Thursday, June 23, 2022

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Finding Love in San Antonio by & Kimberly Rose Johnson

Book: Finding Love in San Antonio

Authors: Miralee Ferrell & Kimberly Rose Johnson

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release date: June 1, 2022

For TV chef Adela Romero, the lights of LA have lost their luster. The grief of her husband’s death three years ago still hangs heavy over her and her daughter, Fabi.

When Adela hears her mother-in-law’s Mexican diner is struggling, she decides to return to San Antonio and try to make a fresh start—though she can’t leave the media attention entirely behind.

Local food critic David Agraponte has a history with Adela. A history he’d like to rekindle. When he interviews Adela, sparks fly—both good and bad. In Adela’s struggle to put her past behind her, she’s tentative about a new relationship, but David hopes she’ll stay at Romero’s long enough to give him a chance.S

Sandra always dreamed of managing Romero’s one day, but her chances of proving herself to her aunt are slim with her famous TV-chef cousin taking all the attention. Can’t her aunt see that Adela’s just passing through on her way to her next big gig? Still, as much as she resents it, Sandra may need Adela’s help if there is going to be a Romero’s left for her to manage.

When Adela gets a TV offer that’s sure to shoot her career to the stars, her choice may hold more than just her future in the balance. Can David and Adela find a way to save Romero’s and hold onto their own dreams, or will Adela’s opportunity push them apart?

Click here to get your copy!

I really like Romance books and Finding Love in San Antonio by Miralee Ferrell and Kimberly Rose Johnson is the lastest book from that genre that I have read. I am familiar with author Miralee Ferrell, but I was not familiar with author Kimberly Rose Johnson. I was very interested in reading this book as the synopsis is intriguing and the dual authors.

Adela Romero is a TV Chef who lost her husband 3 years ago. She is happy doing the TV life in LA anymore. She and her daughter Fabi pack it up and return to San Antonio to help her Mother in Law with her struggling Mexican Diner. David Agraponte is a local Food Critic and he is excited that Adela is back in town. David and Adela had a relationship in the past and he is hoping to get a second chance at love with Adela. Sandra, Adela's cousin, has always wanted to be the one to manage her Aunt's restaurant once her Aunt Retired. Sandra wants her Aunt to see that Adela is only here temporarily and Sandra realizes she needs Adela's help to save the Restaurant. Adela is offered a TV job that would really take her career to new levels and now must make a life-changing decision. Will Adela take on the opportunity of a lifetime? Will she stay in San Antonio and help save her Aunt's Restaurant with the help of David? Will there be a Second Chance Romance between David and Adela?

I will admit it took me a bit to really understand the Storyline. I really did enjoy the book once I got through the first chapter of the book, which was a little slow going. Adela is grieving her husband and is very career-focused. She decides to help her Aunt out, but her cousin Sandra is not happy for Adela is taking over. Adela's daughter Fabi just wants her mom to give her some time instead of being focused on her career. David takes on the task of helping Adela save the Restaurant, as it also allows him to spend time with Adela. I really like how the pair took things slow and guarded their hearts. This book is one about Second Chances, Family Conflict and Resolution, finding opportunities in life and so much more. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Romance books! GREAT BOOK!

Miralee Ferrell is an award-winning, best-selling author of 27 books. Her novel, Runaway Romance, released in January 2018 on UP TV, and subsequently on Hallmark on Demand, and From the Heart, aired in 2020 on Hallmark. Finding Love in Bridal Veil, Oregon, aired September of 2021, and Finding Love in San Antonio will air sometime in 2022.

Miralee is the owner and founder of Mountain Brook Ink, a traditional publisher with over 100 titles, a large number them being award-winners. She lives in the Pacific N.W. with her husband, two cats, sixteen chickens, and one very spoiled little dog. Miralee loves horseback riding and hiking with her married daughter.

While Miralee has spoken in a number of venues, she doesn’t see herself as a speaker as much as an encourager. She loves helping writers find ways to succeed, improve, and learn to believe in themselves, whether by teaching a class, leaving positive comments in an edit or critique, or speaking to groups about her writing journey and how the Lord might minister to them.

Website: http://www.miraleeferrell.com

Award winning author Kimberly Rose Johnson married her college sweetheart and spent most of her life 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 and romantic mystery and suspense with a heart.

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/

More from Kimberly

Kimberly Rose Johnson here. I’m excited to share my story behind the writing of Finding Love In San Antonio. Last year Miralee Ferrell approached me about a project she was working on. She wanted me to write the story of a secondary character into a book she was adapting from a movie, and bonus, I was given license to choose the character. She sent me the script and my imagination took off. What fun!

I knew right away which character’s story I wanted to write. So many ideas of who this woman was behind the scenes filled my mind. I chose Sandra, the heroin’s cousin by marriage. Sandra was sassy in the script and somewhat negative toward Adela. As a positive person who tries to see the bright side in every situation, this bothered me about her, so I had to create a strong reason why she would be this way. In the final cut of the movie, I don’t think Sandra came across nearly as negative as she did in the version of the screenplay I originally saw, so I think along with the backstory I gave her and the fact that I toned Sandra down worked well.

Before this book neither Miralee or I had never co-written a book before,, but I must say, I enjoyed it! I had written a story within a story for one of my own books in the past, so I basically did the same thing for this one. We are both so pleased with the outcome that we are going to do it again.

We hope you enjoy seeing the fleshed out version of the movie in our book!

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 16
Texas Book-aholic, June 17
Locks, Hooks and Books, June 18
For Him and My Family, June 19
deb’s Book Review, June 20
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 21
Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 22 (Author Interview)
Mypreciousbitsandmusings, June 22
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 23
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, June 24
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 25
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 26
Inklings and notions, June 27
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, June 28 (Author Interview)
The Sacred Line, June 28
Blossoms and Blessings, June 29

To celebrate their book, Miralee and Kimberly are 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/1eff4/finding-love-in-san-antonio-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Undercover Assignment by Dana Mentink

Book: Undercover Assignment

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre: Suspense

Release date: June 28, 2022

This K-9 will stop at nothing to keep a child safe.

When a little boy is threatened, Officer Daniella Vargas and K-9 partner, Zara, are assigned to pose as his nanny to uncover the culprit’s identity. Suspecting one of the guests in his inn, widower Sam Kavanaugh’s only option is to begrudgingly trust Daniella and Zara to help. But can they solve the case and its mysterious connection to Sam’s late wife before it’s too late?

Click here to get your copy!

I have been a fan of Dana Mentink of a couple of years. Dana's books are always intriguing, suspenseful, and fun. Undercover Assignment is her latest book that I have read. The book is Book 4 in the Rocky Mountain K-9 Unit. I have not read the other books in this series, although this seemed to flow well and read well as a standalone book.

Daniella Vargas is an Officer and she has a K-9 Partner, Zara. Officer Daniella and Zara are given an Undercover Assignment as a Nanny for a 3yr old whose life has been threatened. Sam Kavanaugh is a recent widower and owns an Inn. He needs the help of Undercover Police to find out who is threatening his son's life. Daniella agrees to take on the task, although she is not very fond of children. Officer Daniella is focusing on the guests of the Inn and thinks there may be a connection to Sam's late wife. Will the mystery of the threat be solved? Will Sams and Oliver be safe from harm? Will there be a Romance between Daniella and Sam?

Dana Mentick has done it again, another AWESOME book! I really like LOVE Inspired Suspense books. The books are not very long and I usually finish them in a couple of hours. The LOVE Inspired Books really pack a lot of story into the books. I really enjoyed Daniella's character. She was very strong and very wise. She truly loved her job, even when it was something that wasn't something she normally does. Sam is still grieving his late wife when he now has to protect his son from threats. Sam isn't ready for another relationship, but he does find himself falling for Daniella. I really like how the Author slowly grew their relationship. I was on the edge of my seat at many points in the book as the book wasn't very predictable. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Suspense, Romance, and Faith-based books! FABULOUS BOOK!

Dana Mentink is a USA TODAY and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author. She’s written more than forty mystery and suspense novels for Love Inspired Suspense, Harvest House, and Poisoned Pen Press. She is honored to have received two ACFW Carol Awards, a Holt Medallion Award, and a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award. Please visit her on the web at www.danamentink.com to sign up for her newsletter, or find her on Twitter, Facebook and Bookbub.

More from Dana

What a joy to participate in a series with seven other talented authors! A continuity series is a set of books, each written by a different author, and each with its own suspense plot along with an overarching series plot and characters. It’s a very complicated project to complete, but the fantastic part is chatting, collaborating, and sometimes commiserating with other writers. What a rare treat, since most of our work is done alone in dark rooms with computer screens and bottomless cups of coffee! This series was especially fun to write because of the whole wilderness lodge setting which is my favorite type of story. Picture it! Ancient cliff dwellings, a freak electrical storm, twenty-four hours with no power, and a killer on the loose! That’s my kind of suspense novel. I hope you will enjoy this multi-author series as much as we enjoyed creating it!

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 15

Inklings and notions, June 15

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 16

EmpowerMoms, June 16

Vicky Sluiter, June 17

For Him and My Family, June 17

An Author’s Take, June 18

Blogging With Carol, June 18

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 19

Betti Mace, June 20

Texas Book-aholic, June 20

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 21

Blossoms and Blessings, June 21

She Lives To Read, June 22

Through the Fire Blogs, June 23

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 23

Labor Not in Vain, June 24

deb’s Book Review, June 25

Pause for Tales, June 25

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, June 26

For the Love of Literature, June 26

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 27

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, June 27

Genesis 5020, June 28

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, June 28

To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away the grand prize package of a $75 Amazon gift card and a signed book!!

(If the winner is outside the U.S., then he or she will receive an eBook.)

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/1eff2/undercover-assignment-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Read with Audra Blog Tour: Midnight's Budding Morrow by Carolyn Miller

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

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

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

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

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

ABOUT THE SERIES

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

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

I really enjoy Regency Era books and Carolyn Miller is one of my favorite Regency Authors. Her newest book, Midnight's Budding Morrow is Book 2 in the Regency Wallflower series. I had the honor of reading Book 1 and have been anxiously awaiting Book 2.

Sarah Drayton is spending time with her friend Beatrice Langley at Langley Castle. She is excited to spend time with her, but the Castle is in bad shape. Beatrice's brother, James Langley, comes to the castle. He is not a very responible man and his Dad tells him "Marry someone soon before going to War. James meets Sarah and Beatrice convinces the pair to marry to satisfy his Dad's demand. Sarah did not have marriage on her mind, but she agrees to the Marriage of Convinence. The couple struggles in the marriage and then James goes back to the Warfront. Sarah continues to find her place in the new marriage, even with James gone. She hopes once he returns they can work toward having the real feels of marriage. James does return but then a tragedy occurs and could really be the downfall for them. Can Sarah and James trust God's plan and not their own? Will they come through the tragedy and be stronger in marriage and life?

I dove into this book and did not stop reading until I was done. My heart was hurting for Sarah who was suffering depression due to many changes in her life so quickly. James really had a lot of growing up to do in the beginning of the book and he grew up when tragedy happened to the them. The Author really has a great style of writing and was eloquent with the depression issue. I truly enjoyed this book! The book is about contentment, following God's plan even when you are uncertain about life. I also appreciate the Biblical truth within the book. Sweet Regency Romance book! Lookign forward to more books in this series! GREAT BOOK!

Read an Excerpt Here

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

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

Miller’s novels have won a number of RWA and ACFW contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers.

Learn more about Carolyn at www.carolynmillerauthor.com, or find her on Facebook (Carolyn Miller Author), Instagram (@CarolynMillerAuthor), and Twitter (@CarolynMAuthor).

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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JustRead Tours Blog Tour: Catching Hope by Kathy Cassel

Catching Hope JustRead Blog + Review Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Catching Hope by Kathy Cassel, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Title: Catching Hope

Author: Kathy Cassel

Publisher: Haven Point Publishing

Release Date: March 22, 2022

Genre: Teens/YA, Christian

Catching Hope: A pursuit fraught with danger.

Newly adopted Lexi Michaels is taking her first real vacation as she, twin brother Levi, adoptive brother Chad, and new cousin Jen head to Haiti where their dad, a pediatrician, will be volunteering in an island clinic. But who is the man who displays such hatred for the Michaels when they arrive at their resort? Is an attempted burglary as random as it appears? Will Jen ever accept the newcomers to the family? When the four teens set out to explore Haiti’s sights and history on their own, an unexpected encounter and natural disaster plunge them into adventure and danger. With their very survival at stake, can the four teens work together, or will Lexi’s dream of a “forever family” end in tragedy?

I normally am not interested in YA/Teen Christian books. The synopsis of Catching Hope by Kathy Cassell was really intriguing and I gave it a chance. Kathy Cassell is a new to me, author, as I have never read any books by her.

Lexi Michaels is on her first real vacation in her lifetime. She was just adopted and she is going to Haiti with her Dad, her twin brother Levi, her adopted brother Chad and her new cousin Jen. Her Dad is a pediatrician and he is going to be volunteering at a clinic there. Lexi gets bad vibes about a guy at the resort they are staying at. It seems the family isn't welcomed to Haiti. The 4 teenagers decide to go exploring the Island when a Natural Disaster happens and the teens are in danger. The teens, who haven't gotten along much, must work together to save their lives. Will the teens be able to work together? Will Lexi finally find a place of belonging after being in the foster system for many years?

WOW, this book was short but it sure packed a lot of adventure and drama in the book! I started reading and couldn't put it down, which truly surprised me as this genre is not a norm for me. I really like how Lexi is so level-headed and releases fears that have been within her for a while. Jen, the cousin, wasn't too fond of the new family members at first, but she grew to love them through all their adventures and drama. The 4 teenagers learn some life lessons and some Godly lessons on their adventures. I HIGHLY recommend this book for Teens and Youth, but also feel adults would love it. GREAT BOOK!

Kathy Cassel is the author of eleven books for Christian preteens and girls and three Young Adult Fiction books.

Kathy grew up in northern Indiana, lived on three different continents while her husband was in the USAF, and now lives in the Florida Panhandle. She and her husband have eight children, five of whom are adopted, three from Haiti and two from the United States. They also have six grandchildren. Kathy’s favorite activities are those that involve traveling and adventures that include her children and grandchildren. In order to better relate to the characters in her stories, Kathy has done things such as whitewater rafting, certify in scuba diving, and get her motorcycle endorsement. She draws the line at sky diving.

CONNECT WITH KATHY: Website | Facebook | Instagram

(2) winners will receive a $25 BAM card gift card!

Catching Hope 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 June 21, 2022 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on June 28, 2022. US only. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Jo by Caryl McAdoo

Book: Jo

Author: Caryl McAdoo

Genre: Historical Christian Romance

Release date: May 3, 2022

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your path!
An evil tragedy upends Jo’s young life. Sickness propels the young lady and her grandfather from the thick, moisture-laden air of the Mississippi to drier desert land at the end of the Santa Fe Trail. Her life-long beau professes his love from the banks of the muddy river, but Papa is her whole life, and she’s determined to keep him alive. Along the way, suitors and adventures are aplenty. How is a stubborn girl who always knows what’s best supposed to choose when the one she likes best is constantly rubbing her the wrong way? Could things be any more difficult? Has she made a huge mistake?

Click here to get your copy!

Caryl McAdoo is one of my ultimate favorite authors. I am always ready to read her new books as they are released. Jo is Book 23 of the Prairie Roses Collection, a collection of standalone novels by Various authors.

Jo has been raised by her grandfather since she was 6yrs old. Her Papa means so much to her and she will do anything for him. Jo and other family members decided to travel the Santa Fe Trail via wagon train. The climate in Mississippi is making Papa very sick and Jo hopes by moving to a drier climate that Papa's health would greatly improve. Keegan comes along to help care for Papa and any other help that is needed along the way. Keegan and Jo have a good relationship. Jo has many men approach her during the Wagon Train travels, but she always turns them down. Jo is stubborn and her first priority is her Papa. She does want love and she knows who is best for her, but her stubbornness seems to be winning. Will the Wagon Train make it to a drier climate and help Papa get better? Will there be a romantic connection between Jo and Keegan?

WOW, another GREAT book by Caryl McAdoo. Jo is such a LOVING and Caring girl, who wants what is best for her Grandfather. Keegan is a wonderful and charming man. He also knows how to "rile up" Jo and rub her the wrong way. I really enjoyed watching Jo and Keegan as they both help Jo's Papa along the Trail. Jo's stubbornness can sometimes be good quality, but it seems to be working against her, especially with Keegan. The 2 of them constantly butt heads, but I LOVE how great of a couple they make. I LOVED this book from beginning to end! FANTASTIC BOOK!

Award-winning author Caryl McAdoo prays her story brings God glory, and her best-selling novels—over fifty published—delight Christian readers around the world. The prolific writer also enjoys singing the new songs the Lord gives her—listen to a few at YouTube. Sharing four children and eighteen grandsugars with Ron, her high-school-sweetheart-husband of over fifty years, she lives in the woods south of Clarksville, seat of Red River County in far Northeast Texas. The McAdoos wait expectantly for God to open the next door.

More from Caryl

Writing Jo had a special meaning to me as Ron and I reared four of our grandsons. Right off the bat in Chapter One of JO, tragedy befalls her family when she was only six years old. The incident results in her being raised by her grandfather, and she adores him!

So many grandparents today are called on to rear their grandsugars—and even great-grandsugars—that I believed if would afford the opportunity for a really great and different story. Though it didn’t happen nearly as often back then, it did happen. But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. 1 Timothy 5:8

Several years ago, a poll was taken in one of the groups I belong to. It asked readers what kind of western historical romance they wanted to read about, and covered wagon stories won the day, so I organized the multi-author project and called it the Prairie Roses Collection.
That was back in 2018—and that inaugural collection launched in early May of 2019 in time for Mothers’ Day! Each year we have new authors—and some returning ones—and new standalone stories with the covered wagon conmnection. We have a Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PrairieRosesCollection

This year, the Fourth Annual Prairie Roses Collection, we have twelve authors offering a wagon train story of a strong and brave ‘prairie rose’ making an arduous journey in a covered wagon. I’m so excited to have so many great authors writing a wagon train story for 2022!

Back in the day, Ron and I drove the Oregon/California Trail for some awesome research. All my other roses took that route, but this year, we traveled the Santa Fe Trail! It was great fin seeing the new landscape and going to the hot dry air of New Mexico’s desert.

Jo convinced her grandfather to go for his health’s sake, not realizing how hard it would be on him to start over. She keeps goats and is a calligrapher of some renown, creating beautiful legal documents on parchment made from the goat skins. I once had a herd of 80 dwarf Nigerian goats, so knew all about the critters!

I love the era for novels and how once written, a historical never goes out-of-date! Contemporary romance will be outdated almost as soon as it’s written these days due to all the amazing technology. I love the time when people knew their neighbors, life was slower, families ate together at the table, and women were modest and considered treasures.

I don’t know if any generation has seen such advances as my own. My parents watched the first televisions, but that can’t begin to compare with computers in every home. I believe we truly are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation—a peculiar people who will show forth the praises of Him Who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light!

Hallelujah! Praise the Lord with me and be blessed!
This Texas author hopes readers will love Lilah as I always am, “Praying my story gives God glory!”