Monday, April 6, 2020

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Joy Express by Jody Day

Book: Joy Express
Author: Jody Day
Genre: Christian Women’s Fiction
Release Date: Nov 8, 2019

Nearly a year has passed since Scott and Bailey’s Christmas wedding. Now they are expecting joy in the form of twins!

The day arrives for the opening of Barkley House, a missionary retreat provided by Bailey’s inheritance, but an unspeakable evil descends upon Bailey as she awaits her ride to the opening ceremony. Scott can’t find her.

Shocking revelations accompany Bailey’s ordeal. Will she ever find joy again?

Click here to get your copy.

The book was a short book, and I finished it in a couple of hours. I had a little bit of trouble understanding the storyline when I began reading it. I realized that this is the 3rd book in this series and I haven't read the first 2 in the series yet. I think it is better to read the first 2 in the series first, but after getting a couple chapters into the book, I was able to understand the storyline with clarity.

Scott and Bailey have been enjoying wedded bliss for a year and are excitedly expecting Twins. In the midst of the excitement, there is also drama and intrigue due to Bailey having some things come to light. Scott and Bailey are getting things ready for the Open House of their Retreat Center for Missionaries. Bailey is kidnapped while awaiting for her to ride to the Retreat Center. The Community rallies together to find Bailey. Scott and the Community find out some shocking things while on the hunt for Bailey. Will they find Bailey safe? Will there be a "Joyful" ending? You will definitely want to read this wonderful book to find out!

Joy Express was my first introduction to author Jody Day. I really enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more books from Jody Day, including the first 2 in this series. FABULOUS BOOK!!

Jody Bailey Day writes inspirational fiction, poetry, Bible studies, and articles from her home in West Texas. She is a member of Faithwriters.com, American Christian Fiction Writers, and is the president of Critique Café, West Texas area writers group. She mentors young writers, and is a musician and music teacher. She and her husband love silent and black and white movies, and the chaos that comes with fifteen grandchildren. She crochets blankets for her ministry called Wrapped in Prayer Blanket ministry. Jody considers herself a professional nerd, and loves every minute of it.

More from Jody

I’m so excited about the release of Joy Express. It’s the culmination of a series that began in my heart on the way home from the first writer’s conference I ever attended. The East Texas Writer’s Conference was held at my alma mater, East Texas Baptist College, which is now University. I was incredibly inspired, and on I20 toward Dallas I saw a sign that said Washout Express, Exit 477. Turns out that was giant truck wash. My thought was, “What would it be like to be totally washed out, washed up, and at the end of your rope?” I’d been there and was on the other side, but I wanted to write a story about the process. Bailey Brown was born. Joy Express is Book 3 in the series and follows Bailey and Scott through a series of tremendous obstacles, and how their faith and family got them to the other side. It’s not tied up with a nice little bow, life is rarely like that, but it does come to a redemptive pause in their story. I hope you’ll pick it up and read the message of faith. You can come back from anything.

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 27

Inklings and notions, March 28

Texas Book-aholic, March 29

For Him and My Family, March 30

deb’s Book Review, March 31

Spoken from the Heart, April 1

SPLASHES of Joy, April 2

She Lives to Read, April 3

Batya’s Bits, April 4

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 5

Artistic Nobody, April 6 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 6

Vicky Sluiter, April 7

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 8

Simple Harvest Reads, April 9 (Author Interview)

To celebrate her tour, Jody is giving away the grand prize of a print copy of Joy Express!!

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/f666/joy-express-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Thursday, April 2, 2020

JustRead Tours Blog Tour: Shenanigans by Heather Norman Smith

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour & Giveaway for Shenanigans by Heather Norman Smith, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Title: Shenanigans
Author: Heather Norman Smith
Publisher: Every Season Books
Release Date: April 1, 2020
Genre: Inspirational Contemporary Fiction

You're never too old for fun, faith, or love.

Lavinia Lewis is a wealthy southern widow who enjoys a good prank. But when a resident at her posh retirement community in Southport, North Carolina gets sick at a potluck, Lavinia's reputation as a jokester lands her in big trouble. How can she clear her name when her own daughter doesn't believe she's innocent?

Neville McGrath is a long-in-the-tooth lawyer, afraid of being put out to pasture. Torn between his nephew's offer to move to Maine to live with him and his desire to keep working, Neville discovers other options when he takes Lavinia's case.

The jokes keep her young, but Lavinia remembers the true source of joy as she faces criminal charges. Can she help Neville find his faith for the first time, and can they both find love at eighty-years-old?

A humorous and inspirational story with lovable characters, a beautiful setting, fun mystery, sweet romance, family drama, and an ending that will leave you sighing in satisfaction.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

I love a good romance and this book has that and much more. The fun part is that the romance is between a fun loving "Senior" couple.

Lavinia Lewis is the main character of the book. She is a widow and she is very fun loving and a good prankster. She lives in a Retirement community in North Carolina. She meets Neville McGrath when she needs a lawyer after one of her pranks goes wrong. Neville was in the process of moving to Maine, but he puts those plans on hold when he meets Lavinia. The 2 form a relationship and have lots to teach one another. Lavinia is trying to help Neville find faith for the first time. Neville is helping Lavinia become more relaxed. Will the 2 find a deep love, even in their 80's? Will Neville successfully help Lavinia win her Criminal case? Grab a copy of this book, you will NOT be disappointed!

I really LOVE how the author created a fun loving storyline. I have never read such a great story about an older couple and it really drew me in. FANTASTIC BOOK!

Heather Norman Smith is a Christian Fiction and devotions author. Her goal is to use the written word to entertain and encourage while illuminating the redemptive love of God. She is proud to be a life-long North Carolinian and also aims to present the beauty of the Tar Heel State in her fiction. Heather's home is just outside Winston-Salem, NC, where she lives with her husband, their four children (currently including a foster son,) and several very spoiled pets. In addition to writing and spending time with her family, Heather enjoys singing about Jesus. Her "day job" is in the Information Technology field, and she is also involved in youth ministry with her husband. Heather's other novels include Grace & Lavender and Where I Was Planted.

CONNECT WITH HEATHER: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Shenanigans and a story inspired glass ornament! Plus (1) additional winner will receive a print copy of Shenanigans!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway will begin at midnight March 30, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on April 6, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US mailing addresses 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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Monday, March 30, 2020

JustRead Tours Blog Tour: Happy Valley by Lin Stepp

Happy Valley Return to Edisto JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for Happy Valley & Return to Edisto by Lin Stepp, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Title: Happy Valley
Author: Lin Stepp
Publisher: Mountain Hill Press
Release Date: April 2, 2020
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Escape to the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee in this sweet tale of two young people who meet by chance, their paths soon overlapping and intertwining amid a cast of warm-hearted characters in the small rural community of Happy Valley.

With Grandpa suffering a heart attack, Juliette Hollander saw little choice but to head back to their Tennessee mountain farm in Happy Valley to help out. She didn’t expect, or want, to leave behind her life and work in North Carolina to return to her grandparents’ home so soon. Nor did she imagine meeting, and working with, the mysterious man she met briefly last summer and never thought to see again.

Walker Logan spent the last two years traveling the United States, seeing the beauty of the country and running from his past. But an old rock house he sees while hiking near Abrams Creek Campground unexpectedly calls to his soul. With danger close behind, he never stayed in one place long enough to put down roots. Yet now, with a new vision, he decides to take the risk.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

I am a fan of author Lin Stepp and she has another "winner" with the book Happy Valley.

Juliette Hollander returns to her home town to help her Grandparents after her Grandfather suffers a Heart Attack. Happy Valley is a quaint little town in Tennessee and everyone knows everyone. Well, a Mysterious man, Walker Logan, comes through town and Juliette takes an interest in him. Walker Logan is known for his Nomad ways, but now he is taking a liking to the Town people and especially Juliette, he just might settle down in Happy Valley. Although, he has some secrets from his past that he isn't ready to reveal. Will his secrets be revealed? Will Juliette and Walker find a long term relationship in their future?

I truly enjoyed this book and know others will also!

Lin Stepp is a native Tennessean, businesswoman and educator. A New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and Amazon best-selling international author, Lin has eighteen published books, including her twelve beloved Smoky Mountain novels, all set in different Tennessee and North Carolina locations, her newest Mountain Home book, a novella in one of Kensington’s Christmas anthologies, and two novels in her new Edisto Trilogy, set on the South Carolina coast. Lin and her husband J.L. also write regional guidebooks, including a Smoky Mountain hiking guide and a Tennessee state parks book.

Stepp’s latest 2020 releases are Happy Valley, set in a quiet rural valley near the Smoky Mountains, and Return to Edisto, set at Edisto Beach, South Carolina. Lin’s previous title Claire At Edisto was the 2019 Best Books Award Winner in Fiction: Romance, sponsored by American Book Fest, her novel Welcome Back a finalist in the 2017 Selah Awards, and Lin and her husband’s guidebook Discovering Tennessee State Parks a 2019 American Book Fest Best Books Award Finalist in Nonfiction: Travel Guides and Essays.

Lin enjoys speaking for events, festivals, libraries, and book clubs, reading, hiking, exploring out of doors, and keeping up with her readers on Facebook, Twitter, and through her monthly blog and newsletter which you will find on her website at: www.linstepp.com

CONNECT WITH LIN: Website | Facebook | Twitter

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Happy Valley & Return to Edisto, matching bookmarks, and a $25 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway will begin at midnight March 23, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on March 30, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US mailing addresses 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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Celebrate Lit Promo Blast: Tatiana by Madeline Brock

Tatiana Bergman views life through a different lens than most. She says and does what she likes without regard for hurt feelings on the way. Living in the 1840s in rural Pennsylvania, her passionate, impulsive behavior confounds her sisters and appalls her peers.

Life only gets more complicated when Tatiana befriends Jonny Creek, a mischievous young man whose Native American blood puts him on the fringes of society. Jonny is trouble; Tatiana is intrigued. Together they spell out disaster. From being chased by wolves, to bashing around fancy gatherings, the unlikely pair get into one scrape after another.

When tragedy strikes the Bergman family, Tatiana is compelled to leave the security of her childhood home to live in the bustling city of Philadelphia. There, she is forced into adulthood as she deals with a mysterious young coworker and an unsavory employer.

Tatiana struggles to subdue her wild spirit and keep her heart pure while making the right choices and wrestling with her own woman she finds herself in a battle of her will between two young men and the God she serves.

Purchase Link

https://amzn.to/2RH8H39

I really enjoy books that take us back in time and this book, Tatiana by Madeline Brock, takes us back to the 1830's.

Tatiana is being raised by her Dad after her mom dies. She is the youngest of 3 sisters. The family attends church weekly, she meets a young lad, Jonny, Jonny and Tatiana become fast friends. She also becomes friends with the Pastors son, Robert. Tatiana has a lot going on her life and is rebellious as a young girl. She gives her life to Christ and begins to seek forgiveness for her sins and tries to not be so rebellious. She has many struggles throughout her teen years, but as she nears 18, she is becoming less rebellious and more mature. She really has a grown liking for both Jonny and Robert? Who will she choose? Will one of them become a life long mate??

I really enjoyed reading this book. Tatiana is much like me: Bold and Spunky! The author really has a GREAT book here and I am looking forward to reading more in this series as this is the 1st book in the Upward Chronicles series. FANTASTIC book!

Madeline Brock's love of people, history, the Lord, and good storytelling flows over into her writing. She was born and raised in Northwest Ohio and came from a homeschooling family of seven. Madeline has loved reading and writing from a very young age.

In childhood, a favorite activity was taking family road trips across the country. Several unique part-time jobs filled her teen years. Among these were: music teacher, nanny, and a historic museum costumed guide. A chocolate factory and a produce stand were also memorable work experiences.

After graduation, Madeline spent two years on a Navajo Reservation in New Mexico. Her primary activity was teaching at a private school. Now California's beautiful Central Valley is her home. She resides with four cats, her carpenter husband, and their infant daughter.

Two of Madeline's favorite books are Little Women and Anne of Green Gables. She loves the timeless way the authors relate and portray their characters. Madeline strives to write with the nostalgia and emotion of her favorite authors.

SOCIAL MEDIA

https://www.amazon.com/Madeline-Brock/e/B00RZUN60E

https://www.instagram.com/madeline_c55

https://www.facebook.com/maddybrockbooks

https://twitter.com/MadelineBrock01

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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Encountering God’s Heart For You by Diane Stortz

Book: Encountering God’s Heart For You
Author: Diane Stortz
Genre: Christian non-fiction, Devotional
Release Date: September 3, 2019

God put the Bible together for you, and he wants you to understand and know him better. But sometimes you can get lost in the details and miss the big picture. The Bible is more than just a collection of wisdom, instructions, and history. It’s one unified story of the incredible love of God!

Encountering God’s Heart for You takes you on a daily journey through the full narrative of Scripture in a year. And in the process, it will draw you nearer to God as you discover his love and compassion. It won’t cover every verse, or even every chapter, in the Bible, but by the time you’re through, you’ll have a strong grasp of what the Bible is all about.

Reading Scripture isn’t just a way to collect information or check something off a to-do list. Let this book bring you into God’s presence to better understand the Bible’s story of love, sacrifice, and redemption as he draws you to himself.

Click here to get your copy!

Every year so many want to follow a "Read through the Bible in a Year" plan. Many start it with good intentions, but realize that it can be hard to follow. I much prefer Devotionals and that is why this book "Encountering God's Heart For You" by Diane Stortz seemed very intriguing to me.

Encountering God's Heart For You is a unique and user friendly Devotional Book. Each page is numbered 1 to 365, which makes it a lot easier to follow if you miss a day. The reader is not feeling "guilty" for missing a day. The Devotional Book takes the reader on a Chronological reading plan from Genesis to Revolution.

I really like the format of the Devotional. Each day consists of a Daily Chapter/Bible Reading, the devotional reflects on the reading for the day. There is also a prayer for each day. The Devotionals are very thought provoking and very easy to read and understand.

I highly suggest this Devotional for Christian Women who are looking for Encouragement and enjoy reading a easy format book. VERY Encouraging Book!

Diane Stortz is a multipublished author who writes to make God’s wonders known to the next generation. Diane’s books for women, A Woman’s Guide to Reading the Bible in a Year and Encountering God’s Heart for You, both from Bethany House, encourage women to get to know God through His Word, the Bible. Her children’s releases include the best-selling Say & Pray Bible and I AM: 40 Reasons to Trust God, both from Tommy Nelson. Diane and her husband have two married daughters and five grandchildren—all boys! Visit her at www.DianeStortz.com.

More from Diane

Twenty years ago, I was invited to join a women’s Bible study group planning to read through the Bible in a year to get to know God.

Although I’d been a Christian for many years and had read many parts of the Bible and used the Bible in my work as an editor, I had never actually read the entire Bible.

I joined the group. We read about three chapters a day and met weekly on Monday nights to discuss what we’d read.

I’ve repeated that experience in various forms most years since then, and it has changed my life in so many ways. (Getting to know God does that, right?)

I’m convinced that one of the most loving things we can do for someone else is to invite and encourage her to become a lifelong reader of the Word, and to read it together.

That’s how I view my new devotional, Encountering God’s Heart for You. It’s an invitation to every woman to pick up her Bible, read along with me, and look together for all the ways God teaches us about himself on every page.