Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Book Review - Jeannie's War By: Carol MacLean -- Hosted by Rachel's Random Resources

Description

War changed her country, but it couldn’t change her spirit

Glasgow, 1939

Despite being shy and reserved, Jeannie Dougal finds herself newly engaged to handsome soldier, Arthur Dunn, the day war is announced. Jeannie accepts, even if she is unsure if a girl from the tenements will fit in with Arthur’s comfortable, middle-class background. But as WW2 takes its toll on the world, her wedding must wait…

As she sets off to work at a munitions factory she meets Eileen, Janet and Annie. As her new friends bond together in war work, sharing their stories of romance, Jeannie is grateful to be settled with Arthur, even if he is set in his ways.

Until she meets charming Canadian soldier, Bill, and realises she has found a spark she was always missing. But how can Jeannie tell Arthur? And is she strong enough to fight her own battle, with the country already at war…?

An emotional and romantic family saga set in WW2 Scotland and the start of a captivating new series. Fans of Call the Midwife and Katie Flynn won’t be able to put this down.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carol MacLean lives in the Glasgow area. She began by writing pocket novels, having 18 published before deciding to write a historical saga. She enjoys weaving social history into fiction and imagining how life must have been for ordinary people living through different times.
When she’s not writing, Carol can be found visiting museums or walking around the city looking for traces of old Glasgow to inspire her next novel.
Carol is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association.

She has written 18 pocket novels published by DC Thomson and Linford Romance Series (Ulverscroft).

Social Media – Twitter – Facebook

MY THOUGHTS

Jeannie’s War by Carol MacLean is a great WWII-era story. It is book one in the Kiltie girl series. It takes place in Glascow Scotland. I enjoyed reading this point of view. This book starts off in 1939 where there are rumors that war will be happening. Jeannie Dougal is a shy girl. She catches the eye of solider, Arthur Dunn. Arthur comes from a middle class background, while Jeannie and her family come from the tenements. When the war starts - everyone's lives change. Boys and Men go off to war - women take their place in the munitions factory. It is here that Jeannie meets Eileen, Janet and Annie. They work along side each other. The author did a great job with showing the hardships of a world at war. I felt that I learned so much from this author and her story.

Jeannie, meets a Canadian soldier. She feels different with Bill. She wonders if she is meant to be with Arthur. Bill treats her so differently. Jeannie is caught with honoring her engagnemt to Arhtur, or breaking it off and shaming her family.

This book is well written, I have not read a WWII story that shows the POV of Scotland. I always enjoy books where I can learn about different aspects of history. This is the first book that I have read by this author - and it will not be the last. I hope to see more in the Kiltie Girls series.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Rachel's Random Resources for allowing me to read a copy of this book.

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

RELEASE DAY REVIEW - Mountain Murder Investigation by Karen Kirst

ABOUT THE BOOK

Searching for answers brings danger in the mountains.

Faking his death was the only way for architecture professor Aiden Ferrer to stay alive. Especially when he was targeted for finding evidence of a cheating ring at the university that left one student dead. But threats against his ex-fiancée, mounted police officer Raven Hart, coerce him out of hiding. Now, with the clock ticking, they must expose the identities of all university members involved before the killers strike again.

Smoky Mountain Defenders #3

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Karen Kirst was born and raised in East Tennessee near the Great Smoky Mountains. She graduated from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. A lifelong lover of books, it wasn't until after college that she had the grand idea to write one herself. The pursuit of her dream would take longer than she first anticipated...years, in
fact. In the fall of 2010, she got the happy news that Harlequin Love Inspired Historical wanted to publish her manuscript-a true blessing from God. When that line closed, she switched to Love Inspired Suspense. Now she divides her time between being a wife, homeschooling mom, and romance writer. She and her husband, along with their three boys, said goodbye to military life and are thrilled to be back home in Tennessee.

Thank you for stopping by....feel free to visit her website at: http://www.karenkirst.com/

MY THOUGHTS

Mountain Murder Investigation is written by one of my favorite Love Inspired Authors, Karen Kirst. This is the third book in Karen Kirst's Smoky Mountain Defenders series. I have read one of the other books in the series, and they all can be read as stand alone books.

In this book we meet Raven and Aiden. They used to be engaged, until Aiden was dead. Suddenly he is actually alive and shows up at Raven's home because she has become the next target of the group that wanted Aiden dead.

Raven is shocked when Aiden appears in her home. She was still mourning his death and then is angry that suddenly he is back in her life. She does not understand why he would go into hiding and not tell her anything. When Aiden tells her about finding evidence of a cheating ring at the university that left one student dead. She is shocked to think that former friends and colleagues could be responsible. Aiden wants to keep Raven safe and protect her - before they both could end up dead.

Raven is a strong character. She is likeable and stubborn. Aiden is also a likeable character. He wants to keep Raven safe. He regrets the length that he had to take to ensure that he was not a target, but when he finds out Raven could be next, he breaks his witness protection protocol. The past they have was a strong one - can they forgive and move forward?

Thank you to the author for allowing me to read a copy of this book -- all thoughts are my own.

PURCHASE: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09CH4B987?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tkin_2&storeType=ebooks

Monday, March 28, 2022

Book Review and Giveaway - Legacy of Lies Author: Christy Barritt On Tour with Celebrate Lit

About the Book

Book: Legacy of Lies

Author: Christy Barritt

Genre: Suspense

Release date: November 15, 2021

The justice system failed her family—and so did her hometown.

Madison Colson knows deep down that her father—a convicted serial killer—is innocent. But believing it and proving it are two entirely different things. Unable to help her father, Madison has spent most of her adult life overcompensating by helping others. When her aunt dies unexpectedly, duty calls her back to Fog Lake, Tennessee, a beautiful but painful place she’d rather forget.

Terrifying events begin to unfold once she arrives, unleashing her worst nightmares. The Good Samaritan Killer—or a copycat—is back, and now Madison Colson is his target.

FBI Special Agent Shane Townsend is determined to stop the deadly rampage that has sent the tightknit community into a frenzy. But he needs to earn Madison’s trust first. The task feels impossible, especially considering his father is the one who put her dad in prison.

With the whole town on edge and pointing fingers, tension escalates out of control. Madison and Shane must sort the facts from the lies—and fight for a legacy of truth—before The Good Samaritan Killer has the final say.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

USA Today has called Christy Barritt‘s books “scary, funny, passionate, and quirky.”

A USA Today and Publishers Weekly best-seller, Christy writes both mystery and romantic suspense novels that are clean with underlying messages of faith. Her books have sold more than three million copies, one has been made into a TV movie, and another is being developed for a TV series.

Christy’s books have won the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Suspense and Mystery, have been twice nominated for the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, and have finaled for both a Carol Award and Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year.

She’s married to her prince charming, a man who thinks she’s hilarious–but only when she’s not trying to be. Christy’s a self-proclaimed klutz, an avid music lover who’s known for spontaneously bursting into song, and a road trip aficionado.

Christy currently splits her time between the Virginia suburbs and Hatteras Island, North Carolina. She loves spending time with her husband, her two sons, and her four dogs.

For more information, visit her website: www.christybarritt.com.

More from Christy

I wrote Legacy of Lies after watching an interview on TV of a woman whose father killed several people. I tried to put myself in her shoes. How did she cope under the weight of what her father had done? How did people treat her differently? How did her father’s decisions affect her future? From there, I had the idea to highlight a group of three siblings who were dealing with this. I’d already done another four-book series in the mountain town of Fog Lake, Tennessee, and I really loved setting those books there. I decided to revisit the area and make it the place where these three siblings had grown up—and where they had to return.

My Thoughts

Christy Barritt has done it again. Just when I think her books can get any better - Boom she writes Legacy of Lies. Legacy of Lies is book five in the Fog Lake Suspense Series. I have not read any of this series stories - but I had no problem following along. Things that you will get when you read a book from this author: Late nights, page turning and complete shock.

Madison is convinced that her dad is not what everyone has made him out to be. She feels that he is not a serial killer. She knows that she cannot help him now, so she has made it her life work to help others. However, she returns back to Fog Lake, Tennessee after her aunt dies and all of a sudden she is a killer's target. FBI Special Agent Shane wants to help Madison, however it's his dad that put her dad away. Now that violence and uncertainty has plagued this town again, can he get her to trust him?

This story is filled with twists and turns. I would think that I had everything figured out, then boom another path presents itself. On Madison's dad - I am not 100% convinced he is innocent but the author writes in that shows there could be shadows of doubt. The characters stories were well written.

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, March 15

Betti Mace, March 16

Britt Reads Fiction, March 16

By The Book, March 17

Simple Harvest Reads, March 17 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Bigreadersite, March 18

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 19

Rebecca Tews, March 19

A Reader’s Brain, March 20

For Him and My Family, March 21

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 21

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 22

Inklings and notions, March 23

Genesis 5020, March 24

Blogging With Carol, March 24

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, March 25

deb’s Book Review, March 26

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 27

Blossoms and Blessings, March 27

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, March 28

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 29

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Christy is giving away the grand prize package of a $100 Amazon gift card and copy of the book!!

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/1b8bd/legacy-of-lies-celebration-tour-giveaway

Friday, March 25, 2022

Book Review and Giveaway -Shadows at Nightfall Author: Brett Armstrong On Tour with Celebrate Lit

About the Book

Book: Shadows at Nightfall

Author: Brett Armstrong

Genre: Christian, Epic Fantasy

Release date: September 14, 2021

The shadows of Jason’s past have caught him. Having stepped into the Quest of Fire, Jason is pursued by a league of assassins formed of pure darkness. To his horror he discovers these creatures also were contracted to eliminate Anargen and his friends as they sought to understand the Tower of Light’s oracle. To unravel the mystery of who wants him dead and how he fits into the ages old quest, Jason must travel the lengths of the Lowlands. In the Ziljafu deserts a secret awaits him that will shake him to his core. He’ll have to move fast and cling fiercely to hope, as Anargen’s story twists down a bleak path to almost certain failure.

The creatures of darkness in the Lowlands have long waited for men to spurn the High King’s laws. With few concerned for the light and everything falling apart around them, Jason and Anargen will face the shadows of night’s falling as their world hangs in the balance.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Brett Armstrong has been exploring other worlds as a writer since age nine. Years later, he still writes, but now invites others along on his excursions. He’s shown readers haunting, deep historical fiction (Destitutio Quod Remissio), scary-real dystopian sci-fi (Day Moon and Veiled Sun), and dark, sweeping epic fantasy (Quest of Fire). Every story is a journey of discovery and an attempt to be a brush in the Master Artist’s hand. Through dark, despair, light, joy, and everything in between, the end is always meant to leave his fellow literary explorers with wonder and hope. Always busy with a new story, he also enjoys drawing, gardening, and spending time with his wife and son.

More from Brett

The Lowlands are on the edge of dramatic changes. In every era, warriors for the High King must rise to keep the light burning and hold back the beasts of the darkness that most believe only myth. But those creatures of lore have long waited for the hour of shadows to arrive and with it all the horrors they have schemed.

The protagonists of Quest of Fire saga—Anargen and Jason, don’t realize how great a change is upon them. Anargen’s experience in defending Ordumair from the Grey Scourge and his army of werebeasts have opened his eyes to realities of the Lowlands, but neither he nor his friends nor even their mentor Sir Cinaed understand the Oracle they found within the vaults of Ordumair. It foretold a looming struggle against the forces of darkness that gave rise to the Grey Scourge. The question of how to stop it as the shadows lengthen all around divides the group.

Jason has been running from the darkness in his past so long he only looks to his next step, never what’s coming ahead. He certainly didn’t see stopping at the Black River Inn to hear old Cinaed the Storyteller tell tales of a long past knight named Anargen as life-changing. Until he witnessed the old storyteller do battle with a creature straight out of his stories. Now he feels himself being drawn into the Quest of Fire as Anargen was, but his new found purpose is far from the safety and ease he’s been hoping for.

One of the most exciting aspects of writing Shadows at Nightfall was showing through sweeping epic fantasy the way Anargen does not forsake his allegiance to the High King. The Quest of Fire saga is in part a story about storytelling and that is reflected in the way Jason is shaped by the tale of Anargen’s failures and faithfulness. Much like the Apostle Paul’s exhortation that “…these things were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.” (1 Corinthians 10:11) Though not the only spiritual theme woven into the stories, Shadows at Nightfall invites readers to journey with these characters to the brink, risking their lives, growing from the examples passed down to them, and find there the greatest gain.

“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.” —2 Timothy 2:1-4

My Thoughts

Shadows at Nightfall is book three in the Quest of Fire series. I have read one of the other books. I would recommend reading the books in order so that you can fully grasp what is going on. This series is written by Brett Armstrong. It is a Christian/Fantasy series. The book is well written. While, fantasy is not my favorite genre this was a good read and kept me engaged.

This is a sci-fi type of books also. This is also a dual timeline book. There is action, war and violence. My son usually reviews these types of books with me, but since we had not read the other two together, he did not read this one. I would recommend this for middle grade teens. My son is 10, but reads at a higher level. He really enjoys this type of book.

Jason is pursued by a league of assassins formed of pure darkness. He has been running from his past for so long. He needs to find out who wants him dead and why. The story takes you on an adventure trying to figure it all out. Jason is a well written character and was probably my favorite out of the two books that I have read.

The author is a talented author. He writes well toward his audience. He will keep you engaged. I hope to read more from this author. Thank you to Celebrate Lit, the author and the publisher for allowing me to read a copy of this book, all thoughts are my own.

Blog Stops

Through the Fire Blogs, March 17 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 17

Texas Book-aholic, March 18

Inklings and notions, March 19

For Him and My Family, March 20

deb’s Book Review, March 21

Simple Harvest Reads, March 22 (Author Interview)

By the Book, March 22

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 23

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, March 24

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, March 25

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 26

Artistic Nobody, March 27 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, March 28

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, March 29

Guild Master, March 30

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Brett is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card, copy of Shadows at Nightfall, and digital extras (exclusive map and music)!!

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/1bc97/shadows-at-nightfall-celebration-tour-giveaway

Thursday, March 24, 2022

Book Review and Giveaway - Shackled Author: Mariam Ibraheem On Tour with Celebrate Lit

About the Book

Book: Shackled

Author: Mariam Ibraheem

Genre: Religion/Inspirational

Release date: March 8, 2022

Sentenced to Death for Her Beliefs

Mariam Ibraheem was finally rising above her difficult childhood and building a new life for herself. Born to a Muslim father and an Ethiopian Orthodox Christian mother, she grew up in poverty in a refugee camp in Sudan. Her father left the family when she was only six, and her mother raised her in the Christian faith. Left without family after the deaths of her beloved mother and sister, she was beginning to move past her grief—earning a medical degree, marrying the man she loved, and having a baby boy.

But one day in late 2013, her world was shattered when an unknown relative on her father’s side reported her to the police. The authorities insisted she was Muslim because of her father’s background. She had broken the law by marrying a Christian man, and she must renounce her Christian beliefs and abandon her marriage and her son. Under intense pressure, Mariam repeatedly refused to deny her faith. She was charged with apostasy and adultery, and she was imprisoned with her nine-month-old, Martin, on Christmas Eve. There, awaiting sentence, she learned she was pregnant with her second child. A few months later, Mariam was sentenced to 100 lashes and death by hanging by a Sharia court.

Shackled is the stunning true story of a courageous young mother who was willing to face death rather than deny her Christian faith. Mariam Ibraheem took a stand on behalf of all people who suffer from religious persecution and all women who are maltreated because of their gender and beliefs.

Follow Mariam’s story from refugee camp to life under Islamic law, through imprisonment and childbirth while shackled, to her remarkable escape from death following an international outcry and advocacy involving diplomats, journalists, religious freedom activists, human rights groups, and even Pope Francis.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

In 2014, Mariam Ibraheem of Sudan was sentenced by a Sharia court to 100 lashes for adultery because she had married a Christian man, and death by hanging for refusing to renounce her Christian faith and follow Islam. Mariam was imprisoned with her young son while she was pregnant with her second child, a daughter, to whom she gave birth while still shackled in the prison. After an international outcry, Mariam was eventually freed through the help of Pope Francis, the United States, Italy, and the embassies of various other governments. Today, Mariam advocates on behalf of others who are victims of religious persecution and also for women who suffer from the personal prison of abuse. She is the cofounder and director of global mobilization for the Tahrir Alnisa (“Setting Women Free”) Foundation, which serves women and children impacted by domestic abuse and religious-motivated violence. She also serves on the board of directors for Anti-Trafficking International.

Eugene Bach is a pseudonym for a member of the Chinese underground church who, for security reasons, does not wish to be identified. He has been working with the underground church in China for twenty years, helping them to establish forward missions bases in closed countries around the world, including Iraq and Syria. Eugene leads the Chinese missions movement Back to Jerusalem, which provides essential support for Chinese missionaries in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, and he has written books about the underground church in China, North Korea, and Iran. His books with Whitaker House include China and End-Time Prophecy; I Stand with Christ; ISIS: The Heart of Terror; Kidnapped by a Cult; Leaving Buddha; Smuggling Light; and The Underground Church.

More from Mariam

Shackled is the stunning true story of a courageous young mother whose plight led to international outcry on her behalf. Mariam Ibraheem was willing to face death rather than deny her Christian faith, taking a stand on behalf of all people who suffer from religious persecution and all women who are maltreated because of their gender and beliefs.

My Thoughts

Shackled is a powerful story that is written by Mariam Ibraheem. This story made me thankful that I live in the United States and do not have to hide the fact that I am a Christian. This book broke my heart so many times. I could not imagine going through what Mariam did. Mariam Ibraheem was born in a Sudan refugee camp. Her father was Muslim and her mother Ethiopian Orthodox Christian. Her father left the family when she was only six, and her mother raised her in the Christian faith. I found this ironic - since the reason she was reported to Sudan authorities was because on someone on her father's side.

Mariam is so inspirational. She was PUNISHED FOR THE WAY HER MOTHER RAISED HER. She was told her life would be spared if she renounced her Christian faith, leave her Christian husband and abandon her child. I really enjoyed following her journey and how she stood for Christ despite all the odds against her.

I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit Blogging Program, all thoughts are my own.