Friday, December 20, 2019

An Agent for Bernadette (The Pinkerton Matchmaker Series) by Jo Grafford


An Agent for Bernadette

Poor little rich girl Bernadette Chambers is weary of being told what to do. All her life, she’s been instructed how to dress, how to act, and who she is allowed to befriend. However, she draws the line at being told she has to marry a man she’s never met, even if refusing to marry him means being cut off from her family’s wealth.

Realizing she’ll need a job to support herself, she decides to become a Pinkerton Agent, only to discover she’ll be required to marry a fellow agent (at least in name only) before receiving her first case.

Park Harrington is a shipping tycoon by day and an agent by night, which leaves him little time for courting. When the oldest daughter of his family’s greatest competitor refuses to honor their arranged marriage, he despairs of ever finding a suitable woman to lead to the altar. When he finds out the name of the Lady Pinkertons' newest recruit is none other than the spoiled debutante who refused his hand in marriage, he decides to get revenge. He personally requests to be matched to her!


Read an excerpt:
“You can’t be serious, Father!” Bernadette Chambers stared, aghast, at James Fitzgerald Chambers III, shipping magnate extraordinaire and owner of Chambers & Sons Industries. “Why should I be the first to marry among my siblings? I’m not even the oldest.” 
Her father’s dark gaze pierced her from his position at the head of their dinner table, as he settled back in his throne-like chair. He twirled one end of his mustache, a gesture he made only when he was supremely annoyed. “You’ve been promised to Park Harrington since the day you were born, daughter, and he is ready to collect on that promise."


Buy on Amazon 


About Jo Grafford

Jo writes sweet historical and contemporary romance stories — with humor, sass, and happily ever-afters.

NEWSLETTER SIGNUP: www.JoGrafford.com
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: https://www.amazon.com/Jo-Grafford/e/B00G56XKS2
READER GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CuppaJoReaders
BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jo-grafford
TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/JoGrafford
PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.de/JoGrafford/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jografford/

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

The Dating Charade by Melissa Ferguson Book Tour Grand Finale

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops
you'll find snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:

Launch - Author Interview

What do you hope readers take with them after they’ve read it?

I hope readers come away from the story having laughed and smiled over the crazy antics (some that were plucked directly from my mothering life) but also learned more about the ups and downs of the foster system, some perhaps even finding themselves called to get involved in some way. That’s what happened to our family. After writing this book, we were led to start fostering ourselves and our house recently became officially approved.


"I LOVE THIS STORY! . . . The Dating Charade is fresh and fun. I was entertained and amused, and also moved by its incredible and unexpected intensity. Melissa Ferguson is a clever storyteller, infusing her writing with equal servings of wit and depth. . . . this heartwarming book has earned its spot on my Favorites of 2019 list."


He swung the locker closed. He needed to get it together.

In the stillness of his room he lay on his back, picked up his phone. It glowed in the otherwise dark space. Even as he typed the words in the app store and hit the download button, he felt the heat on his neck, the shame in even considering the terribly desperate option. He twisted his neck to double-check the lock on his room door. The mere act of looking into one of these sites depleted the level of his manhood. This was just testing the waters, he reminded himself as he swiftly created a username and logged in, scrolling down the page as dozens of faces popped up. He would just take a look around, see if this was a real possibility for expanding his connections . . .


"...a family drama story with both Cassie and Jett finding their way with the kids they’ve inherited. And, neither one knowing about the other’s situation with miscommunication occurring. . . . this was a delightful read. It was heart-warming and often heart-tugging."


How does this book stand out in this genre?

The Dating Charade is a bit different from the typical rom/com, particularly because while there are several laugh-out-loud moments, there’s also the story revolving around the children and the issues they have to face (abandonment, addictions, foster care). So, I guess I’d say, The Dating Charade is happiness and total happily-ever-after with a bow, but also carries a message about the power of family, however they came to be.


Among the Reads - Review

"Such a funny and heartwarming story!

I don’t always enjoy stories that combine humor and serious elements. A balance is needed to make this work. To not make the humor seem out of place in the midst of the tragedy or to make the more serious elements seem like a shock because they are so extreme. Melissa Ferguson crafted a story that had me laughing and pulling out the Kleenex! . . . If you enjoy laughing and romance, I highly recommend The Dating Charade!"


He rested his hand on the top of her car door and paused, the door separating their bodies but their faces suddenly not so far apart. “Till Wednesday, then.”

The exposed skin of his neck was red from the chill, and beneath his form-fitting jacket sat a pair of dark jeans that complemented his green, button-down oxford. Any drift of cologne—if he wore any—was overpowered by the thousands of pines surrounding them, infusing their world with shouts of Christmas.

Nat King Cole’s melody, “Almost Like Being in Love,” came over the outdoor speakers, drawing them toward one another like the red-velvet ribbon draped around the large Christmas trees in shop windows.

“Till Wednesday,” Cassie repeated softly.

Wishful Endings - Review

"Ferguson has been added to my must-read, auto-buy list of authors. I loved her writing style, the characters, and this story! So much emotion and heartbreak, but so much hope and love as well, making the story not too heavy, which is the perfect combination. Definitely recommended to both Christian and non-Christian contemporary romance readers."


Cassie’s face hurt from smiling. For ten minutes she drove with that smile—a slaphappy grin. When a car cut her off turning into Food City, she had nothing but a Merry-Christmas-to-all grin to give him. As she slowly passed the lights of an ambulance and two feuding citizens beside busted cars, her wide and vibrant smile met them, and with understandable misunderstanding both citizens threw a few choice words toward her before turning back on each other. But there was nothing to be done about it. The smile wasn’t going anywhere.

What if he was the one?


"From laugh out loud moments to more emotional and serious layers, The Dating Charade has appeal far beyond its cute cover and promising synopsis. . . . With just one novel to her name (she has a novella I’m wanting to read!), Melissa Ferguson has found her way onto my must-read author list. I eagerly look forward to whatever she pens next!"


"Okay, so first; WOW!!! I’ve loved books and I’ve laughed reading books but never so much as this one. This book? I have no words! It was messy, sappy, happy, and wonderfully one of the best books I have ever read!"


Jett whispered tersely, pointing to the thrown items. “Drew. Pick. Up. Your. Macaroni.”

Drew looked up at him while shoveling another handful—literally, as in hand without the spoon—of macaroni into his mouth. “Can’t. I’m a dinosaur. Dinosaurs don’t have hands.”

Jett’s uncle stifled a smile.

Jett himself stifled a look that would’ve slid that smile right off his uncle’s face. He set the fork down and stood. “Young man . . .”

Harlie's Books - Review

"This is a fun read but it does go deeper than you expect. Ms. Ferguson does an excellent job of balancing out the light with the dark. I just wish, in a way, that there was more romance. But hey, I love romance books. Do yourself a favor and pick up this gem of a book. You will thank me later."

Backing Books - Review

" loved this! Getting to see these characters interact, both adults and children, made this a great read. Cassie and Jett are two amazing people who really step up to the plate when it comes to taking care of the three children they have each suddenly found in their care. Taking care of children is never easy, and these two were thrust into that with three kids!"


So, this was how it was going to be. He’d thought that exact thought a thousand times since entering that long stretch of highway between his aunt’s house and his own. Every time, however, the blow lessened. At first it was like he had stood against a wall, and a truck had slammed into his body at seventy-five miles an hour. Then it felt like being strapped to a tree, an archer shooting an arrow into his chest. This morning it was a brass-knuckled punch to the face. Now, however, the hand giving the blow had softened, no more of a sting than if Sarah had slapped him on the cheek. He was getting used to the pain.

Could perhaps even acknowledge a part of him liked watching the two small heads huddled close together beside him, Dakota’s little hand in his. Could acknowledge he was getting used to seeing a stack of diapers next to a stack of movies.

It wasn’t as lonely.

Faithfully Bookish - Interview & Review

What is your next release and/or what are you working on now?

M: The Dating Charade released December third (woo!!!) and I’m working The Cul-de-sac War coming out fall of 2020. 🙂

"All the hearts on the cover of The Dating Charade are entirely fitting because this story has heart in a big way (and a healthy dose of hilarity, too… often at the expense of the main characters)! I laughed, I cried, I hugged my kids, I told one of my kids to read this book! . . . Melissa Ferg[u]son’s debut is a “nothing but net” three-point shot for the win! I highly recommend this story!"


"There are many hilarious situations, and I loved how the children keep Cassie and Jett on their toes. A heartwarming debut, with lighthearted humor, with a heartfelt core. Highly enjoyable read."


"The novel was a fun and cute read. I like that even though Cassie was jaded, she still tried to open up her heart to love. . . . a novel about two separate people adopting children and learning to care about others than themselves. Overall, I like the idea of family being people who you choose and not only the ones you are born into."

SPLASHES of Joy - Excerpt

Jett was a bona fide hero.

And she couldn’t let him go.

Pulling herself back to the present, Cassie shook out the pink tablecloth and threw it across the Ping-Pong table, shaking out her thoughts as she did so.

Meanwhile, Bree, with crossed arms, stared at her as though she’d watched every bit of Cassie’s playback reel. “Listen, if you don’t call him, I’m going to. I’ll marry him myself, Cassandra Everson.”

Uplifting Reads - Review

"I totally fell madly in love with this book and all of its characters. . . . And there are plenty of moments that will tug at your heartstrings. I admit that I cried both sad and happy tears while reading this book, as well as almost laughing to the point of tears. There's just so much love and greatness in this story. I'm so glad that I picked it up."


When you are not writing, what other hats do you wear? What do you do for fun?

When not writing, I’m a mother of twin 4-year-olds and a 2-year-old daughter, and they stay all day with me. I also teach Bible and Religion online primarily for my alma mater, King University.


"The Dating Charade is a super cute, fast paced and fun read. I knew that this was a debut novel when I started reading it but it certainly doesn't seem like a debut novel at all, it reads as a novel penned by a more experienced author, so kudos to Ms. Ferguson for that."

EmpowerMoms - Review

"This author did such a great job with the struggles and horrors of foster care, trying to be a single parent, and trying to just get thru the day-loving and hating every minute of it-being exhausted but grateful at the end of the day. As a parent, I could relate to so many of the struggles, laughs and tears. I loved reading this book!"

Heidi Reads... - Excerpt

Star, as she was always so keenly aware, was nowhere to be seen.

For the past seven years she’d watched for the magic minute when the girls left their schools and made their way to the Haven. At the window, at 2:15 p.m. every day, she’d waited for them to come. Like the rumblings of thunder before a heavy storm, she and her staff would feel the anticipation, the shake, before the magic minute struck. The sudden rush at the computer to finish that report, to send that e-mail, to put the finishing touches on that flyer. The dash to the coffee station for a refill, because it very well could be the last calm moment for the rest of the day.

Often Cassie couldn’t stand it any longer and would step out the front door with her fresh mug, beckoned by the distant sound of the final school bell.


"Oh my goodness! Add this book to your TBR pile right now! If you love clean romance written from a Christian perspective, The Dating Charade is a book for you. I had to keep checking to make sure this was “for real” Melissa Ferguson’s first book, because it sure doesn’t read like a debut novel! Sure enough, it is! I’m already looking forward to her next book."

All excerpts from The Dating Charade by Melissa Ferguson. Used with the permission of the publisher, Thomas Nelson. Copyright © 2019 by Melissa Ferguson.


The Dating Charade
By Melissa Ferguson
Contemporary Romance, Christian
Paperback, Audiobook & ebook, 336 Pages
December 3rd 2019 by Thomas Nelson

Just when you think you’ve met your match . . . the charade begins.

Cassie Everson is an expert at escaping bad first dates. And, after years of meeting, greeting, and running from the men who try to woo her, Cassie is almost ready to retire her hopes for a husband—and children—altogether.

But fate has other plans, and Cassie’s online dating profile catches the eye of firefighter Jett Bentley. In Jett’s memory, Cassie Everson is the unreachable girl-of-legend from their high school days. Nervously, he messages her, setting off a chain of events that forces a reluctant Cassie back into the dating game.

No one is more surprised than Cassie when her first date with Jett is a knockout. But when they both go home and find three children dropped in their laps—each—they independently decide to do the right and mature thing: hide the kids from each other while sorting it all out. What could go wrong?

Melissa Ferguson’s hilarious and warmhearted debut reminds us that love can come in very small packages—and that sometimes our best-laid plans aren’t nearly as rewarding and fun as the surprises that come our way.


(Affiliate links included.)


About the Author


Melissa Ferguson is an adjunct professor for Bible and religion at King University. She lives in the charming town of Bristol, Tennessee, with her husband, twin toddlers, and baby girl. She used to have hobbies like running and backpacking the Appalachian Trail outside her door. Now her hobbies include admiring the Appalachian Trail out her minivan window while singing "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" en route to the library.


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Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Review of The Dating Charade by Melissa Ferguson #DatCharPrism

On Tour with Prism Book Tours


Welcome to the book tour for The Dating Charade by Melissa Ferguson! Today I'm sharing with you my thoughts on this charming contemporary romance. Be sure to follow the tour for even more thoughts, as well as my interview with the author over at Candrel's Crafts, Cooks, and Characters. 



The Dating Charade


By Melissa Ferguson
Contemporary Romance, Christian
Paperback, Audiobook & ebook, 336 Pages
December 3rd 2019 by Thomas Nelson

Just when you think you’ve met your match . . . the charade begins.

Cassie Everson is an expert at escaping bad first dates. And, after years of meeting, greeting, and running from the men who try to woo her, Cassie is almost ready to retire her hopes for a husband—and children—altogether.

But fate has other plans, and Cassie’s online dating profile catches the eye of firefighter Jett Bentley. In Jett’s memory, Cassie Everson is the unreachable girl-of-legend from their high school days. Nervously, he messages her, setting off a chain of events that forces a reluctant Cassie back into the dating game.

No one is more surprised than Cassie when her first date with Jett is a knockout. But when they both go home and find three children dropped in their laps—each—they independently decide to do the right and mature thing: hide the kids from each other while sorting it all out. What could go wrong?

Melissa Ferguson’s hilarious and warmhearted debut reminds us that love can come in very small packages—and that sometimes our best-laid plans aren’t nearly as rewarding and fun as the surprises that come our way.


(Affiliate links included.)
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble 
Book Depository | TNZFiction


**My thoughts**
I totally fell madly in love with this book and all of its characters. I related to Cassie in that I am also unable to have children, but got some fulfillment out of working with kids and would do anything to help any of "my kids." I also understand what a pain in the rear it is to date these days. I love her creative way of having her best friend, Bree, help her out of those most awful dates.

I also just really like Jett. He would totally be one of my best friends, or even ideally, a potential date one day. He's loyal and strong and kind and loving and has a great sense of humor. All of these qualities help him and Cassie to have amazing chemistry between the two of them.

I have to admit that at first, the idea of each of them going home after a date and having three children apiece to suddenly take care of seemed a little far-fetched. But stranger things have happened in real life! And truly, either situation could quite feasibly happen to any number of us, depending on our own family and work situations. 

I admire them both for taking on the children out of a sense of duty, but also genuine love for each child. I got frustrated with them for trying to hide their respective situations from each other, thanks to a major lack of communication. And yet, at the same time, spending time without the children also helped them to get to know each other really well.

Again, Cassie and Jett have great chemistry. There are plenty of relatable LOL moments with the kids, especially if you've done any work with them. My extensive experiences in the classroom and as a childcare provider had me right there with them in some of those situations.

And there are plenty of moments that will tug at your heartstrings. I admit that I cried both sad and happy tears while reading this book, as well as almost laughing to the point of tears. There's just so much love and greatness in this story. I'm so glad that I picked it up.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Prism Book Tours for providing me a review copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

About the Author

Melissa Ferguson is an adjunct professor for Bible and religion at King University. She lives in the charming town of Bristol, Tennessee, with her husband, twin toddlers, and baby girl. She used to have hobbies like running and backpacking the Appalachian Trail outside her door. Now her hobbies include admiring the Appalachian Trail out her minivan window while singing "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" en route to the library.





Tour Schedule


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Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Find Your Happy: A Kids Self Love Book by Patricia May


Find Your Happy: A Kids Self Love Book

Is it possible to find happiness in times of chaos and confusion?Yes! It is possible! Use these practices and techniques and find happiness in each day. A workbook/activity book full of interactive fun! 

Endorsed by two New York Times best selling authors, Anita Moorjani, author of "Dying to be Me" and "What if this is Heaven," and Mira Kelley, author of "Beyond Past Lives" found this book to be a helpful guide for children ages 8 +. 

Find your Happy offers kids the tools needed to create a more pleasant daily experience. Full of practices and exercises, kids will enjoy learning and doing these tasks while feeling more relaxed, inspired and confident. This book includes meditations, positive thinking, affirmations, self-esteem practices, calming techniques and physical exercise routines. Together these help make a child's day more fulfilling and harmonious. Created for adults and children for a great interacting experience.


Available on Amazon
(affiliate link)



About Patricia May

Patricia May became an author in 2015 after creating the Ten Story Collection, Seashell Meditations for Children. It was shortly after that, Under the Sea, a coloring/activity books was published. Writing books that inspire a kid's imagination is her passion. Helping kids to discover that spark within, is the goal. Books that Inspire a Kid's Imagination is the theme of all Patricia's books. There are now nine books published and out on the market place. Going to do author visits, kids groups and events is a joy for Patricia May as she shares her books with kids, teachers and parents everywhere. Patricia has been endorsed by five Hay House authors, davidji, Anita Moorjani. Skye Dyer, Denise Linn and Mira Kelley.

In 2018, Patricia released several more books. The Unicorn without a HornThe Bear with Curly Hair, The A,B,C's of Meditation, and Find Your Happy, a Kids Self Love bookFind Your PowerWhere is God, and What Happens When We Die. These books are stories with meaning and purpose. All are beautifully illustrated with fun and adventurous stories kids are sure to love. 

Patricia lives in the beautiful foothills of Amador County, California with her husband Dave, their pups, with the children and grandchildren not far away.



I was compensated via Fiverr for sharing this post. I only share those books that I feel will be of interest to my readers.

Monday, December 9, 2019

Review of Song of Sugar Sands by Debra Coleman Jeter


Welcome to the review tour for Song of Sugar Sands by Debra Coleman Jeter. This is the second book in the series. I reviewed the first book, Joy After Noon, over at Andi's Book Reviews. Today I have an excerpt for you and then I'm sharing my thoughts on this book. Follow the tour to find out what others thought of this book as well.


Song of Sugar Sands

A deeply committed young man falls in love with the beautiful but troubled Acadia, who knows herself too selfish, too sinful, and too skeptical in her faith to marry a preacher.

Acadia Powers nearly lost her faith at an early age due to what she saw as the hypocrisy of her parents’ generation. In college—where the novel begins—she meets and falls in love with Peter O’Neil, who is fervent in his faith and wants to share the good news with the world. Despite serious doubts about her ability to survive as a preacher’s wife, Acadia finally agrees to marry Peter. The two embark with high hopes on a new life in Sugar Sands, Alabama, where Acadia takes a position as a high school teacher while Peter becomes pastor of a small church. SONG OF SUGAR SANDS recounts Acadia’s struggle to come to terms with issues of faith, while also telling the story of Peter and Acadia’s falling in love and the traumatic first year of their marriage. When one of her students attempts suicide after confiding her problems in Acadia, and a new friend and mentor, Beatrice Wood, reveals that she has terminal cancer, Acadia almost quits. Can she reach deep enough inside, or beyond herself, to find what she needs to keep on trying, or has she made too many mistakes already?


Read an excerpt:
I stand at the edge of the water, a deep aqua today, as I listen to the waves crash onto the shore. I think back to all the times I’ve stood here, all the moods we’ve shared this past year, the gulf and I. Times when I was saying goodbye, convinced I could not survive another day in this life, in this place. Times when the water drew me in, embraced me, caressed and comforted me. And times like today when I gaze in awe at the magnificence of the vast waters before me, at their power and the power of their maker.

A girl crystallizes before my eyes, rising like a mermaid from the water. That girl would never, in a million years, have believed that Acadia Powers, at the ripe age of twenty-four, would find herself in this position. Not only in this position, but actually grateful to be here. That girl would have been appalled. For an instant I can see her and feel her as vividly as if that time were yesterday, the scene in my head as real and as near as the sand beneath my feet.

Available on Amazon
(affiliate link)
On sale for $0.99 for a limited time!


**My thoughts**
It's so hard to date someone whose faith is so different from your own. Peter is deeply devoted to his faith, aspiring to become a pastor as soon as he can. Cadi has some faith but has found herself slipping away from it over the years and simply cannot comprehend how Peter can feel the way that he does. She is so lost in general, that I felt like she just kind of gave in to marrying Peter because she knew he was sincere in his feelings for her and would provide for her. I know that she says that she is in love with him, but it feels more like she is in love with an idea of him instead of him for who he really is.

As you're reading the book, it definitely has a slow burn and a detachment that reflects how Cadi is feeling in her life as she is telling her story. She wants to do right by her students, as a preacher's wife, and in her marriage, but isn't sure which direction to turn. And because she is struggling with her faith, the last place she feels like turning is to God. She really wants Peter to see her, acknowledge her, but he is so wrapped up in his new church, which is having difficulty growing and moving into more modern times (in this book, the late 1970s/early 1980s). Keep in mind the time period as you read this book and some situations play out. 

I think this book is going to speak to people who have struggled with their faith over the years, because they will recognize their own struggles in Cadi's story, even if they handled it differently.

Thank you to the author and Goddess Fish for providing me an Advanced Review Copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.



About Debra Coleman Jeter

A Professor Emerita at Vanderbilt University, Debra Coleman Jeter has published in popular magazines, including Working Woman, New Woman, Self, Home Life, Savvy, Christian Woman, and American Baby. Her first novel, The Ticket, was a finalist in two categories for a Selah Award. Her short story, “Recovery,” won first prize in a competition sponsored by Christian Woman; and her book “Pshaw, It’s Me Grandson” was a finalist in the USA Book News Awards. She is a co-writer of the screenplay for Jess + Moss, a feature film which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, screened at nearly forty film festivals around the world, and captured several international awards.

She loves to be in the water—whether snorkeling, water skiing, boogie boarding, or just floating around—which may explain the setting for her newest series. Her family suspects her of being selkie. The Sugar Sands novels are set in a small beach community in LA (lower Alabama). Each book in the series stands alone.

The Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1941103863/

Author website: www.debracolemanjeter.com

Author blog: http://www.debracolemanjeter.com/blog

Guest Blog on Pushing Boundaries: http://freshfiction.com/page.php?id=7259

https://www.pinterest.com/njjeter/the-ticket-a-novel/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard

https://twitter.com/DebColemanJeter

Info on Song of Sugar Sands http://askdavid.com/reviews/book/christian-romance/17332

Links to info on all Jeter’s books http://askdavid.com/books/18723


Debra Coleman Jetter will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, December 8, 2019

Where is God? (Enlighten Kids Series) by Patricia May


Where is God?

What and Where is God? Big question! Simple answer. Where is God simplifies the answer in a way children can relate to. This inspirational book will help children identify God as they identify themselves through love. Where there is Love, there is God.



Available on Amazon
Should you make a purchase through my affiliate link, I may earn a few small pennies at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my websites!



About Patricia May

Patricia May became an author in 2015 after creating the Ten Story Collection, Seashell Meditations for Children. It was shortly after that, Under the Sea, a coloring/activity books was published. Writing books that inspire a kid's imagination is her passion. Helping kids to discover that spark within, is the goal. Books that Inspire a Kid's Imagination is the theme of all Patricia's books. There are now nine books published and out on the market place. Going to do author visits, kids groups and events is a joy for Patricia May as she shares her books with kids, teachers and parents everywhere. Patricia has been endorsed by five Hay House authors, davidji, Anita Moorjani. Skye Dyer, Denise Linn and Mira Kelley.

In 2018, Patricia released several more books. The Unicorn without a Horn, The Bear with Curly Hair, The A,B,C's of Meditation, and Find Your Happy, a Kids Self Love book, Find Your Power, Where is God, and What Happens When We Die. These books are stories with meaning and purpose. All are beautifully illustrated with fun and adventurous stories kids are sure to love. 

Patricia lives in the beautiful foothills of Amador County, California with her husband Dave, their pups, with the children and grandchildren not far away.



I was compensated via Fiverr for sharing this post. I only share those books that I feel will be of interest to my readers.

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Freed by Hope (The Civil War Brides) by Jenna Brandt

Freed by Hope

Hope Hammond is best friends with Faith Abernathy and has grown up around her brother Davis. Recently, an attraction has surfaced between the friends. As the new relationship starts to form, problems caused by the American Civil War have reached a boiling point for the Hammond family, leaving little room for Hope to focus on love.

Davis Abernathy wants to be a soldier and fight for the Confederacy, but his family is against him joining the war effort. The only thing he wants more that serving with honor is to marry Hope, but their relationship can’t progress with her father refusing to let them be together. Frustrated, Davis makes a hasty decision that will change all their lives forever.

Can Hope’s family find a way to mend? Will Davis’s decision ruin his chance to be with Hope? And will the Civil War destroy any future the couple plans to have together?



Buy it on Amazon
(affiliate link)



About Jenna Brandt

Jenna Brandt is an international bestselling and award-winning author who writes Christian historical and contemporary romance. Her historical books span from Victorian to Western eras and all her books have elements of romance, suspense and faith. Her historical series the Window to the Heart Saga and contemporary series Billionaires of Manhattan as well as her multi-author series, The Lawkeepers, Match Made in Heaven, Bride Herder, Belles of Wyoming, and Silverpines have garnered praise and love from readers. Both her books, Waiting on the Billionaire and Lawfully Treasured, were voted into the Top 50 Indie Books of 2018 on Readfreely.com.

She has been an avid reader since she could hold a book and started writing stories almost as early. She has been published in several newspapers as well as edited for multiple papers. She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Bethany College and was the Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper while there. Her first blog was published on The Mighty website, Yahoo Parenting and The Grief Toolbox as well as featured on the ABC News, CNN Health, and Good Morning America websites. She is a contributor and curator for the website, Novel PASTimes and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW).

Writing is her passion, but she also enjoys cooking, watching movies, reading, engaging in social media and spending time with her three young daughters and husband where they live in the Central Valley of California. She is also active in her local church where she volunteers on their first impressions team.

To find out more about Jenna, to sign-up for her newsletter, or to purchase her books, visit her website at http://www.jennabrandt.com

Jenna’s Joyful Page Turners Reader’s Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/844819802336835/

Heroes and Hunks Reader’s Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/430422374043418/

Her books on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Jenna-Brandt/e/B0711MSFXW/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1497269877&sr=8-1

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I was compensated via Fiverr for sharing this post. I only share those books that I feel will be of interest to my readers.

Read an excerpt from The Ravenwood Saga by Morgan L. Busse #FantasyForChristmas19

On Tour with Prism Book Tours


Flight of the Raven

(The Ravenwood Saga #2)
By Morgan L. Busse
Christian Fantasy
Paperback & ebook, 352 Pages
April 30th 2019 by Bethany House Publishers

Selene Ravenwood, once the heir to House Ravenwood, is now an exile. On the run and free of her family's destiny, Selene hopes to find the real reason her family was given the gift of dreamwalking. But first she must adapt to her new life as wife to Lord Damien Maris, the man she was originally assigned to kill. 

While adjusting to her marriage and her home in the north, her power over dreams begins to grow. As the strongest dreamwalker to exist in ages, her expanding power attracts not only nightmares but the attention of the Dark Lady herself.

With a war looming on the horizon and a wicked being after her gift, Selene is faced with a choice: embrace the Dark Lady's offer, or search out the one who gave her the gift of dreamwalking. One path offers power, the other offers freedom. But time is running out, and soon her choice will be made for her.


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Excerpt

Dark.

So dark.

Selene shivered and pulled her cloak and hood closer around her shoulders. Her clothes were still damp from crossing the Hyr River and the cold wind did not help. The trees that lined Trader’s Road appeared like bony fingers reaching up toward the darkening sky. Twilight slipped across the road, blending the forest edge with the dirt path. Above, streaks of red split the sky as if some large animal had torn open the heavens.

Brittle leaves crunched beneath her boots as she followed the guards Sten and Karl. Karl was a couple inches taller than Sten, and younger by at least ten years. His dark hair curled along the edge of his cloak and his hand hovered near the hilt of his sword. Sten was round and muscular, with greying hair and a neck as thick at a man’s hand. He pointed at something and Karl answered in a low, gruff voice.

Cohen the monk quietly walked beside her, his presence warm and friendly. He was as tall as he was skinny, with straw-colored hair that stuck up around his face. And behind her…

Her stomach lurched and her fingers curled around the edge of her cloak. Lord Damien followed a couple feet behind, his steps firm. No, not lord, not to her anymore.

Damien. Her husband.

Selene kept her eyes ahead, but every part of her could sense him behind her. The moment the monk had finished the rites, and warmth had spread between their hands, she knew him. Most of it she had already discovered during her dreamwalks, but seeing his memories and having that knowledge imparted into her innermost mind and soul were two completely things. And just as much as she now knew him, he knew her as well. He knew who she really was. He knew what she could do.

He knew her gift.

She could still see the shock in his face the moment her dreamwalking gift was revealed to him. Yet he was still able to turn away and maintain enough mental capacity to raise the river barrier in time to save them.

Selene lifted her right hand and brushed her cheek. That power. To raise water and crush men. It was amazing. And terrifying. And if he hadn’t chosen to bond with her minutes before—

Her hand slid down and gripped her throat. She would have been drowned alongside those men.

Instead, Damien had chosen to save her. In a permanent way.


Other Books in the Series

Mark of the Raven
(The Ravenwood Saga #1)
By Morgan L. Busse
Christian Fantasy
Paperback & ebook, 352 Pages
November 6th 2018 by Bethany House Publishers

Lady Selene is the heir to the Great House of Ravenwood and the secret family gift of dreamwalking. As a dreamwalker, she can enter a person’s dreams and manipulate their greatest fears or desires. For the last hundred years, the Ravenwood women have used their gift of dreaming for hire to gather information or to assassinate.

As she discovers her family’s dark secret, Selene is torn between upholding her family’s legacy–a legacy that supports her people–or seeking the true reason behind her family’s gift.

Her dilemma comes to a head when she is tasked with assassinating the one man who can bring peace to the nations, but who will also bring about the downfall of her own house.

One path holds glory and power, and will solidify her position as Lady of Ravenwood. The other path holds shame and execution. Which will she choose? And is she willing to pay the price for the path chosen?

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And coming soon in February 2020...

Cry of the Raven
(The Ravenwood Saga #3)
By Morgan L. Busse
Christian Fantasy
Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages
February 4th 2020 by Bethany House Publishers

Lady Selene Ravenwood has come into her full power as a dreamwalker just as the war with the Dominia Empire begins. Working with the other Great Houses, Selene and Damien use their gifts to secure the borders and save those devastated by the war. But conflict, betrayal, and hatred begin to spread between the Great Houses, destroying their unity as the empire burns a path across their lands. At the same time, Damien Maris starts to lose his ability to raise the waters, leaving the lands vulnerable to the empire's attacks.

The only one who can unite the houses and restore her husband's power is Selene Ravenwood. But it will require that she open her heart to those who have hurt her and let go of her past, despite the one who hunts her and will do anything to stop her power.

Will Selene survive? Or is she destined to fall like the dreamwalkers before her?

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About the Author

Morgan L. Busse is a writer by day and a mother by night. She is the author of the FOLLOWER OF THE WORD series and the steampunk series THE SOUL CHRONICLES. She is a Christy Award finalist and recently won both the INSPY and the Carol Award for best in Christian speculative fiction. During her spare time she enjoys playing games, taking long walks, and dreaming about her next novel. Visit her online at www.morganlbusse.com.



Tour Schedule
(Posts go live on the day they're scheduled.)

December 1st: Launch
December 2nd: Rebecca Belliston - Heart of Red, Blood of Blue
December 3rd: Morgan L. Busse - Flight of the Raven
December 4thJes Drew - Tales of Parallel Worlds
December 5th: Ronie Kendig - Brand of Light
December 6th: Alisha Klapheke - Fate of Dragons
December 7th: Jessica Leake - Through the White Wood
December 8th: Belle Malory - Electric Skies
December 9th: Melissa McShane - Burning Bright
December 10th: Jennifer Silverwood - Blackbriar Cove
December 11th: Melissa Wright - Shadow and Stone
December 12th: Grand Finale

Tour Giveaway


1 winner will receive an Amazon Fire Tablet and a $50 Amazon eGift Card
Open internationally (as long as winner is eligible to receive prizes)
Ends December 16, 2019

Sunday, December 1, 2019

A Bride for Daniel (The Proxy Christmas Series) by Ginny Sterling


A Bride for Daniel

Emma Butler is devastated to find her life spiraling out of her control. She is married by proxy at the moment war begins in her own home of Lexington, Massachusetts. The ‘shot heard round the world’ is volleyed directly in front of her, leaving her an orphan. To make matters even more tragic, her new husband never arrives to claim her. The ideas of life, liberty, and happiness seem so far away as she struggles to get by in a world she no longer recognizes. Just when things begin to settle down, she comes face to face with her missing groom, Daniel Knox.

Daniel Knox has had his life put forcibly on hold when he is pressed into service for the King’s Navy. Betrayed, alone, and with nowhere to go – he heads for the one spark of hope that he remembers from years ago, praying for a second chance at happiness with Emma, his Proxy Bride.



Available on Amazon
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Read more from Ginny Sterling here.


I was compensated via Fiverr for sharing this post. I only share those books that I feel will be of interest to my readers.