COVER REVEAL: BEYOND HER CALLING by Kellyn Roth!

 Hey everyone! Today I'm pumped to share the cover reveal for Beyond Her Calling, book 4 in the Chronicles of Alice And Ivy series. If you're a fan of Christian historical romances, the Victorian era, or Scotland (*cough* or all three, if you're like me), then you'll definitely want to check out this book as well as the others in the series! Check out some info below. 

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Ivy Knight feels that her life may never start. Though her loving family assures her that her place in the world is close to home, she still feels a push to move out of her comfort zone. Hoping against hope, she travels to her old friends at McCale House, seeking a purpose.

Jordy McAllen has just returned to Scotland after his education in London. He fears that what everyone has always said about him may be true: he can’t be a good doctor, let alone a good man. Determined to prove himself, Jordy snatches up the opportunity to become the doctor in the village of Keefmore near his parents’ farm.

When an old friend decides to travel to Keefmore and visit a relative, Ivy follows. She soon finds herself drawn to Jordy, but as their attraction grows, they both face doubts. A relationship between the two of them feels improbable—and might just require a step of impossible faith.

RELEASING JANUARY 22, 2022.

GOODREADS  | AMAZON PREORDER

And now, for that cover...
(It's absolutely so pretty) 

Isn't it perfect?! Make sure to shelf it on Goodreads, and keep your eyes peeled for preorders. Do you plan on reading Beyond Her Calling? Have you read the recent release, At Her Fingertips? 

REVIEW: PROMISES UNBROKEN by Kristina Hall!

 

Hey everyone! Today I have a review for Promises Unbroken by Kristina Hall, a historical fiction novel set in mobster-riddled New York. I was excited to get the review request, and it was definitely an interesting read! First, here's some info about the book and its author. 

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How much will she risk to save her sister?

Mae Ashton has every reason to stay in Georgia and marry the man she loves, save one—the disappearance of her sister. Although all evidence points to Hazel's death, Mae's discovery of a single picture changes everything. If Hazel is alive, Mae will find her. And she's left everything to do so.

Davis Everleigh isn't about to let Mae, his fiancée, go just because of a note that hardly explains her departure to New York City. Instead, he follows her to the city and gains employment with the man Mae believes is somehow connected to Hazel.

As Davis and Mae become further entrenched in their effort to locate Hazel, they find themselves facing a corrupt businessman and his ruthless henchman, Alberto Moretti. In a world of lies, will the truth prevail—both about Hazel and in their own lives?

GOODREADS | AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kristina Hall is a sinner saved by grace who seeks to glorify God with her words. She is a homeschool graduate and holds a degree in accounting. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, arm wrestling, lifting weights, and playing the violin. Visit her website at kristinahallauthor.wordpress.com.

MY REVIEW
I really enjoyed one of Hall's other novels, a Westerner To The Uttermost, so I was glad to read this one. The story starts off with a bang with some high tension - I mean, the main character's the target of what's essentially a powerful mob - and readers have to hang tight waiting to find out exactly WHY. Hall definitely weaves some good pacing into her novel; we have to learn more about the main character's circumstances as the opportunity arises, which kept me interested. I did find that a few chapters in, the timeline felt a little muddled and some of the story felt somewhat repetitive/like we were being given the same information a few too many times, but it didn't keep me from continuing, and I ended up reading the second half of it in one sitting. So it definitely maintains interest! The characters, especially Davis and a particular pastor, are easy to empathize with and their individual choices make a lot of sense for their personalities (which do impact the story, very much).  The characters are especially what stood out to me in this book, which I loved.

Have you read any books by Kristina Hall? Does Promises Unbroken sound interesting to you? 

COVER REVEAL: FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE VOLUME ONE!

Today’s the daaay! While I’ve been hard at work retyping, reformatting, and...all the ick stuff that happens after you’ve written a book, something much more exciting has been in the works! First off, I want to give a huge THANK YOU to every single person who signed up to share the cover reveal. You guys keep me going when I get frustrated and want to give up the work. (Yeah, that's the formatting talking.)

And that includes everyone who takes the time to check their posts out, like them, (follow these folks, guys, they deserve it!) or even shares the posts themselves. It means more than I can ever express, and it still astounds me that folks are so willing to help out.

SO. Without further ado.

This is the official cover for the Faith, Hope, and Love Collection repackage! Volume One! What do you think? Check out my blog post for more info, but for now, here’s the blurb:

What could God do with absolute brokenness? With shredded pasts, hopeless futures, and hearts beyond human help?  In the midst of war-torn minds, broken self-worth, the harrowing reality of human trafficking, and doubts, three couples find healing, hope, and love. Not to mention the interesting ways that life intertwines the stories of family and strangers alike. In the Faith, Hope, and Love Vol. 1 Collection, follow the lives of Lucy and Spencer, Levi and Eleanor, and Morgan and Martin as they explore themes of healing, selflessness, sacrifice, and what we are called to do above all else. 

A contemporary Christian volume containing the complete first three books of the Faith, Hope, and Love collection: Welcome Home, My Compass Home, and Guide Me Home.  

ARRIVING SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2021. 

So...what do you guys think?

REVIEW: MYSTERIES OF THE MESSIAH by Rabbi Jason Sobel!

So...I've found myself interested in Jewish culture and beliefs thanks to watching the show The Chosen (which I believe Rabbi Sobel also consults on), so when I got the opportunity to read and review Mysteries of the Messiah, I was pretty excited.  Check out my review below, but first, here's a quick rundown about the book and its author, Rabbi Jason Sobel. 

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Are you settling for half the story? Highlighting connections that have been hidden from non-Jewish eyes, Rabbi Jason Sobel will connect the dots between the Old and New Testament, helping you see the Bible with clarity as God intended.

Most people—even people of faith—do not understand how the Bible fits together. Too many Christians accept half an inheritance, content to embrace merely the New Testament, while Jewish people may often experience the same by embracing only the Old Testament. But God has an intricate plan and purpose for both the Old and the New.

In Mysteries of the Messiah, Rabbi Jason Sobel reveals the many connections in Scripture hidden in plain sight. Known for his emphatic declaration “but there’s more!” he guides us in seeing the passion and purpose of the Messiah. Mysteries of the Messiah:

• Uncovers connections between the Old and New Testaments
• Connects the dots for readers with details about Jesus, the Torah, and biblical characters
• Written with the unique perspective of a rabbi with an evangelical theological degree

No matter how many times you have read the Bible, Mysteries of the Messiah will bring fresh perspective and insight. God’s Word, written by many people over thousands of years, is not a random selection of people and stories. Rabbi Jason Sobel connects the dots and helps us see with clarity what God intended.

AMAZON | GOODREADS 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Raised in a Jewish home in New Jersey, Rabbi Jason Sobel dedicated much of his life in pursuit of a spiritual connection with God. After years of seeking and studying, he encountered God and found his true destiny as a Jewish follower of Yeshua (Jesus). Suddenly, all the traditions Rabbi Jason grew up with took on new depth and meaning as God connected the ancient wisdom of the Torah with the teachings of the Messiah.

Rabbi Jason received his rabbinic ordination from the UMJC (Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations) in 2005. He has a B.A. in Jewish Studies (Moody) and an M.A. in Intercultural Studies (Southeastern Seminary). He is a sought-after speaker and has made multiple appearances on national television, including the Trinity Broadcasting Network, the Daystar Network, and the Dr. Oz Show. Rabbi Jason is the author of Breakthrough: Living a Life That Overflows, Aligning with God's Appointed Times, and he is also the coauthor of New York Times bestseller The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi with Kathie Lee Gifford. You can learn more at www.rabbisobel.com


MY REVIEW 

If you want to take your understanding of the Bible, especially the connections between the Old Testament and New Testament (referred to after this point as OT and NT respectively), and exactly how much information gets lost in English translations from the original Hebrew text, this is definitely a good place to start. Rabbi Sobel does an excellent job of explaining the divide between Jewish beliefs and Christian beliefs, and what both Jewish and Christian culture and beliefs tend to miss by cherry-picking certain aspects of the Bible over others. It's truly eye opening and it will give you a much deeper appreciation for the importance of reading and understanding the Bible in its entirety, of dedicating time to study it, and of seeing Christ's influence throughout all of time.  Some of the parallels are absolutely breathtaking (like Mount Moriah, the mountain range where both Isaac and Christ were offered as sacrifice); others take a little bit of time to steep.  As a Christian, I found this book compelling and educational.  If you've ever wondered why it's important to study the OT because the NT "wiped away the need for the OT," this book will give you about 224 pages explaining why.  While some of the numerical values he brings up is a bit difficult to get through to begin with (Hebrew letters also have numerical value, which adds a whole new layer to the workings of the Bible), the rest of the book was easy enough to follow.  I'd say that if you enjoy nonfiction books, this is one you'll want to add to your TBR.  

Also, you can enter the giveaway for a copy of Mysteries of the Messiah here! 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have you watched The Chosen? Do you intend on reading Mysteries of the Messiah? What are some of your favorite nonfiction novels on Christianity? 

REVIEW: AT HER FINGERTIPS by Kellyn Roth!

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She’s willing to do anything to follow her plan.

Debutante Alice Knight is ready for her first social season in London. She’s determined to impress society and her mother with an affluent match, at last escaping her past and embracing a future of her own making.

Peter Strauss, an American reporter visiting England, isn’t exactly what Alice had in mind. However, his friendship proves invaluable as Alice faces the challenges of her debut. Almost immediately, she attracts the attention of a well-born gentleman—perfect save for the simple fact that he’s not a Christian.

The life she longs for is finally at her fingertips, but between her own heart and the convictions of her faith, she isn’t sure she ought to grasp it.

AMAZON | GOODREADS
Book 3 of the Chronicles of Alive and Ivy series. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kellyn Roth is a Christian historical women’s fiction & romance author from North-Eastern Oregon who has independently published multiple novels, the most notable being The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy series. You should definitely call her Kell.

Kell lives on family-owned property outside an unmemorable but historical town with her parents, two little brothers, arbitrary cat, precious border collies, a dozen cows, and lots of chickens. She also possesses a classic, vintage aesthetic which does not at all speak to her country girl side, but such is life.

When not writing, Kell likes to blog, teach writing to her various students, have day jobs which allow her to keep her car properly insured, and spend lavish amounts of money on Dairy Queen french fries. She also likes to talk about Keira Knightley and her own books way too much.

WEBSITE | BLOG | NEWSLETTER | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | MEWE | GOODREADS
MY REVIEW

First of all, to get it out of the way - this one gets a solid 5/5 from me. That's all. 

I absolutely love this series, and At Her Fingertips definitely does not disappoint. The thought that's put into the historical context of the book is so rich that I learn something almost every time I pick up one of these books. The characters are vibrant and hop right off the pages.  The Christian elements are important and leave the readers with something to chew on.  I have to say that Peter is an absolute dear, as is Alice. And Gibson...well, I'd like to have a little chat with him. The story itself is compelling and thought-provoking; I ended up reading it in about two sittings even though I planned to read it a bit more slowly than that. It's attention-grabbing and maintains your interest pretty much from start to finish, and you'll find yourself rooting for the good guys, curious about the motives of the morally-gray, and wanting to yell at the bad guys -- just the blend I enjoy. (Plus, the book mentions horses and does so with accuracy, so that's always a bonus in my eyes.) 
If you enjoy historical fiction or women's fiction (or both), you'll love this book.  And if you haven't checked out the rest of the series, you'll want to do that too. This book is fine as a standalone, but you'll just want to read the rest of them too. Trust me. 

GIVEAWAY

Don't forget to enter the giveaway - you've got a chance to win a prize bundle, which is the perfect opportunity to dive into the Chronicles of Alice & Ivy (highly recommended, by the way). Check it out and enter below! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And just to whet your palate, here's a great little quote from the book. Do you plan on snagging a copy?  It's perfect summer reading. And don't forget to check out the rest of the series while you're at it! If you enjoy historical books, you'll love the series. Guaranteed. 

In case you want to catch up on some of the fun posts that have been going on throughout the tour, including interviews and character spotlights, check out the links below! You should be able to click the blog titles. 

BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE

Wednesday:
Intro post - Kellyn Roth @ Reveries & Lilacs
Review - Hannah E.M. @ Precious Book Stacks

Thursday:
Introducing Alice - Kellyn Roth @ Reveries & Lilacs
Interview with Gibson Ashfield - SawyerMarie @ SundropGirls
Review  - @ Kristina Hall, Author

Friday: 
Introducing...Love Interests!? - Kellyn Roth @ Reveries & Lilacs
Interview with Ivy Knight - Grace A. Johnson @ Gabbing with Grace
Review - Jenavieve Rose @ Living Outside the Lines

Saturday: 
Launch Day! - Kellyn Roth @ Reveries & Lilacs
Review - Loretta Marchize @ Just Writing

Interview @ Vanessa Hall 

Sunday: 
Themes - Kellyn Roth @ Reveries & Lilacs
Interview with Alice Knight - Katja L. @ Little Blossoms for Jesus

Monday: 
Siblings - Kellyn Roth @ Reveries & Lilacs
Guest Post - Andrea Cox @ Writing To Inspire
Review - Tara Savanna @ Tower in the Plains
Interview with Nettie Jameson - Ryana Lynn @ Life of Heritage Corner

Tuesday: 
Mothers - Kellyn Roth @ Reveries & Lilacs
Character Spotlight with Peter Strauss - Abigail Kay Harris @ Read Review Rejoice

Wednesday: 
Wrapup Post - Kellyn Roth @ Reveries & Lilacs
Review - Michaela Bush @ Tangled Up In Writing (You are here) 

Saturday, July 24th: 
Giveaway Wrapup - Kellyn Roth @ Reveries & Lilacs

COVER REVEAL: PARADISE LOST by Angela R. Watts!

 Hey everyone! Today I have a cover reveal for Angela R. Watts' NEXT upcoming Infidel book, which takes you back to the very beginning. Get ready for Paradise Lost, book #0 of The Infidel Books. This cover is absolutely astounding. I had the honor of beta-reading this beast (it packs a punch) and it's definitely one you'll want to add to your TBR. 

So let's get going, right?! 

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The end of an era begins—but three young men refuse to fall victim to the Second Civil War.

Gideon Hochberg has lost everything—except two thieving friends and his dog. When the nation’s strongest ganglord shows interest in their street skills and mercenary-like abilities, they take the chance they’ve fought for and join Johnston’s ranks.

But the USA is under martial law after war breaks out over constitutional rights, and the three men must decide why they’re fighting, and who they can trust. As they face death and struggle to learn the ropes of the new world they have to conquer, one thing remains steadfast: each other.

If you love post-apocalyptic thrillers and want a fast-paced and gritty adventure, grab Paradise Lost and dive into a falling nation.

Intense, right? Well, if you're into the Infidel Books series, there's good news. You only have to wait TEN DAYS for this release -- it's coming July 27th! 

Now, for the cover....

And it's just as mind blowing as the rest of the series. 

You ready? 

How about that cover? 

Make sure to follow Angela R. Watts on Instagram for more updates! 

REVIEW: THE MERCENARY'S DECEPTION by Angela R. Watts

 

Hey everyone! To say that I'm stoked to offer a review of The Mercenary's Deception by Angela R. Watts is an understatement.  I read this one so fast I'm pretty sure my poor eyes still haven't recovered. (Oops. Sorry not sorry.) So I have a review of it today, and there's also a giveaway you'll want to stick around for. But first, here's some info about the book as well as Watts.

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WHEN THE WAR IS LOST, THE INFIDELS MUST RISK EVERYTHING.

The fate of the United States rests on West Johnston’s shoulders. West and Brian, the ex-general of the Union, work together to take control of the Second Civil War that ripped the nation apart. But their betrayal is short lived when the Union gains control and West must kill his mafia lord father.

During a rescue operation, Rene’ Fisher and Gideon Hochberg are kidnapped by a previous member of Springtown. If Rene’ and Gideon can hold on, they can give vital information about the war that could end it all. But if their teammates don’t reach them in time, the war could be over.

If you love post-apocalyptic thrillers and want a fast-paced and gritty adventure, grab The Mercenary’s Deception and follow West and his team as they face their hardest trials yet. AMAZON | GOODREADS | SIGNED COPIES

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Angela R. Watts is bestselling author of The Infidel Books and Golgotha. She lives at Step by Step Sanctuary, Tennessee, where she raises horses, dogs, cats, and snails. She’s been writing stories since she was little, and when she’s not writing, she’s probably drawing or working with her amazing editorial clients.

https://angelarwatts.com/

FACEBOOK | AMAZON | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM

MY REVIEW 

This book deserves to break the normal star-rating system, folks. I'm calling it. Watts blends incredibly hard topics with themes of redemption and grace.  Sci-fi is made believable, and worse, realistic. The characters' struggles are so clearly articulated that they practically leap off of the pages. Horrific circumstances pertaining to trafficking are also dealt with realistically but tactfully, which I also appreciated very much. I found myself invested in the story right away, and quite literally couldn't put it down. It hits the ground running and honestly, it keeps running long after you've finished the final pages. It gets you thinking, which is what I love in a book. 

This story will keep you awake at night...and if it does, it's a good thing.  

GIVEAWAY

One winner will be selected to win a signed copy of The Mercenary's Deception and bookish swag (stickers, a button, and a postcard)! Click HERE to enter.

Are you planning on picking up a copy of The Mercenary's Deception? Have you read the other books in the series yet? Sound off in the comments below!