BLOG TOUR & REVIEW: METHUSELAH PROJECT: S.O.S. by Rick Barry!

Friday, October 30, 2020

Hey everyone!  Today I have a review for Methuselah Project: S.O.S by Rick Barry!  I tried really, really hard to avoid the temptation of signing up for this tour because I was really busy, but I ended up caving -- and I'm super grateful I did, because I found a new series to follow!  This book is fantastic, and I'll get into my thoughts more after a little bit of information about the author and the book itself.  





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rick Barry is the author of Methuselah Project: S.O.S., The Methuselah Project, Gunner's Run, Kiriath's Quest, plus over 200 published articles and fiction stories. In addition to being a World War II buff, he has visited Eastern Europe over 50 times in connection with Christian ministries. He holds a degree in foreign languages and speaks Russian. Visit Rick at his website, www.rickcbarry.com, or at facebook.com/AuthorRickBarry, or on Twitter (@WriterRickBarry).




SYNOPSIS:

Born in the final days of Nazi Germany, an underground organization is alive, growing, and manipulating events in our world today …

The survivor of a secret German experiment in 1943, Roger Greene possesses a unique physiology. To this day, his body remains youthful and heals quickly. In exchange for information about the mysterious Heritage Organization that Roger once escaped, the CIA has given him a new identity and pulled strings to get him into the modern U.S. Air Force.

Now, Roger’s main thrills are serving his country in an F-35 and spending time with Katherine, the love of his life. Suddenly, the CIA shows up and drops a bombshell—evidence that Sophie, the woman who Roger believed had died helping him escape, is alive. The Heritage Organization is holding her and others prisoner in an unknown location.

Honor-bound to rescue the woman who risked her life for him, Roger accepts temporary duties with the CIA. But just when the mission is already straining his relationship with Katherine, Roger becomes a murder suspect. A fugitive, he continues the mission to find Sophie alone. What he discovers lands this pilot deep inside a shadowy network intent on world domination.

Will Roger’s faith carry him through this quest—or will those tracking him succeed in snuffing out his long life once and for all?

A sensational standalone story, Rick Barry’s sequel to The Methuselah Project launches you into an unforgettable journey through danger, suspense, hope, and love—an experience that will keep you turning pages well into the night!

GOODREADS | AMAZON 



MY REVIEW

When the synopsis says this book will keep readers turning pages long into the night, it means it.  I was fascinated by the prose, the ease with which the plot developed (and thickened), and I had an absolute blast reading it.  If you're a fan of Marvel, you'll want to read this book.  It's an interesting and very original Christian twist on superhuman capabilities a-la Captain America (and then some; and more believable as well!)  The book was fast-paced and held my interest very easily.  I did stumble a little bit with reading one early chapter, but I think that's largely because this is the second book in a series and I hadn't read the first one yet! It was still pretty easy to follow.  Now that I've read this one, I'm definitely going to pick up the first book as well.  The way the story blended sci-fi with reality was flawless.  The plot was fast-paced through the entire novel, right to the very end. 

Overall, this book really made my nerdy heart happy and I'm glad I took the opportunity to read it!  I'm definitely looking forward to subsequent novels by Barry, hopefully in the Methuselah Project vein!  


What's your favorite Marvel character?  Do you enjoy WWII era fiction? (Or characters from the WWII era?)


GIVEAWAY Now Open!

 We're one week away from the release of THE LADY OF LANARIA!  I'm going to be busy getting the proof sent for approval and...feeling like I've forgotten to do a hundred things even though I have a to-do list.  Oops.  But in the meantime...

I was going to share this tomorrow (and I mentioned like two days ago that the giveaway would open Oct 31st) but I'm going to be super busy, so I just opened up the giveaway a day early.  You guys won't complain, will you?  Enter here:

  a Rafflecopter giveaway  

 



WHAT'S INCLUDED: 

1 - Signed copy of THE LADY OF LANARIA

1 - Bookmark

1 - Map 

1 - Book sleeve made by CJ's Crafts Shop especially for the book

1 - "We Will Thrive" adjustable bracelet cuff by Rustic Lane Jewelry 



Entering on Rafflecopter is super easy! BUT I will add that the "don't follow to unfollow" rule applies here too.  I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy following these lovely ladies!  There are some entries that you'll be able to do daily, and you have til Nov 10th to get your entries in!  The only downside is that this is a U.S. only giveaway, since shipping is atrocious.  



So. Many. Updates.

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Hey everyone!  Here's where I pretty much vomit up all of the cascading news of everything that's coming up soon or going on currently.  (AKA a lot.)

WRITING: 
I'm currently lowkey working on a few projects right now.  Very, very lowkey because I have a lot on my plate as it is and it's cramping my creative style.  But I have a few thousand words started into a new book, and I'm not sure if I'll be keeping any of those words, but it's a start!  And I also have a rough outline/character sheet started for another one.


NEW RELEASE:

Well, it's the week before release week.  I don't even know how on earth that happened, and I'm not sure how it can be the END of October already, but here we are...oof.  Preorders are going surprisingly well, and I'm amazed everyone's actually excited for this!  If you want to, make sure to keep track of my social media accounts all next week because the blog tour is kicking off Sunday!  Neverland Book Tours is doing the tour, and Rose was a joy to work with.  You can still preorder signed copies of The Lady of Lanaria HERE, and if you want to shelf it on Goodreads, it's HERE!  


PRETTI-FIED PAGE

I realized that the page on my website, featuring my books, was an actual wreck.  So I updated it, got some glam shots, and whatnot -- check it out HERE!  


GIVEAWAY STARTS OCT 31ST

The "big" giveaway for my book release will launch October 31st -- so check back soon!  


SIGNED PAPERBACKS

If you're interested in ordering signed paperbacks, I'm no longer using Etsy!  That was an executive decision I made...yesterday morning.  At least, I'm not using it for the moment.  I'm still deciding whether or not to keep using it. BUT you can still order from me!  Click HERE for more information, to check out prices, and see what's up!  I also have a few "bundle" options available at an extremely limited basis.  I have an extremely heavy drawer to empty out, folks -- since I bought a bunch of books for signings last year and this year, and...then 2020 happened.  As you can see, you can also order signed copies of The Lady of Lanaria on this form, but that's no different than my preorder form for signed paperbacks!


Whew.  Well, with that all off of my chest, I want to hear from YOU!  What are you doing this week?  Anything you're looking forward to?  I hope it's a lot more fun than all of this marketing stuff.  

COVER REVEAL: VICTORY'S VOICE by Erika Mathews!

Sunday, October 25, 2020

Hey everyone! Today I'm super excited to share the new cover for Victory’s Voice (Truth from Taerna #2) by Erika Mathews, coming this March! But before you take in the gorgeous cover, here's a bit of information about the book!

SYNOPSIS:

When Ellisia, a seventeen-year-old book enthusiast with a passion for learning and a fascination with words, has the opportunity to attend Academy, she’s elated to further her education as well as live near the Palace BookHall—the focus of her lifelong dream. But as she begins to discover the true power of the spoken word, she faces a choice: join forces with a foreign scientist or relinquish her dreams of someday working in the BookHall. As the scientist’s projects begin to threaten the safety of Ellisia’s family, she’s torn between her loyalties and her ambitions.⁠

When an impending crisis brings a clash of spiritual kingdoms, Ellisia must once for all choose how she’ll harness the power of words. Spoken words transcend her reality, uniting heavenly with earthly and commanding the forces that drive the physical world, and Ellisia’s voice will be the catalyst for sure defeat—or decisive victory.⁠


You can preorder this Christian kingdom adventure novel today from Amazon - click HERE. And in case you haven't read Promise's Prayer (Truth from Taerna #1), click HERE to order it now!

And if you want to order a special signed copy of Promise's Prayer, click HERE!


Follow Erika Mathews: INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | BLOG 


And now...for the cover itself!  Like the cover for Promise's Prayer, this was designed by Alea Harper.  Isn't it absolutely gorgeous? 




Have you read Promise's Prayer yet?  What are your thoughts on the cover for Victory's Voice?








COVER REVEAL: THE HOLIDAY VISITOR by Trista Shaye!

Saturday, October 24, 2020

 Hey everyone!  Today I have an adorable cover reveal to share, for The Holiday Visitor by Trista Shaye!  Make sure to read on for more information about the book -- and of course, check out the cover!  If you're a cat lover like I am, get ready for all the heart-eyes!

SYNOPSIS 

This is the second book of the middle-grade series, Big the Barn Cat.

The scent of Christmas cookies and pine trees is in the air—and so is the scent of trickery.
The winter wind is ripping through the midwest and Big the Barn Cat is seeing to his winter jobs on the farm and hoping he’ll avoid catching a cold during the chilly season.
The week before Christmas, Big unexpectedly encounters a creature in need. Under the influence of the Christmas spirit—and possibly a touch of cat curiosity—he steps in to help. But it turns out that the critter he rescues is a fugitive and Big is dangerously close to becoming one himself.
Can Big unravel the secrets this odd creature hides, save it from the cruel weather in which it can’t survive, and escape from the clutches of a murderous mob all by Christmas Day?
Big is counting on a certain jolly elf’s help. But how does a cat talk to Santa anyway?


Make sure to follow Trista Shaye on Instagram for more information! 


Can I just say that this series sounds super cute?  Definitely a great Christmas idea for MG readers!

But now, onward to the cover reveal!


Isn't that cover pretty?! Have you read the first book in the Big the Barn Cat series yet -  or do you plan to?



BLOG TOUR: A VERY BOOKISH THANKSGIVING SPOTLIGHT + PARTIAL REVIEW!

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

 

 


Hey everyone!  Today I have the honor of sharing a spotlight for A Very Bookish Thanksgiving, releasing Monday October 26th!  Read on for more information about this sweet collection of classic-inspired stories, and make sure to check out my short review of A Fine Day Tomorrow, Amanda Tero's story in this collection!  



Five stories.
Five book-lovers.
Five Thanksgiving novellas inspired by five classics.
This is a limited-edition novella collection with contributions by five different authors.

The Promise of Acorns ~ Kelsey Bryant
Erin Moore is a nanny whose strained relationship with Thanksgiving becomes even more complicated when her new employer asks her to teach his grandchildren about the holiday. The results surprise them both.
Inspired by Jane Eyre

 


As Long as I Belong ~ Sarah Holman
Young Analise Marshall has always felt like she straddles two worlds, like Jane Austen’s Fanny Price. Yet, near Thanksgiving, she faces the fact she might soon not belong anywhere at all.
Inspired by Mansfield Park

 


The Windles and the Lost Boy ~ Rebekah Jones
All Lost Boys could find refuge with Patrick Quill. Jeremy might do the same—if he could find him and if Patrick is real.
Inspired by Peter Pan

 


Grand Intentions ~ J. Grace Pennington
Pippa has always dreamed of being a great novelist, but between her job and helping her mom raise her three younger brothers, she never seems to be able to write. So when her grandmother offers her a few months away with all the time she could wish for, she’s sure to write the story she’s always dreamed of—or does her problem run deeper than she thinks?
Inspired by Great Expectations

 


A Fine Day Tomorrow ~ Amanda Tero
Essie March never planned to do much with her life, being the sickly one of the family. And just as she starts to pursue her dream of nursing, it seems that everything stands in her way to prevent it.
Inspired by Little Women

 

I had the opportunity to beta read A Fine Day Tomorrow, and it was such a lovely story!  It's definitely a timely read, since it deals with the Spanish Flu of 1918 -- and that's why I think it's such an important story to read right now.  It handles tough topics of loss and suffering very well, but it also portrays themes of light and hope -- and that's important now more than ever.  If the beta version of this story was fantastic, I know the final version in this collection will be even better!  


Releases on October 26!

Available for pre-order now at this link

(The price will go up from $2.99 to $4.99 on October 27, so get it now!)

Add to Goodreads

 

 

About the Authors:

Kelsey Bryant is an author, editor, and martial arts instructor from Central Texas. She loves God, her family, classic literature, and anything that transports her to the past.

Website | Facebook | Goodreads

 

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 | Facebook | Goodreads

 

Rebekah Jones is first and foremost a follower of the Living God. She started writing as a little girl, seeking to glorify her King with her books and stories. Rebekah is an old soul in a young body (she’s not 12—honest!). While her exact age is classified, her interests are not. Among them are reading a variety of books, singing, playing and composing music, studying all manner of subjects, nannying an adventurous group of youngsters, and, of course, writing her books, poems, articles, and short stories. She writes a wide range of books from gentle children’s adventures to family sagas to murder mysteries.

Website | Facebook | Instagram

 

J. Grace Pennington has been telling stories since she could talk and writing them down since age five. Now she lives in the great state of Texas, where she writes as much as adult life permits. When she’s not writing she enjoys reading good books, having adventures with her husband, and looking up at the stars.

Website | Facebook | Instagram

 

Amanda Tero grew up attending a one room school with her eleven siblings—and loved it! She also fell in love with reading to the point her mom withheld her books to get her to do her chores. That love of reading turned into a love of writing YA fiction. Amanda is a music teacher by day and a literary guide by night, creating stories that whisk readers off to new eras and introduce them to heroic but flawed characters that live out their faith in astonishing ways.

Website | Facebook | Instagram

 

Giveaway!

 

Enter this giveaway for a chance to win a fun fall package!

 


 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway package includes Hello Autumn sign, Thankful jar, Fall cozy, and Autumn-themed charm necklace.

 

 

 

A Facebook Launch Party + A WINTER BOOKFEST?!

Monday, October 19, 2020




Are you excited for the release of The Lady of Lanaria?  Do you want to attend the virtual launch party for it?  Because I'll be having one!  Click HERE to join on Facebook and to check out the event details!  There will be a Q&A, games, and a few giveaways too!  




ALSO, I wanted to let everyone know that Angela R. Watts is planning on hosting a Virtual Winter Bookfest event!  If it's anything like the summer event she hosted this year, there will be a lot of great authors, games, and maybe even a few giveaways!  If you're a YA, NA, or adult fiction author, you can sign up HERE to participate in the event!  She only asks that the books you plan on promoting don't contain overtly graphic violence, swearing, sex, etc. The party will take place December 4th-6th, so sign up soon and share!  (Your books don't have to be set in the wintertime or be Christmas-themed to participate in the winter bookfest, but obviously those books are welcome too.)  I'm planning on being there -- what about you?  

LAUNCH DAY: Par La Grâce!

Thursday, October 15, 2020

 Hey everyone!  Today's the launch day for Par La Grâce!  Now, I know you guys are used to seeing my posts about book launches, release days, and so on -- but I absolutely love the decor, mugs, and little shelf decorations that Par La Grâce offers, and I jumped at the opportunity to share about her new website!  



This evening, she's launching her new site, which will include a new blog and a new place to shop!  While the website is still a bit under wraps this morning, you can still go on and sign up for her email list -- later on, you'll have access to shop news and coupons, but for right now, you'll get a free printable!  Isn't it absolutely beautiful?  I love the swirly script and the serif fonts combined...it makes my typography nerd heart sing.  Plus I love the message!  Definitely an important reminder right now.  


She has a lot of mugs and small wooden signs available in her shop that would be absolutely adorable for decorating shelves or using for bookstagram shots!  There are even some designs with bookish quotes.  (And there are some Anne of Green Gables quotes on mugs and signs, too -- which I love!)   



Click HERE to check out her website -- and if you want to go straight for the printables, her email list signup is HERE


You can also follow Par La Grâce on INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, and ETSY -- and if you're into DIY projects and home decor, follow Par La Grâce Home on INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, and PINTEREST!  


Do you plan on visiting her new website?  What's on your wishlist from her Etsy shop? 



THE LADY OF LANARIA: New Preorder Options!

Tuesday, October 13, 2020




Hey everyone!  I have a quick announcement (well, two) to let you know about!  First of all, I just opened up signed paperback preorders for anyone who wants to get a signed paperback.  Make sure to get your order in before November 2nd!  You'll also get a preorder goodie packet shipped with your book.  They're only $9.00 with shipping included!  Click HERE for more information and to sign up.  (This is only for U.S. mailing addresses, sorry!)


BUT if you're an international reader, you can still preorder your own Kindle version of The Lady of Lanaria on Amazon for $0.99!  If you do so, please contact me or fill out this form HERE and let me know that you're an int'l reader.  I have a special digital preorder goodie packet with printables and phone wallpapers/lock screens that I can email to you!  


Please feel free to let me know if you have any questions.  Stay tuned -- in the coming weeks, I'll be announcing more plans for the November 6th release, giveaways, and more!  Only a few weeks til release day!  Who's excited?



FIVE FALL FAVORITES Blog Hop Day 6: Top 5 of 2020!

Saturday, October 10, 2020

 

 


Hey everyone!  Today is the last day of the Five Fall Favorites blog hop!  Let's give a round of applause to everyone who participated, read, commented, and had fun this week!  Today's list of five books?  My top five of 2020! 

   


Now, let's gather around the bonfire, warm up our chilly hands, and enjoy the blaze a little bit before we get into our story list for the day.  

The Edge of Belonging by Amanda Cox
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This book very easily made my top five list for 2020, even though I just read it a few weeks ago.  It's a heartfelt, touching, and thought-provoking story on the importance of family, loss, and love.  The story was very masterfully written, and it's a book that you'll finish and immediately want to re-read again.  Absolutely lovely, and the romantic subplot is the sweetest thing in the world without a doubt.  

Click HERE to read my review.



The Half-Glass Girl by Julie Mozart
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This is another book by a debut author, this time a YA novel in which contemporary and fantasy collide.  This book is very well-thought-out, full of fantastic dry humor, adorable characters, and some thought-provoking themes too.  If you're a fan of fantasy, dragons, and leading ladies who aren't afraid to use a bit of wit and snark, this one's for you.  I loved it.

Click HERE to read my review.  
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This one is the third book in the Sheena Meyer series (and if you follow my newsletter, you've probably already heard about it.)  The whole series is definitely worth reading; although it's middle-grade fiction, the themes are thought-provoking and the characters are lovable.  The entire premise of the series is very interesting; it takes spiritual warfare into consideration in an age-appropriate manner and poses the question of what might happen if some people were more aware of those battles.  Sheena Meyer is...and the third book, The Girl Who Captured The Sun, is absolutely awe-inspiring. There are more than a couple of scenes that had my jaw hanging.  

The Crownless King by Kara Linaburg 
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This book was another easy choice for my top five.  It poses some really important questions as well, as a YA fantasy, and talks a lot about mental health and personal identity.  Those themes are very masterfully discussed through all of the characters, in their own ways, and the climax scene is nothing less than spectacular.  It's such an important read for 2020 and beyond...and it's super enjoyable to read as well -- great prose.  


Okay, so I thought about cheating a bit and listing this one as The Entire Wingfeather Saga, but I made myself choose just one.  On The Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson is the first book in The Wingfeather Saga; that great book that starts it all.  While this series has been around for awhile, I had only heard of them a few years back and could never find the books to buy -- so when I heard that they were being re-released and the publisher was looking for review readers, I pounced SO. HARD.  And I'm really glad that I did, because I found a new favorite series.  Again, this is middle grade fantasy, but this book transcends age.  It's just the beginning of a breathtaking saga, and it's arguably even more enjoyable to read it the second time around, after you've seen their full character arcs.  The prose is lovely, the simple is made beautiful...and yet, there lurks a deep, deep evil that the characters have to face.  And it's spectacular.  If you're not on the "Featherhead" train yet, it's definitely a great time to get started!  

I will cheat here and give you the links to my review posts for the entire series, which can be found HERE (Books 1 & 2) and HERE (Books 3 &4).  


Honestly, I could go on and on.  There were a lot of really amazing books that I read this year, and this list was arguably one of the hardest ones this week, even though it was the least restrictive category!  Have you read any of these books, or do you plan to?  Let's wrap up in some warm flannel blankets around the fire and discuss.  But before we clean up and douse the fire for the night, there's one more thing you'll want to take home...

If there were any books that caught your eye this week across the entire blog hop, but you happened to forget the title or didn't write it down, you're in luck!  Click the graphic below to find a PDF with the master list of all the books included this week!  


FIVE FALL FAVORITES Blog Hop Day 5: Instructional Nonfiction!

Friday, October 9, 2020

 

 



Click HERE to keep up with the blog hop!



Today's category is INSTRUCTIONAL NONFICTION!  Since this is a blog about books and writing, it's only fitting that all of my selections are books about writing!  Plus, today I'm the Official Book Room for the blog hop, so keep reading for a fun freebie offered by author Sarah Holman!  And since we're in the book room today...obviously, it's a ginormous library like in Beauty and the Beast.  So take a seat or climb the ladder to check out the rows and rows of books surrounding us!  
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I don't really get into a lot of books about writing, and I never bothered to plot my books out before, but I heard so much about Save the Cat! Writes a Novel that I had to check it out.  I read it cover-to-cover in a single day, so that should tell you all you need to know about how interesting and compelling this book is! It converted a very bullheaded Pantser into being a careful Planner (with room to wiggle...so maybe a Plantser...).  This book also dissects popular novels to show how the plot devices they highlight work in bestsellers.  It's sooo helpful.  I definitely recommend giving it a read, even if you don't like to plot your novels either.  
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If I didn't have this book, I would be on the floor in a corner weeping right about now.  It's been absolutely integral in my launch planning for The Lady of Lanaria, and I bring it out every single time I get ready to plan a n y t h i n g.  This book absolutely changed my perspective on marketing and all the less-than-fun stuff that goes into being a successful author or blogger.  While most books or blogs about marketing just say "You have to do this, this, and THIS or you'll be terrible," without explaining much of anything, Raquel explains other alternatives to her preferred methods, why they did or didn't work for her, and she also provides real-world examples to back herself up.  It's arguably one of my favorite books.  (Which might be a little weird, but hey.  I'm a business-owner and author who hates marketing.)

Check out my review HERE.


Grow Your Author Platform by Mandi Lynn and Bethany Atazadeh

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This is another great resource, especially for new authors or those who are struggling to build their platform.  Since this was co-written by two indie authors, you get a lot of interesting perspectives on marketing and a ton of great ideas.  I use it alongside Raquel's book oftentimes as well, and it's interesting to compare their strategies to think up marketing strategies that will work for me.  

A Novel Idea by Jerry B. Jenkins, Karen Kingsbury, Francine Rivers, et. al. 
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If you're just getting into the writing world, this book is a really great resource - especially if you plan on being published traditionally.  It offers advice from some of the biggest names in Christian publishing today, and it covers a ton of topics from the first inkling of an idea of a book, the whole way through different ways you can market your book to agents and publishers at conventions or online (which, in 2020, is probably your best bet...)

It's a nice thick book that's pretty much all-encompassing, and it offers a lot of unique perspectives regarding the writing process, so it's a wonderful resource.  

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This is a book that I kept from my college days (pfft...I say that like it was ages ago) and it was one of the best books I read about poetry.  I enjoy poetry until I have to write it myself, so this one was really helpful, and I really enjoyed reading it.  It describes a lot of poetry tools in layman's terms, and it's a great little book for beginner poets.  This is the book that made me not despise writing poetry...so there you have it!  (Plus it makes me feel like Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor from Home Improvement when I read it.)  


It's fitting that today's theme is "books," since all of those books talk about writing or selling books!  Whew.  I hope that if you're a writer, aspiring or otherwise, that you'll find some new favorites in that list.  



Also, today is my turn to share about a free book offered by one of the great hosts for the Five Fall Favorites hop!  This one is Waltz Into The Waves by Sarah Holman.  


You can download this Cinderella story for FREE today!  Make sure you do so -- I know I will!  Here's some more info about the book as well as the author, Sarah Holman, below.  

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. You can find out more about her at her website www.thedestinyofone.com

BLURB
Amelia has always lived in a manor by the sea with her father, and looks forward every summer to a visit from Alex. However, her perfect life is dashed one summer when tragedy strikes. Will her life ever be happy again?

A 7,000 word short story of faith, love, and happily ever after.




Today and tomorrow are the last days of the Five Fall Favorites blog hop -- don't forget to enter the giveaway!  Lots of fun goodies! Enter HERE

FIVE FALL FAVORITES Blog Hop Day 4: Holidays

Thursday, October 8, 2020

 

 



Click HERE to keep up with the blog hop! 


Today's theme is HOLIDAYS, so let's dust the leaves off of these cozy-looking benches and sit down for another chat, shall we?  With all the holidays coming up soon, it's a very timely topic!

Fools Rush In by Janice Thompson (4th of July)
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The Weddings by Bella series by Janice Thompson is one of my all-time favorites.  The whole series is absolutely hilarious, heartfelt, heartwarming, and overall just one of the best romance series you can pick up.  I can't recommend it enough, especially if you enjoy clean Christian romances and don't mind laughing until your sides hurt.  I mean, what's wrong with that?!  This book even features a holiday -- Independence Day, to be exact.  Since the main character's (Bella's) family is comprised of Italian immigrants, it's a special day to the family...and Bella's aunt even dresses up in a costume of Lady Liberty.  It's wild.  This was the first romance book I ever really read, and it holds a special place in my heart.  

It Had to Be You by Janice Thompson (Valentine's Day)
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Ironically, this is the third book in the Weddings by Bella series, and actually the final one that Revell published, but Thompson continued publishing her Bella books on Amazon herself, as "Bella Novellas" and has included Bella as a secondary character in some of her other series.  At any rate, this is the finale for the overarching romance between Bella and the male main character, Dwayne, and it's no less heartfelt and hilarious than the first.  This one features Valentine's Day, which is perfect because there are so many weddings to be had!  I can't say much without spoiling the whole series, but it's a boatload of fun.  

Victoria Grace, the Jerkface by S.E. Clancy (Thanksgiving)
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This book is one of the newer additions to my "will regularly obsess over this one" pile.  It's a YA contemporary novel featuring grumpy protagonist Victoria Grace, who is signed up for a community service project involving a lonely lady at the local nursing home. When she finds out that the lady's family isn't really around, she sets out to find them -- and learns quite a bit about the world around her, too.  It's such a great story -- it earned a solid five stars from me. This one's holiday is Thanksgiving, so it's a great fall read!  

You can check out my review HERE.  


Barefoot Memories by Taylor Bennett (New Year's)
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This is book 4 in the Tradewinds series by Taylor Bennett.  This one's holiday is New Year's -- and it's the perfect holiday, since there are a lot of new beginnings for the main character, Olive, and her family and friends.  I love this entire series so much, and this one is so heartfelt and well-thought-out.  The character development throughout the entire series is really easy to appreciate in this book, and it was a blast to read it.  And if you get started on the series now, you might even get to this book just in time for the start of 2021, too...so there's an idea!  Below, you'll get to see my thoughts on the 2nd book in the Tradewinds series... 

Check out my review HERE.


Sand Castle Dreams by Taylor Bennett (Thanksgiving)

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This has to be my favorite book out of the entire series, although I love all of them for their unique qualities.  This book is thought-provoking, impactful, and really makes you sit and think about what other people are going through even if they seem like they're fine.  This book features Thanksgiving for a holiday, which is pretty well-thought-out considering some of the themes featured in the book.  Olive has a lot of realistic issues to work through, and all of that is compounded by the loss of her mother and worry over her friend Jazz.  Not to mention...if the guy you like ends up being a teen hit trailed by paparazzi all the time, it miiight take a little getting used to...

You can read my review HERE.



   



ICYMI or if you're just joining us now, there's also a giveaway involved with this blog hop!  Here's a sneak peek at the goodies you can win...and check out Rebekah's blog (just click the above graphic) for more information.  And enter HERE



Doesn't that look fun?!  


What are some of your favorite holiday books?  Have you read any of the ones on this list?

FIVE FALL FAVORITES Blog Hop Day 3: Medical!

Wednesday, October 7, 2020

 


 



Click HERE to keep up with the rest of the stops in the blog hop! 

We're already halfway through the first week of October!  If you're still thinking about entering the giveaway, let me incentivize you a little before I get into the post -- the giveaway includes an adorable tote, signed books by great authors, and an Amazon gift card (so you can pick up even more great books!) And if you're entering internationally, you sadly won't get the physical copies of the books, but you can still win ebook versions as well as the gift card.  Not too shabby! Sign up HERE

 


Now...onward, as we sling our backpacks over our shoulders!  We'll take a quick hike out into a nice grassy spot - I know just the place - and then we'll get into my top five favorite books for the day.  


Today's theme is MEDICAL!  If you like books with leading ladies (and guys) in medical professions, this one's for you.  So let's set our backpacks down in this field here (they're probably heavy with books...I know mine is!) and let's chat! 

Live Without You by Sarah Grace Grzy

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You can click HERE for my full review for this one.  This is the debut novella from Sarah Grace Grzy, and it's so, so sweet!  Featuring two main characters that you'll fall in love with, this is a cozy story for the fall/winter months.  And the finale...man.  The last few chapters had some killer chapter-cliffhangers.  If you enjoy sweet, clean romance, this one's for you! But where does the 'medical' part come in at?  Ezra Bryant, the male main character, is a paramedic.  (And kudos to Grzy for all the realistic terminology!) 

Never Say Goodbye by Sarah Grace Grzy

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You can read my full review HERE. This book can be read as a standalone OR as a sequel to Live Without You.  I prefer it as a sequel -- and it explores one of the minor characters from Live Without You, Tyler Collens.  He's also a paramedic like Ezra.  I loved this book (another cozy story perfect for fall) and the various themes it explored.  I could probably talk about it all day, and now that I'm thinking about it, I want to re-read it again...oops.  This book is absolutely adorable, lots of daddy/daughter interaction with one of the sweetest, most accurate kid characters I've read in awhile, and Alyvia (the female lead) was super easy to empathize with.    


Forged Through Fire by Mark D. McDonough

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Read my full review HERE. (It's really, really long.)

This book is not for the faint of heart, but if you enjoy medical nonfiction, it might be something you're interested in.  It's graphic, it's horrific, and it's 100% real...which perhaps makes all of those details even worse if you think about it long enough.  This is a Christian nonfiction novel detailing Mark D. McDonough's tragic childhood accident, the many many surgeries he had to undergo as a result, and how it all influenced his walk with God and his decision to become a surgeon himself. 


Ivy Introspective by Kellyn Roth

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Read my full review HERE.  This is a unique book for this section; it doesn't talk about medical stuff from the standpoint of characters who are doctors or paramedics or nurses, and it deals with mental stuff rather than physical injury.  Instead, it features a cast of characters living in what would have been considered a mental care facility, way back in ye olden days, minus the torture and abhorrent treatment that you might be thinking of (that was in the not-so-distant-past).  Having a neurologically atypical main character for a historical novel is unique enough, but the fact that Roth seriously took the time to study each condition through the lens of early psychology was impressive to me (as a psych nerd and advocate for disabilities, both mental and physical).  We have a range of characters who suffer from various problems, and there's also a lot of discussion on different therapies that were put to use, especially in the main character's (Ivy's) case.  It also takes a bit of a dive into how parents, circumstance, and environment affect people who are suffering from depressive/personality disorders as well, and even to a certain extent with Ivy and her own anxieties about leaving her mother for treatment.  Overall, it's a great book! 


A Memory Between Us by Sarah Sundin

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This is the first Sundin book that I've read, even though I've heard a lot about her.  This is a story centering around a pilot, Jack, and a nurse, Ruth, who are serving in WWII.  I could tell that the story was very well researched, and it was interesting to read about the different medical terminology and things that were used back in the 40s, as opposed to today's medical intervention standards.  If you're into history, this is another great book to pick up!  The characters were easy to empathize/connect with, the storyline was intriguing, and while I did think that some portions were a bit rushed and other things took a smidge longer than I would've liked (granted, there was a lot to fit into this book), the story overall was enjoyable and definitely made me want to pick up the rest of the series (this is book 2...I have a bad habit of getting into series via the second book, apparently).  If you're a fan of Sundin or medical fiction in general, make sure to pick this one up!  


Have you read any of the books on this list?  What are some of your favorite medical books (or TV shows)?