Book Review and Giveaway - Shelter in the Storm written by Laurel Blount -- Hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours

 

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Shelter in the Storm by Laurel Blount, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Shelter in the Storm

Series: Johns Mill Amish Romance #1

Author: Laurel Blount

Publisher: Berkley Books

Release Date: May 25, 2021

Genre: Christian Contemporary/Amish Romance

In this moving Amish romance, two broken hearts find hope in each other after a terrible loss.

Unspeakable tragedy strikes the Amish hamlet of Johns Mill when an unstable Englischer opens fire in the Hochstedler's General Store. In the aftermath, and under the media's spotlight, Joseph Hochstedler struggles to hold his shattered family together, drawing unexpected comfort from a faithful childhood friend.

Born with a serious heart defect, optimist Naomi Schrock has always longed to live a life of service. She rolls up her sleeves, determined to help Joseph cope with this terrible crisis. But dare she hope that his friendship will finally deepen into love?

As the media's obsession with the Hochstedler shooting escalates, Joseph and Naomi find themselves caught between tradition and compromise, lingering sorrows and uncertain hopes. And in the end, two people who've already lost far too much must find the courage to trust their hearts one last time.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound | BookBub

ALSO AVAILABLE

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carol award-winning author Laurel Blount writes captivating romances full of grit and grace—with characters who’ll walk right off the page and into your heart. She lives on a farm in Georgia with her husband, their four fabulous kids, and an assortment of ridiculously spoiled animals. Connect with her at www.laurelblountbooks.com

CONNECT WITH LAUREL: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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My Thoughts

Shelter in the Storm is written by Laurel Blount. This book is book 1 in the Johns Mill Amish Romance series. I have read a few books by this author, and this book is by far my favorite. You will want to make sure that you have a lot of time to read this book for you will not want to put it down.

A troubled English man opens fire on innocent people in Hochstedler’s General Store. This opening scene is emotional and heartbreaking. Joseph Hochstedler is trying to put his life back together after this senseless act of violence. Each member of the family is affected differently. They know that they are supposed to turn the other cheek - but how does that help with the grieving and healing process. 

Naomi Schrock who has a heart defect wants to help. She knows that God wants her to live a life of service. However, as she and Joseph continue to weather many storms, her faith in God is tested and strengthened. They stay true to their Amish faith while dealing with so many blows. I enjoyed seeing their interaction throughout the book. 

This book contains well written characters, a intriguing (and suspenseful) story line, and is a must read. I can't wait until the next book comes out!

I received a copy of this book through the JustRead Publicity tours - all thoughts are my own. 

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive an Amish Meets Amazon prize package including a silver Shelter in the Storm bookmark, a hand-knitted dishcloth, a package of Amish church mints, and a $25 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight May 24, 2021 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on May 31, 2021. 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!

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Book Review and Giveaway - Road to Freedom Author: Leigh Lincoln On Tour with Celebrate Lit

 

About the Book

Book:  Road to Freedom

Author: Leigh Lincoln

Genre: Christian Literary Transformational Fiction

Release date: October 16, 2020

A marriage which shouldn’t be. The path to forgiveness begins in unlikely places. And love can bloom among the thorns.
Immigrant Francisco has escaped the cruelty of Cuba, but has been a man without a true home. Now terminal cancer has driven him into the arms of Stacy.
Traveling half-way around the world together, they each have a journey to take. Francisco confronts his past. While Stacy tries to open her heart after a devastating first marriage. Both pushing each other in ways they are unwilling to accept.
Can he make amends and say he’s sorry for his wrongs? Can she learn to let go and be free to love again?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Leigh has spent the better part of the last thirty years involved in homeless and poverty advocacy in one way or another. Her first novel – Road Home – was born out of this work. She wanted to make people think about their lives and how they live. But most importantly, about how they treat others and how they want to be treated. Her second novel – Road to Freedom – looks at how our lives don’t always follow the path we choose. But yet somehow we must pick up the broken pieces and move on. How we grow and where our strength comes from is what’s most important. These two novels form the basis for her series – Broken Roads. Each shows how life is raw, painful and often leads us on journeys we never expected or imagined. While each book doesn’t seem to relate, the final book in the series will connect the dots of how these characters have touched the lives of each other in ways they never knew. Keep watching for updates on when new books will come out!

Leigh loves to travel, paint and hike. You never know where she’ll end up next, for she’s on her own journey of discovery.

 

More from Leigh

I wrote this book as my pandemic project – with all this time on my hands I needed something to do. No traveling, no meeting new people, no leaving my house, no, no, no. Fine, I thought to myself, I’ll sit at my computer and remember people I’ve met on my journeys, places I’ve been, things I’ve seen, foods I’ve savored. And then cram them all into a book. For those of you who want to be adventurous, I’ve learned how to make paella. It works best in a heavy skillet on a gas stove, but a non-stick pan or an electric stove will work as well. Ingredients: 1 1/2 cup stock, 1/8 cup olive oil, 1/4 large onion finely chopped, 1 clove fresh garlic minced, 1/3 cup tomato sauce, handful of fresh peas, 3/4 cup pearl or valencia rice, 1 large bay leaf, 1 cup meat (chicken, Spanish chorizo or seafood – or go crazy and do a mix of meats), salt, pepper and saffron to taste. Instructions: Saute onions, garlic, bay leaf in olive oil until soft. Add rice, continue to saute for 3-5 minutes until rice is a golden brown. Add about a 1/4 cup of stock, tomato sauce, peas, and spices. If you are using chicken add it at this point. Cook on low or medium low, shaking the pan from time to time, making sure the rice ends up level. Slowly pour about 1/4 cup of stock evenly around the pan every 5-10 minutes. Do not allow it to come to a boil, do not stir and do not cover. When the rice is almost tender, add Spanish chorizo or seafood if that’s your meat of choice. I often serve paella with fresh bread, a bowl of olive oil to dip the bread in and a few slices of lemon if people want some tang added to their paella.

My Thoughts

 Road to Freedom is written by Leigh Lincoln. This is the first book that I have read by this author and I enjoyed it. This book is a Christian Inspirational Fiction Novel. It is book 2 in the Broken Roads series. This book follows a man, Francisco, who is terminally ill. He goes on a physical and spiritual journey. He knows that the end is near, and he feels he has unfinished business. He marries his best friend Stacy and they go on some grand adventures. The author does a good job describing Cuba, Spain and Miami. While on these adventures throughout our great earth he asks for forgiveness from those he has hurt. What I loved the most about this is his wife, Stacy reminds him that he must forgive himself also. I love the biblical lesson that the author has tied in. God forgives us and forgets our past sin. We must forgive ourselves and not dwell what has been forgiven. 

Well written characters, a unique story line and a good read. I look forward to more from this author. I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit blogging program. All thoughts are my own. 

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 15

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, May 16

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 17

Texas Book-aholic, May 18

Inklings and notions, May 19

For Him and My Family, May 20

deb’s Book Review, May 21

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 22

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 23

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, May 24

HappyWhenReading, May 24

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 25

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, May 26 (Author Interview)

Pause for Tales, May 27

Through the Fire Blogs, May 28 (Author Interview)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, May 28

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Leigh is giving away the grand prize package of a signed copy and a $25 Amazon gift card!!

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/10bbc/road-to-freedom-celebration-tour-giveaway

Book Review and Giveaway - Autumn’s Harmony Author: Donna Wyland On Tour with Celebrate Lit

 

About the Book

Book:  Autumn’s Harmony

Author: Donna Wyland

Genre: Contemporary women’s fiction

Release date: October 20, 2020

For every woman who has ever desired

to make sense of her past, find joy in

the present, and discover God’s purpose

for her future.

Anna Bentley needs a new life. Struggling in a long-term marriage with two children and carrying a secret that stole her joy many years ago, she begins to search for the key to happiness in marriage and in life. When peach martinis, lacy lingerie and Nicholas Sparks novels fail to quell her discontent and spice up her failing marriage, she finds what she was looking for in the most unlikely place.

Autumn’s Harmony is a poignant and witty tale about the healing power of forgiveness, reconciliation and new beginnings.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Donna Wyland is an award-winning author whose personal essays and poetry have appeared in numerous publications. Her published work includes picture books, Your Home in Heaven and If I Could Ask Jesus, and a gift book titled Surrender. Donna is a mother and grandmother, and she lives in the Midwest with her husband surrounded by quilts, crafts, and oodles of books. To learn more, visit www.freetobe.faith or connect with Donna on LinkedIn, Instagram and Pinterest.

 

More from Donna

Anna Bentley needs a new beginning. Most women have felt the same way at one time or another. When life is routine and marriage & family are a struggle, where can you find true happiness? Anna discovers her new beginning in an unlikely place – the same place I found mine when I was thirty-three. Join Anna on her journey to reignite the happiness in you.

My Thoughts

Autumn’s Harmony is written by Donna Wyland. I have read one other book by this author, however it was a children's book. Be prepared to go on an emotional journey when you read this book. This book will go deep within the characters life and see how hidden secrets can affect you. No matter where you are in your faith - this is the book for you to read. This book introduces characters that are not Christian. There are some aspects that are written about such as lingerie and intimacy of marriage. However the author handles these topics without too much detail. 

This book is about a couple who has been married a long time. There are issues that come to light and Anna will seek the right counsel. Her husband, in my thoughts was controlling of his family. I have dealt with this with my ex husband, so my heart went out to Anna. I loved watching Anna find herself and become the woman that God wanted her to be. 

This book contains a lesson of forgiveness and God's Grace. Which is so important to remember. I love how the author brought to life flawed characters. They were not 100% happy. They were angry, hurt and so much more. The characters are well written, and you feel like you get to know them as they evolve through the story. I look forward to more from this author. 

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

Blog Stops

lakesidelivingsite, May 18

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 19

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 20

Genesis 5020, May 20

Texas Book-aholic, May 21

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 22

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, May 23

Spoken from the Heart, May 23

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, May 24

deb’s Book Review, May 25

HappyWhenReading, May 25

Inklings and notions, May 26

Batya’s Bits, May 27

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, May 27

For Him and My Family, May 28

Older & Smarter?, May 29

Pause for Tales, May 29

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 30

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 31

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Donna is giving away the grand prize package of a paperback copy of Autumn’s Harmony and a $25 Magnolia Market E-Gift Card!!

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/10bbe/autumn-s-harmony-celebration-tour-giveaway

Book Review and Giveaway - Someone to Trust Author: Lesa Henderson On Tour with Celebrate Lit

 

About the Book

Book:  Someone to Trust

Author: Lesa Henderson

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release date: January 26, 2021

Megan McCormick doesn’t leave Atlanta looking for love. Far from it. She runs to the mountain town of Laurel Crest to flee from her past and a broken heart. When she’s knocked over by Lee Grainger, handsome veterinarian and lover of small-town living, Megan’s life takes an unexpected turn.

Tired of fast-paced city life, Lee is considering a permanent move to the mountains. His run-in with Megan has him believing he’s in Laurel Crest for more than a partnership in an animal hospital.

After a case of mistaken identity is cleared up, Megan and Lee strike up a friendship. Lee is everything Megan ever wanted—smart, loyal and dedicated to his faith. But Megan has experienced deep betrayal twice, and she’s reluctant to give romance another try.

Can Megan come to terms with the secret that haunts her, get past her distrust of men, and accept the love Lee offers or will her heart be broken again?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Lesa Henderson has been an avid reader since she first learned how to read and loves getting lost in the world the author creates. She’s been writing since the age of 10 and has since been published in many national magazines and is also a screenwriter. She lives in Florida with her husband Ken, their three children and a Schnauzer named Jackson.

 

More from Lesa

In Someone To Trust Megan McCormick (the heroine of the story) though very disciplined,  loves icing-filled, chocolate chip cookies.  I love the combination myself.  Especially butter-cream icing.   I’ll do an extra mile of running to have one.

She’s also a bit of a klutz and I drew some of her mishaps from my own unfortunate past episodes.  I’m a bit more graceful now but  definitely share some embarrassing incidents with Megan.   I’m also a screenwriter, so I did my best to relay Megan’s clumsiness, in a way hopefully that reader could easily see in their mind.

I wanted to tell a story of someone who was very broken by her father’s betrayal of her mother when she was a little girl.  Many of us have suffered father wounds that greatly impact us, even down the road in our lives.

As the story began forming  in my mind, I wondered what would happen if Megan became the very thing she despised her father for?  How would that impact her life?  Naturally, it would compound her distrust of men, as well as bring on self-loathing.

Of course this brought up the issue of forgiveness.  Not only the ability to forgive those who have hurt us but also the grace to forgive ourselves.

This is something Megan needs to learn.  Although, she is beautiful and caring,  her heart is cloaked in bitterness and she’s running from her past.  And we all know, sometimes our past comes back to haunt us when we least expect it.

My Thoughts

 Someone to Trust is written by  Lesa Henderson. This is the first book that I have read by this author. This was a quick easy read and I laughed a lot. Megan McCormick has fled to a new town to try and recover from her past. She has been betrayed and hurt.  She has been pushed away by not only men, but her own father. Because of this deep pain - she swears off dating. She also does not think that God loves her. Enter Dr. Lee Grainger a veterinarian that she literally  falls for him. Dr. Lee Grainger has arrived in town also. Seeing the two characters meet, get to know each other and seeing the twists and turns that come in their relationship. The author has written a beautiful romance with the Biblical lesson of forgiveness and healing into it. The author backs her lesson up with Scriptures and God's love. 

Well written characters who are relatable. Unique and engaging storyline. I look forward to what the author writes next. I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit blogging program, all thoughts are my own. 

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 20

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 21

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, May 22

For Him and My Family, May 23

deb’s Book Review, May 24

Texas Book-aholic, May 25

Splashes of Joy, May 26 (Author Interview)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, May 26

Inklings and notions, May 27

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, May 28

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 29

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 30

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 31

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, June 1 (Author Interview)

Kayem Reads, June 1

Cultivating Us, June 2

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lesa is giving away the grand prize package of a digital copy of the book Someone To Trust, as well as a DVD of the Film Hope Has A Name!!

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/10c8f/someone-to-trust-celebration-tour-giveaway