Thursday, February 23, 2023

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: A Not So Persistent Suitor by Sandra Merville Hart

Book: A Not So Persistent Suitor

Author: Sandra Merville Hart

Genre: Christian historical romance

Release date: Febraury 14, 2023

He’s fighting for his career…She’s bent on achieving her own goals…Will their love survive a second chance at happily ever after?

Cora Welch dreams of a future teaching kindergarten, which is in its infancy, and marriage to Ben Findlay, her beau and her twin brother’s best friend. But she returns to college from summer break to learn of Ben’s unwise choices in pursuit of his career—choices that destroy her trust in the man she thought she knew and loved.

Ben is working hard toward his dream to become the best reporter in the city. He’s no stranger to fighting for a goal against all odds, ever since he was orphaned at age thirteen. Even though Cora has captured his heart, he makes the mistake of escorting the boss’s daughter to a fancy banquet to further his career—with far-reaching repercussions. Now he’s hurt Cora and botched his career goals.

Winning Cora’s trust again proves harder than Ben expects, especially as they both face struggles of their own. When events spiral out of their control, catapulting them into hardship and even danger, only God can restore their dreams—though the outcome may look far different than either of them planned.

Click here to get your copy!

I am a fan of Historical Fiction and I really enjoy reading books that are part of a series. . A Not So Persistent Suitor by Sandra Merville Hart is the latest book in this genre that I have read. It is Book 2 in the new series, Second Chances. I had the honor of reading Book 1 in this series and was excited to read this book also.

We are taken back to Cincinnati, Ohio in the 1880s. Cora Welch has some dreams for her future and is devasted when those dreams might not become a reality. Cora is set on becoming a Kindergarten Teacher and marrying her boyfriend Ben Findlay. She learns that Ben is making some life choices that she doesn't agree with. Ben become an orphan at age 13 and since then his determination to achieve goals in life has been in high priority. He LOVES his job as a Reporter but would LOVE to be promoted to the BEST. He decides to take his Boss's daughter to a Banquet and now he has probably destroyed any chances of his Boss promoting him and also lost the trust of Cora. Will Cora see her life dreams come true? Will Ben be able to regain the trust of Cora? Is there still a chance of marriage between Ben and Cora? Will Ben see his Career reach new heights or did he destroy that chance in life?

I LOVE when a book gets me intrigued from the very beginning and this book did just that. Cora knows what she wants in life and sets her heart on achieving those dreams. She is very independent, yet also knows marriage is something she wants. Ben is very career focused and will do what he can to secure that dream job. I was shocked when Ben did things that were hurtful to so many. The book has many twists and turns, but the Historical part is so wonderful. The book is about Dreams, forgiveness, and love. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Historical Romance. WONDERFUL BOOK!

Sandra Merville Hart, award-winning and Amazon bestselling author of inspirational historical romances, loves to discover little-known yet fascinating facts from American history to include in her stories. Her desire is to transport her readers back in time. She is also a blogger, speaker, and conference teacher. Connect with Sandra on her blog, https://sandramervillehart.wordpress.com/.

More from Sandra

I have wanted to write a story set in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the 1880s for several years. It seems to me that it was on my heart to write while I was still working as a Programmer Analyst and writing was but a dream.

Twins Cora and John had been living on their family’s farm before moving to Cincinnati to attend college. John went rogue on me (he does that in Book 3 too 😊) and got a job at a newspaper working with Ben, and decided not to go to college. Meanwhile, Ben begins to court Cora.

When our story begins, Cora is in her second and final year at the Cincinnati Kindergarten Training School. Kindergarten is still in its infancy in 1883, when our story begins. In fact, the demand for kindergartens grew in the 1870s. There were about four hundred kindergartens by 1880, and the need to train teachers for them was a natural part of that growth.

A training school in Cincinnati was organized in March of 1880. At first, kindergarten students (aged four – six) learned the 3 R’s –reading, writing, and arithmetic. Before long, principals in higher grades complained that kindergartners also needed a basic knowledge of music, drawing, and manual training.

This led to greater training for kindergartener teachers, who learned teaching tools that included games, songs, and handwork.

I imagine that incorporating games, songs, and activities engaged the children’s interest in a new and fun way for them.

Part of my research included The Songs and Music of Friedrich Froebel’s Mother Play by Fro. Bel. Friedrich. Early training schools used Friedrich Froebel’s writing extensively in their training so I mentioned his Mother Play book within the story.

Though demand for kindergartens was growing, most schools didn’t address the needs of these four to six-year-old children by providing a kindergarten class. Cora has to fight for a local school to start a new class to open the fall after she graduates.

Another fun thing about this novel is the places I’ve included that the modern reader familiar with Cincinnati will recognize:

Fountain Square, the Suspension Bridge, St. Peter’s Cathedral, and the Zoological Gardens to name a few.

Follow characters you’ve grown to love in A Not So Convenient Marriage, Book 1 in the “Second Chances” series into A Not So Persistent Suitor, Book 2!

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 15
Blossoms and Blessings, February 15
Texas Book-aholic, February 16
deb’s Book Review, February 17
Locks, Hooks and Books, February 18
Writing from Walsh Mountain, February 18
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 19
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, February 20
Connie’s History Classroom, February 21
Holly’s Book Corner, February 21
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 22
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 23
Simple Harvest Reads, February 24 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
For Him and My Family, February 25
lakesidelivingsite, February 26
Christina’s Corner, February 26
Cover Lover Book Review, February 27
Pause for Tales, February 28
Mary Hake, February 28

To celebrate her tour, Sandra is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/24516/a-not-so-persistent-suitor-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Priscilla's Piggy by Marisa Masterson

Book: Priscilla’s Piggy

Author: Marisa Masterson

Genre: Sweet Historical Romance

Release date: Febraury 10, 2023

This marriage needs something more than a pig to hold it together—

Jack Dixon knew his mother was right. It was time he married. He’d go along with whatever she writes in the letter to the matchmaker.

Priscilla Pringle fell in love with the man who wrote such a tender letter. Too bad that the man she meets in Missouri is his opposite. She’d leave and go home except for the little piggy she is bottle feeding.

Will she stay after the piggy is weaned? Is Jack the only one who needs to change to make a marriage work?

Read to find out.

Click here to get your copy!

Historical Romance is one of my favorite genres to read. Priscilla's Piggy by Marisa Masterson is the most recent book in the genre that I have read. It is Book 34 in the Westward Home and Hearts Mail-Order Brides, which various authors write. This book is the first book that I have read by author Marisa Masterson.

The time is 1870 and Jack Dixon has returned from War and is exhausted. His Mother is continually telling him he needs a wife. Jack agrees to allow his mom to sign up for a Mail Order Bride. Priscilla Pringle received the letter that Jack's Mom wrote about Jack. She falls in love with the man in the letter before meeting him. She travels to Missouri to meet Jack and become his "Mail Order Bride". Priscilla has grown to love the Piggy on the Farm and has been bottle-feeding it. Priscilla understands that Jack is suffering from the effects of War and feels that she can help him through some of that. Will Priscilla stay and allow the relationship to grow? Will Jack be able to grow and be like the man in the letter that Priscilla grew to love? Do Jack and Priscilla ever grow to love one another with real love?

I LOVE Mail Order Bride books and this is probably one of the sweetest ones that I have ever read. I love the Historical time of the book and the fact that Jack was a war Hero. Priscilla is such a kind-hearted woman and I LOVE how the Piggy changed her heart about raising pigs. The book is a fast read as it is only 139 pages. It is also a sweet story that grabbed my attention from the very first chapter. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who loves Historical Romance books! GREAT BOOK!

The smiling teacher. That’s what her students called her. How did this dedicated teacher end up as an author? A spinal cord injury took her out of the high school classroom. After seven years of healing, she asked the Lord what He had for her. Now, thirty-seven books later, Marisa is still enjoying the direction He sent her when God opened the door for her to begin writing.

Marisa’s sweet romances often are set in her home state of Wisconsin. Growing up, she loved hearing stories about her family who pioneered in that state. Those stories, in part, are what inspire ideas for her books.

Though she’s from Wisconsin, Marisa and her husband of thirty-four years live in Saginaw, Michigan. They have two grown children and a precious three-year-old granddaughter, Hunny Junebug. She’s been Marisa’s best physical therapy and keeps her moving.

More from Marisa

As a girl of about ten, I remember holding a glass 7-Up bottle for the orphaned piglet. My grandpa attached a black rubber nipple and had me feed it—just like Fern in Charlotte’s Web. Unlike Fern, I knew not to name it or grow attached. It would be sold when it reached 40 pounds.

That memory came in handy with Priscilla’s Piglet. I wondered what I could add to keep my heroine at the farm after she decides the hero is not her perfect match. The memory prodded my brain. Who doesn’t love a baby that is in need—even if it’s a baby pig! It seemed the perfect fit for this story.

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 12

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 13

Stories By Gina, February 14 (Author Interview)

Girls in White Dresses, February 15

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, February 16 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, February 17

Tell Tale Book Reviews, February 18 (Author Interview)

deb’s Book Review, February 18

Pause for Tales, February 19

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 20

For the Love of Literature, February 21 (Author Interview)

Connie’s History Classroom, February 22

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 23

Artistic Nobody, February 24 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, February 24

For Him and My Family, February 25

To celebrate her tour, Marisa is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/242ae/priscilla-s-piggy-celebration-tour-giveaway

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JustRead Tours Blog Blitz: The Last Chance Cowboy by Jody Hedlund

The Last Chance Cowboy JustRead Takeover Blitz

Welcome to the Takeover Blitz for The Last Chance Cowboy by Jody Hedlund, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Title: The Last Chance Cowboy

Series: Colorado Cowboys #5

Author: Jody Hedlund

Publisher: Bethany House Publishing

Release Date: February 14, 2023

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

With danger drawing ever closer, their only hope of saving their futures lies in each other.

As a midwife, Catherine Remington is successful in bringing new life into the world, but she's failed one too many times in finding true love. When she's accused of a murder she didn't commit, she's forced to flee to Colorado to honor a patient's dying wish by delivering a newborn infant to his father.

The repentant prodigal Dylan McQuaid is finally back in Fairplay. As sheriff, he's doing his best to prove to the town he's a changed man and worthy of their trust. When a woman shows up with an infant son he didn't know he had, Dylan is left with only complicated choices on what to do next.

Having grown attached to Dylan's son, Catherine doesn't want to part ways with the infant, but what she doesn't bargain for is how easily she'll fall for the charming sheriff, or how quickly the past will catch up with her and put their love and lives in danger.

“What’s a fine lady like you doing in this establishment at this time of day?” His words were

hard and biting, almost as if she’d imposed upon him with her presence.

“As a matter of fact, I’ve been here all night assisting one of the young women during her time

of travail.”

He cocked his head, his brows lifting.

“I’m a midwife. I’ve been here delivering a baby.”

“Well, it’s a good thing you stepped into the hallway when you did, isn’t it, boys?” Rocky

directed his question toward two men standing just inside the open doorway above the dead

body. They stepped over Stretch until they were both positioned behind Rocky, arms crossed

and staring at her.

She’d noticed the men with Rocky on occasion. Perhaps they served as his guards or his

servants. Either way, she wouldn’t let them intimidate her.

“Young lady,” Rocky said, “I’ll need you to testify to the police and the judge on my behalf, let

them know Stretch came after me and that I was left with no choice but to shoot him or lose

my life.”

Had Stretch provoked him? She glanced at Stretch’s crumpled body. There wasn’t a weapon in

sight. Blood poured out of the open wound in his bare chest, forming a dark puddle on the

floor. “I’m sorry, Mr. Kenna, but I can’t testify to that end—”

“Sure you can. You were right here.” He straightened his suit coat as though his business was

finished. “You saw everything just the way I said.”

He wanted her to lie for him? So he could get away with murder? Well, if he didn’t already

know, he was about to learn that she was a woman with as much integrity as her father. “No,

actually, I didn’t see Stretch do anything to harm you.”

Rocky started down the hallway toward her, and his men followed on his heels. Their footsteps

tapped a dangerous rhythm. If he could kill Stretch, what would stop him from killing her?

The Last Chance Cowboy • Jody Hedlund

More Books In Series

Jody Hedlund

Jody Hedlund is the bestselling author of over 30 historical novels for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards, including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Awards. Jody lives in Michigan with her husband, busy family, and five spoiled cats.

Connect with Jody by visiting www.jodyhedlund.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

(1) winner will receive the full paperback set of the five books in the Colorado Cowboys series!

The Last Chance Cowboy JustRead Giveaway

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight February 22, 2023 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on March 1, 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!

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Sunday, February 19, 2023

A Wedding in Wild Harbor by Grace Worthington

Book: A Wedding in Wild Harbor

Author: Grace Worthington

Genre:Clean Romance

Release date: September 29, 2022

She needs a hero to save her beloved bookshop. He needs a girlfriend to satisfy his mother’s dying wish.

Can this grump and sunshine pair work out the perfect deal for a happily ever after?

If Cassidy Woods could make one dream come true, it would be to save her struggling bookshop from closing its doors. So when wealthy investor Liam Henry announces he is shutting down her store, Cassidy will do anything to change his mind, including becoming his girlfriend.

Liam Henry is running out of time. His mother’s final wish is that he’d meet the girl of his dreams before it’s too late. But Liam doesn’t stand a chance without some kind of help. No woman can see past his grumpy exterior to discover if he has a beating heart under his designer suit.

When his mother advertises his search for a girlfriend, Liam makes the best and worst plan of his life: ask Cassidy to become his fake girlfriend. Too bad she’s his gorgeous employee who’s about to get axed from her job.

Cassidy’s sunshine is the perfect opposite of his grump, forcing Liam to make an outrageous trade-off he’s destined to regret.

Now everybody’s happy, except the mismatched couple who are headed toward a bumpy road that unravels every tightly constructed argument they’ve put up against love. In the end, only one of them can win.

When they’re thrown together in a race against time, will a plot twist they didn’t see coming ruin everything?

Or will they discover that in fooling everyone, the only person who’s fallen for it is themselves?

A delightful sweet romance with a grumpy boss and plucky heroine, both of who are determined to save the day even if that means teaming up in a fake engagement to do it.

Click here to get your copy!

Romance Novels are one of my favorite Genres. I also really like to read books that are part of a Series. A Wedding in Wild Harbor by Grace Worthington is Book 5 in the Wild Harbor Beach series. I have not yet read the first 4 books in this series, but this book reads great as a Stand Alone book.

Cassidy Woods loves her job at the local Bookstore, Books Forever. She is very disappointed to learn that the owners are retiring and selling the bookstore. Liam Henry is an investor from Chicago who plans on buying the Bookstore. Cassidy is devasted to learn Liam plans on closing the Bookstore after he becomes the owner. Cassidy is desperate to save the Bookstore, even thinking of becoming his girlfriend. Liam has been a Single Man for so long, mainly due to his Grumpy demeanor. Liam would LOVE to give his Mom her dying wish of seeing Liam meet someone whom he can have a relationship with. Cassidy agrees to be his "girlfriend of convenience" in hopes of saving the Bookstore. Will the "convenience" become a true relationship? Will Liam keep the Bookstore open?

I really LOVED the storyline of this book. The book isn't the typical "convenience relationship" book. I thought I was going to be able to predict this story, but it truly was unpredictable. Cassidy is a GREAT character. I really related to her with her Seizures and such. I had Childhood Epilepsy and that part of the story was really precious. Liam was a grumpy person at the start of the book, but Cassidy was able to bring out a different side of him. I also love the Bookstore setting, as being an AVID reader I visit Bookstores often. The Author does a great job at bringing in characters from other books in this series. I have to say I will be going back and reading the series from the beginning! GREAT BOOK!

Author of sweet romance and sweet romcom novels. Grace Worthington loves quaint small towns and the beach is her happy place, which is why you’ll find both in her books. She’s obsessed with chocolate, romcoms from the 80’s & 90’s, and doodles. Find out more at graceworthington.com

More from Grace

If I could send you anywhere on vacation to relax, I’d send you to Wild Harbor. It’s the perfect spot to fall in love and raise a family–the type of town you’ll never want to leave once you visit.

A Wedding in Wild Harbor is set in this fictional town on Lake Michigan, a place where you can sink your toes in the sand, let the waves lull you to sleep, and marvel over the gorgeous sunsets.

I created the fictional town based off of the quaint small towns along Lake Michigan that look like they belong in a Hallmark movie. It’s the quintessential small town with meddling neighbors, quirky townsfolk, and a coffee shop where everyone knows you by name.

The Wild Harbor sweet romance series follows the stories of four siblings–three sisters and one brother–and their journey to find love. Each story is a standalone and they don’t have to be read in order, though characters reappear in each book.

I hope the sweet love story and charming town give you a needed escape from your fast-paced life.