Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Book Review and Giveaway - The Fragrance of Violets Author: Susan K. Beatty On Tour with Celebrate Lit

 


About the Book

Book: The Fragrance of Violets

Author: Susan K. Beatty

Genre: Christian Women’s Fiction

Release date: May 17, 2022


Life crushes us with its weight sometimes.

Fiona’s father abandoned her when she was twelve. So when she learns that he’s the groom’s father in the wedding she’s been assigned to manage, all the old hurts resurface. Maybe if he’d just explain himself and ask forgiveness, she’d get over the pain he left her with—pain she obviously hadn’t left behind after all.

When Nason discovered he wasn’t Fiona’s biological father, and when her mother tried to sabotage his marriage, he felt like he had no other option but to leave and never look back. Running into her again—awkward to say the least. And he can’t understand why she feels betrayed—why she expects him to seek forgiveness.

As if life weren’t complicated enough, Fiona meets Trevor, which sparks a possible romance. New faith, an overdose, and revelations combine with Trevor’s discipleship and shows her how forgiveness really works.

What will it take for Nason to swallow his pride and see how his actions hurt an innocent child?

The Fragrance of Violets—as Mark Twain once said, “Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.”

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author


Who says you can’t begin a new career after middle age? Certainly not Susan K. Beatty. She is passionate about writing about finding courage through faith and grit, particularly through the trials of breast cancer and other life trials. Her daughter is a metastatic breast cancer “thriver” and has been an inspiration for her writing. Susan’s first novel, Faces of Courage, debuted May 2021, as part of the Faces of Courage series, including several novelettes. She is also the author of An Introduction to Home Education (AKA California Homeschool Manual). Susan is a professional writer/journalist and is active in the writer community. She is proof you can begin a fiction writing career at any age.

 

More from Susan

The Fragrance of Violets’ story has yearned to be told for many years nowbefore I created my tagline, Courage: The Intersection of faith and grit. But it fits perfectly. A similar situation existed a long time ago in the life of an acquaintance. I thought all parties handled it badly, and I longed to make it right. Of course, being an outsider, the only way I could make it right was by creating a novel.

Fiona and Nason, the main characters, are total figments of my imagination, and the details of the story are substantially different. But the core, abandonment, the need to ask for and grant forgiveness, and the courage to meet them, is real and universal.

I desired to show that even when we think we’ve done nothing wrong, we need to seek the Lord and ask Him to reveal where we need to own up to our mistakes and seek forgiveness. Also, I wanted to show that although it is difficult to forgive when we’ve been horribly wronged (and how horrible to have the person you thought of as your father abandon you and with no apparent explanation or remorse), it’s possible with courage. The courage that comes from faith and action.

My prayer is that Fiona and Nason (despite his past) will inspire readers to find their own courage through whatever situations in which they find themselves.


My Thoughts

 The Fragrance of Violets is written by Susan K. Beatty. This book will take you on an emotional journey that I was not ready for. It is beautifully written and will tug on your heart strings. Fiona has had a very broken life. Her father, Nason, walked out of her life when she was 12. She never fully understood why - and what she could have done wrong. Her mother, Maeve is a drug addict. She works in the hospitality industry with her best friend, Lottie. Within the first few chapters you feel sad for Fiona. 

She is passed up for a promotion that she was pretty much guaranteed. She takes it hard. Then her new boss has her working a wedding with her - and she runs smack dab right into Nason. A rush of emotions accompanies it for all parties. Irina, Nason's wife was not my favorite character. She is very angry and rage filled toward Fiona. 

This book contains a lesson on forgiveness. For both Fiona and Nason they both harbor so much hurt and anger. I love how the author reminds us that not forgiving someone could allow that hurt to fester. I needed this reminder. 

The book is well written, the characters are well developed. Be prepared for the emotional journey. 

Thank you to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this story. All thoughts are my own. 

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 21

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, June 22 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, June 23

Inklings and notions, June 24

A Baker’s Perspective, June 25 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, June 25

deb’s Book Review, June 26

Spoken from the Heart, June 27 (Author Interview)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 28

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, June 29

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 30

Through the Fire Blogs, July 1 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 2

Locks, Hooks and Books, July 3

Splashes of Joy, July 4 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 4

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Susan is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 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/1eff9/the-fragrance-of-violets-celebration-tour-giveaway

Book Review: Fatal Forensic Investigation By: Darlene L. Turner

About the Book





Remembering a serial killer’s face...
could be deadly

While interviewing the Coastline Strangler’s only surviving victim, forensic artist Scarlet Wells is attacked and left with amnesia. Now she’s his next mark and has no choice but to work with constable Jace Allen to unlock the criminal’s true identity trapped in her mind. Will they be able to recover the hidden memory and hunt down the killer before he strikes again?

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.



About the Author




Darlene L. Turner’s love of suspense began when she read her first Nancy Drew book.

She’s turned that passion into her writing and believes readers will be captured by her

plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message.

Darlene won the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense twice

and an ACFW Genesis award. Her debut book, Border Breach, (Love Inspired Suspense)

won the Word Award (Romance category) in Canada and was also a double winner at the

Selah Awards, taking third place in the First Novel and Romantic Suspense categories.

She’s represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. She has three

books releasing in 2022: Safe House Exposed (Feb 22), Fatal Forensic Investigation

(June 28), and book #2 in her Canadian Protectors series (Oct 25).

Darlene met her husband Jeff at the turtle races in Ontario, Canada. She loves flavored

coffee and plaid shirts. You can connect with Darlene at www.darlenelturner.com where

there’s suspense beyond borders.

Darlene’s social media:

Website: https://darlenelturner.com/

Facebook (author page): https://bit.ly/2Woy8dK

Facebook (personal): https://bit.ly/3kLG5ST

Twitter: https://bit.ly/2Qso27O

LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/2UhbelT

BookBub: https://bit.ly/2QrdkhP

Pinterest: https://bit.ly/2x2Batz

Instagram: darlenel.turner


My Thoughts

Fatal Forensic Investigation is written by  Darlene L. Turner. I absolutely love reading books by this author. This book starts off with non stop action and does not let up. Forensic Artist Scarlet Wells is in the quiet coastal town of Coral Bay assisting the police department with sketching the Coastline Strangler. He was seen by a surviving victim. However, once the drawing is completed, the Coastline Strangler returns to finish off the survivor and to leave no stone unturned. After the attack, Scarlet has amnesia and can't remember anything. 

Constable Jace Allen knows that Scarlet is one of the best in the business. He hopes they can work together despite their past rocky relationship. He knows that with her help it helps to increase the possibility of catching the Coastline Strangler. However, the Coastline Strangler has kicked it up several notches and is intent on eliminating of the Coral Bay Police Department. 

Scarlet does not understand why her memories will only come back fragmented. She wants to remember what the Coastline Strangler looks like. Seeing her try and overcome her obstacles was inspirational. Both Jace and Scarlet have to rely on God and renew their faith to help make it through. 

The author has done a phenomenal job with this story. It's non stop action from the opening few pages. My heart was racing the whole book. The characters are well written, the storyline is engaging and unique. 
Thank you to the author for allowing me to read a copy of this book, all thoughts are my own. 

BOOK REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY - Undercover Assignment Author: Dana Mentink On Tour with Celebrate Lit

 


About the Book

Book: Undercover Assignment

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre: Suspense

Release date: June 28, 2022

This K-9 will stop at nothing to keep a child safe.

When a little boy is threatened, Officer Daniella Vargas and K-9 partner, Zara, are assigned to pose as his nanny to uncover the culprit’s identity. Suspecting one of the guests in his inn, widower Sam Kavanaugh’s only option is to begrudgingly trust Daniella and Zara to help. But can they solve the case and its mysterious connection to Sam’s late wife before it’s too late?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

 

About the Author









Dana Mentink is a USA TODAY and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author. She’s written more than forty mystery and suspense novels for Love Inspired Suspense, Harvest House, and Poisoned Pen Press. She is honored to have received two ACFW Carol Awards, a Holt Medallion Award, and a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award. Please visit her on the web at www.danamentink.com to sign up for her newsletter, or find her on Twitter, Facebook and Bookbub.

 

More from Dana

What a joy to participate in a series with seven other talented authors! A continuity series is a set of books, each written by a different author, and each with its own suspense plot along with an overarching series plot and characters. It’s a very complicated project to complete, but the fantastic part is chatting, collaborating, and sometimes commiserating with other writers. What a rare treat, since most of our work is done alone in dark rooms with computer screens and bottomless cups of coffee! This series was especially fun to write because of the whole wilderness lodge setting which is my favorite type of story. Picture it! Ancient cliff dwellings, a freak electrical storm, twenty-four hours with no power and a killer on the loose! That’s my kind of suspense novel. I hope you will enjoy this multi author series as much as we enjoyed creating it!


My Thoughts

Undercover Assignment is written by Dana Mentink. Ms Mentink is one of my most favorite authors to read. If you have never had a chance to interact with her on social media, you are missing out. She is so funny, she will keep you laughing. Especially when it comes to her animals. 

Undercover Assignment is a Love Inspired Suspense book .This is part of the Rocky Mountain K-9 Series. I have not read all the books in the series, but I will. The books can be stand alone books, but characters from previous books are mentioned. Officer Daniella Vargas and K-9 partner, Zara are sent to go undercover as a little boys nanny. Daniella comes across as all business and not overly kid friendly. She feels like her talents could be used elsewhere and at first thinks that innkeeper, Sam Kavanaugh is overreacting.... Until she realizes he is not. 

True to Mentink style, the books contains a lot of action, suspense and heart pounding scenes. This is a book where everyone is a suspect.  Who would want to harm little Oliver? (The cover design team at Harlequin did such an amazing job with this cover). I loved the who dun it vibes through the book as Daniella and Sam  try and figure out who is behind all the chaos. 

This book is well written and  contains well developed characters. The book is full of action and suspense. I could not put this one down. Thank you to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own. 

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 15

Inklings and notions, June 15

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 16

EmpowerMoms, June 16

Vicky Sluiter, June 17

For Him and My Family, June 17

An Author’s Take, June 18

Blogging With Carol, June 18

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 19

Betti Mace, June 20

Texas Book-aholic, June 20

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 21

Blossoms and Blessings, June 21

She Lives To Read, June 22

Through the Fire Blogs, June 23

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 23

Labor Not in Vain, June 24

deb’s Book Review, June 25

Pause for Tales, June 25

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, June 26

For the Love of Literature, June 26

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 27

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, June 27

Genesis 5020, June 28

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

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away the grand prize package of a $75 Amazon gift card and a signed book!!

(If the winner is outside the U.S., then he or she will receive an eBook.)

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/1eff2/undercover-assignment-celebration-tour-giveaway

BOOK REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY --- Vanished without a Trace By: Sarah Hamaker --- Hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours

 Vanished Without a Trace JustRead Blog Tour



Welcome to the Blog Tour for Vanished Without a Trace by Sarah Hamaker, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Vanished Without a TraceVanished Without a Trace

Author: Sarah Hamaker

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense

Release Date: June 28, 2022

Genre: Christian, Romantic Suspense

A missing person case. A new clue.

And a fight for survival.

After nine years searching for his missing sister, attorney Henderson Parker uncovers a clue that leads him to Twin Oaks, Virginia—and podcaster Elle Updike investigating the case. Partnering with the journalist is the last thing Henderson wants, until mysterious thugs make multiple attacks on both their lives. Now they’ll have to trust each other…before the suspected kidnappers make them disappear for good.

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository | IndieBound | Christianbook | BookBub

 


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sarah Hamaker

Sarah Hamaker loves writing books “where the hero and heroine fall in love while running for their lives.” She’s written romantic suspense novels and nonfiction books, as well as stories in Chicken Soup for the Soul volumes. As a writers coach, her heart is encouraging writers. She’s a member of ACFW; ACFW Virginia Chapter; and Faith, Hope and Love, as well as the president of Capital Christian Writers Fellowship. Her podcast, “The Romantic Side of Suspense,” can be found wherever you listen to podcasts. Sarah lives in Virginia with her husband, four teenagers, a preschool foster child and three cats. Visit her online at sarahhamakerfiction.com.

CONNECT WITH SARAH: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram




My Thoughts

Vanished without a Trace is written by Sarah Hamaker. This book starts off with action and does not let up through the whole story. This is a Love Inspired Suspense story. You can count on heart pounding action, minimal descriptions of violence and suspense so tense you can cut it with a knife.

Henderson Parker has never given up hope that his sister was still out there somewhere. He sees a picture in a Twin Oaks newspaper and heads to Virginia to check it out. Elle Updike is the host of Gone without a Trace podcast. The podcast focuses on finding missing people. Their first meeting does not go the way that Elle had planned, but they both realize they need each other.... to stay alive.

Someone does NOT want Henderson exploring leads and will stop at nothing to stop them. It seemed like every way they turned someone was trying to make sure they were eliminated. There are a lot of twists and turns in this story. There is not a lot of times where your heart can return to normal rhythm.

The book is well written. The characters are well developed. The storyline is engaging, action packed and unique. I absolutely love the Love Inspired Suspense books.
Thank you to the author, publisher and JustRead Publicity Tours for allowing me to read a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.


TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a Vanished Without a Trace canvas tote bag, a Vanished Without a Trace notebook, an autographed copy of Vanished Without a Trace, a Vanished Without a Trace button, and a $20 Amazon gift card!

Vanished Without a Trace JustRead Giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight June 27, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 4, 2022. 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 HERE


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

JustRead Publicity Tours

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.