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Friday, September 30, 2022

Book Review and Giveaway - His Brother’s Atonement Author: Amy Walsh On Tour with Celebrate LIt

 



About the Book

Book: His Brother’s Atonement

Author: Amy Walsh

Genre: Contemporary romance – western

Release date: April 26, 2022


Shane Phillips had given up hope of ever meeting the nephew born to the woman his brother assaulted. After checks he sent to Aubrey Anders were returned, Shane decided the most he could ever do was pray for the Anders family. When Shane discovers that he and Aubrey work for the same graphic arts company, he must find a way to assure her he means no harm before both Wyoming branches meet for a conference.

Aubrey thinks she has worked through most of her trauma with the help of her psychologist and loving community. However, meeting Shane Phillips seems to have unleashed suppressed anxiety and insecurity. But as their paths continue to intersect, Aubrey begins to wonder if Shane could be part of God’s plan for her despite their painful connection.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author


Amy Walsh is a 5th-grade teacher who loves teaching children about what she loves to do herself: reading and writing. She enjoys outdoor activities, especially hiking and camping. Amy also appreciates opportunities to share her faith through singing, teaching, and writing for her church family. Amy and her husband, Patrick, have three children: Bree, Spencer, Liz, and a son-in-law, Kyle. Amy and her family love to spend time together celebrating special occasions, listening to great music, swimming and kayaking, and having occasional ping pong tournaments.

 

More from Amy

Thank you for helping me spread the word about my first Whispers in Wyoming novel! I am thrilled to be part of this gospel and heritage-themed series! If you haven’t read any of the novels yet, you are in for a treat! There are thirty-three novels ahead of His Brother’s Atonement — and they are all STANDALONES, so they can be read in any order!

Meet Aubrey, Shane, and Jayson

Aubrey is a young mother and graphic designer from Engelmann, Wyoming. Her terrible experience during college has caused her to keep to herself. Aubrey has no close friends and has never dated. But her parents are supportive, her son keeps her happy and busy, and she loves her job. Aubrey believes she is doing pretty well emotionally until the brother of the man who assaulted her turns up in town.

Shane suffered quite a bit when his brother was tried and imprisoned for assaulting Aubrey. People  actually turned their backs on his family, and Shane’s fiancĂ© ended their engagement. Even worse was watching how it affected his parents. After Shane’s brother died in a freak prison accident, their mother spent several days in the ICU. For years, Shane has yearned to do something to help Aubrey and her son, wanting to atone for his brother’s terrible action. But Shane gave up hope of ever meeting his nephew years ago.

Jayson is Aubrey’s six-year-old son. He is obsessed with cowboys, horses, and the wild west. Art runs in Jayson’s genes from both sides of his family, so it is not surprising that he loves drawing and helping his grandpa with woodworking. Jayson never seemed to notice that he doesn’t have a dad, but when he finds out that his father died, he is so heartbroken that Aubrey promises to let him meet his uncle. So much for her thinking that she would never have to see Shane again!

The Creation of His Brother’s Atonement

I never really know when or how a story idea will enter my head.  I can drive by a house that catches my eye, and the next thing I know, I am imagining the characters that live there and writing their story in my imagination.  Sometimes watching the interactions of people prompts a story.  Other times my ideas come from research.

For His Brother’s Atonement, there were a bunch of factors that came into creating Aubrey and Shane’s story as far as the setting.  I had just been to a writing conference where one of the speakers said that many readers still love contemporary westerns. Adding to that, I had been following the multi-author group Whispers in Wyoming and other authors who wrote westerns, and I had been enjoying their posts.  Additionally, one of my teacher friends has spent portions of her summers out west and I love to hear her talk about landscapes and small communities.   A camping trip to Yellowstone and other western parks has been high on my bucket list for several years.

As for the situation that Aubrey is in, how she became a single mother and how she now deals with anxiety, her story just came to me while I was brainstorming.  Her and her son’s personalities developed in my mind as if they were real people.  I have wondered what it must be like to have a family member who is a criminal, the conflicting emotions it must bring: to still love that person; to be ashamed for what that person has done; to yearn to find a way to help the victim.  So I am sure those thoughts helped me create Shane’s struggles.

I wrote most of Aubrey and Shane’s story while I was spending nights with my grandmother in hospice.  Grammy was often sleeping while lovely hymn instrumentals were playing, and I felt as though I was in a sacred space.  I think some of my own inner struggles with trusting God’s sovereignty, with remembering that God does work out everything for our good, may have become part of the novel.  And in the last chapter when Aubrey prays during the Thanksgiving dinner, you can see some of my own angst about life changing and my own feelings of grief being resolved.

His Brother’s Atonement is a fundraiser!

As I was researching for this novel, I read too many firsthand accounts of women who had been assaulted and the devastating effects of the violence in their lives. According to rainn.org, every 68 seconds another American is assaulted, and one out of every six American women will be the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime. According to multiples sources, there are at least 30,000 rape-related pregnancies in the U.S. each year. Sexual violence is a significant problem in the U.S., and in other countries around the globe, it is even more rampant.

As I was delving into Aubrey’s thoughts and pondering how her assault had affected her and her family, I decided that I needed to do more to help women and children who have been victimized. As a first step, ten percent of the profits from the sales of His Brother’s Atonement will be donated to Heaven’s Family. To find out more about this organization, follow this link:  https://www.heavensfamily.org/ministries/victims-of-sexual-violence/

Here is the recipe for Nana Ander’s Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Pie.

https://walshmountainpublishing.com/2022/03/26/nana-anders-chocolate-chip-oatmeal-pie/

 

Shane and Aubrey’s Anti-Meet-Cute

Aubrey and Shane don’t get to have a “meet-cute”, you know that sweet moment when a couple-to-be meet for the first time? In fact, when Aubrey sees Shane across Engelmann Park, she almost has a panic attack thinking that he is the man who assaulted her.

In the next book about Engelmann Wyoming, Portrait of Redemption, Cody will help Shane set up a “meet-cute” redo. I think it is so adorable that Shane wants to do that for Aubrey!

Two special characters mentioned in His Brother’s Atonement are from another of my novels, Elsie Whitmore. Elsie meets famous actor Graham Thurston for the first time when he tracks her down at her school, determined that she will audition for a movie he is producing. A somewhat spoiled star, he is annoyed that she hasn’t taken calls from his talent agency, so he is cold and judgy during their first meeting. In return, she thinks it is ridiculous for Graham to assume that she would consider giving up teaching just because he liked one of her YouTube videos. They also do not have a cute first meeting!

Here is my meet-cute!  I worked part time at a Sears in a mall while I was going to college. My husband, Pat, was a loss prevention agent there.   A coworker  who had a crush on Pat asked me to draw a Christmas card for her to give to him. In the PS, she told Pat that I was the one that illustrated the card. That led to Pat investigating who I was, and soon he was regularly stopping by my register at Sears to make small talk. He would have silly excuses to stop by, like having me help him put a baby outfit on a stuffed animal to purchase for his nephew.  It could have become very awkward if my co-worker hadn’t developed a crush on someone else in the meantime!

During the launch party for His Brother’s Atonement, some of the readers shared the stories of their first meeting with their husbands.  Some were adorable, and some were so awkward.  Have you shared your “meet-cutes” with your children and grandchildren?  Surprisingly it is something we forget to talk about, but it is part of their heritage!

My Thoughts

His Brother’s Atonement is written by  Amy Walsh. This book is part of the Whispers in Wyoming series. I have not read many books in the series, and they are all stand alone books. This is a newer author to me and I love how she creates characters that are realistic. I also love that she wrote in a horrific event in Aubrey's life that ended up being her greatest joy. Jaysonis an adorable little boy who is the joy of Aubrey's life. Aubrey did receive help to deal with the aftermath of the assault, but she seems to freeze in time when she sees Shane who is her attacker's brother. 

Seeing Shane shook Aubrey. Then she finds out that Lucas died in prison, and she feels relieved. Shane wants to get to know his nephew and help Aubrey, who has rejected his financial attempts. Now they find themselves working for the same graphic design company. I love how the author showed that hearts can soften toward reconciliation. That relationships can indeed heal. This was such a beautifully written story that I enjoyed very much. I am so happy to have discovered this author. 

The characters are well written and realistic. The story line is unique and pulls you in within the first few pages. 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

Texas Book-aholic, September 23

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 24

deb’s Book Review, September 25

Inklings and notions, September 26

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, September 27

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 28

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 29

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, September 30

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 1

A Baker’s Perspective, October 2 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, October 3 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

For the Love of Literature, October 4 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, October 4

Pause for Tales, October 5

Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 6 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, October 6

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Amy is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 gift card along with His Brother’s Atonement, a Rocky Mountains Shirt and a Rocky Mountains wooden bookmark!!

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/21a6a/his-brother-s-atonement-celebration-tour-giveaway

Thursday, September 29, 2022

Book Review and Giveaway - Delicious Devotion Author: Melissa Wardwell On Tour with Celebrate Lit

 

About the Book

Book: Delicious Devotion

Author: Melissa Wardwell

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release date: August 30, 2022

Why do weddings do their best to ruin relationships? Friends, family—even the couple!

Beth Stevens didn’t come to the Independence Islands to find a guy, but thanks to her beloved Gram, she had a place to go and the skills to start a business she loves. Meeting Scott again and getting engaged was a bonus she only dreamed of.

Now, in the final weeks before their Christmas Eve wedding, she can’t imagine not having him in her life. They have endured one hurdle after another in their two-year relationship and have remained devoted through it all.

And then months of wedding planning begins to fall apart as one person continues to undermine Beth’s choices.

Scott has waited for this day to come but as he witnesses Beth unravel, he does everything he knows to do to protect and stand by her.

The question is, will things ever come together enough to get them both to the altar before it’s too late?

This Breakers Head novel is Melissa Wardwell’s final novel in the Independence Islands Series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

The Independence Islands Series: beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author



Melissa Wardwell resides in Owosso, Michigan with her husband and three teen-aged children.

She doesn’t mind alternating between the world of writing and the reality of being a mother, but she would rather sit with a good book or a good friend and a cup of coffee.

When she isn’t penning works of fiction, she is busy reviewing books for her blog, Back Porch Reads.

To see more from Melissa Wardwell, visit www.melissawardwell.com

 

More from Melissa

For five books I have tormented and teased readers. Some have even emailed me asking when they were going to see a wedding for Beth and Scott. Now I can say, this is your chance.

I cannot tell you how fun this book was to write. Every plot line, great or small, that I left hanging in the previous four books will come together here. I know some didn’t like it, and I’m sorry, but that was the way the characters told me their stories.

See, my books for The Independence Islands run together like that of a television series. Not every plot is resolved at the end of the season and the characters come back in the next season. We know someone is ill at the end of season four, but will they survive through season five? And if it involves legal issues, well those don’t resolve in a short amount of time, no matter what. Then, there is the slow burn romance. I mean, come on, not every romance is a flash in the pan. The good ones build over the span of months, or in Beth and Scott’s case, years.

Throughout this series, these characters have faced their demons while learning to trust God’s hand in their lives. They have lost and loved, married and buried, celebrated and cried all while searching for something more. I don’t know about you, but finishing Delicious Devotion was like saying good-bye to dear friends. Of course, the hardest was Gram’s final piece of wisdom to the bride and groom…

“Be vulnerable with each other, in every way. If you cannot be vulnerable and open with your spouse, then there is no trust in your foundations. When you pray together, pray openly. When you talk about those private things that only spouses talk about, be willing to listen to your spouse and act accordingly. Remember to keep everything stated in those moments of vulnerability between the two of you. No bed is big enough for three people.”

That lady was so smart.

Thank you for going on this journey of self-discovery and growth in faith. Beth was not the only one who went through some changes over the last two years. I’d like to think that she and I grew together as we processed loss, success, new friendships, and healing of old wounds.

If you stuck with it through all five of my contributions and loved every minute, then you are welcome. If you wanted to lay hands on my swiftly and repeatedly, I apologize. Stories like this have minds of their own.

I hope you will continue to follow me as I publish more books with the wonderful people at Celebrate Lit and integrate a couple of these characters in future books.

Grace and peace be with you all your days,

Melissa Wardwell


My Thoughts 

 Delicious Devotion is written by Melissa Wardwell. This is book 26 of the Independence Island series. The series is written by multiple authors and are tied together by the Island theme. While they can all be read as stand alone, the characters make appearances in several books. I was super excited to see Beth and Scott again. This is the author's last book in the series and I am sad to see these conclusion of this series. 

Beth and Scott are engaged to be married. Beth gets a little frazzled when stress comes her way. She always makes grilled cheese and tomato soup when she is stressed.  I love how Scott always seemed to turn her frown upside down. There is a lot of family drama leading up to their wedding. Scott always made sure to show Beth how he was there for her. I love that they were a very God centered couple. Their faith is tested. Will they be able to withstand the pressure?

I have enjoyed the author's contributions to the series. I have been a fan of hers for several years so it's always a pleasure to read her work. 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

An Author’s Take, September 22

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 22

lakesidelivingsite, September 23

She Lives To Read, September 24

Texas Book-aholic, September 24

Inklings and notions, September 25

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, September 26

deb’s Book Review, September 26

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 27

Aryn the Libraryan, September 28

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, September 28

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

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 30

For Him and My Family, September 30

Blossoms and Blessings, October 1

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, October 2 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, October 2

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 3

Blogging With Carol, October 3

Sylvan Musings, October 4

Christina’s Corner, October 4

Simple Harvest Reads, October 5 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Melissa is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a 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/21a63/delicious-devotion-celebration-tour-giveaway

Book Review and Giveaway - Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex By: Carole P. Roman --- hosted by The Children's Book Review

 



ABOUT THE BOOK




Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex

Written by Carole P. Roman

Ages 8-18 | 243 Pages

Publisher: Chelshire, Inc. | ISBN-13: 9781950080434

Publisher’s Book Summary: Templeton Academy, the superhero high school, is finally open!

The prestigious academy is recruiting the best of the best to enroll in its student body. The school is as mysterious as it is exclusive. Grady Whill thinks there is nothing special about him to make the grade. However, his best friend, Aarush Patel has been selected and thinks Grady has the right stuff. Even school bully, Elwood Bledsoe is attending.

If Grady is fortunate enough to be picked, his guardian has forbidden him to attend. Will a family secret prevent Grady from becoming the superhero he was destined to be?


PURCHASE LINKS


Amazon

Audible


ABOUT THE AUTHOR





Carole P. Roman is the award-winning author of over fifty children’s books. Whether it’s pirates, princesses, spies, or discovering the world around us, her books have enchanted educators, parents, and her diverse audience of children of all ages.

Her best-selling book, The Big Book of Silly Jokes for Kids: 800+ Jokes! has reached number one on Amazon in March of 2020 and has remained in the top 200 books since then.

She published Mindfulness for Kids with J. Robin Albertson-Wren.

Carole has co-authored two self-help books. Navigating Indieworld: A Beginners Guide to Self-Publishing and Marketing with Julie A. Gerber, and Marketing Indieworld with both Julie A. Gerber and Angela Hausman.

Roman is the CEO of a global transportation company, as well as a practicing medium.

She also writes adult fiction under the name Brit Lunden and has created an anthology of the mythical town of Bulwark, Georgia with a group of indie authors.

Writing is her passion and one of her favorite pastimes. Roman reinvents herself frequently, and her family calls her the ‘mother of reinvention.’ She resides on Long Island, near her children and grandchildren.

For more information, visit http://www.caroleproman.com/.

https://www.facebook.com/CarolePRomanAwardWinningAuthorAndBooks/

https://twitter.com/caroleproman?lang=en

Amazon Author Page


MY THOUGHTS

Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex is written by Carol P Roman. This is a Middle School Fiction book that I read with my 11 year old son. We both enjoyed this book very much. There is a bit of cursing in this story, so please be mindful of that. This is the first book that I have read by this author. 

The story follows an average kid who lives with his uncle. Grady and his friend, Aarush wish to attend the prestigious Templeton Academy. They find themselves getting in along with the school bully. The location of the school is a secret location. This is a transition from middle school, to high school. This is the school where they can learn superhero stuff. (This reminded us of Harry Potter )

I like how the author created realistic characters. We see Grady with asthma and Aarush with autism. I feel that this is important for this day in age since there is so much bullying going on. My son has some issues that have caused him to get picked on, so he really seeing a character like this. I feel others that have the same issues can relate. 

The book is well written. There is great character development. My son and I really enjoyed this story. 
Thank you to the author, publisher and The Children's Book Review for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own. 

GIVEAWAY


Enter for a chance to win an awesome Dooney Press Gift Pack of books and more fun goodies!


One (1) grand prize winner receives:

- A signed copy of Grady Whill and the Templeton Code

- A waxed canvas backpack

Nine (9) winners receive:

- A signed copy of Grady Whill and the Templeton Code

ENTER: HERE


TOUR SCHEDULE



Monday, September 12, 2022

The Children’s Book Review

A book review of Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex

Tuesday, September 13, 2022

The Fairview Review

A book review of Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex

Wednesday, September 14, 2022

Barbara Ann Mojica’s Blog

A book review of Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex

Thursday, September 15, 2022

The Momma Spot

A book review of Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex

Friday, September 16, 2022

Writer with Wanderlust

A book review of Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex

Monday, September 19, 2022

J.R.s Book Reviews

A book review of Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex

Tuesday, September 20, 2022

icefairy’s Treasure Chest

A book review of Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Life Is What It’s Called

An interview with Carole P. Roman

Thursday, September 22, 2022

Crafty Moms Share

A book review of Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex

Friday, September 23, 2022

Lisa’s Reading

An article by Carole P. Roman

Blending the superhero genre with the classic school story

Monday, September 26, 2022

Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

A book review of Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Book Zone Reviews

A book review of Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex

Wednesday, September 28, 2022

Twirling Book Princess

An article by Carole P. Roman

Superheroes and why they make good characters for kids books

Thursday, September 29, 2022

Because I Said So

A book review of Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex

Friday, September 30, 2022

Shooting Stars Mag

An interview with Carole P. Roman