Wednesday, September 29, 2021

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: A Warrior's Heart by Misty M. Beller

Book: A Warrior’s Heart

Author: Misty M. Beller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: August 31, 2021

Brielle Durand still feels haunted by the massacre that killed her mother a dozen years before. Vowing to never let it happen again, she’s risen to be the key defender for her people’s peace-loving French settlement living in hidden caves in the Canadian Rockies. When a foreigner wanders too near to their secret homes, she has no choice but to disarm and capture him. But now, what to do with this man who looks at her in a strange way and insists he can be trusted?

Hoping to escape past regrets, Evan MacManus ventured into the unknown, assigned to discover if the northern mountains contain an explosive mineral that might help America win the War of 1812. Despite being taken prisoner, Evan is determined to complete his mission. But when that assignment becomes at odds with his growing appreciation of the villagers and Brielle, does he follow through on the promise he’s made to his government or take a risk on the path his heart is leading him down? Either choice will cause harm to someone.

Brielle and Evan must reconcile the warring in their hearts, if they’ve any hope to find the peace the seek.

Click here to get your copy!

Misty M. Beller is a favorite author of mine and I am always excited to read her new releases. A Warrior's Heart is book one in the new series, Brides of Laurent and I had the privilege of reading it recently.

The time is 1832 in the French Canadian Mountains Settlement. Brielle Durand lost her mother in a tragic killing many years ago, she is still uneasy and haunted by those events. Brielle is now the head person who helps keep the settlement safe. The Settlement is a community in hidden caves. She notices an unknown person near the Settlement and goes into action to keep her people safe and captures the unknown man. Evan MacManus is an American who came to the Cave Settlement on assignment to help the American Government win the War of 1812. Evan is put into a conundrum when he realizes that he is beginning to have appreciation for Brielle and the Community People. He now had a big decision to make: Complete his mission for his American Government or reconcile with Brielle and her Community. What is Evan decide, will he continue to be a foreigner? Will Brielle and Evan be able to come together as one and protect the Community? Will there be a romance between Evan and Brielle? Ohhh, so much to find out about this story!

I truly enjoyed this book from the very first page! I enjoy reading books about the Canadian Mountains and Frontier, so right there I knew I would enjoy this book. The hidden cave community was unique and cool. Brielle is a very strong woman and very independent. She LOVES her community and will everything possible to protect them. Evan is a strong man and wants the best for everyone, but has to figure out what that best option is. The Christian aspect of the book really comes through when Brielle and Evan have to turn to God and rely on God's wisdom for protecting the Community. Evan especially relies on God to help him make the safest decision for all involved and for "Heart" Choices. I LOVE how Evan went with his heart for this! The ending was soo sweet and I am looking forward to other books in this series! FANTASTIC BOOK!

Misty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.

She was raised on a farm in South Carolina, so her Southern roots run deep. Growing up, her family was close, and they continue to keep that priority today. Her husband and children now add another dimension to her life, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

God has placed a desire in Misty’s heart to combine her love for Christian fiction and the simpler ranch life, writing historical novels that display God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.

More from Misty

A secret village living in hidden caves for a century…

One of the fun things about being a writer is letting your imagine run away with itself at times. In general, I’ve never considered myself a creative person. Not like my grandmother, who’s an amazing artist and decorator. She can look at something plain and normal and, with a little paint, create something truly beautiful.

But little by little, I’ve finally learned that just because I don’t feel creative like she is, I still have an imagination that can come up with intriguing ideas.

For example, I was listening to a historical podcast a few years ago that talked about the Vikings and the female warriors who would sometimes gain fame among them. As the hosts talked about the first Viking raids to North America, I started thinking… “What if one of those groups went farther west than any of us thought? What if they found the Rocky Mountains and lived there in a hidden community for centuries?” The thought took hold, and little by little, the idea for the Brides of Laurent series came to life.

I eventually changed the village to be a French settlement named Laurent. The village’s primary warrior was a woman named Brielle Durand, who’d worked hard to win her place as Le Commandant, leader of the Guards and Hunters. I love Brielle’s strength and wit, but also how real her personal struggles became as I wrote her character.

Add in a mountain man spy working for the United States government, and you have the secret for a romance with sparks to light up the mountain sky!

I pray you love A Warrior’s Heart, the first book in this new series. And keep an eye on some of the other characters in the book who might get their own stories soon!

Blessings!

Misty

Texas Book-aholic, September 29
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 29
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 30
Jeanette’s Thoughts, September 30
An Author’s Take, September 30
Remembrancy, October 1
Bigreadersite, October 1
lakesidelivingsite, October 2
Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, October 2
Joanna Bair, October 2
Inklings and notions, October 3
To Everything There Is A Season, October 3
Reviewingbooksplusmore, October 3
Wishful Endings, October 4
For Him and My Family, October 4
Mary Hake, October 4
deb’s Book Review, October 5
Life of Literature, October 5
Betti Mace, October 6
Blossoms and Blessings, October 6
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, October 6
Blessed & Bookish, October 7
Connie’s History Classroom, October 7
For the Love of Literature, October 8
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, October 8
Connect in Fiction, October 8
Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 9
Locks, Hooks and Books, October 9
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, October 10
Through the Fire Blogs, October 10
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 10
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, October 11
Simple Harvest Reads, October 11 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
The Meanderings of a Bookworm, October 12
Pause for Tales, October 12
Live. Love. Read., October 12

To celebrate her tour, Misty is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

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/11dc9/a-warrior-s-heart-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Tuesday, September 28, 2021

Read With Audra Blog Tour: The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady by Sharon Mondragon

A knitting group’s change of scenery changes lives in unexpected ways

Margaret, Rose, Jane, and Fran had a good thing going: meet every week in the quiet of their peaceful chapel and knit prayer shawls. No muss, just ministry. That is, until their pastor boots them out of the church in his last-ditch effort to revive the dwindling congregation.

Uptight Margaret isn’t having it. Knitting prayer shawls where people can watch is the most ridiculous idea she’s ever heard of, and she’s heard plenty. Prayer belongs in the church, not out among the heathen masses. How are they supposed to knit holiness into these shawls if they’re constantly distracted by the public? But with no choice, the others embrace the challenge. They pack their knitting bags and drag Margaret—grumbling the whole way—to the mall with them. She can’t wait to prove them all wrong when it fails miserably, and show the pastor that she always knows best.

Without the familiar mold the group has been stuck in, their own losses, pain, and struggles rise to the surface. And the people and situations they encounter every time they try to sit quietly and knit are taking them a lot further out of their comfort zone than they ever imagined. Can they find the courage to tackle the increasing number of knotty issues they learn about in the community--or will the tangle be too much to unravel?

Sharon J. Mondragon’s debut is warm and delightful, full of real laughter, grief, and personality. It beautifully illustrates the power of women across generations to reach people for Christ.

To read an excerpt of The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady click here.

I get really excited when I hear of a Debut Author and really want to read their first book. Sharon J. Mondragón has written her first novel, The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady and I was honored to be able to read it recently.

A ladies Knitting Group has been meeting at the local church weekly for many years. Margaret, Rose, Jane, and Fran are disheartened when the Pastor tells them they will need to find another Weekly Meeting Place. Margaret is especially upset about having to find a different place to meet. The women knit Prayer Shawls and Margaret believes knitting the Prayer shawls in the Church has significance of being knitted within the Church building. The other women finally get a reluctant Margaret agree to meet at the Local Mall. Margaret is still unsure if this would work and she is hoping to prove everyone wrong. The women quickly discover that knitting at the Mall and "people watching" while they knit, brings out a different side of the women and reveals some things about the women that they had deep inside them. They feel the need to help the community as they watch happenings at the Mall. Will the women reach out to the Community and help them with their Prayer Shawls? Will the Community realize the need for Christ through the Prayer Shawls? How will knitting at the Mall change each of the individual in the Knitting Group?

WOW, what a BEAUTIFUL story! I was reeled into the storyline from the very beginning. I really enjoyed the fact that the women had such a great friendship through the knitting group. Margaret is a very determined woman who likes to be in control. The fact that the women found things out about themselves when the group started meeting at the mall was an amazing part of the story. The Prayer Shawls not only helped those in community, but through them praying for others, they discovered things about themselve. The book has a great message of "God's Plans are Bigger then our Plans". I think that was the lesson learned for Margaret in this book, but all the women also. FANTASTIC BOOK!

Sharon J. Mondragón writes about the place where kindness and courage meet. Her debut novel, The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady (originally titled The Heavenly Hugs Prayer Shawl Ministry) was the 2017 winner of the American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis award in the Short Novel Category, and she has also been recognized by The Saturday Evening Post where her short story, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” was an Honorable Mention Awardee in the 2014 their Great American Fiction Contest.

Mondragón has been active in prayer shawl ministry since 2008 and currently serves as facilitator for the prayer shawl ministry at her church, St. Paul Episcopal in Waxahachie, TX. She also knits with the Circle of Healing at Red Oak United Methodist Church. She is a Level 2 Certified Knitting Instructor through the Craft Yarn Council and teaches beginning knitting at a local yarn store.

Mondragón is the mother of five grown children and has four grandchildren. After 26 years as an Army wife, she has settled in Midlothian, TX with her hero/husband, her laptop, and her yarn stash.

Visit Sharon Mondragón’s website and blog at www.sharonjmondragon.com and follow her on Facebook (Sherry Mondragón) and Twitter (@SJ_Mondragón).

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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Illusion of Love by Sarah Hamaker

Book: Illusion of Love

Author: Sarah Hamaker

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release date: October 2020

A suspicious online romance reconnects an agoraphobe and an old friend.

Nursing a hurt leg, psychiatrist Jared Quinby arrives in Culpeper, Virginia, on a case for the FBI. The investigation leads him to the doorstep of his childhood best friend, Mary Divers. Meeting Mary again is the one bright spot in his life.

Suffering from agoraphobia, Mary has at last found love with online beau David Kline and dares to dream of a future with him. Then David reveals he will be leaving the United States to become a missionary in Peru. Determined to stop living in fear, she accepts David’s marriage proposal, even though she’s never met him face-to-face.

As Jared’s case intersects with Mary’s online relationship, the more he uncovers, the more he fears for her safety. Jared tries to convince Mary not all is right with David, but she refuses to believe him. When tragedy strikes, Mary pushes Jared even farther away.

Will Jared convince Mary of the truth—and of his love for her—before it’s too late?

Click here to get your copy!

Sarah Hamaker is a new to me author, as I have never read any of her books. I was intrigued to read Illusion of Love as it has a very interesting Synopsis.

Mary Divers is secluded to her home for the most part. She really only comes out to attend church and even then there cannot be crowds. She suffers from agoraphobia. She spends her time online and has an online boyfriend, David Kline, whom she has never met in person, only online. She feels she has a future with him and even accepts his marriage proposal when he decides he is going to Peru for Missionary Work. Mary is quite surprised when an old childhood friend shows up on her doorstep one day. Jared Quinby, is working on a case for the FBI and it involves David Kline. Jared is doing his work on the case and as he discovers more and more about "David Kline", the more it makes him uncomfortable. He really fears for Mary's safety at this point and expresses his concerns to Mary. Mary doesn't believe him and gets even more frustrated with Jared with tragedy comes about. Will Jared be successful in convincing Mary that she is not safe? Will there be a "love connection" between Jared and Mary?

Illusion of Love is a wonderful read. I really like how the author took a real life situation for so many, Online Dating and the Dangers it brings, and wrote a fiction novel about it. Online Dating scams are radically on the rise and sometimes so many are not aware of the scam before they lose money or something else happens. Mary Divers is an intriguing character for the book. Her agoraphobia really plays a large role into her online dating. She seems gullible at times in the book. Jared Quinby has a heart for his Childhood friend, not only in helping her because of his FBI case, but he also really wants a relationship with her. The book had me on the edge of my seat at many parts and chapters! I am looking forward to reading more of Sarah Hamaker books in the future! GREAT BOOK!

Sarah Hamaker has been spinning stories since she was a child, with nonfiction and romantic suspense books published. Her stories have also appeared in several Chicken Soup for the Soul volumes. She’s a member of ACFW and ACFW Virginia Chapter, as well as the president of Capital Christian Writers Fellowship. Her podcast, “The Romantic Side of Suspense,” can be found wherever you listen to podcasts. Sarah lives in Virginia with her husband, four children, and three cats.

More from Sarah

Have you ever heard a story from a friend (or a friend of a friend) and thought it sounded more like fiction than reality? That’s what happened to me years ago when I heard first-hand a story about a woman who had been deceived by someone close to her.

Even while I grieved with my friend about the lies that had been told at her expense, I also admit to thinking, “That would make a fantastic storyline.” A couple of years later, I asked the friend for permission to use the basic outline of that story for what became Illusion of Love. To keep this friend’s identity a secret—and to avoid giving away the ending of my book—that’s all I can reveal to you.

However, what I can talk about is how interesting people’s reaction to the based-on-a-true story aspect has been along this book’s journey to publication. Most expressed their conviction that something similar could never happen to them. Part of that disbelief comes from our faith in our own ability to ferret out the truth from those around us.

Unfortunately, time and again, it’s been proven that we can be terrible when it comes to judging the true character of others! This is why people get away with pretending to be royalty or people lose money to someone’s Ponzi scheme or why those in authority can often get away with heinous crimes for years (#MeToo, Catholic priest sexual scandals are too horrific examples). Along the way, you’ll find people who wanted to think they wouldn’t be deceived…and were or who overlooked signs that in hindsight pointed right at the lie or perpetrator.

Why has this kept happening over and over again throughout history? I think it boils down to the simple fact that we want to believe we have excellent judgment when it comes to the character and intentions of others, whether we meet those people face to face or online. We also have a tendency, especially if we’re female, to ignore our gut when it tells us to be careful or wary of someone or a particular situation.

Especially when there’s real danger involved—in cases of potential abuse or criminal activity—it’s important to be prepared as much as we can be. One of the best books on this topic is Gavin de Becker’s The Gift of Fear. It’s a book I’ve recommended my teenage daughters and sons read before heading to college. What Gavin does is break down why our initial impressions can be wrong and why paying attention to our gut—that unconscious part of ourselves—can be crucial to staying safe, even if it means we sometimes offend or make people mad or upset. If only Mary, my heroine in Illusion of Love, had read The Gift of Fear, things might have turned out differently for her.

Why do you think we believe in our own judgment when it comes to people?

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 15
CarpeDiem, September 15
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 16
Inklings and notions, September 17
Texas Book-aholic, September 18
lakesidelivingsite, September 18
For Him and My Family, September 19
deb’s Book Review, September 20
Mary Hake, September 20
Locks, Hooks and Books, September 21
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, September 22
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, September 23
A Reader’s Brain, September 23
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, September 24
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, September 25
Pause for Tales , September 25
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 26
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, September 27 (Author Interview)
Spoken from the Heart, September 27
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 28

To celebrate her tour, Sarah is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card & eBook 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/119e8/illusion-of-love-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Monday, September 27, 2021

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Trail of Tears by Anne Greene

Book: Trail of Tears

Author: Anne Greene

Genre: Historical with some romance

Release date: 2021
One man fights overwhelming odds to survive and protect. Caught between the love of two beautiful women, which one will he choose?

What if you are a twenty-year-old about to attend college, and your whole world collapses? Your mother and sister are missing, and soldiers murder your father, burn your mansion, and take you prisoner.

Trail of Tears relives one of the most heartrending chapters in American history as the US Government transports the self-governing, wealthy Cherokee nation from their ancestral homeland to relocate in hostile Indian Territory.

The Georgia militia force John Ross, with only a trickle of Indian blood flowing in his veins, to walk the thousand-mile Trail of Tears.

After John protects a full-blood Indian girl from the lustful wagon master, the cruel soldier targets John for retribution—until John’s shoved too far.

Bitter animosity explodes from a jealous Army Captain as John pushes and pulls his Conestoga wagon over mountain roads made muddy by rain and slippery by snow. Yet the persuasive voices of the preacher and his daughter have an impact.

A new destiny awaits John at the end of the trail—if he survives. Four thousand Cherokee do not.

Click here to get your copy!

Historical with a bit of Romance makes a very interesting read. I really enjoy books that mix the 2 genres together. Trail of Tears: The Story of John Ross by Anne Greene is Book 1 in the Ross Saga series. I was very excited to read this book!

The time is 1838 and John Ross is 20 yrs old and ready to attend College. Life changes rather quickly when his Mom and Sister are kidnapped, his father murdered, the family mansion burnt down, and he is captured by Soldiers. The US Government forcing the Cherokee Nation out of their Homeland and into hostile conditions. John Ross, who only has a small percentage of Cherokee blood, is forced to walk One Thousand Miles Trail of Tears. John Ross is determined to NOT let the Soldiers "win" and keep him captive. He is also protecting the others who are on this walk with him. Will John Ross survive the walk? Will John find his missing Mom and Sister? Will the Cherokee Nation survive this takeover?

The major reason I LOVE Historical Fiction books is because I truly feel I am learning History as I read. I certainly don't recall The Trails of Tears and the story of John Ross being taught to me. The author does an AMAZING job at intertwining Real History happenings with Fiction. The details of the happenings in 1838 really made me feel like I was there. I was hooked in the very first chapter of the book and didn't stop reading until I was done, which took about 3hrs. John Ross is a strong person and has a wonderful heart for others. John's faith is shown throughout the book as he clings to Scripture in the hard times. John Ross was a real person but this book has a Fiction slant to it. I HIGHLY recommend this book for those who enjoy Historical Fiction and a Christian Fiction book. FANTASTIC BOOK!

Anne’s home is in the quaint antiquing town of McKinney, Texas, just a few miles north of Dallas. Her husband is a retired Colonel, Army Special Forces. Her little gold and white Shih Tzu, Lily Valentine, shares her writing space, curled at her feet. She has four beautiful, talented children, and eight grandchildren who keep her on her toes and running.

Besides her first love, writing, she enjoys travel, art, reading, and way too many other things to mention. Life is good. Whether writing contemporary or historical, her books celebrate the abundant life.

Anne is a multi-award-winning author. This latest book, TRAIL OF TEARS, makes her thirtieth published book.

Anne loves writing about alpha heroes who aren’t afraid to fall on their knees in prayer, and about gutsy heroines. Her suspense novel, Shadow of the Dagger, is the first book in her CIA Series. Her Women of Courage series spotlights heroic women of World War II, first book, Angel with Steel Wings. Her Holly Garden Private Investigating series blasts off with Red is for Rookie. Enjoy her award-winning Scottish historical romances, Masquerade Marriage and Marriage by Arrangement. Anne hopes her stories transport you to awesome new worlds and touch your heart.

If you enjoy a short read, you’ll love her novellas: A Small Voice, Love At Christmas, Brides of The Wild West, A Crazy Optimist, Recipe For A Husband, Lacy and The Law, A Williamsburg Christmas, Her Reluctant Hero, Mystery At Dead Broke Ranch, Avoiding The Mistletoe, Lord Bentley Needs A Bride, Keara’s Escape, Daredevils, Spur of the Moment Bride, A Christmas Belle, A Texas Christmas Mystery, Texas Law, Hatteras Lighthouse Mystery, and A Time to Stand which will release in September.

Buy Anne’s books at https://www.amazon.com/Anne-Greene/e/B004ECUWMG. To learn more of Anne and to view her art and pictures of her extensive travel, visit her at www.facebook.com/AnneWGreeneAuthor. To view Anne’s books go to www.annegreeneauthor.com/anne-s-books.html. Join her newsletter for fun, events, and give-aways at www.AnneGreeneAuthor.com.

More from Anne

During our Fellowship Class one Sunday morning, a visiting missionary told the bare basics of the historic Trail of Tears, or Trail Where They Cried. I had lived, up to that time, all my life in the northern states, so I had never heard of what happened to the Cherokee Nation and those of mostly Caucasian blood who lived in Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Virginia, and Kentucky. The true story captivated me, and I felt this history needed to be told in a fascinating story context.

So, John Ross was born. For research, I travelled the Trail, though in far more comfort than the Conestoga wagons issued to the Cherokee men, women, children, and those with even small amounts of Cherokee blood. Under orders from President Andrew Jackson, the Georgia militia stripped the Nation of their land, their wealth, and their lives and transported them to hostile Indian land in the untamed Oklahoma Territory. At the time, the Cherokees were a civilized nation with a constitution, plantations, schools, and a newspaper. They considered themselves Americans.

The story sounds as if it might be sad … and there are tragic events portrayed, but my Trail of Tears is about hope, overcoming, and finding a new way of life. I think from the first page to the last, you will find Trail of Tears difficult to put down. It’s one of my favorite books!