Spotlight on Suspense — From An Unknown Sender

20 Nov

From an Unknown Sender JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for From an Unknown Sender by Traci Hunter Abramson & Sian Ann Bessey, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About The Book

From an Unknown Sender

Title: From An Unknown Sender
Series: Falcon Point Suspense #2
Author: Traci Hunter Abramson & Sian Ann Bessey
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Release Date: November 21, 2023
Genre: Clean Suspense

After spending a busy holiday season putting drug smugglers behind bars, CIA operative Cole Bridger is looking forward to spending a quiet Christmas in Vienna with his girlfriend and fellow operative, Isabelle Roberts. But when Isabelle is tasked with investigating a string of suspect financial transactions and redirects a suspicious package to a museum in Amsterdam, she inadvertently places Cole’s cousins in the crosshairs of a drug smuggling ring.

Lars and Marit have no desire to be drawn into the deadly dealings of the criminal underworld, but when Lars’s sister, Tess’s, life is placed in danger, they willingly join Cole and Isabelle in their efforts to uncover the mastermind behind the drug smuggling ring. Unfortunately, the two couples’ involvement does not go unnoticed. And though each step brings them closer to the truth, they also reveal a startling picture of greed and corruption at the center of a dangerous organization that will stop at nothing to retrieve what it has lost.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Excerpt

Cole tucked his chin against his chest as he walked past the surveillance camera in the hotel hallway. The ballcap on his head would hide his face in case anyone happened to be watching—or more precisely, if anyone watched the camera’s feed later. 

Not that he was doing anything illegal. Well, not really. He wasn’t sure the Budapest police force would approve of him entering a hotel room that didn’t belong to him without consulting with them first, but the little piece of paper in Cole’s pocket gave him permission to do it.



More Books in This Series

The Danger with Diamonds

About The Authors

Traci Hunter Abramson Sian Ann Bessy

Traci Hunter Abramson was born in Arizona, where she lived until moving to Venezuela for a study abroad program. After graduating from Brigham Young University, she worked for the Central Intelligence Agency, eventually resigning in order to raise her family. She credits the CIA with giving her a wealth of ideas as well as the skills needed to survive her children’s teenage years. She loves to travel and recently retired after twenty-six years coaching her local high school swim team. She has written forty-five best-selling novels and is an eight-time Whitney Award winner, including 2017 and 2019 Best Novel of the Year.

Connect with Traci by visiting traciabramson.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

Sian Ann Bessey was born in Cambridge, England, and grew up on the island of Anglesey off the coast of North Wales. She left her homeland to attend university in the US, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in communications, with a minor in English. She began her writing career as a student, publishing several articles in magazines while still in college. Since then, she has published historical romance and romantic suspense novels, along with a variety of children’s books. She is a USA Today best-selling author, a Foreword Reviews Book of the Year finalist, and a Whitney Award finalist.

Sian and her husband, Kent, are the parents of five children and the grandparents of three beautiful girls and two handsome boys. They currently live in southeast Idaho, and although Sian doesn’t have the opportunity to speak Welsh very often anymore, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch still rolls off her tongue. Traveling, reading, cooking, and being with her grandchildren are some of Sian’s favorite activities. She also loves hearing from her readers.

Connect with Sian by visiting sianannbessey.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each win a $20 Amazon gift card!

From an Unknown Sender JustRead Tours giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 20, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 27, 2023. Winner 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.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours

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Mini-Book Review: Breath of Heaven

20 Nov

Breath of Heaven by Deborah Raney is the 3rd book in the Camfield Legacy series. The book features newlyweds Natalie and David Chambers as they settle into marriage and the mission life in South America. Both are committed to bringing the gospel to the Timone people, but they are not on the same page when it comes to beginning their own family. To complicate things, guerrillas are coming closer and closer to their village, threatening their work and their lives. I really liked Raney’s take on the life on the mission field. Missionaries are certainly not exempt from conflicts — Breath of Heaven presented real people with real problems acting in a way all can relate to. The addition of a suspense-filled story line, including kidnapping and human trafficking, kept me turning the pages — I really could not put this book down. And the themes of guilt/unworthiness and unforgiveness made me think.

I have not read the other books in this series, but that did not hinder me from enjoying Breath of Heaven. But I think starting at the beginning is a good plan for those who are new to the series.

Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(I received a complimentary copy of the this book from the publisher. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

HER FAMILY’S LEGACY HAD BEEN FULL OF DEEP SORROW.
AND NOW IT LOOKED AS IF HER LIFE WOULD FOLLOW THE SAME PATH.
BUT HER GOD WAS STILL IN THE BUSINESS OF REDEMPTION.

After a joyful wedding in Kansas, Natalie Camfield Chambers is back in the village of Timoné in South America with her beloved husband, David Chambers. But the adjustments to married life while serving on the mission field in a remote Colombian village along the Rio Guaviare are more than either Natalie or David bargained for. The growing unrest in the country only adds to the challenges they face.

When the village is invaded by guerrilla soldiers and one of their Timoné neighbors, a young mother, goes missing, Natalie and David find themselves caring for her small daughter, even as Natalie has begun to suspect that she is carrying their own child.

When a trip by boat on the Guaviare turns treacherous and ultimately deadly, Natalie and David face the fight of their lives. Their faith—and their love—will be tested in ways they never dreamed, and the decisions they make will echo for generations to come.

Deborah Raney‘s first novel, A Vow to Cherish, inspired the World Wide Pictures film of the same title and launched Deb’s writing career. She has now written more than forty books, including novels for imprints of Random House, Simon & Schuster, and HarperCollins. Deb served on the board of the 2500-member American Christian Fiction Writers for 18 years and teaches at writers conferences around the country. Her novels have won RWA’s RITA Award, the ACFW Carol Award, the National Readers Choice Award, and the HOLT Medallion. She is also a three-time Christy Award finalist. Deb is a recent Missouri transplant, having moved with her husband, Ken Raney, from their native Kansas to be closer to kids and grandkids. They love road trips, Friday garage sale dates, and breakfast on the screened porch overlooking their wooded backyard. Visit Deb on the Web at http://www.deborahraney.com.

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First Line Friday — Pixels And Paint

17 Nov

Happy Friday! Today I am featuring Pixels And Paint by Kristi Ann Hunter. A contemporary rom-com is a departure from Regency romance, but this novel looks to be so much fun.

Krisit will be joining the Words with Friends panel at the Turning A New Page Book Festival scheduled for January 27, 2024 in Perry, Georgia. She, along with Kimberly Duffy, and Lindsey Brackett will entertain and inform on the writing journey shared with friends. If you live anywhere near the middle Georgia area, you need to check it out!

Here’s the first line:

A bag of peanut butter M&Ms is not worth the agony I will endure over the next hour as the sights before me burn through the backs of my eyes and imprint themselves in my brain.

For Emma Trinket, life is a delicate balancing act between loving her family and pursuing interests they don’t understand. When the opportunity arises to finally impress them with her job as a computer programmer, she jumps at it even if it means immersing herself in a world she’s despised since childhood. 

Unfortunately the one man who could crush her prospects is also the best person to help her navigate the lessons she needs to be a success. 

Artistic expression is both Carter Anderson’s safe space and his livelihood, but his fading inspiration has him worried about his place in life. His encounters with Emma spark a passion to create that he hasn’t felt in years and he isn’t ready to let go of his new muse even if she’s threatening the sanctity of his art world with her digital technologies. 

As each tries to gain an advantage from the other, Emma and Carter discover they actually might be more compatible than they thought. Will that be enough to unify their opposing missions or will the real differences between pixels and paint tear them apart?

Kristi Ann Hunter graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in Computer Science but always knew she wanted to write. In addition to several pre-published contests, Kristi is a Rita award winner and has also been a finalist in the INSPY, Christy, and GRW Maggie Award of Excellence. She lives with her husband and three children in Georgia. Find her online at http://www.kristiannhunter.com.

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Spotlight On Contemporary Romance (+ Giveaway) — It’s Your Love

16 Nov

It's Your Love JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for It’s Your Love by Rachel D. Russell, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About The Book

It's Your Love

Title: It’s Your Love
Series: Fox Bakery #2
Author: Rachel D. Russell
Publisher: Sunrise Publishing
Release Date: November 7, 2023
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

When Grayson Fox is asked to return home to Deep Haven and run the wrangler activities for the local camp, the last thing he expects is to run into the one woman he never wanted to see again. Worse…she’s his boss. But Grayson has big hopes for a life back in Oregon, and he must keep the promise to the camp in order to keep his dreams alive.

Just because Beth Strauss has stuck around Deep Haven doesn’t mean she doesn’t want a bigger life. And becoming the camp assistant director is the first step to that bigger life. Of course, standing in her way happens to be the one man who has always managed to derail her dreams, way too arrogant Grayson Fox.

But if they want to keep the camp afloat and their dreams alive, these two must learn to work together. But will these enemies become sweethearts, and if they do, will they find something better than the dreams they’re striving for?

The next delightful installment of the Fox Family series!

Excerpt

He slowed Maverick when he saw Beth leading Rex from the hitching post. He hadn’t expected her to say yes when he’d invited her to check the trails, but then, maybe he hadn’t misread that look on her face in the bakery. When he’d been nearly certain she’d wanted him to kiss her.

She wore a blue T-shirt with her jeans and had her hair hanging loose under her hat.

Like she belonged there. Like it was still natural for her to be leading a horse.

He relaxed in the saddle, drawing in Maverick’s pace to a stop near the gate. He let the horse stretch his neck out, long and low. Mav blew out a contented breath. “Ready?”

Beth tilted her head. “It’s funny—I love it. I don’t know why, but it still gives me butterflies.”

She gave him butterflies. Or something. Whatever that unfamiliar rush of adrenaline was called that swirled in his chest.

He leaned down and swung the gate open before side-passing Mav and closing the gate. “And yet you can’t help yourself.”

She looked up at him and grinned. “It seems so.” She rubbed Rex’s neck. “This feels really good.” She led her horse to a mounting block that sat outside the arena panels and hopped on. All by herself. Like she’d never been away from it.

Okay, he was maybe a little proud at the confidence she’d been building.



PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

More Books in This Series

The Way You Love Me

About The Author

Rachel D. Russell

Rachel D. Russell is a member of Oregon Christian Writers, My Book Therapy’s Novel Academy, and is a regular contributor to the Learn How to Write a Novel blog. When Rachel’s not cheering on one of her two teens at sporting events, she’s often interrogating her husband on his own military and law enforcement experience to craft believable heroes in uniform. The rest of her time is spent cantering her horse down the Oregon trails and redirecting her three keyboard-hogging cats.

Connect with Rachel by visiting racheldrussell.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win a print copy of It’s Your Love and $10 gift card to the Sunrise Shop!

It's Your Love JustRead Tours giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 13, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 20, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours

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Spotlight On Historical Romance (+ Giveaway) — Knowing You

15 Nov

Knowing You JustRead Takeover Blitz

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Knowing You by Tracie Peterson hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About The Book

Knowing You

Title: Knowing You
Series: Pictures of the Heart #3
Author: Tracie Peterson
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Release Date: November 7, 2023
Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Could a captivating art exhibit hold the key to truth–and love?

Budding artist May Parker is captivated by the Japanese exhibits at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition and longs to know more about her mother’s heritage–which her mother refuses to speak of because of the heartache she left behind in Japan. Wanting to experience more of the exhibits, May works as a Camera Girl–but her curiosity leads her into danger when a suit of samurai armor becomes the target of an elusive art forger.

After ten years apart, May is reunited with her childhood friend Lee Munro, a police detective assigned to keep a watchful eye on the exposition. Their friendship immediately begins to blossom with hints of something more, but when they become entangled in a dangerous heist involving the samurai armor and their love is threatened, can they overcome the odds against them?

Excerpt

Seattle, Washington May 1899

Leave her alone!”

Thirteen-year-old May Parker hurried to get to her feet. She dusted off the skirt of her dress and scurried to stand behind Leander Munro.

“Why are you standing up for her, Lee? She’s Japanese.” 

“She’s also my friend, and if you bother her again, I’ll knock your teeth out. All of you.”

May’s three attackers stood their ground. “There’s three of us, Lee, and just the two of you.”

“Bradley Anderson, I don’t care if there are six of you. I can hold my own and take you all on. You’ve seen me fight, and you know I can do it. Leave her alone, or I’ll make sure you never bother her again.”

“I don’t understand why you’d stand up for her. She’s not one of us.”

May peeked around Lee. “I’m half white.”

“Yeah, but you’re also half Japanese,” Bradley replied and spit on the ground. “You people were banned from Seattle, and I don’t know why you’re still here.”

From Knowing You by Tracie Peterson / Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group © 2023 used by permission.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Christianbook | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

More Books in Series

Remember Me Finding Us

About The Author

Tracie Peterson

Tracie Peterson is the bestselling author of more than 100 novels, both historical and contemporary, with more than 6 million copies sold. She has won the ACFW Lifetime Achievement Award and the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. Her avid research resonates in her many bestselling series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana.

Connect with Tracie by visiting traciepeterson.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a copy of Knowing You and a $15 Amazon gift card!

Knowing You JustRead Giveaway

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight November 15, 2023 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on November 22, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours

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Top 10 Tuesday — Popular!

14 Nov

I am not feeling today’s TTT topic, Main Stream Popular Authors I Haven’t Read Yet. But I do have the song from Wicked stuck in my head now, LOL! So in a real twist on the topic I have taken some of the lyrics sung by Galinda to Elphaba and come up with a list of corresponding books whose titles, covers, or plot elements fit. Hope my list is popular with you! 😉

Top Popular! Titles

Talk to boys

Falling for Grace by Janet W. Ferguson

Turn to Me by Becky Wade

How to fix your hair

The Summer House by Lauren K. Denton

Tickled Pink by Debby Mayne

Good at sports

After She Falls by Carmen Schober

The All-American by Susie Finkbeiner

Shoes to wear

Dancing Shoes by Lynne Gentry

Sensible Shoes by Sharon Garlough Brown

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Book Review: The Warsaw Sisters

13 Nov

Some books are really hard to review. They elicit feelings that are difficult to put into words. The Warsaw Sisters by Amanda Barratt is one such novel. I’ll do my best in the review that follows, but for now just know that this is a must-read. Very highly recommended.

On a golden August morning in 1939, sisters Antonina and Helena Dąbrowska send their father off to defend Poland against the looming threat of German invasion. The next day, the first bombs fall on Warsaw, decimating their beloved city and shattering the world of their youth.

When Antonina’s beloved Marek is forced behind ghetto walls along with the rest of Warsaw’s Jewish population, Antonina turns her worry into action and becomes a key figure in a daring network of women risking their lives to shelter Jewish children. Helena finds herself drawn into the ranks of Poland’s secret army, joining the fight to free her homeland from occupation. But the secrets both are forced to keep threaten to tear the sisters apart–and the cost of resistance proves greater than either ever imagined.

Shining a light on the oft-forgotten history of Poland during WWII and inspired by true stories of ordinary individuals who fought to preserve freedom and humanity in the darkest of times, The Warsaw Sisters is a richly rendered portrait of courage, sacrifice, and the resilience of our deepest ties.

Amanda Barratt is the bestselling author of numerous historical novels and novellas including THE WARSAW SISTERS, WITHIN THESE WALLS OF SORROW, and THE WHITE ROSE RESISTS. Her work has been the recipient of the Christy Award and the Carol Award, as well as an Honorable Mention in the Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards.

Amanda is passionate about illuminating oft-forgotten facets of history through a fictional narrative. She lives in Michigan and can often be found researching her next novel, catching up on her to-be-read stack, or savoring a slice of her favorite lemon cake.

To connect with Amanda, visit: http://www.amandabarratt.net.

My Impressions:

The Warsaw Sisters is a WWII-era novel by talented author Amanda Barratt. This book, as her previous books, is extremely well-researched and written. Set in Warsaw from the invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany until the end of WWII, it does not sugarcoat or mask the privations of war, the cruelty of the Nazi regime, or the crimes perpetrated against the people of Poland, especially the Jewish population. It’s a novel of survival of spirit and faith in the midst of extreme physical and emotional stress. I had to pause in my reading of the book in order to take a few breaths of relief even as I wanted/needed to keep turning the pages. I had to find out what happened to sisters Antonina and Helena and their beloved city. The two main characters are what give this book heart and soul. Although twins, the two are so different, yet their determination to have purpose in the midst of tragedy spoke of the Polish people of the time. I knew little about the capital city of Poland during WWII, but Warsaw became almost as beloved by this reader as it was to Antonina and Helena. Not the buildings, but the people who stood against evil oppression in small and large ways — each making a difference. Antonina and Helena take similar stands, yet apart from each other. Secrecy was necessary for the clandestine work they undertook, as well as to preserve the safety of those they held dear. I ached for them as the once close sisters grew further apart. There is much loss in this book, as history will attest. Yet love, hope, and faith in a God who never leaves remains.

The Warsaw Sisters is a powerful novel. The writing style is stunningly beautiful, the characters will remain in the reader”s heart, and the strong message of God’s presence in the midst of terror is hard won. I cannot praise this book enough. You’ll find that you need to talk about it, so consider it for your book club. Very highly recommended.

Very Highly Recommended.

Great for Book Clubs.

Audience: Adults.

(I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

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Book Spotlight & Author Interview — Mojave Man

11 Nov

About The Book

Book: Mojave Man

Author: JW Gilbert

Genre: Christian Fiction – Action/Adventure

Release Date: November, 2022

Mojave Man continues the adventure of Arcon Franklin as he seeks to escape the authorities demanding his containment. His rescuer, Elaina, flees with him to a survivalist compound that could end up being a trap. As a tenacious reporter edges closer to exposing Arcon, Jesus himself makes his desires known. Whether he likes it or not, Arcon’s foray into the outside world could be cut short. He may have to return to ArcPoint, whether they want him back or not. Click here to get your copy!

About The Author

John Gilbert Wozniak (JW Gilbert) grew up in an Oregon farm town. He retired in 2016 as an international data center cooling expert. Around the turn of the century, he began writing as a hobby. After years of expert guidance and a lot of editing, his ArcPoint trilogy is complete. His intent is to write books that are enjoyed by all ages—biblically accurate—with a touch of adventure, romance, and humor. JW has been married to his best friend Darlene since 1980. They are both retired and enjoy the hobby of creating lapidary jewelry. He is a member of Oregon Christian Writers, Mensa, ALLi, and the Tualatin Valley Gem Club.

More from JW

I became an avid fan of Christian fiction, especially after reading This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti. Working 12-hour night shifts as a data center technician, I had ample time on my hands. At one point I was devouring a book per night, but my favorite genre—action/adventure—was almost non-existent in Christian fiction. So, as is the case with many would-be authors, I decided to write the book I wanted to read. The setting? The future when Jesus is ruling the world, as told in Revelation chapter 20. My protagonist? Arcon, an adventurous young man from an isolated tribe of people. The premise? The people of ArcPoint don’t know that the outside world is safe and that Jesus has returned.

My first attempt at writing went well. I wrote my first draft in three weeks, edited it for six months, and landed a hybrid publisher with the final manuscript. The book garnered four- and five-star reviews, so I was pleased. (Not bad for someone who’d flunked English three times.) I was glad the reviews showed that the writing was good, but my readers were missing the message. I pulled it off the market.

For the past few years I’ve been honing my skills as a writer and reworking my ArcPoint story. There have been a few challenges. While researching, I found over a thousand verses in the Bible that sparked ideas for the time period I was writing about. Now the original book has become a trilogy, plus a prequel. However, traditional Christian publishers were not in the market for adventure stories, so I had to learn about self-publishing. And then, like a page right out of my prequel, the unexpected happened—a pandemic. I decided it would be best to put off publicizing until the entire trilogy was available. Now it is.

To see if the first book was ready to be self-published, I sent copies of Mojave Rift to Reader’s Favorite for professional reviews. It got five stars across the board. Then I entered Mojave Rift in their contest and won a silver medal. All the reviewers seemed to appreciate my inclusion of action, romance, and humor in a squeaky clean, fast-paced, futuristic novel.

I hope my ArcPoint series receives high scores from English teachers, but since I still don’t know a passive voice from a hole in the plot, we’ll see. Writing likable characters and adventure stories that run deep and inspire is something I enjoy. I’ve worked hard and it’s a thrill to get high audience scores.

BTW, did I mention the world-building for the isolated tribe in my story is set in America? Now that was a challenge.

Q & A with JW Gilbert

Many authors say that they have always been a writer — making up stories
as a child. When did you first become a writer?

Around the turn of the century, when I was in my forties.

Was there a special someone, such as a teacher, parent, or other relative,
who encouraged you to pursue writing?

Certainly never as a career (I flunked English three times). But a number of people said I should write down miracles I’d witnessed, since I’d seen quite a few. I included some of them in a fiction book, then over 150 of them later as a memoir.

Were there any obstacles you faced in your journey to publication?

Choosing a genre for the trilogy. It’s Christian fiction action/adventure, but that genre doesn’t exist. Without a specific genre, traditional publishers have not shown interest, forcing me to self-publish, which is difficult.

What types of research do you pursue? Books, on-site visits, etc.

Intense study of the Bible, finding over 1300 verses from 49 of its books. For earthly things, it’s mostly resource books and internet articles on science, horticulture, survival, and maps.

What does a typical writing day look like? Are you structured or informal in your writing schedule?

Very informal. Whenever I find the time, I write.

How long does it usually take to craft your books? (from outlines/first drafts to final edits)

About one to two years.

Can you tell us a little about what inspired your latest novel?

Isaiah 26:20 — Come, my people, enter into your rooms and close your doors behind you. Hide for a little while, until indignation runs its course. I thought, what if some people hid so well from tribulation, they weren’t aware when Jesus returned?

What do you want your readers to take away with them after finishing one of your novels?

Hope. Based on the many Bible verses I’ve collected, Jesus is soon returning to establish His government, and world peace.

Readers always want to know what is next for an author. Do you have any works in progress you can share about?

The next in the series, Mojave Rock, is about to be published. A prequel to the ArcPoint trilogy, Mojave Lee, will be out early next year. I’m also working on a sci-fi time machine sort of story, as well as rewriting my first two books.

Blog Stops

Vicky Sluiter, November 9 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 10

By The Book, November 11 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, November 12

Simple Harvest Reads, November 13 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 14

For the Love of Literature, November 15 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, November 15

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 16

Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 17 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, November 18

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, November 19 (Author Interview)

The Lit Lady, November 20

Artistic Nobody, November 21 (Author Interview)

Exploring the Written Word, November 21

Guild Master, November 22 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, JW is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a print copy of Mojave Man!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/28d34/mojave-man-celebration-tour-giveaway

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First Line Friday — The Warsaw Sisters

10 Nov

What a powerful book! Amanda Barratt has done it again — written a historical novel that allows the reader to enter the story, experiencing the time and place. WWII-era Poland is the setting of The Warsaw Sisters, and the story comes alive with the first person voices of twin sisters Antonina and Helena. Don”t miss this book!

Here are the first lines:

Antonina-and-Helena.

That was how I remembered our names. Spoke in a single breath, always blended together.

On a golden August morning in 1939, sisters Antonina and Helena Dąbrowska send their father off to defend Poland against the looming threat of German invasion. The next day, the first bombs fall on Warsaw, decimating their beloved city and shattering the world of their youth.

When Antonina’s beloved Marek is forced behind ghetto walls along with the rest of Warsaw’s Jewish population, Antonina turns her worry into action and becomes a key figure in a daring network of women risking their lives to shelter Jewish children. Helena finds herself drawn into the ranks of Poland’s secret army, joining the fight to free her homeland from occupation. But the secrets both are forced to keep threaten to tear the sisters apart–and the cost of resistance proves greater than either ever imagined.

Shining a light on the oft-forgotten history of Poland during WWII and inspired by true stories of ordinary individuals who fought to preserve freedom and humanity in the darkest of times, The Warsaw Sisters is a richly rendered portrait of courage, sacrifice, and the resilience of our deepest ties.

Amanda Barratt is the bestselling author of numerous historical novels and novellas including THE WARSAW SISTERS, WITHIN THESE WALLS OF SORROW, and THE WHITE ROSE RESISTS. Her work has been the recipient of the Christy Award and the Carol Award, as well as an Honorable Mention in the Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards.

Amanda is passionate about illuminating oft-forgotten facets of history through a fictional narrative. She lives in Michigan and can often be found researching her next novel, catching up on her to-be-read stack, or savoring a slice of her favorite lemon cake.

To connect with Amanda, visit: http://www.amandabarratt.net.

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Book Review: The Thing About Home

9 Nov

A few weeks ago Rhonda McKnight was a new-to-me author. But with just one book, she is now a must-read writer. Her novel, The Thing About Home, is fantastic — full of heart and soul. I loved the Lowcountry setting with its rich cultural elements (the food in this book had my mouth watering, LOL!), the historical background that spoke of a rich legacy, and the family that embraced a hurting heroine. And did I mention a hunky hero? 😉 This book has it all. Get this book!

Home is not a place—it’s a feeling.

 Casey Black needs an escape. When her picture-perfect vow renewal ceremony ends in her being left at the altar, the former model turned social media influencer has new fame—the kind she never wanted. An embarrassing viral video has cost her millions of followers, and her seven-year marriage is over. With her personal and business lives in shambles, Casey runs from New York City to South Carolina’s Lowcountry hoping to find long-lost family. Family who can give her more answers about her past than her controlling mom-slash-manager has ever been willing to share.

What Casey doesn’t expect is a postcard-worthy property on a three-hundred-acre farm, history, culture, and a love of sweet tea. She spends her days caring for the land and her nights cooking much needed Southern comfort foods. She also meets Nigel, the handsome farm manager whose friendship has become everything she’s never had. And then there are the secrets her mother can no longer hide.

Through the pages of her great-grandmother’s journals, Casey discovers her roots run deeper than the Lowcountry soil. She learns that she has people. A home. A legacy to uphold. And a great new love story—if only she is brave enough to leave her old life behind. 

“. . . a beautifully written story about family, self-discovery, secrets, and forgiveness.” —Kimberla Lawson Roby, New York Times bestselling author.

Rhonda McKnight is the author of twenty-five traditional and indie-published award-winning bestsellers, including An Inconvenient Friend, What Kind of Fool, and Unbreak My Heart. She is a two-time winner of the Emma award in the categories of Inspirational Romance of the Year (2015) and Debut Author (2010). She has been nominated thrice for the African American Literary Award. She writes inspirational book club fiction and Christian romance about complex characters in crisis. Her goal is to touch the heart of women through her stories using the themes of faith, forgiveness, and hope. Originally from a small coastal town in New Jersey, she writes from the comfort of her South Carolina home.

She can be reached at her website at http://www.RhondaMcKnight.com and on social media at http://www.facebook.com/booksbyrhonda, http://www.instagram.com/AuthorRhondaMcKnight, http://www.twitter.com/rhondamcknight and http://www.SistersofFaithBooks.comwhere she has joined with sixteen other authors to introduce her stories to the world.

My Impressions:

Casey B is a woman scorned at the beginning of The Thing About Home. While I sympathized with her situation and even her response to it, I didn’t much like her. Maybe because the model-turned-influencer seemed really shallow. But as the novel progressed I saw behind the mask this main character presented to the world. Talk about character development! Rhonda McKnight puts Casey through the ringer and brings her out stronger and more grounded in faith, family, and future. The Thing About Home explores identity and family legacy. The dual timeline of Odessa’s story adds a wonderful depth to the Black family journey to the present. And the long life lived by Granna, Casey’s grandmother, added a layer of poignancy and wisdom. Both women gave Casey and this reader a perspective on struggles we were unaware of. I really liked that about the book. I learned a thing or two about history and myself. While these things would certainly be enough, the romance that develops between Casey and her very hunky host is certainly swoony! So basically you have a novel with a strong message, brilliant descriptions of culture and history of the Lowcountry, a beautifully crafted style, and a romance to beat all romances. Yes, its got it all. And it gets a highly recommended rating from me!

Highly Recommended!

Audience: Adults.

(I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

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