Robin E. Mason's Blog: Robin's Book Shelf, page 92

BLOGWORDS – Tuesday 29 October 2019 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW – THE RED JOURNAL by DEB ELKINK

BLOGWORDS – Tuesday 29 October 2019 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW – THE RED JOURNAL by DEB ELKINK
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TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW – THE RED JOURNAL by DEB ELKINK
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THE BLURB

Flirty globetrotter Sybil badgers her friend Libby to travel along in seeking out the world’s “sacred places”—a monastery in Japan, a mountaintop in Africa, a mosque in Istanbul. Her footloose wandering far from family values costs her more than money.

But Libby can’t afford to travel, and she’s plagued by a different kind of restlessness. Grieving the recent death of the grandmother who raised her in their inner-city Minneapolis tenement now slated for demolition, Libby faces homelessness in both heart and habitation.

When Libby discovers a cryptic message from beyond the grave and an antique ring pointing to a mystery in an inner room of a mansion museum in North Dakota, she sets out on a quest of her own for the meaning of heritage and home.

 

THE AUTHOR

[image error]I’m connected to several writers’ associations and was recently recruited to The Mosaic Collection (an international publishing group of women authors). I’m also involved in the local church and in community life. I take to the road several times a year to speak at women’s functions, always ready to return home again to my babbling brook — to sit and sip chai as I write and research, read and edit. But I also love to travel internationally and confuse the locals with my smattering of foreign phrases; I’ve visited thirty countries on five continents so far and have offended the ears of Japanese, French, and Spanish alike with corresponding gusto. (I’ve been told, however, that my English is quite good.)

My little stories are only as original as my research and imagination. That is, there’s nothing truly new under the sun. As I say in my very first Motifs posting, I love listening to the proclamation of the King in His Word. I don’t fancy my writings to be inspired, but just an attempt at retelling timeless truths written first by God Himself, the Author with authority to direct our steps. My heart echoes Job’s longing (19:23-25): “Oh, that my words were recorded, that they were written on a scroll . . . I know that my Redeemer lives!”

You can email me any time to chat, complain, or relate: deb@debelkink.com. Subscribe to my email newsletter to receive a free e-copy of Wet Thaw, two award-winning short stories by me. Or connect with me on Facebook.

 

MY REVIEW

What a profound story—I’m so glad I stuck with it!

Sybil seems more an annoyance in Libby’s life than any sort of friend. I sure didn’t like her! So brash and pushy. I felt like there was far too much description of her past ventures to “enlightenment;” it bogged down the reading for me.

Same with Paige’s research. Fascinating as it was, for me it distracted from the story.

The threads of the story were there, though, however thin for the first two-thirds of the book.

Then, BAM! It picked up in intensity and held my interest, urging me on to the final page.

Oh, how well Ms. Elkink wove this together, so tightly knit. As brash as she was, Sybil served her purpose in Libby’s life. And as unrelated as it seemed, Paige’s research also had significant impact.

Ms. Elkink layers elements, the ugly, the miserable, with the tender and loving, and portrays a true image of life. Like ingredients in soup, each element contributes to the whole of the flavor, and to take one away, even the bitter, would distort the final result.

Overall a wonderful story with a profound Truth embedded within.

 

ROBIN’S FEATHERS

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I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was under no obligation to read the book or to post a review. I offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest thoughts and reaction to this book.

 

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#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day, #TRD, Book Review, The Red Journal, Deb Elkink, Mosaic Collection, JustRead Publicity Tours

BLOGWORDS – Saturday 26 October 2019 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY-on-SATURDAY – BOOK REVIEW – WHERE I WAS PLANTED by HEATHER NORMAN SMITH

BLOGWORDS – Saturday 26 October 2019 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY-on-SATURDAY – BOOK REVIEW – WHERE I WAS PLANTED by HEATHER NORMAN SMITH
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TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY-on-SATURDAY – BOOK REVIEW – WHERE I WAS PLANTED by HEATHER NORMAN SMITH

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THE BLURB

In the spring of 1961, ten-year-old Nate “Weenie” Dooley has a revelation-his father is not a good one.

Inspired by National Geographic, his favorite thing next to the Bible storybook his mother gave him before she died, Nate plans to leave his father and their home in the Smokies to set out on adventure.

When he discovers that his father has left him first, it will take the help of a stray dog, some kind neighbors, a one-man-band, letters from a long-lost-aunt, and a new understanding of God to figure out he isn’t really alone.

Will he find that Copper Creek is where he’s always belonged? Or will his wanderlust keep him from ever coming back?

 

THE AUTHOR

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Heather Norman Smith is a devotional blogger and author of inspirational fiction. Her goal is to use the written word to entertain and encourage, while illuminating the redemptive love of God. She also enjoys writing songs and singing about Jesus.

Heather is proud to be a life-long North Carolinian and aims to present the beauty of the Tar Heel State in her writing. Her home is just outside Winston-Salem, NC, where she lives with one husband, two daughters, one son, two cats, and two dogs. Heather loves words and does not enjoy math, except when it comes to counting blessings..

 

 

 

 

MY REVIEW

What kid doesn’t dream of going off to see the world? And with a cache of National Geographics, Nate Dooley has a better idea of where to go than most kids. Adults, too, for that matter. And like kids everywhere, he figures he can strike out on his own.

No matter he’s only ten. He’s essentially on his own all the time anyway.

Ms. Smith tells a heartwarming—and heart wrenching— story. Nate is resilient and ingenious, and somewhat precocious—I don’t know of many ten-year-olds who would consider some of the adult issues he does. Nor could I fathom that a father would leave a ten year old to fend for himself.

Those issues aside, this was an intriguing story, and as Nate soon learned, there were many people who loved and cared for him, even if his father couldn’t.

 

ROBIN’S FEATHERS

[image error]THREE FEATHERS

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was under no obligation to read the book or to post a review. I offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest thoughts and reaction to this book.

 

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#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day-on-Saturday, #TRD, Book Review, Where I was Planted, Heather Norman Smith, JustRead Publicity Tours

BLOGWORDS – Friday 25 October 2019 – WREADING WEDNESDAY-on-FRIDAY – FEATURED BOOK and COVER REVEAL – WALTZ IN THE WILDERNESS by KATHLEEN DENLY

BLOGWORDS – Friday 25 October 2019 – WREADING WEDNESDAY-on-FRIDAY – FEATURED BOOK and COVER REVEAL – WALTZ IN THE WILDERNESS by KATHLEEN DENLY
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WREADING WEDNESDAY-on-FRIDAY – FEATURED BOOK and COVER REVEAL – WALTZ IN THE WILDERNESS by KATHLEEN DENLY

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ABOUT THE BOOK

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Title: Waltz in the Wilderness

Series: Chaparral Hearts

Genre: Historical Christian Romance

Length: 328 pages

Publisher: Wild Heart Books

Release Date: Feb. 4, 2020

                                                                             

 

THE BLURB

She’s desperate to find her missing father. His conscience demands he risk all to help. 

Eliza Brooks is haunted by her role in her mother’s death, so she’ll do anything to find her missing pa—even if it means sneaking aboard a southbound ship. When those meant to protect her abandon and betray her instead, a family friend’s unexpected assistance is a blessing she can’t refuse.

Daniel Clarke came to California to make his fortune, and a stable job as a San Francisco carpenter has earned him more than most have scraped from the local goldfields. But it’s been four years since he left Massachusetts and his fiancé is impatient for his return. Bound for home at last, Daniel Clarke finds his heart and plans challenged by a tenacious young woman with haunted eyes. Though every word he utters seems to offend her, he is determined to see her safely returned to her father. Even if that means risking his fragile engagement.

When disaster befalls them in the remote wilderness of the Southern California mountains, true feelings are revealed, and both must face heart-rending decisions. But how to decide when every choice before them leads to someone getting hurt?

Preorder available at:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | Kobo

 

THE AUTHOR

[image error]Kathleen Denly lives in sunny Southern California with her loving husband, four young children, and two cats. As a member of the adoption and foster community, children in need are a cause dear to her heart and she finds they make frequent appearances in her stories. When she isn’t writing, researching, or caring for children, Kathleen spends her time reading, visiting historical sites, hiking, and crafting.

 

Waltz in the Wilderness is Kathleen’s debut novel and the first in a series of three stand-alone historical Christian romance novels connected by secondary characters and their beautiful Southern California setting.

 

Kathleen would love it if you visited her website at KathleenDenly.com. You can also connect with her on social media:

 

Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Author Page | Armchair Adventure Krew

 

To see some of the photos that inspired Waltz in the Wilderness, follow her on Pinterest.

 

Ready…

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Set…

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Reveal!!!

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Preorder your copy today!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | Kobo

 

 

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If you preorder Waltz in the Wilderness AND email Kathleen proof of purchase (screenshot) before 12:00am PT January 11, 2020, you will receive a free digital copy of Ribbons and Beaus, a Chaparral Hearts Novella on January 21, 2020! For complete details, click here.

 

EXCERPT

October 1850

California gold fields

 

They were going to starve to death, if they didn’t freeze to death first. Sure, they had beans for dinner, but Eli had had to trade her spare shirt for them—the one she’d been wearing beneath her everyday shirt to keep the early-October frost from biting her skin. She shivered beside the fire. Not much left to trade for supper, but then, there wasn’t another miner in these diggings that had grub to spare even if she had something worth trading.

She studied each bean, careful not to burn a one. Her hollow stomach cramped as the sweet smell of the simmering meal mixed with the scent of wood smoke filling the air.

A pinch of rosemary would have added flavor. Would Mama have been disappointed Eli’d traded the last of their herbs for Pa’s new coat? She shook her head. If Eli couldn’t coax Pa from the creek, the least she could do was keep his shoulders warm. Mama would have understood.

A shift in the cold wind blew soot into Eli’s eyes as she lifted the pan from the fire. Brushing a grimy strand of hair from her face and blinking away the sting, she turned her back to the smoke and stirred the beans.

Time to get Pa.

She walked to where he squatted in the icy mountain creek.

He wouldn’t be happy she’d traded the spare shirt. He’d wanted it to hide her blossoming womanhood. Of course, he’d have to notice the shirt was gone first.

Standing beside the babbling water, she toed off her boots before yanking her tattered socks off. After stuffing them into a boot, she pulled up her trousers and, with a bracing breath, waded into the chilling water.

“Here, Pa.”

She held the spoon out handle first, but he shrugged her away. Afternoon sunlight bounced off his thin, greasy hair—brown like hers, but darkened by muck. His dirt-encrusted brown eyes continued squinting into the swirling pan of water. The gentle rotation of his wrists never ceased.

“Come on, Pa. You gotta eat.”

He cleared his throat and spat to the side opposite where she stood, never taking his eyes from the water. “I’m fine. You eat.”

Eli lifted the spoon higher. “But, Pa—”

“I’ll eat later.” He shifted in the calf-deep water so that her worried stare landed squarely between his broad shoulder blades.

Her fingers tightened around the spoon as she planted her fist on her hip. The rocks shifted beneath her feet. “That’s what you said this morning.”

“I’m busy, Eli. Now hush and leave me be.”

She stood there a moment longer, taking in the sight of him. That tall, too-thin frame draped in the now too-large, threadbare shirt. She’d mended that thing more times than she could count. The trousers he kept up with a rope at his waist needed mending in the right knee, but she doubted the fabric could endure another stitching. She peered down at her own trousers. The worn threads of the cuffs drifted and tugged with the current.

She frowned at the beans cooling in the pan. A body shouldn’t have to choose between clothes and food. But miners upstream caught any fish in the creek, and hunting around here was pointless. All the digging, rattling, and mining commotion scared the game away.

She’d tried to coax Pa to leave their claim long enough to hunt elsewhere to no avail.

Mama could’ve convinced him.

Mama isn’t here. Eli straightened her shoulders. “Pa, this is the last—”

“Hey, Eli!” The familiar voice cut her off.

She turned in time to see a small rock sail toward her head and managed to duck it, but the move upset her balance. She tipped backward.

The beans!

Contorting herself to right her balance without spilling their dinner, she wobbled back and forth as stones rocked beneath her. She shifted her footing, but the sloped face of a large, moss-covered rock hastened her descent. Holding the pan aloft as she fell backward, her body tilted sideways and she overcorrected—

Sending the beans spilling down her shirt and into the creek.

For a moment she sat still, the chill of the icy mountain runoff failing to cool her blood as gales of boyish laughter drifted toward her from the bank. She erupted from the creek, wielding her now-empty pan above her head. “Morgan Channing, I’m gonna have your hide for this!”

She sloshed three full steps to the edge of the creek before she froze.

The eleven-year-old had stopped laughing and was staring at her, mouth hanging open, eyes wide. “Y-you…! Y-you’re a…a…”

Eli followed his gaze to her chest, where a few beans still clung to her drenched, oversized shirt. She dropped the pan and covered herself. Oh, how brainless of her! Would Pa send her away?

Available now for preorder!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | Kobo

 

 

GIVEAWAY

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To celebrate her tour, Kathleen is giving away a “Trust in the Lord” Journal & 80+ Journal Stickers Set, along with a $10 Amazon gift card. Be sure to comment on the blogs listed below for extra entries into the giveaway.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER GIVEAWAY!

 

BLOG STOPS

Reading is My Superpower

Radiant Light

Joy of Reading

The Christian Fiction Girl

Moments Dipped in Ink

Bookworm Mama

Romances of the Cross

Fiction Aficionado

Robin’s Nest

A Baker’s Perspective

The Singing Librarian

With a Joyful Noise

Don’t forget to share this giveaway with your friends!

 

#Blogwords, Wreading Wednesday-on-Friday, Featured Book and Cover Reveal, Waltz in the Wilderness, Kathleen Denly

BLOGWORDS – Friday 25 May 2019 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY-on-FRIDAY – BOOK REVIEW – UNBOUND by ELEANOR BERTIN

BLOGWORDS – Friday 25 May 2019 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY-on-FRIDAY – BOOK REVIEW – UNBOUND by ELEANOR BERTIN
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TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY-on-FRIDAY – BOOK REVIEW – UNBOUND by ELEANOR BERTIN
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THE BLURB

Ruthie Adrian loves ranch life with her handsome husband, Mac and his family. But her fading hope for a child dissolves when Mac is killed in a crash along with his brother and father.

Added to their heartbreak, Ruthie and her mother-in-law, Naomi now face rejection by her sister-in-law, and impossible barriers as they try to protect their land.

Jake, a self-styled prophet steps up with a bizarre offer. A Godsend or a trap?

With raw grief, unexpected humour, and life-giving grace, Unbound is a modern twist on a timeless tale of the unique bond between two widows who harbour a few secrets of their own.

 

THE AUTHOR

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In a fit of optimism at age eleven, Eleanor Bertin began her first novel by numbering a stack of 100 pages. Two of them got filled.

Eleanor holds a college diploma in Communications and worked in agriculture journalism until the birth of her first child. The family eventually grew to include seven children, all girls except six. Writing was crowded out by homeschooling a houseful for 25 years until Lifelines, her first completed novel, was shortlisted in the 2015 Word Alive Free Publishing Contest.

Eleanor and her husband live with their youngest son, who has Down syndrome, amidst the ongoing renovation of a century home in central Alberta. She blogs about a sometimes elusive contentment at jewelofcontentment.wordpress.com.

 

 

 

 

MY REVIEW

Tragedy can unsettle the most stable of families; triple tragedy can crush them.

Like their Biblical counterparts, Ruthie and Naomi have each other to cling to. And as obstacles assault them from all directions it seems they’re all each other has. Until even their bond is wounded. Both clinging to the need to keep a past secret hidden, the fear of discovery is crippling.

Ms. Bertin teases the brink of cultism with Jake’s overbearing and aggressive attitude and controlling behavior, and playing on Naomi’s grief. She draws out each character’s strengths—and their weaknesses—their fears and their deepest heart desires. Ms. Bertin walks them through the valley of the shadow of death, and painstaking step by painstaking step to healing and joy. Each event, each encounter, each interaction urging me on to the last page, the story was engrossing and captivating.

 

ROBIN’S FEATHERS

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I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was under no obligation to read the book or to post a review. I offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest thoughts and reaction to this book.

 

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#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day-on-Friday, #TRD, Book Review, Unbound, Eleanor Bertin, Mosaic Collection, JustRead Publicity Tours

BLOGWORDS – Wednesday 23 October 2019 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY-on-WEDNESDAY – BOOK REVIEW – THE BRIDGE BETWEEN by LINDSEY P. BRACKETT

BLOGWORDS – Wednesday 23 October 2019 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY-on-WEDNESDAY – BOOK REVIEW – THE BRIDGE BETWEEN by LINDSEY P. BRACKETT
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TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY-on-WEDNESDAY – BOOK REVIEW – THE BRIDGE BETWEEN by LINDSEY P. BRACKETT
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ABOUT THE BOOK

Series: Edisto

Genre:  Adult, Romance

Publisher: Firefly Southern Fiction a division of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas

Publication date: July 31, 2019

 

 

THE BLURB

After years away, Louisa Coultrie Halloway has returned to Edisto Island as caretaker for the family home. Now she flounders to find her place. When Liam Whiting, a local professor studying tidal creek preservation, invites Lou to join his research team, she welcomes the opportunity for purpose.

David, her ex-husband, has followed Lou and their children to Edisto. As he finds his footing in this new life, their once strained relationship eases into a familiar rhythm—and he hopes for more.

But the past still has a hold on them all, especially in the presence of Grace Watson, whose son intends to marry Lou and David’s daughter. Somehow, Grace and Lou must let the past of a shared love settle between them.

In this idyllic setting, relationships deepen and shift. And once more, Lou finds herself caught between the life she’s chosen—and the love that might be meant to be.

GOODREADS | AMAZON

 

THE AUTHOR

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Lindsey P. Brackett writes southern fiction and cooks big family meals, but she complains about the dishes. Her debut novel, Still Waters, released in 2017 and was named the 2018 Selah Book of the Year. Her latest novel, The Bridge Between, released in 2019. Someday she hopes to balance motherhood and writing full-time. Until then, she’s just very grateful for her public school system.

Connect with Lindsey and get her free novella, Magnolia Mistletoe with newsletter signup at lindseypbrackett.com.

​ GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST | INSTAGRAM | AMAZON | WEBSITE

 

 

 

 

10 BEHIND THE SCENES FACTS ABOUT THE STILL WATERS

My grandparents actually met on a back road in Colleton County in the 1940’s. She was lost and he was bundling pine straw to sell. So that story inside the story is true.
McConkey’s Jungle Shack—and they’re not kidding about the shack part—really does have the best fish tacos on the coast
Late in Still Waters, I reference a story about soldiers mistaking a loggerhead turtle for an enemy when the beach was being used as a lookout during WWII. This really happened and you can read about it in Nell Graydon’s Tales of Edisto, which I used for both reference and inspiration.
We drive a blue minivan and it’s kind of well-known because the paint job was bad (thanks Honda) and we’ve never spend the money to fix it. So my best friend begged me to put the blue van in the story. It’s there, when Cora Anne and Nan stop at King’s Market, complete with a passel of kids. (I have four of those.)
I buy and eat a whole King’s Market key lime pie every time we go to Edisto.
My cousin Heather and I were born 18 hours apart, and our moms are sisters. Yes, she inspired Cora Anne’s cousin, Hannah. When we were kids at Edisto, we always hunted for sharks teeth and snail shells so we could make necklaces with our grandmother.
The book is set in 2006 because I wanted a time period before social media’s invasion and before BiLo bought out the Piggly Wiggly. Edistonians are not coming around. They still call their only grocery store The Pig.
The Edisto Island Open Land Trust is a gem I stumbled upon while researching what made the most sense for Tennessee’s philanthropic spirit. The EIOLT was the perfect fit since it’s all about preservation of the Island’s natural beauty, while empowering home owners to still be able to afford family property that’s been passed down for generations. The executive director, John, drank coffee with me one morning at the Edisto Coffee Shop and told me so much valuable information.
Botany Bay (and that’s the Botany sentinel tree on the Still Waters cover) was nearly destroyed by Hurricane Matthew in 2016. Edisto took the brunt of the storm’s hit and the eye passed over the island. When the beach pushed inland, the entire first row of houses were left standing in water. But the community there is strong and resilient. They’ve been rebuilding and regrouping. The beaches will never look the same, but as my mama says, “That’s nature. And life. Storms come and you have to deal with the aftermath.” Or, as Tennessee puts it in the story, “Sometimes a storm’s what clears out the junk…”
Edisto Beach still has a video store, probably the last one left in the country. It’s also one of two places in the town to get ice cream—unless you’re sitting on your own porch enjoying the ocean breeze and listening for the churn to slow down.

 

SNIPPET FROM STILL WATERS

“Sparkler time.” Cole grabbed the package and headed out the door, his brothers on his heels.

Outside was clear—a sailor’s dream sky. The boys set off the sparklers against the midnight black and whooped when someone a few streets over sent up a spray of light.

Lou stamped her feet and rubbed her arms. “I’m going to freeze to death.” She’d traded her earlier t-shirt for a sweater, and David could tell it was thin by the way the fabric skimmed her body.

“Here,” he slid his coat around her shoulders, pulling the collar close under her chin and brushing aside her chestnut hair. She’d let it grow beyond her jaw for the first time in at least a decade.

Thank you.” They stood that way for only a moment—but in the freshness of the new year under skies beaded with light eternity could have come and he would’ve died a happy man.

 

MY REVIEW

This story wrapped around me from the first page and didn’t let go! Ms. Brackett’s grasp of human nature and relational interactions is brilliant. Nothing is more complicated than distorted family ties, and this book is rife with them. Charlotte with her old school notions, Grace with her need to belong, David with his misplaced dedication, Lou with her insecurities—she frustrated me to no end, her constant hesitation and self-doubt… much too familiar to this reviewer. Shattered dreams and straining against what she wants most.

I appreciated the intermittent throw-backs, the bits of their past, laying the ties that have become so unraveled. Although, I kept waiting to understand what had triggered Lou’s deep seated insecurities.

The story rolled along so naturally, moving between characters and from one scene to the next. Reading felt like time spent with friends. Of course, now I must needs go back and read Still Waters…

 

ROBIN’S FEATHERS

[image error]ALL | THE | FEATHERS!

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was under no obligation to read the book or to post a review. I offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest thoughts and reaction to this book.

 

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a Bridge Between Prize Pack.

Enter the giveaway HERE.

Giveaway ends October  27 at 11:59pm MT.

​

Giveaway is subject to policies HERE.

TOUR SCHEDULE

Check out the tour schedule HERE.

 

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#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day-on-Wednesday, #TRD, Book Review, The Bridge Between, Lindsey P. Brackett, Singing Librarian Tours

BLOGWORDS – Tuesday 22 October 2019 – WREADING WEDNESDAY-on-TUESDAY – FEATURED BOOK– SON OF THE FATHER by ANDREW STONE

BLOGWORDS – Tuesday 22 October 2019 – WREADING WEDNESDAY-on-TUESDAY – FEATURED BOOK– SON OF THE FATHER by ANDREW STONE
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WREADING WEDNESDAY-on-TUESDAY – FEATURED BOOK – SON OF THE FATHER by ANDREW STONE
 

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THE BLURB

Some debts are impossible to pay.

Son of the Father is a creative storytelling of Barabbas, the man released in the hours leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion.

Long before his life is traded for Jesus’, Barabbas’ family is ruined, a consequence of his own rage. Consumed with guilt he resolves to put things right, but this seems an impossible task. Huge debts, a man bent on revenge, theft, and murder hang above his head.

As Barabbas struggles to atone and restore his family’s honor and to bring himself out of poverty, he meets the new religious teacher. Barabbas can’t bring himself to trust this wandering preacher even though his family follows Him, until Barabbas’ life is spared, costing more than he thought possible.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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Andrew is an ordained minister of religion who has experience of working in broadcasting and journalism. He is married to Alison and they have three grown-up sons.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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#Blogwords, Wreading Wednesday-on-Tuesday, Featured Book, Son of the Father, Andrew Stone
#justreadtours #SonoftheFather #AndrewStone #AmbassadorInternational #bookquote
@justreadtours @ambassadorintl

BLOGWORDS – Tuesday 15 October 2019 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW – FORGED THROUGH FIRE by MARK D. MCDONOUGH MD

BLOGWORDS – Tuesday 15 October 2019 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW – FORGED THROUGH FIRE by MARK D. MCDONOUGH MD
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TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW – FORGED THROUGH FIRE by MARK D. MCDONOUGH MD

 

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THE BLURB

When Mark McDonough was a teen, a catastrophic fire claimed the lives of his mother and younger brother. It also left Mark with burns on over 65 percent of his body. During a long and painful recovery, his faltering faith in God was strengthened by a remarkable near-death experience. Inspired to pursue a career as a plastic surgeon to help those who suffer as he has, McDonough has overcome numerous other adversities on his journey, including addiction and a stroke. Now he shares his incredible true story of survival and perseverance to bring hope and healing to those dealing with great physical and emotional pain.

Anyone who has suffered or watched a loved one suffer from a personal trauma, disease, or loss that has tested or stolen their faith and exhausted their emotional resources will find real hope in this redemptive story.

 

THE AUTHOR

Hi, I’m Dr. Mark McDonough. Glad you stopped by.

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I am passionate about the need to restore, maintain, and improve the body, mind, and spirit—especially after experiencing a personal tragedy.

I am a survivor. I overcame Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a debilitating neurological disease, as a child. Later in youth I survived a house fire that claimed the lives of several family members and left me with extensive burns over 60% of my body. I’ve even been challenged with the rehabilitation and recovery from a paralyzing stroke, and years later congestive heart failure that mandated open-heart cardiac valve surgery.

As a former patient and now a plastic and reconstructive surgeon, I’ve been granted a uniquely personal perspective regarding the often-treacherous journey to recovery.

My focus has turned to helping people who are experiencing emotional or physical pain as they battle the effects of disease and trauma.  It would be an honor to help others find the healing they need today and the hope to pursue a brighter tomorrow.

Obstacles and opportunities to fall await all of us along the journey; choosing whether and how to rise again is yours.  It would be my honor to help you do so.

In the last few years, I have stepped back from full-time practice after additional medical challenges, although I still volunteer my services at local clinics.

 

MY REVIEW

This book sucked me in like oxygen in a backdraft—sudden and intense and overpowering.

Ordinarily not a fan of non-fiction, I consumed this book with keen interest. Dr. McDonough’s writing is vivid and inviting, placing the reader right in the middle of the action.

Dr. McDonough’s story reads like, well, a story—always something happening, always moving through the author’s life; if I hadn’t known otherwise, I would have assumed it a fascinating work of fiction.

I appreciated the glimpses into Dr. McDonough’s childhood, his family tales; it made the story more complete, more robust. Written, of course, in first person, the story became even more personal as I read, like a friend describing each incident and anecdote to me.

This story struck a deep chord in this reviewer—six years ago, at age thirty-five, my oldest son was burned on his hand and face. Though far from the injury Dr. McDonough suffered, I witnessed the extreme pain my son endured. Happily, he was treated with his own stem cells and needed no skin grafts.

 

ROBIN’S FEATHERS

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I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was under no obligation to read the book or to post a review. I offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest thoughts and reaction to this book.

 

 

#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day, #TRD, Book Review, Forged Through Fire, Mark D. McDonough MD

BLOGWORDS – Wednesday 9 October 2019 – WREADING WEDNESDAY – FEATURED BOOK and GIVEAWAY – EDGE OF TRUTH by KIMBERLY ROSE JOHNSON

BLOGWORDS – Wednesday 9 October 2019 – WREADING WEDNESDAY – FEATURED BOOK and GIVEAWAY – EDGE OF TRUTH by KIMBERLY ROSE JOHNSON
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WREADING WEDNESDAY – FEATURED BOOK and GIVEAWAY – EDGE OF TRUTH by KIMBERLY ROSE JOHNSON

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Welcome to the Blog Blitz and Giveaway for Edge of Truth by Kimberly Rose Johnson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Edge of Truth

Series: Law Enforcement Heroes

Author: Kimberly Rose Johnson

Publisher: Sweet Rose Press

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: August 6, 2019

 

THE BLURB

Two DEA agents. One undercover mission. Lives changed forever.

The DEA sends two of its best agents, Kara Nelson and Jeff Clark, to Central Oregon, to shut down a major drug ring. Kara and Jeff usually work alone, but Operation Trail Ride throws them undercover together in a way neither of them expected.

A notorious Miami drug lord wants Kara dead. Can these agents pull off the greatest acting job of their lives—and manage the sparks flying between them?

Or will they die trying?

Edge of Truth is the first book in the Law Enforcement Heroes series. A romantic suspense series with nail biting suspense and a splash of romance. If you like engaging characters, small-town antics, and page turning suspense, then you’ll love Kimberly Rose Johnson’s Law Enforcement Heroes series.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

 

THE AUTHOR

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Award-winning author Kimberly Rose Johnson married her college sweetheart and lives in the Pacific Northwest. From a young child, Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing. She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance that warms the heart and feeds the soul.

Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.

You can sign up for Kimberly’s newsletter via her website at: https://kimberlyrjohnson.com/

CONNECT WITH KIMBERLY: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | BookBub

 

 

EXCERPT

If drugs were passing through here, they were doing an exceptional job of hiding them. He saw no signs of anything unusual. The barn door opened wide and sunlight streaked in outlining the silhouette of a cowboy.

“Can I help you?”

Jeff rose to his full height. “I’m Eric’s brother, Jeff.”

“Uh-huh, and I’m the Lone Ranger. Eric ain’t got no brother.”

Although the man’s claim should have surprised him, it didn’t. He and Eric weren’t close, so there was no reason anyone here would know about him. Jeff squinted. “I didn’t catch your name.”

“I didn’t throw it.” He turned and stalked out.

 

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $10 Amazon gift card

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Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight October 7, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm October 14, 2019. Open internationally as long as winner can accept gift card from US Amazon. Void where prohibited by law. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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

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*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

 

 

#Blogwords, Wreading Wednesday, Featured Book and Giveaway, Edge of Truth, Kimberly Rose Johnson

BLOGWORDS – Tuesday 8 October 2019 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW – THE PAINTED CASTLE by KRISTY CAMBRON

BLOGWORDS – Tuesday 8 October 2019 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW – THE PAINTED CASTLE by KRISTY CAMBRON
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TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW – THE PAINTED CASTLE by KRISTY CAMBRON
                                                                             

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THE BLURB

A lost painting of Queen Victoria.

A library bricked off from the world.

And three women, separated by time, whose lives are irrevocably changed.

When art historian Keira Foley is hired to authenticate a painting at a centuries-old East Suffolk manor, she hopes this is just the thing to get her career and life back on track. But from the time she arrives at Parham Hill Estate and begins working alongside rumored art thief Emory Scott, she’s left with far more questions than answers. Could this lost painting of Queen Victoria be a duplicate of the original Winterhalter masterpiece, and if so, who is the artist?

As Keira begins to unravel the mystery behind the portrait, two women emerge from the estate’s forgotten past. In Victorian England, talented sketch artist Elizabeth Meade is engaged to Viscount Huxley, then owner of Parham Hill. However, Elizabeth’s real motive for being at Parham Hill has nothing to do with art or marriage. She’s determined to avenge her father’s brutal murder—even if it means a betrothal to the very man she believes committed the crime.

A century later, Amelia Woods—a World War II widow who has turned Parham Hill and its beloved library into a boarding school for refugee children—receives military orders to house a troop of American pilots. She is determined the children in her care will remain untouched by the war, but the task is proving difficult with officers taking up every square inch of their world . . . and one in particular vying for a space in Amelia’s long-shut up heart.

Set in three time periods—the rapid change of Victorian England, the peak of England’s home-front tensions at the end of WWII, and modern day—The Painted Castle unfolds a story of heartache and hope and unlocks secrets lost for generations just waiting to be found.

 

 

THE AUTHOR

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Kristy Cambron is an award-winning author of historical fiction, including her bestselling debut The Butterfly and the Violin, and an author of nonfiction, including the Verse Mapping series Bible studies. She’s a Women’s Ministry Leader at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY, and a passionate storyteller who travels to speak at events across the country, encouraging women to experience a deeper life in the Word through verse mapping. Her work has been named to Publishers Weekly Religion & Spirituality TOP 10, Library Journal Reviews’ Best Books, RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards, received 2015 & 2017 INSPY Award nominations, and has been featured at CBN, Lifeway Women, Jesus Calling, Country Woman Magazine, MICI Magazine, Faithwire, (in)Courage, and Bible Gateway.

Kristy holds a degree in Art History/Research Writing, and has 15 years of experience in education and leadership development for a Fortune-100 Corporation, working in partnership with such companies as the Disney Institute, IBM/Kenexa, and Gallup. She lives in Indiana with her husband and three sons, and can probably be bribed with a peppermint mocha latte and a good read.

To stay connected, visit: www.kristycambron.com

 

MY REVIEW

As a lover of both architecture and fine art, this story captured me on so many levels. Three women—Keira, Amelia, and Elizabeth—each guarding secrets—and their hearts. Three women tangled in circumstances both unwanted and beyond their control.

As they each begin to unlock the mystery before them, the lock on each of their hearts begins to open as well.

The certainty of what Elizabeth witnessed drives her, and in her search for her objective, she uncovers hidden truths.

The war upended Amelia’s solitary grief, thrusting her first into a protective role with the children, then that of hostess to troops bedding down in the manor house.

Keira just wants to do her job—and recover her good name. But the more she investigates, the deeper the mystery goes—and the further her heart falls.

Ms. Cambron paints such vivid, vibrant tapestries the story comes to life on each page. The reader steps into each era with colorful realism—sights, sounds, smells. With the skill of a master weaver, Ms. Cambron has knit the three stories into one, neatly tying them together with a grand sweep of colorful prose on her canvas.

 

ROBIN’S FEATHERS

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I received a copy of this book, but was under no obligation to read the book or to post a review. I offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest thoughts and reaction to this book.

 

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#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day, #TRD, Book Review, The Painted Castle, Kristy Cambron,  The Lost Castle, Castle on the Rise

BLOGWORDS – Monday 7 October 2019 – NEW WEEK NEW FACE – G...

BLOGWORDS – Monday 7 October 2019 – NEW WEEK NEW FACE – GUEST POST – DARLENE TURNER
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NEW WEEK NEW FACE – GUEST POST – DARLENE TURNER
 
IMAGINARY FRIENDS

 

Ever have an imaginary friend when you were a child? If you’re a writer, I’m guessing you probably did. Confession time . . . I had one too.

Pee Wee lived in our bathroom, and we had great conversations every day. He never failed to give me a laugh and help me with my problems.

Today, our imaginary friends are called characters. We knew it would pay off one day. What I love about these friends is we can craft them anyway we want—their physical traits, profession, who they fall in love with, etc. Creating characters is fun, but can also be frustrating and time-consuming.

But it’s worth every minute.

Why?

The more you know your character, the more they jump off the page and into your readers’ hearts.

Here are some tips on how to do make our imaginary friends real.

 

Visualize them. I’m a visual person and find it easier to give descriptions if I can see something in front of me. For my characters, I pick a person from my favorite TV show or movie and use them as a basis for my hero and heroine. I find a picture and post it on my board within Scrivener. Instant visual! However, be careful not to describe too much. You want readers to form their own image. This just helps me know my imaginary friends better.

Do a background check. Get out your FBI credentials and research your friend’s past. Where were they born? What were they like as a child? Teenager? Young adult? What’s their profession? Nothing is off limits. There are no sealed files in your investigation. Cross-examine and get out the lie detector. Know them inside and out.

Give them a quirk. Your main character needs a habit or trait that makes them distinct. It could be a phrase they repeat, an action they do when nervous or excited, or even an OCD characteristic. Perhaps your antagonist leaves the body in perfect form, ready for burial—hair combed, make-up done, arms crossed and in a prayer position. Whatever it is, make it unique.

Talk to them. It’s okay. Your family understands when you talk to your imaginary friends now. You’re a writer. It’s allowed. Sometimes when I talk out loud, it clears my head and gives my characters more depth. Try it.

Give them a secret. Shhhh…don’t tell it to anyone. Yet. Your friend needs something from their past, helping or hindering them. It forms an arc every character requires, so your readers will cheer them on. But tell their secret at the right time and place in your story.

Make them vulnerable and let them love. Everyone wants to love and be loved, which means our characters need to be vulnerable. Our characters can be stubborn, but at some point they need to open up and take a risk. Give them the chance!

 

Getting to know our characters intimately will allow our imaginary friends to become real to our readers.

And captivate their hearts.

 

What tips have helped you in developing your characters?

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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Darlene L. Turner is an award-winning author and lives with her husband, Jeff in Ontario, Canada. Her love of suspense began when she read her first Nancy Drew book. She’s turned that passion into her writing and believes readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message. Her debut novel, Border Breach with Love Inspired Suspense, releases in April, 2020. You can connect with Darlene at http://www.darlenelturner.com where there’s suspense beyond borders.

 

https://www.facebook.com/darlene.turner.902

https://twitter.com/darlenelturner

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#Blogwords, New Week New Face, #NWNF, Guest Post, Darlene Turner