I am a big fan of Suzanne Woods Fisher. Whether its an Amish romance or women’s fiction, her books are always entertaining. I like her style — fresh, light, and filled with nuggets of wisdom. The Sweet Life, book 1 in the Cape CodCreamery series, was a fun read. The setting was picture-perfect, and this book added to my bucket-list of places to explore. The mother/daughter duo of Dawn and Marnie acted realistically and sure were relatable as they navigated new starts and letting go of plans and expectations.
If you are looking for a quick getaway read, consider The Sweet Life. Also, make sure you have your own stash of ice cream nearby. You will be craving it way before the book is finished! 😉
Recommended.
Audience: Adults.
(Thanks to the publisher for providing a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
Dawn Dixon can hardly believe she’s on a groomless honeymoon on beautiful Cape Cod . . . with her mother. Sure, Marnie Dixon is good company, but Dawn was supposed to be here with Kevin, the love of her life (or so she thought).
Marnie Dixon needs some time away from the absolute realness of life as much as her jilted daughter does, and she’s not about to let her only child suffer alone–even if Marnie herself had been doing precisely that for the past month.
Given the circumstances, maybe it was inevitable that Marnie would do something as rash as buy a run-down ice-cream shop in the town’s tightly regulated historic district. After all, everything’s better with ice cream.
Her exasperated daughter knows that she’s the one who will have to clean up this mess. Even when her mother’s impulsive real estate purchase brings Kevin back into her life, Dawn doesn’t get her hopes up. Everyone knows that broken romances stay broken . . . don’t they?
Welcome to a summer of sweet surprises on Cape Cod–a place where dreams just might come true.
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.
Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Color of Sky and Stone by Sara Davison, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About The Book
Title: The Color of Sky and Stone Series:In the Shadows #1 Author:Sara Davison Publisher: Independently Published (through The Mosaic Collection) Release Date: November 22, 2023 Genre: Romantic Suspense (Christian)
She is the only one who truly sees him. Which makes her his greatest threat.
Black ops undercover agent Tane Temauri—code name Vapor—has made it his life’s mission to stay out of sight. Given the dangers inherent in his job, the last thing he can afford is to step into the open and become a target. Again.
Then a letter from a mysterious stranger changes everything. Although the letter was not meant for him, somehow, on a greater, cosmic scale, it feels as though it is.
But answering it will make Tane vulnerable.
Can he emerge from the shadows and risk everything for a woman he has never met?
If he does, more than his heart could be on the line. So could his life.
Still clutching the stack of papers, Lia propped her elbow on the table and lowered her forehead to her clenched hand. God, help him. Help me. This man was going to kill her. If he’d opened a window to let her catch a glimpse inside him with the last letter, this time he had set off a bomb that blew the sides and roof off the building entirely and scattered the broken pieces around the detonation site as far as the eye could see.
Lia felt equally decimated.
What did this mean for them? Had he freed her by sharing his devastating story? She didn’t feel free. Instead, she felt as though the two of them had just walked through fire together. Somehow, as they had, their lives—some deep, hidden part of both of them—had been inextricably forged together.
Victor didn’t truly want to be rid of her, did he? If he did, he could have simply stopped writing. He almost certainly wouldn’t have referred to their exchange of letters as a relationship. Although she was shocked by his use of the word, as tightly fused as she felt to him in this moment, it did seem apt. In as deep as they both were, what else could they call it?
About The Author
Sara Davison has a passion for writing stories that keep readers on the edge of their seats—and maybe swooning a little. Beyond that, she longs for readers to discover, as her characters do, that whatever they are going through they are never alone. God is always with them. A finalist for more than a dozen national writing awards, Davison is a Cascade, Word, and two-time Carol Award winner for romantic suspense. Like every good Canadian, she loves coffee, hockey, poutine, and apologizing for no particular reason.
Connect with Sara by visitingsaradavison.org to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will win a paperback copy of The Color of Sky and Stone, a $25 Amazon card, and a Romans 8:39-39 wall hanging
(1) winner will win a paperback copy of The Color of Sky and Stone
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 27, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on December 4, 2023. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Happy release day to V. M. Burns! Her newest cozy mystery, Murder on Tour, is now available! I love a cozy mystery, so I’m super excited that Ms. Burns will be a participant on the Coffee, Tea, and Murder discussion panel atTurning A New Page Book Festival on January 27, 2024. If you live anywhere near middle Georgia, put this event on your calendar!
Bookstore owner and Michigander Samantha Washington is thrilled to see her debut historical mystery finally on the shelves, but a killer seems determined to steal away the spotlight . . .
While Sam wraps up her first whirlwind book tour, Nana Jo has kept Market Street Mysteries running smoothly. The last stop is a prestigious book festival in Sam’s hometown of North Harbor, Michigan. But not everyone thinks the guest of honor, bestselling author Judith Hunter, deserves stellar reviews. Sam witnesses nasty arguments between Judith and two different authors—who accuse her of plagiarism and sabotage . . .
When a publicist is poisoned during a cocktail reception, Sam wonders if the killer missed the intended target. It’s a twist that echoes the plot of Sam’s mystery, Murder at Wickfield Lodge. But fact can be stranger—and deadlier—than fiction. How much collateral damage is the killer willing to risk? With feisty Nana Jo and the girls from Shady Acres Retirement Village lending a hand, Sam tries to solve the case before the festival delivers another fatality . . .
V.M. (Valerie) Burns was born and raised in the Midwestern United States. She currently resides in the warmer region of the country with her two poodles, Kenzie and Chloe. Valerie is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Dog Writers of America, Crime Writers of Color, International Thriller Writers, and Sisters in Crime. Valerie is also a mentor in the Writing Popular Fiction MFA program at Seton Hill University. Readers can visit her website at vmburns.com.
Today’s TTT topic is basically a setting freebie. I chose to feature books in which a boat of some kind plays a significant role in the story. From ocean liners to yachts to rowing sculls — these books have it covered.
I cannot wait for this WWII Burma novel, Darkness Calls The Tiger by Janyre Tromp, to release! Look at this gorgeous cover, and then read about the intriguing story. And it releases on my birthday! It will make a lovely gift 😉 !
The battle between revenge and forgiveness is waged in the heart Raised in the mountains of Burma by a widowed and neglectful missionary father, Kailyn Moran accepts her role as the village’s lonely little tiger. But as war starts to devastate her country and her people, Kai realizes passivity is no longer an option. She craves revenge instead.
When young missionary Ryan McDonough shows up in the Kachin mountain village, he’s also ignored by the longtime missionary John Moran. The man doesn’t believe Ryan’s warning that war is coming, and he trusts him with few duties beyond teaching students and tutoring John’s daughter. Just as Ryan starts to cherish the time he gets to spend with Kai, the enemy attacks the village and their lives are ripped apart.
The more Kai pursues her goal of vengeance, the further away she drifts from Ryan. But when something happens to place them in each other’s paths once again, will the anger fueling her finally be defused?
Advanced praise for Darkness Calls The Tiger:
“A must-read for fans of Tosca Lee and Amanda Barratt.”~Stephanie Landsem, Code Name Edelweiss
“Intense, passionate, and heartrending, Tromp’s is a retelling of a little known piece of history.” ~Susie Finkbeinger, bestselling author of The All American
Are you a Black Friday shopper? Me, not so much. I prefer to snuggle in with a holiday-themed book from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day. My list this year is filled with the authors who will be attending theTurning A New Page Book Festival in Perry, Georgia. Most are novella-length and perfect for reading between shopping, baking, parties, school and church events — you know you need a break! The list covers a variety of genres — romance, historical, suspense, mystery — so there should be something for you! Note: many are available through Kindle Unlimited. Look for KU after the author’s name.
Holiday Reading List
Candy Canes, Canines, And Crimes by Kathy Manos Penn (KU)
Destination Christmas by Pam Hillman (KU)
Last to Know by Brandy Heineman (KU)
Magnolia Mistletoe by Lindsey Brackett(KU)
One Winter Kiss by Lindi Peterson (KU)
Prevail by Linda Rodante(KU)
Snowbound with The Rodeo Star by Tanya Agler
The Unbroken Song by Jennifer Q. Hunt(KU)
You Make It Feel Like Christmas by Toni Shiloh
Whiskers, Wreaths, and Murder by Kathy Manos Penn(KU)
Happy Black Friday! Are you bustling around getting those great Christmas shopping deals? Or are you like me, hunkered in with a good book. 🙂 Today I am featuring Abounding Hope, a debut novel by Cindy Kay Stewart. Set in early days of WWII, this is the story of two Americans caught amidst the conflict. Cindy will be joining the historical romance panel at the Turning A New Page Book Festival in Perry, Georgia in January 2024. If you live anywhere near the middle Georgia area, come hear Cindy and the other fabulous authors speak on their writing journeys.
Here’s the first line:
Not a sliver of moonlight lit their path to the riverbank.
Poland’s looming defeat forces an American teacher to escape with children wanted by the Nazis.
It’s late August, 1939, and the world is on the brink of war. The Nazis are threatening Poland, but American teacher Irena Simmons refuses to flee to safety. She’s dedicated her life to serving in her church and school, and she’s watching over the little German boys she whisked to safety the year before. When her former classmate, Jonathan, surprises her in Lvov and insists she leave with him before the war starts, Irena balks. Nothing will interfere with her work—especially a man making demands.
American shipping magnate Jonathan Huntwell had a crush on Irena in school. When their former classmates select him to travel to Poland and escort her out before it’s too late, he doesn’t expect the inner turmoil she ignites in him. Although honor-bound to aid any friend in trouble, Jonathan acknowledges that Irena is more than an obligation to him. However, he must keep his feelings hidden, or he’ll jeopardize their friendship.
Irena soon discovers that the Gestapo agent she successfully evaded in Germany has found her in Poland, and he’s after her young charges. When the Germans invade, Jonathan is in Denmark on business, too far away to help. As the rising danger threatens everything Irena holds dear, she must find a way to protect those she loves.
Based on true events and backed by extensive research, Abounding Hope is sure to delight fans of WWII adventure cloaked in sweet romance. Come to the place where the war began and discover hope in the darkest places.
Cindy Kay Stewart, a retired high school social studies teacher and current church pianist, writes stories of hope, steeped in love, and anchored in faith. Her manuscripts have won the Touched by Love Award, the First Impressions contest, and the Sandra Robbins Inspirational Writing Award. They’ve also finaled in the Maggie Award of Excellence and the Cascade Awards and semi-finaled in the Genesis contest. Cindy is passionate about revealing God’s handiwork in history.
A native of Southern California, Cindy has lived on both coasts, including a sojourn in between. She’s currently happy to make her home in North Georgia and enjoy the peaches. Cindy graduated from Bob Jones University, where she went for her “Mrs.” degree. She was successful, and after forty-two years, her husband still puts up with her. While at BJU, she also earned a bachelors in elementary education. She later earned a masters degree in secondary education/history from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and School Leadership Certification through Kennesaw State University.
Happy Thanksgiving! After the turkey/dressing/pumpkin pie has been consumed, it’s time to settle into a little Christmas reading. You Make It Feel Like Christmas by Toni Shiloh is the perfect read for Thanksgiving weekend. This contemporary romance has all the holiday feels and features a strong faith message. So get to reading!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year–for everyone except Starr Lewis.
As if going home for the holidays jobless and single wasn’t bad enough, she’s dragged into a holiday season full of activities leading up to her sister’s uber-romantic Christmas Eve wedding–to Starr’s ex-boyfriend. But when her brother’s best friend, Waylon Emmerson, attends their family Thanksgiving, she starts to wonder if maybe coming home for Christmas isn’t so bad after all.
As Starr finds the perfect distraction in helping Waylon make over his late mother’s Christmas shop, the most wonderful time of the year works its magic and the spark between them grows. But with the holidays fast approaching, Starr must decide what she wants out of life after the gifts are unwrapped and the ornaments are put away–to go back to New York City or to open her heart to a love that will last beyond Christmas Day?
Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and an award-winning Christian contemporary romance author. She writes to bring God glory and to learn more about His goodness. Her novel, In Search of a Prince, won the first ever, Christy Amplify award. Her novels, Grace Restored, was a 2019 Holt Medallion finalist, RiskingLove a 2020 Selah Award finalist, The Truth About Famea 2021 Holt Medallion finalist, and The Price of Dreams a 2021 Maggie Award finalist.
A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and of the Virginia Chapter, Toni seeks to help readers find authors. She loves connecting with readers and authors alike via social media. You can learn more about her writing athttp://tonishiloh.com.
My Impressions:
Starr is the baby of the overachieving Lewis family. She has always felt on the outside and not quite good enough. Coming home for Thanksgiving without a job just adds to her feelings of inadequacy. In You Make It Feel Like Christmas, Toni Shiloh sets the stage for personal growth, new perspectives, and reconciliation. It definitely will check all the holiday romance boxes and includes a firm faith foundation and family dynamic insights. I loved the Lewis family, warts and all, and was pleased with how the relationships evolved. Starr and Waylon are the perfect romantic duo — I cheered them on as they faced obstacles and doubts with prayer and consideration for each other. As it was a novella length book, YMIFLC was a quick read for me — perfect for the busy season. The light style, serious Christmas-y vibes, and a sweet story make this one a recommended read.
Recommended.
Audience: adults.
(I purchased this book from Amazon. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
With a clever title and intriguing plot, The Preacher Wore Black Leather by Loree Lough was a book I wanted to read. This quickly read novel takes the reader to Reliable, Texas, a small town where everyone knows your name and business! The story revolves around ex-pastor Matt Maxwell. His escape from problems and heartache ends when his motorcycle breaks down outside of town. The townspeople soon take Max into their hearts and homes and his healing begins. I really liked the characters Lough created — colorful, caring, and engaging. Suspense and mystery is included to move the plot along, and there is a fairly big loose thread at the end, promising a second book in the series. There are some cons to the book, though. The writing style is a bit jerky and there is trouble with continuity. I think a little more editing would have improved the novel. But I liked it enough, despite the problems, to want to revisit Reliable when book two in the Sundown Diner series is published.
Recommended.
Audience: adults.
(I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.)
Matt Maxwell wondered a lot about changing his first name to Former: Former Marine. Former minister. Former husband. One by one, he’d lost them all. After losing his wife to his church deacon, he’d packed his battered military duffel, gassed up his ancient motorcycle, and put Baltimore in the Harley’s rearview mirrors. On an unusually cold and snowy Texas night, the Sportster breaks down along the Interstate. Out of luck and nearly broke, Matt’s lured by a bright red sign that reads SUNDOWN DINER. Inside, he meets the owners, the town’s three-man sheriff’s department, and a mechanic who thinks he can fix the old bike. Icy weather and the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday make that impossible, and Matt finds himself stranded in Reliable, where everyone seems determined to keep him from the road to anywhere that isn’t Baltimore. Once the Harley is roadworthy, will he put Reliable behind him? Or does God have other plans for the down-on-his-luck pastor?
At last count, USA Today best-selling author Loree Lough had 134 award-winning books (nearly 17 million copies in circulation), hundreds of industry awards, 7 book-to-movie options), 71 published short stories, and nearly 3,000 nonfiction articles in print.
An oft-invited guest of writers’ organizations, colleges and universities, corporate and government agencies in the U.S. and abroad, Loree loves sharing learned-the-hard-way lessons about the craft and the industry.
Once upon a time, Loree (literally) sang for her supper, performing alone and “opening” for the likes of Tom Jones, Dottie West, The Gatlin Brothers, and more. Though she refuses to share the actual year when she traded her Yamaha 6-string for a wedding ring, she IS willing to admit that, every now and then, she blows the dust off her six-string to croon a tune or two. But mostly, she just writes (and writes).
Loree and her husband split their time between a home in the Baltimore suburbs and a cabin in the Allegheny Mountains, where she continues to hone her “identify the critter tracks” skills. Her favorite pastime? Spending long, leisurely hours with her grandchildren…all seven of them!
Loree and co-host Andrea Boeshaar interview writers (fiction and non), artists, editors, agents, and performers on the popular weekly podcast, Discover the Story, broadcast via iHeart Radio, iTunes, YouTube, Spreaker, and more.
Loree loves hearing from her readers, and answers every letter, personally. You can connect with her at Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and http://www.loreelough.com.
I am again twisting the TTT topic this week. Don’t get me wrong, I am very thankful for books and the wonderful authors who write them. But after 10+ years of blogging, I have posted on this a lot. So today I am bringing you books that are set/begin at Thanksgiving. This list gives you a variety of books to read between now and Christmas. I hope you find one to be thankful for!
Top Books Set During Thanksgiving And After
Another Way Home by Deborah Raney
Sometimes God’s ways are not at all what we expect . . . and exactly what we need. Grant and Audrey are adding grandchildren to their family left and right, but middle daughter, Danae, and her husband, Dallas Brooks, have been trying for years with no baby in sight.
Though Danae is ready to consider adoption, Dallas will not even discuss it. Despairing of ever having a family of her own, Danae decides to pour her passion and energies into volunteer work with a newly opened women’s shelter in town. Looking for a good cause to fill her lonely days, she never expects to give her heart to the hurting women she meets there. She’s finally learning to live her life with gratitude, but then heart-wrenching events on Thanksgiving weekend threaten to pull the entire Whitman clan into turmoil—and leave them all forever changed.
Breath of Dawn by Kristen Heitzman
Following the tragic death of his wife, Jill, Morgan Spencer retreats to his brother’s Rocky Mountain ranch to heal and focus on the care of his infant daughter, Olivia. Two years later, Morgan begins to make plans to return to his home in Santa Barbara to pick up the pieces of his life and career. Quinn Riley has been avoiding her past for four years. Standing up for the truth has forced her into a life of fear and isolation. After a “chance” first meeting and a Thanksgiving snowstorm, Quinn is drawn into the Spencer family’s warm and loving world, and she begins to believe she might find freedom in their friendship. The man Quinn helped put behind bars has recently been released, however, and she fears her past will endanger the entire Spencer family. As the danger heightens, she determines to leave town for the sake of the people who have come to mean so much to her. Fixing problems is what Morgan Spencer does best, and he is not willing to let Quinn run away, possibly into the clutches of a man bent on revenge. But Morgan’s solution sends him and Quinn on an unexpected path, with repercussions neither could have anticipated.
Darkness Rising by Lis Wiehl and Pete Nelson
The evil in East Salem is no longer content to hide in the shadows. The stakes—and the darkness—are rising.
Dani Harris thought there wasn’t much left that could surprise her after serving as a forensic psychiatrist in East Salem. And Tommy Gunderson has faced few challenges in his life that he couldn’t overcome by either physical strength or his celebrity status.
But as they race to uncover what’s really happening behind the high walls of St. Adrian’s Academy, it becomes clear that supernatural forces have been at work here for generations. And now their focus is on making sure Dani and Tommy don’t interfere.
When the unseen becomes seen, faith is the only weapon strong enough to fight in a battle involving not just murder and betrayal—but angels and demons.
Dearest Dorothy, Who Would Have Ever Thought by Charlene Baumbich
Charlene Ann Baumbich has won a loyal following of readers with the first three books in the Dearest Dorothy series, featuring the amusing and touching adventures of the townspeople of Partonville. Now Charlene Baumbich uses her wonderful gift of storytelling to celebrate the simple pleasures of life in this heartwarming and hilarious story. The fourth book in the series finds the residents of Partonville preparing for a festive Thanksgiving dinner at the local church. Amid assigning duties and preparing recipes, everyone tries to ignore bossy acting mayor Gladys McKern. Meanwhile, Jessica Joy struggles with an unexpected turn of events, Katie Durbin considers another real estate project, and Dearest Dorothy doles out advice and love in equal amounts to everyone.
Grace in Autumn by Lori Copeland and Angela Hunt
It’s November, and as the island residents prepare for the coming months of cold and snow, they are surprised by God’s unexpected lessons of humility, trust, and hope. Authors Lori Copeland and Angela Hunt revisit the Island of Heavenly Daze in the second book of the highly acclaimed series about a small town where angelic intervention is commonplace and the Thanksgiving feast a community affair.
*****
I Shall Not Want by Debbie Viguie
Charity work can be murder!
It’s Thanksgiving and Joseph Tyler, one of the members of Cindy’s church, has organized a new charity that provides homeless people with rescue dogs to love and care for. But one by one, the homeless recipients are being murdered and their dogs stolen. Could an overly competitive millionaire with his prize-winning pooches and a grudge be behind the crimes? Or could it be someone much closer to Joseph who has something sinister to hide? Cindy and Jeremiah must rush to find a killer before he strikes again.
The Preacher Wore Black Leather by Loree Lough
Matt Maxwell wondered a lot about changing his first name to Former: Former Marine. Former minister. Former husband. One by one, he’d lost them all. After losing his wife to his church deacon, he’d packed his battered military duffel, gassed up his ancient motorcycle, and put Baltimore in the Harley’s rearview mirrors.
On an unusually cold and snowy Texas night, the Sportster breaks down along the Interstate. Out of luck and nearly broke, Matt’s lured by a bright red sign that reads SUNDOWN DINER. Inside, he meets the owners, the town’s three-man sheriff’s department, and a mechanic who thinks he can fix the old bike.
Icy weather and the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday make that impossible, and Matt finds himself stranded in Reliable, where everyone seems determined to keep him from the road to anywhere that isn’t Baltimore. Once the Harley is roadworthy, will he put Reliable behind him? Or does God have other plans for the down-on-his-luck pastor?
Remembering Christmas by Dan Walsh
Rick Denton lives his life on his terms. He works hard, plays hard and answers to no one. So when his mother calls on Thanksgiving weekend begging him to come home after his stepfather has a stroke, Rick is reluctant. He’s never liked Art, despite the fact his own father abandoned them when Rick was twelve. Rick’s attitude sours even more when a couple of days helping at the family bookstore turns into weeks of cashing out old ladies and running off the homeless man who keeps hanging about,
Slowly but surely, the little bookstore and its quirky patrons—as well as the lovely young woman who works at his side each day—work their magic on him, revealing to Rick the truth about his family, his own life, and the true meaning of Christmas.
You Make It Feel Like Christmas by Toni Shiloh
It’s the most wonderful time of the year–for everyone except Starr Lewis.
As if going home for the holidays jobless and single wasn’t bad enough, she’s dragged into a holiday season full of activities leading up to her sister’s uber-romantic Christmas Eve wedding–to Starr’s ex-boyfriend. But when her brother’s best friend, Waylon Emmerson, attends their family Thanksgiving, she starts to wonder if maybe coming home for Christmas isn’t so bad after all.
As Starr finds the perfect distraction in helping Waylon make over his late mother’s Christmas shop, the most wonderful time of the year works its magic and the spark between them grows. But with the holidays fast approaching, Starr must decide what she wants out of life after the gifts are unwrapped and the ornaments are put away–to go back to New York City or to open her heart to a love that will last beyond Christmas Day?
Many of the books I review are provided to me free of charge from publishers, authors, or other groups in return for a review. The opinions expressed in the reviews are mine and mine alone. No monetary consideration is given. This disclaimer is in accordance with FTC rules.
I am an Amazon.com affiliate, which means that I earn a small percentage of the sales from products purchased through links on my site. I NEVER recommend a book in order to receive a profit. Proceeds from affiliate sales help to defray operating costs of the blog.
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