Monday, August 15, 2022

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Meet Me on the Porch by Erin Stevenson

Book: Meet Me on the Porch

Author: Erin Stevenson

Genre: Christian fiction

Release date: May 13, 2022

Brynne Lockwood has come home to Brattleboro, Vermont after a humiliating job loss. She’s weary and broken, and still hasn’t truly forgiven herself for a former unhealthy relationship with long-lasting consequences. She doesn’t believe that she deserves anything good and can’t imagine that God could ever use her.

After recovering from a shattering loss, Pastor Adam Johnston is on his way to a new assignment. A mix-up takes him and his baby daughter to beautiful southern Vermont. If he stays, he’ll face opposition, but God has prepared his heart for ministry, and he’s committed to serving there.

Adam and Brynne connect quickly and unexpectedly, but circumstances demand that they be cautious.

Now, you are invited to join Adam and Brynne on the porch at her grandparents’ home—a special place where you’ll experience their joy as Adam and Brynne build a friendship rooted in Biblical principles, find healing for their wounds, and discover God’s plan for their lives.

Click here to get your copy!

Christian Fiction books are one of my favorite genres. Meet Me on the Porch by Erin Stevenson is a Christian Fiction Romance book and I was excited to read it.

Brynne Lockwood recently lost her job and decides to come back Home to Brattleboro, Vermont. She is mad at herself for things that happened and circumstances that will have consequences for a long time. She is questioning her faith and if God really has plans for her in the future. Pastor Adam Johnston is heading to a new Pastoral assignment. He and his baby daughter are looking forward to starting a new chapter in life after a tragic loss. The paperwork he was given lands him at the wrong congregation in Vermont. The congregation is unsure about having a Single Father as their pastor. Pastor Adam knows that God has bought him here for a reason and he remains strong and wants to stay in this Congregation. Pastor Adam and his young daughter are staying at the B&B owned by Brynne's Grandparents. Adam and Brynne quickly strike up a friendship and spend much time on the porch of the B&B. They both realize that they have deep feelings for one another, but they also want God to lead their relationship. Will Pastor Adam's congregation give him a chance? Will Brynne and Adam find God drawing them together in a relationship?

Awww, this book was such a sweet Romance story! I was engaged in the storyline from the beginning and truly enjoyed it. I like how the author takes 2 broken people, Brynne with her job loss and Adam with his tragic loss and becoming a widower, and shows them that God's plan is always greater than our plans. Brynne has guilt from her past that has to be overcome and I like how the author addresses the issue with grace. Adam is at a point in his life where he never thought he would be. Losing his wife he didn't think he could ever love again. The story is one of 2 lost people trying to "find their place in the world" after loss. I HIGHLY recommend this book! FANTASTIC BOOK!

Erin has been writing fiction since 2014 and is published independently and with Pelican Book Group and Winged Publications. She is a 2021 American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award Finalist.

Erin was raised in Illinois and has lived in many places in the U.S., including on both coasts, but is a Midwest girl at heart. She spent many years as an educator from pre-school through college levels, and currently works in communications for a global corporation.

When she’s not writing, Erin loves spending time with her children and grandchildren, and playing in the garden (which equates to mostly pulling weeds) at her central Iowa home. Her secret indulgence is plain M&Ms.

More from Erin

This book is part of Pelican Book Group’s Destination Romance collection, one set in each of the 50 US states. There were three random objects required to be worked into the plot: lace, shampoo, and a shovel. The twist was that they had to be presented in an interesting way—not, for instance, “Brynne was disappointed to discover that her favorite shampoo was out of stock.”

Here’s an excerpt of how I incorporated shampoo into this story:

Adam led her to the swing. After she sat, he set the mug on the table, then picked up a bulky case and placed it on top.

“What’s that?”

Adam smiled. “This is my sample case. Allow me to show you my display of shampoos.”

“Shampoos?”

“Yes. I have orange blossom, lemon verbena, strawberry vanilla.” He lifted out each bottle and lined them up. At least six more followed, each a different scent. “And this one is—um, oh, sorry, that’s for lice.” He grimaced.

Brynne nearly spewed her drink. “Adam Johnston, what are you doing?”

“I’m a shampoo salesman.” He lifted a shoulder. “Last night you said you would date me if I was a pilot or a shampoo salesman.” He sighed. “I’m terrified of flying.”

She had to hold her laughter as she put her hand over her heart. “You are beyond cute. Where did you get all this stuff?” A giggle escaped.

He let out a sigh. “It wasn’t easy, believe me,” he muttered.

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 2
Texas Book-aholic, August 3
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 4
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, August 5 (Author Interview)
Lily’s Book Reviews, August 5
Inklings and notions, August 6
deb’s Book Review, August 7
Guild Master, August 8 (Author Interview)
Locks, Hooks and Books, August 9
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, August 10
For Him and My Family, August 11
Artistic Nobody, August 12 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 13
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, August 14
Simple Harvest Reads, August 15 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 15

To celebrate her tour, Erin is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card & 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/20709/meet-me-on-the-porch-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Sunday, August 14, 2022

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Endangered Refuge by Sherri Wilson Johnson

Book: Endangered Refuge

Author: Sherri Wilson Johnson

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romantic Suspense

Release date: August 2, 2022

He wants to protect her. She wants to protect him. A powerful man with dark secrets may kill them both.

Undercover U.S. Fish and Wildlife Special Agent Dallas Heath has infiltrated one of the largest big cat illegal trading rings in the States. Now he must unearth vital evidence to bring down kingpin Mitchell Avery before the next litter of cubs crosses state lines. Multiple failed attempts have cost Dallas time and progress, and now he’s threatened with being pulled off the case. The clock is ticking for this seasoned officer. It doesn’t help that a life which includes deception and being apart from the only woman he’s ever loved makes him doubt if undercover work is for him.

Special Agent Elyse Bradford has spent the last three months undercover living next door to Mitchell Avery posing as a woman of great means and vying for an invite to one of his big cat auctions, to which only the most serious and authenticated buyers are invited. If only she could confide in her best friend and fellow agent Dallas, maybe he could help her devise a plan before her cover is blown.

If they’d been assigned to work the case together, they’d have already brought Avery’s organization down. But Dallas is working undercover somewhere too. Since they can’t share the details of their missions or their locations with each other, the former partners—torn apart by assignments too many times—must find another way.

After a strange twist of events propels them together again, hope’s flame flickers…until word spreads of a mole—either in Avery’s organization or within the USFWS. And now neither one knows who to trust. Can they even trust each other when they’ve been apart for so many years?

On a backdrop of Mobile Bay on the Gulf coast, Dallas and Elyse fight to save endangered tigers, keep their covers intact and bring down an enemy whose reach is far beyond what anyone imagined. After tensions rise and tempers flare—coupled with lies and manipulation from all around—they could lose everything they’ve worked for. Including each other.

Will they succeed on their mission without ripping apart their shot at a future together?

Click here to get your copy!

I really love Christian Romance books. I also very much enjoy Christian Suspense Novels. Endangered Refuge by Sherri Wilson Johnson is the latest book I have read and it is a combined genre series. It is part of the Jeopardized Reunions series. I have read a couple of books in this series and I am enjoying the series.

Dallas Heath is an Undercover Special Agent with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife agency. He has been working on a case that is of utmost importance. Time is running out for Dallas Heath to capture kingpin Mitchell Avery, who allegedly runs an Illegal Exotic Cat Trading Ring. Set Backs in the attempts to capture him, has Dallas doubting his work as an Undercover Agent. Special Agent Elyse Bradford became Mitchell Avery's neighbor 3 months ago. She has been working undercover on this case also. Her mission has been to get an invite to one of the auctions held by Mitchell Avery so she can get evidence of his illegal ring. Dallas and Elyse are best friends and former partners and they really wish they had been able to collaborate on this assignment, but they are both undercover and cannot. They are unexpectedly bought together again and are hopeful they will be able to capture Mitchell Avery. They are worried though when lies and other situations threaten their mission. Dallas and Elyse both recognize that their feelings for each other are more than friendship. Will Dallas and Elyse succeed in both professional and social levels? Will there be a future relationship between the pair?

WOW, just WOW!! This book had me captivated from the beginning. The Twists and Turns in the storyline just kept coming and were mind-blowing. I really LOVE how both Dallas and Elyse are trying to achieve the same outcome, but cannot help each other. The relationship between the pair was sweet, but they were almost caught relying info about the case to one another. This book is filled with Action, Drama, Suspense, and Romance. I HIGHLY Recommend this to anyone who enjoys Christian Romance with some Suspense! GREAT BOOK!

Sherri Wilson Johnson is an Inspirational Romance novelist and graphic designer. She lives in Georgia with her husband and their two dogs, and they are empty-nesters. Sherri loves spending time with family, vacationing at the beach, curling up with a good book or working on her current work-in-progress. She dreams of a second home on some beach somewhere some day, where she can plot romantically suspenseful novels all day and night.

Follow Sherri on Instagram and Facebook plus on Amazon and Bookbub. Find out more about her on her website: http://sherriwilsonjohnson.com

More from Sherri

For as long as I can remember, I have been in love with Bengal tigers. As a young girl, I even tried to adopt one. In actuality, the “Adopt a Tiger” call was a call to sponsor one in a zoo. Sadly, my family wasn’t financially able to do that, but my love for tigers continued until…well, I’ll let you know if it ever stops. I’ve jokingly said that I will own a captivatingly beautiful tiger with a precious pink nose when I get to heaven. It’s not at all impossible, right? I mean, if the lion and the lamb will be friends, surely my afterlife-self can own a tiger. I’ve put in a request, so we shall see. The fact that I’m allergic to cats won’t hinder me then either!

Every year when we go to the local State Fair, I always make sure I’m there at the right time to see the tiger show. For $5, you can feed them by putting a piece of meat on the end of a stick. You can’t actually pet them or anything like that, though. I became aware a few years ago of the abuse these amazing creatures go through just by being carted around from town to town, put on display, made to perform. And the “pet a cub” opportunities are more harmful to the babies than you can imagine. When they get too big for the petting zoo, what happens to them?

Out of my love for tigers, I began researching to find the answer to that question. Out of that came Endangered Refuge, a reunion romance filled with mystery and suspense. Many of you have probably heard of television shows that give you a behind-the-scenes look at big cat sanctuaries only to discover later that they are fronts for trafficking them and selling their parts on the black market.

Here is where my hero and heroine enter. Special Agents Dallas Carter and Elyse Bradford are both undercover with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services working to shut down a big cat trader. Best friends since college, their work often takes them to different places around the country, but their physical separation never seems to separate their hearts. When they run into each other on the secret mission, neither one knowing that the other has been assigned to the case, sparks fly. But they aren’t always good sparks. Because someone is killing to protect a secret, it’s up to the two agents, posing as socialite Vivian Chandler and cat handler Dakota Heath, to expose the person who exploits these amazing creatures, so all power struggles and personal opinions must be set aside.

This is book four in my Jeopardized Reunions series, which is set in the Mobile Bay area of Alabama. This particular story is set in two places on the bay, in the Gulf Shores/Fort Morgan area and on the Fish River, which separates Fairhope and Magnolia Springs (the setting of book three in the series, Unfortunate Homecoming).

I hope you will consider checking out Endangered Refuge and the other books in the series, all set on Mobile Bay and all written as standalones. The common thread? They are all reunion romances. So while my characters have a past that tore them apart, they have the promise of a future.

I’d love it of you’d follow me on social media and join my subscriber list. I’m always excited to hear from readers!

Places you can find out more about legitimate big cat sanctuaries:

Carolina Tiger Rescue: https://carolinatigerrescue.org

Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary: https://crownridgetigers.com

Texas Book-aholic, August 12
Simple Harvest Reads, August 12 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 13
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 14
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 14
deb’s Book Review, August 15
Betti Mace, August 16
Aryn the Libraryan, August 17
Inklings and notions, August 18
For Him and My Family, August 19
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, August 20
Sara Beth Williams, August 20
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, August 21
An Author’s Take, August 22
Locks, Hooks and Books, August 23
Truh and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 24
Blogging With Carol, August 25

To celebrate her tour, Sherri is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon 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/20a84/endangered-refuge-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Wednesday, August 10, 2022

JustRead Tours Blog Tour: Shoal Waters by Normandie Fischer

Shoal Waters JustRead Blog + Review Blitz

Welcome to the Blog + Review Blitz for Shoal Waters by Normandie Fischer, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Title: Shoal Waters

Series: Carolina Coast Stories #6

Author: Normandie Fischer

Publisher: Sleepy Creek Press

Release Date: June 14, 2022

Genre: Inspirational/Clean Women's Fiction

Dementia, mad gunmen, and a yearning for something more make life difficult for the Beaufort folk in this series finale.

Georgie's mind threatens to go walkabout, and she'd better get help soon if she's to stop her daughter from taking over. Enter granddaughter, Jeminy, a songwriter from L.A., and Eric, her lawyer.

Jeminy hates herself and is pretty sure God does, too. There’s that huge unforgiveable sin, plus the boyfriend/manager who dumped her and lost her a music deal. Her mistakes. Her fault.

When Mother plots to tuck Nana Georgie neatly into a nursing home to gain access to Nana’s money, Jeminy hightails it out of L.A. and back to Beaufort. God may still hate her in North Carolina, but at least she’ll be on hand to protect her beloved grandmother.

Enter Eric, the lawyer hired to help Georgie protect herself--and possibly Jeminy, too. But Eric just rescued his orphaned stepson from Social Services, and while he’s adept at legal briefs and courtroom dramas, classrooms and angry second graders are brand new territory.

Guitar in hand, Jeminy tries to write songs to jumpstart her flagging career, but when someone threatens her life, she has to ask why. Could it have to do with the money missing from her bank accounts (and maybe her unstable ex)? If she prays for help, will God even listen to someone with her baggage?

With the help of the Beaufort crew, a new father and a terrified musician struggle to safeguard everyone they love, but it’s going to take more than good neighbors to show each of them the true meaning of grace.

I really enjoy Romantic Suspense books and I was quite intrigued to read this novel. Shoal Waters by Normandie Fischer is Book 6 in the Carolina Coast Series. I have not read any of the other books in this series, although it might be a good idea to do so.

Jemima Buchanan, affectionately known as Jeminy, is a songwriter from L.A. She loves her Nana Georgie so much that she decides to move back to small town Beaufort, North Carolina to help her aging Grandma. Going back home also offers her the "escape" from her past and some big mistakes made in L.A. Jeminy finds out her own mother is trying to control Nana's accounts and might even be stealing from Nana Georgie. Jeminy hires a lawyer, Eric Houston, to help navigate the financial issues and to make sure affairs are in order for Nana Georgie. Eric is a big help to Jeminy, even as he navigates the courts for custody of his orphaned stepson. Jeminy turns to her guitar and begins writing songs so her career doesn't fail. Jeminy is concerned when her life is threatened. She feels God is Mad at her for her sinful past and she wonders if she prays will God listen. Will Jeminy and Eric be able to save Nana Georgie from the hands of Jeminy's mom and keep her affairs in order? Does Jeminy feel the LOVE of God in her life again?

I must say it took a bit for me to get into the storyline, probably because I have not YET read any of the other books in this series. The author does a GREAT job of explaining the characters in this book, especially Eric who was previously introduced in earlier books. I really enjoyed the storyline of a Granddaughter helping her Grandma and leaving her dreams and past behind. I think Jeminy was happy to leave L.A. in hopes of a new start and getting her sins out of her mind. Eric was an outstanding character and a wonderful help to Jeminy and his stepson! The story tackled some sensitive topics like Abortion, Dementia, Aging Grandparents and so much more. The author eloquently addresses those topics. The Suspense and Romance in this book made this a page turner book! GREAT BOOK!

MORE BOOKS IN THIS SERIES

Normandie Fischer had the best of several worlds: a Southern heritage, access to schooling in the DC area (which meant lots of cultural adventures), and several years of sculpture studies in Italy. It might have been better for her if she'd used all these opportunities more wisely, but it's possible that the imperfect and the unwise also add fodder for the artist and the writer.

Her life changed radically when she married the love of her life at an age when some would have said she was over the hill and way past her prime. (Clichés often speak the truth, don't they?) A lifelong sailor, she was delighted to find that Michael also longed to cruise lovely waters, which is what they did from Northern CA to Mexico, spending too-few years in the incomparable Sea of Cortez. Sea Venture, their 50' ketch, is back home in North Carolina now because Normandie's mama needed care. Still, it's gorgeous there, too, and she can write from home as easily as she could on the boat.

Her two grown children and two step-sons are handsome (or gorgeous, as the case may be), talented, and a delight. And now there's a granddaughter and grandson in the mix--woohoo! She just wishes they lived a lot closer to home.

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

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card and one signed book written by Normandie Fischer (winner's choice)!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight August 10, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on August 17, 2022. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN 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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Tuesday, August 9, 2022

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Raising Kids Who Care by Susy Lee

Book: Raising Kids Who Care

Author: Susy Lee

Genre: Non-fiction: Parenting and Family

Release date: June, 2022

Imagine knowing what your kids care about, having them listen to what you care about, then doing something about it, together!

Communication and connection are the key, and this is exactly what this book allows you to do. It guides you through 40 conversations to have with your kids, ones that really matter.

Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, educator or just care about kids and the world they’re growing up in, this book will provide you with rich resources and surprising insights to create that genuine connection.

In our complex world, we need to be aware of looming pitfalls and be intentional in helping kids navigate their way to compassion and wonder, driven by values and purpose. This path of conversations leads to amazing hope.

We all want kids to have happy, loving lives. As a society, we need kids who are also capable of thinking and acting beyond themselves to help others have happy, loving lives too. This book gives you what you’ll need to achieve both.

Inside, you’ll discover:

Stories and research to inform your conversations
Relationship skills to build empathy (like listening and conflict resolution)
How to combat the worrying influences of our culture (like consumerism and technology)
How to grow resilience, self-confidence, character, and strength
How our kids can solve problems, rather than being brought down by them
Thoughts and tips from other parents
Advice from caring young adults about what worked for them!

Click here to get your copy!

Parents are always looking for books that are relatable to their parenting stages. Raising Kids Who Care by Susy Lee is one that would be suitable for parents of kids ages 4 and up.

We are living in a society where many kids seem "entitled" and only want for themselves. Raising Kids Who Care about others and do for others is a part of Parenting that we should all be concerned about. Susy Lee has written this book to help us as parents have meaningful conservations with our Children to figure out what they care about and where their compassion lies. We all want our children to be responsible adults, and the author has created a book that guides parents on how to communicate effectively. Some things covered in this book are:

Stories and research to inform your conversations
Relationship skills to build empathy (like listening and conflict resolution)
How to combat the worrying influences of our culture (like consumerism and technology)
How to grow resilience, self-confidence, character, and strength
How our kids can solve problems, rather than being brought down by them
Thoughts and tips from other parents
Advice from caring young adults about what worked for them!

I truly enjoyed this book and I wish it has been around when my boys were younger. My boys are now 20, 19, and 17. The resources in this book would have been a tremendous help in parenting our boys. I really enjoyed the Personal Experiences by the author and others interviewed for the book. The author gives "Suggested Conservations" at the end of each chapter and I LOVE that part of the book also. The book is soo resourceful, an easy read, and one that would engage Parent and Child! I HIGHLY recommend this book for parents looking to engage meaningful conservations with their children. GREAT BOOK!

Susy Lee helps families build a strong culture of communication and contribution. Her book ‘Raising Kids Who Care’ is the winner of international prizes from the Best Indie, Royal Dragonfly and Feathered Quill Book Awards.

Majors in psychology and theology, and a master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, helped Susy consider how parenting and wealth equity play roles in social cohesion. Her career twirls around the twin themes of social justice and children, including state and national education and consultancy roles with children and families, international aid and development, and advocacy.

Susy is also an engaging presenter who has taught in schools and churches, lectured at universities, and run conference workshops for parents and families.

She lives a bike ride from the beach in Sydney, Australia, dances whenever music plays, and has raised two caring sons with her husband Brian. Susy has created generational change in her family.

More from Susy

I didn’t grow up in a Christian family, but I loved watching my children grow up in our church community. They had relationships of all ages and many opportunities to practise caring – things I’d missed.My boys grew to be young men who are kind and faithful, with careers that will contribute to God’s world.

In my book I’ve brought together some useful stuff I’ve researched (because I didn’t trust my own broken upbringing), and that I’ve learnt in my ministry with caring Christian organizations. And I’ve made it a resource for families to talk together – kids are amazing when we make time to really listen to them.

This book is not just for Christians though. I wrote it for parents who care about growing compassion and generosity in their kids. I wrote for parents who want to protect their kids from the strong cultural forces in our world that would lead kids astray. And I wrote it for parents who want to raise kids who believe they can do something about the problems in the world, not be overwhelmed by them.

I also wrote it for grandparents to give to their kids who are now parents – maybe even those who no longer go to church. I wrote it for parents who want to be intentional – maybe because their parents were not. And I wrote it to help churches reach out to parents who need support and encouragement.

Just quietly: I want to change the world, one family at a time! I love the vision of the Kingdom of God, and I think that families who know how to communicate well, about all the issues that surround them, will be better equipped to help bring the Kingdom to earth, as it is in heaven.

I’m delighted that God has already blessed my work – the book has won several prizes including First Place in The 2022 Christian Indie Awards in the Relationships and Family Category. Many churches have already used the book to run events for families. You can learn more about me and the book on my website: https://www.raisingkidswhocare.info/