Saturday, September 18, 2021

JustRead Tours Blog Tour: Hangin' by a Moment by Andrea Christenson presented by Susan May Warren

Hangin' by a Moment JustRead Blog + Review Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Hangin' by a Moment by Andrea Christenson presented by Susan May Warren, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Title: Hangin' by a Moment
Series: Deep Haven Collection #5
Author: Andrea Christenson presented by Susan May Warren
Publisher: Sunrise Publishing
Release Date: September 14, 2021
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

He just wants to erase his past. She can’t seem to escape hers. But facing it might put their future in jeopardy.

The day Jack Stewart walked out of jail, he vowed to keep his conviction a secret. The whole thing was just a terrible mistake, and he did his time. Now he wants a new life in a sleepy town where no one knows his name. Deep Haven is the perfect place to start over as a chef. The last thing the former pararescue jumper wants is to get involved. But when Boone Buckam—the guy he owes for getting him out of the slammer—asks for help, how can he refuse?

Colleen Decker has already escaped evil once—as a teenager, she was kidnapped by a murderer. But she’s put all that behind her as a trauma nurse in Minneapolis. Or maybe not, because a freak mistake in the ER sends her past crashing down on her. She needs a timeout in her hometown of Deep Haven. She doesn’t plan to stay—even when she’s roped into the job of flight nurse for the town’s Crisis Response Team chopper. Colleen’s not sure why she’s drawn to danger, but she’ll be safe enough—after all, she’ll need training, and her teacher is a handsome former pararescue jumper. What could go wrong?

When Jack said he didn’t want to get involved, he especially meant his heart—but being with Colleen feels like a fresh start. He’ll even climb aboard a chopper again, despite his vows. They’re headed for a happy ending…

But secrets never stay buried in a small town. And when disaster strikes one snowy night, they’ll both have to decide if the past will destroy them…or if it just might lead them home.

Cozy up to this perfect Deep Haven drama about discovering a season of second chances.

Susan May Warren is a favorite author of mine. She has collaborated with Various authors to present the Deep Haven Series. Andrea Christenson has written the latest book in Deep Haven Series, Hangin' by a Moment, Book 5 in the series. I have been blessed to have read other books in this series and was excited to read this book also.

Jack Stewart has just been released from prison and his only request is to start life anew where no one knows him. His friend, Boone Buckam, has just the place for him to retreat to. Boone helps Jack secure a job as a chef in the town of Deep Haven. Colleen Decker, is from Deep Haven, but currently working in Minneapolis. She has a situation arise in the Trauma unit where she works as a Nurse and it brings her back to the Trauma she experienced in her teen years. She thought she had been able to move forward in life, but this recent event has her taking a break from work and heading home to Deep Haven. She wanted to come home and take a break, but somehow she has found herself taking a job as a Flight Nurse for the towns Crisis Response Team. Her Instructor for the Flight Nurse job is none other then former ParaRescue Jumper turned Chef, Jack Stewart. Jack has promised himself when he first arrived in town that he wanted to keep to himself and not get too involved. He also doesn't want to get his heart involved. Colleen and Jack find themselves attracted to one another as the training continues. Small town means that everyone knows one another and information spreads fast. Will Jack be able to hide the details of his conviction? Will Colleen be able to feel safe with Jack and being in Deep Haven again? Will there be a romance between Jack and Colleen?

Awww, I truly enjoyed this story. Jack and Colleen both come to Deep Haven around the same time, but for different reasons. I really like how someone helped Jack get a new start at life in Deep Haven. Colleen does trust those in Deep Haven, her hometown, and feels comfortable with her new job and especially her Instructor. Jack and Colleen have troubled pasts and through their friendship they seem to gain confidence in their own lives and one another. I really like how the relationship evolved and carried on. I was hooked on this book from the first chapter and finished it in about 3hrs! FANTASTIC BOOK!

BOOKS IN THIS SERIES

Susan May Warren is the USA Today best-selling novelist of 80 books. With more than 1.5 million books in print, she is beloved by reviewers and readers around the world. Visit Susan at www.susanmaywarren.com.

CONNECT WITH SUSAN: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Andrea Christenson lives in a Minneapolis, MN suburb with her husband and two daughters. When she is not busy homeschooling her girls, she loves to read anything she can get her hands on. She believes that a great loaf of artistic bread can turn a meal into a masterpiece. Andrea’s prayer is to write stories revealing God’s love.

CONNECT WITH ANDREA: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Merging the creative energies of best-selling authors Susan May Warren and Lindsay Harrel, Sunrise Publishing is the matchmaker for established authors who want to build on their current success for future growth and aspiring authors looking to break out, build an audience, and hone their writing skills.

CONNECT WITH SUNRISE: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | admin@sunrisepublishing.com

(1) winner will receive 3 Hangin' by a Moment ebooks (one ebook for the winner and two to give to friends)!

Hangin' by a Moment JustRead Giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight September 14, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 21, 2021. 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 HERE

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

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

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Thursday, September 16, 2021

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: 5 Star Life by Britney Ruby Miller

Book: 5-Star Life

Author: Britney Ruby Miller

Genre: Self-Help, Inspirational

Release date: August 20, 2021
Britney Ruby Miller has faced overwhelming obstacles in her life—extreme challenges to her faith, her family, her marriage, and her business. Each of these challenges alone might have caused her to give up and shut down, closing herself off to all of her hopes and dreams. Instead, she fought back hard, engaging in a faithful fight to attain a 5-star life.

Are you allowing your negative life experiences to transform you—or to undermine you? No matter what obstacles you face, you can learn ways to fight back, “striving for 5” to reach a 5-star life.

Now the CEO of a chain of nationally ranked, high-end steakhouses, Britney has fought the battles of rejection, feelings of low self-esteem, family tragedy, infidelity, infertility, and the global pandemic that threatened not only to close her family’s business but also to decimate the entire restaurant industry. “I am so thankful that God helped me stretch, heal, learn, and grow from my journey so far,” says Britney. “There is absolutely no way I would have been able to function at such a high level at work, balancing so many plates at once, and be full of God’s love and peace even in the hardest of times, without having been transformed through a lifetime of experiences. God used all of my negative experiences to make my life more rich and full of joy and purpose.”

Britney’s ingredients for a 5-star life include:

* Partnering with God to live the life you were meant to live
* Working together for a strong family life
* Cultivating a unified, loving marriage
* Pursuing excellence at your job or business
* Giving back to others in your community and the world

With captivating stories and reflections to take you deeper into principles for success, this book will show you how to keep your faith and hope in the midst of challenges, setbacks, and even tragedy as you persevere with tenacity to attain your 5-star life of excellence.

Click here to get your copy!

We all strive for a "5-Star" Life and Britney Ruby Miller thought she has achieved that. Britney Ruby Miller is a Wife, Mother, and CEO of a chain of Steakhouses in the Midwest. She had thought at a time that her life was put together.

Life started hitting HARD at Britney and her family. She recognized that her family life, her Business and even her faith were being challenged and could cause failure at any given moment. Britney has fought the battles of rejection, feelings of low self-esteem, family tragedy, infidelity, infertility, and most recently the global pandemic that threatened not only to close her family’s business. Britney didn't let these challenges define her, she instead set out to OVERCOME.

The 5-Star Life and sees Britney focuses on these 5 things:

* Partnering with God to live the life you were meant to live

* Working together for a strong family life

* Cultivating a unified, loving marriage

* Pursuing excellence at your job or business

* Giving back to others in your community and the world

WOW!! I found this book to be extremely encouraging. The 5-Star Life The Faithful Fight to Overcome Obstacles and Pursue Excellence came together as Britney began to OVERCOME her fears and instead set out to CONQUER them. The strongest thing that Britney discovered that her Faith was struggling and once she allowed God to give her guidance, things began to change for her. I really like how Britney puts FAITH first, and then marriage and family. The premise is once those are in order, the rest of life will fall into place and bring out the "5-Star" Life so many want to achieve. The book is one of LOVE, Faith and Happiness and Encouragement. FANTASTIC BOOK!

Cent (JRCE), headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, which manages a portfolio of high-end steakhouses widely regarded as among the best in the nation. She directs the company’s seven steakhouses in Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee, leading a team of hundreds of employees.

“When your father is a steakhouse baron, you don’t just show up and take over the family business when you come of age,” she says. Britney started working in one of the family restaurants at age fifteen and subsequently gained experience in all areas of the business, and she also attended culinary school. Britney was studying in the Lindner College of Business when 9/11 hit, prompting her to switch her major and earn a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from the University of Cincinnati before returning to the family business and eventually joining JRCE’s corporate team. She is currently pursuing an MBA from Xavier University.

In her corporate role, Britney’s leadership led to eight years of consecutive same-store sales growth, expanding the company while enhancing the key element on which its success depends: delivering absolutely incomparable total dining experiences in each market. When the economic effects of Covid-19 threatened not only her own business but also the entire restaurant industry and food supply chain nationwide, Britney became an energetic advocate for the restaurant industry and related industries on both state and federal levels.

Britney also helped to develop and launch one of her family’s main charitable endeavors, The Jeff Ruby Foundation. The foundation’s goal is to remove Cincinnati from the “Top 5 Childhood Poverty” lists by providing homes for foster children and lowering the number of kids in the county foster system. Brittney has been named to the “40 Under 40″ lists of the Cincinnati Business Courier and Cincinnati’s Venue magazine, and she is a frequent speaker on topics ranging from restaurant management to marketing to women in business. She serves as a board member of both The Jeff Ruby Foundation and the Cincinnati State Foundation, and she is a member of the Young Presidents Organization.

Britney is a dedicated wife and mother. She is married to Caleb Miller, a former linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals, and they have four children. Committed to putting family first, Britney continually strives to balance family life and work demands, enriching both realms of her life.

More from Britney

How to keep going in the midst of challenges, setbacks, and even tragedy to attain a 5-star life of excellence.

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 16
deb’s Book Review, September 16
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 17
Mary Hake, September 17
An Author’s Take, September 18
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 19
Texas Book-aholic, September 20
Inklings and notions, September 21
For Him and My Family, September 22
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 23
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, September 24
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, September 25
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, September 26
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, September 27
Locks, Hooks and Books, September 28
The Meanderings of a Bookworm, September 29
The Space for Grace, September 29

To celebrate her tour, Brittney is giving away the grand prize package of a $20 Starbucks gift card and a copy of the book!!

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/119f1/5-star-life-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: The Street Singer by Kathleen Neely

Book: The Street Singer

Author: Kathleen Neely

Genre: Christian Urban Fiction

Release date: 2019

Trisha Mills, a student in her final semester of law school, has fond memories of listening to the music of Adaline, a once-famous recording artist. Trisha learns that Adda is now a street singer in Asheville, North Carolina where she lives in a storage closet she rents for her equipment. Adda’s sole means of support in her senior years comes from the donation box.

Along with her meager possessions, Adda has a box labeled, “Things to Remember.” Once Adda and Trisha become friends, Adda agrees to show Trisha the contents of the box, and reveals her journey from her beginnings as a sharecropper’s daughter, her rise to fame, and her fall into poverty.

Even while busy cleaning out the home of her deceased grandfather, preparing to sit for the bar exam, and planning her wedding, Trisha cannot overlook the injustices that Adda has experienced. Aided by attorney Rusty Bergstrom, Trisha convinces Adda to seek restitution.

Click here to get your copy!

I have read several books by Kathleen Neely and I am always excited when a discover one of hers that I haven't read yet The Street Singer is the latest book that I have read by Kathleen Neely.

Trisha Mills is remembering her love of recording Artist, Adaline. Trisha is now about to Graduate Law School learns that Adaline is now Adda Marsh, and she is a homeless street singer. Adda lives in North Carolina, far away from her days when she was a singer in Nashville. Adda supports herself with the donations that are thrown in her box while she is singing on the streets. Adda and Trish become friends and that is when Adda shares with Trish all the struggles she has been through that has led her from fame to misfortune in her "Golden Years". Trish learns so much about Adda and it frustrates her. Trish is in a busy time in her own life, about to Graduate Law School and cleaning out her deceased Grandfather's house, planning her upcoming wedding. but she is determined to help Adda. Trish is able to secure the help of Attorney Rusty Bergstrom for Adda. Will Adda follow through and seek restitution for all the wrongs that have come her way to lead her to homelessness? Will Trish and Adda form a lifelong friendship?

My heart was definitely tugged at while reading The Street Singer. Trish is a good hearted person. She has a full plate with her own life, but when she discovers a favorite singer of hers is struggling, she adds to her plate to help her new friend. Adda is a person who doesn't want to burden others, so she does what she can to survive. I really LOVED how Adda trusted Trish enough to reveal her past and all the injustices that were done to her. Rusty Bergstrom is AN AMAZING Lawyer for taking on Adda's case Pro bono! I was unable to put the book down until I finished the book. It truly tugs at the heart! GREAT BOOK!

Kathleen Neely is a retired educator and school administrator. She served as a principal at elementary schools in Pennsylvania and South Carolina. When she’s not writing, she’s traveling to see her sons, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren scattered throughout the eastern states.

More from Kathleen

I’d like to introduce myself and then acquaint you with some people who live inside the pages of my book, The Street Singer. I am a retired educator having taught preschool, fourth grade, and then moving into administration as an elementary principal. When I retired, I pursued my desire to write. My first novel, The Least of These, won first place in a contest titled Fresh Voices. That honor renewed my confidence, and I went on to write my second book, The Street Singer. Although The Street Singer was not my first novel, it was the first to reach publication. That holds a special place in any author’s heart. I’d love to introduce you to a few of my favorite people.

Trisha Mills is a law student, engaged to marry Grant Ramsey. Trisha’s grandparents raised her from her early teens when her parents died. As an only child, she’s left with no family following her grandparents’ death. Trisha longs for a sense of heritage.

Adda Marsh is the daughter of Mississippi sharecroppers and has little education. What she does have is an amazing singing voice. Using the pseudonym Adaline, she experienced great success in the music industry in the era of Ella Fitzgerald. Her record company let her go when she aged and her voice faded. She never realized how the recording company duped her. Penniless, she sings on a street corner for donations.

Rusty Bergstrom is a lawyer who agrees to help Trisha in her quest to find justice for Adda. He brings both compassion and levity to a difficult situation. Rusty sprinkles lawyer jokes throughout the book, causing Trisha to laugh—an characteristic in short supply.

Grant Ramsey is a financial advisor working hard to build his clientele. His father is a state politician with aspirations for becoming governor. He learned to exercise caution in his words and actions so protect his father’s image. That guarded nature tells him that Trisha’s friendship with Adda is not a good idea.

There you have it. Trisha Mills’ story with the makings for a multi-generational, diverse friendship, the challenges of two very different men vying for her affection, and a legal battle to right a wrong. Oh, I forgot to mention, all this while renovating her grandparents’ old farm house. I hope you enjoy reading The Street Singer as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 4
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 5
Texas Book-aholic, September 6
Inklings and notions, September 7
For Him and My Family, September 8
HappyWhenReading, September 8
deb’s Book Review, September 9
Locks, Hooks and Books, September 10
Adventures of a Travelers Wife, September 11 (Author Interview)
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, September 11
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, September 12
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, September 13
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, September 14
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 15
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 16
Spoken from the Heart, September 17 (Author Interview)

To celebrate her tour, Kathleen is giving away the grand prize of a copy of the book!!

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/116b9/the-street-singer-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Tuesday, September 14, 2021

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Borrowed Lives by Carol McClain

Book: Borrowed Lives

Author: Carol McClain

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Release date: March 2021

God Only Lends Us Those We Love for a Season

Distraught from recent tragedy, Meredith Jaynes takes pity on a young girl who steals from her. Meredith discovers “Bean” lives in a hovel mothering her two younger sisters. The three appear to have been abandoned. With no other homes available, Social Services will separate the siblings. To keep them together, Meredith agrees to foster them on a temporary basis.

Balancing life as a soap maker raising goats in rural Tennessee proved difficult enough before the siblings came into her care. Without Bean’s help, she’d never be able to nurture these children warped by drugs and neglect—let alone manage her goats that possess the talents of Houdini. Harder still is keeping her eccentric family at bay.

Social worker Parker Snow struggles to overcome the breakup with his fiancée. Burdened by his inability to find stable homes for so many children who need love, he believes placing the abandoned girls with Meredith Jaynes is the right decision. Though his world doesn’t promise tomorrow, he hopes Meredith’s does.

But she knows she’s too broken.

Click here to get your copy!

Carol McClain is a new to me author. I was really interested in reading Borrowed Lives because of the Synopsis of the book. I also really like Fiction books.

Meredith Jaynes is still dealing with a recent tragedy in her life. Bean is a little girl who is also going through a lot for a young girl her age. Meredith and Bean meet when Bean steals from Meredith. Meredith feels sorry for the girl when she discovers that Bean and her 2 siblings have been abandoned by their parents and Bean is taking care of them all. Social Services plans to put the 3 siblings in separate homes, but then Meredith steps up and agrees to foster them all, temporarily. Parker Snow, the Social worker, has struggled to find homes for so many children, he agrees that placing the children together is probably the best decision, he is hopeful. Meredith takes them "home" to her Rural Home in Tennessee, where she raises goats and is a Soap Maker. Meredith discovers the 3 sisters, Bean (Pearl), Roxie, and Crystal, have grown up with Drug Addicted parents. The girls really need some nurturing like they have never received before. Meredith is really trying her best to take care of her Soap Making and Goats, while caring for the girls. Bean, who is the oldest at 8yrs old, is a big help to Meredith. Will the girls parents come back and get the girls back? Will the girls become a part of Meredith's life forever?

WOW, such a heart tugging and warming story. I started reading this book and could not put it down. Meredith has a generous and loving heart. I saw that from the very beginning when she had mercy on Bean when Bean was caught stealing. Meredith, through her own grief and distaught time in her life, found it in her heart to be an "Angel" to the girls. I really like how the Author takes a Fiction book and makes it feel so realistic. Foster Parenting is a tough thing, but a very rewarding task also. My only qualm about this book is Parker Snow. He allowed himself to "take his problems to work with him". I truly enjoyed this book. It is a book about LOVE, Hope, Forgiveness, giving to others and so much more! GREAT BOOK!

Carol McClain is the award-winning author of four novels dealing with real people facing real problems. She is a consummate encourager, and no matter what your faith might look like, you will find compassion, humor and wisdom in her complexly layered, but ultimately readable work.

Aside from writing, she’s a skilled stained-glass artist, an avid hiker and photographer. She lives in East Tennessee. Her most recent interests are her two baby goats Peanut & Buttercup. Like all babies, they love sitting on our laps and being bottle fed.

More from Carol

People.

Their lives are messy, destructive, full of mistakes.

Mostly, their lives are beautiful.

For years, I worked with recovering addicts. When I first heard their tales, shock and disbelief overwhelmed me. I couldn’t understand the pain inflicted upon them by addicted parents or what they did in their own lives.

Without Christ, no redemption could be found in their misery. Doesn’t sound like a fun read, huh? Many recover from their addictive patterns. In the interim, the foster care system serves their families wonderfully.

All these factors, coupled with the theme that lives are only leant to us for a season create a story of hope, humor and redemption.

Aside from seeing faith in Jesus change people’s lives—there are always goats.

I love goats, but my husband hesitated in including them in our lives. Seeing as I live the lives of my characters (I am daft), I gave my protagonist in Borrowed Lives Nubian goats. I raised them in my younger years, and by including them in my story, I could have goats vicariously.

Couple the above (redemption from addiction, foster care, and my obsession for goats) with my love of East Tennessee where the people are kind and friendly, and the scenery unparalleled, Borrowed Lives was born.