Tuesday, April 4, 2023

My Thoughts The Wrong Seat Series: Langston Sisters series #2 Author: Natasha D. Frazier

The Wrong Seat JustRead Blog + Review Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Wrong Seat by Natasha D. Frazier, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Wrong Seat
Series: Langston Sisters series #2
Author: Natasha D. Frazier
Publisher: Encouraging Works
Release Date: April 6, 2023
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Life doesn't return to normal for the Langston Sisters...

Compelled to get her family’s business back on solid ground after Crystal's arrest tanks their company's sales and reputation, Ava shoulders the responsibility to secure the biggest deal Langston Brands has had since inception. However, someone doesn’t like the idea and poisons her to thwart her mission.

Ava’s father hires The Four Kings private security firm to protect Ava from the ongoing threats. When Zack Kingsland takes the job, he does so reluctantly. He’s been out of the field for five years since his last job cost him his ex-wife. Now that he’s back in the thick of things, he finds that he not only needs to protect Ava, but also his heart.

A man of his word, Zack won’t compromise his assignment or Ava’s safety, not even for the growing feelings he has for her.

How can Ava and Zack navigate their feelings without losing sight of the mission—to keep her safe?

The Wrong Seat (Ava's story) is book 2 in The Langston Sisters series.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | BookDepository | BookBub

More Books in This Series

The Reunion

About the Author

Natasha D. Frazier fell in love with love around the age of twelve because of artists like Babyface, Boys II Men, Whitney Houston, and New Edition. Around sixteen when her mother purchased a romance novel and left it lying around the house untouched, Natasha read it and a spark for the written word had been ignited.

Natasha believes that writing is one of her purposes and contributions to the world. She feels accomplished when she can get a few words written and like blah when life gets in the way. Her hope is that at the end of every novel, readers will feel like they’ve been wrapped in a cozy blanket with a mug of their favorite coffee/tea/warm drink.

When she isn’t reading or writing, she is likely watching movies with her family. Natasha resides in Richmond, TX with her husband, Eddie Frazier, Jr. and their three children, Eden, Ethan, and Emilyn. Her greatest joy and commitment is to her family who she hopes to inspire above all else. One of her many mottos in life is: Faith removes limitations. Natasha and her family attend Parkway Fellowship in Richmond, TX, where she volunteers as a small group leader for elementary students. Natasha is also a member of the Houston Area Alumni Chapter of Jackson State University and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Connect with Natasha by visiting natashafrazier.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

My Thoughts

The Wrong Seat is book two in the Langston Sisters series that is written by Natasha D. Frazier. I have not read the first book, but I did not have any issues following along. This is the first book that I have read by this author, and it will not be my last.

Ava is trying to save her family’s business after all goes awry when Crystal (book one) is arrested. She is trying to restore the business reputation. There are so many ongoing threats to Ava that her father has to hire a security team to keep her safe. Zack Kingsland takes the job, he does so reluctantly. It's been awhile since he was out in the field. He has some baggage from the past. This could get in the way of being to do his job professionally. I enjoyed seeing their attraction grow throughout the story. They are both well written characters who have some flaws.

There was a lot of action and suspense in this book. I was drawn in immediately to the story. I will be going back to read book one so that I can get the full picture. 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 The Wrong Seat swag box and $10 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 4, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 11, 2023. 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

JustRead Publicity Tours

Monday, April 3, 2023

My Thoughts - Every Flower of the Field Author: Sara Davison

About the Book

Book: Every Flower of the Field

Author: Sara Davison

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release date: February 15, 2023

Safe is the most dangerous feeling of all.

For as long as she can remember, Rose Galway has been a captive, controlled by one man or another. To her, though, God is the one holding the keys, refusing to set her free despite the desperate pleas she has sent heavenward.

Detective Laken Jones has known hardship too, including the daily trauma of racism. Still, nothing he has gone through compares to what Rose has endured. He wants nothing more than for her to experience hope and healing and maybe even happiness in her life.

But first he has to find her.

Laken is willing to risk everything to set Rose free. And to help her find her way to God. Even if that means letting go of her—and the future he envisions for the two of them—forever.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Sara Davison is the author of four romantic suspense series—The Seven Trilogy, The Night Guardians, The Rose Tattoo Trilogy, and two sparrows for a penny, as well as the standalone, The Watcher. A finalist for more than a dozen national writing awards, she is a Word, Cascade, and two-time Carol Award winner. She currently resides in Ontario with her husband, Michael, and their three mostly grown kids. Like every good Canadian, she loves coffee, hockey, poutine, and apologizing for no particular reason. Get to know Sara better at www.saradavison.org and @sarajdavison.

More from Sara

Neil Gaiman once said, “Fiction gives us empathy. It puts us inside the minds of other people, gives us the gift of seeing the world through their eyes…” To me, that is one of the primary reasons to read and to write fiction. Every time I write a scene with a character, it’s my job as the author to put myself inside that character, to think what they are thinking and feel what they are feeling, and to draw readers inside that character too.

When what that character is experiencing is deeply painful or traumatic, that job can be extremely difficult. In my series, two sparrows for a penny, the main characters of the first two books, Every Star in the Sky and Every Flower of the Field, have has been caught up in sex trafficking for several years. What they experienced wasn’t easy to write about, especially since, although Tala’s and Rose’s stories are fictional, I am painfully aware that so many women have been or are currently in the same horrific situation.

It may be difficult to read about too, although the stories also contain humor and love and family and, ultimately, hope. Still, it is so important that stories like these are told. If Neil Gaiman is right, reading about what others are going through increases our empathy, our compassion, for their plight. And empathy and compassion are catalysts for action. If we turn away from suffering, pretend it doesn’t exist, we do nothing to help alleviate it. But if we face it, acknowledge it, we might find in ourselves the courage to take a stand against it, to do what we can to help, to let these women know that they are not alone. That they are precious to God and they are precious to us.

The title of this series is two sparrows for a penny, which comes from Matthew 10:29: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.” Every human being caught up in the unspeakably heinous world of trafficking is loved by God. He sees them and knows what they are going through and, one day, he will mete out perfect justice to all who perpetuate this evil. My hope and prayer for these stories is that readers will be compelled to pray for the women and some men who are victims of this practice and maybe even become involved, through a reputable agency, in working to help free those in captivity.

And I also hope and pray readers will be reminded that, whatever they are going through in life, they are never alone either. As God knows the name of every star and takes care even of the flowers of the field, He knows every one of our names and watches over us as well. Tala and Rose finally come to realize that, even in the midst of horrific circumstances, they were never alone. God saw them, remembered them, brought them out of captivity, and will continue to walk alongside them as they begin their long journeys of healing and hope.

And He promises over and over in His Word that He will do the same for every one of us.

My Thoughts

Every Flower of the Field is book two in the Two Sparrows and a Penny series that is written by Sara Davison. I would suggest reading the books in order so that you can grasp the whole story within the series. If you choose to read as a stand alone, there are some spoilers from book one in this book. However, this book will capture your attention within the first few pages. The author has done a wonderful job in bringing broken, scary topics (ie: Human Trafficking) and having God's Glory shine through.

Rose Galway has been a captive for several years. She has cried out to God many times and does not understand why he will not answer her. She holds on to the hope that someday she will be free and have no man controlling or hurting her. Tala, who has escaped and found out that Rose is alive has had Detective Laken Jones looking for Rose. He has a lot of issues in his past. However, when he finds Rose in a do or die situation I love that he puts himself in harms way to let her know he will stay with her until she is safe.

This book had my adrenaline pumping so many times throughout. The author has done a great job in throwing in so many suspense filled scenes that you will not want to stop reading. I cannot wait until we get to read the next story.

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, March 23

Lily’s Book Reviews, March 23

An Author’s Take, March 24

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 25

Texas Book-aholic, March 26

Where Crisis & Christ Collide, March 26

Betti Mace, March 27

The Sacred Line, March 27

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, March 28

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 29

deb’s Book Review, March 30

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 31

For Him and My Family, March 31

Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 1

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 2

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 2

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, April 3

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 4

Blogging With Carol, April 5

Rebecca Tews, April 5

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Sara is givinga way the grand prize package of a book-related stained glass window hanging and a paperback copy of Every Flower of the Field!!

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/24ff1/every-flower-of-the-field-celebration-tour-giveaway

Sunday, April 2, 2023

My Thoughts - Targeted in the Desert Author: Dana Mentink

About the Book

Book: Targeted in the Desert

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release date: March 28, 2023

Family secrets have Felicia Tennison, and the sister she never knew existed, on the run. Someone is after them, and Felicia will have to turn to someone she never wanted to see again for help—her ex. Sheriff Jude Duke vows to protect them as they race to uncover why the little girl is a target. But the search to find the answers could cost them their futures.

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

At last! We’ve arrived at the final book in the Desert Justice series! It seems like just yesterday I was finishing book one, about cousin Beckett Duke who was falsely imprisoned. Then we met cowboy Levi and his twin Willow, dog lover Austin, donkey rescuer Nora and FINALLY sheriff Jude Duke gets his story! I am a fan of a hero with some miles under his belt, aren’t you? Could it be because I’ve got more than a few under mine? Ending this series is bittersweet because I am thrilled that the Dukes all received their happy endings, but I’ll miss writing about their adventures in Death Valley. Hope you’ll come along on my next series. (Could be there are bloodhounds in our fictional future!)

God bless!

My Thoughts

Targeted in the Desert is written by Dana Mentink. This is the last book in the Desert Justice Series. While this can be read as a stand alone book you’ll want to get to know the whole crazy Duke Crew. I’m so thrilled that Jude got the final story. He wasn’t my favorite in previous books so it was nice to get underneath that tough exterior

Felicia is Jude’s sister, Nora’s best friend. We saw her in Nora’s story. Felicia was adopted at a young age and finds out that she has a sister. She also finds out that someone wants to eliminate them both. She gets a packet asking to meet from an anonymous source. She has no idea what to expect while she is driving there. However in route to meet the anonymous person there’s an accident. That’s where everything goes south.

Jude himself was on the way to the coffee shop when he sees the accident. He does not believe that it was a coincidence. However with the history that Felecia and he have he knows he can’t be the one that watches over them. He broke up with her for several reasons. He then finds out Felecia has a sister that needs help.

Suddenly we’re taken on a wild adventure. Jude wants to make sure that both Felecia and Gracie are safe. They try to stay two steps ahead of the bad guy but trouble keeps finding them.

The author has a way of bringing you into the story within the first few pages. She will keep your heart pumping with adrenaline through the non stop action. While I’m sad to see this series end, the finale might be my favorite.

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, March 29

Lily’s Book Reviews, March 29

An Author’s Take, March 30

Vicky Sluiter, March 30

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 31

Blogging With Carol, March 31

Texas Book-aholic, April 1

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, April 1

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, April 2

For Him and My Family, April 2

Betti Mace, April 3

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 3

Simple Harvest Reads, April 4 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Holly’s Book Corner, April 4

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 5

Daysong Reflections, April 5

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 5

Bigreadersite, April 6

Splashes of Joy, April 6

Blossoms and Blessings, April 7

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 7

Pause for Tales, April 8

EmpowerMoms, April 8

Labor Not in Vain, April 9

Book Looks by Lisa, April 9

For the Love of Literature, April 10

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, April 10

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 11

Through the Fire Blogs, April 11

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the 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/25254/targeted-in-the-desert-celebration-tour-giveaway

Saturday, April 1, 2023

My Thoughts -The Smell of Spring Author: Mary Hake

About the Book

Book: The Smell of Spring

Author: Mary Hake

Illustrator: Marina

Genre: Picture Book

Release date: December 15, 2022

In The Smell of Spring, April, a blind girl, enjoys the world around her and discovers spring scents. Join April and her menagerie of pets in their springtime adventures. The Smell of Spring shows children how we experience the world around us through the sense of smell. Kids will enjoy her many interesting pets and can have fun with the activities at the end using the sense of smell.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Mary Ann Hake has loved learning and writing for as long as she can remember. She has been scribbling stories and poems since she first learned to write and has published hundreds of stories, articles, poems, puzzles, devotions, and more for both children and adults plus written hundreds of book reviews. She loved working in a bookstore and as a librarian and enjoyed reading to children at story times and conducting summer reading programs. She has also taught writing to children and at writers’ conferences. In addition to writing, she continues to work as a freelance editor. Visit her website, www.maryannhake.com, and subscribe to her newsletter for activities for children and updates on future books. Also find her on Facebook at Mary A. Hake author, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057370041720.

More from Mary Ann

I have always loved books and reading, and even as an adult I still enjoy picture books. I had tried writing my own in the past, but The Smell of Spring is the first picture book I have published. The online classes I took during the pandemic and all the years of writers’ conferences, particularly Oregon Christian Writers conferences, have helped me learn and polish my craft. I have published hundreds of pieces, for both children and adults, in a variety of periodicals and a dozen compilation books plus some curricula.

I chose to present this concept book in rhyme because it came out more appealing and fun for kids than straight prose. The Smell of Spring shows how a blind girl uses her sense of smell to experience life around her. Along with her menagerie of pets, April explores her world. The story includes elements that would make it a handy companion text for connection to science: senses, the weather, nature, animals—domestic and wild, flowers and trees, and food. It also models responsibility as April cares for the animals. The Smell of Spring is the first book in the four-book series of Smells of the Seasons.

Readers of all ages are enjoying this fresh look at springtime.

Comments from early readers:

“In sweet, simple prose, with lovely illustrations, this book shows a child how they can appreciate their sense of smell.”

“A delightfully whimsical book that invites children to become mindfully aware of the many smells, both pleasant and unpleasant, that accompany the spring season.”

“A charming way to encounter the season for all children.”
“This was a very delightful book! I loved all the places she found smells in. I also loved how you made the book rhyme. It flowed very smoothly.”
“So well done, from the rhyme to the message.”

“Mary Hake gives the reader insights into what the world is like to a blind girl, who perceives the world through other senses besides sight. The focus on smell may encourage young listeners/readers to pay closer attention to the smells they like or dislike and to be more aware of different aspects of their world. It may also make them more understanding of children with disabilities.”

“Teachers, parents, and children will appreciate the activities at the end of this book.”

“The whole book is full of delightful images and easy-to-read phrases that describe all the many smells. Including some fun relatable parts. I think children will get a kick out of a few of the smells.”

Sign up for updates on my website, https://maryannhake.com/, and received a PDF of activities for children using the sense of smell. Further fun things will be coming in the future.

My Thoughts

I have been fortunate to know Mary Hake through the book blogging community. When I saw that she had written a children's book I was super excited to see it. The Smell of Spring is a beautifully written story by fellow book blogger Mary Hake.

We meet April, who is blind. We get to see how she experiences the world without vision. She has such a good time with her gaggle of pets smelling spring. I loved all the descriptions of springs floral and fun smells. My boys and I especially loved Muffy the dug who got himself into some not so great smells.

The book's illustrator matched the story beautifully. The pictures were bright and fun. This is a great book for younger kids. My boys are 9 and 11 and we enjoyed it alot. Especially since Alabama has had some not so fun days - it made us look forward to warmer spring filled smells.

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