A Royal Christmas Wedding by Rachel Hauck + A GIVEAWAY

To purchase your copy, click here.

About the Book

  

Genre: Christian Romance/Christmas  

Release Date: October 18, 2016  

Book Format: Paperback & Ebook  





Avery Truitt aches for true love—the kind she once shared with Prince Colin. Can she dare to hope for happily ever after, or is a fairy-tale ending beyond reach?

College volleyball star Avery Truitt has not seen her former flame, Prince Colin of Brighton Kingdom, since he suddenly pushed her away five years ago. But now, the sadness of losing her father and the joy of her sister Susanna’s pregnancy have brought Avery back to Brighton just in time for Cathedral City’s enchanting Christmas season.

Avery knows she can’t avoid seeing Colin—now the Kingdom’s most eligible bachelor—whether or not her heart is ready to relive the pain. But seeing him again might bring her the closure she needs after all this time.

When Colin finds himself at the center of a centuries-old Brighton tradition, he must decide whether to follow the path laid out before him or follow his heart to the only woman for whom he would ring the Pembroke Chapel Bell.

Can Colin convince Avery to meet him at the chapel on Christmas morning—as tradition dictates—or will Avery run back to her St. Simons home and pursue a coaching career as planned?

In the fourth installment of the Royal Wedding Series, New York Times bestselling novelist, Rachel Hauck, weaves a charming story of holiday romance as two broken hearts seek the love they once knew.

My Review

A delightful contemporary Christmas romance!

This is part of a “true” series. I believe that you need to read the books in order to fully follow the story line and get the full enjoyment out of them. I have to admit that I haven’t read the previous books myself. There were a number of times that I felt like I was a little confused because of that.

The setting in Brighton Kingdom is the stuff that fairy tales are made of. The introduction of the history behind the bell ringing just after midnight after the Harvest Ball completely set the stage for me.

I absolutely love these characters. There is a wonderful amount of detail for a number of the characters. This includes Avery Truitt, Prince Colin and those that are closest to both of them.

Both Avery and Prince Colin are dealing with their own emotional conflicts. Their feelings for each other are competing with the desire to live the life they believe they are supposed to live. They are trying to trust God to lead them along the path that He has planned for them.

I am highly recommending this charming story and giving it a rating of 5 stars.

 About the Author

Rachel Hauck is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and award-winning author.

A graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in Journalism, Rachel worked in the corporate software world before planting her backside in an uncomfortable chair to write full-time in 2004.

She serves on the Executive Board for American Christian Fiction Writers and leads worship at their annual conference. She is a mentor and book therapist at My Book Therapy, and conference speaker.

Rachel lives in central Florida with her husband and pets, and writes from her two-story tower in an exceedingly more comfy chair. She is a huge Buckeyes football fan.

Guest Post from Rachel Hauck

I don’t think we can ever get enough of royals or Christmas, do you? The two just seem to go together.

The Bible tells us eternity is written on our hearts. (Ecc. 3:11) I wonder if it’s also written on our hearts to be princesses in a grand, beautiful, perfect kingdom.

That being said, welcome to The Royal Christmas Wedding blog tour. My deepest thanks to all the bloggers, reviewers, and readers for hosting and visiting this tour. I’m excited to share this story with you all.

The hero and heroine, Prince Colin and Avery Truitt, first met in Once Upon A Prince at King Nathaniel’s coronation.

I hadn’t planned to write a spinoff story with the two of them. In fact, I didn’t even know Prince Colin existed until Avery walked into the abbey for the coronation and glanced across the sanctuary into his eyes.

Here’s his introduction:  

Lean, aristocratic with an outdoorsman ruddiness, he nearly made Susanna swoon when he winked at Avery.

I liked Colin immediately. So did Avery. As well as a lot of you.

When my publisher asked me to write their story, it would be two years before the book would release. Plenty of time, right?

But “time crunch” is the name of the game with most writers. Between life, rewrites, edits, and promotional activity, we often find ourselves hurrying toward a deadline. Well, at least I do.

In the fall of 2015 I was writing The Wedding Shop and A Royal Christmas Wedding at the same time.

I’d also dealt with a physical issue that left me shaky. Could I write two books in five months? Did I want to even make the attempt?

If I said no, publication dates would be pushed out, causing a year delay on A Royal Christmas Wedding. And I knew that was something I did not want to do.

Publishing is a long game. Books are contracted and due 12 to 18, even 24 months, before release dates. Time must be carved out for rewrites and editing, marketing and promotion. Review copies go out at least five months in advance.

So I agreed to write both books. I told my editor, “Diamonds come from pressure.”

Coming up with Avery and Prince Colin’s story wasn’t as easy as I’d planned. Since they met in Once Upon A Prince as teenagers, I struggled with how to advance their age and relationship, and how to present them as the book opened.

Where had their relationship gone “between the books?”

When I came up with the idea of the Pembroke Chapel bell, the story magic began to happen. One of the things I love in the royal wedding books is the fairytale aspect. Looking for something out of the ordinary.

Even though my writing time was tight, writing Avery and Colin’s story was a joy. Once again I wish I could visit Brighton, eat a puff, and royal watch for the Strattons!

I hope you found a few sweet spots in the story, all wrapped in Christmas holiday cheer, and enjoyed your time with me in Brighton Kingdom.

Merry Christmas!

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Rachel is giving away a $25 Amazon gift card plus a copy of A Royal Christmas Wedding and a copy of The Wedding Shop. Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post to earn 9 extra entries in the giveaway! https://promosimple.com/ps/aaeb

Finding Margo (Finding Home #1) by Jen Turano

Title: Finding Margo (Finding Home #1)

Author: Jen Turano

Pages: 320

Release Date: November 15, 2016

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Gilead Publishing

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a free copy from the publisher. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the book:

     Off the charts and on the run.

     International pop star Margo Hartman could use a night off. A grueling tour and overbearing entourage have sent her over the edge. It’s time for this diva to disappear. And who would think to look for the superstar in a small Dutch town in Ohio?

     Sheriff’s deputy Brock Moore is undercover as well. He knows Margo isn’t who she appears to be, but her uncanny resemblance to a local Amish woman is raising all sorts of questions…the kind that make her a target for a killer.

     Both are determined to find answers, but their mutual attraction stands in the way of either of them doing it alone. Is finding Margo the solution to Brock’s problems or just the beginning…?

My review:

     A wonderful mystery with delightful comedic moments!

     This book is the first in a new genre for Jen Turano. She does a masterful job of creating the characters and the mystery elements in this story. I was thrilled to find that she was able to continue to include laugh-out-loud comedy situations in this new genre. If those were missing then it wouldn’t feel like a Jen Turano novel to me.

     In many ways Margo is very knowledgeable. Yet at the same time she seems to be very clueless about a number of common things that come up. She has been very protected and cared for by others. This is a source of a lot of the comedy in the story.

     Brock is every inch a protector and mystery solver. This is driving him to sort things out and find closure for his brother-in-law and himself. When Margo suddenly shows up in danger and hiding secrets Brock’s natural tendencies kick into overdrive.

     There are many clues throughout the story about an old mystery that has gone unsolved. They have a number of questions that are left to be revealed either near the end of the book or in future novels in the series.

     This story is the first of a new series and I am really looking forward to reading the other two as soon as they are available.

     I was absolutely delighted with Jen Turano’s first venture into contemporary suspense. I am highly recommending this wonderful book and giving it a rating of 5 stars.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

The Shattered Vigil (The Darkwater Saga #2) by Patrick W. Carr

Title: The Shattered Vigil (The Darkwater Saga #2)

Author: Patrick W. Carr

Pages: 464

Release Date: November 1, 2016

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Bethany House

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the book:

     A single terrible choice faces the Vigil. Hide in safety and let darkness take over the land or face the growing danger and risk all of their lives.

     Their victory over the dark forces during the feast of Bas-solas should have guaranteed safety for the continent. Instead, Willet and the rest of the Vigil discover they’ve been outsmarted by those seeking to unleash the evil that inhabits the Darkwater. One of the Vigil has gone missing, and new attacks have struck at the six kingdoms’ ability to defend themselves.

     Worse, a deadly new threat has emerged—assassins hunting the Vigil, men and women who cannot be seen until it’s too late. To thwart the perilous new risk, the church makes the drastic decision to safeguard the Vigil by taking the surviving members into protective custody. But there are secrets only the Vigil can unearth, and so Pellin makes the heart-wrenching choice to oppose the church in a race to turn back the evil that threatens an entire continent.

My review:

     This is an incredible good versus evil fantasy novel!

     This is part of a “true” series. For the story to make sense you need to read the first book before starting this one.

     I thoroughly enjoyed returning to the fantasy land that this author has crafted. The characters are so well developed and presented that I connected with them and felt their frustration as they were trying to sort out the mystery of where the danger was coming from.

     The plot was filled with a lot of twists and turns that really made me focus my attention on the story to follow what was going on. This is a great book to get lost in and lose track of time.

     I have to give this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars. I’m highly recommending it. I look forward to seeing what this author comes up with next.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

The Devoted (The Bishop's Family #3) by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Title: The Devoted (The Bishop’s Family #3)

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Pages: 336

Release Date: October 4, 2016

Genre: Amish Fiction

Publisher: Revell

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the book:

     The Amish life is all she’s ever known—but will it satisfy her soul?

     Restless and adventurous, Ruthie Stoltzfus is right on the cusp of leaving her Amish home. Secretly, she’s earned her GED, saved her money—but she can’t quite set her journey into motion. Just as everything falls into place, along comes Patrick Kelly.

     Patrick is a young man on a journey of his own. He’s come to Stoney Ridge to convert to the Amish and has given himself thirty days to learn the language, drive a buggy, and adapt to “everything Plain.” Time is of the essence and every moment is to be cherished—especially the hours he spends with Ruthie, his Penn Dutch tutor.

     Ruthie’s next-door neighbor and cunning ex-boyfriend, Luke Schrock, is drawn to trouble like a moth to a flame. Rebellious, headstrong, defiant, Luke will do anything to win Ruthie back—and Patrick Kelly is in his way.

     Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you back to Stoney Ridge for a story of dreams deferred—and the promise of hoped fulfilled.

My review:

     This is part of a “true” series. You need to read all three books in order to fully understand the nuances within the relationships between the characters.

     This is an incredibly thought provoking Amish novel!

     I really love the depth of the characters in this book. They are so real that I felt like I could meet them in person if I just visited Lancaster County. The emotional problems that many of them are dealing with are things that many people face.

     I really like the connection between Ruthie Stoltzfus and her Aunt Ruth “Dok”. The similar paths and relationship questions are great. I found it very interesting that Dok was the first one of the adults that was able to speak wisdom into Ruthie’s life.

     David Stoltzfus is a wonderful God fearing man. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the time he spent searching the word of God and reasoning out the instructions for life inside it. He is truly a shepherd for the church in Stoney Ridge.

     I am highly recommending this wonderful book. This novel is getting a rating of 5 stars from me.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Overshadowed (The Remnant Series Prequel) by Vannetta Chapman

Title: Overshadowed (The Remnant Series Prequel)

Author: Vannetta Chapman

Pages: 51

Release Date: September 27, 2016

Genre: Christian Dystopian

Publisher: Harvest House

Format: eBook only

About the book:

     When the Lights Go Out…

     Who Will Be Ready?

     All Gabe Thompson wanted was a rewarding and challenging career in the U.S. military. He’s about to get his wish.

     The government knows that a massive solar flare could plunge the entire world into darkness for decades to come, but few believe it will ever happen. The governor of Texas is hoping it won’t, but planning that it could. She implements her brainchild, the top secret Operation Nightshade, and Gabe suddenly finds himself chosen to train for the end of modern society.

     When the government learns their darkest fear is about to become a reality, Gabe can’t warn anyone of the impending disaster – but he can stock his shelves and do everything in his power to ensure his neighbor, Lenora Diaz, will survive as long as possible.

     Gabe must race against a cataclysmic solar clock if he hopes to be in position when the blackout descends.

My review:

     This short story captured my interest from the very beginning!

     Both Gabe Thompson and Lenora Diaz are intelligent people who know how to take sudden changes in stride. They are both surprisingly well developed for such a short story. I found myself very deeply connected with both of them as they processed what was happening.

     I am hooked and finding myself NEEDING to read the first novel in this series as soon as I possibly can. This fantastic dystopian story is getting a 5 star rating from me. I can’t recommend it highly enough!

Christmas Lights Novella Collection - Plus a GIVEAWAY!

To purchase your copy, click here.

About the Book

Four novellas in a variety of genres—that’s all they are. Just four stories to quiet your heart and soul as you embrace the beauty of the Christmas season. Inside, you’ll find Vikki Kestell’s historical romance and a reminder that the Lord’s plans are always just what we need. You’ll be introduced to Cathe Swanson’s unlikely romance about a woman who sets out to do one good deed and is drawn into the lives of a cast of eccentric elderly people. You’ll meet April Hayman and her southern madcap mystery featuring an FBI agent, a con artist or two, and a few eccentric elderly people of her own. And you’ll find Chautona Havig’s Christian fiction novella that blends comedy, suspense, with a garnish of romance.

In the hope that through these Christmas stories your heart will be lightened and brightened, we offer you this collection. Merry Christmas! And a happy, light read!

Book Information

Pages: 600

Release Date: October 15, 2016

Genre: Contemporary and Historical Novellas

Format: eBook only

My review

This is a collection of four delightful holiday novellas.

I thoroughly enjoyed all of the main characters in each of these stories.

The Heart of Joy (A Prairie Heritage Novella) by Vikki Kestell

This story is a fantastic historical romance. It was obvious from the beginning of the story that there was some history between Joy Michaels and Edmund O’Dell. I haven’t read any of the novels in the series that this story belongs in. This led to some confusion for me by some of the things that were mentioned. After I finished reading the entire story I realized that it belonged in a series. Then I recognized that I would have understood things much better if I had read the previous books. The thing I loved the most in this story is the deep faith that was expressed by the characters in it.

Snow Angels (A Great Lakes Series Novella) by Cathe Swanson

This novella is a sweet contemporary romance. Lisa Marsh and Anders “Pete” Petersen are both big hearted people that want to help others. The story is filled with humorous scenes as conclusions are jumped to and communication breaks down. It was a delight to see how things got sorted out in the end.

Trip the Light Fantastic by April Hayman

This story is a contemporary bumbling FBI agent (Lance “Trip” Devereaux) trying to catch the bad guy (Landry Crawford). The comedy is hilarious and kept me chuckling. The cast of characters are some of the quirkiest I have ever seen. Two of them are Landry’s elderly cousins, Sassy and Sissy. One of the main topics dealt with is the need to forgive others.

Christmas Stalkings by Chautona Havig

Wendy Nabity is the crazy cat lady to the max. Not only does she have seven but she decorates seven trees each Christmas. Each of them is themed around one of her lovely pets. I loved the detailed descriptions of the decorations used on the trees. The way Wendy is always trying to encourage herself to be a better person really caught my attention. It is something we should all strive to do. Maybe we can skip the talking to ourselves though.

I found this collection of novellas to be a very entertaining way to spend some of my free time. I am highly recommending it and giving it a rating of 5 stars.

I received a free eBook copy of this novella collection through Celebrate Lit. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the Authors

Vikki Kestell is the author of the acclaimed inspirational series, A Prairie Heritage—a compelling saga of family, faith, and great courage. Vikki’s contribution to this collection, The Heart of Joy, asks, “Can true, enduring love happen twice in a lifetime?”  

Cathe Swanson: Author of contemporary mystery and romantic suspense, Cathe brings us Snow Angels – an entertaining companion novella and introduction to her upcoming Great Lakes series.  

April Hayman: Author of Heirlooms of Deception series, debuts with a novella featuring mystery, humor, and “divine intervention.”

  

Chautona Havig: Author of the Amazon bestselling Aggie’s Inheritance, Past Forward, and HearthLand series, Chautona brings humor, stalkings, and stockings to this collection.

Guest Post from the Authors

The Christmas Lights Collection formed in the spring of 2016 with the idea of bringing four novellas together with one unifying theme: light. After all, each author in this collection has one primary focus in life: Jesus. And in the book of John, He is called the “Light of Men.”

We thought we’d share what inspired our novellas and pray that these books are a delight and encouragement to all.  

The Heart of Joy: This novella is a spin-off story from Vikki Kestell’s Prairie Heritage series and features one of her most beloved characters, Joy Thoresen, from book three, Joy on This Mountain. After three years of widowhood, Joy mourns not only the loss of her husband but the child someone has kidnapped as well. Only her faith sustains her through difficult days.

Vikki’s goal in writing is to provide FaithFilledFiction to Christians, and this novella is no exception. She worked to show that even amid our sorrow, the Lord brings good, hope-filled gifts to us even when we think we’re not ready for them. She also desired to fill in small, time-veiled gaps in Joy’s story. The Heart of Joy puts the finishing touches on Joy’s story.  

Snow Angels: The idea for Snow Angels came to Cathe in slow increments. The idea of using homeless veterans originally prompted research into homeless shelters and programs, but the scope of those became too much for a novella. Still, those characters had stories Cathe wanted to tell, so she continued her research and became increasingly concerned with the plight of homeless veterans—particularly the women. For some reason, we often forget that women serve, get PTSD, and end up on the streets just like the men.

Cathe wanted to combine those realities with other misconceptions that often blind us to the person behind the façade. She wanted to demonstrate how people in otherwise normal lives also can be thrust into situations that trigger PTSD and how those people work through it. Of course, with such a heavy topic, Cathe chose to write the story with a liberal dusting of humor to lighten the mood as you read.

As her debut novel, Cathe introduces readers to characters we’ll see more of in her Great Lakes series and paves the way for her upcoming novel, Baggage Claim, releasing in early 2017.  

Trip the Light Fantastic: April has been working on a mystery surrounding, of all things, Shakespeare’s inkwell! So, when she was invited to be a part of the Christmas Lights Collection, April decided to do an introductory novel to her Heirlooms of Deception series and Lance “Trip” Devereaux was “born.”

April admits to loving another character, Landry, just a little bit more than the others. Yet, he could never be a main character. He’s too much of a rascal and a mastermind, so he works best from the shadows. While this book wasn’t about him directly, it could be about someone similar—someone who works in the light but has lost his way and needs help from God and some new friends. Trip the Light Fantastic is a sideways introduction into a character that April hopes will entertain readers for more books to come.

April set her series in Mississippi where her grandparents lived, so the books are rich in southern manners, mannerisms, and manors! Well, there’s one plantation belonging to her irascible but charming con-artist. Watch for a book set at the Crawford house in Spilled Ink, releasing in December 2016.  

Christmas Stalkings: A couple of years ago, Chautona was on a Facebook group and a young woman admitted to having seven Christmas trees. Intrigued, she named it the “Seven Tree Obsession” and wondered what kind of character would have seven trees—and why. Well, the more she thought about it, the more interesting it became. After all, what would happen if ornaments got moved around when she wasn’t looking? Who would do that? Why? And what could she add to complicate it?

So, when the opportunity to do the Christmas Lights Collection came, Chautona decided she wanted to do that story. It seemed easy enough to contain into forty-thousand words. HA! But she got in her car, turned on her trusty voice recorder, and in the three-hour trek to her ACFW meeting, she schemed, plotted, and laughed until her sides ached at the ideas she came up with. Half never made it into the book, of course, but that’s okay. Chautona has a prequel/sequel planned for it. Lord willing, New Year’s Revolutions will release on December 31. It’s the “Paul Harvey” version—the “rest of the story.”

While Christmas Stalkings does stand alone, Chautona wanted to explore Neal’s side of things a bit. So she is. It’ll be the fastest “write-to-publication” she’s ever done, but she just had to try. So, for NaNoWriMo, Chautona is off to try to figure out what’s up with Neal and why he’s such a crusty curmudgeon. He’s too young for that! And maybe, just maybe, he’ll embrace a “new life” in the New Year.

Blog Stops

 

November 15: Bibliophile Reviews

November 16: blogging it out

November 16: God’s Little Bookworm

November 17: A Reader’s Brain

November 17: Blogging With Carol

November 18: Reading Is My SuperPower

November 18: Proud to be an Autism Mom

November 19: Daysong Reflections

November 19: Splashes of Joy

November 20: D’S QUILTS & BOOKS

November 20: Christian Bookaholic

November 21: Bigreadersite

November 22: A Baker’s Perspective

November 22: A Greater Yes

November 23: Back Porch Reads

November 24: Blossoms and Blessings

November 25: Reviewing Novels Online

November 25: A Path of Joy

November 26: Bukwurmzzz

November 27: Raining Butterfly Kisses

November 27: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations

November 28: Once upon a time

November 28: Carpe Diem

Giveaway

To celebrate their tour, the authors are giving away a $25 Amazon gift card! Click the link below to enter. Be sure to comment on this blog post to claim nine extra entries in the giveaway! https://promosimple.com/ps/a8ae

Love in the Seams by Jodie Wolfe: Review, Author Guest Post, PLUS A GIVEAWAY!

 

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Book

Mae Stafford longs for the companionship and unconditional love her sister has found in her new husband. But after years of refusing potential suitors because of a pact they made as children, Mae no longer has any choices left once their agreement is broken. She has no hope that God will give her what she desires most, a family of her own. Instead of dwelling on what she doesn’t have, she throws herself into her work as the recent sole owner of the local dress shop.

As a promise made to his late wife, Johannes Mueller agrees to travel west to be a school teacher in Calder Springs, Texas, away from the bigotry associated with being an immigrant in New York City. He hopes to improve his life and forget his loss. Johannes isn’t counting on his five-year-old daughter’s search for a new mother when they arrive. His little LillyAnn finds ways to bring the seamstress and him together…often. Can he learn to embrace his German heritage and unlock his heart to love again?

My review

This is a delightfully sweet historical romance.

I have to start with talking about LillyAnn, Johannes Mueller’s five-year-old daughter. She is the sweetest thing I have ever met in a book. From the moment she shows up I wanted to just sit down, take her in my lap and love on her.

Both Johannes and Mae were incredibly well developed and easy to connect with. I thoroughly enjoyed the way the relationship between them progressed. They started as acquaintances and then with the help of LillyAnn they spent time together and got to know each other.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author but I will definitely be reading everything else she writes. I am giving this wonderful story a rating of 5 stars and highly recommending it.

I received a free eBook copy of this novel through Celebrate Lit. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

Book Information

Title: Love in the Seams (Twins and Needles #2)

Author: Jodie Wolfe

Pages: 206

Release Date: November 2, 2016

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

About the Author

Jodie Wolfe creates novels where hope and quirky meet. She’s been a semi-finalist and finalist in various writing contests and is a member of ACFW. When not writing she enjoys spending time with her husband in Pennsylvania, reading, walking, and being a Grammie. Learn more at http://www.jodiewolfe.com/.

Guest Post from Jodie Wolfe

I’m so excited to be a part of a Celebrate Lit tour. Thank you for the opportunity to give a small peek into my world. J Love in the Seams is book two in my Twins & Needles series. Mae Stafford’s journey to believe and have hope that God will give her the desires of her heart echo the ups and downs of my writing adventure.

I wrote my first novel as a teen quite a number of years ago. Ahem. We won’t say how many years that have passed since then. J Let’s just say it’s quite a few. My next novel didn’t get written until my early twenties…and then soon after I had children. Fiction writing took a back seat as I raised my sons and home schooled them all the way through high school.

Over seven years ago I felt God nudging me back to writing. I still had a son at home, so the progress was a little slow at first. Since then I’ve written four novels, three novellas, and have pitched a half dozen other ideas at various conferences or through my amazing agent.

God dropped my agent, Linda S. Glaz of Hartline Literary Agency, into my lap when I least expected it, but that’s a different story. I’ve had quite a number of rejections over the past few years as she’s tried to drum up interest for my books. We’ve had some nibbles and times when an editor or two was interested, but things didn’t progress any further than that.

I’ve entered contests and have experienced mixed results. I semi-finaled in American Christian Fiction Writer’s Genesis contest a few years ago, and this past summer I found out I’m a finalist in three different contests. But there also have been quite a few where the responses weren’t so great.

Earlier this year I decided to put out a novella independently and Hearts Tightly Knit was the result. It told the tale of Mae’s twin sister, Ellie, and their pact to always stay together and never marry. When Ellie ended up with her happily-ever-after, I knew that Mae needed one too. The only thing is Mae isn’t sure if her hopes for a family will ever come to fruition.

Highs and lows are part of a writer’s life. Well, actually for all of us. J Sometimes it’s easy to get bogged down in the negatives, the ‘rejections’ and not be able to see past them. Believe me, at times I wallow there for a little bit, but my aim is to write books that share about the hope we have in Christ. How can I convey that if I don’t believe and experience it myself?

One of my favorite verses is Hebrews 11:1 (HCSB) which says, “Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.” One of the things I have hoped for many years was a writing contract. That finally happened in September when I signed for a novelette with Celebrate Lit that will be coming out in the spring. In the process of waiting, I’ve found God has refined and honed me in this journey of hope.

My prayer is that my books will touch your heart and give you a glimmer of the hope we have in Christ. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity into your world.

Giveaway

In honor of her tour, Jodie is giving away a wooden decorated basket, a 24 thread spools with needles and threader, a pack of 30 needles, a tape measure, a tomato pin cushion, embroidery scissors, a thimble, 15 piece sewing kit, and a $10 Amazon gift card0! Click the link below to enter; be sure to comment on this post to claim your nine bonus entries for this giveaway! https://promosimple.com/ps/a88d

Tangled Webs (Men of Valor #3) by Irene Hannon

Title: Tangled Webs (Men of Valor #3)

Author: Irene Hannon

Pages: 368

Release Date: October 4, 2016

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Publisher: Revell

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. I chose to write a review to express my personal opinion.

About the book:

     Three-time RITA Award Winner delivers another heart-stopping thriller.

     After a disastrous Middle East mission ends his six year Army Ranger career, Finn McGregor needs some downtime. A peaceful month in the woods sounds like the perfect way to decompress. But peace isn’t on the agenda once he crosses paths with publishing executive Dana Lewis, a neighbor who is nursing wounds of her own. Someone seems bent on disrupting her stay in the cabin she inherited from her grandfather. As Finn and Dana work together to discover who is behind the disquieting pranks, the incidents begin to take on a menacing tone. And when it becomes apparent Dana’s foe may have deadly intent, Finn finds himself back in the thick of the action – ready or not.

     Bestselling author Irene Hannon draws readers into a web of psychological suspense where danger lurks in dark corners . . . and keeps them captive until the very last page.

My review:

     An incredible romantic suspense novel!

     This is a stand-alone story. The main characters from the first two books do appear in this one though. The family dynamics between the three brothers makes more sense if you have read the previous stories.

     I have always thought of suspense novels as having a specific story progression. This novel is different in that while you have two viewpoints included. The first one is the main character that is in danger and trying to solve the mystery behind that danger. You also have the bad guy’s viewpoint interwoven throughout the book.

     I really love the depth of both Finn and Dana. The author does a marvelous job of developing each of them and their friendship. The way she has them slowly learn to trust each other and share their traumatic incidents with each other was great.

     I really liked the insight we get into what made the bad guys turn to a life of crimes. As the danger built we knew what was prompting it. We just didn’t know how things would come to a head and be resolved.

     I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful book and am highly recommending it. It is getting a rating of 5 stars from me.

 Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Woman, Thou Art Healed & Whole by T.D. Jakes

Title: Woman, Thou Art Healed & Whole: A 90 Day Devotional Journey

Author: T.D. Jakes

Pages: 192

Year: 2016

Genre: Devotional

Publisher: Destiny Image

Format: Hardback

Note: I received a free copy of this book through The Book Club Network. I chose to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the book:

     Experience freedom from the pain of your past!

     Many women are not enjoying an abundant, full, and satisfying life because they are still imprisoned by the pain of the past. It’s time to get free…and live free!

     In Woman, Thou Art Healed and Whole, Bishop T.D. Jakes shares words of encouragement that will heal your soul and liberate your heart.

     So what is holding you back from living life to the fullest?

     Maybe you have experienced trauma, abuse, destructive relationships, betrayal, pain from poor decisions, unforgiveness, guilt, or shame. These prisons are constantly looking for souls to claim and restrain.

     Even though you may have already received God’s forgiveness, it’s time for you to start walking in the healing and wholeness He has made available to you.

     Get ready to experience Heaven’s healing for your past so you can start enjoying the abundant life today!

My review:

     A great collection of thought provoking devotions.

     Each of these devotions is well written and express one aspect of healing and growth. Some of them do build on the previous day’s thought. Many of them address the hurt caused by abuse. There are a number though dealing with other types of wounds. Some of them even seem to be focused on mistakes that we ourselves make and the guilt that is carried from those mistakes.

     There were a few of the readings that just plain didn’t make sense to me and I struggled a lot with trying to understand what the author was saying. This is the reason that I took one star off from my rating.

     I have decided to give this devotional a rating of 4 stars. I am recommending it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Rebel Horse Rescue (Horses and Friends #5) by Miralee Ferrell

Title: Rebel Horse Rescue (Horses and Friends #5)

Author: Miralee Ferrell

Pages: 200

Release Date: October 10, 2016

Genre: Middle School Age

Publisher: Mountain Brook INK

Format: eBook (also available in paperback

Note: I received a free eBook copy of this novel from the author. I chose to write this review expressing my personal opinion.

About the book:

     Summer is winding down for Kate and her friends when a surprise visitor appears at her family’s stable – a beautiful bay horse wearing a halter and a bad attitude. Dubbing the horse “Rebel,” the friends set out to find the horse’s owner. Where did he come from, and why are horses all over the area disappearing from their pastures and paddocks? It’s a mystery that even the sheriff can’t figure out, so Kate decides to head up the investigation. When Kate’s autistic brother, Pete, develops a strong connection to the new arrival, Kate wonders – did God bring Rebel to them for a bigger purpose?

My review:

     Another wonderful story for “tweens” and horse lovers.

     I consider this to be part of a “true” series since the characters’ lives are progressing in a normal manner. Yet the actual plot of the story does stand alone. Reading these books in order just helps to fill in the spaces as to who the different people are and how they met.

     Kate and her friends continue to grow and mature in this new story. They have learned the importance of prayer and seem to be quicker at taking their problems and concerns to God.

     One of the things that I have enjoyed throughout these books is the fact that these kids are willing to accept new people. They don’t hold the newcomer out at arm’s length. Whenever they are doing something they call and include him.

     I loved the fact that there was a fairly deep discussion between Kate, her friends, and her mom about forgiveness. What it is and why it is important. This is a very important aspect of life that we all need to learn more and more about.

     I appreciate the “life lessons” that are included and am highly recommending this wonderful book. It is getting a 5 star rating from me.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Unbroken Spirit (Mystic Hope #1) by Kelsey Norman

Title: Unbroken Spirit (Mystic Hope #1)

Author: Kelsey Norman

Pages: 250

Year: 2016

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Mountain Brook INK

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a free eBook copy of this novel from the publisher. I chose to write this review expressing my personal opinion.

About the book:

     Her past left her wounded, but he has the power to heal—

     Nina Anderson is lucky to be alive. After years of abuse at the hands of her boyfriend, she’s finally free. Determined to get back on her feet, she’s left her past behind for a fresh start on her grandparents’ farm is Despair, Kansas. Even though, Jeremy, the man who’d abused her is in prison fifteen-hundred miles away, Nina is still haunted by dark memories.

     Then a mysterious, unearthly man appears, bringing her the respect she’s always want – and maybe even a chance at love. He’s been sent to serve as Nina’s protector and to help her with an event that is to occur in the near future. The catch is, Liam doesn’t know what it is or when it will take place. Will he have the power to save her and restore Nina’s faith in God?

My review:

     A compelling look at life for an abuse victims.

     I am usually hesitant to read paranormal stories. I’m very glad that I chose to read this one though. The non-human character, Liam, is very gentle and caring and only around to help Nina through a terrible ordeal. I thoroughly enjoyed the description of him and how Nina was drawn to him because of his appearance. The way the mystery about his background and where he came from was excellent.

     I found Nina to be very well-developed. I found that I was extremely invested in her and wanted to see her healed from all of the emotional wounds caused by the abuse she had suffered in the past. Some of the sections where she was reliving the abuse either in dreams or in sharing it with Liam were very hard for me to read. That was only because of the great amount of detail that the author provided. They were very eye opening for me.

     I have decided to give this wonderful story a rating of 5 stars. I am highly recommending it. If you don’t normally read paranormal stories I ask you to consider giving it a try with this book.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*