Blog Tour and Giveaway: Songs That Could Have Been by Amanda Wen

About the Book

Two couples in love. Two sets of impossible circumstances. One powerful God of grace.

After a devastating tailspin in her late teens, Lauren Anderson’s life is finally back on track. Then a chance meeting with Carter Douglas, her first love and the man who broke her heart, threatens to throw her well-balanced world out of control.
 
Now a TV meteorologist, Carter is determined to make amends with Lauren. After all, she still owns his heart. But his old demons are forcing him toward the same decision he faced in the past. Is he courageous enough to make a different choice this time around?
 
When Lauren’s elderly grandmother, Rosie, begins having nightmares about a man named Ephraim--a name her family has never heard before—a fascinating and forbidden past love comes to light. As Lauren and Carter work to uncover the untold stories of Rosie’s past in 1950s Wichita, they embark on a journey of forgiveness and second chances that will change their lives—and Rosie’s—forever. Along the way they’ll learn that God wastes nothing, his timing is perfect, and nothing is beyond his grace and redemption.

The Songs That Could Have Been is full of the same deftly handled, resonant writing that readers and critics alike enjoyed in Amanda Wen's first book in the series, Roots of Wood and Stone. Fans of Lisa Wingate and Rachel Hauck will add Amanda Wen to their must-read shelves.

Click here to read an excerpt.

What Others Are Saying

“A reading experience both heartfelt and heart-tugging, a timeless exploration of young and enduring love and the grace found in second chances. Amanda Wen is a rare and remarkable storyteller, and this is a novel I will not soon forget.” –Amanda Barratt, Christy Award-winning author of The White Rose Resists
 
“A stunning journey of loss, love, and yearning. . . . Past and present are deftly woven together in this dual-timeline narrative that will leave readers flying through the pages.” – Amanda Cox, author of the 2021 Christy Award Book of the Year, The Edge of Belonging

About the Author

Amanda Wen is an award-winning writer of inspirational romance and split-time women’s fiction. She has placed first in multiple writing contests, including the 2017 Indiana Golden Opportunity, the 2017 Phoenix Rattler, and the 2016 ACFW First Impressions contests. She was also a 2018 ACFW Genesis Contest finalist. Her debut novel was a 2021 Christy Award First Novel finalist.
 
Wen is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and regularly contributes author interviews for their Fiction Finder feature. She also frequently interviews authors for her blog and is a contributor to the God Is Love blog. She is the author of Roots of Wood and Stone and The Songs That Could Have Been.
 
In addition to her writing, Wen is an accomplished professional cellist and pianist who frequently performs with orchestras, chamber groups, and her church’s worship team. She serves as a choral accompanist as well. A lifelong denizen of the flatlands, Wen lives in Kansas with her patient, loving, and hilarious husband, their three adorable Wenlets, and a snuggly Siamese cat.
 
To find Amanda Wen’s blog and short stories, visit www.amandawen.com. Readers can also follower her on Facebook (@AuthorAmandaWen), Twitter (@AuthorAmandaWen), and Instagram (@authoramandawen).

My Review

I had the pleasure of reading the start to Amanda Wen’s Sedgwick County Chronicles series, Roots of Wood and Stone. I loved that book and was excited to have the opportunity to read the second installment, The Songs That Could Have Been. Oh my goodness! This book is fabulous. I loved all of the characters and the addition of adventure and inspiration. It was one of those books that made me immerse myself into the story until I was completely finished. 

I am giving The Songs That Could Have Been a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading clean historical romance. I am looking forward to reading the next book from the Sedgwick County Chronicles series to see where else Amanda Wen’s imagination will take her fans. 

I received a paperback copy of The Songs That Could Have Been from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

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Blog Tour and Giveaway: Midnight's Budding Morrow by Carolyn Miller

About the Book

Can real love grow between a wallflower and an unrepentant rogue?

Sarah Drayton is eager to spend time with her best friend at her crumbling Northumberland castle estate. Matrimony is the last thing on her mind and the last thing she expects to be faced with on a holiday. Yet she finds herself being inveigled into a marriage of convenience with her friend's rakish brother.

When James Langley returns to his family's estate, he can't be bothered to pay attention to his responsibilities as the heir. War is raging and he wants only distraction, not serious tethers. But his roguish ways have backed him into a corner, and he has little choice but to obey his father's stunning decree: marry before returning to war, or else. Suddenly he finds himself wedded to a clever and capable woman he does not love.

Sarah craves love and a place to belong, neither of which James offered before returning to the battlefront. Now everyone around her thinks she married above her station, and they have no intention of rewarding her for such impertinence. It isn't until her husband returns from war seemingly changed that she begins to hope they may find real happiness. But can she trust that this rake has truly reformed?

When tragedy strikes, this pair must learn to trust God and his plans. Will they be destroyed . . . or will they discover that even in the darkest depths of night, the morning still holds hope?

Click here to read an excerpt.

 

About the Series

While most stories set in Regency England focus on the rich, the young, and the beautiful, award-winning author Carolyn Miller decided she wanted to give readers something different for a change. Her new Regency Wallflowers series follows the commoners, away from the hustle and bustle of 1810s London, out in the Lake District of England. She tells the stories of women who are slightly older and have few prospects for marriage, women who might be considered “wallflowers.”

Midnight’s Budding Morrow is the second book in the Regency Wallflowers series. The first book in the series is Dusk’s Darkest Shores

 

About the Author

Carolyn Miller is an inspirational romance author who lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children.

 
A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English literature and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. She enjoys music, films, gardens, art, travel, and food.

Miller’s novels have won a number of RWA and ACFW contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers. 
 
Learn more about Carolyn at www.carolynmillerauthor.com, or find her on Facebook (Carolyn Miller Author), Instagram (@CarolynMillerAuthor), and Twitter (@CarolynMAuthor). 

 

My Review

I adored the first book from Carolyn Miller’s Regency Wallflowers series, Dusk's Darkest Shores. I jumped at the chance to read the second installment, Midnight's Budding Morrow. I was far from being disappointed. I found James and Sarah’s to be a beautiful story of love and hope. I do have to admit that I was not sure about James at first but he quickly grew on me. I thought it was great way to spend a quiet afternoon. 

I am giving Midnight's Budding Morrow a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading clean historical romance. I am eagerly waiting for book three from the Regency Wallflowers series, Dawn's Untrodden Green. I can not wait to see what happens next. 

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

 

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Blog Tour and Giveaway: Shadows in the Mind's Eye by Janyre Tromp

About the Book Charlotte Anne Mattas longs to turn back the clock. Before her husband, Sam, went to serve his country in the war, he was the man everyone could rely on--responsible, intelligent, and loving. But the person who's come back to their family farm is very different from the protector Annie remembers. Sam's experience in the Pacific theater has left him broken in ways no one can understand--but that everyone is learning to fear. Tongues start wagging after Sam nearly kills his own brother. Now when he claims to have seen men on the mountain when no one else has seen them, Annie isn't the only one questioning his sanity and her safety. If there were criminals haunting the hills, there should be evidence beyond his claims. Is he really seeing what he says, or is his war-tortured mind conjuring ghosts? Annie desperately wants to believe her husband. But between his irrational choices and his nightmares leaking into the daytime, she's terrified he's going mad. Can she trust God to heal Sam's mental wounds--or will sticking by him mean keeping her marriage at the cost of her own life?   About the Author   Janyre Tromp is a historical novelist whose loves spinning tales that, at their core, hunt for beauty, even when it isn’t pretty. She’s the author of Shadows in the Mind’s Eye and coauthor of It’s a Wonderful Christmas. She’s also a book editor, published children’s book author, and lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan with her family, two crazy cats, and a slightly eccentric Shetland Sheepdog. And if you ever meet in person, you pronounce that first name Jan-ear. You can find her on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and her website, www.JanyreTromp.com (where you can grab a free copy of her novella Wide Open). My Review   Shadows in the Mind's Eye is a great debut for novelist Janyre Tromp. For me, it was an emotional tale that had me wanting to grab some tissues. It is a powerful story of redemption and healing. I personally felt a connection to Sam and the trauma and nightmares he endured. I wanted to keep reading to find out how it would all end for him and Annie. I liked the addition of suspense and mystery, too. Shadows in the Mind's Eye will be getting a very well deserved five plus stars from me. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading clean historical fiction. I will be looking for more like this by Janyre Tromp in the future. She has found herself a new fan. I received a paperback copy of Shadows in the Mind's Eye from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

Giveaway

 

The prize pack includes:   - A copy of Shadows in the Mind's Eye, - A custom made silver peach tree necklace inspired by the book, - A "Light speaks through the broken places" t-shirt also inspired by the book. https://www.audrajennings.com/2022/04/shadows-in-minds-eye-giveaway.html

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Counterfeit Love by Crystal Caudill

 

About the Book

Can this undercover agent save the woman he loves--or is her heart as counterfeit as the money he's been sent to track down? After all that Grandfather has sacrificed to raise her, Theresa Plane owes it to him to save the family name--and that means clearing their debt with creditors before she marries Edward Greystone. But when one of the creditors' threats leads her to stumble across a midnight meeting, she discovers that the money he owes isn't all Grandfather was hiding. And the secrets he kept have now trapped Theresa in a life-threatening fight for her home--and the truth. After months of undercover work, Secret Service operative Broderick Cosgrove is finally about to uncover the identity of the leader of a notorious counterfeiting ring. That moment of triumph turns to horror, however, when he finds undeniable proof that his former fiance is connected. Can he really believe the woman he loved is a willing participant? Protecting Theresa and proving her innocence may destroy his career--but that's better than failing her twice in one lifetime. They must form a partnership, tentative though it is. But there's no question they're both still keeping secrets--and that lack of trust, along with the dangerous criminals out for their blood, threatens their hearts, their faith, and their very survival. To read an excerpt of Counterfeit Love click here.

About the Author

Crystal Caudill is the author of "dangerously good historical romance," with her work garnering awards from Romance Writers of America and ACFW. She is a stay-at-home mom and caregiver, and when she isn’t writing, Caudill can be found playing board games with her family, drinking hot tea, or reading other great books at her home outside Cincinnati, Ohio. Learn more at crystalcaudill.com. You can also find her on Facebook and Instagram.

My Review

Counterfeit Love begins the Hidden Hearts of the Gilded Age series and a wonderful debut for Crystal Caudill. At first, I was not sure what to expect, but after reading the first three chapters, I was hooked. It was full of suspense, action, adventure, history and romance. I just could not put it down until I was done reading the very last page. It had a few twists I did not see coming and a few moments that made giggle out loud. It was great.  

I am giving Counterfeit Love a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading romantic suspense historical.

I can not wait to get my hands on the next book from the Hidden Hearts of the Gilded Age series. As well as, seeing what other fabulous stories Crystal Caudill comes with for her readers. 

I received a paperback copy of Counterfeit Love from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

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Blog Tour and Giveaway: The Debutante's Code by Erica Vetsch

About the Book   Jane Austen meets Sherlock Holmes in this new Regency mystery series   Newly returned from finishing school, Lady Juliette Thorndike is ready to debut in London society. Due to her years away, she hasn't spent much time with her parents, and sees them only as the flighty, dilettante couple the other nobles love.But when they disappear, she discovers she never really knew them at all. They've been living double lives as government spies--and they're only the latest in a long history of espionage that is the family's legacy.   Now Lady Juliette is determined to continue their work. Mentored by her uncle, she plunges into the dangerous world of spies. From the glittering ballrooms of London to the fox hunts, regattas, and soirees of country high society, she must chase down hidden clues, solve the mysterious code her parents left behind, and stay out of danger. All the while, she has to keep her endeavors a secret from her best friend and her suitors--not to mention the nosy, irritatingly handsome Bow Street runner, who suspects her of a daring theft.   Can Lady Juliette outwit her enemies and complete her parents' last mission?   Best-selling author Erica Vetsch is back with a rollicking, exciting new series destined to be a hit with Regency readers who enjoy a touch of mystery in their love stories. Fans of Julie Klassen, Sarah Ladd, and Anne Perry will love the wit, action, and romance.   Click here to read an excerpt.   About the Author   Erica Vetsch is a New York Times best-selling and ACFW Carol Award–winning author. She is a transplanted Kansan now living in Minnesota with her husband, who she claims is both her total opposite and soul mate.   Vetsch is the author of many novellas and novels, including the popular Serendipity & Secrets Regency series and the new Thorndike & Swann Regency Mystery series   Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum and cheering on her Kansas Jayhawks and New Zealand All Blacks.   Learn more about Erica Vetsch and her books at www.ericavetsch.com. She can also be found on Facebook (@EricaVetschAuthor), Instagram (@EricaVetsch) and Pinterest (Erica Vetsch).   My Review   The Debutante's Code is a great start to the Thorndike and Swann Regency Mysteries series by Erica Vetsch. After reading it, I have yet another reason why this author is one of my top favorites. It is full of mystery, suspense, action, adventure, history and romance. I was entertained with every single page and adored Lady Juliette from the start. The chemistry between her and Daniel was a delight. What a great way to spend a rainy afternoon by reading this book. I loved it. I am giving The Debutante's Code a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading clean historical suspense. I can not wait to find out what happens next in the Thorndike and Swann Regency Mysteries series.  I received a copy of The Debutante's Code from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

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Blog Tour and Giveaway: The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady by Sharon J Mondragón

ABOUT THE BOOK A knitting group’s change of scenery changes lives in unexpected ways   Margaret, Rose, Jane, and Fran had a good thing going: meet every week in the quiet of their peaceful chapel and knit prayer shawls. No muss, just ministry. That is, until their pastor boots them out of the church in his last-ditch effort to revive the dwindling congregation.   Uptight Margaret isn’t having it. Knitting prayer shawls where people can watch is the most ridiculous idea she’s ever heard of, and she’s heard plenty. Prayer belongs in the church, not out among the heathen masses. How are they supposed to knit holiness into these shawls if they’re constantly distracted by the public? But with no choice, the others embrace the challenge. They pack their knitting bags and drag Margaret—grumbling the whole way—to the mall with them. She can’t wait to prove them all wrong when it fails miserably, and show the pastor that she always knows best.   Without the familiar mold the group has been stuck in, their own losses, pain, and struggles rise to the surface. And the people and situations they encounter every time they try to sit quietly and knit are taking them a lot further out of their comfort zone than they ever imagined. Can they find the courage to tackle the increasing number of knotty issues they learn about in the community--or will the tangle be too much to unravel?   Sharon J. Mondragon’s debut is warm and delightful, full of real laughter, grief, and personality. It beautifully illustrates the power of women across generations to reach people for Christ.   To read an excerpt of The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady click here.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sharon J. Mondragón writes about the place where kindness and courage meet. Her debut novel, The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady (originally titled The Heavenly Hugs Prayer Shawl Ministry) was the 2017 winner of the American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis award in the Short Novel Category, and she has also been recognized by The Saturday Evening Post where her short story, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” was an Honorable Mention Awardee in the 2014 their Great American Fiction Contest.   Mondragón has been active in prayer shawl ministry since 2008 and currently serves as facilitator for the prayer shawl ministry at her church, St. Paul Episcopal in Waxahachie, TX. She also knits with the Circle of Healing at Red Oak United Methodist Church. She is a Level 2 Certified Knitting Instructor through the Craft Yarn Council and teaches beginning knitting at a local yarn store.   Mondragón is the mother of five grown children and has four grandchildren. After 26 years as an Army wife, she has settled in Midlothian, TX with her hero/husband, her laptop, and her yarn stash.   Visit Sharon Mondragón’s website and blog at www.sharonjmondragon.com and follow her on Facebook (Sherry Mondragón) and Twitter (@SJ_Mondragón).

MY REVIEW The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady is a great way to get to see the talents of Sharon J. Mondragón. I loved this book. It was fun, entertaining and delightful. I enjoyed getting to know the characters. It is a tale that is not easily to predict and kept me captivated from the start. I wanted to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next. I really liked it.  I am giving The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady four and a half stars. I recommend it for readers who enjoy reading clean contemporary and inspiring fiction. I would love to read more by Sharon J. Mondragón. I will definitely be looking forward to her books in the future.    I received a paperback copy of The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

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