Friday, July 23, 2021

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: The Ice Swan by J’Nell Ciesielski

Book: The Ice Swan

Author: J’Nell Ciesielski

Genre: Historical Romance

Release date: July 6, 2021

Amid the violent last days of the glittering Russian court, a Russian princess on the run finds her heart where she least expects it.

1917, Petrograd. Fleeing the murderous flames of the Russian Revolution, princess Svetlana Dalsky hopes to find safety in Paris with her mother and sister. But the city is buckling under the weight of the Great War, and the Bolsheviks will not rest until they have erased every Russian aristocrat from memory.

Born the second son of a duke, the only title Wynn MacCallan cares for is that of surgeon. Putting his talents with a scalpel to good use in the hospitals in Paris, Wynn pushes the boundaries of medical science to give his patients the best care possible. While treating Svetlana for a minor injury, he is pulled into a world of decaying imperial glitter and underground Russian clubs where drink, culture, and questionable dealings collide on bubbles of vodka.

Out of money and options, Svetlana is forced into a marriage of convenience with Wynn, who will protect her and pay off her debts. It’s the right thing for a good man to do, but Wynn can’t help hoping the marriage will turn into one of true affection. As the Bolsheviks chase them to different corners of the earth, Wynn and Svetlana begin to see they will never be able to outrun the love they have for one another.

Click here to get your copy!

Historical Romance books are a favorite genre of mine. I also really enjoy books by Author J'Nell Ciesielski, I have read several and they are always enjoyable. I was excited to read her newest novel, The Ice Swan, recently.

The time is 1917 in Russia. Princess Svetlana Dalsky is fleeing from Russia and going to Paris in hopes of finding safety. Her mother and sister are fleeing with her due to the Russian Revolution. They are living in the Basement of a Church and don't have many belongings with them. They are struggling with the different lifestyle they are having to live, coming from a family that had everything due to their status. One day when Svenlata is out on the streets, she is hit with a glass bottle. Dr. Wynn MacCallan is the town Surgeon and he comes to help Svenlata with her minor injury. The 2 are smitten by each other. Svenlata and Wynn eventually have a "marriage of convenience and Wynn is determined to help Svenlata pay off her debts. Wynn is also hoping that the marriage will turn into one of True Love. They continue to flee and eventually make it to Scotland in hopes they are safe from the Aristocrats that Princess Svenlata and her family are trying to get far away from. Will they finally find safety in Scotland? Will Svenlata and Wynn find TRUE LOVE?

I must admit that the Book Cover is one of the most beautiful covers I have EVER seen! The cover really was part of my excitement in reading this book. The storyline was a little slow to start, but once I really got into it, I really enjoyed the book. Marriage of Convenience books are always really interesting and this one was no different. I also felt that I really learned some History that I didn't remember learning before. The characters, especially Svenlata and Wynn, are very interesting. I highly recommend this book for those who like Historical Romance and Princess stories! GREAT BOOK!

With a passion for heart-stopping adventure and sweeping love stories, J’nell Ciesielski weaves fresh takes into romances of times gone by. When not creating dashing heroes and daring heroines, she can be found dreaming of Scotland, indulging in chocolate of any kind, or watching old black and white movies. Winner of the Romance Through the Ages Award and the Maggie Award, she is a Florida native who now lives in Virginia with her husband, daughter, and lazy beagle. Learn more at www.jnellciesielski.com.

More from J’nell

When we think of the Great War we often only think about events happening right on the battlefield of France, Belgium, and Germany. It was a time of great upheaval for so many people and countries, none more so than Russia. It was during the Great War that the Bolsheviks rose up against the monarchy, assassinated the tsar and his family, and plunged Russia into civil war. The country was in such chaos that they pulled out of the war to deal with their own revolution. The Russian Revolution was the result of centuries of oppression and imperialism that finally boiled over. As the Bolsheviks seized power, nobles and anyone associated or favorable to the monarchy were stripped of their privileges and homes, many killed, and still thousands of others fled in fear of their lives where they became the great wave of White emigres.

The stories of the ill-fated Anastasia and the evil Rasputin are legendary, but it wasn’t until recently when I watched a Russian miniseries called Road to Calvary that I became fascinated with the nobles and their struggle and from all that an idea sparked that would become my upcoming release, The Ice Swan. It’s about a Russian princess fleeing the Revolution to Paris in 1917 where she meets a handsome surgeon who is breaking new grounds in cardiology. We see the plight of the White emigres who have taken refuge in Paris and founded their own little Russia in the heart of the city, the exhausted City of Light after four years of war, the overflowing hospitals, and highly controversial advancements in surgery. Plus, a romance to prove that true love can overcome any difference and who doesn’t need a little more love these days?

Rebecca Tews, July 19
Where Faith and Books Meet, July 19
Books and Everyday Life, July 19
Texas Book-aholic, July 19
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 20
Reflections From My Bookshelves, July 20
All-of-a-kind Mom, July 20
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, July 21
She Lives To Read, July 21
The Write Escape, July 21
Lakesdielivingsite, July 22
Remembrancy, July 22
Inklings and notions, July 22
For Him and My Family, July 23
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 23
The Christian Fiction Girl, July 23
deb’s Book Review, July 24
Rachael’s Inkwell, July 24
To Everything There Is A Season, July 24
Life, love, writing, July 24
Locks, Hooks and Books, July 25
Life of Literature, July 25
Inside the Wong Mind, July 25
Betti Mace, July 26
Bliss, Books & Jewels, July 26
Older & Smarter?, July 26
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, July 27
Connect in Fiction, July 27
Mary Hake, July 27
Connie’s History Classroom, July 28
Back porch reads, July 28
Mypreciousbitsandmusings, July 28
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, July 29
Blossoms and Blessings, July 29
Genesis 5020, July 29
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, July 30
Splashes of Joy, July 30
Simple Harvest Reads, July 30 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)
Through the fire blogs, July 31
Just Your Average reviews, July 31
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 1
Labor Not in Vain, August 1
The Adventures of a Travelers Wife, August 1

To celebrate her tour, J’nell is giving away the grand prize of a paperback 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/10fa9/the-ice-swan-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Tuesday, July 20, 2021

JustRead Tours Blog Tour: Lavender Tears by Sondra Cunningham

Lavender Tears JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Lavender Tears by Sondra Cunningham, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Title: Lavender Tears
Author: Sondra Cunningham
Release Date: March 12, 2021
Genre: Christian Historical Biblical Women's Fiction

The strength to rise again and again is not for the faint of heart.

Like each new sunrise, Mary of Bethany's journey required an inner strength and faith that would permeate through the darkness of life's unexpected tragedies.

When her hopes and dreams came crashing down around her, Mary's life began to spin, seemingly, out of control. What she couldn't see, was that God, the faithful potter, was shaping her life into a valuable vessel. One mended and filled with the pure gold of the Father's love and destined for a unique purpose.

Held together by the sweet and calming scent of lavender and the memories of her mother's garden, Mary journeys on, learning how to defeat the night and radiate like the noon day sun.

I am always willing to read books from new Authors. Lavender Tears is the first novel by Sondra Cunningham. It is a Christian Historical Biblical Women's Fiction novel. I find this genre really interesting and have read books from other authors from this genre. I was excited to read this book by Sondra Cunningham.

Mary of Bethany life has been quite a journey and she is trying to rely on her faithto get her through her days. Mary's dreams and hopes haven't become a reality and Mary is feeling lost and like she has no control. Will Mary trust God to direct her path or continue down the spiral of things out of control?

WOW, my heart was touched by this novel. The novel is a fiction retelling of the story of Mary, Martha, Lazarus and Jesus beginning when they were children. The novel really touches on Women and the struggles they have through life. Women tend to get overwhelmed and always feel lost in this world. Sondra Cunningham really shows how having faith in God's LOVE for us and allowing him to control our path, will bring us a newness of life. Our strength comes from the Lord and this novel really focuses on that. I highly recommend this book for anyone who feels lost or like their life is spiraling out of control. FANTASTIC BOOK!

Sondra Cunningham is a wife, mother, worship leader, women’s minister, artist, dreamer, interpreter, and the writer of the new novel, “Lavender Tears.” Her words are eloquently written with sincere pathos and personal understanding of life’s hardships. Sondra’s desire is to use her voice in both song and written word, to sing healing over others and inspire the fallen to get back up. Through many difficulties within her years, Sondra has learned the precious truth of overcoming. Her ministry radiates hope for all those who have struggled to truly receive the love of God and find the confidence to leave the past behind. Sondra lives and works out of her home in upstate New York with her family. She spends her time passionately seeking Jesus, homeschooling her two children, leading worship, biblically interpreting dreams, painting, and writing.

CONNECT WITH SONDRA: Website | Facebook | Instagram

(1) winners will receive a hardcover copy of Lavender Tears, Target gift card for $10, a digital copy of the Lavender Tears Devotional, and a lavender sachet!

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight July 19, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 26, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Print copy 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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Saturday, July 17, 2021

JustRead Tours Blog Tour: Make You Feel My Love by Robin Lee Hatcher

Make You Feel My Love JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Make You Feel My Love by Robin Lee Hatcher, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Title: Make You Feel My Love
Author: Robin Lee Hatcher
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: July 13, 2021
Genre: Christian, Contemporary Romance

One broken woman. One lost man. And the long-buried secrets tying them together.

After escaping an abusive relationship, Chelsea Spencer flees to Chickadee Creek—the town where her great aunt Rosemary owns a quaint little antique shop. There, Chelsea plans to help with the shop as her aunt heals from an accident—and perhaps find some healing of her own.

Liam Chandler was one film away from a leading role when his brother Jacob was stricken with cancer. After spending the last months of Jacob’s life with him in Boise, Liam heads to the vacation home he built outside of Chickadee Creek to get his life and his faith back on track.

While working to clean out a storage room in the antique shop, Chelsea finds an old violin. Aunt Rosemary says she may have the instrument, but they soon learn it is very valuable and once belonged to Cora Chandler, Liam’s great-great-grandmother.

Drawn together by the old violin and stories from the past, Chelsea and Liam begin to find answers for their present and the future God has in store for them.

Robin Lee Hatcher is a wonderful author and I have enjoyed many of her books. Make You Feel My Love is her newest novel and I was able to read it recently.

Chelsea Spencer is leaving her life behind and escaping an abusive relationship. She is heading to Chickadee Creek, where her aunt Rosemary lives. Her Aunt owns an Antique shop and Chelsea will be helping her aunt recover from an accident and taking care of the shop. Chelsea also hopes she can move forward with life and find peace with her move. Liam Chandler is back in Chickadee Creek, after being with his brother in Boise, Idaho. Jacob recently passed from Cancer and Liam wants to get his life in order and get back to his Faith, so he is at his vacation home. Chelsea has recently uncovered a Violin while cleaning out a storage room at the Antique Shop. Aunt Rosemary tells Chelsea she can have the Violin. It is soon discovered that this Violin belonged to Liam's Great-Great-Grandmother Cora. Liam and Chelsea begin to learn more about the history of the Violin and are enjoying their time together. Will Liam and Chelsea discover their fondness for one another? Will they allow God to set their paths for the present and Future?

WOW, what a wonderful and unique storyline. The story is a Dual Timeline story. The Story takes place in the present day and also in the 1890's. The similarities between Chelsea and Cora are uncanning. Liam is a great character for the story. I really like how he and Chelsea really connect over the Violin. The Dual timeline story really are woven together nicely. GREAT BOOK!

Robin Lee Hatcher is the author of over 80 novels and novellas with over five million copies of her books in print. She is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. Her numerous awards include the RITA Award, the Carol Award, the Christy Award, the HOLT Medallion, the National Reader’s Choice Award, and the Faith, Hope & Love Reader’s Choice Award. Robin is also the recipient of prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards from both American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. When not writing, she enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, Bible art journaling, reading books that make her cry, watching romantic movies, and decorative planning. Robin makes her home on the outskirts of Boise, sharing it with a demanding Papillon dog and a persnickety tuxedo cat.

CONNECT WITH ROBIN: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

(3) winners will receive a print copy of Make You Feel My Love by Robin Lee Hatcher!

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight July 13, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 20, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Print copy 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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Friday, July 16, 2021

JustRead Tours Blog Tour: With You I Am by Cleopatra Margot

With You I Am JustRead Blog + Review Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for With You I Am by Cleopatra Margot, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Title: With You I Am
Series: Bryant Family #1
Author: Cleopatra Margot
Publisher: Faith to Love Publishing
Release Date: June 21, 2021
Genre: Contemporary Christian romance

Event coordinator Noelle Carter's main priority is running the successful company her grandparents founded. After all, they're the ones who raised her, and she's the one they entrusted their company to after their deaths. So when a letter comes across her desk inviting her to plan the Spring Fling in her grandmother's hometown of Balsam Falls, Nebraska, she's faced with a choice: stay and work on maintaining Carter, Inc.'s current success, or go and take a leap of faith--outside of her comfort zone.

For contractor Wynn Bryant, helping others is the key to life's greatest blessings. Over the past ten years, he and his brother have built homes for those who need them, creating a reputable name for themselves. Between that and helping out at the Serendipity Inn, his parents' bed and breakfast, he's put his other dreams on the back burner for now. Until the mayor ropes him into restoring The Gardens with a beautiful but guarded young CEO from Mississippi.

Connected by a desire to help others, Wynn and Noelle dive into restoring a neglected piece of Balsam Falls's history while learning from, and of, their own pasts. Together they uncover past secrets, current challenges, and help each other discover healing and forgiveness in ways neither imagined. Will their discoveries lead to love, or are some things better left as they are?

I LOVE Reading books by "new to me Authors". Cleopatra Margot is an established author, but a new to me author. I recently read her newest book, With You I Am. It is Book 1 in a new series, Bryant Family.

Noelle Carter is an Event Coordinator for Carter's Inc., a company founded by her Grandparents. She loves her job and is proud to run her Grandparents business, as they are the ones who raised her. She is faced with making a decision, continue running the Business or take an assignment to help plan the Spring Fling in Balsam Falls, Nebraska. Her Grandmother is from Balsam Falls and she wants to honor her grandparents. Wynn Bryant is a Contractor who has spent many years, alongside his brother, building homes for the needy. He and his brother are proud of their work and giving blessings to others. He also helps his parents run their B&B, so he has put his dreams and plans on hold for a while. Wynn is asked by the Mayor of Balsam Falls to restore the Gardens in town. Noelle Carter has made the trip to Balsam Falls as she made her decision. She is teamed up with Wynn and they both begin working on the project for Balsam Falls. As they begin working together they are learning so much about Balsam Falls and also about each other. Will Noelle and Wynn discover a love for each other? Will they overcome some challenges and be a couple?

I truly enjoyed this book! The characters in the story are both ones who like to bless others and give to others. I really like how Noelle made the hard choice to honor her grandparents and go to Balsam Falls to help. Wynn and Noelle work well together and I feel that the project really helped them with their past and the future. I really enjoyed reading that how the characters were homeschooled, including Wynn. The book is one of forgiveness, moving forward and discovering one self. I really enjoy reading books from a series and I am looking forward to more books from this series. GREAT BOOK!

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon

Cleopatra Margot

Cleopatra Margot resides with her family and their golden retrievers in small town Nebraska. Inspiration for her novels comes from both real life + fictional storylines she dreams up. She was homeschooled alongside her two younger siblings, and she enjoys traveling with her family. When she’s not writing, Cleopatra enjoys reading, time with family and friends, spending time near water, playing games, and enjoying life.

CONNECT WITH CLEOPATRA: Website | Facebook | Instagram

(1) winner will receive a signed paperback book, a bookmark featuring a quote from the book, a vinyl sticker with a quote, and a $10 Starbucks gift card!

With You I Am JustRead Giveaway

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight July 12, 2021 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on July 19, 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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Sunday, July 11, 2021

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Going South by Marcia Moston

Book: Going South

Author: Marcia Moston

Genre: Christian nonfiction—humorous, inspirational, Christian-living memoir

Release date: January 2021

When Bob and Marcia Moston told their friends they were moving south, they meant it as a geographical move. They didn’t expect their plans to go south too.

Trusting his wife’s previously sound judgment, Bob agrees to have Marcia go ahead of him and pick out a house—an efficient, low-maintenance one. It was a good plan. If only Marcia had stuck to it.

But when she veers from the plan, the couple find themselves overwhelmed with the consequences of a seemingly bad decision. Marcia looks for encouragement in the story of Jacob—the patriarchal bad boy, remembered more for the predicaments he got himself into than for his commendable deeds—and the God who is not deterred by our plots, plans, stratagems, and side trips.

Written with heart, humor, and biblical insight, Going South—with the God of Jacob’s and My Mistakes offers hope and encouragement to those who find their lives upturned by a geographical move, a chaotic economy, a backfired dream, or just a plain bad choice.

Click here to get your copy!

I am not one who usually reads memoirs, but the synopsis of this book and the fact that it has a humorous slant, drew me in. Going South: with the God of Jacob's and My Mistakes by Marcia Maston is the most recent book I have read and it is a memoir.

Marcia Moston has convinced her husband to let her go South and he stay up North, to pick out a house for them to move to. They are looking for a low maintenance home. Marcia has a solid plan, but makes a decision to change up those plans. Marcia and her husband Bob are now in the midst of Chaos and trying to figure out how to deal with the consequences of changing plans.

Going South is a memoir with a message. Marcia and Bob lean on the Biblical story of Jacob. Jacob was shown Grace by God through his many mistakes. The book is filled with stories and memories of the Maston's journey of moving to the South and buying and renovating a home. The Biblical references are really encouraging. The message in the book is that no matter how big the mistakes are, God is there for us to continue to lead and guide us through the trial that was created. I always go by "God's plans are Greater then our Own Plans" and I also see that message in this book! I also enjoyed the humor that was throughout the book. Many times laughter is what will get us through the trials of life. GOOD BOOK!

Marcia Moston, the award-winning author of Call of a Coward—the God of Moses and the Middle-Class Housewife, has contributed to several magazines, anthologies, and newspaper columns. She loves to write about the possibilities of life in the hands of a very real God. Marcia teaches workshops in narrative nonfiction and makes home in South Carolina with her Bob.

More from Marcia

We were no superstar, sledgehammer-wielding, Fixer Upper Chip and Joanna Gaines. But I was confident my husband and I could handle the repairs that the house I had bought needed. After all, we were handy—solid do-it-yourselfers, excited about starting a new phase of life in a part of the country we’d never lived.

Armed with enthusiasm, experience, and degrees, we didn’t anticipate any problems finding jobs or making friends. And I certainly didn’t anticipate I’d be hanging telephone directories on doorknobs or stuffing vending machines to make ends meet. But our ravenous little fixer-upper had a bigger appetite than we expected and was devouring our funds in record time.

Before long we began to realize we’d left life as we knew it somewhere north of the Mason-Dixon Line. I wondered if, instead of running strong to the finish line of our lives, we would be crawling across it, covered in sheetrock dust and regrets.

It’s one thing to suffer for a noble cause, but quite another when you find yourself in messes and muddles of your own making time and time again. Like Jacob, some of us have to wrestle an angel of the Lord all night before we get to the end of ourselves and trust that the Lord can and will orchestrate all he’s appointed for us.

I wrote about our southern saga foibles in Going South with the God of Jacob’s and My Mistakes as an entertaining reminder for all of us trying to find our way home, that even when we make bad decisions and big mistakes, the Carpenter of Nazareth can fashion something beautiful from the dust and debris we trail behind.