity tries it, Lou yells, ‘Pay up, ya bum.’ He’s great.”

While Charlie talked, he pulled Helen over to the gallery seats. “These seats okay?”

Helen looked at the wooden folding chairs in a daze. “They’re fine, Charlie.”

“Swell. You want something to drink? There’s a counter in the back that sells food at lunch, but they might still have some sodas or something.”

“No, I’m fine.” Helen couldn’t imagine eating or drinking anything. It was tough enough to hold her dinner down. She knew the gym’s stench would stay in her nose for days, and she’d probably never get it out of Carolyn’s sweater.

“Hey, Charlie,” someone called from across the room.

“Joe! Didn’t expect to see him here tonight. Helen, mind if I go over and get Joe? He’s my trainer. Gee, this is great. I really want you to meet him, okay?”

“Sure, I’ll be right here when you get back.”

Charlie squeezed her shoulder. “Save the seat next to you for Joe. I’ll put my cap on my seat.” . . . 

“Helen, I want you to meet my trainer, Joe Hayes. Joe, Helen Campbell.”

“Nice to meet you, Helen,” Joe said, pulling off his fedora and shaking her hand. “Whatever did a pretty young lady like you see in this bum?”

“Don’t pay any attention to him, Helen. He just wishes he’d met you first. Joe, grab the seat next to Helen. . . “

. . . the bell rang and the referee jumped into the ring to announce the fighters. There wasn’t an emcee or announcer like Helen had seen on the Gillette Cavalcade of Sports TV show she sometimes watched with her father. This was much more informal. The referee read the night’s card and the two boxers climbed into the ring amid both cheers and jeers.

Charlie came back to his seat just as the bell rang to start the first round. The two men on either side of Helen could have been on another planet. They were so fixated on the action in the ring, it was like she wasn’t even there. The bell rang again to signal the end of Round 1.

“Do you see the way Hank’s flat footing it?” Joe asked. “He won’t last long unless he starts to tap dance.”

“You’re right. And he’s not covering his left side at all,” Charlie said.

Helen sat mute while the two men critiqued the boxers’ performances. The bell rang for Round 2.

“Did you see that, Helen?” Joe asked after one boxer landed a punch. “That’s called an upper cut. You try to get in under the other guy’s defenses and land one on his chin.”

“That must hurt. I’m amazed anyone has any teeth after a punch like . . .”

Helen’s voice drifted off. She stared across the ring at a couple who had just arrived and were trying to find two seats together.

“Helen? You all right?” Joe asked.

Charlie was busy discussing the fight with another boxer who sat on his left.

“Charlie,” Joe yelled over the noise of the gym, “something’s wrong with Helen.”

“What?” Charlie turned and looked at her. All the color had drained from her face and she stared straight ahead, not responding to either of them.

“Helen,” Charlie yelled, shaking her arm. “Helen, what is it? What happened, Joe?”

“I swear, I don’t know. She was fine one minute, then the next, she turned into a statue, just staring across the ring.”

Charlie looked over to where Helen stared. He didn’t see anything unusual.

“Helen.” He grabbed her chin and swung her head around to face him. “Helen, say something.”

Her eyes focused on his and she shook her head. “What? What’s the matter?”

“Oh, thank God you’re all right. Joe and I thought you were having a fit or something.”

“A fit? What are you talking about? Charlie, that makes no sense at all.”

“Helen,” Joe said, “we were talking and all of a sudden you stopped and froze. Scared me to death, I have to say. What happened?”

“I . . . I don’t know. Maybe the fight . . . being up this close . . . I don’t know. And . . . and I thought I saw someone I know.”

“Do you want to leave, or go say hello to whoever you saw?” Charlie asked.

“No. No, I’m fine now. Honest. And it wasn’t the person I thought it was. Sorry to have caused you both to worry.”

“You’re sure?” Charlie asked.

Helen nodded, but Charlie grabbed her hand and didn’t leave his seat for the rest of the fight. Joe kept one eye on the fight and one on her for the next few rounds.

She was aware of their concern, but she knew what had happened had nothing to do with the fight or the gym. One half of the couple who came in late was her sister, Carolyn. And when the man with her removed his hat, and gave Carolyn a loving kiss, the gym’s lights glittered off his gold wedding band.

© Eileen Joyce Donovan

Awards and Praise for Eileen Joyce Donovan

2019 Marie M Irvine Award for Promises, 2021 When Word Count competition for A Lady Newspaperman’s Dilemma “This story is well written and immerses the reader in the period rooting for Alex. At times, I found her decisions a bit rash, but I remembered myself fighting for my career in a male-dominated field. The story is well-researched, and I enjoyed it immensely.”- Carol Amorosi, Author of The MacKay Mysteries, Series “It was compelling to read of the mores of the time: school teachers couldn't drink in public, staying at a boarding house came with a set of restrictive rules and trying to get lead stories in a newspaper entailed being part salesperson/part private investigator. With the role of newspapers and reporters being in the news of late, this depiction of a young woman learning the ropes in a competitive, male dominated field was fascinating in the scope of how tough it is to get a story right.”- Susan Wands, Author of Magician and Fool “I don't normally read historical fiction, but I so enjoyed this book set in the 1920's. The theme is timeless as the main character is determined to make it in a man's world. Great read!”- Stacy Wilder, Author of A Liz Adams Mystery, Series “The characters and fast paced plot drew me in and kept me reading. I enjoyed the historical details and the fact that every time I thought I knew how a character would react, I was wrong. The author is too skilled to fall into stereotypes.”- Grammarian, Amazon Review

Campbell Sisters by Eileen Joyce DonovanAbout Eileen Joyce Donovan

Eileen Joyce Donovan has been writing her entire life, in one way or another, whether it was imaginative stories for friends, or advertising copy for clients. At the persistent urging of her husband, she finally agreed to seriously edit and revise one of her stories and take the plunge. Years later, her persistence paid off and both her debut historical fiction, Promises, and her second novel, A Lady Newspaperman’s Dilemma, won prestigious awards. Her short stories have appeared in several anthologies, and her essays have been included in various Chicken Soup for the Soul editions. She lives in Manhattan, New York and is a member of Authors Guild, Women’s National Book Association, Women Fiction Writers Association, and The Historical Novel Society. Twitter: https://twitter.com/etdonovan1

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Campbell Sisters by Eileen Joyce Donovan

My Review

The Campbell Sisters is my first introduction to the talents of Eileen Joyce Donovan. After reading this book, it will not be the last. I found this story of three sisters of Irish heritage living in New York City during the 1950s. It was entertaining to see how the three lived and their relationship with each other. It was delightful to read their antics in their daily lives and in finding love. I really liked reading their tale.

I am giving The Campbell Sisters four and a half stars. I recommend for readers who enjoy reading historical fiction. I will most definitely will be looking forward for more releases by Elain Joyce Donovan in the near future. This one should not be missed. 

I received a digital copy of The Campbell Sisters from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.