Thursday, December 31, 2020

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Mishaps off the Mainland by Tabitha Bouldin

Book: Mishaps off the Mainland

Author: Tabitha Bouldin

Genre: Christian fiction, contemporary romance

Release Date: November 24, 2020

All Mel wants is to run the business of her dreams.

Melody Carmichael’s mobile pet grooming business might sink before it can sail when a favorite pet escapes her care. Doggie escape-artist, Daphne, got a taste of freedom, and the Afghan hound refuses to be found.

Enter Zeke Solomon. Desperate to bring the dog home for his grandmother, Zeke steps in to save the day.

And working together with Zeke would be a snap—if he would just stop blaming Mel for Daphne making a break for it.

Zeke is desperate to prove himself worthy of the Solomon name and step out from his father’s shadow. With his father breathing down his neck and demanding he return to the company business, Zeke must decide whether confronting the man he admires most is worth the risk of alienation.

Everything’s falling apart, and Mel’s dream transforms into a nightmare. She thought this was what God wanted for her life, but can you blame her for second-guessing everything?

Was it all just a mistake?

Mishaps off the Mainland is the fifth “Merriweather book” in a new series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

The Independence Island Series: beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore.

Click here to get your copy!

I have been enjoying the books from the Merriweather Island series.

Each book in the series is written by a different author. Mishaps Off

the Mainland by Tabitha Bouldin is Book 5 in the series.

Melody Carmichael is a Mobile Pet Groomer. She feels all is going

well with her business until a Dog she is grooming escapes from her

care and the dog can't be found and her truck is having continual

Mechanical issues. Zeke Simpson is the Grandson of the dog owner

and he steps in to help find the missing dog. Zeke blames Melody

for the dog going missing and it causes strife between the 2, though

it seems short lived. Zeke is also trying to live his own life, not the life

his Dad wants for him. Melody is worried about her business surviving.

Will the Dog be found? Will Melody's business survive? Will Zeke be

able to stand up to his Dad?. Is there is forever love connection between

Melody and Zeke??

I absolutely LOVED this installment of the Merriweather Island series. I

have read many in this series and it really is a GREAT series. Melody and

Zeke have separate issues, but they work together to help each other and

it proves to be a good thing for them. The writing style is one that keeps the reader interested. A GREAT Christian Romance book!

Tabitha Bouldin is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and an avid reader. When she’s not busy homeschooling her two boys, you’ll find her buried in a book.

More from Tabitha

Why mobile pet grooming?

I get this question a lot when I bring up Mishaps off the Mainland.

I mean, I could have chosen any occupation as long as it could be mobile. Anything from a mobile doctor office to a bug specialist. The world was wide open for ideas.

After just completing a rather serious series, I wanted to write something lighter, funnier, but with that same depth and heart that I love to read. I also needed something that fit my character, and Mel had some pretty strong opinions right out of the gate.

You see, Mel is one of those characters who spoke to me right away. She loves animals. All animals but especially dogs. They’re her happy place. Mel is also a giver. She will drop everything to help someone else.

When I asked her what her dream job would be, she answered me faster than any character ever has. Pet groomer! (Yes, I talk to my characters.)

And I thought, why not a mobile pet groomer? She gets to spend all her time with animals (which is a bonus for me as the author), and Mel’s character traits can shine through her actions and reveal her giving heart.

Once the job was decided, I knew there needed to be some drama. What would be the underlying fear of a pet groomer? I didn’t want to injure an animal, so I went for what felt like second most traumatic, an escaped animal.

While Daphne’s escape is serious and causes Mel no end of sleepless nights, it also provides some comedic relief for Mel and Zeke while they work through their own personal battles. I like to think of Mishaps off the Mainland as a mixture of quirky fun and serious truth. The story was a joy to write, and I hope you fall in love with Mel and Zeke.

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 18
Livin’ Lit, December 18
Texas Book-aholic, December 19
21st Century Keeper at Home, December 19
Mypreciousbitsandmusings, December 20
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 20
Connect in Fiction, December 20
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, December 21
deb’s Book Review, December 21
Inklings and notions, December 22
The Collaborative Press, December 22
For Him and My Family, December 23
lakesidelivingsite, December 23
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, December 23
Joanne Markey, December 24
Reviewingbooksplusmore, December 24
Batya’s Bits, December 25
Daysong Reflections, December 25
She Lives To Read, December 26
Rebekah Reads, December 26
Splashes of Joy, December 26
Locks, Hooks and Books, December 27
Blossoms and Blessings, December 27
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 28
Captive Dreams Window, December 28
Artistic Nobody, December 29 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)
Simple Harvest Reads, December 29 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Aryn the Libraryan, December 30
Adventures of a Travelers Wife, December 30
Ashley’s Bookshelf, December 30
Sara Jane Jacobs, December 31
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 31

To celebrate her tour, Tabitha is giving away the grand prize package 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/104fd/mishaps-off-the-mainland-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Friday, December 25, 2020

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: The Ginnie West Collection by Monique Bucheger

Book: The Ginnie West Collection

Author: Monique Bucheger

Genre: Christian fiction, middle grade

\Book 1: THE SECRET SISTERS CLUB

Twelve-year-old BFF’s Ginnie West and Tillie Taylor, want to be sisters. Ginnie’s widowed dad plus Tillie’s divorced mom could equal a lifetime of round-the-clock girl talk and slumber parties. Too bad Dad vowed to never marry again. Ginnie and Tillie come up with the perfect scheme to change his mind: ‘Operation Secret Sisters’ (aka OSS). After all, if they can’t get Dad to move on, Tillie can’t move in.
Things get more complicated when Ginnie stumbles across her mom’s hidden journals. Ginnie can finally get to know the mother she doesn’t remember and her dad doesn’t talk about—if Dad doesn’t take them away.

Book 2: TROUBLE BLOWS WEST

Putting her body in motion before her brain is in gear creates a mountain of problems for 12 year-old Ginnie West. She is certain that defending her twin brother, Toran, from the biggest bully in sixth grade was the right thing to do. But Ginnie couldn’t be more wrong. She quickly learns that Toran doesn’t appreciate being rescued by a girl any better than Pierce likes being knocked down by one.

When Pierce seeks revenge on Ginnie, Toran sets aside his anger and helps her plot a payback prank at Pierce’s house. Sadly, Ginnie learns that Pierce has a reason for being a bully when she sees his dad drop him to the floor like a ragdoll. Realizing he’s a boy in big trouble, Ginnie decides to be his ally, because he won’t let her be his friend.

Book 3: SIMPLY WEST OF HEAVEN

Twelve-year-old BFFs Ginnie and Tillie are matchmaking geniuses. Sweet! Not long after they schemed to get Ginnie’s widowed dad to fall in love with Tillie’s divorced mom, Ginnie stumbled upon her late mom’s journals, making life even more awesome sauce … until her dad confiscated the journals, determined to protect Ginnie from a danger he won’t name.

Ginnie is counting on her future sister’s help to make Dad change his mind, but Tillie’s not so sure the ghost of Ginnie’s mom will make a good addition to their new family tree. The girls’ world gets flipped upside-down when a blast from the past shows up and makes Tillie go nutburgers. Ginnie is torn between helping her best friend and what could be the answer to her deepest wish.

Click here to get your copy!

The Ginnie West Collection by Monique Bucheger is a new to me Series.

It is a collection of 3 books: Secret Sisters Club, Trouble Blows West and

Simply West of Heaven.

The Secret Sisters Club is the story of 2 Best Friends, Ginnie and Tillie,

who want their parents to marry so they can become sisters. Ginnie's Dad

is widowed and Tillie's Mom is divorced. Will the 2 become sisters?

Trouble Blows West: is the story of Ginnie defending her twin Brother againsta bully. Although, her brother didn't want her to defend him and things may backfire. The Bully takes revenge and it may mean trouble.

Simply West of Heaven is the continuing story of Ginnie and Tillie trying

to play matchmaker. Ginnie has found her late mother's journal and is

discovering some interesting info. Her Dad confiscates the journal from

her. Will she and Tillie succeed in uniting their parents or will the Journal

have info that could wreck their plans of being sisters?

I found this series to be a good series as it has a message of faith in

each book. It has become increasingly difficult to find Faith based books

for Pre-teen girls, but Monique Bucheger has really come through. I know

Pre-teens will enjoy the action packed and faith based books.

When Monique isn’t writing, you can find her playing taxi driver to one or more of her 12 children, plotting her next novel, scrapbooking, or being the “Mamarazzi” at any number of child-oriented events.

Even though she realizes there will never be enough hours in any given day, Monique tries very hard to enjoy the journey that is her life. She shares it with a terrific husband, her dozen children, twelve grand-darlings, too many cats, and many real and imaginary friends. She is the author of several books in three series and hopes to write many more.

More from Monique

Hello Everyone,

Welcome to the Kickoff of The Ginnie West Collection (Books 1, 2, and 3) of the Ginnie West Adventures series. This omnibus edition includes The Secret Sisters Club, Trouble Blows West and Simply West of Heaven.

The series starts with The Secret Sisters Club and introduces the reader to 12-year-old best friends, Ginnie West and Tillie Taylor. Ginnie’s mother died when she was 3 ½ in a tragic accident and Tillie’s birth dad hit the road 6 years before the series starts.

Tillie, especially, wants a “whole” family again and who would make a better sister than her BFF? When she suggests to Ginnie that their parents would also benefit by marrying, their scheme, Operation: Secret Sisters is formed.

Things get more complicated when Ginnie discovers a box of her dead mom’s journals and reads one, getting to know the mother she doesn’t remember and her dad doesn’t talk about. Discovering the journals brings up questions and feelings that Ginnie didn’t expect and she struggles to reconcile her desire to know her real mom and while caring about her “new” mom.

Trouble Blows West takes a complete turn from Book 1 when the biggest bully in 6^th grade goes after Ginnie’s twin brother, Toran, and results in Ginnie knocking the bully, Pierce, on his rear in front of the whole student body in the cafeteria on page 2. Things get more complicated when the reader realizes that Pierce is being abused at home. Ginnie doesn’t find out right away—but when she does, Ginnie, Toran, and Tillie decide to become Pierce’s allies—because he won’t let them be his friends. Trouble Blows West is a story of kids on the opposite sides of many issues who try to come to some peaceful understandings.

Because of her great influence in my life, I made my high school creative writing teacher, Mrs. Marion Joyce Johnson, a character in this book years ago. A fun happenstance has recently occurred. Mrs. Johnson’s real life son is Col. Greg Johnson, pilot and astronaut for the Space Shuttle Endeavor. I reached out to Greg who read: Trouble Blows West and fell in love with Ginnie and her family. He has graciously written a Foreword for the book.

Simply West of Heaven starts three weeks after The Secret Sisters Club ends. The one thread that wasn’t reconciled in Book 1 is resolved in this book—and the thread opens up a whole lot of possibilities of fun and new adventures for Ginnie, Tillie, and the Wests. This book has my four best twists and guarantees the reader lots of surprises as the story unfolds. Hopefully readers will want to continue to read about Ginnie and Tillie in Book 4: Being West is Best.

The Ginnie West Adventures series truly is a labor of love for me. I enjoy sharing the West family and their stories with new and longtime readers. I especially love it when readers share with me their experiences of finding courage and peace to overcome their own trials and share those stories with me. I hope to empower and uplift my readers and love it when they connect with me.

Laugh lots … love much … write on!

Monique Bucheger

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, December 16
Locks, Hooks and Books, December 16
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 17
Sara Jane Jacobs, December 18
deb’s Book Review, December 19
Blogging With Carol, December 19
Inklings and notions, December 20
For Him and My Family, December 21
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 22
Mary Hake, December 22
Texas Book-aholic, December 23
Sodbusterliving, December 24
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 25
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 26
She Lives To Read, December 27
Artistic Nobody, December 28 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)
Ashley’s Bookshelf, December 29
Splashes of Joy, December 29

To celebrate her tour, Monique is giving away the grand prize of a $75 Kobo, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Apple, or Google Play!!

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/104ff/the-ginnie-west-collection-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Thursday, December 24, 2020

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: The Gold Digger by Liz Tolsma

Book: The Gold Digger

Author: Liz Tolsma

Genre: Christian/Historical/Suspense

Release Date: December, 2020

Men Are Disappearing in LaPorte, Indiana

Book 9 in the True Colors series—Fiction Based on Strange-But True History

Fiction Based on Strange, But True, History

In 1907, shy but loyal Ingrid Storset travels from Norway to support her grieving sister, Belle Gunness, who owns a farm in LaPorte, Indiana. Well-to-do widow Belle, who has lost two husbands and several children, provides Ingrid with enough money to start a small business. But Ingrid is confused by the string of men Belle claims to be interviewing for her next husband. When Nils Lindherud comes to town looking for his missing brother, who said he was going to marry Belle, Ingrid has a sinking feeling her sister is up to no good.

Click here to get your copy!

True Crime stories are not generally a genre I read. In all truth, the fact that

this story is set in LaPorte, Indiana is what drew me to read this book. I am

very familiar with LaPorte, IN being a Chicago native. The Gold Digger by

Liz Tolsma is part of a series of True Crime books, that are also Historical

Christian.

Belle Gunness lives on a Farm in LaPorte, IN and has lost 2 husbands in

what seems suspicious deaths. She collected insurance money after both

deaths and she is "Well to do". Ingrid Storset, Belle's sister, comes to IN from

Norway to comfort and support her sister. Belle has been seeking her "next

husband" in Newspaper advertising. Several men have visited the farm, only to not be heard from again. Nils Lindherud, also from Norway, comes to the farm to try to locate his brother. Ingrid begins to believe her sister is up to no good when Nils visit. Will Ingrid and Nils uncover the mysterious

disappearances of so many men? Will Belle be found to be a serial Killer?

I have read many books by Liz Tolsma, but this is truly my favorite. The story keeps me focused in the book and I couldn't put the book down. The author really did great research on this True Story and all her writing style made me feel like I was there as it was happening. AMAZING Book! Please grab a copy, you will not be disappointed!

Liz Tolsma is a popular speaker and an editor and the owner of the Write Direction Editing. An almost-native Wisconsinite, she resides in a quiet corner of the state with her husband and is the mother of three. Her son proudly serves as a U.S. Marine. They adopted all of their children internationally, and one has special needs. When she gets a few spare minutes, she enjoys reading, relaxing on the front porch, walking, working in her large perennial garden, and camping with her family.

More from Liz

This story was so much fun to write, and the research was so interesting. It has to rank up there with one of my favorite books to write. That’s what makes my job the best around.

There are a great number of characters in The Gold Digger who are historical. Many of the places I mention are also historical. I had the pleasure of spending a day in LaPorte, Indiana, to research the book and take some pictures they had in the museum there. Research is one of my favorite aspects to writing. I could have spent much, much longer losing myself in the museum and in the archives. Good thing my cousin, who I was staying with, called me to let me know that it was getting dark and she had dinner ready, otherwise who knows how long I would have been there. Probably until they kicked me out!

One thing that the people of LaPorte would want you to know is that they really are nice people and that their town is a nice town. Lots of good

people have been born there or have lived there over the years, including Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, William Mayo, who founded Mayo Clinic, and William Scholl, who found Dr. Scholl’s. They kept emphasizing to me while I was there what a great place LaPorte is. Judging by their friendliness and helpfulness, I would have to agree.

To help you better visualize the characters and setting, here are some photographs of the real people and places that appear in The Gold Digger.

Enjoy the book!

Liz