Friday, June 2, 2023

JustRead Tours Blog Tour: The Girl with Fire in Her Veins by Dawn Ford

The Girl with Fire in Her Veins JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Girl with Fire in Her Veins by Dawn Ford, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Title: The Girl with Fire in Her Veins
Series: Firebird #2
Author: Dawn Ford
Publisher: Expanse Books
Release Date: April 25, 2023
Genre: YA Fantasy

Former servant girl Tambrynn struggles with her new firebird abilities, especially the internal fire she cannot control. So, she, along with her Watcher Lucas, and her grandfather Bennett journey to a hidden mountain keep to find the answers she seeks before she sets the kingdom aflame.

But there’s a new dragon who’s targeting Tambrynn, a mergirl who wishes to manipulate her, and the froggen king, Siltworth, who hasn’t forgotten that Tambrynn destroyed his watery reign. When her father, the evil mage Thoron, attacks someone she loves, Tambrynn’s group is separated and she has to face another powerful foe alone.

Is she strong enough to withstand the deluge? Or will she drown in the fire and the flood?

Young Adult Christian Fantasy is not a genre that truly interests me. I also enjoy books that are a part of a series. I recently read The Girl with Fire in Her Veins. by Dawn Ford, It is Book 2 in the Firebird Series. I read Book 1 a time ago and have been anxiously waiting for Book 2.

Tambrynn, a former servant girl, is struggling with her new "Magical Abilities" especially the Fire Inside her she cannot control. She really wants some answers to this, so her Grandfather Bennett, Watcher Lucas, and herself travel to a hidden mountaintop to figure things out. Just as Tambrynn is starting to feel safe, she has new attacks against her. Those include a new Dragon, a mergirl, and Siltworth. Her own father, Thoron, who she escaped from after many years of being his servant, attacks someone she loves and it infuriates Tambrynn. Will Tambrynn find the answers she needs about her new "Magical Abilities? Will she be strong and be able to withstand the attacks against her and her group?

The wait for Book 2 was well worth it. I was able to get into the storyline in the first chapter, whereas Book 1 took me a few chapters. I really LOVE how Tambrynn has friends who support and love her and want to help her enjoy life away from servanthood. The attacks against Tambrynn seem to make her stronger and give her the courage to fight against them and come out "winner". I really enjoyed this book and I think anyone who LOVES Christian Fantasy will enjoy it also. FANTASTIC BOOK!

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

More Books in this Series

Dawn Ford

Dawn Ford writes fantastical YA stories with a fairy tale flair. The Girl With Stars in Her Eyes, formerly Kingdom Come, won the 2016 ACFW Genesis Award for the Speculative genre. Dawn also has a middle-grade twisted fairytale Woodencloak, which is the first of four books in her Band of Unlikely Heroes series. Dawn lives in Iowa with her husband.

Connect with Dawn by visiting dawnfordauthor.com to follow her on social media and sign up for newsletter updates.

(5) winners will receive a signed paperback copy of The Girl with Fire in Her Veins plus a set of either star or flame themed Color Street nail strips chosen at random!

(2) winners will receive a signed copy of The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes along with The Girl with Fire in Her Veins nail strips

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 29, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 5, 2023. 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Pin It

Thursday, June 1, 2023

JustRead Tours Blog Tour: Counterfeit Faith by Crystal Caudill

Counterfeit Faith JustRead Takeover + Review Blitz

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Counterfeit Faith by Crystal Caudill, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Title: Counterfeit Faith

Series: Hidden Hearts of the Gilded Age #3

Author: Crystal Caudill

Publisher: Kregel Publications

Release Date: May 16, 2023

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

She's losing her faith in mankind. He's lost his faith in God. Can working together restore them both?

As matron of Final Chance House of Refuge, Gwendolyn Ellison has dedicated her life to serving the children deemed delinquents by society. She'll protect them with everything she has. So when she suspects someone is using Final Chance for criminal deeds, she's determined to investigate and put a stop to it. But villains don't like to be crossed--and they're willing to kill to get their way.

Gwendolyn knows she can't quit fighting. More than her own life is on the line if counterfeiters go free. She must find someone she can trust to help her expose the criminals and protect the children under her care.

Charming and chivalrous Secret Service operative Josiah Isaacs has never been able to turn his back on a woman in trouble--and capturing counterfeiters is his job, after all. The danger he's truly worried about is his growing attraction to Gwendolyn when his heart wants to remain faithful to his deceased wife.

As both peril and interest grow, he begins to consider whether a second love may be possible--if they can live through this case. At the same time, he's put off by her faith in a God he no longer trusts. How can a future together even be possible when their beliefs are at odds?

"Page-turning action combines with depth and richness to create a full-bodied, rewarding read."

--Jocelyn Green, Christy Award-winning author of The Metropolitan Affair

"Readers who love romance, suspense, and a graceful amount of faith won't want to miss this story."

--Toni Shiloh, Christy Award-winning author

"With a host of sympathetic and likable characters (and a few not so likable), a riveting plot that clips along at the perfect pace, and a relatable faith thread, this book [is a] completely enjoyable read."

--Kimberly Duffy, Carol Award finalist and author of A Tapestry of Light

His ragged breath caught as he focused on her for the first time. He remembered having been gripped by

her pale face and fear-stricken eyes, but now the beauty of her visage struck him as worthy of belonging

in a Grecian temple. It was as if Aphrodite had taken on breath and walked off the page Robert had

shown him at the Philadelphia Library.

Except this Grecian goddess looked like she’d been kicked down from Mount Olympus by a vengeful

Hera. Dirt and debris imprinted Shaveless’s shoe across her temple on the right side of her face. Based

on her thin-pressed lips and deep furrows between her brows, she probably had one devil of a headache.

Long soft curls knocked free from their confines spilled onto the ground like sheaves of wheat during

harvest season.

Do your job and stop gawking. The woman could be bleeding.

He inspected the length of her, from the high neck of her worn, black wool coat, down her unfashionable

but sturdy brown skirts, to the scuffed toes of her heeled buttoned boots. Thankfully, nothing indicated

blood was seeping into the material, and her chest rose and fell in even—albeit shuddered—breaths.

Once the ambulance arrived, he’d insist on traveling with her to the hospital to ensure she received

proper treatment and an examination for a concussion.

“Miss, can you speak to me?”

Languid eyelids opened to reveal stunning copper orbs. Was there anything not breathtaking about this

woman?

She blinked at him and then nearly collided heads with him as she shot up to a sitting position. “You’re

bleeding!”

(pp 19-20)

More Books in this Series

Crystal Caudill

Crystal Caudill is the author of "dangerously good historical romance," with her work garnering awards from Romance Writers of America and ACFW. She is a stay-at-home mom and caregiver, and when she isn’t writing, Caudill can be found playing board games with her family, drinking hot tea, or reading other great books at her home outside Cincinnati, Ohio.

Connect with Crystal by visiting crystalcaudill.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

(1) winner will receive print copies of Counterfeit Love, Counterfeit Hope, and Counterfeit Faith, a set of bookmarks, 2 stickers with quotes, and a magnet with a QR code to a "test your Secret Service knowledge" quiz!

Counterfeit Faith 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 May 31, 2023 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on June 7, 2023. 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

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Pin It

Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Shadow Dancing by Jennifer Sienes

Book: Shadow Dancing

Author: Jennifer Sienes

Genre: Christian Women’s Fiction/Southern fiction

Release Date: April 18, 2023

Wading through grief is like dancing with shadows.

Bekah Casey’s been on a tear for near a year, and the anger clings to her like cheap perfume. If only the Lord would wash it away like He did with her sins, she might could find her way out of the mire. Instead, she escapes from the one person to blame for all her ills—her husband Mitch.

Now she’s living with her mama and daddy, working two jobs, and facing a future that looks bleak as a middle-Tennessee winter. Her mama’s all the time telling her that the good Lord works in ways too confounding to comprehend, and if she’d learn to trust in Him, her life will look a might brighter. Easy for her to say.

When things go from dark to disastrous, Bekah figures she’s got two choices—sink in her sin or dig her way out.

Mitch Casey never did put a whole lot of stock in faith. Didn’t appear it helped Bekah any either since hers went sideways the minute things got hard. Still, he’s willing to take whatever abuse she throws his way if it helps her muddle through the grief. Then one poor decision, a night in jail, and a divine assignment with a local pastor puts Mitch on an unexpected path.

When you’re dancing with shadows, who gets to lead? Find out in the next book in the Bedford County series.

Click here to get your copy!

Jennifer Sienes is a favorite author of mine, I have read many of her books. I am always excited when she releases a new book. I recently read Shadow Dancing by Jennifer Sienes. It is Book 2 of The Bedford County Series.

Bekah Casey has had quite a year and has been grieving for things to go right in her life. She believes that her husband Mitch is to blame for everything wrong in her life and has moved back home with her parents. Her Mom is a strong woman of Faith and has encouraged Bekah to lean her trust in the Lord and he will help her. Bekah has swayed from her faith and has hardened her heart with anger. Her husband Mitch did not grow up in a Christian home and he struggles to understand the Christian Faith through Bekah. His life is changed drastically after he spends a night in jail due to a mistake he made. Mitch is connected with a local Pastor after his night in jail and he now has a newfound faith. Will Mitch and Bekah be able to reconcile and live in the same household again? Will Bekah gain her faith back and will things change for her?

WOW, the storyline captured my attention in the first few paragraphs of the book. Bekah has been discouraged by life happenings for a while and thus her faith was set aside. I LOVE how her mom encourages her to Trust in the Lord. Mitch was not a Christian, but through some life-altering events, he finds faith. The characters are very believable and encouraging. The story is one of being able to Trust God and lean not onto your understanding, even through the trials of life. Forgiveness is also a theme in this book. I HIGHLY recommend this Clean, Sweet Christian Romance. WONDERFUL BOOK!

Jennifer Sienes holds a bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s in education but discovered life-experience is the best teacher. She loves Jesus, romance and writing–and puts it altogether in inspirational contemporary fiction. Her daughter’s TBI and brother’s suicide inspired two of her three novels. Although fiction writing is her real love, she’s had several non-fiction pieces published in anthologies–two in Chicken Soup for the Soul. She has two grown children and one very spoiled Maltese. California born and raised, she recently took a step of faith with her real-life hero and relocated to Tennessee.

More from Jennifer

Last year I was interviewed on a Christian podcast, and the host asked me, “How do you come up with your story ideas?” There are as many answers to this question as there are authors, but he wasn’t satisfied with mine. I told him they truly come from the Lord. I think he wanted tips to encourage would-be writers. I’m sorry to disappoint, but although I might have a story sketch in my mind, it never matches the completed project. Why? Because I’m not in control.

Over the last several years, I’ve discovered that my writing journey is as much spiritual as it is creative. Shadow Dancing is a perfect example. It started with my intention to fictionalize the past marital difficulties of a young couple in my church. But before I finished the first chapter, it became clear the Lord had other ideas. The initial plot I’d fixed in my head doesn’t resemble the finished novel in any way—unless you consider the main characters are separated. The theme of my novels always reflects what I’m wrestling with in my heart at the time I’m writing it.

The major theme in Shadow Dancing is God’s sovereignty. Most of us have no problem accepting His will as long as our lives are going well. It’s when something difficult happens we begin to doubt His goodness. How often have you seen a tragedy pull a fellow Christian away from the Lord? The question, “Why would a loving God allow bad things to happen to good people?” has been a stumbling block for many people—both Christians and non-Christians alike.

But sometimes it’s the tragedies in life that draw people closer to God as they realize He’s the only hope they can cling to. This was the case for me. I believed in God, but I didn’t have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, when my ex-husband of 23 years abandoned me. This was on the tail-end of my daughter’s near-fatal car accident that left us with months of rehabilitation for traumatic brain injury. It’s when I realized that believing I was in control of my life and that of my children was a lie from the enemy. We cannot protect those we love by hovering over them or keep a marriage intact by sheer will.

I wanted these truths to play out in the lives of Rebekah and Mitch Casey. In the light of heartache, Rebekah’s spiritual walk goes in one direction while Mitch’s goes another. But through it all, they are left with hope. That’s what I desire every word I ever write to point to. The hope we have in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And isn’t it the greatest gift to know our loving and merciful God has us in the palm of His righteous right hand—forgiven and free? So much better than relying on our own flawed and sinful selves.

I pray Shadow Dancing reminds you of everything we have and will continue to have as adopted sons and daughters through Jesus Christ. Hope of eternal life in a world where heartache and sin will be a thing of the past.

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 27
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, May 28 (Author Interview)
Holly’s book corner, May 28
Splashes of Joy, May 29
An Author’s Take, May 30
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 30
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 31
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 1
By the Book, June 2
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 2
JESUS in the EVERYDAY, June 3
For Him and My Family, June 4
Older & Smarter?, June 5
The Lit Lady, June 5
Sylvan Musings, June 6
lakesidelivingsite, June 7
Back Porch Reads, June 7
Texas Book-aholic, June 8
She Lives to Read, June 9
Books I’ve Read, June 9

To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card & 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/266f2/shadow-dancing-celebration-tour-giveaway

Pin It

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Forgiveness: A Surprising Way Forward by Mark Henderson and Michael Snuffer

Book: Forgiveness: A Surprising Way Forward

Authors: Mark Henderson and Michael Snuffer

Genre: Non-fiction; Interpersonal Relations; Religion

Release date: April 13, 2023

WHY AM I SO MISUNDERSTOOD? I am only trying to do what is right! Of course, I forgive, but I can’t seem to get past the pain. God seems distant. Does he even care about me?

Do any of these questions hit close to home? It may surprise you that the underlying cause is often hidden unforgiveness. Our closest relationships, emotional health, and perhaps even our faith seem to be crumbling around us, but most of us have no idea that forgiveness is the way forward. If we are honest, we don’t even know what forgiveness is. We may have a vague idea that it has something to do with “forgetting” or “letting go” but would be hard-pressed to come up with a working definition. Worse yet, we have no idea how to practice forgiveness in a way that brings lasting relief from the hurt we carry. Most of us are not trying to hang on to the pain, but freedom is elusive.

Freedom from your pain is within reach! Forgiveness is not a vague, esoteric concept, nor is it a lofty, out-of-reach ideal. Forgiveness: A Surprising Way Forward digs into the biblical definition of forgiveness, tells real stories of real people who have found healing, clears up some huge misconceptions surrounding forgiveness, and teaches us how to practice forgiveness. If we do not address the wounds of our past, they will shape our future. God has provided a powerful tool to help us find freedom—forgiveness is the surprising way forward!

Click here to get your copy!

I can honestly say that his book, Forgiveness: A Surprising Way Forward by Mark Henderson and Michael Snuffer, came into my life at a time when I most needed to read this. Forgiveness does not come easy for me and I struggle with it greatly. I recently lost my Mom and her and I never had a good relationship. The relationship was actually pretty toxic because of Negativity from her throughout my life.

I began reading this book about 2 weeks after she passed and realized that even though she is no longer here, I can still find it in my heart to forgive her. Forgiveness gives our own heart relief from the pain and hurt. I really LOVE how the Authors base this book on Faith and trusting God to help us through Forgiveness. I truly learned quite a bit about Forgiveness from this book and it truly gave me a new perspective on being able to forgive with Biblical principles. The strongest point that I will hold onto from this book is that so much of our PAST Pain and Hurt really attributes to our hardened hearts and not being able to forgive. Once we forgive the weight of those hurts and pains will be lifted and we can find new peace in life!

I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who struggles with Forgiveness and is harboring pain and hurt from their past. FANTASTIC BOOK!

Mark Henderson received a Masters of Pastoral Counseling, was a licensed counselor, and served as a pastor of counseling for twenty years.

In Memory of Mark Henderson

Mark David Henderson, co-author of this book, passed away from cancer as this book was being finalized. Mark was a loving husband, father, and friend. He touched lives all over the world through his counseling ministry and often said he had a front row seat to God’s miracles. He always made sure the individual knew it was God’s healing, and Mark was simply the servant. His desire was to take what he learned and share it with others, which is the reason for this book.

Michael Snuffer has ministered as a counselor for more than ten years. Mark and Mike founded Equip2CounselTM, a ministry dedicated to providing simple yet powerful counseling tools globally to ministers.

More from Michael

Challenging relationships, frustration with unfair treatment, bursts of anger, and disconnection from God are persistent problems for individuals who carry burdens from their past. Most are unaware unforgiveness is an underlying cause. Time, by itself, rarely brings healing. Instead, the wounds fester and become more painful. Many feel stuck and see no way forward to joy and peace. For most, forgiveness is the first step to healing.

Modern culture and thinking have muddled the meaning of forgiveness. Most don’t understand what forgiveness is or how to practice it. The result? Relief remains out of reach. Forgiveness is a powerful tool which brings healing and freedom.

Mark and I launched the Equip2Counsel™ ministry to provide powerful counseling tools which bring healing to hurting individuals around the world. We soon realized the limitations of in-person training and began to consider how written materials could extend the reach of these tools. We wrote Forgiveness: A Surprising Way Forward to provide a clear, step-by-step process. We wanted to share the stories of real people who found hope and healing through forgiveness. Whether you are a hurting individual or a counselor helping others, we hope many learn and apply the practice of forgiveness which brings freedom.