Friday, June 29, 2018

Falling for the Cowgirl Blog Tour & Giveaway on tour with JustRead

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Falling for the Cowgirl
Series: Big Heart Ranch, Book 2
Author: Tina Radcliffe
Publisher: Love Inspired
Release Date: June 19, 2018

She won the job… Can he win her heart?

Hiring Amanda “AJ” McAlester as his assistant at the Big Heart Ranch isn’t foreman Travis Maxwell’s first choice—but his sisters insist she’s perfect for the job. And AJ’s determined to prove she’s just as qualified as any man. But with money on the line, AJ and her innovative ideas could put him at risk of losing everything…including his heart.

Preview Falling for the Cowgirl HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Originally from Western, N.Y., Tina Radcliffe left home for a tour of duty with the Army Security Agency (a branch of the NSA) stationed in Augsburg, Germany and ended up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. While living in Tulsa she spent ten years as a Certified Oncology R.N. Her move to Colorado led to a career as a library cataloger. A freelance writer for over twenty years, Tinamanages Seekerville, 13 author blog which is starting its tenth year. Seekerville is a Writer’s Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers award winner.

Tina is a two-time RWA Golden Heart finalist, a 2012 ACFW Carol Award finalist, a 2014 ACFW Mentor of the Year finalist, a 2014 Golden Quill finalist and a 2014 ACFW Carol Award winner. In 2016 Safe in the Fireman’s Arms was a Holt Medallion Merit Award finalist and a Detroit Bookseller’s Best finalist and a NERFA finalist. She has won first place in over twenty RWA chapter affiliated contests in her career. Tina is also a short story writer and has sold over twenty short stories to Woman’s World Magazine. She currently resides in Arizona where she writes fun, heartwarming romance.

TO CONNECT WITH TINA: website, facebook, twitter, pinterest, instagram, Book Bub

Tina also have a great newsletter filled with fun facts and great giveaways for her newsletter subscribers. Sign up for her newsletter HERE.

My Thoughts

This is the second book in the Big Heart Ranch Series. I have not read the first one, but I did not have any problems following along. I absolutly loved the characters that the author has created. The author's writing style is so descriptive that you can feel like you are there. (I did close my eyes and picture it.... no shame... ) AJ had a lot of loss in her life, she just wants to do her job. Travis is stubborn and does not think AJ can do an adequate job. Give this read a try if you like heartwarming, sweet, ranching stories. It's a wonderfully crafted read.

I received a copy of this book through the JustRead blogging program, all thoughts are my own.

GIVEAWAY

Tina has graciously offered (1) winner an awesome Falling for the Cowgirl prize pack that includes:

An autographed copy of Falling for the Cowgirl
Corkcicle Canteen Classic Collection-Water Bottle & Thermos-Triple Insulated Shatterproof Stainless Steel, 9 oz, Gloss Pink
ESVAN Original Floral Tote Bag Shoulder Bag for Gym Hiking Picnic Travel Beach
$20.00 Amazon Gift Card

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule shown below. Complete prize open to US mailing addresses only. If international winner, winner will win the gift card only. For our giveaway rules and policy, click HERE.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

TOUR SCHEDULE

Launch Page @JustReadTours

Launch Page @JustCommonly

June 25
Book by Book – Review
SusanLovesBooks – Review
Wishful Endings – Guest Post

June 26
Britt Reads Fiction   – Review
Sprinkles and Pink   – Review
The Power of Words   – Review

June 27
Pause for Tales   – Review
Remembrancy  – Guest Post
Veronica’s Views   – Review

June 28
Bibliophile Reviews   – Review
EmpowerMoms   – Review
Heidi Reads…  – Guest Post
Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic   – Spotlight + Excerpt

June 29
Among the Reads   – Review
Because I said so – adventures in parenting – Review
For the Love of Christian Fiction   – Review
Running Through The Storms   – Review

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Friday, June 22, 2018

Book Review: Tremors of Doubt By Lael Harrelson on tour with Celebrate Lit

About the Book

Title: Tremors of Doubt

Author: Lael Harrelson

Genre: Contemporary Amish Alternative

Release Date: March 19, 2018

Would the will of God ever lead a young woman against the counsel of family and church? For a young Mennonite woman who wants to make a difference in the world, growing up on the mission field in Haiti should be the perfect fit. But not for Callie Zimmerman. Raised by her aunt and uncle after the death of her parents, Callie works beside her aunt cooking, cleaning and sewing each day as the men head off to serve the community. She longs to do more to alleviate the poverty and sickness that surrounds her, but tradition and her uncle forbid it. On the eve of her twenty-third birthday, struggling with hopelessness as another year passes, Callie pleads with God to open a door for her. The prayer has barely left her mouth when she finds a stack of letters with secrets about her parent’s deaths and their excommunication from the Mennonite church. Devastated, Callie cries herself to sleep, only to be awakened a few hours later by her uncle with the startling news the Noah Koehn has asked permission to court her. Is one of these the answer to her prayer? Would exploring her parents past mean losing a future with Noah? Is it worth the risk?

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author

Raised by a fun loving, atheist single mom who struggled with depression and mental illness I spent my childhood backpacking around Europe, visiting yoga communes, eating vegan, living on a houseboat, then an old pony express outpost in the backwoods of Montana. My teen years took a drastic turn when my mom got saved, got married, and joined an ultra-conservative Mennonite church. Faith, step parents and unquestioning obedience is a dangerous combination when mixed with mental illness, legalism, and heavy handed physical correction.

I became a confused believer with a heart for Jesus but drowning under a sea of rules, regulations, and legalism. I became a missionary teacher and then a nurse and escaped to the mission field, the one avenue open to single women. I taught VBS on Indian reservations, led school for missionary children in Haiti and Africa. All around me was heartache and disease and glaring need. I longed to make a difference but was limited to working on the mission compound – teaching, cooking, cleaning. Work outside the walls of the compound was reserved for the men.

On a furlough, I met my future husband – a new believer who wasn’t looking for a door mat in a wife but a partner. As he grew in his faith, I reexamined mine and what Biblical womanhood looked like. Timidly at first, but then eagerly, as I discovered a new relationship with Jesus Christ based on grace and not performance. I left the Mennonite church and married the love of my life twenty years ago. We have five beautiful teenagers, two by birth and three through adoption from Haiti. My husband is adopted and God used my time in Haiti to prepare me to understand my children’s culture and language and ease their transitions home.

Two people in my family have mild Asperger’s and one has Reactive Attachment disorder, PTSD, and ODD. Our house is not a quiet, well greased machine but a chaotic, happy, crazy, nerve racking, love filled oasis where we all try to help each other grow and thrive. I am so thankful for my life – the good and the bad. I feel blessed to have experienced so many unique situations and to love and be loved by so many wonderful and eccentric people. It is from these experiences I draw the fiction stories I write. I like to think of them as fiction with grit – fast paced and entertaining stories that make you want to read till the very last page while at the same time tackling real life issues – legalism, abuse, divorce, adoption, Asperger syndrome, mental illness, etc.

Guest Post from Lael Harrelson

To the casual observer, Haiti is a magical island of swaying palms, laughing children, and azure blue oceans, but for one who takes the time to look deeper, a darker truth emerges. Starvation. Desperation. Darkness. Hopelessness.

Callie’s church is a shining beacon of family values, sincere faith, and simple living but, again, for one who takes the time to dive deeper, there is a hidden trail of broken spirits, crushed dreams, and oppressed women and girls.

Drawing inspiration from my experiences as a Haitian missionary and former Mennonite, I hope you will find Tremors of Doubt not only entertaining but life changing as you follow Callie’s journey through self-doubt, crushed dreams, love triangles, life changing secrets, and fragile hope as she navigates being the daughter of Haitian missionaries on an exotic Caribbean Island where danger is lurking just below the surface.

My Thoughts

This is a new author to me. The desciption of the book is what drew me in and made me want to read it. It sounded so different then other Amish books that I have read. When you start this book, make sure you have a lot of time to read it. You will NOT want to put it down. Beautifully crafted, well written characters, intriguing storyline and a wonderful read. You will be drawn in within a few pages. I loved how Callie put her complete faith in God to go overseas for mission work. It's a great reminder that God's plan will always work out, and trusting HIM completely is the best thing we can do. The author writes from her personal life and tells a great story. I look forward to reading more from this author.

I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit blogging program. All thoughts are my own.

Blog Stops

Quiet Quilter, June 12

Among the Reads, June 12

Blossoms and Blessings, June 13

Mommynificent, June 13

Bigreadersite, June 13

The Avid Reader, June 14

Blogging With Carol, June 14

Carpe Diem, June 15

The Power of Words, June 15

A Baker’s Perspective, June 16

Random Thoughts From a Bookworm, June 16

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, June 17

Mary Hake, June 17

margaret kazmierczak, June 17 (Interview)

Jen Around the World, June 18

Inklings and notions, June 18

Maureen’s Musings, June 19

Two Points of Interest, June 19

Texas Book-aholic, June 20

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 20

Janices book reviews, June 21

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, June 21

Have A Wonderful Day, June 22

ansel book blog, June 22

Because I said so – adventures in Parenting, June 23

cherylbbookblog, June 23

Bibliophile Reviews, June 24

Red Headed Book Lady, June 24

A Reader’s Brain, June 25

Jeanette’s Thoughts, June 25

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lael is giving away a grand prize of an autographed copy of Tremors of Doubt, an adorable set of Amish dolls, a set of handwritten recipe cards with mouthwatering Amish recipes, a handmade Haitian bracelet made by Haitian students, a pound of nationally acclaimed Haitian coffee, a bar of rich Haitian chocolate, and a $25 Amazon gift card!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/d06c/tremors-of-doubt-celebration-tour-giveaway

Friday, June 8, 2018

Book Review and Giveaway!!! The Firefighter's Twins by Heidi McCahan

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: The Firefighter’s Twins
Author: Heidi McCahan
Publisher: Love Inspired
Release Date: June 1, 2018
Genre: Inspirational Contemporary Romance

One single dad plus twin toddlers

A formula for her new family?

Since his wife left, fireman Shay Campbell has focused on work and his twin toddlers. But the lovely Natalie McDowell is making him rethink that decision.

She’s great with his boys, and they adore her. But he can’t go through losing someone again. Will a dream job offer win Natalie’s heart, or does it belong to Shay and the twins?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Heidi McCahan is the author of Covering Home, Unraveled, and Love Flies In. She is also an active RWA member and currently serves as secretary of the North Carolina chapter of ACFW. Heidi won the 2014 Idahope contest, and was a 2015 finalist in Harlequin’s Blurb 2 Book contest. A Pacific Northwest girl at heart, she was transplanted in the South several years ago, and currently lives in North Carolina with her husband and three boys. Heidi is a huge fan of coffee, dark chocolate, and happily ever after, and can often be found enjoying a good cup of coffee and a great book. The Firefighter’s Twins, her first novel with Harlequin Love Inspired, is available now.

MY THOUGHTS:

One of the things that I love about the Love Inspired series is that no matter what book you pick up, you know that it will be clean, sweet, and inspirational. This is a new author to me -- so I was excited to see how it was. First and foremost.... the cover just DRAWS YOU IN!!!! The kids on the cover are the cutest. The characters are so well written. I just loved Natalie and Shay. You can feel their chemistry, no matter how hard they try to notice it. Great story line, moves at the right pace. I am going to have to find more to read from this author.

I received a copy of this book through the Just Read Blogging program, all thoughts are my own.

(photo by Heidi McCahan)

Heidi McCahan has put together a FABULOUS giveaway for readers! One winner (US only) will receive:

Magnolia Market tote bag
Hearth & Hand Magnolia Notepad + tell your story pencil
4 magnetic bookmarks
$25 Amazon Gift Card
Gratitude journal + lists notebook
weekly planning pad
Things I Never Told You by Beth K. Vogt
Falling for You by Becky Wade
The Firefighter’s Twins by Heidi McCahan

Giveaway will run from midnight June 1, 2018 through 11:59pm June 11, 2018. It is subject to the policies found here.

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway