Thursday, December 29, 2022

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Judy in Disguise by Jennifer Lynn Cary

Book: Judy in Disguise

Author: Jennifer Lynn Cary

Genre: Historical Christian Romance

Release date: November 4, 2022

She wants her history to stay hidden…

…He’s trying to break free of his past

But as they reveal themselves to each other, can they carry out their covert mission?

Judy Larkin has been shy to show her true self ever since the worst day of her life. Which makes her the perfect target for her Simon Legree wannabe boss. He knows the right buttons to push making noncompliance next to impossible. But is she really the type of person to do this kind of thing? Especially with the boss’s preppy nephew?

Geoff Spooner has let himself be manipulated for too long but coming out from under his uncle’s thumb will cost him. Is he willing to pay the price? Could be this last demand will be the straw that breaks him free, but what will he lose in the bargain? His self-respect?

It’s 1972. Join Judy and Geoff in this quirky misadventure as they go undercover to discover who they really are, what the cardinal in the sycamore has to say, and what they are truly equipped to do.

You will love this sweet, clean tale inspired by the song “Judy in Disguise” because everyone roots for the underdog.

Get Judy in Disguise today.

Click here to get your copy!

Judy in Disguise by Jennifer Lynn Cary is Book 1 in a new series, The Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe, and Venue. I have enjoyed many books by Jennifer Lynn Cary and I am excited about this new series.

We are back to 1972 and the main characters in this book are Judy and Geoff. Judy Larkin has been having a rough time ever since the worst day of her life. Her buttons have been being pushed by her wannabee boss at Simon Legree. He is trying to convince her to do something that she isn't comfortable doing, especially with the boss's nephew. Geoff Spooner is very aware that his uncle is very demanding and can convince others to do things they are not comfortable with. He is wondering if his uncle's latest demand will be too risky for him and his reputation. Will Judy and Geoff agree to an adventure that has been created by Geoff's uncle? Will they take the chance and does it lead to something good for them?

WOW, I really enjoyed this storyline. I admire both Judy and Geoff for standing up for their morals, even though they do follow through on the uncle's demand of faking an engagement to spy on the competition for their Wedding Venue business. Judy and Geoff are both trying to find their place in the world throughout the book and it was good to see the growth in both of them. Geoff has a strong faith and encourages Judy with his faith throughout the book. I HIGHLY recommend this book for anyone who likes good Clean Christian Romance and a step back in history! GREAT BOOK!

Historical Christian Romance author, Jennifer Lynn Cary, likes to say you can take the girl out of Indiana, but you can’t take the Hoosier out of the girl. Now transplanted to the Arizona desert, this direct descendant of Davy Crockett and her husband of forty years enjoy time with family where she shares tales of her small-town heritage and family legacies with their grandchildren. She is the author of The Crockett Chronicles series, The Relentless series, and The Weather Girls trilogy as well as the stand-alone novel, Cheryl’s Going Home, her novella Tales of the Hob Nob Annex Café, and her split-time novels The Traveling Prayer Shawl and The Forgotten Gratitude Journal. Judy in Disguise is the first book of her spin-off series The Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue.

More from Jennifer

Have you ever been to a party and had so much fun you hated to leave? That’s how I felt when I finished up The Weather Girls. I fell in love with the characters and the memory lane saunter through my hometown of Kokomo, Indiana.

Then, chatting with a good writing friend, I realized I could have a spin-off series where Ferguson House, the business, and of course the cardinal and the sycamore tree all play a part.

The friends from the original series could drop by the stories, but these would be stand-alones. I also wanted to make these stories fun as well as heartwarming.

Then I had the question–where to get the story inspirations?

The same place I got it for Sunny, Stormy, and Windy—the oldies station.

That’s when I Googled song titles from the 60s that had girls’ names in them. When “Judy in Disguise” popped up, I knew it had to be the first of the new Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue series. The story ideas came fast and furious.

I am so excited about this new series, and I hope you will be too as familiar song titles get new plot points. Come join me at the Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue.

Pause for Tales, December 17
Tell Tale Book Reviews, December 18 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 19
Connie’s History Classroom, December 20
Texas Book-aholic, December 21
deb’s Book Review, December 22
Spoken from the Heart, December 23
Cover Lover Book Review, December 24
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, December 25 (Author Interview)
Locks, Hooks and Books, December 26
Stories By Gina, December 27 (Author Interview)
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, December 27
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 28
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 29
For the Love of Literature, December 30 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, December 30

To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon card and an 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/23239/judy-in-disguise-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Forever Home by Hope Toler Dougherty

Book: Forever Home

Author: Hope Toler Dougherty

Genre: Sweet Romance/Christian Fiction

Release date: August 16, 2022

With a fulfilling job and a home of her own, former foster child, Merritt Hastings, relishes her stable, respectable life. Dreaming for more is a sure way for heartache. When a contested will turns her world upside down, she must reevaluate what’s important to her, what’s worth fighting for, and what’s worth sacrificing.

Patience has never been Sam Daniels’ strong suit with his history of acting quickly and asking questions later, and he’s ready for changes in his life…now. Too bad the plans for acquiring a radio station didn’t include a contract. Now he’s out of a job, out of a radio station, and out of prospects.

While his life is in flux, at least he can help Merritt steady hers, or will he rush in and overstep …again?

Will the sparks flying between these two opposites lead to a happily-ever-after or heartbreak for both?

Click here to get your copy!

I have really come to enjoy books by Author Hope Toler Dougherty, having read a couple of other books by her. Forever Home is Book 3 in the Forever Series.

Merritt Hastings has had a long life, as a former foster Child. She now has her own home and stable life. Her stable life is changed when a contested Will comes about and she has some hard decisions to make moving forward. Sam Daniels just had his dreams of Owning a Radio Station go "up in smoke" as the building burnt to the ground. Sam really wants to help Merritt with her life situation, but he also doesn't want to overstep with his help. Merritt and Sam are complete opposites, can they make a friendship or relationship work? Will they both see their Life get back to a Stable place?

WOW, this book really captured my attention from the very beginning! Merritt is a wonderful independent character in the book as an adult. I really enjoyed how she fought for her place in this world now and then. Sam is a great character who enjoys helping people. The Radio Station ownership was a GREAT slant in this storyline. My husband and I both have Radio Broadcasting experience so that was cool to read about, except when his dreams burned down. I really like how Sam and Merritt grow their relationship and friendship over time. The book is about Faith, Friends, Forgiveness and so much MORE! I highly recommend to this to anyone who enjoys Christian Romance! FANTASTIC BOOK!

Hope Toler Dougherty holds a master’s degree in English and taught at East Carolina University and York Technical College. Her novels include Irish Encounter, Mars…With Venus Rising, Rescued Hearts, Forever Music, and Forever Home. Her recent novella, “A Hatteras Surprise,” appears in Candy Cane Wishes and Saltwater Dreams and is also available as a standalone novel. She and her husband delight in visits with their two daughters and twin sons.

More from Hope

When I introduced the Daniels family in Forever Music, the first story in the Forever Series, I wrote about Josie, the little sister. I wanted to write about her brother Sam next, but after about eight chapters, the words stopped flowing and then the pandemic struck. Instead of writing during lockdown, I cleaned out closets, crocheted mask bands, and perfected a killer sourdough loaf.

I wanted to write. I tried to write. I loved Sam and wanted to discover his story, but…nothing.

When my publisher offered a slot in a novella collection, I pushed Sam to the back of my mind and wrote about his older brother, Ben. Ben’s story is set on the beautiful Hatteras Island on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Check out his romance in A Hatteras Surprise.

Sharing Ben’s courtship with Ginny Stowe freed me to get back to Sam and Merritt in Forever Home. Their story highlights foster care, music, friendship, and radio stations.

Impatient Sam usually acts first and thinks second. His happy-go-lucky personality chafes Merritt’s stick-with-a-plan attitude. Too bad she needs his help with her livelihood. They don’t hit it off at first, but both are definitely intrigued with each other.

Readers can find subtle Italian references throughout the story. Here’s a favorite recipe friends might find in Merritt’s kitchen. I hope you like it and the story, too!

Orange Pistachio Biscotti

Ingredients:
2 C plain flour                         1 egg white
1 t baking powder                   2 T orange zest
¼ t salt                                    ½-1 C chopped pistachios
1 C sugar                                 1/2 C candied orange bits
2 eggs                                      orange juice, if needed

Directions
Sift flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar into a mixing bowl. In another bowl, beat eggs and egg white together, then add to flour mixture. Stir in orange zest, nuts, and orange bits. Mix until dough is smooth. If the dough is too dry, add orange juice a tablespoon at a time.

Flour hands and scoop half the dough onto one side of the cookie sheet prepared with cooking spray. Shape the dough into a 15×3-inch log. Repeat with remaining dough. The logs should be several inches apart.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes. Tops of the logs should be firm.

Remove to wire rack and cool for 10 minutes. Cut logs on a diagonal into ½-inch-thick slices. Place the slices, cut side down, on the baking sheet. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees and bake for 15 minutes.

Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack. They will harden as they cool. Yields about 48 cookies depending on size

Pause for Tales, December 14
For Him and My Family, December 14
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 15
Inklings and notions, December 16
Texas Book-aholic, December 17
Cover Lover Book Review, December 18
Locks, Hooks and Books, December 19
Beauty in the Binding, December 20 (Author Interview)
deb’s Book Review, December 20
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, December 21
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 22
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 23
For the Love of Literature, December 24 (Author Interview)
Susan K. Beatty, Author, December 25 (Author Interview)
Blogging With Carol, December 26
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 27

To celebrate her tour, Hope is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card, one signed copy of Forever Home, and book swag!

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/23236/forever-home-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Monday, December 26, 2022

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Calor by J.J. Fischer

Book: Calor

Author: J.J. Fischer

Genre: Fantasy

Release date: December 6, 2022

What if you could edit memories with a single touch?

The world-that-was is gone, lost to everything except living memory . . . but remembering comes at a terrible price. Sixty-two years after the apocalypse, a new society has emerged from the ashes of the old world where highly valued memories are traded and nostalgia is worth dying—and even killing—for.

Enslaved by a cruel master, Sephone Winter is forced to use her rare ability to manipulate memories to numb the darkest secrets of the ruling aristocracy.

Then Lord Adamo appears, speaking of a powerful relic capable of permanently erasing memories and recovering Sephone’s own lost childhood. But not everything about the young lord is as it seems, and soon Sephone must choose between helping Lord Adamo forget his past or journeying deep into the land of Lethe, where the truth about who she really is might finally be revealed . . . and a long desired future restored.

Click here to get your copy!

I am not one who normally reads the Fantasy Genre, but every once in a while I like to read a Fantasy book. Calor by J.J. Fischer is the most recent Fantasy Genre book that I have read. The book is Book 1 in the Nightingale Trilogy.

Sephone Winter has been enslaved by a Cruel Master. It is 62 years post-apocalypse and a new society has come up from the ashes. Sephone has a rare ability to manipulate memories and she puts that ability to use to hide some dark secrets of the current aristocracy. Lord Adamo comes out and he has the ability to permanently get rid of memories while at the same time giving Sephone back her childhood. Eventually, Sephone is put into a position of making some hard choices because of Lord Adamo. Will Sephone help Lord Adamo leave his past behind or will she choose to have a better future for herself?

I will say it took me about 3 chapters to get into the book. I don't believe it had anything to do with the book, I think it was just my mind was wandering while trying to read. Once I got into the book, I did go back and reread the first 3 chapters and they were clearer to me. I did enjoy the book and I especially loved how Sephone wanted her independence from the Master who had her controlled for so long. So many twists and turns in this book definitely kept me intrigued. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes Fantasy. GOOD BOOK!

J.J. Fischer’s writing dream began with the anthology of zoo animals she painstakingly wrote and illustrated at age five, to rather limited acclaim. Jasmine began writing her first proper novel at age fourteen, which eventually became her debut fantasy series, The Darcentaria Duology, which was published in 2021. She is a clinically-trained psychologist but no, she cannot read your mind. When she isn’t killing defenseless house plants, Jasmine enjoys devouring books, dabbling in floristry, playing the piano, and wishing it rained more often. Jasmine is married to David, and together they make their home a couple of hours north of Sydney, Australia.

More from J.J. Fischer

Have you ever wondered what your life would be like if you could selectively edit your memories with a single touch? What would you choose to erase, if anything? What memories would you spotlight?

What if you could transplant someone else’s memories into your own mind (and yours into someone else’s)? What would you choose to take? What would you choose to give away?

Influencing and transplanting memories is the gift of the female main character of Calor, Sephone Winter. Her gift was inspired by my own career as a clinically-trained psychologist, working with people who frequently have pasts they wish they could forget and who so often struggle to recall the good in their lives amongst all the bad. In neuropsychology we say that our minds stick like Velcro to the negative, but are like Teflon with the positive. And I think that’s very true—it’s hard to be grateful, joyful, positive, and gracious when we live in a fallen world where there’s so much sin, pain, and darkness.

Calor is a fantasy transformation of Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved 1843 tale The Nightingale (with echoes of the myths of Hades and Persephone). If you’ve never read The Nightingale, it’s worth diving into and it’s not a long story—it’s the tale of a nightingale who sings beautifully for the Emperor of China and is admired by all, only to be replaced with a mechanical, bejeweled substitute. Later on, when the substitute breaks and the Emperor lies dying, the flesh-and-blood bird returns and sings so beautifully that Death decides to spare the Emperor, and his kingdom is restored. The Emperor realizes what a great treasure he has possessed.

Calor is set in a futuristic fantasy society where people trade in memories of the world-that-was (essentially, nostalgia) because they can no longer experience it for themselves. They’re either living in the past, craving the “glory days” and immersing themselves in various pleasures, or selectively numbing bad memories, erasing everything which would take them away from the here-and-now, but at the price of their own humanity and self-awareness. You can see the obvious links to Andersen’s The Nightingale—this is a world which has embraced the imitation at the cost of the real. And though this story is fictitious, Calor really holds a mirror up to us as a society because, increasingly, I think that’s what we’re doing in the West. Our pasts are deeply painful and the future is terrifyingly uncertain, so we inhabit the space between—a space devoted to the pursuit of pleasure.

As you read Calor, I want to challenge you to think of all the times in your life when you embrace the imitation or the simulation over the real. No, I’m not talking about using fresh turmeric instead of powdered turmeric in your cooking, or throwing away your camera and basking in the mountain scenery out from behind a lens, but you get the idea. How do you rely on the world to fulfill God-shaped needs and longings? Are you dwelling among echoes of the truth rather than seeking the truth itself? To where (or to whom) does your pain drive you, and how can you let it drive you into the arms of your Creator instead?

Whoever you are, wherever you are, it is my dearest hope that this story entertains you and blesses you and encourages you, and speaks to your soul in the same way that Andersen’s tale first spoke to me.

Cherish the Real,

Jasmine

Texas Book-aholic, December 15
Wishful Endings, December 16
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 16
Through the Fire Blogs, December 17 (Author Interview)
Tell Tale Book Reviews, December 18
Inklings and notions, December 19
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, December 20
Blossoms and Blessings, December 21 (Author Interview)
deb’s Book Review, December 21
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 22
Locks, Hooks and Books, December 23
Blogging With Carol, December 24
Rebecca Tews, December 25
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 26
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 27
For Him and My Family, December 28

To celebrate her tour, J.J. is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card, a copy of the book, a signed bookplate, and four character art cards commissioned especially for the book release!!

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/23237/calor-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Waiting on the Tides by Tabitha Bouldin

Book: Waiting on the Tides

Author: Tabitha Bouldin

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release date: November 29, 2022

People are more than the sum of their mistakes.

After a life lived in her older brother’s shadow, Abby Solomon is ready to take on the world—or at least a teaching position that puts her face to face with the one guy who thinks she’s nothing more than an immature nuisance.

When his daughter’s mother abandoned them, Christian Johnson swore off women and the trouble they bring. No wife—no drama. Just how he likes it. But as Christian struggles to juggle his job as a cop with raising his daughter and tracking down a runaway teen, he’s forced to ask the one woman who reminds him of his wife for help.

Abby is thrilled with the opportunity to show Christian that there’s more to her than what he thinks. But just as Christian begins to trust Abby, she makes a colossal mistake that threatens to ruin everything.

She just wanted to be accepted.

He wanted to be left alone.

It’ll take a runaway teen to show them that love is not measured by a single mistake.

This Breakers Head novel is Tabitha Bouldin’s final book in the Independence Islands Series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

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

Click here to get your copy!

I have been enjoying the books from the Independence Islands: Breakers Head series. Each book in the series is written by a different author. Waiting on the Tides by Tabitha Bouldin is Book 5 in the series.

Abby Solomon is ready to start a new teaching position, after having a life of living behind her older brother and having her identity behind him. Christian Johnson feels that he does not want to be in a relationship because women bring drama. Christian is having a difficult time balancing work as a K-9 cop and raising his daughter. Abby steps in to help him with his daughter, even though she knows Christian feels she is annoying. Abby and Christian begin to grow close to one another and begin trusting one another when Abby makes a BIG mistake that could tear them apart. Christian has been working on a Runaway Teen case and the Runaway seems to be the one who shows them compassion and love towards each other. Will Abby and Christian have a chance at a relationship? Will LOVE help them overcome fears and more?

I have read all the books in this series and it really is a GREAT series. I have to say I think this is my favorite book in the series. I really enjoyed Abby and Christian's story a lot. They had a rough start to their friendship/relationship, but there was so much growth. They both grew individually and as a pair. I really love how they had help from a Teenager when it came to how love doesn't have to fail due to one mistake. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys clean Christian romance books! A GREAT book!

Tabitha Bouldin is a student at Southern New Hampshire University, where she is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s in Creative Writing. As a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), she works with critique groups and provides endorsements for other authors. Tabitha’s genre of choice is Contemporary Christian Romance which she describes as: Adventure with heart. Tabitha spent ten years working as a Medical Assistant before God opened the door which allowed her to become a stay-at-home-homeschooling-mom and author.

More from Tabitha

I knew by the second story I wrote for the Independence Islands series that Christian needed his own book. I put him off until the end because we had a lot to unpack with his character. He’s a single dad who will do anything to keep his daughter from feeling the sting of abandonment. He’s also determined not to allow another woman into his life out of fear that she’ll leave them and break his daughter’s heart. He’s not worried about his own, since he considers himself too calloused to care.

I needed a heroine who was strong and fearless, and a little bit of sunshine to his grump. She also needed to push against the constraints Christian made in a way that by the time he figured out he cared it was too late to go back. Nothing could ever be the same for him.

Enter Abby.

Some of you may remember her from book one, Mishaps off the Mainland. Zeke’s little sister is fresh out of college with all of the world before her, and all she wants is to make a difference for the children she teaches. When the child most in need of her attention happens to be Christian’s daughter, sparks fly.

Writing Abby and Christian’s story was equal parts humor and angst, but I love the message running under the romance. Expectation is not reality. What you think you know about someone because of their age or the way they look is not truth. Truth lingers in the details, in the actions and the small, everyday things that are often overlooked.

Christian had to learn to look deeper, and in the writing of his character, so did I.