REP POST: Across Fields Studio!

Hey everyone!  I'm so pumped to announce that I'm now a brand rep for Across Fields Studio, a small business owned by a very talented Christian artist.  I adore her designs, so I was ecstatic for the opportunity to be a brand rep!    

Grace, the shop owner, offers a variety of creations from t-shirts, mugs, art prints, notebooks, postcards, and stickers that incorporate Bible verses with her original watercolor artwork. (As a general rule, if anyone mentions 'watercolor,' I'll be there ASAP with all the heart eyes.)  She also runs a blog HERE!

And just because you're reading this, you have access to a coupon!  If you use my rep code through the end of May, you can get 10% off any order to Across Fields Studio.  Make sure to use the code "tangledup10" when you're checking out.  Click HERE to shop!

You can also follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.  Her posts are absolutely beautiful, so make sure to check them out!  

Some of my absolute favorite designs (although it's hard to choose) -- the "Stay the Course" sticker,  the "Psalm & Waves" design, and THESE awesome downloads!  

I'll be sharing some pics here and on my Instagram/Facebook soon.  For now, sound off in the comments below!  What's your favorite product or design by Across Fields Studio?  Again, don't forget to keep my rep code so you can get a discount anytime you order!  

REVIEW: THE MOONLIGHT SCHOOL by Suzanne Woods Fisher!

 Hey everyone!  Today I have a review for The Moonlight School by Suzanne Woods Fisher.  Check out some of the basic info on the book before reading on for my review!

BLURB

Haunted by her sister's mysterious disappearance, Lucy Wilson arrives in Rowan County, Kentucky, in the spring of 1911 to work for Cora Wilson Stewart, superintendent of education. When Cora sends Lucy into the hills to act as scribe for the mountain people, she is repelled by the primitive conditions and intellectual poverty she encounters. Few adults can read and write.

Born in those hills, Cora knows the plague of illiteracy. So does Brother Wyatt, a singing schoolmaster who travels through the hills. Involving Lucy and Wyatt, Cora hatches a plan to open the schoolhouses to adults on moonlit nights. The best way to combat poverty, she believes, is to eliminate illiteracy. But will the people come?

As Lucy emerges from a life in the shadows, she finds purpose; or maybe purpose finds her. With purpose comes answers to her questions, and something else she hadn't expected: love.

Inspired by the true events of the Moonlight Schools, this standalone novel from bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher brings to life the story that shocked the nation into taking adult literacy seriously. You'll finish the last page of this enthralling story with deep gratitude for the gift of reading.

AMAZON | GOODREADS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Suzanne Woods Fisher loves stories worth telling about people worth remembering. With over a million copies of her book sold worldwide, this bestselling, award-winning author of more than 30 books is always on the lookout for the unsung hero with an untold story.

Readers are invited to stop by Suzanne's website at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com

MY REVIEW

This one is a solid 4/5 rating.  The beginning was attention-grabbing and the characters were definitely endearing.  While the narration switches through a couple different characters, their POVs and narration styles are so different that it's easy to to separate them.  The narration and dialogue stayed authentic to Appalachian slang, which really gave the book a unique touch.  While the middle seemed to sag a little bit -- not as much forward movement as I would've liked to see in the storyline -- it was still an enjoyable read and definitely thought-provoking.  I especially appreciated that the basis of the book was built on something that occurred historically (moonlight schools), which really adds some depth to the book if you keep that context in mind while you're reading.  The characters were quite dimensional and seemed to hop easily from the pages; the descriptions were vivid, and the storyline was compelling.  Definitely a good read for fans of historical fiction!

REVIEW: NETWORK OF DECEIT by Tom Threadgill!

Hey everyone!  Today I have a review of Network of Deceit by Tom Threadgill.  I reviewed Collision of Lies last February and was pretty antsy to read the next book in the series, so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to review this one as well!  It definitely didn't disappoint!  

 BLURB

After her rescue of nearly fifty kidnapped children made international headlines, Amara Alvarez gets what she's worked for: a transfer to San Antonio's Homicide Division. Reality sets in quickly, though, as her first case, the suspicious death of a teenager at a crowded local water park, brings chaos to her personal life.

As the investigation moves forward and she increases the pressure on the suspects, Amara finds herself under attack by cybercriminals. Her every move is being potentially watched online, and she's forced to resort to unconventional methods to find the killer. With few leads, she fights to keep her first murder investigation from ending up in the cold case files.

Tom Threadgill is back with another riveting page-turner featuring the detective who is willing to put everything on the line to see that justice is served and lives are protected.

AMAZON | GOODREADS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tom Threadgill turned his love of a good tale into a full-time profession. His books have a distinct focus on clean, suspenseful action with strong character development. He is a member of the International Thriller Writers (ITW) and American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). In his downtime, Tom enjoys woodworking, riding his Harley, and chasing the elusive Yard of the Month award. He currently resides with his wife in the Dallas area and can be reached through his website at TomThreadgill.com.

MY REVIEW: 

This one is an easy 5/5 rating, and I daresay it might go down as one of my top 10 favorite reads of 2021.  It's only February, but I'm calling it now.  Wow.  I enjoyed the first book in the series, Collision of Lies, but this one is absolutely attention-grabbing and it keeps your interest so easily.  The plot is fast-paced, the characters really come into their own, and the mystery is a definite head-scratcher.  It keeps you guessing until the last minute, which is a major win in my opinion.  I absolutely love Amara's character (okay, Starsky too...) and her character really gets a chance to shine in this book.  The idea - cybercriminals, hacking, exactly how much of our lives are controlled by tech - feels fresh and original for the genre, but it's not overly techy, so readers don't have to worry about feeling lost in an array of foreign terms.  The crime dynamics are fascinatingly chilling and will probably have you considering some duct tape over that computer webcam.  And I'm definitely looking forward to the next chapter in Amara Alvarez's story!  

Have you read any books by Threadgill?  Do you plan on picking up Network of Deceit?  

REVIEW: A DANCE IN DONEGAL by Jennifer Deibel

 Hey everyone!  I have another review for you guys; this one is for A Dance in Donegal by Jennifer Deibel!  It's a historical set in Ireland just a couple years after the Spanish Flu.  Before I get into the details of my own review, though, here's some info about the book! 

BLURB

All of her life, Irish-American Moira Doherty has relished her mother's descriptions of Ireland. When her mother dies unexpectedly in the summer of 1920, Moira decides to fulfill her mother's wish that she become the teacher in Ballymann, her home village in Donegal, Ireland.

After an arduous voyage, Moira arrives to a new home and a new job in an ancient country. Though a few locals offer a warm welcome, others are distanced by superstition and suspicion. Rumors about Moira's mother are unspoken in her presence but threaten to derail everything she's journeyed to Ballymann to do. Moira must rely on the kindness of a handful of friends--and the strength of Sean, an unsettlingly handsome thatcher who keeps popping up unannounced--as she seeks to navigate a life she'd never dreamed of . . . but perhaps was meant to live.

Jennifer Deibel's debut novel delights the senses, bringing to life the sights, sounds, smells, and language of a lush country and a colorful people. Historical romance fans will embrace her with open arms.

AMAZON | GOODREADS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jennifer Deibel is a middle school teacher and freelance writer. Her work has appeared on (in)courage, on The Better Mom, in Missions Mosaic Magazine, and others. With firsthand immersive experience abroad, Jennifer writes stories that help redefine home through the lens of culture, history, and family. After nearly a decade of living in Ireland and Austria, she now lives in Arizona.

MY REVIEW

I really struggled with how I wanted to review this book.  On one hand, I was interested in the premise, and reading a historical set in Ireland and steeped in mysterious rumors definitely piqued my interest.  So I'm just going to list the things I liked about the book, the things I didn't like, and then mention my star rating.  

PROS: *Beautiful descriptions.  I really enjoyed reading Deibel's descriptive language, and it was almost like being there. 
*Accurate use of Irish-Gaelic.  While I'm studying Scots-Gaelic, there's a bit of overlap between the two, and it was really cool to see Irish-Gaelic used throughout the novel. 
*Sean was probably my favorite character; he really seemed to step right out of the pages. 
*Some powerful themes on faith, trusting God, and finding your place in the world.  

CONS:   
*The plot could have been quite a bit tighter.  While the story started off immediately capturing my attention, the middle seemed to flail a bit.  There were several things that seemed to come out of left field and didn't realistically serve a purpose within the book.
*I won't spoil with any names, but if you are sensitive to detailed situations regarding a man abusing and assaulting a woman, you will want to be aware there is a scene that really took me by surprise, which lasted about 2-3 pages (I skimmed/skipped it).  It's not disgustingly graphic, but if that is a known trigger for you, skip it.  Perhaps the worst part was that the character's recovery from that was very unrealistic and barely touched upon.  

Overall, I really wanted to love this book - I've heard it compared to Christy - but there were also a lot of things that could have been done better, in my honest opinion.  I'm giving it 3 stars out of 5.

Do you plan on reading A Dance in Donegal?  Do you have any historical fiction recommendations?  

SCAVENGER HUNT BLOG TOUR: FANNY'S HOPE CHEST!

 

Welcome to the Hope Chest Scavenger Hunt! This is to celebrate the release this weekend of Fanny’s Hope Chest.

 Here’s how to play:

1.     Grab the full list of items to search HERE

2.     Find the hidden item on each blog (list below)

3.     Go to Tangled up in Writing or The Destiny of One and enter the giveaway with your completed list. (see below)

4.     Tell your friends about the scavenger hunt

5.     Watch to see if your name is drawn on February 16th for 1 of 5 prize packs

 

Blogs:

Tower in the Plains

Read Another Page

Little Blossoms for Jesus

Resting Life

Kate the Author

Living Outside the Lines

Singing in the Rain

Showers of Blessings

Life of Heritage

Kelsey Bryant Author

Abigail Harris

Beyond the Literary Horizon

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Fanny’s Hope Chest:

How old is too old for a hope chest?

When Ellie starts a new job as a home health aide, she doesn't expect to meet a woman in her eighties looking for her hope chest, nor a house as messy as Ellie's own emotional state. But as she cleans up Fanny's house, she begins to wonder if Fanny's hope chest might hold the answers to her questions about disappointed dreams and holding on to hope.

That is, if she can face both the mess and her own heart.

Get it for $0.99 before the price goes up! 

REVIEW: FANNY'S HOPE CHEST by Sarah Holman

Hey everyone! Today I have a review for Fanny's Hope Chest by Sarah Holman, an upcoming novella geared toward singles -- and it releases February 14th! You'll want to stay tuned later this week for some fun festivities she's got planned as well -- so keep that in mind! Today's just a short review, but I also wanted to mention that you can preorder a copy of the book for $0.99 so if this book piques your interest, make sure to grab a copy!

 BLURB

How old is too old for a hope chest?

Ellie Decker is pretty sure thirty is the right time to start asking that question. All she’s ever wanted to be is a wife and mother, but no guy has even asked her out.

When she starts her new job as a home health aide, she meets Fanny. When Fanny asks her to help her find her hope chest in her hopelessly messy house, Ellie isn’t sure what to think. What could an eighty-plus-year-old want with a hope chest? The answer just might help her solve her own question.

AMAZON | GOODREADS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sarah Holman lives in central Texas with her amazing family. When not working on her next novel, she can usually be found hanging out with her siblings, reading, or taking long walks. If there is anything adventuresome about her life, it’s because she serves a God with a destiny bigger than anything she could have imagined. WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK

MY REVIEW

4.5/5 stars. I signed up to review this a bit on a whim, and especially because the main character's job is my own day job -- so I was excited to see some representation haha. What I wasn't expecting was how hard I would be impacted by this story...not only about the single-ness aspect, but of letting go of hopes and dreams and ways you expected life to go. I've been going through that kind of thing in waves, and I didn't expect to see those themes gently and biblically presented in this sweet little story. Not to mention, the storytelling was clever. I easily read it in one sitting and definitely recommend it for folks who enjoy a nice, heartfelt, clean story.

Do you plan on picking up a copy of the book?  What are some of your favorite books to read around Valentine's Day?

INTERVIEW: Kellyn Roth & BECOMING MISS KNIGHT!

Hey guys!  Today I've got a fun post celebrating the release of Kellyn Roth's latest novel in the Chronicles of Alice & Ivy series -- including an interview by Ms. Roth!  So you'll definitely want to stick around for that.  First, though, some info about the book and the author!

BLURB

Becoming Miss Knight is no easy task, but surrender is not an option.

Alice Knight’s debut is in less than a year, and everything has to be perfect. Of course, she’d rather be riding her horse or playing with her younger siblings than learning to curtsy. But, with her mother in France for a holiday, the care of the house falls to her—and what better time to learn what it really means to be a lady?

Ivy, her twin sister, has other things on her mind. Namely, the endless conundrum of why she promised to keep an eye on her younger siblings while her parents are gone. She’s the least-qualified person to take care of them, but, bound by her word, she’s determined to try.

Even with all the guidance and advice available, becoming Miss Knight isn’t proving to be easy for either of them. However, any amount of work is worth keeping a promise to their mother.

This short novella, set between Ivy Introspective and At Her Fingertips, is the first Alice and Ivy novella to launch.

AMAZON | GOODREADS

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 just … way too much.

WEBSITE | BLOG | NEWSLETTER | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | MEWE

Want to help share about Becoming Miss Knight?  Signups will be open through February 15th, so hop over to the form and check out the ways you can help!  Click HERE!

1. What's one of your favorite scenes from Becoming Miss Knight?

KELLYN: Definitely every scene where Nettie is giving advice. She gives so many valuable tidbits! I also love Alice's list-writing scene, and the scene where Ivy turns their adventure around. (Honestly, I enjoy most of the novella!)

2. What themes will readers discover in this book?

KELLYN: Mostly growing up and finding your place - but under that umbrella, making plans for the future (particularly romantically) and how that's not a sure thing & being okay with where you're at.

3. Did you turn to any specific inspiration for this book?

KELLYN: Well, a lot of it is inspired by real life! Friends' stories and whatnot. I also drew inspiration from older "coming of age" stories like the Betsy-Tacy books and Emma by Jane Austen.

4. What is one thing you hope readers gain by reading Becoming Miss Knight?

KELLYN: That a lot of our worries are unhelpful - and yet that doesn't mean they don't exist and should go unaddressed. And that, in our frantic preparation for things we can't predict, we often make ourselves ridiculous. And that Nettie should be listened to at all costs. ;-)

Thank you so much for interviewing me!

Thanks so much for the opportunity to interview you, Kellyn!  Such great answers.  If you haven't checked out Becoming Miss Knight yet, make sure you snag a copy soon.  I more or less devoured my copy, and it was such a sweet little read...in fact, it bumped me out of a reading slump!  Perfect cozy read for the cold winter months!

I just had to share this quote too -- as one of those "crazy horse people," I had a good laugh over it and realized that the exact same thing is on my list, too.   

Do you plan on reading Becoming Miss Knight? What are some of your favorite quick and cozy reads?

Don't forget to join the launch team!