J.E. Grace's Blog, page 21

She Who Rides Horses by Sarah V. Barnes- Excerpt, Author Q & A, and My Review

 

Book Details:

Book Title:  She Who Rides Horses: A Saga of the Ancient Steppe (Book One) by Sarah V. Barnes
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+),  267 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction 
Publisher:  Lilith House Press 
Release date:  March 2022
Content Rating: PG.  It contains two kissing scenes and the death of an animal.Book Description:

Set more than 6,000 years ago, She Who Rides Horses: A Saga of the Ancient Steppe (Book One) begins the story of Naya, the first person to ride a horse.

Daughter of a clan chief, bolder than other girls but shunned by the boys because of her unusual appearance, Naya wanders alone through the vast grasslands where her people herd cattle and hunt wild horses for their meat. But Naya dreams of creating a different kind of relationship with the magnificent creatures.

One day, she discovers a filly with a chestnut coat as uncommon as her own head of red hair. With time running out before she is called to assume the responsibilities of adulthood, Naya embarks on a quest to gallop with the red filly across the boundless steppe.

Unwittingly, she sets in motion forces and events that will change forever the future of humans and horses alike.

Guest Post – Excerptfrom Chapter One

      It was long after noonthe next day before Naya was at last able to slip away. This time she wasbetter prepared. In a deer skin bag slung over one shoulder she carried flinttools and kindling for making fire, a flint knife and enough food to last aday, as well as a full water skin. Over the other shoulder was coiled a longlength of braided rawhide, strong enough, she hoped, to restrain the filly…

       She found the little band at dusk, when thesun’s afterglow cast blackening shadows across the landscape. She had justgained the top of a small rise and could see for some distance, despite thegathering darkness. There they were – blurred shapes silhouetted against thenext range of hills. Succeeding ridges gained in height, verdant meadows givingway to forested slopes, behind which the sun had disappeared. The horses hadled her to the edge of the grasslands…

        Naya shivered in the rapidly coolingair. The horses appeared to have stopped for theevening. The mares’ heads hung low, muzzles almost touching the ground in deeprelaxation and she could make out several darker shapes that must be the foals,lying in the grass at their feet. Only the stallion stood alert, scenting theair for danger before dropping his head to grab a few mouthfuls of grass. Momentslater, his head lifted again, keen eyes scanning the landscape.

    Naya settled herself inthe deep grass and rested her folded arms atop her knees. From her vantage onthe rise downwind from the small band, she could sit and keep watch withoutarousing suspicion… Eventually, cheek resting on her forearms, she closed hereyes, and slept…

      At somepoint later in the night, she thought she awoke. Lifting her head from herfolded arms, she checked the herd. They were as they’d been before, dozing inthe lee of the hillside across from the rise where she sat. Even the stallion hadrelaxed his vigilance and stood with his head lowered. The full moon now rodehigh in the sky, bright enough to cast faint shadows. As Naya’s eyes adjustedto the night, the moon’s light illuminated a faint track leading down the riseat an angle from where the horses rested. She hadn’t noticed it before.

    Rising, Naya moved assilently as she could, following the path in the moonlight. Soon, she foundherself ascending another small rise, then descending, then rising again, untilat last she stood at the edge of a ravine. Below, she could see a stream,shining in the moonlight, gurgling quietly as it flowed over its stony bed… Slippingand sliding, Naya made her way down the steep slope, scratching her skinagainst sharp rocks and thorny underbrush. At last she reached the bottom andlooked around her. Along the ravine’s floor, smooth white stones marked thewater course… Drawn onward, Naya followed the path upstream into a grove oftrees.

       There, awondrous sight met her eyes. Oaks and birches encircled a small pool of water,fed by an underground spring. Reflected in the pool’s clear, still surface wasthe round orb of the moon, casting its light from high above the rocky cliffswhich formed the pool’s backdrop. Beside the pool stood the red filly,burnished coat softly aglow. Naya froze, rooted as if she were one of thetrees, and stared. The filly, startled by the girl’s approach, stared back. Neithermoved. Eventually, Naya remembered to breathe. In the next moment, she realizedthat she had left her rope, along with everything else she’d brought with her,back on the rise. Still, she and the filly stood motionless, looking at oneanother.

      In that moment, Naya’ssenses underwent an almost imperceptible shift; the moonlight became just alittle brighter, the stream’s murmur became just a little louder, the slightbreeze rustling the leaves in the trees became just a little fresher againsther skin. In the next moment, she seemed to feel the filly’s thoughts.

     I willgrant your heart’s desire, but only if you are able to grant mine. The musical voice resonated within the core of Naya’sbeing, even though no sound other than the splash of flowing water and whisperof the wind in the trees disturbed the silence of the grove. What is yourheart’s desire?

     Awestruck, Nayacould only gaze back at the young horse, who now regarded her with luminousdark eyes in which fear had given way to curiosity. Finally, she found her own voice. “I wish to be with you,”she said simply. “I wish to touch your coat.” Then, from deep inside, anotherlonging welled up, a yearning so audacious she almost couldn’t bring herself tospeak. Hesitatingly, she uttered the words. “I wish,” she said, “to ride uponyour back.”

        Ah, the red filly seemed to reply, if this is indeed yourdeepest desire, then you must see with the eyes of your heart and create tieswithout the use of a rope. And when you have succeeded in granting my heart’sdesire, then shall yours be granted also.

       Before Nayacould begin to ponder the meaning of the words, the filly brushed past her in achestnut blur and was gone, disappearing through the trees toward the mouth ofthe ravine. Gazing after her, Naya shook her head, as if to clear her senses. Waterstill flowed in the creek and a breeze still rustled among the leaves. The moonstill cast its dim glow – but the moment of utter clarity had vanished, just assuddenly as the young horse. Shaking herself again, as if awakening from adream, Naya retraced her steps to the mouth of the ravine. There was no sign ofthe red filly…

 

BUY THE BOOK:
Amazon 
Barnes & Noble ~ Bookshop.org
add to goodreads


Meet the Author:

Sarah V. Barnes, Ph.D. is both an historian and a horsewoman. When Sarah is not writing stories, she practices and teaches riding as a meditative art. She also offers equine-facilitated coaching and wellness workshops.

Sarah holds a Ph.D. in history from Northwestern University and spent many years as a college professor before turning full-time to riding and writing. She has two grown daughters and lives with her husband, her dogs and her horses near Boulder, CO.

connect with the author: website ~ facebook ~  goodreads

AUTHORINTERVIEW w Sarah V. Barnes, author of SHE WHO RIDES HORSES

Q: What’syour favorite inspirational quote?

A: DavidWhyte has a line in his poem What to Remember When Waking:

“To becomehuman is to become visible while carrying what is hidden as a gift to others.”

For me,this speaks to the essence of what we do as writers. Becoming visible meansputting yourself and your words out there, for others to read. Writing is aninherently vulnerable act. Even if no one reads what you write other than yourself,you are still making yourself visible, if only to yourself. You are revealingwhat is hidden – the gift of your true self – the gift each of us alone canoffer to the world. The whole poem is a powerful reminder of why we are here –and that line in particular really inspires me, especially as a writer.

 

Q: Is yourbook mainly for horse lovers?

A: No –it’s meant to appeal to a wider audience. I describe the story as ‘Clan of theCave Bear’ meets ‘My Friend Flicka.’ Certainly, the horses, and Naya’s relationshipwith the red filly in particular, represent an important aspect of the storyline, but readers don’t have to be horse people to connect with the characters.The challenges they face are universal.

 

Q: What isthe most courageous thing that you’ve done?

A: There’smore than one type of courage, of course. In terms of physical courage,competing in the cross-country phase of eventing probably took the mostcourage. Eventing is the triathlon of horse sports and cross-country involvesgalloping around a course while jumping over stone walls, leaping off banks,crossing ditches, and traversing water obstacles. Like most things that requirecourage, however, proper preparation takes some of the edge off. If you andyour horse have practiced navigating the various types of obstacles, and you’vewalked the course and know what to expect, a good outcome is more likely. Asfar as the kind of courage that involves emotional vulnerability as opposed tophysical risk, the hardest thing that I’ve had to do is allow my children to goout into the world, make their own choices (and mistakes) and forge their ownpaths. You want the best for them, and that starts with setting them free. Notsurprisingly, elements from both these personal experiences of courage show upin my books. 

 

Q: Whatare your hobbies?

A: WhenI’m not writing, I’m often at the barn with my horse. Horses are creatures ofthe present moment. They can also potentially be quite dangerous if you don’tunderstand them. Spending time around horses necessitates being mindful, beinggrounded, paying attention. My horse and I have a relationship which requiresthat I show up as my best self. Hobby is perhaps not the right word for thetime and effort that I devote to her, and the lessons she teaches me. Spiritualpractice comes to mind.

 

Q: What isyour writing schedule?

A: Manywriters apparently do their best work early in the morning. For me, that’s notthe case. While I like to get up with the sun, I spend that first quiet hourjournaling and reading, with a cup of chai at my elbow, followed by meditationand movement practice. Once the day is underway, my first commitment is usuallygoing to the barn. Only after I’ve spent time with my horse, do I sit down towrite. Once I’m at my desk, other than letting the dogs out and going upstairsfor tea, I’m pretty much working away until dinner. I write very slowly – goingback to reread and rework passages – so I need big chunks of uninterruptedtime. Luckily I’m at a stage of life where I can enjoy that luxury.

 

Q: What isyour next project?

A: I’mnearing the end of the writing/editing process for the second book in the SheWho Rides Horses series. There will be a third book, for sure, and possiblymore, depending on how the story unfolds. At some point, the novels will bereleased as an audiobook and ultimately, I’d love to see the story made into afilm or limited series.

 

MY REVIEW
She Who Rides Horses is a very detailed story about a teenage girl, Naya, who has visions of horses. Although her clan kills the horses for food, her heart's desire is to ride them. One red horse in particular.

The storyline is one of hardship, recovery, trust, and forgiveness. The spiritual aspect of the story lends another dimension of insight, relationships between horses and mankind. I enjoyed the descriptions of the landscape, the many-layered characters, and the ever-changing circumstances of their everyday life.

A very exciting and enjoyable read that will take you on an inspiring magical journey. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily choose to review it. All opinions are my own.

Enter the Giveaway:

SHE WHO RIDES HORSES Book Tour Giveaway

Review of Murmur in the Mud Caves by Kathleen Denly

 

Historical Romance/Historical Fiction

Description:

He came to cook for ranch hands, not three single women.

Gideon Swift, a visually impaired Civil War Veteran, responds to an ad for a ranch cook in the Southern California desert mountains. He wants nothing more than to forget his past and stay in the kitchen where he can do no harm. But when he arrives to find his employer murdered, the ranch turned to ashes, and three young women struggling to survive in the unforgiving Borrego Desert, he must decide whether his presence protects them or places them in greater danger.

Bridget “Biddie” Davidson finally receives word from her older sister who disappeared with their brother and pa eighteen years prior, but the news is not good. Determined to help her family, Biddie sets out for a remote desert ranch with her adopted father and best friend. Nothing she finds there is as she expected, including the man who came to cook for the shambles of a ranch.

When tragedy strikes, the danger threatens not only her plans to help her sister but her own dreams for the future—with the man who’s stolen her heart.

To Purchase on Amazon

MY REVIEW

The storyline is full of heartache, danger, and sacrifice. I loved the scriptural references by the main characters that showed their faith in God when they needed to be strengthened. The women in the story are courageous, strong-willed, and adapted to the unknown.

I loved the author's easy-to-read writing style, vivid descriptions of the landscape, and many layers of the characters. The building love story kept the interest in the story moving along, as well as, upcoming dangerous situations.

Murmur in the Mud Caves is a powerful story filled with faith, love, and compassion and is one you will remember well after you close the final page. Highly recommended.

I received an ARC from the author and voluntarily choose to review it.

Julie

Spotlight of Devotion (Emotions of the Heart Book 2) by Jo Huddleston

 Devotion – BookDescription:

An outgoing woman. A sensible bachelor. A happily ever after?

Bernice Thompson is an extroverted legal secretary. When her boss sends her toan out-of-state assignment, she falls for Gene Courtland. But is he as devotedto her as she is to him?

Gene Courtland’s world becomes perfect when Bernice enters it. He wants tospend the rest of his life with Bernice but is too vulnerable to tell her.

A roadblock named Ruth believes Gene loves her, not Bernice. Ruth will doanything to tear them apart. When Ruth’s behavior turns irrational, willBernice and Gene ever have their happily ever after?

 

Link toDevotion:

https://www.amazon.com/Devotion-Sweet-Southern-Romance-Emotions-ebook/dp/B0BY3F2T2Z

 

Excerpt from Devotion:

That evening when Gene knocked on Bernice’s door, and sheanswered looking radiant, it was all he could do not to drop to a knee andpropose the moment he saw her. As they walked to his car, the flowing skirt ofher yellow sundress fluttered around her knees in the slight breeze. Inthe early evening, the July day's heat had somewhat lowered.

Inside his club’s dining room, several couples had alreadyarrived, and a gentleman at the piano entertained them splendidly.

“It’s so good to have you sitting across the table from me.I’m repeating myself, but I sure did miss you while you were away.”

“Yeah, me too.”

After finishing their baked salmon with a creamy dillsauce, roasted asparagus, and a simple slaw, they lingered over key lime pieand coffee. Now and then, Gene pressed his hand against his sportscoat pocketto make sure the ring box was still there.

Bernice laid down her fork and sipped her coffee. “That wasterrific. I’ll have to go away again to get such a meal to celebratereturning.” Her laugh died away when he didn’t join her.

“Please don’t even joke about going away again. I’ve beendown in the dumps with you away.”

“You have?”

She seemed to brighten at his comment as if she took it asa compliment. Should he propose to her now?

Instead, he said, “Yes, I have. Soon after we met, I toldyou I wanted to continue seeing you.”

“I remember you said so, right here in this dining room.And I told you it was wonderful.”

He reached across the table to take her hand. “I guess youwonder why I haven’t said more words like that. I should have, but somethingheld me back, and you deserve to know what.”

“Gene?”

“No, please, don’t interrupt. Please, just listen.” Hegazed into her flashing green eyes and wondered if he’d ever get out the wordshe wanted to say. Then he stumbled on....

Award-winning and bestseller Jo Huddleston is themulti-published author of sweet Southern mid-20th-century romance. She writesstories inspired by her fascination with the 1950s and her love of her nativeAmerican South. Her readers describe Jo as a wonderful storyteller whose bookswill inspire and entertain you.

Jo likes to laugh with people but not at people. The beachis her favorite vacation spot. Jo doesn't like to see or hear about people oranimals being abused. She's a spectator fan of several sports, her favoritebeing tennis. Jo doesn't like being in the dark and is fearful of snakes!

Visit Jo's website at www.johuddleston.com where you canread the first chapter of her novels and novellas and receive a free eBook copyof Jo's short stories when you sign up for her newsletter.

MY REVIEW

A wonderfully written story of Bernice and Gene, as well as, a cast of other interesting characters that entertained and amazed me with their love, understanding, and devotion to their spouses and friends. The story is set in the 1950s and the descriptions of what was happening then are well depicted. I was drawn into the story from the first few pages.

The firm of Colbert & Colbert where the characters worked seemed credible and came to life through the author's descriptions of everyday business. There are some surprises along the way, as well as, some sweet romantic moments.

An entertaining and uplifting story filled with scriptural content which enriched the story. Another good read from the author. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and choose to review it. All my opinions are my own.

 

Review of The Shifting Current by Dani Pettrey

 

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for The Shifting Current by Dani Pettrey, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book Title: The Shifting Current Series: Coastal Guardians novella Author: Dani Pettrey Publisher: Gracie & Johnny Inc. Release Date: May 2, 2023 Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

An elusive killer. A false identity. A deadly maze of lies.

When Coast Guard Investigative Service Special Agent LOGAN PERRY’s beloved grandfather is murdered, Logan races to his hometown of Cauldron Creek, New Mexico to investigate the murder. His teammate and friend, EMMY THORTON, insists on joining him. Not a good idea—not when he loves her, but carries a secret that he knows will tear them apart. 
Emmy knows Logan will pursue the investigation no matter the cost, and she won’t let the man she loves plunge into a dangerous situation alone. She needs to be at his side, even if he believes friendship is her only reason for joining him. 
What looks like a robbery gone wrong rapidly shifts, drawing Emmy and Logan into a dizzying maze where nothing is as it appears. Every lead slips through their fingers as threats against them grow deadlier at each turn. Having only each other to rely on, their love for one another deepens, but will they live long enough to admit their attraction to each other? 
They’re in the killer’s sights. One wrong move puts their future together and their lives on the line.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

My Review

This story was a little different from the others I've read which take place on the water. This one takes place partially in Willmington and the Coast Guard personnel are Special Investigative Agents. Emma Thorton and Logan Perry are partners investigating a murder in Silver City, New Mexico. This one tests Logan's resolve and ability to stay objective.

The main characters are well-developed with lots of layers, especially Logan. I was hooked from the first few pages. The storyline is full of surprises, mystery, suspense, and of course a budding romance. It kept me on the edge of my seat. The faith element was a nice addition to rounding out the emotions of the main characters.

Highly recommended. Another great read from Dani Pettrey.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and voluntarily choose to review it. All opinions are my own.

Julie

More Books in this Series

About the Author

Publishers Weekly, #1 Parable, #1 Amazon, ECPA, and CBA bestselling author, Dani Pettrey has sold nearly 800,000 copies of her novels to readers eagerly awaiting the next release. Dani combines the page-turning adrenaline of a thriller with the chemistry and happy-ever-after of a romance. Her novels stand out for their wicked pace, snappy dialogue, and likable characters (Publishers Weekly), gripping storyline[s], (RT Book Reviews), and sizzling undercurrent of romance (USA Today). She researches murder and mayhem from her home in Maryland.

Connect with Dani by visiting danipettrey.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a "The Best is Yet to Come" mug, gourmet roasted coffee from NYC, and the full Coastal Guardian series including The Shifting Current in paperback!

(1) winner will receive a "The Best is Yet to Come" notebook, gel pens, and a paperback copy of The Killing Tide!

(1) winner will receive a "The Best is Yet to Come" vintage sign and a paperback copy of The Crushing Depths!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight May 5, 2023 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on May 12, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Review for Tunnel Creek Ambush by Kerry Johnson

Release Date: April 25, 2023

Author: Kerry Johnson

Genre: Romantic Suspens

Danger lurks in the shadows… and a police dog is keeping watch

Officer Jasper Holt never thought he’d see his high school girlfriend, Kinsley Miller, again—much less become her protector. But when the wildlife biologist returns home for her aunt’s funeral, she’s attacked twice in a matter of hours. With his K-9 partner at his side, the single father will protect Kinsley with his life. But can they uncover the reason behind the assaults…before the next strike becomes the last?

Link to book

MY REVIEW

Tunnel Creek Ambush is a story about danger, courage, and forgiveness. Jasper & Kinsley have a past and both are carrying guilt.

When Kinsley becomes the focus by men who want to do her harm, can she survive with Jasper's help?

There are moments of extreme danger, suspense, and renewed faith. The non-stop action kept me on the edge of my seat. Lots of twists and turns that took me by surprise. The ending wrapped everything up nicely. Great characters that are well-developed and the descriptions of the landscape and action, kept me engaged throughout the entire story. Another great read from this author. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and voluntarily choose to review it. All opinions are my own.

Reviewer Tour- Yosemite Firestorm by Tanya Stowe

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

A raging forest fire

isn’t the only threat…

When an act of arson claims the life of a hiker, Yosemite Park Ranger Livy Chatham is the only witness—putting her right into the path of determined criminals. Only rock climber Hayden Bryant can protect her from the killers destroying all evidence of their crimes. But can Livy and Hayden outrun the danger that’s as hot on their heels as the fires blazing through Yosemite?
Purchase on Amazon



ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tanya Stowe is an author of Christian Fiction with an unexpected edge. She fills her stories with the unusual…gifts of the spirit and miracles, mysteries and exotic travel, even an angel or two. No matter where Tanya takes you…on a journey to the Old West or to contemporary adventures in foreign lands…be prepared for the extraordinary.


MY REVIEW
Another great suspense story from Tanya Stowe. I was engaged in the story from the beginning. The fire and descriptions of Yosemite brought the story to life. The main characters, Livy and Hayden, were well-developed and the slow-building romance added another element to their efforts to outrun the fire.

The storyline was filled with danger, suspense, teamwork, and climbing skills. The suspense had me on the edge of my seat and the ending was a bit of a surprise. Highly recommended. The character's faith in God came through their relationships.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and voluntarily choose to review it. All opinions are my own.

Review of Indescribable Activity Book for Kids by Louie Giglio

Your kids will discover God's incredible creation, learn more about God and the Bible, and become little scientists with the Indescribable Activity Book for Kids, based on the massively popular Indescribable Kids series, which has sold almost one million copies.

 

Bestselling author and founder of the Passion movement Louie Giglio shares this interactive activity book for ages 6-10, combining biblical truths with scientific facts and fun activities and helping kids explore the wonder of God's creation at a whole new level! With more than 100 activities, this book includes

mazes, puzzles, riddles, and logic gamesword searches, crosswords, and complete-the-story exercisesSTEM projects for kidssimple science projects and at-home activitiesideas for helping your community and people around the worldmaps and diagramscoloring and drawing prompts and much more!

 

STEM-based learning has proven benefits, such as increased creativity, critical thinking skills, and cognitive development. This faith-based, educational activity book is a wonderful way to further prepare your child for success in school. Each activity takes a close, interactive look at

space--from asteroids to spacecraftearth--from volcanoes to riversanimals--from ants to dinosaurspeople--from our bones to our emotions and senses

 

With bright, kid-friendly artwork by Lynsey Wilson and Nicola Anderson, this activity book is a perfect cure for boredom at home, a fun diversion on car rides, and a healthy alternative to screen time.

Check out these other books from Pastor Louie's Indescribable Kids series:

IndescribableIndescribable for Little OnesHow Great Is Our GodThe Wonder of Creation
To Order Your Copy


My Review
This activity book has a wonderful washable cover with puzzles, crosswords, and stem experiments about God and Science. Geared towards 6-10-year-olds. The activities can be enjoyed by children and their parents as well, as they interact with each other.

The interior is full of pages of wonderful colored illustrations that will excite a child's imagination and eagerness for learning.

Highly recommended. Another winner from Louie Giglio.

Takeover Blitz for Fields of Bounty by Lauraine Snelling

 

Welcome to the Takeover Blitz for Fields of Bounty by Lauraine Snelling, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book Title: Fields of Bounty Series: Leah's Garden #3 Author: Lauraine Snelling Publisher: Bethany House Publishers Release Date: March 21, 2023 Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

They must set aside their own plans and rely on their faith to bring their true destiny to light.

Lilac Nielsen's dream has come true: handsome young Reverend Ethan Pritchard has finally noticed her. Yet she must balance this new courtship with the pursuit of another dream--the publication of her artwork in a New York paper. She has secretly been submitting a series of drawings under a pen name, and if anyone traces the drawings back to her and finds out where Lilac and her sisters settled, the entire Nielsen family could be in danger. 
As their family farm expands and Lilac's relationship with the reverend grows, it's a time of new beginnings. But when a family crisis back in Ohio shakes the Nielsen sisters, can they continue to build the new life they've begun in Nebraska? And will Lilac be prepared for what God has in store for her future? 
"A tender story. I know my readers will enjoy these stories and look forward to the books yet to come."--TRACIE PETERSON, bestselling author of the Pictures of the Heart series

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Christianbook | BookBub

MY REVIEW

Nebraska, 1857, the Neilsen sisters continue to make a life in Salton. Two sisters already married, Lark & Lilac work the farm. Lilac is conflicted in her approaching marriage to Rev. Ethan. Ethan facing scandal leans on the Lord for guidance along with the aid of his father. Things are not going according to what Ethan figured his life would be like.

I enjoyed the journey with the sisters and the rest of the community of Salton. The characters go through lots of changes, some are joyful, and others left them facing disappointment and changes in their lives they didn't see coming.

The historical aspects of the 1800s fascinated me. I loved the small community life and how they supported each other. Even though I haven't read any of the other books in the series, I was able to sort out the characters. The writing style was easy to read and enjoyable. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and willingly choose to review it.

More Books in this Series

About the Author

Lauraine Snelling is the award-winning author of more than 100 books, fiction and nonfiction, for adults and young adults. Her books have sold more than five million copies. She and her husband make their home in Tehachapi, California.

Connect with Lauraine by visiting laurainesnelling.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates. Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a paperback set of the first three books in Lauraine Snelling’s Leah's Garden series: The Seeds of Change, A Time to Bloom, and Fields of Bounty!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight March 29, 2023 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on April 5, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Review of Second Time Around by Melody Carlson

 

Who doesn't love a second chance?

When empty nester Mallory Farrell inherits her grandmother's run-down tourist shop in Seaport, Oregon, it seems the only sensible thing to do is to sell it. But when her former secret crush, Grayson Matthews, wants to buy the property in order to complete his plans to redevelop the funky town's business district into a soulless, cookie-cutter outdoor mall, Mallory digs in her heels and decides to renovate the property herself.

With a lot of hard work and a little bit of help, Mallory makes incredible progress turning the store into an eclectic home decor shop called Romancing the Home--all while trying to ignore the depressing and decrepit apartment she's living in on the second floor. When the shop catches the eye of a popular renovation TV show producer, Mallory is thrilled--until it becomes clear that her apartment is to be part of the segment as well.

She's tempted to abandon her dreams and the town under a cloud of shame. But perhaps there's more to Grayson than meets the eye. Can he swallow his pride, change his plans, and help Mallory romance her own home--and possibly her life?

To Purchase on Amazon

MY REVIEW

Mallory Farrell inherits her grandmother's tourist shop and bites off more than she thought. Moving to Portside, she decides to remodel the shop and upstairs apartment but things don't go as planned. With a television crew coming to film the shop, she is racing against the clock. Grayson Matthews, a contractor and one who has the town's best interests at heart have past memories to deal with.

The characters are well-developed with layers of vulnerability. The quaint seaside town descriptions bring the story to life. The storyline is about relationships, starting over, and second chances. The ending wrapped everything up nicely and there were some suspenseful moments as well as building tension that kept me engaged in the story. I thoroughly enjoyed the humor of the main characters.

Another great read from the author and highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and voluntarily choose to review it.

Authentic Influencer: The Barnabas Way of Shaping Lives for Jesus by Jonathan Murphy

 You may feel like an ordinary believer, but God has a knack of using ordinary people to accomplish His extraordinary purposes. Authentic Influencer encourages you to walk with Barnabas, learn from God, and shape the world for Jesus Christ— one life at a time.

God's approach to influencing the world is through His people. People shape people. And yet, many of God's people spectate from the sidelines unsure of what to do. Authentic Influencer is rooted in principles emerging from the life of God's choice example in the Scriptures—a man called Barnabas—rather than recycled quotes from corporate leadership works.

Every follower of Jesus can be inspired, instructed, and mobilized to influence the world from right where they are. In fact, it is everyday believers—not just "professional" Christians such as pastors, church leaders, authors, and others—who are specifically tasked by Jesus Himself to bring godly influence to the world. We are all His agents of change, be it shaping one person or a thousand.

Authentic Influencer is a Christian leadership book that:

Highlights 15 key principles that emerge from Barnabas that are relevant, practical, and customizable to every believerInspires you to shape those around you for ChristUrges you to practice investing in others through discipleshipChallenges you with inspiring stories and practical wisdom emerging from biblical truths

By studying the life of Barnabas, we see how he influenced the world for Jesus Christ in practical and doable ways. Become encouraged to shape our world for Jesus— beginning with whoever happens to be close by.

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MY REVIEW

If you ever felt like you couldn't be an influencer for Jesus, Authentic Influencer walks you through the principles inspired by Barnabas.

The book gives step-by-step information from the Book of Acts to guide you on your journey. It teaches you how to be the authentic person you are and influences the people in your life for Jesus.  By applying the 15 principles in Authentic Influencer, with faith in Jesus you can apply them to your own Christian walk.

I can see this book being a great resource for youth groups or adult classes at your local church. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and voluntarily choose to review it. All opinions are my own.